Chapter 10: Woodfall

A red-haired man was bent over the small crop square he was tending; just one of many that supported the town. He straightened his back, resting an arm on the handle of his rake, and wiping the sweat from his brow. He risked a glance up at the sun; it was beginning to set, signaling the end of work for the day. He let out an exhausted sigh. He should be returning home soon since his work was finished.

He pulled his rake from the dirt, but before he could turn around to go back to the village, a strangely tall and dark shape detached itself from the shadows of the thick forest. With a look of curiosity on his face, the man watched the shape closely as it approached him. Eventually, he saw the shape take the form of a man wrapped up in a black cloak.

"Barron, c'mon!" Someone yelled from the path that led back to town. "It's time to go!"

"Give me a few minutes!" Barron shouted back, his eyes still locked on the dark figure.

The person that had shouted to him shrugged and sprinted down the path, Barron turning momentarily to watch him go. He jumped in suprise when a large shadow suddenly overtook him and a forbidding presence chilled his spine.

"Is this Woodfall?" A cold voice asked, Barron slowly turning around.

The black cloaked man towered over him, raven black hair only slightly falling from the cowel; the rest of the face in shadow. Barron could feel the man's eyes bore down on him and he thought he saw their faint red highlights in what little light got past the thick shadows.

"Yes," He answered slowly; voice full of fear, "this is Woodfall."

"Funny," The man replied, though he didn't sound amused at all. "I was expecting a swamp."

"The old Woodfall was destroyed ten years ago," Barron explained, "along with Clock Town and most of Termina."

"I see," Muttered the dark cowel, though it seemed he knew much about it. "I simply need to pick up something in town and then I will be on my way."

Barron didn't make any objections when the dark figure pushed by him and headed for the town; black cloak billowing in the dust of the path. He felt worried about having that man walk into town, but another feeling told him to keep to himself and say nothing. Barron gave the figure a worried look and set off down a different path into town.

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Sean fluttered open his eyes to have the morning sunlight peek back at him through the trees. It took him a few seconds to realize that something was on him. He rolled onto his back, from his side, and saw that some kind of blanket was on top of him. He was slightly confused about where it had come from and then almost jumped out of his skin when he heard Dark Link's voice from another side of the tree.

"You're finally up, are you? I've never seen anyone sleep as long or as deep as you before."

Sean didn't know how to reply.

"I guess you slaves didn't get much sleep back at the fortress, huh?" He gave a sigh. "Link must enjoy seeing you work the crap out of yourselves. Just to stay alive. If you don't die at Link's hand," The wraith gave a short amused laugh that startled Sean, since he wasn't expecting it, "you'd die of exhaustion."

Sean heard Dark Link's clothes rustle as he stood up and he walked around the tree to Sean.

"Either way, you'd die," The wraith continued, red eyes flashing with the thought of death. "Maybe your leaving actually did yourself a favor, but I'm not saying I'll keep you from getting killed. If you want your life, you must keep it from those that wish to steal it from you. Kill or be killed. You decide."

Sean nodded weakly, words failing him.

"At any rate," Dark Link began again, "put on that cloak I bought you."

Sean looked back down at what he originally thought was a blanket.

"It'll hide your hair from the locals, but know this!" His face darkened. "If they find out about you, I just might have to kill you. Remember, you're only traveling with me so Link cannot get his slimly paws on you for what you are!"

That last sentence hit Sean hardest where it hurt most. That told him that Dark Link didn't care about him; just like Link.

Dark Link saw Sean's face relax to what looked like slight shock; it almost made him laugh.

"Why do you look so surprised? Don't tell my you didn't know that you were, and still are, nothing more that a pawn in Link's plans for Termina. I will tell you here and now that if you were a normal Termian, Link would've killed you on sight." Dark Link paused to let his words sink in. "You're breathing right now. What does that tell you?"

Sean didn't say a word, but his eyes answered for him.

I am not normal.

Dark Link gave a slight smirk in recognition of Sean's answer.

