Hey guys, long time no see? Actually, this is probably the quickest update we've had in a while! Anyway, this is going to be a long chapter, so we hope you enjoy it, and thank you for reading The Last Wish!

-C.H.

Markada must have anticipated this as she took out her knife and held the edge close to the girl's throat. "I wouldn't try anything stupid if I were you," she said coolly, "Not if this child's life is at stake!"

Komali and Medli could only watch in helpless fury as the sadistic woman held their daughter hostage. "Quite a dilemma you two landed yourselves in," Markada chuckled, "You know, we could have avoided all of this had you accepted my offer. I wouldn't have to resort to desperate measures like this." She grinned as she gazed at the Rito parents. "And don't expect some miracle or even last-minute heroics to save you all. I'm giving you one last chance: Join the Svain Army or your daughter dies."

The wind blew strongly against Medli as she and her husband stared in silence. She was afraid to show tears, her daughter was in some strangers hands, with a knife to her tiny neck. She wanted to reach out, for some magic to bring Hali back to her, but there was nothing she could do. She tried to read Komali's expression, but he was just staring as though he couldn't process what Markada had just told them. Hali's tiny squeal made Medli cringe, it was so painful to hear their baby crying and being unable to do a single thing about it.

"So?" Markada was certain if she gave another bluff that she would have them on her side. "What say you?"

After a long time of silence, Komali raised both of his hands. "We surrender."

"Well, that was quick," Markada said, her grip on Hali loosening a little, "But at least you made the right choice." She had expected some brash attempt of the Rito couple to save their daughter, but this sudden surrender had made things a little easier.

"Just give us our daughter back," Medli replied, defeated.

Markada thought for a moment as she lowered the knife away. It could be a trick, she thought, But on the other hand, it would be so satisfying to bring the leader of the Rito and his wife to heel. This is too good an opportunity to pass up! She smiled as she knew she had won. "Alright, then," Markada said, pleased with herself, "You can have your daughter back, but only for a few minutes."

"That's all we need," Komali said solemnly, "We just want to say a few things to her."

Markada sighed, rather annoyed, as she released Hali and the little Rito ran crying to her parents. "Just make it quick," she growled impatiently, "I have no time for sappy goodbyes."

"It's alright now," Medli whispered to her crying daughter as she clung into her mother's back, "You're safe."

Komali swallowed as he mentally prepared himself to make a hard decision. He walked over and gently touched his daughter's back. "Hali," he said softly, catching his daughter's attention, "I want you to know that no matter what happens, your mother and I will always love you." Then he looked into his wife's eyes and said, "Let's go."

Before Makada could react, Medli suddenly jumped and quickly took to the air, her arms becoming wings as Hali held on tightly. "Gah! Stop them!" Makada shouted, angry that she had been tricked.

Komali, watching his wife carry their daughter to freedom, was about to follow her when he was suddenly tackled to the ground by a soldier hidden nearby. He flailed about, trying to get away, but his assailant was too strong. The soldier held the Rito down while his partner came and cuffed the prisoner.

"Good work men," Makada congratulated them as she approached the captive Rito, "I'll see to it that you're rewarded." She turned her gaze to Komali, her eyes glared balefully at him. "As for you," she said, her voice lowered in seething anger, "You are going to pay for that little stunt you just pulled. When I'm through with you, you're going to wish you'd joined for real."

Komali didn't say anything, but a look of defiance shone in his eyes despite the fact he was captured.

Makada was unimpressed as she got down on her knee and stared at him. "And when we find your wife and child," she spoke ominously, "I'm going to give them a front row seat to what will be done to you and maybe subject them to the same thing while you watch."

Komali felt a stab of fear in his chest at the horrifying mental images the woman's words had conjured up. No… he thought, trying to keep his composure.

"Take him away," Makada ordered as she stood up, "Put him in one of the 'special' prisons." She turned and left, leaving Komali with the soldiers who lifted him to his feet.

Please let Medli and Hali be safe, Komali silently prayed as he was led away, And if possible, please let Link be alive.

