The Hero's Brotherhood: The Awakening

by PurplePegasus

He just can't get back into the ranch life and of course, when he says something about it, Link would jinx himself. Is Fate trying to tell him something? (Link/Sheik pairing)(Story is under construction)

10. Chapter 10

Hey guys, thanks for the reviews!

To Xqueezme: You might be right about the kid in purple but as for who's blackmailing him...if you know him, well, I'd say you're psychic! I've got original characters in this story to try and spice it up. Plus, I love horses and cats.

To Sheikah Ninja: Lol, you have some pretty strong self-control. I'd just burst out laughing, regardless of where I was. Heck, I do that sometimes when nothing is funny.

To Emperor Celest: Thanks, I think good stories need to have at least some character development inside.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Link groaned, expression turning sour when ray's of sunlight suddenly speared into his face. He cracked an eye open, squinting as he searched for what caused the source of light to invade his room. He finally caught sight of Seshat perched on the window sill, calmly cleaning herself. She paused, her paw in the air, to give him a mischievous look.

He scowled once he realized what she was doing. The curtains on the window were parted with her body in just the right way so the single ray of sunlight hit his face. He grumbled sleepily, blindly reaching up to push her away from the window. She leapt from the window sill and ran over to the door.

She meowed consistently as she scratched at the door, obviously wanting out.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming," muttered Link as he dragged himself out of bed. He sleepily rubbed his right eye as he opened the door. Seshat ran out and darted to the left side of the door. Link turned and was almost back to his bed when Seshat came darting back into the room and almost tripped him.

"Whoa, watch it girl! You almost got body slammed," exclaimed Link after he flailed a bit to keep his balance. She just meowed irritably and then darted back to the door. Link sighed tiredly as he followed the cat outside of his room.

She better not be messing with me…

She padded over to the room adjacent to his own and sat in front of it. She then meowed sharply as she looked at him expectantly, as if to say, "Well? What are you waiting for?"

Link chuckled. She probably knew that Sheik was in there. He used the middle knuckle of his left hand to knock sharply several times on the door. He thought he heard a muffled sound so he figured it would be safe to crack the door to peer inside. He didn't want to go barging into some stranger's room if Sheik happened to not be in here. He cursed when the door suddenly opened wider when Seshat wormed her way through and darted inside.

When he peered inside, he noticed Sheik was still in bed. The lower half of his body was covered with his blanket while his top half was propped up with an elbow, his free hand tiredly rubbing his eyes.

The sheikah stiffened when he heard Link's softly muttered curse. A single ruby eye peered up at him warily through the blonde fringe. The rest of Sheik's long hair was mussed from sleep, covering his other eye and cascading down his shoulders in messy waves to hang off the bed.

"Hero…?" asked Sheik hesitantly. Link stood stunned in the doorway.

Sheik wasn't wearing his shawl but his hair still obscured much of his face. The outline of a strong jaw and a long pale neck were hinted through the long blonde tresses.

Then he locked eyes with Link. He began to say something, but Link suddenly blushed fiercely and stumbled back a step.

With a shout of "sorry!"that was louder than necessary, he closed the door. He rushed over and entered his own room and quickly shut the door. He stood with his back pressed against the door, a confused look on his face.

What the hell? Why am I so embarrassed? It's not like he was naked or anything…?

That thought alone made him blush again. He'd even seen Sheik's long hair already, but the sight of it so mussed from sleep had the hero wondering if he possibly was suffering from a head injury, because it can't be normal to feel this hot and bothered simply from the sight of some guy half out of bed.

Link huffed, shaking his head and then quickly started to dress. He paused when he picked up his green tunic. The slightly darker patches of green made him smile. Link pulled on his new white undershirt first and stared down at his chainmail laying on the floor.

I hope you learned your lesson, you hair snatching metal prick.

He told himself it was perfectly natural to get angry with an inanimate object. Everyone does at some point surely. He picked it up off the floor and slipped it over his head, sighing with relief at the familiar weight. After pulling on his green tunic, he attached the rest of his gear and then began packing up his things. He slipped anything that he didn't immediately need into his adventure pouch and then headed out of his room. He figured that they were leaving sometime today so he might as well be prepared.

Meanwhile, Sheik was surprised as he laid on his bed, staring at the door that Link had just rushed out of. Seshat jumped up onto the bed and rubbed up against his arm. He shook his head and threw his blanket off. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed, throwing his legs over the side.

At least the hero understood that he liked his privacy.

He nervously pushed a strand of hair behind his ear. He was surprised to have slept this long, but he was happy to feel that his magical reserves were back to peak performance. The hero also surprised him by not only waking up before him, but catching him during a moment of weakness. He reached up, trailing a few fingers through his hair and relaxed marginally when he determined that his face seemed obscured enough to still remain mostly unseen.

The practical part of him wondered why he stubbornly refused to bend the strict creed of a Shadow Warrior. He wasn't one and odds were he never would be. It had been years since he'd met any other full blooded sheikah. At this rate, he'd have better luck trying to find a diamond sitting in middle of the road somewhere.

Sheik sighed as he pulled a hairband from behind his tabard and then tied his hair into a ponytail. It didn't matter if his mother was the only other shiekah he would ever met in his life. He wouldn't give up on one of, if not the most, important belief to his people. Their Shadow Warrior's were some of the worlds best assassins and unparalleled in illusory magic and subterfuge.

Yet, they still dwindled in numbers over the ages.

He couldn't dwell on this again. There was work to be done. Sheik pulled his shawl off the bedpost he had loosely wrapped it around last night and wrapped his face within its folds. He frowned, realizing that he had slept in his exoskeleton. It wasn't comfortable to sleep in, but he'd didn't have any other cloths with him. He'd have to return home or to his room within Hyrule Castle.

Sheik could always buy some more if he was desperate, but he didn't really have many rupees to spare. What little he had now was left over from the bag of rupees that the princess always insisted that he carry. She wouldn't like the fact that most of it either found it's way to the homeless of the capitol city or discreetly put back into her purse. Which was why he didn't tell her.

His sense of pride was just not comfortable taking money that he hadn't earned.

This really wouldn't be a problem if he'd been able to properly pack supplies before leaving home. He'd been in such a hurry to leave after his dream, that he didn't really have time to pack smartly. He just grabbed whatever he could think of as he rushed out of the house. Honestly, he was lucky that all his weapons had already been conveniently packed and ready to go. He had his late father to thank for that.

Sheik took a shaky breath, trying not to focus on the fact that if he had stopped to pack extra clothing then it was very possible Link would be dead right now.

He sighed, glancing down at the floor. He wouldn't be traveling with the hero much longer. He could pick up more clothing after. He leaned over, resting an elbow on his knee so he could raise a hand and massage his temple with his index and middle finger.

What was he going to do? If the hero wished for him to leave then how was he supposed to carry out his duty? So much was at stake here. He couldn't let this threaten their chances of success. Perhaps if the hero knew the whole story then he'd be more willing to cooperate, but there was no generate. It was hard enough just trying to get him to come to Sacred Grove.

If the hero wanted him gone, then so be it. That doesn't mean that he can't stay close by.

Sheik stood to his feet, stepped forward and then sat on the floor. He stretched his left leg out and reached out with his hands and touched his toes. He closed his eyes. Breathing deeply. He then switched legs and repeated the process. He preformed a few more stretches, feeling the familiar burning in his muscles. It was a good burn though. The kind that made you feel like you accomplished something worthwhile.

It looked like they both slept the whole night this time and the hero appeared like he hadn't had a problem with his wound. He'll take that as a good sign.

After packing what little he had in the room and picking up Seshat, he walked down the hall and approached the front desk. He figured that the hero would want breakfast, if he wasn't scarfing it down already. Sheik was famished but he just wanted to keep moving forward. He braved another awkward encounter with the lady behind the counter. She looked scared, as if Sheik were going to lash out at her at any moment but hid it well behind a mask of professionalism. He was uncertain if it was his first impression with the shaman of this town that soured her opinion of him or if it was simply his race. In the end, she seemed just as relieved as he was to vacate the room after requesting that their food be brought to the spring and slipping her a few rupees from his meager supply for the meal.

Sheik set Seshat down as he approached the spring and watched as she scampered off towards Link. The hero had taken his tunic off and was scrubbing at it in the water. His chainmail glinted in the sunlight as he worked.

Link must have been focused on his task because he didn't hear Seshat get near him until she had already pounced on his back. Sheik laughed softly as Link let out a shout of surprise and fell into the spring. He reached the edge of the shallow water just as the hero was stepping out of the water.

"Aww, come on! I didn't mean anything by it! It just happened! Did you really need to sick Ninja Cat on me?" Link said with a pout. Sheik smiled, thinking Link's wet hair framed his face nicely and that pout just made him adorable.

Then his smile dropped. What is wrong with him? Why did he do this to himself? He needed to stop thinking about Link as anything but the Hero of Twilight. A man who was sweet, loyal, fierce, caring...but not a friend.

"It was all Seshat, hero. She apparently thought that you needed to join your clothing in the water," said Sheik with a flat voice. He took a seat near the edge of the water. The woman from the Inn came and set the tray of food next to him, and left after accepting a thank you from Sheik.

Link watched him carefully, wondering what caused his apparent bad mood. He sat down next to Sheik, giving Seshat a quick glare as she sat innocently between them. He briefly considered pushing her in the shallow water as pay back, but Seshat would no doubt start a war over that. It was apparent last night that she was not fond of water.

Not to mention that Sheik would probably get mad at him. He didn't want to find out what that would be like when Sheik was already in a bad mood.

