They say you never know what you have until you lose it all.
In my case, I loved and appreciated what I had.
I knew what I had, how lucky I was.
What I didn't know was the possibility of me losing it at all.
Seeing everything taken before my eyes created who I am today.
I'm not proud of this. But this is what made me me.
And I am the Green Rose
"Happy Birthday to you~" everyone had finished singing in unison, clapping and whooping as I was blowing out the candle of- everyone's favorite- Aunt Peach's chocolate cake with strawberry filling.
Everyone I knew was there. From my Mother's closest friends Peach, Midna and Samus, to their husbands and my father's closest friends Mario, Vaati, and Ike. (A bit of a long story about Vaati, don't even get me started on that.)
I thought Peach was nice and polite whenever she came over. Do to my own politeness, I never dare say aloud how much her voice truly annoys me. I feel guilty about that really, but she really is nice. I didn't see much else though other than her politeness, a fair princess and a pretty face. She had what it takes to be a good ruler, but with the constant kidnappings... Well, it irks me a bit, to be completely honest. My mother had apparently been undercover as a man to hide from Ganondorf's rule for seven years to avoid capture, according to my father's stories. Princess Peach seems to not do much. Mario said that she somehow sends some help during imprisonment, but I wonder how that's possible without magic. Sending mushrooms, he said... But wasn't she captured? I never understood.
Now Samus was another story. She told many tales of her adventures in outer space, and she hasn't ever mentioned being the damsel in distress. I had envied that. She was independent, strong, not just beautiful. I thought Ike had good tastes in woman, as she did in men. They were very fit for each other, to make such a handsome son, especially~
And I was so thankful I could admit to myself in the mirror I looked pretty in that dress before my celebration. A flowing, light green dress that had an asymmetrical cut from my left knee, complete with white accents and an emerald necklace. Had I seen one flaw on myself and may an arrow strike me dead. I had always gotten like that whenever I knew Akito would be around.
He was so handsome~ I've had a huge crush on my Mother's friend's son for quite the while now. He and Wind have been friends just as long if not longer. They sparred often, and he was so sweet! He had spiky blue hair, and eyes that matched the color of a clear sky~ Oh and his skin seemed so soft and sun-kissed, eyes shined almost as bright as his smile, and don't get me started on that strong jaw! Nayru have mercy~
...Ahem.
My Aunt Midna was at my celebration too. She and my mother considered themselves sisters, and she was very close friends with Father since the 'Twilight Era'. I read all about that in the library, it was a dark time, yet Hylians went on obliviously in peace for the while. Midna had helped quite a lot with my Father during that time. She seemed a bit more 'Arrogant' than my Mother and other Aunts, but I loved her nonetheless.
Along with her was Vaati and their daughter Aqua. Vaati... Not much to say other than that he was short-tempered and didn't get along well with Father. Mother puts up with him well, and he respects me for my knowledge, which I appreciate. Aqua, who is just a year younger than I, is one of my best friends. We call each other cousins, sometimes sisters. She's so unlike myself though in many ways. Aqua is a huge troublemaker and a master thief. While I spend my freetime reading, she's probably off stealing something. I had to help to bail her out of Hyrule's dungeon on multiple occasions. My Father blames the fact that the Wind Sorcerer is her Father, but my Mother gives him a light smack and scolds him to quiet before he could continue.
There was also Pit there, he was best friends with my brother. He was an angel, quite literally, but was pretty mischievous like Wind. They both knew how to shoot an arrow and swing some blades, have fun... Occasionally, Wind would bribe me to not tell our parents when I caught him sneaking out so he and Pit could go to the spas near Death Mountain. Not that I blamed them, those spas felt amazing~!