"Get up and put on that cloak, right now," He ordered, patience wearing thin.

Sean slowly stood and wrapped that cloak about his small body and fastened the clasp at his throat. At this moment in time, blocking his body away from the surrounding world felt good. He felt cold inside and the environment just seemed too vast for comfort.

Dark Link walked over to him, pulled the hood over the boy's head to hide his hair, and gave Sean a push so he would move. He knew that the boy was feeling horrible and he didn't care. All he had done was say the truth and in this case, the truth was a blade sent to the chest. If Sean wanted to mope right now, fine. Dark Link would let him. The boy would just be silent and do as he was told. It just worked out for the better for the wraith.

Sean forced his feet clumsily forward, Dark Link's hand on his shoulder to keep him moving. His mind felt numb, just like the rest of his body. Nobody cared about him for who he was, only for what he was; a "what" he wasn't sure of. He was just being used for an unknown purpose.

He exhaled softly through his nose. He could live with it. After all, hadn't he lived with it for five years already? Well, he hadn't known about it then, but now, he had no choice but to do what Dark Link told him. That shouldn't be too hard since Dark Link never asked much of him anyway. His ice blue eyes stared blankly ahead, his body as clueless to its surroundings as a zombie, but his mind was active and thinking.

As the boy continued to think, he remembered the only still living person who treated him nicely . . . Suto. Suto was his best friend and would never do anything bad and would never try to hurt him. Reo and Lilith were others who had treated him friendly; warned him of different dangers, but Sean didn't know them that well and so shook them from his mind.

"Remember," Dark Link's voice sounded in the quiet atmosphere, "keep your hood over your head and stay silent."

Sean gave a weak nod.

"The people seem friendly enough, but are pretty edgy, so stay close."

Sean nodded again, listening intently.

"Try to help keep our time there quick. Don't talk to anyone."

Sean nodded once more, not feeling like speaking.

Dark Link seemed to acknowledge Sean's answer and removed his hand from the boy's shoulder.

Sean continued walking on his own, Dark Link following slightly behind. Dark Link had been correct in saying that the town wasn't very far because the trees began to thin and shrink as they approached the edge of the woods. As they continued, Sean took notice to the trees seeming to recoil back in terror and shrivel up and die, the closer the edge came. Soon, the trees were no more.

Sean blinked in the sudden sunlight and shaded his face with his arm. Dark Link didn't appear to be effected by the change in light, but then again, his face always seemed encased in shadow when he wore his hood. A shiver found its way down the boy's spine, but he kept going forward.

He lowered his arm as his eyes adjusted and he saw the farmland that had been forcing the woods back. Though it seemed huge, it was small compared to those that supported cities.

"Just play along with what I say," Dark Link said as he and Sean walked the paths that ran though the fields. "There's no need to make this harder than it has to be."

Sean nodded; his throat still not accepting words.

Dark Link didn't seem to care that his young charge was currently speech disabled. Normally, he would have continued on his way without even giving Woodfall a second thought, but now, he had a child with him and he had to care for it whether he wanted to or not.

Sean forced a cornstalk out of his way, the hood of the cloak falling back from his head. He hastily replaced it, the stalk snapping back upright after his passage; Dark Link noiselessly coming to stand behind him.

"And I mean what I said," His cold voice whispered, dark cloaked body moving forward, "so you better watch it!"

Sean's body seemed to freeze over for a few moments before he followed the wraith. Did he really mean it? Sean prayed to the Goddesses he didn't.

---------------------------------------------------

"Welcome to Woodfall or a newer version anyway."

Sean glanced up at the person who was welcoming them, ice blue eyes shining in nervousness. Dark Link remained a black spire on the sunlit path.

"We're only here to pick up a few things for our journey, and then we'll be off," Dark Link's low voice said from within the cowel.

"Stay as long as you like," The greeting person replied, giving Sean a sudden pat on the head.

Dark Link reached back and jerked Sean towards him so the boy could follow. Being sure his grip was tight, he dove into the crowd of people walking the streets.

