"You know," Link said, still seated behind me on my newfound mare and with his arms wrapped securely around me as we made our way towards the stable, "back in Hateno, before we actually met, I thought you seemed kinda boring."

"..."

"I mean, obviously I didn't know you, but you hadn't reached out to me like the others there, not like the guy standing guard and the innkeeper did."

"..."

"And I know it's bad to judge a book by its cover, but I really didn't think the person who seemed so offended by my barging into their home would be the one journeying with me today."

"..."

"To think, you tamed your own horse," he continued. "It's incredible, really! I didn't have you pegged as that sort of person at all!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"(Y/n)," he said slyly, leaning to one side to peer at me mischievously, "you know I'm being sarcastic, right?"

I certainly hadn't, but I wouldn't let him know that.

"I still can't believe you thought it was normal to just barge into someone's home," I muttered rather defensively, a fierce blush rising forth in my cheeks with the thought that he really had been being sarcastic and not completely genuine as I had been beginning to think. Link, more perceptive than he seemed, picked up on this right away.

"Oh," he said, "I'm sorry, (Y/n). I thought you'd be able to pick it up, that's all..."

"Normally I can," I said defensively. "I just wasn't expecting it from you."

"For the record," he said, smiling genuinely now as I caught his gaze sidelong, "I don't judge people like that right away anyway."

"Well, I'm glad to know that looks aren't what you judge a person first on."

"Let's just say that I've met plenty of people around Hyrule, and a lot of them are... interesting characters, shall I say?"

"Right," I said, still getting over my embarrassment. "And where do I stack up?"

"Honestly? I thought you were pretty amazing, (Y/n)."

"What? Really?"

"You were fighting a monster with clearly no experience," Link said, and though the words were kind-hearted at their core, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed once more at the thought that my inexperience was really as easy to catch as he seemed to suggest.

Was it just because he had a trained eye to see that kind of thing? Did being a fighter himself- well-versed and well-fought, mean that he could pick out when someone wasn't? Or was my body language and clear fright in that moment indicative enough of my inexperience?

"All that aside, it was obvious you were scared but you braved through it all," he said, almost reverently. "And all for your village, for your friends and family. That's real courage, (Y/n)."

I smiled a little sheepishly. "So, your courage then? Real?"

"Oh, of course," he said, downright beaming at me, his eyes glittering with pride. "All-natural courage, that's what I've got!"

"Mm-hm," I hummed indulgently, and by then, we neared the stable, and so the conversation died down a bit. Or at least, on my end it did. Link though, well, he prattled on and on in a terribly endearing way.

"You know, the way you reacted before, it makes me think you really did think I judged people on looks."

"Oh, Hylia... Can't we drop this? I didn't pick up on your sarcasm, so what?"

He chuckled lowly, in a way that had his chest rumbling against my back as he leaned closer, trying to see into my face once more. "I really don't judge on looks. Actually, I judge their cooking first."

Well, that had me laughing openly, and I rolled my eyes. "If that is the case, then where do I rank?"

"I don't really have a numbered list for it," he said, considering it, but "you're pretty far up there and close to the top, actually."

"Good, then," I mused happily. "What about yourself, then?"

It was a prompt - it was clear he knew little about food, and even less about food prep and how to cook. But where I was expecting a joke or an exaggeration, he instead was completely honest. "I'm a really bad chef, to be honest!"

"Maybe I'll teach you sometime," I said. "When we go our own ways after all this, you should be able to cook for yourself. Living off raw vegetables and fruits is no way to live for a glutton like you, Link."

"Hey, that's an idea," he said, grinning widely. "You're really good at it! If I could cook even half as well, I'd be happy."

"Oh," I said, not expecting the sudden compliment. "Thank you."

"So how'd you learn? Are you self-taught?"

"Kinda," I answered, slowing as we neared the road and the horse visibly perked up, looking around at everything going on - all the people walking around, the other horses, the cattle dogs and the concentrated hub of activity that was the stable.

"Kinda?"

"My dad taught me the basics," I told him. "He was big on cooking while my mother was always more of a baker. I'd help him prepare the food, but it wasn't until I got older and started living on my own that I had to really learn in earnest how to cook for myself. Actually, in Hateno we have these yearly festivals and he'd always make these incredible platters of food - all kinds of proteins and vegetable combinations that were completely new."

"So... you're sure you don't want to visit him in Hateno?"

I laughed and shook my head with disbelief. "Well, if you want to take the heat for me going on an adventure, then sure."

"Er, well, maybe not," he said, seeming to deflate a little before perking back up. "But it seems you have some of his talent, anyway. Those festivals you mentioned - did you take his place when he moved?"

"Yes, actually," I answered proudly. "Sometimes he does come home and partake himself, but those instances are few and far between. No, for the Festival of Wave Water, I've taken his place, mostly. I haven't gotten any complaints about it, but honestly, I think everyone likes his food better than mine."

