Hello my lovely readers! School will be starting soon, so before it does, here is a chapter for you all as promised. Thank you all so much for your kind reviews and support, it really brings a smile to my face and makes my heart happy to know I have such amazing, sweet readers. *hugs*

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-WingedIceWolf

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

DISCLAIMER 2: Again, this is not a Link X Link fanfiction, so don't go getting any ideas.

~Thank you so much to HylianHarmony for being one of my muses and helping me with this story!~

By the time Link had finished brushing Epona down, her light-espresso colored body, hints of red in her coat, shimmered with the sunset. Her strength, though barely depleted, had returned due to the healing properties of the spring, feeling revitalized. She shook her long, ivory colored mane and neighed in appreciation.

"There we go, girl," Link sighed, patting her forehead. The both of them glowed ever so slightly while within the spring.

He had dried off in the time he had spent brushing her down, so he was no longer shivering. However, the air became bitter as the sun began to sink. The steed seemed to smile at him, pawing the ground with one hoof and waiting patiently for what he had promised. "Not even the slightest, 'thank you' for my work, huh?"

Thank you, Link. Epona's eyes said, coming to place her snout upon his shoulder affectionately. Her warm, fuzzy cheek brushed against his own. It is relaxing to be clean and feel the soreness in my muscles fade…

Link leaned into her, both arms wrapping around her neck as his fingers tangled in her mane. He closed his eyes for a few moments and listened to the sound of the trickling water and the birds nestled within the trees. "Have I been pushing you too hard, Epona?"

Not at all, believe it or not. I am a steed. I may not have the same strength as a stallion, but it is in my blood to withstand hardships. The mare stated with surety, gently nuzzling him as she continued. Her head pressed against his own, her dark, gentle eyes gazing deep into his. As it is in yours, Link. However, you are just as human as the rest of your kind. Just because you wield the Triforce and are Chosen by the Gods, it does not mean you need suppress your tears, nor your screams. I can feel the aching in your heart… An aching you thought you had left behind you, only for it to resurface with the appearance of our new guest… If you ever wish to speak to me, I will listen and provide the best comfort I can offer. Do not refrain, my dearest rider. Remember… A sword wields no strength… unless the hand that holds it has courage.

Fresh tears stung at Link's eyes, his grip upon Epona tightening. "Thank you, Epona…" He whispered. "I've been so caught up in my own heartache, I guess I just push away those that matter most… Like you..." he cupped her head and pressed his nose to hers. "I'll be better. I promise..."

Promise me nothing, Link. Nothing but your company and support.

"I promise, Epona. Forever and always."

The two of them embraced one another, taking in the chirping of crickets, the trickling of the water, the songs of sparrows and starlings, and the sound of the leaves shaking in the wind. The both of them relaxed and let their minds run free, but the Hero finally released Epona. He reached into his pack and took out the apples, holding them in his right hand while he used his left hand to offer her the apple.

The apple itself, offered up to her, seemed revitalized as well. It was round, ripe, red, and juicy. Perfect for eating! Epona accepted it gratefully, the apple being champed between her powerful teeth, swallowed in an instant.

"Well, seems you didn't want an apple at all, did you?" Link joked. Epona's eyes seemed to narrow a little at him before she took the next apple, neighing slightly in response. Within mere seconds, all the apples her rider had brought for her had been devoured. "You act like I don't feed you..."

You are not as neglectful as you occasionally think yourself to be, Link. Let us go to the village before it becomes too dark for food. Hopefully our guest will wake in time for dinner.

Link craned his neck to observe the sky whose once bright, warm colors had began to fade into darker hues of orange, pink, yellow, purple, and blue. His gaze fell to the sands at his feet, biting back tears that threatened to pour down his cheeks.

The hour of Twilight…

"Y-yeah… You're right… We should go," Link whispered. Epona nuzzled him gently before he turned to leave. Out of the corner of his eye, something large glowed, but when he turned his gaze for a closer inspection, he was met with nothing but mossy rock, a boarded off area where he could once crawl through a small tunnel to get within the spring, and sand. "Did… you see that…?"

What are you referring to?

"There was a…" Link began, squinting and shaking his head. He shrugged it off and rubbed his eyes. "Actually, never mind. Nothing… I'm probably just hungry and in need of sleep…" He continued out of the Spirit's Spring, leaving footprints behind him and before him. Epona trotted up behind him, walking back to Ordon. "The air feels nice, doesn't it?"

