Alright, so to those of you who don't know, Where Heroes Unite has been on hiatus for a while now. I was having problems handling all of my crossovers at the same time, and with this crossover being written in my early days of writing, I decided to cast it aside. After much thinking and consideration, I've decided to rewrite it and put my newest story, Of Crimson Defense, on a short hiatus. Before you get angry at me, We Will Prevail has maybe one or two chapters left, so the longest should be until… a while. Stuff is happening in my life, so… updates might be slow. I might be posting character designs on Wattpad at some point (same username).

Chapter 1: Battle Findings

IT WAS NOT OFTEN THAT THE princess was unable to sleep. If she had suffered a nightmare, she would usually stay awake and read a book or write in her diary. It was completely new to Zelda that she couldn't sleep at all. Eventually, she decided that there would be no resting tonight, and that she might as well rise.

The past few months had been hell for Hyrule. First, the changes had been subtle; something as simple as a few more monster attacks, but that was completely manageable. Then, her father had suddenly died, and she had been forced to inherit the crown. Of course, there were few who had any grievances towards this, as she had already been involved with social affairs prior to the late-king's death, so they knew that she was capable of ruling. However, this had definitely taken its toll on her.

Many nights had been spent poured over her desk, hoping that there would be less problems tomorrow. Zelda couldn't even dine at the table anymore; she would eat her meals at that wooden desk, her quill traversing paper almost involuntarily. To make matters worse, the council had already decided that she should begin her search for a suitable partner, for they needed an heir. She was seventeen; there was no way that she was going to produce a hypothetical heir on such short notice, and with some hypothetical husband. Never. (Personally, I don't think people have to be married to have kids, so just know that this isn't my opinion.)

It baffled her as to why she couldn't rest; she was exhausted, after all. Perhaps it was that storm raging outside; it was what had forced her into many all-nighters. The dreadful weather had raged across the entire kingdom for a week now, even Gerudo desert receiving a steady drizzle. At this rate, the East Reservoir Lake would flood over Rutela Dam, and the entire Lanayru Region would be an ocean.

Zelda slowly pushed the duvet off of her body, moving to stand in front of her vanity. Her hair was always left tangled and loose around her in the mornings, despite stillness in slumber. She gripped her brush in her hand and ran it through her caramel locks, waiting until each stroke was smooth. Zelda grabbed the nearest ribbon and tied it on her way out the doors.

Library, she thought to herself. I'll go to the library.

Her slippered feet peeked out from the hem of her nightgown as she walked down the halls, the dove grey contrasting greatly with the red carpet. The castle was oddly serene at night, the guards on duty standing so stiffly that they could've been decorative sets of armor. The princess only stode past two or three pairs on her way to the library, all of them giving her small nods of respect.

The library was just as quiet as the rest of the castle, not a soul scouring the many bookshelves. With the comfort of the silence and solitude, she weaved through shelf after shelf, searching for any book that caught her eye. When her emerald eyes finally landed on a suitable title, she slipped the book into her hands and plopped herself down at the nearest table. It wasn't until she had gotten to about the tenth chapter before Link walked through the library door.

"Crowned Princess Zelda," he greeted, the courteousness in his voice alien to his normally bubbly attitude.

Fine; she'd humor him. "Sir Fidelis."

Link snorted, returning to his usual demeanor. Just as quickly as he had expressed his amusement, he cleared his throat in an attempt to brush it off. "Why are you reading at 1 am?"

"How did you know I was reading at this hour?"

"The walls talk."

She raised an eyebrow. "The guards talk?"

He smiled. "Yes, those too."

Zelda smirked, glancing down at her book. "I didn't get a chance to speak to you when you got back from Zora's Domain. Has the storm relented at all?"

He shook his head, his platinum blond hair catching the candle light. "Quite the contrary; it seems to be getting worse."

"Truly?"

"Yes, Your Highness. A messenger from Gerudo Desert informed us that the residents of Kara Kara Bazaar deserted when the oasis began to flood. Some territories past the borders are receiving the downpour."

Her fingers found her temples, massaging them unconsciously. "How could a tempest so great as this brew? Is there anyway that the gods are frustrated?"

