Hey guys! Most of you know me from Harp of the Twilight, and this is my new part-time fic, These Things Will Change. Basically it's a novelization of Twilight Princess from Ilia's point of view. The reason I decided to do this was, in the game, how Ilia lost her memory was never specified, so I think it would make a great story to elaborate on that, and I'm very excited for it. Special thanks to my Beta, Fishylishy. Lish, you are beyond helpful. Thanks again!
This first chapter takes place late morning on the day that Rusl talks to Link about going to Hyrule...enjoy!
I don't own Legend of Zelda or any of it's characters.
"Ilia! Get up! You have chores to do!" Father shouted from downstairs. I groaned and jammed a pillow down on my head, trying to block out his voice.
"Ilia!" My efforts were in vain, due to his booming voice and open layout of our large home.
"Okay, Father, I'm up, I'm up..." I gave in, sat up, stretched and yawned. I had stayed up till the late hours of the night yesterday working on the Horse Call I've been making for Link. All my hard work would be worth it though, when I was done. It'd be so much easier for Link to just have a whistle then scavenging around trying to look for that special grass he learned how to play. I don't know how he does it, it's never the same when I try to play the song Epona loved so much. Anyway, I couldn't wait to finish it.
Dragging my feet across the rough wooden floor, and trying to avoid patches of hay that were strewn about, I dressed in my favorite cropped brown pants and long tan shirt. They were rather plain compared to the other villagers'...interesting get-ups, which consisted of ragged pieces of cloth roughly sewn together over the years, but were nonetheless comfortable. A few quick combs through my hair and I headed downstairs. A monotonous routine, one I did nearly everyday, mechanically and without thought. The everyday life of a country girl. I padded down the creaky wooded stairs.
"Breakfast is on the table. Although, it might as well be lunch, with how late you slept in this morning." Father teased as I entered our messy circular kitchen. He ruffled my hair.
"Dad" I rolled my eyes and pushed his hand away as I sat down to the circular table.
"Just kidding. Now hurry up and eat, you've got your chores to do," He said as he walked out the door to go take care of "important mayor business", so he would say.
I wolfed down my eggs and toast. The sooner I finished my chores, the sooner I'd be able to continue working on the horse call, which meant the sooner I'd be able to give it to Link. I just knew he'd be happy with it.
As I slammed down my glass of milk(from the goats, of course) I looked around at the kitchen in dismay. Dishes were strewn about, as I had slacked off on my chores yesterday. Being the only girl in the family, cleaning and things of the sort were left up to me. I filled a barrel with water from the rusty old faucet outside and got to work.
Just as I was finishing up there was a knock on the door.
"Hey, Ilia." Hanch greeted me. "Would you mind watching the kids for a bit? I have to restock the store today or Sera'll have my head."
I smiled, though on the inside I felt exasperated. I was pretty much the village's "go-to girl." "Ilia, can you watch the kids?", was a question that definitely wasn't new. But how could I refuse?
"Sure. No problem." I gave the usual answer and followed him outside. We walked on the worn dirt path through the village.
"The kids are in front of Link's house waiting for him to get back, I expect. He and Rusl went to go fetch some lumber from the Faron Woods. Poor Link, the kids are always badgering him about something." Hanch shook his head. "Anyway, thanks so much, I should be finished in a couple of hours. Wish me luck that Sera isn't feeling picky today. I chuckled and waved goodbye.
It was an open, grassy area. There were three or four tall, mature trees scattered about, and Link lived in one himself. A banner over his front door waved in the wind. It had a triangular symbol on it, a symbol I knew as the Triforce from the legends that Father had often told me about, especially when I was younger. Link had the same symbol on the back of his hand. He'd never talked about it much, and I had never pressed him to do so.
