Don't mind the insanely late update or anything. I started working a couple months ago, (and i'm in the process of being promoted so yay!) and stopped reading for a good bit. But now I've reread this book and I just needed to finish this. Also, don't mind the drastic writing differences from measly one-liners to philosophical thoughts. Because like I said, I have a knack for reading and the long block of texts are ideas that stem from my brain afterwards. The beginning-ish part and last part are pretty good and edited, however the middle part isn't so much. Put I like the way I did the last bit. So yay?
The day slowly dimmed into the Twilight, Niah had taken her chance during solitude to breathe the air of the woods, her eyes had begun to drift close. With the soft serenade of leaves attached to their branches, still caught in the wind. There was an owl somewhere in the distance, squirrels crawling through the trees, and butterflies wisping away so they're not caught in the cold that night brings. The sounds, the atmosphere, lacked what she thought was previously haunting and tenacious, but instead it was placid, peaceful.
Link was out longer than what she expected, a haze had set on the grass, and as the stars dilated the sky.
Niah had found a brush tucked in the corner of the room elsewhere. It was a miracle that she had found it, the handle had many regal and intricate figures that represented some different animals, none of which she couldn't clearly recognize. It was worn, and definitely well-used. Even as she traced her fingers against the handle, the imagery didn't come as quickly as her mind was still glazed over with intrusive thoughts.
"A unicorn if you must know." Midna's voice had broken the silence, "Apparently they're creatures that protect the woods, they say. I say it hasn't done them much good."
Niah set the brush down and rolled her eyes, "I know what they are." she gave a simple reply.
Midna emerged from the shadow, her figure was a tatter between worlds as her limbs modestly tangled together with a supple sense of vulgar, "Well, excuse me." her voice was matted with the coarse undertone of arrogance and borderline condescending. "See if I ever tell you anything again." Midna mumbled the last bit in earshot but Niah paid no attention. Her mind wandered as she glanced towards the brush again. Then, her eyes shifted towards the shelves. Like most things that seemed to follow her - book's, and a great many of them. None of which she could read or understand - but they were still there disorganized and scattered, and it made nostalgia flood through her mind like a divine essence.
Memories are cruel in retrospect - but sincere in it's empathy.
In a sudden jolt, the door slammed open. Link's hair was tassel and tangled. His breathing was shallow, and it looked like sweat dripped from his forehead. And finally; something dropped on the floor with a heave, Niah was surprised that the sudden drop didn't split the wood. But the mysterious item was wrapped in a cloth bag, it gave a small outline of boots, it helped her remember.
"Thanks for the help Midna, appreciate it." The sarcastic comment reeked through the air making Niah raise an eyebrow.
With anything though, it appeared that Link was more attached to reality then she would expect, his expertise in what could be considered magic was minimum, and in these types of situations he relied on it quite a bit, she could tell by his staggered features, and his abysmal presentation. It made Niah chuckle. He shuffled the bag over to a far corner, and hopefully by their departure - they wouldn't forget it, they were definitely needed in the mines if she remembered correctly. Link brushed a strand of hair from his eyes and flopped on his bed and slung an arm over his face.
"I better go before he decides to complain, good luck." Midna muttered to Niah as she disappeared into her shadow; the perfect hiding place.
_/\_
Link didn't move for a while, and as night properly set the inside was blessed with the darkness of night, and since the stars were able to properly shine through the windows - it helped to illuminate the space, even though it was cold and a little dreary, Niah found found a match, chamberstick, and an unused candle to light her way through the darkness and shelves. She contemplated using her phone's flashlight, perhaps it would light her way more efficiently, but she supposed if either were to find her using they would bring up questions and concerns that Niah had no mental energy to answer any of them.
Alas though, she didn't like to snoop. Niah didn't go through people's things with less than good intentions, but right now it didn't really matter whether she found something or not, because a good couple minutes into the adventure and her prowling, she remembered that she couldn't actually read the alphabet. Niah had forgotten that they have a whole different alphabetical system. And it wasn't like there was a reason to research it in the past, it wasn't like magic in another world - and your knowledge of it was a test of survival in the real world… or at least her world.