"That's unlikely. As you already know, there are many Sheikah researching what could have caused this. Even if we angered the gods, they can't send monsters to besiege us. It seems as though this is less of a reaction, but a-"

"A premonition," Zelda interrupted. "You pulled the Master Sword nearly a year ago; expecting peace to last long thereafter was foolish of us."

"King Sayre's passing was unusual; it is no wonder that it was the start of this all. I vaguely recall that Queen Machen's death brought similar circumstances." He paused when the castle trembled slightly, thunder booming loudly through the stone walls. "But none were so threatening." (Sayre and Machen were the last names of Zelda Fitzgerald's parents.)

"Indeed, you are correct. Of course, neither of us can vividly remember the events that followed, but I hear that a trail of tragedies occurred afterwards. Still, I don't believe that it was Father's death that invoked this."

"Neither do I. I feel that it was only the beginning."

"Perhaps."

Link stood there for a few more seconds, eyeing the pages of her book curiously, before diving into the bookshelves himself. He emerged a few minutes later, book in hand, and set it down in front of her.

"What's this?" she asked him, eyes flicking over the modest cover.

"Zonai Society as Told by the Honorable Shad and Rauru," he quoted quickly. "This was written during the Twilight Era by two of the Hero's companions."

"Are they a reliable source?"

"Well," Link began, sitting down opposite to her, "Shad contributed greatly to the life of Oocca, and Rauru was the priest of the castle, for a time. I haven't a doubt that we may find something dependable within the pages."

"...The Zonai inhabited Faron, correct?"

"Not quite. You can find many artifacts there, but that wasn't the center of their civilization. I'm assuming you recall the labyrinths throughout the kingdom?"

"Yes," Zelda confirmed.

"Those were built by the Zonai. Researchers believe that they inhabited the border areas, for they would fight with those outside of their territory often. The labyrinths were made for either enemy sacrifices or ways to guard treasure."

"The Sheikah are descended from them."

"Yes."

"What could they have to do with this?"

"Yiga."

It never ceased to amaze Zelda how he always spoke of the vile clan so simply, as though they were as threatening as a horde of puppies and kittens. However, as she overcame her dazzlement, she thought about how they could possibly be responsible for the storms. The Yiga knew of sorcery, true, but it didn't seem to be strong enough to cause that much harm.

The princess leafed through the pages of the book, skimming over quick claims and sketches before snapping it shut.

"I disagree," she countered coolly.

"In truth, I do as well," the hero admitted.

"Why would you suggest it, then?"

"I was curious as to what your reaction would be."

"What do you believe is the cause?"

He shifted uncomfortably before settling with his fingers intertwined under his chin, his cerulean eyes watching hers carefully. She could sense that he was a slight bit apprehensive, as though he were about to tell her something that would earn a scolding.

"You feel that this is about my ascent to the throne," Zelda claimed, surprised by her own calmness.

His golden eyelashes fluttered with shock. "Goddesses, no! That's never been a thought of mine, Your Highness."

She felt her ears burn; do doubt they were red. "I'm sorry."

"You are forgiven. Now, as I was about to say: I believe that the storm is the goddesses' doing."

Zelda gasped, her hand hovering about her chest. "Why…"

"Hear me if you will, Your Highness."

"I will."

He flashed her a smile. "I believe that the goddesses are...uneasy, in a way."

"How so?"

"There's something coming, I haven't a doubt about it. As you said before, it can only be a premonition. The East Lake Reservoir won't flood, but it must be a warning."

"What looms above us, then?"

"Ganon, of course. But I'm sure that they know that we are aware of that."

"Could it be something worse?"

Link ripped his gaze away from hers, ogling the book in front of her intently. "Perhaps. I'm still uncertain as to whether it is a reminder or a warning. In the case it is a warning, the goddesses cautioning us on the road ahead. If it is a reminder… they are implying that we aren't properly armed, in a way."

"We are unprepared." It was a statement.

"By their standards, indeed, we are," he agreed, now regarding a candle.

