Still don't own Zelda. Sorry for the delay, I was caught up in another project, but the first full-moon night is finally here.
My first thought when I woke was that it was cold. That thought alone made me snap open my eyes and sit upright. I was sitting the snow beneath a lone tree on a spear of rock that stuck out from the mountain. I strained to remember how I'd gotten here and memories, now that they were bidden, filed into my head, parading past my eyes.
*flashback*
I sat and howled at the moon, lending voice to my joy at being out of that strange stone prison that I was constantly cooped up in. Song finished, I leapt to my paws and raced through the snow, exhilarating in being able to run like never before. A pack of snow wolfos popped up in front of me and I dropped into fighting stance, growling deep in my throat at those that dared to cut my freedom short.
They mimicked my stance and began to circle, shifting and moving, trying to make me lose sight of them. I threw myself on the nearest, killing him efficiently and cleanly. Enraged, the rest of his pack leapt at me, but I was ready. I flung myself into the fray, reveling in the give and take, the bright dance of claws and fangs. Finally, I stood alone in the snow, bodies of those who had threatened me dissolving once more into snow around me.
I threw back my head and howled once more, this time in triumph, before taking off again. I ran up, climbing as high as I could go. There I stood for a while, simply looking out at everything. Then a keese caught my attention and I tore down the mountain in pursuit.
*end flashback*
I sighed in relief that my moon-drugged self wasn't a savage. I was proud and fierce, unafraid to attack, but I did not seek out things to kill.
Another gust of wind made my teeth chatter, so I changed back into a wolf and began padded down the mountain, thinking through all that happened last night. It had actually been kind of fun not having any restrictions and no one to care that I was making a fool of myself.
Idly I glanced up, then let out a yelp and increased my speed. The sun had just cleared the horizon, but it was a ways back to the castle. Again, I tore through the Domain, but this time I jumped into the left fork of the river, letting the current carry me to the castle. Still dripping, I hauled my soaked fur out of the river and to where the door opened.
A brush of my nose on the door and the Royal Family's crest appeared to be etched on before vanishing just as it had come. The door swung open on noiseless hinges and I ran full speed along the dark passage, emerging into the bright sunlight of the gardens. Here I slowed my pace slightly, not wanting to attract the attention of the gardeners. I reached the castle without incident and started up the steps to my room.
Thankfully I ran into no one who questioned the presence of a wolf in the castle. They were all busy thankfully, too buried in their own little world to notice me. My fur had dried during the run here and though I was still breathing hard, I didn't look too out of place.
It seemed like it took forever to climb the stairs to my room, though it couldn't have been much longer than ten minutes. Carefully, I padded up to my door, still in wolf form, and glanced in both directions. A quick pull on the door handle and I was in, nudging it closed behind me.
I changed back to human form and walked quietly to the closet. I shed the gown I had worn on Snowpeak and pulled out a new one. The old gown was discarded and I quickly changed before slipping out of my room.
A voice startled me as I was shutting the door. "Hello, princess. Will you need my services today?" Terri asked.
I jumped at her voice. "Yes please, Terri," I said.
She looked at me curiously. "Is something wrong, princess?" she asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
I plastered on a smile. "Just jumpy, I guess," I deadpanned, "Well, I need to go to a meeting. Goodbye, Terri." Without another word, I walked swiftly away in the opposite direction.
Terri's POV
I narrowed my eyes as I watched the princess walk away. She was acting suspiciously today, and I wanted to know what was going on.
I slipped into the princess's room, shut the door behind me, and began cleaning; paying attention to anything that could tell me why she was behaving oddly.
I did find a few clues. Her bed had not been slept in last night, and there was a wet dress on the floor. I picked it up and inspected it.
"Where were you last night, princess?" I asked, to no one in particular.
Link's POV
I woke in the grove that held the Master Sword. I stretched, enjoying the sunlight on me, before getting to my feet. I walked back through the grove, not hurrying, though I should probably get back to the castle.
Memories floated to the surface and I let them come up.
*flashback*
I opened my eyes and shook myself from head to tail. Tongue lolling out, I padded into the grove and howled for Skull Kid. To my surprise, he didn't show. I growled low in my throat and walked deeper in search of the strange imp-like creature.
I searched every inch of that grove, and finally found him sleeping behind a waterfall. I crept forward silently and barked right next to his ear.
Skull Kid leapt up with a shriek more suited to come out of Ilia's mouth. I barked a laugh. The strange imp glared at me.
"Do you want to play with me?" he asked. I extended my forelegs so my rear was in the air and wagged my tail furiously. Skull Kid cracked a smile at my antics and raised his horn. He blew and the familiar distorted song echoed through the woods.
Puppets descended around me as he vanished with a giggle. I straightened up and leapt at them, demolishing the group quickly before padding off in search of their master.
*end flashback*
I grinned at the memory of how silly I'd been. That was certainly a memory to pull out when the nobles got long-winded.
Lost in my thoughts, I'd reached the edge already. I pulled out my clawshots and pulled myself along until I reached where the golden cuckoo sat. I ignored the bird and walked past the shop and through the tunnel. Once I reached the place where the path forked, I reached for Ilia's horse charm and blew into it.
Epona's song drifted on the wind and soon my mare came running along the path. Her coat was freshly washed, probably Ilia's work. I swung up and urged her into a gallop, heading toward Hyrule Castle and Zelda.
I feel the need to explain their wolf personalities. Link is rather vicious in everyday life, so his moon-wolf self is the childish, playful creature he doesn't get to be. Zelda plays the trapped, helpless damsel, though she does express her temper, so she is uncageable and fiercely independent.
