Born a Weapon

A Twilight Princess Fan story

Chapter 33

Return to Castle Town

As Link rode to Castle Town, he had plenty of time to think and realized he didn't have a real plan. He promised to help Prince Ralis recover, but what could he do? Link may be a capable warrior, but he was no doctor, at least not that he knew of. He did seem to know some first aid, but he doubted that would be enough to help the prince. There was also Castle Town's unusual situation. It had been attacked from outside, which made no sense since the enemy was inside the castle and had portals. There was also no army in sight as Link made his way to Castle Town, even though it was suffering shortages that Link could only assume were from a siege. Then where was the sieging army?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sight of Castle Town coming into view. He quickly glanced around the area, looking for the seemingly invisible army. He didn't see any camps in the field or scouts in the distance, but he did see blood-soaked grass and the bodies of civilians and soldiers. It was completely devoid of all life. Once he finished scanning the horizon, his instincts told him to look up, even though there was no way an entire army could be above him. Forming in the sky was a portal with blood-red markings.

Link instantly spurred Epona, gaining distance from the portal before bulbins could form. He heard shouting, and more portals began to form all around him. The sound of hoof beats rang through the air as the bulbins began pursuing the hero on their oversized boars, and he quickly drew his bow and shot one in the leg, making it tumble and trip others. A group of archers began forming ahead of Link, but his experienced horse closed the distance faster than they expected, and their heads were swiftly removed in a single swing.

New voices could be heard, and Link realized the guards on Castle Town's tower were now in sight and had noticed the commotion, several archers grabbing their bows. While Link may not have a plan to help Ralis yet, he had a plan to get inside. Continuing to dodge and block attacks, Link slowly made his way closer to Castle Town. Once he reached the wall, Epona ran along it before jumping as high as she could. When Epona reached the peak of her jump, Link jumped as well before using his parkour skills to run up the wall and grab onto a handhold. Epona landed and quickly escaped the army of bulbins focused on the hero climbing the wall. They began to draw their bows to fire on the exposed man, but the guards on the wall unleashed their volley, striking them down mid-draw. With the bulbins running for cover, Link easily reached the top of the wall, grabbing a soldier's extended hand to assist in the last bit of the climb. With their target out of their reach, the bulbin army quickly retreated to avoid further casualties. Link only tore his gaze from them when they were out of sight and found every soldier staring at him. Everyone stood silently for several moments before Link decided to break the silence.

"Uhm… thanks." With the silence broken, the floodgates opened, exposing Link to the befuddled questions from the soldiers surrounding him. Link leaned back and raised his hands in front of him, but there was nowhere he could go. Soldiers surrounded him. Link regretted not planning beyond entering Castle Town, not considering the confusion and chaos his sudden entrance would cause. With an internal sigh, he resigned himself to a very long day of questions, most of which would not be answered.

"All right, quiet!" A voice rang out over the soldiers, and everyone fell silent, their heads turning. With the pressure off Link, he stopped leaning back and put his hands down. "What the hell is going on?" The voice asked, surprisingly calm. In response, the soldiers moved to the sides of the wall, creating a clear line of sight between Link and the man asking questions. Link recognized him as the Captain trying to keep Castle Town in order, Bryon. He stared at Link for several seconds with a look of surprise.

"Hi…" Link offered hesitantly with a small wave. Bryon turned to one of the other soldiers and cocked an eyebrow at him before saying something quietly. The soldier began speaking, and while Link couldn't make out everything, he could make out enough to tell the soldier was recounting the details of Link's arrival. Once he was finished, he turned his attention back to Link.

"Ok, new question. Who are you?"

"Link."

