The forest was quiet and peaceful. A dragonfly rested on a blade of soft grass as a fat bumblebee drank from a pink flower beneath a tall, lush tree. High above the underbrush and happily buzzing insects, sitting on a sturdy branch, was a young man playing a shining lyre. With his back against the base of the tree and one leg dangling lazily off the branch, Sheik gently ran his bandaged fingers across the strings, producing sweet little notes that seemed to dissolve into the spring air. He was dressed in a blue suit and was bandaged from head to toe, a large white shawl wrapped around his face so that only his crimson eyes were visible beneath the spiky tufts of blonde hair that protruded from his head wrap. On his chest was an emblem of a red eye with a drop of blood running from it down his torso: the symbol of the Sheikah.

He seemed to be waiting for something, his eyes wandering across the forest floor below as he strummed his lyre. His ears seemed to find what he was looking for before his eyes, for he suddenly stopped playing and leaned forward, listening hard. In the distance, the sound of something stumbling through the brush was disrupting the serenity. He slung his instrument over his shoulder, where it fell into a sling across his back. Sheik stood, balancing on the rough limb, targeted a nearby tree, and leapt across the space, landing steadily on the branch. He continued hopping through the trees, swift and silent, closing in on the source of the noise until he was directly above it. Pausing, he watched the scene below him with some amusement.

"Damn it!" exclaimed the figure below. A boy in green was jabbing at the tangled undergrowth with a magnificent sword, trying to carve himself a path, as a tiny blue fairy darted about in agitation.

"You just insisted this was a shorter route," she was saying. "You insisted you knew your way through this part of the forest!"

He growled and slashed at a thick mess of vines. "I did know how to get through here! I haven't been here in seven years, though, Navi. Everything's different. Damn it!" Link let out a howl as his blade cut a vine that swung up and whipped him across the cheek.

Sheik couldn't stand to watch any longer. He dropped down from his hiding place a few feet away from the Kokiri boy, who immediately whirled around and held up his sword in defense. Upon recognizing his friend, Link sighed with relief and put down his weapon.

"Is that really how the Hero of Time is using the Master Sword?" asked the Sheikah.

"Sheik, you're lucky I didn't cut off your head." Link approached him, grinning brightly. "What're you doing here? Spying on me again?"

"Someone has to keep an eye on you, Hero." The fairy, who had hidden herself behind a tree when Sheik had unexpectedly dropped in, revealed herself again and floated over to the boys. Sheik nodded at her in greeting.

Navi cried out dramatically. "Oh, thank the Goddesses! Our brilliant Hero has gotten us lost. Do you have any idea how to get out of here, Sheik?"

Sheik nodded. "There is an old path this way," he said, gesturing into the trees.

"Ah-ha!" shouted Link. "I knew there was one somewhere around here. I just couldn't remember how to get to it."

"A lot of good it would have done us if we couldn't find it," snapped Navi, floating off in the direction of the path.

Rolling his eyes, Link carried off after her, Sheik following closely behind. The Kokiri slowed his pace to match that of his comrade and examined him closely. "You look tired," he observed. "Have you been sleeping?"

"Keeping watch over you is a full-time job, Hero. Of course, that has not been my only occupation these past days."

Link's long ears twitched curiously. "What've you been doing?"

Sheik rolled his shoulders back, working the stiff joints. "Something that will benefit Hyrule once you rid it of its evil."

"Nothing dangerous, right?"

"Your concern is appreciated, Hero, but unnecessary. You need only worry about yourself."

Link halted, and the Sheikah stopped as well, turning to him in confusion. The frown on Link's face made his usually childish eyes suddenly serious and intent. The change alarmed Sheik, who spoke in the most reassuring voice he could, "I will be fine. I can take care of myself. There is no need to fret."

But it didn't seem to persuade Link. He stepped closer to Sheik and looked into his scarlet eyes, reaching out his hand and placing it lightly on his shoulder. Sheik stiffened at the touch and the sudden proximity, but Link didn't move his eyes away from Sheik's face. "Don't hurt yourself, Sheik."

"I will try not to."

Link shook his head. "I know you don't want me to worry about you, but I do. You're one of my only friends, Sheik. Promise me you won't get yourself hurt."

The intensity of his eyes and the sweetness of his words touched Sheik, and he had the urge to wrap the boy in his arms and comfort him. Poor Link had gone to sleep a child one day and woken up seven years later as a man, and though he tried to live up to the heavy title of Hero of Time, sometimes his childish nature was apparent. Sheik had spent those seven years training and fighting against Ganondorf as best as he could, and as the last surviving Sheikah, he had had to grow up immediately. He was often baffled by how easily Link became emotionally compromised, when he himself never exposed himself. As confusing as it was to him, he also had to admit that there was something about the Hero's openness that he admired.

"Promise?" Link was still staring at him, his hand still touching Sheik's shoulder.

"I promise."

All at once, the playful grin was back on Link's mouth, and he moved away from the Sheikah, who felt his fingers leave his arm with some regret. Sheik followed Link through the bushes, carefully stepping around the thorns and twigs. They found the path, nearly overgrown with clovers and tiny purple flowers, where Navi hovered impatiently.

"Let's go, Link! I want to get to Hyrule Field before night falls!"

Link nodded and looked at Sheik. "Thanks for the help. Are you gonna disappear now?"

"Yes, I must."

"Okay." Link seemed a bit put down, but he smiled at Sheik regardless. "Take care of yourself."

"I will. And I expect the same of you."

Link let out a laugh. "Until next time, Sheik."

"Goodbye for now, Hero." He backed up a pace and raised his arm, a Deku Nut clutched in his fist, and locked eyes with the Kokiri boy for a moment.

"I wish you'd call me Link," he said.

"I will think about it." The next moment, Link was blinded by the flash of light produced by the Deku Nut as it exploded on the soil. By the time he had blinked away the spots clouding his vision, the Sheikah was gone. He looked around at the trees, sighed, and followed Navi down the path.

Sheik had scampered up a tree nearby, and he perched in the foliage for a minute, watching Link disappear through the forest. He then took his lyre from his back and cradled it in his arm. I must get going, he thought as he began to play. The Master will be waiting.