Hello all! I hope everyone is enjoying the Breath of the Wild XD! I know I am. I've hardly touched the main quest and have already done sooo much, and having fun every step of the way. I won't spoil anything, but trust me when I say it's MORE than worth it to get! I almost...forgot to upload this today because its so distracting. Good thing I proofread beforehand!

Anyhow, time to leave you to it!


Almost immediately after Kage and I finished eating and freshened up, Retak was back and ready to collect us. I scrawled a quick note to Navi, since I didn't want to disturb her sleep. Then we were lead to a wide clearing full of Sheikah standing around an enormous fire pit.

Elder Matria was waiting for us in front of the rest, and I stood awkwardly once more as she addressed her sentinel people, unable to understand her Sheikah words. She talked for a few minutes, every once in awhile her people reacting with cheers as she gestured to both Kage and I. After her last words she was presented with a large copper bowl. It was scribed with so many tiny symbols that I mistook it as patterned at first. The Elder took a long drink from it and passed it to Kage. He drank, though not nearly as long, and then passed the bowl to me with a nod.

The brew was deep red and smelt odd; a combination of herbs and something familiar that I couldn't quite place. I tipped the copper bowl to my mouth and took a drink.

Oh…OH. I coughed and sputtered, immediately pulling the bowl from my lips. That- THAT WAS BLOOD. I was saved the worry of offending the entire Sheikah clan as they burst into laughter. W-was I just pranked by an entire culture?! I didn't have the chance to dwell on it, for as the laughing died down we were seated beside the Elder on an intricately woven mat. Before us, after some introductions and bows, traditional music, singing and dancing was preformed.

"It's thought that Blood is the physical representation of the Power of the Body," Kage explained in my ear during the roaring performance, me chugging down some offered wine to get rid of the horrible taste in my mouth. In this case, the wine was far superior, even if it was bitter. "The herbs added, sage and mint, represent Wisdom of the Mind, and the fire it is cooked with is the Courage of the Soul. They gave it to us in hopes it would please the Goddesses and have them each grant us their blessings."

I tipped down my chalice as the bitterness attacked my tongue. "I-it wasn't humanoid blood though, was it?" I was scared to ask, but felt compelled to make sure.

"No no, most likely it was from a wild boar. They're considered the Spirit Animal of Power," he assured.

That was a relief. Though I was getting none from the bitter wine I'd chugged; it still burnt my tongue. Kage chuckled as I started trying to now remove that flavour with some food. "It is pretty nasty though, either way. And you're eating Fala'zen right now, also know as flavoured tree bark, I hope you know."

I gave up on the food at that. I was still full from dinner, even though throughout the entire celebration I kept getting offered more and more things to eat or drink; some recognizable, some not. If I'd eaten everything offered to me I wouldn't have needed to have dinner beforehand…or lunch or even breakfast.

After the drumming and dancing and loud chanting-like songs were finished, some smaller groups formed, eating and drinking and making their own music. It mingled well with the chatter and busyness of a gathering. Sheikah families were brought before us, offering words or small gifts to Elder, Kage or myself. Most spoke only in Sheikah, and I quickly learnt the words for 'thank you' and 'bless you' and how to properly accept a gift by watching the other two. This went on well past the setting of the sun, but finally the crowds hoping to meet us petered out.

Kage was chatting with the Elder and Keeper Retak (who'd been directing the people to meet us when the line was still present) as I people watched. I'd found both Ento and my student instructor a bit ago, and was studying how they interacted with friends and family. Ento seemed to get more relaxed and giggly the more he smoked from a communal pipe. The boy was glued to who I guessed was his father's side (a well dressed man fraternizing formally with other such well dressed men), conversing only went spoken to and otherwise joining me in my people gazing. I was starting to get sore from sitting cross-legged on the mat, and had to use the bathroom. I hoped we'd be done soon…

I felt a tap on my shoulder. Kage was getting to his knees. "I'm going to address everyone and then the celebrations proper will be over, and we can go get some sleep. Stand with me and bow when I do, and we'll be good, okay?" I nodded, rising to my stiffened legs, relieved to have this finally be over. I felt worn out.

Kage spoke, and everyone silenced instantly and bowed. After commanding them to rise, Kage gave a short speech I once more was unable to follow. He bowed at the end and I joined him. The crowds cheered once more, the loudest they'd been. Keeper Retak continued speaking briefly after Kage stopped, and Kage turned back to the Elder.

"Thank you for your hospitality Matria, but forgive us for not joining in the after party. We still have a long journey ahead of us, and should turn in for the night." Kage bowed and I figured I might as well copy him again. The Elder had been a great source of help and information.