Then there was my Aunt Aleena. Just like Midna, Mother and Aleena consider themselves sisters from their closeness. She was a bit of a strange creature. Don't get me wrong, I love her, and I actually think wings is pretty cool. Pit isn't too fond of her though, probably because she's a Fallen Angel hybrid thing... She explained this to me before, but her race is ah... Complicated. Along with her was her son, West. West is two years younger than myself, and had always been so shy around everyone, simply clinging onto his Mother's leg for dear life, despite having known us all his life. He always was so shy and kept to himself most of the time. I guess it's part because his biological father left when he was young, and he was whatever Aunt Aleena was as well as a half normal Human. I was pretty small too, so I can't remember much. Though Aleena, Midna, and my Mother all mock and laugh about Aleena's past relationship all the time, so I guess it's not a touchy subject on her part.
I made a flustered and thankful grin to everyone once they had finished their singing and applauded for me. "Happy Birthday, sweetie." Father grinned his bright and handsome smile that matched my brother's before planting a light kiss on my forehead.
"Stop growing, you're make me and your father feel so old." Mother laughed a light and humorous laughter. Though I'm pretty sure she meant that phrase and didn't think of it at all that funny. Poor father had no idea how to comfort his panicky and denial wife when she found her first grey hair. It was pretty entertaining though for me and Wind. All we had to do was tell Mother she's always beautiful. Father told Mother that she's always beautiful... no matter how old she got. Oops.
"Here, I wanna give the first present to my little sis!" My big brother called up with that bright smile of his, holding up his poorly wrapped present. It was cute really. He didn't put it in a box and seemed very proud of the way he managed to thoroughly wrap those large leaves around the gift without it spontaneously popping open on its own. I could only imagine how hard it was for him to tie the yarn around; he was always really good with careful work, but it didn't show in his wrapping. I bet all my rupees Mother or Father attempted to help, but Wind would stubbornly refuse any. Typical big brother.
Despite the poor presentation, which I cared nothing for, the thought was what counts, and it was sweet, I carefully took the present and set it gently on the wooden table in front of me. I heard a light clank when it rested down. It felt hard, fragile, like glass. I began to undo the knot-which Wind did a very well job in tying.
Though having a bit of trouble of being unable to open it in the first ten or so seconds, I started to laugh nervously with a small blush of embarrassment heating on my cheeks. Seeing this, my Father laughed and took the small dagger from his leather belt, holding it by the blade when handing it to me. "Be careful." He reminded me with a small smile. I nodded to him thankfully and quickly cut the blade through the yarn to snap through with ease before handing it back to him. "Keep it." He shrugged nonchalantly.
I looked at him puzzled, "But-"
"I'd rather you have it. Don't worry, it's not your real present." He chuckled lightly before I could protest. Seeing that this man is half the reason why my brother and I get our stubbornness from, I saw that arguing would be a lost cause, only nodding again and polite saying my thanks.
I couldn't help but believe the reason he gave me the dagger had to connect with my parents' growing worry with my birthday drawing near. I didn't understand why; they were never like this on mine nor my brother's past birthdays. Wind says it's probably because they're 'Stressing out since they realize they're getting old', but I saw it was more than that. I knew Wind did too. Pestering my parents to spit that out,or anything out, was difficult if not impossible. They're difficult and impossible people, I suppose. They just couldn't explain why they began to spar more often or why the sudden buildup of our army or why Father has been buckling down on mine and Wind's training. If Mother and Father feel as if they have no choice to hide something from me and my brother, then something must be going on...
"Thady?" My brother called a third time, making me snap back up. I hadn't realized how intently I was staring at my new little weapon. I felt heat bloom on my cheeks again. I glanced over to where Akito stood; his built arms were folded across his chest and he blinked curiously toward me. I quickly glanced away. Aqua must have caught my gaze for I heard her snickering from the corner across the room, but it echoed loud and tickled on my pointy ears. Ugh, sometimes I regret telling her about my crush on Akito...
"O-Oh, sorry, I was just drifting off I guess." I giggled nervously, placing the dagger under my leg.
He laughed, "I can see that," and motioned back to the leaf-wrapped present, "C'mon, I worked really hard on it!"
I nodded and made an apologetic smile to him before unwrapping the leaves around the item, before pausing with wide eyes at what I had seen. I could tell it was custom made. Wind was always great at carving, but I never would have imagined something like this.
