Chapter One
The organ's keys are smooth and cold beneath my fingers, responding to my slightest touch, her sound encompasses me, filling my heart with warm numbing sorrow. How did it come to this? It should be ending differently! If only I had been there sooner... If only. Narrowing my eyes, I swallow the lump in my throat, and look at my reflection staring back at me in the polished brass of the organ pipes. My hair long and red, unkempt and wild. How long has it been? Months? Years? I couldn't remember how long my eyes had been sunken and surrounded with these dark, exhausted circles. My skin, once dark and striking, now calloused and rough, this stress and weight had done a number on me. I heave a heavy sigh as I move my gaze to the empty space above my shoulder, my frown deepens as my eyes slowly flutter closed. I feel my self drifting slowly to the land of dreams. There is no escaping it, even there, I will find no rest.
Today is going to go splendidly I think to myself. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, my slender and pale figure dressed to impress. My long ruby hair styled and perfect, my odd golden eyes are piercing and out of place in Castle Town. I shake my head, attempting to clear doubts from my mind. "You've worked for this for so long, you deserve this." I whisper to myself, a hint of doubt in my voice.
I attempt to straighten my dress a bit more. It's not every day that a mere merchant such as myself finds favor with the Royal Family.
I rush down the stairs and towards the door, stumbling over a stack of books and papers. A few of the papers crumple as I step on them. Hurriedly, I bend down to assess the damage. "Looks like I'll have to transcribe you onto another sheet." A faint smile spreading across my lips, as I look from my hand written music notes, to my organ. Nothing was more fulfilling than composing pieces of my own on my beloved instrument. Smiling to myself, I place the papers on the table and rush outside. I take a sharp turn around the side of my home, almost losing my footing. Coming to a stop in front of the stable, I gently caress the beautiful, dark coats of my horses' necks before checking my merchandise. Climbing into the coach seat, I gaze at the large, elegant Hyrule Castle in the distance. I smile triumphantly, today is the day. Today my business will come to full bloom!
Trying to mask my nervousness, I hum my favorite song to myself as I follow the guards into the grand structure that is Hyrule Castle, home of Zelda, the people's beloved princess. I had never been inside the palace before this. I gazed around the throne room, my eyes absorbing every detail, from the perfectly symmetrical pillars, the spotlessly polished marble floor, to the gorgeous and breath taking statue of the three goddess, Din, Nayru, Farore.
Finally, my eyes land upon Zelda herself. Her long aesthetic brunette hair accenting her flawless porcelain skin and stormy blue eyes. Curtsying I drop my eyes to the floor, focusing on the crimson red carpet in a vain attempt to vanquish my doubt. At last she speaks, her voice like that of an archangel, "I've heard much in your favor, Qira."
