Chapter three
About ten years later...
Sheik slapped the reins against Benjiro's neck and the horse galloped away from the entrance to LonLon ranch. Sheik's long twin braids of golden hair streamed behind him. He glanced back with a wide grin at his father and Epona behind him, "C'mon, Dad! See if old Epona can match Benjiro's pace!"
The space between them was lengthening, Sheik laughed as he saw his father whip Epona into a gallop. He shook his head and looked forward as he leaned low against Benjiro's neck. Kai's voice came from a small pouch that hung from his waist, "You'll regret this, Sheik... Those two can still beat the wind in a race."
Sheik glanced at the pouch with a laugh, "Right, Kai. I haven't see Epona run at anything over a..."
The words died in his throat as Epona and Link flew by them and Link glanced back at his son with a grin, "I'll meet you at the crossroads!"
Sheik growled in disgust and urged Benjiro on. Kai's laughter came from his pouch, "It's your own fault, you know."
His eyes narrowed at the pouch, "Why did I ever agree to keep you anyway?"
When they arrived at the crossroads that sat in front of Hyrule castle, Link waited for him with a broad smile, "Couldn't young Benjiro keep up with Epona?"
Sheik glared at his father, "One of these days..."
Link turned Epona in the direction of Kakariko village, "I know and it will be worth it when you do."
Sheik moved Benjiro up to walk alongside of Epona as they set off in the direction of the village. He watched his father glance up at the sun filled sky and his eyes grow distant. Link looked down and shook his head with a heavy sigh, "She loved sunny days..."
Sheik's hand went to Kai's pouch. His father didn't know about Kai or that he had met his father's friend Saria, "Your old friend? The Kokiri?"
Link glanced at him and nodded, "On days like this, she would sometimes find a sun filled glade in the lost woods and just dance." He frowned as he looked off toward the bridge, "I wish I knew..."
Sheik studied his reins, "Perhaps she left..."
Link shot him a sharp look, "Left the forest! A Kokiri would never desire such a thing!"
He looked up, "Not even for a change of scenery?"
"They believe they will die if they ever leave."
"Would they?"
Link rubbed his chin, "I don't think they will die immediately..."
"Over time?"
Link looked back at him, "I believe they would age like a regular Hylian."
"She would've grown up then?"
"Yes, and taken the first steps toward death as we all do," Link stroked Epona's mane and looked thoughtful.
Sheik felt his chest tighten and tried to keep his voice light hearted as he spoke, "Aw...C'mon, Dad, you know you'll live forever. You're the Hero of time!"
The look Sheik received for this remark was stern, "All Heros die in time. It's up to the goddesses when we do it."
Sheik twisted his reins around his hands as he looked away. "What will I do when your gone?"
Link grinned at him, "That is a long ways off. When it does happen, I'll probably be a feeble old man and it will be my time. You'll realize that then."
Sheik looked up at his father with a weak grin, "I'll think you were put out of your misery?"
"You'll have matured enough to realize all things must end, even life."
They reached the bridge and the sound of their horses hooves on wood filled the air. Sheik let out a sigh and decided to change the subject, "Why are we going to Kakariko village? Their milk order isn't due for another few weeks."
Link glanced at him with a sly grin, "Didn't you once say you wanted to meet the Gorons?"
Sheik straightened in his saddle as his eyes widened, "We're going to Goron City!"
Link nodded, "You're old enough. I think you should see some new parts of Hyrule."
Sheik let out an excited yell. "WooHoo!"
He urged Benjiro into a gallop toward the entrance to Kakariko village. Link's laughter followed him through the air and the sound of Epona's hoof beats came from behind him. For the first and last time, Sheik beat his father to someplace.