A.N.: Ooooh, sweet hallelujah! You wont believe how happy I am to finally release this proper chapter (seriously, I noticed the content just keeps increasing by every new chapter I write recently). No drawing requests, exams ended for a short time (thank God), and now I'm finishing off this wonderful day with another chapter for my patient followers. Enjoy ;)

Chapter 6

Wounds under the moon

The room was wide and isolated from any meres of warmth or sturdiness. It was falling apart, the walls and ceiling crumbled, the seven columns looked like they were about to stumble to the tiled floor. Another statue stood before the heroes, this time of a single woman. The figure gave away her gender, but it was impossible to see the face.

'' This place is damaged by time,'' Link said in a whisper, as if afraid to wake the spirits that lurked here. He watched how the age-old dust rose in front of him and twisted around Ashley's legs as she stepped further. The only light in this room emerged from the previous one, which was now sealed in ice somehow. Ashley was still baffled by that. She looked around, hoping to find a torch or something else to use for light source. But just then, a sharp slam came from behind. The way back was blocked off!

'' What the...'' Ashley frowned. Her eyes were quick to adjust to the darkness, along with Link's. She noticed his ears tensing, saying that he was either worried or trying to think what he might do to clear the darkness. He exchanged looks with his partner. Ashley had a feeling like this was a trap...no, wait. That feeling was in her from the very start they entered the dungeon. But something or someone kept telling her, that she was missing an obvious clue. And then her heart jumped, realizing it.

The unsheding metal of her rapier echoed, so did her unsure voice.'' Come on, I know you're there,''

'' Ashley?'' Link began, but the girl just outstretched her free hand to him.

'' Are you gonna hide under the shadows forever? We don't have all day!'' suddenly the swirling dust turned to ashes, the darkness 'detached' from the atmosphere and started to gather around the altar in front of the statue. The room filled with fire, the temperature grew warmer. Rivers of lava swirled around the crumbling columns. Ashley and Link could now see the true size of this room, and it was enormous. The walls were painted, picturing some historical figures and events.

The smoke began to burn, crackle like fireworks, lava spilled from under it - forming feet made of magma. The figure grew bigger and bigger, until the smoke reached the ceiling and formed a head.

'' Oh St. Patrick...'' the young swashbuckler muttered in fear when she saw what they were facing. It was a fire titan, with a not-so-welcoming face. It's skin was of pure magma, eyes of obsidian and burning pupils. A fire struck from it's forehead and stretched down the back. It took it's time to flex out, then looked towards the heroes. With a twisted face, it roared at them. It's mouth filled with burning smoke.

'' Get behind me!'' Link shouted. He covered them with his Hylian shield, one hand pressing the girl to his chest. The skin-ripping smoke hit them, but Link managed to hold off the titan's attack. It soon ended, they heard how the titan inhaled.

'' How do we beat this guy?!'' Ashley said, taking a glimpse with Link over the shield.

'' Bombs,'' answered the elf. The swashbuckler looked at him like he was insane.

'' Uh, I'm not sure if that fire with fire thing is going to help us, mate,'' Ashley quickly handed Link her second clawshot before the titan swung his hand across the room, making the heroes separate. It went for Ashley, who thought of hiding behind the columns. Obviously the magma arm knocked it down. Ashley cursed and drew her rapier, hoping it had a form for this fire beast. Luckily, it glimmered and the blade now seemed to ripple like a disturbed water surface. Ashley trusted her weapon and raised it as the titan's leg lowered to stomp her. The swashbuckler slipped away, leaving a steaming vapor under the magma foot. Their foe growled in pain.

'' I usually try to avoid magic, huh?'' Link quoted her from afar.

'' Weapons are an exception!'' Ashley shouted back.

'' Are any other of your weapons capable of doing that?''

'' Sadly, no. Although, it would be easier in this situation,'' the titan knelt and tried to press them both to the ground. Ashley once again slashed him, but her partner was forced to run. He aimed somewhere with his part of the clawshot and zipped away. The aim was nearly above the titan. Link reloaded his claw, making a flip in the air and running his Master Sword through it's entire magma skin, landing roughly after.

The heroes watched if that might've taken it down. It would be nice considering the boiling temperature that filled the room in a matter of minutes, it was even getting harder to breathe. They had to take this guy down, fast.

