#war quartet

He rolls his eyes. "You've tried to get close to me, You've stood up for my brutal plans, you don't let me drink alone, and you are incredibly confident. Annoyingly confident. So what are you trying to accomplish here?"

She blinks a few more times, searching his face for something. Then she frowns, brows knitting as she seems to come to some conclusion or other.

She looks to her empty mug, then back to Link. "You should have told me this was a two cup of coffee conversation. Din's flaming fucking tits on a stick..."

Link's eyes widen at the profanity. He has heard all sorts of vulgarity, from both myrah and others, but she rarely uses such long utterances.

Myrah sighs, muttering sometimes in the Gerudo language that sounds like it's about a 'Hylia Blade'. Link can't be sure her muttering is hard to make out enough to know.

"I don't want to do either. I don't want to kill you, and I don't want to kiss you."

"Don't lie to me."

"I am not lying," Myrah says evenly. She softens greatly, in a way Link isn't familiar with. "I have been trying to be your friend, if I'm going to be honest."

"So you want to bed me then," Link says. He doesn't particularly want that but he will take it over dying.

She makes a face of disgust before she fixes it. "No. I definitely don't."

"Lying to me dosen’t serve you."

Myrah sighs as she looks up to the ceiling. She takes a slow breath before she looks to Link again.

"Are you familiar with the Gerudo oath of honor?" She asks him.

Link does not answer right away.

He knows the Gerudo oath of honor, after all he grew up in the Gerudo culture. It means you are not lying or cheating or running... but that isn't a truly binding thing unless the person making it is honest.

However, Myrah does actively participate in Gerudo culture even when she thinks no one is watching...

He supposes he can humor this.

"I am," Link says finally.

Myrah nods, "Okay, good. Then I wanna make one to you."

"Really?"

She gives a firm nod. "Really."

"If you want."

Myrah nods again.

She moves, pulling her scimitar from beside her and laying it on the table.

The oath does not require a weapon, only something sentimental to the one making the oath. However, since she was brought with no warning this is the most sentiment thing she has here.

"Before you, I present the blade my mother crafted for me in the name of Din. She's of the sands now," Myrah begins with only a slight pause before the second sentence.

Link nods, eyeing the blade. He knows the work of a Gerudo weaponsmith when he sees it. Her mother had quite the talent.

"I accept your offer of honorable item," He says.

He misses this, not the exact exchange but participating in the customs he has intertwining with his heart.

He misses the spiced jerky.

He misses the pyres for funerals.

Link misses his home.

Myrah smiles a little, soft and slight. "I swear to you, upon this blade, that I am being truthful and open. I hide no intention or act in deceit."

He nods again. She can be formal when she wants to apparently.

"I accept your oath. Should it be false or broken, may you lose your honor."

He does not tell her he still thinks her to be lying... but he is curious if maybe she is being honest.

Is there really a chance she doesn't want to kill or bed him?

Myrah nods, "Good. You don't believe me yet, but that's okay. I do want to be your friend... and I apologize for our first meeting. I was an arrogant jivapta without meaning to be."

Link holds back the urge to snort. "You made quite the impression."

"I know. I'm sorry. I was - am brash and it hurts others sometimes. I didn't mean to be rude but I was, and I'll try to do better."

"You... aren't blaming me?"

Myrah makes a face. "No. Why would I blame you for my shitty behavior? I didn't even know you yet."

Link stares at her, trying to make sense of her words.

She is so expressive. She is right to call herself brash, and yet she is not blaming him...

"I don't understand you," Link says again.

"You said that already."

"You actually just want to be my friend?"

"Yes."

Link wants to believe her. He wants so badly to believe he can have a friend even now.

Myrah just waits. She dosen’t push. She dosen’t laugh.

"You are so weird. Why do you even want to be my friend? It won't get you out if trouble. Your temper is horrible."

She snorts at that, "You know I'm pretty sure I've heard that before... I don't give a fuck about your rank, or your titles, or your looks."

"That's not a great start to friendship," Link says with a roll of his eyes.

Myrah snorts again, cracking a smile. "Probably not, but it's true. You may have conventional good looks, but you aren't my type. I want to be your friend because of who you are as Link, not as the hero or the capatain."

"Oh really? Who am I?" Link challenges.

He knows she can't tell him. She is loud and brash and she never seems to pay attention outside of a fight or food.

No one cares about him beyond his looks or titles.

Myrah hums, giving him a once over. "How honest do you want me to be?"

That's deflection.

Link loves a challenge. "Completely."

She nods. "Okay. Your name is Link, and you have a younger sister named Linkle. Her cucoo hates you. You put inordinate amounts of honey into your coffee because love sweet things but sugar is rare right now.

"You're honest and hard working and overly confident because you're actually terrified people are right about you being a let down as a hero. You and your sister grew up Gerudo, by the way. You don't have your jewelry or weapons, so no one else knows, but I recognize the prayers to Din you do before battle. You're amazing at hiding it, and for what it's worth Iwon't tell," Myrah offers the last bit as consolation.

Link just stares. How can she know all of that?

He swallows.

"You're funny, and I enjoy your sarcasm because it lightens the mood a bit. You can fight both right and left-handed, which is impressive, by the way. You write letters to the families of fallen soldiers which are personal. You also don't actually care about the people you flirt with, but you play the game so well most can't tell. Oh- and you don't eat shrimp. Ever. I'm unsure if you're allergic or just don't like it, though."

Link swallows hard. "Allergic..."

"Good to know," she nods.

He just stares at her. She - really does know more about him than he expects anyone but Linkle to know.

He isn't sure what to say.

"If you don't want to be friends, that's okay. I know I'm- a big personality. But I do hope you know I'm not out to do anything to you like what you think," Myrah says with a shrug.