The flame flickered, and as a row of certain books came into view - some of them had colored covers. There was one that was a nice shade of blue, and another was red and they all were a vinyl cover, when she dragged one of the books from its place, she opened it. The pages were worn and creased from use. Bound together with pages made from parchment folded and sewn onto strong ligaments that were attached to wooden boards and covered with leather. Even if she couldn't read it - they were certainly interesting to look at. To peer through the pages of a mysterious, yet fascinating world that some of which - not even the inhabitants knew about. The more she strolled on, the more she uncovered books with small illustrations of monsters; centaurs and serpents. Niah desperately wanted to read them.
Her peaked interests were mostly taken from her father. He set it straight in her mind that books opened up vast opportunities, and there was never a time when you'd master a subject. Never any such thing as a prodigy in his eyes. Niah's eyes grew sullen the more she looked through the pages.
It didn't take very long for her interests to change to the photo's hanging on the wall. When she walked in earlier that day, she noticed them, but with the rows of shelves, she didn't quite realize the quantity of photos that were hanging on the walls and laying around. One was surely the Mayor. Thinner than what she expected, but it was old as Link was shorter and his hair was longer; shaggier. They stood side-by-side. Even if it was an uncolored rustic photo, she could tell it was taken in the daylight, and they were content.
It brought a soft smile to Niah's own face as she leaned away from it.
Further down the line - She saw pictures of Ilia by the looks of it, and Link, as well as another boy. Definitely wasn't Colin because they were too young, and it didn't look like any of the characters you met in the game. This world was full of many surprises though. New and different things that kept her on her toes, making her string herself to whatever she could grasp to understand, it shouldn't be as unusual as it was having a whole new world expanded before your eyes.
Niah teetered with the photo as she felt the vinyl texture beneath her fingertips. Niah glared back at Link as questions filled her mind. So many of them lingered in thin air waiting to be uncovered, answered, but he will guard his secrets - and she shall guard hers in turn. Yet as she ambled onward she had noticed the creaking, and was more engrossed with the same boy. It was photo after photo with Link mostly and as she reached the end of the long table with the photographs hung behind it - there was one newer with no wrinkles, and no tears.
Niah handled the picture with a genteel motion. She barely pressed her fingers enough to clench the piece. But in the photo there was Link and Ilia, then there was the same boy next to her. Older, yet none the wiser it seemed as to who he was next to, a hero. In the far back, there were candles, and in the forefront was food, a great feast; a celebration. Almost like it was a wed-
There was a sudden loss of weight from her fingers, a presence made itself known as the picture was set back down on the table, not confronting but indulged with irritation.
"... it isn't polite to go through people's things." Link uttered methodically and fatigued.
Niah flushed as she had been caught poking around his home without initial consent, "... You were asleep," she answered weakly, "I had nothing better to do."
Link shrugged, she was right. Link had taken to a nap and slept until the star illuminated the lilac woods and the full moon reached over the province. It was already dimmed when he returned home with the boots - so he couldn't have been asleep but for merely an hour. He rubbed his eyes with discontent, the zeal in his demeanor slowly drained from tiredness and eventually he didn't care.
Niah spoke as her voice was laced with curiosity and made a move towards the photo again, this time she didn't pick it up - and instead pointed. It was the least she could do. "... you all look very happy. What's their name?"
He bit his lips as he took hold of the photograph himself. As he stared at the paper - his gaze was distant and longing. Niah was sure that his thoughts ran deeper than she could ever imagine right now,and then like a switch had been flipped - he quickly set the picture down and replied with a disappointed undertone.
"My best friends, Ilia, and Jessroh. But they're long gone now…"
"Are they dead?"
"No."
Niah made no further comment.