"Ok, Link, why don't you take a walk with me and get off the wall so these men can do their jobs." Link quickly glanced at the other soldiers before nodding and walking toward the captain. He raised his hand and gestured to someone Link couldn't see before guiding Link down the stairs. "So, why would someone decide to come all this way and outrun an army of bulbins just to get inside a sieged city?" As Link walked with the captain and started explaining himself, Midna silently listened in. The captain seemed calm and collected, his tone genuinely curious. Midna was surprised. She expected him to be suspicious, maybe even hold Link at sword point and accuse him of trying to infiltrate the city, sabotage it, or assassinate someone. Not that she was complaining, it made things easier for Link, and the easier things were for the hero, the faster they could accomplish their mission. When Link started recounting his journey, though he left out many details, Midna lost interest, already knowing all the information. She began glancing around the place, noticing a large number of soldiers and that the people seemed to be happier and healthier than they were the last time she saw them. The city looked more like what she imagined it should be without any crisis befalling it. Since Link had unfrozen zora's domain, the return of water was the most likely reason for this. How ironic that the man responsible for solving their crisis was right inside their walls, yet they had no idea. She idly wondered what the people around her do in their free time during a siege, though many of them were soldiers, so it was likely guarding. There were even more soldiers around than before. Eventually, the Captain stopped and leaned on the edge of a building.

"-and after being swarmed by questions, you showed up."

"Hmm," the captain hummed before studying Link for several moments. "I'm going to be honest with you, Link. I think you're lying." Midna froze in disbelief. Why didn't he say something before, then?!

"I noticed."

"Oh really? What gave it away?"

"Aside from you deliberately leading me to an isolated area that slowly filled with your soldiers, the friend you signaled to set all this up before we even left the wall." Link jabbed his right thumb at the alleyway, with seemingly no one inside it. The captain gazed down the alleyway giving Link a confused look.

"What friend?"

"I didn't make it through all those bulbins out of luck. I know how to observe my surroundings." A blade was gently pressed against the back of Link's neck, and the hidden man revealed himself. "There you are."

"Dammit, Sean! I didn't tell you to come out!" The captain snapped.

"He knew I was there! There was no point in hiding anymore," Sean replied. The captain gave a long sigh and made another signal with his hands. All the soldiers around them stopped pretending to be on patrol and surrounded Link with their weapons at the ready. Sean reached around Link and unclasped his sword and shield before stepping away from Link, who did not try to stop him. In Link's shadow, Midna began panicking. The people Link was trying to save were now pointing their blades at him, ready to cut him down and doom themselves. The idiots! What are they thinking?!

"Here's what I think your story really is," Bryon said, standing up from the wall and slowly approaching Link in an intimidating matter, with his own sword now drawn and pointed at Link. "Your masked friends decided they needed to do something since our water supply came back, and the security I put in place was enough to deter you from trying anything like last time. So you decided to pose as some traveling warrior who just barely managed to avoid the bulbin blockade thanks to the help of my men. Someone from outside, haven't had one for a long time, who needs the help of the good people of Castle Town. And once you get it, something is gone, broken, poisoned, or someone is dead. Especially since in your "story," You haven't told me where you came from or why you came here."

"I'm here for Prince Ralis," Link said, and he could see the shock on the captain and lieutenant's faces, though the captain hid it well. The mention of a Prince caused some murmurs among the soldiers, who clearly had no idea someone so important was in Castle Town. "And I came from zora's domain." Link could see the captain was about to deny his statement, claiming ignorance of any prince, but Link interrupted him. "I know about him because his mother asked me to make sure he survived." The block was silent as the captain pondered Link's words in silence.

"If she really sent you," the captain began, his gaze hardening, "why did the prince come here?"

"To warn Princess Zelda zora's domain had fallen." Bryon held Link's gaze before turning to Sean, exchanging glances with him before sighing, stepping back, and sheathing his sword. He gave the soldiers another signal, and they withdrew their weapons and backed off.

"Ok, Link. I'll believe you. Not even the masked men could have found out about him. That's one of our closest secrets." Link doubted that but wasn't about to say it. Bryon glanced around at the squad of soldiers around him. "Well… it was. Sean," he said, turning to his friend, "Bring him to Telma's Bar. I'll be right there. I need to make sure these men know to keep their mouths shut about what happened here." Sean eyed Link angrily and distrustfully, clearly unsatisfied with his superior's decision.

"Bryon," he began, only to be interrupted.

"It's captain, lieutenant, and that's an order." Sean stared at his friend for a moment before growling to himself.

