MAJOR EDIT FROM THE FUTURE: Hello! Wow...it's been a while since I wrote this. Since it was my very first story, I wanted to upload it again. If you think the first chapter is atrocious, forgive me, I kept most of it intact for sentimental reasons (I wrote this when I was a kid...there's bound to be errors and garbage everywhere). Reflecting on the story, I think it was just too epic to complete. The enormous plot escaped me so much that I've decided to discontinue it. And I was way too young...I laughed a lot at how stupid and kiddish the disclaimers/intros sound.
In spite of all this tale's shortcomings, I hope they don't bother you enough to stop reading. This first chapter is a little rough, so I do understand if you spit it out in disgust and move on to the next story.
Thank you.
Disclaimer: I do not own Nintendo
Hoof beats.*Thud thud*.Layla heard them and was lulled by their monotonous sound.*Thud thud*.She knew all of the horses were safely tied up for the night. Yet, the hoof beats persisted.*Thud thud*.Nonetheless, Layla listened to them. Then she heard other hooves touching the ground.*Thud thud thud*.These were reckless and out of beat, and drowned out the other peaceful set of hoof beats.*Thud thud thud*.They got louder and louder, almost to a point where it could deafen a person. And then they softened. Beating...beating,*thud thud thud*.Then all was still...
Layla awoke to her jovial mother yelling, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!" Layla shook her head and groaned at the sound of morning. She saw her mother frown and, to Layla's disappointment, shake the bed. It took a few seconds until Layla finally rose to greet the morning, and her overly excited mother. She saw the short brown haired woman and tried to crack a smile. This woman had a "larger" body frame that was almost even masculine, not to mention it intimidated everyone she met. Her mother was wearing her favorite red dress with fringed edges on it and, when Layla was young, she had called it the "puffy dress" because of its fluffed edges.
Now Layla finally realized it was her birthday and thought of the days events. There would be a party, some odd boring gifts, and a trip to the market to buy a new tunic. It was going to turn out to be just another dull, dreary day.
She finally got up, yawned, stretched, and walked over to her mother who was holding Layla's breakfast. She shoved it in her daughter's arms and pulled out some clothes from behind her saying," Happy Birthday honey! I decided to just bring your new tunic to you this time so we didn't have to travel. Hurry up and get dressed, your father is waiting for you outside."
Layla looked at the clothes and fake-smiled for her mother. She laid them out and saw that they were a maroon color with a black belt. Her mother exclaimed, "Oh, I almost forgot," She pulled out a pair of boots from basket in the corner. Layla said thank you, then ate breakfast, pork and eggs, and got dressed in her new clothes. On her way out Layla's mother smiled and said," How wonderful! You look great! Don't forget to do your chores and help take down the tents. We have another mission from the council. Hurry up now, don't delay!"
Layla ran out of the tent looking for her father. He was the leader of the troops and had blond hair and dark eyes that felt powerful and strong. He was also tall, which was a good thing in Layla's case. The men were bustling around the campsite so much that she actually couldn't find her him. They camped out in the middle of the desert, so it was hard to see with the dust flying around. Then she saw him, over by the stables. Layla ran and yelled, "Father!" He turned around to greet her and smiled.
"So I heard it was your twelfth birthday! Did you get your new outfit?" Layla looked up at him, panting and said, "Yes."
He yelled orders to some men and turned back to her attention.
"Well, we must be going soon, to Gerudo fortress. The council wants us to check up on what those thieves are doing. They said there had been rumors of them plotting against the kingdom again." Layla looked down. She always was left behind with one or two other soldiers to look after her. She sighed and asked," Could I come this time? I finished all my training for this year, and I even won the beginners sparring tournament." It was true; there were no other kids in the camp, so she always practiced with the younger men in training. Earlier that year, she had won the tournament.
"And," She thought of one other thing," I'm twelve this year." He thought hard, and then finally spoke, "Alright," Layla was sparked with excitement," but on one condition." Layla obviously didn't care. All she wanted to do was go with.
Alright! She thought. A real mission! In Gerudo fortress! The idea gave her jitters and she remembered her father's condition.
"You must stay with the beginner's squad. Don't even think about straying away, or there will be severe punishments." He tried to sound as serious as possible, and then laughed.
Filled to the brim with excitement, Layla ran towards the stables to tell Epona, her horse, yelling back," Thank you!!!" The brown and white mare stood in the corral, grazing. Epona instantly ran towards Layla and covered her in kisses. They had been playmates ever since Layla was a kid. They said their hellos and Layla told Epona her news.
"Epona we're finally going to Gerudo fortress with the others!" Epona, being Layla's horse, was also left behind on missions. After she was told she would be able to go, Epona whinnied in excitement.
Layla took her out of the corral to herd the sheep. Since the camp was moving, the sheep had to go too. Layla got on Epona without a saddle and walked her towards the sheep. Layla never worried about saddles, unless they were going on a long trip. It suited her to ride bareback.
The lazy fat sheep were grazing in the field. They were always tough to herd, and very stubborn. Some days, Layla just wanted to make a coat out of their fluff right then and there. Today Layla hoped they would be good since it was her birthday. She immediately saw that she was wrong. They all walked the complete opposite direction and spread out as much as possible. Layla tried to calm down Epona, who really wanted to give it to them. She was snorting and digging at the ground with her hoof in frustration.