Unfortunately, Link's daring stunt was pointless. Something sprung from it's forehead, but the titan didn't show any sign of weakness, Ashley's blade seemed to do the only damage...and that was very peculiar to her. The Master Sword would slice through any kind of evil, right? That also surprised the wielder. He didn't even had time to react to the titan's sudden wish to grab him.

'' Run, goddammit!'' Ashley yelled to him while rushing to block the hand. But the titan's free hand got in the way, cutting off the swashbuckler from her partner. Ashley heard Link cry in pain, that made her sink her blade into the monster's hand. It cringed and it's owner stood up sharply, with the elf in his right. Ashley noticed the titan's gaze changed to a different location than where she was standing. She followed it, and saw a stone lying on the floor, red as ruby, with a gold symbol inside. Her eyes narrowed on it, wondering if it could be important in some way.

'' Ashley!'' Link panted from the heat that was emerging from their enemy's hand.'' Get that gem, it's the Wishing stone!'' the titan's look suited as a warning, telling the girl to do the opposite and leave the stone. But, of course, she sprinted towards it. It wasn't hot and the stone was the size of Ashley's palm, tear-shaped. The symbol inside looked familiar, it was of three waves, but where did she see it before?

The titan snorted and stretched his arm to take back the gem by force, but he paused once she raised her rapier again. It still rippled and he noticed this. Looked like cogs were turning in his head, then, he looked from her, to Link in his hand, and back again. This time with a sneer.

''AAAAAARGHH...!'' Link's blood-curling yell echoed through the massive room, as the giant fire monster squeezed his grip around the elf. Ashley's eyes widened, she gasped when the titan slammed Link through one of the columns and into the wall. The room trembled from the might, the wall that blocked their way has crumbled.

'' G-go! Flee!'' Link managed, but he was forced to shut up when the titan squeezed even more. Ashley looked at the exit. She could escape from the top of the balancing beams in the previous room, which led high up to the very top of the surface. She could get out of here in seconds, but there was a moral obstacle that didn't allow her to do so.

'' I am not leaving you here to die!''

'' J-just forg-get-t argh! '' now that just sealed Ashley's decision. The titan wanted it's gem back, therefore he was using Link to get to her. It was a dirty trick, I'll admit. Ashley looked at her one way ticket back to the Spiral, back to her comrades...she turned to the beast.

'' Fine, I get it,'' she said to him.'' You can have your stupid gem back,'' the titan grumbled, but didn't sound completely satisfied. He leaned and gestured for the girl to give him the Wishing stone.

'' Uh-uh,'' Ashley shook her head.'' First: let go of Link,'' she nodded to his grip and marked the following command.'' gently,''

'' Hrrrmmm,'' the titan lowered his right hand and opened up his palm. Link lied there, in the center, with his sword and shield by him. Ashley saw how much he was suffering and ran to him. She climbed the magma hand and leaned over the elf. She embraced him, leaving the Wishing stone on the titan's hand, she carefully carried Link down to the cooler floor. Link's forehead was bleeding, probably from one of the columns ruins, his left cheek scratched. His green clothes were burnt and sooty, along with his pale face. Ashley placed a hand under his head and lifted up.

'' Hey...'' she whispered. Link's eyes slowly opened, locking up on her. He breathed in the cooled down air, the beast was now hopefully disappearing, though that was the least of Ashley's interests now. She felt the elf's muscles tense weakly, wanting to push himself up, but he only cringed, gapped and clutched for his side. Ashley's fingers followed the spot. She found out that few of his ribs were broken.

'' Oh, God...'' she said, as if feeling her parter's pain like it was her own. She met Link's narrow, tired eyes. Ashley swallowed and tried to answer as positively as she could:

'' Don't worry. I'm a ship captain, I dealt with worse injuries,'' and yet, it was lie. Dislocated bones - yes, back breaks - sure...but not ribs! She had a talk with Scratch that if that ever happened, he would be the one to mend them, not Ashley. She wasn't a doctor, nor a surgeon. She only knew a few simple tricks to relocate a joint.