Medli had no idea how long she had been flying. As soon as she was up in the air she couldn't stop and only glanced back to see her husband being captured. She knew in her heart that he would be very upset with her should she not continue escaping, so she used her wisdom and flew as far and fast as she could with their little daughter in tow.

Out of breath, Medli looked down just in time to see a very familiar pirate ship just ahead. Hali had not made a noise since they took off, but she was clinging her arms tightly around Medli's neck.

"Mamma..." Hali squeaked, her tiny voice drawing Medli's attention.

"It's alright, we're landing soon." Medli cooed, slowly hovering down to the ship below them. As soon as she touched down, Medli tried to stop herself from tumbling, but could not seem to catch her footing. Her body collapsed to the wooden surface, and Hali held on tighter to prevent herself from flying off of her mother's back.

"Mamma!" Hali cried, rolling off of Medli's back and toddling over to touch her mother's cheek. "Mamma!"

Link was the first to appear at the scene, where he was shocked to see an old friend collapsed from sheer exhaustion on the deck of the pirate ship.

"Medli?" Link dashed forward, stopping just before Hali and Medli's still frame. He pressed his fingers to her neck to feel for a pulse.

"She's alright..." Link sighed heavily. He scooped her up off the floor just as Tetra emerged from below the deck.

"What happened?" Tetra asked, rushing forth as fast as she could. She stopped and immediately spotted a crying Hali, and took her into her arms. "What's going on?"

"I wan... I wan my Mamma!" She sobbed, crying loudly while she was in Tetra's arms.

Tetra looked helplessly at Link, uncertain of what she should do in this situation, even though she was pregnant Tetra had no experience with small children.

"It looks like she collapsed from exhaustion, I'm taking her below deck so she can rest. Bring Hali." Link had never personally met Hali, but he had heard things from letters he received from Komali and Medli herself.

Hours later, Medli opened her eyes to see that she was in a dimly lit room, covered with a down quilt that kept her nice and warm, even if it was already rather hot. She uncovered herself and sat up, grimacing at the headache she had. Medli glanced over just as Tetra entered the room with a wet rag in a basin.

"You're awake!" Tetra gasped, "Hali has been crying for you, although she isn't crying now..."

"Is she alright?" Medli asked, her voice quivering.

"She is, Aryll is keeping her busy." Tetra moved across the room and set the basin down on a table. "What happened?"

"Ahm..." Medli sighed, her eyes downcast, "We were invaded, Komali has been captured by Svain."

"No..." Tetra could see the pain in Medli's expression, she looked uncomfortable with the subject, in fact, she hesitated to speak again. "We must tell Link, we're on our way to Dragon Roost right now."

"That woman, she told us of Link's demise!" Medli's eyes were wide and filled with concern, "He lives?"

"After a very close call, yes..." Tetra sighed heavily as if allowing a weight to come off of her shoulders. "We thought we were going to lose him, but he is alive and well. His death was faked on Windfall Island, we didn't expect it to be so..."

Medli waited as Tetra hesitated to speak. " What happened?"

"The plan went horribly wrong when Link and Ivan were having a duel, they fell into the water and Ivan accidentally stabbed Link."

Medli's eyes were wide with shock, her mouth gaping at the news. "I... I am glad he's alright." She replied, her voice quivering as her thoughts shifted to her husband. "Tetra, what will I do? How will we save him?"

Tetra moved away from where she'd been standing next to the basin. "Once Link finds out, we'll come up with a plan. At the rate we're going, we won't be at Dragon Roost until tomorrow."

"But-"

Just then, Link entered the room and sighed with relief when he saw Medli sitting up in bed. "Tetra was taking her time coming back, so I thought you might be awake."

"Ahh... Link!" Medli exclaimed, "You're alright. I'm... I'm so relieved!"

"Tell me what has happened on Dragon Roost." Link pulled up a chair to sit down near Medli's bed.

"Th-They came with force, taking over the island quickly." She said, "Komali and I were going to escape, but they caught him before he could fly away." Medli looked down, watching as her fingers fold in her lap. "What are they going to do to him?"

