Link sneezed once more from behind you and you heard him sniff. You turned your head to look back at him and watched with pursed lips and a knowing look on your face as he wiped his red nose with a rag. His blue eyes met yours and he smiled from behind the rag that obscured most of it. Your face turned to one of concern as his smile faded and you saw how miserable he looked. "Do you want to stop somewhere?"

He shook his head. "We should keep going. We've spent long enough wandering; it's about time we got going towards the next Divine Beast."

"Your health is more important at the moment, Link."

"I'm fine; I'm just sneezing a little bit."

Your reply was interrupted by another sneeze.

"That small cold could turn into something worse if you keep pushing yourself," you said with a frown.

"I'm fine," he insisted as he fought another sneeze.

"You're not. I told you to wear more clothes while up in the snowfields, but of course you didn't listen to me."

"It was your idea to play in the snow."

"It was also my idea to put another coat on you and some actual gloves."

Link smiled at you and it was one that let you know that he was just joking and that he knew that you were right. You felt satisfaction at knowing that you were right like you always were, but you still had to deal with a sick Link. You hadn't had to deal with a sick Link yet- at least, not this bad. Over the course of the journey thus far Link had gotten a small cold, and you had gotten sick for a few days as well but in both cases they were nothing major- just small head colds that really were just mild inconveniences.

Link looked downright miserable at this point in time and whether that was because he actually felt that way or if he was simply overreacting like he usually did, you weren't sure. Either way, you felt awful. You did indeed have the idea to play in the snow, and look what had happened. You had basically gotten him sick. If he was mad at you or blamed you in any way, he didn't show it, however. This you were grateful for, at least. You only had to deal with your own guilt for now, without the weight of his blame.

At the sound of his coughs, you pulled back gently on Nayru's reins and stopped the mare. She snorted and pawed the snow-covered path as she waited for your next command. Epona naturally came to stop beside you and shook her head to get rid of the snow that had dropped into her mane from the tree branches above you.

Link looked at you with a curious look on his face and you could see how tired he was. He had dark bags under his eyes and they looked watery despite the bitter wind that made your own pair dry; he was visibly shivering and though his cheeks were bright red, the rest of his face was pale. "We'll stop at the first stable we see," you said, the words coming out as firmly as you could make them. There would be no fighting with you on this- you were going to make him rest until he was better.

He went to argue with you but you sent him a stern look and unwrapped your scarf from around your neck. You reached over and wound it around him instead, making sure that it was good and tight. You were sure to cover his mouth and cheeks with it, hoping to keep most of his face warm if you could. Taking off your hood next, you clasped it around him and ignored the goosebumps that rapidly sprang up under your tunic and thin undershirt.

Link went to protest but thought better of it evidently, as he simply sighed and let you finish your work. Satisfied, you kicked into Nayru's sides and the started forward again. You picked up the pace into a trot, wanting to cover as much ground as you could before nightfall.

Thankfully, it only took you about twenty more minutes before you saw smoke rising over the tree-line. The two of you headed towards it with increased energy and vigor, and made it only a few short minutes after that. The stable came into view as the sun set, the sky already losing what little color it had and becoming dark almost immediately after the sun left. You picketed the horses yourself and told Link to head inside the stable and find himself a bed. He did so reluctantly, not wanting you to do all of the work.

As you stepped into the stable, you took a moment to embrace the warmth that came from the area. They had closed the tent, something you had only seen done in the stables in the snowy areas of Hyrule. As they fastened the tent closed behind you to keep them from flapping open due to the blustering winds, you rubbed your hands together and walked to the closest bed to the tent's entrance, where Link was sitting on the edge.

"Under the blankets," you ordered, taking off your pack. "I can see that you're still shivering, so don't argue about that."

Link did as told, getting under the covers and leaning back against the bedframe and pillows. You crouched down and got the ingredients ready for a hearty, warm soup. You went and began to make it by the stable's inside fireplace, and while you waited for it to be ready you returned to the bed and helped Link out of his excess layers. Hanging them up on a drying rack, you let the snow drip off of them and tucked the blanket in around him.

"We're staying here until you're completely better, alright?"

"What if that takes a while?"

"Then we'll have to start paying rent, I suppose." Link smiled at your joke as you continued to tuck the blanket in under his legs. "Saving the world can wait until you're completely better."

"And what if Ganon gets impatient?"

Rolling your eyes at the cheeky smile he sent you, you responded with, "Then he'll have to deal with me because there's no way I'm letting you fight him- or anyone for that matter- while you're sick. Besides, what are a few more days when you've been waiting for a century?"

Link sunk down into the pillow and looked up at the ceiling. Letting out a sigh, he said, "These last two Divine Beasts aren't going to be fun, are they?"