It felt of a smooth marble, the colors of reds, orange, and light and dark green were well blended on the crafted ocarina's surface, probably to represent my two elements of magic I had yet to master; Earth and fire. So far my magic is only capable of the most simple things, such as blooming of a rose to growing a leaf, or lighting a candle in the middle of the night. "It's beautiful..." I murmured in awe, my fingers gliding along the instrument gently.
"Play us something, really quick!" Pit piped up cheerfully.
I blinked at him then gazed my blue hues around to everyone, whom looked at me expectantly. Including Akito. Oh Farore, save me now... Mother and Father have taught me and Wind how to play some songs on an Ocarina or Harp, especially Mother's lullaby, so thinking of a song to play or how to play it wasn't the problem, but what about the possibility of running out of breath, or, oh Din, one of the notes suddenly off key and aaagh... It hurt my poor Hylian ears just imagining it.
But when I looked at Wind, that excited hopeful gleam in his eyes would make me feel like horse feces to say no to... I sighed and smiled to him, "I'd love to." I said, filled with hesitance but my voice didn't give that away.
I took another deep breath, the silence now filling the air not comforting me in the least. I pressed my lips against the mouth piece of the ocarina, positioned my fingers, and just... Played.
It was soothing, just how the song should be played. Memories flashed before my half-closed lids as the notes rang calmly in my ears, chasing away all worries I had at all of playing, of parents, of anything.
Morher's tea had always been delicious, along with her soup. I remember how I'd always pretend to be sick just so Mother would serve me some. Thought being the honest little angel I was, I would confess after, but that was besides the point.
Another memory: Nightmares. Whenever I had a nightmare it was either Father or Mother or maybe both that would come in my room when I was younger, lulling me back to sleep. Or sometimes, it was Wind. Sometimes the same thing would happen to Wind, and I would return the favor.
And the latest time he had sung me back to sleep was last night...
Because the castle was in ruins. The blistering fire had erupted violently in every place it could, and it seemed to have been impossible to put out no matter how hard the rain fell. All those bodies, all those screams and cries for help, and when I looked at my hands, oh Din, it was covered in the blood of-
"Thadea, you're scaring me a bit." Someone had finally spoke up. I glanced over to see it was actually timid West talking. I blinked in confusion.
"It started out as Zelda's lullaby... But then the Song of Storms. Very rapidly. It was actually a bit impressive, doesn't anyone else think so?" The purple mage said carelessly, seeming unphased unlike how everyone else's expression look.
A long and awkward silence until Midna broke the ice. "Shut it, shorty." Making others in the room giggle, and make myself sigh from relief of the tense atmosphere. Vaati's beet-red face made me laugh as well, though. Comments to her husband were that were sadly common, but it didn't make it any less funny. Midna is a couple inches taller than the Mage. Now if she had not felt nice and turned him into his Minish form again, her jokes would be nonstop.
"Alright, who offers the next present?" I chirped up, immediately having a large wrapped box shoved to me before anyone else had a chance. I glanced up to meet the friendly grinning face of the Fallen Angel hyrbid, Aleena.
"I suggest not opening it all at once, okay?" She snickered to herself, but I just cocked an eyebrow at that tip and shrugged.
"Okay, thanks, Aunty." I grinned to her, slowly opening the box's lid before closing it again immediately when I saw what it was, my face and the tips of my ears burning a dark red.
"What is it?" Asked Aqua, attempting to steal a peek inside, but I had quickly clamped my hand on the lid again while laughing nervously.
"Books." I answered, "Lots of books."
Well, it wasn't a lie. They were books, after all...
Oh, a little detail I left out about my Aunt Aleena. See, my innocence was ruined at the age of seven by this woman. Unlike my Mother and Father who would beat around the bush, Aleena told me where babies came from straight.
"Your father enters his sausage in your mother's doughnut and it was extremely fun for them." is the most delicate way I can explain how she put it down on me.
