The five adventurers rode across the green fields of Hyrule,
the flow of the wind delicately rushing through the strands of hair. Link,
following behind Aragon, couldn't help but look back at Hyrule Castle, having
left his best friend behind in the hopes of chasing his fate. As if a physical
hand was tugging at him, he faced forward again and raced to catch up with
the others. Across the grassy plains and the quaint streams of Hyrule field
they rode for several days and nights. Each time they would settle down for
a rest, Link would always isolate himself from the rest of the group, walking
off a ways to be alone.
Finally, at one point, Link decided to rest in the nearby grove.
Walking across the blades of grass and lilies, he finally came to a spot and
laid out on his back, and stared at the sky.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" remarked Ruto as she slowly
walked up to the boy. Link suddenly turned around in astonishment to see who
had invaded his serene tranquility. Quite assured she had already caused the
meeting to become ackward, Ruto sat down next to Link and began to talk. "My
mother used to sing me a lullaby when I was young, you know. She used to tell
me it was an ancient hymn of the Shigrami, a race my people had once helped
a long time ago. It was a hymn that was sung in order to calm young children
during times of chaos. As I see you, young Link, I can't help but think of
one of those children who lived so long ago in fear. However, I see strength
within you, and that is why I trust Rauru's decision to allow you to come
with us to seek the Three Stones."
Link bowed his head down and paused in silence for awhile before
he responded, "My father told me a tale of the Shigrami and the Zora's
when I was younger. He told me that an evil race of monsters were tying to
destroy the Shigrami, but the Zora's came to their aid and helped them fight
back the monsters and then sealed the waterways to the Shigrami's land so
no one could ever hurt them again."
Ruto nodded and said, "Yes, that is also what my father told me once.
It seems we have something in common, young Link. Our parents both tell their
children the same fairy tales." They both chuckled a bit, and Link then
bowed his head back down.
"My parents were killed by the Darkswin. I barely escaped
with my own life. Actually Eric and I barely escaped with our lives. Aragon
came and rescued us and brought us to Hyrule for answers. Even though I know
the story of our world, I still don't know why this is happening."
Ruto put her arm around the youth, and consoled him with, "Many
of the things that happen to us within our lives aren't easily explained.
The one truth we can always hold dear is that we have the ability to make
a difference while we are here, no matter how long that stay may be. If you
believe strong enough in your destiny, you surely will not fail in achieving
your dreams. I'm sure someday, you will find your destiny."
Link looked up to her smiling face, and found warmth in knowing
somebody actually cared about his fate, and related to him as a person. Aragon
had saved him and all, but Link still was distant from the valiant man. It
was ironic Ruto and he had discussed the Shigrami because Aragon was a descendant
of their race.
Just then, the others came walking into the grove. Ruto and
Link stood up and greeted them, and the others came closer to talk. Aragon
began, "Link, you must understand that it is quite odd you are here with
us. Why Rauru allowed you to come on this journey, all of us are still puzzled
by. It is just that we feel you are something special, but we are unsure how
to go about dealing with it."
Darunia raised his arms and deeply spoke, "Don't take it
the wrong way, though. We are honored to have you with us, young sir. We all
have vowed to protect the Triforce, with our lives if necessary. We also believe
that you are of the same mind as we, though you may be too young to fully
grasp the direness of our situation. In time, we will be very close to one
another, and our survival will depend on our kinship."
Roam, with his arms crossed, commented, "You may not understand
all the things that are going on right now, but a true hero doesn't always
need the answers before him. He seeks them out and becomes a stronger person
for attaining the knowledge through his hard work and dedication. Understand
that you will play an important role from here on out; that is a certainty.
However, you should have always believed in yourself, that you always played
an important role in Hyrule's story."
The four of them then held out their hands in a gesture of fellowship,
and awaited Link's response. Filled with a renewed sense of direction and
hope, Link had a second wind of life blown into him. He smiled, put out his
hand, and grasped the others' hands and they all were bound.
"That is right. From here on out, we are bound to one another.
You are each others' keeper. United we stand, divided we fall," said
Aragon.
They then broke hands, and then began to walk back to their
camp site, leaving the peaceful calm of the grove blessed with the presence
of five valiant warriors.