baileys-writing-desk

[baileys-writing-desk]

that one eldin hate fic that nobody asked for

https://archiveofourown.org/works/63161833

All the dragons have been through hell, except for an equally reckless Eldin. It’s his turn now.

AKA, we don’t always torture the blorbos out of love.

[baileys-writing-desk]

A special gift

Lanayru bonds further with Hyrule by making him feel at home.

[baileys-writing-desk]

The Fire Dragon

Lanayru and Hyrule have a meeting with Eldin!

(This is before Faron’s fic, as they definitely saved her for last. I just never got around to actually writing Eldin’s meeting.)

[baileys-writing-desk]

blessings from a dragon and his robots (Lanayrulie)

As the chain fights a group of the Shadow’s moblins, a familiar strike of lightning comes to save them. Hyrule, exhausted from overuse of healing magic, is taken away by his dragon companion to recover.

[baileys-writing-desk]

Lanayru vs. Farore’s Silent Realm trial (he has a bad time)

big dragon. tiny guardians. easy, right?

wrong. >:)

(Lanayru is “forced” to do his own silent realm challenge)

Post-SS, after Lanayru’s relocation

[baileys-writing-desk]

In which a robot toddler is dropped off with its dragon grandpa

Link has had enough of the rude robot Scrapper, and decides to hand him over to Lanayru.

AO3

“So, Master Shortpants! Will you ever let me play with Mistress Fi, vrrm?”

Link sighs. “I told you, no! Now stop blabbing, we’re almost there!” He flies straight forward on Crimson, with Scrapper close by, over the vast sands of Lanayru Desert.

“Aww, that’s not fair, voo-weep! I can handle a sword just fine, you watch me!”

“I said no, Scrapper.” Ugh! Will this guy ever shut up?!

“Why not, zrrrbt!? Huh?? Am I not old enough or somethin’? Cause I know what I’m doin’! I—“

The Skyloftian glares at the robot. “No. I can’t trust you with a sword. You’ll chop someone’s head off! Or, you’ll drop it and lose it. That sword is too precious for child’s play. And that’s final.” He exhales loudly, relieved that the border of the desert is quickly approaching. A bit longer and he can drop Scrapper off with Lanayru…

“I hate you, Master Shortpants! You won’t let me do anything, zzzazt! You took Mistress Fi away from me! And she was the reason I carried all those stupid things for you, ker-dizzt!”

“Well, I’m sorry, okay?!” Link snaps back. “We’ve been over this!”

“Yeah, and I still hate you, bzzrt! You stink!”

Crimson speeds up a bit, apparently just as tired of the robot’s pointless ranting as the hero. Luckily, Link can make out Lanayru’s yellow robe in the clearing ahead. Just a little longer…

“What, you’re not gonna say anything now, krrboosh-CLANG?!” Scrapper laughs from behind. “Pathetic. There better be a dragon here soon, voo-weep!”

“He’s right there.” Thank Hylia. He doesn’t know how much longer he can stand this. Not only does Scrapper hate his guts already, the robot is also convinced he killed Fi despite many assurances otherwise.

“Wait, what do you mean, bzzzt?” Scrapper pauses before seemingly having noticed Lanayru. “Is that it? The big yellow thing, zrrm?!”

“Yes, that’s him.” They are close enough now that more of the Thunder Dragon’s features come into view. He’s sitting in his usual spot, arms folded across his chest.

“What is that thing, vrrt?! Ew! Is he going to eat me? Please, I don’t want to get eaten, zrrbt!”

“Shh!” Link whisper-shouts, eyes going wide. “Stop that, you idiot! He’ll hear you!”

Now directly over the clearing, he whistles to Crimson—the okay signal for a dismount—and jumps off the Loftwing, holding up his Sailcloth as he falls to slow his descent. He hears a frantic “WHAT ARE YOU DOING??” from Scrapper, who quickly follows.

“Don’t yell like that, I’m fine,” he replies, feet touching the grass. He ties the cloth around his waist as the robot lands next to him, and Lanayru greets him.

“Link! I was just thinking about you, boy! How’ve you been—“

Before the dragon can finish, Scrapper interrupts. “Wow, it’s even weirder close up, zzzrrt! It’s so chubby!”

Lanayru’s eyebrow furrows in confusion. Link gasps and claps a hand over Scrapper’s mouth, utterly horrified.

“Stop that! You do not treat dragon deities that way, do you understand me?! Where are your manners??”

The robot mutters something behind Link’s hand. And Lanayru…A hint of recognition appears in his eyes.

“Oh my Hylia…” The Thunder Dragon mutters. “Is that—?!”

Scrapper slaps Link’s hand away. “LD-301S Scrapper, at your service, voo-weep! Now tell me, what’s with that long beard?”

Link nudges the robot’s side, whispering “Stop it!” Then he glances up at Lanayru. “I must apologize…I believe he’s yours?”

The old dragon is speechless for a moment, holding his hands over his mouth. “I…” He pauses, lowering them and gaping at the flying robot. “…That’s my transport robot! I built it all those years ago…How could I have forgotten about you?” He grins at Scrapper. “Welcome home, little one. I never thought I would see you again!”

Ah, Lanayru built that thing, Link wonders, wishing for a moment that the dragon never had.

Scrapper flies up so he is just out of the hero’s reach. “Who the fuck are you, bzrrt?!”

“LANGUAGE!” shouts Link. Hylia above, where did he learn THAT word??

“Now, surely you haven’t forgotten me!” Lanayru chuckles deeply, folding his arms across his chest. “But perhaps, I didn’t make you capable of long-term memory like the others.” He sighs. “I was your Master Thunder Dragon. You used to carry things for me, and the other robots. But you took quite a liking to me, I recall.”

“Wait, hold on, vrrrrt! You do look a bit familiar…Oh! I might know your name! You’re named after some goddess out there or something, zrrat!”

The old dragon nods. “Yes, I’m Lanayru. After the goddess Nayru.”

“Lanayru, voo-weep!” Scrapper spins around in the air. “That’s fun to say! Lanayru! Lanayru! Ooh, I need a nickname for you, like I have with Master Shortpants!”

“Master what—?!“ The Thunder Dragon stares at the hero, who simply laughs.

“He’s got quite an attitude,” says Link. “I don’t know where he got it from, but it’s almost as if he was raised by the Water Dragon. He has no manners whatsoever, and it’s infuriating.”

Before Lanayru can respond, Scrapper shouts excitedly. “Ooh! I got it, bzzzt-CLANG! Master Chub-Chub! ‘Cause of that big belly, heehee!”

“Oh boy.” Lanayru sighs again. “No. You are not calling me that.”

“Awww, why not, vrrrpt? You’re no fun! Boring old dragon!” He turns around to glare at Link, presumably for taking him here. The Skyloftian ignores the robot and focuses on the Thunder Dragon.

“Please, Lanayru,” he begs in frustration. “Just take him. I can’t do this.”

“He’s bothering you, I see? My deepest apologies, boy. I will take him off your hands.”

“Oh, thank you.” Link sighs with relief. Thank Hylia, thank Farore, thank them all!

But Scrapper, unfortunately, is too stubborn. “Master Shortpants, you can’t leave me here, vrrrt! It’s weird over here, zrrrbt! There’s nothing to do! And this weirdly familiar dragon is ugly, voo-weep!”

“That’s enough!” Lanayru scolds, throwing his hands in the air. “Don’t you know how to treat your own creator?! Unacceptable! I taught you better than this!”

Link winces, hoping the old dragon hasn’t just changed his mind with the frustration in his words. Where did he get this attitude anyway?, he wonders, staring at Scrapper who spins around impatiently.

“I’m sorry,” he tells Lanayru, “I know I’m asking a lot of you, but…”

“Oh, please. He’s one of mine, you think I would turn him down? Sure, this one’s nothing short of a nuisance, but it’s really nothing I can’t handle.” The Thunder Dragon pauses as Scrapper suddenly flies past Link and toward the dense gathering of trees. “Hey! Scrapper, where are you going?! You get back here!”

The Skyloftian giggles. Just like a fucking toddler. But Lanayru’s face lights up, and Link turns to see several other LD-301 robots emerge to meet Scrapper. Oh, whew. At the very least this may give the stubborn robot a reason to stay, and not follow Link back reluctantly like a whiny remlit.

“Well, let’s hope he gets along with them,” says the hero, as the robots mutter amongst themselves. “And you…do you think he’ll ever remember you?”

Lanayru shrugs. “Perhaps. You never know with robots like him. Although, I’m hoping he does. Then he’ll show respect to me, instead of that ridiculous nickname he just used. Hoo boy…” He lets out a long sigh. “301S has always been a handful. Even back then.”

“Oh, I bet. You know…there is one thing I would like to bring up with you. He, uh…” Link gulps and gazes hesitantly at a waiting Lanayru. “Well, he’s been in ‘love’ with my sword.”

The Thunder Dragon throws his head back in a bellowing laugh. “I—I’m sorry, what?!”

“Yeah, it’s more of the spirit that used to—“

“Hey! Bzzzrt, I heard that!” Scrapper quickly flies back up to them, staying closer to Lanayru this time. Another robot follows through the grass. Oh shit…oops.

“What are you two doin’, talking about me behind my back, zzzzazt?! I’ll have you know Mistress Fi was the most beautiful thing I’ve laid my eye on, vrrrrt!”

Lanayru chuckles, having seemingly understood upon hearing Fi’s name. “Well…okay? How peculiar, Scrapper.”

“Yeah, and she’s gone now, voo-weep! She’s in the sword forever…And I wanted to play with it, zrrrbt!” The robot angrily points at Link. “But this meanie-pants over here said no!”

Link doesn’t bother to argue anymore, scowling teasingly instead. He doesn’t know how many times they’ve been over this already.

“Hey, knock that off.” Lanayru frowns at Scrapper. “You do not treat the chosen hero that way! And he’s right, I won’t let you handle a sword like that. It could seriously hurt someone when used carelessly.” The old dragon folds his arms across his chest. “Are we clear?”

