The first thing Link noticed was a pulsing, throbbing pain in his head. It felt as though his head were being used as a drum during the harvest festival.
Then he noticed that wherever he was, it felt like it was unbearably hot. There was a blanket over him, maybe that was the problem. Though there was also a damp cloth on his forehead, so maybe that wasn't it.
That led to the next realization, that his entire body ached. Even the slightest movement, it felt like he was pushing against three Gorons. It was already difficult just to open his eyes, much less to try and nudge the blanket off of himself.
When he finally did open his eyes, he was surprised by what he saw. He was in the inn in Kakariko. What had it been called..?
Right, right, the Elde Inn. That was it.
Colin was standing next to him again. His eyes widened, and he turned to look somewhere else. "Mister Renado, Mister Renado! Link's awake!"
Renado was standing over him not much later. "It is good to see you awake again." He reached for the damp cloth on Link's forehead, then frowned and turned to Colin. "Colin, will you fetch a fresh cloth for his forehead?" Colin nodded and ran out of view.
Renado sighed as he knelt at the side of the bed. "I will not ask how you are feeling, as I can only imagine the answer. Besides, you should conserve your strength to help yourself recover faster." Recover? From... what? The pain and thudding in his head made it hard to think, to remember.
Renado must have noticed Link's confusion. "You were hit by a poisoned arrow while escorting Miss Telma to Kakariko. It is good fortune that you were likely close to Kakariko when it happened." A poisoned arrow?
The pain in his shoulder, when he'd reached the gate in front of Kakariko. The dizziness. Himself falling off of Epona- no, falling off of the horse Telma had gotten for him. What had that horse's name been? Something that started with an M? His head hurt.
He looked up at Renado - well, he at least moved his eyes to look up at him. The rest of his body was perfectly content to stay still in the bed, as it turned out. "How... How am I still... Alive?" Didn't poison mean dying?
Renado held up a small glass bottle. There was a clear liquid in it, almost like water but not quite. "When Miss Telma brought you into the village, she said you'd been hit by one of the Bulblins' arrows and collapsed from your horse. The Bulblins are sometimes known to use poison-tipped arrows. Thankfully, if you know what was used to make the poison, you can also make an antidote." An antidote? "It reverses the effects of a poison." Oh.
"Why... do I still feel..." What best described how he felt? "Bad?" Close enough.
Renado nodded. "The antidote does still take time for it to take effect. Even when administered quickly." He stood up. "And you will also need time to recover afterwards." Well. Midna probably wouldn't like that.
"How... long?"
Renado sighed. "I am uncertain. Perhaps a few days, perhaps longer." He gave Link a small smile. "Be at ease, Link. The antidote has been administered. You just need to rest and save your energy, so your body can recover."
Someone came running into the room. Colin, holding another piece of cloth that was dripping with water. Renado nodded at Colin and stepped away. The once-damp cloth, now basically dry, was taken off of Link's forehead, and replaced with the dripping cloth. And oh, Ordona's horns, the relief. A wave of cold spread from his forehead and into his chest as the cloth touched his burning skin. He might have managed a smile, he wasn't sure.
Colin did smile down at him, so maybe he had managed to smile. Good. He didn't want Colin - or anybody else - worrying about him. They had other things to worry about, like-
Ordona's claws! Ilia and Prince Ralis! He searched for Renado.
Colin noticed Link's panic first. "Link? What's wrong?"
With the cloth, speaking was a little bit easier. "Ilia, and Prince Ralis. Where are they? Are they okay?"
Colin and Renado both looked at each other, then at Link. Their expressions were pained. What had happened?!
Renado spoke first. "The Zora prince is recovering well. He had passed through the worst of it by the end of the first day." Okay. That was good, at least. "Do you know the fate of his mother? His concern for her consumes him. He spent much of the first day mumbling deliriously about her." That was... less good.
Renado frowned. "I see. The knowledge must grieve you so."
Then Colin spoke. "As for Ilia... She's lost her memory, hasn't she?" Link's frown was the only answer Colin seemed to need. How Link wished he could hug the poor boy.
