The innkeeper was absolutely correct.

He had provided them with quite a nice room, and the bed was rather large. Link felt a sense of relief, knowing that there would be enough space to maintain decency between them. Thankfully, Rel didn't seem to notice or care. She was fast asleep within moments, a likely outcome from the sheer exhaustion of the day.

Link, in his usual wakeful state, couldn't stop his racing thoughts.

As Rel slept soundly beside him, he considered the situation with the guards. It didn't take a detective to realize that murderer was also the assailant who attacked Rel. That still didn't explain the fire that day and Link couldn't decide if it was arson or merely an accident. It would definitely act as a useful means of distraction, a way to divert attention away from the real crime.

To where this unknown person escaped, it was not clear.

The burden of these thoughts added to Link's restless state, and he knew he wouldn't get much sleep that night either.

He tried to piece together a plan for the following day in the meantime. After what seemed like hours of considering the vague lead that they had, Link finally started to fall asleep. He caught himself glancing at Rel occasionally, making sure to keep a decent distance from her as she slept.

The morning came rather quickly, both feeling out of sorts and agitated. Once again, Rel had risen before Link and was already prepared for the day ahead.

On waking, Link almost forgot where he was. He felt around on the bed, trying to remember where he slept. After the initial sleep inertia, he sat up, surveying the unfamiliar room. Rel had considerately left him a fresh shirt, in an olive-green tone, at the end of the bed. He would have to remember to thank her later as this small act of courtesy was not lost on him.

Link dressed quickly, knowing that he needed to catch up to Rel. He found her in the eating area of the tavern, her hair acting as a stark contrast to the pale grey, stone wall. She had changed out of her cream coloured homespun shirt, her usual work attire, to a burgundy shaded blouse. The colour not only complimented her hair, but hugged her figure. Link wondered if it was going to be too hot for her, given her chosen attire.

She gave Link a small wave as he made his way toward her.

"Good morning." She chirped at him, sliding a bowl of food in his direction. "I didn't know where you kept your money, so I covered this one."

Link gave her a thankful look.

"That colour." He said suddenly. "It suits you."

Rel's expression didn't change.

"And that colour, it suits you."

After a few quiet moments, Rel spoke.

"So, what is our plan? From my understanding, we are following a month-old lead. If by coincidence he has come back, what do we do?"

Link thought for a few moments.

"I think I know which farmstead his parents own. If they are herders, it's just outside the city wall. You wouldn't have seen it on the way in, it's west of here."

Rel remained calm, her expression unchanged. She nodded a few times, pondering the information.

"So, what do we tell them? The parents?"

She had a point. Link continued eating as he contemplated her words.

"The truth. We simply tell them that we have been sent from the castle about their son. That is all."

"We're dropping in unexpectedly." Rel smirked. "Surely they might be taken aback?"

Link shrugged.

"We've no other choice, really."

They were out in the stable and retrieving Epona as the sun was rising in the sky. It cast a warm glow across the arid landscape, giving the buildings an ethereal look.

While waiting for Link to prepare the horse, Rel surveyed her surroundings. It was a lot easier to see the city in the morning light and with fewer people. She observed the stone buildings, all built in a certain way, almost like they were a fortress. She couldn't help but notice what appeared to be a half-completed statue in the town square. It was rather odd looking, almost like an empty sword pedestal.

Her train of thought was broken by the sound of hooves on cobblestone. It was of course, Link with Epona. He was already on the saddle, waiting for Rel. After hoisting herself onto the saddle, they took off at a brisk canter.

This ride was very short, compared to the journey in. They were out the front of a farmstead within an hour, somewhere southwest of the city wall. This farmstead was quaint, to say the least. It was obvious that the caretakers had stopped caring long ago. The small wooden house at the front of the property was in a deteriorating state, the adjoining barn somehow worse. Rel made sure to get a good look of their surroundings, noticing how few animals there were and how barren the land looked. She felt a sharp, intense pang of despair. The spirits of the earth had abandoned their place, leaving this empty shell instead. Her arms tensed as Link slowed Epona.

"Rel, you're not feeling ill again, are you?" Link asked her, concerned at her sudden tense grip.

Rel snapped out of her intense concentration, shaking her head.

"No. Thank you for checking though." She said flatly.

"Are you sure?"

Rel pondered for a moment.

After a short while she loosened her grip and moved closer to Link's ear. His heart raced at the sudden warmth beside his face.

"I think we are in the right place. I can feel there's something… off." She whispered. "It's like… the essence of nature is no more."

