It was late in the day when two men met again in the library, it was
Raphael's favorite room when he came to transact business or otherwise.
Their meeting was brisk, businesslike, skipping all pleasantries going
right to the matter at hand. Both had news to share with the other, but
each was ever careful with what information he parted with. For some
information was worth more than others, and it could go so far as to be the
determining factor between life and death.
Both men knew this, and were well inversed in this game of darker dealings where nothing is, as it seems.
Marco Benito was a man who trusted only in himself as his life as a mercenary taught him the cruel and harsh realities of the world around them. A jack-of-all-trades, he was as competent as he was deadly, and he knew how to play his cards well.
Raphael was pretty impressed when he had first met with the man, hearing of his reputation from another awhile back. He employed his services before and knew him to be the best. The man worked as hard as he was paid, and knew only what he was paid to know. He seldom spoke about his past, but Raphael was sure with the right price that too could be known.
Marco looked to be around his thirties with high and prominent cheekbones and sleek hazel eyes that met others with evasiveness. His body was well formed and muscular as some of his jobs required quite a bit of strength and the need to defend himself was always eminent especially with his line of work.
"Poison from a sea hare?" Marco questioned dryly. Raphael, from his place near one of the library's windows, did not look to the man and offered no comment. Was he lost in thought? Carrying the conversation along, Marco went on; "You can control the rapidity of the effect or the symptoms it causes just by how you blend it."
Finally Raphael sighed but still did not meet the other's gaze, which was strange to Marco as all French tended to look others directly in the eyes. This meant that he had something to hide. But what it was didn't really matter to Marco as long as he was still getting paid. "Yes, yes I /know/ that. The Datrua is faster, but to kill him off so quickly would have aroused suspicion." Three days ago, Raphael had laced Link's drink with the deadly Datrua poison, only to find out later that the youth did not drink wine and didn't even touch it, wasting the poison all in one go. "At least with this poison, it looks as though he had succumbed to an illness gradually. And in case /that/ also fails, I have you and your men on standby to take care of the situation."
A smug smile crossed Marco's features. "From what you've told me it seems this one possesses the luck of the devil. Could that be because the devil takes care of its own?"
"The boy isn't a demon." Raphael was unsure of why he said that, except that he had felt out-of-sorts at the moment.
The expression never changed upon the man's face as he returned smoothly; "I don't know what he is, but I know what he isn't. He's not human."
At least he acts more human than you and I could ever be. Were the Frenchman's silent thoughts but he cared not to voice them. Raphael continued instead with: "What of the search? I assume you've made progress in locating the item?"
A curt nod; "You'll be pleased to know that we've located it, not that it was a real challenge at all." Marco said coolly and with obvious gratification. "What you seek lies in Rouen. I have the rest of the details here." From beneath his black cloak, Marco produced a small envelope.
This time, Raphael did look to him with immediate interest in his eyes. "Excellent work, I could not have arranged for a better setting if I had the workings of it." He approached and took the envelope from Marco. "I shall go to Rouen myself and retrieve this cane."
Marco had not expected the Frenchman to make such a decision. He did not know D' Angelo very well as the man kept his business to himself, but Marco did observe the man enough to know how he felt about certain subjects. Rouen, France was one of these subjects. Though he never asked about it, he could sense that D' Angelo made every point he could to avoid the place and any location near it. Truly a very touchy subject, and not one Marco was prepared to mess around with, but it intrigued him all the same. While Marco did not let the surprise register, his mouth did quirk. "That would be quicker I think if you are most eager to recover this artifact. The man who possesses it now will not part with it unless a reasonable amount can be compensated rest assured."
"I expected as much actually. But no matter, I shall see to the issue myself. I trust that you can take care of things on this end?" Raphael asked before handing the man a small pouch.
Feeling the weight of the pouch's contents, Marco smiled most satisfied, giving Raphael a graceful bow. "With out fail my lord."
"You will be paid the rest of the amount when the boy is dead and I have returned with the Cane of Byrna. I have but one small request of you. Upon the fatal hour the boy breathes his last, remove my daughter from the room, if at all possible spare my daughter the sight. I think she has seen enough death in her time and I do not wish her to be disturbed any further. I would have her accompany me so she is not in your way, but I fear that the journey is far more dangerous and best that she stays here."
"Of course my lord, I understand."
Eyes of ice darkened suddenly as Raphael's gaze burrowed deep into Marco's, his voice was cold and impersonal then with the undercurrents of a threat. "She is /not/ to come to any harm Marco or be involved with this in any way. Do I make myself clear?"
Once more the man replied; "Of course my lord, I understand."
Satisfied that he had gotten his point across, Raphael took one last look outside the large window before turning to make arrangements for his travel. Not one to linger, Marco followed his example and took his leave as well, dark cape flowing after him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This day, Amy waited for Link as she wished to speak with the boy. Upon the wooden posted fence she sat for she knew this is where he usually went first as he obviously favored horseback riding and was quite good at it really. Against the wishes of the servants the boy would ride upon the beasts with wild abandon. After awhile Amy felt Link was making a game of it all racing away or riding around to tease the servants. Eventually, he would give in to their wishes when they got angry enough, only to do the very same thing the next day. It was childish and stupid, but it amused Amy to no end.
Strangely today he did not appear. And that was odd to her as the day was permitting and he was one not to stay inside. Amy waited to hear the familiar enigmatic music from the instrument he never failed to play.
But the air was silent. She heard no birds and the wind was still. It was as if nature itself held its breath listening for the boy's ethereal music.
Where could he be? Amy refused to believe that she was growing worried for Link, as she hardly knew him.
Irritated more like, the girl thought to herself with a huff. He had to go and be so damn strange and make me wonder all the time. Now that I want to talk to him, he's not around.
Irritated, or worried, whatever it was, Amy continued to wait upon the fence for the boy to appear regardless. She would have gone on to wait until the sunset had not Raphael walked out to meet her. Amy resorted to playing with the sling shot to pass the time picking up what ever small stone she could find to shoot at nothing in the open field and hitting less.
"Amy, are you still here?"
The voice startled the girl and she almost fell forward had not strong but gentle hands reach out to hold her steady at the sides. She turned ready to berate who ever it was behind her when she was suddenly faced with Raphael. Clearly she had not expected to see him here, and almost at once her anger was gone leaving her empty.
"Raphael, what are you doing out here?" The moment the words left her lips Amy realized the absurdity of her question. Raphael gave her a cool stare before turning to look out to the fields.
"Well I find it quite rude when a young lady is kept waiting."
"I wasn't waiting for anyone."
A brow was raised in a skeptical manner. "Oh? I see. Then you wouldn't mind a bit of company then."
Amy stiffened unbelieving of what she had heard. The surprise lasted only a second as a creeping suspicion over came her next. Carefully tailoring her words she asked what her heart had not wanted her to, "So where are you leaving to now?"
Raphael did not reply right away, but his hesitance to answer was all the confirmation Amy needed. Just when she thought he had caught on to what she wanted the most...
"I'm sorry Amy, but something came up and I have to leave. But it won't be for very long."
That's what you always say. Amy thought bitterly, but of course she didn't say it. Well at least you managed to stay for a week and few days which is the longest so far. It's a good thing I never get my hopes too high.