Renado placed a gentle hand on Colin's shoulder. "It will be all right, Colin. If we just give her time, I am certain she will find her heart again. Until then, you should stay here in the village with her."
Colin nodded up at Renado, a determined expression on his face. "Of course, Mister Renado!" Then he glanced back at Link. "And we'll all take care of Link, right?"
Renado nodded. "Certainly. It's the least we can do, after all he's done for us."
It made Link smile, just a little bit. A whole village, coming together to take care of him in a time of need.
It was nostalgic.
No, no, now wasn't the time to think about that. Link was sick, and he needed to get better. Thinking about that wouldn't help him get better.
That thought was interrupted by a yawn.
There was a hint of a smirk on Colin's face. "You slept for 3 days, but you're still tired?" What? Three days? How?
Renado, clearly seeing Link's panicked confusion, lifted his hand from Colin's shoulder to gently place it on Link's. "It is expected, when recovering from Bulblin Thistle poisoning." Bulblin Thistle? What was that? "It's what Bulblins use to make the poison for their arrows. That's where it got its name."
Link couldn't tilt his head, not yet, but he could raise an eyebrow. "There was... a plant, on the arrow?"
Renado chuckled, shaking his head as he took his hand from Link's shoulder. "No, nothing so obvious as that. The oils inside the stem of the thistle are rather dangerous. So the Bulblins break open the stem and rub those oils on their arrows." Oh.
Wait, if they shot a poisoned arrow at him, then- "Ilia, and Prince Ralis, and Telma, are they...?"
Renado shook his head. "No, they are fine. Luckily, they were not hit by any arrows." Oh, thank Ordona. "The wagon saw some damage, but its passengers arrived unscathed."
Renado smiled. "Talo decided he would aid Miss Telma in fixing her wagon. As ever, the child is eager to help."
"Did she go back to her bar?"
Renado shook his head again. "No, not yet. She said she wanted to wait until you had recovered. It would seem there's something important she wants to talk to you about." What could that be? It was Renado's turn to raise an eyebrow. "You will have time to speak with her once you have recovered. For right now, though, you need to rest."
Colin nodded at that. "Yeah! You've helped us so much, Link, so now it's our turn to help you."
Link found himself smiling. How many times had he helped and stood up for Colin, back at home? Now, here was Colin, saving Beth's life, promising to stay by Ilia's side until she regained her memory, bringing Link a fresh cloth to help with his fever.
He was proud of his little brother.
It had taken him some time to accept that new title, after thinking of him as a cousin for a little over a year. Rusl and Uli never pushed the matter, nor did anyone else.
But one day, Talo had been particularly rough when playing with Colin. The poor kid came home in tears. Link had been there by chance - he couldn't say no to Uli's cooking, even then.
Colin had immediately run to Link, hugging him and calling him "Big Brother" in between sobs. And Link had just quietly put his arms around the young boy. Yes, he was Colin's Big Brother.
Uli had gone to speak to Jaggle, that day. Link didn't know what she'd told him. It didn't matter, not really.
Renado's voice snapped Link out of his memories. "It is good that you are awake again, however you will need more rest in order to recover. If you have an appetite, I could make some soup for you." Link still couldn't really move his head much, but the growl of his stomach seemed to have answered on its own. Renado nodded as he stepped away from the side of the bed and out of view.
The two were quiet for several moments, Colin just looking down at Link as if he'd fade away if Colin didn't keep his eyes on him the entire time. Then Colin's expression shifted - one of clear curiosity. "Um... What was it like?" Link raised an eyebrow. What was what like? "Protecting Miss Telma and Ilia, and fighting off the Bulblins. I know I'd be really scared, but I bet you weren't scared at all!" Oh. Well, that wasn't even close to the truth, was it?
He gave a laugh, or at least tried to. "No, I definitely was."
Colin's eyes widened. "You were?"
Link still wasn't able to nod. Not yet. "Mhm. I promised to protect them. If I'd failed..." He frowned. No, he couldn't finish that thought. Wouldn't.
"Oh." Silence filled the air again, until that same curiosity found its way to the surface. "What about when the Bulblins took us away? Were you scared then, too?"