The noises of night filled the home as Link eventually showed her to one of the made beds in a far off corner, the sheets were tawdy yet thick like buckskin, meant to keep people warm during the colder months of the year. Where game was rare as if they were hidden among the trees or like they vanished from plain sight. She placed the candle on the table to light the area as she removed her boots and her father's jacket. The broach was pulled from the pocket and so was her phone - she had tempted to turn it on and see if maybe there would be some signal, let Lucy know she was okay and alive… if she had noticed her sudden disappearance in the night. Niah let out a bitter laugh as Link came into view.
"Tomorrow," he began, "We need to wake up early to get back to Kakariko as soon as possible. But before that I need to take you to the stables and get you settled there before we do anything. And we need to find you a weapon."
Niah frowned, "I don't need a weapon."
"If I do, you do too." He settled onto the bed on the other side of the room, he blew out his own candle as he muttered the words, "-goodnight."
And as the broach flipped and fiddled through her fingers, she too blew the candle in hopes that the next day would be better.
_/\_
Dawn rose above the horizon, making the pasture glow and the morning dew still grace the grass in a slick wet texture. It would be humid that summer day, and the breeze would be small. Cows had been released and flocked to a small pond of water, their eyes and tails flipped and flickered to avert flies and other insects from picking at their skin. But to the east the rays only proved that the time was merely in the dawn - perhaps half past six.
Their steps were soft as they entered the stables, the floor littered with loose and baled hay, food and treats scattered around as well and needed to be cleaned up. Whoever came in here last night to lock up hadn't done a very good job at keeping the place tidy. That left Niah to push a sweeper through the area, beads of sweat dripped from her brow. Early it was - but the heat was rising quickly.
Niah brushed the broom against the concrete in a subtle rhythm, the horses were fed and watered, the cows were released into the pasture at the other acre - and that left the horses' stable to be cleaned.
"Ya know, when I said you had to be up early-" The sound of boots tainted the air, "I didn't mean you had to be up at six in the morning." His voice croaked and echoed in the building.
Niah turned towards the voice and set aside her broom and stuffed her hands in her pockets as she walked forward.
"Sorry, I couldn't sleep…"
He tipped his hat with a small chuckle and walked pass her to one of the stalls, The air grew thicker as Niah also pressed forward towards the same stall, but as she neared the head of a horse had peeked from the large opening, a bucket of horse feed was present and so the horse went for it even as her uncle approached.
He pat the stallion head - ir knickered and snorted with the presence of him. "Yer a good one. Aren't ya." he said.
Moments later, Niah had returned to her task - sweep the hay and clean feed that had dropped on the concrete. But she looked back consistently. Let her eyes wander among the animals. Horses gave a certain elegance that no other beast truly could. They were wise, it was like they had more wisdom than a cat did even after it's first fur. A loose strand had fallen out of her ponytail and she brushed it back.
She wanted to ride though. She wanted to saddle up and ride somewhere, anywhere but here. Into the Virginian mountains and away from civilization for the rest of time, only to live with the trees and the creatures that roamed the land. Niah wanted to feel the air in her hair, and feel the breath of the land breathing on her skin as it wisped past her. She wanted to throw the broom down and cast aside the mop for the first time in weeks and travel to a new place far away from here.
She was standing there in the opening of the barn, staring at the pasture and the hills of the land, she felt her heart thumping in her ears. It was so loud that she hadn't realized that she was daydreaming until she could feel the vibration of hooves that walked on the ground, and the clanking sound of a brittle and stirrup. It racked her brain for a moment before they were right next to each other. She looked up.
"The hills, mountains. Vast in range as they are in land-" The horse stood there restless. "And plentiful in beauty, even if my brother never thought so."
Niah smirked not even looking at him, "Yeah, well dad's a city boy, and I'm caught between two worlds. I thought punishment was supposed to be taking away the things I want to do, not giving them to me."
"Your punishment was never not seeing me. It was not being able to do what you love. And that's riding, and when you're picked up today, tell my brother I told him to take a break, will ya..?"
Niah shrugged, "Sure, uncle Griff."