'By their standards.' It rang through her pointed ears, torturing her. Link wasn't wrong; the princess had no power to defend them. He and Impa were her guidance, but that could only last so long. She was too young to be the sort of heir that everyone wanted, and too old to be set aside and corrupt. Almost every action she committed - even something so simple as walking - was ridiculed and sneered at behind a groomed mustache or silken fan. The incapability was not new to her, but it was still crushing.

Link stole a glance at her, immediately catching onto her dreary expression.

"I wasn't referring to your competence, Princess. Personally, I have found no worriment in your rule, and I'm technically a peasant!"

She swallowed a snort. "What were you referring to?"

"It has nothing to do with our current strength; or, at least, I don't think that it does. It's almost as though this battle against Ganon is a game of chess - a violent, terrible match. Both of us, however, have no chess pieces - we need to find them."

"I don't recall anything else that we would require for battle, though. We have the Divine Beasts, firm alliances, the Master Sword… all is going well, despite that storm outside."

He nodded in agreement. "True, there are barely any problems. Still, I feel like this is something that we need that is outside of our control - for now, at least."

"I don't know how to acquire something out of our control," she stated, trying to pinpoint his mood.

The Hero of Hyrule's lips spread into a grin, his pearly teeth catching the orange light of the candles. "We shouldn't vie for something we can't grasp, Princess. We should wait."

For what seemed like the first time in his life, Camp Half-Blood was quiet. Eerily, unnaturally quiet. The campers outside of their cabins were either playing some kind of game or watching the sky, their jittery gazes averting quickly when they saw the thick, grey clouds.

Percy never thought that he'd say it, but he just wanted it to rain already.

The guazy clouds had blotted out the sun maybe two days ago, even the stars at night bound by ashen puffs. It was also two days ago that Rachel coughed up mist and the contents of her lunch, but no prophecy. Only nasty green vapor and the mushy, smelly remains of a bacon cheeseburger. Ew.

Reyna, Hazel, and Frank had been contacted at the mention of a prophecy, all three remaining anxiously at the camp. That is where Percy was at the moment: sitting on the sofa at the big house between an alarmingly quiet Leo and a fidgety Annabeth. All eyes were on the red-haired oracle, who scowled at the coffee table laden with tea.

"Nothing?" Chiron asked, wheeling into the room. His deep brown eyes scanned their faces before hurrying to his lap. "No."

"I don't understand," Rachel exclaimed from her faux leather seat. "Communication has been down for months. Why now? Why after Gaea?"

The group of demigods watched her with transparent gazes, as though they had awakened from a deep sleep. Or, like they had just ended a war two weeks ago.

Nico crossed his pale arms over his chest, his inky glare pulling away from the cold fireplace. "This was going to happen, either way. Whatever happened next would be after her; at least a month-long break would've been nice, though."

Percy nearly flinched when Leo came to life next to him, emerging with laughter devoid of humor.

"You think the gods would give us a break? They can't solve their own problems, and those are still in a pile. We-"

"This isn't the fault of the gods," Chiron reprimanded calmly, drawing his teacup away from his lips. "They don't quite know who is to blame, actually."

"Then why a prophecy?" Hazel asked from the floor, where she sat with Piper. "A warning maybe?"

"Perhaps," the centaur begrudgingly mumbled, "or something… else. They've only told me so much. Only that they don't know why there is a storm approaching, why Rachel is close to providing prophetic lines, and they have no idea as to who is doing any of this."

Reyna pointedly nudged Jason in the ribs, the son of Zeus glancing at her before clearing his throat noisily. Everyone in the room noticed, including Piper, who shared a knowing glance with her female comrade.

"That's not a storm," he managed, his golden glasses twitching with his nose.

"Anemoi?" Rachel suggested.

Jason shook his head. "No; clouds, yes, but no rain. Not. A. Storm."

Annabeth glared at him. "Alright, so these clouds are from an unknown enemy-"

"Or ally," Chiron interjected.

"-and we have nothing to help us? No prophecy, no hints, nothing? We have no plan for dealing with this!"

"If it helps any," Reyna began, repositioning herself in her armor, "we don't know if this is a threat or not. If it is, at least it's close! No more deadlines or wars."