And since then, I am a huge, huge, closet pervert. Thanks, Aunty.
My gift was a bunch of thin books called doujinshi, whereas a man and man intercoarse and I won't get too deep into it or you'd judge me. Though you probably already have. She also decided to gift me a sex toy called a dildo, but I'll tell you right now, I did not ask for that... Again, thanks Aunty... I'll carry on now...
"Next present?" I laughed lightly when I when receiving my third gift, kicking away Aqua's hands nearing the sick-minded gift that I only planned on reading and not even dared to touch that sick toy.
The box was about the size of my palm, wrapped in a shimmery goldlayer. "I-I designed it myself, Princess!" Pit said in a smiling stutter, which made me grin to him. It was strange that such a loud and funny person can be so shy. I never thought of him as the shy type at the least. He wasn't the least bit quie when he talked to Wind of course, or Mother or Father as far as I've seen, but I sure have seen it up close and personal.
"You didn't have to get me anything, Pit!" I giggled tilting my head towards him and giving him a sweet smile.
"O-Of course I did!" He insisted, red obviously burning on his cheeks. Was it really that hot in here for him? Maybe too cold?
I wavered it off and pretended not to notice as I giggled again, nodding to him politely for my thanks before unwrapping the box delicately. This wrapping paper looked marvelous~ Golden, shimmering, silky... Silky? I blinked and lifted off the shining and soft fabric, looking to him curiously.
"O-Oh...that's half of my gift." He grinned, "They only use it for emergencies where I come from, you should do the same. Extremely hard to get my hands on, let me tell ya." he chuckled, "Wrap this puppy around your injury and poof! Good as new! The magic wears off of it after one use, though, so be careful!" As he was explaining it, I was envying it when holding it between both my hands, amazed that it was capable of such a thing. If say, I was dying from a blood wound, this could save my life? Amazing!
"Thank you so-!" But he shook his finger at me and gestured to the box. I grinned and opened it, then was blinking in wonder. It looked interesting, but I wasn't to sure what it was. It seemed to be a metallic feather of some sort, a charm maybe? It was small, about as long as my palm, the colors beautifully blended from the center red to spread out as a dark green. (Someone had told him my favorite colors...) I glanced up at him, "It's neat, what is it?"
He smiled brightly, which was one of the many things I liked about having Pit as a friend. His smile can light up any room, it made anyone feel welcome in his presence, even timid West. The angel carefully took the metal feather by its container and tucked back a strand of my hair before he tucked the feather with it, it not falling out of place when he released my hair. "It looks nice on you." He grinned cheekily, feathers on his wings ruffling. Oh, it was a hair pin, how cute!
I grinned and pulled him into a tight hug, laughing, "Oh thank you Pit, I love it!"
"N-No problem, Princess!" Yeah, it must of felt warm for him, because I could definitely feel that heat in the hug, so I had requested someone to open a window since one of our guests felt terribly warm. I pointed out how obvious it was on his flushed face, the poor thing was sweating...! For some reason, Wind was laughing at him. He can be so weird sometimes...
Somedays I forget that I'm a Princess, but with the amount of presents I had received, I had felt exactly like one. After Pit, I was given a rather heavy box by Samus and Ike together. When I opened it, it had look like something Wind would have much more liked to use. A metal glove, complete with razor sharp claws on each finger. When I tried it on, it had felt a rather big, but I grinned at the couple and said my thanks before giving Wind that look of 'I'll give it to you later'.
After them, a present from Akito. (Squee!) When I had excitedly opened it, I saw it was a bracelet, a one beautiful too~ It felt and weighed like that of metal, but at a close inspection, it had a light green tint, to represent that of vines braided together. I stared at it, almost gawking at it's beauty, before looking up to him sweetly. "I love it. It's beautiful. Thank you."
And he looked back at me with those wondering eyes of such a pure clear blue it could just make me fall to my knees if I had stared any longer. I felt his large, strong, warm hand gently grasp one of mine, blushing madly when the back of my hand pressed against his lips oh-so softly. He smiled to me and nodded, and I took that as a 'Your Welcome' as well as what he signed to me.
