Hello again, everyone. I've made it to chapter 20, hurrah! *sigh* And we haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet. However, I think that from here on out, we should have more substance. I think we could even consider 20 a midpoint!... maybe. What do you think? How are things going in the story? Love to hear from everyone!

Ch. 20

The ocean, roaring up the beach,

The gusty blast, the bickering flames,

All mingled vaguely in our speech;

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Later, there was a knock on the cabin door, and Ichiro came in to stand above both of them.

"There is something you're keeping from me," He said in a cold voice, "And I would appreciate knowing anything that could foolishly endanger the lives of my crew and soldiers."

"First of all," Saria started angrily. "Link is part of your crew, too, and you should be watching out for him. And second, he isn't going to endanger anyone." Ichiro crossed his arms over his broad, chain-mailed chest.

"Then I want an explanation. Not just because of our safety," He growled, upon seeing Saria's look. "But of his own. If whatever that was happens again, then there's going to be a meeting called, and they'll decide what to do with you."

"Decide what to do with him?" Saria cried. "They can't just do that!"
"Oh, I assure you they can, young lady. I told you this isn't some child's game! We're at sea, and for all the captain's show, the crew enforces it's own law. They can do whatever they want with you." This he said to Link, who had remained silent up until then. He finally looked up.

"Then I guess you can go back and tell him there won't be any more problems," He told him icily, standing up now. He stepped forward, until he was looking directly up into the Chief of Guard's eyes. "Just don't think you can come around here and threaten us like that. You're in the same place as us now. We're all here for the same reason." Link said the last sentence in a low, dangerous tone.

Ichiro's eyes narrowed, and seemed to darken to a steely gray, hard and cold. He lowered the arms he'd crossed over his chest, and stepped forward, until they were nose to nose.

"Watch yourself," He said in a deadly calm voice. "You're treading a thin line, punk. I don't put up with upstart bastards who like to think they know it all. Just remember that its your life riding on the line here." He turned stiffly, and left the room, leaving the door wide open, swaying on its hinges from the rhythm of the boat.

Saria sighed, and turned to give Link a long suffering look.

"What?" He asked, irritated. She rolled her eyes.

"Men and their war games."

"War games? Hey, I didn't start this-"

"But you'll go right along with it, won't you? Oh, Link, can't you see this is only going to hurt all of us? You two clash more than he and Tappor does. Sooner or later there's going to be a climax to this scene, and I just hope it isn't when we're trying to defend our lives at the same time."

Link blinked. "What are you getting mad at me for? I was only defending myself! If you want to go lecture somebody, lecture him! He's the one who started it!"

"Just like Mido always started it?" She guessed.

"Exactly! See, I don't want to get into fights, I just-"

"Antagonize people so they find some excuse to fight you. Uh huh, I know your game, oh innocent one." She grinned. Link opened his mouth to reply angrily, and then looked surprised.

"You wench!" He laughed. "Look who's trying to start a fight now?" He made two fists, and brought one forward in a slow, light punch, thumping her on the shoulder. She looked at him in outrage, and then pounced, tackling him to the floor where she sat on him.

"Oof!" He said. "You weigh a ton! Poor furniture!"

"Shut up!" She giggled, hitting him. He mock scowled at her, trying to reach up to throw her off. However, Saria knew Link's weaknesses from their childhood play, and immediately set in for the kill, digging her fingers into his sides.

"Yow!" He yelped, squirming to get away.

It was an incredibly playful moment, wrought from so much tension and worry, and both gave no quarter until Link was sprawled on the floor, weak from laughter, and Saria had a most satisfied grin on her face.

"Looks like the Hero of Time is beaten. And who would have guest by a fairy girl, too? I believe you're going soft, my friend." She clucked, crossing her arms. Link had lost his hood somewhere betwixt trying to dodge her hands, and now twisted this way and that to find it. "What are you doing?" She asked in bewilderment.

"Looking for my hood," Link said matter-of-factly.

Suddenly, the moment was over, and they both turned to meet eyes, staring blankly at each other. Link felt incredibly awkward, and watched in embarrassment as Saria started to blush.

"Um," She said, climbing off of him. "I think its... over there." She walked over to where the abandoned hood lay crumpled, and picked it up, brushing off imaginary dust and handing it over with an apologetic look. "Sorry. I think I killed it."

"Nah," Link said, shoving it down over his head. "It'll be fine in awhile." They stood about in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes, before Link shrugged.

"Well, ah, I guess I better go get some sleep. Tommorow'll be a pretty hard day if what they said about the weather is true... Good night." He said lamely, and turned to leave.

