Never Without You │ BOTW modern AU fanfic

Mount Lanayru

As the sun begins to set, casting a golden hue across the landscape, we leisurely make our way back to the house. The vibrant rose and amber tones kiss the edges of billowing clouds, painting the heavens with strokes of fiery brilliance. The sound of birds harmonizes with the rhythmic clattering of reins and the huffs of our horses.

"Be sure to take the time to soothe your mount," I quote Link as I lean forward to give Shiroiou's neck a gentle pet. "That's the only way it'll know how you truly feel."

My mount lets out a quiet huff in response to my touch. I have come to learn that it's his way of saying "You're not so bad yourself."

I look at Link who is quietly riding next to me. He gives me a small smile when I thank him and tell him that his advice was quite helpful.

"This little one and I are getting along quite well now," I boast merrily. Earlier today, Shiroiou would have disobeyed me and refused to let me lead the way. But we have built a strong foundation of trust now and I have learned to reward him with words, touch, and–of course– apples. The latter being his favorite, I can tell he's a glutton, just like his owner.

We continue on, embraced by a scene that rivals the pages of a tourism brochure. Majestic mountains and expansive meadows sprawl as far as the eye can see, painting an enchanting panorama. The horizon itself becomes a canvas painted with cumulus clouds that carry glowing halos.

My gaze fixates on a mountain in the distance. In its silhouette, memories begin to come back to me. Memories of Mother. It's the echo of a legend from my childhood, a tale Mother used to tell me. I had forgotten all about it. Until now.

"See that mountain?" I say to Link. "Mother used to tell me about a mountain just like that one. It's called Mount Lanayru. It takes its name from the Goddess of Wisdom." My personal favorite of the three golden goddesses. I always strived to be just like her, to lead with knowledge and good judgment. I would dress up in blue, the color of wisdom, and spend my afternoons studying every book in the library just to be a little more like my role model. Mother was proud of me back then. She saw a bright future in me."

Yet, a shadow of doubt haunts me now. I find myself doubting the path I have chosen, questioning whether I have lived up to the standards set by the goddess herself. Mother would likely be disappointed if she saw who I turned out to be... I am nothing like Nayru.

"Lanayru's decree was very specific. It says no one is allowed under the age of 17, for only the wise are permitted a place upon the mountain."

As a kid, I used to pray for courage and power, believing that I was too young to be given wisdom. As a descendant of Hyrule, a family line of successful and accomplished leaders, I always felt like I had the power necessary to put my dreams into motion, and over the past year I've gained the courage to chase them. Now all I seem to need is the wisdom to truly achieve them. Or perhaps wisdom is what you gain once you've accomplished the task. I will know when I know.

That's the thing about knowledge; the essence of knowledge lies not in its culmination, but in the transformative voyage it entails. And similarly, I don't think wisdom could be found at the peak of a mountain, but on the path you take to get there.

"The legends spoke of the spring of wisdom, a place to pray for answers and knowledge," I tell Link. "Growing up, I always set high goals for myself, and reaching the top of Mount Lanayru was one of them."

"Is that why it hurt you so much when Daruk said that stuff about you being a strong personality last year?" Link asks me thoughtfully. "On our first date you stormed off when you overheard how Daruk said you can't always see the range of the peaks. Did that hurt you so much because you were thinking of Lanayru's peak and that your goals might be too big for you?"