All these things she never spoke but came with the automatic; "I understand you don't need to explain, you can go where you like. You know you don't need to worry about me. I'm fine..." It came out more annoyed than she expected. She couldn't help it, as she had been disappointed one too many times today. Amy suddenly wished that she had more stones to sling into a field of nothing. Anything to keep her distracted from her thoughts that looked forward to the coming days of being alone.
The blond Frenchman moved to stand closer behind her placing both hands upon her small shoulders. He spoke in a gentler manner, as if cradling a baby with his very words; "Amy, you know that I would like nothing more than to have you accompany me but someone here needs you." Amy would have rolled her eyes but she was still a little surprised by what he had said. Raphael went on to explain. "My friend is ill with fever. I did not want the boy to ride in such poor health so I'm running this important errand for him. It's not far from here and may take three days to return, two days tops."
So that was why Link didn't appear today. But he was sick? He had seemed perfectly fine the day before. "Leave him in my care. Do not worry about your friend. Do what you have to and return quickly Raphael." She said trying to sound as mature as she knew how.
Weather Link really needed her or if Raphael was using him to distract her, it was all the same to Amy. Raphael always fetched someone or something to distract her so she'd stay happy in his absence. She wasn't dumb; she knew when she wasn't wanted. Amy did not want to stand in Raphael's way for she knew, somehow, that everything Raphael did, he did for her. If only he could understand...
For now, Amy nodded to please Raphael and to keep herself out of his way.
Before she could hop off the fence, Raphael stood in her way facing her with set features she didn't understand. Looking carefully into the girl's eyes Raphael spoke:
"Amy before you go to see him, there is something that I must tell you about my friend."
Amy gazed back wondering what would cause Raphael to look at her that way.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
'You are fairly strong in everything...'
Link stirred upon hearing the voice. However he didn't have to ponder long upon whom this disembodied voice was. In the depths of his mind he saw a flash of orange light, a passing image of strong emerald eyes behind a curtain of pale blond.
The voice went on to speak steadily; 'But you can't hope to outpace quick opponents and certainly not think of overpowering the ones that rely on strength.'
Oh yeah, Link remembered this particular conversation. It had happened awhile back when Siegfried was just beginning to recover from his wounds, probably a week or two before that fateful encounter in the desert with the others.
"You seem to know quite a bit about sword play." Link heard himself reply
'Is that what you call your style? Pretty robust than I've seen in most, more common in a battler than in any respectable swordsman.'
It was here that the memory slipped from him, words fading till there was nothing again, leaving Link alone in the darkness.
It was with great reluctance that Link awoke again. The moment he felt his body reviving, he became aware once again of the pain and weakness. Link didn't even try to open his eyes it would take too much effort to do that.
Link knew what it was to be exhausted. On his quest he had pushed his physical endurance to its limits numerous times. Some were to the point where he felt he should have died but didn't.
But he had never felt like this, his head hurt terribly as though it were placed under a torrent, the rushing water hammering against his head relentlessly. It was hard for him to concentrate or to string thoughts together for it pained him to do so.
And then there was the heat, that made everything so damn uncomfortable, but to move weakened him even faster. Oh goddesses, he felt like he was being burned alive! For a while Link tried to lose himself in sleep at least that way he wouldn't be conscious to his ailments. But when he would awaken it feel as though his suffering had gotten worse. He tried to brush it off as normal, but there was something about it that just wasn't normal.
When he heard the distinct sounds of a door opening, his first instincts forced his eyes to open without a thought and with much pain. In a drowsy haze, his eyes gradually began to focus.
Dark haze met his eyes at first, but slowly began to become sharper as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.
It was dark in his room and Link realized that the curtains were drawn to keep the light out. But even with out light, his acute hearing, which remained in tact, told him that some one was in the room. The door creaked as it shut securely, Link could hear the soft and careful footsteps, the quiet breathing. While he listened, the sounds got louder as the person drew nearer to him. Link knew then that it could not have been Raphael.
The steps were too timid, the breathing too nervous.
Could it be then, a maid? Perhaps a servant who had become too curious? If anything Link dearly hoped that they wouldn't scream, it would surely shatter what was left of his mind in this state.
Link heard sounds next to his bedside as something was being placed upon the nightstand there. The youth drew in a breath, as he knew the person was right next to him now for sure.
"So we meet again Link," The child like voice came as a surprise to him, no doubt about that. But he had never expected to hear /that/ particular voice. While it pained for the Hylian to move, he did so to face the shadowed girl standing right beside him.
"So it seems...Amy." Link said his voice was a little coarse and dry. "Where is your father?" He could see the girl quite well as his eyes had adjusted to the dark, but he wondered if Amy's eyes had as well. She seemed to be staring through him, for her face was expressionless and blank.
"He went off to run an errand. He won't be back for awhile, so he left you in my care." Link took a moment to allow this information to sink in. Raphael had left on an errand with out telling him? Surely it could not have slipped his mind. He hadn't gotten too far in his thoughts when Amy's voice cut in once again: "Why is it so dark in here?"
'Because Raphael had been afraid of the panic I might cause if anyone ever saw me.' Link thought blearily. The words echoed through his head painfully, but he never spoke them aloud.
Amy looked away to the thin line of light that strained through the thick curtains. When she moved, Link made an effort to speak to her.
"Amy, are you sure you want to draw those curtains back? You may not like what you see."
The girl froze then but did not look away from the curtains. "Unlike most simple minded folks, I do not believe that those who are born disfigured have committed a mortal sin."
A most unchildlike child, Link reflected, watching the small girl make her way to the curtains unafraid. But then, most, if not all, children given her situation were more-or-less unchildlike, having their childhood robbed from them in various ways; Link could sympathize with Amy even though his situation was far from the most tragic.
In a few seconds the curtains were finally pulled back allowing the warm orange rays of the setting sun to spill in and fill the room with its glow. There were three large windows that lined the wall, Amy opened the first two that were farthest away from Link as she did not want to cause the young man anymore discomfort that what he was already in. Two windows provided enough light she did not need anymore.
When she returned to the bedside Amy could see Link more clearly now. Beautiful locks of blond hair were plastered to his forehead as a light sheen of sweat covered his face. Sapphires that once burned with life gazed back through tired, half lidded eyes. And ears, long and pointy stuck out as clear as day, making the girl remember those old fairy tales about elves and fairies and such. Truly this was not some abnormality of human birth, but the design of nature itself.
So that was why he wore the hood. Amy thought, surely if he was not treated as an outcast in society then he must have been hunted down by the fear of the people who would brand him as a demon.
"You look terrible." Amy said brushing aside those thoughts.
Link closed his eyes slowly a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Is it my condition or my appearance you speak about?"
"Both." The girl said curtly reaching over to the nightstand that had a white bowl placed upon it. "Your condition is terrible and it makes you very sickly looking." Her display of frank and honest nature was surprisingly well received by the Hylian whose grin broadens to where he actually laughed. Not that his particular situation was funny, it's just that he was more relieved if anything. But his laughter was cut-short when his face contorted in pain and a sickening cry escaped his lips. Amy was instantly at his side a worried if not reproachful look upon her face. Link groaned slightly allowing the pain to pass; gasping lightly he looked to Amy most embarrassed.
