Hey y'all!
So, this is my second attempt at writing this story. This time, I took a different approach. I'll be writing a compilation of short stories that tell of Twyla's journeys in different regions outside of Hyrule. As well, I will be adding in journal entries to delve deeper into Twyla's character, and I will write letters that are being written back to Link and Ilia. Hope you guys like this idea and this prologue! Comment, review, critique, both positive and negative, thanks! Also recommend reading True Bonds Never Break, gives some information that could be useful in reading this! Enjoy the story, folks!
I do not own, nor ever will own, the rights to the Legend of Zelda or any of the characters, objects, creatures, etc. Nintendo owns all rights to this franchise
Prologue
It was morning, the air was crisp and cool. The sun was beginning to break through the clouds that covered it only moments ago. Animals and birds of all kinds were waking to begin the first day of spring. Trees and flowers were beginning to bloom and decorate Ordon Spring with magnificent hues of green foliage and colorful flowers. As the sky was finally rid of clouds, the sun shone brightly on the pool of clear, blue water that gave life to the Ordon region. Sitting along the edge of the spring was a young woman playing with her short, blonde hair reminiscent to the twilight sky.
Her feet, which were absent of the traveling boots by her side, were dancing in the shallow waters. While her feet were in the water, she was playing on a small ocarina. The Ordonian wood gave the ocarina a chestnut color to it and was carved to look like a soaring hawk. She fiddled with it, playing a few different songs, but always came back to the same tune it was meant for. The song, which she learned from her "Uncle" Rusl, was a very airy tune, switching between higher and lower notes that could remind one of a bird soaring on air currents.
Once she finished the short tune, an Ordonian hawk flew down onto a sturdy piece of arrow patterned leather on her shoulder. The hawk gave a cry of delight as his owner scratched along the arrow marking on his forehead.
His owner transferred him onto her right arm, which had a leather gauntlet on it that matched her leather shoulder pad in design. From the pouch on her side, she produced a few pieces of cooked meat. "Here you go, Yeager!" Her winged companion ruffled his brown feathers and cried in delight at the snack he received. Once he had his fill, he took off back into the sky, circling around the spring's clearing over and over again. The young woman just watched as her friend enjoyed their last moments at Ordon Spring.
Minutes later, a young woman with short blonde hair walked through the spring entrance, almost sadly so. She sighed, then called out to the young girl in front of her. "Twyla, it's time." Twyla turned to see her mom, Ilia, who donned a solemn smile. "Your father has the horses packed and fed."
Quickly, Twyla jumped to her feet, struggling to put her traveling boots on at the same time. Once her boots were on, Yeager flew onto Twyla's shoulder and she walked over to her mother. From there, they both exited Ordon Spring to the clearing right outside the spring's entrance. A mass of people were grouped together in the clearing, waiting to give Twyla one last good-bye.
Some wore smiles on their faces, happy to see Twyla embark on her journey. Not so much happy that she was leaving, but the fact that she would fulfill her dream. Others had tears threatening to fall from their eyes. Amongst them, some already had tears slowly streaming down their faces, sad to see their lifelong friend leave. Most, however, felt equal share of these emotions. They wore smiles on their faces, sad smiles if one looked carefully, and had sadness in their eyes.
In the middle of the group of people awaited Twyla's father, Link. Alongside him were two brown mares. The one closest to Link, which was his horse, had a simple night roll on her saddle and a quiver of arrows with a bow holstered in it, tied to the roll. The horse behind Link's, on the other hand, had two packs on her side, each filled to the brim with supplies. Next to her legs was a satchel that was also close to overflowing. Finally, on her saddle was a thicker sleep roll with a small feather filled pillow encased within.
In turn, Twyla came to every person who was there to see her off. She bid good-bye to the villagers of Ordon Village, giving drawn out hugs to Uli, Rusl, and many of the other villagers. Then, she came to Lilith, Rusl and Uli's daughter and Twyla's childhood friend, Lilith. Tears could be seen in her eyes, threatening to streak down her cheek at any moment.
Lilith made an attempt to smile and be happy for her friend, seemingly failing at the same time. "W-well, I guess…" she had to collect herself before she could continue. "I guess this is good-bye?"
A warm smile came to Twyla's face, prompting Lilith to break out of her melancholy. "Good-bye? No. This isn't good-bye…" Twyla couldn't keep her happy composure anymore and broke down, as did Lilith. "It's 'until next time'…" Both friends lost control of themselves and held the other in a tight hug, never wanting Twyla to leave. Tears fell down and began to stain the Ordonian garments that both girl's wore, while blending in with the pieces of blue that decorated their clothing. It felt like minutes had passed before they broke apart.
When they did, Lilith spoke through her small sobs. "Just… Just promise you-you'll visit, soon. Okay?"