The kids were all crowed around a sort of wooden, pumpkin-headed sparring dummy that Link often used for sword practice. Talo smacked the thing as hard as he could with his toy sword/stick, shouting and yelling with animated expressions. Colin sat in the shade under one of the trees alone and watched them. I walked over and sat down next to him. I felt bad for the poor kid. He was often pushed over by the other kids due to his quiet persona and shy nature. He was sensitive and kind, and had everyone's best interests at heart. I knew he had potential to be amazing, and I hope that one day he'll realize it himself.
"Hey. How's it going, Colin?" I asked kindly.
"Alright." He winced as the sword made contact with a loud whack.
"Ilia! Ilia! Did you see that? Look how hard I hit that thing!" Talo came running over, waving his sword in the air.
"It wasn't that big of a deal..." Malo mumbled under his breath. To be honest, I find Malo to be a little intimidating. He has knowledge well beyond his years and seems to know what you're thinking constantly.
"Ugh, this is so boring. Can't we do something else?" Beth complained, though she had a certain sparkle in her eyes.
For several hours the afternoon went on like that, from sprinting races to the spring and back, to hide and seek, to more sword fighting, until finally, Hanch finished his work.
"Thanks, Ilia. I really appreciate this."
"No big deal. Anytime." I answered back dutifully, though I was a bit tired. Dusk was starting to fall overhead, and I wanted to get home and relax a bit.
No sooner than ten minutes after I had arrived home there was another knock on the door. Right in the middle of dinner, too.
"I'll get it." I told Father wearily as I rose from my chair.
This time Rusl was at the door.
"Hey Rusl. You and Link just come back?"
"Yes, we dropped the fire wood off at the ranch. But I need to discuss something with your father."
"Sure, he's right inside." I swung open the door and let him in. I lead him back to the kitchen, where I finished my meal and started to head back upstairs.
"...about time we sent him into Hyrule, he's seventeen, you know."
"I agree with you, Rusl. He can deliver the gift to the Royal Family the day after tomorrow."
I froze in mid-step. They were talking about Link. I quickly spun around and walked back down the stairs and slipped out the door.
I walked toward his house. The soft wind of late spring gently whipped around my face as the twilight settled in. Summer would be coming soon. I approached Link's home and was about to call out his name when I noticed Epona; she had been tied to the large overgrown pine by his house. I could tell from where I was standing how dusty she was from the day's journey. I walked over to her, untied the rope, gently spoke comforting words to her, and lead her to the Ordona Spirit Spring. As poured the cool, clear water over her long, graceful neck, I noticed the horse-shoe shaped grass growing near the water's edge. It reminded me of my project. If I worked all day tomorrow, I'd be able to get it done by the time Link left for Hyrule. I'm sure he'd appreciate that.
Epona shook the water off of her auburn coat. I reached out for her reins. I'd simply take her back to where she was and tie her back up. Link would come back later and find her nice and clean; I figured it'd be a nice surprise for him. That's when I caught something out of the corner of my eye.
It was Link himself. Well, the latter part of my plan was ruined, but, no matter.
"Oh, hi Link." I said casually, looking from him to the horse. "I washed Epona for you!"
He grinned and walked over to me, taking her reins.
"Thanks, Ilia. That was really kind of you."
I laughed. "Epona's a girl too, so have to treat her nice like one! Oh, but listen, Link...Could you do something for me?"
He nodded.
"Could you use a piece of grass to play that song for me? You know, the one that Epona likes?" Link smiled.
"Sure." He swooped a piece of the grass off the ground and blew into it. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the song.
"It's such a nice melody. Well, Epona's all prettied up now, so I suppose you can ride her back. But don't make her do too much, all right?"
He laughed again. "Don't worry, Ilia. I'm just going to go help Fado out for a bit and then she can rest. Thanks again!" He mounted her and rode off. I waded out of the spring and headed back to the village after him.
Yes, the everyday life of a country girl.
Reviews are awesome. I thrive on constructive criticism, as it helps me so much, so anything you have to say would be appreciated.
Like I said, this fic probably won't be updated as often and as regularly as Harp of the Twilight, but just whenever I get a good chapter written.
Thanks again!
-Peaches732