Link's brow furrowed. To hear Rel speak of such things was surprising to say the least. He wondered what she could possibly mean. He was aware of and had witnessed the spirits of the land, in all corners of Hyrule. Very few people were, and he couldn't think of anyone other than himself and Zelda who had witnessed their power. He put this down to the difference between their cultures.

A broken wooden fence acted as the boundary for this farmstead. Deciding it best to approach them on foot, Link dismounted the saddle, with Rel following his lead. They looked at each other expectantly, daring one another to make the first move.

Link acted first and approached the front door, knocking softly.

He could hear the sound of soft footsteps inside and within moments, a tired woman answered the door.

The woman was definitely on in her years, her hair greying. She had a tired, exhausted look about her, her skin kissed by years of working in the sun. Her light eyes had an almost cloudy look to them as she spoke in a quiet tone.

"Yes?" She asked quietly.

Feeling his voice become stuck in his throat, Link tried to speak, but before he could say anything, he heard Rel's voice.

"We've come from the east. We are looking for someone."

The woman inhaled sharply. Her shoulders tensed as she tried to breathe out. With a somewhat surprised expression, Link looked at Rel. He was impressed and thankful that she spoke confidently and opened the conversation. She took the few steps to have equal footing with Link and folded her arms.

Another voice echoed from within the home, this time belonging to a man. His footsteps were heavier and louder as he appeared behind his presumed wife. Placing one hand on her shoulder, he nudged her aside and glared at the guests.

"Who are you looking for?" He demanded.

Link was taken aback by the blatant intimidation but held his ground. If anything, this was all the proof he needed that they were on the right track.

"May we come inside?" he asked calmly.

The man's gaze drifted to Rel. Within seconds, his features showed confusion. His stance softened as he surveyed her.

"You're here about my son, aren't you?" He asked her directly.

Rel's face remained composed.

Link nodded his head.

The couple in the doorway parted, the elderly woman walking toward the shadows in the home. The man remained in the doorway, remaining guarded, but moving aside to let them through.

"Do I have to call you sir?" The man asked gruffly.

"There's no need." Link replied politely.

"He hasn't been here for a while. Not since the other woman came by."

Rel glanced at Link, her features still unreadable from his point of view. Neither of them said anything in response.

"The other woman?" Link asked, breaking the silence.

"Long blond hair. Soft spoken. Blue eyes. She was polite and well spoken. I assumed she was one of the stuck-up noblewomen from in town. I didn't expect another knight to show up though."

"I'm not a knight." Link corrected him.

The man shook his head and sat down at an old table. It was easier to see him now, in the morning light from the window. Like this wife, he had a worker's complexion, the calling card of herders. He was tall and slender, with unkempt hair, but still physically strong from years of manual work.

"That sword you're trying to conceal is far too nice for someone with no significance."

Without thinking, Link placed his hand on the hilt of the sword.

"I'm sorry, but we don't know where he is. Unless you're here to tell me he is dead, I've nothing to say to you." He declared.

Rel gave Link another glance.

"Owen, let them sit. We've carried this burden too long." The old woman called out from the shadow.

Owen sighed and crossed his arms before leaning on the table. Defeated, he gestured for both of them to take a seat. Link ushered Rel into her seat before sitting down beside her.

As they made their way further inside, they were greeted by the smell of worn wood and the faint aroma of a lingering fire. The interior of the house was large, but empty. Very little furniture was inside, the walls stained with the shadow of missing belongings. The main area was divided into sleeping and dining space, which is where they were seated.

The small fire in the dining area crackled softly, the only source of warmth in the unnaturally cold room. The other windows, save for the light source, were bordered shut or covered by cloths. Noticing that she had her arms folded tight, Link placed his hand gently on Rel's shoulder, causing her to jump slightly.

The elderly woman, who Link had determined was Sharla, sat beside her husband who suddenly jumped out of his place. Owen took a spot at the window, peering out of the glass.

Sharla reached for a teapot that was placed in the center of the table. An uncouth silence fell over the group, broken only by the sound of water being poured.

"You can call me Sharla." The old woman said, breaking the silence. "I never thought we would be visited by a relative of his… Well, a blood relative."

Link was stunned.

"What? A relative? Who?" He faltered.

Sharla turned her attention to Rel.

"This young woman here. Your companion. I can only assume they're related."

Link's head snapped to Rel, whose face, even now, remained unchanged. He noticed that his mouth was hanging open as he tried to survey Rel's reaction.

"Me?" Rel asked calmly.

Sharla nodded profusely.

"Yes! I would know your features anywhere. I knew this day would come."

Rel turned to look at Link before casting her eyes down. Her brow furrowed ever so slightly as she took in this information.