Link just frowns. "You pay more attention than I thought."

"I do."

"I... don't know anything about you... which is weird since you apparently know all of that about me."

"What do you want to know?"

"You'll just tell me?" Link asks with an eye roll.

No one ever just gives information for free, not like this.

"Yeah? Seems fair," Myrah shrugs.

"I really don't understand you."

She laughs a little, "Yeah?"

Link levels her with a look. "What did you do in your world?"

"I was one if two royal knights assigned to the princess before... everything. Then I ended up taking care of my family."

"What, exactly, does 'everything ' mean?"

Myrah gives a shaky breath. "My home is destroyed by Ganon. Our hero died and our princess is keeping Ganon at bay as long as she can."

"Oh."

"What else do you want to know?" She asks.

"You mentioned family?"

"I did. There's my cousin Astra and her wife Jasper. They're expecting actually. Then there's my - sisters Arie and Callie. And then there's Tyreene and her son Wren. Oh and Melody."

"Do you have allergies?"

"Silver and bananas," Myrah answers.

Link nods. He supposes it is good she isn't a Zora. "Do you ... like it here?"

"The war part sucks," she offers with a shrug, "But it's still nicer than my world right now."

"Oh."

"We're getting better. Plants are growing a little easier now and animals are starting to repopulate."

"Your world sounds... bad."

"It... is hard but we try," she shrugs.

Link nods. "Okay."

"Do you want to know anything else?"

"What's is your type?" Link asks.

She laughs. "Archers with pretty eyes."

He doesn't understand Myrah, not really. Maybe he never will. But... he wants to try.

Link wants to be her friend, as loud and brash as she is she is kind. If she means her oath, she doesn't want bad or weird things.

He misses having friends.

Link has seen her, with others. She's patient with the newly drafted soilders. She cooks sometimes.

The champion knocks on the door heavily, as if the wood has inconvenienced him personally. He's practically bouncing on his toes.

Shuffling can be heard inside.

There's the sound of someone muttering, too.

The door opens to a gerudo woman of a little more than seven feet. She has her hair tied back in a bandanna that's the same cornflower blue of Wild's shirt.

Warriors, Wind, and Time all choke on a gasp. The trio can't look away from the woman.

"Myr!" Wild grins up at her as he opens his arms up for her.

The woman gasps, scooping Wild into a hug, pressing their foreheads together.

She stands there a moment, just holding the champion.

"Link, you're back." She breathes out revrently. She sounds so relieved.

She holds the man in her arms like he's precious, supporting him easily as she soaks in his presence. Her shoulders loosen as she breathes.

"I'm back." Wild agrees as he melts into her hold.

He presses his forehead against hers a little harder for a moment.

She smiles softly, pulling away from him to press a kiss to his forehead. "You're such an asshole, I was so worried!"

Wild laughs. "I'm sorry!"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure you are." Myrah says as she sets him down. She flicks his forehead playfully, "If you don't stop scaring me, I'm going to have to hide all your goron spice, Trouble."

Wild laughs as the nickname sinks into his heart and proves he's home. Then he smiles, grabbing her hand when it flicks him. He's beaming up at her. "I brought friends."

"Well, if they're friends of yours, I'm sure -" Myrah starts, raising her gaze to look at the group of men but falling silent as her eyes widen.

Her mouth opens, and then closes. She looks at a genuine loss for words.

Wild frowns, following her gaze to see Warriors and Wind. The two heroes look equally shocked.

Time stands behind the two, both of his eyes open for once.

She makes a punched out sound somewhere between shock and grief.

Wild turns back to Myrah. He frowns, tugging at her hand, "Myrah?"

Myrah blinks, then looks at him. She swallows. "I- Link, do you know who they are?"

"Yes. . . Do - you?" Wild asks with flitting eyes.

"I- yes. Yes, of course I know them." Myrah says softly, looking back to Warriors and Wind.

"You do?"

"Yes." Myrah says. She smiles softer as she wipes her hands on her trousers.

"You cut your hair." Wind says finally, voice breaking whatever spell is on Myrah.

"You got taller." She laughs wetly, "You've been eating vegetables then?"

Wind laughs carelessly, running forwards and jumping at her with his arms out. "Enough with the vegetables!"

Myrah catches the teen in a hug as if she's done this before many times. She's laughing again as she holds the youngest close. Her hand rubs the teens back a little, brushing up and down lazily.

"How's your family, sea pup?"

"They're okay. Granny loved that bass skewer you taught me, and Aryll will be so jealous." Wind declares as he hugs her.

She grins at him, eyes warm. "I'll have to let you raid my collection, won't I?"

The teen gasps, legs kicking in excitement. "Yes!"

She sets him down before ruffling his curls. "It's good to see you again, sailor."

"It's good to see you, princess." He shoots back easily.

She snorts, flicking his nose lightly. "Not a princess."

"Whatever you say." Wind grins up at her.

The teen can't help the way he bounces. He's missed her, and now she's here!

She gives a soft, indulgent smile to the boy, something like smore's when the campfire sings.

She looks to Warriors next, cataloging the eye bags and the too pale skin. She gives a smile to him, opening her arms, "You aren't going to say hello, Cap?"

Warriors scoffs, but he does walk over. He stands with his shoulders set and his chin high until he steps into her arms.

Myrah pulls the captain into a hug, bending down to one knee. She sets a hand on his back, rubbing it as the other cradles the back of his head.

"Hello, captain."

"Myrah." Warriors says as he wraps his arms around her. "You look- good."

She snorts, "Thanks."

He clutches her tighter, melting into her as he shakes. "It's good to see you."

She returns the tighter hold, a steady presence as she lets the captain rest. She holds him up, just as he knows she will.

