#lu malon

Malon laughed a bouncy, twinkling sound that shooed all the tension away. "Well well, would you look here, we've got ourselves a natural cucco wrangler!"

Sky's hand found the base of the bird's neck and stroked it absently. "A cucco?" he asked. "Is that what this little one is called?”

"Yup!" chirped Malon. "And you best be proud she's lettin' you hold her. Not everyone has the guts to earn a cucco's trust!"

Time shivered beside his wife. "And that’s exactly why you handle the cuccos, dear."

"Well hon," Malon pecked him on the cheek, "it takes guts to admit your weaknesses, too."

"Tch—get in there!" Time swatted at her playfully, shooing Malon through the front door of their house. "C'mon in, boys!"

Briefly, he stuck his head back out the door to nod at Sky. "And please leave... her... outside."

"Or let him bring her in!” called Malon. “She can sit right next to you, hon!"

"NO," Time yelled back.

"Ok! In your lap it is, then. I'll set the—"

"MAL!" Time laughed, sunlight glistening in his eye. He pointed to Sky. "Don't you listen to her!"

Sky's heart flickered with a warmth he hadn’t felt since leaving his own era. He could practically see the love that radiated off of Time and his wife, a love that made Sky hopeful and homesick all at once. 

The cucco seemed to sense this and cuddled against his hand, lightly tapping her beak against his fingers. You'll be ok, she seemed to say. And Sky agreed.

He gently set her down with her sisters, giving each bird a pat, much to the panic of his fellow heroes. There's fantastic prank potential here, he thought as he stood, and stepped across the threshold into Time's humble home.

>>><<< 

"I've got a bag of rupees here for anyone willing to handle the cuccos!"

"You think I'm stupid?"

"Those were my rupees, and they are not to be used to kill someone, Legend."

"Come oooon, Wars, I know Wind can do it!"

"Oh just stop..."

It was later that same day, and each of the heroes had taken up a chore around the ranch. At least, that was what they were supposed to be doing. Some jobs were apparently more appealing than others.

With a smirk, Sky walked right past where Legend, Wind, and Warriors were arguing, plucking up a cucco so that she was eye level with all of them. "I'll do it!” he said cheerily. “I love these little birds!"

He was met with three beautiful faces of pure disgust.

"Nope. Nope. Here's your money bye," Legend drooped the rupee bag and stalked off.

"What?" Sky moved the bird close to the vet’s face and Legend yelped, shuffling faster. Sky turned the bird towards the others. "You afraid?"

The cucco stared at them unblinkingly, her head impossibly still even as Sky's hands tilted her body.

"UH. Uh, OH HEY THERE'S TWILIGHT well sorry I can't stay but I promised I'd help him in the barn so BYE!" Wind ran away so fast he tripped. He rolled in the dirt before expertly righting himself, popping up beside the rancher. 

One glance at the "creature" in Sky's hands was enough to fill Twilight in, and his face stilled in healthy respect. 

Sky grinned. He might never understand why his companions avoided the little birds so, but for now, their fear was hilarious. 

It wasn't until Warriors started walking off with the saddle he carried that Sky realized he had no clue what he was supposed to be doing.

"U-uh, wait, guys?” Sky backtracked. “What did Legend mean 'handle the cuccos?"

Warriors halted and looked to Twilight. Wind looked at Warriors. Twilight looked at the bird with dread.

"You're a brave man, Sky," said the rancher.

For some reason, Sky's chest felt a little colder. "What... what does that mean...?"

"It means," Wind gulped, "you've got to go and gather... their eggs."

A chilling silence hung in the air. Mourning doves sung somber hymns as the afternoon sun inched ever closer towards dusk. Three reverent pairs of eyes sent their silent prayers, already accepting the Chosen Hero's fate.

Until Sky burst into laughter.

"Sky! This is serious!" Wind whined. "Their beaks are sharp!" 

"Nah, it's the talons that'll get you," argued Twilight.

Warriors shivered. "You can see the attack plan in their eyes, Sky, they know everything—"

Sky wheezed, setting down the cucco so he didn't hurt her as he doubled over. "You three... all of you, I—hahaha! 'Attack plan', really..."

"Yes really!" Warriors protested, in a very undignified squeak.

Sky rolled his eyes. "Please. I've gathered eggs plenty of times!"

The other heroes blinked at him.

"I thought Skyloft didn't have cuccos?" Legend shouted from out of nowhere.

"And I thought you ran away!" Sky called back gleefully.

"I wanted to watch the carnage from a safe distance," said the veteran. "A-and I did not run away!"

"Suuuure," Warriors droned, ducking out of the path of a flying pebble.

Twilight raised his hand. "...Eggs?"

"Loftwing eggs."

They stared at him.

Sky rolled his eyes again. "Unfertilized, of course." 

