A/N: Any reviews/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated...I only have one so far :(

"Ta-daaaah," Midna said proudly, allowing me to open my eyes that I had squeezed shut. To my amazement, we were no longer in the forest, but instead in the middle of a village. I gazed at Link and saw he was not surprised at all.

"She does that," he muttered to me, prompting a glare from Midna.

"You're WELCOME," she snapped, floating ahead of us.

"Sorry, but where are we?" I asked, feeling a little stupid.

"Kakariko Village," Link replied, "In good time, too. We have to find the inn, now, to make sure they have rooms available-"

"Link? Is that you?"

We both turned to see a tall man in a long robe. His dark hair was in pleats on either side of his long face. He was approaching us cautiously.

"Renado," Link nodded to him, "Yeah, it's me."

"We all thought you had been killed," Renado said, his voice a mixture of relief and sadness, "When Ganondorf returned, we were certain–"

Link's face flushed, "Wait, what did you say?"

"Ganondorf….you've not heard?" Renado was genuinely puzzled, "After what happened on the cliffs…he ascended to–"

I suddenly let out a scream of pain and fell back. Both of my arms were stinging with an unbelievable pain, much worse than before. It was shooting up to my shoulders and into my back now, I realized, feeling dizzy with pain as I felt someone lift me up. Of course, it was Link.

"The heck's wrong with her?" Midna scoffed.

I whimpered, "I'm sorry, just…I'll go to the inn, and–" I bit down on my lips until they bled. This was indescribable.

"You will not," Link insisted, "Renado, I'm sorry this is on such short notice, but–"

"Follow me."

Within seconds I was on a table of sorts, Renado and Link both standing over me and a roof over our heads. They were discussing something of which I wasn't particularly listening to; I was writhing, the sensation of my skin and now bones burning was incredible. I could hear Renado rummaging through something when I felt Link take my hand.

"Renado is the town shaman, Hanna. He is going to see if he can find a way to help the pain."

I squeezed his hand, probably harder than I should have, "O-ok…" I could have sworn my arms and shoulders were scorching.

"You say this began with no warning?" Renado asked, appearing over me with a weird shaped bottle.

"Yes," Link replied for me, taking my own hand in both of his. I felt a bit comforted, but still overwhelmed.

"Could be the burns she received in Bamoor."

I almost sat up, "Didn't…get ANY.."

Renado poured a strange liquid on my arm and watched in horror as it evaporated when it hit me. I felt nothing. No relief.

"R-right, er…" Renado was frantic now, "Link…one of my blades, please…"

Blades?!

"What–"

"Pin her down, son," Renado said, and I felt Link's hands hold onto both on my wrists. I started to scream, the unlikely victim on the operating table about to be gutted. I watched, terrified, as Renado took the knife towards one of my tattoos.

It melted. The knife turned into liquid, dripping off me and onto the floor. Again, not a single thing was felt, and for some strange reason, the pain started fading. I realized that Link had let go of me and was now back at my side.

"Well?" Link looked to Renado. The shaman looked absolutely horrified.

"You've…you've got a very dark force at work here," he said in an almost whisper, "It's defensive. It fights for itself. I suggest…the Great Deku Tree…"

"Yes, that's where we plan to head off to tomorrow," Link explained, "Is there…I mean, is there anything we can do to help with the pain?"

The shaman looked around, grumbling, "I'm not so sure. I can gather what herbs I have for the aftermath of the burns." He looked at me then. "My child, I am so sorry for the ordeal I just put you through…"

"It's…not your fault…" I managed to choke out.

"It would be best to take her to the inn and let her rest," Renado said to Link, "She is in need of rest."

"I'll ensure that."

"You are in good hands, Hanna," Renado said, helping me up, "There is no one better suited for this than Link. He saved our entire village, you know, and Hyrule."

I smiled a little, "So I've heard."

"If…you don't mind, Link, I'd like a word before you go," Renado said after helping me to my feet, "Privately."

"I can wait outside," I insisted, seeing it was urgent and I exited.

As luck would have it, I walked right into Midna.

"Damn were you having an exorcism in there?" she asked.

I looked down, "If only…"

"It's cool, I had a conversation with Link's fairy while you two were talking to Renado," Midna explained, "Some weird story you've got there, kid."

"Tell me about it," I sighed, "I just wish this were all a bad dream…"

"Sometimes bad dreams come true, you know," Midna replied, "But hey, you've got Link around, so you're not completely screwed."

