Link rushed to Zelda's side and held back a gasp as her head hit the ground. He put the Master Sword down and lifted Zelda's head. She had not cracked it. Link let out a sigh of relief as he looked at her face. It had paled, like that of porcelain now, though she still looked as beautiful as ever. He lifted her, being cautious of his sword because he did not have a scabbard for it.

Carrying Zelda, Link walked down the stairs and out of the Sacred Grove. A person was standing there, looking slightly beat up with a few scratches scattered across his face.

"What happened to her?" He asked.

"She collapsed," Link said. "I'm Link," he said to the man.

"I am Rusl. I led Zelda here to bring back the Hero of Time from earth," he said looking Link over. "I take it you are him?" Rusl asked. Link nodded.

"Yeah, it was kind of a shock," Link said.

"I can't imagine," Rusl said, and Link thought he detected sarcasm, though he wasn't sure why.

"You look oddly familiar," Link said as he scrutinized Rusl. "I feel like I have seen you before," Link said as Colin's face suddenly flashed into his memory. "Yeah, Colin! You look like my friend Colin!"

"You know Colin?" Rusl asked, his eyes widening severely.

"Yeah, he's my good friend," Link said.

"How is he doing?"

"Um, good, as far as I know. It's been tough growing up without parents, you know?" Link said. Rusl nodded sadly. "How do you know Colin?" Link asked, now skeptical.

"I am his father," Rusl said.

"His fath –" Link began but stopped himself short. "Colin wasn't kidding when he said his parents just up and vanished! And into Hyrule?!" Link asked. "You have to go back!" Link said with a smile on his face. "Colin wouldn't believe this!"

"I cannot go back… At least not yet," Rusl said sadly.

"Why not?"

"I am part of the Resistance. I must fight for Hyrule," he said. Link nodded, for he knew that he too was stuck here despite where he wanted to be. Link's arms were beginning to feel heavy and he could feel them starting to ache.

"Do you think you could take my sword?" Link asked. Rusl moved forward and took the Master Sword from Link's hand.

"This is a fine blade," Rusl said as he examined it. "Perfectly balanced…" He said, mumbling to himself.

"So where are we going? We have to get Zelda somewhere," Link said to Rusl.

"Right of course, follow me," he said as he turned towards a tunnel that looked as though it had been carved through the trunk of a tree. "My original plan was to take her to my home, Ordon Village, where she could be mended, but I now think it would be best if we get her back to Hyrule Castle as soon as possible. I'm positive her father sent guards after her. They will be searching," Rusl said.

"Right," Link said as he quickly glanced at her face. A very soft moan escaped her lips. "Where does this tunnel lead us?" Link asked.

"It completely bypasses the maze of the Sacred Grove. However, the entrance to this tunnel can never be found once you leave it. That forces you to go through the Sacred Grove all over again," Rusl said. Link nodded, even though Rusl couldn't see him. Really, he had no idea what Rusl was even talking about. Link had just been in the Sacred Grove and retrieved the Master Sword from the pedestal… But the guardians had said "the true Sacred Grove", so perhaps there was a fake one that you had to endure in order to get to that glade.

Link sighed as he quickened his pace to catch up to Rusl. They walked on through the tunnel for ten minutes, taking several twists and turns until it began to descend.

"This is the final descent. We are almost out," Rusl said. Link nodded, his breathing heavy from carrying Zelda such a long way. As they walked out of the tunnel, Link looked around in awe at all the trees and their beauty.

"Where are we?" He asked.

"Faron Woods. Come now, take a break," Rusl said as he motioned to lay Zelda onto a log. Link did as he was instructed and gently lowered her to the log. He looked up to see Rusl watching him.

"Yeah?" Link asked as he took a seat on the log, next to Zelda's head.

"How is Colin? What kind of man has my boy become?" Rusl asked.

"Well, he sees the positive side of everything… He's super caring about anybody he meets and is a great friend to have on my side," Link said.

"I would like it if he came to live here with me," Rusl said. Link only nodded. "What happened to the Princess?" Rusl asked, motioning to her with his head.

"I'm not sure. But I remember in the Portal, or whatever it's called, she fell and her right arm was completely limp by her side. And then she did this crazy magic stuff and collapsed after."

"Yes, she had been thrown off her horse and was injured from the fall…" Rusl mumbled.

"What?" Link asked shocked.

"But I saw her get up and follow you into the Sacred Grove," Rusl said ignoring Link.

"Yeah, she collapsed again in there."

"Yes, I see now." Rusl stood as the sound of running feet reached his ears. Royal Guards began spilling into the woods from the cave. Forty guards stood before Link and Rusl.

"Stand up and step away from the Princess!" One commanded, all of them baring their swords, spears and bows. Rusl did as they said, but passed the Master Sword back to Link.

"Drop your weapons!" Another said. Neither Link nor Rusl made a move to do so. The guards began moving towards them.

"Please…" A soft voice said from behind them. Link turned to see Zelda's eyes flutter and close again. Ignoring what she had said the guards continued advancing on Link and Rusl.

"You two are being taken into custody for kidnapping the Princess!" They commanded as Link and Rusl were seized.