The Hyrulian Valhalla Saga: Side Stories
By Queenie Z

Wanderer

He tossed two dry branches into the fire, watching as it sparked and flared up in response. Then, with a small, sad smile, Brown drew up a knee and looked up at the starry night sky of his new heaven; a heaven where he should have felt rewarded for his deeds and hardships in life. He knew this place was full of friends who had been waiting for him for a long time, as were his heroic predecessors who now welcomed him as a brother. So, he thought to himself, why was he out here stargazing alone when he should have been spending time with them?

Brown sighed, then began to whistle an old tune, as he had always done whenever he felt glum. He honestly hadn't the faintest idea why he had snuck out of the welcoming party the other Heroes had prepared for him; why he suddenly became overwhelmed with the need to escape into the open wilderness. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate their efforts or their companionship - he simply had no idea how to respond to such an outpouring of affection.

Yes, he thought, that was probably the reason. He was always a bit of a lonely soul, a warrior without a real home or family. It was loneliness he was accustomed to, and it was loneliness he found himself retreating to.

He laughed bitterly at his realization. "You're strange, Link," he said to himself, "you get everything you ever wanted handed to you on a silver platter by the gods... but, here you are, making campfires and talking to no one but yourself." He drew up his other knee, hugging them close to his chest. "Just like old times."

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew the flame aside, nearly putting it out and startling Brown in the process. He grabbed onto his hat and looked up, crying out in surprise when a large, red bird descended not too far away from where he sat. When the creature landed, its rider, the Hero who had introduced himself as Sky, hopped off, his relief showing itself in his face.

"There you are," he said, walking over to Brown. "Have you been here this whole time? We've been looking everywhere for you!"

Brown nodded slowly. "Sorry."

Sky put his hands on his hips and gave the younger Link a confused look. "So how come you disappeared like that? Did you not like the party?"

"No, no, it's not that." He hung his head in shame. "I just... got overwhelmed, I guess."

The elder Hero's expression softened into a concerned frown. "I'm sorry," he said, "we didn't mean to go overboard or anything."

"It's not you guys," Brown said, "it's me. I'm not - gosh, how do I even put this? - I'm not used to being treated like this."

"Like what?"

"Like... family."

Sitting down beside him, Sky crossed his legs. "...Go on."

Brown thought over what to say next, his brow furrowed. "Well, you know my story already," he began. "I was left on the doorstep of an orphanage for reasons I still don't know; the place did their best, but there were so many kids left orphans by Ganon's armies there that we basically had to raise ourselves." He scratched the back of his neck. "And running away didn't change things very much - well, I met Impa and started this whole Hero business, but in the end I was still a lonely wanderer without a real family."

Sky nodded. "But you were taken in by Impa and the princess, right?"

"Well, yes, and I'm in their debt for that. But..." Brown's face darkened considerably. "...I'd always thought I'd get a second chance to have a family; to settle down and have kids of my own. But when Ganon's leftover minions began hunting me, I - I knew I couldn't. No matter how much I wanted to."

"Because your children would have shared your blood," said Sky, "and they would have been hunted, too."

"Exactly! And I couldn't put them - I couldn't put all of Hyrule in danger like that!" He realized he was raising his voice and stopped himself, continuing only after a deep breath. "I thought that keeping Ganon from reviving would be worth the loneliness. ...Sometimes, though, I'm not sure if it was."

"In that case," said Sky, placing a hand on Brown's shoulder, "you should enjoy your time here. Think about it - you'll get to meet your family here! And..." he smiled, "...you've got a brand new family in us."

Brown cast his glance to the side. "I know." He grinned slightly, bashful. "I just have to get used to the idea first."

"You'll have until the end of time to do that." He stood, offering his hand to the younger Hero. "How about we start by bringing the party out here, if this is where you're more comfortable?"

Brown thought over this for a moment, then took Sky's hand and used it to stand up. "I'd like that," he said, looking up. "'Sides, the stars are really pretty tonight."

"Oh, they're like that every night here!" laughed Sky, taking Brown back over to his bird. "We'll take my loftwing; they don't usually fly at night, but here he'll give us a great look at the stars!"

The newest Link's face brightened at the prospect. "We're gonna go flying! All right!"

He eagerly climbed onto the great bird's back, situating himself behind his newfound brother. Then, with a few flaps of its giant wings, the loftwing took to the skies.