Twyla pulled back amidst the choking up and wet tears. She wiped her tears away and replied, "Of course. As soon as I can." The smile they both shared a few moments ago reappeared, though it still had a hint of sadness added to it. Once she was finished speaking to Lilith and the villagers, she went over to her father and mother, who were accompanied by Bo, Renado, and Telma.
Renado and Telma were next to each other. It could be easily seen that one had feelings for the other as Telma's arm was tightly wound around Renado's. A few signs of discomfort and embarrassment could be seen in the shaman's face, but Telma either didn't notice or seemed not to care. Probably the latter, since someone like her, flirty and always getting what she wants, tended to only pay attention to what she wanted to see.
As Twyla approached them, Telma finally let go of Renado's arm, much to his relief. She swept the young Ordonian up in her arms, nearly crushing her. After a few more moments, and several gasping breaths, Twyla was finally released from the bear hug that had encased her inside the woman's arms and bosom. It was a loving hug, one that should the bond between the two, but it was tough love being shown.
Telma placed her hands on the young woman's shoulders as Renado came up to their side. "I'm going to miss you so much, honey." Tears were falling anew from both woman's faces. Telma turned her attention to Twyla's neck. "I see you still have the pendant I gave you", Telma said with a smile.
Around Twyla's neck hung a small, silver triforce attached to a simple piece of string. It was a reminder of the time she and her father had visited Castle Town those many years ago. As its owner looked at it, smells and sights of the bustling town entered her mind. Staying at Telma's and swapping stories, buying a small bow and quiver from Malo, and just enjoying the childhood that anyone would gladly wish to have. It was a simple time that Twyla enjoyed immensely.
She was brought back into the present and looked on at Telma. "Of course, I wouldn't go anywhere without my lucky necklace." Both smiled warmly as Twyla said this. It was the young woman's turn to take her friend into her arms. "I'm going to miss you, Auntie Telma."
Once they separated, Renado, who was dressed in white holy robes, put his hand on Twyla's shoulder. She knelt in respect. "And goddesses watch over this young woman's travels. Bless her journey and her path, her wisdom and her courage, and her luck and her will." The blessing was an old one, being passed down from shaman to shaman. It protected the person's journey and allowed them to travel with ease. However, many people didn't know this blessing, lost to time as the need for traveling to faraway lands became less and less. "But most importantly, goddesses, protect her from all things evil and cruel that would bring any harm to this child." As he finished the blessing, Twyla came back to her feet and gave Renado a hug.
"Thank you, Renado. And thank you for your lessons on the goddesses."
A smile adorned his face. "Of course, my child. All should know of the goddesses, and I'm glad it was I that taught you about them." They released from the hug and Telma and Renado retreated into the group of people. Both became inseparable once again, as Telma put an iron-locked grip around the shaman's arm. Now, it was time for her family. She turned towards them.
Bo was behind Twyla's mother, holding her shoulders and comforting her. Both showed signs of tears that had already fallen from their now puffed, red faces. It broke Twyla's heart a little, seeing her grandfather and mother like this. However, adventure called out to her. Seeing new things, visiting new places, journeying to forbidden dungeons, that's what was waiting for her. Of course, most of this was romanticized in her head, but the chance that anything could happen was enough to make one take it.
Bo was the first to speak to Twyla. Through uncontrollable tears, he picked his granddaughter up into his massive arms. It was just like many other times when Twyla was hurt or sad and he would pick her up. Being tossed into the air and quickly forgetting about the troubles that had caused the distress in the first place. A protective grandfather always watching over his beloved granddaughter. "T-take care of yourself out there," the mayor of Ordon Village said in between violent sobs. "Come back to us in one piece!"
Twyla laughed at the big man who was her grandfather was crying without cease. "I will, I promise. Just as long as you take care of mom and dad."
"Don't worry, kiddo. I will." Before he could say anything more, Ilia came to his side. Bo took this as a sign that it was Ilia's turn, and left, quite sadly, to join the group of people seeing his granddaughter off.
Twyla came up to her mother and was immediately wrapped in her loving embrace. Memories the two shared appeared in both of their heads. Flashes of first moments, joyful parties, and peaceful times went through their minds. Several instances of fighting and making up were brought into place. Times of love and sadness passed in front of their closed eyes. Ilia wished they could be like this forever, remembering and reliving again and again. But both of them knew that Twyla had to go.
As tears flowed freely from their blue eyes, they said their good-byes. "Twyla," her mother began. "You have grown into a beautiful and strong woman, I couldn't be more proud of you. You know, you're just like your father." A small laughed came out of her sad smile. "So adventurous, so strong, so brave. I'm gonna miss you, my little girl."
"I'm gonna miss you too, mom. I'll write to when I can, okay?" Twyla sniffed away the last of her tears.