No one argued with her. No war yet, but still no war. A bit comforting, but it still left them uneasy. Percy cupped Annabeth's knee with his hand, noticing the worried lines of her face loosen slightly.

The only sound in the room was Piper pushing Rachel's cup towards her, the dark liquid sloshing over the edge and onto the coffee table.

"At least have some," the demigod bid her. "You haven't eaten since yesterday."

Rachel regarded the porcelain surface of the cup carefully before curling her fingers around the handle, tilting it up for a small sip. She probably would've thanked her, if she didn't shudder and collapse in her seat.

Gasps and yelps filled the silence that remained in unison, demigods surging forward to her side. Unfortunately for the ginger, her paint-streaked t-shirt was not spared, and was soaked in the hot herbal beverage. Her mouth was agape, olive and jade vapor spilling from her throat. Instead of remaining limp as she always did in these situations, her arms flailed, hands clawing and glowing eyes glaring at unknown apparitions. Fortunately for her, Frank and Percy each took an arm, watching her carefully as she exhaled billowing smog through her lips and nostrils.

The worst part was the stench. Seeing as that the oracles of Delphi would insufflate the rotting remains of a reptilian carcass, it was plausible, but it had never been this strong before. Percy gagged and nearly dropped her arm, only for his grip to tighten when her nails narrowly missed his eyes. (I love . I honestly had to look up a ton of these words.)

"The… The!" she spouted, gasping a lungful of gas before she stopped, her body slack.

"That's it?" Leo asked, only for Annabeth to jab him harshly in the arm and hiss at him to shut up. He shut up.

As the two released her limbs, Rachel righted herself, folding her hands in her lap as she stared forward. Chiron wheeled himself towards her, lightly touching her arm with the back of his hand.

"Go on, Miss Dare," he prodded.

Rachel's eyes narrowed, shoulders squared as she declared their next death sentence:

"The blanket obscures the sky

Demigods scramble, monsters leap!

When the sun soon dies

On foreign shoulders must they lean

Momentos forgotten unite

The arrogant prince forsakes the cause

The heavenly triangles gleam bright

Or dullen in the beast's jaws

Only by ten may it be slain

Courage bears arms with nine

Legacy shall reforge pain

Dawn destroys death's grime!"

As quickly as it had arrived, the sickly green fog was gone, and so was the essence of the oracle. Rachel had sprang from the recliner and promptly vomited into the trash can next to it. Seymour, who had sprang to life during the conflict, growled warningly at the mortal girl for interrupting his sleep.

Everyone watched dazedly before she looked up just long enough to glare at them. "Look away," she growled miserably, then dipped her head into the metal bin. All averted their eyes, instead focusing on Chiron.

"Go on," he told them, sighing. "I can care for Miss Dare. Tell me what you have figured out later."

"'The blanket obscures the sky,'" Annabeth quoted. "Clouds."

Piper nodded from a different bunk, fiddling with the feather in her hair. "'Demigods scramble, monsters leap!' A battle."

The group of nine demigods watched as Leo and Jason tossed a pillow back and forth from two top bunks, occasionally offering it to Percy.

"What about the third and fourth lines?" Leo asked, narrowly avoiding a cushion to the face. "'When the sun soon dies, They lean on foreign shoulders?' Nighttime, obviously, but leaning on 'foreign shoulders?' I don't think that we know anyone foreign anymore."

Annabeth sighed beside Percy, noticing his sympathetic expression out of the corner of her eye. "The rest of the prophecy is completely indecipherable. If the gods opened Olympus-"

"Not going to happen," Nico said. "Even if they do, they won't tell us anything. Let's just use what we already have - clouds and battle. What should we do?"

Jason reached out to catch the pillow, Piper smacking it out of the air before it could reach him. He grumbled something under his breath.

"The only way those clouds are going to clear is if it rains," he offered, "and a battle won't happen before or after then. That gives us some time to prepare."

"We could put camp on high alert. Rally the campers, set up patrols, talk to the nymphs - they would know if someone was hiding in the woods," Percy said.

Reyna soothed her hand over a blue comforter. "Have you spoken with your father?"