"Sorry...I'm alright. It just hurt my chest to laugh..." Link explained. Amy shook her head with dismay not unlike a mother to a son. Reaching over into the bowl Amy wrung a small cloth before folding it neatly to place it upon Link's forehead. Link let out a sigh of contentment. The coldness of the cloth was soothing and while it didn't stop the pounding in his head, it did diminish it into a dull ache that was easier to bear.
"Are you trying to kill yourself faster? You can laugh all you want later, but for now, you to have to rest." Link's silence was his assent to her statement and he closed his eyes succumbing to her care.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It shouldn't have come as a surprise to Amy how easily the 'elf' (she hated the term but she had no better words to peg him with.) had come to trust her, but it did. Everything he did from the first time she had met him surprised her. And now this same elf, with out knowing anything at all about her, had given himself to her care. Not in the least bit worried that she'd try to kill him or have others steal his life while he slept. For someone of his looks it just didn't make any sense at all. She wondered, during that time while she periodically rewet the small towel and wiped the rest of his beaded pale face down, if the elf had ever experienced any hardships at all. If so, he certainly never showed it. He wasn't withdrawn like the outcasts, wasn't hard like the sell-swords, wasn't bitter about his life as a vagabond and he certainly didn't act like he was above anyone else...
'He doesn't even act like he's from this world.' Amy thought and once again her eyes trailed over the youth's features to rest upon Link's pointy ears.
It was then that her thoughts pointed out, 'But maybe he's probably not from this world to begin with.' And that explanation in itself was enough for the young girl at least for now. She never believed in 'other realms' or what ever they were called. But then again, she never believed in elves either.
"You're very skilled at what you do." Link's voice cut into her thoughts causing Amy to jump, as she had not expected him to be awake. Link's eyes remained closed, but it was clear to the girl that he had never really been asleep.
Amy had a right mind to smack the youth had he not been so sick. "Well you're not my first patient. I've had to do this before." She said trying not to sound so sullen. The last person she had ever tended to with such care was Raphael. And through her simple act of kindness, she had gained a friend. But she did not want friends that she knew she would only lose. Look at Raphael for instance...
Amy felt her chest grow tight and her stomach churn with unspoken emotion. She realized that she was staring intently upon Link's face and that a heavy uncomfortable silence was settling in. It had probably been there all along, but Amy hadn't noticed because she thought the elf was asleep, now she knew he was awake just by the expression that lingered on his face. "You're very puzzling." She said after awhile. "You're not human are you?"
Quite simply, Link answered, "Well of course I'm not human."
"Then you are an elf?"
There was a small laugh. "I don't know what that is, but I'm sure that's not me."
The girl drew back unsure of what to make of this. Her brow rose not understanding. "How can you not know what an elf is? Elves are /your/ kind."
If Link was able, Amy was sure he'd be giving her a skeptical look. "You know, I get that a lot, but I'm not an elf. I'm a Hylian."
"And what is a Hylian? I've never heard of it before."
"Perhaps I should be asking you what exactly an elf is." Link quickly returned.
Not knowing how to go about explaining to an elf what an elf was made it pretty hard for Amy to frame a reply right away. Of course there was a way, and finding nothing else better to say at the moment Amy used the easiest example.
"An elf is an imaginary creature that looks like you but has magical powers." The young girl sighed as if stating common boring facts. "They have long ears so they can commune with the sprits of nature since they live in the forests." She waited to see what reaction she would get from Link. When she got none, the girl felt that that particular stereotype was too broad. "Maybe a Hylian is an elfin knight."
"Elfin knight?"
Easing back in her chair Amy took a moment to fully recall the story that she hadn't realized was still there in the farthest recesses of her mind.
"Like that old children story; The Elfin Knight Tam Lin."
Once upon a time, Raphael had told her this story when she found him holed up in his library.
Link was quiet for a moment before; "I've never heard that story before. But I'd like to hear it if isn't too much trouble."
She was determined from the start to keep it small talk and now she was failing miserably. This new side of her desperately wanted to talk more, but the old side demanded that she stop now.
Stories put people to sleep; this would serve to quiet Link down a little faster. And both voices in her head quieted down.
Though it had been a while since she'd heard the story she recalled it with amazing ease. Soon enough, Amy was telling Link the story of the Elfin Knight as she had heard it from Raphael. Link would show that he was attentive by the occasional soft nod. He really seemed fascinated with her tale and spoke when she had finished.
"Truly amazing, I really liked the part where Margaret was able to free Tam Lin. That had to take real courage I mean to never let go of him no matter what form the Elfin Queen enchanted him with." Amy noticed Link's voice had gotten a bit breathier and perhaps a lot softer. It was probably getting harder for him to speak in his state.
Shrugging her shoulders indifferently Amy went back to replacing the cloth upon his head. In truth, she had also liked that part of the story. Because the Elfin Knight had told the girl that if she wanted to free him from the Elfin Queen she had to hold on to him and never let him go no matter what form he took. And the girl did, even when he took the form of a wolf, then a snake, then a stag and finally a burning hot iron rod.
'But you must hold fast and you must not let go. Remember always that I shall never hurt you what ever I seem to be.'
The passage stuck to Amy's mind because the amount of trust that the knight was asking of the girl. It seemed as though Link greatly resembled the elfin knight in the story. She mused. Link was so amused by the story he hadn't fallen asleep but instead asked if she knew anymore. Shockingly Amy did, it amazed her so as she recalled one tale after another. Even more shockingly despite the resolution not to speak so much, Amy found the words tumbling out of her mouth as she /enjoyed/ telling them to Link.
After a while, Amy noticed how Link would marvel at each story, particularly the ones where characters would display uncommon valor in the face of adversity. At times Amy felt as though she were telling the story to another child. Truly a most unadultlike adult she had ever met.
In return Link revealed to her a bit about his land of Hyrule (Amy was a tad bit skeptical about this, but was interested all the same.) about the beautiful princess that ruled the lands, the graceful zoras that inhabited the waters and the peaceful Kokiri children that protected the forests. As Link spoke, Amy found that she was at war with herself. She /wanted/ to trust Link, and she had sworn never to trust anyone. More than that, she wanted to like Link. He could easily become a friend.
But she did not want any more friends!
When it became too much for Link to speak, his voice straining harder and harder to form words, Amy took over with a few more stories till the elf had finally fallen asleep. When he did so, Amy found herself somewhat disappointed, as she never finished her last story.
But at least he was asleep finally and she could go about her business in complete silence, and with no distractions. When darkness set in, and Amy went about lighting the lamps in Link's room, she spotted Link's small duffle bag upon the table where she had set a lamp down. Whether out of curiosity or out of habit, Amy looked through it, being ever so cautious of Link who slept a few feet away. She found his belongings, but she also found various other items along with that...
Amy awoke suddenly as she almost fell from her chair because of an abrupt movement from the bed.
Rubbing her eyes gingerly she realized with a start that she must have dozed off! How long had she been asleep? A few minuets, a few hours? Amy looked to the windows trying to get an approximation of the day; she was mildly confused to find it dark out.
Rain pattered against the glass windows in a fury telling the small girl that there was a storm raging outside. That would explain why it was dark, but when had a storm rolled in? Had she been asleep so long that the day had come shrouded in veils of dark rainstorms? What little light the grey and dreary day provided washed the room with its pale colors. Somewhere in the distance Amy thought she heard a rumble of thunder.