Sheik picked the tray up and held it out for Link to take. He shooed Seshat away from the tray when she leaned her head up and sniffed at it.

Link grinned when he saw a pile of scrambled eggs, two biscuits and several sausages. Two glasses of orange juice sat at the top. It smelled delicious.

The hero paused when Sheik made no motion to grab any of the food. Link stared down at his food, wondering what he should say. Sheik wouldn't even look at him.

Is he still angry at me?

"Sheik...I really didn't mean to invade your privacy. Aww, look. I'm sorry! Don't be mad. I won't do it again, alright?" whined Link. He pulled the best puppy dog look he could muster, hoping it could at least get a laugh out of his comrade.

It definitely got a reaction, but not the one he was excepting. Sheik turned to look at him, confused.

"What are you apologizing for?" Asked Sheik.

Link scratched the back of his head, now confused himself.

"Um, for entering your room earlier? I did knock, but I guess I misunderstand your response...it doesn't look like that was the cause of your personal storm cloud though. Come on Sheik, talk to me. What's the matter?" Asked Link, giving Sheik a concerned look. The sheikah quickly looked away, suddenly wringing his hands.

"You needn't be concerned. Not with entering my room without permission. However, for future reference, you may enter if the door is not closed. Now please, eat. We should leave soon." Said Sheik, his tone hardening.

Link frowned, taking in the sheikah's anxious form. Not missing how he completely avoided talking about his own feelings.

"Sheik, I know we don't really know each other that well, but I'm not the kind of guy who can ignore when someone is hurting or upset. Something is wrong here. If you just need some space then that's fine. We don't haveto leave right now. Hell, we don't even need to leave today." Replied Link. He reached out to place a hand on Sheik's shoulder.

The red eyed man seemed to sag forward under the weight, raising a knee so he could rest an elbow on top. He buried his face in his arm, staying silent but his mind was in chaos.

Why was the hero doing this to him? Why was he making this so hard for Sheik? Link wasn't the kind of person to ignore the pain of someone he wanted nothing to do with? This wasn't fair. He was so frustrated, he could cry.

The sheikah just wanted this over with now. He just wanted to get there and leave. Like ripping off a bandage. Before he got to the point where he couldn't anymore. The point where he'd abandon his pride and beg to stay.

Link didn't really know what to do. The sheikah just sat there silently, hunched over on himself. Sheik hadn't shied away or lashed out though, so he left his hand resting on top of his companions shoulder. He hoped that it gave the man some comfort.

He felt the sheikah take a deep breath before sitting up. His arms were wrapped tightly around himself and he stared straight ahead. After a few moments the tension slowly drained from his body. Link tilted his head, fighting the urge to pull the man into a hug.

Because Sheik didn't look relaxed. He looked defeated.

Sheik decided the only way to move forward with his sanity was to hide his feelings. Link had a big heart. As much as he wanted to delay their journey just to spend more time with him, it would only make it harder on Sheik in the end.

"Thank you for your concern, but I would prefer if we simply left as soon as possible." replied Sheik. His tone held that same deceptive calm Link had heard last night. The hero wasn't even sure he was picking up on it because of his sensitive hearing or if he was just getting that good at reading between the lines when it came to his sheikah companion.

Link also noticed that Sheik still made no move to take any of the food, despite how it was obvious that the tray was plated for two people. He even caught a glimpse of a red eye looking down at one of the juices but quickly looked away.

The hero stared down at the food, trying to figure out how to bring his comrade back from whatever dark place his mind was stuck in. He turned when he heard a sniff from behind him. Slowly a smirk started to form on his face as Seshat peered out from behind his back, inching her face forward. As if stretching her neck out would somehow make the food move closer to her.

"You must be hungry Sheik. Or at least thirsty." Said Link nonchalantly as he picked up the other plate and set it in front of Sheik. He heard a soft sigh.

"I am fine. I will eat later." Replied Sheik. Link raised an eyebrow as the sheikah kept sneaking glances down at the plate in front of him.

"It could be hours before you'd get a chance at a meal like this. Nothing but wilderness surrounding the place we are heading to." Said Link. He smirked when a low grumble echoed from the stomach of his comrade, betraying him. Sheik groaned softly. He was so embarrassed.

If Sheik had known Link would fuss this much over him not eating, he'd have gotten his meal first and eaten it in his room. He'd mistakenly thought the hero would make quick work of his meal and they'd be on their way within minutes.

Link felt Seshat rub up against his left arm, looking up at him with big green eyes. A hint of mischief sparkled in them, as if she knew what he was planning. He snickered and then reached over to pick her up. He raised her up to face Sheik, so she hung suspended in the air with her back legs dangling and his arms under her front legs to hold her up. He then gently wiggled her front legs, shimming them while he lowered his head so you could only see his eyes peering over her head.

"But Sheik, we can hear your belly rumble! A cats gotta eat when their hungry, right? Or in cat speech it would probably sound more like meow meow meeeow meow mmmmeow Meeeow, Meowwwww?" Asked Link in a singsong voice several octaves higher then normal. He then leaned over, setting Seshat down next to Sheik's plate and used one of her paws to start pushing the small glass of juice closer.

This quickly turned into an unintentional game as now Link had to shimmy her paws back and forth, using two fingers to push her head back each time, trying to push the glass closer while also stopping her from sticking her face in the glass to get at the juice inside it.

And just like that, Link tore down his walls again. With Seshat helping to demolish whatever was left of them.

Sheik doubled over laughing, covering his eyes with a palm when Seshat began attempting to climb on top of Link's arms to try and launch herself at the glass of juice.

"Come on, Ninja Cat! This wasn't the plan!" Exclaimed Link with a grin. Sheik shook his head, laughter finally settling when Link gave up on the glass and held Seshat against his chest.

"You know what? We still got what we wanted, so I'll take it. Good teamwork." snickered Link. He held up one of Seshat's paws so he could high five it.

Sheik couldn't help it. His true nature rolling out of him before he could stop it.

"I don't think cat speech is your forte, hero." snarked Sheik with a raised eyebrow.

Sheik realized he wouldn't be able to keep his walls up around this man. The hero seemed innately good at breaking them down. It was strange. He was not as bothered by it as he thought he'd be. That was probably because each other time he'd been at the mercy of others tearing his walls down, it had been for malicious intent. Leaving him broken and in pain.

He remembered the moment he'd stopped trying to reach out and simply built his walls higher. Staying away from anyone that could hurt him. A nearly impossible feat, considering it was difficult finding someone that didn't want to hurt him in some way.

Another reason he was grateful for the hero's company. Not even a full day at his side and Sheik had met several people that didn't look at him as if he was a piece of dirt beneath their shoe or as if he were no different the the vicious monsters that prowled their roads.

Sheik had long since believed that the hero didn't hate him. He thought maybe he simply tolerated Sheik, but now he allowed a small hope that perhaps Link was starting to like him. That doesn't mean he trusted him, therefore it wouldn't stop Link from sending him away.

"Yeah, I'm more of a dog person anyway. That doesn't mean cat's and dog's can't work together, huh girl?" Replied Link as he scratched Seshat under the chin. Link looked up at him, nodding toward Sheik's plate.

"Come on, Sheik. Don't make us team up and force feed you." Said Link with a smirk. Sheik crossed his arms with a huff.

"Tempting. You do realize Seshat would much rather eat my food instead of helping you force feed it to me?" Asked Sheik with a chuckle. Link rolled his eyes.

"Stop stalling. Is it the atmosphere? Is it the fact we're outside? We can just take this some where else if you aren't comfortable eating it here...is it me?" Asked Link, suddenly self conscious. Had he taken it to far? He didn't think so. Sheik responded pretty well it seemed.

The sheikah sighed. The hero had a big heart indeed.

"Hero, it is simply part of my people's culture. We do not reveal our face to anyone but family or...lovers. I thought this would be a quick meal for you, therefore I could eat later. I should have just brought my meal somewhere more private. Honestly, I might as well do so now if this will take as long as you are implying." Replied Sheik cautiously.

Link blinked, surprised. That was the problem?

"There's no need for that. No one really comes over here except for Renado, and you'd see him coming from where you're sitting. We could make this work. You should just eat with me." Replied Link. He realized with a start what he'd unintentionally implied. He blushed fiercely when Sheik leaned away from him, his red eyes wide with surprise.

Link covered his face with his hands, groaning. He prayed that the goddesses would have mercy on him and send a lightning bolt down from the heavens to put him out of his misery.

"Oh, Farore. That was nota proposition. It's just me inserting my foot in my mouth...what I meant was you should eat here while I have my back turned so I can't see your face. Nothing inappropriate going on whatsoever." mumbled Link through his fingers.

Sheik took a deep breath, trying to not blush to fiercely himself. His brain had frozen at the thought that the Hero of Twilight might actually be making a pass at him. He hadn't even considered...well, it wasn't a badthought, but it was not a thought he had any right having.

Link was so far out of his league that they might as well be on a whole other world from each other.

"It-it is an honest mistake, hero. I understand. I...thank you. I will eat here if it does not inconvenience you." Said Sheik. He watched as Link simply smiled, still a bit red in the face. He dragged his own plate until it sat behind him and then turned to face it.

With his back to Sheik, he picked up a fork and started to spear a few sausages. Sheik smiled softly, chuckling when Link would make 'mmm' sounds as he ate. With a quick glance around to ensure there was no one else nearby, he lowered his shawl and began eating his own breakfast.

