Zelda was walking through the palace gardens. The day was bright and clear, the colors of the flowers and the grass were too vivid to be real. As she watched a butterfly lazily drift by her face, it occurred to her that she was dreaming. The wind blew past her bringing a whisper to her ears.
Zel…da…..Zelda…..
She turned in the direction from which the wind was blowing and cupped her hands to her ears, staining to hear better. The voice was so distant but so familiar, it made her feel safe and warm.
….little…bird….My little bird….
Tears welled in her eyes unbidden. It was her mother calling to her. She had not heard her mother's voice in ten years. How had she forgotten it? Could she even recall her face correctly anymore? There were many beautiful oil portraits hanging in the castle of the late Queen but they were all stately and cold. If she closed her eyes, could she picture her mother's gentle smile?
Zelda opened her mouth to call out to her, desperate to see her once more.
Mama!
But there was no sound. She was mute here, unable to communicate with the only parent whom had ever treated her tenderly with warmth and loving care. Zelda picked up her skirts and ran.
Mama! MAMA! Her throat stained with the effort to call for her mother but it was futile. No sound would come out. Tears streamed down her face as she ran. An impending sense of doom swept down upon her. She needed her mother but she could not find her. She would never see her again. Never feel her hands comb through her hair. Never feel the safety of her embrace. Never again.
Mama, PLEASE! I need your help!
Suddenly, the world melted around her. She was surrounded by a wash of color and light. It was too intense. Zelda covered her face with her hands and silently screamed into the chaos of her dream.
Everything came to an abrupt halt. The air was still and quiet.
…My little bird…
Zelda snapped her head up. She was standing in front of the Forgotten Temple at the bottom of Tanager Canyon. The intricately carved stone towered over her and she craned her neck to see a shining light at the top.
…You are my daughter and the one true heir of the Goddess Hylia…
Her mother's words were a soothing balm to her ragged nerves. Zelda stared up at the light, willing her mother to appear.
….Follow your instincts…...trust in yourself...even when everyone else doubts...
Darkness was descending upon her and Zelda could feel the pull of consciousness bringing her out of her dream.
No! Mama, what do I do?! Don't leave me yet!
Zelda reached desperately towards the temple and the dying light.
…I…..love you…
MAMA!