"You're surely mistaken Sharla." Link said before pausing, trying to think ahead. "My companion, she is not of this land."

"You can probably tell that I am not Hylian." Rel said calmly. "I have rounded ears."

Rel lifted her auburn hair, showing Sharla her rounded ears. Owen turned his attention to the group, taking a break from looking out of the window.

"If you aren't Hylian, my suspicions are all by confirmed." He murmured.

Both in a state of wordlessness, Link and Rel looked at each other.

"We anticipated this day… for 16 years. Owen found two babies in the desert. Twins." Sharla recounted. "We thought that taking them into town would be the end of it."

"It is custom for orphaned boys to be taken in by the knights. That's what happened to me." Link explained to Rel.

Sharla slid a cold cup of tea in front of Rel.

"No more than two days later, we had people from the castle on our doorstep." Sharla continued.

"And what happened?" Link asked, her words hanging in the air.

"An older gentleman was here. He had light hair and a beard. He introduced himself as a wiseman, a royal advisor to the king. He stated that this was a matter of utmost importance. The twins lineage… It was imperative to separate them, keeping them out of sight and mind. They gave us a proposition. If we kept one of the boys here, we would be rewarded. The baby would be a ward of the royal family. They offered to pay us handsomely and provide help for the farm." Sharla rambled, her tone shaken and unsure. "We couldn't refuse."

Taking it all in, Link noticed how Rel tensed again. She did a fine job of settling herself, maintaining her calm façade.

"This wise man, was his name Auru?" Link asked firmly.

"Yes." Sharla paused. "That was his name. We took the boy in. We longed for a boy to help us with herding. We hoped that he would eventually get married and bring home a wife… Take over the family calling. We loved him from the start. But… as time passed we noticed he was- troubled."

"We did everything we could!" Owen interjected.

A few tears glistened in Sharla's eyes.

"What do you mean by troubled?" Link asked calmly.

"He was always odd. Very quiet. We thought maybe he was lonely. Twins? They need each other." Sharla trailed off, pausing. "Our son Damon, he was an odd child, fascinated by strange things. He was very academic. He had an interest in the history of this desert. He claimed it was… magical. He often went out on his own, exploring. He is very clever, we'd hoped his ability would get him noticed by the scholars."

"That doesn't explain this place." Rel said bluntly.

"The royal family. They didn't hold up their end of the bargain." Sharla explained. "On his 16th birthday, someone from the castle came to check on him. Our first visitor from there in years. A beautiful young woman was looking for him. She could be no more than 30 years. She asked him to accompany her to town, at the beginning of summer. She said she'd found his twin. We wanted him to go, because he stands out so much here. He had few friends… only a girl from town. His appearance was… odd."

"His appearance?" Link queried. "What about his appearance?"

Owen stomped over from the window, heading straight toward Rel.

"Fair skin, round ears… and hair, kissed by fire. You've an interesting accent though."

The words hung in the air, the tension apparent. Rel eyed him carefully.

"I've no idea what you mean." Rel stated calmly. "I don't know this Damon, I swear it. I don't have any relatives in this land that I know of."

Own shook his head in disbelief. It was clear that he had made up his mind and nothing was going to change that. He was by her side quickly, reaching toward her.

Link stood up, his posture defensive. Without thinking, his left hand shot to his side, gripping the hilt of his sword. Owen's focus on Rel broke as he looked at Link.

"Boy, I am not one to intimidate or harm defenseless women, especially in my home. Sit down."

Following the instructions, Link slowly backed off.

"Girl. Let me see your eyes."

Rel stood up slowly, her hand resting on the back of her wooden chair. Once she had risen, she stood firm and made eye contact with Owen. He placed his withered hands either side of her face and examined her.

"You're tall." He observed.

He looked deep in Rel's eyes.

"You're one of them. You must be at least part. I knew from the moment I laid eyes on you. It makes too much sense." Owen ambled.

Rel shifted uncomfortably.

"I've never heard such musings." She said flatly.

Owen smiled as he touched her hair. Link's posture stiffened as he watched Owen inspect Rel's features.

"Your eyes are different though. Far calmer. But you're tall and your complexion is fair."

Owen removed his hands from Rel's face and gave her a fatherly pat on the shoulder. With that, he made his way back to the window and started peering out again.

Link couldn't contain his confusion, his thoughts racing. The information was unexpected and a lot to take in. This was certainly not where Link intended this investigation to lead to.

Rel took her seat once more and folded her arms.