A little chilly, if I am being perfectly honest.

"Midna always loved the sunsets..."

There was silence between them once more as they continued down the dirt path, Epona kicking up small stones that had been embedded within the mud. The rain had revealed some of the roots that were buried beneath the path, yet Link walked over them without so much as a stumble. "I'll probably need to wash off my shoes when we get back. My feet are sinking in the mud."

Be glad you are not a four legged steed, Hero. Epona teased.

"Hey, I was a wolf once, I can understand some of your pain," Link retorted quietly, not sure if anyone was around or listening in on their conversation. If it was anyone from Ordon, they wouldn't find it strange that Link was speaking to Epona, but a passerby probably would. Epona's ears swiveled as she clomped along in the mud.

The path snaked down and around a rock wall as they went along, ferns and moss decorating the rock. Overhead, a few trees had collapsed into each other to form what could be described as a canopy. As they came to the start of the path, having to take a sharp turn, in the distance, Link could see the post that had the goat horn banner on it with the sign that read, "Link's house", along with a few rocks here and there.

They eventually came to Link's house, him looking up at the closed door and whispering, "Do you think he's awake?"

Would you like to see?

The Hero thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. "We need food before it gets too late. He can wait. Let's see if Sera would be willing to give us some pumpkin soup… I don't feel like cooking."

Link turned and walked through a small area where a fence acted as an entrance to Ordon, two tall pine trees on both sides of the fence. He walked into Ordon, passing through the archway overhead where the Ordon goat horn banner hung, Epona trotting along.

Several torches were already lit, only Jaggle, Talo, Malo, and Pergie being out and about, carrying pumpkins into the house. A dog barked at them from the doorway, leaping around them and circling as he attempted to bite at his tail. Smoke curled out of chimneys as the waterwheel churned the water. As he strained his ears just right, he could hear the conversation between all of them.

"Get out of the way, Wiggles!" Talo shouted at the dog as he staggered from left to right with a pumpkin half his size. The dog, his tail in his mouth, released and looked up at Talo, tail wagging faster and rear end wiggling as he barked, leaping up at him. "I'm going to drop this pumpkin on you! You don't want that, do you?"

"He's still very much a puppy, Talo," Malo stated, carrying a much smaller pumpkin with ease. "He's not going to listen to you."

"Oh yeah? Will he listen to you then?" Talo shot back.

"Boys," Jaggle slightly shouted. "Do you want to eat tonight or not? The faster we get these pumpkins inside, the quicker we can get to eating dinner!"

Pergie shook her head and muttered, "They never learn."

Link laughed a little, but suddenly shivered, wrapping his arms tight around himself. Epona neighed worryingly. The Hero looked up at her and smiled, saying, "It's cold tonight, Epona, and Fado is going to close up the ranch soon. Go sleep in the pens, alright girl? It'll be warm there..." Link nudged her forward a little. "Go on…"

Epona looked back at her rider, rumbling gently in concern.

Please take care of yourself, Link… You could fall ill…

"Eh, wouldn't be the first time..." Link said gently, shivering, teeth starting to chatter. "Some w-warm soup should warm me up..."

Please, Link… promise me you will take it easy… And please, get home soon…

Link looked up at her and nodded. "I pr-promise."

With one last gentle nuzzle to his shoulder, Epona trotted away, toward the ranch, stopping to occasionally glance back at her rider before disappearing. Link rubbed his cold arm before turning to walk toward Sera's house.

He took off his shoes and set them next to the rock, not wanting to trail mud in her house, wiggling his toes before sticking them into the cold water in the stream that ran through Ordon, swishing them until they were clean of mud. He then carefully stepped back to the house, taking extra precautions not to step in any mud along the way.

As soon as he approached the house with the pink, oddly shaped roof, Link first tested the door handle. The door was not locked, but regardless, he knocked instead. The door opened in a few seconds to reveal a woman with a large freckle on her forehead, a small, squished face, blue eyes, round cheeks, and dark blonde hair. Her attire consisted of a red fabric held around her waist with a yellow ribbon, wearing a short sleeved shirt of sorts, and having blue, short leggings.

"Oh, Link dear! Don't stand out there in the cold!" Sera said, grabbing his arm and pulling him inside. "You're freezing! Fado told me you were sick and that you looked terrible, but you don't look that bad to me. What's the special occasion, hun?"

