The Ashes of Time
Chapter 1 – The Passing
And in his fading days, there were no more enemies to combat and no more land to save. He was a fading hero who's deeds and values had long since been forgotten...
What a way to finish his own story, Link thought to himself as he carefully etched the last line into a scroll. With trembling hands he carefully rolled up the scroll. Being so heavy in his hand, his thoughts trailed to when he once wielded a powerful sword. No one even told of the stories anymore. These days it was all about wars in the north and of darkening shadows across the ocean.
"Those young fools," he said as he walked over to place the weathered paper in its proper place. "All they know now is how to walk with the sword, not live by the sword." He looked around proudly at his house. Yes, he had fashioned it with his own two hands. Those two hands also carried the giant timber from the forest. It was a big achievement for him, but like all his achievements, they went unrecognized.
Upon thinking of recognition, he suddenly remembered that today was The Passing. It was the day in which all young boys would be recognized as young men. They would serve the knights and would one day become one. Link always made it a point to go and watch and to cheer them on. There would be many young prospects on this day. But over the course of the next year, many would return home, becoming carpenters, farmers, politicians, and other important citizens.
"Ugh," he grunted as he put on a faded green cloak. This is almost as old as me, just another relic in a company of many relics, he thought ironically. He shut the door and started down the well worn path to Hyrule. The trip wouldn't take more than half a day, being as early in the morning as it was. The only real challenge would be walking around the borders of Lon Lon Ranch. These days it supplied all the milk for the castle and all areas of Hyrule. The Gerudos, at first being wary of this new liquid, had now taken an extreme liking to the taste and the fufillment of it. Talon was well past retirement and his sons were well into the milking business.
After about an hour of walking, the massive ranching fence came into view, but Link would not cut through their lands because he did not have permission. Besides, he was all but forgotten in these parts, he might come across as a dangerous stranger. He laughed aloud, who would take an old man for being a dangerous stranger? What dangerous strangers these days carried a cane anyways?
This walk would wear him down. It wore him down a little more each time and it was a long time in recovering.O well, he thought, the skies had a beautiful blue hue to them and I will not be bothered.
A few hours past and within view came Hyrule castle into view. Even after all this time it was still a marvel to see. Banners hung, there was loud boisterous laughter emanating from the castle. Link found himself smiling.
"Ahhh, I may have changed, but I see the good things of this land never do." He looked around and walked inside the opening gates.