"We found out, about the twins. Twin boys, highly significance in their culture." Sharla explained. "The desert people. Auru said that the boys are destined to be their rulers. Born once a century, twins being rarer. They were just as shocked as we were. We all believed the desert people to be gone… driven out."

"Driven out?" Rel asked. "Why?"

"A century ago, a man, their last leader, was executed no less than 50 miles from here. At the arbiter's grounds. He was a man who was capable of abhorrent things. He earned his title." Link explained.

"So where did they go?" Rel asked, her eyes fierce.

"You should be telling us." Owen grunted.

"You should be telling us when he came back." Rel shot back. "Because in this letter, it says he is coming back, from the east."

"Letter?" Owen asked her. "What letter?"

Rel retrieved the paper from her pocket.

Sharla shifted in her seat.

"He has been in contact with his twin. They were writing each other letters. They both had a talent for magic." Sharla explained.

"Magic?" Rel asked calmly. "What kind of magic?"

Link sat in silence, internalizing the information. He'd hoped that this visit would answer some questions, but instead he found himself with hundreds more. He wasn't sure if he'd heard Rel correctly.

"Just magic." Sharla continued. "He was gifted. We assumed that's why the castle wanted him."

Rel's eyes darted around the room, surveying. For what she was looking for, Link did not know. He chose to change the subject to keep Sharla talking.

"So, what happened here?" Why is your farmstead in this state?" Link asked.

"They stopped caring. Years ago." Owen whispered.

Link was not impressed by this. Whatever his personal feelings were about the royal family, it didn't matter. Link did not appreciate how they hadn't held up their end of the bargain. They'd made this families lives far more difficult, and Link couldn't figure out why.

"He left at the beginning of Summer, and we haven't seen him since." Sharla sighed. "He was supposed to be back by now, after visiting his twin."

"He didn't go to the castle with the blond woman?" Rel interjected.

"I guess not-"

"Where does his Twin live?" Link asked her, trying to sound calm. "I can look for him."

"He lives in a manor, on an estate. He is the son of a lord and lady. It's southeast of Kakariko village."

Link relaxed. He was relieved to know that they had a lead, after all of the time wasting.

"He was supposed to be back by now, so he could be on his way for all we know." Owen stated. "If you find him, please tell us."

Nodding at Sharla, Link tried to make sense of everything.

"Ask for Hilda, at the village infirmary. She is close with my son."

"Thank you." Said Link. "Your information is invaluable to my search."

Now that he had a lead, Link wanted to act on it as soon as possible. He tried not to think of all the wasted hours, wasted emotions and frustration that he'd been put through over the last few weeks. He looked to Rel, who was observing the corner of the room. At what, he couldn't figure out. Knowing that this was the end of the conversation, Link tapped Rel on the shoulder as he stood up.

"Why are you looking for him?" Owen asked firmly. "Why after all this time?"

"To take him to the castle." Link finished. "That's all."

Rel followed suit and stood at once.

"You can come back." Owen murmured. "Come and see me again. Even if it's to tell me that my son is dead."

His eyes were placed squarely on Rel. She gave him a polite nod before turning away. With her eyes still cast downward, Rel walked gingerly toward the door. Bidding the couple farewell, Link followed her.

They had reached the barren land outside when Sharla chased after them and placed a hand on Rel's shoulder. Surprised, Rel faced her, unsure what to expect. Sharla motioned for Rel to crouch down to her level, something concealed in her withered hand. She whispered something into Rel's ear before placing the concealed parcel into her palm. After a motherly hug, Sharla ran back inside, leaving them alone once more.

"What was that about?" Link quizzed her softly, still at a loss of what to make of the situation.

Rel opened her mouth to speak but chose not to follow through. Instead, she waved her hand dismissively. Link readied Epona as Rel inspected whatever Sharla had handed to her.

The sun was high in the sky by the time they left, the desert heat becoming more intense by the minute. After climbing onto the saddle, Link offered his hand to Rel, who surprisingly took the help. She silently mounted the saddle and at that, they departed.

The ride back to town was silent, no doubt due to the overall mood of the morning. Link wanted to ask Rel what had happened in that small moment, but knew it was best to let her think. She kept her grip tight as they made their way back into the city walls. Once they reached the inn, Link asked Rel to wait while he set his horse back in the stable. He offered to help Rel down, out of habit, and she of course rejected his offer. He was beginning to understand her yearning for independence as he spent more time with her.

"Wait for me inside. Out of the heat. We can reconvene." He told her quietly.

The temperature inside was significantly cooler than outside and Link was relieved to finally be out of the sun. He found Rel sitting in one of the corner booths, far out of sight. Knowing that she was most likely confused and overwhelmed, he brought her a goblet of wine. He approached her quietly and placed it gently in front of her before sitting down. She briefly glanced at him over folded arms.