Sheik had to struggle with not making any sounds himself while eating. Goddess, there wasn't anything special about this meal but it tasted superb. He hadn't had anything to eat in nearly two days though, so that probably had something to do with it. Yet another thing that he forgot to grab while dashing out of his house in the middle of the night. Rations.

"So, Sheik. What are we going to do once we get to the Sacred Grove?" asked Link, his voice a bit muffled since he was also munching on a biscuit.

"I assume once we find it, the path will reveal itself to you," Replied Sheik after taking a sip of his juice.

"So…not only do you not know where you're going, but you also don't know what to do if we even get there?" asked Link. The sheikah could practically feel the smirk on his face.

"I can scout ahead, hero. Eventually I will know where I'm going and I can do that while you stay here," said Sheik. Link paused, raising an eyebrow.

"By yourself? Come on. That's dangerous and a waste of time and you know it," Replied Link. Sheik frowned. He agreed, but they had no better options. He knew the grove would be hidden, but it was also nearby the forest where the hero had almost lost his life.

Faron Woods. That was the only clue about his destination that his dream had given him. Besides flashes of a gruesomely detailed image of what would happen to Link if he arrived to late.

"If it comes to that hero, then I would rather us get to our destination safely and late, instead of early and dead," said Sheik warily.

"There's no need for you to scout ahead," Link snickered after chugging his juice. Now finished with his meal, he got up and approached his tunic that lay drying on the ground. He picked it up, taking a sniff.

Nope, still smells like a Din damned rose garden. Not as bad as before at least. If Beth drenched my tunic in perfume, then she'd better be ready. This means war.

It was still damp. He looked up at the cloudy sky. It was probably going to rain today. That smell he'd picked up yesterday was stronger today. He sighed. It didn't really matter in the end. If it rained while they were still outside, then he was going to get wet anyway. He shrugged on his tunic, wincing slightly as it jarred his wound.

Sheik watched him with narrowed eyes, in case the hero was trying to peek.

"What do you suggest we do then? Wander aimlessly around the forest until we find it?" asked Sheik, a hint of exasperation in his tone. He frowned when Link just started laughing. The hero stood facing away from him, one hand on his hip while his injured one hung at his side.

"What is so funny?" Asked Sheik, his tone now dripping with exasperation. Link calmed down, still chuckling as he picked up Seshat when she suddenly started to rub against his legs. He hoisted her onto his left shoulder.

"I'm just messing with you Sheik. I've been to the Sacred Grove. I also know that you aren't getting anywhere near it with that damn Skull Kid screwing with everyone that comes in there," said Link as he crossed his arms. Sheik paused, his fork halfway to his mouth.

He had an unusual urge to throw something at Link. Sheik sighed, picking up his plate and practically shoveling the rest of his food into his mouth.

"I know that the reason we travel there may seem implausible to you. However, I assure you, that this is a serious matter." replied Sheik dryly. Again with the sarcasm. Link was pulling it out of him like the words were attached to a string.

The hero laughed merrily. Why did Sheik's sarcastic nature please the hero so much?

"It really doesn't matter. My life has been nothing but one gigantic 'serious matter'after another. Especially after the Twilight descended on us. I learned early on that you'll just drive yourself mad if you worry and stress about every little thing." Stated Link. He then snapped his fingers, as if he just thought of something.

"So, I'm gonna to go and give Epona some serious grooming. Be right back." Link as strode into the shallow water of Eldin Spring, toward the very back where their horses were snoozing. Sheik watched as the hero approached his mare and patted her neck fondly.

Sheik pulled his shawl up firmly around his lower face and then picked up their plates and set them on the tray. He chuckled at the indignant 'hey!' when Maelstrom splashed water at Link with a back hoof. He turned, shaking his head with a smile as Seshat hissed at Maelstrom from on top of Link's shoulder. Letting the stallion know how much she didn't appreciate his antics.

The sheikah laughed softly when he heard Link egging Seshat on with a 'Yeah! You tell him Ninja Cat!'. He entered the Inn and set the tray on the counter. He paused to thank the lady again, but she seemed to be trying to find ways to be busy and away from him. Making Sheik frown and hesitate. He tried to think of anything that might make her less frightened of him but his prolonged presence in the room seemed to only worsen her anxiety. He sighed, before turning to leave the room.

He tilted his head curiously when he heard a shout of frustration outside. He just laughed as he continued to walk toward the spring.

Link was holding Seshat in the curve of his left arm while reaching out with his injured one, trying to grab a hold of his green cap that hang halfway out of Maelstrom's mouth. The stallion was prancing around the shallow water, staying just out of reach of the hero in hot pursuit of him. Epona whinnied happily, pawing the water with a hoof as they ran by her.

"Stop encouraging him!" Yelled Link at the mare as he sprinted passed.

The sheikah paused, with one foot in the water when Link shouted. He relaxed when Link sprinted passed him with a smirk, indicating that he wasn't angry. Honestly, Sheik was at a loss.

Both of his animal companions had became quite attached to Link. During such a short amount of time as well. It almost made Sheik jealous. He forced himself to sit down, ignoring the urge to join in their chase.

Almost immediately he heard Seshat meowing consistently. He looked over to see Link pausing in his chase, glancing down in confusion. He nodded with an 'ah'as she was trying to climb out of his arms, looking straight at Sheik.

The hero jogged over to him, an irritable 'meow'as Seshat was bounced along.

"Oh, come on Ninja Cat. You didn't care about the bouncing when I was speeding through the water ten seconds ago." chuckled Link as he neared the edge of the spring. Seshat leapt from his arms, landing on the dry ground and trotted over to crawl into Sheik's lap.

Link stopped to stand in front of Sheik, breathing hard from his chase. The sheikah tilted his head, noticing how the wind blew through the hero's shaggy dark blonde hair. He thought Link looked better without the cap to be honest, but it wasn't his place to tell the man how to dress.

"Well, I ended up getting sidetracked because of your horse. I don't suppose that's a habit, huh?" Asked Link as he turned to give a glare to the stallion chewing on his cap halfway into the spring. Sheik chuckled, shaking his head.

"No, hero. I'm afraid you have started something new with Maelstrom." Replied Sheik. Link rolled his eyes.

"Well, make him give my cap back. My head feels naked without it." Whined Link. Sheik glanced over to the stallion, smiling when he dropped the cap into the water and then nudged it with his muzzle.

"That butt is doing it on purpose-really?! Do you reallyneed to step on it?!" Exclaimed Link as he gestured wildly toward the stallion that now pawed at the cap in the water. Sheik had flash's of old wishes he had during his youth. As a foal, Maelstrom never took clothing before but he was fond of taking off with Sheik's comb for some reason.

He remembered chasing the stallion as Link did earlier. A thought had come to him then. What would it be like to play with other children like this? What would it be like to share a moment with someone that likes the sames things that he did?

The princess had been the closest he could get to something like that. They did share a liking for old history and maps but it had always been just a hobby for her while it had been a passion for him. He could happily spend all day in the royal library buried in books.

His clan had been his family, but he'd been the only child.

Sheik closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He couldn't take another day like this. Surrounded with things that he wanted, but couldn't have.

He quickly rose to his feet, giving a sharp command in his native tongue. Maelstrom's ears perked up and then trotted over to him. He placed a hand on the stallion's neck, tangling his fingers in his silky white mane.

"Hero, if it's all the same to you, then I ask that we depart now." Asked Sheik stiffly. Link paused, looking over at him and then picked up his cap. The hero frowned as he wrung the water from his cap.

Now Sheik is moody again. What keeps setting him off?

Link didn't think his cat impersonation's were going to work this time. In fact, it seemed that Sheik was avoiding him all together. The sheikah pivoted in the water when he approached him, heading for the side of Renado's house.

The hero couldn't tell why at first, until the sheikah bent down to pick up the saddle that Renado had given to him. Link waded through the water, studying the sheikah. He couldn't tell what happened to flip his mood like this. Sheik nodded in Epona's direction.

"I will help put this on your horse. It would be best to not risk further injury. If you could grab the blanket, then we can be on our way." Said Sheik stiffly. He lugged the saddle passed Link, walking through the water without waiting for a response. Link just shook his head and then bent down to pick up the blanket. He followed Sheik until they stood on either side of his mare.

Epona seemed to sense that Sheik wasn't in the best of moods either. Her ears flicked back and forth, watching the sheikah cautiously. Link hummed softly to sooth her. It was the same tune that came to mind whenever she was near. He threw the blanket over her back, but paused once he noticed Sheik giving him an inscrutable look. His gaze seemed far away, focused intensely on what Link was doing. He jolted, quickly looking away once he realized that Link had caught him staring.

Once the saddle was on her back, Epona didn't seem to like it. She shook her head and suddenly backed up, her ears flat against her head. Sheik quickly stepped away to allow Link the space to calm her.

The hero sighed, knowing they were unsettling her far more then the saddle was. He was quick to sooth her with quiet words and firm hands. He urged her forward, gesturing for Sheik to continue tightening the straps of the saddle while he led her around the spring. She didn't seem to mind as much with Link leading her around but Sheik figured it might be because she didn't have the time to focus on what Sheik was doing beside her.

"Thanks, and sorry for all the trouble. She's not normally that temperamental about saddles. I think it's just stress," Replied Link as he inspected to see if the new saddle fit Epona properly. They had finally gotten Epona to dry land and Maelstrom followed close behind her.

The entire endeavor just reminded Sheik of when he and his mother had tried to put a saddle on Maelstrom for the first time and discovered how much he didn't like them. Another trait the hero shares with him. It just made him more depressed, with hints of anger at the unfairness of it all. There might even be a touch of homesickness in there but Sheik was to stressed to examine it.