Sean was bonked around by the jostling bodies, but Dark Link's grip never faltered. Soon they were through the worst of it and Sean could relax. People were still everywhere, but the crowds weren't as thick.

Dark Link released the boy's wrist and flexed his fingers as if the circulation had left them.

"Entrance gates are always a pain," He muttered; Sean sitting on the ground, rubbing his wrist. "No matter though." His red eyes locked on Sean. "Follow closely." With that, he started to walk away.

Sean leapt to his feet and dashed after the wraith; one hand holding the hood on his head.

He took some time to glance around at all the people when he was in the safe presence of Dark Link's body. There were a lot of people in a town that was less than ten years old in existence and a majority of them were adults.

"Why are there so many people here?" He whispered; his voice finally free.

Dark Link didn't even acknowledge Sean's voice.

"They're all survivors from Clock Town," He answered flatly, "as well from other smaller villages; such as yourself."

Sean sunk deeper into his cloak, wanting to simply disappear. He was getting sick of this world, sick of what he was. Whatever this "what" was, was known to all but him. That was just sickening to the boy. He had to get away.

His thoughts were shattered when Dark Link's powerful fingers wrapped around his arm and pulled him into step with the wraith.

"I'm going to go pick up what you'll need," He said, halting his stride. "We can leave faster if I do it myself. Stay here until then, and don't let anyone get close to you."

Done with stating his instructions, Dark Link melded into the crowd of bodies and vanished.

Being sure that Dark Link was far out of sight, San began to back up from the street. Careful that no one had taken an interest in him; he turned around and ran into a nearby alley. Once there, he flopped onto the ground, resting against a wall.

The boy's breathing was quick, his body alive with the thrill of escaping. Even though Dark Link would surely protect him and keep him safe, the wraith was so much like Link that Sean's innards twisted up and caused him nauseating pain. He let out a sigh and pulled the hood from his head, closing his eyes.

What was the point of hiding his hair? Wouldn't he be ratted out eventually regardless? Was the color of his hair supposed to control his life? Seemed that way. Be feared . . . be hated . . . be used. That was to be his life and all because his hair was white.

Soft footfalls reverberated off the alley walls into Sean's ears. Instinctively, his hands went back and tugged the hood over his frosty hair; his eyes searching for danger. Sean's body trembled with fear, his lungs forcing more air out than they were taking in. Had Dark Link discovered that he had disobeyed and was coming to punish him? Kill him? Sean whimpered with the thought.

Much to his surprise, and relief, the person that peeked around the corner was no more than a girl.

She was about his age and wearing a simple dress that most girls of her age wore. Her hair, just like his, was an unusual color; it was a navy blue so dark that it appeared black. Her eyes were a sparkling green, a green that reminded Sean of someone he valued more than anyone.

"Who are you?" Sean demanded, a little harsher than he had intended.

The girl shivered from his tone.

Sean relaxed the muscles in his face since they had twisted into a scowl; instinctive for protection against strangers.

Upon seeing the boy's features soften, the girl took a step into the alley.

"My name is Renn," She answered. "I saw you run into the alley and I wanted to see what was wrong."

Sean glanced momentarily off to the side. It seemed logical enough. He shifted his weight forward and used the wall to help himself up. Unknowingly, with his body going forward, strands of his white hair freed themselves and dangled from his hood; light glistening off of them.

Renn's eyes widened when she saw white hair appear out of the boy's cowel.

"W-wh-wh-wh . . . You-you have wh-white hair!?" She stammered, eyes trembling with fear.

Sean, at first, was confused until he felt long strands of his hair touch his face. He gave a sigh and stared at the ground; glancing up at Renn through lowered eyebrows.

"Yes," He answered flatly. He reached back and tore the hood from his head, revealing his hair to her, "I have white hair."

Renn took a step back, body shivering in a non-existent chill.

"Why are you scared?"

"I can't say," Answered the girl.

"Why?"

Renn didn't answer right away.

"They said he would come back and lay waste to the people who hurt him."

Sean was greatly confused.

