Just a oneshot. Need to vent out some good ol' angst. :)
Marielle is an OC, just to make it clear. A big part of the story, but Link and Zelda will be there.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Legend of Zelda.
…Love
Perhaps they were right. Perhaps this was unhealthy. Perhaps she should stop while she still could.
But how?
Her body had fallen into the daily routine. As she dodged each step and his in the shadows he passed, the familiar longing ran through her. She knew that she must remain hidden at all times. Exposure would lead to the end of the game.
Her body slammed against the wall of the wooden doors, night draped him like a cloak as he continued to trek across the moat with easy steps. Did he even know of her?
No. He did not. And he never would.
The fabric of her cloak billowed in the wind as she bolted from tree to tree, tracing his steps and eyes trained on his silhouette. He slowed and propped his body against the same cherry blossom tree, eyes sliding to a shut.
She crouched from the shadows, watching, and her eyes wide with a newfound fascination. He reached for his cap and threw it at the ground. Blonde hair ruffled in the wind, Sheikah earring glinted at the moonlight.
It was almost at arms length. Her fingers twitched, wanting to touch the green fabric.
Must not expose. She slithered back into place and her body trembled at the cold.
Why was she doing this?
…Origins
Her name was Marielle. She was born under a summer moon in a loving family. As a babe, she had grown and discovered the differences that had held her back from the outside world.
Her face.
It was marred, deformed. Burnt skin traced across her jaw line, reaching for cheekbones and hollowed profile. Scorched scalp and scaly hands, that as talented as they were, was far from wanting.
But others had their flaws as well and upon seeing the imperfection she had fooled herself into satisfaction. No one was perfect. They were no more special than she was.
But it was in her teens that she had seen the fallen beauty that was their princess. Golden tresses, sparkling amethyst eyes, creamy soft skin, and a gentle smile. It was perfection, and it haunted her every waking moment.
Countless mirrors had shattered by her fists. All of them speaking the ugly truth.
Why was I born like this Mama?
Tears fell heavily on the floor and comforting hands stroked her brittle hair. Because your beauty inside is what defines you, Marielle. And if all could take time to see that, you would be the most gorgeous girl in all the land.
…Introduction
Her father had become the new postman for Hyrule. And often he'd come home carrying a heavy sack of letters and packages.
Unbeknownst to her parents, she often searched through for special-marked envelopes and such, to spark interest within her.
That one fateful day. She had found an envelope bearing the seal of the Royal Family, addressed to a Sir Link of Ordon. Her interest flickered on and she had found the guts to convince her father to take her to work one day.
Perched on a horse with a dark cloak shrouding her figure and shawl covering face she galloped with her father to Ordon Province. The town itself was quaint but charming with it's forest scenery. It was where her mare had buckled and stumbled to a sudden stop, she was thrown back by force.
She crashed ungracefully to the ground and heard her father yelp in the distance. A smooth deep voice carried over her. "Are you alright?"
She opened her eyes slowly and peered below her hood to find a face that stopped her breathing. Angled features, unruly sunshine locks, sharp azure eyes. A hesitant smile came to the handsome stranger's features. "You took quite a fall there."
He outstretched a gloved hand. She blinked at it. Then back at him. Red colored her cheeks when their hands touched. He pulled her up with relative ease and caution. He bowed slightly. "Milady."
Heat flooded through her and her father yelped. "Heeeeeeeeeyyy!" The stranger turned to face the grinning postman. "How do you do, Postman?"
"Just fine, Sir Link. Appreciate ya helping out my daughter there."
"No bother." The stranger replied offhandedly. "So…any letters from…" He faltered and shot the postman a knowing look.
Her father nodded hurriedly. "Of course." He searched his bag and frowned, rummaging through more intently. A frown came to the stranger, Link's, face. "Is there a problem?"
"I…" A sweat drop rolled down the side of her father's face. She could sense his anxiety. "…Swore I had it…" He mumbled softly.
