:) Hiya guys! I hope you enjoy the story!
By the by, I have some answers to some questions below, and if you have trouble remembering who some of the non-main-characters are ( like me), I will be providing quick profiles each chapter so you can refresh your memory.
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Illia- Teenage daughter of the mayor of Ordon. From what we can tell from the game, she is Link best friend prior to twilight, and has a sweet and caring disposition.
Fado- The rancher of Ordon who looks after the goats. He is also nice...come to think of it, is there anyone in Ordon who isn't a generally decent person?
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Anyway, on with the show!
Link turned her hand over once more in mild fascination and apprehension. There, like it had been every other time, was a faintly glowing band of light that encircled her ring finger. The glow was soft and not unlike her natural mark of the tri-force. Still, it was a surreal sight to see the foreign light clinging to her skin like a glowing tattoo.
An unwanted glowing tattoo.
Link rubbed the skin and felt the warm tingle of magic just beneath the skin. The feeling started creeping up her arm, and the girl quickly rubbed from her shoulder down in an attempt to push the magic back.
She sighed and twisted her hand in another direction. Hoping to see untouched skin, the tunic clad hero sighed again when all she saw was the ring of light at a different angle. Shaking out her hand in frustration Link began to rap her knuckles along the stone table to try and calm her nerves.
Where was Zelda?
As soon as Link had stepped foot inside the castle walls a guard had been sent off to inform the Princess that she was here.
How long had Link been waiting?
It must have been bordering on an hour now.
In truth it hadn't been that long. As soon as Zelda had heard that Link was waiting for her, she had looked for the best opening and then set off. To Link's nervous mind, though, the minutes were stretched longer than usual.
Link's head shot up as the heavy wooden door opened and the iron hinges creaked.
"Link!" The Princess exclaimed coming through the door. Looking very neat and graceful, Zelda took long but elegant strides across the room to the hero.
"What happened?" Zelda asked whilst giving Link a quick hug which had become their custom when away from the eyes of the world. When in court, they met each other with a formal nod and familiar smile. "
Link bit her lip, unsure of how to explain. She opened her mouth but then closed it. Feeling unsure she shuffled her feet on the stone floor before beginning to pace. Her steps muffled by the red carpet.
"I heard that you were kidnapped. The children of your village too."
Link stopped pacing and nodded her head vigorously.
"Tell me what happened." Zelda insisted.
Link, instead, decided to bring up her left hand, feeling rather bare without her leather glove, for the Princess to inspect.
Zelda's brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of the marking. Running her own hand over the band of light, Zelda then closed her eyes as she tried to place a name. After a moment she opened her eyes and looked up at Link in apology.
"I am sorry; I am unfamiliar with this magic." Zelda let go Link's hand. Pausing, Zelda looked up "It does look an awful lot like an engagement ring though."
A small and bemused smile colored her slender face. "So, tell me. Who's the lucky man?"
The smile dropped into an expression of disbelief when Link's own remained upset.
"It'll be faster if you just show me what happened." Zelda said sliding one of her long cotton gloves off. She slowly reached up and pressed her hand against the heroine's forehead.
"Just imagine what happened and I'll see it." The princess instructed.
Link gave a small nod, unsure of where to begin. Closing her eyes she thought back to the dreaded day that the event had started, and began to form the scene in her mind.
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The day had actually begun pleasantly enough. She had just finished helping Fado on the ranch. They had taken out the goats to the fields early that morning. The cool dew on the grass kissed the sides of her feet and saturated the bottoms of her sandals. The sensation of wet feet wasn't entirely pleasant, but Link was happy that her feet had made it out untrammeled by goat hoofs.
"Thanks for the help Link." Fado said smiling. He surveyed the flock from the incline of the hill with approval.
"Though I think you should get going pretty soon." His thick neck rotated so he could peer at Link from over his shoulder. "Illia said that she had something planned for you?"
Link grimaced.
Today was Illia's birthday.
She had been dreading this day for a while now.
Illia had, for several years now, tried to get Link in a dress.
She had begged, she had threatened, she had even gotten Rusl to gang up on her. Illia was a sweet person and great friend, but she was incredibly persistent. Finally the day had come when Illia had innocently strolled up to Link while she had been mercilessly hacking, err…. trimming the grass in front of her house. Illia casually informed her that, for her birthday, she would absolutely adore it if Link would allow her to dress her up. Link, of course, was fully prepared to reject Illia's request, but she stopped herself. Looking at Illia's hopeful face made an unprecedented knot of guilt settle in her stomach. How could she deny her friend such a request for her birthday?
Needless to say, Link had gone against her natural instinct, and said yes.
Fado laughed at Link's unhappy expression.
"Come on Link, I don't what's going on, but it can't be that bad."
Link's pitiful look made him chuckle all the more.
"Well, I'll see you this evening."
Nodding half-heartedly Link trudged out of the pasture and down the hill in to the Village. She briefly wondered if there was any way that she could escape her fate, but resigned herself as she knocked on the door of the Mayor's house.
"Link!" Illia greeted happily when she opened the door. Link was instantly pulled into the house and ushered up the stairs.
Before Link could scarcely form a coherent thought a wash rag was thrown into her hands.
"Quick, wash your face. I'm going to go get some supplies, and I'll be right back." Illia commanded before bounding back down the stairs.
Finding a basin sitting on the wooden counter Link dutifully scrubbed her face with the warm water. She even started on her neck and behind her ears, savoring the feel of the water on her skin.
The thump of footsteps told Link that Illia had returned.
"Here, you can use this to dry off." Illia said offering Link a dry linen towel. Illia's smile was kind, and warm, but Link could see excitement bubbling behind her eyes. When Link had finished drying her face Illia produced from behind her back a simple white dress not unlike the one that she was currently wearing.
Link gulped.
Illia grinned.
"Try this on."
Thanks for reading. :)
Here are some answers to any potential questions.
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Why is Link a girl?
Well, to be honest, mostly because it's easier on my plot brain. I need someone to explain the glowy band of light later. I could either create a character who could explain it, or use a pre-existing character, and if Link was a boy, because of how the casting would fall, I would need an original character. Call me uber lazy, but original characters intimidate me. I'm a little afraid of writing the ones that I already have. Also, I like the idea of Zelda and and Link having a sisterly bond.
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Can Link talk?
Erm... Maybe? I think so. A better question would be 'does Link talk in this story?' For that question I say, most likely not.
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When does this take place?
Post Twilight Princess by about 3 years.
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How often do you update?
*cough* cough* Next question please!
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Is this going to have romance between Shiek and Link?
Maybe. I honestly don't know at this point.
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You don't know yet?
Noope.
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Wait, so does that mean this story has a plot beyond romance?
Why yes it does:)
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Should I just stop reading now?
Well, I certainly hope not. :( Plots are wonderful things!
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Anyway, Thanks again for reading you guys! If you have any helpful critiques, ways to improve my writing style, or just want to say hi, I would really like to hear from you. Have a good night (or day) and I'll see you at the next chapter!:)