"But of course. Thanks to you, my Prince and Maiden, for honouring my people with your company. We shall look forward to your return from Death Mountain, so we can aid you in using the Spiritual Stones to find the Master Sword. Until then, Prince Kagen, stay strong and trust your judgement. And Maiden Sarah, I hope you keep your mind open to all possibilities set before you."

Sounded like an odd bit of advice to give me, but I supposed it related to the whole 'barer of Wisdom' thing. We thanked her, and escorted once more by Retak, made our way back to our hut.

Navi was awake when we arrived. "Oh hey. How was the celebration?" she turned from watching the fire as Kage and I stepped through the door. Retak had bowed himself away on the porch so it was just the three of us.

I groaned, pulling off my boots. "Exhausting," I heaved, stumbling over and flopping down once more onto a pillow by the fire, warming my fingers by it. "I would of much rather stayed here with you. How long've you been up? Like I wrote, I didn't wanna disturb you when you were sleeping so well." The last few days she'd been waking up a lot, saying while she wasn't really in pain, she felt uncomfortably tingly most of the time. Something, she assured, meant that a fairy was healing well.

"Not too long. I don't think I would've wanted to join you anyway; that was one loud party earlier." Navi shook like someone trying to get ringing out of their head. Hell, even now you could hear distant songs and instruments through the walls. Navi gleamed and some sparkles flew off her. "But all the celebratory feelings soaked in the air have been pretty helpful. My body feels pretty good! Sucks that the wings are always the last to heal…"

I frowned, guilt squirming in my stomach. "How long will those take to get back to normal?"

"Probably a few days yet. They're the most physical part of a fairy's being, and since physicality isn't our strong suit it takes a long time." She flashed gold a quick moment. "They will heal though Sarah, stop worrying about it. My one did after the Wolfos Queen, and will now too. I already told you it wasn't your fault."

"Yeah…"

Kage had returned from the bathroom, where he had gotten ready for bed. As he walked by me he pat my head. "We've both said to stop worrying, okay? It's in the past." He offered a tired smile. "Sorry though, don't know about you, but I'm beat. I know I said we'd do stuff after, but even I didn't think we'd be out so late. How about I owe you tomorrow?"

"S'its fine," I returned with a long yawn. "I'm gunna get ready for bed soon too. I'm alright with bugging you tomorrow."

Kage nodded. He was headed to a doorway (covered only by a tapestry, where I assumed the bedroom was), when he stopped. He grabbed his arm and glanced back to me with pause.

"Umm, like before, not for nothing…but we'd be best sleeping in separate rooms tonight. Their aren't any locks on the doors here, so if someone came in to wake us and saw us…ummm…"

I looked to the fire to hide my disappointment. "It's fine, I get it." I tried to keep my voice relaxed. I put on a dumb grin and looked back at him. "Least that means I won't have you squishing me tonight!" I stuck out my tongue.

A nervous chuckle replied. "Yeah, right. Well, there's another bedroom behind the tapestry there. It's usually Donovan's room, so it's pretty nice. Have a good night, Sarah."

"You too Kage."

I watched the fire lick and waver in the air a long time, not really concentration on it, rather, listening hard. I heard the shuffling of sheets, some twisting and turning. Shortly after silence, and then the Prince's own light snoring tonight.

I frowned.

Navi was watching me in my silence. After Kage was asleep she hopped up on my leg. "What was that whole thing about?"

I sighed. "A Shiekah thing. They're not too into people showing affection, and Kage was worried about it. But that's okay…-ish. We figured that out. It's just…"

"Just?"

The fire was warm, big. Memorizing to stare at its dance. My body facing towards it felt almost too hot. I should use the ward to adjust it, make it smaller for the evening. But I was in no rush to move.

"Just what, Sarah?"

I glanced away from the heat to the tapestry of ravens behind which Kage slept. "I think something else is bothering him…a lot."

"What's that?"

"I don't know. But since he talked with the Elder on his own, he's seemed off. He especially wanted to make sure I was okay afterwards. It was private and I don't want to pester him about it, but I'm concerned about how worried he's been acting." I sighed and sunk lower in my pillow. "I think seeing my parents today really bugged him. He…lost his dad hardly a week ago. His home, and probably a lot of people he knows at the Castle too. He says he's prepared for this… But how can he just keep moving forward after all this horrible stuff has happened to him? If it we're my family, I-" A sudden sticky lump formed in my throat, and I shook out the thought before it fully formed. "I think its all finally catching up with him."

"It takes a lot to keep going after someone you care about passes…" Navi replied after a long moment. "It's not easy. But Kage has support when he needs it." She rubbed against my leg. "Keep an eye on him, like you have been. And know at some point you might be direct with him. Either in how he's feeling, or if what you suspect is what's bothering him. Because it might not be exactly what you think."

"Maybe…" It sounded fair, but I still felt like I was being more of a burden then a help, and didn't know how to change that.