Meekly, she held out the stolen letter to him, Link shot her a wary look. "Oh," he took it slowly with a raised brow at the torn seal. His eyes hardened gradually. "Thank you."
She could only nod and watch as Link bid farewell to her father and set off back into his village.
Illumine Fest…
The Princess' coronation had begun. Streams of silver silk floated above the hustling parades and glowing faces beamed from below. Nobles flitted amongst themselves, their frivolous gowns and handsome suits made her feel ill and far from at ease.
The commoner girls shot her disapproving looks, muttering to each other. The boys avoided any eye contact with her, not willing to shame themselves in front of their reprimanding fathers.
Her mother stood dutifully behind her, hands reaching forward to her, patting softly at the shawl she had wrapped around her scarred jaw. Her eyes were misted over in sadness. This was her life.
Her father whispered to her mother quietly, in fear that she might hear his words. "Isn't the young Queen beautiful?"
Marielle's heart did a flip, she shuddered under her thick cloak.
"Yes. She is. And she deserves this crown, I wonder why it has taken so long." Her mother replied.
"The Council. They are unsure of her ever since the Reaping Days."
Reaping Days, that was what the people had named for the month of Twilight covered months they'd spent. And it had all been her fault.
"She is human." Her mother said. "She is allowed the luxury of mistakes, Harold. No one is perfect."
"No my dear, she was a princess. And so, she is more than just a human. She is a symbol."
"Quiet!" A voice hollered. "Her Highness approaches us."
Daringly, Marielle wrenched away from her mother's fading grasp and immersed deeper into the crowd. She drifted to the league of nobles, many of whom, thankfully, paid no attention to her presence. Yet they wrinkled their noses as if she reeked of insignificance.
She ignored them.
A grand sweep of calm, beautiful music played to the river of citizens, the orchestra preformed their flawless notes, riveting and in tune. Marielle briefly closed her eyes and sighed. Lovely.
"Impressive, isn't it?" A voice said beside her. She turned around, surprised. A tall young man, face and figure hidden in the immaculate white cloak so finely woven that she felt even more inferior in her dusty peasant garb. His voice was steadying and smooth.
It was familiar. And it made her nervous.
"I suppose." She stammered, a flustered feeling taking over her.
"Do you play an instrument?"
She bit her lip. "Ocarina."
The person chuckled, a deep rich tone that attracted the attention of some bystander. "How fortunate. So do I."
"Oh…r-really?" She swallowed. Talking did not come easily to her. Most people who had seen her face could not hold a conversation for long.
"Perhaps, when you are free, we can practice together. I hardly often meet any other ocarina player."
"I'd like that."
She knew it was too good to be true. This was merely small talk. He'd lose interest soon.
Trumpets blared. "Announcing her most radiant Majesty, Crown Jewel and Bearer of Nayru's Wisdom, Princess Zelda Harkinain of Hyrule!" Gaurds donned in dashing armor thudded the tip of their spears to the ground in acknowledgement.
The crowd burst in hearty cheer.
The man next to her stiffened visibly.
The Princess came into the light of the setting sunlight, gasps rang from the audience and silence hung over them as they watched, captivated by her. Marielle felt her throat dry.
The Princess had a dazzling face, one that glowed with kindness. Her eyes were a vivid amethyst and her features were angled like a goddess. Her hair was a rich bright golden and it was swept behind her, a curtain of silky waves and intricate braids. Her gown was a shimmering pearl hue with a diamond bib set high on her collar, radiating a twinkle, one that matched her eyes. Her mouth was a thin pursed line with pink, rose tinted lips.
"I have to go." The man beside her said, and he disappeared further into the crowd, closer to the Princess.
Marielle did not feel disappointed. She had expected it.
"My people." Princess Zelda addressed the crowd fluently, her voice lyrical and angelic. Marielle steeled her heart against her words.