"Time...Hero..." Link's soft voice drew her attention back to her charge finding that he was not awake, but he wasn't completely asleep either.
His skin was visibly paler, and while his face was perspiring from heat, he shivered beneath the covers.
"Link? Link!" Amy searched for the washcloth she had used the day before, while trying to keep her eyes upon the young elf. He seemed to be having fever induced nightmares, his head moved from one side then other, lips moving but hardly a word could be heard.
God! How irresponsible of you! You were to look after him and you fell asleep! The curses ran through Amy's head. When she found the cloth she thrust it into the bowl hastily wringing it out and placing it back upon the elf's head. This seemed to calm him down somewhat, that or the nightmare he was having was passing.
"I have to get back; I have to get back to Hyrule..." He whispered barely audible. "Have to save, have to save..." And Link woke with a start trying to rise, but Amy was right there to keep him from doing so and gently pushed the elf back. His eyes were wide staring straight ahead seeing things that only he could see and the moment Amy touched him, his arm shot up on instinct to grab her small wrist roughly. Though he was sick, he still had quite the strength left in him. Slow to realize who he had grabbed, Link finally turned to look at Amy with shock and mild horror. "Amy?" He asked weakly. With the state that he's in, he shouldn't have been able to rise, let alone awake! Amy had to get over her own initial surprise as well before she spoke in a gentle voice.
"Yes, it's me Link, you were having a nightmare. Just lay back down while I get something for you to drink. It should ease you back to sleep." The child picked up the wet cloth and placed it back upon Link's forehead.
Link released her rueful of his actions and did as he was told. When Amy returned with a heated teapot of freshly brewed peppermint tea Link took this readily. The peppermint soothed his throat and the hot liquid warmed his body to rest a little easier.
The two spoke again as Link asked her if he had been talking in his sleep. Amy told him that he had, only saying something about returning to Hyrule. It was only after Link had fallen asleep again that Amy remembered his first words, something about 'time' and 'hero'. When she thought about it, along with expressing his desire to return to Hyrule, Link had also said something about having to save. But to save what she had no idea. Perhaps she had told him one too many fairy tales, that or there was more to Link's tale than he had let on.
As the hours wore on the fever only seemed to get worse. Amy's heart contracted as she began to fear for Link's mortality. Despite all her efforts, she knew the signs when a person's life force was leaving the mortal shell. She was losing Link and she couldn't do anything to save him!
She continued to give him various herbs (ones that she found stored in the house and ones that she found in his bag) to try and calm the raging fever, but it proved to have little effect. And with his fever came pain, brining agony and more fever-induced nightmares. Link cried out in his dreams, scaring Amy so as she was sure he was dying now. He talked more often but only from the depths of his dreams, some times his speech was incoherent and he would babble things and names she did not understand, other times he spoke as if he were fighting an endless battle. These particular nightmares would cause him to thrash about in a panic but he would not waken, and Amy had to pin him down as best as she could so that he could not hurt himself.
Amy hated this feeling, the feeling of being powerless. She really truly wanted to save Link's life. But seeing him slowly die before her frustrated her greatly because it made her come to terms that she was just a child and there were some things she just couldn't do.
'I wish Raphael was here...He knew what to do in situations like this, he could help Link and make everything better.'
A soft knock caused the small girl to jump, startling her out of her thoughts.
"Raphael?" Her heart leapt to her throat. Hopping from her chair the small girl almost tripped as her legs almost gave way beneath her. Finally able to tear her attention away from the boy she found how sleep deprived she was. Two days she had remained at Link's side with little to no sleep since the last time she dozed off. Amazing how she hadn't noticed before.
'But it's okay now, because Raphael...Raphael is back.' The door was already opening slowly before Amy could answer it.
The man who walked in was not Raphael.
This man wore a dark cloak soaked from the rain; jet-black hair matted to his head and had the coldest eyes Amy had ever seen on a man. As he stepped in, Amy froze in her tracks, breath caught in her throat.
She couldn't scream, the man would kill her for sure and she didn't know if there were any staff on hand who would hear her. More footsteps were heard as four more men entered to stand behind the man in the cloak. All were eyeing Link behind her.
"Who are you people? Get out!"
The man in the cloak smirked amused and made a passive bow. "Please pardon our intrusion Madame, but I've come to take the demon boy."
Amy would have done the smart thing and moved out of the way for the men to pass, but she just couldn't. Some how, Amy just knew, if she allowed the men to take Link now, Link would most certainly die.
Instead she spread her arms at her sides defiant. "You're not taking Link anywhere! Can't you see he's sick? He's going to die! Leave us alone! Or I swear Raphael will have your heads!" Instantly the girl covered her mouth horrified of what she had just said.
The man in the cloak took a step forward and Amy took a step back. A gleam of interest in his beady eyes. "Did you say Raphael? As in the wanted highborn heir to the Sorel family?" There were murmurs from his men and Amy thought she heard the word 'bounty'. "Well it seems things just got a little more interesting. But, business first. Seize the boy," He made a slight motion with his hand and the four henchmen moved surrounding the bed. The man in the cloak eyed kept his eyes on her interested now more than ever. "As for you Madame, you'll be coming with me."
Amy couldn't possibly protect herself and Link from all of them! Staying as close as she could beside Link, she looked around spotting Link's bundled sword leaning against the bedpost near his head. Quickly Amy made a grab for the weapon and unraveled it revealing a curbed saber. Raphael had taught Amy a bit about swordplay but most of the time she just watched him. However this sword she could tell in an instant would render null and void everything she'd been taught or had observed.
'Well it's not like you were any good at sword play to begin with.' Amy did her best to swing the sword around threateningly almost getting pulled down by its weight.
"Bite your tongue and go to hell all of you! Leave us be or I'll cut you up into ribbons!" She snarled with impotent fury.
In spite of her threats, the man in the dark cloak was not afraid, and his cronies chuckled. The mere sound made Amy's blood boil. No matter how she looked at it the situation was bleak. She was glad it was a little dark in the room for her eyes were burning with tears and she didn't want the man to see them. Blinking hard she drove them back, but couldn't do much for her heart that hammered away in her small chest.
"Put that sword down! Didn't your father ever teach you that swords were not toys?" The man mocked, advancing. "Now just listen and do as I say like a good little girl before you make us adults mad."
That was the last straw, with one last look to Link who lay unconscious, Amy gripped the sword and launched herself at the man with a cry; "En Guard you knave!!" Everything happened in that one moment, before her the man in the cape threw out his arms as if to intercept her, and in the corner of her eye she saw two of the four on the opposite side of the bed loom over Link's form.
And in the next second her whole world went black.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: I never meant for the chapter to be so long! In fact it was too long for me to post it up as just one chapter! Oh! I finished another picture entitled 'Raphael Vs. Link' If you want me to send it to you please post a review with your email that you want me to send it to. Also, If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to try to enhance it on the computer but that could take another week, so if you want the Black and white one, I'll send that one as soon as I get it scanned in.
Okay, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, for the next one won't be long to post. 'Hylian's Rage'. I'll leave the meaning up to your imaginations. I had fun writing this one, but now that it's an entirely new chapter I'm going to have to add more. Please review and let me know what you thought about this one. I was a little iffy about Amy's personality here. Also the story used here was a children's fairy tale called 'The Elfin Knight Tam Lin'. I thought it was most appropriate to use in this story..^^
See you all in a few!