"Are you alright?" He asked her gently.

Rel shifted in her seat before placing something in her pocket.

"Whatever I thought we were going to hear- It wasn't that."

"Understandable." Link replied. "I can take you back to Hyrule Castle Town Rel, I don't mind."

Rel shook her head.

"There's no need to leave early. I have a feeling that was the point of no return."

"Well, if it pleases you, may I suggest that we follow up on this new lead, together? Before it becomes too cold. Do you have it in you to keep going today?"

"I do." Rel paused. "But… My hair. My ears. Is it so controversial?"

"Not at all." Link replied. "Your hair colour is uncommon, but not unheard of. Maybe keep your ears covered though?"

Rel agreed and busied herself with styling her hair. She skillfully hid her ears as Link finished his drink.

By midafternoon, they continued on to their next destination, this time on foot. Link led the way, knowing the stone streets from his childhood. He didn't even need to think about where they were going due to his level of familiarity. Although she kept her pace with him, Rel remained quiet and cast down. Link had to admit that it made him upset to see her in such a state.

They reached the infirmary, another stone building in the sea of almost identical dwellings. Before entering, Link decided to approach Rel.

"Rel, look at me." He instructed her.

She looked up, meeting his gaze.

"Are you sure you're ok?" He pressed on.

Rel uncrossed her arms.

"As fine as I can be, given the morning we had. I am fully aware that my appearance is an issue to some." She stopped to collect her thoughts. "We don't make a point of singling out Hylians and their pointy ears where I come from."

Link let out a laugh.

"Pointy ears?" He asked her, feigning offence. "My ears are not pointy. They are long."

Rel finally smiled for the first time in hours.

"Are they hard?" She asked with a smirk. "Is it cartilage or skin?"

"I'll show you later." Link replied. "Now, we have a job to do."

Rel agreed to keep going, finally able to pull herself out of her stupor. She knew that this was the time for her to be courteous and composed, her usual manner. Link held the door open for her as they entered the building.

The interior of the infirmary was completely unlike the outside of the building. It was light and airy, with several beds laid out in the light. They were met with the soothing scents of medicinal herds and ingredients, no doubt wafting from the collection of plants in the foyer. The walls were neutral shades, giving a sense of conformity and peace.

Rel's mood shifted instantly as she admired the plants. Her demeanor was lifted even further by the small library at the back of the room, near two sleeping patients.

"A library!" She said with a smile.

One of the healing women heard Rel, coming to greet them with a calm expression. The only other person was a younger woman with brunette hair. She was busying herself with jars and salves. The woman that greeted Rel was busying writing in her ledger before she looked up.

"I don't believe my eyes!" She exclaimed in a hushed tone. "Is that you Link?"

Link surveyed her features before he recognized her.

"You were in charge of the infirmary for the knights, weren't you?" He asked her warmly.

She smiled happily. Link felt a sense of relief wash over him, knowing she was familiar. He didn't need to waste time with the niceties and greetings this way. The healing woman placed her will in the ink pot by her side and closed the ledger.

"How can I be of service today? Are you sick? Is your companion injured?"

"No, we actually need to speak to someone. A young lady named Hilda."

The healing woman's face shifted slightly, becoming stoney and stiff. She gestured toward the young brunette woman.

"Link, before you do that, why don't we speak outside for a moment?" the healing woman suggested.

She left her station and motioned for Link to follow her.

Rel remained inside, making her way toward the collection of books.

The heat had become intense in a short amount of time. Link removed his cloak and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. He once again cursed the impropriety of wearing a sleeveless shirt outside of Ordon Village. The healing woman tailed his step.

"Do you mind if I ask, what do you need Hilda for?" She asked in a hushed tone.

Link mimicked her tone, speaking quietly. "I won't use more of your time than needed. My companion and I spoke to herders on the outskirts of town today. They told us to ask for Hilda. "

"Is this about Damon?" The healing woman asked, her tone unimpressed.

It was evident that she knew this boy and was not very fond of him.

"You seem uncomfortable." Link started calmly. "Is there something we should know?"

The woman sighed.

"That boy. He made such grand gestures. Filling young Hilda's head with grandiose ideas. Making her promises he couldn't keep."

"I will speak with her." Link reassured the healing woman.

"Don't be surprised if she gets defensive. He worked his charms on her."

"Thank you."

Once they were back inside the infirmary, Link started in Hilda's direction. He was stopped by the outstretched hand of Rel.

"Maybe I should speak with her. Young women in love don't like being interrogated by fully grown men."