He ushered his stallion into a gallops as he rode into the plains the sun was rising higher above the land and mountains, making Niah wonder if her life would ever be different,
_/\_
The sun beat down worse than what she was expecting when she woke up the next day. Her body was worn and tired, and it felt like she had gotten run over by a truck. Her eyes had refused to open, and her brain was a mess of mottled and incoherent thoughts. This dreary feeling was almost like she was waking from an exceptionally terrible dream, but when she finalled wiped them - she noticed she was still in the same place at the same time whether she liked it or not.
Niah sat up in place, wiping her eyes once again, she gave a yawn.
There was no breeze, there was no sound. No whisper of dreams suddenly calling from afar. Even with her head slightly more cleared, Niah considered for a moment - to press on her own mission alone. But quickly threw away the thought once she actually remembered that this Hyrule was not the one she knew as a child. She blinked the crud from her eyes and afterwards; she ran her fingers through her hair. This made her realize that she needed to brush her hair through again.
Niah's feet came into contact with the wooden floor, and begrudgingly headed towards the direction of the hairbrush that laid on the mantel just ahead of her, it was a very methodical pace, and her eyes still sluggish from fatigue. The clock in her brain was telling her it was early in the morning, but not so early that the sun had yet to rise over the horizon. It was there; the light pouring through the windows.
As soon as she grasped the handle, she let the first stroke brush over without much thought.
But then there was a mighty grip that snatched it from her possession, it startled her and made her whip her head to glare behind her.
"H-hey!" Niah jumped.
Link didn't give her a second glance as he set the brush back on the mantle. "You can brush your hair with this, please-" Suddenly. Niah realized that Link had just come back from somewhere, and on a table behind them - there was a pile of clothes, and on top laid a simple brush. It lacked the grey base and mythological design of the painted white beast, the handle was wooden and the bristles were worn and bent from use, but nevertheless, the withdrawal subsided and she moved to look over the items that were set out. The pants were a tan pair of breeches, it was apparent that they were more than likely too large for her frame, but there was also a belt with the texture of leather and a holster for either a knife or sword, she could not tell.
The tunic was the color of cedar and the bottom portion of the top reached to the top of her knees, and almost looked like a spring dress that was made in haste. There was a belt already attached around the midriff area. Niah had expected chainmail - but there was none, except a sliver of armour with the vambrace that was off to the side.
Niah looked back at him with questioning eyes. "When did you get these?"
"Just now." He replied, "I went into town for some supplies, and to catch up with some people." Link reached to the satchel on his hip and pulled out an apple and handed it to her. Niah, not realizing how hungry she was, took a bite of it.
"Then what are we doing after we leave?"
"We head into the mines." Midna's voice alarmed the two of them, her form was still in her shadow like the night before, but Niah had nearly forgotten about that.
"I'm not sure what to expect from the mines, but it's in a volcano, and that means heat, I'd figure you'd want to dress for the occasion."
Link wasn't wrong, the mines were a heat filled damned place with nothing but lava and rocks as well as other enemies of the sort. But that still didn't mean they should be protected from whatever. Niah nodded, "You're not wrong, the whole place is pretty much lava at its core. That means we'll need lots of water and more than likely take breaks, we don't need either of us experiencing a heat stroke."
Link quirked an eyebrow, "You've been in there before?"
"No," Niah replied simply, "Not exactly, but it's uh, apparent from the fact that the place you're entering is in a mountain… just makes sense." It wasn't a total lie, if one were to have the basic understanding of science then lava wouldn't be a bad look out to have.
All Link did in response was shrug, "Sure," He sounded unconvinced, but he quickly changed the subject. "After you get dressed, we need to get you a weapon and we need to go to the stables."
Niah nodded in response, her eyes glowered towards the door entrance with a hint of menace and weariness, mostly attributed to the sudden drift in conversation, but Niah wouldn't think about it - didn't think about it. Then again, as she pulled the brush through her hair, and was given enough privacy to change. Niah would rather be condemned than think that ill intent would not be reprimanded. The clothes fit snug around her body, and as she brushed her hair to the side and separated it into three sections. Niah braided with a scattered brain and a less than content attitude.
_/\_
Through the dirt passage, Niah was graced with the sight of Ordon.
