VII

Destiny's Child

Link, Zelda and Obi-Wan were ready before even the first cucco crowed. Before leaving, Zelda left a note on her throne telling her advisors where they would be in the case that news broke regarding the monster horde, aside from that, it was made explicitly clear that she was fine, and leaving to further her research. She made the executive decision that setting all the guards and advisers at ease before their travels would eat away at too much of their travel time in futile attempts at convincing them that she would be safe, she was after all being accompanied by the legendary knight chosen by her father to guard her, she could be in no safer hands. Besides, they all knew she couldn't help studying any exciting new Sheikah technology, and exciting this new development was. Saddling up, the three of them set out for Kakariko village to the east, just in time to see the sun dawn on a new day in Hyrule.

As the sun crested the dueling peaks and lit up the whole of Hyrule, Obi-Wan could not help but be amazed at the beauty of the world he had found himself in. Tall grass caught the sun's rays and caused all that he could see to glow in vibrant hues, even the stonework of castle Town looked as though it were drinking in the sun after years of drought.

"I must say, your majesty, I am usually face down in the muck with Link's training at this hour, I don't think I've managed to see a real sunrise the whole time I've been here… it's breathtaking."

"You know Obi-Wan, growing up in the castle and either being in my bedroom or study in these early morning hours, I would be one of the first people in the town to see the sunrise, as high up as my tower sat, and you are correct, it has always been breathtaking. Even when my father pushed me, expected the world of me, I always looked to the sunrise each morning for the new day. New hopes, new trials, and new ideas as well. Even when Hyrule's future looked its bleakest and I could no longer look to see the sunrise, I knew it was still out there, and I'd see it again."

With those last words, Zelda's eyes wandered over to Link, still checking the gear on each of their horses. Catching this, Obi-Wan couched his words carefully,

"It warms my heart to see that you never gave up hope on seeing your sunrise again." The beginnings of a blush were beginning to form on Zelda's cheeks as Obi-Wan continued, "Some of the most difficult days were the long voyages in space when there was no sun… or suns for that matter, to keep me centered on the day at hand."

The blush quickly faded as an inquisitive look appeared across Zelda's face, "Mr. Kenobi, I almost still do not believe you are from the stars, but now you tell me that there are worlds with more than a single star?"

"Your majesty, I never claimed to be from the stars, just that I have traveled them. Truly I am still unsure how I got here. But, to answer your question, yes, in fact, most star systems have more than one star in orbit around each other."

Zelda looked to the sky as light continued to pour over it, "We still have so much to learn about our own land, I cannot even imagine other worlds."

The brief trip through Castle Town and towards Hyrule field was rather pleasant as not too many people had left their homes for the new day as of yet. Obi-Wan had seen many villages in his day, peaceful and tranquil villages, unmarred by the war yet, life moving forward, unaware of the destruction to come, but since the Clone Wars, he had developed a new eye, an eye for areas that belied a trouble just beneath, a past containing suffering in every brick. This town had seen something awful, something Obi-Wan was still not entirely privy to, but his two traveling partners had seemed content to ignore the scars and scorch marks on the walls of buildings and homes, in fact the two of them seemed downright ecstatic to be out of the castle grounds.

Seeing their Queen and her Hero of Legend travelling, the children that had risen early were running along with the horses, seeking to see Zelda, and to see if "Mister Hero" had his legendary sword with him, Obi-Wan would have to ask him what the meant when they camped next, his current sword seemed like any other sword members of Zelda's guard used. Stopping for a meet and greet with the children, Obi-Wan saw Link smile wider than he had ever seen before. The stern face of Zelda's guard, and even the determined happiness he bore during their sparring sessions melted into pure glee as he played with the children. He lifted and threw the kids around, helped them feed the horses, and even gave them a trot around the fountain in the middle of town a few times. As they played, newly awakened children saw Link among their friends and rushed to join him. Even though they could not see his legendary sword, Link still unsheathed his broadsword for all the children to watch a true master at work. Slashing and swinging it here and there the children were mesmerized, all the way up to the finale of a rapid spin attack, leaving all of the children awe-struck at their hero. Somewhere in the distance Obi-Wan thought he heard thunder as Link's spin attack finished.