Link knew that Rel was right. It was very odd for an adult man to ask a teenage girl about her friends and he didn't want to draw unwanted attention. Rel approached the girl calmly as the older woman returned to her paperwork.

Hilda looked at Rel suspiciously as she approached her.

"Good day!" Rel said with a cheery tone. "I'm not going to use too much of your time. I'm here to ask about Damon."

Eyeing her quizzically, Link leant on one of the walls, listening to the conversation. He had faith in her methods and watched carefully.

"Why?" Hilda blurted out. "Are you his sister or something?"

Rel smiled warmly.

"Cousins, actually."

Link looked on in disbelief. Maybe Rel wasn't as bad at performing as she thought she was. He was interested to see how this interaction would play out.

"Do you know where he is?" Hilda asked her, excitedly.

"Unfortunately not." Rel explained. "It's why I came to speak to you. But it also sounds like you might not know, either."

Hilda looked Rel up and down for a moment.

"I know he left a while ago, but it's really important that I find him. I miss him too." Rel explained.

Link wasn't sure if he should be impressed or intimidated. Rel was lying through her teeth to this girl.

Hilda motioned for Rel to take a seat beside her on one of the empty beds. They spoke as if they were old friends.

"I knew you were related. When you walked in. It's your eyes and your hair." Hilda whispered to Rel. "Damon is special to me. He has my heart."

Rel smiled warmly and motioned for Hilda to keep talking.

"We were going to leave together. His parent's herd has been dying for a while. Things stopped growing too. Nothing for the animals to eat. He told me things that he hadn't uttered a word to anyone else. He found his twin brother, with my help, using this library here."

Rel nodded along.

"Is that why he left? To meet his brother?"

"Yes." Hilda replied. "But only after he visited the castle."

"Does that make you happy?" Rel asked her.

Hilda nodded.

"He said that he would come back for me. Damon is ambitious. He wants to be king someday! He is looking for his brother so he can claim his birthright."

Link was taken aback. Rel, who was also startled, eyed Link carefully.

"He will make me a leader one day." Hilda finished.

Rel continued to smile calmly.

"Did he say where he was meeting his brother?"

"To the far east. That's all I know. But that was after he was going to visit the blond woman at the castle."

A solemn expression crept onto Hilda's features as she recounted the details. Knowing that this was the end of the conversation, Rel brushed a stray strand of hair from Hilda's face. This gesture broke Hilda out of her somber mood and she ended their interaction.

"Thank you, Hilda I appreciate this." Rel said softly as she stood.

Hilda sprung to her feet.

"Wait! If- If you see him! Please tell him that I miss him and-"

"And that you love him?" Rel asked her delicately.

"Yes."

"I will! Until then, concentrate on your studies and become a great healer. The matron here cares for you deeply."

With a final goodbye, Rel departed from the area and made her way back to Link. They said their goodbyes to the older woman, who returned the gesture in kind.

Link stopped in his tracks as Rel waited in the doorway. He turned his attention back to matron.

"Yes Link?"

"Do you have anything for travel illness? And sleep?"

She set to work at once, bringing the draughts back to him swiftly. Link paid for the brews and made his way outside to find Rel with her hands on her hips. She looked tired and it was clear that she was feeling a level of discomfort.

"What happened at the end there?" Rel asked him as she waved her hand in front of her face.

Link held up a small paper bag.

"I got you something for your stomach. We aren't making the same mistake again on the journey back." Link paused. "Thank you for that. I wouldn't have known where to begin."

"I am well aware." Rel smirked. "It wasn't too long ago that I was her age. I wouldn't have spoken to an adult man about my love life. I'm sorry I had to lie like that."

"Don't be sorry. I wouldn't have thought of that at all. You're good at thinking on your feet."

Rel set off in the direction of the inn, Link trailing her. They were both fatigued from the morning, the weight of the facts setting in. Link kept catching glances of Rel's face, which wasn't that much lower than his. It wasn't like she towered over other women.

Her eyes snapped to Link.

"What are you gawking at?" She joked.

"Oh, nothing. Just wondering who you were in love with."

Rel let out a loud, short laugh.

"No one." She replied abruptly. "And I mean that."

"Another lie." Link teased, giving her a suspicious expression.

"It's not a lie." She replied, tensing her fists. "There's too many miscreants and I've better things to do. Like drinking."

"Sounds like something a woman in love would say."

"Why am I being interrogated here? Would you like me to start pouring my heart out so a brave knight can come and save me?"

Link laughed in response, mimicking her tone.

"Why am I being interrogated here?"

