Author's Note: okay, after a good amount of reviews telling me that my reasoning with the Master Sword was not quite clear, I made the changes necessary so that you (hopefully) all understand my reasoning. Then again, my initial goal was also to let the characters in my story be confused and helpless, so I cannot reveal too much of it.

Anyway, thanks to the reviewers for drawing my attention on that particular problem, and I hope I am clearer now.

Chapter 43 – Darkness' Bane

Renado took the initiative to clear Link up on the shocking event of that last night. It was indeed a shock for the lad upon hearing the foolish mistake the children had made and putting his life in danger by disobeying the shaman's instructions. But his good heart won over anger instantly without a noteworthy fight, and he could only smile as the children were lead, nearly even forced by Renado into the room and apologized with hanging heads. Beth had the most difficulties to look into the eyes of the one person she had nearly suffocated the day prior, not wanting to listen to Link's quiet words of comfort until Talo and Colin gently pushed her on the chair next to Link.

''I'm so sorry, Link! Please, I'd never harm you, you know that! I just saw you in pain and wanted to help you, so I followed my instinct! You have to believe me, I really didn't –''

''Beth!'' Link managed to say loud enough so that she noticed him and relapsed to silence. ''Beth, such things can happen … I know your intentions were only kind, I'm not angry with you, I could never be angry with you.''

The short-haired girl screwed up her lids as he tried to make eye-contact. ''Beth, look at me.'' Link asked, but she didn't listen to him and just shook her head vigorously.

Link grunted a little while his right arm moved. Renado and the others around him gasped in surprise as they saw him lift his hand slowly, with a shaking arm, to touch Beth under the chin. She winced as she felt his finger on her skin, and could not prevent herself this time from opening her eyes. Link was looking at her with a feeble but wide smile, caressing her a little under the chin. ''It's okay, Beth. I'm alive and fine, so please don't blame yourself. It breaks my heart to see one of you kids so sad …''

Beth could only smile at his quiet answer, and Link nodded while letting his arm all back to the mattress weakly.

Renado cut their reunion short as he noticed Link getting pale and sweaty, telling the children to go and play outside for a while. All but Colin agreed nonchalantly, for the attentive blonde boy immediately noticed his brother looking worse with every passing minute. It took a while to convince him that the following operations were nothing for the tender soul of a child, and eventually it was Luda who got him round by proposing him to make breakfast for Link. As the two youths exited the room, Midna sat down on her respective chair to her partner's left, whom Renado bore company.

''Let me have a look at your wounds.'' the healer said as he carefully uncovered the Hero's upper body and revealed the bloodstained bandage. Link squinted a little to have a look at his chest, sighing as he saw deep red covering it in patches. ''Looks not very pretty.'' he stated plainly. However his head dropped to the pillow once more as his gaze turned weak, looking at Renado with a pleading countenance. ''Would it be possible for me to … have some morphine?''

The Kakarikan kept on his work which consisted in unwrapping the dressing from Link's bloodied chest. ''Yes, but I'll give you just a little, when I'm finished with the bandaging.''

Midna could see Link's eyes drop in disappointment while he licked his lips. He was now sweating profusely and sniffling occasionally as if suffering a cold. Had he, above all else he had to deal with, also caught an illness in this damned bed?

She watched him worriedly as he looked at nothing in particular, seeming to fight an inner struggle with himself over something. After a moment he looked at the working shaman once more. ''Can't you give it to me … now?''

Renado dropped the halfway rolled-up strap of cloth and placed a hand on Link's shoulder. ''It's totally normal that you feel like this, Link. Just wait a little longer and you'll have it.''

''Feel like … how am I supposed to feel?'' the Hylian replied nearly irritated.

''Withdrawal symptoms. The medicine I gave you last night totally reversed the effect of morphine, therefore your running nose and profuse sweating. But if you can hold out until I'm finished here, that would be a good sign.''

Midna's mouth opened in understanding. Withdrawal symptoms then, and not a cold. At least one positive thing in so much suffering. Link also looked enlightened, and nodded eagerly while closing his eyes, preparing for a patient wait until he could quench his craving thirst for morphine. The imp had always admired his determination in the long months they travelled together, and it had not faltered by now even in quite serious pain and, above all, a beginning drug-addiction.

Renado was eyeing the now exposed biggest wound which, to both their big surprise, was beginning to close near the collarbone. The shaman frowned as he inspected the cut, running his prying eyes down to Link's right side where the cut was at its largest. The glistening, violet pebbles inside the wound had not changed, and he could swear they glistened slightly even in the shadow of his big body. He waved Midna closer, indicating the magic. ''It seems to only affect the lower part of the cut, since it begins to heal up there. Are you sure you don't know this magic?''

Midna shook her head. ''I've never seen pebbles of this shade of violet in my life, we Twili use turquoise coloured magic. Zant's foul magic is red, and he has it from Ganondorf. If it's neither of those, whose magic is it then?''

They both gazed mutely at the injury for a while, rubbing their chins and necks thoughtfully. The magic shone back at them in a fierce, nearly mocking light which caused them to frown suspiciously, until a soft throat cleared next to them. ''Do you plan on taking all day or could you patch me up again?'' Link asked quietly, glancing at them crookedly since his head was still lain flat on the pillow.

