Disclaimer:  I don't own any of the rights to any part of the Zelda series, but I just bought a really cool Link sucker the other day.  I'm not gonna eat it, of course!  Keeping it. . . plus, I ordered a blue ocarina.  ^_^ MUAHAHAHA!

AN:  Sorry for the delay, I've had some creative differences with. . . myself.  -_-;;  I haven't really been able to decided where I want to go with this, but I think I have it figured out, now, and chapters should be coming more regularly.  Thanks for being patient!

PLEASE READ:  The previous chapter, Chapter 8:  It Aches, has been updated.  So y'all have to go back and re-read that one if you're gonna understand this one.  Myyep.  Aren't I the enemy?  Hyuk hyuk. . .

Dragonclaw

Chapter Nine

Flames

            "Malon, what is it?"  Link reached out and grasped her arms tightly, lowering himself to look her in the eyes.  She struggled, desperately trying to squirm away from him.    Over the distant mountain range, a thin line of light was appearing, melting into the dull remains of the night, and by its glow, Link could make out more tears on Malon's cheeks.

            "Just go."  She begged, pulling away.  He released her, temporarily ignoring his exhaustion as he vaguely noted her running away from him.   He turned his gaze upwards, the dawn breaking above him, and he noticed dark smudges tainting the early morning sunlight.  He hurried to stumble over the last rise in the terrain, and as he climbed over, his hands grasping the rocks, his eyes widened at the sight that greeted them.

            It was horrifying.  No wonder Malon had looked so pale, so grief-stricken.  Combined with all that she'd already been through, the shock would've been enough to drive her mad.   He didn't blame her for running, and his first instinct was to do the same, but he couldn't.  It was like some morbidly perverse obsession, he needed to take in every detail.  He felt it would be an injustice to turn away.

            Fire

            The small village before him crackled in the dawn, smoke rising up and hugging the mountainside.  Large, flowing flames licked the sides of the humble houses, charring the white walls to a sickening black.  He could hear the hissing of heat and smell the ashes of what was once a peaceful village, the smoke rose into the air and clouded his vision, stinging his eyes.  Nauseating smells of burnt bone and wood invaded his nostrils, and he felt the bile rise in his throat.  He shut his eyes, struggling to fight off the wave of grief that threatened to overcome him, but his other senses still remained horribly aware of what was going on below him.

            Screams

            Cries of anguish filled his mind and he distantly noted people trying to escape, small figures scrambling to save their loved ones.  He heard a deafening crack when – he guessed – a house caved in, and he prayed to the goddesses that no one had been inside.  He opened his eyes again, hoping to see a large group of people safely huddled near the entrance.

            "Why. . ."  He croaked, his vision blurring.  More smoke came to greet him, and he succumbed to a fit of coughs, salty tears spilling over onto his cheeks.  How could this have happened?  Did a fire start in one house, then quickly spread to the others?  It made no sense for it to be an accident, but the other alternative was far too gruesome for Link to accept.

            When he'd regained his breath he looked down again, noticing a cluster of people gathered in the center of town.  For one fleeting moment, a ray of hope lifted his spirits when he saw what he believed to be survivors, but a familiar shade of blue cut the strings that had elevated his spirits for that brief amount of time.  Metal helmets cast flickering red reflections from the flames and Link bit back a sob.

            They were Hylian soldiers.  An overwhelming sense of fear rose inside of him and he backed away, trying to shut out the sounds of smells of the carnage below him.  He didn't need to see anything else to know that it was his fault.   He couldn't tell why or how, but he still knew.  None of this would have happened if he hadn't gotten involved, and despite that, he was still too afraid to go down and stop it all. The anguish and fear that dwelt inside of him grew, and he felt close to losing himself in a scream.   If they'd carelessly slaughter a village of people, then he had every reason to be frightened for his own life.  

            He didn't resist when he felt tight hands clench his shoulders, and he looked up into Sheik's blood-red eyes.  Dirt smudged his face and his hair clung to his sweat-drenched forehead.

            "We have to go."  He said, quietly.  His voice crackled slightly, from what Link assumed was inhaling too much smoke.  Link just bowed his head in response, burying his face in his hands.  He felt the moisture on his hands and clenched his eyes shut, squeezing out more tears from beneath his eyelids.

            "Why?!"  He sobbed, "Why would they do that?"        

            "Link. . ."

            "WHY?!"  He screamed, finally.  He wanted to run down and help, he wanted to fight off every last soldier and cast them out of the village, saving any survivors.  He wanted to, but he knew he couldn't.  Fear kept him from doing anything but crying. 

            Sheik cast a sharp glance down to the city, hastily pushing Link out of view.

            "We have to go.  Now."  He said, sternly, grabbing Link and pulling him downward.  They descended over the mountain side, Sheik's grip tightening when Link tried to pull away.

            "What about all those people?!"  Link demanded.  Sheik didn't turn around.

            "Impa and I did what we could.  Its in their hands, now."

            Link stopped, wrenching himself free from his comrade's surprisingly strong grasp.

            "Who's hands?"  He yelled, he tasted salt in his mouth and quickly wiped a dirty sleeve across his eyes.    Sheik turned, his voice impatient.

            "The Goddesses."

            "That's not good enough!  We have to go back and help!"  He turned, beginning to march back in the direction of the village, when he felt Sheik's fingers dig into his shoulder.  Link cried out, shocked by the force used.  Sheik's other hand snapped around, slapping over Link's open mouth, and he hissed into his ear.

            "And do what, Link?  Get caught by the guards?  You can't die, you're too important, and the people in that village know that.  I won't let you go back there.  You know I can stop you.  Don't fight me."  He released Link, turning him around to look him in the eyes.   The younger boy stood, stunned, unable to speak.  His eyes narrowed into two, fiery slits.  Sheik waved a hand, trying to dispel Link's anger.

            "If you want to be strong, save it for your friend.  She'll need it."  He said, gesturing to his side.  Link followed his gaze to see Malon hunched against a boulder, her shoulders heaving.  His eyes widened and he lifted a hand as she struggled to regain herself, wiping tears from her eyes, but when Link took a step in her direction, rivers flowed down her face once more.

            "I know it hurts."  Sheik's voice took on a hint of sympathy, though mostly remained it's usual cool tone, "But we have to seek refuge."

            He led the way, picking through the rocks and finding a narrow path.

            "Come."  He commanded.  Link and Malon obeyed silently, their eyes on the trail embedded in the mountainside.  Link's hand reached over and found Malon's, giving it a comforting squeeze.

            "All those people. . ."  She whispered.

            "I know."  Link replied. 

            And there was silence.

~~