At first the robot says nothing, while Lanayru raises an eyebrow in anticipation. But then he briefly bows forward, out of what looks like respect to his creator.

“Yes, Master Thunder Dragon, bzzzrt!”

Link sighs with relief. It seems that Scrapper is finally remembering after all.

[baileys-writing-desk]

Snuggle time with Lanayru

In which the entire chain falls asleep on Lanayru.

AO3

Traveling through a portal has always been an unsettling experience for Hyrule. And after the group’s tough battle with black-blooded moblins, this one has been no different, if not worse. A wave of dizziness courses through the traveler as he passes through.

But when he drops to his hands and knees on the grass, a sense of familiarity hits him. He knows this place. Almost like…

Wait!

The buzzing of the LD-301 robots alert him, and he perks his head up, trying to blink the fog away. Lying some distance in front of him is—

“Lanayru?!”

Hyrule’s heart skips a beat upon seeing his beloved dragon companion, and the adrenaline soon takes over as he jogs forward. Lanayru is lying on his back, eyes closed, with hands by his sides. His breathing is deep and even. He’s asleep.

The rest of the chain is slow to follow, from weariness Hyrule presumes. But he only turns to look briefly before he’s already at Lanayru’s side, gently stroking the old dragon’s beard with one hand.

“Oh, I missed you so much,” he whispers, hesitant at first to wake Lanayru in the night. Glancing at the dragon’s belly, an idea dawns on him. He’s slept up there before, letting the rise and fall of Lanayru’s breathing lull him to sleep. There is plenty of room for them all…

“I…I hope you don’t mind, but we’re very tired—“

“Rulie.” Sky’s soft voice interrupts him. The others have caught up. Hyrule turns to see them standing close by, an incredibly exhausted Sky at the front. “You can…*yawn*…stay here, we’ll set up camp.”

Hyrule shakes his head. “No, you’re not going anywhere.” He gestures at the Thunder Dragon’s sleeping form. “I got a better place for us tonight.”

“But…”

“Nuh-uh. You look dead on your feet. It’ll be much easier this way, watch me.”

A few murmurs are heard from among the group, but the excited traveler ignores them. He carefully boosts himself up onto Lanayru’s limp hand, nudging the palm with one foot in an attempt to rouse him. The dragon doesn’t stir, and Hyrule glances back at the Chain with a shrug.

“Well…we can’t get on his belly unless he’s awake to help us.” The traveler sighs. “It’s too high up.”

But Wind’s eyes go wide. “Wait, I got an idea!” He turns around and starts running toward the dragon’s lower body. Hyrule watches the sailor as he finally reaches the end of the dragon’s tail, nearly disappearing among the white cloud-like substance swirling around it.

The small speck of Wind climbs up onto the tail and runs across Lanayru’s body, coming into full view again. “Ta-da!”

“Woah, you’re a fucking genius!” exclaims Legend, throwing his hands up. He’s quickly followed by a stern “Legend. Language,” from Time. The vet scoffs in annoyance, and Hyrule chuckles.

Wind settles down on the old dragon’s large belly, watching the gentle blue light travel down in lines, almost in rhythm with Lanayru’s deep breathing. Rulie, meanwhile, turns his focus to how the fuck this commotion hasn’t woken the Thunder Dragon.

“Lanayru?” he asks, raising his voice. “Wake up, sleepyhead. It’s me, Rulie!”

No response. Hyrule sighs again, listening to the others’ conversing voices, and turns back to face them. Four, Legend, Sky, Twilight, and Wild are all following Wind’s lead up the dragon’s tail. As they get closer he can see the deep circles under all their eyes, especially Sky’s. The poor Skyloftian looks like he could pass out right on the spot.

Time and Wars remain on the ground, and Hyrule pouts at them playfully. “Come on, you two! Don’t be so stubborn. Get up there.”

“Hyrule, don’t you think we should set up camp or…” The old man gestures to the large clearing around them.

“No. This is our camp.”

“On a dragon’s belly??”

“Time.” Hyrule pleads. “We’re staying here.” He briefly glances at the rest of the Chain, all cuddling up amongst each other, and smiles.

Before the older Links can utter another word, a deep mumble fills the air. The hand underneath Hyrule begins to twitch, fingers curling slightly. He’s awake! He readies himself to jump off, but Lanayru groans and soon the traveler is being lifted up. Hyrule yelps and wraps his arms around one of the dragon’s ringed fingers for dear life.

“Lanayru, no!” he whisper-shouts as his back comes in contact with someone’s head. The dragon seems to notice the movement of heroes on his belly and is now trying to touch them. “Shh…they’re sleeping,” he continues, as if a half-asleep Lanayru could actually hear him. “Don’t move.”

“Mmmngh…wha…?” The Thunder Dragon moves his hand up to touch his face. Hyrule flies through the air, the breeze blowing his hair every which way, and he can’t help but chuckle.

The slight curling of Lanayru’s fingers causes the traveler to lose his grip, and he yelps as he lands right on the dragon’s face, near his nose and beard. Lanayru grunts in confusion, and Hyrule giggles again. Large bleary eyes flutter open, searching for whatever just hit his face.

“Hey there, it’s me! Sorry to wake you like this.” He taps Lanayru’s nose insistently, and the hand finds him again, feeling around his fluffy hair and slim body.

“…Rulie?” the dragon mutters, the thunderous voice still hurting the small Hylian’s ears.

“Yes!” Hyrule smiles. “Don’t try to get up…we’re, uh—sleeping. On you.”

“Huh?” Lanayru, clearly still groggy from sleep, wraps his hand around the traveler and holds him up. “Where did you…”

“We just got here. Shh…I’ll explain in the morning, alright? You can go back to sleep.”

Lanayru raises an eyebrow, taking a second to look Rulie up and down. His eyes are still heavy, and he lets out a long, tired yawn. The traveler soon does the same.

“You…look worse for wear,” mutters Lanayru.

Hyrule scoffs teasingly. “So do you.”

He hears noises behind him, of a few Links snoring soundly, and new footsteps joining the cuddle pile. It seems as if Time and Wars finally gave in.

“Rulie, I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Time’s voice sounds slightly annoyed. “Ugh…” The old man yawns as well, and Hyrule can hear the shuffling of armor as he settles down.

Lanayru is careful to not get up and rouse the group, but he slowly lifts his head enough to take a look. He chuckles quietly.

“Oh-ho ho, I see. You’ve made yourselves at home.”

Time whisper-shouts from behind, apparently aimed for the dragon. “He forced me to.”

“I did not!” Oops. That was a bit too loud. Hyrule grins sheepishly, for only Lanayru to see. “Don’t listen to him, he’s just stubborn.”

“I heard that.”

Hyrule rolls his eyes playfully, bummed that his back is still to the others as the Thunder Dragon holds him. Lanayru sighs, lowering his head back down.

“Ah, Rulie…” He blinks with tired eyes. “I missed you, boy. We’ll talk in the morning, ok?”

“Ok.” The traveler nods, smiling as his own fatigue catches up to him. “Just put me on your belly. With the others.”

“I figured. Sleep well, Rulie.”

He’s moving again, away from Lanayru’s face and over to the others. The dragon still grips him tight, as he hovers in the air face-down to finally see the pile of sleeping Links below.

They’re all huddled together. Well, for the most part. Time and Wars lie about an arm’s length from the rest, clearly valuing their individual space. The old man is still awake, but he’s closed his eye, the exhaustion having finally gotten to him. Hyrule smiles at Four’s head nestled in the crook of Legend’s arm, at Wild curled up in a ball and Twilight using his long hair as a pillow, at Wind’s hands resting on Sky’s wrists as they face each other. He floats over them all, moving as Lanayru is hesitant to release him, but there is plenty of free room behind the Skyloftian.

“Right here is good,” he whispers, using a free hand to nudge the clawed fingers wrapping around him. And then he’s slowly lowered down, lying on his stomach as the grip releases. With a grunt, he rolls over onto his side and scootches in, snuggled next to Wind and Sky.

The adrenaline from his excitement is wearing off, and he struggles to keep his eyes open. With the warmth of the soft Sailcloth on Sky’s back to curl into, and the gentle rise and fall of Lanayru’s breathing below him, he slowly begins to drift off into a peaceful sleep.

[baileys-writing-desk]

The next little fic is here! This time, it’s during Skyward Sword when Link didn’t watch where he was going….

[baileys-writing-desk]

My silly little fics! I forgot to post here when I made chapter 1, so I’m just putting the link to the whole thing. Each chapter is its own story so they can be read on their own, in whatever order…the only way they’re related is they’re goofy!

[baileys-writing-desk]

Don’t let Rulie near the Master Cycle

…or he will hit a tree.

Wild learned this the hard way.

(a gift for dalemon-99!)

Wild’s Hyrule, like many others, has a Faron Woods. And it’s the perfect place for the Champion and the traveler to take a walk together, away from the rest of the Chain.

Hyrule has taken quite a liking for mushrooms. The reddish ones are called Hylian Shrooms, Wild taught him once, and the green ones Stamina Shrooms. Each time they come across one, he kneels down to examine it, running his fingers along its smooth surface and wondering if it’s edible. It has to be, as Wild eats things like this all the time.

But the Champion seems to have another idea, as he stops at a small clearing and pulls out his Sheikah Slate.

“Do you want to see something cool?” he asks, grinning.

Hyrule’s brow furrows in confusion. What?

“Um…sure. I guess.”

Wild presses a few buttons on the slate, and soon magical blue trails of light circle nearby, not much different from the ones they see upon teleporting at a Sheikah Tower. A strange object materializes next to the two Hylians, with what looks to be two wheels and…

“What is that??” Hyrule exclaims, eyes wide.

The Champion giggles. “This is called the Master Cycle. A piece of Sheikah technology I got from beating the shit out of a monk. As you can see here-“

“Wait, hold on.” Hyrule interrupts. “ You got it from what??”

“Yeah…long story, Rulie. It’s quite amusing, remind me and I’ll tell you later.”