He almost shook his head at the audible sigh that blew through his comrades. Sky chose to ignore this and crouch beside the cuccos instead. "The Loftwings leave them for us as gifts, just like you sweet ladies do, yes! Because it can't feel too good to have those rolling around inside you for so long. But your egg-laying house is so much smaller! Just like you cuties! I bet your eggs are even tinier, just... just little bite-sized eggs! How adorable, what color are they? I can't wait to see!"

"'Bite-sized', he says," Warriors repeated. "Just how big are Loftwing eggs anyway?"

Sky glanced at the captain. "About as big as your head."

"Wh—SKY!!!" he exclaimed.

Legend cackled madly behind Warriors.

"Oh, wait!" Sky laughed too as he realized what he'd said, "Sorry, I meant that literally. They're about the size of a Hylian's head."

"Blow to my ego aside, now I'm almost afraid to ask how big the birds are," said the captain with a lifted brow.

Sky hummed. His heart felt warm and mushy as he thought of Crimson, and how the bird’s beak would echo with heavy thumps as he clacked it in greeting.

Sky spread his arms as if running them across his bird's wingspan. "Big enough to drown you in a pool of feathers!"

"Then I pray they have nothing in common with angry cuccos," Twilight smiled.

"Or kargaroks," Wind might have mumbled, but it was hard for Sky to hear.

All he knew was they were being quite irrational. He picked up two cuccos with a flourish and grinned as the heroes backed away. "Well, Loftwings are Loftwings, and nothing can compare to them," he shrugged, "but I look forward to getting to know the cuccos. Oh, and thanks for the extra rupees, Legend!"

"Get that smart grin off your face, you know what you did!" argued the veteran.

"Yeah, and it wasn't tossing all my money on the ground!"

"AGH!" Legend stalked off, hiding his obvious smile. "C'mon guys, leave him to his fate as cucco fodder. There's better things to do, and Time wants these chores done by supper."

Warriors gave Sky a firm solute. "Best of luck, soldier!"

Sky laughed as they all retreated, leaving him alone with the quiet clucking of cuccos. 

"All right, ladies!" he smiled. "To the nests!"

>>><<< 

Evening came and went in a rush of laughter and conversation. The next morning it was agreed—much to Time's immense pleasure—that they would remain on the ranch for a while to recuperate and plan their next move.

This, naturally, led to little to no actual planning. Instead the day gave way to chore races, cow lifting competitions, treasure hunting, and a rather unexpected battle with three wayward peahats.

Even so, Time had found several precious moments to spend with Malon that day, and these made the chaos more than bearable. He snuck her a glance that afternoon as he helped her set the table for another early supper, her spirit as radiant as ever.

Oh how I’ve missed her, he smiled to himself.

"I can't tell y'all how thankful I am to have some extra hands!" Malon beamed in that sunny way of hers.

Wild, who'd become her sous chef, grinned a little wider as he carried part of their meal out of the kitchen. "I'm happy to help, Miss Malon. Lots of hands make lighter burdens, they say."

"Even the hands that can't cook," Hyrule added, folding the napkins over the forks Time was setting down.

"Aw, now, we haven't given up on you yet, hon," Malon hugged the traveler. She sighed, "Hoo boy, I just don't know what I'm gonna do when y'all leave!"

"Well, you never know," Four's eyes glittered as he glanced between Malon and Time. "There might be many little helping hands in your future."

Time's heart skittered at the smith's wording, for once very glad his descendant Twilight wasn't in the room. He glanced at Malon. 

Despite matching Time's blush, she looked positively golden at the thought Four had put there. She bit her lip excitedly and tried to swat him with a hand towel. He jumped away easily.

"Oh, you!" Malon laughed. "Let's just take things one day at a time, shall we?" She stepped past Hyrule to hook her arm around Time's waist. "And today, I think we did a pretty good job."

The five of them looked at the table, now set and tidy, wafting smells of colorful comfort foods through the dining room air. Time took a deep breath, relishing in the overwhelming scents of home. He pulled Malon just a bit closer.

"It's beautiful, hon," he murmured.

"Well, as I said before, I did have some help," she rested her head on his shoulder. "But thanks, Fairy Boy."

"It smells delicious," Hyrule said wistfully. 

"Yeah," Wild agreed. "I bet the others can smell it all the way from—Hey! Speak of the heroes!"

The room bustled with the scuffing of boots as the rest of the Chain scrambled through the door. There were several "ooh!"s and "ahh!"s as they beheld a true ranch supper, and Time couldn't help but smile.

He took pity on their drooling faces and beckoned them forward. "Come on in an' grab yourselves a seat, boys."

"Was that a bit of farmer's twang I just heard?" Four elbowed Twilight, as if Time couldn't hear him. Time reached over to ruffle the boys’ hair.

"Time," Sky tapped his shoulder. "This place is wonderful."

The older hero turned around and nearly jumped out of his boots. The Skyloftian was grinning, covered head to toe in cucco feathers. 