She still smells like cloves and sun, just like she always has. The smell of his friend settles something in his heart that he hasn't recognize as out of place until now.

"It's good to see you, Cap. You don't know how long I've spent wondering what you've been up to."

Her voice sounds wistful in ways someone who looks twenty-one at most shouldn't.

The captain laughs as he blinks away tears. "I've been a hero, princess."

"Hero." She says softer, bitter really. "And when will you get rest?"

"When it's deemed."

"Wrong." Myrah says as she leans back, letting him go. She sets him with a look she perfected decades ago, "You will get rest tonight."

"Myrah-" Warriors says with wide eyes.

"Ah, none of that. You're all staying with me tonight. I'll feed you, and you'll sleep." She informs in a tone that makes it clear she won't tolerate his lack of rest.

Warriors laughs, letting his head fall against her collar bone. "Bossy."

"So I've heard." She smiles, rubbing his back again in little circles. Her hand is a familiar weight on him, a reassurance he's sorely missed.

Warriors snorts as he steps back, straightening up again. "Seriously, it's good to see you."

"It's good to see you too."

"Wait- how do you know them?" Wild asks as he looks between the three.

Myrah looks to him, fondness all but dripping off her. "I fought in the war of eras with them. It's- not something I talk about often... It's been a very long time for me."

"You look the same, though?" Wind frowns.

"That's the magic." Myrah says with awkward finger guns that she only pulls out when she's glossing over things. "I'll tell you about it later if you like, Link. But basically, I got pulled into a different time to help out."

"Okay." Wild says, looking a little confused.

But really, Myrah has done so much. Why wouldn't she have met past heroes?

Either way, Wild knows her. He trusts her even if she isn't saying everything just yet.

Myrah stands back up, looking over the group.

She notes the man with the pelt, the pink haired man, the man with the master sword, the shortest, and the man with brown curls.

Her gaze stops on the tall, bulky, armored man with the firece deity markings on half his face and only one eye open. She can't place him, but she knows the markings.

She feels a deep empathy at the markings. How many times would you have to use the mask to be marked so?

Who is he?

She remembers wearing the mask herself, how overwhelming it gets. How terrifying coming back is.

She remembers watching the boys with it, too...

The man shifts a little, side to side just barely. Were she not used to watching for such things, she would have missed it.

She knows that slight shift, though. A nervous tick from the boy with the too big sword and a mask.

That's her boy right there under all the armor and age. That's the boy she bundled up in her cloak on cold nights while she sang.

That's the boy with too many years in his eyes but a smile like the moon.

"Seedling?" Myrah croaks in a shaking voice.

The man - the boy she once called Mask and Seedling - nods weakly.

He stands older than she remembers, taller and bulkier with the new face markings. He has one less eye he uses.

He's - alive though.

He's here now, against all odds he is here.

His gaze is haunted in ways she recognizes and ways she dosen’t.

Myrah walks past the others and right to him. She moves with a far away kind of purpose.

She stops before him, searching his form for injury.

She sets both hands on his shoulders, looking at him with the same soft look she always gives him. "You're so big now, kiventa."

"You- you're here." The man croaks with a voice that dosen’t match his build. He sounds small again.

He feels small again, having to look up at someone is- uncommon these days.

Looking up at her is familiar though, a pillar of his second childhood stands here near unchanged. (And yet changed irrevocably in ways he can only guess.)

She smiles soft and cracking. "I am so, so, so proud of you, Link."

The man swallows hard, blinking back tears. He shouldn't be so affected by this

But her eyes echo his, older than she looks.

"Thank you."

Myrah pulls him into a tight hug, resting her chin atop his hair. She presses him in close, wrapping him up in her arms and presence.

She tucks his form into her own, enveloping him effortlessly.

Oh.

Time- Time has missed the feeling of being held by someone bigger than him. The sense of security that comes from being held by someone bigger and stronger than you but kind to you anyway.

"I missed you, Seedling."

"I don't think you can call me that anymore."

"Hm, no, you're too tall." She agrees.

"I'm older, too."

"I'm sure I'm still older than you, Sapling."

"Really?" He laughs, hugging her tighter.

"Would you prefer menace? Holy terror? Perhaps I could call you little rascal." Her voice is still weak but there is affection dripping from her words.

Time laughs again, stepping out of her hold and looking up at her. "It's been a long time, Myrah."

"It really has been. You'll have to catch me up. All three of you will."

"I think we can do that." Time says.

Myrah nods softly. "Good."

"You said you're going to feed us?"

"Yes, of course. Do you have a request?"

"Can you make that radish stew?" Time asks with a hopeful shine in his eye.

"Of course I can." Myrah says, ruffling the man's hair as if he were still as he once was. As if he dosen’t look old enough to possibly have a child the age he was physically when they met.

She ruffles his hair as if no time has passed.

"Thank you." He says, leaning into the touch.

She nods, "Any time."

Myrah makes her way back to Wild before she sinks to stand on her knees and gather the champion into a hug. She holds him close and presses their foreheads together again. "I'm so glad you're safe. I'm glad you're traveling with th. They're good boys."

"I- know." Wild says. "I know they are."

She hums once. "Thank you, for bringing my boys back to me."

"I- you're welcome?"

She smiles softly, pressing a kiss to Wild's forehead. "I'm so glad you're safe, Link."

"I am too."

"Why don't you take your friends to Cotera? I'll start dinner."

"Okay." Wild says, hesitating.

He looks between Myrah and the others. The idea of leaving her side so soon is... not his favorite, but they could all use some healing

"I could help." Warriors offers quickly.

"If you like." Myrah says. "When you're done at the fountain you come on back . You can bathe. Or rest."

Wild nods. "Okay."