Her composure started to crack, and Link could see her hiding her amusement.

"I saw that!" He exclaimed. "What are you gawking at?"

"I was wondering if you'd finished pissing me off for the day?"

As the sun was setting, Link found himself in deep conversation with Rel, at the booth she'd chosen earlier in the day. He was making sure to engage her in conversation, not wanting to see her fall into a negative headspace, as she had earlier. Although she engaged with him, it was still clear that her mind was elsewhere, deep in thought.

"I haven't asked you, even though I was meaning too. Have you had anymore dreams?" Rel asked him pensively.

"Not since I was black out drunk."

Rel snorted at that as Link reached into his pocket, retrieving the paper bag. He took the small bottle out and placed it in front of Rel.

"Thank you. That is very thoughtful." She reiterated, peering at his hand. "Is there another one in there?"

"In the spirit of trust that we have developed, I'll be honest. It's a sleeping draught."

"Really? I thought you'd be as exhausted as I am."

"I probably am. But that's not how my insomnia works. That and there's another added benefit."

"Benefit?" Rel asked him, blinking.

"These sleep aides often cause dreamless sleep." Link replied with a shrug. "I'm not taking my chances. If I must ride for 12 hours tomorrow, I don't want to be falling off the saddle."

"As I suspected." Rel replied. "The few times I've had one, including that time at Telma's, it was black. A void."

"Excellent." Link replied cheerily.

"Still-" Rel started, lowering her voice. "You've a gift. Don't squander it."

"Like your gift for lying."

"ACTING!" Rel exclaimed, creating a dramatic pose with her hands. "Just, promise me you'll keep a record of these things. You never know when you'll need it."

Link chuckled to himself as he finished his drink.

"Rel, todays findings." He started, changing the subject. "Do you often have people asking about your heritage?"

"Very few times it has happened. I was vaguely aware of women migrating from Hyrule." She stopped, thinking. "And those times that I was questioned, it wasn't in my country, but a neighboring one."

"What country was that?"

"Nice try." Rel snapped back. "Anyway, my traits are common amongst women in my… geographic location."

Link nodded along.

"I'm just going to pass myself off as Telma's long-lost daughter from now on."

"That's passable."

Rel's brow furrowed as she crossed her arms.

"For an entire culture to be driven out over the actions of one man… That seems unfair." She mused.

"It's because of the man we mentioned earlier. He was capable of great evil. This man… he brought destruction to his own people, to the whole of Hyrule and- other places." Link explained. "The Gerudo people were believed to have the strongest connection to Din."

Rel gave him a quick glance before taking a sip of her drink.

"Interesting." Was all she said.

Link retrieved his own brew from his pocket. It was then that he noticed that both solutions had a similar hue, making them look almost identical. Rel, seeing the same thing, put her drink down and examined the small bottle in front of her.

"This isn't a love potion or some other snake oil, is it?" She asked skeptically.

"No, it's-" Link paused, flicking his eyes between the bottles. "It's supposed to be your travel solution."

With an awkward look, Rel picked up Link's bottle. She opened it, giving it a quick sniff. She repeated the same gesture on her bottle.

"I think this one is the travel illness one." she said, holding up her bottle. "It smells like calming herbs."

Happy with her assessment, Link changed the subject.

"Do you want me to see if they have another room vacancy?" he asked her quietly.

Rel leaned back on the bench and lifted her leg, resting it on the chair. She shrugged her shoulders.

"I trust you Link. You can wake me up when it's time to leave."

Link removed the cap of his draught, holding it up to Rel. She did the same with hers.

"Cheers!" They exclaimed in unison, uncorking the bottles and drinking them.

Whatever the sleeping draught was supposed to do, Link didn't feel it's effects at all. That night, he had a vivid dream, one that he would remember every detail of in the morning.

In the dream, he found himself standing before the majestic walls of Hyrule Castle. Something was amiss in the once vibrant and bustling courtyard. It was now shrouded in an eerie silence, a thick blanket of snow transforming the familiar landscape into an otherworldly shell of its former self. White snowflakes fell gracefully from the sky, covering the grand architecture in a frost-bitten embrace.

His gaze swept across the courtyard, watching as shadowy figures moved with purpose, their intentions unclear. It was a sight that sent a chill down his spine, an unsettling feeling that he was unable to shake.

His vision shifted, and he found himself descending into the depths of the castle, deep into the dungeons. The cold walls seemed to close around him, the air growing heavy and foreboding. In the dim light, he caught glimpses of the cells, each holding their own secrets. This scene left him with a lingering unease, a feeling of foreboding danger. The idea of Hyrule Castle being coated in snow was absurd and impossible. The snow never came that far down the mountains.

