It's about two seconds after I finished the previous chapter. I still feel like my face is sunburned, but oh well. I wrote this chapter after the previous one, by the way; the one I mentioned before won't be showing itself for a while. As in, near the end of the story a while.

Somebody please tell me they understood that.

Anyway, sorry it took so long to get this part out of my head. I kinda ran into a curb on my bike and it kinda hurt and I kinda twisted my right wrist (which is the hand I write with), so the last coupla days have *not* been fun, let me tell you. Thanks to Cyberdragon08 (sorry, can't remember the colour) for reviewing, along with my constant motivation, ??? !!!!!!!!!!! Thanks gang!

-Shawshank

Chapter 14 - Kawhin

Tyr's long, Hylian ears perked up at the exact same instant Link's eyes narrowed. Zelda, however, was still lost in thought, completely oblivious to her surroundings. It was now mid-morning, but a chilly layer of mist hung through the leaves, the droplets catching cold sunlight and forming a dozen multi-coloured fairy bridges from branch to branch. The quiet, too, permeated the stillness, setting the warriors' instincts on edge. Tyr's left, reptilian pupil was dilating from large to small at a speed that was highly unnerving. So, Link was already on edge when he heard the soft clip clopping of horse's hooves.

The sound echoed through the forest, reminding him suddenly of his journey through the Lost Woods that had led to him stumbling on the land of Termina. That had been one of his earliest and most foolhardy quests, looking for Navi. He had learned through time and research that unless a certain Prophecy was fulfilled, they would never be reunited. And he hadn't been able to find the Prophecy, either. Why, oh why were the Goddesses always so vague?

With this new thought in mind, he put the horse out of his head and looked at the shiny black obelisk Tyr had uncovered earlier that day. Strange runes were engraved all over the flat surface of it. Maybe this stone was the key to the Prophecy! Maybe he *would* find Navi!

Then, a soft whinny rippled the mist, headed in his direction. His sharp hearing picked it up almost instantly, along with the hair-raising shriek of Tyr's broadsword sliding out of its sheath. He looked at her like she was crazy, and she mouthed, "Meat." He knew her diet wasn't very high in protein, but eat a horse? She *was* crazy, almost as crazy as Zelda!

He shook his head, frantically gesturing for her to put away her sword. Something about that small, simple noise had tugged a heartstring. She grinned wolfishly at him, then melted into the trees. He waved at the bushes, hoping he was looking in her general direction, and whispered her name as loudly as he could without scaring away the shy animal he could hear but not see.

He gave it up and sat on the odd stone, completely out of place in this forest. He heard a loud, guttural cry from Tyr; from this distance, he almost thought it was a roar. His head was playing tricks on him again. More screams, but he thought he heard words - wait; he did hear words!

"Give it up, child! You are no match for-"

As her voice was cut off, a very audible gagging was heard. He shook Zelda, who had begun to fall asleep despite the cold mist, and dragged her with him, running desperately for the source of the sound. A loud, upset scream from the horse bounced off of rocks and trees. He sped up. Zelda trailed behind, desperately beating springy branches away from her face. She squeaked as a particularly spiky one swiped her throat, leaving red patches of irritation. *Now* she knew why her father had insisted on cutting down all of the needled trees in the courtyard.

She itched her throat with one hand while Link pulled her along by the other. They reached yet another clearing, this one less than half the size of their camp. Zelda managed to yank her hand out of Link's grip, and he was left to stumble forward, losing his balance and drawing his sword with his left hand all at the same time. He fell on his face, banging his nose against a rock. Tiny blood droplets rained down on the grass. When he managed to look up again, tears blurred his vision.

He was lying there in the grass like a fool while his friend was dying at the hands of a young, white-haired youth. While Tyr's hair was platinum blonde, close to white but still mostly blonde, this young man's hair was pure, snow white. It was gathered at the nape of his neck in a short ponytail, and his eyes were blood - deep, crimson pools that seemed to be mirrored somehow, like he was lost in thought. It was then that he realized the youth was not touching Tyr; his hands were outstretched towards her, and he assumed the child was closing her throat with magic. But, if that were so, he would have been able to feel it coursing through him, as he could feel it flowing through Sheik. Strange.

He shook himself out of his stupid, time-wasting thoughts, cursing himself for seven kinds of an idiot as he got up and slid his sword from his back, adjusting the shield on his arm that still sported a gaping hole, courtesy of Vendance. He made a mental note to repair it later, then leaped at the boy, whose gaze was locked on Tyr's. A cry wrenched itself out of his throat - then was abruptly cut off, along with his leap. He hung in midair, suspended by nothing that he could sense. Fear flowed through his veins like ice, and he struggled against it, to no avail. He was frozen there, his body not his own. That fact alone made him even more afraid, and sobs rent from his throat unbidden. His eyes slid shut as memories washed over him. No, not memories; nightmares. Nightmares that were true.