Myrah hums, sending Wild and the group off before leading Warriorrs inside.

Warrior looks around the hou, e finding dark wood floors and furniture with sunshine yellow walls.

There's a wall of portraits and pictures, some of which Wild is in some of which are people he dosen’t recognize and some of which are just landscapes.

The home smells like cloves, citrus, and campfires.

The couch and love seat are dark wood with olive upholstery.

"Your house is lovely." Warriors says as he follows her in.

"Thank you, I built it." She says, going to the left towards the kitchen.

"You did?"

"Yes." She says easily, pulling radishes from a cupboard with other root vegetables. "Callie, Astra, Ben, and Arie finally convinced me about fifty years ago."

"Fifty- Myrah you're only nineteen. Twenty tops."

Myrah turns, smiling. "I'm a hundred twenty-two next month."

"You haven't aged a day since I last saw you." He says as he raises ome brow.

"I haven't aged a day since I magically tied my ag Linnk."

"Your Link was... dead."

"He was. Then he woke up and kicked ass last year."

"Last year- watt Wild is your Link?"

"You call him Wild?" She asks with a smile, "That's amazing."

"You- I have so many questions."

"Wash vegetables, and I'll answer."

"Wild was dead?"

"Yes. He dosen’t like to talk about it."

"You're really a hundred twenty-two?"

"Next month."

"How?"

"I was... not okay after... everything that happened. In my grief, I tied my age to Wild's. They said he'd come back, and I was so scared I'd be forty, and my best friend would still be seventeen."

"Oh... Myrah- That's - "

"It wasn't the smartest move. But... I got to watch the people I love have families, and I got to watch out for my nieces, nephews, and cousins."

"I'm sorry. Living that long..." He trails off. The very idea of it seems foreign and cruel.

"I'm not. I was able to be here to help Wild. I was able to be his friend, I never expected him to be the hero before being himself."

"I know. You were the same with us." Warriors breathes out with a warmth he hasn't felt in a while.

The weight if his title never feels as heavy when he's beside her.

"I promised myself I'd make sure you three lived through the war, you know." She says with a far away look.

"I- I'm not surprised." Warriors admits trying to ignore the bittersweet ache of his heart.

"Mask is so big." Shs breathes out after a moment. Some sort of pride in her tone.

"He's still evil."

She laughs, throwing her head back with the sound. "I bet he is. Little shit hid my shoelaces every morning for a week!"

"Oh my Goddess, and then he went and got Proxi to help him move all the tables an inch to the left!" Warriors commiserate.

"Remember when you had to bathe him in the fiuntain?"

"Ugh, don't remind me." Warriors groans.

"You know I had to dunk him in a river a few times after one battle. Where did Sailor even get all those birds?"

"I don't know." Warriors sighs.

Myrah shrugs, "Not the most birds I've seen set on the enemy bur strange."

"Not the most - explain."

"Hm- oh well, Link, Callie, Arie, and I were protesting our bedtime, and we set all the neighborhood birds on the adults. Needless to say... we weren't successful." Myrah laughs.

Warriors groans, setting down the washed vegetables. "Oh Golden Three... You and Wild are a nightmare on the battlefield, aren't you?"

Myrah gives a sharp smile. "Deadly."

"You're a nightmare, you know that?"

"I know." She smiles.

They cook, catching up a little and reminiscing some too. They move around each other easily.

Myrah tells him about Riju, Teba, and Tulin while Warriors tells her about Linkle and the chain.

By the time Wild brings the others back in the soup in on the fire.

Wild sides up to her easily, leaning into her side. "Hey, Myr."

"Hello, Trouble." She smiles, pulling him close.

"The radish stew?"

"Sapling asked so nicely."

"It's good." Wild smiles up at her. "I miss your food. It's never the same when I make it."

She sighs fondly, "Well then it's good I'm cooking tonight, hm?"

"Very."

"Go on, I'll be there in a minute and you can introduce me to the others."

Wild goes off to the living room.

"You're close." Warriors says.

Myrah smiles soft and warm. "We are."

"You deserve someone like him, who makes you happy."

"You deserve that too, if you want it." She says, eyes warm and honey gold as she speaks. "You're one of the best men I know, Captain."

"Sap." He accuses.

She smiles, shaking her head before she goes to her living room.

Introductions are easy, Myrah knows about half of them anyway. She's just happy to meet the people taking care of Link... and her boys.

Oh, it's strange to think her boys are all here.

It's nice.

She's missed them.

Myrah is easily dragged into letting Wind point at things on the picture wall to demand stories. She's got so many stories.

She tells them about Urbosa and how her avanta used to braid her hair.

She tells them about the story behind Wild and a crash while shield surfing.

"Who's this?" Wind asks, pointing to a faded picture of Revali.

"That is my ex fiance." Myrah says, "Revali, the rito champion and pilot of Vah Medoh."

"Oh, that's Revali?" Wind asks.

The teen knows a little about the rito champion. He knows he was an archer of sorts.

"Yes. He was quite the personality." She says fondly.

Wild snorts and rolls his eyes. "He was a jerk."

"He was my jerk." Myrah shrugs easily, nudging her friend.

Wild just sticks his tounge out at her earning a gentle flick to the ear.

"Who's that?" Wind asks as he points to a picture with a young hylian couple.

"Those are Lucy and Ben, my niece and nephew. They're much older now." Myrah waves off playfully, "We can't all age like Purah."

Wild laughs, leaning against Twilight.

Wind gasps as he comes to an old picture, one faded with age and kept in a corner.

"You still have this?" The teen asks.

Myrah furrows her brows, standing to come look.

The picture is one Wind took, during the war of eras.

In it Myrah has Wind and a much younger Time on her shoulders while Warriors is in front of her. They all smile up at the pictobox Wind is using to take the picture.