Obi-Wan leaned over to Zelda, "He's quite good with children, though I never would have guessed that before now."

"Link is very much still a child himself, but no one except those closest to him would actually know it. Not even I knew that for a long time, not until we finally connected as friends that is. Once the sword chose him, it seemed like that spark nearly extinguished, only coming out on such rare occasions. Even before the sword, he trained hard with the castle knights, always practicing, though in those days I still think he found fun in it. Alas, he has a way of putting his duties first that make joyful moments like this quite rare. I am glad for you Obi-Wan, Link had hardly looked as delighted as he did while you two sparred, and now look at him."

"I honestly did nothing your majesty, I needed the training, and he was willing to oblige."

"Still, you must be quite the warrior for him to have to actually work at besting you, he was beating fully grown knights while he was still a child. To even be a match for him must have been quite the joy amidst his usual guard duties. Still, I believe it was the innate nature of the spirit within him that guided his hand to the sword, but as you can see his true delight is in helping these children."

The Spirit within him? Curious, I'll have to ask her about that later. "Yes, he does seem quite at ease with them." Obi-Wan sat back and could not help but smile. Images of a young Leia Organa flashed across his face, both in the Queen at his side and the children surrounding Link. She would have loved this place, though I think the lack of technological advancements might've put her off to the idea… so much like her father. The smile quickly melted from his face as he recalled the marred face of the man, he once considered a brother, a tinkerer at heart once, encased in hatred and agony now, but melancholic wisps at the corner of his mouth couldn't help but arise as the children continued to play with their hero. Oh, how things could have been different, Anakin.

Obi-Wan shook his head to clear the stupor, "Well, your majesty, if we don't get a move on soon the royal guard may catch up to us."

"I think you're right Obi-Wan. Link! Link, we really must get going. Children do say hello to your parents for me, and make sure you behave, please."

"Yes Queen Zelda!" the children shouted in cacophony just before they went back to picking up sticks to play at being the hero themselves. Link climbed back on his horse, still smiling, and set off at the front of the party.

"Well Link, you seemed to enjoy yourself."

"These kids deserve everything we can give to them; they are the future, and we owe them the world. Besides they really like the 'horsies' so whenever I come by, they know they'll get to pat Epona, two more horses were just an added joy for them today."

"Well, they certainly seemed to enjoy your presence 'Mister Hero'" Obi-Wan continued

Link's expression dropped for a moment. "They all know me as the hero who defeated the Calamity, none of them remember that I failed their great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers."

"Link," Zelda soothed, "we've talked about this, you did all you could, you literally gave everything you could. I know how much you care about all of them, but there was nothing else you could have done back then, and you are the hero who defeated the Calamity, so start acting like it." She put on a laugh at the end hoping to jest with her friend.

"Whatever you desire my Queen." Putting on a semblance of the smile he bore for the children, he continued "I will travel to the farthest reaches of the land, enduring blistering winds, scorching deserts, I will climb to the highest peak of the tallest mountain for you my Queen" Link was now standing triumphantly atop his horse, by some miracle maintaining balance, beaming at the bravado he just put on.

Obi-Wan could hardly believe the young man standing before him, it was definitely a far cry from the one that attempted to gut him just a few weeks prior. What drives that boy? He certainly seems to care a great deal about Queen Zelda, and he positively lit up over those children, but to nearly everyone else he hardly shares more than a passing glance. A warrior of surpassing ability, who only seems to find joy in a select few, I know I'm just imposing my own thoughts, but I suppose some things never change.

The sun was high in the sky before the rumbling in Link's stomach became too much for any of them to bear.

"Sorry, I'll see about getting a fire going."

Not five minutes later Link had a pot over an open fire, grains, and meat all carefully being balanced to bring out more flavors, Goron spice to give it a bit more of a kick, and an ever so slight hint of monster extract added while Zelda was not looking to embolden the flavor already there. While lost in his craft Link had not even noticed the older Jedi appear, watching him with intense interest.

"I never knew you could cook like this, are you who I should be thanking for my meals at the castle?"

