Chapter Text
Farore deems him suitable to leave her Spring just before first light. He and his Papa have long since been soaked to the bone, but Farore’s Spring is far from cold. The Springs had always reminded Rook of the hot springs in the northern regions of Hebra and Eldin.
He says his thanks, exhausted and wrung out after the long night, and feels her kiss upon his temple.
Warrior gazes up at Farore’s statue. Relief hadn’t left his features since Rook had awoken.
“Thank you,” he said.
Farore does as she had for Rook, laying a kiss upon Warrior’s forehead. The man blinks, startled at the feeling. Did he know? Did any of them know the extent of the love Farore held for them?
Do tell him no gratitude is necessary, young one, Farore murmurs with a soft humouring tone.
“She said it’s not necessary,” Rook translates.
“Still,” Warrior rebuts.
Than I shall accept his thanks and ask in return he follows Zelda’s words, Farore chides.
Rook cracks a grin and Warrior eyes him warily. “What did she say.”
“If she accepts your thanks, then you have to follow Ellie’s words,” Rook said.
Warrior sighs heavily, and Rook muffles his cackle, not wishing to disturb the others outside the Spring. “Not something so easily accepted but…I’m trying,” he smiles sadly. “Guilt isn’t so easily alleviated.”
Rook has never held it against him, and he wouldn’t dare. He tells his Papa that and earns a soft smile and a kiss to his temple.
“I think it’s time we let the others know we’re doing okay.” Warrior stands first, water dripping wildly from him. He offers a hand to Rook, and he takes it, letting his Papa pull him to his feet.
They look toward Farore’s statue and watch as the light dies when her presence fades from the Spring. With a shared glance, both step from the Spring and begin shaking themselves off.
Rook taps the Slate and summons two towels. He hands one to Warrior and begins the process of drying off. It was easy enough for Rook who had spare clothes but Warrior not so much. He takes off his tunic and squeezes as much water as he can.
“Think I could borrow some trousers from Time?” Warrior muses.
Rook sniggers before stepping close to Farosh’s talon. He lay a hand and Farosh twitches, uncurling his resting toes and creating an exit from the Spring.
Only Time was awake, and he looks up at them with bleary eyes that spoke of a sleepless night. Times smiles and Rook returns it.
Inside, Rook aches as he watches Warrior awkwardly ask to borrow a pair of pants. Time gives Warrior a once over and sniggers but he hands a pair over.
Rook turns to Farosh, meeting his eye. Once more, he reaches out and places a hand on Farosh’s lip. The mighty beast takes a deep breath and exhales. The buzz of lightning tingles his hand, and Rook basks in it.
It was time.
It had been coming for a while now. Rook had known this in his gut since he had spoken to Impa and concluded that maybe there was something greater at play. It had been nothing but a fleeting thought, one Impa banished—“We cannot see the future. It would do us nothing to worry ourselves with such.”—Yet it had been festering. Festered until it reached a peak that Rook could no longer deny.
No. He was done denying things.
He sighs, resting his forehead against Farosh.
It was time. Soon a portal would open, and Rook would have to say goodbye to the people he had come to call family.
He would have to say goodbye to his Papa. Rook doesn’t know how Warrior was going to react to the news. He begs Nayru for some wisdom.
As Rook steps back, Farosh silently makes his exit to begin his route through Faron and Gerudo Highland. Rook wishes he could join, to shed his burdens and live as though this weight was never his to begin with.
When Wind wakes up, he throws himself at Rook. This prompts the others to draw in for their own hugs. Rook could only laugh nervously because he had worried them so much. He thinks back on the last six—seven months and how he would have shied away from such touch. Ah, time sure does fly.
Rook cooks everyone breakfast, putting up a façade and hopes none of them see through it. If they do, Rook wonders if they believe it was because of what happened.
It’s not. Rook is already over it, like most things nowadays that aren’t memory-related. These things happen. One day, Rook was confident he was going to join them again, but for now, he had things to do. He had a country to rebuild.
After bellies were sufficiently full, Rook suggests heading for Kakariko Village. Had they had more time, Rook would have taken them to Lurelin Village to show them his beaches, but the brewing magic said there was not enough time for such a detour.