Time gasped. "What happened to you?"

"He fell asleep with the cuccos again," cried Legend, falling into his chair. "We half thought he was dead when we found him!"

"And we couldn't wake him up without getting near the birds," Wind groaned.

"You're making a mountain out of a Mogma hill," Sky sing-songed, sitting between them. "It's not like they bite."

"Yes, they DO!" shouted several heroes.

Sky flicked some stray feathers onto anyone in range. "Sounds like your problem, not mine."

"Bleh! One wenh in ma moutph!!!" Wind shrieked, spitting out some down.

"Gross, Wind!"

"That was on a cucco!"

"Ith Spy's phault!"

"Ahem!"

Nine heroes sat at attention as Malon hit the table with a spoon. She smiled as the chaos died down.

"All right then. Got your sillies out, boys?" she asked. 

Several blushing faces nodded at once. 

Time blushed too, but certainly not for the same reason. Atta girl, Malon. Show those boys some manners.

Malon caught his lovesick grin from across the table and winked. "Now, if y'all are ready, let's bless this meal and dig in! Link—er, Fairy Boy, would you mind?"

"I'd be happy to, dear."

After a simple grace, the table became a sea of arms, all reaching and passing and pouring something. Over the din of hungry boys, Malon tried her best to introduce the dishes.

There was a squash casserole reheated from the night before, paired with Lon Lon cheese and Wild's homemade bread. (Twilight, upon hearing that Malon had made the cheese, promptly called off Time and his earlier bet and stated that cow and goat products were simply incomparable and both Lon Lon and Ordon cheeses were the best in their fields. Time let the bet go in favor of the wave of fondness that passed over him and Malon, and the pleasant sight of Sky trying a small piece of his own free will.)

Hyrule, Four, and Legend had picked tomatoes, cucumbers, and several vegetables, which now sat daintily on a serving tray next to a dip recipe Malon had learned from her mother. There was milk and tea to spare, freshly cut hydromelon, and of course, the piece de resistance,

"Cucco pot pie!" exclaimed Hyrule as the dish finally made its way over to him.

"Mmmm, yes," said Legend, "the only thing cuccos are good for!"

Time fought ferociously to keep from laughing as Malon sent the veteran a look. He bit his lip, hard, because he knew Malon liked to be more respectful when it came to these sorts of dishes. Normally he did, too. Nonetheless...

Legend caught Time's eye and twitched his eyebrows almost imperceptibly. Time coughed into his milk glass.

The vet had a very good point.

...A point that, due to the look Malon was now giving him, Time was about to gently rebut. He gave Legend a pitying smirk, and was just about to explain Malon's views when his eye glanced to Legend’s right.

Sky had gone rigid.

The young man looked like he was about to be sick. His face was as white as a sheet, jaw locked and skin breaking out in a cold sweat. He teetered, dizzily, and the fork in his hand shook so greatly that the piece of cucco pie he'd skewered slipped and plopped back onto his plate. Sky gagged subtly.

Time glanced at his eyes, finding them wide and haunted. It looked for all the world like Sky had just witnessed murder.

"Sky," Time said slowly, gathering the entire room's attention. "...Link? Are you ok?"

Sky held back another gag and nearly fell out of his chair, racing around the table and crashing out the front door without another word. 

If anyone else heard the subtle, quiet sound of sickness, no one said anything about it.

"What... just happened?"

"I-I swear I cooked it long enough! Malon watched me!"

"Is he sick?"

"Where could he have even gotten it from?"

"Yeah, he was fine earlier, so why...?"

"He only just started eating meat, maybe it was too much?"

"But he didn't even take a bite."

"Hold it, hold it!" Malon's voice sliced through the din like a sword. She placed her palms flat on the table and stared at Twilight. "Did you say he 'just started eating meat', hon?"

"Um, yes ma'am," Twilight answered, glancing at Time like a guilty child. "He, ah, comes from the first era, in the sky? And they don't have game there so they only eat vegetables and the like. The only animals they really have are those giant birds from the stories, but the Skyloftians don't... eat... birds…"

A gut-numbing chill ran through the room as the gravity of those words sunk in. 

Time nearly swore.

Malon stood straighter, her soulful eyes chasing after their wayward hero as if she could will him back. She pursed her lips, her eyebrows dipping into a crease, and... oh. Time knew that look.

"So you're telling me," Malon said slowly, "that that boy hails from a place where birds are never hunted."

"He said they were... that Loftwings were s-sacred," Wild whispered, voice hoarse.

Malon screwed her eyes shut. "And we just tried to feed him cucco."

Wind pushed his plate away forcefully and left the room.

For several moments, a thick silence pressed upon them, weighing down each heart and every pair of shoes. Each hero wanted to say something encouraging to his neighbor, to find the right words to fix the tension. But none of them knew how.

