Inbetween

Pondering

Time POV:

Relax and think, don't think too far. Ponder what you can do, then leave the rest to me. That is what Mallon always said to me whenever I was overstressed. It helped. But that wont help me now. She isn't with me. I don't even know my way back to her. I twisted my wedding band that I wore. My most prized possession.

It took more courage for me to propose to her than it did to face the Moon. We both knew we loved each other from the start. But I wasn't fond of the idea of love. I never thought I could place my past behind to make room for it. It wasn't till I opened up to her about my troubles, that I understood that I needed her, and we loved each other so dearly that nothing could force us apart. Not even this incident.

That thought had me smiling to myself. But it soon disappeared as I remembered Winds words. I was more than pleased to have him as my successor. I have only just gotten to know him, but I knew Hyrule was in good hands. I also felt bad for him. My burden should not be passed down to youth like him. Even though I could do it, and I know he did. That doesnt mean I feel any less okay about it.

I thought harder about the time split possibilities. I know there is Sky first. And we know that somewhere there is me then Wind. Then Twilight- I whispered in my head and resisted the urge to look back at him. I recognized him instantly when we met in the clearing yesterday. I pushed that thought aside for now.

What I need to know is who comes before and who comes after. If they are before my time, then they are on the one path of time. If they come after me there is a chance that they belong to alternate timelines. The fear of the number of timelines I could have produced with my own hands. Logically, however, there arent many of us. There could only be one or two other timelines.

That sounded right, but there was no hard evidence to back it up. We would need to talk about our experiences and see who falls where. My motivation to find this out at two points. 1) Find out how many timelines there are that could tell us how much ground we might need to cover, if Wild and I are right, then the enemy could be anywhere we arent. We would need to know the lay of the land. And 2) I could still feel the unmistakable tension in the group. We trusted each other fast, but we know close to nothing about each other. It could be a chance to learn about the others journeys to their title. If we are going to be with each other and fight with each other over the next while, were going to need more than our Courage bonds to keep us together.

I was struck out of my thoughts when I saw the dense foliage become spacier. Everyone else noticed as well. Their heads checking the clearings. Scouting for monsters or travelers. We still had no idea where we were.

We walked for about another hour before the forest turned into vast hills covered in tall grass and flowers. A place that only made me think of Mallon. My heart sighed. I miss her, I say to myself.

I heard their feet start to drag, thankfully the tip of a village came into view. Many sighs of relief escaped the heros mouths breaking the silence. Mine included.

"War, we should split into two groups," I advised. "Ill take some and try to find a place to stay. I want you and some others to ask around and try and find out where we are."

War nodded. "Ill take Twi, Legend, and Four. If you dont mind."

"That leaves me with Wild, Hyrule, Sky, and Wind. I sent one of them out to find you and bring you to us once we found something."

"And if theres nothing?"

"We will regroup outside the village and make camp again."

He nodded and rounded up his group telling everyone of the plan. I was glad he also took some of my leadership burden off my shoulders. He had the personality of a not so humble lunatic, but he was reliable and a people person. He should have no problem getting some information out of the villagers.

We split up a bit before the village entrance, we did want to 'overwhelm them with our heroic looks' As War put it.

My group went ahead. In the back, I heard Hyrule and Wild talking. It was nice to hear Wild talk. No one has asked him about his scars yet. I havent needed to step in. I dont know why I felt so protective over him. Or Twilight for that matter. Well all of them now that I think about it. My softie heart cant seem to take their hard faces and vulnerable eyes without wanting to give my time to them.

I couldnt make out what they were discussing behind me. Something about maps being the enemy of curiosity? I didnt eavesdrop.

"Did you find out whats up with the placement?" Wind asks me.

Wild and Hyrule pause their conversation to listen in also curious. "I think I know what might help us find it. As to how many time complications there are where we are in time. We will have to wait for the other group to discuss it. I believe that each other's knowledge of knowledge will help us get an upper hand in the situation."

"Speaking of this situation, dont you think its strange that we havent been attacked yet? I mean I would have run into at least a Bokoblin by now if this were my Hyrule." Stated Wild.

"You have a point," said Wind, walking beside me. He was obviously tired, I guess he still had his sea legs and isnt used to so much land.

"Im just counting my lucky stars that we havent" Said Sky on my other side. "Just because we can deal with them doesnt mean I would like to."

"Agreed." Said Hyrule.

We were getting deeper into the village- which now started to look like a flourishing down. I looked back and Wild looked very uncomfortable in the environment. And beside me, Wind was dragging. We had to find a place soon. I wondered how Wars group was fairing.