Packed up, the Chain set off for the road once more.
The fog had lifted as the sun rose, and the monsters had crawled out of hiding once again. But with such a group, the monsters were dispatched with ease, and soon enough, the Chain was stepping back onto the road.
Epona was waiting for them.
Rook hurries over to her, grinning widely.
“Hi girl,” he greets, wrapping his arms around her neck.
Epona whinnies and stomps a foot in a rather pointed manner and Rook blushes. He knows exactly what she was upset about.
“Sorry,” he whispers sheepishly and merely gets an unimpressed snort in return.
She lips at his fringe and Rook smiles. “Time to head to Kakariko.”
Turning the others with that smile, Rook becks them onward. “Let’s get going. If we make good time, it’s about a two-day journey.”
“You sure you’re good with all this walking?” Twilight asks warily.
Rook pats the new scar beneath his tunic. There was not even a hint of discomfort. “I’m all good. Farore healed me completely.”
“That’s some miracle cure,” Four mutters.
“Let’s just be thankful for it,” Hyrule said, nudging Four with his elbow.
“Whoever is causing these portals sure knows what we need,” Wind laughs, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
Rook said nothing, his hand buried in Epona’s mane. Feeling eyes on him, Rook turned in time to see Sky twisting his head away.
Did Sky know something?
“You could say that again,” Warrior sighs.
Rook wonders if there was something that gave it away. Sky was more in tune with Divine magic and that of the Tri-Force. Could he…tell? Rook had no idea what his presence felt like when he used magic.
Sky had said nothing, and so Rook just resolves not to mention it unless the First does.
Paya meets them at Kakariko's entrance with a warm smile.
“Welcome back,” she greets.
Rook smiles and swoops in for a hug. Paya laughs and returns the hug. She squeezes softly, offering Rook the reassurance he needs. He has decisions to make, and none of them are easy to navigate.
“You been good?” he asks.
“Yes, and by the looks of it, so have you,” Paya chimes.
“Mostly.” Rook gave a crooked grin as Paya gave him a look for his response.
“I’m gonna go see Impa,” Rook said, wishing for granny’s words. “You guys okay to potter about until then?”
“We’re more than okay,” Legend said, waving him off.
Rook laughs and walks beside Paya as they make the journey to Lantern Falls.
“Something is bothering you,” Paya said once they had moved from earshot.
Saying nothing, Rook merely gave Paya a small smile to ascend the stairs instead. Stepping inside, Impa greets him with a soft look. “Welcome home, Rook. I sense something is bothering you.”
She had unintentionally mirrored her granddaughter’s words, and Paya chuckled quietly to herself.
Rook sits before her, and Paya excuses herself to make tea. “I’m not leaving with the Chain this time.”
Impa bookmarks her book and sets it down, giving him her full attention. “It has only been six months. Has something happened?”
“No, not in the way you’re implying,” Rook explains, fiddling with his sash. He begins to tell her everything he has seen. The people he has met. The incidents with the shade. The reason they were in this Hyrule now. Impa looks her age for a long moment after Rook tells her about his injury and following attempted corruption.
Then he asks something that had been bugging him. “Did you know about the portals?”
Impa blinks, expression giving nothing away. But she gives a heavy, wary sigh. “We Sheikah have blood almost as old as this land, but we cannot perceive everything, Rook. I did not.”
Rook was silent. Okay. It had seemed like a long shot anyhow. Rook still had to ask, just to put his mind at ease.
Putting that to rest, Rook continues. “Whatever version of me is opening the portals, I can feel them brewing. The last few times, I’ve gotten the nagging feeling that I’m…” he stumbles over his words. “That I’m not gonna be continuing with them.”
Paya returns, setting the teas on the table and Rook murmurs a thank you as he fishes for his journal from the Slate. He set it on the table.
“I’ve spent months documenting the other Hyrules and I…and I wanna start rebuilding,” he admits.
“And we shall support you in every way,” Impa smiles. “Sheik and Purah had been running ideas between themselves for a short while now. And I have no doubt the other regions are having similar thoughts now the Divine Beasts have gone dark.”