Knowing Wild, the traveler can’t say he’s surprised. But still. Maybe if he finds this…monk and beats him up, he can get one of these things too?

“Anyway, as you can see it has a seat, handlebars for steering, think of it as like an electric horse. It’s a new mode of transport that we call a ‘bike.’ Maybe when we’re done inspecting the shrooms here, I can demonstrate for you?”

“Yeah!!” Hyrule’s heart skips a beat, unable to contain his newfound excitement. A mode of transport? He has never seen anything like this in his life! And a thought burns into him: I wanna try!!

And oh, he wants to try so desperately. But he knows Wild wouldn’t let him.

“Ok, sounds like a plan.” The Champion smiles again before walking up to a group of Hylian Shrooms. Hyrule can barely take his eyes off the Master Cycle in all its glory. It’s as if the bike is speaking to him, asking him to come over and ride it.

Another few minutes pass as they study the clearing, with Wild taking pictures on the slate for Flora, and Hyrule has come up with a different plan. He beams from ear to ear like a young child, positioning himself in front of the Champion and close to the bike.

“Hey, see that mushroom over there?” The traveler points to the green Stamina Shroom at the base of a small tree. “Walk over and grab it, then throw it to me. I wanna try something.”

Wild briefly narrows his eyes. “…Why?”

“Just trust me on this. I’m gonna try to catch it in my mouth.”

“Rulie…” Wild sighs, but pauses when Hyrule widens his eyes like a begging puppy. “Hmph. Fine.”

The Champion turns around to fetch the mushroom. Ok, he’s distracted. Go!

Hyrule locks eyes on the bike and darts over to it, quickly hoisting himself up with legs straddled like he saw Wild do earlier. Shit. How do you start this thing??

“Hey! Rulie, no!”

Wait, yes! The right side! He slams his foot on the small piece of metal underneath it and suddenly the bike is speeding forward. “WOOOO!!” he shouts, fluffy hair whipping in the breeze as the loud whirring noise of the bike overrides whatever the Champion is yelling. Laughing out loud, Hyrule rides in a straight line through the woods, making sure to follow the path. This is AMAZING!!

His grip on the handlebars remains strong. All he needs to do is just keep the bike upright. Easy!

“HAHA! YOU CAN’T CATCH ME, WILD!!” he shrieks. “TRY TO STOP ME!”

He’ll ride all the way out of these woods, maybe through the field and back toward camp. He has the power now, he’s carefree!

…Until a large tree looms in front of him, blocking the path.

Shit!! He doesn’t know how to turn! Oh no. Oh, fuck me.

Hyrule barely has time to think as the tree draws closer; at his current trajectory he will slam right into it. I can stop, right? Just-

Wait.

He also doesn’t know how to stop.

FUCK!!

In a frenzy he jerks the handlebars to the right, hoping the bike will follow. He hasn’t thought this through, but he doesn’t have the time to with the bike still speeding faster than a dragon. Just narrowly missing the tree, he manages to turn the bike…

…smack into another tree.

Hyrule yelps as the bike crashes, and next thing he knows it is…gone?? Shit!! Now without anything to sit on, he is flung forward, crying out in pain as he hits the tree before being tossed to the ground.

He can hear Wild’s shouting coming closer as he lies there, dazed, arm throbbing from taking the brunt of the blow. Somehow he had managed to shield his face, but Hylia, that aches too. Everything hurts.

Okay, that was a BAD idea.

“HYRULE!!”

He turns his head to see the shocked Champion running to his side. “Hyrule! Are you okay?? My god!”

Bad, bad idea.

“Mhm…” he groans, rubbing his forehead. “Where’d it go…?”

“What- oh, it disintegrates whenever you crash. Learned that the hard way once too.”

“So I…broke it?” Oh no. His eyes widen as he glances up at Wild, now standing over him. “I’m so sorry-“

“No, you didn’t break it. That’s what it was made to do,” the Champion explains. “But I digress. Why in Hylia’s name did you want to ride it with no supervision!?”

Hyrule sighs. “I…I thought it would be fun.” With a grunt he pushes himself up to sitting, despite the pain in his arm. “And- it was.”

He smiles weakly at Wild, who still looks less than pleased.

“Oh, Rulie…what am I gonna do with you?” He slowly shakes his head in disbelief. “Here, can you heal yourself? Or I think I have a fairy.”

“It’s okay…I can do it.” If Wild uses his fairy on something as stupid as this…no. He won’t let that happen.

“Well, well.” Wild smirks as the traveler begins to prepare his healing magic. “I can’t wait to see the old man’s reaction when we get back!”

Hyrule gasps. “No, please- don’t tell Time! He would kill me if he finds out-“

“I mean, you’ll still be a bit drained…he might ask why. And so I can deliver.” Wild’s voice is taunting, as the Champion keeps his cheeky smile. The horrified look on Hyrule’s face must be amusing.

“Please…I can’t stand a lecture from the old man,” the traveler whines. “I’ll speak for myself…”

Just like he did before when getting Wild to agree to his little trick, he gazes up at the Champion with his puppy-dog eyes.

“Okay…fine.” Wild luckily gives in. “This can stay between you and me. But you have to promise to never pull a stunt like this again.”

Hyrule huffs. Aw, man. He loves messing around with Wild…but he would rather escape the wrath of the entire Chain and their lecturing. Especially Time.

“Yes, I promise.”

“Good.” Wild gestures to Hyrule’s injured body. “Now heal yourself up, Rulie.”

With a sigh, the traveler closes his eyes as he feels the familiar warm glow of his magic, slowly placing his hands on each of his wounds to close them. Soon the pain fades away and strength returns to his body.

[baileys-writing-desk]

The Afternoon Sun

Four was gravely injured in a monster attack, and it took everything Hyrule had to save him. Two days on, the smithy finally learns of the strange place he’s ended up in: Faron’s basin.

(This is concurrent with The Morning Sun, but it can be read on its own)

AO3

In Four’s brief moments of wakefulness, a strange blue creature towers over him…and there’s water all around…he’s in water. Why?

“Don’t worry, Link. You’re safe…”

He has no choice anyway, the smithy remembers as he floats in and out. He can’t leave…he doesn’t know what’s going on. Briefly he is met with the blurry face of the veteran standing in front of him, but even that doesn’t last long as his eyes slowly slip closed again.

“Four…”

“No- don’t fall asleep…yet…”

The next time he stirs, his body is still overcome with weakness, but he has gained just enough awareness to truly think, of what in Hylia’s name could have happened for him to end up here. He whines as his mind draws a blank.

Then a voice sounds from above.

“Ah! Back again, little Link. You with me, boy?”

Four slowly peels his eyes open. The familiar-looking giant blue creature from earlier- or at least a blurry distortion of it- peers down at him from above. He’s still partially submerged in water, with dark walls curving up over him in a circular shape.

Where…exactly am I?

What is that thing??

He grunts, trying and failing to blink the blurriness out of his vision. His body is still incredibly drained…although he must have been asleep for quite a while. The water drips and ripples slightly around him, as the creature extends her arm forward and dips what looks to be two fingers in. Testing the waters, he presumes. But why? Why is he in water?

Must not be regular water.

“Still warm enough…” it mutters, raising its arm back up. “Boy, please speak if you can hear me, will you? It does no good talking to myself.”

…But what kind of water is this?

Four hesitates. The creature wants him to speak; he must not leave it waiting.

“Wh- who are you…?” he croaks, voice incredibly dry. He tries to clear his throat but simply coughs instead. Damn…All this water around yet his mouth still feels like a desert.

“Ah, I suppose I have yet to introduce myself. Now that you seem coherent enough, I shall.” The creature’s blurry face begins to focus a little, showing dark eyes and purplish lips against the pale blue. Two long string-like antennae wave around the sides of her head. “I am Lady Faron, the Water Dragon and warden of the woods. You, young boy, are in my hall within the lake. Now don’t worry, you’re safe here with me.”

Faron…He’s heard that name before. But where…?

The smithy frowns, raising a hand out of the water to touch his forehead. “…And why am I-“

“In my basin, you ask?” Faron chuckles. “That one’s easy. It’s to heal you. In case you don’t remember, you were gravely injured.”

…Oh.

A faint memory drifts in, of his inability to parry a monster’s sharp blade. I was stabbed.

“I…I do.” Four groans, eyebrow furrowing as he starts to make out more of Faron’s features. “You…saved me?”

“Now, boy, don’t give me all the credit here. Another of your companions used all his magic to close your wounds. That is what saved you. But you were still far too weak….” She pauses. “The water you are lying in is my sacred water, which acts as a healing bath.”

Another of your companions…

Hyrule. It had to be Hyrule.

He drops his hand back into the water, noticing the tingling effects of the dragon’s magical substance.

“So tell me, little Link…how do you feel?”

“I’m…” The questions swim through his head. Where’s Rulie? Why does Faron sound so familiar? “…I’ve been better, just so tired…”

Is Rulie okay?

“Are you in any pain?”

Slowly and gently, he shakes his head, being mindful of the dull ache. “Where’s…Hyrule?”

“Oh, him? He’s resting with the Thunder Dragon in his domain. Don’t worry, he’s in very good hands. Lanayru’s grown quite attached to that boy.”

…Lanayru?

This must be Sky’s era, he realizes.

And something comes to mind about three guardian dragons…Lanayru, Eldin?…and Faron. Of course. Water Dragon. He blames his muddled brain for not putting the pieces together earlier.

“Is…anyone else here?” he manages. “…Legend?” Yes. The vet was here, right?

“I’m sorry, I don’t follow.” Faron frowns, glancing around the rest of the hall which Four cannot see from the basin. “It’s only you and me. Well…and my Kikwis.”

Your- what??

A small splash comes from his right. Slowly the confused smithy turns his head, as far as he can without dipping his face in the water. Something is there next to him. Something like…a very weird-looking- what?? It stares at him with cute eyes and chuckles, opening its bird-like beak slightly.

“Wh-“ Four startles. “-what the hell is that thing??”

Faron only laughs. “Ah, little Link, I assume it’s your first Kikwi encounter. Now don’t worry, he won’t harm you. If he does, boy, tell me and he’s dinner!”

