Welcome to chapter eighteen! As always, thanks to my reviewers since my last update- Silvara; Sakurelle; Sheik's twin; shinsei101; Ericketiting; sasukeuchiha180; Some Guy; Kariah; Belle89; Ygfi; TheGoddessKnight; Futuristic-dudette; Infernal Flame Zero; adrian-air-fire; Alli-dunno; Omega87; Gir Crazy; and Goku's Mistress.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda series, in whole or in part.
----------
Instinct told me to run right outside, but I hesitated, knowing that whoever shot Link would surely go after me as well. I crept over to Epona and rifled through the saddlebags, hoping to find some sort of weapon. All I could find was a slingshot, but it'd have to do.
I snuck over to the doors and peered outside. Two Moblins were now standing over Link's limp body, the blood pooling underneath him. The ugly, dog-like creatures were examining him, clearly trying to determine if he was dead. I prayed to the goddesses that he wasn't.
Aiming at the head of one of the creatures, I place a Deku Nut in the slingshot and drew it back. I knew if I dazed at least one of the Moblins, I'd have a much better chance of defeating both.
I could hear the slingshot snap as the Deku Nut went sailing. Apparently the creatures heard it, too, for they turned in my direction. They had just enough time to grin cruelly before the projectile hit the one to the right directly between the eyes.
As it stumbled backwards from the impact, the other one grabbed its spear and charged at me. I sidestepped it and reached out for the spear, struggling with it to gain control. As we fought, the one who'd gotten nailed with the Deku Nut regained its composure and notched an arrow into its bow. As I watched it pull the string back, I dove out of the way just in time, the arrow narrowly missing me and lodging itself in a tree stump.
I rolled on the ground as the one with the spear tried to stab me. The storm had dumped quite a bit of rain, and after one particularly hard stab, the spear became stuck in the mud. As the Moblin tried to pull it out, I jumped to my feet. The other had since given up on using the bow at such a short range, pulling out its own spear.
While the one continued to try releasing his spear from the muddy ground, I fought the other one. I easily sidestepped its attacks, but I knew I couldn't hold out much longer with no weapons of my own, other than the slingshot. Then an idea hit me.
As the Moblin started to back me against a tree, I noticed there was a low branch. I pretended to give up, then jumped at the branch. I swung back-and-forth as it tried to stab me, gaining enough momentum to kick it in the head and knock it over. I then took one last swing to clear it, letting go of the branch and landing on my feet. Although it hurt, I had to press on. I had to get to Link.
By now the other Moblin had freed its weapon and was pursuing me. It took a stab, and I somersaulted out of the way, ending up near Link's body. To my relief, I could hear him breathing, albeit weakly, as I felt around his body for his dagger. I found it just in time and got up, as the Moblin came at me.
I let it get just close enough before taking the dagger and swinging it at the spear, severing off the metal point. The Moblin was now left with a stick, which I promptly chopped into kindling. I could see the fear in its eyes as I held the dagger to its throat.
"Who sent you?" I hissed. I knew it couldn't talk, but I figured it could sign somehow, or show me a clue.
In answer, it pulled out a scroll. When it was unrolled, I noticed it was a map of Hyrule, with markings indicating my home and various points of interest in town and throughout the countryside. Places that Link and I both frequent.
It gestured toward what was evidently its starting point. Just as I thought. I snatched the map and pondered whether to kill the creatures or not.
I quickly got my answer.
The other Moblin had gotten up and regrouped, and was now lunging at me. I turned around just in time to see it and dodge its attack. It ended up stabbing its partner right in the heart with its spear. As it stood there, shocked, I quickly slit its throat, and both finally collapsed and breathed their last.
I watched as they died before me, breathing deeply as the adrenaline rush finished running its course. Suddenly, I felt something brush my dress, causing me to jump.
"Zelda..." Link murmured weakly.