"I..." Link glanced at Tetra, "I don't know." He shuddered to think of the things they might do to Komali. "Though it may be possible that they'd keep him alive," he added, thinking of the obvious reason to do so.

"I'd rather not think about it." Medli squeezed her eyes shut as she recalled a horrible memory, "I still think about that horrible woman and how she threatened to kill Hali unless we joined."

Link and Tetra flinched, knowing who Medli was referring to. "Just when you think Markada couldn't go any lower..." Tetra said in disgust as she protectively laid her hands on her stomach.

Link nodded in agreement. "She really needs to be stopped," he murmured, recalling the uncomfortable, skin-crawling sensation he felt whenever he was near that woman. The thought of facing her again, even after he had faked his death, had unsettled him.

It was a clear night with the stars twinkling in the sky. The sea was calm, which added to the pleasant mood, and the ship sailed at an even pace. Tetra sat alone on deck, her hands playing with her necklace as her mind was occupied with Medli's story and the worries over the next day. Markada will be there, Tetra shuddered at thought, And when she finds out that Link's still alive… She didn't dare go there and instead focused on happier times with Link. It seemed like long ago when they got married and looked at the stars on their wedding night, cuddling until they fell asleep, exhausted from the day's activities.

Tetra heard someone come up on deck and walk toward her. She looked up and smiled when she saw it was Link. "Hey," she spoke as her husband sat down next to her.

"Hey." Link reached his arm around Tetra's shoulders and pulled her close to him. She could feel his warmth, his comfort, it was as if he already knew what she was thinking in that very moment. "You can't sleep?" He asked.

"Not at all. You?"

Link gave a light chuckle, "Here I am." He leaned over slightly and kissed her cheek.

"So you can't sleep for the same reason I can't?" Tetra ventured, her eyes darting away from him. "I'm trying not to think about it, but tomorrow is looming over our heads and I just... I don't normally feel so afraid or concerned. I like to go into things head first and think later."

"What are you afraid of?" Link asked.

"What she might do to you," Tetra replied, bringing her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around her legs.

"Don't think about that... tomorrow can worry about itself." He couldn't admit it to her then, but he had similar worries. It was so much easier to play dead, and he knew it firsthand. He knew that he could go on for ages playing dead and pretending like nothing was happening - but that wasn't possible. He was Link, and with that name came a lot of high expectations. He had to win this battle, but he wouldn't have to do it alone. He glanced over at his wife who was staring off into the distance. She hadn't said anything to him in a couple of minutes, which left him time to get lost in thought.

Playing dead, no, he had done that long enough. Each day that passed he could hear everyone he'd rescued in the past calling out for his help. Seeing Medli in shock that day had only been a reminder that he had things to do, people to save, it was clear that they all needed his leadership.

Link had not seen Markada since before he faked his death, and that felt like so long ago when in all reality it had only been a little over a month. Tall, slender, with angular features, and blood red hair, Markada had made it known that she was a force to be reckoned with. However, when she decided to take over the islands, she decided to declare war with the one who had fought monsters much bigger than even she. Link knew exactly what he had to do.

The next morning brought some anxiety to the ship's crew. Link and Tetra were preparing themselves for a battle they knew was coming. They could sense tension in the air as the crew anxiously shuffled their feet and looked around. "Well, this is it," Link said as he and everyone on the ship watched the island get closer as they approached, "We're facing them again after a month." He reached out for Tetra's hand and immediately felt the warmth as she grasped it.

"I know," Tetra replied, her thumb rubbing the back of his hand, "And there's no telling what the outcome will be." She could feel her stomach flutter nervously at the thought of what was to come. But she knew they had to do it, to at least try to actively resist the Svain Army for the sake of the future of the Great Sea. The time for hiding was long past, this was time for action.

Dragon Roost, from the distance, looked relatively peaceful and seemingly unaffected by the events on the outside world. Only the black ship anchored close to the shore gave any indication that all was not right with the world. After witnessing what had happened to Windfall, no one was sure if Dragon Roost had underwent the same change as well.

