The next seven days flew by Link in a busy blur. The moment he awoke to his first morning back in Kokiri Village there were a million and one tasks for him to set about. One of the very first orders of business was sitting down with Impa and the Hylian Commander to discuss the upcoming battle strategy.

It was painfully apparent to Link during these multiple meetings that the Hylian General thought very little of the boy. It wasn't evident in anything he said but Link could tell from the man's eyes and how he kept glancing at Impa to verify anything Link said. The boy had no doubt that if Impa weren't present at every meeting, the General and his men would probably roll their eyes at Link.

The meetings with the assorted officers of the Goron and Zora forces went much smoother. King Darunia made it clear that Link was to receive the utmost respect and was not to be questioned by anyone except King Darunia himself.

The Zora effort was being led by Barri, one of Princess Ruto's bodyguards. As it turns out he was one of very few Zora who had seen real combat, having migrated to Hyrule from Termina's Sea to the Southeast. When Link spoke with him he learned that Barri and Master Angler were close friends. Link needed no other reason to trust the man.

While King Darunia was ever present throughout the week, constantly seeing to his men and finding infinite ways to be helpful to both Link and the refugees, Princess Ruto was rarely seen. She made multiple appearances but never stuck around too long and not once indicating that she would be sticking around once the battle got underway. This didn't bother Link at all. The fewer distractions the better.

To Link's delight (and surprise) his plan was coming together well. The Gorons were more than ready to fulfill their role, the Zora assured him they were capable of their task, and the Hylians and Humans confirmed their roles, even if it was with some skepticism towards Link's leadership abilities. Since the only Gerudo present was Nagina, Link had to trust that the veteran warrior would be able to relay the plan quickly and the Gerudo unit would be able to attach to the Hylian without a hitch.

When Link wasn't busy strategising with the different leaders, examining the equipment of the armies, inspecting logistical details, or helping the Kokiri prepare the sojourn (and possible escape route) through the forest, he was with Impa. Until this last week the only training Link received on horseback was archery lessons from Malon. Impa expressed her opinion, which immediately became an order, that Link should work on his swordsmanship from horseback. Since Epona was still en route with the Gerudo Cavalry, Link trained with Bart. After riding with Epona for so long, Link found Bart to be large and clumsy. His stride was not so elegant and he was slower to obey commands. Even with the less superior steed, Link managed to grasp the concepts of fighting from horseback.

The new skill-set made Link appreciate Din's Wrath even more than he already did. The Kokiri Dagger would have never had the reach to be effective from the saddle. What did concern Link though, was the risk of accidentally cutting Bart. After a near mishap that could have resulted in the beheading of Link's horse, Impa voiced her own concerns and said she would see about getting Bart some armor for the back of his neck, at the very least.

The lessons left both Link and Bart utterly exhausted. Malon would meet the two after Impa dismissed them. The rancher's daughter would help groom and clean Bart then fuss over Link for as long as he could stay awake. Still remembering the night he had snapped at her, Link was always careful about what he said to her. He knew that Malon cared for him and was truly concerned about his well-being, but he had enough doubt in his own ability, he didn't need to hear Malon's fretting. Still he kept a smile on his face and was truly appreciative of her company.

For whatever reason neither Sheik nor Saria were ever available to see Link when he stopped by in the evenings. Impa explained to Link that Sheik was keeping a low profile, lest one of the soldiers who worked in the castle recognize her. While that explained the princess's disappearance, he could think of no excuse for Saria. He asked Malon one night but the girl immediately slammed her mouth shut and refused to speak about the subject. Link worried he'd offended the girl somehow and asked Navi if she recalled a moment he had been obtuse. Navi of course had a list of things Link may have done to offend her, none of which seemed likely to the boy.

On the evening of the seventh day the Gerudo Cavalry arrived, and Link worried a civil war was about to explode inside his formerly quiet forest. Link should have known this would happen, based on how his entrance with Nagina in the Hylian camp went. Just under two hundred Gerudo women arrived on horseback, putting all of the hot-blooded Hylian males into a frenzy. It started out as simple cooing, and cat-calling when the female warriors arrived. The response of the two hundred women was similar to that of two hundred scorned Naginas. There was nothing Link could do to stop the fight from breaking out.

By the grace of the Goddesses no weapons were drawn but blood was still spilled. The women, as Link already knew, were as dangerous as they were beautiful, tackling soldiers and burying them under a barrage of fists. The heavier male soldiers met their more skilled opponents with superior numbers. Two or three men would pile on top of each individual Gerudo woman trying to subdue her with sheer weight.