~Hero Genkaku
Both men knew this, and were well inversed in this game of darker dealings where nothing is, as it seems.
Marco Benito was a man who trusted only in himself as his life as a mercenary taught him the cruel and harsh realities of the world around them. A jack-of-all-trades, he was as competent as he was deadly, and he knew how to play his cards well.
Raphael was pretty impressed when he had first met with the man, hearing of his reputation from another awhile back. He employed his services before and knew him to be the best. The man worked as hard as he was paid, and knew only what he was paid to know. He seldom spoke about his past, but Raphael was sure with the right price that too could be known.
Marco looked to be around his thirties with high and prominent cheekbones and sleek hazel eyes that met others with evasiveness. His body was well formed and muscular as some of his jobs required quite a bit of strength and the need to defend himself was always eminent especially with his line of work.
"Poison from a sea hare?" Marco questioned dryly. Raphael, from his place near one of the library's windows, did not look to the man and offered no comment. Was he lost in thought? Carrying the conversation along, Marco went on; "You can control the rapidity of the effect or the symptoms it causes just by how you blend it."
Finally Raphael sighed but still did not meet the other's gaze, which was strange to Marco as all French tended to look others directly in the eyes. This meant that he had something to hide. But what it was didn't really matter to Marco as long as he was still getting paid. "Yes, yes I /know/ that. The Datrua is faster, but to kill him off so quickly would have aroused suspicion." Three days ago, Raphael had laced Link's drink with the deadly Datrua poison, only to find out later that the youth did not drink wine and didn't even touch it, wasting the poison all in one go. "At least with this poison, it looks as though he had succumbed to an illness gradually. And in case /that/ also fails, I have you and your men on standby to take care of the situation."
A smug smile crossed Marco's features. "From what you've told me it seems this one possesses the luck of the devil. Could that be because the devil takes care of its own?"
"The boy isn't a demon." Raphael was unsure of why he said that, except that he had felt out-of-sorts at the moment.
The expression never changed upon the man's face as he returned smoothly; "I don't know what he is, but I know what he isn't. He's not human."
At least he acts more human than you and I could ever be. Were the Frenchman's silent thoughts but he cared not to voice them. Raphael continued instead with: "What of the search? I assume you've made progress in locating the item?"
A curt nod; "You'll be pleased to know that we've located it, not that it was a real challenge at all." Marco said coolly and with obvious gratification. "What you seek lies in Rouen. I have the rest of the details here." From beneath his black cloak, Marco produced a small envelope.
This time, Raphael did look to him with immediate interest in his eyes. "Excellent work, I could not have arranged for a better setting if I had the workings of it." He approached and took the envelope from Marco. "I shall go to Rouen myself and retrieve this cane."
Marco had not expected the Frenchman to make such a decision. He did not know D' Angelo very well as the man kept his business to himself, but Marco did observe the man enough to know how he felt about certain subjects. Rouen, France was one of these subjects. Though he never asked about it, he could sense that D' Angelo made every point he could to avoid the place and any location near it. Truly a very touchy subject, and not one Marco was prepared to mess around with, but it intrigued him all the same. While Marco did not let the surprise register, his mouth did quirk. "That would be quicker I think if you are most eager to recover this artifact. The man who possesses it now will not part with it unless a reasonable amount can be compensated rest assured."
"I expected as much actually. But no matter, I shall see to the issue myself. I trust that you can take care of things on this end?" Raphael asked before handing the man a small pouch.
Feeling the weight of the pouch's contents, Marco smiled most satisfied, giving Raphael a graceful bow. "With out fail my lord."
"You will be paid the rest of the amount when the boy is dead and I have returned with the Cane of Byrna. I have but one small request of you. Upon the fatal hour the boy breathes his last, remove my daughter from the room, if at all possible spare my daughter the sight. I think she has seen enough death in her time and I do not wish her to be disturbed any further. I would have her accompany me so she is not in your way, but I fear that the journey is far more dangerous and best that she stays here."
"Of course my lord, I understand."
Eyes of ice darkened suddenly as Raphael's gaze burrowed deep into Marco's, his voice was cold and impersonal then with the undercurrents of a threat. "She is /not/ to come to any harm Marco or be involved with this in any way. Do I make myself clear?"
Once more the man replied; "Of course my lord, I understand."
Satisfied that he had gotten his point across, Raphael took one last look outside the large window before turning to make arrangements for his travel. Not one to linger, Marco followed his example and took his leave as well, dark cape flowing after him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
This day, Amy waited for Link as she wished to speak with the boy. Upon the wooden posted fence she sat for she knew this is where he usually went first as he obviously favored horseback riding and was quite good at it really. Against the wishes of the servants the boy would ride upon the beasts with wild abandon. After awhile Amy felt Link was making a game of it all racing away or riding around to tease the servants. Eventually, he would give in to their wishes when they got angry enough, only to do the very same thing the next day. It was childish and stupid, but it amused Amy to no end.
Strangely today he did not appear. And that was odd to her as the day was permitting and he was one not to stay inside. Amy waited to hear the familiar enigmatic music from the instrument he never failed to play.
But the air was silent. She heard no birds and the wind was still. It was as if nature itself held its breath listening for the boy's ethereal music.
Where could he be? Amy refused to believe that she was growing worried for Link, as she hardly knew him.
Irritated more like, the girl thought to herself with a huff. He had to go and be so damn strange and make me wonder all the time. Now that I want to talk to him, he's not around.
Irritated, or worried, whatever it was, Amy continued to wait upon the fence for the boy to appear regardless. She would have gone on to wait until the sunset had not Raphael walked out to meet her. Amy resorted to playing with the sling shot to pass the time picking up what ever small stone she could find to shoot at nothing in the open field and hitting less.
"Amy, are you still here?"
The voice startled the girl and she almost fell forward had not strong but gentle hands reach out to hold her steady at the sides. She turned ready to berate who ever it was behind her when she was suddenly faced with Raphael. Clearly she had not expected to see him here, and almost at once her anger was gone leaving her empty.
"Raphael, what are you doing out here?" The moment the words left her lips Amy realized the absurdity of her question. Raphael gave her a cool stare before turning to look out to the fields.
"Well I find it quite rude when a young lady is kept waiting."
"I wasn't waiting for anyone."
A brow was raised in a skeptical manner. "Oh? I see. Then you wouldn't mind a bit of company then."
Amy stiffened unbelieving of what she had heard. The surprise lasted only a second as a creeping suspicion over came her next. Carefully tailoring her words she asked what her heart had not wanted her to, "So where are you leaving to now?"
Raphael did not reply right away, but his hesitance to answer was all the confirmation Amy needed. Just when she thought he had caught on to what she wanted the most...
"I'm sorry Amy, but something came up and I have to leave. But it won't be for very long."
That's what you always say. Amy thought bitterly, but of course she didn't say it. Well at least you managed to stay for a week and few days which is the longest so far. It's a good thing I never get my hopes too high.
All these things she never spoke but came with the automatic; "I understand you don't need to explain, you can go where you like. You know you don't need to worry about me. I'm fine..." It came out more annoyed than she expected. She couldn't help it, as she had been disappointed one too many times today. Amy suddenly wished that she had more stones to sling into a field of nothing. Anything to keep her distracted from her thoughts that looked forward to the coming days of being alone.
