By Ariana Aislinn
Disclaimer:
The Legend of Zelda and its characters are the property of Nintendo. This is a work of fanfiction, for fun only and not for profit. Read, and hopefully enjoy…and if you feel so inclined, please review! I am always looking for ways to improve my writing.
The Wind Stirs
Her footsteps falling softly on the polished and gleaming tile floor, the graceful, piscine form of the Sage of Earth walked smoothly through the Hall of Sages, the depths of her pure blue eyes, lacking whites or pupils, lost in thought. Her jewelry jangled softly in time with the gentle swish, swish of her priestess' robes, and she carried her golden harp tucked under one arm, more out of habit than of any need to play it.
A soft sound called her back from whatever philosophical question currently occupied her mind. Turning curiously, she followed the lively pluck of strings, her head-tail and arm-fins twitching slightly in response to the distant sound of music.
Laruto, the sage representing the Zora race, walked unhurriedly down a few more hallways and into the common room, where she looked in curiously. Soft sunlight filtered in through the high windows of the great stone walls. The fireplace of the great hall stood empty this afternoon, the late spring sunshine making added warmth unnecessary. Comfortable chairs and a few long tables were scattered here and there, and in one corner stood a youth, one foot standing on a footstool and the other on the floor, as he played softly but joyfully at his unusual, custom-made fiddle. The instrument seemed to be made from a living leaf, firm as wood, with a bow that resembled nothing so much as a long, slender tree branch. Laruto stopped, standing in the doorway with her hands clasped together around the frame of her harp, listening contentedly until the song was finished. It was a prancing, whirling jig that seemed to spiral up to the rafters and down again, playing tag with the sunbeams.
The fiddler was a boy, though his appearance was deceptive. One of the eternal children known as the Kokiri, Fado was the Sage of Wind, and he had lived fully a hundred years, at least. Yet there was nothing but childlike joy and innocence on his face as he played, eyes closed and mouth quirked in a playful grin. His yellow-blond hair was slightly out of place, and his pointed green cap was askew, giving him a jaunty air.
Fado finished his song with a twirling flourish, then lowered his bow and opened his eyes. If he was surprised to see Laruto standing there, softly clapping, he showed no sign of it. Smiling brightly, he gave her a questioning look. "Well?"
"Lovely, Fado. What do you call it?"
"Hmm." The boy gazed out the window thoughtfully. "You know, I haven't decided yet. Let me know if you think of anything, will you, Laruto?"
"Of course." With the unruffled grace so characteristic of her, the Sage of Earth crossed the room and took a seat in a cushioned armchair. "What news is there today? I confess I have spent much of the day in my room, reading, and I have missed much."
"Oh, not much." Fado pulled a large wooden case, with twigs and leaves apparently still growing out of the living wood, from behind the chair and began to carefully put his instrument away. "We did have word from Daydra, though only a short message."
"Ah. How fares the young Sage of Fire?"
The Kokiri chuckled. "Same as ever — getting into as much trouble as a young Hylian girl possibly can. I hear she was challenged to a competition of some sort after her boasting and bragging. A footrace, I think it was. All I can say is, she'd better not lose all her money betting on it; I'm not lending her any more!"
"And you are one to talk? When she is here at the Temple, I seem to recall you winning a great deal off of her, then lending it back to her. So generous." Laruto's eyes twinkled mischievously.
Fado bowed slightly, a mocking grin on his face. "Well, I mostly just do it to take her down a notch, you know. Don't get me wrong, I love Daydra dearly. But she really is awfully hotheaded — even worse than me, and at times, that's saying something."
Laruto shrugged, her fins rising and falling as if upon a wave. "Well, she is only fifteen. Have some patience."
"Oh, I have all the patience in the world. I just hope she finishes her task and returns home soon with the books from the Sestrian Library. It's really not safe to be out wandering the fields of Hyrule alone these days, you know."
Laruto sighed. "I do, and it troubles me. I have been thinking of calling a meeting of the sages when Daydra and the others return from their latest journeys. Perhaps there is something we can do. All the attacks on travelers, the famine in the east and that troublesome epidemic up north...I feel a storm is coming."
"Hey," Fado protested, "don't look so serious! All right, I can see the clouds may be moving in over Hyrule, but we've still time to sort out what's going on. Yes, a meeting is a good idea, but don't worry about it until we can actually act. You'll get wrinkles before your time." He grinned. "I know what you need — a good game of spirals. I've got a board and some stones in my room; shall I fetch them? We can break out a bit of that berry wine I've been saving, too, make an occasion of it. It's not like there's anything else to do, with only that crotchety old Elges here for company, holed up in his room with his scrolls."
"That sounds a fine idea." The Zora nodded. "But perhaps later we should at least invite the Sage of Ice to join us. A bit of fresh air might do him good; we should eat supper outside, I think."
Fado grinned and lifted his fiddle case, the instrument packed safely away. "Right then, I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere!" With that, he rushed off.
Laruto laced her fingers together on her lap and waited patiently, her gaze drifting to the beams of sunlight that filtered in through the window. It was bright and cheerful now, yes, and it was best to enjoy it while it lasted. Still, she could sense that trouble was coming...