Sheik really didn't realize how much he was letting it get to him until Seshat suddenly darted forward and climbed her way up Link's body. He yelped in surprise and then giggled when her claws tickled him as they caught on a few places that his double layers and chainmail didn't protect him completely from.

Sheik snapped a harsh command in his native tongue, causing Seshat to swing in his direction. She leapt to the ground and padded slowly over to him, her ears drooping as she looked up guiltily at him. She cowered, low to the ground as he swept her up and held her in the curve of his arm.

Link glared at the back of his head, about to say how unnecessary that was but Maelstrom beat him to the punch. Sheik approached his stallion, intending to climb on his back but unlike Seshat, Maelstrom was not willing to deal with the sheikah's attitude.

The white stallion reared up, ears flat against his head as he bellowed in anger. Sheik leapt back to avoid a flailing hoof. Once the stallion settled, he began huffing harshly. Sheik and Maelstrom stood motionless as they locked eyes, making Link look between them in anticipation.

Epona had already shied away after Maelstrom's display of anger, now watching cautiously at the far end of the spring.

Sheik balled his free hand into a fist when Maelstrom refused to stand down.

"You would choose him over me?!" Yelled Sheik in his native tongue. They stared each other down for a few more moments. Then a meek 'meow'from Seshat broke the tension.

Sheik slowly glanced down at her. All his hostile energy seemed to drain out of him. He held her higher, holding her close. He whispered apologizes in his native tongue. The feline immediately pushed her head up and rubbed against his covered chin, meowing happily.

The sheikah reached a hand out toward his stallion, allowing the horse to approach him first. Maelstrom snorted, pawing at the shallow water hard enough to dig up loose rocks within the mud underneath. Soon, he calmed and walked forward. Sheik patiently left his hand up but then grunted in surprise when Maelstrom walked up and butted him in the chest hard enough to make him stumble back a step.

Sheik huffed, but understood. What he said was out of line.

Link approached them when Maelstrom allowed Sheik to be near him again.

"I don't know what's going on with you, but you're allowing it to affect everyone around you. I'm trying to be understanding here, but all you seem to do is shut down. No one can help you when you do that."

Sheik lowered his gaze to the rippling water. The hero was right. He needed to stop being a hindrance. It defeated his entire purpose for being here.

"I apologize, hero. I am...stressed. Personal issues are interfering with my duty. It will not happen again." Replied Sheik softly. He then turned and set Seshat on top of his horse before hoisting himself up after. Maelstrom trotted forward without any kind of signal from Sheik as far as Link could tell, but he didn't ride bareback all that much. He knew it took more coordination between a rider and their horse if a saddle wasn't used.

The hero sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

I better just give him some space. Maybe he'll open up more once he gets used to me.

Link jogged over to his mare and quickly mounted. He swung her around and followed at a canter, quickly overtaking the white stallion. Maelstrom shook his head as they passed by, neighing as Epona whinnied playfully in return. Seshat laid in front of Sheik, held steady by a hand over her back. Her eyes roamed the world around her, long white tail flicking back and forth excitedly.

They both reached the gate leading out of town and continued forward at a brisk walk. Both horses stayed side by side, but Link was reminded of how tall Maelstrom was when compared to Epona. It wasn't really a big difference, but it was noticeable up close. Link chuckled as he thought of what they must look like from a distance.

People might think Epona is a pony from far away. How does Sheik climb up that speed demon so easily?

It would take them awhile to reach the Sacred Grove. He wasn't sure what they were really doing here. It was strange to simply accept a stranger's word that this journey was the will of the goddess of wisdom but he'd already decided to trust Sheik on this. Besides, he'd dealt with stranger things during his last adventure.

Link scanned the skies, noticing the dark clouds in the distance. Sheik scanned the area around them, refusing to be taken by surprise this time. The hero frowned as he debated with himself, but decided it was worth bringing up.

"We should probably pick up the pace. The Skull Kid is going to be hard enough on his own to deal with. Adding rain to the equation will make it miserable." Replied Link. Sheik looked up, red eyes studying the dark clouds in the distance when Link pointed them out.

"Who is this Skull Kid? Surely a child isn't the Sacred Grove's guardian?" asked Sheik curiously.

"Oh, you would be surprised at the kind of guardians I've come across. As for the Sacred Grove, well, technically the Skull Kid is actually the guide. Reaching the place is not that hard if you know where to look. The difficult part is trying to traverse it. To do that, you need the Skull Kid. Unfortunately, that little brat does not play fair. He'll lead you in circles for daysif you're not careful. He has a sorta twisted sense of humor, but hey? Who am I to judge." said Link as they passed the bridge outside of Kakariko.

Sheik wondered what kind of creature this...Skull Kid was. He was fascinated by the thought of seeing something new. Especially since it sounded like this creature was an ally. A difficult one that apparently embraces the nature of a prankster, but an ally nonetheless.

"Very well. Let us move faster." Replied Sheik. He picked up Seshat and held her firmly against his chest with one arm and then urged Maelstrom into a canter. They shot across Hyrule Field, Link now leading the way.

Almost two hours later, they neared the path leading into Faron Woods. The horses were breathing hard, but not showing signs of exhaustion yet. They tried to pace themselves so they didn't push their mounts to hard. Sheik urged Maelstrom to dart ahead and then blocked Link's path. Link pulled Epona to a stop and gave the sheikah a puzzled look.

"Hero, we don't know if there are any enemies within this forest. The sun has disappeared behind the clouds. Therefore, it is possible that those shadow creatures might be lurking within unseen. I will lead the way, but I won't risk Seshat coming along, so I will have her wait here. The horses should stay as well. It won't do if they get attacked by creatures they cannot see and I can't keep them away from all of you," said Sheik. Link shook his head though.

"No way. Coro would have left for his sisters by now. I'm not tying Epona down when there's no one here to let her loose if she is attacked. Trill should be fine watching them though. He was when I left her there the few times I went to the Sacred Grove before," said Link as he had Epona walk around Maelstrom. Sheik turned Maelstrom and urged him to follow.

"Who is Trill?" asked Sheik.

"He's Coro's pet bird. Don't underestimate him. He's pretty intelligent. He runs a small shop near the Forest Temple. Because Coro, for some reason, thinks there will be so many people just wandering deep into the forest looking for potions," Stated Link as they passed Coro's house.

Sheik sighed, thinking that at least leaving their horses with this intelligent bird is better than just leaving them to fend for themselves. Epona suddenly veered toward the right and into a cavern. Sheik had to slow Maelstrom down and got behind Epona as the path got narrower. Eventually he had to lean over on Maelstrom's back to avoid running into the roof.

They both emerged out of the cavern but then suddenly stopped.

"What?! This crap vanished when I cleared the Forest Temple! What the hell happened?!" exclaimed Link as he stared at the thick fog that covered the area in front of them. The thin outline of trees could barely be seen from their position. The small pier farther down the slope was clearly visible, but not anything past it. Sheik urged Maelstrom forward, but the thick fog hid everything past the pier. No matter how close Sheik got.

He could sense it though. Something about this fog was unnatural. Sheik pursed his lips, willing his senses to pick up anything dangerous lurking within the blanket of fog. He didn't know what to look for however, or even how to tell the fog apart from anything that could be within it.

The curse of those that have natural arcane talent but not the knowledge of how to properly use it.

"I don't like this, hero. It would be easy for someone to ambush us in there and I won't be much help if I can't see you," said Sheik as he had Maelstrom stand next to Epona. Link tried scanning the area, but couldn't see an alternate path.

"I don't think there's any other way into that area up ahead unless we pass through this…maybe if you teleported us there?" asked Link. Sheik shook his head.

"Not with our horses. Our combined weight would drain me of most of my energy. Not to mention that I wouldn't know where I'd be teleporting to. If there's a chance that we might run into creatures like those shadows, then I would rather not risk wasting energy," said Sheik. He also tried to find an alternate path, but came up with none.

"Well, then we don't have any other option. We'll have to cross this fog, but we'll need something like a rope so we don't lose each other. Oh! What about your whip? That way you'll already have it out in case you need it," Replied Link. Sheik considered it and then nodded.

"Alright, but you are to stay behind me. That is nonnegotiable," Stated Sheik firmly as Link began to protest. That spark of defiance gleaming in his red eyes.

"Or have you forgotten what it is like to fight something that seemed designed to defeat you? Those creatures were ill suited for my style of combat. Therefore, it would be wise for you to allow me to do my duty and keep you safe." said Sheik. He reached behind his tabard and pulled out his whip.

Link grumbled, but stayed where he was as Sheik urged Maelstrom to stand in front of Epona. The horses approached the pier, but Link suddenly jumped when Sheik snapped his whip and wrapped its coil around Link's saddle horn.

"My apologies, hero." Sheik murmured, only half paying attention to him as his eyes roved the think fog in front of them for any signs of a potential threat. Link forced himself to remain calm as he gripped the coils with his right hand. He was grateful for Sheik's help. Link had nothing to prove. He needed to learn that he didn't need to be the one leading the charge. Not this time. Especially when he was not prepared for it.

Link glanced out toward the rolling fog bank.

There could be anything in there. Or there could be nothing at all.

Link was skilled with all his tools, to the point to learning to use them as weapons if the situation called for it. He made sure of that during his journey throughout the Twilight. He was even good at improvising with tools that weren't really supposed to be a weapon. Honesty, he was pretty good at finding a use for any random object around him.