That day had been one of the better days, a major victory with dew injuries to their little group.

"Of course I do." Myrah smiles softer.

She traces the photo with her finger gently.

"It looks - so old. Myrah... what happened?"

"Time passed." She shrugs half heartedly. "Decades. I've always been a bit sentimental, though... How could I get rid of that picture? It's my boys, happy and safe."

"Your boys?" Wind asks.

She smiles softer, saffer, "Of course. I always thought of you as family. I've missed you everyday, sailor."

"Sap!" Wind laughs, as if he dosen’t have misty eyes.

He ignores the way he wants to preen.

"You just saw my picture wall, I think everyone knows I'm a sap." Myrah laughs as she ruffles the boy's hair.

"You really are, princess." Warriors calls from the floor where he eats the stew.

"Again, not a princess." She sighs, sounding as if she knows it won't make a difference but that it is still part of some script.

"Sure." Time says. "Just the chief to be."

"No, I- please don't remind me." Myrah groans.

"Aw, Myr, it's okay." Wild grins, "You're always going to be my giant gremlin."

"Thank you." Myrah says as she flashes him a smile.

"Wait." Warriors says, "Wait just a second!"

"What?" Hyrule asks.

"You!" Warriors snaps as he points to Wild with a glare.

A realization has crept up on the captain's and he now has quite the bone to pick.

"Me?"

"You!" Wind gasps, pointing to the champion in realization.

"What?"

"You're Myrah's Link! You broke her heart! Do you know how broken her heart was when we met?!" Warriors demands.

The captain pushes to his feet, glaring. He crosses his arms darklym

"Woah- Hey, Wars, it's not important." Myrah cuts in.

"Yes it is!" Wind protests.

"Boys." Myrah warns in the same voice she uses for Riju.

"No, Myrah stop." Wind huffs. "Wild broke your heart!"

"That's not his fault. No one is responsible for my heart bur me." She says.

"She has a point." Time says, as if he didn't spend hours planning revenge for whoever upset his small family back then.

"I- Myrah when did you meet them?" Wild asks finally. The real question is only obvious to her.

It's not when, but at what age.

At what point in her grief did she find herself torn from home?

How old was she when she met the boys with the too big destiny?

"I was twenty... about a year after - everything." She says while she looks at the floor, then she gives a soft laugh. "I found another boy turned soilder with a too big destiny and too many critics. What was I supposed to do, leave?"

"Myrah..." Warriors swallows.

"Then Mask showed up, and Sailor. They were terrors in battle." She sounds so fond it hurts.

"You say that like you weren't a terror yoursel. Two swords and a vicious laugh." Time says fondly.

"Two?" Wild echoes.

"I wasn't doing well. Stopped carrying shields and started dual wielding." Myrah shrugs. "You wouldn't believe how many eyes I draw with two scimitars and a grudge."

"Hylia." Wild breathes out, awe in his voice.

The image that comes to mind is quite the sight. He's seen her tear through enemies with nothing but her spite and a broom.

"Ha! If I drew her eyes, she'd have stepped up and helped." Myrah scoffs bitterly. "Hylia- how many days did I spend begged her for help?"

"Hylia isn't cruel." Sky cuts in.

Myrah turns her gaze to him, a startling coldness in her eyes. She's got no love lost on the goddess. "She has favorites, and I have never seen her aid them. You didn't watch the sword ruin lives."

"You leave the sword-"

"Fi is not the problem. Hylia is fickle and she tore my family piece by piece until I was left putting two girls back together in my own grief."

"That's not-..." Sky starts but he falls silent.

"I watched Zelda beg and cry and bleed for her blessing. I watched children fight her wars. Ask Fi how she feels about things today. Not the sword on your back, the one in the ground."

"You speak as if you know her."

"Don't I?" Myrah challenges.

Wild sighs, "Myr please. Hylia is a touchy subject-"

"Din's tits, Wild, you aren't defending her, are you?"

The expletive has a good majority of the room choking on their spit

Wind and Legend are amused though, the firmer laughing while the latter snorts.

"I- you can't talk that way." Four croaks.

"I can talk how I please." Myrah crosses her arms. "This is my house, and if one of the goddesses had a problem with me, I'd be dead."

"Oh, for the love of- We are not getting into this." Warriors sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

Myrah let's our a slow sigh, forcing tension from her shoulder. "Fine. I'm going to check on Impa. Wild, why don't you show your friends around the house and figure out sleeping?"

"I'll come." Time says. "If you don't mind."

Myrah softens and warms again quickly. All the ice around Hylia melts. "Of course you can, sapling."

"I'm older than you." Time huffs.

"No, you aren't." Warriors calls.

"She's twenty!"

"Hundred and twenty-two next month, try again sapling."

"You're going to call me that forever." He bemoans.

"No. One day, I will call you Little Oak." Myrah says fondly.

Time follows Myrah out, and he can't help but watch her. She looks unchanged, but her eyes carry the same, knowing weight his own bear.

Why did she have to end up like him? Older than her body?

They go to see Impa, and Time is left wondering if Myrah is older still than she said. How has she counted?

Instead, Myrah asks about his life and his marriage. She congratulates him

She steps seamlessly back into her old role despite the years.

When Time asks her about things, she answers, but she's just as quick to tease him about Malon.

"So... Wild?" Time asks. "Really?"

She smiles softly. "He's my best friend."

"I just... if I'd known you were waiting for him... we'd have come here last time we were in his world."

"There's no rush. You all have your duty."

"If I recall, you don't like our duty.

"Like it or not, it exists." Myrah says. "My outrage at all the children forced to bear it dosen’t change things."

"How... many heroes have you known, Myrah?"