He frowned. "Nah, Dad's not in much of a talking mood, either. Last time I went to visit, Amphitrite was the only one there; Triton's gone with him. Besides," - he pointed at the bubbling fountain against the wall - "IMs are off right now. Can't talk to him like that, either.

"We could try to talk with the Council of Cloven Elders; they would set up patrols. We might want to have a camper hang out with Peleus, too." (Is it just me, or has the fandom just completely forgot about the CoCE?)

Leo nodded. "I'll get Cabin 9 to work on some of the damaged weapons - we do have a lot of those. 'Should have 'em all done by tomorrow morning."

"Putting camp on lockdown is another priority," Jason responded begrudgingly. "I know it doesn't sound like a great idea, but this is dangerous."

Hazel's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "Are you sure?"

The son of Mars next to her fidgeted nervously. "That does… sound like a good idea. Someone will break that rule though, won't they?"

"We can tell the nymphs and satyrs to look for campers, too," Annabeth offered. "No campers leave."

"I'll go get Juniper," Percy said, jumping up from his bunk.

The demigoddess by his side grabbed his forearm before he could begin to move away. "Tell her to find the elders immediately. I'll go tell Chiron about this. The rest of you-"

"We're going," Nico interrupted her.

xxx

Annabeth tried her best to stay still as she watched counselors nervously pile around the ping-pong table. Percy, who arrived later than most, took his place next to her and started shoveling Doritos into his mouth. When he tilted his head at her, silently asking if she wanted any, she shook her head absentmindedly. This was going to be the counselor meeting from hell, especially on Ares and Demeter Cabins' accounts.

Lou Ellen was amongst the first to arrive, dragging Clovis with her. Sherman Yang followed them with Connor and Leo, who waved ecstatically at her. She was too withdrawn to notice that the boys' had identical burns on their backs, which both looked suspiciously like a handprint.

After everyone was at the table, Chiron wheeled in too, brushing a few cans of Cheez Whiz out of his way so that he could fold his hands on the table.

"'Sup, Chiron," Connor greeted, waving his hand in his direction. The others snapped to attention, backs straightening and bowls of junk food being pushed aside.

The centaur sighed forlornly, running a hand through his brown hair. "I do hate interrupting your camp activities at such short notice… but this needs to be addressed. I already told you the prophecy at lunch, so I'm guessing you have a collection of questions?"

"Is that it?" Lou asked, poking Clovis in the temple. "Nothing else?"

"A lot more," Reyna assured her from her corner, eyes fixed on the ping-pong ball in her hand. "Much more."

All heads turned back to Chiron. "All we have been able to interpret are the first three lines."

"Storm, fight, sundown," Nico mumbled leaning away from the son of Hermes alongside him.

Sherman's eyes glittered. "Fight?"

Annabeth glared at him. "We're getting to that."

Chiron cleared his throat. "Speaking of this fight," he paused, shaking his head. "We are officially putting Camp Half-Blood on lockdown at dinner tonight. No one is to leave, no one is to enter. Those who step across the line need permission to do so."

All but the seven, the Praetors, and Clovis collectively gasped.

"No capture the flag?!" someone shouted.

"Traps?!"

"NYMPHS?!"

Chiron searched for the person who shouted that, but even she didn't know. Jason stood up abruptly, dodging a chip thrown at him by another counselor.

"This is only temporary," he assured them. "Once those clouds pass over, or there's a storm, the battle will commence. After that, camp will be open."

Leo bounced to his feet. "AND, we're fighting prepared! Cabin 9's already pushing it into hyperdrive, repairing weapons. And Cabin 6…" He trailed off, looking expectantly at Annabeth.

She slowly stood up, slate eyes assessing her fellow camper's faces. Horror, surprise, annoyance - but nothing too awful. They were distraught and bewildered, mostly, though willing. No one was going past the ring of trees surrounding the camp.

"Malcom and I will begin working on a battle plan after this meeting. Of course, we don't know anything about what we're fighting, but something is better than nothing. We'll set up patrols and stations, though. You can expect that."

Connor raised his hand. "Traps."

Lou nodded. "Traps."