Stick your hand in a bomb bag only to find it empty during combat? No problem. He could just set the bag on fire and throw it at the enemy. It wouldn't explode of course. It wasn't a bomb after all, but all he really needed was a distraction that a few sparks feeding off the residual powder from inside the bag would create. He could always buy a new bag.

Already shot your last arrow right when a Din damned Kargarok decided to swoop in on you? No problem. The edge of his bow could do just as good a job at smashing the bastard's creepy maw as the rest of it is for firing arrows at it.

Thought you could take a breather and relax in a bar only to attract the wrath of a bunch of drunken assholes that descend on you to fast to actually draw a sword? No problem. That sturdy metal fork in his hand or even a good old fashioned fist could do more then enough damage to persuade someone from bothering him any further.

Link sighed as he glanced down at the blade at his side. Nothing quite made him feel safe like holding a good blade in his hand though. That sense of security was shattered now that he couldn't wield it properly anymore.

The hero unsheathed his sword with his left hand and held it awkwardly to the side. He tried twirling it, something he hadn't needed to focus on in years, because it had become second nature to him. His left hand did not have the muscle memory to twirl it properly, making Link fumble and almost drop it. He cursed, now gripping its hilt tightly. Sheik urged Maelstrom closer to Epona, angling them so they created an obstacle if someone were to rush out from the blanket of fog before them.

The sheikah was torn. He was not like the hero. It was not hard for him to ignore the pain of others. Not because he didn't care, but because it never ended well for him when he tried to help someone else that didn't already have a connection with him. Years of practice made it easy. He was not cruel, however. There were times when he couldn't hold back his compassion. Those times, he'd help other's in secret.

Perhaps it was the hero's own attempts to pull Sheik from his melancholy, but the sheikah found he could not leave Link to his own misery. He felt compelled to reach out. His heart tightening at the look of frustration that quickly morphed into sadness on Link's face.

"Din damn it…I can't stand this!" growled Link. He glared fiercely at his wound, as if that would make it disappear. Sheik watched him, uncertain of what to do.

Link huffed, lifting his arm again. His grip was stronger on the hilt, more steady. Unfortunately, confidence was not a substitute for skill. After attempting to twirl the blade again, his stronger grip only made the blade slip faster out of his hold once it wasn't balanced correctly and flew just out of his reach.

Sheik shot forward and grabbed the hilt before it could hit the ground. He lifted the blade gingerly, careful not to cut himself as two fingers had wrapped around the part of the hilt that connected to the metal blade when he'd caught it. He maneuvered it so he could hand it hilt first to the hero.

Link nodded in thanks, his eyes hard on the sword.

"I wasn't twirling it fast enough. My grip didn't stay steady once it started slipping either." Muttered Link as he studied the sword and lifted it to lay horizontally on his lap.

Sheik hesitated, but reached out to lay a hand against his arm. The move was unexpected, making the hero abandon his plot of trying to recreate his signature move while wielding a blade in order to stare at the sheikah in surprise. The hero noticed how tightly coiled his comrades muscles were. He would have chalked it up to them possibly getting ambushed but the sheikah was not looking at anything other then him. Like he was preparing to spring away, as if expecting his touch to not be welcomed.

"Hero…do not let this bring you down. You are better than that. Do you not remember what it was like before you knew the way of the sword? It takes time. Allow it to happen, and it will. Rushing will only cause frustration and harm to yourself and those that are around you. Before long, you will learn it again." Said Sheik, his voice timid but slowly growing in confidence as he realized Link was receptive to his encouragement.

"Besides, once you learn to wield a blade with either hand then you would become ambidextrous. That can give quite the advantage in combat. You could...how would you say...'kick some ass at double the power' perhaps?" Sheik uttered the strange phrase as if he were trying to decipher a different language. The sheikah secretly smiled when it pulled a laugh out of the hero.

Link flashed him a half smile and then ran a hand carefully over the blade, watching the light reflect off it's surface.

"Thanks…you're right. I still remember those long summers when Rusl would train me hard…he was a good teacher. But now he's gone. Like everyone else. Again." Link trailed off but then his grip tighten on his blade. He brought it up so it laid against his chest.

"I'll free them. I'll free them all, if it's the last thing I do," declared Link. His voice was strong with his faith, a feral gleam in his eye as he made his promise. Sheik had no doubt that he would carry out his oath. The hero's energy, especially when he allowed that almost...animalistic nature to show made Sheik believe there was very little he couldn't do if he simply put his mind to it.

The hero lowered his sword held it firmly at his side. He nodded to Sheik.

"Alright, let's do this! Lead the way Sheiky!" Exclaimed Link with a grin. He stopped suddenly as Sheik blinked then raised an eyebrow. Link then laughed nervously.

"Sorry, to early for nicknames?" asked Link sheepishly as he scratched the back of his head. The sheikah secretly smiled gently, and then turned his head toward the thick fog.

"I don't think you meant to use it in an offensive way. I do not mind," stated Sheik. He reached forward, intending to pet Seshat on the head but froze after realizing that she wasn't with him. He swung to look behind him, hoping that she might be laying on Maelstrom's romp but she was not. Then he spun his head in every direction searching the surrounding area.

"I don't think you're going to see any enemies from here," muttered Link as he squinted, hoping it would help him see a bit further into the thick fog. Sheik suddenly swung toward him with a wild look in his eyes.

"Is Seshat with you?" asked Sheik frantically. Link shook his head. He looked behind him, and then also searched the surrounding area but didn't see her.

"Man, I didn't even see or hear her leave. She really is a ninja cat…Sheik! Calm down, did you just here what I said? She's to fast and smart for anything in this forest to hurt her. Just wait, I bet she'll be waiting for us on the other side. She probably just got impatient and left," said Link as he placed a hand on the sheikah's shoulder. Sheik seemed to calm down a bit. He nodded in thanks and then urged Maelstrom forward.

"I am curious though. Why didn't you just leave her at Kakariko?" Asked Link. He clicked his tongue and Epona started to follow the white stallion.

"She would have followed us. As a rule, she does what she is told. In the end however, she is a cat. They have a habit of doing what they want. It generally is easier to simply take her along instead of convincing her to stay behind. I am starting to regret my choice however." Said Sheik softly.

Maelstrom didn't want anything to do with this thick fog, but Sheik was skillfully able to urge him forward with Epona following close behind.

"Just keep to the right. The area we need to reach is a gradual right turn from the pier," said Link as they neared the thick fog.

If there is anyone here, then there's no way they haven't heard us by now.

Sheik leaned back as Maelstrom stepped along the gentle downward slope. He immediately lost his visibility as soon as he entered the thick blanket of fog. Link frowned, tensing as he passed through himself. His sight was stronger then the avenge person's but it wouldn't do him any good now. He closed his eyes, focusing on the sounds and smells around him. His long pointed ear twitching when he picked up nothing but the ambient noises of the forest.

He'd hear anyone approach before he'd see them anyway.

"Hero, I would appreciate it if you would hold onto the coils around your saddle horn and pull it every few seconds so I know you are still there," said Sheik as he gripped the handle of his whip harder. He pulled out a throwing knife and held it up close to his chest, ready to throw at a moment's notice.

"Okay," said Link. He pulled the whip three times and chuckled. For the life of him, he couldn't really take this seriously. Which was strange. The last time he came through here, he'd been so nervous. With Sheik in the front, it almost seemed like a game.

"If this wasn't such a potentially dangerous place then I would say this was kinda fun. I mean, the kids would love this kind of environment and I wouldn't mind it myself if it wasn't for the whole 'we might be ambushed' thing. But…you know what? This would have been a cool place to face Ganon. I mean, as long as Midna was with me, then she could have just taken us high into the canopy," said Link. He snickered as he thought of something.

"Can you even imagine what Pigface would be saying in a situation like that? He'd be cursing up a storm. Man, that would be hilarious!"

Then he hummed, another thought coming to mind.

"Being the destructive bastard he is though, the forest would probably be a burning wasteland in a matter of minutes. Then again…Midna could just teleport any projectiles away or…I guess it wasn'tteleporting, huh? It felt nothing like what we do when you teleport us. Hm. Whatever. Anyway, she could do that thing that's liketeleporting and send his blasts somewhere else." said Link thoughtfully. He scratched his chin in thought, eyes still closed and then instinctively leaned forward when Epona started to climb upward.

"Hero…"

Link continued, not hearing him.

"Then the blasts would appear randomly and then could hit someone, huh? Might even target an entire area. Din know's the bastard would be strong enough for it. That would be funny to though! Well, not the destroying an area or person part, but can you imagine a bunch of nobles just eating in their fancy dining rooms? Then all of a sudden this huge surge of power just appears out of nowhere and just blows the table into smithereens?" chuckled Link. He absentmindedly tapped his blade lightly against his leg.

"Hero!" shouted Sheik. Link's eyes snapped open and he immediately brought his sword up, ready to start slashing people.

"What?! Ninja's! How did I not hear them?!" Exclaimed Link as his gaze swirled in every direction trying to find a target to slash.

"Hero! Calm yourself. We are safe," Replied Sheik as he sat calmly on Maelstrom's back in front of him. He fought the urge to snicker as Link took a moment to look around properly.

What? How long have we been standing on the other side!

"I can't believe it, but you talked this entire time. Even as we already reached this side and climbed up the slope. We even stood here for a good minute or two…and you still continued to talk," chuckled Sheik. He then bent over Maelstrom's back, laughing as Link gave him a look of astonishment.

"Wow, that was rather…anticlimactic. Hey! Don't laugh! You could have told me we were here you know!" exclaimed Link with a grin. He tried to keep a straight face but it quickly fell apart as Sheik continued to laugh, causing him to break into fits of laughter as well.