"Sarah, you should know, since you two have been together… he really feels a lot better then he used to. It might not of been long but he cares about you deeply, and doting on you seems to make him feel brighter inside. You've been like his rock for this journey. So if you start worrying too much, which you're more then good at, you'll just bother him more. You don't want that, do you?"

"So my worry about him worrying will only cause him to worry more, and so on?" I smiled dryly at the fairy. She humphed.

"In this case, yes. So stop thinking so much about it! What will happen will happen, and that's when you can act. It's good to have a heads up, but you don't have to make a mountain of it either!"

"Already got one of those to climb in my immediate future." I chuckled and leaned back into my pillow. I felt a bit better, even if I hadn't really figured anything out. "Thanks for the advice, Navi."

"That's what I'm good at." She glowed brightly again.

"Yeah. Just remember to never take my advice. Seems I suck at figuring out what to do." I sighed, scooping up Navi as I stood.

"Duly noted."

"Hey! You could at least pretend to encourage me."

"…hooow about we get to bed?"

"Navi!"


I awoke the next morning in a pile of plush sheets and pillows to the sound of gentle music. At first I was confused, remembering only after ruffling the sheets that Kage had slept in another room. Then I went to investigate the music.

It wasn't like before, through the walls from outside. It wasn't loud and guttural, rather smooth like the ringing of strings; the melody felt familiar but distantly so. I needed only to peak behind my tapestry door to see Kage was seated at the harpsichord, playing intently.

I'd never seen him play music in such a way before. He was absorbed in it, studying how his hands glided across the keyboard, sheet music only in his mind's eye. All that seemed to matter to him was the song, and that immaculate concentration made both him and his sonata all the more full and beautiful for it.

I got lost in the melody, to watching his performance. I found myself leaning on the doorframe, heart spouting and twisting around the notes he weaved in the air. The feelings they carried many; indescribable, but each keystroke deep and meaningful. Though I was a secret spectator, I felt he was pouring his soul out to me, for me. Telling me all the little things one could never say about themselves, because they could never see it in themselves as who they truly were.

In those pristine, impassioned minutes Kage played unknowingly to me, I came to know just how much I truly cared for him. Though I didn't yet realize it in words. Only in the language music can speak.

I saddened unknowingly as the last note rang out and I returned to the world outside the one in the moment, feeling confused as to why a tear rolled down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away and out of sight as Kage took a deep breath and noticed me standing there.

"Oh, good morning. Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"No, no," I waved my hand to dismiss his words, "Its fine. Kage…that was beautiful."

His cheeks went pink. "Thanks," he answered meekly as he leant back from the keyboard. "It's been awhile since I've played. I thought I might as well see if I could still string a melody together. The Sheikah brought in this for me to practice on, after all. Years ago…" Kage's gaze was in the past, remembering.

"I'd say you've still got it." I joined him by the instrument. "What song was that?"

Kage's previous lightly tinged cheeks went full blown red. "It's actually something I wrote, m-maybe about a year ago? I've…err, actually never played it in front of anyone before. It's hardly a masterpiece. Heh, just thinking about it now I can hear what my music teacher would complain about in it." He chuckled softly and stroked the keyboard. "But it always made me feel better, playing something I made rather then someone else's composition, even if it's not the greatest."

I was behind Kage now, hardly able to believe what I was hearing. I put my hands on his shoulder. "B-but Kage! It was amazing!"

"Maybe to those who don't know much about music theory. But honestly, I need to fix the-"

"No!" I interrupted, surprising myself by yelling. "Kage, that was perfect! I don't care about theory, or-or what some grand snobs think! I heard it here, with my own ears, and…it-it was just so you! It matched you perfectly. It was perfect for you. I-" I didn't know what else to say, how to put into words for him to understand just how wonderful his song was. Goddesses, why couldn't I be better at arguing a case? I put my arms around him. "Please don't change it. I loved it just how it was, how you played it."

He got warm under my arms. "Um, okay." He relented. "If you…like it."

"Thank you." I gave him a light kiss on the cheek to show my appreciation.

I sat with him on the bench before the harpsichord, and at my request he played it once again. Kage's Song. I smiled to myself as I listen intently, locking it into my mind. I could never forget this melody.

Too soon there was a knock at the door. Retak once again greeted us, this time breakfast in hand. He implored us to give a quick visit to the temple for worship (it was Faroday, after all), before receiving our supplies for the mountain road ahead. Kage and I agreed, both stepping away from the bench, him toward the platter of food and me first to change and wake Navi.

It was going to be a busy day, but I was glad it started as it had.


More Fast Facts sneaking in!

It hardly matter's to the story as a whole (or doooes it…?) but Kage's Song has elements of the Song of Healing in it. It's not the song outright, but it has some parts of it in there. Just don't ask me where or how, since I know negative zero about anything music-related…unfortunately. : (