Oh, yes, I forgot I left out something.
Akito was mute.
It wasn't strange to me, in fact, I envied his strength to be able to live with that. And apparently he had been able to learn signing so smoothly. Ike and Samus had taught my family how to sign, but I was probably more advanced out of my family. I spent extra time reading on sign language, checking out every book on the subject in my library just so I can communicate and understand him better. It's pretty safe to say I was fluent in it. Akito had no idea about that, but I do wonder if he's ever questioned as to how I can have full on conversations with him and no make a mistake of something he signed. I hope he never asks how, that would kill me of embarrassment...
Then Aqua had tossed to me her box from across the room, waving casually. She hadn't bothered to wrap it, typical, but the thought was what counts. I smiled to her and opened it, my eyes brightening. A book? I hadn't even read the cover of it, immediately picking it up and flipping through pages curiously until I saw they were blank. My eyes furrowed, and I glanced to her. Her only response was her head nudging at Akito's direction, wicked grin on her face. I paused to smile a bit, figuring out her little plan. I mouthed 'Thank you' to her, and she merely nodded and grinned again.
Next was Midna and Vaati. Psh, like Vaati really pitched in, he probably just wrote his name with Midna's like every other gift-exchanging occasion. But I thanked them both anyways, giving my Aunt a wink before unwrapping it, my smile bright. "I hadn't read much about your home, I'll love this~" I hummed in delight, clutching the thick book labeled "History of Twilight Realm".
Midna gave me a pleased smile as she gently pat my shoulder, "Of course, we know how much you love to read," she noted, "Besides, my place is so much more fun~" she smirked slightly.
Mother laughed from the other side of the table, "Hey I heard that!"
"You can hear anything with those ears." Vaati said absentmindedly, but immediately shut up and regret saying anything when even I could feel Father's intense glaring.
Easing the quickly-tense air, it was Mario whom handed the present from himself and Princess Peach to me, giving me a tip of his hat. I grinned and took it gratefully. "Thank you so much!" I thanked with a laugh to him and Peach before opening it.
It was ridiculously hard to keep my face from falling, but being a Princess trained me on keeping it bright and cheerful, no matter how much my stomach churned.
These weren't heels, these were torture devices. Everyone was just in an awkward silence, Mario even looked at me with sorrow, but Peach happily waited for my reaction. "They're beautiful~!" If by beautiful I mean painful to even look at for they hurt my feet even though I wasn't wearing them, they were just gorgeous.
"You should try them on, Wind. So fitting on you, I can see it." Aqua said tauntingly to my brother, whom grumbled and glared over at her.
"Oh, shut it," he answered in an annoyed tone.
"You should try them on!" Peach suggested with a smile.
I giggled nervously, "Oh I would..." I started, "But ah..."
"We still need to give her our presents." My mother cut in, giving me a wink. Oh Nayru, did she save me. "Two gifts from me and your father."
I blinked at her and set the box of shoes on the floor when handed another box from my father. The lid was hard covered, metallic, and gave off a silver sheen. Although eager, my hands trembled and took its sweet time to pop of the lid, dropping it from what I saw.
Two separate blades, one neatly folded over the other. Each had the same exact design except contradicting color. Both of the hilts of the swords had a silver sheen like the case had. One of them had what looked to be a ruby jewel at the base, and the same color to match on the blade. The entire blade itself had black, red, and orange swirls of color in the strong material. Its twin had a much lighter appearance, with the emerald jewel at the base, and on the blade, the colors of white, light green and evergreen engulfed around it. The blades at first glance could easily be mistaken for marble by the color and smooth look, but my parents had managed to get the colors on the metal it's. I'm not sure if metal is the correct term for them, perhaps diamond or... Whatever. They were gorgeous in so many ways.
