Chapter 11

The castle soldiers were carrying Link to the castle town to see a doctor who was apparently the best doctor around. Charlie was curious about this doctor. Could he treat Link's wound and get him back on his feet? Charlie decided to ask Captain Viscen about the doctor.

"Hey, Captain? Who is this doctor you're taking my friend to? Is he as good as you say?"

Viscen smiled.

"Of course he is, lad! He's the best doctor in the land! His name is Doctor Frederick. He helped me out three years ago when I took an arrow to the leg from an enemy raid. I was a Lieutenant then. My Captain told me I may never walk properly again due to that arrow. I was treated at the castle and the nurse there at the time told me of a legendary doctor who would be able to fix my leg up so I could walk properly again. She told me that she could take the arrow out, but I might have a permanent limp. She bandaged it up and I took her advice and went to this doctor. He used different herbs and salves and about a week later, I could walk fine! My wound was almost healed and I didn't have any trouble walking. I walked up to my Captain after I was better and he looked at my leg and he just laughed and called me a lucky bastard."

Charlie sighed with relief. "So this doctor should be able to help Link! That's great news!"

Viscen sighed. "There's one thing I never told you, lad. I had to pay him a lot of money to fix me up like he did! I had to pay him 350 rupees just to fix my leg up! He will probably want a lot of rupees to fix up your friend. Be warned!"

Charlie sighed. He had a feeling his work wouldn't be cheap. Where was he gonna find money if it was expensive? Charlie started to think. Of Course! Link had most of that lottery money he and Max had won! Charlie tapped Captain Viscen on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, sir! Can we stop for one minute? I have to check my friend's tunic for his wallet!"

Viscen had a grim look on his face.

"Okay, lad. Just don't be long. Your friend is in very bad shape and he needs medical attention immediately!"

Viscen reached in his pocket and brought forth a whistle. He blew it and the rest of the guards stopped where they were.

"Okay, men! We are stopping momentarily because Charlie here has to check his friend's tunic for his wallet!"

Charlie walked over to Link. He looked pale and lifeless. Charlie was hoping this doctor would be able to help his friend. Charlie checked Link's bottom right pocket that was mere inches away from the burn on his chest and he found Link's wallet!

"I found it, captain! Let's keep going! I don't like how pale link is looking!"

Viscen blew the whistle again and everyone resumed the walk into castle town.

Charlie started to count Link's money and he realized he still had 400 rupees! Charlie sighed with relief. He had 50 rupees in his pocket besides. Altogether, he hoped it would be enough for Link's bill when they got there.

When they entered castle town, everyone began to crowd around them to look at Link. They started to gasp in horror at the injury Link sustained. Viscen knew they had no time for this.. He blew his whistle to dismiss the people.

"Move along, everyone! We gotta get this boy to a doctor right away!"

Charlie followed Viscen and his guard squad. They went into the back alleyway of the castle town and headed for an old house with a small red cross above the door. When they entered, they were greeted by an old grizzled man with glasses and a long white beard. He shook hands with Viscen.

"Lieutenant Viscen! It's been quite a while! How's the leg I treated holding up?"

Viscen smiled. The old doctor hadn't changed a bit.

"The leg's fine. Thank you, Frederick. The rank has changed over the years. I'm a captain now. I brought you a patient. He needs medical attention at once!"

Viscen led Doctor Frederick over to the guards carrying Link. Link was looking very pale. Frderick examined Link. He then turned to Viscen.

"It's a good thing you brought this child here when you did. He wouldn't have lasted much longer with that chest injury. He is barely alive as it is. I will treat him. But first, I'm gonna need payment for my work. Since it's you Viscen, I'm going to give out a discount. Give me 300 rupees and I will get to work on this child's injury."

Charlie handed Frederick exactly 300 rupees. Frederick smiled at him.

"Thank you, child. Now, I need to get to work! Set the child on the bed beside you. Come back tomorrow afternoon to check on my progress!"

Viscen led Charlie out of the infirmary.

"You heard the doctor, lad. Let's go!" He turned to his squad. "That goes for the rest of you as well! Move out!"

Charlie walked outside. It was going to be lonely without Link for company. Viscen patted Him on the back.

"Don't you worry, lad! Your friend is in good hands! Me and my squad are going to head back to the castle now! Is there anything else you need from us?"

Charlie smiled at Captain Viscen. Him and his squad were a huge help. Link might've died if they didn't carry him here. Hell, He would be dead if Viscen and his guard squad didn't show up when they did! Max was getting closer to catching Charlie when they heard his cries for help.

"No thanks, Captain. Thank you very much for you and your squad's help."

Viscen blew his whistle again. He turned to his guards.

"Alright, guys! Move out! Let's return to the castle and report in!"

Viscen and his squad marched towards the castle and in minutes, they were out of town.

Charlie turned around and sighed. What was he going to do while he waited for the doctor to fix up his friend? Just then, Charlie started to wonder something. Where was Navi during this whole incident? He never heard or saw Navi at all! Charlie sat down to think about it when suddenly, Navi came out of nowhere!

"There you are, Charlie! I've been looking for you and Link!"

Charlie was confused.

"Excuse me Navi, but where were you? Where did you just fly from?"

Navi was puzzled.

"I flew back to Kokiri Forest to check to see how everyone was holding up. Didn't I tell you guys? I left after you two were done helping to catch those chickens!"

Charlie was mad at Navi. She took off back to the forest when they could've used her help!

"No, Navi! You never told us! You just took off without saying a word! And guess what? While you were gone, link was almost killed!"

"WHAT?", screamed Navi. "Are you serious? How? And when?"