The blond Frenchman moved to stand closer behind her placing both hands upon her small shoulders. He spoke in a gentler manner, as if cradling a baby with his very words; "Amy, you know that I would like nothing more than to have you accompany me but someone here needs you." Amy would have rolled her eyes but she was still a little surprised by what he had said. Raphael went on to explain. "My friend is ill with fever. I did not want the boy to ride in such poor health so I'm running this important errand for him. It's not far from here and may take three days to return, two days tops."
So that was why Link didn't appear today. But he was sick? He had seemed perfectly fine the day before. "Leave him in my care. Do not worry about your friend. Do what you have to and return quickly Raphael." She said trying to sound as mature as she knew how.
Weather Link really needed her or if Raphael was using him to distract her, it was all the same to Amy. Raphael always fetched someone or something to distract her so she'd stay happy in his absence. She wasn't dumb; she knew when she wasn't wanted. Amy did not want to stand in Raphael's way for she knew, somehow, that everything Raphael did, he did for her. If only he could understand...
For now, Amy nodded to please Raphael and to keep herself out of his way.
Before she could hop off the fence, Raphael stood in her way facing her with set features she didn't understand. Looking carefully into the girl's eyes Raphael spoke:
"Amy before you go to see him, there is something that I must tell you about my friend."
Amy gazed back wondering what would cause Raphael to look at her that way.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
'You are fairly strong in everything...'
Link stirred upon hearing the voice. However he didn't have to ponder long upon whom this disembodied voice was. In the depths of his mind he saw a flash of orange light, a passing image of strong emerald eyes behind a curtain of pale blond.
The voice went on to speak steadily; 'But you can't hope to outpace quick opponents and certainly not think of overpowering the ones that rely on strength.'
Oh yeah, Link remembered this particular conversation. It had happened awhile back when Siegfried was just beginning to recover from his wounds, probably a week or two before that fateful encounter in the desert with the others.
"You seem to know quite a bit about sword play." Link heard himself reply
'Is that what you call your style? Pretty robust than I've seen in most, more common in a battler than in any respectable swordsman.'
It was here that the memory slipped from him, words fading till there was nothing again, leaving Link alone in the darkness.
It was with great reluctance that Link awoke again. The moment he felt his body reviving, he became aware once again of the pain and weakness. Link didn't even try to open his eyes it would take too much effort to do that.
Link knew what it was to be exhausted. On his quest he had pushed his physical endurance to its limits numerous times. Some were to the point where he felt he should have died but didn't.
But he had never felt like this, his head hurt terribly as though it were placed under a torrent, the rushing water hammering against his head relentlessly. It was hard for him to concentrate or to string thoughts together for it pained him to do so.
And then there was the heat, that made everything so damn uncomfortable, but to move weakened him even faster. Oh goddesses, he felt like he was being burned alive! For a while Link tried to lose himself in sleep at least that way he wouldn't be conscious to his ailments. But when he would awaken it feel as though his suffering had gotten worse. He tried to brush it off as normal, but there was something about it that just wasn't normal.
When he heard the distinct sounds of a door opening, his first instincts forced his eyes to open without a thought and with much pain. In a drowsy haze, his eyes gradually began to focus.
Dark haze met his eyes at first, but slowly began to become sharper as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.
It was dark in his room and Link realized that the curtains were drawn to keep the light out. But even with out light, his acute hearing, which remained in tact, told him that some one was in the room. The door creaked as it shut securely, Link could hear the soft and careful footsteps, the quiet breathing. While he listened, the sounds got louder as the person drew nearer to him. Link knew then that it could not have been Raphael.
The steps were too timid, the breathing too nervous.
Could it be then, a maid? Perhaps a servant who had become too curious? If anything Link dearly hoped that they wouldn't scream, it would surely shatter what was left of his mind in this state.
Link heard sounds next to his bedside as something was being placed upon the nightstand there. The youth drew in a breath, as he knew the person was right next to him now for sure.
"So we meet again Link," The child like voice came as a surprise to him, no doubt about that. But he had never expected to hear /that/ particular voice. While it pained for the Hylian to move, he did so to face the shadowed girl standing right beside him.
"So it seems...Amy." Link said his voice was a little coarse and dry. "Where is your father?" He could see the girl quite well as his eyes had adjusted to the dark, but he wondered if Amy's eyes had as well. She seemed to be staring through him, for her face was expressionless and blank.
"He went off to run an errand. He won't be back for awhile, so he left you in my care." Link took a moment to allow this information to sink in. Raphael had left on an errand with out telling him? Surely it could not have slipped his mind. He hadn't gotten too far in his thoughts when Amy's voice cut in once again: "Why is it so dark in here?"
'Because Raphael had been afraid of the panic I might cause if anyone ever saw me.' Link thought blearily. The words echoed through his head painfully, but he never spoke them aloud.
Amy looked away to the thin line of light that strained through the thick curtains. When she moved, Link made an effort to speak to her.
"Amy, are you sure you want to draw those curtains back? You may not like what you see."
The girl froze then but did not look away from the curtains. "Unlike most simple minded folks, I do not believe that those who are born disfigured have committed a mortal sin."
A most unchildlike child, Link reflected, watching the small girl make her way to the curtains unafraid. But then, most, if not all, children given her situation were more-or-less unchildlike, having their childhood robbed from them in various ways; Link could sympathize with Amy even though his situation was far from the most tragic.
In a few seconds the curtains were finally pulled back allowing the warm orange rays of the setting sun to spill in and fill the room with its glow. There were three large windows that lined the wall, Amy opened the first two that were farthest away from Link as she did not want to cause the young man anymore discomfort that what he was already in. Two windows provided enough light she did not need anymore.
When she returned to the bedside Amy could see Link more clearly now. Beautiful locks of blond hair were plastered to his forehead as a light sheen of sweat covered his face. Sapphires that once burned with life gazed back through tired, half lidded eyes. And ears, long and pointy stuck out as clear as day, making the girl remember those old fairy tales about elves and fairies and such. Truly this was not some abnormality of human birth, but the design of nature itself.
So that was why he wore the hood. Amy thought, surely if he was not treated as an outcast in society then he must have been hunted down by the fear of the people who would brand him as a demon.
"You look terrible." Amy said brushing aside those thoughts.
Link closed his eyes slowly a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Is it my condition or my appearance you speak about?"
"Both." The girl said curtly reaching over to the nightstand that had a white bowl placed upon it. "Your condition is terrible and it makes you very sickly looking." Her display of frank and honest nature was surprisingly well received by the Hylian whose grin broadens to where he actually laughed. Not that his particular situation was funny, it's just that he was more relieved if anything. But his laughter was cut-short when his face contorted in pain and a sickening cry escaped his lips. Amy was instantly at his side a worried if not reproachful look upon her face. Link groaned slightly allowing the pain to pass; gasping lightly he looked to Amy most embarrassed.
"Sorry...I'm alright. It just hurt my chest to laugh..." Link explained. Amy shook her head with dismay not unlike a mother to a son. Reaching over into the bowl Amy wrung a small cloth before folding it neatly to place it upon Link's forehead. Link let out a sigh of contentment. The coldness of the cloth was soothing and while it didn't stop the pounding in his head, it did diminish it into a dull ache that was easier to bear.