Miranda Gardner cringed in her seat, then smiled wickedly. "Thorns and briars. Chiron, are we allowed to grow oversized Venus Flytraps?"

The aged centaur stared at her pointedly, and she pursed her lips with a sigh.

Next to Nico, a head of curly golden hair shook. "That would suck if a camper walked into one," Will mumbled, analyzing the edges of a potato chip. "The infirmary staff might have trouble with that. Speaking of the infirmary, we should see if we have the stock for a fight."

"Probably do," the son of Hades stated.

Connor plucked the snack out of Will's hand, shoving it into his mouth. "We always use traps."

"Not humongous, killer carnivorous plants," he deadpanned.

Miranda sank in her chair, defeated.

Sherman, who had been busy chewing on his thumbnail, turned to the demigoddess opposite to him. "What time is it?"

Piper glanced at her watch, pale and erect on her bronze skin. "A quarter till two."

His eyes snapped to his fellow demigods, then Chiron.

"Thank you, Mr. Yang," he said, adjusting the blanket in his lap. "But one more thing before you go. We've spoken with the Council of Cloven Elders; they are scouting the woods as we speak. They'll probably be the first to see our enemies."

Percy smiled painfully. "The nymphs are nervous about what's coming. They'll tell us about anything odd."

Chiron nodded. "You are all excused - be ready for battle!"

"IHY!" Malon shouted after the little boy, clutching her skirts as she chased after him. "You put that poor bird down now!"

The five-year-old in question giggled joyfully, otherwise ignoring her command. Before she could catch up to his short-legged strides, however, he slammed into his wide mother's girth.

The lardy woman but her hands on her hips, glaring poisonously at him. "Ihy," Hathora said through her teeth. "Drop. That. Cucco."

All the teenage girl could see was the fowl hop out of his arms, making a beeline for her. Hathora looked up at Malon, watching the small cucco cowering at her dress, and flashed her a white smile.

"Mistress Lon Lon," she addressed, voice sickly sweet, "please excuse my son's misbehavior. You won't find him chasing your animals again."

Malon scooped the chicken into her arms, risking a glance at Ihy. "He is forgiven. I'll… I'll be at the stables- er, up hill."

Hathora opened the door for her mischievous son, turning back to her one last time. "Tell Bastia to hurry home if you see her, okay? You know how she is with those stray cats, and the other animals."

"I will."

She turned on her heel, uneasy when she felt it sink noisily into the mud. She ought to be used to it now, having visited Hateno Village as often as she did. The extra mushiness added to the terrain by the storm still made Malon cringe, though.

"Stupid weather," she growled, answered by anxious clucking. Today was one of the few days the sun was shining, though it was still through plump clouds. What she had hoped to do was sit inside and relax, take a day off from her labors, but little Ihy had other plans. She had just opened her new book when she happened to glance outside, seeing the boy making his way through the cobbled roads with a fretful cucco in his arms.

Hateno Village was in need of horses; those that they tamed weren't nearly as fulfilling as those with strong pedigrees. The cows that they bred and traded with the people of Lurelin Village were enough for milk and sometimes pulling carts, but a clydesdale or a mule could get supplies transferred much faster and easier. Malon was currently trying to negotiate prices and trade with them; it was easy.

Of course, if Link were around, they would've already been done trading and back at the ranch. But that time had long since passed; Link was the "Hero of Hyrule" and whatnot, so he had other duties to attend to. She couldn't be mad or frustrated at him, though - the princess needed as much help as she could get. Neither of them chose their fates.

Malon greeted some of the passerby on her way to the market, glaring at the dim sun overhead. A new set of clouds was slowly pushing its way into the sky, blotting out the blue canvas. It would rain again in maybe an hour.

The girl dropped her cucco off at the stables, where it quickly buried itself in hay. Malon decided that she wouldn't have her alone time today; she would go visit her friends (and customers!) at the farm uphill; they seemed so lonely. The inn still seemed cozy and enticing in comparison, though…

Something tugged at her arm.

"Mistress Lon Lon," Bastia said, waving her hand in front of her eyes, "are you okay?"

