Link stretched his arms over his head in an attempt to crack his back. When did he start to feel so damn old? A few years ago, trimming hooves was the easiest part of his day. But, then again, he didn't have to deal with a spunky little filly, either. He patted the young horse's neck and she snorted. He felt the air snap as a presence appeared, but he didn't turn to his visitor.

"Hey, D," Link said casually. He glanced at Dorian over his shoulder.

Dorian narrowed his gaze on him. "You don't get to call me that," he sneered.

Link ignored his comment. "What are you doing here?"

Dorian put his hands in his pockets. "Looking for Cottla and Koko."

"You know they're grown ass Sheikah women, right?" Link said with a grin. "And they have phones. You could have called them."

Dorian glared at him. "Are they here?"

Link rolled his eyes. "Yes. They're with Aryll."

"Uncle D!"

Dorian turned to the little boy that ran up to him. He smiled and picked up the child. "What's going on, Dude?"

"Are you here to play Sheikah?"

"I don't think so," Dorian said. He put the child back on the ground. "I gotta get going."

The boy whined. "You always say that!"

"Sorry, Rus. You know how it is."

Rusl cocked his head to the side. "Okay," he said simply before running off again.

"You don't have to check up on us, you know," Link said. He turned back over his shoulder, but Dorian had his back to him. He met Link's gaze briefly, a smile tugging at his lips, and in a snap, he disappeared.

He turned back to the horse and smiled. He pulled a carrot out of his pocket to treat the filly, then set back to work at trimming her hooves. When he finished, he gave her one last pat, then set at putting his things away. He turned to greet his sister when she appeared in the doorway.

"You'd think they were like, sixteen years old," Aryll practically whined. "Jeez, Dorian is a tight ass, sometimes."

"Are you really surprised?" Link asked.

Aryll sighed. "I guess not." She shrugged. "I suppose it's for the best. Cottla only wanted to feed Rusl sugar before everyone got here."

Link stepped around her, moving back to the horse. He scratched at her ears and cooed to her. "Dorian thinks he's a big, scary Sheikah, doesn't he? But he's not, no he's not. You're such a cute little thing, yes you are."

"You're sickening." Aryll rolled her eyes and sighed. "What happened to you, man?"

Link grinned and scratched the mare's neck. "Kids make you soft."

At that moment, Rusl came running back towards them from around the corner, this time with a stick in hand. He jumped at Link and roared as threateningly as he could.

"Shit, Ary, look at that thing!" Link picked up his son and threw him over his shoulder. "Now that's scary!"

"Down, Daddy!" Rusl giggled, waving the stick in the air as Link placed him back on his feet. "You're the scary monster!" He swung the stick at him, his brows knit together. "I'm gonna beat you."

"Not with that footwork you're not," Link said.

"He doesn't care about footwork," Aryll said.

"Hey! Impa pounded that shit into my brain. If this kid's gonna do anything right, least he can do is learn how to fight."

"Because sword fighting is such an important skill."

"You don't know!" He took the sword from his son. "Look."

Rusl laughed and ran off to collect another stick, returning and doing his best to mock his father.

"What did I say!" Mipha shouted from the house. "You're not teaching our son to fight with swords!"

"I'm not doing anything!"

"Yes, you are!"

Aryll giggled and picked up her nephew. "Come on, Mr. Hero. You need a nap before everyone gets here."

"That sounds like a good idea," Link said with a yawn.

"Wasn't talking to you," Aryll said over her shoulder as she carried the child back to the house.

Link followed behind her, only to be met by the angry glare coming from his very pregnant wife. His shoulders dropped and he offered her an apologetic smile.

Mipha sighed and shook her head. "Honestly," she said. "Can't you teach him something more useful?"

"Like how to use Hylian powers?" Aryll asked excitedly.

"I'm gonna be a Sheikah!" Rusl proclaimed.

"No!" Mipha barked. "For the love of - teach him the damn alphabet or something. That's what kids should be learning."

Link frowned. "Oh. No. That doesn't sound right."

"How the hell are you a father?" Aryll said with a grin. "Honestly, Mipha. Why did you think that was a good idea?"

Mipha sighed, defeated. "I really don't know."

Link took the child from Aryll and placed him on his shoulders. Rusl giggled and waved the stick in the air.

"I'm gonna be the hero, Daddy," he announced. "Just you wait!"

"You got it, Kid," Link said. He looked up at the child over his head and smiled. "You already are a hero."