He coughs from the effort of raising his voice, gazing at the little Kikwi playing in the shallow water. What even are those??

And what was that about dinner?

“No…I won’t eat that…whatever it is.” Four mutters, turning his head back to face Faron.

“Oh, you wouldn’t be eating him!” The Water Dragon grins mischievously. “I will.”

Suddenly it all clicks.

It’s her. Faron. That bitchy dragon who eats things smaller than her. And Four is quite a bit smaller—

Oh no.

This can’t be good.

Too weak to sit up fully, he flails his hands and attempts to scamper back, startling the poor Kikwi. “Nonono…” he squeaks out. “Donteatmedonteatmedonteatmedont-“

“Hey, relax!” Faron’s eyes widen. “Did I say I was going to eat you?”

“No, but…I’ve heard things-“

“Of course you have. My Link must have put that idea into your little head.” She scoffs. “Four, I won’t eat you. Take my word.”

The smithy takes a deep breath, laying back down into the water, exhausted from the energy he had just used. Beside him the Kikwi chortles.

“You promise?” he asks, almost in a whisper.

“On my life.”

Wow. She’s serious about this. He still doesn’t quite know if he can trust her…but it’s not like he has much of a choice. The walls of the basin are far too high for him to climb out, and she most likely wouldn’t let him leave in his condition.

He lets out a long sigh. “…Okay.”

I guess I’ll trust you.

“Well! I’m glad we got that sorted out.” The Water Dragon laughs, then pauses to think. “You’ve been in my hands for over a day, it would be a shame if we didn’t get along, now, wouldn’t it?”

Four slowly nods his head, feeling the sacred water continue to gradually lessen the ache. The Kikwi steps closer to him and taps his cheek.

“And me too! I’ve been by your side, kwee!”

Wait. Did that Kikwi just talk?!

He gasps in surprise, wide eyes staring at the small creature. “You…you can talk too??”

“Ah yes, they can.” Faron answers first. “I suppose that’s a detail I should have mentioned before.”

The Kikwi giggles. “Sorry to startle you, little Link. I’m Machi, kwee!”

Machi. What an interesting name.

“H-hi…Machi. It’s nice to meet you, um…” The smithy hesitates. “You can call me Four.”

“Like the number, I know! How peculiar. Where did that name come from, kwee?”

Oh Hylia…Four groans in displeasure. Now is not the best time to explain the whole story of the Four Sword and how he can split into four people, it's…Too much. Far too exhausting.

“Now Machi, don’t overwhelm him.” Faron’s voice, for once, relieves him. “He’s too weak for explaining, that can come later.”

Thank goodness.

“Oh…my apologies, kwee.” Machi’s eyes droop slightly, and Four briefly reaches out to pat its belly.

“It’s okay,” he mutters. The small Kikwi smiles before stepping back to glance up at Faron. Why do they say ‘kwee’ all the time?, he wonders. These little creatures are quite peculiar.

Four takes a deep breath, resting his eyes and letting his body relax once more. Normally he would be able to deal with all these new discoveries; he would be fascinated at Faron and the Kikwis and their ways of life. He would ask Faron why this basin is clearly made for her, and if she’s ever had to use it. He would leave the hall and take a swim for a while, studying the marine life in this unfamiliar region and telling Hyrule excitedly about his findings.

But he is far from strong enough…nowhere near his full self. That will all have to wait, too.

“Little Link, you still look quite drained.” Faron comments. Yep, sounds about right. “Perhaps I shall leave you some space. The more you rest, the quicker you will be healed, boy.”

He blinks his eyes back open, giving the Water Dragon a slight smile. “...Fair enough.”

“I’m sure Lanayru will come by soon. When you’re better, he can pick you up and take you back to your little friend…Hyrule.”

His heart flutters at her mention of the Traveler. Magic exhaustion, he remembers. Rulie has never been out for more than a couple days…he should be waking up soon, right? I hope he’s okay.

“How- how long will this take?” he mumbles. “...To heal, I mean.”

“I’ll be straight with you, Four, the wounds you sustained were severe. Your friend’s healing saved your life, but I estimate several more days before you can be up and around.”

Well, that’s just great. Looks like he won’t be leaving this basin anytime soon.

At least Faron and Machi are decent company. He’s heard scary stories about Faron and her threats to eat almost anything, but at this point she clearly won’t do it to him. The Kikwis, weird as they are, seem quite nice. And he can still hope for visits, from one of his brothers or Lanayru.

“...Okay,” he answers, nodding slowly. He can hear Machi playing in the water, still by his side, while Faron grins.

“You’re a strong hero, little Link,” she assures him. “I have faith in you. Now…I’ll be right back, boy. Please let yourself rest, and don’t go anywhere.”

Four chuckles at her comment. “I won’t, thanks.”

Unless someone comes to take him from the basin, he is most definitely not going anywhere.

He waits for her to disappear out of sight, listening to the sound of her diving underwater, before letting out a long sigh. The lingering tiredness is beginning to win over once again…

You’re safe now. You’re okay.

As he slowly drifts off, he pictures the day when he can finally reunite with Hyrule and the others.

[baileys-writing-desk]

The Water Dragon

Lanayru finally takes Hyrule to meet Faron.

AO3

“You’re gonna be in so much trouble if Sky finds out.”

Lanayru laughs at Hyrule’s comment, as they fly towards Faron’s residence in Lake Floria. The traveler steadies his breathing, safely gripped in the dragon’s hand, and the wind tousles his messy brown hair.

“Well then,” Lanayru replies. “We’ll make sure he doesn’t find out!”

Hyrule had told the rest of the Chain they were going to the woods instead, but the wily Thunder Dragon had other plans. It will only be for a little bit, he said. She’s been wanting to meet you since what happened with Four.

And so Hyrule gazes at the spacious lake below, as Lanayru begins to slow down. A clear waterfall meeting the surface in a shiny blue, shimmering with dots of sunlight. Woah… The sight of it nearly takes his breath away.

“She’s in there,” the old dragon explains, pointing ahead with his other hand. Hyrule can see a large dome-shaped structure with a partially open top. But they aren’t close enough quite yet to peer in and see her.

“Faron!!” Lanayru bellows. “It’s meee!!”

No reply is heard, and Faron does not emerge from her hall.

The traveler chuckles. “Is she not there or-“

“No, she is. Just being a stubborn little brat. Can’t hide from me forever, though.” The old dragon slows to a stop directly above the opening, and Hyrule can now make out a large blue dragon, wearing a dark robe akin to Lanayru’s yellow one. She looks up at them and instantly dives under the water.

“Oh, you-“ The Thunder Dragon huffs. “I know you’re in there! I can see you!” He lowers his voice slightly as he addresses the traveler. “Don’t worry, she’ll come out. She can’t stay underwater forever. I’ll grab her if I have to!”

“Ah…okay, then.” As Lanayru straightens up and begins to lower himself in, the slight crackling of electricity makes Hyrule’s eyes widen. Oh no. Electricity and water! “Hey, Lanayru…? Isn’t it bad for you to go in the water?”

“Ha! Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Just don’t touch my tail or horns, boy, or you’ll be in for a nasty surprise! But you’re ok, it doesn’t spread to the rest of me.”

Hyrule sighs with relief. Phew. He would rather be ridiculed by Faron ten times over than be electrocuted by his own friend.

“Oh good.” He lets himself relax as Lanayru descends into the water of her hall, the lower half of his body submerged. “So…does she know that her hiding spot is terrible?”

“Yes,” the old dragon replies, gently placing Hyrule into the palm of his other hand. “But she’ll never admit it! Stubborn little thing.”

“Well, as long as she doesn’t eat me. I mean…she won’t, right?”

“Please Rulie, you gotta trust me on this one.” Lanayru chuckles and gently pats the traveler’s head. “She’ll never eat a Hylian, even she says that’s too far—“

A loud splash brings Hyrule’s attention forward, where Faron’s head emerges from the surface. She exhales loudly, appearing frustrated. “La…Lanayru.”

“Yes, I told you it’s me.”

She slowly raises up to meet the Thunder Dragon’s eye level. The round platform in the middle of the open hall sits between the two dragons, with a dark blue basin of sorts close by. It’s not much distance, but Hyrule is still outside of Faron’s grasp.

“I know, and I’m not exactly in the mood.” Faron huffs, but her eyes move to Hyrule and her demeanor changes, relaxes even. “Ah, who may this be? I didn’t realize you brought company!”

The traveler freezes in place. Oh no. He nudges Lanayru’s palm with his hand. Please…do it for me… Luckily, the old dragon catches on.

“This is my good friend Hyrule. The one I told you about. Now he’s a little timid, so be gentle with him.”

“Ah, yes!” The Water Dragon smiles, a surprise to the hero. “The little Link. Lemme take a closer look, eh? Lanayru, won’t you bring your hands out?”

Uh oh. Bad idea bad idea bad idea-

The Thunder Dragon keeps Rulie close instead. “He’s not comfortable with you touching him.”

Oh, thank Hylia. Thank you. The last thing he wants is for Faron to grab him and bring him close to her face. From there she could easily gobble him up if she wanted to!

“Hmm, I see.” To Hyrule’s relief, she seems to let it go. “Now, young hero, what drew you to this cranky old ass dragon?”

Lanayru’s laugh bellows throughout the hall. “Hey! That is not a nice way to refer to me in front of our guest!” He taps Hyrule’s side softly. “Rulie, want to answer?”

“Sure.” He gazes uneasily at a smirking Faron. “Your Link brought us together. I…I was scared at first, but we realized that we get along quite well. He’s like a parent to me.”

“Ah, Lanayru…” Faron smiles teasingly. “What is with you and kids? You spend time with the little munchkins and they all just fall in love with you!” She makes a dramatic gesture with her arms as she speaks.

Kid?? Rulie gives her a slight glare. “I’m not a kid! I’m nineteen!”

“Still, only a child to me. Cute little boy you are, hero. I could just squish your cheeks and put you in my mouth and—“

Lanayru cuts her off sternly. “Faron.”

