Hello my lovely readers! I am so sorry for the long wait, school got in the way as well as the stinking flu... I'm sorry, but hopefully this chapter can make up for it. Thank you all in advance for your patience, favorites, reviews, and follows! *hugs* ^_^

-WingedIceWolf

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN LEGEND OF ZELDA OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!

"Clothes that are bloodied and torn probably won't do good in the way of comfort…" Link thought out loud yet again. Wild stirred slightly, but nothing more. Link stepped up to him, kneeling. "Hey, I'm going to be gone for a bit to get the bath prepared, alright? So don't worry if I'm gone for a while, I'll just be in the room next to the fireplace.

Wild's ear twitched yet again. Link smiled gently and brushed his silky soft hair back, then stood yet again, walking to a room to the left of the fireplace. He pushed the door open with a slight creek and stepped into his bathroom, lighting a few candles in there as well with a match, then blowing out the small flame with a breath, disposing of the match.

His bath consisted of a large, oval shaped tin with copper edges, standing on legs over a fireplace which would be lit to warm the water. The water came from a pump that reached deep below the earth to access the Spirit's Spring water. Link frowned, recalling how difficult it had been and how long it had taken to set up the bath, but at least it was something.

Turning, he went to a rack with several wooden logs stacked upon one another. He took a few in his arms, feeling the heavy weight of the wood drag on him and the tough bark dig into his skin. He set each log carefully in an order that formed a tipi shape, taking a few twigs from the rack as well to use for kindling. Again, taking a match, he lit the fire. Slowly, the smell of burning oak filled the air as a warm glow was cast by the fire.

The fireplace itself had flat stones placed around it so the fire could not easily spread. It was a somewhat small fireplace, but still served in warming the bath.

Link turned to the pump and pulled the handle upright. After a few seconds, icy rushing water filled the tub, the water glowing dimly as it hit against the tin bath with an almost melodic ding. When the bath was filled over halfway, he snapped the handle down and allowed the fire to burn, dusting his hands off and brushing dirty blonde strands of hair from his face.

Occasionally, he found himself glancing back at Wild while he waited for the water to warm. The figure of the strange young man proved to be miserable and suffering. His chest continued to rise slowly and his breathing sounded rather erratic, soft groans emitting from time to time. Link perked his ears back and cast his gaze back to the fire, watching as it flickered and crackled.

Poor thing… I wonder how exactly he got here… There's so many questions I want answers to, but I guess I'll just have to wait… Though... I'm scared to leave him for even one second... He could be claimed by death the moment I turn my back...

Link stepped out of the bathroom and again returned to Wild, gently shaking him, feeling the cold flesh beneath his fingertips. He was met with a groan as the young man curled up into as small a ball as possible. Link tried again, but received no response.

"I need you to relax, alright? It's going to be harder to carry you when you're curled up like this…" the Hero spoke. The young man's ear twitched, but nothing more. Sighing, he took the incredibly light form into his arms with a pained yelp, fingers curled into his skin and nails digging into his flesh, causing him to wince, but he carried the tense Wild to the bathroom. Link set the young man gently upon the wood floor, helping to ease him to the ground.

For being injured, he certainly is strong… He thought to himself, rubbing his shoulders as the sting from the nails slowly began to dull. He knelt upon the smooth floor, starting to undo the Hero's belts around his body. Thankfully, he was able to undo the belt loops and the buckles without too much disturbance, setting them to the side, the leather slick from crimson.

Next was the armguard on his left arm and the fabric on his right. He too was able to remove those carefully and without much a fight, but he did struggle in being cautious, fumbling a bit with the straps. Those too went with the bloodied belts, the small metal buckles clinking against the wood floor.

He then moved to removing his tunic. It wasn't a difficult feat, but the fact Wild wouldn't hold still long enough, usually turning away and coughing, curling in on himself, made matters worse. Link was taking extra precaution, but he managed to slip the tunic off from his head, unfortunately smearing blood on his face and hair.

"Sorry," Link apologized gently. Beneath the tunic the young man wore was a long sleeved, what would have been white, blood-stained shirt with orange and green lines going along the collar. Carefully taking the bottom of the shirt, he lifted it, trying to slip it off over the young man's head, but immediately, his hands wrapped around his stomach tightly.

"What's wrong, are you hurt?" Link asked alarmingly, recoiling. The young man's ear twitched, he said nothing. "Look, I'm just trying to help. I don't want to hurt you and more than you already have been, so please try to relax, alright…?"

There was several seconds of hesitation, but Wild's arms slowly fell from his stomach. Link again took up the bottom of the thin shirt and began to move it up and over the young man's head, helping with the sleeves as well. Either Wild had just given up on fighting at that moment or something else, because he didn't even struggle from that point on.

Link's gaze fell to the young man's legs. He dreaded what would come next, but knew it needed to be done. He took a medium sized towel to cover his modest region before slipping off his boots, removing the bloodied pants with one swift move. Now, the young man was completely bare with the exception of the towel draped over him.