'' Such a strong lie comes out from a noble mortal,'' a woman's voice suddenly appeared. Ashley's head raised up to see a person in a red robe, with a red light shining through the openings. He held the Wishing stone in his right and just stood there. Just before a question could break from Ashley, the person removed it's robe to reveal a tanned woman with an outfit that would really suit a belly dancer: red shoes with pointy, curved fronts; puffy, wide on the ends, silk pants with a golden V shaped belt, laces with gold coins dangling from it; you can call the top a red bra, completely covering the chest; the woman's hair was also red, tied into a long ponytail, on her forehead rested somewhat of a crown with a diamond-shaped jewel.

The woman had a bright red aura swirling around her, but it slightly faded, giving Ashley a chance to see the full body behind it. A single name popped up in Ashley's mind.

'' Din,'' she said.'' You're...you're the goddess of Power,'' when she saw the goddess it was all clear: the lava, the paintings on the walls, the symbol inside the Wishing stone...and even the statue. The room was now perfectly lit up by Din's floating flames above them, so now you could make out the statue. It was the statue of the woman in front of the heroes, in a dancing pose. It kinda reminded of the Flame Dancers from Aquila that Ashley had encountered. She noticed there was no sign of the monster they just fought, so it was her conclusion that Din shape-shifted. That only made Ashley angry.

'' Can I get an explanation here?!'' she said, gently letting Link lie. '' Hold on for a sec, ok?''

'' Pure, vigilant, brave...so you are the one that was meant to accompany The Hero of Time,'' Din said as Ashley took a few steps closer to her.'' Tell me...what is your name?''

'' Ashley Holystone, nice to finally see a true goddess,'' the last words sounded dangerously sarcastic. Din noticed it, her head tilted.

'' Why such aggression?''

'' Why?! Oh, I don't know, you tell me,''

'' You dare speak to a goddess with that tone?!'' now Din looked insulted, but Ashley didn't calm down.

'' I don't CARE if you're a goddess, a lord, the president or anyone else! What kind of humanity is this?!'' she gestured at Link.

'' What you just experienced was a test of your reaction and personality in critical situation. The Hero was part of the subject,''

Ashley's eye twitched, her body trembled in rage.'' A TEST?! A TEST? Is this some kind of joke to you? We're not immortal, whats more, if this was a test for ME, then what would happen if I chose to actually listen to Link and run? You'd kill him, and, if not that, he'd die from the injuries down here! Who'd stop Ganondorf then?''

'' You,'' Din answered simply. The swashbuckler's eyes widened in horror, she looked back at Link, whose head was turned to them, eyes barely open. He seemed to be listening.

Ashley shook her head in disapproval.'' You're kidding me...I wouldn't...ok, that's it, you're crazy,''

'' You are here for a reason. Your help is needed here just like in the world you have come from. The Spiral,'' Din's tone became louder. The young captain frowned.

'' How...?''

'' Hyrule has been waiting for a millennium when a girl of the moon will come and put an end to the curse of Demise,'' Ashley stared at the goddess. All this just fell on her shoulders, was this bound to happen someday? Girl of the moon...Sen once said she dreamed of Ashley standing on a New Moon, that's partly where Fair got her idea for her sail design...how long was that prophecy anyway?!

'' No. No way,'' Ashley waved it away.'' Link was always the one to defeat Ganon, he's...''

'' He was just supposed to keep the King of Darkness sealed. His bloodline was cursed, along with many others,''

'' Curses, hexes, surprise prophecies...this still doesn't make up for your idea on killing my partner, senorita,''

'' I am aware of that. And I do owe an apology, your arrival was sudden to us and the Hero of Time was the one to find you first...or you found him first, that is to say,'' the corners of the goddess's mouth curved.'' But, I have not finished yet,''

Ashley rolled her eyes and turned away, wanting to get Link on her shoulders and walk away without any tests.

'' This is a simple one,'' the swashbuckler stopped and turned to see two portals on each side of Din. One had a street with a very familiar house and terrain, the other had Skull Island's bridge, the one that separated the jungles and the town. '' You may choose to leave if you wish to,''

Link is suffering and she is giving me this? What the heck is wrong with this chick...although the warm sun over Ashley's Earth home was tempting and the Skull Island bridge reminded of her destiny in the Spiral...

'' I refuse,'' Ashley replied coldly. The portals vanished and she took that as a note that she can lean over the elf. Link's hand raised, covering her's.