Link shivered, despite himself. Not a pleasant memory either, that. "Ordona's horns, yes, I was."
Colin leaned forward. "But you still went to find us!"
"I was more afraid of losing all of you."
Colin looked at Link for a bit, before reaching forward and hugging him. "Thank you, Link." When was the last time someone had hugged Link?
Colin stood back up, giving Link a smile. "But, we're okay now! Mister Renado and the Gorons are keeping us safe!" Good. That meant once Link and Midna went their separate ways, he could bring the children home to safety.
Why did that thought bring a slight pain in his chest?
Renado's footsteps, followed shortly after by Renado himself, interrupted that thought. The shaman was carrying a small wooden bowl of soup, which had some steam rising from it. As Renado walked closer, Link could smell the soup. A Cucco-meat broth, with some herbs added, and - he sniffed again - some vegetables as well.
Link's stomach growled again. He slowly tried to push himself up to sit, but found his muscles still ached too much for that. Hopefully Renado or Colin wouldn't have to feed him the soup. Wouldn't that be embarrassing.
Colin helped Link into a sitting position on the bed, which Link silently thanked him for. When the cloth fell from his forehead, Colin reached forward and picked it up, placing it on the back of Link's neck instead.
Renado didn't hand him the bowl, at first. "Are you able to lift your arms, at least?"
That was a good question, wasn't it? Could he? There was really only one way to figure that out. Slowly, painfully slowly, he lifted his sword arm from the bed. The arm ached as he did, but nothing more. Though it did feel nice to lay it back down on the bed.
Then it was time for his other arm. The shoulder where the arrow had hit. While he'd been laying down, there was only the dull soreness that had covered his body. But as soon as he moved his arm to raise it, the wound on his shoulder made itself known with a stabbing, searing pain. Link winced, his breath coming out as a hiss between his teeth.
Colin's eyes were wide with clear worry. "Link! Are you okay?" Link bit back the reply that almost came. Of course he wasn't. Maybe Renado didn't mention the poisoned arrow to the kids, just that Link got hurt and would need time to get better. But snapping at Colin wouldn't help him feel better, wouldn't reassure Colin. So he sat there, almost panting as he held his arm just slightly off of the bed.
Finally, the stabbing pain eased back into soreness, and he was able to nudge his arm up just a little bit more... only to bring another wave of hurt through the arm. Again he clenched his teeth as he fought against the pain, fought through it.
A gentle hand was placed on his arm and pushed it back onto the bed. Renado. But why? Link was making progress, wasn't he?
Renado's eyes also carried the concern he'd seen in Colin's eyes. "Enough, Link. You'll wound yourself further if you continue, not to mention your stitches." What? Stitches? Was something wrong with his clothing? "Normally, if it was just an arrow wound, I could cauterize it. But since it was tipped with poison, and that would take time to heal as well, I decided to err on the side of caution and stitch the wound closed instead." Oh.
Colin was looking up at Link with those worry-filled eyes still, but there was no surprise in them. So maybe Renado had told the kids (or at least Colin) about the poison after all.
If only one arm was willing to cooperate, then maybe he could just hold the bowl in his lap and use the uninjured arm for the spoon?
"Perhaps I should hold the bowl for you, if your injured arm is giving you that much trouble." That could work too. Link nodded.
Colin slowly helped him sit up, until his legs were hanging off of the bed (why did it suddenly feel so cold without the blanket?). He sat there for a moment or two, just making sure he could keep himself upright without needing help. Being unable to lift the injured arm was bad enough.
Renado carefully lowered the bowl, and Link reached for the wooden spoon. A pleasant, if strong, warmth rose from the bowl as he did.
The soup tasted as good as it smelled, with tender Cucco meat joined by soft onions and carrots, and - he took another eager spoonful - something else that he didn't recognize. It wasn't as soft as the onions were, with a bit of a crunch still. And the taste was new too, something like a mix of onion and carrot. When that spoonful was done, he glanced down into the bowl. There, with the Cucco meat and onions and carrots, were little strips of what looked like some kind of red vegetable. But what kind of vegetable was red?