"About that," I looked her in her crimson eye, "Nothing is going on between Link and I, I swear we've only known each other two days and–"

Midna burst into a maniacal but admittedly cute giggle, "Oh don't worry your little head, human, I don't think about Link that way, nor do I care."

I was about to reply when the door to the shaman's hut opened, Link and Renado emerging. Link looked worried as he approached me, "We have to go get some rest so we can leave early."

"Why the rush?" Midna rolled her eyes, "Always rushing, you…"

"Because Ganondorf is looking for her."

I felt the colour drain from my face. Ganondorf was dead, Link had said so. It wasn't possible. Midna even seemed to become serious, "You're kidding…"

"I wish he was," Renado added, "Ganondorf has issued a warning to the people of Hyrule, not to hide his…" He trailed off.

"His what?" I asked.

Link gestured for me to follow him, "Come with me, both of you. Thank you again Renado…"

Midna and I exchanged concerned glances, but went anyway. Midna vanished into Link's shadow (which not only creeped me out but amazed me) as we entered the inn and Link was nearly smothered to death by the woman running the desk. It was clear that everyone here knew and loved him.

We were shown to a room with two beds. I collapsed onto mine and stared at the ceiling. I could feel Link staring at me.

"What?"

"Nothing…"

I frowned and sat up, "Not nothing. What is it?"

Link sat on his bed and sighed, "Hanna…this is a lot worse than we thought."

I swallowed, "…it is?"

"Yeah," Link rested his head in his hands, his hair falling into his bright blue eyes, "I wish I could give you a better answer, like that I'm gonna save you, or something…"

"Is that the kind of thing you usually say to girls?"

Link's eyes widened and his cheeks flushed pink, "Uh…no, I just, I meant that…"

I smiled a little, "I'm kidding."

"Oh. Ok. Good…"

I rolled up my sleeves and looked at my arms, the long markings glowing an eerie gold light, "They look so ugly, don't you think?"

"What? No, not at all," Link knelt before me and took my one arm, "You see this? That's an old representation of the gods…" His finger traced over my wound and I flinched.

"Damn, I'm sorry," he quickly reached into his pouch and withdrew a roll of bandages, "I can wrap it up if you need me to."

"N-no, keep telling me the story…" I said, sounding like an eager child. Link looked up at me, his beautiful eyes wide.

I swallowed. Beautiful? Hanna, get ahold of yourself. Still, I patted the spot next to me and Link cautiously took it, offering his hand for my arm. I set it in his gentle hands.

"All of these symbols mean something, Hanna," he said, his fingers grazing the skin that hadn't been burnt, "This one, here…it represents Zelda's mother…"

I closed my eyes, completely engrossed in his words. Link's voice was calming to me, for reasons unknown, as his fingertips traced along my arm, allowing me to relax for the first time in forever. I could feel myself melting onto him, not realizing I was almost leaning on him.

He smiled, "You tired?"

I opened my eyes and saw I was actually laying my head on his shoulder, "Oh, uh…yeah guess so!" I quickly sat up, my face feeling hot with embarrassment, "Sorry…"

"It's ok," Link smiled at me, "It's been a long day for both of us."

"Yeah, for sure," I watched him get up and go to his bed, "Hey, Link?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks."

"For what?"

I shrugged, "Making me not feel like too much of a monster."

He sighed, removing his hat and boots, "You're not a monster, Hanna."

"I don't know. These stories about being the Chosen One, and Ganondorf…it makes me wonder what I'm about to get into."

"I know that feeling more than anything, trust me…" Link's voice sounded sad. I felt the impulse to hop off my bed and runt to embrace him. But I didn't. That would've been too weird.

"You ever feel like you're cursed?" I asked him, removing my own boots.

He laughed a little, "All the time."

"Being a hero's not all fun and games, then?"

"No, it's not…" Link removed his tunic, remaining in his chainmail and pants. I turned my back to him to be respectful.

"You seem pretty great so far," I blurted out.

"I do?" I heard genuine surprise in his voice.

"…yeah. Uh, anyway, time to go to sleep, right?" I wanted to die of mortification. I couldn't believe I let that one slip. I wasn't actually starting to like Link, was I?

Even if I was, there wouldn't be any future. I was destined to be Ganondorf's monster, and Link… he was a hero that had defeated countless creatures and beings of evil. It was s pointless endeavour if there ever was one.

As I climbed into bed, I thought that maybe someday, Link would be trying to kill me. Looking at my arms, I silently wished he would. I didn't want this at the start and I certainly didn't want this now.