"I did tell you, hero. You just didn't listen when I tried," said Sheik dryly. The sheikah took a deep breath to calm himself, embarrassed as the hero beamed at him again. It felt good to laugh with Link. His lively energy infused with everyone around him.

There was no way he could continue being at a distance. He'd just enjoy this while it lasted.

"We should get moving. I have to say that having you talk for the entire time wasn't entirely a bad thing. It did let me know you were there...at all times and seemed to be much more effective then pulling at my whip, which you still need to uncoil from your saddle horn by the way. Then again, I was rather nervous that your continuous talking would attract enemies but that obviously wasn't a problem," said Sheik thoughtfully. Link uncoiled the whip, watching it fall away until it was coiled back up and disappeared behind the sheikah's tabard.

Link tried to track it's movement but Sheik had hidden it away on the other side of himself. Link gave up, not wanting to appear like a creep by watching Sheik to closely. Sheik then kicked Maelstrom into a canter and headed through the gate leading into the next area. Link huffed and urged Epona to follow him.

"My ear's are by far, one of my greatest assets. There's no way anyone would have gotten close without me hearing them first." Replied Link

Sheik turned, a flash of a playful gleam in his eyes before facing forward again.

"You mean unless they are...ninja's?" snickered Sheik. Link laughed, flicking his reins to make Epona walk a bit faster so she was level with Maelstrom.

"Hey, give me a break. That was a reflex answer. I was serious about these ear's though. The only thing stronger is this nose. Granted, they aren't as strong as they used to be. I can accept that though. I like not having to run on all four's." Chuckled Link.

They rounded a corner and finally saw the small shop. A bright blue bird with a bundle of feather's that looked much like an afro on it's head was jumping from plank to plank of the fence that stood in front of the shop.

What the heck is that bird doing now?

Sheik was wondering why Link would ever need to run on all for of his limb's, but then he then noticed something white running up and down in front of the fence. It occasionally jumped up onto the planks, obviously chasing the bright blue bird.

"Seshat!"

Sheik kicked Maelstrom into a gallop just as Seshat skidded to a stop and swung in his direction. Sheik stopped Maelstrom just as Seshat jumped on the closest plank of the fence to him and jumped into his arms. Sheik caught her and then held her close.

"What in the world has gotten into you? You never just run off…I think you're spending to much time with the hero," muttered the sheikah as she rubbed her face up against his neck. Link sighed, relieved.

The bright blue bird suddenly jumped to the plank closest to Sheik, startling him. It used a wing to gesture in Seshat's direction, revealing several other bright color's mixing with the bright blue of it's plumage.

"Is that your cat? Good. Take it away please. It's very hard to do my job when something is trying to eat me," squawked the bird.

"Trill, old buddy! I need a favor-," started Link as Epona walked up to the shop, but Trill cut him off.

"No, you can't pay me next time. You still owe me for the last red potion you took!" Exclaimed Trill as he flapped his wings angrily. Link held up his hands.

"Hey, I'm working on it. That's not what I was going to say though. Sheik and I need to go to the Sacred Grove, so can you watch the horses? And Seshat?" asked Link.

"Sure, I mean it's not like I actually have a job to do," grumbled Trill sarcastically. Link rolled his eyes.

"Oh, come on! Who buys potions from you other than me?…No one? Didn't think so. Now, you think you could do me that small favor? It's not like I'm asking for much," said Link. He then dismounted.

"Oh fine, but the cat goes with you. I'm not playing anymore of this cat and mouse game while you guys are gone," squawked Trill before he flew up to the roof of his small shop.

"That's not a problem. You can handle that, right Sheik?" asked Link with a smirk. Sheik dismounted and then gave the hero a pointed look as he passed.

Then he noticed the tall ancient building ahead. With Seshat held close to his chest, he approached the twisted wooden pathway that lead up to the Forest Temple. Link quickly thanked Trill and then ran after Sheik.

"Whoa, wait! Wrong way," said Link as he caught up to Sheik. The sheikah gazed up at the vines that cascaded down from the temples roof.

"My mother used to tell me stories about this place…It's quite a different experience to actually see it," Replied Sheik softly. He longed to go and explore it, but that was not why they were here. He turned to face Link.

"Alright, so which way are we heading then?" asked Sheik. Link pointed to his left, right passed a wall with a seemingly endless drop on the other side. The sheikah tilted his head to the side curiously before walking over. He grumbled as he peered over the edge.

"Oh, but of course it can't just be a bridge or some other kind of solid pathway. No, just the classical 'you drop, you die' way forward," grumbled Sheik.

Link grinned. He was glad that Sheik was getting used to him enough that the hero didn't even have to try and pull that sarcasm out so much anymore.

"Well…we could do our own thing and just whip and Clawshot over there, but that might be hard with Seshat with us. I won't be able to have a solid grip on her with my right hand and you need both your hands to use the whip. You said that you can't teleport unless you see where you're going right? Well, I'm pretty sure you can see the ledge we need to land on if we climb the pathway leading to the Forest Temple," said Link. He pointed up toward the curved wooden walkway that lead to the moss covered temple.

The sheikah raised an eyebrow.

"It isn't that I can'tteleport from here. I simply shouldn't. The spell will carry me to a point I choose within my mind, regardless of what is already there. For example. From here, this looks like a solid wall of wood. I am aware that there is a hollow spot somewhere ahead that we can actually walk safely through. However, if I can't see it, then I am forced to guess where a safe landing will be." Explained Sheik as they walked up the long wooden walkway toward the temple. Link hummed thoughtfully.

"What would happen if you teleported us to a place that isn't safe? You know, beyond the obvious answer of us getting hurt in some why?" Asked Link curiously.

"It would be more then us simply getting hurt. I couldn't explain how though. I have not tried ever since my mother imparted tales of a teleportation spell going wrong when she had first begun to teach me. Sometimes they smashed against the first solid surface they encountered at such a great speed that they broke every bone in their body. Sometimes they would literally fuse with whatever material they are teleporting into. Needless to say, I have not had the urge to test the theory."

Link shivered, eyeing the tall trees around them in a new light.

Man, what would it be like to be literally fused with a tree?

Sheik paused as he neared the temple. Just as the hero said, Sheik was able to see the ledge that lead into another area. He kept glancing into the dark entryway of the temple, unnerved by the strange sounds coming from within. The ancient energy surrounding the place didn't feel hostile though, just vast and strong.

The sheikah couldn't imagine having to travel deep into a place like this if it was full of vile beasts and toxic energy. The sheer amount of willpower to even stay focused and not be overwhelmed…the hero was extraordinary indeed.

Sheik shook his head and approached where Link was peering closely through the dense forest at the left of the entryway to the temple.

"It's not as far as I had anticipated. I doubt it will take much energy, even with two others with me," muttered Sheik as he spotted where Link was pointing to.

"That's good…because you might have to do it again. Okay, maybe two or three more times…or something," said Link. The sheikah slowly turned to give him a dull look.

"Alright, I don't remember! I know it's not much farther though," stated Link quickly and then gestured toward the far ledge. Sheik shook his head and then placed a hand on Link's shoulder and teleported them.

Four teleports, some muttered cursing, and several looks of guilt from the hero later, Sheik appeared in front of the entrance to the Sacred Grove. He turned to keep a close eye on the pouting hero that was slowly making his way across the rope that attached the last small ledge to the entrance of the grove.

Link was hanging upside down as he climbed one handed with his legs wrapped around the rope to help propel himself forward. The hero had to do this twice since he insisted that it wasn't that far and perhaps it wouldn't have been, if Sheik had been used to teleporting back to back like that. He wasn't. The hero also wasn't the one doing the work here. So, since he was so convinced that it wasn't that far then he can climb the rest of the way himself.

Sheik tensed, scowling when Link would pause and then start climbing again. Not because he was impatient. He was worried out of his mind that the hero would lose his grip and plummet to his death. An image that almost made him rush to Link's side and then teleport him the rest of the way. Almost. He would be ready to step in if the worst happened.

The sheikah had never acted like this with anyone before. Except perhaps, his animal companions. They weren't people though. They couldn't give the same things a person could. Sheik stopped trying to resist. Embraced the inevitable parting and allowed some of his control to slip. Not all of it. He didn't think he could bear to lock it all away again once this was over.

It was breathtaking. He longed to just be himself. To speak without a tightly coiled filter. To act on a whim. To laugh, talk, sing, or shout to his hearts content. Link didn't just pull his true nature out, he encouraged it.

He might harbor a small hope that maybe Link didn't want to send him away once they reached their goal. Why else would the hero try so hard to make him feel welcome, if he didn't intend for him to stay?

Link finally reached the edge and Sheik helped him climb over.

"Was that really necessary?" muttered Link, his pout even more fierce. Sheik smirked, resisting the urge to cover the hero's face to hide that unfair advantage. Link couldn't see his expression because of his shawl, so Sheik appeared to have not been affected by it.

"I saved energy and you were able to prove your theory was correct. So yes. It was necessary," Sheik said. He chuckled when the hero threw up his hands.

"I said it wasn't far so it wouldn't seem as bad for you!" exclaimed Link. Sheik raised an eyebrow.

"Saying something is close, doesn't make it so hero. We should continue forward though. Arguing isn't going to do us any good," Replied Sheik. Link sighed and then approached him. The sheikah tensed as he got close, expecting the hero to get angry with him again, but Link just shrugged and patted his shoulder as he passed by.

"Whatever you say buddy," said Link as he entered the Sacred Grove. Sheik stood there for several moments, wondering if he had imagined that and the hero was actually still climbing his way over. He turned when Link called his name and followed him.