"Today, I shall be crowned your Queen, and I pray that in due time, I will prove myself worthy of my Mother's namesakes. And I pray that my reign shall not imprison the way you express yourselves differently, divide from the others. Yet I pray, that it may also bind you all together in ties of equality and brotherhood." She glanced down mournfully. "I shall not taint my words with lies, Hyrule. And so I stand here…to apologize."
"What?" A nearby noble gasped. "What does she mean? We love her."
"I stand here, and I see many broken faces." The Princess continued.
She probably meant mine.
"And it is due to my foolish mistakes that Hyrule has entered a time of darkness and chaos. But amongst the twilight, we have been rescued by a light. A light from the gods. We have been blessed, Hyrule, with a hero."
The people exploded into polite and happy applause. The Princess looked up, her eyes glimmering with crystal tears. "And before I am crowned Queen, it is only fitting that I reward him for correcting my mistake. So please, present yourself, my Hero."
A man walked onto the scene. His figure draped in the same immaculate white robe, one that matched the Princess. Marielle felt a cold chill up her spine. It was him. The man who had stood next to her moments ago.
It was him.
He stopped in front of the Princess and kneeled respectfully. She smiled prettily and lifted away his hood. Brilliant, beautifully messy, blonde hair fell over the same sky-blue eyes. He gazed up at her in a way that drew a sigh from the other girls and grinned in a way that made his face beam with a divine glow.
The Princess was breathless, Marielle could tell. Her cheeks were flushed in a flattering rosy pink as he took her hand gingerly and kissed it softly.
She ordered him to rise, which he did. Their moves were synchronized it seemed, they moved in ageless harmony as they embraced. The crowd cheered. Snobby old Councilors smiled sourly at the sight.
Their Heroes.
Marielle spun on her heel and left.
No more ocarina lessons. Not today. Not ever.
…Hope
The pendant was expensive. The shopkeeper glared daggers at her as she eyed the pretty necklace with awed eyes.
It was simple but elegant. With a glowing silver chain and pearls lined exquisitely around it. She sucked in a deep breath. "How much?"
The shopkeeper seemed amused at the question. "Seven-hundred rupees. We're having a special discount today." She put on a fake smile. "Are you interested?"
"It seems so." A voice muttered beside her. The shopkeeper turned and her jaw dropped. "You…"
Marielle faced him once more, lifting that shawl higher over her face. "Hello."
The Hero smiled at her, his effortless beauty making her stomach tumble. "Hi." There was a sparkle in his eyes, a certain boyishness in his curving lips. And the way he spoke was eloquent and charming, a beautiful accent ringing in his words.
He cocked his head. "So…are you going to buy that?"
"I…" Marielle's voice faltered. "If you want it, I really don't want to intrude."
"Do you want it?" He asked again.
"No."
He grinned this time, the room lit up. "Liar." He tossed a handful of orange rupees at the counter and waited patiently as the shopkeeper brought out the necklace.
Marielle's heart twinged. It was so pretty…
The Hero weighed it in his hand, then pressed it in her clammy ones. A blush spread on her face. "Keep it." He chuckled. ""I saw you drooling over it earlier and being a Hero and all…I couldn't let such a lovely damsel be left in distress now could I?"
The shopkeeper turned as red as her hair and she stammered. "Oh, w-wow."
Lovely? Marielle mused in her head, gazing up at him with shock and admiration.
The Hero turned to glance out the window. He stood to full height and brushed off dirt from his shoulder. He stared at her for a brief moment, the blue of his eyes making her gasp for air.
"I need to get going. Maybe we can practice ocarina recitals another day."
He remembered?
"I'd like that." She managed.
His grin broadened at her answer and he waved a good-bye to her as he headed out the door.
Marielle stared at the necklace, dumbstruck. The shopkeeper sneered bitterly.
"Oh, you poor thing. You're just lucky he hasn't seen your face yet, Marielle."