I felt tears pricking the corner of my eyes before I set the weapons on my seat to run up to my parents and hug both tightly, laughing happily. "Thank you! Thank you!" I repeated, my parents laughing as well as when hugging me back.
"Of course, sweetie. But we're not done yet." My Father reminded, smiling down at me. Before I knew it, both of them tugged my hand and let me outside for what I assumed would be my next present.
Oblivious, I walked out with them, glancing around, but then I saw Father bend down to pick a strange grass, showing it to me for me to study and inspect. "Remember this plant and these notes, okay?" He told me, and I nodded. The grass reminded me that of a bird's wings, the way it had split at the top and its seeds occurred to me like feathers. I watched as my Father brought the grass to his lips, blowing four simple notes.
Then I heard a caw.
My eyes widened when a giant Bird had started flying straight at me. I yelped in alarm and immediately covered for my head, then froze when feeling the soft landing but heavy weight on my head just on top of my hands. Both Mother and Father began to laugh at me, "Looks like he already knows his owner, huh Zel?"
Giggle, "Oh, absolutely."
I peeked open one eye and looked up, talons hooking around my hand still on my head. Careful, I lifted my hand and the giant bird, balancing it and testing my arms strength when holding it in front of me. I blinked at the hawk. He blinked at me.
"He's yours." My mother started, smile evident in her voice while I just stared at the hawk. He had a small pouch already around his body, not in the way of his wings so he was able to fly. The feathers on both wings were evenly patterned and lined black and white. The rest of his body was black as well, excluding the streak of white over his left eye and single white feather on his chest and the two center feathers of his tail. His talons and beak were of a bright yellow-orange.
The way we just stared at each other, I think we were having a connection, as weird as it sounds. Like my brother and Father with their horses. I don't know if Mother had a connection with her snow bunny, but I can guess how much she was squealing. Then there's Aqua and her wolf, and Midna with Vaati turning into a cat is a totally different story that this connection was nothing like.
"What do you think you'll name him?" Father cut into my thoughts while I stroked his head lightly, he nudging into my touch
I don't know how, it just came to me. "I like the name Ryuu."
It had been later in the day when I was organizing some items into my leather pouch, one of which had been the golden fabric Pit had given to me earlier. At the time, Ryuu was perching on my window contently. We had become close friends in a matter of not even three hours. I was just in the middle of folding the magic cloth when I heard knocks on my door. "Come in." I called, gently putting in the gold cloth in a pocket of one of the pouches. Along with the leather belt I had attached the sheathes to my new blades on the sides, trying on the belt to fit around my waist comfortably when the door had opened.
"Hey, you want anymore cake? There's still some leftover." My brother offered. I nodded my head politely as I checked myself in the mirror, going to head down when I was done. When he noticed Ryuu, he whistled, impressed, stepping inside and looking to my hawk. "Looks nice." He complimented, holding out his finger, to him.
"I wouldn't-"
"Ouch! Stupid Bird- Ouch!"
"He doesn't like name-calling either." I noted, chuckling when he sucked on his index finger, my brother and pet glaring each other down. "I'll be down in a minute, Wind." I grinned to him. He only nodded, still glaring at Ryuu on his way out. I laughed when the door shut, looking to Ryuu with a smile. "He's my brother you know. You can't always be pecking at him, okay?"
He ruffled his feathers in response.
As I walked down the stairs and past a doorway, "Wait, you got that letter too? How long ago?"I heard my Father say.
"About five, six years ago, Link. Why? I didn't think it was that big, just some stupid threat." Midna answered casually.
"Besides, the girl turned sixteen today. If their little threat is true, then they would have done something already." Vaati pointed out, "Besides that, Zelda, have you gotten any precognitions or anything?"
Silence.
"Love, have you?"
"The castle is in ruins..." She began, "The blistering fire had erupted violently in every place it could, and it seemed to have been impossible to put out no matter how hard the rain fell. All those bodies, all those screams and cries for help..." I froze, that same description... "But... I don't recall having any dream where I see myself dead. But there I was... Dead."
That was... New.