"Are you enjoying the soup?"
Link nodded. Even with the confusing new flavor, it was a pretty tasty soup. The warmth it brought eased the cold that came when Colin had helped him sit up, and it was a nice feeling to have something to eat again.
Come to think of it, when had he last eaten? Was it the last time he'd woken up in this inn, in this bed? Surely not, that made no sense.
But then why couldn't he remember any other times he'd eaten?
Colin's worried voice brought Link out of those thoughts. "Link? What's wrong?"
How could he explain it to Colin? That he wasn't sure when he'd last eaten?
He took another spoonful of the soup. Maybe he could think of something to say once he finished this meal.
And then he noticed Renado raising an eyebrow and looking down at Colin. Then back at Link. Then a frown.
Rather than think about the expression on Renado's face, Link busied himself with another spoonful of soup.
"Gee, Link... you're eating like you haven't eaten in days..."
The soup got caught in his throat, at that. Was it that obvious?! With some effort, the soup was convinced to go where it was supposed to.
Renado gave a disappointed hum. "I thought as much." He sighed. "Recovery will take longer if you don't take care of yourself, Link."
Link didn't say anything as he took another spoonful. The soup really was quite tasty.
"I'll make sure to bring you regular meals while you recover. And you will have to start packing rations of food for yourself, or this could happen again."
Midna certainly would have something to say about that. Still, Link busied himself with more soup. What was there for him to say?
The room was silent for what felt like a long time, as Link took regular spoonfuls of the soup.
"Link... Why haven't you been eating?" Colin's eyes were full of worry. Perhaps even tears. So much for not worrying him, for not worrying the kids.
How in Ordona's name would Link explain everything to Colin? How he'd chased after the children only to be turned into a wolf? Only to wake up in what was basically a large cage? Only to be greeted with a strange creature who demanded he help her. It'd sound like he'd gone mad, surely. If it weren't for everything he'd been through, he'd think it had all been-
A nightmare. Just as Malo had said, after the twilight infecting Eldin's region was lifted.
"It's... It's a long story. But, do you remember how this village was trapped in twilight-" Renado raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Was it something he'd said?
Wait. They didn't see him until after it was lifted. But it was too late to change what he'd said.
Colin wasn't as surprised as Renado, just looking up at Link with the worry that had already been there.
Thanks for having faith in me.
Colin already knew. So of course he didn't bat an eye at Link's mistake.
Link cleared his throat. "Well, this village... it wasn't the only place that got trapped in twilight. So that's a lot of what I've been doing."
Colin's eyes widened, then. "Is that why you had to go to Lanayru?"
Link nodded. "Well, that and because Eldin told me Ilia would be there." It was difficult to keep the way he said Eldin's name neutral, and even more difficult to keep his voice steady when he remembered how she'd almost stared right through him at first. "And she was." And she didn't even remember him.
"It'll be okay, Link! We'll help her get her memories back! I know we will!"
Renado turned to look down at Colin. "It will take time, Colin. Memory loss isn't something that a few days' rest can fix, like with Link or Prince Ralis." He was silent for a moment, before continuing. "But, just like with Link and Prince Ralis, it isn't something that can be rushed. She's confused and overwhelmed. Trying to bring back her memories so quickly will just make that worse."
How was Renado so knowledgeable about memory loss? Maybe Link would have to ask him, sometime.
Renado looked back at Link. "Are you done with the soup for now?"
Link shook his head, picking the spoon back up. When he recovered, he'd need to ask Renado for the recipe. Maybe it could be something he'd make for the harvest festival.
Would everything be over in time for the harvest festival? It seemed possible. There was only one Fused Shadow left. After that, Midna would no longer need his help. Fall was coming, but it hadn't quite arrived yet. If all went well, maybe the kids could be back home by then.
How overjoyed the parents would be, to have their children home.
The sudden ache across his body ripped him from that thought. It had been barely noticeable at first, but in what seemed like an instant it had gone from a small, dull ache, to feeling like he'd just finished a training session with the ghostly knight. Still, he pushed through that. The soup would help him get better, and him getting better would get him closer to bringing the children home.