When the sheep were finally in order, Layla saw one group of five sheep that were scattered led by a mean old ram. She always had trouble with this one, because he was usually the trouble maker behind the rest of the flock's rebellious attitude. He huffed and puffed at her and threatened to charge. She circled him and the other strays in attempt to get them in a group. But they quickly caught on separated again. Finally Layla was on the verge of giving up when the ram suddenly charged at her. She turned Epona just at the right moment to dodge the attack. The ram turned around and ran towards her again. Layla picked up a heavy stick and, just as he came by, whacked the ram on his head. He stood there, dumbfounded, and then dizzily walked to the rest of the flock. The other strays saw this and meekly walked with the ram. Layla laughed. She wouldn't ever have any trouble with the sheep again.
By noon the camp was ready to leave. Layla found her mother wearing a light armor at the front of the camp along with the other troops. Her father was standing in front of them, ready to lead the way. Layla was thankful for the cool breeze that stopped by. It felt wonderful in the hot sun. Layla saw it swoop by through her long brown hair. She breathed it all in. Finally, it was her first time going on a mission! Her mother noticed her enthusiasm and smiled.
"Well I see someone's excited." She rode a Grey speckled horse she called Willow. He was an old war horse, but she trusted him greatly.
Just then Layla heard her father speaking on his giant white horse.
"Alright, we will enter, as always, with caution. Our objective is to investigate, not to attack." He started pacing.
"The more skilled soldiers will enter in the back entrance way, while the soldiers in training follow behind. One squad must go undercover to the leader's room to spy. Layla!" He pointed at her.
"I want you to go with that group."
They didn't make great progress with the afternoon sun hovering over them. The troops were hot, sweaty, and exhausted. Layla herself was getting tired, but, in hopes of impressing her father, tried to remain calm. As if the heat was nothing. But in the end she was bent over Epona's neck and worn out.
The troops made camp for the night by a small spring of water. Layla's canteen was empty and she went to fill it. When she got back she saw her mother making soup. Everyone knew her mother's cooking was the best. It smelled delicious. The wonderful fragrance was wafting over the whole camp. Layla had to check every minute to see if she could have first dibbs. After the long trek in the desert, Layla was starving. When her mother finally gave out food, Layla gulped it down and quickly asked for more. As she spooned out the soup, her mother laughed and said, "Honestly, Layla, the world won't run out of soup." Layla also saw a look of sadness flash across her face, and wondered about it.
After dinner was over, everyone went back to their tents. Some men stayed out by the campfire and talked. Others went to sleep; Layla covered her ears at their snoring. She herself went back to the tent that she shared with her parents, and got ready for bed. Her mother walked in and unraveled a small bed roll made of sheep wool. She still looked slightly meloncholy, despite all the good things that had happened that day. She started digging around in her bag. Layla's father walked in and looked at her mother, who was still appeared disappointed. Now Layla was really suspicious, and she asked," What's wrong?" Her father nodded and then the sad woman finally found what she was looking for. She pulled out a strange black headband, with the golden Triforce on it.
Layla knew that anything with a Triforce on it must be important, and she remembered what the Temple of Time looked like when she first saw it. It had been rebuilt to look exactly like the original, with magnificent marble walls, and a beautiful doorway that supposedly lead to the sacred realm. And everything was covered with Triforce symbols. Layla had also been told both stories of the ancient heroes, who vanquished the evil wizard and saved Hyrule. But this was a new Hyrule, one named after the other one sealed away by a great ocean of water. Layla remembered the time when her mother told her bedtime stories about the legends of old.
This is but one of the legends of which people speak.
Long ago, there existed a kingdom where a golden power lay hidden. It was a peaceful land, blessed with tall mountains, lush fields, and peace.
But one day, a man of great evil found the golden power and took it for himself…With its strength at his command; he spread darkness across the kingdom.
But then, when all hope had died and the hour of doom seemed at hand…a young boy clothed in green appeared as if from nowhere. Wielding the blade of evil's bane, he sealed the dark one away and gave the land light. The boy, who traveled through time to save the land, was known as the Hero of Time. The boy's tale was passed down through generations until it became legend…
But then…a day came when a fell wind began to blow across the kingdom. The great evil that all thought had been forever sealed away by the hero...once again crept forth from the depths of the earth, eager to resume its dark designs.
The people believed that the hero of time would once again come to save them…
But the hero did not appear.
Faced by an onslaught of evil, the people could do nothing but appeal to the Triforce. In their last hour, as their doom drew nigh, they left their lives in the hands of fate.
The kingdom was plunged beneath a vast body of water. Many escaped to the tops of mountains.
Many, however, did not.
The mountains became islands, the kingdom's survivors were isolated, and they soon forgot about the hero until the legend merely survived on the wind's breath. The vast sea was covered in darkness.
The great evil had almost succeeded its plans…
Until a young boy armored with the legendary blade and the power of winds rose to the challenge, and with the help of a princess, once again defeated the great evil. He, in turn, gained the name Hero of the Winds.
The two set out for a new land, one worthy of being named after the ancient kingdom.
It was soon restored, and the new kingdom prospered.
What happened to the great evil?
Some say that he was locked away…
Others say that in his final hour, swore to murder the hero's descendants.
That he still waits today for the opportune moment to gain ultimate power and vengeance…
Layla stared at the mysterious headband. It somehow had reminded her of those stories. They echoed in her head…