"Good night to you, too." She called to his retreating back, watching as he made a quick exit out of the open door. After a few seconds, she sighed, and went forward to close it behind him.

*************

Link took the stairs up onto the top deck, and walked across deck. The heavy fog had cleared somewhat, and a fresh north wind blew, chilling him to the bone. He didn't really feel it, though, and walked along, deep in thought.

He'd never felt so uncomfortable around someone before, and it was puzzling. It wasn't a bad uncomfortable, he and Saria were friends now. It wasn't because he hadn't been around girls a lot, since he'd practically grown up with Malon, and had never felt so awkward around her. His mind buzzed with confusion, and he sighed, leaning over the gunwall to peer out into the dark night. The fresh sea air was pungent, and he breathed it in deeply, eyes faraway. It was chilly out now, since the current they were taking headed in a northeastern direction. Soon he would go inside and look among the clothes that had been tailored in the castle to find the underclothing made for this weather.

Link eased up off of the gunwall, and turned to look up in curiosity at the man in the crow's nest. The crewmember was wrapped in a long cloak above his tunic, and was shivering, jumping up and down lightly every once in awhile to warm himself. Link made a decision, and went below deck again to his own quarters. Inside, he went to a bag tucked neatly under the bunk bed, and pulled out several folded articles of clothing. From among them, he pulled out leggings and an undershirt. They were made of thick wool, and had been dyed a white cream color. He shivered, thinking how much warmer he would be in them, and changed quickly, putting them on under his tunic. A set of warm leather gloves were also in the bag, and he pulled them on. Immediately he felt his body warming up, and, grateful for the heat, went back up to the top deck.

Link walked up under the crows nest.

"Hey!" He called up, cupping his hands around his mouth the magnify the word. The sailor peered over the edge in confusion. "Want a break?"

"Would I?" The crewmember cried. "That'd be swell o' yer!" Link nodded, and the he scrambled down the rope ladder, dropping from the last few rungs in enthusiasm. "Thanks mate!" He said, clapping Link on the shoulder, and then scurried away down the stairs to the warmer mess hall. Link watched him go, and then turned to climb up the stairs. It was harder than it looked, and he felt the rope sway back and forth at his inexperienced climbing. Finally, he pulled himself up into the small balcony, and was immediately hit by an icy blast of wind that made him stagger. He blinked, his eyes stinging from the cold, and leaned forward to peer out from the watch.

The ocean stretched out before him in a black, inky darkness, smooth at the horizon. It was an uninteresting view, and he only stopped to look at it in intervals. However, like many mariners before him, Link found the stars. They stretched out infinitely above him, turning the dark sky into a forest of lights. There were thousands, millions, dotting the sky in bright whites and yellows, and occasionally, twinkling blues or reds. Link breathed deeply of the chilled air, and tipped his head back in amazement, drinking in the beauty of the clear, open night.

*************

Somewhere towards morning, when most of the feeling was gone from his numbed body, and he was leaning over the edge of the nest, his tired eyes spotted what seemed like a dark speck on the gray horizon. He blinked, and it was gone.

Straightening up, Link strained his eyes, fixing them on the same spot. After a few minutes, he relaxed slightly, and leaned back. It could be that his eyes were playing tricks on him. It certainly wouldn't be the first time, he thought blearily. I wonder if I really am dangerous... Seeing things that no one else does... I could get us into trouble like that, and it's only luck that I haven't yet. He sighed, his breath freezing as it hit the air, and rubbed a cold gloved hand against his stinging eyes. On a whim, he leaned forward and peered out again, and saw what he thought to be the same small speck, darker than the sea or sky, on the horizon. This time he didn't blink, and though it seemed to stay a moment longer, it soon winked out. His heart raced, and he straightened up again, looking around for a crewmember. The deck was clear, though, as it had been the whole night, as the sailors had preferred the warmth below deck to the frigid winds above. He searched quickly through his memory, and came up with a phrase he'd only once read in a scroll about pirates.

"Off the starboard!" He called, cupping his mouth to be heard. He peered forward, trying to think of what to say. "Ship off starboard!" He shouted louder. This time, there was a short silence, before the Captain's door, along with the deck door, burst open, the crew came pouring out in confusion.

"Avast! Wot is it?" One called up to Link, trying to see out into the gray morning.

"Ship, I think!" Link called. The Captain came thumping down the stairs and up to the crow's nest.

"What're ya doin' up there, lad?" He roared, squinting an eye up at Link. The watch from the night before stepped up sheepishly.

"E' wanted ta take the watch fer a bit, Cap'n."

"'Cap'n is it?" The Captain turned, face red.

"Cap'n One Eyed Deadleg, sir!" The unfortunate sailor shouted. The captain nodded gruffly, and turned to look back up at Link.