"Fated heroes? Four. Each of them with a too big destiny and growing pains."

"Oh."

"We should go to the lost woods." Myrah says. "I think you deserve to -"

"The lost woods?"

"Yes. The Great Deku tree is there... You deserve to see him again."

"You- know where he is?"

"Of course. He watches over the master sword. He's a wise being. Tired."

"Oh. Myhrah... what do you know? How much do you carry?"

"That's not for you to worry over, Sapling." She says easily, the deflection nothing but reflex.

"You know too much... don't you?"

"I... know more than many and less than some." She answers softer.

She looks up at the sky then, "I have buried too many, learned too much... but you understand that, don't you?"

"I... do."

"You all walk a path that no one can follow. Try as I have - stubborn as I am... Having walked more of this path than any non hero... I still can't save any of you."

"That you would try is more than enough." He says, setting a hand on her shoulder.

Myrah laughs, wet and shaking. She turns to him with haunted eyes. "How could I not?"

"You... Oh Myrah..."

"Don't mourn me, Sapling. I am still alive." She chides. "Let's get you back. I still need to chat with Cotera. Did you speak to her?"

"Yes. She's nice. Lively."

"She's been a Goddess send." Myrah says softer. "She's a friend these days."

"So she said." Time smiles.

"You grew up so well, little one."

"Must be all the vegetables." Time snickers.

She laughs again, shaking her head. "Maybe it's Malon. There's a lot to be said for being loved and how it can nourish."

"You'd love her."

"I already do." Myrah promises gently, hip checking the man playfully.

---------

Morning comes with the smell of cooking breakfast.

Warriors wakes up to the sound of a voice singing. He hasn't her the voice in a good two years, but it's nice.

He wanders out of the guest room he shares with Wind and Time to go find Myrah.

He finds her in the kitchen, singing a song he taught her.

Her voice is the same warmth of home it has always been. How she can feel like home the moment they met and be so vicious in battle he dosen’t know.

He's grateful though.

"Morning." The captain says as he steps into the kitchen.

She turns. "Morning, Cap."

"No Wild?"

"Hes still sleeping. He needs it."

"He does. How'd you get him to sleep?"

"I stayed with him. He knows he's safe here."

"With you."

"Both. My home is rather difficult to find if you don't know where to look."

"Wild dies."

"You do too now." Myrah says.

"I'm sorry we have to take him again. . . Our fight isn't over." Warriors says.

He hates it.

He hates the idea of her losing her Link again. For... the umpteenth time.

He hates the idea of leaving her behind. Again.

He hates leaving the only person who seems to truly understand everything he's done.

"I know it isn't." Myrah says. "Don't apologize."

"But-"

"Oh! You think I'm not going to follow you." Myrah laughs as she wipes he dhands on a towel.

"You- what?"

"I'm coming with when you leave."

"Time said you could?"

"I didn't ask. I'm just coming with. Where my boys go, I'm following."

"Myrah it's dangerous!"

"Exactly! I'm not letting any of you go alone."

Warriors crosses his arms, staring the woman down as if he isn't much smaller. He stares her down like she isn't able to scruff him.

"Myrah, what do you think we're hunting? Do you think we can just take anyone with us?"

"I don't care what you're hunting, Wars. I don't care if you can take just any person. I'm coming with you."

"If you're only coming for Wild-"

"I am not." She cuts sharp and cold. "I am going because my boys are going. If it were only you, I would go. If it were only Time, I would go. I woukd follow just Wind."

"Wild is your-"

"Best friend, yes. But you are my brother, Warriors, wether you feel the same or not. You and Wind and Mask."

"Myrah-"

"I'm not done." Myrah says firmly. "You, Link, are my family and I am going to follow you as far as I can. Hero or destiny or whatever else be damned."

"You-" Warriors chokes.

His eyes tear up and he feels ridiculous.

The fact that Myrah is insistently on going because he's going- because any of them are is not surprising.

Warriors just... he's missed having someone so stubborn in caring for him as a person and not a hero.

Sure, the others care fir him but they don't- they aren't Myrah.

They aren't the woman who stayed up with him at the bar on bad nights.

They aren't the woman who supported his more vicious battle plans.

They aren't Myrah.

"I'm going, Warriors. And I'm going to sucker punch whatever you're chasing."

"Goddesses." Warriors laughs wetly.

The worst part is that he believes her. He knows she would absolutely sucker punch the shadow if given half a chance

Myrah softens immediately, pulling the man into a hug.

She's warm as she holds him. "I'll always come if you call, Wars. And I do mean you. I'll come for the others too, but if you call I'm there."

"You don't know how many times on this adventure I've wished to have you at our side. I got so used to having your aid back then..." Warriors laughs.

"Well, I'm here. You called, didn't you?"

"I wished."

"Same things."

"Sap."

"No, that's Sapling."

"Bossy."

She laughs, letting him go. "And a nag."

"A hag, maybe."

"I suppose." She smiles.

Warriors rolls his eyes. "What are ypu cooking?"

"Eggs. I'll make sure Wild stocks up on spice too. Oh- and that man is going to drink tea."

"Your mint tea?"

"Yes."

"It's a good tea."

"I'd tell Thea you say so but she's not around."

"Thea?"

"Alethea... My- aunt of sorts."

"Of sorts?"

"Later." Myrah waves off.

"Okay." Warriors says.

Myrah hums, "Sleep well?"

"I did."

"Good. You all need it."

"You're still a mother hen."

"Yes well... I-" She breaks into a sigh. "I'm good at it."

"Did you ever have children?" Warriors asks. "You're good with kids."

"Fuck no." Myrah snorts. "When would I have time?"

"Well... It'll be good to have you on our side."