His mind slid into darkness, and his body convulsed without moving.

***

"Hold him. I said, hold him!"

A dozen of them had tied ropes to him. Only, it was ten now. He had managed to either kill or seriously injure two of them; he wasn't sure if they were still breathing, and frankly, he didn't care. The remaining creatures were hanging on to the ends of the ropes, two tied to each of his arms, two to each of his legs, and two more around his torso and waist. He was still thrashing on the floor, pulling them to their knees every few seconds. They kept getting up, though, and he was getting tired. Sweat coated his entire body, and blood was coating the ropes where they cut into him. A shadow stood over him, watching him struggle, smiling. He shivered.

"Get more guards. He must be still!"

They brought ten more. Now there were two to every rope. He still struggled, but the fresher ones were able to stay on their feet, and he was weary. He stared up at the shadow with blue fire in his eyes, still struggling. His ear bled where the earring had been ripped out. One of the creatures assigned to watch him had decided to have the fine silver, and sneaked in while he was restlessly sleeping, tearing it out with cord he had strung through it. The earring had gone flying through the bars, taking a chunk of his ear with it. He had somehow managed to hold back his screams, but the tears still leaked through, sliding down over tight cheeks and clenched jaws. That had been last night, or at least the last time he had been locked up to sleep; it was still bleeding, making him weaker than he should have been.

The shadow reached down and traced the scars on his face with one outstretched finger. He strained wildly, trying to back away from the finger that was colder than ice. His skin froze where it met the shadow that was darker than darkness. It left a trail of blue along his face that did not go away. When the finger came close to his clenched teeth, he snapped at it, catching it between his teeth. The saliva in his mouth froze, and when he tried to open and close his mouth, he couldn't. The ice refused to snap or even melt, and it *hurt*! He swore he saw the shadow smile as it placed its hands on his chest. Then the ice flooded over his body, and he knew nothing but silent agony.

***

Zelda peered out from behind the leafy bush she had dodged behind after Link had fallen on his face. She looked at the young boy, who now held both Tyr and Link in the air using nothing, not even magic. He stared into Link's eyes now, and as she watched, his eyes widened and his face contorted. He looked like he was going to be sick.

She had known on first sight that the boy was Sheikah, taking in the white hair and the red eyes. But his eyes were carefully guarded, and Impa had never spoken of any ability to hold people in the air using nothing. Sheikahs tended to have very little magic, only enough to enable them to move on the Spatial Plane, and certainly not enough to lift objects in the air. Sheik was the only exception; when she became him, he was able to sap her magic and use it for himself.

Noting the reactions he had given both of them, she decided that a familiar face might be easier to handle. A wind from nowhere lifted her hair and rustled leaves nearby, and the Triforces on the backs of her hands glowed with a holy light, as did her body. She changed into Sheik, who panted as he crouched on the ground. He stood up and jumped over the bush, landing right in front of the boy, between his line of sight and Link. The boy stared into Sheik's eyes, then gestured with a nod towards both Link and Tyr. Sheik felt a probing of his mind, but his mental walls deflected it. His eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward, invading the child's personal space.

"Let them down. They're my friends, they won't hurt you."

The hood hid the movements of his mouth, and he felt it brush against his face. A slight breeze hurried on its way among the trees, moving the few strands of hair showing from underneath his bandaged - wrapped head. He felt the wind wrap around him, caressing his body through the thin material suited for summer and battle. He looked up. Clouds were gathering, and a few drops made themselves known as they splattered on his face. The child didn't seem to notice, still staring into Sheik's red eyes. The boy looked at Link, and followed his gaze.

The Hero's nose was still bleeding, tiny crimson droplets scattering as he tried to shake his head. The boy held his entire body still, only allowing him to breathe and move his eyes. Link still shook, even through the bindings that held him still. Sheik could see his eyes moving rapidly beneath shut eyelids, and tears streaked paths down his face. His face was contorted, every muscle taut and straining. Sheik shuddered, then looked at the boy, again feeling the probing of his mind.

