~ Disclaimer ~ ZzzzzZZZZzzzz..

Link: I wonder when she fell asleep last night. I guess this chapter is all mine to write! ^_^

_ Don't even think about it!

Link: Good morning, Sunshine ^_^;

Stop playing innocent! Oh, ah. I guess I slept in this time. Okay, here we go.

Link: Can I help?

No, this is my creation and you're just a part of it.

Link: T_T

Oh, the disclaimer, I don't own anything Zelda. It's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so do not sue me.

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Wah! Before I forget, the dedications for this chapter goes to: Snowsilver and CrysSton16 whose review could not be shown on the story site T_T. This one's for you guys!

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~ A New Land, A New People, and A New Problem ~

The day grew late as the sky finally began to clear up. Every once in a while the black Wolfos would shiver or give a low whine. Each time it did, Link would try to comfort it.

The land they traveled over was a surprise to Link only for how well it resembled Hyrule. He looked around a while to make sure he had not doubled around back to Hyrule but found there were no definite landmarks from Hyrule.

Nonetheless there was the occasional tall tree to appear but also there were stone mounds just as tall as Link himself, these he found only near a riverbank. Unlike the river running in front of Kakariko and into the castle gates, this one was a true, wild river. Much wider, it ran noisily over stones turning the water white. This river they followed, going down stream, hoping it would resemble Hyrule in that way and lead them to a town.

Epona was tired from running and had slowed to a walk. Seeing no real danger, Link decided it was no bad thing to take their time. The wolf was not getting worse but it was not getting better either.

He walked alongside Epona, but still making sure the wolf did not fall. Link knew they would have to stop, as the sky grew red and gold in the distance. He peered wearily at the sunset. He had not been that tired since the first three days in Termina. He could only hope they found some sort of town or city soon.

Alas, the nightshade fell making further travel hazardous. They stopped and Link gathered wood for a fire. Epona's warmth would not be enough this night. Link's stomach growled, reminding him of another problem as he set out toward a group of trees on the field.

He gathered the driest pieces of wood he could find and carried them back to the already forming pile. Epona contentedly grazed and the black wolf rested soundly near the wood. Link could only hope the wolf would be friendly once it woke up. He wished silently for Navi's light as he dumped the branches and sticks and went back for another load.

When he deemed there was enough wood for a decent fire and looked to his quiver among the items lying on the ground. Link had unloaded all his equipment from his back and belt including the bomb bag, deku nuts, deku sticks, and even his hookshot. He was going to use a fire arrow but to his dismay, he found that there were no arrows left.

"Dang it!" He pounded his small fist against the ground in frustration. His clothes were still wet and he was already shivering because of them. He sighed and leaned back until he fell on his backside. The work of gathering the wood had warmed him up a little but soon he knew he was going to smell again. He gritted his teeth. If only he had a fire!

The black Wolfos gave a short whine again and began to twitch. Link watched at the wolf's face seemed to spasm slightly and his paws flicked as though in a chase. All together, then, the wolf rolled over and lifted its head in alarm with a sharp bark. Link held out one hand, "Relax, you're safe now."

The mostly black face studied the boy again. It was the same from the cave. It snorted from the air. The air was different but familiar to the wolf. It held the scent of oaken trees and a constantly rushing river, sweet water and dew. It even held the scent of magic.

Link ripped off the shoulder cloth of his tunic and began to fasten a sort of bandage with it. The wolf stared at him warily as he bundled the two pieces of green cloth together and fished through his quiver for an extra bow string to tie it on the wolf. Link calmly and slowly approached as the black Wolfos stayed perfectly still on stomach.

"Don't worry, everything's going to be okay. I just need to cover that would of yours." Link let out a smooth stream of comforting words as his hand reached to touch the wolf's head.

Epona had stopped grazing and was watching the scene as Link finally reached the wolf's black and red fur of its forehead. The wolf was calm under Link's touch as he crept closer to stroke the wolf's back. The wolf smiled slightly but not cruelly as the other Wolfos had. Link was surprised by the smile but did not stop in petting the black fur of the wolf's flank.

Slowly he managed to get the wolf to roll on its side once again. The wound had scabbed over somewhat but it did not really matter. Link was glad that he had gained the wolf's trust but he wondered if he could get what the wolf really needed. A fairy.

He set the wet cloth against the wound but the wolf did not make a sound. After applying pressure to the cloth, he set the bowstring over the cloth and worked it slowly under the wolf. Unfortunately, the string was not long enough, so Link fished out another one.

With two strings, Link managed a fair knot and had the wolf stand up. It did and shook a few spare drops of water off its fur. But the bandage held in place. Link smiled brightly, glad his skills in fixing wounds had come in handy once again.

The black Wolfos let its tongue hand out the side of its mouth as it panted. Link held out his hand, palm up, to the wolf. The wolf stepped closer to him and licked his palm. Link was satisfied with that and sat down beside the wolf. Again, the wolf laid down and Epona went back to her grazing.

The night wore on and soon all three travelers fell fast asleep.

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Dawn came with a mysterious mist fogging the land. Link slowly woke on his back with the wolf on his lap and Epona behind his head. He smiled at his friends before sitting up and gently easing the wolf off his lap.

"What in Farore's name happened here?" He peered into the mist but could barley make out the small group of trees he had gathered wood from. He hugged his own arms from the crisp cold of the mist and let out a sneeze.

He hated being in cold, wet places. It reminded him too much of the water temple. Not to mention the graveyard. And under the clock tower. Link could also recall the atmosphere alike to that of the Zora's home in both Hyrule and Termina Bay.

He sighed in misery and looked all around him. Oddly, he could make out a small ball of yellow light slowly approaching. He stared at it only for a moment more then went to gather up all his stuff.

Just as he was making sure the bomb bag would not fall again, the sound of horses hooves and humming filled the Hylian's pointed ears. A mule puled into sight pulling a large wagon with an old man and young girl riding on it.

Link looked at them as they both noticed him. The light came from a lantern hanging on the wagon's side.

"Hullo, and who might you be?" The old man asked with a kind and curious voice. Link did not answer. The old man became wary of the lad as he spied the sword and well used shield over the boy's shoulder. This one was a foreign sword-wielder and always proved troublesome.

Link shook his head to snap him out of his trance. "I'm sorry. I've come from a far way away and found this injured wolf. I was hoping you could point out someone closely who could help?"

"Hmm, that hound looks to be one of Katie's pack. Yes, one of the odd ones. Lad, I must warn ya that the townsfolk don't look kindly upon those types of dogs. You're a suspicious looking lad yourself."

The girl also stared at him but noticed the boys roughly torn sleeves and well used boots as well as the muscles and scars adorning the young boy's body. She smiled at him and spoke softly to her grandfather. "Grandfather, why not give him a chance? Not all sword-wielders are dangerous. Look, he saved the wolf."

"I don't know."

Link waited for their decision.

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Okay, there's another one ^_^. Well, our hero found a possible help. What is this? They know of a pack of black Wolfos?

Not really.

I'll go further into this just as soon as I think of more stuff to add. (Details, details, details!)

So, until next time! Bye!