Marielle bit her lip. I plan to keep it that way.
…Family
She was in high spirits for the next weeks. Her father had taken her with his mail deliveries. She had taken the necklace wherever she went.
They were on the new gateways to Ordon Village, the lively scene touching her heart.
A huge man lumbered over to them as her father spread around letters happily to the people that had gathered near. A petite woman had made her way through, Marielle leaned down and beckoned her near. "You are Ilia of Ordon, yes?"
The woman nodded. Marielle handed her a letter. the one she had been holding safe in her own pockets so as not to wrinkle it in her father's bag. It was a letter from him.
Ilia's face lit up as she was given it. "From Link?"
The townspeople stopped short and turned to her in surprise. "Link? Really?"
They circled her, excited and surprised. "He hasn't forgotten us!"
The postman shook his head along with the Mayor who spoke proudly. "Link will never forget us."
"Oh, dad! Maybe he can visit sometime and teach me about the bow! Then, I could be just like him." A small young blond boy exclaimed. His father, a kind-looking man with aged eyes chuckled and ruffled his son's hair fondly. "Maybe so, son. And if not, maybe I can teach you."
"But they have special training for Heroes, Uncle." A small girl replied. "I heard he's Captain of the Army."
"He's Mr. Important now." A sad wistfulness touched Ilia's soft smile. Marielle frowned upon noticing it. As if sensing her stare, Ilia leaned close to whisper gently. "We were suppoused to be wed, you know. Me and Link. Of course, he really had no idea of the arrangements…I don't -can't- hate him for leaving." She gestured to the townsfolk. "I doubt any of us ever could."
Marielle thought Ilia looked like the type of girl Link would have as a wife. She was pretty with breezy blonde hair and lively green eyes. Her figure was petite and her smile was uplifting. She said her thoughts to Ilia who merely laughed. "It's okay. I knew I never held his heart. It hurts, the truth, but living a lie is always worse."
The people said that they would hold a festival for his honor and bring him the cake. They asked the postman to stop by the next day to pick it up. They read his letter together with teary eyes and shaking smiles.
It was amazing to see how he had touched their lives in ways only he could.
…Secrets
There was rumor spreading through the town, it ran across streets like a fast virus, stretching out to reach even the farthest of citizens.
A rumor…of love.
Marielle didn't care much for rumors. She stayed, for the early lazy parts of the morn, in the forests southern exit of Castleton, where a miniature field lay, with flowers on the side and glowing bugs that flew about, decorating the scene effortlessly.
Her favorite spot was near the edge of the right cliff, where she'd sit and gaze at the way the sun rose, bring a blank parchment, a pencil, paint, brush, and copy the phenomenon before her.
What she saw made her stop and freeze in her descent down the stairs.
Her favorite spot was taken.
And they were there.
Their hands together, selves close, and lips touching softly. Their lashes fluttered their cheeks, they cast a shadow against the flare of the light. Their golden hair blowing gracefully in the winds, they didn't seem to notice or care.
Her crown was forsaken, her queenly gown she still wore. His traditional green cap was on the ground, his green tunic was still a rich color.
They parted soon after, her regality was still there but the princess statue had broken, and in her place was a woman. His hero aura still radiated off him, even as he succumbed to her charms.
Their hands unclasped and returned to their sides. He grinned at her, whispering under his breath. She laughed and they sat down, admiring the color of each other's eyes and the softness of their lips.
Marielle sat down on the stairs, took out her paper, and furiously began to draw.
The Princess' laugh echoed through her dark thoughts, his soft velvet words filled with humor made her pencil snap in two. She glanced up.
She had sat there for a whole hour, sketching the scene that replayed in her head as she looked at them. They never noticed her.
Hm, not a good way to end, I know. Maybe just one more follow-up chapter.
Should I even try to post it?
Tell me in your review.
-HVM ;)
(Check out my other fics.)