"Yes, sir," he said under his breath, grabbing Link's arm before dragging him away, the hero's equipment still in hand. In Link's shadow, Midna released a large breath she hadn't noticed she held. Link allowed himself to be dragged through the streets, careful not to do anything to further anger the man escorting him to his destination. He caught a few glances from people passing by, but Sean carefully picked a route with as few people as possible. Once they descended the staircase to Telma's Bar, they stopped instead of entering.

"Are we going to go inside?" Link asked.

"No," Sean released Link's arm but did not take his eyes off him, "Your little story might have convinced Bryon, but I'm not sure if I believe you. We'll wait out here for Bryon before you go anywhere near the prince. I'll be watching you, Link," he said in a warning tone, "if you turn out to be who you say you are there won't be a problem, but if I find out you're lying, I'll cut you in half. The long way." Sean walked to the bar's entrance, leaning against the doorway and keeping his eyes trained on Link.

"I hate that guy," Midna hissed silently as Link approached a nearby box.

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After a long and agonizing silence, Bryon finally arrived to see Link sitting on a box with Sean leaning on the doorway, watching him intensely.

"What are you doing out here?" Bryon asked, confused.

"I didn't want to bring him inside with so many civilians and the prince," Sean said flatly, not taking his eyes off Link. Bryon rubbed his face with his hand before speaking.

"Well, we're going in. And give him back his stuff." Sean whipped his head around and studied Bryon's expression as if trying to figure out how his captain could be so stupid. "Now," Bryon demanded, leaving no room for argument. Sean sighed before reluctantly holding Link's equipment out to him and heading into the bar once Link took it. "Sorry about him," Bryon said as Link reattached his sword and shield, "he's a good man and a loyal soldier, but he's got some problems with trust. Though you must admit, your story is a wild one." Bryon gestured for Link to enter before following behind him. "You should know, the prince is unwell." Inside the bar, Link could see Sean approaching Ilia, a tall woman gathered around a zora lying on a makeshift bed, and a short older man with glasses examining the unconscious prince. Aside from them, the bar was empty.

"I've given him a look, and my previous statement stands. I cannot help this child!" the short man exclaimed as he turned around, sounding frustrated.

"Please, there must be something you can do," the familiar voice of Ilia pleaded, "You have to help him!"

"Young lady, this is a zora child!" the man snapped back, "This is beyond my expertise! If I try to care for a patient without knowing how their body works, I'm far more likely to kill them!" Ilia flinched back as if struck by the man's harsh words.

"Calm down, everyone," Bryon said, approaching with Link. "Is there anything you can tell us about his condition?"

"He is in a deep coma and will not be waking up on his own, if he wakes up at all. He needs aid, but I am not the person to give it." The doctor sighed, his voice losing its edge. "I know things are desperate, but he needs someone trained in treating zora, and no one like that is still around." Judging by the man's tone, Link could tell those people were gone. Permanently. "Now, I must get back to work. Other patients need help." The man grabbed his medical bag and began to leave. Ilia stepped forward as if to say something, but the words died in her throat as she remembered what the doctor had said. She turned around and headed for a table, sitting down and placing her head in her hands.

"That old coot was always useless, anyway." Link heard from the tall woman as he approached the prince. "Though I will admit, he wasn't as rude as usual. I guess everything that's going on finally humbled him, though just a bit.". He could see Sean tense up when Link pressed two fingers to the prince's neck and then placed his hand in front of his face. Both the pulse and breathing were weak but steady.

"Telma, what are we going to do?" Ilia said in despair, with the tall woman, now known as Telma, standing nearby. Once Link got the chance, he would give her the good news about finding the others from Ordon. Hopefully, that would drive away some of the despair. But now wasn't the time. Right now, he needed to figure out how to save Ralis.

"Well, there is a shaman in Kakariko village. He's tended both zora and gorons."

"Renado?" Link said, looking up from the prince, catching everyone's attention.

"I think that's his name. You know him?"

"I do. He's healed me a few times now."