Time watched as his wife began to shuffle around the room, masking her pacing by "checking" on the decorations against the walls. Quietly, he got out of his chair.

"I should go find where he went," she said finally.

"Mal."

"He could get lost. Or do you think he went to the coop?"

"Malon."

"And someone should go after Wind—"

Time put his hands over her arms, steadying her. Silently, he met Malon's eye with his, trying to pour out all of his heart and soul in a single look. Think of how I was at his age, he told her with his thumbs rubbing circles in her skin. Remember how you helped me.

He trailed his hands down her arms until their fingers twined. "Wait a few minutes. Let him cool." He squeezed her hands. "Then go after him."

"You think that'll work?" said Malon wearily.

Time kissed her forehead. "I do. He just needs time. You have a connection to those birds too, and he knows it. I'd say that makes you the best among us to console him. And if he still hasn't come back after that, I'll find him."

She sighed deeply, all but collapsing into Time's shoulder. He held her there tightly.

"...All right," Malon murmured. "Just... just a few more minutes. Then I go."

Time glanced at the other heroes, who were picking at their plates in various states of dismay. He thought of Sky, their calm pillar, crumpling in shock. Then he noticed his wife’s anxious breaths.

He swayed with her, hiding her face in his shirt. "This is not your fault," he whispered. "We'll fix it, Malon.

Just a few more minutes, love."

>>><<< 

Sky's breath rasped against his throat, the sound of it echoing in his own ears. His vision of the cuccos in his lap blurred as his hyperactive mind took purchase. Images he didn't want to see swam before him. He shook them away.

How could they? How dare they? What had become of the Surface? This is so much worse than the milk, so much worse...

The heroes were his friends, all kind and noble. He'd trusted them. So why would they...?

Sky clung tighter to the soft, cool feathers of the cuccos, grounding himself with their touch. They were like tiny Loftwings huddled around him, and yet their eyes... intelligent as they were, something was missing from their gaze. Something too powerful to put into words.

The empty pit in Sky's heart clawed and tugged. Where crimson feathers should have draped there was nothing but ghostly white. Empty of something... incomplete... lost. 

He was so very, very lost.

Sky dipped his head into a cloud of feathers and sobbed.

>>><<< 

Malon took a deep breath as she stepped out of the farmhouse. In that breath she could taste the evening setting in, with its crisp breeze bringing an earthy touch of grass and wildflowers. The chatter of animals slowed in favor of crickets, and before Malon knew it, it was twilight.

She took a moment to watch the sunset. Pinks and golds spilled across the clouds like liquid light, painting the whole world with a warm embrace. It seemed to seep into Malon's skin, and she hummed as the wispy sunlight soothed her to the core. She'd always loved this hour. It felt like a gentle hug goodnight, with a kiss in the form of a cool breeze.

Funny how something so beautiful could blossom in the midst of strife. 

A cucco crowed somewhere, reminding Malon of why she was out here to begin with. She sighed again, but not as deeply as before. She took one last steeling look at the sunset before making her way to the cucco coop.

Sure enough, there was Sky, huddled with the cuccos in the middle of the dirt. His clothes had little three-toed footprints all over them, but that seemed to be the last thing on the young hero's mind. And as Malon crept ever closer, she saw that his shoulders were shaking.

Oh, hon... oh sweetheart...  Malon's heart tugged at the sight. She made sure to shuffle her feet as to not startle the distraught hero. He twitched an ear, but did not look up.

"Sky?" Malon called gently. He's so much like Link was. "You don't have to answer me, hon, but I want you to know I am so, so sorry. If I had known earlier about your era, I would have never served that dish to you. "

He was quiet for a moment. Then, hoarsely, he rasped, "...But you would've served it to the others."

"Huh?" Malon stuttered. "Oh, no, Sky, I wouldn't have brought it out in front of you at all."

"But if I weren't here, then you would've. Right?"

Malon opened her mouth to argue, but nothing came out. Ah well, she thought, no sense beating around the bush. He deserves that much.

Malon leaned her elbows on an old fence in front of her, trying to meet Sky's eye. "This situation ain't fair to you, sweetheart, I know. I know that well. And I won't mince words, you're right. We just have a different relationship with these kinds of birds. Cuccos aren't meant for flying people around, 'less you're a kid going for a tiny glide. They're cute, and they help us with their eggs and alarm calls, but when those eggs stop coming and the birds get old, at the end of the day, they're... well, they're just like any other common animal around here. But just 'cause we, um," she skipped over saying 'eat them,' "Well, not everyone is the same way. There's plenty of city folk who are vegetarian, nothin' wrong with that if you have the resources for it!

"What I mean to say is, I know how attached you are to your birds back home, and that bond's something special. But what I hope you can see is, these cuccos, they're the goddesses' creatures, same as deer and cows, but they're not... divinely blessed. They're different from your Loftwings."