They quickly shook themselves out of their thoughts and nodded to him, Renado voicing a polite excuse. Wrapping the new, clean bandage around his chest and belly proved to work better now that Link was regaining his strength little by little with every day, which allowed him to arch his back long enough for Renado's hands to pass the roll of cloth through. Midna noticed Link's eyes dart towards the brown bottle of morphine on the table nearly every five seconds, seemingly thinking only about that disgusting stuff which would ease his sufferings. She slowly began to realize that, once all this was over and he didn't need the painkiller any more, he would have to pass through the difficult and hard process of overcoming his craving for the drug, and likely suffer the withdrawal symptoms he was now living a hundred times worse.

A glassy shine crept into Link's dark irises the moment Renado poured a sip of the opioid into the bowl, and the youth nearly choked on his hasty swallows while he downed the stuff gladly.

''You may have some minor difficulties in breathing since a lot of morphine still resides in your system.'' the healer warned him. ''But if you always breathe deeply enough you should be fine.''

He nodded to Midna, instructing her to see to it silently which the imp returned positively. The shaman left them once more, heading down to the kitchen where Luda stood in front of a cooking pot and stirred its beefy broth content with a spoon.

This late morning he would have to make another bottle of opium tincture, and he was glad that Beth kept him company. The young girl had passed quite well through the night and didn't show any signs of shock any more, instead being rather enthusiastic to assist him in concocting all sorts of herbal essences, medicine and oils. Talo and Colin were outside again, practising swordsplay with their worn sticks. He had no idea what Malo was doing, but he was sure the sarcastic brat was all right.

The only one worrying him a little was Ilia. She was still asleep and had not come down that morning to eat breakfast with all the others. Since he didn't have that much to do right now, he stretched his aging limbs a little and moved up the stairs.

''Ilia?'' he asked as he knocked on the door. Nothing came as response, so he cautiously opened it a crack and glanced into the room. The young woman was curled up under the sheets, breathing softly through her feminine nose. She shifted as he called for her quietly, glancing at him with drowsy eyes.

''Good morning, Ilia. May I come in?''

She nodded sleepily while drawing herself up in bed. ''What time is it?''

''Nearly midday, and there is still a pot with warm porridge on the hearth for you. Do you want to come down?''

Ilia considered the proposition, then approved with a nod. ''Okay, I wanted to go out and see the children anyway. How is Link?''

''He's fine, and I'm sure he'd like to see you as well. Why not go to him?'' Renado searched her look, but she evaded him. ''I can't when that … that creature is with him.''

The shaman gasped, shaking his head. ''She's a good-hearted Twili who wants to help us all. You don't have to be afraid of her.''

Ilia gave a quiet scoff and bore her gaze into his, as cold as ice. ''I'm not afraid of her. I just don't like her.''

She stomped passed him without another word, leaving behind a quite puzzled looking Renado. Ever since she had regained her memory, this was the first time he lived her that hostile. The worried looking, timid and friendly girl that had arrived in Kakariko with the ill Zora prince had totally vanished, and he didnt' know how to feel towards the bad-tempered, suspicious and much too worried new Ilia. But as long as she could still smile, he would keep her her bad time. Everyone needed to let out steam, even she.

0

''Now pour the ethanol onto the oil, and the essence is finished.'' Renado instructed his young apprentice, who carefully emptied the content of a smelly bottle into a bowl. She watched the substances mix together in a rather strange fashion, but her eyes glistened in puerile wonder. ''That's beautiful! What will you do with it?''

Renado skillfully poured the produced lavender essence into a little flask and pulled a cork seemingly out from nowhere which he popped onto it. ''I'll give it to you, and every time you feel worried or scared or when you can't sleep, you put a tiny drop of it onto your shirt so that you can inhale it, and you'll feel relaxed in a matter of minutes.''

Beth beamed from ear to ear as she took the vial in her tender hands, jumping up and down in excitement. ''Oh thank you, thank you Mr. Renado! Can I give it to Colin and Talo and Malo and Ilia when they feel bad?''

Renado chuckled. ''Of course, child. Now run off, I have to clean the kitchen for supper.''

The Ordonian girl hopped away happily into the big ground floor, where Colin already ran to her and questioned her about what she had done that afternoon. He eyed the flask with wide eyes, raising his head incredulously while she told him what the magical lavender essence could do. The shaman smiled contently upon seeing the two so joyful once more; Nayru only knew how much he had been afraid about what Link's bad condition would do to them. What they had witnessed last evening should never have happened, and he still felt a painful pang of guilt every time he thought about it. He was unbelievably glad that he could at least make them happy with what he knew, and occupy them as much as possible so that they didn't always have to think about their oldest brother.

Kakariko's skilled shaman had, after the dreadful disaster several months ago, claimed the kitchen of the inn as base for his medicine concoctions and was always working away in the afternoons. But being the tidy man that he was, he was always on time to clean up when the cooking hours approached. The cauldron he used for heating all sorts of liquids or simple water hung over the fireplace, so he could use the bigger table and the oven for the tasks that required the most of room. Over the weeks he had been working in the run-down kitchen, an everlasting smell of dried opium latex, soot from his Bunsen burner and strong tea had rooted itself into the walls and the plaster, making it nearly impossible to stay in the room without leaving the single window constantly open.