----------
As I checked out Link's injury, I heard hoof beats coming up the road. Looking up, I saw a carriage, and waved my arms, signaling for it to stop. Much to my relief, Malon and Sir Cullen alighted from it.
"Oh, gosh, Zelda, what happened?" Malon squealed anxiously, observing Link laying on the ground, his tunic bloodied and dirty, and my disheveled hair and muddy dress, which had some of Link's blood on it.
"We were returning from Lake Hylia and got caught in the storm. We took shelter here, and were ambushed by two Moblins," I explained, gesturing to the weapons on the ground. The creatures' bodies had already disintegrated into dust and blown away.
"Let's get Link into the carriage," Sir Cullen insisted. He took Link's arms, while Malon and I each took a leg. We carefully placed him in the carriage. Just as I was about to get in with him, I remembered something.
"Wait," I said. "Epona's still in the barn."
"I'll ride her," Malon offered. "You two go to the ranch, and I'll follow on her. I know she's picky about the people that ride her, but I'm the one that broke her in before giving her to Link."
Malon hurried to the barn and emerged a few minutes later on Epona. I wondered if she'd packed the saddlebags. Well, it doesn't matter now. It's not like there was anything of importance in them, anyway.
The ride seemed to take forever. At last we arrived at Lon Lon Ranch. Talon helped Malon and me get Link into a bed and tend to him, while Sir Cullen hurried to the castle to fetch Impa.
After quite awhile, Impa finally got to the ranch, and immediately saw to Link. She asked Malon and Talon to leave the room, but when she turned to me to request the same thing, the look on my face made her change her mind. I closed and locked the door, and she began her examination.
"He's lost a lot of blood. How long has he been unconscious?"
"I don't know. I guess about ninety minutes total. He was out for awhile, then stirred a little bit and said my name before falling unconscious again, right before Sir Cullen and Malon arrived."
As if on cue, Link stirred again. He tossed his head back-and-forth before opening his eyes. "What happened?" he murmured, trying to sit up.
"No, Link," I commanded. "You've been hurt. Relax."
Suddenly his memory seemed to return. "That arrow...are you alright, Zel?" he asked, apparently unaware that Impa was in the room.
"I'm fine, Link. But you gave me quite a scare."
"What happened?" he asked again.
"You can concern yourself with the details later," Impa interceded. "Right now, you need your rest, young man."
"Yes," Link sighed, laying back against the pillows.
"I'll give you a potion to help you sleep and get rid of any pain," she told him. She then turned to me. "Have you given him any Lon Lon Milk?"
"Not yet."
"Then get some now, Princess. It will replenish him and coat his stomach to help prevent sensitivity to the medicine."
"What about his shoulder? And the blood loss?"
"The rest will help him overcome the blood loss, for the most part. As bad as it looks, it doesn't seem significant enough to warrant a transfusion. But I will perform the procedure, if necessary. As for his shoulder, I will cleanse and re-bandage it while he sleeps," she informed me, washing her hands and beginning to remove the temporary dressing that I had put over Link's wound.
I lingered for a moment before leaving the room to get the milk. Link turned weakly to look at me before closing his eyes and falling asleep. I returned with the milk, and Impa woke Link long enough to give him the milk and the potion. Once the latter started to take effect, Impa finally allowed me to be alone with Link, provided that I was quiet.
"I love you," I whispered, kissing his forehead. As much as he'd been through, I couldn't help but notice how peaceful he looked in his deep slumber. He was actually smiling slightly. I wondered if he was dreaming about me.
As I thought back on the day's events, something occurred to me. I reached into the bodice of my dress and removed the map I'd gotten earlier from the Moblin. Spreading it open on the table, I began to study it.
I looked back at Link, and the bandage covering his shoulder. He had been my protector for so long, and now it was my job to return the favor. It was at that moment that I resolved to do anything in my power to find out who did this to my fiancé. And I would make him or her pay dearly.
----------
Pleave review! Thanks a bunch!