Rook nods, flipping toward the end of his book to begin jotting down ideas. He had already mentioned it briefly to Purah before he left, and he told Impa and Paya about this. “I’m not surprised. I was speaking with Purah about restoration, I’m glad she’s doing so.”
“It wouldn’t be difficult to speak with the leaders of the regions about coming together,” Paya said with a smile.
“I was thinking of a central location, as it’s more accessible for all regions,” Rook continues.
“Perhaps within Hyrule Field?” Impa suggests. “Castle Town was once as popular as it was because of its said central location, besides the actual castle towering over it.”
Rook grins widely. It was exciting to be able to help restore Hyrule and finally bring its people back together.
Impa and Paya share smiles as Rook buries himself into his journal and begins writing.
So began a serious conversation on what was needed and Impa shedding some light with her knowledge of Pre-Calamity.
“As with Zelda’s death, there is no longer a Hylian monarchy; there is a power vacancy,” Impa said.
Rook faulters, blinking at the Sheikah Elder. “Does it matter? We’ve functioned well without one for a hundred years.”
“Perhaps, but there are boarding countries that put more respect in the Hyrulean kingdom than the others, unfortunately. I have been mulling it over for a short while now, but it may be best to instil a governing body of sorts. Ideally, someone from each race, much like a kingdom would have a court,” she explains.
“We’ve already set up some guards to patrol the country edges to watch for possible activity from our neighbours. No doubt there are several outcomes to Hyrule suddenly being accessible,” Paya said, a wariness in her voice.
Rook’s face tightened. “The one to Eldin’s north was a militant one, right?”
“The Astraterra Empire,” Impa confirms grimly. “A hundred years ago, they were always willing to head into battle if it meant they won something. They absorbed two smaller nations within the last five centuries. There was much uproar from the other larger countries, but none were willing to go to war for two relatively weak countries.”
Rook taps the table in quick, rapid succession as he mulls it over.
“It wouldn’t be too difficult to ask someone to join the council, and they would act on their leader's behalf,” Rook said slowly, talking through his thoughts. “I don’t see a reason anyone would protest to that. Maybe we could begin with that and set up a dozen or so groups to watch the borders. I don’t think making contact yet is good idea, not while we’re still trying to get a footing.”
So in thought, Rook misses the spark in Impa’s eyes. She glances at her granddaughter, and Paya, seeming to know what her grandmother is thinking, nods. No words are exchanged between them, and the two go on as if the silent communication never happened.
“Once…” Rook faulters before taking a breath. “Once the others leave, I’ll set off for Hateno to speak with Purah. See what she’s cobbled together since I last saw her. I was thinking of asking Hudson in Terray Town to assist in building.”
“For now,” Impa began, laying a hand upon Rook’s. “Why don’t you spend this little bit of time with the heroes? Hyrule can wait a day longer.”
Rook tears up. “Okay.”
As dinner cooks, Rook sits beside the pot and listens to the Chain chatter energetically between themselves. It’s easy to find himself dragged into the conversation, laughing and smiling, but inside, Rook aches. He aches so badly with the knowledge that this was their last evening together for the foreseeable future.
Practically sitting in Sky’s lap because the man was a cuddler when trying to soothe nerves, Rook was absently stirring dinner and making a mental list of all the items he was carrying in his Slate that belonged to the others. The majority of their food rations were a key component.
Rook hoped the lessons he had given Time, Four and Legend stuck.
Shuffling against Sky’s side, Rook laughs as Warrior exaggerates a story, going all out with the arm gestures. Sky squeezes his shoulder, hugging him close.
“You’ve been a bit more talkative than normal,” Sky muses quietly as the rest of the group start teasing Warrior about something in his story.
Rook purses his lips, looking up at Sky. Did he know? Was this something else that Rook has missed about Sky?
“Just…the incident reminded me of something,” Rook admits, breaking eye contact as Legend cackles. “I’ve been doing a lot of denying and I’ve come to a few realisations recently about life.”
He rubs the back of his hand, tracing the Tri-Force.
“Life is rarely simple,” Sky agrees, but the look in his eyes told Rook that wasn’t what he was asking.