Sky's face screwed up like he'd eaten something bitter. "That's just it. They're different. Everything is different—!" His voice broke mid-sentence. The bite in his words washed away as soon as the boy swallowed, pursed his trembling lips, and raised his head.

His voice was strangely calm when he finally spoke. "Miss Malon. I appreciate your hospitality. You're very kind. But I need to be alone right now."

"Ok. Ok, sweetie," said Malon, being as gentle as possible. She slowly stepped away from the fence. "Whenever you feel like coming back, there'll be a nice plate of garden dishes waitin' for you in the kitchen. You just take your time now, hon. We all care about you. Half the boys are probably hovering by the door right now, wanting to give you a big ol' hug."

Sky half-nodded and pulled a cucco closer. Malon decided to let him be. She said another mournful, careful farewell, and dragged herself back inside the farmhouse.

Several hopeful eyes rose up to greet her. She shook her head, ignoring the way those shinny eyes dimmed, and busied herself with cleaning off the table.

So many unfinished plates...

"Let us help, Miss Malon."

It was the captain's voice, all soothing and calm despite the prickles in the atmosphere. He positioned himself at her side and began putting the lids back on the dishes.

Her husband, ever the strong and silent oak, stroked a hand down her back as he placed himself on Malon's other side. She let out the shaky breath she didn't know she was holding.

"He'll be all right," Malon said, more to herself than to the boys. "We'll just wait for when he's ready. In the meantime, I'm gonna fix him a fresh plate of things he'll like for supper, and have it waiting for him."

"He'll appreciate that," Hyrule said softly, packing away the leftovers. "At least I would. If I were Sky."

Legend and Four made their way to the traveler's sides, silently helping the clean up. Legend looked particularly morose as he cast a long glance at the front door. 

Malon counted heads. "Where...?"

"Twilight went upstairs to check on our sailor," Link murmured, squeezing Malon's waist. 

She leaned into him, suddenly exhausted. "S'hard to catch a break for you hero types, ain't it?" Her words came out slurred. She didn't care.

Link pressed a lingering kiss to his wife’s temple, holding her closer as he did so. Malon pretended not to notice how the others gradually filtered out of the room and into the kitchen, taking the food and dirty plates with them.

"...You think those sweet boys will be ok up there?" she asked after a while.

"Twilight knows what he's doing, and Wind is tougher than he seems," Link hummed. After a few more moments, Malon could feel him smile as he said, "Besides. Twilight tells me he's good with kids, and I've seen that with my own eye. It's something he gets from you."

Warmth flushed through Malon's chest at the thought. "Oh!" she huffed, breathless, "Link, you..." She swatted at him as he began to laugh. "How can you be so stoic and then pull somethin' romantic like that outta the blue?"

"Not running my mouth gives me more time to think," he smirked. 

Malon couldn't help but match his smile. She kissed that silly grin, sending her thanks to the heavens for her husband, and pulled back.

She let out a big sigh, releasing her worries as she surveyed the clean table. The boys had done a good job.

"Link?"

"Yes, hon?"

"Promise me something?"

He took her hand in his. It dwarfed hers, covering her calluses with his own. She gripped his hand tightly.

"Promise that if he's not back soon, you'll go out and find him?" she asked.

Time raised their hands and placed a kiss to her knuckles. "Of course, dear. 

I'll bring him back home."

>>><<< 

Time had expected this.

As different as the Links were, the hero's life took a toll on all who lived it. Sooner or later one of the boys was bound to retreat into solitude, just as Time had done as a boy. And as an adult, in a few cases.

But he'd never guessed Sky would be the first.

Time scanned the now-dark fields of grass, peering around the silhouettes of starlit trees and structures. Sky had literally flown the coop where Malon had left him, and now Time was faced with the quest of tracking him down.

He racked his brain for all the hiding spots he knew of. Sky liked heights, didn't he? It made it easier for the young hero to breathe. So perhaps...

Time craned his neck as he peered at the distant silo. Fortunately, his viewing angle of its roof was decent. Unfortunately, there were absolutely zero signs of life huddled up there. 

He huffed and scratched his head. On second thought, the silo was probably too open for a hiding spot. Time started turning around in a slow circle, taking in his surroundings again. Then his eye landed on the barn, and everything clicked.

High up, secluded, and cozy.

Where else would a Skyloftian be but in the loft?

Time entered the barn slowly, the big wooden door creaking as it announced his presence. It was clear from the sight of the shifted ladder and the stray feathers on the rungs that he'd found Sky's hideout. 

Now the real challenge begins.

Steeling his nerves, Time shuffled over to the ladder and rapped his knuckles against a rail. "Mind if I come up?"

It took exactly 9 seconds for a heavy sigh to hiss through the air. Sky shifted, sending a few strings of hay falling into Time's hair. 

"You're going to come up here no matter what I say," Sky mumbled, despondent. "So why not."