"If it's true he's tended zora before we need to go there," Ilia exclaimed, hope returning to her voice.

"Wait," Bryon interrupted, holding up his hand, "I've discussed this with Telma. To get to Kakariko, we'd need to leave Castle Town, and I'm sure you can tell why that's a bad idea."

"We don't have much choice now, do we?" Telma exclaimed, "If we don't do something, this boy is going to die!" Bryon held Telma's gaze for several seconds before shifting it to the sleeping zora. He then turned to Sean and motioned with his head to a table away from the group before heading there, Sean right behind him. The two soldiers began discussing something the others couldn't hear, likely the risk of trying to reach Kakariko.

Link took this opportunity to tell Ilia about the others, turning to see her sitting back at the table, watching the soldiers with anticipation. Telma placed her hand on her shoulder before moving to the counter to do some work. Link slowly approached, catching her attention.

"Can I sit here?" he asked, gesturing to one of the chairs at the table. Ilia silently nodded, only briefly taking her eyes off the soldiers. "I know things are a bit… crazy and concerning right now, but I have some good news, the kids are ok." Ilia finally broke her gaze with the soldiers, turning it to Link. He could also feel the gaze of Telma snapping to him, which he found odd.

"Kids?" Ilia asked hesitantly, as if afraid of what Link might say.

"Colin, Beth, Malo, and Talo. They're in Kakariko, actually, with Renado. They're worried about you, but if everything goes well, you should be able to see them again." Ilia seemed confused, as if she had no idea what to say, and hoped the answer would jump out from under the table and she'd know what to say.

"Do I…" she finally began, her voice full of hesitation, "know you?"

"Ouch," Midna's very silent voice rang in Link's ear, and he prayed no one else heard it.

"You did, but not for very long. It's not too surprising you forgot about me with everything else that's been going on," Link glanced over at Ralis when he said this. Ilia followed his gaze but quickly turned it back to Link, and seemed as if she was about to say something before Link felt a hand on his shoulder and turned back to see Telma standing behind him.

"Can I talk to you for a minute, honey? It's important." Link glanced back at Ilia for a second to see that she seemed to have swallowed whatever she was going to say and seemed a bit relieved about it. Link nodded to Telma and followed her back to the bar. "You know that girl, don't you?"

"Not that well, but yes."

"Well, there's something you should know. It's a real shame, but… she can't even remember her own name right now." Link's whole body froze immediately. "Bless her heart, even with no memories, she found this poor boy collapsed in the road and did all she could to save him." Amnesia. He knew that pain well and wouldn't wish it on anyone, not even the people who tried to kill him. "You lend your strength to her, you hear me?" Link finally refocused on Telma, quickly nodding his head. "I can tell you're worried about her, but she's doing fine, don't you worry." A white cat suddenly jumped onto the counter and walked up to Telma, lying in front of her. "You should talk to her again," Telma said as she gently pet the cat, "it might do her some good to talk to someone from her past." Link slowly walked back to the table, noticing Sean throwing his gaze at him for a few seconds. Once he sat down again, he was unsure what to say, so he tried to think back to how people reacted when they found out he had amnesia. Luckily Ilia decided to speak first.

"So… Telma told you?"

"She did," the ordonian girl seemed to lose some tension.

"I'm glad. When I heard you talking about my past, I realized you knew me, and I had to tell you… but I didn't know how to say it."

"If you don't want someone to know, you don't have to tell them. Or if you do, but the timing isn't right, you could wait." Sort of like how I'm doing now, Link thought. "I didn't mean to put even more stress on you while you're already dealing with so much."

"You were just trying to give me some good news, don't worry about it." Silence stretched for a few seconds, neither quite sure what to say. "Can you… tell me about the kids from Ordon… and…. anything you know about me?"

And so Link spend the rest of Bryon and Sean's conversation telling Ilia everything he knew about her. It wasn't much since he was only in Ordon for a few days, but he could tell her several things. He told her about her father, the kids, and all the others in Ordon. Their names, what kind of people they were, and what they did for a living. He was sure he had forgotten some things, and he knew there were many things he did not know, but he told her everything he could. During his story, Bryon finished his conversation and approached Link and Ilia, waving Telma over.

