[EDITING] The Legend of Zelda: Goddess of Secrecy

Overworld Chapter 57 - A Companion's Secrets

...as he was rocked forward in the saddle. Link tightened his legs around Shade's sides. His cap snapped like a windsock as they sunk further from the clouds, chunks of atmosphere clinging from Link's skin as the clouds turned to dew.

Shade pulled up, flapping hard as he set down outside the Hero's Shrine. The Loftwing tucked his wings away as Link leapt off the side. His knees buckled for a moment, wavering at the sudden reminder of steady gravity running up his legs. Staggering a step forward, Link pulled himself clear of Shade as he rebalanced himself.

"I couldn't agree more," Shade commented, his head tucked beneath his wing. "Never understood how the next life took to the skies so easily."

"I dunno, he did live up there his whole life," Link replied, before sitting down on the stairs of the shrine. "He was probably used to it."

"Suppose I'll ask when I'm back to the other side." The Loftwing began preening himself, the long bill nipping under the wings before Shade lifted his head again to look down at Link. Link shifted at the intensity of the moment, the legacy of the soul within the Loftwing particularly heavy here, at his, their shrine. It didn't settle in his head, but it was a little late to ignore.

"Heavy, isn't it?"

Broken out of his thoughts, Link refocused on Shade. He took a deep breath, nodding quickly. "Yeah."

"Courage often is. Hold strong, Hero, you're nearly there."

With that, Shade opened his wings and with a burst of wind, rushed back into the air. Link grimaced as he watched him go. "Yeah."

Link took a seat at the base of the central statue and drew out the Master Sword. He leaned the blade over his knees, tilting the hilt towards him as he studied the lights pooled inside the pommel. A little longer. Reeckha's elements were all that remained, and then...Link pressed the flat of his hand to the flat of the blade, the cold chasing away that looming confrontation.

It was nearly night when Endeavor arrived. Link passed the time moving through a handful of training exercises, stretching now well used muscles, and thinking what he might put into the letter. If he ever had a moment.

Three horses approached the Hero's Shrine, only with two riders. When the two riders stopped, the third broke away and Link sheathed his sword to greet Epona. He pressed his forehead to her and smiled. It was good to be back on solid ground.

Link turned back to the other two, who he could tell from this distance were Daniel and Endeavor. They were too far for him to hear, but Link could tell they were finishing a conversation. He looked away when they leaned across for a kiss.

After that, the sound of one horse retreating nearly covered Quicksilver's approach. Yore announced them sooner, landing on top of the shrine beside Link.

"I am sorry to keep you waiting," Endeavor said, swinging out of the saddle with caution. Link saw it in the way she carried herself, the way she avoided putting weight in certain movements, not fully healed.

"I can keep myself busy," Link replied, not able to hide his concern. "Are you ok?"

"As I can be, but rest would be good. Are you content camping tonight?" Endeavor asked, placing a hand over her side to brace.

"Yeah, I'm fine with that."

"Good, because there are matters we need to discuss before approaching the Clever Grove," Endeavor stated, unlatching a case from her saddle. She started moving to the edge of the shrine to support herself before she sat with the same stilted effort. "Would you mind starting a fire?"