Link was waiting for him with his arms crossed. He grinned as Sheik paused to take in the environment. This definitely wasn't like any forest he'd ever been to. It just had a mystical feel to it that put his senses on overdrive. There was a palpable sense of magic that he couldn't even begin to to describe except for the fact that it was old. Older then he could even comprehend.

Sheik looked up, taking in the wall of tall trees surrounding him. Their canopy hid most of the sky but the light cascading down in between the branches gave the place a holy atmosphere.

"Here we are! Now, I bet your arm needs a break so give that little feline to me," said Link cheekily. He then took the drowsy cat from his arms. Sheik was stunned. Anyone else that tried to take her from his arms would have gotten their eyes scratched out. He knew she was growing fond of him but Sheik didn't realize she had grown this fond of him.

Animals in general seemed to respond to Link pretty well, now that he thought about it. He laughed softly when she yawned as the hero held her in the curve of his arm.

"Welcome to the Sacred Grove," declared Link as he gave a slight bow and made a small flourish with his free hand.

"Alright, I need to summon the brat and that can be done over here," said Link as he walked over to a round stone with a Triforce symbol in the center. Sheik stepped closer, studying it.

"That looks a lot like a Gossip Stone," muttered Sheik, still gazing at the stone. Link looked back at him with a puzzled look.

"What's a Gossip Stone?" asked Link. Seshat started to struggle in his arms, so he let her climb onto his shoulder.

"My race, as Renado had said, is rather introverted. Or we had been…but we created Gossip Stones as a means for our different tribes to stay in contact with each other. They had many other uses as well. One of which was the ability to tell the time. Many of their abilities were hidden however. Only someone who can hear the truth will benefit from it," said Sheik as he stood next to Link.

"Huh? How can someone hear the truth?" asked Link. He tried to wrap his mind around what Sheik was saying. Sheik raised an eyebrow.

"My people have the ability to hear and see the truth. It is...complicated. Our ability directly affects our perception of the laws of magic and how it interacts with the world. For example. Anyone could sense that there is a heavy feel of magic in this area. A common misconception others would make would be that this forest is not natural. However, I can sense that the magic is coming fromthe forest. Proving that the average person's assumption, provided that they could even find their way here in the first place, would be wrong. This forest isnatural. It just isn't normal." Sheik explained, using what Link has dubbed his 'teacher' voice.

Link smiled, amused at how into a subject Sheik could get. His hands always moving to emphasize his meaning. Sheik raised a finger and waved it suddenly.

"However, our ability has nothing to do with our perception of a certain individual. For example. You could lie to me by saying you were a goron. Even though that would obviouslynot be true, I would not be able to sense that it was a lie."

Link hummed, tapping his fingers in a cascading pattern against his chin.

That explains how he was able to fight those invisible creatures that attacked my hometown so well. They probably weren't invisible at all to him.

"That's pretty awesome. The sheikah are the only ones that can do this?" Asked Link curiously.

"As far as I know. I couldn't say for certain though. There were stories passed down that when my people were still strong and lived within cities of their own, they created certain items. These items aided others that struggled to grasp the hidden truth of the world. The Mask of Truth and the Lens of Truth are among them. They gave the wielder the ability to see or hear the truth. Such things were lost over the ages though," said Sheik. His knelt down beside the stone and sighed.

"In the end, it never really mattered though. People were to distrustful of us to use them anyway," muttered Sheik sadly as he ran his hand down the smooth surface. A shadow was cast over him as Link stepped up beside him. He glanced up to see the hero peering at the stone curiously, as if looking at it for the first time even though he obviously has used it before.

The sight of the sunlight framing his body was captivating. The sheikah quickly turned away, running a hand down his face. What was going on with him?

"Well, those people were idiots for not using them. I could have definitely used one of those. Do you know how many times I had to face some kind of magical contraption or puzzle that Midna wouldn't even considerhelping me figure out until she'd had at least a good fifteenth minutes of laughing at my expense? To many to count." Replied Link as he rolled his eyes.

Sheik chuckled as he stood to his feet. He wondered who this Midna was. Link spoke as if she were not someone he got along with but his tone was fond, with a touch of sadness. This person was someone he cared for, but didn't see anymore. Sheik didn't wish to bring up a bad memory for the hero so he disregarded the thought for now.

Seshat leapt from Link's shoulder to inspect the area.

"Sometimes it's quite funny to just sit and listen to a Gossip Stone. They pick up any sounds that are within their general vicinity. Including someones conversation. Then they will whisper what they heard to all the other Gossip Stones that are connected to it. They were designed to control the flow of information however. That way there wasn't just a cacophony of whispers pouring out of them. It's interesting to hear what they have to say sometimes," said Sheik. Link tilted his head in confusion.

"No offense Sheik, but If people were to distrustful to use items from the sheikah that were actually meant to be useful, then why would they not be wary of stones that could essentially be used to spy on them?" Asked Link. Sheik sighed, wrapping his arms loosely around himself.

"I understand your concern and it is well founded. However, my people did not create the Gossip Stones in order to spy on others. Their primary purpose was to keep our tribes in contact with each other. Once this ability become known...we were ordered to place more in strategic places within the old kingdom. Due to an oath that was well beyond my time, so far that I know not what it actually entailed. All I know is that we are forever bound to the Hylian Royal Family as servants. Trained to be whatever we were needed for from the moment we could walk. Assassins. Messengers. Spies. Nursemaid's. Bodyguards. Their word was law." Replied Sheik warily.

He hesitated, turning to look at the hero from the corner of his eye. It was on the tip of his tongue, but Sheik could not bring himself to say it. What would the hero say if he knew Sheik was not like the true warriors of his tribe? That he was not a Shadow Warrior?

Link frowned, noticing Sheik's tension. He didn't want his comrade to withdraw from him again so he turned his attention back to the stone in front of them.

"I'm going to summon the brat now so get ready," said Link. He stepped closer but then suddenly paused. He didn't hear anything this time. Sheik stood motionless, hyper aware as he wondered what he was getting ready for.

"Oh man, I just realized…I've only ever done this as a wolf." muttered Link thoughtfully. He remembered the tune he'd howled before but would it work if he wasn't a wolf anymore?

Sheik however, swore he just heard the hero wrong. He didn't have long to think about it however, because the hero suddenly threw his head back and howled along to a tune that apparently only he could hear. The sheikah was so startled he flailed his arms as he shot away, shouting out in fright.

Link turned to gave him a sheepish smile.

"Well, that didn't work. Sorry, buddy. I kinda got used to doing that. Only as a wolf though."

Sheik placed a hand over his racing heart, staring at the hero wide eyed. A hint of irritation shining through.

"Good goddess, hero! I thought you were being possessed! Also, why do you keep referring to yourself as a wolf?! Is that some kind of term for 'warrior'? Or something that is used to describe the Great Heroes?" replied Sheik, his tone almost hysterical. He was flabbergasted.

Link laughed as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"No, it means just what I said. When I was a wolf. You know. Fur, fangs, and canine looking? With the exception of this weird design on my forehead, I was just an average looking wolf. Maybe a bit bigger actually. Not sure. Haven't really seen to many other wolves," said Link. Sheik stared wide eyed at him.

"What…? How…?" started Sheik but couldn't think of what to ask. Link just snickered at his look of surprise.

"The Twilight always forced me to take another form. That form was a wolf. It's a long story. I'll tell you later. As for our little problem, can you think of any other way to summon the brat?" asked Link. Sheik took a deep breath and then rubbed his temples. He'll definitely need to hear this story later, because its not among the many tales that have traveled around about the hero.

"How did you summon him last time?" asked Sheik.

"As a wolf, I was able to hear this sound coming off the stone. I howled what I thought it sounded like and then pop! There was the Skull Kid and all his irritating man sized puppets," said Link. Sheik raised an eyebrow, but decided not to ask.

"Well, can you hear the sound now?" asked Sheik. Link shook his head, frowning as he studied the stone.

"No. It's normally hard to miss too. It must only emit that sound when I am a wolf. Or maybe it is emitting it but my hearing just isn't good enough as a Hylian." Link paused as he said this, thinking of instances where strange events or sounds would seem familiar despite his certainly that he's never experienced them before.

"It's strange. Sometimes, there will be these weird things, like songs or names that sound familiar. They stick to my memory more than anything else. Even the first time I heard this sound, it reminded me of a few familiar songs I'd sometimes hum when Epona and I would herd the goats back home. Anyway, I remember the sound but as I've found, howling isn't going to do the trick. You got another idea?"

Link turned to face Sheik just as he pulled a golden lyre from behind his tabard. The instrument was shaped like a 'U', with an intricate craving of a winged triforce along it's length. Each end was modeled after a bird facing away from each other. A bar connected the top of the 'U' shape of the instrument but the only thing that Link could focus on was the strange...calling he felt. He curled his fingers into a fist to stop himself from reaching out to touch it.

Sheik didn't appear to notice Link's sudden distraction. He held the instrument fondly for a moment and then positioned it correctly.

"Please do not howl again. I don't think my heart could take it. Just hum the sound and I will try to duplicate it," said Sheik. Link nodded and closed his eyes. As he hummed the song, it was as if he was sitting there howling it as a wolf again. He thought he heard something else though. Like some kind of wind instrument playing alongside him but he wasn't sure. When he opened his eyes, Sheik was giving him a strange look.

"That sounds a lot like Zelda's Lullaby," muttered Sheik. He then sent his fingers gliding across his lyre once, before imitating what he heard from Link.