Link refused to sit idly by and immediately joined the fray on the side of the Gerudos. He was in the process of choking a soldier in unconsciousness when Impa arrived to save the day. The woman did not even have to raise her voice. She walked through the frenzy firmly placing her hands on the backs and shoulders of battling soldiers and Gerudo. They would turn to her with venom in their eyes, realize who she was, then apologize profusely and retreat back to their respective groups. The Sheikah had the two groups untangled in a manner of minutes. Link's heart plummeted into his stomach as his teacher walked passed him with a disappointed look on her face. For some unfair reason Nagina didn't catch a cold look from the Sheikah.

It was determined that the Gerudo people would make camp on the southern side of Kokiri Village, and that the Hylians and Humans would be forbidden from entering their camp. Even with the decree from Impa, Link wondered how many people would sneak across camp and stir up trouble.

"I have something for you, Boy."

Link turned to find Nagina, sporting a bloody lip from her recent scrap, leading Epona by the reins.

"Epona!" Link ran forward and wrapped his arms around the filly's neck. Epona gave an appreciative whinny. "I missed you, girl," he said patting her soft nose.

"Your bow and all your equipment is in your saddlebags too." Nagina handed the reins over to Link. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to attend to my troops. Get them ready for your war."

She turned to leave.

"Does this mean you won't be sleeping in my bed anymore?" Link called after her. He instantly regretted speaking so loud as more than a dozen curious eavesdroppers turned to look at the boy and ferocious Gerudo. Whispers and snickers spread about as fast as wildfire.

Nagina turned looked over her shoulder with a sly smile. "Only if that's what you really want!" she called fueling the wildfire even more.

Link sighed and slapped his forehead with his hand. "There is no winning with that woman."

"You should choose your words more carefully," Navi lectured. Link growled at her and led Epona back towards Kokiri Village.

"How could they be so stupid?" Link asked Navi quietly as they walked through the deserters' camp. "Why would they pick a fight like that when we have a battle at our doorstep?"

"Maybe they are looking for a distraction," Navi answered.

Link shook his head. The soldiers milling about, already exaggerating stories about their skirmish with the Gerudos, were a huge disappointment to him.

"I thought soldiers were supposed to be professionals," Link said with a furrowed brow.

"They haven't really been soldiers for more than a year now. Try to understand their position," Navi insisted.

"General Chard acts professional," Link countered. "He and his commanders and lieutenants haven't been soldiers for more than a year yet you didn't see them starting fights with the Gerudo."

"Most of them are married."

Link glanced at Navi. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Navi giggled her high pitch fairy laugh. "Wives tend to keep men grounded and well-behaved."

Link thought about what Nagina, Nabooru, or Princess Ruto would be like as wives. He doubted any of them would keep a man grounded or well-behaved. "I'm not so sure about that."

"Epona!" Malon cried even more joyfully than Link had. Epona practically yanked her reins out of Link's hands to get to her true master and oldest friend. The two met in a warm embrace full of tears of joy, kisses, nuzzles, whinnies and a tangle of red hair.

Link stayed quiet and let the two share their moment. The scolding he got when their embrace was over came as no surprise.

"Look how muddy her coat is!" Malon was almost shouting into Link's face. "She looks so tired and worn out and - - is this a bite?!"

Link tried to stutter some excuse and explanation about the nasty Namib horses but Malon would have none of it. She threw Link's saddlebags aside then shoo'ed him away so she could clean Epona and let her recover from her "awful" ordeal.

"At least she has someone else to fret over," Link said quietly as he carried his arm full of belongings back to his house. He stopped dead in his tracks, not sure if his eyes were deceiving him or not. Three people stood with Impa just in front of Link's ladder. All but one of them had completely white hair, and all of them had the eyes of killers. There was little doubt who these people were. Sheikahs.

Link approached hesitantly. A fear he hadn't felt before welled up inside him as he approached the mysterious Shadow People. He knew that in that instant he was standing next to four of the most dangerous people the Earth could likely conjure. They all turned to him as he approached, all wearing the same stern expression that Impa wore.

"Link," Impa spoke, "Meet, Melankomas Caria," she gestured towards the Sheikah who stood to the left of the trio. He was taller than Impa by a few inches and looked to be nearly thirty pounds heavier.

Impa gestured towards the Sheikah in the middle. "Arminius Prava." Arminius was shorter than both Melankomas and Impa, but looked even heavier than his taller counterpart. Unlike the other three Sheikah his hair was a light blonde color, instead of stark white.