Sky doesn’t ask however, and Rook doesn’t know if he’s glad or not. Would it be easier to get it over with now or later? Did Sky sense something had changed?
Rook smiles either way. “I’ve gotta help rebuild.” He looks at his hands. “I have too much to do and I’m only one person.”
“I thought that might be the case,” Sky said softly. Sadly.
So he did know.
“How do I tell them? Tell him?” he whispers, eyes burning again. Rook looks at his Papa, who flashes Rook a grin—which Rook returns effortlessly despite his pain—before Warrior returns to the conversation. “It’s gonna hurt him.”
“That’s life sometimes,” Sky said. “But you’ve got a calling we can’t deny you. Your people need you.”
Rook holds that resolve close. He looks skyward, sees the moon and the north star and recalls what Hylia had told him about Mene and Polaris.
He wonders how this would have turned out if Zelda had survived. Wonders if things would still bare resemblance or be completely different. Wonders if they would have already begun rebuilding long ago. It was a useless wondering. But he misses her. Misses Ellie so much but he knows she’s waiting for him.
One day, they would be together again.
One day, they would finally get that dance he promised her.
Zelda stands there, hands on her hips, very bemused. “Upon our return from the Spring of Wisdom, there is to be a party to celebrate my becoming an adult. I expect you to be my first dance.”
Link hums and haws, looking anywhere but Zelda. “I dunno, I mean, surely you want someone without two left feet?”
He cracks a grin when she pouts deeply.
“Link!” she chaises, seeing that grin and Link laughs.
“Okay, I promise. Our first proper dance,” Link assures.
“And I wish to announce our decision to proceed with our marriage arrangement our mothers drafted,” Zelda said.
Link blushes, but this time, when he grins, it’s not one of laughter; it’s excitement. “Of course, my Princess.”
“I expect nothing less, my knight,” Zelda teases, and the grin on her face matches Link’s. She crooks a finger, and Link approaches, where he meets Zelda halfway for a kiss.
When morning arrives, Rook has breakfast prepared before the others have even risen for the day. After a sleepless night, Rook had plenty of time to mull over this interaction while he separated their things.
Despite the time of year, it was a warm sunny morning as the sun appeared from behind the mountains that sheltered Kakariko Village.
Rook would speak to his Papa first. Take him aside and talk. Rook didn’t want to drop this bombshell onto Warrior with the others around. He deserves better.
So once breakfast had been served and eaten, Rook asks for a moment of privacy with his Papa, leading him to the cliff of Kakariko by the stone graves.
“Is something the matter, kiddo?” Warrior asks as Rook leans on the fence.
He takes a breath and faces Warrior.
“I have something I need to tell you,” he said.
“Okay?” Warrior’s smile was open and kind, hurting Rook all the more.
He worries the scarred part of his lip, agitating it. He’ll pay for it later but Rook doesn’t have it in him to care much at the moment.
“You’re not gonna like it,” he continues.
Worry etches itself across Warrior’s face. He sighs. “Alright, hit me.”
“I’m staying this time, and I’ve known this was coming for a while,” Rook admits, and a heavyweight lifts from his chest when he finally speaks it.
Warrior stares at him like he hasn’t registered what Rook said. Then his expression shutters and crumbles and Warrior squeezes his eyes closed as tears well up.
“I’m sorry,” Rook whispers, his own burning his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Warrior cups his face and presses a kiss to Rook’s forehead. The gesture lets the sob escape, and Rook buries his face against his Papa’s chest. “I’m sorry,” he cries.
“I know,” Warrior chokes out. “I know.”
“I dunno how long, but I’m needed. I—I’m gonna rebuild Hyrule and—and I’m needed,” Rook tries to explain through his tears.
“Hey, hey, can you look at me?” Warrior asks and cups Rook’s face again when he refuses too. “Look at me.”
Rook does, lungs threatening to spasm as he tries to stifle a sob. Warrior took a long moment to take in Rook’s face as if this was the last time he would see it. But it’s not, Rook wants to say. This isn’t goodbye.
“I’m—I’m not saying goodbye,” Rook sniffles. “It’s a see you later,” he continues with an assured tone.