"Just… want some soup," Link began, relaxing at the warmth within the house. The temperature was already much warmer, a fireplace lit in the back of the house and the warm aroma of pumpkin soup filling his nose."If… that's okay..."

Something brushed against his leg, causing him to jump backwards a little. Glancing down, he saw none other than the cat named after him. Link. The brown tabby cat with a white stomach purred as he rubbed his head against the Hero's leg.

"Let me get you some soup, dear!" She tugged on Link's arm, bringing him behind the shop counter to the fireplace, sitting him down in front of it and throwing a blanket over him. "There. Now, you warm up! Alright? We just finished eating and everyone's heading off to bed, so try to keep quiet."

Link was a little taken back at her generosity, but nodded, wrapping the fluffy blanket tight around himself and sighing. Link the Cat strutted up to him, purring and nuzzling him before leaping up into his lap, curling up there and rubbing his face all over the Hero.

"Hey there, kitty," Link said, petting the cat in his lap. He was definitely more a dog person, but cats didn't really bother them. The cat grabbed his hand with his paws and chewed on his fingers. "Ow… you've got sharp teeth, be careful!"

There was a slight chuckle from the other side of the room. "Yeah, he likes to do that."

Sera returned with a hot bowl of cheesy, warm, orange pumpkin soup, leaning down and handing it to Link with a spoon. He took a deep inhale of the soup, his stomach growling, smiling up at her adorably. "Thank you..."

"Of course, hun! Now, no more talking, more eating, okay?"

Link nodded. Just as he raised the spoon to dig into his meal, Link the Cat hissed and swiped the spoon away with his paw, causing it to clatter to the ground with a loud ring. The Hero glared a little at the cat, giving him an expression that read, "Really…?" before Sera snatched up the spoon, lightly hitting the cat's head.

"Bad kitty, Linky! No no!"

"Oh well," Link sighed. He raised the bowl to his lips, enjoying it that way instead. The soup was rather good, slightly sweet with some tang, but Link had had better. Such as Yeto's soup. Regardless, he was thankful for the food, downing it in an instant.

"Haven't you eaten today, dear?" Sera questioned. Link wiped his mouth on his sleeve and shook his head.

"No, not really. A few apples, maybe a cracker or two, some tea to drink… But my stomach just hasn't been having it," Link half lied.

"You poor thing," Sera sighed. "Better be well again in time for the Harvest Festival, you hear me?"

"Yeah, I hear you," Link replied. Sera took his bowl and refilled it, bringing it back. He drank this one much slower, wanting to savor it.

"Why don't you stay with us tonight, Link? You could collapse out there in your state."

Link nearly choked on the soup, coughing and swallowing, hitting his chest with one hand as he tried to think up an excuse. It took him a few seconds, but he recouped, answering, "N-no. No, I'm good. I'm sick and I'd rather not contaminate everyone else. It'll be over soon. Can I at least have some soup to go with me?"

"Of course! Don't go choking on this one though, dear," Sera answered, taking his bowl after he had finished it, returning it to her sink. The cat in Link's lap swiped at his hair, paw getting caught in Link's locks, causing him to wince as he carefully undid the cat's paw from his hair.

Sera returned with two glass bottles, full of soup. "There you go. Now, I'm going to walk home with you to make sure you get in safely, okay? I don't want to have to send for Renado."

"It's not that bad," Link assured her, taking the soup and placing the bottles in his pouch. "Thank you, Sera. I'll be able to get home. I promise!"

Sera nodded and ruffled his hair, helping him up, using her foot to nudge the cat off Link's lap. Link the Cat rolled off the Hero's leg and meowed in protest, but Sera only reached down to pet his head, silencing him.

"You be safe out there, hun. Get yourself some warmer clothes or at the very least, wear a cloak," Sera said, giving him one last hug before allowing him to leave her house. "Hurry home and get feeling better!"

Link smiled slightly before taking up his sandals, caked in mud, shaking them off in the stream to the best of his ability before slipping them back on. He'd much rather have his shoes wet than walk around with mud gushing between his toes. Granted, he did like to feel the earth beneath his feet, but not when it was mud slathering them.

The air was much more crisp now that the sun had fell behind the horizon. Link shuddered and wrapped his arms tighter around himself, hunching over a little as he walked back to his house, trying to avoid sinking into any more mud.