“Oh, my apologies—you told me I shouldn’t make that joke with him. Silly me.”

Hyrule lets out a breath he hadn’t quite realized he was holding. Being in Lanayru’s hand, a comforting feeling, helps to relax him. If Faron really did want to eat him, Lanayru would most certainly intervene.

Rulie, she’s not gonna eat you, he tells himself yet again. Stop that.

“Well,” she continues. “I suppose if we want a proper introduction, Hyrule, I shall tell you about me. I am Faron, the Water Dragon and one of the three guardians of my kind from this land. The Goddess Hylia tasked me with protecting Lake Floria and the woods that take my name…”

“Now come on, maybe a little more interesting than that!” Lanayru giggles. “Make it fun!”

“Alright, fine! If you insist. Let’s see…I flooded the entire woods once, that was exciting! I can sing quite well, I like to annoy Thunder Dragon here because I can, uh…I possess a sacred water with healing abilities. It healed my wounds in the past and recently, it helped your little friend recover.”

Hyrule points to the large basin sitting on the platform. “Is that what that thing’s for?”

“Yes. It keeps the sacred water pure and isolated from the lake water. Anyone who wishes to be healed can simply go inside. I adjust the water level accordingly.”

That’s right. Four had indeed mentioned a basin—it must have been this one. The small hero was probably confused upon waking up in there, wondering why he was in a giant container with water all around…

“You know, I have to give this one to her,” Lanayru adds, bringing Rulie’s attention back. “She is very good with sacred water. Well, except I heard from our Link that she whined and begged for him to give her more.” The Thunder Dragon clears his throat, attempting to raise his voice. “Waaaah! Please, Link, I neeed water right nooow!! Pleeeease?”

Hyrule can’t help but laugh at his friend's terrible impression.

“Lanayru, stop that! I was injured, I needed it.” The Water Dragon gives the two a small eye roll in frustration.

“You could have asked nicely, though. Link came all this way to reach you, he deserved more respect.”

Hyrule has to admit, he’s with Lanayru on this one. Not that he wouldn’t ever side with Lanayru, but…Sky may be right here. Faron is a little…weird. Something is slightly off about the way she acts that shows a bit of entitlement.

“Okay, I get it. I don’t want to argue about this again.” She turns her focus to Rulie, giving him a cheeky grin. “See what I have to deal with? Ah, but I digress. Young hero…I have heard many good things. You’re all Lanayru talks about these days.”

“Wait…really?” he asks, feeling the old dragon gently pat his head.

“Yes, and it’s exhausting!” Faron’s tone is thankfully lighthearted. “It’s all Rulie, Rulie, Rulie. I miss Rulie. I want to give this to Rulie.” She sighs, leaning in a bit closer. “So. It’s good to finally put a face to the name.”

The traveler’s heart skips a beat at her movement, realizing he’s still not quite certain that he won’t become her dinner. Is her niceness all an act? Will she fly forward, reach her hand out and grab him? No Hyrule, it’s okay, she won’t eat you!

“Well, it’s uh…nice to meet you, Water Dragon.”

“Likewise.” To his surprise, she actually…smiles? A real, genuine smile, not the smirks she’s been giving Lanayru. “You’re a strong young man, Hyrule. A true hero, from what I see. Thunder Dragon’s been lucky to have you.”

A…true hero? She had decided that simply from looking at him. He remembers, however, that Sky hadn’t gotten the same treatment…he wasn’t strong enough in her eyes even with the Master Sword. Why?

“He’s been through so much,” Lanayru explains. “The least I can do is be there for him. Let him have fun while he’s here.”

Faron nods her head, gazing at Hyrule’s small form still in the old dragon’s palm. Does he like her? Not really, he decides. But she isn’t half as bad as he’d expected. She’s actually kinda nice to me!

“Well,” she states, “I suppose I could make it a bit more ‘fun’ in here, don’t you think? Hmm…”

Hyrule ponders the thought for a second, but to his relief Lanayru answers first. “Why don’t you show him your part of the song?”

“What song-? Oh, the Song of the Hero?” Faron laughs. “I haven’t done that in quite a while! And besides, Rulie…you may be a hero, but are you worthy to hear this sacred melody? The one I kept for over two thousand years from the Goddess Hylia?”

Oh no. The same behavior she had exhibited with Sky during his adventure. Perhaps Hyrule was wrong in thinking he’d be different.

“Lanayru sings his part to me all the time,” he replies, shrugging his shoulders. “I see no reason for you not to.”

“He’s right,” says Lanayru. “Come on Faron, just do it. He wants to hear it.”

The Water Dragon sighs. “Ugh. Okay, I will. But on one condition…you have to do it with me.”

Hyrule’s brow furrows. Me?? But he can’t- Oh. She is talking to Lanayru.

“Fine. Count me in.”

She makes a gesture with her claw, whispering one, two, three, four, and the two dragons begin their melody. Faron’s voice is much more high-pitched than Lanayru’s, but the way they flow together is…beautiful.

As they move through the song, Rulie watches Faron’s movements, the blue magic swirling through the air, the way she gracefully connects the notes with ease…and he hears the familiar thunderous voice of Lanayru from above him.

It’s enough to take his breath away in amazement.

When they eventually trail to a stop, Hyrule can’t help but clap to himself quietly. He didn’t want them to finish, he didn’t want the song to end.

“Well…” Faron speaks again. “How did you like that, hero?”

“I loved it. You have a very good singing voice, Water Dragon.” Just like both Lanayru and Eldin…all three dragons are remarkable singers. Was it a gift from Hylia?

“Why thank you. Just don’t expect me to do this again. At least, next time it won’t be free.”

Oh, she makes you pay, he thinks to himself. Stubborn brat.

“Stop that, Faron.” Lanayru’s voice is firm. “Try to be a little more gentle around Rulie, ok? We don’t want to scare him away.”

She huffs. “What, am I intimidating?!”

“Just a little, I’d say. But I can’t speak for him…what do you think, boy?”

“Oh,” The traveler blinks in surprise. “I mean- I struggle opening up sometimes, so…it might take me a while, but I’m alright.”

He doesn’t want to share his feelings about her, since they aren’t all that great and would probably be better kept to himself. She appears to be self-centered, whiny, and a bit demanding. Of course, she is actually nicer than he’d thought, leading him to think that maybe she isn’t too bad after all.

“Ah, I see,” the Water Dragon replies. “I’ll try my best, young hero. Perhaps you should just spend some more time with me.”

Well, that’s just great. He had hoped to leave soon, making this a short visit, but she seems to have other plans. If he says no, he fears, she will become upset with him…and he does not want to make Faron upset.

So reluctantly, he agrees.

And when they eventually leave the hall to visit more of Lake Floria, he confines himself to Lanayru’s familiar, comfortable grip. He still doesn’t want her to touch him.

[baileys-writing-desk]

Reunion

Ten years after the events of LU, the Thunder Dragon is met with his beloved Hylian friend one more time.

AO3

Reunion

In the decade since Link returned from his second adventure, the Thunder Dragon has made an effort to connect with the Hylians on the Surface. He visits newly built neighborhoods occasionally, dropping Rupees into the fields and singing for farmers to keep them entertained as they work. After so many years spent in near-isolation, it is relieving to become more involved in the bustle of others’ everyday lives.

And so, he doesn’t think much of it when a Hylian bursts into his clearing, gazing up at him in astonishment. Rather, what makes him pause is the newness of this person. A man approaching middle age, with pale skin, curly brown hair, and dressed in a simple chestnut tunic and trousers.

He doesn’t remember seeing this man anywhere, on Skyloft or the Surface…

“Lanayru!”

His eyes widen in surprise. “How did you know my name?”

“You’re here!” the man continues, ignoring the dragon’s question. “It’s really you, I can’t believe it!” He sprints across the clearing to get closer to Lanayru. “Oh…I missed you so much!!”

“Woah, woah, slow down. Do I know you?”

He certainly knows me.

And the man does look slightly familiar…

“Don’t say you don’t remember me!” He slows to a stop, gazing up at Lanayru with hazel eyes. “Here, maybe this will ring a bell? My name is Link.”

“Really? Hmm…how interesting, I’m afraid I don’t know another Li–”

He gasps.

The fluffy brown hair, the unmistakable eyes and composure of a hero, the sweet smile that has persisted with age…

It’s him.

A name escapes Lanayru’s mouth, one he hasn’t uttered in so many years.

“...Rulie??”

The man nods.

Holy fucking shit!!

“Yes, I’m the Hero of Hyrule. I was worried you wouldn’t recognize me, old man!”

“Wha–? Why–how did you–?” In a frenzy, Lanayru stumbles over his words. “How–are you here?”

Rulie chuckles. “Portal.”

The Thunder Dragon frowns. The only portals he knows of, besides the Gate of Time, are the dark magic ones the Shadow created…

“But…your quest is over. Has another one started?”

“No, quite the opposite. This one wasn’t dark magic at all, it was white and gold. I felt calm as I walked through. And it just led me straight here. I think that…the Goddesses wanted us to meet again.”

Lanayru’s heart races in his chest. This is a dream. It has to be a dream, right? Because Rulie is standing right in front of him. The one who left forever a decade ago. If not a dream, an absolute miracle.

“Well, they waited an awfully long time!” he exclaims. Why? Why not earlier…? “You have more wisdom in your eyes, boy. May I ask, how old are you now?”

“I’m thirty.”

The old dragon raises an eyebrow. Rulie was twenty when he left.

“Ah, I see.” Lanayru replies, nodding his head. “It’s been ten years for me, too. You know…I still think about you after all this time, I am beyond relieved to know you are alive and well. You have no idea how happy this makes me–”

“Oh, I do. I can see it in your face.” Hyrule grins, in exactly the same way he used to do, the only difference being the slight marks around his features from aging. “And you’re really lighting up!”

The Thunder Dragon briefly glances down, watching the line of blue light travel from his tail up to his chest. Faster and brighter than usual, for sure. The sparks of electricity from his horns are most likely a bit more frequent too. Changes that are seen as subtle by most others, but Rulie…he remembers.