"Festival of Wave Water," he echoed, a little dreamily and more than a bit vacantly.

"Mm-hm," I hummed. "Just a local thing."

"It sounds familiar," Link said quietly, his breath hardly even a whisper. "But I don't think I've ever been."

"Maybe you can come sometime," I offered. "You can be my official taste-tester."

That had him smiling again. "I'd like that, really."

"Good, then," I murmured, "because I meant it, really."

Pulling back on the horse's mane gently, I brought us to a stop by the stable's front desk. Link slid off the mare before I could even ask him to and before I could get down myself, he was setting his elbows on the table and asking what the registration fee was.

"No, wait," I said, turning on the horse's back and preparing to hop down after him. "I can-"

"That cheap? Alright, here you are," Link said, reaching into his coin purse and shaking some Rupees out into his palm. "It'll be in her name, and oh- the rest here is a donation."

"Link," I protested, sliding off the mare and dropping onto my feet. I was at his side in the next second, reaching for my own satchel. "I'll pay," I said, looking at the worker directly who looked between me and Link knowingly - but knowingly in what regard, I had no idea, but whatever it was, it had me growing embarrassed once more.

"I'm already taking care of it," he assured me, but I was not to be swayed.

"It's really not a big deal," I argued. "Let me just count it out and..."

"There you are, good sir," Link said cordially, handing the worker the money with a sly smile. Honestly, I didn't even have it in me to be upset - a stubborn gentleman, what could be better?

"That's a beautiful mare there," the worker said to me as he reached for some documentation and something to write with.

"Thank you, sir," I said, smiling genuinely now, pivoting slightly to see her. She was watching what was happening closely, and now I reached up to pat her flank and she nickered in a way that might have been affectionate. "She put up a good fight."

"I'm sure she certainly gave you a run for your money," the worker considered. "She's a wild one, that one. But she seems happy with you. She's given lots of folks around here a hard time - so kudos for having the strength to tame her."

"I helped," Link chimed in, making the both of us laugh.

"Well, good on you," the worker said. "All that being said, do you have a name in mind for her?"

I glanced briefly at Link, who met my eyes with a smile. "She looks like a stormy sky," I said to the worker, looking at him now. "So, how about that? Stormy Sky - and Sky for short."

"Wait," Link said, looking at the mare. "Why don't we ask her? Do you like that name?"

She whinnied happily, and it seemed we had our answer.

"Well," I said, "Sky it is."

Sky - Stormy Sky - neighed pleasantly.

"She's certainly as wild as a storm," the worker said. "Alright, perfect. If you'd just sign here, we'll have everything squared away..."

—

Despite Link's excitement at getting me a horse, stemming around his desire to get to Kakariko as quickly as possible and then back  to Hateno - he seemed content to just sit and relax at the stable for the rest of the morning, the afternoon, and finally, the evening.

We spent our lunch and then our dinner there, not that I minded - the local merchants had dried ingredients from all over Hyrule, with different spices and different game and different recipes to share, all of which I was eager to get my hands on. I had plenty of spare change anyway, so I didn't particularly mind it, not in the slightest.

When dinner came around, Link waited by my side happily, despite everything else going on, though he absolutely hadn't needed to. It was a simple meal I was making, one that wouldn't take long nor was terribly difficult, but with the addition of a few extra herbs and spices, it would certainly have an elevated taste, one we would hopefully enjoy. It certainly smelled good.

For some reason, he chose to stand by me and watch as I cooked (though whether or not he learned anything about cooking was up for debate, considering how much he was prattling on and on about Hylia only knew what. And for some reason, the act of him doing so despite the many more interesting things going on warmed my heart. He actively chose to be here, and with me.

Did it mean something? Was it anything more than the fact that we were traveling partners? I didn't know, but I was glad for it all the same. So, I said nothing about it.

We settled beside each other on the ground just before a campfire with our food, and got to eating. By then, I hadn't realized that it seemed like an invitation to the others at the stable to join us, but apparently that's exactly what it seemed like because that's exactly what happened. Stories ripped up around us, with words tossed every which way making it hard to follow any single one, and when we realized what we'd somehow ended up part of, Link and I glanced at each other with knowing, almost regretful smiles.

There went our calm evening, then.

Oh, well. Can't get it back now.

Actually, I was the one to embrace it first. I asked a nearby stableboy to repeat what she'd just said, and he did, and rather happily at that. Link, eager to join in, leaned closer to hear - which in turn meant that he leaned closer to me. I straightened up rather reflexively, trying to focus. And soon, I forgot about the close proximity and lost myself in the stableboy's tale.

Honestly, it wasn't hard to do - the tale was outlandish as it was winding, with lots of tangents and side stories and briefly-mentioned details that became larger, more important details later on, and all it really detailed was the short ride from one coastal town to another.