"Ok, here's what we're going to do." Bryon began, "We're going to wait until night, so enemy visibility is minimal, and we'll have a cart carrying the prince escorted by some soldiers, led by me. Now that the major is back on his feet, I don't need to stay here and run this place anymore. When we reach Kakariko, we'll treat our injured friend and set up an outpost. From there, we can perform scouting missions and raids on enemy camps. But to do all this, we need a distraction. Something to keep the bulbins occupied while we sneak away. And the best choice to provide it would be the man who charged through the bulbin horde and came out unscratched." His gaze turned to Link, who knew just how dangerous what he was being asked to do was, but there was no other choice.

"All right. I'll keep them busy, but be fast. I made it through an entire army, but I doubt I can fight one."

"Wait a minute!" Ilia exclaimed, "You can't ask him to do this! How is he supposed to survive being attacked by an entire army?!"

"I don't want to ask him to do this, but I don't see another choice," Bryon calmly stated, keeping a level head despite the girl screaming at him. "Ralis is dying, and we need to get him help. The only other way I can think of to distract the bulbins is to send out a couple dozen men, and they definitely won't come back. Link's the only one I've seen last against them."

"I'll do it," Link said, ending the debate, "I escaped them once. I'll just have to do it again. Ralis needs help."

"I'll have to tell the Major my plan. Everyone get some rest. If you need supplies, Link, I'll show you where to get some."

"I should restock before this," Link said, rising from his seat, "Show me." Link followed Bryon, passing another glance from Sean before leaving the bar. Following closely behind the captain, Link's gaze wandered around the area. Things were much better than before, but he could see past the happy façade most people put up. They were scared, tense, and jumpy. Undoubtedly, the unseeable army outside their walls occupied their minds. Link wondered what would become of the civilians if Castle Town fell. He doubted he wanted to know the answer, but from what he knew about shadow beasts, Link had a pretty good guess. When Bryon and Link reached a large building swarming with soldiers, he explained why he brought Link before leading him into a large room.

"Grab whatever you think you need," Bryon said, "it's the least we can do considering what I've asked of you." With that final statement, Bryon left Link to roam around the room alone, free to grab whatever he chose. Well, not alone, but Bryon didn't know that.

"You know this is incredibly dangerous, right?" Link turned to see Midna sitting on a shelf next to some bottles of red liquid. Link grabbed one and examined it, seeing it was called a red potion. He vaguely remembered seeing this at the bird's shop. He believed it was a hoax, but it must be real if it was in the army's storeroom.

"I know," Link finally answered Midna as he grabbed several potions before moving on to the rest of the room.

"You're going to fight an entire army," Midna floated in Link's path, stopping him and forcing him to listen to her. "Do you really think you can do that?" The concern Link could hear in Midna's voice surprised him, but he didn't show it. She seemed to have finally stopped her cruel behavior and seemed to actually care about Link now.

"No, but I should be able to keep them busy. Epona is faster than any of their boars, so I'll lead them away, then lose them in the forest and loop around to Kakariko."

"Link, I know you've done some impressive things. You've beaten a giant plant, a bulbin king, and a corrupted goron, but this is an army, Link!" Midna seemed to lose her composure before quickly regaining it. "I just feel like this is too much for you."

"I know it's crazy, but Ralis doesn't have much time left. Not to mention we need the last Fused Shadow to stop Zant." Midna seemed to twitch a bit at that, but Link ignored it. "Look, I promise I'll be ok. I probably won't come out unscathed, but I won't die and leave you to fight Zant alone. And you know I keep my promises." Midna was silent for several seconds, thinking about what Link said, before letting out a deep sigh of resentment.

"Ok, I'm going to hold you to that promise." Midna slowly floated out of Link's path, hesitant to do so but trusting Link. "Go ahead. Make sure you're well stocked so you can be a hero." Link could tell Midna was still bothered. He wanted to say something else to comfort her, but he had no idea what to say. The hero kept silent and began to stock his supplies.