"Get yer'self down 'ere, on the double, boy!" He shouted. Link turned, and fumbled with the swaying stairs, his hands and feet numb from the cold. He finally managed to tangle his limbs up in the rope to keep from falling, and started down slowly. The Captain, now joined by Ichiro, waited impatiently for his descent. Link finally dropped at the last few rungs, and stumbled away as the nightwatch climbed nimbly back up the ladder in the blink of an eye, and turned to search in the direction that Link had spotted the dark shape. There was a long, breathless moment at he looked, and several of the sailors watched Link with a doubtful look.

"Nothin' I can spot, Cap'n, er, Cap'n One Eyed Deadleg!" He called, down. The Captain shook his head in annoyance, and the crew began to mumble among themselves, looking at Link suspiciously. Ichiro stepped forward, and grabbed Link roughly by the arm.

"You'll have to excuse this young idiot, he's just looking for attention," Ichiro said to the Captain. Link was about to jerk his arm away from him, but suddenly realized what Ichiro was doing. He was trying to protect him! The Captain squinted at Ichiro, catching on.

"The lad's got me 'ole crew up fer a bit of a joke, eh?" He growled, fixing Link with his most fiercesome look yet. Link made no response. Ichiro shook him roughly, and tightened the grip.

"Yes sir. I apologize. If you have a particular punishment in mind for upstarts like him, that would be acceptable." He narrowed his eyes fiercely at Link as if reprimanding, and Link scowled back.

"Well," The Captain growled, tugging on his beard. "'Pears to me that the only solvin' for a blaggard like 'imself is bilge duty fer the r'mainder o' this sail." He turned to look at his crew, as if asking for their agreement. Some nodded slowly, but others only fixed Link with fearful, or angry eyes. Just then, the watch shouted down.

"Wait... I think there tis somethin' out thar, Cap'n One Eye Deadleg! Off o' the star'bd bow!"

The Captain along with the crew looked up in surprise, and Ichiro blinked, loosening his grip slightly on Link's arm. "Could you confirm that once more, sailor?" He called up. The watch nodded, and turned to look out again, and Link took in a deep breath.

"Aye!" He finally shouted down. "Off o' star'bd! Ship ho!"

The crew suddenly raised a cheer, and Link looked around in bewilderment. An older fellow clapped him on the shoulder though, and explained.

"We like ya, lad. Ya got the makin's of a seaman. 'Twould be an awful shame ta find that ya was sick wi' demons." Link nodded dumbly, and Ichiro shook his head in wonder, turning back to the Captain.

"I thought I was told there were no Hylian ships past the meridian out here." He said. The Captain shook his head.

"Not 'Ylian, Chief. Thar be pirates 'round these parts. I'd s'pose we've jus' found ourselves some, too." He turned then, and called up to the watch. "'Ow far, sailor?"

"Twenty, thirty leagues, Cap'n One Eyed Deadleg! Can' see a jack yet, but thar'd be none else but tha' dastardly RedEye an' 'is scurvy crew!" Upon hearing this, the sailors began to mutter to themselves, looking around nervously.

"Is this ship equipped for fighting?" Ichiro called over the voices. The Captain squinted at him.

"Is she 'quipped fer fighten', ya say? 'Course she is! Wot do yer take us fer, Chief? Never yor min'! Avast ye, lubbers! Get yor positions fer battle, and don' let me catch yer dawdlin'! Kor!" He bellowed up to the watchman. "Where be she?"

"Twenty off, now, I'd say, Capn'!"

The Captain let the shortcoming of his title go for the moment, and turned to start roaring out orders to the crew scrabbling about. Link stood dumbfounded, and soon Saria and Tappor joined him, both looking sleepy-eyed.

"My first trip out to sea, and I'll see it all!" Tappor said, hugging his sides from the cold. "My word, but the Captain has a temper like no other. I believe he makes our good Chief Ichiro seem very mild."

Saria nodded, and looked at Link anxiously. "Is there going to be a battle?" She asked. Link nodded stiffly, his body fully numb from the chill.

"Yeah," He finally said, trying to keep from shivering. "Those are pirates out there... They take supplies, gold, and any other stuff they want from other ships. I guess this guy RedEye has been close to our coasts. I'm surprised there was never anything said about it."

"It was kept quiet," Ichiro said, coming up to stand by them. He looked at Link curiously. "I thought you were seeing things again... I guess I was wrong." At this, he retreated back down below deck to dress and retrieve his sword.

Tappor looked to Link in amazement.

"I believe you just received your first Ichiro complement," He smiled. "That is very rare, especially for one of your, ah, stature." Link shook his head in surprise, and turned as the watch, Kor, shouted again.