As suddenly as his awareness had been in the dream, Link was out of it. He awoke suddenly in the large bed, Rel sleeping soundly on the opposite side. The colours of dawn painted the room, the sun creeping over the horizon. He had a slight sweat as he sat up slowly. His mind raced, trying to think of what could have happened with the draught. He thought of a few theories, but one in particular stood out in his mind. Had they drunk each other's solutions?

With a hunch, link decided to try and wake Rel. he shook her arm gently, quietly encouraging her.

"Rel, wake up." He murmured softly.

She didn't stir, at all. Link smacked his forehead gently. If she wasn't accustomed to the effects of the draught, there was a fair chance that she wouldn't wake up for some time. Silently admitting defeat, Link rose out of bed, remembering that he promised Rel he would keep a written record of his dreams. He changed his clothes as she snoozed deeply. He thought about trying to change Rel's clothes for her, but the impropriety of the act was too much for him to handle. He'd done a lot of work over the last two days to gain her trust and he had no intention of breaking it.

Link made his way to the front counter of the inn, paying for the room and asking if they could spare some parchment.

Once back in their room, Link set to work, writing down every detail. It was mid-morning by the time Rel woke and he'd been enjoying the quiet for some time.

Link couldn't help but laugh at her expression, despite how scared she looked. He folded up the parchment and placed it in his pocket.

"Good afternoon." He joked.

Rel stared right through him, her eyes red and glazed.

"Are you alright Rel?" He asked her, smirking.

"I- I thought I died." She stammered.

Link burst out laughing as she swayed on the spot. He held his arm out and straightened her shoulders, trying to hold her still. She looked at him with blurry eyes.

"If it makes you feel better-" Link chuckled. "My stomach is the most settled it has ever been. Seems we took each other's medicine."

Rel continued to stare, her eyelids fighting to stay open. After a few moments of looking at him, she finally spoke.

"Your eyes are really blue."

Link nodded at her as she closed her eyes again. Link placed his heavy travelling cloak over her as she curled up on the bed again.

Another hour or so passed and Link finished writing everything down. He was surprised at how quickly the words poured onto the page, not noticing when Rel stirred again.

She opened her eyes once more, the redness having calmed down. She looked a little better as she looked at the cloak draped over her.

"For the second time today, good morning." Link said cheerily.

She shook her head slightly, her auburn hair disheveled. It framed her face nicely, at least, Link thought so. He watched her as she took deep breaths.

"Good morning to you too." She paused. "Though, I assume we have lost some good riding hours."

"Don't worry Rel. I can make up for it if you sit in front this time."

Her face contorted in discomfort.

"Fine!" She stated firmly. "But I am not riding side saddle."

"That's fine." Link agreed. "I only suggest it, so you don't fall off."

Rel pulled the cloak over her head.

"Thank you."

Link got to work packing both of their belongings. He got Epona ready to leave as Rel snoozed in the corner of their room. He walked her carefully to the horse and helped her up. He left the cloak wrapped firmly around her as she tucked herself in to his chest. Knowing that she wouldn't wake, Link took off at a brisk pace, confident they would reach town by late evening.

As they left Ruffilio, Link couldn't help but feel empty. He'd not been back in a while and often thought of visiting the grave of his mother.

"Next time" he thought.

They arrived in Hyrule Castle Town at dawn of the following day, Rel was finally able to lift her head again. It had taken longer than Link had intended, but they were back and both in need of their own beds. A few hours earlier, Rel had insisted that she was able to ride normally, but Link didn't want to risk it.

Hyrule Castle Town was peaceful and quiet as Epona's hooves rang out through the street. Link noticed a slight chill in the air, hoping that it was a sign that the warmth was coming to an end. He led them down the all too familiar path to Telma's Pub.

On arriving, Link took them to the stable. He was mostly preoccupied with keeping Rel from slipping off, but still managed to notice some new horses in the stable. He recognized the white horse as one of the Royal's but hadn't seen the other one before. It was a red mare, similar to Epona and Link could tell just by looking that this was a horse of high pedigree. He tried not to think too much, wanting to avoid any unneeded royal business. He wasn't sure when Zelda's task would end, given the conflicting information they'd collected. The only thing that was clear was that he would be going east.

Attempting to keep her upright, Link helped Rel into the building. She was still somewhat groggy and incoherent. He assisted her up the stairs and to her room, tucking her into bed. He sat on the edge of her bed and admired how steadfast she was, despite the setback. He brushed the few strands of her hair off her face, leaving her to sleep off the rest of the draught.