"We should be getting close to Dragon Roost shortly," one of the pirates called from the crow's nest. Tetra swallowed back the bile that threatened to rise due to her pregnancy and jittery nerves. Now is not a good time to be sick, she sternly thought to herself, As captain of this ship, I have to keep myself together!

Why was this easier said than done? She could see the stern look in Link's eyes as he was staring ahead, possibly lost deep in thought. Medli and Hali had just come up from below deck.

"Link, what is our plan?" Tetra asked.

"You mean my plan?" Link glanced up as they were turning, passing Dragon Roost while they were still a long distance away.

"What are we doing?!" Tetra cried, "We are almost there, we have to go!"

"We don't have to go, I have to go! You are going somewhere safe."

"No!" Tetra exclaimed, "No, I have to go with you! You are not going alone!" She began to hit her fists against his chest. "Why are you doing this?!"

"You are not thinking this through logically, Tetra!" Link grabbed her shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "This could go horribly wrong, we could be boarded. We have a child aboard our ship! You are also pregnant-"

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Link and Tetra. Tetra's eyes were filled with tears and were also wide with shock.

"Really?" Medli gasped.

"I never thought this day would come!" Gonzo sobbed, using Niko's bandanna as a handkerchief. "I'm just so happy!" He blew his nose before abruptly dropping the bandanna back on Niko's head. Niko was too shocked to notice this happening.

Tetra was still standing there in shock, Link's hands still laying on her shoulders. She was about to speak, but her voice betrayed her and cracked. She was stunned, and so was everyone else on the ship.

"I... I suppose it had to come out sooner or later." Tetra wrapped her arms around her stomach and backed away from Link. "Where are you taking us?" She asked, trying to change the subject, but everyone was too flustered with excitement to acknowledge her question. Link himself couldn't believe he'd even said it so loudly.

"That's amazing news!" Medli smiled warmly, hanging onto the hand of her toddling child. "You shouldn't fret about Link's plan, it is a very wise decision to take us to safety first. E-Even if it means my husband being held captive much longer." She glanced at Link, her eyes smiling even though there was pain deep down. "Thank you, Link."

He nodded, giving a half smile back. "It's for the best. If it weren't for your condition and the fact that Hali is here, we wouldn't be doing this."

"But you can't fight her alone!" Tetra exclaimed.

"I know that, which is why I'll be taking the crew after we get you, Hali, and Medli to safety."

"But where exactly are we going?" Tetra was at her wit's end, still reeling from the shock of her pregnancy being revealed. "You could at least tell me!"

Link looked over at his wife and replied, "We're going to Forest Haven."

They had sailed southward for a long time ever since that fateful morning. It seemed like eternity before the crew saw what looked like two enormous stumps, one of which was the Forest Haven. Since the area was remote, it was spared the fate that had befell the other islands when the Svain Army invaded the Great Sea. As the ship got closer to one of the giant stumps, Link remembered when he first got there. He had intended to get one of the pearls that eventually raised the Tower of the Gods and ended up going on a rescue mission that involved learning how to glide with a giant leaf, fighting his way through the Forbidden Woods, and battling against a giant monster plant to save a little Korok named Makar.

"This is the most remote area that I know is safe," Link said as the ship got close enough to dock, "I don't think the Svain Army even knows this place exists." Inwardly, he hoped that was the case and he wasn't mistaken.

Tetra was taken aback by the sheer size of the stump that made up most of the island. She didn't quite know what to think of it. In fact, she was utterly speechless. Little Hali, held safely in her mother's arms, could only stare in awe as it was the very first time she saw another island in her short life.

"Alright," Link said as he turned to Tetra and Medli, who was still holding Hali, "You three are coming with me." He looked at the rest of the crew and said, "The rest of you can stay on the ship."

"What he said," Tetra finally spoke for confirmation. She didn't know what to expect, but she knew to trust Link.

Once they were inside, Tetra realized that they were still going to be walking through knee deep water, which Link did not seem all that bothered by. Getting up to the door was one thing, but this was much easier than that. Tetra was trying to catch her breath and slowed down on the walk until she realized that Link was holding his hand down to her so she could climb the slope with him.

