Blessed

Chapter Nine: Illness

A/N: Tonight is my final performance of Little Women: The Musical. I'm sad that it'll be over but I'm excited to learn how to sleep again.

The duo did as they were told just as some sort of barrier coated the border black and purple, then rose up from the ground, encircling all of Hyrule.

"That's disconcerting," Ghirahim stated.

Fate nodded, floating over to hover beside them. "My assumption is that it was set to appear once Master Link crossed the border. My best guess as to the purpose of the barrier is that it was designed to alert whoever placed it that the Hero has returned."

"Who do you think placed it?" Link asked, his voice soft and weak as they turned away and continued onward. Fate returned to her sword.

"Perhaps one of your old friends. The only one I knew of, however, was not a sorceress, so I am unsure as to who it could have been. Another option is that it could be an enemy, but there is no threat in the immediate vicinity."

Ghirahim gently rubbed Link's shoulders, and relief spread through the blonde's muscles every time his fingers came into contact with the scars on his back. "What is your definition of the immediate vicinity?"

"Five kilometers, Creator."

"You don't have to call me that all the time."

"Perhaps not, but it is preferred on my part. I never spoke more than a sentence or two to you in your past life, after all, so I take comfort in knowing that I may finally offer both of you my services and gratitude."

Ghirahim grew silent, and once Link felt a little better he urged the horse into a faster pace, following Fate's instructions towards Castle Town. Given their pace, she said, they would arrive just as sunset struck the horizon - an hour or so before the guards pulled the drawbridge up for the night, and before the demons would start to appear in Hyrule Field.

They crossed the bridge in a gentle walk and dismounted from the horse despite there being few people on the streets at the time. Ghirahim guided the animal along until they came to some stables and returned the horse, stating that it had been rented. The stable boy said he would send word immediately that the horse was returned, and would send it back as soon as possible. The duo thanked him and left, searching for an inn to stay at for the night, both drowsy and sore from the long ride. They passed through the central square, where two young women chattered quietly to themselves.

"It's a lot less busy than usual tonight," one of them said, a tall redhead with fair skin.

"Do you not see it?" the second questioned. She stood about average height, with dark brown hair and plenty of freckles. "A shadow has fallen over Hyrule. I received a letter just a bit ago saying that my brother was unable to leave the country - it was like some dark power was preventing him! The princess hasn't said a word to us since it appeared. Most people have locked themselves in their houses out of fear, and none know what's going on."

"Really?" the redhead exclaimed. She glanced up. "Oh, for someone who has their head in the clouds so frequently, it's silly for me not to have seen this! I do hope that Princess Zelda says something soon."

Ghirahim squeezed Link's shoulder lightly. Their gazes met as one, and together they breathed, "Her name was Zelda."

"The girl with the blue eyes," Link whispered. "The one who shot you. It's been a hundred years - there's no way she's still alive, never mind still a princess."

"Perhaps she, too, was reborn," the demon suggested. He shrugged and guided Link onward with a gentle nudge. "Here, I see an inn - the only question is whether or not they have any rooms open."