"But you've never hurt me," He said, trying to calm her, "and I'd never hurt you."

His words did little, but Renn seemed more relaxed.

"Please," Sean continued, "why are you scared of me?"

"What is your name?"

"My name?"

"Yes."

"Sean. My name is Sean."

Renn looked extremely relieved.

"Your name is not the same as his," She said, hand clasped over her racing heart.

"Who?"

"I cannot say. To speak his name would bring our demise."

Sean was even more confused that before and was about to ask her to tell him who she was talking about, but Renn seemed to shove it all aside and give Sean another try.

"What brings you to Woodfall?" She asked with a very familiar smile.

"I'm traveling with . . . err . . . my father," Sean replied. "He's just picking up some things before we leave."

"Where are you going?"

"He hasn't told me."

Renn looked disappointed.

"You're lucky you can leave this place," She said. "One day, Link will find it and destroy it, like he's done with so many other places."

Sean was almost refreshed to hear hatred drip in her words when she said Link's name.

"He's a monster . . . a murderer!" Renn looked fired up; fists clenched as if to punch the sky away, but her body immediately sagged with sorrow. "But . . . but he cannot be stopped. So many have stood in his way and died horrendous deaths."

Sean nodded. 'I would know.' He thought.

"It's fate, I guess," She said eventually. "Maybe it's out fate to die here all of us in this town-"

"And everyone every where else," Sean finished for her.

Renn looked at him curiously.

"There are only several groups of survivors outside of this town," He explained. "Those that aren't in those camps are either here, are dead, or are slaves at Link's fortress . . . Like I was once." He rolled the sleeve of his shirt away from his right arm. Renn glanced at the bandages covering his hand and arm.

"Under these bandages is a mark that Link put on me so I could be found, no matter where I go."

Renn looked frightened again.

"What are you?" She asked.

"That's none of your concern," A deep calm voice answered.

Both children jumped and Renn ran behind Sean and hid.

Dark Link walked around the corner, his face still concealed in shadow; red eyes shining.

Upon seeing him, Renn gasped in terror and startled Sean when she grabbed his arms in fright.

"I told you to stay put, Sean," Dark Link said, his voice like ice as he entered the alley, "so exactly this would not happen. Luckily for you, this girl did not end up running in terror from here screaming," He added with a sneer.

Renn shivered as the air began to chill, pressing herself close to Sean for warmth; Sean getting extremely worried since Dark Link only used his name when he was severely ticked off.

"First you defy Link," The wraith snarled, "and now you defy me. Link may be powerful, but I am a power to be reckoned with! A horrible mistake, boy, but I will not deal with you here." His red eyes locked onto Renn, causing her to recoil in fright. "Say anything of this and life nor death will never accept you."

In one swift movement, Dark Link had Sean —hood on the boy's head— and vanished.

Renn remained on the ground where she had fallen when Dark Link had gone for Sean. Upon the wraith's departure, the air had returned to its original temperature. She simple stared at the alley's entrance, one hand holding herself up and the other holding her chest over her heart.

"Who was that dark man?" She asked herself. "Sean said he was traveling with his father . . . Could he be?"

Renn shook her head and stood, brushing off her dress.

"I guess I will not know."

She walked back out of the alley and to the street. No one was acting like anything was wrong or anything different had happened. No cold air . . . or strange dark beings. She was relieved and scared for them at the same time. Renn began walking and headed for home. She wished, deep in her heart, that she would never see the dark man again.

Renn gave a small smile as she continued her trek home.

She wished, above all else, that she could see Sean again.

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I just want to say that after this chapter, I'm going to be taking a break from writing to edit all the previous chapters. Fix them up and what-not. And since LunaticChaos' idea works so well…I'll be asking a few questions.

1. What do you think of the story so far?

2. Are you confidant you know why having white hair is bad?

3. What ideas do you have for happening next? (it is strongly suggested you answer)

4. What do you think of me writing a short fic to explain why Link is what he became in this fan-fiction? (after AD is completed)

That's all for now. ¡Adiós!