Impa gestured to the third and final Sheikah, who was eye level with Link and giving the Hylian boy a dangerous look. "And Cassius Scaeva." Link had trouble meeting this one's eyes. The Sheikah looked like he was only slightly older than Link, yet the way the boy looked down on Link he likely thought himself far superior to the boy in green.

Link dropped his bundle of things to the side and bowed to the three intense newcomers. "It is an honor to meet you."

The three returned Link's bow with a deep inclination of their own.

"Impa speaks well of you, Link," Melankomas, the tall one, said. His voice was deeper than anyone's Link had ever heard before, including King Darunia. All three of them rose, assuming the perfectly erect posture Link was familiar with from Impa.

"It will be a pleasure to battle beside you," Arminius said.

"You're. . . you're joining us?" Link asked. The thought was too good to be true.

Melankomas nodded his head. "We will be joining you in the vanguard."

Link was stunned. He hadn't expected help from any of Impa's people. For three beings potentially as powerful as Impa to join their side, Link couldn't begin to fathom his luck.

"Thank you!" Link blurted more excitedly than he meant to. The three Sheikahs shared a look, Cassius cast a wary look at Impa. "You cannot imagine how much this means to us."

"We are not doing this for you, or your cause," Cassius said curtly. Arminius put his hand on the boy's shoulder silencing him.

"In less brash words, Cassius is right," Arminius said almost apologetically. Link's confusion was betrayed by his face.

"Your confusion is understandable," Melankomas said. "Impa Malukha's aid is unnatural by Sheikah standards." He lowered his head and glanced at Impa, as though to show he meant no disrespect. Impa's face didn't even twitch. Melankomas continued in his impossibly deep voice. "Sheikah do not choose sides for political, religious, or moral reasons. We choose the side that offers greater glory."

"The side that would otherwise lose without us," Cassius clarified with a sneer. A wince appeared on his face as Arminius's grip on his shoulder tightened.

"Or in my case," Arminius said giving the young Sheikah a warning glance. "When my cousin asks for me." He tilted his head towards Impa.

"Umm. . . all the same," Link said not sure how to respond to the implication of their presence. "Thank you for your aid."

"That will be all," Impa said. Instantly the three Sheikah bowed quickly to Link and turned to leave. Impa stayed behind with Link. The youngest Sheikah turned back as the trio was leaving and offered Link one last glare.

"What's the problem with Cassius?" Link asked when they were out of earshot.

Impa's gaze followed the trio until they disappeared over the hill. "He just recently achieved manhood," she answered. "He is young, arrogant, and anxious to take a life."

"But we have Sheikahs on our side now. That's good news right?" Link asked trying to block out the reason they chose to fight on his side as opposed to Ganondorf's.

Slowly Impa turned to look at Link.

"Arminius Prava lied when he said I asked for him."

Link raised an eyebrow.

"Why would he lie?" Navi asked.

"He sought me out to warn me."

Fear tightened Link's chest.

"Warn you of what?" he asked nervously.

Link didn't recognize the look in Impa's eyes. If he didn't know any better, he'd say it was fear.

"An entire Sheikah family has joined Ganondorf."

The forest serenaded Saria as she serenaded the forest. The crickets played their violins, the birds sang their ballads. Even the bullfrogs had risen early to bellow their baritone part. Saria showed her appreciation for the forest's song by playing her own piece on the ocarina her friend had returned.

She loved these moments. Hours could pass in bliss without Saria ever noticing. Sorrow suddenly caught hold in her heart as she remembered what Zelda, disguised as Sheik, had prophesied. As if the forest sensed the calamity in the child the music ceased. Saria turned her head when she heard footsteps.

"Link?" she called spinning about. Her excitement was subdued a little bit when she saw that it was not Link who had come out all this way to find her, but Mido.

Don't be silly, Saria said to herself. You know he's too busy to make it all the way out here. He probably hasn't even noticed you're missing.

"Just me," Mido said. His face almost reflected how wounded his pride was.

"Sorry, Mido, I just thought-"

Mido raised his hand. "It's fine, Saria. I know what you thought, and who you wanted."

Saria opened her mouth to offer an argument but she stopped herself. She'd made it clear in the past that her feelings for Link far out shined those for Mido.

Saria patted the open spot on the stump next to her. "Come sit down, Mido." She knew Mido's pride could never be so wounded that he would refuse an invite to sit with her. Sure he would pretend he wasn't going to accept, but in the end he always did.

Mido looked out into the forest, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know," he said. "I should really get back out there."

Saria had to keep herself from grinning at her friend's predictable behavior. "Please," she asked sticking her bottom lip out.

Mido looked at her sideways then rolled his eyes. "Fine. Good grief."

