The rains continued to fall for the next two days while the elfin knight slept. Peaceful was his slumber now, and Amy made sure that it stayed that way. Ever vigilant, she remained at his side.

Raphael would frequent the pair to assure that if he could relieve Amy of her post, he would do so not wanting her to strain herself over nothing. But the young girl didn't see it that way. Adamant and stubborn, she replied that if Link could give his life so willingly to her, then staying by his side was the least she could do in return.

"...And besides, I need to make up for my carelessness. Because of me he almost died." She added as an aside turning back to her charge.

Suffice to say, this added more guilt upon the French man's heart as he knew that it wasn't so. The blame didn't belong to Amy, but to him. He had been the one to lure Link here in hopes to use him as a tool to help Amy while plotting his demise when he was no longer useful. And here, Raphael had thought the whole time the boy was such a fool believing in everything and being so young and reckless in his endeavors.

But it was Raphael who had been the fool. For all his quiet contemplation, his constant analysis and ever-watchful gaze over Link, he had still greatly underestimated the boy.

Link was able to do what Raphael couldn't. Since they had first arrived Raphael had seen Amy begin to undergo changes, though subtle, were changes nonetheless. In her cold barren eyes, a flicker of interest, of curiosity could be seen if faintly.

When those very eyes became flooded with warm tears that sparkled like the kind rain he knew Link had done in days what would have taken Raphael years. With his heart, Link had kindled Amy's heart.

Was this Link's power? The boy that could command nature's most destructive force could also change and alter this power to become something so lucent and tangible to touch a child's heart?

He almost wanted to laugh out loud as he leaned against the doorframe watching the two inside. It had already been the second day that Link had been in a deep sleep but Amy hadn't moved at all from Link's side. Her head was slightly bowed, as it seemed she was nodding off, yet Raphael could distinctly hear her soft voice speaking.

In prayer?

Amy never prayed. Forsaking all those saints that sat so high up in heaven they couldn't hear the cries of the unfortunate below. She had never put her faith in gods or saints, her life, her trust those were things she reserved for herself, for him...

...And for Link.

Even now, even in his sleep, Link's spell continued to work its magic upon his child.

"Link..." Raphael said softly as not to disturb the child or youth. "..Is it really so simple? Or is it all magic?" If he had heard himself say such things back then, he'd have thought he'd gone daft.

But perhaps Link had worked his magic upon him as well.

Something that could be seen yet was so invisible. Raphael only now began to understand. After the events that had transpired two days ago, Raphael was ready to believe. But there was that ever so stubborn part of him that refused to give in. Because to believe, meant that he had to admit to himself that there was some serious error in his reasoning, that he had become so cynical of the world around him...

...That a person like him would never have been able to help Amy.

Not being able to help the one he loved? It was such a ludicrous thought, but it did unsettle the man greatly nonetheless. He had raised arms against Link believing that lies, poison and deceit would defeat the young elf. But Link had proven that he was armed with much stronger weapons than his shield and sword. Strong enough were they to defeat four foes and gentle enough to touch a child's heart and make a non-believer begin to believe.

Link's strongest weapons were his faith and courage.

Upon the third day, the cold manor was filled with the soft but crystal clear sounds of a flute, of Link's Ocarina.

And it was that day that the rains finally ceased, the clouds parting ever so slightly to allow the sun's warm golden rays to touch the lands.

Raphael had made his way up the Hylian's room when he found Amy walking down the stairs, the washbowl and rag in her small arms. She looked fairly tired, but at the same time, she also

"Amy, it sounds like your patient has finally recovered."

Quietly the child nodded a most shy smile upon her face. "Yes he has, he's still a bit weak, but I'm heading down to the kitchen to see if I can get something for him to eat."

"Well, I can see why he would play his Ocarina now..." Raphael trailed off, but Amy inclined her head a most curious look about her pixie features.

Blinking those emerald green eyes of hers Amy asked; "What are you talking about? Link's not playing because he's happy or anything as petty as that. He plays his ocarina so that the sun would come out. This is the sun's song." There was such a strong conviction in her voice that the statement hung in the air as a plain fact. Without another word the child left the man standing upon the staircase to stare after her in such bewilderment and shock that his cynical views and old beliefs began to tremble at the very core.

Through out the day Link continued to recover at a remarkable rate, and when evening fell Amy had come to show Raphael something very interesting. The girl brought the man back to Link's room, but instead of knocking on the door, Amy carefully turned its knob and opened it just a crack looking back to gesture with a finger to her lips, that Raphael was to be very quiet.

Was the boy sleeping, Raphael wondered as Amy turned back around to peek through the crack, when she deemed it safe, Amy waved him over to take a look. Just as carefully as Amy had done, Raphael opened the door a little bit more to allow himself to peek in. And what he saw inside was something truly interesting indeed.

All the furniture had been moved to the sides to allow more space for movement. With his back to the door, Link swung his saber in a wide arc, slashing at the unseen enemy. Link was dressed in his normal attire minus the long green cap, his blond hair tied back in a short rat-tail. Letting out a short cry, Link lunged forward then jumped back with another cut and slash.