He lets out a hearty laugh as he turns back to the hero. “I guess I am, boy.” Hmm… should he still be calling Rulie ‘boy’? “Here, if you don’t mind…can I–”

The hero responds right as he begins to lower his hand.

“You don’t need to ask for that one. Just grab me!”

“…Oh?”

Many Hylians are wary of touching Lanayru, due to the electricity he emits, even though the only real way to be harmed is to touch his horns. Nobody just lets him pick them up like this.

Except for Rulie.

It’s more proof that this man is indeed Hyrule, and not some Surface man who looks just like him, pretending to be the hero in some awful prank.

“Go on, old man, what are you waiting for?”

The old dragon gently wraps his fingers around Rulie’s body and lifts his hand up toward his face, placing the man into the palm of his other hand. “Alright, lemme take a look at you…”

With one finger he strokes through the wild mess of hair, smoothing it down, just like he used to do. The hero sits down in his palm and runs a hand along the soft but scaly texture.

“My friend, you…you’re really here,” Lanayru breathes out.

His eyes fill with tears.

“Hard to believe, isn’t it?” Rulie chuckles. “So…how are you?? How’s Faron and Eldin? And Link! Is he okay?”

“Yes, they’re all good. I just helped Link and Zelda welcome their second child. And Faron—well, she’s a bratty little thing as usual…” He pauses to let out a sniffle. “I’m still causing mischief around here. Eldin once said I’m ‘stubborn and wily’.”

“He’s not wrong. All three of you, total brats.” The hero is clearly teasing, and Lanayru smiles behind his fluffy beard. “Ah, I had a feeling Sky would become a dad. He’s a good one, I’m sure. Can we see him?”

“I’ll take you soon, yes.” Lanayru replies. “Anywhere you want to go, boy. Just not to…Lake Floria—“

Before he knows it, a single tear runs down his cheek. Oh, sweet Hylia.

“Lanayru? Are you…crying?”

“No,” he shoots back, wiping his face quickly. He hasn’t cried since….well, since Rulie left.

“Nuh-uh. I can see it.” Rulie grins. “Stubborn little shit.”

…Fuck.

“Fine, you got me…” He lets out a sigh. “I just—I never thought I would actually see you again.”

Another tear comes, but he doesn’t try to hide it this time. He carefully moves his hand up to his beard, and Rulie leans up against the cloud-like fluff.

“…A true blessing, I believe,” the hero replies. “Maybe I’ll get to see all my brothers again too…that would be amazing. Oh, Wind’s probably changed so much!”

“I bet he has.” Lanayru doesn’t elaborate; he barely remembers who this ‘Wind’ person was. Instead he focuses on Rulie, who is scanning the clearing from his perch. The traveler gasps.

“Is that…” Rulie points down toward their left, at the small four-poster bed. The one that had been his back then. “…is that my bed? Did you keep it??”

“Surprisingly, yes.” Lanayru sniffles, trying to regain his composure. “I nearly destroyed it after you left, but…something inside told me not to. It’s my reminder of you, boy.”

“Aw, Lanayru! I’m honored. Although…it looks like someone else has it now, huh?”

The Thunder Dragon takes a closer look at the bed. Sure enough, one of his LD-301 robots is lying there, snuggled in the pillow and blanket.

He giggles, nearly snorting from the tears. “Ah yes, my little friends have taken quite a liking for it.”

It is difficult to tell from this distance, but Lanayru can just make out the features of LD-301S Scrapper. The one Link had frustratingly handed back to him after the first adventure, tired of the small creature’s rude insults. And the one whom the dragon jokingly calls ‘Scrapper the Napper’ now.

Rulie strokes Lanayru’s beard with his hands, grinning. “I remember those little guys. Do you…think they’ll remember me too?”

“Well, maybe. LD-301’s have limited capacity for memories like that. But a few might recognize your name. I was able to teach them ‘Rulie.’ Of course…now they’ve just been calling each other Rulie. So I don’t think they really get it.”

“Awww! Little rascals!” the traveler exclaims. “Wow…I really missed them. I missed all of this! You especially, old man…and all my brothers, my family. It was kinda nice, having a family.”

Lanayru touches Rulie’s hair with a finger again, keeping the hero secure in his other palm. The poor man had been through far too much, at far too young. He deserved to have a real childhood, a chance at a happy life from the start.

“Rulie…you deserve so much better, you know that right? It made our farewell a thousand times more difficult. Because your life has not been easy. And I had to let you go right back to a world that is so cruel to you.” Another tear trickles down his face as he speaks.

The hero doesn’t answer right away, just stares out into the expansion of forest ahead of them.

“I’ve managed,” he replies eventually. “Zelda’s helped me a lot. And remembering you all too…I’ve been using what you and my brothers have taught me.”

Lanayru raises an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“Like…different sword fighting skills, self-defense, how to swear at people who fucking piss me off…”

“Ahh, Rulie.” He cackles at the hero’s foul language. “I suppose I was a bad influence on you after all.”

“Nah, that was mostly from Legend. My predecessor.” The traveler pauses to take a breath. “But really, I gained confidence in myself. I’ve kicked some ass out there, old man, you would be impressed.”

“I bet you have.” The old dragon heaves a sigh, remembering the last time he gazed into Rulie’s eyes, and utters the words he has always longed to say. “…I’m so proud of you, boy. You know that, right?”

Hyrule slowly nods, lifting himself out from Lanayru’s beard and looking up at him.

“…Yeah.”

“When we last saw each other, I didn’t get to say that to you one more time. I didn’t tell you how incredible you are and how much you’d grown…even since we first met. And I felt an overwhelming shame.”

“Oh, Lanayru…”

“It’s true. You are a skilled warrior, a loyal friend, you’re truly a gift, Rulie.” He blinks through still-watery eyes and gives the traveler a soft smile. “I hope I made that clear enough ten years ago, and if I didn’t, my sincerest apologies.”

There. You did it.

For a moment, he can almost see Rulie in his green hero’s tunic, sword on his back and a fierce but playful glimmer in his eyes, twenty again. Their last meeting. And if Lanayru had known for sure it was the last one, he would have given a proper farewell.

But when the traveler walked through the dark magic portal, the dragon’s heart ached from bittersweet memories and words left unsaid.

“Don’t be sorry, old man.” Hyrule replies, bringing the dragon out of his thoughts. “I’ve always known how proud you are. You did more than enough.”

“Really? Are you sure?”

“Of course you silly goose, I’m sure! What, you think I’m lying?”

Lanayru chuckles, another tear running down his face. “No…you’re right. I trust you.”

Rulie sighs in what seems to be relief, briefly turning to glance at the clearing’s entrance. And the Thunder Dragon remembers: he needs to take the hero to Link and Zelda, to their two children, and to Skyloft…there is so much to catch up on.

“Good, I’m glad that hasn’t changed.” Hyrule smiles playfully, booping Lanayru’s beard with his finger. It seems his childhood mannerisms have not quite left with age. “Because I’m not leaving your side until I have to go back!”

The dragon wipes his eyes gently, attempting to collect himself before his flight. He doesn’t want to show up at Link’s house looking like this, after all.

“Sounds like a good plan,” he tells the hero.

And somewhere up in the heavens, a Goddess smiles.

[baileys-writing-desk]

My entry for @needfantasticstories prompt!

In Time’s Kakariko, the chain helps rebuild a small house after a moblin attack. Unfortunately for Time, his past memories try to get in the way.

[baileys-writing-desk]

Wild’s paraglider

Hyrule finally gets to do what he wanted for so long: to glide through the air like a bird.

AO3

Hyrule has never had this much fun in his life.

It is something he’d always wanted to try, since joining the chain, and something none of the other Links would ever let him do.

Only Lanayru would let him.

And the group is here. In Sky’s era. With Lanayru.

He thinks of the mischievous grin on the dragon’s face as he departs from camp, the Champion’s glider in hand. Although he may have gotten permission to borrow the item, he never specified exactly what he would use it for. There are cliffs in this area, sure, but not much higher than ten feet. Wild trusted him to use it for those heights only.

Creeping through the trees like a cat, he notices the yellow and brown in the distance and chuckles. This was his idea, he reminds himself, but Lanayru had approved of it last night. If anyone else finds out, he can blame the dragon.

The sun is high in the sky now, the brilliant blue filtering through the towering tree branches. Birds chirp in the distance, and small animals rustle in the bushes, nearly distracting Rulie as he resists the urge to stop and investigate. But the other Links might come to him…there is no time to dawdle. He is reminded of that as he finally reaches the Thunder Dragon’s clearing, walking up to a mischievous smile and outstretched claw.

“Ho- Rulie, you got it?” Lanayru asks, keeping his voice as quiet as possible. “Here, climb onto my hand.”

Running up to the dragon, and readying the glider on his back, Hyrule obeys. The adrenaline courses through him, heart racing in his chest at his upcoming feat. I can’t believe he’s willing to do this!

“What if it doesn’t work?” he asks suddenly, having not quite thought about it before…

“Then I’ll catch you. I’m not letting you fall a bajillion feet through the air, you silly!”

Oh, right. He might not have considered that, but of course Lanayru did. Surely, the dragon has let him do risky things, but not that risky.

Hyrule takes a deep breath, attempting to calm his excitement, as Lanayru slowly lifts his hand, bringing him all the way up to meet the dragon’s eye level. He then lies down, face-up on the palm so Lanayru can wrap his fingers around his body in a tight grip.

I’m doing it! Hylia, it’s really happening! I’m gonna fly!!

He’s been this high before, in fact much higher, but he doesn’t dare look down. This, after all, isn’t a cuddle session in Lanayru’s beard or a ride on his back. This is much different.

“Alright, you ready?” the Thunder Dragon asks.

“Yep!”

Lanayru chuckles, and a whoosh of air meets Hyrule as the dragon gears his arm back, ready to throw the traveler across the sky, and soon he will be-

“WHAT THE FUCK, LANAYRU?!?”