Wow…he's pretty good at that. What can't this guy do?

His thoughts were cut short as he suddenly heard giggling close by. Sheik stopped playing and swung around, trying to spot the new person. He saw no one though. He hurriedly pushed his lyre back into place as he tried to identify the new voice.

"I like that sound! It's been so long since I heard it! Ready or not, here I come!" echoed a childish voice playfully.

Suddenly something appeared in a flourish of leaves to their right. It's bright glowing eyes were wide with mischief, though it was hard to see since the brim of it's tall straw hat would often cover them as it continuously bounced around. It looked like a child and even somewhat sounded like one. Sheik was certain it was not though. Something about it was just...off.

Sheik would have guessed that it was actually a giant wooden doll if it weren't for the fact it was moving around with a certain dexterity that put himto shame. And the force of magic around him. It wild and chaotic! Something about it responded to the forest around him though. As if it had a connection with the magic that flowed from the ancient forest.

It made sense if this creature was meant to be a guide to the Sacred Grove as the hero had said. It wouldn't be able to do it's duty very well if the magic of the forest resisted him just as much as those he was trying to guide.

The Skull Kid giggled again as the black lantern he held in one hand bounced along with him. Then the creature blew the horn that he held with his other hand. As soon as he did, Link suddenly bolted passed him.

Startled, Sheik rushed after him as the Skull Kid vanished with a flutter of leaves. The hero veered to his right and ran through an archway that Sheik swore hadn't been there a second ago. Link slowed and Sheik almost caught up, but before he could say a word, Link seemed to spot something. He bolted to his left, jumping over a ledge and onto higher ground. He then unsheathed his sword and started to wildly slash the Skull Kid that was dancing near a tree.

"Hero! What are you doing?!" Exclaimed Sheik. The Skull Kid might not have been a normal child, but he was close enough! Why was the hero attacking it?!

He was about to teleport to the hero's side but he felt something smash into his back, knocking him to the ground. Sheik quickly rolled to the side and looked up to see what had attacked him and saw…wooden puppets?

Sheik backed up, a knife held in each hand. He was torn between his duty to the hero and his innate fascination of the unknown. He had never heard of puppets doing anything like this before but he could see the ethereal glowing strings flowing through the air around them, pulling at their joints as if an unseen puppeteer was controlling them.

He shook his head. They were hostile and that's all that mattered at the moment. Four of them suddenly surrounded him, trying to knock him to the ground again with wild bashes and kicks. He grunted in pain when a good kick caught him right above the temple. He was thrown off balance from the force. These things could hit harder than he had thought.

Having enough of that, Sheik teleported outside of the circle of puppets. He then spun around and hurled knives at every one that attempted to chase after him.

Sheik quickly turned to help Link but panicked when he saw the hero was nowhere to be seen. He sprinted down random pathways with Seshat running by his side before he started to yell for Link. He couldn't sense his fierce energy or hear any response. He'd gotten so far into this forest that it's ancient magic had intensified to such a level that it was almost overwhelming for him. He didn't see any more puppets, but that could mean that they were all attacking the hero instead of him.

He suddenly heard Link yell back, so he skidded to a halt in an area with a waterfall. He listened carefully, trying to decipher where Link's voice was coming from. He turned, slowly approaching the waterfall and then noticed that there was a path behind it. After grabbing a hold of Seshat and shielding her with his body so she'd stay dry, he ran through and almost rammed right into Link.

"Hero! Oh, thank Nayru…what happened?! You just disappeared! Where is that strange child and why were you attacking it?!" shouted the frustrated sheikah.

Seshat leapt from his arms and ran over to Link's side to rub against his leg. Link was momentarily startled at the nearly hysterical sheikah, but then just laughed before picking up the purring cat and let her climb onto his left shoulder.

"Hey, calm down there. That 'strange child' is probably older than a hundred of both us combined and I was attacking him because he's a little masochist that doesn't believe that you're worthy of entering the Sacred Grove unless you're willing to give him a serious beat down. Now, we're almost there so let's get going," Replied Link. He turned and went around a corner and then up a narrow path. Sheik just stared at his retreating back in disbelief. He finally just shook his head in amazement and quickly followed.

Sheik caught up and glanced up at the hero as he trudged up the hillside. If something like this was normal for the hero, then he doesn't even want to think about any of the other strange occurrences he surely has been through.

They emerged into a clearing and Seshat immediately jumped off Link's shoulder to inspect the area. Sheik noticed the ruins surrounding the place. His red gaze swept the area curiously, itching to explore. This place...it was the epicenter of the ancient magic threatening to drown him within it's waves.

As far as he could tell, It had been a tall building of white stone. Pattern's along the pieces of rubble were the same that people of Hyrule often created within places of worship to the Three. This was something else though. Elegant designs and careful stone cutting of the pieces that lay scattered around the floor, nearly consumed by the vines and roots creeping up from the forest around them, were of a quality that you wouldn't see in any village or town.

This was something built long ago by those that meant for it to be more then a simple church. The ancient magic alone was still pouring out of this ruin despite it's decrepit state. He wondered how it would have felt in it's prime.

"Not to many people get to browse this part of Hyrule's history. The Master Sword is nearby. There's even a portal over there that leads into a different era where the Temple of Time wasn't just a pile of rubble, er-" Link paused, squinting up toward where he knew the portal should be.

"Or...at least that's where it would have been. Looks like the portal isn't active though. Bummer. Well, that probably means we aren't supposed to mess with it."

Sheik's eyes widened as the name sparked memories of him swimming in books in the royal library. Researching the history of old Hyrule. Something about the ancient knowledge of their homeland drawing him in like a moth to a flame.

Temple of Time? They were in the ruins of what used to be their capitol city? How was that possible?! That trip would take at least a month by horse, even with favorable weather!

To have the chance to visit a time when their ancestral home was still standing? To explore this temple when it was still in use? Witness Hyrule in all her glory?

Visit a time when his people still had an entire city to themselves within the strongest kingdom in the world?

Sheik eyed the curved stonework of what remained of the archway that Link had pointed to. It definitely emitted a powerful aura like which he'd never felt. Red eyes narrowed when he could spot the ethereal glowing runes on the archway itself. He wondered...is that the enchantment he could see simply because of his race's gifted sight? Or did it glow naturally? Could Link see it too?

The sheikah shook his head. Time was not something to mess with and interference would surely have consequences. It disturbed him how much that didn't stop his red gaze from being drawn back to the archway. The thought of returning to a time where he wasn't plagued with the fear that he might be one of the last of his kind refusing to release it's grip on his mind.

He sighed, lifting his gaze and noticed that the sky was bright and sunny. Vastly different from the cloudy sky that had threatened rain not more then an hour ago when they'd been outside the Sacred Grove. Perhaps the magic of the temple allowed them to travel here this fast? Maybe that was why there was a need for such a strange guide?

"I was told to bring you here, and now I have done that. I'm afraid that I don't know what you're meant to do once you got here," said Sheik as he looked around the area for some kind of clue. He tilted his head, studying another archway on the opposite side. It was one of the few structures that still held strong against the elements. Another powerful aura emitted from this direction. One that was similar to the ancient magic of this ageless place. Sheik reached out curiously with his sense's to prob it.

He flinched when it responded to his prob with one of its own. It was sharp, analytical and acted with a confidence that normally showed experience but...it didn't feel like a person. Link was the only other one here!

Sheik stood in shock as the prob faded just fast as it started, making him wonder if he just imagined it. Link stepped up beside him, oblivious to what had just happened.

"I suppose the Master Sword is a good place to start,"

Sheik blinked, turning to face Link. The hero grinned, grabbing a hold of his companion's arm.

"Wait until you see it! You're probably going to be one of the few people that get to see it while its still within the Pedestal of Time!" exclaimed Link excitedly. He dragged Sheik behind him as he rushed forward through the moss covered pathway.

"Hero…I can walk by myself-" Sheik suddenly lost track of his thoughts as he was pulled into another clearing and caught sight of the legendary blade. The sunlight shone through the trees, dappling the clearing with rays of light. The holy blade glittered in the light and he understood where that powerful aura came from now.

Something about that blade was almost alive. A primal force that intensified as he was dragged closer.

"So? What do you think?" asked Link with a smirk. Sheik turned toward him with a look of astonishment.

"I never thought I would meet the Hero of Twilight, see one of the ancient temples and then stand before the sword of evil's bane all within two days…thank you…hero," mumbled Sheik as he gazed at the Master Sword. He shivered as he stared at the blade, unable to shake the feeling that it was also watching him.

Link flashed him a smile and then strode over to the holy blade.

"Alright, I guess I'll just pull it out. Maybe that will help me know what the hell I'm supposed to be doing," Replied Link as he approached the Master Sword. Sheik stood near the entryway waiting in anticipation.

Link stood before the Master Sword, pausing as he reached forward with his dominant hand by sheer instinct. He frowned and then awkwardly gripped the hilt with his left hand instead. The blade slid easily from the Pedestal of Time. Divine energy burst from the blade, as if happy it was once again joined with it's chosen one.

Link was startled when something new happened. Diagrams appeared around the Pedestal of Time and completely surrounded him. They cast a bright blue light and began to glow brighter with each passing second.

Sheik was not concerned, thinking this occurred every time Link pulled the holy sword from its pedestal. He tensed when Link flinched, blonde head swinging around as if he didn't know what was happening. Then he swung toward him, his eyes wide with panic.

Sheik reacted on instinct and teleported to the hero's side and grabbed a hold of his left arm just before the holy power suddenly pulsed and then they disappeared.