Finally, they approached what looked like a giant leaf floating on the water. It was huge and Link could remember thinking it much bigger than that as a child. "Well hello!" boomed a familiar voice, "It has been a while since we last met." Link and the others looked and saw a very tall tree with a jovial look on his face. "I see you have brought visitors here," the tree continued.

Tetra couldn't believe her eyes. She did hear vague rumors of a large, talking tree that lived somewhere in the Great Sea, but she never thought they'd be true!

"Yes, it has," Link replied, "Though I wish it were under better circumstances." He caught the looks on the face of the girls and decided an introduction would be in order. "Oh! I almost forgot!" he said sheepishly, "Tetra, Medli, Hali, this is the Great Deku Tree, the Guardian of the Forest Haven."

"So this is the Great Deku Tree," Medli spoke in awe as she held Hali, "I never thought I'd meet him in person. It's an honor to meet you." She bowed her head briefly in reverence as she said it.

"Ah, so you are Medli," The Great Deku Tree said warmly, "Valoo spoke highly of you when we last met. But I digress. It seems you are all troubled by something."

Link nodded and spoke, "The Great Sea is danger once again, not by a single foe but an army that has been conquering the islands in recent months. As far as I know, Windfall and Dragon Roost are taken over. We have come here to seek shelter for those who unable to fight."

The Great Deku Tree listened intently to what Link had said. "Hm, this is troubling," he murmured, "And Dragon Roost is taken over as well? How did that happen?"

"Valoo has been gone for some time," Medli replied, "The army came and quickly took over the island. My daughter and I managed to escape, but everyone else…" She blinked back her tears, trying not to think of what was happening to her people. "If it is possible, could you send a message to Valoo to tell him to come back?"

"Regretfully, it is impossible for me to do so," The Great Deku Tree spoke solemnly, "But I know those who can." He then lifted himself and said, "Koroks! Little children of the forest! These travelers are not your enemies but they seek our aid. Let your hearts be at ease, and show yourselves!"

There was a moment of silence before small, wooden beings wearing leaf masks with faces painted on them emerged from their hiding places and approached the group, making jingling sounds as they moved. Assured that the strangers were no threat, the Koroks took a closer look and immediately noticed that one of them looked familiar.

"It's him!"

"The hero who braved the Forbidden Woods and saved Makar!"

"Wow, he's grown!"

"How you've been?"

Link couldn't help but smile. After witnessing what had the Svain Army had done to Windfall and hearing about Dragon Roost's takeover, it was a relief to find a place where the army hadn't reached.

Hali was fascinated by those strange little people that had gathered around. They even made an interesting noise! She wiggled in her mother's arms, wanting to be put down. "Mamma!" she cried, her little arms reaching the ground.

"Oh, you want down?" Medli immediately noticed her daughter's need to get down. She knelt to the ground and let go of Hali. The little Rito toddled over to one of the Koroks as her mother watched, very curious.

The Great Deku tree smiled when Hali began to play with the little Korok, her arms wrapping around it, making the little creature jingle.

"One of you will go for me and find Valoo, tell him it is urgent that he comes right away."

"I will go!"

"No, it will be me! I will go!"

"No me!"

"Enough!" The Deku Tree shouted, then looked directly at one Korok standing to his left, "You will go. Please hurry, it is very urgent that Valoo arrive here soon."

"Yes, yes!" The Korok replied and then immediately left Forest Haven.

Loud jingling attracted the attention of the room and they could see Hali playing happily with one Korok, giggling and rolling around on the floor with it. Medli had not seen her so happy and secure in days, in fact, this was even the happiest Medli had felt since Dragon Roost had been taken captive.

"I've got it." Link said suddenly, his voice confident.

"Got what?" Tetra and Medli both asked, turning to face him.

"We can't do anything on Dragon Roost island until we know that the children are safe, so before we do anything... we rescue the children." Link said, crossing his arms. "Hali has just given me an excellent idea."

To Be Continued...