He sauntered over and took a seat next to Saria. He adjusted the Kokiri Dagger's sheath so he could sit more comfortably.

"I can hear you from miles away you know," Mido said, careful to look anywhere except Saria's face. It was almost funny how nervous and uncomfortable he was when he was alone with her.

"And how do I sound?" Saria asked.

"Sad," Mido answered.

Saria shook her head confused. She hadn't expected that. Normally she received a rain of compliments from the self-declared boss of the Kokiri.

"What. . . what do you mean?" she asked.

Still unable to make eye contact Mido just shrugged. "I don't know," he answered. "Your music used to sound lively and excited like you. But now. .." he turned and looked Saria dead in the eyes. Saria was shocked by how angry he looked.

"Now it sounds like you're hiding something. Something bad." His gaze didn't waiver.

"Mido, I. . ."

"How long have we known each other?" Mido demanded. "How long have we been friends?"

It was a strange question. Saria, as well as every other Kokiri, had no real measurement of time. They knew the difference between days, weeks, months, seasons, and years, but nobody bothered to record or track them.

"Eighty-seven years," Mido answered for her when she didn't answer.

Saria chuckled at the absurd answer. "Why such a specific number?"

Mido's seriousness didn't budge. "I heard the Know-It-All Brothers talking with Link about something he'd read. Do you remember that day we saw pillars of smoke rising above the tops of the forest?" His visage had softened but he still held Saria's eyes in his own.

"I do," she said curiously.

"Well that was from some Big Person attacking the rest of the Big People. He set their fields and their homes and even their citadel on fire. That was eighty-seven years ago."

"Oh," Saria said. Conversations like these weren't regular with Mido.

Mido searched Saria's eyes. Whether he found what he was looking for or not, Saria couldn't tell, but he finally looked away.

"I met a Big Person a few days ago," Mido said staring ahead into the forest. "It was an old man. He and his wife were among the first Big People to escape the castle with their grandson, a soldier who's also here in our forest. His wife died just before all the Big People came here." Mido paused for a moment.

"That's terrible," Saria said.

"I found him wandering alone, deep in the woods," Mido continued. "He was crying. Sobbing loudly as he dragged his feet through the foliage. The Wolfos found him before I did."

Saria gasped. Mido held out his hand to calm her.

"He saw them coming. He didn't run, didn't scream. He just wiped the snot from his nose and took a seat next to one of the Deku Oaks. The Wolfos circled him for a minute, two of them. One got close enough to bite him and the old man didn't even flinch," Mido shook his head. "The Wolfo snorted, then the two turned around and ran off."

"Why did they do that?" Saria asked. "Were they not hungry?"

"Wolfos aren't like wolves," Mido said. "Wolves hunt and live in packs, and only kill to survive. Wolfos travel in pairs or alone, and kill for pleasure or fun. They don't even eat the things they kill. Sometimes they don't even kill the animals they maim."

Saria shuddered. "That's horrible."

Mido nodded absent mindedly. "It is. They are evil creatures. It wasn't until after I spoke to the old Big Person that I understood why."

"I don't like this story," Saria said quietly. She pulled her knees up to her body and hugged them tight.

"The Wolfos could tell that he was already in more pain than they could ever subject him to," Mido finished. The boy stood up and shrugged his shoulders, possibly dealing with muscle ache.

"Don't stay out too late, Saria," he said before turning away.

"Mido," Saria called after him. Mido turned and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Why tell me that story? About the man who lost his wife? Why bring it up?"

Mido turned away. "The man was eighty-seven."

Author's Note: It's looking like one more chapter before the big battle. We got three new Sheikah in the story =D If you feel so inclined I recommend googling each of their names. Each one is taken from some epic historical warrior. Exclude "Prava" for Arminius though. Hope you guys are enjoying!

Edit: Let me explain the bit about Mid a little more since I'm getting confused messages about it. Imagine you are an immortal child who lives in a carefree world deep in the forest with your friends. This place is essentially paradise, meaning there's no need to work, stress, study, or anything other than play with your immortal children friend. How well do you think you'd be able to track the years through which you live? Nobody really has birthdays so that's out, and there aren't any holidays that measure the passing of time. SO your understanding of time would be limited to the sequence of significant events (like seeing smoke all the way from the forest). Even then you wouldn't have a numerical date to appoint to each event. YOu would only know that event A happened, then B, then C, and now we are in the present.

I always supposed that the Kokiri would be confused and intrigued by how humans and Hylians measure time and how the passing of time affects them. I may have conveyed this point poorly in my story. I'll have to go back and fix it, I suppose.

Hope some of that made sense.

Thanks!