The boy's gaze changed to Tyr. She was wide awake; the youth had stopped choking her when Link entered the clearing. She was staring at the child with some amount of annoyance, mostly of anger. Tyr's reptilian eye was dilated to the fullest, the black area making an oval in the yellow fire. Sheik heard her growl, realizing that that was the only sound she could make. The boy was holding her jaws shut with whatever it was he was holding the both of them up with. Tyr's gaze moved to Sheik, and her eyes narrowed

. She fought the bindings, managing to curl up her right hand, preparing to attack as soon as she was set free. She stared at Link, then closed her eyes, her breath coming more quickly. Her jaws clenched, then opened with a pop, and she screamed her frustration at the child, screaming at him to let her go. Her muscles strained, and more pops were heard as she broke free of whatever it was that was holding her. Roars ripped out of her throat, and finally she fell to the ground, panting. She reached over her left shoulder and slid the sabre out as quickly as she could managed, then pounced on the child, pressing the point to his throat. Her violet eye stared into his shielded red irises, and she snarled at him.

"Let him go, or I will kill you."

His eyes widened, and he seemed to understand. He closed his eyes, and whatever it was that had been holding Link snapped. He fell to the ground like a broken doll, shaking and sweating, his eyes wild. He rolled on the ground as the rain increased, coming down more steadily now. Sheik didn't need to hear the thunder to know that the worst was yet to come. He ran over to Link and grabbed his ankles, shouting at Tyr to take his arms. The boy followed them, leading the horse. Link strained against them, trying to loose himself. Sheik saw that the small rivulets of blood rushing down his face were being washed away by the rain.

***

Link's eyes snapped open. He thought he was blind; everything was dark. He struggled against the ropes, shouting.

"Let me go! I'll kill you all! I said, LET ME *GO*!"

Something was touching him, something cold. He knew it was the shadow. He screamed and convulsed, trying desperately to roll away from the cold, colder than ice. Then suddenly he was hot, burning; he rolled away from that, too. He didn't want to feel. He wanted to be numb. He wanted to find the Master Sword and plunge it into the Pedestal of Time. He wanted to be a child again, before all this came to be. He wanted desperately to regain his innocence, to be completely unaware of what was happening outside of the forest.

He lay still, sobbing as quietly as he could. His chest still heaved, though; he could hardly breathe. At least he couldn't feel. There was nothing inside him; he was empty, peacefully, finally, empty. The cold came over him again, but he didn't care - he was empty. Then he realized it was a comforting cold; it made him feel clean, somehow. A hand lifted up his head and unwound something from around him; the darkness was slowly filled by light. He closed his eyes. He didn't want to let go of the stillness, not yet.

A cool softness was placed on his forehead, and he inhaled deeply, as slowly as he could. Rational thought was returning, and he needed to calm himself down. If he slowed his racing heart, he could survive this. He could think of a way out. Everything would be better if he could just calm down and think this through.

He opened his eyes and stared up woodenly into lilac and yellow eyes, but both in the same face somehow. What was he trying to forget? What was he trying to remember? Why had he so craved the stillness, the numbness? What did he want to escape?

Why did he even *want* to remember that? The thoughts fled his mind as his head rolled back and forth on his neck. His eyes rolled up in his head, but he forced them back. Why weren't those eyes blue? He wanted them to be blue, the blue of the sky. Instead, they were the colours of sunset. Why not blue?

He groaned and raised a hand to his forehead. He was confused, and his face hurt, somehow. His hand wandered to his nose, and just as he felt the dried blood that had collected there, a strangely - textured hand snatched his fingers away. He looked at the alien hand, and saw scales and claws. But how could that be? The hand was friendly, wasn't it? He would be dead now if that hand belonged to what he thought it did.

"Dragon?"

A smile entered the violet eye, but the yellow remained as cold as before.

"No. Friend."

He closed his eyes, wanting to rest. He felt like he never wanted to wake up again, but he had to know.

"Why - your eyes - not blue -"

"I don't have blue eyes."

"Want - blue -"

"I don't know where she went."

"Have to - find -"

"No way, mister. You're staying here and resting. *I'll* find her."

"Unh -"

He tried to get up, but couldn't. The world around him was too blurry. He rolled over, then kept rolling. He needed to stop, but he couldn't. He was too tired to stop.

He heard a huge splash, and was suddenly very, very cold. He sputtered, shocked awake by the chilly, clear water. He pushed himself out of the water, soaking and chilled. He heard laughter as he climbed out onto the bank, dripping water. He took his hat off and wrung it out, spitting water left and right.