"It'll be good to fight at your side. I've missed it." She says with a crooked grin.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I have. I missed softer moments with you guys more, but... I think you understand what it is to be raised for war."

"Don't I just."

Myrah smiles in that cracked way she's had as long as Warriors has known. Some sort of kinship weaves between them, both for the time they've spent together and the past they don't share.

Childhoods spent learning the art of war.

"Tea?" She offers.

"Only if it's that orange clove blend."

"Is there any other option for mornings we aren't hungover?"

"Only wrong ones."

She laughs again, far lighter than he remembers her being.

He supposes that makes sense. When they met it was during a war and she was still fresh in grief. She's had a long time to heal.

She sets about making tea for them both, pulling down mugs that have little engravings.

"Did you make these?"

Myrah smiles, shaking her head. "No. My nephew did. He had a way with clay."

"He did?"

"He made such beautiful pots. Unfortunately his daughter took after her grandmother and had some sort of grudge against pots."

"Oh?"

Myrah smiles. "It's a family trait."

"Do you hate pots?"

"No," she laughs, "At least not the way Arie and Lucy did."

"You should see Legend."

She laughs, setting the water to boil.

"Tell me, is a distaste for cucoos a triat if all heroes?"

"All but Twilight, Time, and Sky."

"Hm. I still think Wind setting all those birds lose was one if my favorite battle strategies."

Warriors breaks into laughter, shaking his head. "You always did encourage his chaos."

"Chaos is good sometimes." She shrugs.

"You're why Wild does weird shit, aren't you?"

"Actually that's all him."

"Of course."

Myrah sets about gathering more plates and mugs.

Warriors just watches.

"You still carry that flask?" Myrah asks.

Warriors groans. "I do want to hear about my problem-"

"I'm not judging you." Myrah cuts in, "I'm just asking because if you do I have something you might actually enjoy instead of that bitter rum."

"Oh."

"I'm not the person to chide you for that stuff, Wars. I'll watch out for you, back you up in bar fights, make you drink water too, bit I'm not going to lecture."

"I know." He says.

He does know. He knows because she's been at his side on his bad nights. He knows because when she tells him he's had enough there's no lecture.

He knows because when he gets hurt from it, she just picks him back up.

"Good."

"I... still have the flask."

"Well then, you'll have to try my nephew apple cinnamon moon shine." She offers.

"Is it good?"

"Yes. Safe enough too, won't make you blind."

"Good. Last think I need is a lecture cause I went blind."

"They worry."

"It doesn't make lectures fun."

"No. Bitter they care about you."

"Why can't they just accept it?!"

Myrah turns her gaze to him, the same look of hauning knowledge that Time has sits in her eyes. "Because it's hard to watch. Problems always seem easier to solve from the outside."

Warranty sighs heavily, leaning back against the counter. "When did you get so wise?"

"When I was suddenly the only one left truly fighting for hope and not survival."

"Damn."

She laughs, genuine amusement lacing the sound.

When the tea is ready Warriors takes it and finds it's just the way he likes, the perfect amount of sugar and cream.

"You remember how I take my tea?"

She just grins at him.

He smiles softly, something warm weaves through his ribs.

Myrah sips her own tea, turning back to making breakfast.

She starts on pancakes next, humming the same song Wild hums.

"Do you miss it?" Warriors asks.

She turns. "Miss what?"

"Fighting. You have a much calmer life here."

She laughs again. "Remind ne to tell you about my adventures later."

"Okay."

She moves around to grab some fruit too.

By the time breakfast is made and more tea has been steeped, the others are waking up.

Warriors sips his tea, watching as Legend stumbles in.

Myrah just passes the vet a mug and directs him to grab some food.

The others trickle in, Wind and Time both receiving an affectionate nickname and hair ruffle.

Wild comes in and is handed a pre-made plate and a mug of tea. He receives a soft look and extra fruit.

"So, ya know Time?" Twilight asks.

"I would hope so." Myrah says. "After everything, it'd be weird if I didn't."

"You love us." Wind says as he flicks a blueberry at the woman.

Myrah catches it before popping it in her mouth. "I'd about have to otherwise I'd have let you deal with Impa's lectures alone."

Warriors snorts. "You always bail them out."

"How could I ever leave my boys to get scolded?" Myrah gasps indignantly, "They were just babies!"

"I was not!" Wind protests.

"You still are, if I have a hundred years on you you're a baby."

"That makes everyone here a baby." Time says.

"Not me!" Wild grins as he holds his fork halfway up to his mouth.

"Not you." Myrah agrees, "But everyone else including Sapling."

Wind huffs, but he can't really be mad if Myrah is calling everyone babies including Time.

"Aw, chin up sailor, you're still a better fighter than most people I know."

"Of course I am!" The teen preens.

Warriors and Time share a look.

"I'm going to miss your food when we leave." Wild sighs, leaning against Myrah.

Warriors laughs, having already had this situation on his own end.

"You won't share cooking duties with me?" Myrah asks.

"Share- you aren't coming with us. Why would he need to ahare?" Hyrule frowns.

Time sighs heavily, something thick in his heart. "Myrah-"

"You're coming with us?!" Wind demands with a gasp.

Myrah just nods, taking another bite of food as if she just commented on the weather instead of signing up for yet another super dangerous adventure.

Time would like to shake her and her stubborn loyalty. She dosen’t have to get wrapped up in this!

"No." Wild says. "No you aren't."

"I am." Myrah says simply.

"You have people here, a life, you don't have to come." Wild says, setting aside his plate to fully turn.

"You have a life and people here too."

"Myrah!" Wild hisses, jabbing her arm. "You can't seriously think this is a good plan."

Myrah just stares down at him. "Do you actually think I would let any of you go alone?"

