VIII

Feeling a Little Horse

True to what Zelda had said, Link was still tense for a while after lunch. In fact, he did not actually begin to perk up until they saw a herd of wild horses grazing in the field. Once the herd came into view, Link's face lit up at the sight of the horses, and chance for a few laughs.

"Hey old man, you want to see something cool?"

Obi-Wan looked at the younger man skeptically, "Go on…"

Slipping off his horse and crouching into the overgrown grass, Link began to creep towards the herd.

"Zelda, what exactly is he trying to do?"

She rolled her eyes, but smiled as Link's mood seemed to improve, "He's trying to show off."

Link walked ever so slowly toward the herd, steps methodical, stopping anytime a horse perked up at the rustling in the grass. Seeing one that appeared more interested in eating than listening for footsteps, Link locked onto his target.

As Link's course changed, sudden realization came over Obi-Wan's face, "Of all the insane - is he approaching that horse from behind? Doesn't he know how hard they kick?" Obi-Wan inquired of the woman beside him.

"Oh, he knows, he loves doing this for some reason. It's not like he has a perfectly good horse over here that loves him."

This comment earned a whinny from Epona who, in a huff, found some of the grass to graze on, choosing a meal over seeing her master at work.

"Is he going to jump on the horse?" Obi-Wan leaned forward, now enthralled by the daring Hylian.

"M-hm"

At essentially a snail's pace, Link had finally made it up to his prey, a gorgeous chestnut horse, slightly off-set of the rest of the herd, and with its back to the trio. Getting as close as he could before the horse noticed any rustling, he stayed in place for what felt like forever before it turned its gaze back to the pasture at its feet. Seizing his opportunity, Link leapt onto the now bucking horse attempting to soothe it over and over again, Link however, misjudged this particular horse's fondness for people, and landing flat on his back, tumbled a little more before he regained his footing. The horse, content the intruder had failed, trotted back towards its herd, all of whom were now on high alert for any other intrusions to their field.

From his own horse, Obi-Wan called over to the now grass-stained Link, "I must say, that was rather impressive. Of all the people I've seen fall off an animal, that was by far the most entertaining."

A rather rude hand-sign from Link followed this comment.

"Here, I may have something 'cool' to show you now." Climbing off his horse Obi-Wan made his way to the herd.

Obi-Wan what are you doing, competing with Link like this, what are you trying to prove? Do you even know how to tame a horse? No, but I do know of something that connects us all. C'mon Kenobi, reach out, feel the Force around you, feel the force in every living being. Feel the Force connecting all to these horses.

Though the Force has felt far from him in this strange land, Obi-Wan could still tell that it existed here, even if it was in such small quantities. It felt different than when he had lost his connection, there was nothing to be reclaimed as he had recently done, instead getting in tune with what amount of the Force resided here meant getting in tune with the land itself, a task that only time would help with. Closing his eyes Obi-Wan could just sense the vague outlines of living beings in front of him.

There you are. Reaching out, Obi-Wan clung to the barest feeling of the Force around him and continued forward.

To the others Obi-Wan was walking confidently up to the herd, hand outstretched, the horses seemingly unbothered by his presence so close to him. In fact, the seemed less agitated now than when Link had failed in his attempt. To Obi-Wan, it was all he could do to manage a connection to the animals, feeling out further, he chose to focus on the one that seemed least skittish by his approach. A smaller one, but sure in its footing. He continued moving forward and as he approached, he finally felt the fur of the creature under his hand.

"Hello there my friend, that's right, easy now."

To the complete astonishment of the others, none of the horses even move as Obi-Wan swept his legs over the powerful creature, a solid blue horse, at the heart of the herd, but smallest by far of any he had seen. To Obi-Wan it was a relief once he was on the horse, as if he had been holding his breath since he had closed his eyes half-way across the field.

"The Force binds us all, doesn't it little one" Obi-Wan whispered to his new companion, surprised by his own success, he straightened up on its back and took a closer look at this horse, "Well, don't you seem friendly." The horse gave an affirmative whinny in response and Obi-Wan took the horse back up to where the others were waiting, Link having to fix the amazement on his face before Obi-Wan got back, Zelda hiding no such wonder.

"You know Link, I would have liked to have gotten the one that bucked you, but I do believe this horse and I have formed a rather nice connection."

"Obi-Wan!" Zelda exclaimed, "That was amazing I don't think I've ever seen a herd of horses not scatter at someone's approach, especially as brazenly as you did. How did you do that?"

Obi-Wan looked rather sheepish at the compliment, red springing up around his cheeks, "Ah, well, I've always had a rather special relationship with animals, I've ridden plenty of different species in my day."

Link sighed in defeat, bested at his own game, "I'd say 'lucky shot', but I know when I've been out done. Now we really need to get to the stable so you can get that beaut registered."

"Well lead on my friend."

Before getting back on his own horse, Link took the reins of Obi-Wan's borrowed horse and tied them to his own saddle and the three were back on the road. Still rather sore from losing his own, made-up game, Link did not offer to place the saddle of the other horse on Obi-Wan's new one.

…

As they moved along, the stable came into view, a simple building, save for the massive wooden horse head attached to the top with streamers for reigns. The trio arrived later than they expected, but with enough time before dark to still be safe on the road. Various travelers lingered around the building, a safe haven along the roads and between the still few towns that dotted the map.

Link looked over to Obi-Wan, "There it is the big horse head just over there."

"That certainly is one way to let others know who you are." Obi-Wan said glancing up at the massive head of a very stylized horse.

"Literacy rates fell pretty low during the Calamity period, people had to improvise, and I think the heads add quite a bit of character. Some even say that the heads are modeled on a mysterious horse-god." Zelda said as if imagining what a potential horse-god might look like.