Another voice joined in the laughter; he recognized it as Sheik. A whinny rang through the air, and his gaze flew over to the horse whose reins had been tied to a nearby leafy tree. He smiled, feeling like his face would split, and ran over to the horse. He tripped over Tyr, who was still sitting on the ground, laughing at him, and barely saved himself from another bloody nose. He pushed himself up and kept running, ignoring Tyr, who was now sporting a lively bruise on her leg. He flung his arms around the horse's neck, burying his face in the red fur, stroking back the short white mane. He sank to his knees, and the horse sank with him, falling onto its knees and whinnying, snorting in his hair.

"Epona, you found me! How -"

She is *your* horse, Hero?

Link's head pounded. The voice was akin to a shout directly in his ear.

"Who said that?"

His gaze lifted from Epona and swung around the clearing, taking note of the youth sitting next to the blazing fire, staring right at him, through him. The red eyes and white hair marked him as Shiekah, but how could that be? Were there Shiekah in this world?

*I* said that. Well, I didn't exactly *say* it, but you get the point.

He held his head, more confused now than ever.

"Who the hell are you?"

I the hell am myself. Who else would I be?

Link shook his head wildly.

"No, I mean, what's your name?"

My name? My name is -

A flood of images and sounds and smells and tastes flooded Link's mind. He tried to shut them out, but they flowed on, relentless. They cut off suddenly and sharply, and his mind felt oddly empty. Then his own thoughts flowed back in.

"What the hell *was* that?"

My name.

"Do you have a name that I can *pronounce*?"

No. The Hybrid has named me Kid.

"Kid?"

He looked at Tyr, who shrugged.

"Very imaginative. How about - uh - well, I don't know -"

"Kawhin."

Everyone's gaze swung to Sheik, who had spoken up.

"Kawhin? I don't know."

He closed his eyes and seemed to sigh in exasperation, though Link knew that was impossible. Sheik tended to be very in control of his emotions, unlike a certain Princess he knew.

"I think it suits him. In the ancient tongue, it means, 'Shadow on the Wind.' It's an appropriate name for a Sheikah."

I like it, especially the meaning. It would be a great honour to be called Kawhin.

Link thought he saw one corner of Sheik's mouth turn up, as if in a smile of triumph. Now *that* was impossible. He chuckled at himself and turned to the boy-Kawhin.

"Wonderful. Now, if you could stop shouting like that?" The boy cocked his head to one side. "Well, it's like you're shouting in my ear, and it's giving me a headache."

Kawhin grinned. Sorry. Is this better?

Link sighed in relief.

"Can you communicate with all of us at the same time?"

That was Tyr. She was still wary of Kawhin, but at least she wasn't wringing his neck or anything.

Yes.

Kawhin's voice seemed to be an echo, but he could still hear it. He stroked Epona's flank, staring in wonder.

"Do you use magic to do that?"

To do what?

"Speak to us. I mean, can you talk out loud?"

I can't talk out loud, and I'm not sure whether I use magic or - well - essence, I guess you could call it.

"What do you mean by essence?"

Sheik was curious now, too. The boy seemed to be a bit overwhelmed.

I'm tired now. I'm cold, wet, and I miss my Scholar. Do you mind if I sleep? I have a lot to think about.

Link shrugged and yawned, feeling a bit tired himself, and lay back, resting his head on Epona's side. She whinnied softly and placed her head in his lap, curling her neck protectively around his side. His breathing slowed down, and for the first time in a while, he seemed to be relaxed.

Sheik squeezed his eyes shut and fought the urge to tell him everything. How he felt, what he knew; who he was. He shook his head and tore his gaze away, meeting Tyr's. She had been staring at him. Her eyes narrowed slightly, ever so slightly, before she lowered herself to the ground. Sheik turned his back to her, facing the fire, allowing it to warm him as he fell asleep. Kawhin was still sitting upright, cross-legged. His eyes were shut and he seemed to be meditating.

Sheik restlessly turned over, watching Tyr's eyes pierce through the night. Her lilac eye had closed, but her yellow eye remained open; he was sure it was fixed on him. He rolled onto his back and watched the stars. He didn't sleep for a long time, and when he did, his head was filled with thoughts of dragons and blood and eternal pain.

All the while, the fiery yellow eye stared angrily out of the darkness at the shape silhouetted by the dying fire. The first rays of dawn were beginning to show when it finally slid shut.

***

Oooohhhh, yet *another* new character, or should I say yet *more* new characters! To anybody out there, thank you *very* much for following the story thus far! Also, thanks to any reviewers! You are my motivation!

Ahhhhhhhh, I love the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. As my LA teacher would say, it's a beautiful thing. Though, I think she'd kill me if she found out I was writing a story without her knowledge. Hmm. Should I be afraid?

-Shawshank