-Under the Stars-

The sun was setting over the horizon of the Savannah as King Mario marched, with Link and Zelda not far behind. Navi flew above them, though fairly low as it was clear she too was as de-spirited as the children from the day's events. Link and Zelda said nothing to each other, and kept their heads low, feeling tremendous shame for what they had done. Link in particular had a heavy conscious. He had not only disobeyed his father, but he ran into a dangerous area without protection. And worse yet, he had dragged his best friend into it. His father had saved them, yes, but what if he hadn't… What if he had been too late… Not only would he have gotten himself killed, but his best friend's death would be on his hands… The thought of something happening to her, especially because of him, was far too much for Link to bear…

After some time, King Mario stopped in his tracks, stomping his foot into the ground, sending the signal for the others to stop as well. Navi flew up to her lord's side as he quietly ordered, "Navi, take Zelda home… I need to have a talk with my son."

Navi nodded and flew back to the cubs, saying, "Zelda, come with me."

She turned to Link and sighed, saying, "Link… Good luck…"

The tone in her voice wasn't angry, but concerned, and that scared Link most of all. He knew his father was furious with him, and the way Navi said that, the concern for his well being despite everything, made him even more frightened. And it only reminded him that she too was put in danger because of him… She had only tried to do her job and keep them safe… and he nearly got her killed as well…

Navi signaled to Zelda to follow her to the den where Zelda's mother would be. Zelda turned to follow when she said to Link, "I thought you were really brave today…"

She then followed the fairy out towards the plains, leaving Link alone in the presence of his father. Link turned to face him when he noticed the king's foot print in the dirt. It seemed so massive and deep, and Link couldn't help but compare it to his own foot, and reminded of how powerful and great his father was, and how far he had to go before he could be anywhere near like him…

"Link!" Mario called, making Link look up. He sighed and walked up to his father's side. The sun was finishing setting over the horizon, and Link looked up at his father. Though it was getting darker, Link could clearly see the fury in his father's face. For a moment, he didn't move or make any motion, making him seem like an inanimate being, the fury etched in by someone else. Finally, the king said, his voice filled with not just anger, but also disappointment, "You deliberately disobeyed me…"

Link could find nothing to say. What could he say? There was no excuse for his actions. And the disappointment in his father's voice made Link choke up with raw emotion, almost overwhelming the boy. Mario continued, "I explicitly told you not to go near that place, and you did anyway. And worse, you put Zelda and Navi in danger!"

"I… I was just trying to be brave like you…" Link managed to get out, nearly breaking down. Mario sighed, "Link, being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble. That's what fools do. "

Link nodded, unable to form words as his emotions continued to threaten to overwhelm him and cause him to break down. Mario reached down and pulled Link's dagger from his sheath, demanding, "Where did you get this?"

"Un.. Uncle Scar gave it to me…"

"Uncle Scar?" Mario asked in disbelief, "Why on earth did he do that?"

"He… He told me only the bravest lions go there… And he gave me that…"

Mario nodded, sighing in frustration, "And did he tell you what was there?"

"He said… it was an elephant graveyard… but that's it…"

Mario sighed once more, rubbing his face in tired frustration as he said, "I will have to talk with him later…"

"Uncle Scar… he's not gonna get in trouble over me, is he?"

Mario kneeled to his son's side, saying, now calmer than before, "Link your Uncle Scar is an adult. As such, he should know better than to encourage you to go there, especially when I had forbidden it. And he certainly shouldn't have given you a weapon without mine or your mother's knowledge or consent."

Link nodded, looking down. Mario sat down in the dirt, looking up at the stars. Link looked up as he sat down as well. The star light reflected in the king's eyes, making them look ancient and wise and powerful, as if he were among the first people in the world to ever lay eyes on the stars above them, as if he were there when they first appeared in the night sky. A moment of silence passed. It was clear that Mario's anger had passed, and so too passed Link's fear and emotion. He still felt ashamed of himself for his actions. Maybe his uncle had wrongly encouraged him, but it was still his choice. After some time, Mario finally asked the prince, "Link… What do you think bravery is?"

Link was a bit shocked by this question, and wasn't entirely sure how to answer it. What was the definition of bravery, really? After a moment of thought, Link finally answered, "I'm not sure. I guess not being afraid in the face of danger."

Mario shook his head and said, "That's not what being brave is son. It's foolish to not feel fear in a dangerous situation. Because that makes you careless, and that ends up with bad results for you. Courage is feeling fear, but being able to overcome that fear to protect what it is you fear for."

"I don't understand…"

"Today, for instance. You were afraid, weren't you?"

Link nodded as his father continued, "And you were afraid because of what might happen to you and Zelda, right?"

Link thought for a second and nodded. The king continued, "Courage would be overcoming that fear to protect yourself and your friend."

"So I wasn't brave…" Link said, looking down in shame. Mario asked, "And why's that?"

"Because I ran away…"

"Because you recognized you were in a situation you wouldn't likely win in. But when there was nowhere else to run, what did you do?"

"I, I pulled out my dagger and tried to protect Zelda,"

"Before yourself?"

"Yes,"

"Then you were courageous Link," Mario said, with a hint of pride in his voice, "Yes, it was under circumstances you should never have put yourself in, but you showed bravery all the same. You proved you were willing to put yourself in harm's way before allowing anything to happen to her."

Link smiled a bit, feeling a bit better because of his father's words. Mario continued, "All rational creatures feel fear Link. Even me."

Link looked up at his father in shock. His father was so mighty and he heard so many tales of how great he was, it had never even occurred to him that his father ever felt fear, "You do?"

He nodded and said, "I was afraid today. I was afraid of what might happen to you when Saru told me how you had vanished."

Link said, "Well, you sure made those hyenas afraid."

Mario smiled and said, "Yeah, and I showed them that no one messes with your dad."

Link smiled wide, feeling a great gush of relief flow over him as he looked up at the stars, asking his father, "Dad?"

"Yes?"

"We're pals, right?"

Mario smiled more and said, "Right?"

"And we'll always be together, won't we?"

Mario's smile faded a bit as he said, "In a way. Link, do you know what the stars are?"

Link shook his head as his father explained, "Those stars are the kings of old, looking down upon us, always watching over us. The time will come that I will join them in the stars, and watch over you as you rule as king."

Link felt a twitch of anxiety. Just this day, he dreamt of the day he would become king, and how excited he was. But now…

"What if I'm not ready to be king? What if I fail?"

"It's natural for you to be unsure of yourself Link. In a way, that will make you an even better king. But I promise, I will teach you everything I know of being king before my time comes. And you will be ready when the time comes for you to take the throne."

Link nodded, still a bit nervous, though feeling better because of his father's reassurance. Mario stood up, saying, "Come, we should get home. Your mother will be very worried."

Link nodded, standing up as he followed his father home, feeling a bit wiser after today, and definitely more humble.