"Yes! It's not your job to save us!" Wild snaps. "Time tell her she isn't coming."

"Myrah," Time starts only to fall silent when her gaze is leveled at him.

She stares the old man down with the look all good oarents have, a silent dare to continue. Her gaze holds no anger, only disappointment and challenge.

"Time!" Wild groans.

"I'm coming with you, Wild. You know I'm not letting any of my boys go on some quest like this alone." She says.

"Fuck yeah!" Wind grins, giving a fist pump. "You're going to let me jump off you right?"

Warriors groans, "We don't use teammates like equipment."

Myrah opens her mouth but falls silent at the look Warriors sends her.

"We don't throw teammates like Frisbees." The captain says with a soul deep exhaustion.

"You, my good sir, are no fun." Myrah huffs with an eye roll.

"Yeah, Wars, lighten up." Wind says.

"If I knew your full name, I'd full name you right now, Myrah. Don't encourage them." Warriors hisses.

"Yeah, Myrah Audrey Kanashva, don't encourage us." Wild croons with a grin.

"Wow, just giving my name out, are we? I see how it is Link Fletcher Ward." She shoots back immediately.

"Your middle name is Fletcher?" Sky asks.

Wild shrugs, "Apparently."

"You say that like you aren't sure." Four frowns.

"Myrah probably knows my full name."

"That's- not something we're unpacking now." Time says.

"No, back up, how do you not know your name?" Wind blinks.

"It- didn't come up?" Wild offers.

Warranty just sighs.

"What do you mean it didn't come up?" Four gapes.

"When you're saving the world there's not time for that." Myrah waves off.

"Why do you know Myrah's full name but not your own?" Hyrule asks.

Wild shrugs.

"This just means I can full name your ass." Warriors says.

"I can scruff everyone here." Myrah fires back.

"Really? This again?" Time sighs.

"What can I say, it's the cat in me." Myrah grins sharply.

"Got that deer in me." Wild says.

"I don't like those implications." Twilight glares.

"Can we please just eat our breakfast?" Warriors gripes.

Hyrule, Wind, and Wild all laugh.

It's nice.

Wars instituted a no cursing rule for those under 18, so Time curses in ice cream flavors for like two weeks (Myrah joins because she hates it and will make Wars undo the rule. Also cursing is a SKILL let the kids learn)

Myrah became First Lieutenant directly under Wars (his right hand man)

Wars is (according to me) the adopted son of Ganon and was raised Gerudo until shit went Real South and he is grateful that Myrah brings the culture he was raised in back into his life

Myrah and Wars are something between sibling and parent to Mask and Wind, but either way they are so proud of their boys.

Warriors honestly dosen’t know WHAT to make of Myrah at first. She's brash, and loud, and knowingly goes against etiquette. She dosen’t show ANY Romantic interest in him but is physically affectionate??

Myrah is far more supportive of Mask and Wind's shenanigans than most think she should be. But also, those are Children Forced To Be Heroes so if pranks make them happy whatever. She may chide them in private, but to anyone that isn't Wars? She is the first to defend them.

Mask is such a little shit

Myrah is still grieving horribly and is Extra brash and reckless become sue dosen’t care if she lives. She Never risks her boys but herself? Absolutely

Wind and Mask are always covering for eachother. - Can explosions be a love language? (Should explosions be a love language?)

Myrah and Wars have to explain that Myrah can say what she wants because shs is 7'2 and very strong (Mask Can NOT say whatever because he's tiny)

Mask is actually Very Fond of Myrah's Magic. He knows she cannot control it well so it Gives Her Away. He knows she's honest because of her magic.

Also her magic is pretty much always reaching out for the people she cares for.

Wind loves shinies and is always trying to get Myrah to help him get more. He makes a game of how many pieces of jewelry he can swipe off her in a day/week.

TECHNICALLY Myrah IS a princess but she will NEVER say that. No one knows. (Her grandmother was a princess and the title gets passed down so TECHNICALLY Myrah is like 8th in lime for the Twili throne but also she dosen’t want it.)

If the boys ever dijs out they are SO giving her shit. 'Not a princess? Really?'

Warriors definitely has a problem with drinking and one night stands (Coping Mechanism) but he knows he can go to Myrah in Any State (drunk, sick, dying, half dressed, cursed, etc.) and she will just make sure he's safe and taken care of

Mask teaches them all songs, but he makes sure they learn the song of healing

Wind spends hours teaching Mask knots on bad nights

Warriors is the ONLY person Myrah has Fully Opened Up To about the Great Calamity and the aftermath. He's the only one who she told How she tied her age...

Mask is often put in air jail. He hates it

Time grows up to implement air jail himself. He puts Wind, Wild, Hyrule, and even once Wars in air jail

Mask/ Time learns the Judging Parental Look (TM) from Wars and Myrah so if he ever sends it to them it Does Not work.

Wind loves stealing Warriors' scarf as I'm sure you know.

There have been THREE Rulebooks. The first was burned (Wind) and the second was thrown into the fountain and ruined (Mask)

Myrah helps train her boys and any other allies from other times in some of the fighting styles she knows.

Midna and Tetra aren't exactly part of the group but they are around them a lot!

Any time someone is caught trying to assassinate Wars, they hope Impa and Zelda handle it before Myrah finds out. Myrah is... well she dosen’t like people hurting her boys.

Mask LOVES sweets. So much. Also he understands fairy

Wars has some strange pull on faries. (Part fae????)

When fighting Myrah often gets low and lets Mask and Wind use her shield like a spring board to launch into the air (this gets a little ridiculous when she lets a full grown Time do this)

All four of them are very much 'Only I get to talk shit about them actually'

For all that Myrah indulges the three heroes she is capable of putting her foot down.