'' Wh...'' he weakly breathed.

'' Apparently I have more work here...'' the girl answered him. She got a chance to return to her family or her crew. Refusal was the only choice she saw and it wasn't because she would feel guilty of leaving the elf here. She couldn't return to Earth, at least not yet. The same goes for the Spiral, the Armada can wait a few days.

'' Ashley Holystone,'' Din said.'' you have turned down your path to go back to your relatives and comrades...we should thank you for this sacrifice...''

'' Don't,'' Ashley smiled.'' Just heal my friend here and that'll be enough,''

'' I haven't finished,'' Din narrowed her eyes.'' we should thank you, but unfortunately I only have a warning for you. This was a minor test, alas our world will give you much harder obstacles to overcome. I bless you, Holystone, with strength, in hopes you will prevent the Thief from ever causing ruckus on this land. I cannot heed your wish, but I can send both to safer grounds. Take time to recover, my brave heroes,''

XXX

In a flash of red light, believe it or not, they were back at Ordon village...right in the middle of it! Couldn't that goddess send them directly into Link's tree-house or something? The few people that were surprised by their sudden emersion - stumbled, gasped, dropped their harvest, and (when they saw Link) screamed.

'' Witch!''

'' Murderer!''

That's what the people were calling Ashley now. They cursed her in every way. Link, grasping for his broken side, tried to push himself up and dismiss their curses and insults. But only a silent '' Stop,'' came out.

'' Oi, easy there,'' Ashley said. She looked up at the crowd and yelled.'' Hey! HEY!'' the people settled down one by one, though still looked like they want to burn Ashley at the next camp-fire festival.'' Listen, I know you don't welcome a stranger like me, I understand that...but seriously, can we discuss those matters later? Your hero needs help...'' she waited for their reply.'' Please,''

Magic word. A slightly fat woman in a yellow dress and red hair came up with her husband. The man, with a blue tunic and white trousers, lifted Link on his strong arms and said.

'' We can't take him up to his house,'' he sighed.'' Why can't he ever live like a normal person...''

'' There is an extra room we have,'' the woman was saying to Ashley.'' Link may recover there,''

The swashbuckler nodded with a sad smile.'' Thank you,'' the man turned around and carried Link into one of the wooden houses with a purple roof. Ashley then saw his weapons and even the red Wishing stone laying around, lucky they got teleported with them. She picked up the weapons and handed to the lady, but left the stone for herself.

'' Oh, right...'' the woman carefully took the sword, afraid to cut herself, and the shield. When she turned for her house, Ashley went the other way. The woman immediately stopped.

'' Aren't you coming?'' Ashley blinked at that, surprised that the woman wants to have her, a girl that has been called a witch a few minutes ago. The girl declined:

'' Sorry, no. I...don't want to cause any trouble to the people of Ordon. My sincere apologies, but I have some stuff I need to get down with. Take care of Link for me,'' after that she turned to leave, but the woman's hand stopped her.

'' You don't need to go on your own, especially in this state!'' Ashley didn't understand what she meant, but she saw her eyes were looking at her rapier hand. The blouse was ripped and stained in her blood. Weird that she didn't feel the pain over all that concentration.

Ashley was planning to go to Zelda and get some info about ''The tale of the moon gal, that was supposed to save the world a millennium ago''. Also the Wishing stone. For an odd reason, Ashley was thinking that this stone had a bigger purpose than granting someone a submarine-sandwich for dinner. But she also wanted to make sure Link was up and running again...

'' Alright,'' Ashley sighed.

XXX

The first floor of the house was a kitchen, a dining hall and a living room in one. A birch wood table was right in front of the main door, going around it was another one with a room behind it. She saw the man laying Link down on a bed.

Some twisting stairs were leading to the second floor, the woman urged Ashley to follow.

'' At the end of the hall there's a bathroom where you may freshen-up, the door on the left is mine and Toris' room and on the left is your's,'' explained the lady.'' Oh, I haven't introduced myself! I am Nayna, Toris is my husband. I'm the one who usually brings Link some exotic dishes, since he's a minor cook and eats once a day... And who are you then? When you showed up I thought Link had found a new girl-friend, either than a princess, haha,''

Ashley blushed, Nayna's bubbly personality really changed the frown on her.'' I'm Ashley. And, please, we're just partners. Link was helping me find a way back to my own world, and he took most of the beating...'' the girl rubbed her neck.

'' Oh, don't blame yourself, you seem like a strong an courageous girl. There's nothing like a bottle of Healing potion wouldn't fix. Now, go and wash yourself, ah, are you hungry?''

Ashley's stomach suddenly let out a rumbling sound. The girl's hand raised for it, then looked at Nayna.'' Uh, miss Nayna, I think you mentioned food too much,''

Nayna giggled.'' I'll take that as a yes,'' she ran off as Ashley closed the bathroom door. Turning, she gasped at her sooty reflection in the mirror.

'' Wow,'' she said. She took off her plumed chapeau and grimly ran her fingers over the burnt pink feather. Her face then sank into the barrel of amazingly cool water. Throwing back her long brown hair and panting for air, she looked back at the mirror and smiled.

'' Much better,'' she then rolled up her blouse's right sleeve and started tending to the wound, cleaning and wrapping it up with some gauze. She then used a towel to slightly dry the hair before leaving the bathroom. Record time, Ashley thought cheerfully.

Her nose caught a scent of cooked meat and vegetables. Running down the stairs, Nayna said from the stove:

'' Ah, that was fast! See, you look better already. Though that blouse...perhaps I could find...''

'' Nah, it's quite fine, really. My attire had worse damages,'' the lady laughed at that little joke. Leaving the stove for a minute, Nayna handed her a much needed backpack. Ashley sat by the table and stored her items: the clawshot and the Wishing stone. She then sat and watched Nayna cook, but her curiosity got the better and she scanned the house. It was comfy and warm, a fireplace was at the living room half, probably for the chilling winters as any other. She then looked at the open door in front of her, where Link was resting.

Ashley stood up and went in, knocking to inform of her arrival. The man, Toris, was tending to the elf's wounds. His tunic was off and Link's head and chest were wrapped in bandages. Toris squeezed out the bloody cloth he was using to clean the wounds into a bowl of water. Once Ashley came in, he nodded to her, then at Link.

'' Broken ribs?''

'' Giant problem. Literally,'' Ashley shrugged and took Toris' offered seat near the window.'' Well, technically it was a goddess shifted into a fire titan,'' she got that look when she tells someone of her adventures in all honesty. '' Yeah, I get that a lot,''

Of all things Toris could've said to that, he sighed:

'' Kids these days...'' He turned to Ashley with a smile.'' Always thinking up new ways to get into trouble with forces they don't know,''

'' Hey, I'm not looking for trouble,'' the girl objected.'' Trouble usually finds me...aaand I just quoted Harry Potter. Brilliant,''

'' Hah,'' the man gently tapped Ashley's shoulder.'' True, your words are true. Well, I need to get back to herding the goats or it's gonna be one chaotic evening,''

'' Yeah, sure,'' Ashley watched him till he closed the door. Goats, Ashley thought of the mountain-goat-cow-like animals with oval horns sticking out of their blue fur...she saw them quite a few times, let it be in-game or this morning. Hah, this morning...hard to believe so much has happened in one day. It started off with a simple breakfast and a spar with The Hero of Time, and ended with Ashley sitting next to his injured body.

She took a bottle with the strawberry-red liquid off the end-table, which also had a single candlestick, slightly lighting up her surroundings. Ashley unplugged the bottle and took a whip of it's content, only to blink from the sweet-spicy smell, kinda like chilly peppers.

'' Hits you right in the eyes, doesn't it?'' Link's voice in pure silence made the girl jump. She almost dropped the Healing potion, gripping it's glass neck at the last second. The elf laughed weakly.

'' If I didn't know better, I'd say it's the smell that gets ye up an' runnin' ,'' Ashley replied. '' How are you feeling?''

'' Ah...well I can talk normally,''

Ashley rolled her eyes and placed the bottle back sharply.'' You crazy elf, sacrificing yourself for my safety and getting burned to death,''

'' You little girl, standing against a goddess and yelling at her actual face like it is nothing to you,'' the heroes stared at each other with serious faces. But Ashley broke it first with a snort and a silent giggle. They both laughed, till Link grabbed for his side. He groaned.

'' Look at us...'' he said.'' Laughing out all the bad news we gathered today...'' they didn't say anything after that for a while. The room became darker, the candle's light grew larger by the minute, grasshoppers started to screech, some other night insects rattled, chirped, creating a nature symphony outside. Nothing like this escorted you in the Spiral before bed, but your crew's shanties, the howling wind and the crackle in the Captain Quarter's fireplace. Now that Ashley knew her purpose in Hyrule, she started seeing and hearing it differently. No, last night and this morning she was still clouded by worry, mixed with curiosity.

'' Ashley?'' Link broke the peace that shrouded the his temporary bedroom.'' You got two chances to return to your rightful place, why haven't you taken either of them?''

The swashbucklers stopped playing with her nails and glimpsed at her friend, not turning nor rising the head.

'' I told you and you heard it yourself. I'm needed here. I just...added Hyrule to my Save-the-World-List,'' Ashley muttered.'' The only thing that bothers me is why. Why me?''

After a short pause, Link replied. '' I've been wondering that myself. You said I was always the one to defeat Ganon...''

Ashley took a deep breath.'' And Din called your bloodline cursed. Let me guess, you're linking these two now,''

'' True, but I do not understand still,''

'' Hmmh,'' the girl scratched her head.'' Link, you trust me, right?''

'' After today - there's no doubt,''

'' Then... let's make a deal. I promise to tell you everything tomorrow, just,'' Ashley gritted her teeth and rubbed her cold hands.'' Just don't freak out after, ok? This is gonna be a long story, for real this time,'' she added after noticing Link roll his eyes.'' In all seriousness. But until then - get some rest,''

'' Heh,'' Link closed his eyes.'' That's an easy deal,'' Ashley smiled. She got up and was about to walk out the door, when he once more called her name.

'' Ashley?''

'' Yeah?'' she asked, glimpsing over her shoulder.

''...Thank you,''

XXX

Diner time went by unnoticed. Ashley gave a summary to the house owners of who she truly is, telling them she's part pirate and part hero...mostly hero, depending on the stories she told. Nayna and Toris recognized the girls fate as slightly harsh, unexpected and overwhelming for such a young age. Ashley assured she got used to it all, even though some things still surprise her.

Nayna thought of bringing Link some food, but Ashley said it wasn't necessary. It was then she revealed her amazing hearing ability, and she swore she could hear the sleepyhead snoring.

'' In that case, I'll leave the stake for breakfast. Hopefully he doesn't sleep-in anymore,'' Nayna raised an eyebrow at Ashley, asking her quietly ''am I correct?'' . The girl just tilted her head and climbed the stairs to her room. It was small, with a desk in front of a large window, a bed next to it and a chest by it's front legs. Ashley dropped her new backpack, weapons and chapeau in the corner and slumped onto the bed. Her muscles finally got to relax, her eyelids felt heavy. It was a astoundingly intense day if her body felt this way.

But she didn't have much time to enjoy it. Again with the howl. The wolf howl in Ashley's deep dreams. One second she was having a memory spree with her as a six year-old and her Earth friend Ben, also about that age. They were roaming the dark forest under the shine of moonlight. They did this once, even then the girl had a strong sense of adventure.

Ben held a flashlight in his trembling hands, while Ashley was jogging up ahead.

'' Come on, there's nothing here!'' Ashley was helping her friend overcome the fear of darkness. For some reason, this seemed like a suitable way of doing so. She walked these woods many times, as a result, she wasn't afraid to go forward.

'' B-but w-what if there are w-wolves here? Or b-better yet, Slenderman himself!'' Ashley giggled at that.

'' Ben, mon ami, pal, amigo, compadre,'' the accent change always made the boy lighten up.'' You know Slender is fictional and that there are no wolves around these parts,''

'' Oh yeah? Well how will you explain that vicious howl from before?!''

'' Considering the clogged shimmering and high-pitched voice, I can confirm that our suspect is Venus von Due herself, simply toying with us because of jealousy,'' Ashley imitated Sherlock Holmes, complete with an imaginary pipe.

'' I still don't get how you are so quick with jugging,''

'' Elementary, my dear Watson,'' the girls voice dropped, became slightly man-like. To do so she had to purse and stretch her lips at the same time. Luckily, that cracked Ben, and he was now laughing himself.

His voice echoed through the dream, that is...until it changed to the wolf howling Ashley heard when she was a child. But it shifted, it got louder...

Ashley jumped in her bead, with her ears still ringing from the high howl. What the heck? Why does that wolf keep interfering with her sleep?

Well, if it's goal was to keep the girl awake - it worked. She was bright, tired, but bright. And, to her own astonishment, she had an odd urge to go outside. At this hour...wait, what was the actual time?

Something was off, why did Ashley suddenly had the need to go outside? She didn't feel any danger, but the instincts were acting up. Fine, she thought and ran down the stairs. She was always a quiet walker, so there was little chance someone could wake up. The swashbuckler removed the metal hook that kept the main door closed.

The moon was high up this night. A perfect full moon. Ashley closed the door and went to investigate. Her ears tensed, just as Morgan LaFitte taught her, and listened in. Few bugs, late squirrels...a familiar whining. The girl turned for the stables to see Epona eating fresh hay. Ashley's eyes widened, she was worried for Link's horse, but how did she find her way back? Was Epona really that well trained?

The young captain walked up to the mare, she instantly raised her graceful head to the swashbuckler.

'' Hey, girl,'' Ashley petted Epona's mane.'' Sorry for leaving you, something happened and...ah,'' she frowned.'' Talking to a horse. Ashley, what are you doing?''

'' It's weirder when you talk to yourself,'' Ashley turned to see a tall elf in front of her. How did he manage to come so close! A few seconds ago Ashley would've felt the guy and already have a dagger pointing at him. Although, she didn't hesitate. She grabbed for her rapier...which wasn't even on her waist. Dammit, she cursed, I left it!

'' And who are you?'' Ashley asked, lowering her hand. When I mentioned the elf was tall, I meant it: by a whole chest and head! His white, messy hair glowed brightly under the moon. It was uneven, the top was short and spiky, a single flock, decorated in colorful beads, dangled from the left side of his face. At the back grew a long braided rope of hair. His ears were pierced with iron earring - one on the right and two on the left; the guy's face was straight with a square chin, a medium-built body with wide shoulders and strong arms. His wardrobe was...interesting: a light blue shirt with a hight collar, a V shaped end and decorated in white, twisting vines. Belts covered his chest, he had a shoulder plate on his right and a mini red cape on the left. His waist was binded in red cloth, it's end long torn apart. He wore black trousers and leather boots. A purple bracer was on his right, while the other was binded in dirty bandages. The elf had many scars, few on the arms, one on the right cheek.

He stared at Ashley with yellow-green eyes and soon answered. '' Lycaon,''

The girl blinked, he was surprisingly shy, though a strong power erupted from him. They both stood like that for, what seemed, hours.

'' Uh...'' Ashley broke the uncomfortable silence.'' I suspect you brought Epona back?''

Lycaon nodded.'' Yes. She's...a nice horse, really suits it's owner,''

'' Oh no,'' Ashley shook her head, smiling.'' Not me, sorry. Her owner is resting, I was just...taking a stroll int the night,''

'' It seemed to me like you were suspicious of something,''

'' Yeah, I was,'' Ashley's eyes slightly narrowed. She wasn't afraid of this elf, even if he was bigger than her.'' I haven't seen you around, what are you doing in Ordon,''

Lycaon shrugged.'' Stopping by, I had other means to do, till I found Epona,'' he nodded to the mare.'' She was pretty worried, you know,''

'' I imagine. Thanks for bringing her,'' Ashley tapped Epona's neck and was getting ready to leave. Lycaon stopped her with these words:

'' I haven't seen you around either. Who are you?''

'' Ashley. Just, Ashley,'' the girl replied.

'' Oh...'' Lycaon blinked oddly.'' Ah well...it's an honor, I should say,'' the girl's eyebrow raised.

'' Do I know you?''

'' ...Not really,'' with that, their conversation was over. It was weird, but at least Epona's back. Although Ashley had the feeling like this isn't the last time she met this tall elf. Turning back to look at him another time, she didn't see any trace of him. Not on the ground at least.

Ashley didn't feel it, but a white owl, with a moon on it's forehead feathers and green eyes, was watching her from the stable roof. It glided and flew off on it's own way to who know where, while the swashbuckler calmly fell into her bed again. This time, no wolf howling dream troubled her.