"The castle? Not at all, Zelda wouldn't even let me near the kitchen the first few days you were there. Scared I would poison you she said. No, she just wishes I was the head chef at the castle, but I don't think I could bear to be head of anything else. Cooking is just a hobby of mine."

"And where might I ask did you learn to cook like this, you seem quite the natural? I could never get a handle on more than a few basics myself."

"Basics are really all you need, once you've got those you can begin experimenting with even more combinations. My dad always said that if I didn't become a knight, I'd be a shoo-in for a chef somewhere, but I never really got much of a choice, my dad was a knight, and I could swing a sword before I could reach the stove, so that was that."

"I see, did you ever regret that fact? That you could have been a chef this whole time?" By this point Obi-Wan just hoped to learn more about his travelling companions, both had been amenable during his time at the castle, but neither seemed quick to loose any real details. Cooking seemed a neutral enough ground to get to know Link at least.

Link however froze at the very idea of a life doing anything else, a life he knew would have been cut-off far too quickly, as was the fate of most of Hyrule's population a hundred years ago.

"No, this was the life the goddess destined for me; I could not have been anything else… lunch is ready." With that link served out the trio's meals, put out the fire and found a shade tree to sit under.

"Link!" Zelda called from where Obi-Wan and the horses were, "Won't you come over here and eat with us, you know I'd rather not yell to compliment the chef!" Looking back to her plate, she continued, "I wonder what came over him, cooking usually sets him in a much better mood?"

"That, eh, that may have been my fault I'm afraid." Obi-Wan could not help but feel sheepish as he spoke. "I asked if he would have preferred a life as a chef, over the knight that he is now, but he got very cold at that remark. I am terribly sorry to have offended him."

Zelda's face could not help but turn downcast at the thought of futures that might have been. "Don't be, I should be apologizing for keeping you in the dark. You may have noticed that what I call a kingdom is little more that Castle-Town and grasslands, but it was not always like that. A hundred years ago Hyrule was flourishing, discovering lost and ancient technologies, expanding, and providing for all of our denizens, it was a remarkable time looking back on it."

"You speak as if you lived it, but you can't be much more than, well I dare not speak a lady's age, but suffice to say, you don't even look to be a quarter of a century, much less a whole one."

The remark could not help but bring a slight laugh to Zelda. "You are not technically wrong Obi-Wan, but you're also not completely right. Per my certificate of birth… I am one hundred and nineteen years old, and rather spry if I do say so myself. Link is also, in a similar situation."

"I see, you… Hyruleans?"

"Hylians."

"Apologies, you Hylians must be especially long lived to seem so young as you are now."

"Not especially, no. The longest-lived people in Hyrule are the Zora by far, Prince Sidon whom you met is over a hundred as well, and his father even more so. Even certain Sheikah can extend their lifespans. But no, Link and I are the product of… circumstance. You must have heard by now of the Great Calamity that struck a hundred years ago?"

"More or less, I know it ravaged the land and allowed those monsters free range of the country."

"Well, Link and I were at the center of it all, I, I do not wish to speak about it too much now, but suffice to say, Link nearly lost his life and had to be put into stasis until he healed, and I… held back the brunt of the Calamity until Link awoke and released it and myself from our shared bonds. It is not a time he and I like to look back on, there was so much loss back then, so much loss we were not able to properly grieve over for a long time."

"Might I inquire if that was when the sun rose again for you?" as red began to rush around Zelda's ears, Obi-Wan continued, "I… I'm quite sorry to hear about all that happened to you two, perhaps I should go apologize to Link." As he began to stand a hand clasped his arm.

"Don't he'll be fine once he's had a chance relax a bit more. And Obi-Wan, Link was not destined to be knight, as he is oft to say, he was chosen by the sword of destiny to be the one to face the Calamity with me, but it was not destiny that made him a knight, his desire to help any and all people made him a knight, it was destiny that chose him as a hero, but it was his heart that put him in a place to be that hero."

"Yes, he seems like quite the young man, Hyrule is lucky destiny chose him."

A few moments later Link was washing the cooking pot and the group gathered their supplies to make it to the nearest stable before sundown.