"Are you trying to kill yourself faster? You can laugh all you want later, but for now, you to have to rest." Link's silence was his assent to her statement and he closed his eyes succumbing to her care.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It shouldn't have come as a surprise to Amy how easily the 'elf' (she hated the term but she had no better words to peg him with.) had come to trust her, but it did. Everything he did from the first time she had met him surprised her. And now this same elf, with out knowing anything at all about her, had given himself to her care. Not in the least bit worried that she'd try to kill him or have others steal his life while he slept. For someone of his looks it just didn't make any sense at all. She wondered, during that time while she periodically rewet the small towel and wiped the rest of his beaded pale face down, if the elf had ever experienced any hardships at all. If so, he certainly never showed it. He wasn't withdrawn like the outcasts, wasn't hard like the sell-swords, wasn't bitter about his life as a vagabond and he certainly didn't act like he was above anyone else...
'He doesn't even act like he's from this world.' Amy thought and once again her eyes trailed over the youth's features to rest upon Link's pointy ears.
It was then that her thoughts pointed out, 'But maybe he's probably not from this world to begin with.' And that explanation in itself was enough for the young girl at least for now. She never believed in 'other realms' or what ever they were called. But then again, she never believed in elves either.
"You're very skilled at what you do." Link's voice cut into her thoughts causing Amy to jump, as she had not expected him to be awake. Link's eyes remained closed, but it was clear to the girl that he had never really been asleep.
Amy had a right mind to smack the youth had he not been so sick. "Well you're not my first patient. I've had to do this before." She said trying not to sound so sullen. The last person she had ever tended to with such care was Raphael. And through her simple act of kindness, she had gained a friend. But she did not want friends that she knew she would only lose. Look at Raphael for instance...
Amy felt her chest grow tight and her stomach churn with unspoken emotion. She realized that she was staring intently upon Link's face and that a heavy uncomfortable silence was settling in. It had probably been there all along, but Amy hadn't noticed because she thought the elf was asleep, now she knew he was awake just by the expression that lingered on his face. "You're very puzzling." She said after awhile. "You're not human are you?"
Quite simply, Link answered, "Well of course I'm not human."
"Then you are an elf?"
There was a small laugh. "I don't know what that is, but I'm sure that's not me."
The girl drew back unsure of what to make of this. Her brow rose not understanding. "How can you not know what an elf is? Elves are /your/ kind."
If Link was able, Amy was sure he'd be giving her a skeptical look. "You know, I get that a lot, but I'm not an elf. I'm a Hylian."
"And what is a Hylian? I've never heard of it before."
"Perhaps I should be asking you what exactly an elf is." Link quickly returned.
Not knowing how to go about explaining to an elf what an elf was made it pretty hard for Amy to frame a reply right away. Of course there was a way, and finding nothing else better to say at the moment Amy used the easiest example.
"An elf is an imaginary creature that looks like you but has magical powers." The young girl sighed as if stating common boring facts. "They have long ears so they can commune with the sprits of nature since they live in the forests." She waited to see what reaction she would get from Link. When she got none, the girl felt that that particular stereotype was too broad. "Maybe a Hylian is an elfin knight."
"Elfin knight?"
Easing back in her chair Amy took a moment to fully recall the story that she hadn't realized was still there in the farthest recesses of her mind.
"Like that old children story; The Elfin Knight Tam Lin."
Once upon a time, Raphael had told her this story when she found him holed up in his library.
Link was quiet for a moment before; "I've never heard that story before. But I'd like to hear it if isn't too much trouble."
She was determined from the start to keep it small talk and now she was failing miserably. This new side of her desperately wanted to talk more, but the old side demanded that she stop now.
Stories put people to sleep; this would serve to quiet Link down a little faster. And both voices in her head quieted down.
Though it had been a while since she'd heard the story she recalled it with amazing ease. Soon enough, Amy was telling Link the story of the Elfin Knight as she had heard it from Raphael. Link would show that he was attentive by the occasional soft nod. He really seemed fascinated with her tale and spoke when she had finished.
"Truly amazing, I really liked the part where Margaret was able to free Tam Lin. That had to take real courage I mean to never let go of him no matter what form the Elfin Queen enchanted him with." Amy noticed Link's voice had gotten a bit breathier and perhaps a lot softer. It was probably getting harder for him to speak in his state.
Shrugging her shoulders indifferently Amy went back to replacing the cloth upon his head. In truth, she had also liked that part of the story. Because the Elfin Knight had told the girl that if she wanted to free him from the Elfin Queen she had to hold on to him and never let him go no matter what form he took. And the girl did, even when he took the form of a wolf, then a snake, then a stag and finally a burning hot iron rod.
'But you must hold fast and you must not let go. Remember always that I shall never hurt you what ever I seem to be.'
The passage stuck to Amy's mind because the amount of trust that the knight was asking of the girl. It seemed as though Link greatly resembled the elfin knight in the story. She mused. Link was so amused by the story he hadn't fallen asleep but instead asked if she knew anymore. Shockingly Amy did, it amazed her so as she recalled one tale after another. Even more shockingly despite the resolution not to speak so much, Amy found the words tumbling out of her mouth as she /enjoyed/ telling them to Link.
After a while, Amy noticed how Link would marvel at each story, particularly the ones where characters would display uncommon valor in the face of adversity. At times Amy felt as though she were telling the story to another child. Truly a most unadultlike adult she had ever met.
In return Link revealed to her a bit about his land of Hyrule (Amy was a tad bit skeptical about this, but was interested all the same.) about the beautiful princess that ruled the lands, the graceful zoras that inhabited the waters and the peaceful Kokiri children that protected the forests. As Link spoke, Amy found that she was at war with herself. She /wanted/ to trust Link, and she had sworn never to trust anyone. More than that, she wanted to like Link. He could easily become a friend.
But she did not want any more friends!
When it became too much for Link to speak, his voice straining harder and harder to form words, Amy took over with a few more stories till the elf had finally fallen asleep. When he did so, Amy found herself somewhat disappointed, as she never finished her last story.
But at least he was asleep finally and she could go about her business in complete silence, and with no distractions. When darkness set in, and Amy went about lighting the lamps in Link's room, she spotted Link's small duffle bag upon the table where she had set a lamp down. Whether out of curiosity or out of habit, Amy looked through it, being ever so cautious of Link who slept a few feet away. She found his belongings, but she also found various other items along with that...
Amy awoke suddenly as she almost fell from her chair because of an abrupt movement from the bed.
Rubbing her eyes gingerly she realized with a start that she must have dozed off! How long had she been asleep? A few minuets, a few hours? Amy looked to the windows trying to get an approximation of the day; she was mildly confused to find it dark out.
Rain pattered against the glass windows in a fury telling the small girl that there was a storm raging outside. That would explain why it was dark, but when had a storm rolled in? Had she been asleep so long that the day had come shrouded in veils of dark rainstorms? What little light the grey and dreary day provided washed the room with its pale colors. Somewhere in the distance Amy thought she heard a rumble of thunder.
"Time...Hero..." Link's soft voice drew her attention back to her charge finding that he was not awake, but he wasn't completely asleep either.
