Time to reply to some reviews

Haileyamandar: Yeah, I planned it to be a continuation. I've recently been uploading once a day by working on it at night, but hey, a guy needs sleep now and then. I may start uploading every other day or once a week.

harrynginny4eva: Thanks

xakattak: Thanks for the correction. I'd caught that little detail just after I uploaded. Both Ch.1 and Ch.3 have been fixed now. Thanks for the review.

The next two weeks were spent training Ilia and Colin for the journey. Link helped Rusl as much as he could, but mostly ended up acting as the practice scarecrow. Not that he minded, it gave him an excuse to help Ilia.

However, Ilia had noticed a change in Link at the end of the first week. He was getting rather jumpy and was constantly looking over his shoulder into the shadows. She'd never seen him act like this, and she grew concerned. Towards the end of the second week, when Link and Ilia went to watch the sunset in the field, she decided to ask him about it.

"Hey Link?"

"Hmm?"

"Is something wrong?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the past few weeks you've been acting like a killer is after you or something. You're always looking over your shoulder and you've begun jumping at the slightest sound."

"Oh, yeah… that…"

Ilia looked at him with concern. He turned to her with an embarrassed grin on his face.

"I guess I've been being rather foolish," he said softly, looking at the ground in front of him. "It's just, ever since I got back, I've been having the feeling I'm being watched."

He looked behind him again into the shadows.

"If only I could…" he muttered, stopping himself before he said anymore. He almost told Ilia about the wolf living inside of him, the sacred wolf. He turned back around and shrugged. "I guess I'm just not used to being out of danger yet."

Ilia smiled and leaned against him, and he wrapped an arm around her.

The day to depart arrived. Ilia awoke feeling a little anxious. She got up and got dressed in some clothes Link had had made for her. When she was finished, she felt like a warrior. She wore a tunic and pants similar to Link's, but the tunic's fabric was a light shade of blue and fitted to her slender figure. She didn't have gauntlets like Link, but she didn't mind, she didn't need them. She tied back her hair, which she had let grow out a bit, and strapped on the Ordon Sword like Link had. Ilia pulled on her boots and went outside.

Her father, Mayor Bo, was outside tending to a few of their prize oxen. He looked up when he heard the door open and his jaw dropped. He'd never thought Ilia could be a warrior, but seeing her all dressed up like that changed his mind. He came up and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"So it's true," he said with a smile. "You really have grown up." Ilia blushed slightly as her father continued. "I want you to be careful alright. Don't do anything out of your league and come home safe."

Ilia remembered telling Link that long ago before the Twilight had set in. "Don't worry about me daddy," she said, grinning. "I promise I'll come home safe."

They hugged each other, and Ilia set off through the village, saying good bye to its residents. She found Rusl saying good-bye to Uli near the path to Link's house. Colin ran up to her. He had a small sword strapped to his waist and wore a leather tunic for protection. Colin had gotten good with a sword, but he was still a child. Ilia ruffled the boy's hair and they went on ahead to Link's house.

Outside near the ladder were two horses belonging to Rusl and Colin. Colin's was young and just the right height for him. The white mare whinnied as Colin came up to stroke his nose. Rusl's stallion had a grey coat and stood there quietly. Ilia noticed Epona wasn't there.

"Where's Link? Did he take Epona somewhere?" Ilia asked Colin.

"Yeah, he took her to the barn. I think he's looking for a horse for you. Ilia nodded as Rusl entered the clearing. He mounted his horse and Colin did the same. Ilia was about to go look for Link when she heard hooves. Before she could even turn her head, a strong hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her into the saddle of a beautiful chestnut horse. She looked up into Link's smile with surprise.

"Sorry," Link said. "Fado can't spare any more horses at the moment, so you'll have to ride with me. That okay?"

Ilia giggled and settled more comfortably into the saddle in front of Link. "Of course I'll ride with you," she said quietly. Link smiled and turned to Rusl, who, Ilia noticed was a lot farther away than he had been. He was still near Link's house, but she and Link had ended up near the path to the spring somehow. Then she remembered that Link had pulled her up while running Epona at a gallop. She blushed slightly for forgetting that.

Link waved to Rusl, a sign that they were ready, and waited for him and Colin to catch up. When they did, they set off for the trek through Faron Woods to Hyrule Field.

They reached the field towards evening. Link had been mildly surprised that they hadn't met a single monster during the ride through the woods. He didn't mind. He hated the idea of evil creatures being in his home. Link was in the lead, followed by Colin, with Rusl bringing up the rear.

Link saw Ilia stifle a yawn as they approached one of a few trees scattered throughout the southern section of the field and decided they should make camp. Link lit a fire and they had a rather sparse meal. No one minded. They didn't feel that hungry for some reason. After the meal, Ilia practiced with Colin while Rusl supervised. Link however, sat near the tree they had stopped at. His eyes were closed in concentration. The others didn't know it, but he was trying to tap into his hidden power, the power of the goddesses.

He had no luck that night, but was determined to keep trying. They all brought out bedrolls and lay down, except Link. He took the first watch, knowing that foul things always came out at night. He then remembered something interesting that he had totally missed. Ever since they had left Ordon, he never felt the need to look over his shoulder to see if someone was watching him. Had it all been his imagination?

Link kept watch for a little over four hours before waking Rusl. He then lay down near Ilia and fell asleep, hoping they would make it to the castle tomorrow.