Link stood and tested the bathwater, finding it to be rather hot, almost burning his hand. He quickly pulled his hand back, figuring the water was warm enough and needed to be balanced out with colder water. Extinguishing the fire by filling a bucket of water and dousing the flames, causing a hiss and steam to rise, he turned to the pump and again filled the bucket, snapping the pump off and slowly adding the chilled water to the heated water in order to balance it out. Testing it one last time by placing his hand in the water, he turned to Wild and carefully lifted him into the tub, making sure to keep the towel fastened around his lower region.

The Hero stepped away from the tub and snatched a few bottles of soaps, returning to Wild and rolling up his own pants legs, stepping into the tub and crouching, using the bucket to carefully wet Wild's hair. He coughed up water that had gone through his nose but relaxed in the warmth, red tinged droplets dripping from his locks and down his face.

"Sorry, again," Link stated, starting to scrub the blood from his hair. To his surprise, the young man leaned into his touch, his ears twitching occasionally. Link made sure to scrub carefully but quickly, keeping his focus on his hair for now. With a final bucket of water dumped over his head, the soap was rinsed and the blood had mingled with the water, a few bubbles floating as well.

He helped Wild sit up, preparing to cleanse the blood from his back, but he paused, staring at the sight before him. The young man carried multiple scars across his back, scars of all sizes, lengths, and shapes, but the one that stood out the most was a burn scar right above where his heart would be. He leaned Wild back to look at his chest, not surprisingly finding many scars as well, but the burn was there on both sides. Right above his heart.

Oh Gods… What happened to you…?

A small whimper from Wild reverted his attention, realizing he was making him uncomfortable. Link finished scrubbing the dried blood off his back, making sure to be careful but also to not miss a single spot. He did the same for his chest and his legs but decided to not even get close to his nether regions. Finally, he had washed all the blood from the young man's body. He sighed in relief and started to drain the bath by unplugging a hole that caused the water to drain into a pipe that lead to the outside of the house, where it would be reabsorbed into the earth.

Link retrieved a dry towel and again lifted Wild, carrying him out of the bath and wrapping him in the towel, patting him dry and wringing out his hair. The young man groaned slightly, but not much more.

"I'll be right back, alright? I'm going to get you some clean clothes," Link said gently, easing him to the ground while he stepped out of the bathroom, walking to a dresser and prying it open, picking out a pair of clothes. The clothing consisted of a green long-sleeved shirt and white, soft-fabric pants. Of course, he had brought undergarments as well, but he honestly didn't wish to dwell too much upon that. He was still rather puzzled over the many scars and the burn he had seen.

Wild was curled up on the floor, nearly motionless with the exception of labored breathing. However, his fever had lowered thanks to the spring water, that much Link could tell by gently laying a hand to his head. He helped the young man into the shirt and reluctantly the undergarments as well, though he refused to look as he did so, helping him into the pants. Again, he carried him to the couch, washing the blood from the couch using a rag and a towel, setting Wild upon it. He slipped the pillow under his head and covered him with the blanket, sitting and watching him for a few seconds.

The young man snuggled under the blankets, comfortable and secure, drifting off to sleep. Link stroked his head gently, finally giving in to braiding his hair. He wasn't quite sure if Wild would mind or not, but frankly, he wanted to push his boundaries just a little.

His fingers weaved between the strands of still wet hair, braiding it with ease, finally reaching the bottom. He leaned back and observed his work. The braid was rather fine and well done, though he wasn't going to tie it off. Wanting to again make Wild as comfortable as possible, he undid his hair and carefully combed through it with his fingers.

Wild yet again leaned into his touch. Link didn't think much of it, but gently stroked his head, standing and going to a desk beside the fireplace. He opened a drawer and pulled out fever medicine, turning the bottle in his hands to check the label.

The small label upon a string that had been tied to the bottle read:

Fever reducing medicine:

Take one and a half tablespoons every eight hours. Side effects may include drowsiness.

Ingredients: Ginger, basil, spring water, lavender, and honey.

Pulling out a measuring spoon, he went to kneel beside Wild, tilting his head back and helping him slowly ingest the liquid. The young man coughed several times, groaning and recoiling, but slowly, the tenseness in his body eased and he slipped into sleep. Link corked the bottle and set it down on another desk near the couch.

He went to the stone fireplace with a cooking pot within, setting a few logs within from a rack and again lighting it, just as he had with the bath fire. The warm glow was again cast across the house, shadows dancing in the light. He came again to kneel beside the young man.

"Just rest for now, Wild, alright? I think that's honestly the best thing you can do along with relaxing…" Link stated gently, stroking his head. Wild's ear twitched yet again. Link rested his head on the edge of the couch and watched his every breath, waiting for morning to drag by.

That is the end of this chapter! Thank you all again! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm sorry if it's short, it's late and I have school tomorrow, so I just wanted to get this done while I have the time. Thank you lovelies!

-WingedIceWolf