He tried to ignore the tremors rippling across his body, scooping up a few more spoonfuls of soup.
Then, just as Link was about to bring another spoonful up, Renado placed a hand on his arm and gently pushed it down until the spoon was back in the bowl. "You don't have to rush yourself to eat. The soup isn't going anywhere, and it does you no good to hurt yourself while still recovering." He smiled, something almost like a smirk. "Besides, eating more slowly will allow you to better taste the food." Renado had a point, there.
"So... you weren't eating because you were so busy trying to help people?"
Link nodded between spoonfuls of soup. It wasn't the whole truth, but it was close enough for now. Maybe someday, Link could tell Colin the full story.
The shakes through his body eased as he forced himself to take more time between spoonfuls, though it didn't fully go away. As the bottom of the bowl began to be visible, however, his eyes began to feel heavy. It was almost like he could feel the softness of the pillow under his head, could feel how much easier it would be to lie down than to keep himself sitting up.
Renado lifted the bowl away once the soup was gone. "Are you still hungry?"
Was he? On the one hand, he wouldn't complain about another bowl of soup. It was good soup, and having something to eat after so long was a nice feeling. On the other, though, sleep would probably also help him feel better sooner.
Link decided to shake his head. "I think I should try to get some more sleep-" A yawn interrupted him, demonstrating his point.
Renado nodded. "That would be a good idea." He lifted the now-empty bowl up and out of Link's reach.
Colin looked up at Link. "I'll come and check on you once in a while, okay, Link?" When Link nodded, Colin gave a small smile. "And if anything's wrong, you tell me and I'll get Mister Renado so he can help you!" Link gave his own smile, at that.
Colin gently helped Link lay back down, and soon Renado and Colin both began to leave the room. Oh, by the horns of Ordona, closing his eyes felt wonderful.
"So. What's this about you being malnourished?" Midna didn't hide the edge of annoyance in her voice.
Link gave a small shrug. Why was Midna annoyed anyways?
"Listen, wolfy, let's get one thing straight. If I have to force you to take care of yourself then I will."
Why did she suddenly care? She hadn't seemed all that bothered about it before, why now?
"I'm not talking to myself, you know. A response would be great. Something to acknowledge my concerns-"
Link resisted the urge to open an eye to look at her. She was probably still in his shadow anyway. 'Why?'
"Because it's rather rude to ignore someone-"
'Why are you concerned about me? You weren't bothered before.'
There was silence, at first. Link almost started to fall back asleep.
"Because if you get hurt, you can't help me very well, now can you?"
He almost laughed. 'So you need me.'
Silence once again fell over the room. Then Midna huffed, the smirk clear in her voice. "Yeah. Unfortunately. So take care of yourself, wolfy."
Link didn't say anything at first. Midna, who had started out by pulling on his ears and hitting him, was now telling him to take care of himself.
Then he chuckled, and he could feel the smirk spread across his face. 'What's the magic word?'
"The magic word is 'please'. So please take care of yourself." She huffed. "Since apparently the Triforce can't be bothered to heal you from the poison, you'll have to get better yourself."
The Triforce. It was still a strange thing to think about, that the mark on his hand wasn't just a birthmark. That it was some kind of magical... thing. That it could have been responsible for all the times where he could've died - perhaps even should've - but didn't.
"Why isn't it dealing with the poison anyways?"
Link shrugged again. 'I don't know.' Did it matter? If it hadn't done anything over the past three days, worrying about why wouldn't make it suddenly work, would it?
An idea came to him. 'What about you? Are you able to do anything about the poison, with your magic?'
Midna hmphed. "Normally, I probably would be able to. But not like this. Especially now that the light's been returned to this world."
'So the only option is to wait until I'm well again.' When Midna didn't answer, Link continued. 'Which means I should get some more sleep.'
Silence settled in the room, long enough that Link was again almost asleep when Midna finally spoke again. "Go ahead and get your beauty sleep, Mr. Important Hero. Just try not to get hit by any more poison arrows, alright? We- I don't have time to sit and wait for a week each time you get in a fight."