Warrior smiles softly—sadly. “I don’t doubt it, sweetheart. But…we walk very different lives and you’ve got a calling. I’m…I’m upset, yes but, I can’t hold it against you.”
Rook grabs Warrior’s wrists, pressing into his palms. His Papa didn’t have any qualms about squishing Rook’s cheeks.
“No~” he whines, immediately trying to escape but Warrior sniggers and doesn’t let him get away.
“I’m not going to let you keep crying on what’s your last day with us, got it?” Warrior grins through his pain. Rook can see it, and he resolves to listen—to bask in this little time left he has with his Papa and the rest of the Chain.
Rook nods, rubbing his eyes as Warrior releases his cheeks. Then, Rook watches as his Papa unwinds his blue scarf and wraps it around Rook’s shoulders. The fabric swallows him up and Rook blushes.
“There,” Warrior grins.
Rook looks down shyly and fiddles with one end of the scarf, tracing the Farosh embroidery into it. “Mama made it for you, didn’t she?”
“She did as a courting gift. I was admittedly too shy to be the one to ask her out. Your ma was always the more outgoing one in that sense,” Warrior chuckles fondly and Rook giggles, snuggling into it. Warrior sighs softly at the sight, reaching out and brushing Rook’s cheek. “I want you to keep it.”
Shocked, Rook looks up at him, his eyes wide. “What?”
“I want you to look after it for me,” Warrior said, smiling. “Keep it safe until we meet again.”
The teen looks at the scarf wrapped around his neck and shoulders in awe. “You—”
“Yes,” Warrior chuckles, brushing Rook’s fringe from his once again teary eyes. “A promise that we’ll meet again.”
“A promise,” Rook grins, offering his pinkie. Warrior matches the grin and hooks his own pinkie around Rook’s, sealing the promise.
“You’re not coming?” Hyrule echoes, and there is immediate chatter between them in shock—except for Sky, who sighs softly as he stands beside Warrior. He offers the older man a smile, one Warrior returns.
Rook shook his head. “I’m not, and I’ve known for a while.”
“How?” Wind blusters, perhaps rightfully angry. “You know shit and don’t tell us.”
“Wind,” Legend scolds, tugging the sailor’s ear.
“Legend,” Wind hisses back, smacking his hand away in annoyance. “Don’t tell me to be quiet!”
Rook took a breath.
“Not to be as rude as Wind,” Twilight begins, earning an offended hey from Wind. “But he does have a point.”
Rook silently admits Wind does have a point.
“It’s been obvious for a while now,” Time agrees, dipping his chin. “Though none of us have pushed because you didn’t seem all that inclined to talk.”
Worrying his lip, Rook gathers himself and squares his shoulders. “Okay. I suppose now is as good a time as any.” He has everyone's attention, and Rook’s throat seizes for a moment. “The reason I’m so intuned with the gateways is because it’s my magic.”
A beat of silence. All but Sky stare. It confirms Rook’s suspicions.
“It’s your magic?” Four echoes, eyes wide. “How? What? When?”
“Well, kinda,” Rook flusters. “It’s not present me’s magic.”
“It’s a future version,” Time realises.
There was another round of chatter.
“It’s not too far a reach, right?” Warrior said, crossing his arms. “Rook’s magic is time. He’s proficient in his current skill set. I’ve had my magic longer, but I’m nowhere near as capable.”
Rook blushes at the compliment. “I think…” he rubs the back of his hand with the Tri-Force tattoo. “I think it’s because I wield Courage and Wisdom.”
He hadn’t told anyone outside Hyrule, Sky and his Papa. Maybe the others had suspected but none said anything.
“You think it’s empowering your abilities?” Hyrule asks curiously, thumbing his chin thoughtfully.
“I suppose that means everything turns out fine in the end?” Wind continues but he’s eyeing Rook as if he wants to throttle him. Rook merely grins sheepishly. Wind makes an I’m-watching-you gesture.
Legend raised a hand, voice a deadpan. “Anyone else still caught on the fact future Rook is the one creating the portals?”
There were sniggers.
“Sorry but that’s as much as I know about it,” Rook said apologetically. “I’m certainly nowhere near understanding the extent of my magic.”
Twilight sighs, rubbing his face. “I suppose that’s a fair assumption. Anything else?” the last part was said in tease.