Time decided to interpret that as, "Yes, Time, I'm having a rough day please help me," and made his way up the ladder.

Sky was sprawled out in the hay, his listless eyes trained somewhere past the roof. On any other day, the coziness of the loft would have sent him right to sleep, but his red-rimmed eyes stayed stubbornly open. He didn't flinch as Time lifted himself onto the wooden floor beside him.

The elder hero brushed hay off the sleeves of his old shirt, feeling slightly out of his depth. Comforting strangers and acquaintances had always come so easily to him as a child. He wasn't sure when or why he'd started overthinking it. Maybe his new, "intimidating aura" had something to do with it, or maybe he'd just gotten used to a simpler life. 

Thankfully, Sky spoke up first.

"...Did I upset Malon?"

Time raised an eyebrow, but Sky's gaze never left the ceiling. 

The Skyloftian continued, "I don't... like what's going on. Not at all. Not at all, but... I was very cold with her, earlier. She didn’t deserve that from me."

Time felt his shoulders relax. "Malon's not upset with anybody, Sky, except maybe herself—which I think is unfounded but that's a different discussion."

He looked down at the young hero and wanted so badly to reach out and touch him, to reassure Sky with something easier than words. But Sky looked like he'd fade away if even a feather brushed him, so Time looked him in the eye instead. "Malon and I are more worried for you than anything."

Pleading, sky blue eyes locked with Time's, clouding over with uncommunicated pain. Screwing them shut, the young hero turned his head away. "I just don't understand," came his small voice. "They’re birds, Time, they're birds..."

Time fiddled with his sleeves again. "I am sorry, Sky. But truly, if it is any comfort, I believe I know a bit of how you feel."

"No you don't."

"Try me."

Sky stared at him dubiously, but said nothing.

Time leaned back on his palms and let green foliage flood his mind. "I grew up away from all of Hyrule and its customs. I lived my childhood in the forest, where we ate only what plants could provide us, much like you did. When my hero's journey took me from that place, you can imagine my shock to find out people actually ate animals."

"So what changed?" asked Sky, blankly.

Time shrugged. "Well, time. Getting older, growing up in a new culture. Needing to provide for myself and others."

Sky's head snapped away. "Then we are not the same."

Time almost flinched at the severity of the wall Sky had slammed down. When the young hero spoke again, his voice was unnaturally quiet. 

"If this were just about hunting mammals... then yes. We'd be standing on the same cloud. But it's not."

Slowly, his head turned to face Time, and the older hero felt his chest tighten when Sky's heartbroken eyes locked on to his. 

"I have one question. I want you to answer it honestly, Time."

Time nodded solemnly.

"Do you know what a Loftwing is?"

"Apart from what you've already mentioned, you mean?"

"Yes."

Time's mind scrambled to find a better answer than 'no, not really'. "Well," he began after a moment, "when I would visit the princess as a youth, she would sometimes read me fairy tales, a few telling of mighty, giant birds who—"

"No." Sky interrupted. "No. Do you know what a Loftwing is? Do you know what it looks like, what it means to be bonded with one, what it feels like to fly weightless upon its back?"

Sky sat up, eyes wild with emotion. "There is nothing like the bond between a Hylian and a Loftwing. We can sense each other's presence, feel each other's pain. When we find each other for the first time, it's like waking up from a dream, like a whole part you was missing, and you can't fathom how you'd been living your life without it. When we fly, we are one, and when we're distressed we come to each other for comfort. It's almost like having the goddess herself whispering through their feathers."

Sky dipped his head, shoulders shaking as his hair fell over his face. "But they can't handle the air pressure on the Surface for long," he continued. "Not like we can. Their bodies would collapse under the strain, so they have to stay in the air. They have to remain in Skyloft."

Sky's gaze snapped up to Time, filled with sharp, terrifying intensity. "Don't you see?" he hissed. "If I am to lead our people alongside Zelda, there will come a day when I will have to let go of my bird, half my heart, for good. My own children will never know what it's like to be bonded with one, nor will their children, or their children, or their children after them! All they will have are fleeting glances and stories, and even that, even that will be ripped from them and watered down into myth by your era. All that remains of that bond, all I've had t-to cope with the loss, are the little b-birds—!" Sky's voice whined as it swam through thick waves of grief. "And today! Today I find out that my Crimson, my good, noble, goofy Crimson's legacy... is to become nothing more than a side dish?!?"

Sky heaved, paling and choking on his own words. He panted heavily, but made no more attempts to speak. His fists were twisted in his tunic.

Time was silent for a long time. 

He would need to proceed very carefully. His heart ached at the anguish Sky felt, and he longed to take the hurt away from his young mind. But Sky felt his convictions deeply and completely. It was an admirable trait to have... if only it didn't make Time's job all the harder.

"Malon... told me that she tried to explain about the cuccos," he started slowly, his voice soft. 