"Nineteen leagues off, Cap'n! An' now comin' fast!" The Captain nodded.

"Aye, that be RedEye, the cu'throat. You lot, ge' them cannons out!" He shouted towards a group of sailors. "An' you, you get tha' last sail up. If it be a fight 'e wants, then let's not be lackin' fer it!" The sailors rushed around to comply, and Saria, Link, and Tappor stood about in anxiety and a touch of excitement. The Captain spotted them.

"Wot're you landlubbers doin'? Get yor'selves 'low deck, now!" He roared, shaking a fist at them. Saria's eyes widened.

"Who do you think we have to fear most?" She asked, dragging a reluctant Link and an excited Tappor towards the stair door. "The pirates or our own dear Captain?"

Link finally turned to follow, though still looking back over his shoulder. As they opened the door, they met Ichiro, now dressed and armed. Link stepped forward.

"I'm staying up here," He announced, stopping in front of him. Ichiro growled, and forcefully shoved him out of the way.

"Get below, you idiot! All you'll do is endanger lives." This said, he raced onto the deck to join the Captain at the bowsprit. Link turned to follow, but Saria grasped his arm.

"He's right, Link. If they need us, we'll come back up, but we should leave this up to the experts. They know what they're doing." Link looked on helplessly as the sailors unrolled a bundle of weapons, each coming by to grab a cutlass or long-knife. He finally turned to Saria.

"I'm not going to run away," He said angrily, jerking his arm away. "You two should go below, but I'm stay-" His sentence was cut short as he felt a searing blow to the back of the head, and stumbled forward. Saria grabbed him around the middle, try to support him, and as his thoughts slowed and dimmed, he faintly remembered the way she always smelled after she'd been out playing under the old fruit trees, and would come by to deliver a basket of the fresh berries to him. Link thought he heard someone calling his name, from a long distance, and then he felt another, faint blow to the back of his head, and slumped forward into oblivion.

*************

"Link!" Saria cried, grasping him as he fell. She turned to look up angrily at Ichiro. "Why did you do that! Why did you hit him?"

"I had no other choice," Ichiro said coldly. "It was for his own good. All he would achieve up here is getting himself foolishly killed."

"He's not just some child, you bastard!" Saria shouted, feeling tears stinging in her eyes. "He's-"

Ichiro sighed, and turned away. "Take him below deck and apply a cool bandage to his head. He'll be fine in a few hours." He walked away, and left Saria fuming behind him. Tappor recovered, and helped to support Link.

"He is, in a way, right." He said, quickly receiving a glare from Saria. "Let's take him below to his quarters, and then we will talk." They lifted him as best as possible, and slowly dragged him down the stairway and into the second-deck hall where guest quarters were located. They found Link's room, and Saria opened the door with one hand, supporting Link's head on her shoulder with the other. They entered, and carefully lay Link on the bunk bed, Tappor immediately exiting to go to the mess hall where a bandage and perhaps a salve could be found. Saria pulled Link's hood off, and gently probed the back of his head to check for blood or any further wound. Thankfully, Link had always been hardheaded, and there was only a slight scrape. She sighed, and carefully lowered his head onto a pillow, and crouched beside him. On impulse, she ran a hand through his hair and touched the side of his face.

"I'm sorry, Link," She said. "But in a way I'm relieved, too... I couldn't stand you fighting up their and my staying down here. I think you were right in what you said before, I go where you go now." Tappor returned, and she straightened up, stepping back to watch him gingerly apply the salve, and then wrap the bandage around Link's head. Link still shivered slightly in unconsciousness, and Saria tugged off his boots while Tappor fetched a woolen blanket discarded on the floor. He wrapped it around the young warrior's shivering frame, and stepped back, shaking his head.

"I do believe that your friend, and mine, is strong by nature, but our good Chief was right. I fear that if he were to go above deck and join in the sea battle, it could only end badly."

Saria shook her head sadly. "You don't understand... Nobody does. Link is strong, stronger than any of us, maybe. He's a powerful warrior, and I would trust my life with him."

Tappor looked at her thoughtfully for a few moments, and nodded. "I shall have to take your word for it, as you know him better than I. Let us presume then that Ichiro was thinking of us, and gave us a sick patient to watch over and keep ourselves busy from worrying. He is such a dear, you know."

Saria couldn't help but smile, and nod. "Okay then, but I have to warn you, Link is the worst patient ever, well, when he wakes up."

"Ah, a challenge," Tappor said pleasantly, and took a seat by the bunk. Saria sighed, and sat on the edge of the bed by Link, reaching out a hand to touch his cool brow.