Rook blushes, burying his lower face into his Papa’s scarf. “I don’t think so?”
Twilight grins.
“I’m not too early, am I?” Dusk asks humorously at his entrance, appearing from within a burst of dark geometric shapes.
Rook beams. “Dusk!”
“Kit!” Dusk cheers and they meet in a hug as Dusk tackles Rook down to the ground.
It earns laughter and the tension disperses at the Twili’s arrival.
“Why don’t we make the most of this little time left, yeah?” Sky said, smiling as Rook tries to shove Dusk’s head away to avoid any more wet kisses.
“Stop, you overgrown mutt,” Rook hisses.
“But Kit!” he whines.
Wind groans. “Translations anyone?”
The gateway’s arrival brought a solemn heaviness that hung over them.
But Rook’s optimism shines through. Despite the bittersweetness of the moment, he manages a smile, expressing his well wishes and the promise that their paths will cross again one day. His unspoken words, however, hang in the air. He doesn’t need to say them for everyone to know.
To know just how much he had come to care for them. He just grins and hugs them.
He reminds Wind that Aryll had his sister’s book and that he was expecting it back one day. That got a tearful laugh from Wind and they share a light fist bump.
He whispers a quiet thank you to Sky, who flickers Rook’s nose for ever thinking Warrior would react negatively. Rook pouts at the tease.
His hug with his Papa lasts the longest, and behind them, one by one, the Chain step through until Warrior is the last. They withdraw from the hug, tears in their eyes.
“Don’t make us wait too long, you hear?” Warrior teases.
“No promises,” Rook grins. “Maybe I’ll grow into some Gerudo height in the meantime and tower over you guys.”
Warrior snorts his disbelief and Rook glares. But Warrior steps back and stood before the portal, casting Rook one final glance. There was a smile, one Rook returns, and then his Papa steps through.
The portal closes behind him.
A silence settles.
Rook takes a breath, holding Warrior’s scarf tightly.
Paya lays a hand on his shoulder. “One day.”
“One day,” Rook echoes.
Then, there was a warm sunny breeze and the rustle of a bird’s feather. Rook twists towards Hylia’s statue, but it isn’t a normal beckoning. No, it was a summoning.
It's a summoning to somewhere else. An image flashes through him: untouched stained glass, Hylia’s towering statue, and his nest of blankets at the base.
The Temple of Hylia. Rook frowns deeply.
There was another breeze. This time, it was different. There was a chilliness. Nayru? No, there was also a strange hot contrast. Din? Petrichor tingles his nose. Farore?
They all wanted him to go to the Temple of Hylia? Why?
“Rook?” Paya nudges. He turns, seeing the look in her eyes. “Go. You mustn’t leave a summons unanswered.”
Rook was tapping the Slate before it registered. He appears at the base of the Temple, and it towers over him like always. Colourful leaves litter the ground as the trees surrender to autumn.
Rook moves again with little thought besides why. Why was he being summoned now? It was mere moments after the Chain had left!
The sleepless night began to creep up on him. It was strange; Rook had gotten so used to a routine. His energy levels had improved dramatically in the last six months.
Maybe it was because Rook was taking better care of himself.
(He resolves not to think about it—not now.)
He stands before the grand doors, taking a moment to catch his breath as he feels it, feels Hylia’s presence in a way that is both familiar and achingly new.
A brush of a wing that carries the feeling of sunshine gleaming through the trees.
It was Hylia without a doubt, but now, there is no distortion of distance. No plane She had to reach through to speak to him. It was purely Hylia.
It was like on Skyloft.
At the thought, something thick became lodged in his throat. He banishes it just as quickly as it came.
Rook shoves the door open and slides inside as they bang closed loudly behind him. The sound reverberates within the Temple as he stares, eyes wide.
The Divine light of Hylia’s statue was cast before Her, and stood within that light—
How? How was this possible?
—was Hylia Herself.
She turns, eyes cast upon Rook.
The Tri-Force bubbles beneath his skin as if to rise to meet her presence.
The breezeless wind flutters Her long, blonde, strawberry hair.
She smiles, “Hello, Rook.”