"I know," Sky bit back in a harsh whisper. "I know Malon's right, I know they aren't technically the same animals, that's impossible. It's just—!" Sky's voice was shattering, "What else is there? I have to believe that their legacy is still alive somewhere, Time. It's all I have left, because... everyone's forgotten."

The words stabbed Time in the gut.

'Everyone's forgotten.' How well he knew the phrase. To have an experience that rocks you to the core, only for the world to never remember it. Because how could they? They never lived through it all like you did. But the isolation of knowing was a burden, all the same.

He wanted to punch the floor in. That feeling didn't belong on anyone else's shoulders. Maybe that's why, for once, Time spoke without thinking.

"Your Loftwings did not become our cuccos, Sky," he said with a little more force than was necessary. "That is not their legacy!"

"Then WHAT?!?" Sky clenched his teeth, holding back a vicious storm of anger. "Tell me what their legacy is, Time! Tell me where that bond is now!!!"

A dull thud knocked against a stable door below them. From her stall, old Epona watched Time and Sky, her deep brown eyes sparkling with want. Inexplicably, Time knew his mare would have leapt from the stall and climbed into the loft beside them if it was physically possible. 

And with that thought, an idea sparked inside him.

"I know exactly where their legacy went, Sky."

The young hero's hands shook as he froze, his wide eyes locked on Time's. Time could see the exact moment Sky's outburst caught up with him, for the young man crumpled forwards, clutching his head in shame.

The older hero did not hesitate to place a hand on his back.

Something about the motion sent a single sob rippling through the Skyloftian. Sky fisted his hair, his tunic, his collar as he fought to calm himself under Time's touch. While the elder hero traced circles of silent—Your anger doesn't bother me; you're hurt; I want to help you—Sky swallowed, and finally, feebly asked, 

"Where?"

A soft nicker filled the stable. Epona snorted, pawed, and nickered again, ears pricked desperately towards Sky as she fought for his attention. It was a wonder that she hadn't woken Twilight's mare in her fuss. Epona's head bobbed when Sky finally locked eyes with her, and she probably couldn't help the loud whinny that peeled out of her lungs.

Time gripped Sky's shoulder, a smile worming up his face. "Would you like to go and see her?"

Sky's eyes widened. His mouth gaped wordlessly as he looked between Time and his horse, and Time was fairly sure he could see an entire clock tower churning and whirring inside Sky's head.

His breath hitching, Sky allowed Time to pull him off the ground, likely not trusting himself to speak. Time could feel the Skyloftian's pulse hammering through his wrists.

Silently, he led Sky down the ladder, a hand on his back all the way over to Epona. She whinnied with joy as Time stroked her nose and undid the stall latch, and in an instant, the horse was at Sky's side.

The Skyloftian's hair fluttered as she blew a puff of air at him, but his body was still as stone. Sensing his shock, Epona lowered her whinnies into soft, rumbling nickers, blowing soothing breaths from her velvety nose. She dipped her head into his space, waiting patiently.

Slowly, Sky raised his hands. Once Epona had sniffed them, he pressed them to her face, framing her heavy head in his feather-soft touch. Their eyes locked for a long moment.

A tear escaped Sky's grasp. "It... it is there..." His breath came up short, but he was smiling all the same. "You... you're carrying them all with you... Epona."

Said horse had had enough of these sobs, apparently, and decided that the best thing for it was shoving her enormous head into his chest.

"Oof!" Sky laughed under the onslaught. He gripped at her mane, off balance, but his smile was blinding. He laughed as she rubbed her face against his shoulder, laughed as she flung her neck around to his back. He laughed and laughed, watery, joyful sounds that twisted Time's heart and wrung it out with relief, and Time knew then that all was well.

Eventually, Sky's tearful excitement settled into quiet breaths. He stood contented, his fingers tangled in Epona’s wispy mane, and his face pressed firmly against the warmth of her neck. Her belly grew and dipped in an enormous, fulfilling sigh, and Sky mimicked her without question.

Time pressed his forehead against his horse's. Good, good girl, he told her by stroking her chin. She nickered back her love.

"Time?"

He turned to see Sky watching him, his face half-veiled in curtains of Epona’s silky white mane. Sky's eyes shone in the moonlight. "Thank you."

Time nodded, blinking back the mist in his own eye. Then a thought struck him.

"You know," he mused, "We've had Twilight’s Epona with us for a couple of days now; same goes for my mare, her ancestor. And in all that time we never taught you how to ride."

Sky's huge gasp put a grin on Time's face. He continued, "How's about tomorrow we give you some lessons?"

Sky grabbed Time’s arm like a redead. "Yes! Yes yes yes please! That would—!" Sky's eyes widened a bit, and he stepped back, clearing his throat. His voice was a hair deeper when he coughed, "I'd really appreciate that, yes."