"Earlier today, me and Link were walking towards castle town to get better shields when we were ambushed by Max. He is Crazy! Apparently, Ganondorf channeled some of his evil energy into him and made him a psychotic killer! He intended to kill Link! He shot a fire ball at him and it got him right in the chest full force! He thought link was dead and then he started to chase after me! I ran for my life and shouted for help. I was saved by Captain Viscen and his soldiers. They carried Link here and he is now in a infirmary being treated."

Navi couldn't believe what she just heard! While she was gone, Link was almost killed! She started to feel bad about the whole thing. Worst of all, Max was an evil maniac of some sort! Navi started to cry.

"I'm sorry, Charlie! I never meant to cause all of this trouble! Honest! From now on, I'll never leave you guys again!"

Charlie smiled at Navi

"Thanks, Navi. That's good to hear. I'm still worried about Max's threat. He said someday if I was alone, he would find me and kill me! I can't believe how much Max changed after Ganondorf channeled his evil energy into him. I don't know that guy anymore. I guess when Link's better, we will have to watch our backs!"

Charlie stretched and looked at Navi.

"I'm just glad I'm not burying Link today!"

The doctor was getting to work on his patient. He took off the tunic and laid it beside him. He then soaked the wound with water and a towel to get it cleaned up. He took some Pennywort, Yarrow and Arnica and grinded it together. He then took some water and made a paste. He spread it along Link's chest wound and then he carefully bandaged the wound up. He tied the bandages around Link's back and sat down and took his glasses off to rub his eyes. He had to look through various medical tomes to find a treatment for chest wounds. Frederick was sure that this child would be alright after three or four days of rest

It was nightfall and Charlie was feeling sleepy. He went to the nearby inn with Navi and paid the innkeeper for a bed to sleep on. He then went to sleep. His body was completely relaxed, but his mind wasn't. He was wondering how Link was doing. Did the doctor fix Link up? Was Link going to up and about shortly? Charlie was worried that Link may be bedridden for a week or so. What if Max decided to attack again? If he saw Link all bandaged up and sleeping, he may try to finish Link off while he's weak. Charlie felt angry at the thought of it. He would defend Link if it came to that. He wouldn't let Max hurt Link any more than he already did! Charlie's eyes were dropping. He drifted off into slumber, still thinking about defending Link if anything bad happened.

Darunia's forage party yielded good results. They had found a large quantity of edible rocks at the entrance to Kakariko Village! Together, they hauled the rocks into their home. Darunia unsealed his door temporarily to take a look at the rocks that were discovered. He bit into one. They were a little bitter, but anything was better than starving to death. Her looked at his people.

"Come on, everyone! Eat up! You have to keep your strength up! These rocks will last us a couple of days if we are careful! We have to think of a way to remove that boulder, but I am tired now. We will look into it tomorrow! I am unsealing my room for the time being. If you need to talk, come see me!"

Darunia walked back to his room and shut the door lightly instead of sealing it up again.

The next morning, Charlie was anxious to see Link. He walked out of the inn and headed towards the back alleyway. He found the infirmary and opened the door. Doctor Frederick was still asleep. Charlie walked over and tapped Frederick on the shoulder.

"Excuse me, Doctor Frederick?"

Frederick jumped out of his bed. Charlie had scared him.

"Geez, child! Don't do that to me! I'm an old man you know! What can I do for you?"

"Well, I want to see my friend. Is that alright?", asked Charlie.

"It may be too early to wake him. He may not wake up yet. That was quite the injury! You may try to wake him if you wish."

Charlie walked over to him. He looked a lot better. The color had come back to his skin. It was no longer pale. Charlie shook Link gently.

"Link! Wake up! It's Charlie!"

Link opened his eyes slowly. He glanced around. He had no idea where he was.

"Charlie! Is that you, buddy?", asked Link weakly.

"Yea it's me. Glad to see you awake. I thought Max killed you."

Just as Charlie said that, Link had a flashback of the fight between him and Max. He was looking at Max with his sword at the ready. He was beginning to perform a spin attack. He started the spin attack when he saw a fire ball coming towards him. It hit him right in the chest. He looked down at the wound and screamed. He could hear himself screaming in pain. He could hear evil laughter nearby and someone shouting in the distance. Suddenly, everything started to fade and go black. Charlie snapped Link out of it.

"Link! Are you okay?"

Link sat up slowly. He groaned in pain. He looked over at Charlie.

"I just had a flashback of the fight between me and Max! It was very disturbing. Anyway, thanks a lot, Charlie. I owe you my life."

"No you don't", said Charlie. "You owe your life to Captain Viscen and his guard squad. If they didn't hear my cries, you would've never made it here! I might've been dead myself if not for them. After he thought you were dead, Max turned to me and started to run towards me with his blade drawn in front of him."

"Did you try and fight him?", asked Link weakly.

Charlie bowed his head in shame.

"No, Link I didn't. I just ran. I have never been so frightened in my whole life! I ran away from him and he chased me and tried to catch me. As soon as Captain Viscen and his squad heard my cries, they ran out of castle town. Viscen was on horseback. Anyway, Max saw them and he realized he was outnumbered and he fled. He vowed he would kill me one day and he told me to have fun burying you!"

Charlie began to cry. Link tried to calm him down.

"It's okay, Charlie. Don't worry about Max. As soon as I'm better, I have a score to settle with that jackass! You did the right thing by running away. Don't be ashamed by it. You're a good friend, Charlie. Not everybody can go into a battle completely fearless. As soon as I feel better, I'll train you if you want."

Charlie wasn't sure if he wanted to be a fighter or not. He smiled at Link.

"Sure thing, Link. Now, I'm gonna leave and let you rest. Get well soon, buddy. I'll talk to you later."

Charlie walked out of the infirmary. Link smiled. He was such a great guy visiting him when he was wounded. Link groaned weakly and closed his eyes and went to sleep.

End of Chapter