"I should think they'd be as much fun as the first two were," you said, looking across the room towards where the food was cooking. You looked back at Link only to see that his gaze was still aimed at the ceiling. You stood and walked over to the pot, and once you saw that it was done, you took the meal and brought it with you back to the bed Link was in. Sitting down on the edge once more, you handed him a bowl with some of the meal in it and he sat up slowly.

"Do you think I'll be able to do it?" Link asked quietly, almost imperceptibly, as though he hadn't actually wanted you to hear it. He was stirring the soup with is spoon, playing with it instead of eating it. And as if he wasn't already out of it enough, he was looking at the food as if it disgusted him to look at it.

"No appetite?"

He shook his head in answer and so you took it from it and set it on the bedside table for him to try and have later. In that moment, as you debated internally as to whether or not you should address his previous question, the stable was quiet. The crackling of the fire filled the space and was accompanied by its warmth. 

The other people in the stable- mostly its own workers, though there were a few weathered travelers scattered in the other beds- were settling in to sleep and if they were chatting, they were doing so very quietly so as not to disturb anyone. The wind howled outside and the ends of the ropes holding the tent closed flapped with the wind's strength backing them and making periodic but gentle thumps.

"I don't know how many more times we'll have this talk before your journey is done, Link," you started, your eyes settling on the fire across the stable from where you were sitting on the bed. Link looked at you expectantly, though a bit warily. You turned your head so you could meet Link's waiting eyes and continued, "But I'll say it as many times as you need for you to finally understand. You can defeat Ganon, and you will. And I'll stick with you until you do, no matter what happens."

He didn't need to say anything in response to your words. There was nothing to be said. And if there were, what feelings he needed to convey were already evident in his eyes anyway.

---

The next morning brought with it a silent peacefulness that you hadn't ever experienced before. Mornings were a simple sort of magical, different from the sort fairies played with. They showed fresh beginnings, a chance to start anew. You're refreshed, well-rested, and have the whole day ahead of you. Love them or hate them, mornings had a certain charm to them that was different from anything else in this world.

This morning was no exception. In fact, it was a tad more magical than every other you'd woken up to. The snow was untouched and seemed to go on for miles. The early morning sun danced on the surface of the drifts and the sky was bright blue and cloudless, the sun being only a pale dot far above the horizon. Link was standing next to you, feeling much better than he had but still recovering. The stable-hands had opened up the entrance flaps to the tent, allowing you and Link to gaze out into the world before it was touched by the day's troubles.

And only a few days later, you were already out and traveling on a dirt road. That morning had been just like every other, its charm well-hidden but still there. You didn't have to explain to Link that the morning you had been in the stable, warmed from the back by the fire but facing the bitter air streaming in from the outside, the look you had given him was one that told him that this represented the new beginning he had upon waking up in the Shrine of Resurrection.

---

"I can't wait to find that treasure," Link said excitedly.

"That's if we find any," you said, being the voice of reason.

"Of course we'll find some. This is known as an excellent place to search for treasure."

"That's if the tips we were given are correct," you countered.

Link pouted. "Always gotta be a downer, huh?"

"Why else would I be here?" Sending him a quick smirk, you returned your eyes to the road in front of you before your eyes settled on an old, run-down wagon just off the side of the road. Two people were searching for treasure, evidently having heard the same rumors you did. There was a man and a woman, and they were talking to each other. Upon hearing your horses, the man looked up and nodded his head in a polite, silent greeting to which you replied to. As you passed by, you couldn't help but overhear the woman.

"I didn't think this would be so fun," she said. "Hunting for treasure...it's thrilling!"

"It'll be even more thrilling if we find anything, dear," he said.

You passed by them, smiling gently at the gentle banter between them. The scenery of the area you were in was breathtaking. Finally away from the snow, you could look around without being attacked by wind, and you took advantage of this.

The grass was a bright green, swaying slightly in the gentle breeze that swept through them; the sky was a pale blue and was dotted with wispy white clouds; the dirt road sliced through the landscape towards the horizon; mountains stood imposingly on the edge of the world; a small stream flowed alongside the road, eventually getting in the road's way, to which the road responded with a bridge; there were trees in small patches but some formed small woods rich with game and emerald hues that seemed almost surreal.

As a cloud cut in front of the sun, you watched as the shadow from it made its gradual way towards you and once it came, you took a moment appreciate being out of the direct way of the sun, even if for just a few seconds.

There was a scream that ruined the perfection of the moment. Your head whipped around and before you even knew what was wrong you and Link had both already turned your mares in the direction of the noise. That scream was human- someone needed help. The two treasure hunters were running away from the road, being chased by a group of white, elite Bokoblins. You reached behind yourself and grabbed your spear, Link doing the same, as you charged towards them.