As he pulled the window panes apart with a relieved huff, he halted briefly to inhale the fresh, chilly air of the fading spring day. Some lone flowers were already giving the first tries at blooming, but mostly the red earth didn't give away enough nutritiousness for many plants to actually grow. Only the needled bushes and a few meagre trees managed to pull high enough to be noticed.

In the air hung a heavy taste of rain along with increased dampness, signalling that yet another downpour was on the way. Renado sighed, glancing up at the dark rainclouds. Either it was only a very rare phenomenon playing right before his eyes that it rained so much on Death Mountain and he was lucky to witness it in his life-time, or the Goddesses truly wept their heart out in grief about their weakened Hero. Yet it was while he smelt the air from the window that Renado's nostrils noticed another one creep about; horse sweat.

He squinted into the dusk as he heard faint clomping of hooves in the distance. From the stable in front of him where Link's red horse temporarily resided, a loud neigh wafted out of the wooden barn. This made his thoughts catch up with his mind, making him realize who it must be that came at breakneck speed into the mountain village.

''Father? There's a horse coming!'' Luda called from the two-doored entrance to the inn, and he quickly hurried passed her onto the porch to greet the newcomer. The other three children amassed behind him, peering around their protector while hiding half behind him. ''No worries, children. This is a very welcomed friend who's arriving there.'' the healer assured with a smile, and at that moment a brown stallion appeared around the corner of the main street.

Colin gasped and shrieked his father's name as soon as he recognized him, and nearly made the horse rear up in fright at his stormy arrival. The blacksmith pulled hard on the reins with a shout, causing the steed to skid to a halt immediately. The poor beast was drenched in sweat and wheezing awfully, immediately heading for the spring to have a much needed drink. To Renado it looked as if it could collapse at any moment.

Its rider, however, strode unerringly towards his son who was running right into his father's crouched embrace. ''Colin … oh my son, I'm so glad to see you!'' he panted, pressing his child tightly against himself.

The others also approached with huge smiles on their faces, already asking questions to the smith about Ordon and how their home-town fared. Renado however silenced all of them as he went to Rusl's side. ''So you got my letter, old friend?''

Rusl nodded. ''Where is he? I have to go to him immediately. Is he still …'' He choked and could not finish his sentence. As the shaman nodded, a big, relieved sigh escaped the bearded man.

''I'll bring you to him at once. His condition improved a little, but he's still very weak.''

Colin pulled at his father's apron. ''Dad, are you here for Link?'' Rusl bend down briefly and ruffled a dirty hand through his son's hair. ''Yes, and for all of you children. You have to tell me all you've seen here in Kakariko.''

It was obvious that the blacksmith was distressed despite his calm and jovial attitude, for as Renado told the little ones to go into their room for the evening and Rusl followed him into the inn, he noticed how his Ordonian friend was panting heavily.

''He's in the first room your face, but he may still be asleep.'' Renado said, indicating the stairs. ''I think Midna is with him.''

Rusl nodded before ascending the steps slowly. His sandals left tiny pebbles of dirt on the wooden planks, but he paid them no mind. For now all he knew was his racing heart and the sweat that was slowly trickling down his forehead and temples.

Arrived in front of the door, his hand trembled a bit on the doorknob, and as he glanced at it, his entire body joined in. ''Huh.'' he gasped. Never had he shaken like that before, and it sacred him. He simply could not bring his body to turn the knob around, and face the boy he had risen as his own lying on his deathbed, covered in blood and bandages.

''Rusl?'' he heard from somewhere far away. His fingers cramped around the golden handle as his breaths became quick and panicky. His other hand searched for support as his legs started to quake uncontrollably.

''Rusl.''

A touch on his shoulder brought him back to reality. ''What?'' he stammered. Renado stood next to him, looking kindly at him. ''Are you all right, old friend?'' he asked softly. Rusl turned to him, releasing the doorhandle. ''I … I don't know why, but I'm scared, Renado.''

The shaman nodded with a stern but gentle look. ''It's all right, we'll go in together.'' Not retrieving his hand from Rusl's shoulder, he turned the knob around and let the door swing open slowly.

As the blacksmith glanced into the room, first thing he saw was a chair on which sat the strange, black and white creature he had seen at the Temple of Time. She turned her head the moment the two men entered the room, and seemed to recognize the smith immediately. They looked at each other for a short moment wherein she stood up slowly and took a few steps away from the bed.

''Rusl, this is Midna who brought Link here along with Epona. Be it not for her, Link would have stood no chance in surviving.'' the healer introduced softly. ''Midna, Rusl is … '' But the imp cut him off. ''I know, we have already met once. You are Links' surrogate father.''

Rusl nodded, taking a few steps into the room. ''Thank you for all you did for Link, Midna, I'm eternally grateful. How …''

But his voice trailed off as his look fell on the pale figure in the bed. He stood there for a short while without moving, before Renado carefully pushed him on a chair and ushered Midna outside, closing the door behind themselves.

Like the healer had said, Link was still asleep and breathing evenly under his blanket. Rusl approached him a bit more and gently took his hand, caressing it with his thumb. He was relieved that no blood was visible; Renado had treated him well, he realized happily. When he looked at his adoptive son now, it seemed that he was merely sleeping, and that comforted him a lot. Yet, by the reddish tone under Link's eyes, he saw that he was suffering under high fever.

''Oh Link, my son … '' he whispered, leaning forward and placing a hand on the youth's burning forehead. His palm wandered down to stroke over his head and felt Link's hair run through his fingers. ''Please forgive me … '' he said softly, holding back tears. His head sank to the sheets as he started to sob silently. ''I'm so sorry.''

''Don't … '' someone whispered in front of him.

Immediately, Rusl's head sprang up, and his confused look met the Hero's glistening, blue eyes gazing at him. ''Link!'' he gasped as he froze momentarily ere he flung his arms around him with a relieved breath. ''Oh Link, my son! You're awake!'' His cheeks pressed themselves on the youth's forehead as his hands held him firmly, not wanting to let go of him. Link was apparently just waking completely, for one of his twitchy hands groped carefully for the older man's as if to convince himself he was really there as a real being, and not just a dream.

''Link, I … I was so worried … when Renado's letter came, I got so scared that I departed immediately!'' Rusl said.

Link looked incredulous. ''He sent a letter to you?''

Rusl smiled, patting his arm, yet something stopped him from explaining the thing with the letter; if Link knew nothing of the message, then he was surely unaware of the dreadful content it held, and this rightfully. No child in the world should learn about the possibility that their youthful life could suddenly come to an end if the odds were against them. Faith had to be kept, both for Link and for himself; never would he give up on his strong Hylian.

''Yes, because he thought that my presence would help you recover quicker. But I just have to ask, who on Din's holy earth did this to you?''

Link swallowed hard and closed his eyes momentarily as a new wave of pain rolled over him. Clearing his throat, and ignoring Rusl's worried look, he replied in a scratchy voice. ''It's quite a long story, and to be honest I don't really remember much of it.'' His words were slow and soft, his loss of blood still acting on his body and leaving him without much strength. But he forced himself to speak as loud as he could, a fact which Rusl noticed downheartedly.

Then, however, Link's right hand wrapped around Rusl's forearm, and he bore his look deeply into the blacksmith's eyes. ''Rusl, you will never believe what I saw, and where I've been! It would take your breath away to just look at it from afar.''

Rusl smiled at the marvel in his voice. ''What was it you saw, my boy?'' he asked, taking his hand gently.

''A city …'' Link whispered. ''A flying city in the sky, just above the clouds.''

Rusl did not really know how to take that in. As the youth spoke, it sounded a little as if he narrated the vision of a feverish dream he had had during his hard time of recovery. ''A flying city.'' he said awkwardly, nodding slowly.

Link narrowed his eyes a little more at his forced reply. ''You don't believe me, don't you? I wasn't hallucinating.'' The smith chuckled in surprise, realizing that Link had decrypted his thoughts perfectly well.

''First I couldn't believe it myself, but it was there, right before my very eyes.''

The older man saw Link's irises become glassy, and to rouse him gently out of his stupor, he caressed his forehead and hair carefully. That was enough to awaken the Hero again, for he looked now a bit fiercer at him. ''You remember Shad talking about these creatures living in the sky?'' Rusl laughed shortly. ''Oh yes, the Oocca. He kept on babbling all sorts of that rubbish to us, until Ashei silenced him with a nasty blow in the cheek! Hah, you should have seen his glasses …''

''Rusl, those stories were no rubbish.'' the youth cut him off, letting Rusl stare at him. ''I met them, right there in their city.'' Link said.

For a short moment, there was silence in the room, the Ordonian smith boring his look into Link's eyes. ''Are you serious?'' he asked after a while.

Link nodded, and his gaze was like Truth herself. ''But there was something that I'll never forget in my whole life.'' he continued. ''I never thought that I'd stand before one of them, not in my darkest dreams. And I think that I'll never want to again.'' His voice trailed off, lost in thoughts.

Rusl was silent, waiting for him to continue.

''I thought that I was facing Din herself that day.'' the Hylian proceeded, taking Rusl's hand as a support so as not to be swept away by the fire-spitting memories. ''You can't imagine a beast more powerful and dangerous. Its fire burnt holes in the sky, shining as bright as the sun itself. Its wings as large as Ordon, from the ranch over to Jaggle's old mill …''

Rusl's eyes widened as realization struck him. ''No … you …'' was all he could utter. Link's eyes glistened with fascination. ''A dragon, Rusl, a real dragon!'' he whispered. ''I had to fight a dragon up there!''

The older man could only shake his head in disbelief. ''It can't be!'' he breathed. ''Dragons are so rare that for a hundred years, no one has ever had the privilege to see one.'' At that, Link's look became sad. ''And I think no one will any time soon.'' he said despondently.

''You killed him?'' was all Rusl asked. Link balled his fists as tears welled up in his eyes. ''It was one mistake, one damn little mistake! I didn't mean to kill him, but I couldn't hold myself on him, and my dagger slipped when I tried to cut off his armour. Just one little mistake …''

Rusl placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. ''It's okay, Link, it's not your fault. It was flying and you were … hang on!'' His eyes grew wide. ''He was flying, and you were on him, you said?'' Link nodded, turning his palm upwards. ''Upside down.''

''And you killed him, you said?''

''By mistake.'' the Hero muttered. Rusl moved back to lean against his chair, his look was blank with fear. ''But a dead dragon can't fly.'' he said, not wanting to believe this awfully simple fact. ''And it fell down, I presume?'' Link nodded. ''Yep.''

''On the city?'' Rusl almost feared to ask that. Link shook his head. ''No.'' The smith froze. ''It fell through the clouds and landed in Lake Hylia.''

''How do you know?'' Rusl's voice was hoarse with dread. Link just shrugged. ''Because me and Midna were still on him when he fell down.''

The blacksmith was silent for a while. The fright was well written across his face. At that, Link began to tell. He told him everything he remembered, from the impact on the icy water to his desperate try to get the Shard back, from the moment he woke up in that bed to that instant he laid before his surrogate father and tried vainly to ignore his pain. He told him about the multiple cuts he had endured, and that the biggest one was infested with dark magic. He told him about Midna, what she had done for him, how she had rescued him, and how she had taken care of him the entire time. Rusl was speechless, he just sat there on his chair and listened to every word the youth said, not interrupting him one single time. It was only after a long while that Link relapsed into silence to catch his breath which he took with more difficulty.

Rusl had leaned forward again and stroked over Link's head gently to calm him down, mentally digesting what the boy had told him.

''It's so … unbelievable, Link.'' he said. ''I think we were really lucky that not all the Shards were cursed.''

Link smiled at that with closed eyes. ''We were lucky, indeed.'' he muttered drowsily. The long silence that followed gave both of them the time to let their agitated feelings settle down again. Rusl mused over everything Link had said, and looking over his battered and weary appearance he felt guilt enshroud him like a veil. Why hadn't he been there in time to help him? His leg still suffered quite much from Armoghoma's scorching beam, but that wouldn't have stopped him to help Link in his quest. He should have been there, like it was the duty of a father. But he only sat around and had licked his wounds. Why hadn't he been there for him?

''Don't blame yourself, Rusl.'' Link's quiet voice cut through his reflection, letting him jump. ''It's not your fault.''

How on Din's holy Earth... Rusl's mouth fell agape as he stared at Link. ''How did you …'' he stammered. But the Hero merely turned his head and smiled. ''Let's just say I'm beginning to know you quite well.'' he answered, approaching a hand to the blacksmith's one and holding it tightly. Rusl's grin was amplified by a happy look that soon transformed, however, into an 'I-know-something-you-don't' expression. Link noticed this, of course, and narrowed his eyes.

''I'm not sure that's quite true yet.'' said Rusl and softened his gaze again. ''I know that you're a big brother now.'' he continued cheekily.

At that, Link's smile faded to an astonished countenance, and his breath caught in his throat. Water ascended slowly in his pupils as his look left Rusl's, staring blankly in front of himself. ''The baby, it's …'' he whispered.

Rusl nodded with a grin. ''Yes, it came two days ago. That's why I was in Ordon.''

''What is it?'' asked the youth, still frozen stiff.

''A girl. We called her Aryll.'' answered his surrogate father.

''Aryll …'' Link whispered. It was the most beautiful name he had ever heard in his life. ''Aryll …'' he repeated.

''She's got her father's dirty hair and her mother's soft features, but her eyes are yours.'' Rusl said. Link's look darted to him, and the smith noticed suddenly deep sadness consuming it. ''You mean Colin's.'' he said with shaking voice.

There was no hesitation in Rusl's answer. ''She's got Colin's firm grip when he was a baby, and his willpower. But Uli and I immediately agreed that she has your eyes. They have the same determination, the same light that you have now.''

For a short instant wherein Link's look bore into Rusl's the smith noticed something that let the blood freeze in his veins. The light he had just mentioned was, for the first time he remembered, not present. It was not there! Link's eyes were like two extinguished candles which darkness had overtaken, letting behind two hollow spaces only filled with a dull, grey blue and a cloudy inkspot as pupil. His eyes were still the same, but their shine had gone, their very essence that let them glow every time light fell upon them. Now, in the orange radiance of the candle on the bedside table, they remained dark and veiled, nearly lifeless.

''Rusl? Are you okay?'' Link's worried voice rang out and reverberated against the adult's mind, bringing him back to reality. ''What? Oh, sorry Link, I was just lost in thought, I presume. Forgive me.''

Link nodded and breathed in deeply, rubbing his eyes tiredly. Rusl knew too well what that meant. Link, instead of yawning wide-mouthed, inhaled always deeply through his nose when he was tired. That was his way of yawning which Rusl knew since Link's early childhood. ''You're tired, my boy?'' he asked, understanding. The youth nodded and smiled. ''I'd like to get some sleep, if it's okay for you.'' he said. Rusl nodded, standing up. ''I still need to properly greet my second son, he'll be very pleased to learn that he's a big brother now as well.''

Link smiled tiredly and already felt heavy weights tug at his eyelids, and he could just lift a hand to wave his surrogate father goodbye, ere he fell deeply asleep once more.

0

Renado offered the weary and battered smith a seat in front of a nice steaming bowl with stew, which the Ordonian accepted thankfully. ''So, old friend.'' the shaman asked while Rusl excavated the plate nearly savagely. ''How are things on the fields of Hyrule? Did you encounter any trouble?''

Swallowing noisily and clearing his throat, Rusl shook his head. ''I drove my horse so fast that not one of these vermin even had the chance to notice me. They were few, so I dare say that the threat cannot be as bad as we thought.''

Renado sighed, hanging his head. ''I pray you're right, my friend. We could not stand an attack here with Link wounded and the children to protect.''

''Do the Gorons not help you keep the monsters at bay?'' Rusl asked confused. Renado's look was impossible to read. ''The Gorons kindly offered to keep watch for us, but they have problems of their own inside their mines and need every soul they can find. I went to my opium plantations yesterday, and seeing the state of the mountain with all that destruction the eruptions caused, I do not wish to see their stronghold at the entrance of the mines.''

Luda broke through their following silence as she came out of the kitchen and placed the steaming cauldron with stew on the table. ''Here, Mr. Rusl, help yourself.'' she said with a warm smile.

''Thank you very much, Luda. Your stew is delicious.'' Rusl said as he scooped another load into his bowl. The black-haired girl courtesied but shook her head quickly after. ''I did only warm it up, Ilia made the stew.''

Rusl lifted his brows in surprise before leaning closer to her. ''Do you have an idea where she is? I have not seen her with the others earlier.''

The shaman's daughter suddenly looked sad, and Renado quickly jumped in. ''She is very taken aback with Link's condition and hardly leaves her room all day. She told me to leave her alone, so I deem it wise to just let her come on her own.''

Rusl nodded in understanding, looking grim despite himself. ''I did not see the extend of Link's wounds, but I saw how he struggled to stay awake. Is it really as bad as you told me in your letter?'' His tone took on a nearly pleading aspect while he looked at his friend, not wanting to associate the possibility of Death with his adoptive son he had seen half an hour earlier.

''I will not lie when I say that I stay with my assuming; Link hovers further on at Death's door, but I can assure you that his steps away from it are big. He is the strongest boy I have ever met, and I doubt not that he will survive. Yet we have to stay alert, for this magic that plagues the biggest wound makes me feel uneasy every time I think of it, and we should not underestimate it.''

Rusl broke through his words quickly. ''What is this foul magic? Is there a way to purge it?''

Renado folded his arms and leaned back on his chair. ''Believe me, if I had found but a trace of knowledge about this Curse in my books, I'd have long since tried to free Link from it.''

''Tell me more about it.'' Rusl said resolutely, resuming his meal nearly fervently. The healer sighed, now leaning his arms on the table. ''Link's wound were deep, so I had to suture them.'' At Rusl's confused look, he quickly explained. ''Sew them up, in common language.'' The blacksmith nodded in understanding, and the shaman continued. ''Yet when I tried to suture the last one, the biggest, the moment my needle pierced Link's skin the injury suddenly began to bleed profusely. I have never seen something like that in my whole life, believe me.''

Rusl swallowed hard, now looking at his Kakarikan friend with dread on his features. ''The wound also seems to cause Link an incredible amount of pain whenever I touch it or he moves. And it doesn't heal as quickly as the others, and that not because it is bigger than the rest. There is clearly dark magic at work.'' Renado finished, lowering his gaze to the tabletop.

They both stayed in silence for a while, Rusl having quitted eating and was just looking at his spoon thoughtfully. Luda had stepped out of the kitchen once more and was watching the two adults worriedly, her hands fidgeting with a towel. From the big room on the left of the kitchen where the children had their beds, faint giggling and laughing emanated out of the closed door into the hall. Hearing their joyful playing, Rusl turned his gaze towards the door. ''The children are oblivious?'' The question was posed nearly desperately.

Renado nodded, to the smiths endless relief. ''I haven't let them into the room alone since the morphine incident. They know nothing of Link's true condition.''

At those words, the Ordonian looked confused. ''Morphine incident?''

Luda moaned from the kitchen, and Renado sighed as he leaned in and started to narrate the dreadful event in a sad voice. He did not know how Rusl would take it, but being Link's surrogate father he decided he had every right to know what happened to his son in the last couple of days. What a human being would he be to withhold such information from a lifelong friend, anyway? He knew of course that it would be a shock, just as it had been to Link, but unlike the children or Ilia he was an adult, therefore strong enough to bear it. To him he said everything, even the fact that because of Link's suffocation his heart had stood momentarily still. The children had only been informed that he could not breathe, and rightly so. They should never know that they nearly killed him with their good-hearted will to help him. No child should be confronted with such knowledge.

As the healer drew a final breath to end his tale, a door on the fist floor opened. Luda called her father to attention as she saw Midna step out of Link's room, a concerned look on her black and white face.

''Midna? Is there a problem?'' Renado asked, already standing up and followed by Rusl.

''Link is hurting, I think. Could you give him some morphine?'' At her words, the shaman looked confused. ''But I gave him some an hour ago. It cannot be that it wears off that quickly.''

Yet Midna gestured urgently to come up, so he held his long brown gown up while ascending the stairs. Rusl attempted to follow him, but was intercepted with a stern look. ''You should stay downstairs, old friend.''

The blacksmith shook his head. ''That's my son who's hurting up there. I will not let him down.''

Clearly unable to persuade him, Renado sighed before obliging and entering the room hurriedly. Midna sat on the chair to Link's left as always, holding the hand of the squirming youth worriedly. ''Link? Are you awake?'' Renado asked while bringing the morphine bottle onto the bedside table.

''Y-Yes …'' Link panted, his eyes screwed up in pain as he tried to ignore the torment smiting him. ''It h-hurts badly, Renad-do …''

The shaman nodded in concern and uncorked the bottle. ''It will stop soon, Link. Where does it hurt the most?''

As Rusl stepped into the room, Link gritted his teeth in a desperate effort to calm down. He surely didn't want his father to see in how many agony he was, Renado though downheartedly.

''Link! Blessed Din, are you all right?'' Rusl called as he raced to his son's bedside.

''Rusl, give me some space, will you?'' Renado said annoyed as the blacksmith tried to push himself passed him. Maybe it had not been such a good idea to let him in in the first place.

The Ordonian kept on asking Link how he felt, completely drawing Link's attention away from the healer. Renado grunted while he poured a sip of morphine into the bowl ever standing by, gently shoving his way passed the worried Rusl and placing it to Link's lips. ''Drink up, Link. You'll feel better soon.''

Link accepted the drug with relief clearly written across his pain crumpled face. Rusl was also retreating on the other side of the bed as he apparently noticed he had been at the wrong place all the time, voicing desperate apologies all the while. As soon as Link had emptied the bowl, the older man slumped down to his knees and supported his arms on the sheets as he watched Link become relaxed more and more. Renado was stroking over his hair to comfort him, also watching the youth gradually calm down and quit squirming. Only his breathing remained strained, an aftermath of the overdose he had been forced to take the day before.

Suddenly, Link clenched his eyes shut, a choked moan transforming into a pained cry escaping through his gritted teeth. All three around him jumped in fright, Renado immediately dashing towards the other bottle on the table which contained the antidote for morphine. As he came back, however, Link was not suffocating like he had thought, but yelling and crying in pain as his body responded to the agony by writhing and convulsing.

''Renado! What's happening?!'' Rusl shouted over his son's screams. He had turned a sickly shade of green in a few seconds and was staring at Link full with dread. The healer, acting as if he hadn't heard him, placed a calming hand on Link's cheek and tried to soothe him, all the while removing the sheets and looking at the thick bandage. The cloth was white and clean except for his right side, the place where the biggest cut he had taken ended above his hipbone, which was tainted red alarmingly.

''Renado! Answer me!'' Rusl bellowed, and the shaman's head jerked up. ''I don't know! For Din's sake! Get Luda, quickly!''

The smith was frozen stiff by fear and grief and didn't react, so Midna flew up and over the bed quickly, growling over the Ordonian's useless presence. Link gave another scream and dug his head into the pillow, his eyes flickering open and shut occasionally. Renado saw his pupils turn back until only the white remained, indicating that it was no ordinary pain he lived; this was excruciating agony that threatened to drive him into unconsciousness.

Luda quickly came up with Midna following, and the young girl got horror-widened eyes as she saw Link squirm and cry. ''Fetch me the scissors, Love, quick!'' Renado called to her, and to his great relief she didn't wait to comply. With the device in his hands he positioned himself so that we wouldn't touch Link's torn skin accidentally, cutting through the enormous bandage in a matter of seconds.

Meanwhile, Luda brought towels and cloths to the bedside table, but jumped in fright as Link shrieked out when her father pulled the bandage, oiled silk, wool and lint away from he bleeding wound. Midna hovered above Link's feet that thrashed limply about, staring in horror at the once violet pebbles that had turned black, moving inside the blood and welling up like boiling water before sinking back into the wound. She could see Renado stare at the magic with a flabbergasted expression on his face, also frozen just like the smith in the corner. His hands were performing useless movements while he desperately ransacked his mind for something to do. Luda had stepped back a little and was gazing at Link in horror, suddenly calling out. ''Father! He's fainting!''

As Renado finally managed to move again, his look fell on Link's face which had taken on a very pale tint. Then Link's eyes closed slowly, his head lulled to the side, and with a last strained spasm his entire body became slack. ''Link!'' he gasped, letting his palm cup over his cheek and gently bring his head back to them. The Hylian didn't respond, he just laid there, breathing ever so faintly.

The room suddenly turned eerily quiet, the silence only broken by their heavy breaths as they all stared at the youth in bed. Rusl slowly approached the healer, stammering a little before his lips could actually perform words. ''W-what is … is Link …?''

Renado, after lifting one of Link's eyelids and seeing the pin-point pupil, straightened with a quivering sigh. ''He's unconscious.'' was all he answered.

0

It was pain, Renado had said. Excruciating, horrible, unbearable pain. If that were really the case, then Midna was at a complete loss of what to do. The morphine, such a strong and nearly dangerous drug, had done nothing to ease it even at the time it should normally have acted. Renado neglected it, but she was sure it was solely because of the morphine that Link had been in such agony. Why she could not tell, but it was a feeling inside of her that simply said it was so.

The children had, of course, heard Link's heart-wrenching cries and immediately hung at Renado's feet to know what had happened. The shaman was strangely quiet after the incident and had refused to lighten them up. Even Ilia begging him to say something was overheard, until Rusl all took them into the kids' room and told them all he knew. Luda had retreated into her own room, mulling over what they had seen and witnessed.

The only one really straight-minded was Midna. Even if confused, she was sitting at Link's side with fierce determination in her eye, rummaging through all the books about dark curses and magic Renado had left in the sick room. Not one of all those maledictions in the quires had lead to anything, except for the one she was reading right now, sitting on the bed next to Link's right arm, careful not to touch him, with the book laid open on the chair. The pebbles didn't make any appearance in the description, yet the pain and violet hue were mentioned.

Concentration strained to the limit, she read attentively; until: Violet coated them like a veil, witnesses told, and from this day on no male Gerudo was ever born in the tribe ever again. The curse is only befalling women with pain and blood, men are unharmed.

''Dammit!'' she muttered quietly, grunting while she closed the book once more. She let a cold hand run down her face in desperation as she carried the huge volume to the other useless books on the table. Sighing, she sat down on the chair once more, gazing at her companion's unconscious form.

''Well, you're a man, so it can't be that one, I guess.'' she mumbled with a weak smile, brushing a finger over Link's inanimate face. ''If only we could get at least a little information …''

Midna.

The little imp jumped with a shout, looking around her and searching in the dark of night for the voice she had just heard. But no one except the sleeping form of Link shared the chamber with her. The door was closed, as were the shutters.

''Hello? Renado, is that you?'' she called towards the door, and noticed a thin shimmer of light shine underneath the wood. With a frown she stood up and opened it, but no one was there, only a few candles stood on the table on the deserted ground floor and illuminated the house.

''Odd.'' she said aloud with a frown. All the inmates of the inn were surely asleep by now, since normally Renado always sat at the round table downstairs if he stayed awake in the evening. Rusl had received a bed in the room right next to Link's but there was no light shining from underneath the door or through the keyhole either. He must be asleep as well.

Shrugging, she turned around to head back into the room when suddenly her right hand felt hot and burnt her. ''Ow!'' she hissed as she grabbed it painfully. It pulsated awfully, as if her bones wanted to break free from underneath her skin. She held her other hand on her mouth to prevent any scream of pain wake up the entire household as she sat down next to the doorframe and waited for the queer sensation to fade away.

It lasted a few seconds, but eventually it stopped again. Midna looked at her hand with a puzzled expression, turning it this way and that to inspect it and maybe find the source of the pain. At first glance, nothing showed her any explanation, but as she looked over the back of her hand again, her attention was caught by a small, faint line.

''What in the Goddesses' name …'' she whispered as she found another line, then another, and as she followed them with her look she noticed them meet at one point to form a corner.

Aghast, she decided to look at her hand from a little distance and stretched it out in front of her. What she saw send her heart up her throat.

A perfect triangle met her eyes wide in disbelief, itself cut down into three adjoining triangles, one of them being a tad brighter than the others. It was the bottom left one where the surface shone stronger, and a picture flashed up in Midna's mind.

A dark gloomy room, a hooded figure sitting next to her and looking away, one arm stretched out, performing a slow swish with a golden triangle shining up on their right hand, the bottom left shining stronger …

''Zelda … '' she whispered, her lower lip suddenly quivering in sorrow.

Midna. Hear my words.

Midna finally recognized the voice that had spoken earlier in Link's room. Those crystal bells resounding along with a sadness that was deeper than the ocean could only belong to the princess that had sacrificed her life for the imp. ''Zelda … I … forgive me, please …''

She froze instantly as the air flickered in front of her. The golden triangle on her hand glowed slightly as it shed small sparks that flew into the air, assembling themselves gently to form an outline. Long, thin arms stretched out to her and embraced Midna's own while she watched, full with wonder, how a body formed in front of her. A flowing dress and waving hair engulfed the naked form of a woman who crouched down to her eye-level, her face appearing as if emerging from the surface of a lake. A golden crown adorned her head, reigned by a sapphire gem shining in the weak candlelight. She opened a pair of dull, lifeless eyes, once blue and fierce with pride, now dark and hollow.

Midna. I do not have much time, so hear my words. The one you sought in my castle so long ago, the one you call Link, is in grave danger. He has been cursed by a dark power.

Midna gasped at her words and tried to grab the princess' hands, but they simply went through the spectre. ''What is this curse, Zelda?''

The princess lowered her head as grief overcame her porcelain face, and a lone, silver tear fell from her lids. An ancient magic, similar to the one binding him to his beastly form.

Suddenly, it crashed down on Midna like a wave. ''The Master Sword! Why didn't I think of it before?!'' Of course, the blade was a purging weapon, and it had already drawn the shadow crystal from Link's body. This was it, the solution to his cure! And she only thought of it now!

However, Zelda shook her head slowly. The Master Sword is a vessel of benevolence to banish Evil, yet it is not made to drive away Darkness. As powerful as it is, it would not be able to purge Link from his dark curse.

Midna's chin hit the wooden floor. What … ?

Zelda made a move as to frame Midna's hand with her own, and a shower of reassurance ran through the imp's small body. To vanquish Darkness, there is only Light. Seek the four Light Spirits, pray for the Hero, and they will weep. Go now, Midna. Hyrule needs her Hero, yet the Hero needs you. I pray for thee, princess of Twilight.

And as slowly and gracefully as it had appeared, Zelda's spirit faded once more. The Triforce on Midna's right hand darkened, the lines disappearing in her skin painlessly until only her glowing green patterns remained. She sat there for a while, looking at the spot where Hyrule's late princess had knelt moments ago, her mouth slightly open in shock.

To vanquish Darkness, there is only Light, it resonated in her mind. At long last, they had a way to free Link … the sheer sensation of relief washing over her made a single sob escape her throat, before she slowly stood up, turning to the stairs but halting just once to look at her right hand.

''Thank you, Zelda,''she whispered with a small smile, clenching her palm to a tight, resolute fist. ''Thank you so much!''

000