Finally, the mother and daughter pulled apart. "Okay, I'll be looking forward to it." Her mother went up to her father and fell into his embrace. They whispered a few things back and forth, saying things only meant for the other to hear. Once finished, they gave each other a long, loving kiss. Then, Ilia retreated into the group, sadly joining her father. He wrapped one of his massive arms around her as she laid her head on his shoulder, comforting both of them in this saddening, but joyous, occasion.
Then, Twyla came up to her father, who stood proudly before her with a smile on his rugged face. "Are you ready to go, sweetie?"
Twyla gave a solemn nod, sad to leave everyone behind, but ready to take her next step on the ever changing road called life. "Yes, dad. I'm ready." She picked up the pack by her horse, then swiftly mounted the proud beast. Her father followed suit and both turned to exit the only home Twyla had ever known. As they crossed the creaking bridge, they turned around and waved good-bye to the group of on-lookers, seeing several wet faces and hearing the many blessings and wishes coming from the only family Twyla had ever known.
The sun was now setting. It bid farewell to the world its rays warmed, as it had many a time before. The red color coming from it was slowly beginning to disappear beyond the horizon. Creatures big and small retreated to their homes as night began to take over Hyrule. The moon began to take the sun's place as the sky was silently changing from hues of orange, red, and yellow, into a blue, dark sea of stars. Light still poured forth into the world, shining on a small entrance into a gloomy forest.
Along the outskirts of Hyrule was a forest. This forest, it was said, was so thick that the penetrating light of the sun was but a faint glow along the forest floor. Even with this appearance, however, many travelers and merchants used it to leave Hyrule and visit the once mysterious Termina. A legend, passed down through the ages, tells of the Hero of Time once visiting this forest and traveling to Termina, but he was never heard from again. Some believed he stayed there, living the life of a famed hero in paradise. However, most believed that he died while traveling to the mysterious land. But now, it was a clear path to another area of the world, one that many took. This was Twyla's first destination.
Outside of the forest, she and her father stopped. Both jumped off of their horses and went towards the other. This was where they would say good-bye.
"So," Link started, trying to keep the trembling in his voice hidden from his daughter. "I guess it's time."
"Yeah," Twyla began nervously. "I guess so…"
Link smiled and embraced his beloved daughter. Nothing made him happier than to see her leave to explore the world and all of its splendors. He was still scared, however, fearing that she may never return or that she may get hurt. Those fears were quickly subsided, as he knew Twyla would be just fine. She was brave, determined and would never give up, there was nothing he needed to worry about.
They pulled apart, tears threatening to fall from Link's eyes, but streaming down Twyla's face steadily. "Here, I have something for you." Link turned to his horse and untied the bow and quiver from his sleeping roll. He came up to Twyla and extended the gift to her. "You'll need something to protect you."
Twyla stared in awe, never believing that her father would part from such a beautiful weapon. Reluctantly, she reached out and took hold of her father's bow. When she had it in her hands, all she could do was stare at it. "Well, go ahead. Put it on." Link urged his daughter with his hands.
She tied the quiver onto the blue piece of leather around her waist, feeling the now added weight. She drew back the bow and played with the string for a few moments, getting used to its feeling again. Memories came to her of times when she and her father would practice shooting targets. Eventually, when Twyla became a master at the bow, the two of them would compete to see who was better. Of course, with Link's experience, he won most of the time, but they were still memories Twyla held dear to her heart.
She sheathed the bow into the quiver and turned back to her father. "Dad… I-I can't thank you enough."
His smile continued. "You don't need to. As long as you have that bow, I'll know you're safe." Yeager squawked from Twyla's shoulder at the old Hylian. Link and Twyla chuckled. "Of course, I know Yeager will protect you from any danger, as well." He scratched under the hawk's wing and received an acknowledging, happy cry in return.
Then, he turned to his daughter. His tone turned to one of seriousness. "Listen, just be careful out there. I don't want anything to happen to you." This was when his parental side would come out: anytime Twyla could possibly be in danger.
"Don't worry, dad. I'll be careful." A reassuring smile appeared on Twyla's face, as did one on Link's. He knew his daughter would be alright, but his fatherly side sometimes got the better of him.
One last time, they hugged each other. Then, Twyla and Yeager got on her horse and bid farewell to her father as she slowly, and somewhat reluctantly, entered the dark forest. She looked back and waved, leaving behind the only life she ever knew. Leaving behind the only land she ever lived on. But most importantly, she was leaving her family behind for the first time. She was eager to see what fate had in store for her as the tall, brooding trees swallowed her being, until she was gone.
Hope this was a good introduction, guys! I will probably start writing the next chapter soon! Again, this is gonna be a collection of short stories, but it will be a tale about Twyla's journeys. Hope you guys like this idea!
Stay tuned, until next time y'all, peace! Thank ya kindly for reading :)