And yet, it was riddled with danger, characterized by adventure, and chock-full of interesting things.

Link piped up when he was done, asking about something in particular in his story, and I focused on my food, having admittedly neglected it while listening to her tale. Link had scarfed his down damn well all at once - which wasn't surprising. But before it could cool completely, and while they were discussing what he'd seen in that town by the sea, I finished my food.

And then... the stableboy asked me a question.

Link called my name quietly when it became clear that I either hadn't heard the question or had decided not to answer it - or the truth, which was that I'd been too stunned to answer - and that was when I at last lifted my eyes to meet his,wondering how I'd become the center of the conversation or what she could possibly have wanted to ask me of all people.

"(Y/n)," he called gently once more, now that my eyes had regained their focus. "You grew up by the sea. He wants to ask you about it."

I looked away from Link, but before my eyes could meet the merchant's, they found everyone else seated around the fire - because somehow I'd become the focus of everyone's attention. They were all looking at me expectantly, patiently, all waiting for me to speak.

I looked to the merchant, finding it slightly less jarring to focus on just one person as opposed to thinking of the dozens aimed my way, though I would have far preferred to meet Link's steady, almost calming gaze instead. Those were constant, those were unwavering, and by now, they were a comforting sort of calm blue when compared to the eyes of these strangers waiting for me to spin a tale as grand as the one just told.

Only... a story of mine would only disappoint. It could only be disappointing compared to the tales that could be woven by her, or by Link, or by damn near everyone and anyone else here. But me...

"As far as water sports go," I began rather uncertainly before the silence could grow too awkward or too thick, "our waters were always too rough. We could never venture too far out, or risk capsizing. We would have to go incredibly far out to find water safe enough to ride - and those would be too calm.

"Ah," the well-traveled stableboy said, "I see. So, your beach. What did you do there?"

"We would swim," I said, "but only in the shallows. We'd hold festivals there, harvest fruits there, and fish. Oh, and catch crabs."

Oh," he replied, forcing a smile. I knew that look - it was the forced look one would adopt when forced to listen to something boring or stifling or trivial to them. Something useless. Something disappointing.

I looked down and away as the conversations sparked back up around us once more - the stableboy talking with someone else now. Me turning away from the stableboy meant turning towards Link, who was as perceptive as he always was, and as such, that meant he picked up on my sudden melancholy and the way I withdrew into myself.

In my periphery I could see his hand reach towards me, only to hesitate and withdraw - just as I had. "Link," I said quietly before he could say anything, quiet enough so that the words would reach his ears, and his ears alone. "They're all telling stories of their adventures."

"They are," he said, his tone expressing his uncertainty, as though he were afraid to say it, to acknowledge what was clearly upsetting me. The sentiment was sweet, it was, but he had no reason to be uncertain.

"I've got no stories of my own to offer."

"That's not true, (Y/n)," he said gently, though somehow sternly as well.

"It is. I've had none of my own. No adventures, I mean."

"You are now, though," Link supplied, and I met his eyes now, resolutely and unwaveringly.

He blinked a little, surprised by my reaction, or perhaps the full force of my full focus on him now. I wondered if it was just as I had felt moments ago, when everyone was looking at me? Was my gaze worth the same? Did my eyes hold that same weight? I didn't know, but it did not matter.

"I am now," I agreed. "And I'm going to make the most of this. I hope you know that."

Somehow, strangely, yet incredibly warmly, Link smiled. His eyes were determined, his smile proud. "Good," he said simply.

"Short as it may be," I said softly, "I'll make the most of this. I swear it."

"And I swear," he said, "I'll do all I can to make sure that happens."

Again, a sweet sentiment, but my heart was ablaze with determination and courage now. "That won't be necessary," I assured him. "I'll make damn sure of that on my own."

Link hummed, a little indulgently but also in a way that sounded impressed. His next words had the fire of courage halting suddenly, the heat of rising embarrassment grasping my heart instead.

"Atta girl." His smile grew boyish then, and more than a little playful. "Still, I'm going to help out. You know, just like I did with taming the horse today."

As he spoke the words, he nudged my shoulder with his own, making me laugh, and if that attracted the attention of those around us - for I had not maintained that same quiet volume we shared in that moment - I didn't care. How could I?

There was hardly a better traveling partner I could have asked for, and for all the times I had prayed to Hylia, I was happy that she had been most generous in this, in granting me a partner, for she could not have possibly chosen anyone more kind, more understanding, more courageous, or more wonderful.

And my sentiment was true, my resolution set - I would make the most of this. I would settle for nothing less.

But something told me I had nothing to worry about. Not with my own resolve, and assuredly not with the help of Link. Even if I faltered, he would not.

And for that... I was grateful.