Though spring was well underway in Hyrule, the nights were still cold. The fingers of winters could still be felt, hidden beneath the cool breeze which fluttered its way through the Castle Town's labyrinthine alleys. The sky above was clear, the stars glinting as if readying their dance routine for tonight, while the moon peeked shyly on the horizon, unsure of whether it should appear now that the night was still young. One of the two castle guards who stood guard outside the Castle Southern Gate yawned. Tired, but at least they were warm from the brazier which burned brightly on their sides.

But in front of them, sitting leaning against the cold steel of a flickering lamppost, a young woman did not have the same luxury.

Aurora shivered, rubbing her palms together in hopes of at least producing some warmth. Earlier a kind passersby had given her a thin sheet of fabric so that she did not have to sit on the cold pavement, but other than that she had nothing outside her clothes. No fire. No blanket. Her cape she draped tightly around her shoulders, but it was not quite enough. Her pale cheek was reddened by the cold, now and then covered by her misty breath. Besides her, her sword reflected the light of the lamppost, cold and useless.

It had been a few weeks since Auron, or Oron now, went inside the castle to meet with this "Quinn". He returned sporadically, but he spent most of his nights inside the castle, leaving the frightened girl alone outside. For some unknown reason Aurora had refused to set foot within the castle's grounds, and though he had arranged a temporary room for her in the Castle Town, it was mostly to this spot she returned to. The last spot they met before he returned.

Of course, the presence of such a striking-looking girl waiting by her lonesome did not escape passersby. Some attempted to talk to her or kindly asked what she was doing. But Aurora for the most part simply shook her head and fell silent, keeping her eyes to the ground saying nothing. Eventually, regular commuters grew accustomed to her presence and paid her no mind. Even the castle guards did not look at her with suspicion again nowadays, merely keeping watch over her in case someone tried something funny. Whomever she was, the guards would not stand idly by when someone was in trouble!

"Achoo!"

Sniffling, Aurora pulled her knees closer to her and waited, her lips shut in silence. The eyes of hers looked dull and hollow, waiting for something she might not even remember having. Only the mist of her breath and her own thoughts were keeping her company....

Maybe... maybe it would yet be another long night....