He came to his house, hearing the crickets chirp louder, stars twinkling overhead and the wind blowing a bit roughly. His messy hair hit his face a few times before he climbed up his ladder, setting his sandals at the entryway and opening the door into his house, closing it behind him. A steady stream of moonlight beamed through the window, casting pale light into the house.

His gaze wandered to the couch, only to see the young man sitting upright, cross-legged with the blanket wrapped around his head and shoulders. In his right hand, he snacked on one of the apples left out for him, staring off into space. His head turned with a sudden gasp from Link, his eyes widening a little and ears perking back, freezing in place.

"You're awake!" Link nearly shouted, smiling happily. The young man upon his couch jumped back at the sudden shouting, awkwardly falling from the couch onto the floor with a thud. He hit his head upon the floorboards, letting out a quiet groan in the process, now sprawled out on the ground. Link's own ears perked back, smile dropping, rushing over to help him up. His hand stretched out, offering it up to his guest. "Gods, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to startle you!"

The young man he had titled "Wild", stared at his hand with eyes large, as if his hand were a Bokoblin, breathing heavily, then looked back up at him only for his gaze to return to Link's hand. After about ten seconds of silence between them and his guest's breathing evening out, the young man hesitantly reached up to take Link's hand with his left hand this time. His grip was firm and strong, though his hand trembled. From what Link could guess, this young man was probably right handed. He had eaten an apple with his right hand, but that wasn't exactly proof enough.

Link helped him sit up slowly as Wild's right hand came up to gingerly touch the back of his head, deep wild-blue eyes staring at the recently polished floor as he grimaced, letting out a soft grunt of pain. Link caught sight of the scars upon his arm as his sleeve fell down a little.

There was definitely more scars upon his right arm than his left. Further evidence he could be right handed. Link had seen those scars before, but only glanced over them, far more concerned about the young man's more severe injuries. It made his heart hurt a little, but he couldn't tell exactly why. He simply hated seeing others in pain.

The Young man's amber-blonde hair fell over his shoulders, the apple clutched in his hand having rolled away when he fell, now at least two feet from him. Link raised his hands a little in submission, Wild flinching and shutting his eyes tight as if he was expecting to be struck.

After Link remained still for a few seconds, one of Wild's beautiful, blue eyes cracked open, glancing up at Link before his other eye opened. However, he refused to meet Link's gaze, scooting back from him a little in a clumsy attempt, body tense and ears laid back against his head, glancing frantically around the room. Perhaps he was looking for a weapon?

Link remained where he sat, not wanting to scare him, speaking gently and quietly. "Hey, hey… Take it easy… You probably have a lot of questions, don't you? I'll answer everything I can, but at least sit back on the couch... You're injured and the floor isn't very comfortable compared to the couch."

Wild looked up at him, his gaze finally meeting with Link's. In those wild-blue eyes of his, illuminated by the moonlight, above all else, Link could see fear. Fear he would die in a stranger land. Fear he was being held captive. Fear he would have to fight for his life.

Link offered a gentle smile, hoping not to scare him. It seemed to work because the young man's shoulders relaxed a little, his ears returning to their original position. Link felt a bit more hopeful as he gently stated, "I'm not going to hurt you. I promise. Though, trust is earned, not given, huh?"

Wild nodded slightly in response, nothing more. Link scooted closer just a little bit more, the tenseness in Wild's body returning as Link again held out his left hand. Again, Wild took up his hand slowly, Link helping him back onto the couch by wrapping one arm around his waist, the other draping the young man's arm over his shoulders, carefully easing the young man onto the couch.

"There you go," Link sighed. Wild let out a deep sigh, his legs coming up to his chest as he only curled up more, body remaining tense. His head rested upon his knees, looking up at Link, watching his every move like a hawk.

He's scared of me… He acts like he's been struck before. Maybe he thinks I'm one of the people who hurt him. If they even were people… Link sighed a little. I hope he can come to trust me… Maybe he's just too shy to speak to me.

Link pulled out both bottles of soup from his pouch, setting them down on the table. As soon as he did, Wild perked up, his gaze fixated upon the bottles. "You must be starving… This is just some Ordon pumpkin soup and to prove it's not poisoned, I'll take some for myself, alright? And if you don't mind, I need to check over your injuries just in case."

Wild hesitated, but nodded.

"Let me light the lanterns so we can get some light in here."