Malon snapped out of her stupor. "Yes, I was only daydreaming. I- Bastia, what are you doing with that cat?"

The ten-year-old glanced down at the silvery feline in her arms. "Holding him? Bluesy's not mangy; he just gets into fights."

"Bastia-"

"I'll put him down," she assured her, "but only after I cuddle a bit more." The tom cat howled in protest, trying to wiggle out of her grasp.

"Bastia, I don't think that Bluesy is happy with that arrangement," Malon tried to explain. "Please let him go."

Bastia shifted Bluesy in her arms. "Mama's expecting me?"

"Yes."

Her expression deflated, dumping the tom into a pile of claws. "I don't ever get to play with the cats for long. Ihy always chases them away."

Malon watched her shuffle sullenly towards her house. Bastia wasn't wrong; her little brother simply adored tormenting innocent animals - especially smaller ones. Then, when he was at home, Hathora would need her to help with him.

She groaned internally.

"Wait, Bastia; just wait."

She turned, her dirty blonde hair spilling over shoulder. "Yes'm?"

The ranch mistress tapped her booted foot in frustration. "Look, I know your mother needs help with Ihy, but… Are you willing to make a deal?"

Her eyes widened a hairstring."What deal?"

Malon smiled. "If you maybe taught Ihy how to treat animals, he wouldn't be such a nuisance. If I bring you to the Agricola's farm up there," she pointed towards Hateno Town's windmills, "will you help him? He always tries to be like you, after all."

"Agricola? With all the cows and cuccos and mules?"

"Yes, that farm. But only if you help your brother."

Bastia nodded her head rapidly. "Deal!"

xxx

Venat Agricola stood in the doorway, his face slack with surprise.

"Mistress Lon Lon!" Savis greeted, poking her head past her husband's shoulder. "My, come in! Don't forget to shake the mud from your feet." (I literally just made these people up ngl.)

Venat snapped out of his stupor and grumbled a welcome, embarrassed by his reaction. Bastia chirped her salutations and swiftly made her way into the house, no doubt searching for their little dog.

"I thought you would be at the inn today, Miss Lon Lon," Venat acknowledged, watching Savis scramble to the whistling kettle in the kitchen.

"I did, too," she said sourly. "Today is too sunny to be spent inside, though."

"Sunny it is!" Savis hollered, raising her voice over the wail of steam from the spout.

All of them sat down at the dining table, Bastia trailing behind them with their curly pup partially over her shoulder. As the woman of the house gathered modest porcelain cups for the company, she frowned at the little girl.

"Dear, I don't relish having dogs at my table. Put Benji down, please."

The little hylian girl loosened her hold, Benji falling into her lap. Before he could make himself comfortable, she nudged him onto the floor. His forlorn whimpers had her glancing at him every few seconds.

"I see the storm hasn't done any good for your decorations," Malon observed, brushing the back of her hand against the sagging safflina at the center of the table.

Savis sighed, plucking it out of the simple vase. "Yes, you can't find many right now. Most have been washed away or over watered. There are some wildflowers, but those aren't good for vases, hm?"

"You could use clovers," Bastia suggested, nibbling on her hair.

"And clover flowers, maybe," she added. "They do have long stems."

The woman smiled. "Perhaps. Oh, but Venat, dear! Sorry to bore you with such prattle."

"I don't mind."

"No matter, have some tea. You too, Mistress Lon Lon, Bastia."

"Just Malon, Savis. I call you by your first name; you might as well use my own."

"Of course."

She took the cup offered to her in her hand, enjoying the steam clinging to her nose as she smelled the contents. "Thank you."

Bastia echoed her thanks and inched her lip towards the tea.

"Be careful, dear," Savis warned. "It's still hot."

She nodded in acknowledgement, setting it down in front of her. "So, Venat; you said you're going on a trading expedition?"

"Yes'm; I plan on going to Lurelin Village soon. They could use an extra cow, or two. I heard that they need some sheep."

"And we could use some fish. Hateno Bay is practically desolate," his wife added.

"Fish is probably scarce right now; they may be unwilling," Malon pronounced.