Link let out a snicker at that remark, remembering how he left out certain, more fantastical, parts of his journey to defeat the Calamity. Link made a mental note to take her to the horse spring at some point, maybe once this business had concluded.

Blushing ever so slightly, Zelda turned toward her knight, "And what are you laughing about over there, I just said that's what others have said, surely the idea of a horse-god is ridiculous."

At this it was her horse's turn to whinny rather indignantly, as if chiding her. Soothing her horse as she got down, Zelda put her hood up and proceeded to pay for beds for the three of them, and the registration fee on Obi-Wan's horse.

Accepting his payment, the stable-manager looked out to Obi-Wan and his still unsaddled horse, "Well, looks like yer friend their's got himself a fresh horse 'neath him. Gotta say, its mighty small for it to be one of the horses in the area."

"Oh no, he tamed it just a few miles from here, he walked straight into the herd and hoped on." Zelda said matter of factly.

"Well now, that's mighty remarkable."

Zelda motioned for Obi-Wan to come near, "What would you like to name it? I have to write it down on its certificate."

"Hmm, let's see…" Obi-Wan looked long and hard at his new traveling companion. "He's strong and intelligent. He seems to listen well, and I know horses are very loyal creatures. I think Cody is a suitable name for him."

"Son," the stable-manager began, "that might be the least horse-sounding name I've ever heard."

"That may be so, but I think he reminds me of a very good friend of mine, and I'm sure he won't blast be off a ridge, will you boy?"

While Cody the horse neighed rather noncommittally, Zelda couldn't help but look concerned at the past Obi-Wan had had, and wondered what kind of person would knock their friend off a ridge. More importantly, why would Obi-Wan still remember him so fondly? "Obi-Wan, I have questions, but I suppose they'll have to wait."

"Well, it's yer horse, who am I to argue." Shifting his attention back to Zelda, the man continued, "Ma'am, where should I send that other horse ya got there?"

"Oh," Zelda flashed the man the royal seal from beneath her cloak and followed it with a more than fair sum of rupees. "If you could see it returned to the castle with this note attached, I would be greatly appreciative."

Fumbling, the man began to bow before being stopped by Zelda. "Y-yes ma'am-yer highness-ma'am."

Patting the rupees she had just sat down, Zelda continued, "Oh, and if we could keep that whole 'your highness' part between us? I would greatly appreciate that. This is a rather secretive mission."

As if physically restraining the urge to bow, the man gathered his rupees and called for a stable hand, "Of course, yer- ahem ma'am. I'll put my best man on it first thing in the morning."

As the three unloaded themselves, Link set to work fixing dinner for them.

"Obi-Wan, how good are you with a bow and arrow?"

"I'm afraid to say I've never been very fond of ranged weapons, why do you ask?"

"I got distracted by the horses and forgot to find some game while we were out, can you cut up these vegetables and add them to the pot once its boiling, I shouldn't be long."

"I think I can manage that, good hunting."

Obi-Wan had long since finished his duty and had been working with Cody for a while. He was getting to know the horse a little better and working on getting themselves more in sync when a rumble in his stomach reminded him of Link's hunt. Obi-Wan pulled Cody up next to Zelda who had found a nice tree to sit under.

"Zelda, have you seen Link? He set out to hunt what seems like ages ago."

Zelda looked up from the device in her hand, "I can't say I have, but I'm sure he's fine, he is stronger than he appears."

It wasn't long before link and a bear burst into the clearing of the stable. Reddish liquid covered Link's hands and face. He was doing his best to corral the bear and keep it away from the rest of the camp but took two steps backward for every one step forward, having left his sword back at the stable, he was fighting a losing battle. Obi-Wan moved to the sword he had laid aside but before he could unsheathe it, a blue blur raced by and reared up to the bear, powerful legs kicking out and ushering the bear away just enough for Link to get it fully away from the camp.

As Link came back, Zelda rushed to her friend's side, checking for wounds to see where the darker liquid would have come from. Flustered and fearing the worst, Link had to push her away for a second and, taking two fingers, he ran them through the liquid and right into his mouth.

"I thought fresh berries would add a nice touch of sweetness to the dish… the bear had a similar idea."

"Well Link, you gave us quite a scare there, but I don't suppose you managed the hunt you initially went on?" Obi-Wan said holding his currently empty stomach.

"Right sorry, I dropped it when I found the berries and well, it's still out there unless our new friend found it."

"Well then, why don't we go get it? I'm sure the two of us could beat that bear away should it come back."

"I'll lead the way."

"Oh, You two be careful!" Zelda called out, shifting her focus to the now pacing horse.

"Cody, you behave for Zelda, she is your queen after all." With that the horse's pace slowed and allowed Zelda to bring him back to the stables. As they walked away, Obi-Wan looked back to Zelda, "Didn't I tell you two, a good horse, that Cody."

As they walked deeper into the forest, it was actually Link who broke the silence.

"I should apologize for earlier; I didn't mean to give you and Zelda the cold-shoulder."

Obi-Wan looked to his new friend compassionately, "Not to worry my friend, I should be apologizing to you, Zelda didn't tell me everything, but I know I hit a subject you'd rather not talk about. I am sorry, my friend."

Link scratched at the back of his head, "Yeah, it's a topic I try to avoid."

"Yes, I think I may understand all too well, in any case, what say we find this meat you left about."

Returning shortly later, the group's dinner of well-seasoned venison and slightly overcooked vegetables was ready and enjoyed by all. With that the trio went on to a well-deserved rest, awaiting their travel the next day.