Link stepped away, taking up a match and lighting a lantern on the table beside his fireplace, bringing it over after closing the compartment and setting it down upon the table at his couch. With better lighting in the room, Link could see the note had been folded back closed, moved from its previous position. He picked up the note and held it in the air.

"Did you read this?" Link asked. Wild looked up at him, able to see Link's blue eyes, dirty blonde hair, and Ordon attire. His eyes wandered over him for a minute before falling upon the note. He shook his head gently. Link's eyebrows knitted together.

He can't read…?

Link hesitated to ask, but eventually forced the words from his mouth, "Were you able to read this?"

Wild again stared up at him, then the note, then shook his head gently before his head again lied upon his knees. Link only became more confused at that.

He can't read my note…? Maybe it was too dark.

"Was it too dark for you to read it?"

Another shake of Wild's head.

Link decided to ask a few more questions, then he'd be done with questions for the night. Hopefully. "You can understand me but can't read this note? Do you not recognize the writing in the note?"

Wild nodded at both questions, only creating more confusion for Link. He sighed, flipping open the letter and raising it to the torchlight. "Fair enough. Do you want me to read it to you?"

There was yet again hesitation, but Wild nodded gently. Link smiled, reading the note aloud that read:

Hello!

If you're reading this, you've most likely woken up by now. I found you collapsed in Hyrule Field, barely breathing and heavily bleeding.

The young man's ears twitched at the mention of "Hyrule Field", eyes widening a little more, but Link continued reading.

I took you to the Spirit's Spring and asked Faron itself if it could save you, one of the Light Spirits that protects these lands. Faron healed a portion of your injuries, telling me that the rest of your healing was up to me. The injuries had been sealed, but if you were to move too quickly or push yourself too hard, your wounds would tear open with ease.

Another ear twitch, this time at "Faron", his mouth falling open slightly.

I then took you here, carried by Epona. Epona is my horse. I washed you up, tending to your injuries myself if need be, then got you dressed into new clothes. Sorry if that sounds weird… It was necessary, to say the least. You were soaked in your own blood.

Wild's head fell into his hands, letting out a deep sigh, but Link couldn't exactly tell if he was embarrassed, confused, frustrated, or a combination of all three. Link looked up at him.

"Do you want me to continue?"

Wild waved in a gesture that read, "Go on".

You had a terrible fever, so I gave you some medicine while you were still semi-conscious. I don't know your name exactly, so when your eyes opened the first time I had found you in Hyrule Field, I saw your wild-blue eyes, hence nicknaming you, Wild.

Wild's head jerked up, staring wide eyed at Link in disbelief. Link's ears perked back, but he kept reading.

The next day, I went and got you food at Ordon village after your fever broke. We ate at Rusl's house, but you were still semi-conscious. After eating, we headed home, but a bad storm kicked up. I'm guessing you're afraid of storms like me, because every time there was a clap of thunder or a flash of lightning, you curled tighter and tighter into a ball and whimpered. I stayed by your side and we somehow managed to sleep through the entire day.

Wild closed his eyes, confusion written in his face, as if he were trying to recall something.

I woke up, got some tea to help clear up my head, then went to go check on Epona. I came back and decided to tidy the house while waiting for you to wake up. At the moment, if you're reading this and I'm not here, then it means I took Epona to the spring to wash her up. I'm also going to get us some food and hope you wake up soon. If you do wake up and get hungry, here are some apples for you to eat.

-Link

Link then set the note back down on the table. Wild only stared up at him in disbelief.

"Well, that's what the note read. You've been out for around two.. maybe three days, Wild," Link said. Wild seemed to make a small noise that was half a gasp, half something else. Similar to what Link himself would do. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Link. Can I know your name?"

There was several seconds of silence, Wild shook his head gently and curled up. His left hand came up to his face, fingers tapping his chin, then bringing his hand down in an arch. Link recognized this as sign language, his eyes widening a little. Wild had just signed, "Thank you."

He must be selectively mute. I heard him mutter, "soft" earlier…

Link himself smiled a little, pointing to Wild, then he raised his left hand, placing it flat to his chest, extending it out slightly in the gesture someone would use to welcome someone into their house before bringing it back in in a circle, signing, "You're welcome."

And here concludes the end of this chapter. Was the first interaction good enough for you? I had a hard time writing this... Thank you for everything, my lovely readers! The reason Link knows sign language will be explained later on.

-WingedIceWolf