The pair was chased into a nearby forest and the two of you followed them as quickly as you could into the shadows of the trees. The underbrush was thick but there was a thin trail worn into the ground. The Bokoblins managed to catch up to them and attacked.

The man suffered a hard blow to the head and though the woman got off easier, she was still hurt badly, earning herself a swift hit to her ribs. By now the underbrush was so thick that the horses could go no further and so you and Link leapt off of them, issuing them quick instructions to stay where they were before you ran after them on foot.

A pair of the Bokoblins picked the now-unconscious man up and one began to drag the woman as she writhed in pain on the forest floor. Running faster now, you brought your hand back and readied yourself to throw the spear you held. Your aim was true, and you pinned the Bokoblin dragging the woman in the heart.

It fell over and disappeared and you ran to her, skidding to a stop to help her up and get her to safety. Link slowed down briefly, telling you to stay with her. Looking into his eyes and seeing the serious look in them, you reluctantly relented and nodded. He ran off, his footfalls eventually fading until you couldn't hear them any longer.

The lady had a hard time getting up, due to her hurt ribs, so you didn't force it and instead helped her to lean against a nearby tree. Clearing away some of the underbrush, you made some room for the two of you and asked what she was feeling.

Link had kept running, and you wanted to go help, but the woman grabbed your arm. You saw fresh cuts on her arms that were deep but thin from where the monster had grabbed her. You looked into the darkness of the forest, hearing the monsters' warbled cries and wondered how Link would fare by himself.

Forcing yourself to focus on the task at hand, you began tending to her arms. You remained alert, in case they happened to loop back around or more came. But really, you knew that you were just waiting anxiously for Link's return.

---

The woman was now bandaged and was resting against the same tree. You had cleared out a larger space so there was room for a fire and one was already roaring, keeping the woman warm and comfortable. "Thank you," she kept repeating after every action you did. You looked at her curiously, wondering why you throwing a stick out of your way constituted a remark of gratefulness from her, but discarded these thoughts and instead humored her. Her gratitude was not unwelcomed, just surprising.

As you began to cook over the fire, she began to mutter a new phrase to you. "Please, miss, save my husband...please, don't let him get hurt..."

"My partner is doing everything he can," you told her.

"Your partner," she mumbled, "ah, yes, what a sweet boy..."

She held her head in her hands and stared at nothing for a while, tears brimming in the corners of her eyes. "Link will get him," you told her. She didn't respond to your words. You felt bad for her. She was only a bit older than you and she now was nervously twisting the ring around her finger, her eyes closed now as she let the tears fall. "The food is almost ready. Are you able to eat?"

"I don't want to," she said quietly.

"I'll save it then," you said, setting the meal aside and settling down next to her. "What is your name?"

"Myra," she answered. You kept distracting her, keeping her talking, and making sure that she didn't think of what was going on right now. She was distraught, understandably so. You were doing what you could to help her until Link and her husband returned.

It was nearing nighttime by the time you heard the sound of someone approaching. You perked up from where you were sitting. You stood up, placing your hand on the pommel of your sword in case it wasn't someone you were expecting. The woman, who had been sleeping, woke up and as she rubbed her eyes, she looked at you.

"(Y/n), what's wrong? Are they...are they back?" Her voice reached a panicked tone and she stood up, and you caught her before she fell over again from the pain. Making her sit down again, you stood back up and continued to listen. The fire's glow didn't reach that far into the shadows of the forest, but you could see a single figure approaching. Narrowing your eyes, you tried to make out who or what it was.

Link came into view seconds later, and you let out a breath you didn't realize you had been holding. You then saw that he was alone and had a somber expression on his face. He was battered and beaten and bruised and you rushed to him. The woman peered around the trunk of the tree she was against and you heard her pained gasp. "Link," you said quietly, more in relief than because you were going to tell him something. Going to his side and helping him into the clearing, you avoided the woman's eyes.

"Where...where is my husband?" The woman asked, her voice trembling.

You looked into Link's eyes, but he avoided meeting your gaze. Link leaned over and handed something small to the woman. When the woman's wide eyes lowered to her palm, yours did as well. His ring sat in her palm, shining with the light of the fire.

As the woman began to sob, you looked at Link for answers. Finally meeting your gaze, the pained look he sent you told you the whole story.

Author's Note: Thank you all for being so patient with me. I know that it sucks, having slow updates, but them's the breaks. What with school and everything, I hope you all can understand. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter anyway. We got some serious drama coming up.

Anyway, if anyone is interested, I am working on a Destiny 2 story- a Cayde-6 x Reader one because you know I love the game and that character. It won't be as long as this one though- 30 chapters at most.

And with that out of the way, I will see you all in the next update.