Time barked out a laugh, spooking Sky, and threw his arm around the young hero's shoulder. "Sky, my friend, don't you dare go trying to impress me like that. I've got enough of that coming from Twilight. I am most at ease when others are themselves."

Sky sagged in relief against Time's shoulder. "I really appreciate that. Old Man."

Time scoffed at Sky's playful smile. The boy looked cheekier than a Kokiri, and Time roughly drew him closer beneath his arm. Sky laughed.

"Old Man, Old Man… I'm not even that old, which one of you started that? I have some words."

"If you can't remember then maybe you are old," Sky grinned, and was promptly met with a hand ruffling his hair. He squirmed out of Time's grasp and fled to Epona’s other side, where she simply turned and nibbled his hair.

"Ah," Sky snorted. He made no move to stop her. "I see they preen like Loftwings, too."

Time shook his head, patting Epona’s back. "That 'preening' won't make you any cleaner, I'm afraid." Already Sky's hair was sticking up at odd angles. "Come on, girl. It's time for all of us to get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow."

He could have sworn Sky and Epona had both whined, "Awwww," but he led Epona back to her stall anyway. She dragged her hooves as she ambled through the door. 

"See you tomorrow, Epona," Sky said, and Epona reached her head over the door to lip at his hair again. Sky shoved her away and gave her a kiss on the nose. "Bye bye, you big stinker."

"Now you're really starting to understand her," Time laughed, and poor old Epona pinned her ears back and huffed.

"Don't worry, neither of us mean it," Sky stage-whispered. "It's extra carrots for you tomorrow, promise!"

Epona whinnied in victory. 

Time rolled his eyes and pulled Sky towards the barn doors. "Careful, oh chosen one. I think you're beginning to surpass me as her favorite."

"Absolutely not," said Sky. "She's got a big heart and a lot of love to give, but trust me." Sky's eyes shimmered with conviction. "She will always be yours. And you will always be hers. Not even I could ever change that."

Time caught his spirit in that gaze, swirling deep with passion and wisdom. And, to his heart's relief, it was also filled with hope. 

His hand tightened on the young hero's arm. "I'm glad," said Time.

Glad I could help you.

Glad to know each other better.

Glad for Epona.

Glad for you.

And Sky understood. 

His other arm reached across to pat Time's shoulder, and this time, no words were needed.

The crickets chirped as they stepped outside, beckoning them safely home.

>>><<< 

.....Bonus!

Sky and Time stumbled back into the farmhouse, half-awake and grinning about horses.

Legend immediately locked eyes with Sky.

Silently, he marched right up to the young knight, fists balled as if he was going to deck him, but then—to everyone's surprise—he went straight in for a hug. It didn’t lasted long, but it was tight and warm. An apology, Sky realized, but for what? Alerting him to what was in the pie? Or maybe for the vet’s choice words about cuccos from earlier?

Oh Legend, Sky sighed into the hug, returning it with a squeeze to the veteran’s shoulder. “Thank you. Sorry I worried everyone.”

Legend huffed sharply, but his tense frame had sagged in relief. “Shut up, Sky. S‘nothing to be sorry about.”

When he pulled back his eyes were younger than they’d ever looked, taking Sky in as if he’d been gone for ages. But, Legend being Legend, this moment didn’t last. More heroes stepped up, Malon stepped up, and suddenly it was all a bit too touchy-feely for the veteran hero. He squeezed past everyone and moodily retreated from the room.

Sky smiled at him as he went, and fell into the arms of the rest of his newfound family.

>>><<<

Masterlist | First | Chapter 8 | Chapter 10

Author's Note: This chapter started with the thought of, "Oh wow, Sky loves the cuccos and probably doesn't eat meat on Skyloft, eating cuccos would be pretty disturbing for him, wouldn't it?" And upon further thought, it blossomed into this existential parallel with little birds being Sky's lifeline to Loftwings on the Surface and Sky desperate to uphold their legacy, and all those feelings of Skyloftians separating from their birds that he'd bottled up for so long just sort of... exploded. 🥹 Sky loves Crimson a lot, he's not quite ready to say goodbye. BUT Legend of Zelda horses like Epona are quite special, and methinks Sky's coming out of this a bit more at ease than before. Thanks, Time and Malon! (I love writing Time and Sky they have a great dynamic this was soooooo fun >u<)

I couldn't find it in myself to delete the bonus scene, either. Legend hates that he sort of caused a repeat of when he accidentally insulted Sky earlier, and speedran an apology via a hug he'll never mention again. =)

Also... I don't usually like teasing the next chapter's title, but I am very much looking forward to y'all reading "Grounded Chapter 10: Sky Rides a Horse and Everyone's Scared" 🤣

Extra Note: I am a children’s book/family friendly author, so please keep all comments Safe For Work (no swearing please!) I want to do my best to make this a place for everyone. Cheers!

Bonus: