I ACTUALLY DID THE THING

AND AGAIN I APOLOGIZE

BUT HERE IT IS

OOH I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE WHAT YOU GUYS THINK OF THIS CHAPTER

OKAY

From now on you can probably expect more frequent updates. I owe you guys that at least. Enjoy! *smooches followers*

Windfall Island, on the Great Sea

Two days later, the ship made it to Windfall Island safely. WIndfall was a bustling village, small and familiar with sandy pathways and corridors lined with tiny shops and cafes and stalls, and in the center of it all was the palace - Princess Tetra's palace.

There was a quiet inn, just up the stairs from a cafe in the heart of the village. It was quaint, and small, but very comfortable and inviting - at least, that's what it looked like from the field in the distance.

"So... one more time, please," Ghanti asked irritably. "Why must we camp out just outside the village with the cozy inn?"

"Blame Link," Sheik said, helping the others pitch their tents. Ghanti eyed Link expectantly.

"A long time ago, I caused a bit of... trouble in that inn. Got myself banned. Let's just say I owe the owner a large sum for some... damaged property." Link explained.

"And why does that mean we have to camp out as well?" Ghanti retorted.

"Well, we can't just leave Link out here alone," Sheik said casually.

"Besides," Auru added. "We're almost out of money."

"Oh, speak for yourself," Ashei spoke up. "Ghanti, room is on me tonight."

"You're the greatest," Ghanti said, quickly abandoning her tent and following Ashei to the village. "Have a good night, guys!" She called, not bothering to look back.

"Hate to leave the party too, but..." Rusl pulled a handful of rupees out of his pocket. "I'm with the ladies. See you in the morning." He ran off towards the village as well.

"I stand corrected then." Auru chuckled. "I'm almost out of money."

"Sheik are you going to go with them?" Link asked.

Sheik suddenly froze. No, I want to stay. I want to stay here with you. But why? Why did she have the urge to stay by him? It didn't make sense, this silly urge that she'd had lately. It was something that not even the wise and logical Zelda could figure out.

"No, I'll stay," She said calmly. "I don't mind it out here," She hoped Link wouldn't question her any further.

Once the three remaining adventurers had erected two tents, it was almost sundown. It was all quite familiar for Link - putting up a tent, starting a fire, catching food... but to Sheik it was quite a new experience. But she enjoyed it all the same, especially if she wasn't alone.

"We'll find him," Link said, gazing up at the stars. "We have to."

Sheik nodded in agreement.

"Ghirahim wants to find the Bearers of the Triforce, right?" Link asked after a small moment of silence.

"Yes..." Sheik answered.

"So... why doesn't he have me yet?"

Sheik thought for a moment. "Well, I'm... uh... Zelda is his top priority, correct? I think... I think that he believes in your ability to find her. From what I understand, the Hero of ancient times was able to find the Goddess incarnate against all odds. Perhaps he is comparing you to that Hero of old. Perhaps he wants you to lead him to m... her."

Link let out a groan that Ashei could probably hear from the inn. "So either way, I can't protect her?" He asked, clearly exasperated.

"I suppose,"

The stars were out and the moon was full and high. Auru had already gone to sleep. but Sheik and Link stayed out to enjoy the night air.

"I'm going to take a quick walk," Link said suddenly. Sheik did him the favour of not questioning him. She knew, though, that when he hadn't changed his form in a very long time, the light of the full moon would become simply unbearable. So Link went off to putter about as a wolf for a few hours, and Sheik retired to the tent, grateful for some time alone.

Link, once he figured he was far enough, transformed instantly. Relief coursed through him. It was hard, especially under the full moon, to stay in one shape, but it was pure ecstasy to feel grass underneith his paws and night wind through his matted fur. It was a bit odd, he thought, quite a bit to get used to, but no longer than an hour had passed before he was dashin freely in the field, thoroughly enjoying the sights, sounds and scents.

Scents?

He was quite far from the campsite now, but a sickeningly familiar scent drifted through the air. He immediately followed the scent, it getting stronger and stronger as he ran. It was sweet, but mild, with a tang; like a fresh blossom or a rose that'd been rained on. And this scent, this wonderful, lovely, mysterious scent that was still somehow so familiar - he recognized it instantly. He'd know it anywhere. With each step and each sniff he grew more and more sure that he'd never mistake it for anything or anyone.

Zelda.

But it was impossible. Had she been here? Was she still here? Was she safe? Why didn't he think of doing this before? Realizing his instincts had distracted him, Link paused to examine his surroundings. He wasn't far from the campsite, he realized, as he kept on following his nose. Slowly but surely, his nose led him back to the campsite, where the scent was thickest and strongest. It was odd, he thought, that the scent should lead him back here, but the simple thought of possibly seeing Zelda again made him so ecstatic that he pushed those concerns to the very back of his mind. The scent was strong, almost like an aura, and it concentrated around the campfire, near the luggage and food, but most of all, the tent - Link and Sheik's tent.

I know it's a tad shorter than previous chapters but I felt I owed you guys at least this much! I hope you liked it. Can I get you anything? Cookies? Milk? A shock blanket? (speaking of which, any Sherlock fans out there? You can probably expect some fics of that from me in the future)

Read and review and you will get a picture of Gordon Ramsay in your inbox. No lie.