His skin was visibly paler, and while his face was perspiring from heat, he shivered beneath the covers.
"Link? Link!" Amy searched for the washcloth she had used the day before, while trying to keep her eyes upon the young elf. He seemed to be having fever induced nightmares, his head moved from one side then other, lips moving but hardly a word could be heard.
God! How irresponsible of you! You were to look after him and you fell asleep! The curses ran through Amy's head. When she found the cloth she thrust it into the bowl hastily wringing it out and placing it back upon the elf's head. This seemed to calm him down somewhat, that or the nightmare he was having was passing.
"I have to get back; I have to get back to Hyrule..." He whispered barely audible. "Have to save, have to save..." And Link woke with a start trying to rise, but Amy was right there to keep him from doing so and gently pushed the elf back. His eyes were wide staring straight ahead seeing things that only he could see and the moment Amy touched him, his arm shot up on instinct to grab her small wrist roughly. Though he was sick, he still had quite the strength left in him. Slow to realize who he had grabbed, Link finally turned to look at Amy with shock and mild horror. "Amy?" He asked weakly. With the state that he's in, he shouldn't have been able to rise, let alone awake! Amy had to get over her own initial surprise as well before she spoke in a gentle voice.
"Yes, it's me Link, you were having a nightmare. Just lay back down while I get something for you to drink. It should ease you back to sleep." The child picked up the wet cloth and placed it back upon Link's forehead.
Link released her rueful of his actions and did as he was told. When Amy returned with a heated teapot of freshly brewed peppermint tea Link took this readily. The peppermint soothed his throat and the hot liquid warmed his body to rest a little easier.
The two spoke again as Link asked her if he had been talking in his sleep. Amy told him that he had, only saying something about returning to Hyrule. It was only after Link had fallen asleep again that Amy remembered his first words, something about 'time' and 'hero'. When she thought about it, along with expressing his desire to return to Hyrule, Link had also said something about having to save. But to save what she had no idea. Perhaps she had told him one too many fairy tales, that or there was more to Link's tale than he had let on.
As the hours wore on the fever only seemed to get worse. Amy's heart contracted as she began to fear for Link's mortality. Despite all her efforts, she knew the signs when a person's life force was leaving the mortal shell. She was losing Link and she couldn't do anything to save him!
She continued to give him various herbs (ones that she found stored in the house and ones that she found in his bag) to try and calm the raging fever, but it proved to have little effect. And with his fever came pain, brining agony and more fever-induced nightmares. Link cried out in his dreams, scaring Amy so as she was sure he was dying now. He talked more often but only from the depths of his dreams, some times his speech was incoherent and he would babble things and names she did not understand, other times he spoke as if he were fighting an endless battle. These particular nightmares would cause him to thrash about in a panic but he would not waken, and Amy had to pin him down as best as she could so that he could not hurt himself.
Amy hated this feeling, the feeling of being powerless. She really truly wanted to save Link's life. But seeing him slowly die before her frustrated her greatly because it made her come to terms that she was just a child and there were some things she just couldn't do.
'I wish Raphael was here...He knew what to do in situations like this, he could help Link and make everything better.'
A soft knock caused the small girl to jump, startling her out of her thoughts.
"Raphael?" Her heart leapt to her throat. Hopping from her chair the small girl almost tripped as her legs almost gave way beneath her. Finally able to tear her attention away from the boy she found how sleep deprived she was. Two days she had remained at Link's side with little to no sleep since the last time she dozed off. Amazing how she hadn't noticed before.
'But it's okay now, because Raphael...Raphael is back.' The door was already opening slowly before Amy could answer it.
The man who walked in was not Raphael.
This man wore a dark cloak soaked from the rain; jet-black hair matted to his head and had the coldest eyes Amy had ever seen on a man. As he stepped in, Amy froze in her tracks, breath caught in her throat.
She couldn't scream, the man would kill her for sure and she didn't know if there were any staff on hand who would hear her. More footsteps were heard as four more men entered to stand behind the man in the cloak. All were eyeing Link behind her.
"Who are you people? Get out!"
The man in the cloak smirked amused and made a passive bow. "Please pardon our intrusion Madame, but I've come to take the demon boy."
Amy would have done the smart thing and moved out of the way for the men to pass, but she just couldn't. Some how, Amy just knew, if she allowed the men to take Link now, Link would most certainly die.
Instead she spread her arms at her sides defiant. "You're not taking Link anywhere! Can't you see he's sick? He's going to die! Leave us alone! Or I swear Raphael will have your heads!" Instantly the girl covered her mouth horrified of what she had just said.
The man in the cloak took a step forward and Amy took a step back. A gleam of interest in his beady eyes. "Did you say Raphael? As in the wanted highborn heir to the Sorel family?" There were murmurs from his men and Amy thought she heard the word 'bounty'. "Well it seems things just got a little more interesting. But, business first. Seize the boy," He made a slight motion with his hand and the four henchmen moved surrounding the bed. The man in the cloak eyed kept his eyes on her interested now more than ever. "As for you Madame, you'll be coming with me."
Amy couldn't possibly protect herself and Link from all of them! Staying as close as she could beside Link, she looked around spotting Link's bundled sword leaning against the bedpost near his head. Quickly Amy made a grab for the weapon and unraveled it revealing a curbed saber. Raphael had taught Amy a bit about swordplay but most of the time she just watched him. However this sword she could tell in an instant would render null and void everything she'd been taught or had observed.
'Well it's not like you were any good at sword play to begin with.' Amy did her best to swing the sword around threateningly almost getting pulled down by its weight.
"Bite your tongue and go to hell all of you! Leave us be or I'll cut you up into ribbons!" She snarled with impotent fury.
In spite of her threats, the man in the dark cloak was not afraid, and his cronies chuckled. The mere sound made Amy's blood boil. No matter how she looked at it the situation was bleak. She was glad it was a little dark in the room for her eyes were burning with tears and she didn't want the man to see them. Blinking hard she drove them back, but couldn't do much for her heart that hammered away in her small chest.
"Put that sword down! Didn't your father ever teach you that swords were not toys?" The man mocked, advancing. "Now just listen and do as I say like a good little girl before you make us adults mad."
That was the last straw, with one last look to Link who lay unconscious, Amy gripped the sword and launched herself at the man with a cry; "En Guard you knave!!" Everything happened in that one moment, before her the man in the cape threw out his arms as if to intercept her, and in the corner of her eye she saw two of the four on the opposite side of the bed loom over Link's form.
And in the next second her whole world went black.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: I never meant for the chapter to be so long! In fact it was too long for me to post it up as just one chapter! Oh! I finished another picture entitled 'Raphael Vs. Link' If you want me to send it to you please post a review with your email that you want me to send it to. Also, If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to try to enhance it on the computer but that could take another week, so if you want the Black and white one, I'll send that one as soon as I get it scanned in.
Okay, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, for the next one won't be long to post. 'Hylian's Rage'. I'll leave the meaning up to your imaginations. I had fun writing this one, but now that it's an entirely new chapter I'm going to have to add more. Please review and let me know what you thought about this one. I was a little iffy about Amy's personality here. Also the story used here was a children's fairy tale called 'The Elfin Knight Tam Lin'. I thought it was most appropriate to use in this story..^^
See you all in a few!
~Hero Genkaku