"I came to check up on him earlier but when I heard him practicing I peeked in." Amy whispered to Raphael. "He's good isn't he? But I think he could use a bit more help." The child crossed her arms almost in distaste.

As she said this, Raphael watched Link jump to the side shield drawn and made a vertical slash downward. Just in his movements alone, the French man could see Link's uncertainty, his gripping upon the sword was not firm as though he had never fought with it before, and his steps were equally awkward. As soon as Raphael had thought this, Link crossed his feet almost too quickly and ended up tripping himself, there was a heavy thud as the elf fell ungraciously forward to kiss the carpet. Raphael would have groaned if he was not conscious that he was supposed to be spying upon their friend.

Inside Link hadn't stayed grounded for long before picking himself back up and continued his training once more, this time a little more determined than before. As if to vent his frustrations, Link made a small jump forward jabbing the air in front of him erratically.

One thrust, another thrust, almost in the same general area, three, four, five, and gaining speed...

Wait, that move...it looked familiar.

Cold blue eyes softened as they recognized the move. Link stopped to lower his sword, and even with his back to the two, Raphael could SEE Link wincing in pain. The boy altered his stance indecisively as it was clear he was trying to recall exactly how the stance was executed, how HIS stance was executed.

Link was trying to perform one of Raphael's moves. If memory served him correctly, it was the very same one Raphael had utilized against Link to defeat him in the library a few days prior. It seems Link had taken a liking to it.

The sound of a sword cutting through the air with more intensity was heard again as Link began once more.

He was most determined, Raphael gave him that, and not at all bad at emulating moves he'd only seen preformed just once. A quick study and an even faster learner, he did show much promise of becoming something more...

Drawing away from the sight Raphael looked to Amy struck with a sudden thought in. "Amy, are you implying that I should tutor him? You do know what you are suggesting do you not?"

It shouldn't even be a question, as Raphael had always known Amy to be unusually astute even for one of her age. The child's eyes did not waver from his own and Raphael thought he saw a slight flicker with in them but it had come and gone to be replaced by that headstrong spirit she was notorious for. "I do." She answered curtly. "You'd be helping him in returning the favor for saving his life, it would be a waste that you went through so much trouble in saving him and he ended up dying in battle. And besides, how can he help the ones he cares for with moves like that?" Her own remark caused her to smirk and shake her head.

However for Raphael, it only surprised him hearing her say such a thing for it meant that she was aware that both himself and Link were to leave soon and she was...Okay with it. Amy wanted Link to go. She knew that he had to, and she wanted him to go. But wasn't he special to her? Raphael hadn't expected her to let Link go so easily as it was even more rare for the child to grow attached to some one to begin with.

It was at times like these that Raphael wasn't sure what to think of Amy. She could be such a child at times and then at others, appear to be much more mature than even some adults. It gave the man such a sense of vertigo not knowing exactly what to say but instead to just comply silently. Placing a hand upon the door knob firmly Raphael threw Amy a 'you're incorrigible' look, smiling in dismay as he gave the door a knock to announce his presence to the elf with in.

Amy stood at the doorway watching her surrogate father approach Link in a very casual manner as was his habit. Both men were soft spoken and she couldn't hear the preamble until Link's eyes went wide as his voice raised slightly.

"D, dancing? How can dancing be practice?" He asked incredulously. Raphael raised a finger as though pointing out a common fact.

"Timing, my dear boy, timing. If you can't see the timing of an opponent's moves, you can't respond. It's meaningless to practice only HOW to move." To demonstrate, Raphael slid past Link with unquestionable grace as he stepped in and turned holding a firm stance facing Amy at the door way. "Amy please fetch my rapier from the library so that I can teach this clumsy oaf how a real gentleman swordfights. And you Link," Raphael said almost arrogantly, "You better watch quietly and learn."

Link didn't mind Raphael's ego in the least as he gave Amy a knowing smile that she caught. The child with red hair would have returned this smile with one of her own if Raphael hadn't been looking, instead she simply nodded to Raphael's command hurried off to retrieve his sword. She could barely contain her delight as it appeared their plan had worked.

Prior to retrieving Raphael, Amy and Link had a little talk and the elfin boy let it slip that he admired Raphael's style and wanted to learn a few of his moves. Unfortunately he was unable to ask as he was either too proud or too embarrassed.

'It just seems so inappropriate for me to ask anything of him after he saved my life and found the cane of Byrna on his own.' Link's voice echoed in her head accompanying her in the hall as she made her way down to the library. 'I owe both of you my life now and I know that on this journey I'll be able to return the favor by bringing him back home safe to you...'

A/N: Has it really been that long since I've last update? I'm sorry, but I've been distracted. It's been awhile right? Well I wanted this chapter to be longer, but some how I was satisfied with stopping here as I am setting the stage for a rematch. I'm sorry again for this being so short. But I needed to get this out of the way first. I couldn't leave this story alone for too long I've made too much plans on the ending! If it makes it any better, I do have a few pictures I drew for this story again. If you want me to send it to you leave your email on the reviews and I'll send it out.

Last but not least, let me know how I did with this one.

Hero Genkaku