(Chapter 1)

Imagine a world, where you did everything you wanted to do. You joined a traveling performance group and rose up through their ranks. At home, everything was perfect. The crops were growing well, and your family flourishing.

There is an old proverb that says, "All good things must come to an end…"

I didn't really believe it. Perhaps I thought I was invincible or something.

Little did I know that all hell would break loose on my birthday, of all days. Well, it wasn't only my birthday; I shared it with someone special. You'll see…

"For Din's sake, Marco, why didn't you wake me up?!" a young woman cried angrily to the boy nearby her. She was frantically tying bags to her horse's saddle.

"It's bad to say the Goddesses' names in vain," the boy muttered cheekily under his breath, as he watched his mentor scurry around their camp. He smirked then. It was worth tricking Zelda, even if he did get an earful from her.

She turned sharply towards him, her icy blue eyes sparking with an unfamiliar rage. "Wipe that disgusting smirk off of your face, you dim-witted boy! Do you realize what will happen? We will arrive at my home town hours after the ceremony. I will have missed my brother because he'll be off on another stupid mission."

Suddenly, she changed her tone. With a coiling and soft voice she said, "Well, I guess you wouldn't care anyways, since you aren't coming with me…"

Marco stood still for a second, trying to comprehend what she had just said. Then, his mouth opened in a surprised o.

Zelda grinned devilishly and swept her hair aside. "That's right, Marco. You're going to go to the nearest town, and wait for me there." She pulled out her wallet, and handed him two silver rupees. "Two Hundred rupees should be enough for a few weeks stay, right? Besides, you have your own money."

He frowned and pocketed the money, all the while trying to figure out why she was leaving him behind. Hadn't they been through so much together? Why would she just abandon—?

"I can tell you're thinking too hard about this," Zelda said loudly, somewhat annoyed. Marco was smarter than this; he should have figured it out by now. "Listen here, boy. I was planning on leaving you behind since we left the Caravan. I want some family alone time, alright? Sorry I didn't tell you earlier."

Marco simply scowled at the ground. "Fine, whatever you want." He kicked the sand in resentment. Sometimes, Zelda was really irresponsible.

The older girl sighed. "You should go to Red Oasis; it isn't too far from here." She turned to one of her saddle bags and pulled out numerous things. "Here you go a spare map, mirror, comb, dagger, mini-bombs, a compass, and lotion." She handed each of the things to him as she listed them out. "Take good care of these things, alright?"

He nodded mutely, still trying to understand what was happening. Slowly, he stored everything on his own horse, before turning back to his mentor. "This is goodbye for now, I guess." Marcos tried for a smile, but failed miserably.

Zelda laughed at his attitude. He was all bark and no bite. "You'll be fine, Marc," she said with a smile as she tousled his dark hair. "You know how to keep out of trouble in the city after all those years, right?"

Marco nodded without enthusiasm. He carried a glum look on his face as if he was heading to a funeral

She shook her head helplessly. "We should both get going, especially me. I need to get home soon." She walked over to her horse before jumping onto it. "See you in a few weeks."

Marco gave her a goodbye wave before she galloped off.

A/N: Yay for setting the stage for the main story! I'm sad to say that the next chapter will be somewhat the same, loosely following this one's structure.

At first this chapter was going to be about 2,000 words long, but I had to cut it into two different parts so the story would flow better. Probably. Sorry it's so short.

Anyway… review if you aren't a lazy person. :)

~Signing off,

Clairae