"Yes, but they always have some extra porgy stashed away. And some snails and fruits, too! I'm thinking paella-"

Venat's eyes glazed over. "Escargot."

She wrinkled her nose. "Fillets… maybe I could try that crab cake recipe from Kakariko."

He cleared his throat. "Anyways, once you bring those quarters (the horses, not coins) here, I'm off with a friend."

Savis sighed. "I wish I could go. I haven't seen Baye in such a long while." (Creole French!)

Malon inclined her head with curiosity. "Why don't you go?"

A snort escaped her nose. "Just one sunny day doesn't mean that this storm is gone. As close as Lurelin may be, I'm not taking the risk of the journey."

Her husband frowned. "I could just settle with Kakariko."

"They don't have room for livestock. Besides, you know how content they are with chickens."

"It'll be pouring when we go, I betcha anything. Would be better if Oethar went with me, but he hasn't the time for that."

The couple stared forlornly at Bastia, who was sipping her tea obliviously.

The farm girl forced herself to swallow her own share, suddenly aware of how bitter the brew was. "Has he not contacted you recently?"

"No," Savis replied. "The postman is having trouble delivering to this region."

"Visited?"

"Two months ago. He came to celebrate our anniversary with us."

"And we saw him during King Gustaf's Triumph Day. But that was sometime before that," Venat said.

"Have you heard anything from Sir Fidelis, dear?" the hylian woman asked sweetly.

"Link, ma'm," she corrected kindly. "He only popped into the ranch for an hour two weeks ago. 'Said he had to speak with King Caudalis in Zora's Domain."

"I hope they hold the Champion's Festival this year. If that reservoir floods, they wouldn't have a domain to host it in."

Bastia pushed her cup away from herself. "May I be excused?"

"Sure," Venat answered. She was an excited flash of dirty blonde hair and billowing fabric as she shot out of her chair and through the front door, followed by the dopey Benji. The three adults watched the door in silence those seconds afterwards, watching the small trinkets on the hook sway.

"It really would be disastrous."

Leo watched his nervous siblings chatter away over dinner, most already finished with their share. The boy was more nauseous than hungry, and poked at his meal only when he felt inclined to. According to Will, this could be due to him suffering a minor concussion, but Leo really didn't care.

Nyssa was staring at him from across the table, occasionally turning to Harley to make sure that he didn't make any contraptions with his silverware.

"You are refusing shrimp and catfish?" she questioned.

"Yeah, I'll pass."

His sister scooped her leftovers up with her fork and dumped them onto his plate. Leo groaned.

"Now I know that fall did something to you. Eat, or I'll call Will and Calypso over here."

The demigod glanced at the head table, catching his girlfriend's death glare. Will was watching him with softer worry at the Apollo table, but Nico didn't share either of their expressions. He was gazing directly into his soul with those dark, dead eyes. Thankfully, none of the others were paying him any mind.

Harley picked up a shrimp and stood in his seat, leaning over the table. "PLEASE?"

Leo hesitantly took a bite, jerking back when a loud noise ripped through the air.

Everyone in the dining pavilion froze, only moving to gasp and squeal in surprise as thunder boomed angrily. All eyes turned to Jason, who looked just as surprised.

"It's here," he murmured.

The sky flashed brightly and exploded with noise, reverberating so powerfully off of the walls that they trembled. Leo was so blinded by the sight of it that he squeezed his eyes open; one second they were in the pavilion, the next there was only water slamming into the ground, like liquid bullets.

Leo was on his feet in seconds, rushing past the smothered hearth and to the cabins. Nyssa darted past him with Harley in her thick arms.

"PERCY, TO THE NYMPHS! APOLLO CABIN, GRAB YOUR THINGS!" Chiron bellowed whilst he galloped away.

Just as the son of Hephaestus opened his mouth to his siblings, his foot slipped. The boy slid on the muddy ground, only saved by the hand that caught his collar.

"Don't die," Jason murmured.

"I'm not planning on it," Leo grumbled. "Now, get me to the woods. I have a trap I need to fix."

Dang, that took a while. Two years ago today I posted the first chapter of the old one. Time sure does fly, eh? Hopefully this year will be better. Happy day!