Oh shit!

Hyrule gasps. Lanayru follows suit, nearly jumping in surprise, but thankfully still manages to keep his grip on the traveler. Who the hell was tha-

“Ah, Link! Wasn’t expectin’ you here!”

Sky.

“What the fuck are you two doing!?” the Skyloftian shouts, loud enough for Hyrule to hear clearly from this height. “Lanayru, put him down-“

The Thunder Dragon lowers his hand slightly, nearly making the traveler’s head spin. “I promise, this is harmless. Just watch.”

“Uh-huh, yeah- like I’m gonna be fine with you chucking Rulie through the air like- one of Groose’s eggs to my face!”

That was…a weird comparison.

“I’m fine, Sky!” Hyrule yells. “Trust me!”

“Lanayru. I swear to Hylia if you-“

The Thunder Dragon simply cackles. Turning his head away from Sky, he rears his arm back once again, Hyrule in his grip.

“LANAYRU—“

Ah, yes, it seems like he’ll still get to fly after all!

“No, don’t, Lan-“ That is all Hyrule makes out, as he is suddenly hurled forward, out of the dragon’s grip and sailing through the sky. He screams with delight as the wind rushes into his ears, blowing his hair every which way.

This is AWESOME!!!!

Of course, this moment is short-lasted, as he quickly begins his hurtling descent. In one swift motion, he opens the glider above his head, holding onto the straps tightly with both hands. He stalls midair, the speed of his fall having dramatically decreased.

“It worked!!” he shrieks, giggling. “Look, I’m doing it! HAHA!!”

The view of the forest below, of the green pointy trees and luscious grass stretching out for ages, almost takes his breath away. He may have seen it all while riding Lanayru, but nothing will ever match this feeling, of floating through the breeze on his own as if he has wings. Letting the glider slowly carry him towards the ground safely. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought he would experience this unique sensation.

…And judging by how Sky reacted, this will likely be the only time.

“Great job, Rulie!” he hears Lanayru’s voice call out from behind. “See, Link, I told you it would be alright!”

Whatever the Skyloftian says in response, Hyrule doesn’t hear. He has drifted far into the forest now, approaching the tops of the trees…and now he must focus his landing so he doesn’t faceplant right into one. Carefully he tilts the glider strings just slightly, barely missing the top branches of a large oak. Lanayru would not be pleased if he crashed, and most certainly not Sky.

At last, he slows to a stop and his feet touch the ground. Closing the glider up, he makes a mad dash back to Lanayru. The yellow of the dragon’s robe flashes in the distance. Holy shit, I flew far!

“Over here, thunder man!” he shouts, nearly out of breath. “Look, I made it! I totally stuck the landing—phew!” His cheeks become hot and sweaty as he steps back into the clearing. Lanayru is beaming with delight, but Sky…Sky still does not look content. Whatever the dragon said to him earlier apparently hadn’t mattered.

“Okay, whose idea was this?” The Skyloftian glares at the two, arms folded across his chest.

Unwilling to admit it was his own, Hyrule immediately points at Lanayru. Of course, the dragon does the same to him…We must look so stupid right now-

“Rulie, don’t lie like that,” Lanayru teases. “Take the blame.”

Hyrule simply scoffs, lowering his hand. “Liar liar, pants on fire!”

“Sweet Hylia, am I gonna have to separate you two?!” Sky exclaims, throwing his hands up in frustration. “It’s like I’m dealing with five-year-olds!”

“Oh, come on, boy!” The Thunder Dragon chuckles. “We were just gettin’ the fun started. I was gonna have him try it from up in the clouds next!” He pauses at the horrified look on Sky’s face. “Ah, don’t worry, I’ll bring Eldin to catch him if something goes wrong.”

Wait what-

He isn’t quite sure if that’s something he would like to try…Lanayru’s ambition is strong, but the traveler has his limits.

“Lanayru!” Sky shouts the dragon’s name for what seems like the fiftieth time today. “I swear to the Golden Three, if you do that—“

“Okay, okay, I won’t! You caught me, Link.”

Phew.

“Well, good.” The Skyloftian sighs, appearing a bit more content. “Man, you two are just- I love you both to bits, but ugh!!” He giggles slightly, and Hyrule figures he isn’t truly mad at them. And separating the dragon and hero, when their time together is extremely limited, would be incredibly mean and unlike Sky at all.

“That’s our goal!” Hyrule exclaims. “Right, thunder man?”

He hears the dragon’s booming laughter in response. They only mean to annoy Sky lightheartedly; it’s what siblings do. At least it must be, or else the chain wouldn’t be teasing each other on the daily.

Sky approaches him, hands outstretched. “Here, I’ll give this back to the Champion.”

Oh, right. The glider.

He slowly hands it over, wondering what else he could have done if Sky hadn’t caught them. Definitely not Lanayru’s idea, though…I’ll bring Eldin to catch him? He hasn’t even met Eldin, let alone ridden him!

“I should probably head to camp…” Sky briefly glances behind him at the openings through the dense forest. “But you better not do more crazy stuff while I’m gone.”

“Can’t guarantee that, boy,” Lanayru replies, earning a teasing stare from the Skyloftian.

As Sky begins to turn away, Hyrule glances up at the Thunder Dragon, and they both give each other a cheeky smile.

It had gone reasonably well.

[baileys-writing-desk]

Lanayru’s tears [Post-LU]

The first couple weeks after the Chain’s adventure is over, Lanayru struggles to deal with the loss of his good friend, bringing concern to the others around him. Link (Sky) finds himself in the mix between missing his family and worrying for his dragon parent.

(I am once again just putting an ao3 link because it’s long enough to make tumblr formatting even more of a hassle)

[baileys-writing-desk]

The Morning Sun (“I’m here, and so is Four”)

After using all his healing magic, Rulie wakes up to see someone very familiar.

AO3

(check tags before reading)

A soft, distant melody drifts into Hyrule’s ears, slowly bringing him to awareness. His body feels blissfully warm, like something soft is covering him…and a slight breeze ruffles his hair. That deep voice…the beautiful song…why is that so familiar?

He takes in a breath and groans, far too weak to move, or to open his eyes.

“Look…ru…’t worked…”

Another voice, a much smaller one this time. The singing voice slowly comes to a stop. Wait—no… He liked the singing. It was so soothing…

“…rule.” The deeper voice returns. “Hyrule…you with us?”

…Who is that?

The traveler shifts under the soft material, a blanket perhaps, but this doesn’t feel like his bedroll. Far from it, in fact…the surface he’s lying on is smooth but wrinkly, almost a bit…scaly? What the hell…?

“Hey, can you hear me?”

…Oh, right. He is supposed to respond to that…but when he opens his mouth in an attempt to speak, only a croak comes out. His heavy eyelids still won’t open, and he can just barely move one hand up from under the blanket. But it is seemingly enough for the voice to know he is listening.

“Shh…it’s okay, boy. No need to force it, just take it easy. You were asleep for…quite a while.”

…How long?, he wants to ask, and who the hell are you? Letting his hand fall limply back down, he lets out another long groan. Soft murmurs can be heard from farther away…perhaps his brothers are here. And this voice…he should know who it belongs to…The curiosity overtakes him and at last, he weakly peels his heavy eyelids open.

Squinting at the harsh sunlight, he gazes up blearily to see a massive blur of colors: yellow, brown, white…a glowing blue? Something is glowing…or rather, more than one thing is glowing. Small blobs of yellow fade in and out, like little sparks of light.

Wait a second…is that…

“Ah, there you are!” The deep voice is slightly louder this time, chuckling slightly. “Good morning, Rulie.”

The mix of bright lights hurts the traveler’s eyes, and so he gently lets them slip back closed.

…Lanayru?

“Oh, the light bothering you? My apologies, boy.”

Hyrule slowly clears his throat, attempting to speak again. “Mmmm…” His voice comes out dry and raspy. “…’s okay.”

It all begins to click now. The wrinkly texture of the surface beneath him…it is that of Lanayru’s hands.

“Wh-why are you…” he continues, voice cracking before he can finish. Why are you holding me…

“Hm?” Lanayru doesn’t seem to follow. “…Why am I here? Ah, right. You can’t possibly remember that.”

Hyrule slowly puts a hand to his forehead, rubbing it to ease the slight aching. That was not the question he wanted… After a second of silence a smaller voice pipes in.

“Hey Rulie, it’s me, Sky. Don’t worry, you’re safe now. We went through a portal to my era while you were out, that’s why Lanayru’s here. And Four is doing much better, so you can relax, ok?”

Four?

“Wh…what happened to Four?” he mumbles. Lanayru says nothing.

“You don’t remember?”

Hyrule’s mind draws a blank. “…No.”

A long, drawn-out sigh, then Sky’s voice again. “It’s okay, Rulie, you’re still out of it. Can you look at me?”

He moans quietly. Just thinking about that scorching sun makes the aching in his head return. But perhaps he could try again…

Four…Four…

Why can’t I remember??

Slowly he turns his head to the left, to the sound of Sky’s voice, and blinks his eyes open, relieved to find he is no longer looking straight into the sun. Large brown shapes focus in front of him, with lighter, pointed tips. Lanayru’s fingers. He is lying in both of the dragon’s hands, cupped together to give him more room, like how anyone his size would hold a baby bunny.

And beyond that…Through the spaces between the fingers he can make out the blurry figure of Sky through the still-harsh sunlight. The ground isn’t too far beneath them…Lanayru must be sitting down, he figures. Bleary hazel eyes finally meet concerned blue ones, and Sky seems to be grinning, most likely with relief.

“Wh…what happened, Sky?” Hyrule croaks out. “…Where’s Four…?”

“I told you, Four’s fine. Because of you, Rulie, you used everything you had to heal him, I mean-“ Sky takes in a shaky breath. “…You could have died, Hyrule. I almost thought we were gonna lose you.”

Hyrule’s heart drops. “Oh…”

The pieces begin to emerge in his mind now, nearly all at once. The battle in Time’s Hyrule. The monster’s weapon bringing Four down. Four lying in the grass, bloody sword sticking out of him…

…oh.

