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Once the stars had begun to gleam, and the light faded, the nine heroes got to work setting up camp. Sleeping mats had been laid out, the Champion had cooked some meat and served it with curry, and they even got Epona bathed.
Absolutely nothing had been trouble. Knowing them and their lives, it was a miracle. One that wouldn’t last all night.
“Old man,” the captain had begun, “you’ve taken watch shift three nights in a row. You’re certain on taking fourth watch tonight?”
“I can take it. You boys need your rest.”
“And you don’t?” the veteran shot, rifling through his bag of items. “Not to sound mean, but your eyebags could probably hold more then all of our bags. Combined. ”
“I’m fine, really. As the most experienced, you should get some sleep too.”
“You can’t just throw this back at me, you old hermit!”
“Last I checked, “old hermits” weren’t married.” At that, the veteran groaned, turning away from the Hero of Time.
“Ignoring the hoarder, you still need to get a full night’s sleep. Otherwise, you might just die from stress and fatigue.”
“I’m greatful for your concern, but that’s not going to happen.” At the statement, the captain raised an eyebrow, while the rancher made a sound like he had started to choke on his own spit. “As you should know, we’ve all gone through some rather strange and intense things. While this situation is new, it’s not the worst thing I’ve gone through. I’m getting enough food and sleep-”
“Enough to where my house could fit in those bags!”
“Enough food and sleep to where I’m well rested.” the leader had said, giving a look to the veteran as he picked up his thought.
“Well, or well enough? ” the captain asked, glaring at their leader.
“ Well. ” One eye met two. The air grew heavier, somehow. The other Links shared a look, recognizing even a dull club could cut this tension with how thick it was getting.
After a second, the youngest hero groaned, shoving his blanket off, stood up, and pulled a long thin rod from his belt. As he flicked it up, left, and then right, a faint shimmering melody was heard, cutting itself off as the sailor snapped his fingers and pointed at the two arguing. In an instant, the winds picked up, blowing right in the captain’s face before dying down again.
“You guys are making it impossible to sleep! Not like I can, anyway...” the youngest mumbled, walking over. With a huff, he sat down next to the Hero of Time.
Undeterred by the gusts, the captain started back up, squatting down to meet the gaze of the sailor.
“You also need to sleep. You’re still growing, young man.”
“I’m not a “young man”. I’m almost 14!”
“Still, you do need to settle down.”
“Tell that to my cravings.”
“We ate 45 minutes ago.” the eldest reasoned, turning his head to face the youngest with his good eye.
“I know, old man, but the cook can’t make soup like my grandma.”
“Sailor-” the captain tried.
“Her cooking’s better than potions! ” the Hero of the Wind huffed, crossing his arms. Quietly, from behind the arguing trio, came the sound of a harp being plucked.
“No one is arguing that it isn’t, Sailor. If we end up in your Hyrule during this adventure, I would love to try your grandmother’s food, but we’ve already eaten tonight.”
“But I can’t... Can’t sleep!” The sailor said, ignoring his mid-sentence yawn. The grass started crunching behind the Heroes of Time and the Wind, the harp getting a little louder.
“Which is why you yawned. You should at least go lay down on your sleeping mat.” the knight of Hyrule stressed, pointing to the abandoned mat on the other side of their fire.
“I told you, Captain. I can’t... Can’t fall asleep! I’m not ev... Even tired!” Right next to him, the head of the old man dipped down before popping back up, his left eye a little more hazy than it had been. The harp music grew in volume again.
“You should get some rest yourself. I’ll keep an eye on Sailor, don’t worry.”
“But you’re falling asleep right now too!”
“Keep it down. The others are sleeping, and you should be too.”
“You’re such a hypocrite, old man.”
“And you’re any... you’re...” The youngest had begun, only to doze off mid-protest. Slowly, he slumped into the side of the eldest.
Not like he noticed, as the oldest of the Links was currently facing the ground, snoring softly. Softer than the harp. The music stopped.
“Didn’t expect that to work on him. Sailor, yes, but Mr. Bauz? Not really.” Sky hummed, walking around the pair.
“That was you? Explains the harp music, but-”
“It’s an old song. My mother used to sing it to me when I couldn’t sleep.”
“So... It’s some Skyloftian lullaby?” The ground knight asked the sky knight.
“Sort of. It’s special. Only for when you’re really struggling to fall asleep. Mother said it only works on children.” The captain gaped.
“B-But... The old man- How?”
“He must’ve been more tired than we thought.”
“You just said-!”
“Captain!” the rancher growled, his voice low. “Sky just got the old man and Sailor to sleep. Don’t wake them up!” The captain went back to gaping at the Skyloftian. Softly, Sky laughed and single-handedly laid his sailcloth over the sleeping pair before walking back over to his sleeping mat and laying down.