Soon after much discussion, it was time for Mayor Hollum to visit a few other families. Rufus followed the Mayor outside exchanging small talk as Link and his mother cleaned up after lunch. Luna kept giving Link anxious glances and he found it quite unnerving.
"Mother," Link assured quietly, "I told you. Everything will be just fine."
He gave her a small smile and started washing the table. Luna nodded as she scrubbed one of the plates. She was quieter than usual, withdrawn. No singing filled the kitchen. The only sound that could be heard was dishes being rinsed and scrubbed. The silence filled him with a sadness and anxiousness that made him queasy. All at once he felt a rush of anxiety swell in his chest.
'What if he was picked? What would they do then? It surely would not be him. There were plenty of others to choose from,' he thought, 'But then what if-'
Link's thoughts were cut short by a sudden hand on his shoulder that made him jump.
"My goodness, Link! A bit jumpy, are we?" Rufus declared with amusement in his voice.
Link tried to shake off his unease to no avail. Even though he could not shake his anxiety, he tried to maintain a calm demeanor.
"You just snuck up on me is all," Link stammered, aggravated that he had not heard his father behind him.
"Well, you better keep a sharp eye," Rufus replied.
Luna stared at Link with great apprehension. She knew that he must be at the top of his game for what was coming. Link continued washing the table until he was done. To try to lift his spirits, his mother began to sing. The intrusion of her voice split the gloom. Cheer and joy rang from her lips. No longer did doubt and unease invade his mind. Link closed his eyes and bobbed his head along with the tune. The melody reminded him of his childhood, when lying in the grass and watching the clouds filled his afternoons. The sweet scent of hay filled his nostrils and a gentle breeze from an open window stole the despair from his mind. He hummed along with his mother for the rest of the afternoon until evening. Link helped her clean the house and did the rest of his chores before it was time to head into town. Together they left home in high spirits and hummed as they strolled down the small winding path that led to town. The few trees that lined the path swayed and seemed to dance along with their harmony. Soon the dirt path faded and became gravel, and foot trails became high traveled ruts. Small buildings and huts appeared into view and the hustle and bustle of the coming ceremony grew and grew. The village of Farona was usually a quiet place, but today it was full of people. It was decorated for the harvest ceremony that happens once a year. There were wild flowers weaved into streamers that dangled from building to building. And the village band was playing the songs that are played every year. The villagers seemed to be enjoying themselves but there was a certain anxiousness that hung in the air. It was as if the whole town just wanted the day to pass.
Link and his parents made their way into the village square. Some of their neighbors greeted them as they passed, but most kept to themselves. The mayor stood on a small stage in the middle conversing with some of the council members. Before long, all the townsfolk crowded around the small platform and awaited the same speech that they hear every year. The council members soon gathered into a straight line behind the mayor as he cleared his throat.
"My fellow citizens, as you already know, we gather here year after year in order to celebrate the harvest. We celebrate what the goddesses have given to us and every year we must pay tribute back to them," announced Mayor Hollum.
It seemed as though the whole gathering of people flinched as Mayor Hollum spoke the word tribute. Link looked around at the crowd. He noticed a few of the other teens that had gone to school with him at a younger age. There was an eerie uneasiness in the air that made Link's chest begin to swell with alarm. All the negative thoughts rushed back into his mind causing him to take deep breaths in order to try and calm himself. As the mayor continued his speech, Link glanced around. Not many could stand still, their nerves eating away at their consciousness. Mothers held their children close and all the happiness of the celebration started to fade. The mayor's loud booming voice grabbed back Link's attention.
"Teens who have been chosen please step forward," directed Mayor Hollum as he raised his arms, as though he was asking for an embrace.
Link gulped and he felt as if his legs had turned into lead. He fought a small battle with his brain, commanding his legs to move. After what felt like hours, Link managed a step. But, before he could take another, his father pulled him into an engulfing hug. Link inhaled his father's scent and let himself be immersed in the embrace. He felt his mother rubbing his back gently which almost brought him to tears. His father pulled away but held his shoulders tightly.
"Go," whispered Rufus, "Go and do not falter my child."
Nodding, Link turned to face the mayor. He could feel his dark eyes peering down at him. Link squeezed his mother's hand quickly and then started walking to the front. Villagers parted, letting him have a clear path to stand in front of Mayor Hollum. There were quiet whispers about who the townsfolk thought would be chosen that were quickly silenced by the mayor clearing his throat.
"Just as it happens every year, the youth that is selected must come up onto the stage and take the honorary Garb of Harvest," declared Mayor Hollum taking a pot from one of the council members.
The mayor began shaking and stirring the folded pieces of paper inside the pot. As he mixed the names, the whole crowd became deathly silent. No one seemed to breathe. All that could be heard was a crow cawing in the distance. Mayor Hollum pulled a folded paper out of the pot. He handed the pot to the council member behind him and then faced the villagers. He looked out at all of them. The anxiety level in the air began to rise. Slowly the mayor unfolded the paper.
"And the tribute is," Mayor Hollum paused for emphasis, "Link!"
