HEY WOLF PACK!

Though it has been a month, here is the next chapter as promised! I know you guys have been waiting a seriously long time for this, and the wait is over! I absolutely love you guys for being patient thus far. I'll admit, this is a short chapter, but a turning point in the story, so enjoy!

You'll also probably notice that the name of this chapter isn't Water Under the Bridge Part Two. I am perfectly aware of this.

Many thanks,

WolvesoftheBlueMist

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"We all have the same 24 hours in a day. If someone seems to be accomplishing more than you, they're sacrificing more than you."

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CHAPTER ELEVEN: Night Changes

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Sky, or should he be called Link, walked slowly down the hall. He was headed outside to see Epona and Eclipse. His mind was buzzing with thoughts from his talk with Tristan. He needed to discuss them, to see what they thought on the matter.

When at last he found them, the sun was starting to begin its descent.

"Guess what I found out!" he asked excitedly.

Epona tilted her head. "What?"

Sky proceeded to tell them about what he had learned. From Ayleth to not actually betraying him, to his real parents were and his real name, to the fact that Tristan had a conscious that could be communicated with (whereas the others had just a big jumble of racing thoughts that were indecipherable). Epona and Eclipse were silent for a moment.

"So…" Epona began slowly. "Should we call you Link or Sky? I mean, if Link is the name your birth mother and father gave you…"

"She has a good point," Eclipse agreed. "Although, I think it's up to you to decide on what to be called."

"I do want to be called by my real name because it was the first given to me," Sky muse. "But I don't want to forget my pack name. That's the one I've grown up with."

"I don't think you'll forget it," Epona soothed. "Why not just go with your birth name? It may take some getting used to, but if it is what your sire and dam gave you, then so be it. The rest of the pack will certainly understand. When speaking to me, I will try my hardest to refer to you as that name- and you should do the same," she added to Eclipse.

The wolf flicked her ear dismissively. "I'll do it. Now, I believe that we have more pressing matters to discuss with you Sky- Link- arghh this is going to need some getting used to!"

She shot and annoyed glance at Link when he snorted in amusement.

"Anyways, you know how I told you guys how I spoke to the Golden Alpha? Well, he told me some things about those monsters we saw back at home. Those creatures? They were trying to kill Faron."

"Kill Faron!?" gasped Epona. "But… why?"

"Well he didn't say KILL specifically, more like something about stealing his light, but I assumed that it could be translated to kill."

"Why would they try to steal Faron's light?" asked Link. "What purpose would that serve?"

"Time wouldn't tell me. He said that he wasn't the one with that knowledge; that the responsibility of being our guide was to fall to another; that we'd learn eventually. I guess maybe they were trying to take over Faron's forest? I can't say for sure," the black canine drew a lip back in annoyance.

"What do we do?" Link fretted. "We can't just allow all those beasts to destroy our home."

"Time did say that we could ask the other Light Spirits what to do." Eclipse answered. "That's why Epona and I were pressing you to leave."

"And the whole deal about us being in danger?"

"Reading the stars," the wolf blamed her gift. "I can't say for sure. Just… something isn't right in this place. I know Faron said that we can trust these twolegs, but there's just something…" Eclipse shook herself. "All I can tell, is that if we stay, we WILL die."

There was a moment of somber silence.

Breaking it Link asked, "So if we have to hurry, when do you guys want to leave?"

"I'd say tomorrow real early so that we don't get caught," Epona suggested. The others tilted their heads in agreement.

"Time didn't tell me where the other Light Spirits are, so we'll need an early start. We can't have the twolegs trying to stop you Sk- Link. They'd hamper our chances of saving and returning home."

After agreeing to leave just before the sun rose above the horizon, Link headed back to the human den. He was glad to be able to do something that may lead him back home, but at the same time he was saddened to leave his new friends. Speaking of which…

Link walked around the den tunnels- hallways he remembered- trying to find Ayleth. He wanted to see her once more before he left. However, his efforts proved fruitless.

"Looking for someone?" a voice asked in his head. Link turned to look at Tristan.

"Ayleth."

Tristan gave an apologetic smile. "She had to leave a short while ago to Kakariko. The southern archers had told her awhile back that the leader wanted her to come visit their headquarters- territory so to speak- and the notice just came today. She won't be back for another three days, at the least."

Link's heart sank. He briefly considered waiting till she returned, but his home couldn't wait. Faron couldn't wait. He'd just have to hope that she'd forgive him for not finding a way to apologize to her in person.

Retracting away from Tristan's mind, Link gave a brief nod before making a beeline for his borrowed nest- bedroom. Epona's conscious brushed against his for a heartbeat- she'd sensed his sorrow. Link nudged her mind back; he'd tell her later. For now, he had to rest and prepare to leave.

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Later that night, Link found himself too nervous to get a good night's sleep. When Eclipse contacted Link saying that they were waiting below his window, he stood up and grabbed his shiny tooth- dagger. He had considered leaving the pelts he wore behind, he'd grown up without any after all, but decided to wear them anyway. He'd be warmer with them.

Crossing the den, Link shoved the clear wall. It opened with a whoosh. Below, the forms of his sister and friend were barely visible, even with his excellent eyesight. It was as though the moon had decided to help them escape by cloaking her silver light.

Swinging his legs outside, Link began to utilize his tree climbing skills as he descended. When he touched down on the ground, he gave a quiet greeting, then leapt onto Epona's back. His body was still sore from his injuries, and his arm still had strange patterns across it, but otherwise he was healed.

As the trio jumped the stone wall and slunk away through the paths in the city, Link looked back only once.

XXX

When Zelda woke up the next morning, she couldn't help feeling slightly empty. Like a third of her was suddenly gone. The back of her right hand tingled and Zelda rolled her eyes. Her Triforce piece was probably just acting up. The princess proceeded to do the normal morning routine: get dressed, comb her hair, chew a mint leaf to clean her teeth and freshen her breath, slip on a pair of shoes, and head out.

She needed to find Cassius and talk to him about what had transpired at the meeting yesterday. She had been unable to do it then, as the young captain was suddenly informed of Ayleth's need to depart. As her commanding officer, he had the duty of reading the file, then sending her off.

Zelda stopped by Link's room. Over the past few days, it had become their custom for him to wait for her outside of it. However, he wasn't out there yet this morning. Strange.

"Link?" Zelda called. She waited a moment before opening it.

The first thing she noticed was that he wasn't in the room. Next, Zelda noticed how cold it was, as if someone had left the window open. As she quickly discovered someone had.

Gut clenching in sudden unease, Zelda fled the room to find her father.

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"He's not in the castle anymore."

"How do you know?"

"Do you question me?"

"O-Of course not my Lord! I would never! But, what are we to do?"

"…Find him."

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