No. No no no…

The traveler’s eyes widen and he lets out a strained gasp.

“Four, stay with me! Oh fuck, shit, I can’t stop the bleeding- HYRULE! Please-“

The magic is already pulsing off Hyrule’s hands as he thrusts them on the smithy’s chest. He doesn’t know how much he has left…but Four’s life is now in his hands. He can’t lose his brother, his friend…he can’t-

“Rulie? You still there?”

Lanayru’s voice brings him back. He shudders.

“I…I think I remember now…”

“Yes, very good,” the dragon replies. “What you did was quite heroic, boy. Nearly sacrificing yourself to save another’s life…Among the most courageous things a mortal can do, I believe.”

“Lanayru, I-“ He coughs from drawing in a sharp breath of air. “I had no choice.”

“I know, boy. I understand.” The Thunder Dragon’s low voice is soft and gentle. “Link—or, uh—Sky…please don’t be upset, he’s alright now, ok?”

Sky nods his head, eyebrows raised and gaze pointed down, toward the grass and the swirling white clouds of Lanayru’s tail.

“I grabbed you off Four,” the Skyloftian explains. “His wounds were no longer fatal, and I didn’t want you using all your magic, but you passed out in my arms. Do you remember that, Rulie?”

The traveler grunts, closing his eyes briefly…his vision has been clearing, but the sun is still a bit too bright for the state he’s in.

It comes to him like a dream.

“Rulie. I think he’s okay now—“

“Rulie, stop! HYRULE STOP. You’ve done enough-“

He can’t stop. Not until every inch of magic has been drained from his frail body. His eyelids begin to grow heavy…his vision swims, he’s barely conscious.

“RULIE!!” Someone is pulling him away from Four, but it’s too late, the last bit of magic fizzles out and the world is now a spinning blur of colors. His eyes roll back in his head and he falls limp in their grasp.

Hyrule slowly opens his eyes, gazing at Sky through the dragon’s claws. “…I do…” He swallows hard. “…How long was I gone?”

“Almost two days. We spent the night in Time’s era, but our location just wasn’t safe for you or Four. And bless Hylia, we woke up the next morning to a portal, was it a gift from the goddesses or a sweet coincidence I don’t know…but it sent us here. We weren’t sure how safe it would be with two of you unconscious, but we had to do it.” Sky sighs. “Thank Hylia we made the right call.”

“I saw the portal open,” Lanayru adds. “Right in front of me! I was flyin’ through the air, of course…I knew you were probably in the middle of something so I waited, until my Link came to me.”

“Yeah, Lanayru was a big help.” Sky grins at Hyrule, and then up at the dragon. “He took you, Rulie, almost right away. You two spent the day and night together, and the rest of us tended to Four.”

“Wait…you were with me the whole time?” Hyrule groans and puts his elbows beneath him, attempting to sit up. “…Lanayru, did you—“

“Woah-ho, easy now,” the dragon interrupts, gently pressing his thumb to the traveler’s back as the latter finally reaches a sitting position. “Don’t push yourself too hard, you’re still very weak.”

A red checkered blanket is draped over Lanayru’s other hand, where Hyrule’s legs and feet are placed. Carefully he pulls the blanket back, turning himself to face the open clearing where Sky stands.

“Did you…stay up all night?” he mutters, finishing his thought.

“Oh, heavens no.” Lanayru’s hearty laugh rings from above, and Hyrule guesses the dragon is smiling. “Old dragons need their sleep too. Don’t worry, I kept you safe in my robe. Nobody hurts you on my watch, boy.”

“That’s…really kind of you.” Hyrule smiles. “Thank you.”

“Ah, no problem, Rulie. Now you were asking where Four is?”

Before the traveler can respond, someone else steps into the clearing, rushing up to meet Sky. The pink hair and red tunic makes him unmistakably Legend.

“Hey Sky, I just wanted to see how he’s—“ The veteran gasps as his eyes meet Hyrule’s. “Oh Rulie, you’re awake! Three-damn it, you fucking idiot!”

Legend’s tone comes out as much more of relief than anger, but surely he’s at least a little angry at Hyrule.

“Language, boy,” Lanayru scolds. But Legend doesn’t seem to care.

“Why did you do that?! When I saw you I—I almost thought you fucking died!”

Hyrule gulps, breaking eye contact with his predecessor to gaze at Lanayru’s fingers.

“But I didn’t,” he says eventually. “I’m here, and so is Four. I did what was needed…”

“Well…maybe next time, don’t do that, okay? Rulie, you scared the living shit out of us! I was so fucking worried—“ Legend pauses, gazing at both the traveler and the Thunder Dragon. “…Are you okay? How are you feeling?”

Hyrule groans at his predecessor’s question. “Could be better, Ledge. I’m still really tired…”

“Hmph, well you look like shit.” Legend smiles teasingly. “No offense.”

Lanayru chuckles again, making the veteran raise his eyebrow in confusion.

“Allll right, Link. Perhaps that’s enough of the sailor’s mouth for now, hm?” Although Hyrule cannot see Lanayru’s face, he figures the dragon is doing his ‘disappointed dad’ stare. “Now tell me, any updates on Four?”

Yes, please tell me where the hell he is… Hyrule thinks to himself, gently rubbing his temples.

“I just got back from the lake, Mr. Thunder Dragon. He’s been in and out recently, but he woke up for a bit to talk to me. I think the water is really helping…we had Her Excellence replenish his bath this morning.”

Hyrule’s brow furrows. “…Her Excellence?”

“Ah, what is that dragon’s name? That blue one with all the water.”

Sky grimaces a bit, seemingly waiting for Hyrule’s reaction.

Oh.

“…Faron?” he squeaks out.

“Yes, Faron! That’s right!” Legend laughs. “Ah, she’s been so kind to me…I never asked for her name. Pity.”

“But Sky, you said…you didn’t want us going to see her.”

“I know, Rulie, this was an exception,” says the Skyloftian. “Faron has sacred water, and when she sustained critical injuries a while back…that water helped her recover. I’m not sure what effect it has on a Hylian, but I think it’s at least soothing Four’s mind. He took a nasty blow to the head too, you know. And you can’t fully heal concussions, right?”

Hyrule slowly shakes his head. “No…I wish I could.”

“Don’t worry, it’s okay. The water will hopefully do the rest. Besides…I never imagined something like this. Two heroes and two dragons, it’s wonderful.”

“Yeah,” Legend adds. “Naydra, thanks for taking care of my Rulie. You’re amazing.”

…Naydra?

The Thunder Dragon seems confused. “No problem…wait, what did you call me?”

“Legend!!” Sky bursts into laughter, nearly throwing his head back. “You got mine and Wild’s dragons mixed up again, didn’t you?”

“…Fuck. I’m sorry, um…”

“Lanayru.”

“Ah, Lanayru! Rats.” Legend snaps his fingers. “I mean…I was pretty close.”

“Don’t worry, it happens. And you’re very much welcome. When you fellas are here I’ll guard Rulie with my life! Right, Rulie?”

Hyrule nods, too lazy to turn his head back and look at the dragon’s face. He must be wondering who this Naydra is… Ever since meeting Lanayru, Hyrule hasn’t been too fond of Wild’s dragons. Not that he’d ever tell Wild, but the sight of them last time had him really missing Lanayru. So much so that it hurt to look.

“Well, you’re looking a bit better already,” Sky exclaims, smiling. “Do you think you’ll be able to stand? Because soooomebody here wants a hug.”

The Skyloftian gestures to Legend, who pouts in an attempt to hide it, but Hyrule can tell through the veteran’s puppy-dog eyes. After two days without Hyrule, he surely wants to hold his successor tight and never let go.

The traveler sighs. “…I think so.”

“Alright, I’m gonna let you down now, ok?” Lanayru leans forward, placing his hands on the grass, and slowly Hyrule scoots off, moaning slightly in the process. A wave of light-headedness washes through him after his feet touch the ground, and he grabs on to the dragon’s finger to steady himself.

“Woah there- be careful, Rulie.” Sky warns, rushing over to him. “I got you.”

Hyrule wraps his arm around Sky’s shoulders, and Lanayru sets the blanket down with his now empty hands. As the two heroes approach Legend, the Thunder Dragon rises back up to sitting with a deep exhale. His arms must be a bit tired…

“Rulie. Don’t ever do that again,” Legend scolds, but the pure relief is clear in his expression.

The weak traveler lets go of Sky and buries himself into his predecessor’s embrace, allowing Legend to wrap sturdy arms around his frail body and gently stroke his messy hair.

“I can’t guarantee it,” Hyrule mutters, voice slightly muffled.

“Yeah…I know. But maybe go for, like 80 percent odds?”

He chuckles at Legend’s joke. A little too promising… “Okay. I’ll try.”

Finally the veteran seems content enough to let go of the traveler, and as Hyrule steps away, he grins. The weakness in his legs has lessened a little, but he still longs to be back in Lanayru’s hands again. It was much more comfortable.

“Hey, I think I’m gonna go back to camp to let them know you’re awake,” Sky explains. “So you might have more visitors. Just stay here…don’t leave Lanayru’s sight.”

“I won’t, I promise.” He knows he wouldn’t have the strength to leave, even if he wanted to.

“Good. The others will be so relieved to see you.”

The Skyloftian heads off into the dense trees of the forest, where Hyrule assumes the rest of the group has set up camp. They must be so worried about me… A pang of guilt aches in his chest at what he must have put them through. At least now they’ll know he’s okay…

He slowly turns around, relying slightly on Legend’s shoulder to stay upright, and at last he sees the Thunder Dragon’s full body. Lanayru is beaming, fluffy beard a swirly mess and eyes containing their usual sparkle. His hands are rested on his crossed back claws and his tail drapes around him, white clouds shining in the sunlight.

“Well…it’s good to have you back, boy!” he exclaims. “Now come here. I think you need some more rest.”

Hyrule smiles softly in agreement. With Legend’s help, the traveler takes baby steps back toward Lanayru’s waiting arms.