It was robust, active and almost reminded her of a small town in the middle east. But the size of the village was one of normalcy. There was the small shop to the left, and the small stone pillars that led to the bird call. Almost everything was rightfully in place as it should be. To the small lilacs that blossomed in the distance, to the tiny creek that flowed through the town, the crossover was acute and old, and the dirt pathways were worn and dreary, but nevertheless - the patches of pumpkins were ripe and ready to be pulled from their roots from the looks of it. The small community was still vast though - in it's own right.
Link tilted his head in Niah's direction, she barely noticed that she had stopped to stare in the first place. He wanted to get a move on. Unlike Kakariko though, there were no eyes that glared at her in the distance. In fact - everything seemed desolate and there was the atmosphere of dread that surrounded them. Niah at once remembered the Twilight invasion and how the children were captured.
She was guided to Rusl's house, but instead of making a stop - they continued down a solem dirt path. An extra path that leads beyond their home, and into a small field. A series of buildings that were merely stables and small barns; sheds. A large brown fence made from a maple as a multitude of horses grazed in the small plains. Niah brushed a hair from her face as she came face to face is a new environment than what she was inherently used to. It almost brought a smile to her face.
"I figured you'd want one of your own-" They walked towards the entrance to the largest barn, and as they entered, it smelled of hay and the familiar aroma of feed. "You said you knew how to ride back in Kakariko," He stopped in front of one of the occupied stalls, "Prove it."
A horse appeared from the small opening, Niah hadn't looked inside, but the color was black. There were no dapples or spots of any kind. Its beady eyes showed their youth and gentle nature, possibly making it good for a fast escape and ride in the wind. Niah smiled this time, finally she brought her palm to rest gently on the creature's snout in a warm gesture of respect. The friesian nudged her hand in return - the mane pulled over her neck in a soft husk of breath.
"I had an uncle that owned a farm, he had horses. When I got in trouble my dad would send me to visit him. He wasn't supposed to let me ride, but he did anyway."
The memories were warm and fuzzy in her head. It was not often that she delved into the broom cupboards of her mind to scratch what was barely there on the surface.
"...What happened?" Link frowned and stared at Niah with an empathetic expression that she hadn't noticed in the slightest.
She cleared her throat and responded. "He just… disappeared one day." Her fingers began to scratch under the mare's chin. "I hate to think what my cousins did with the horses after his farm was sold off… it's a pity really. I wanted them."
There was no reply as they shuffled the gate open.
_/\_
A friesian horse was usually bred for their beauty and their gentile and nimble characteristics. Their coat was always a perfect color of black and rarely chestnut. Their mane reached just below their shoulders and it was like it poured down like a waterfall. But horses in general - were prey mammals, and have their own characteristics for sensing predators, and their only defenses were to run away or kick.
Thankfully - this one showed no signs of irritation, and when Niah was able to hitch herself onto the saddle and take hold of the reins with almost no issue other than the fact that it had been a few years since she's ever been able to ride. The leather, the height - and even the closeness to the animal made her fill with euphoria. Niah was eager and even as the mare began to wander from side to side, she tried to be quick to check her into shape.
"You're too light!" Link hollard from afar, he had saddled Epona not too long ago and he slowly made his way towards her. Dust was kicked up from below her hooves.
Niah shook her head, but she didn't disagree. The horse had a certain independence that Niah couldn't place her finger on, as though there was an attempt at breaking her in - but stopped halfway through. It was fun, needless to say. But she didn't want a horse that was unfamiliar with bridles and simple commands. Shortly though, things even themselves out as Niah was finally able to gain control, and push her into a trot. Niah had a moment of excitement, she was rusty with her riding abilities - but she was getting the hang of it. The reigns felt warm in her hands, and when she pulled them it was a silent command,a desperate need to keep going suddenly washed over her.
"So, what are you gonna name her?"
Niah shrugged, "I haven't decided yet…" Niah replied. Padding her hand over the braid, strands struck out wildy from the sudden jolt of horse movement.
"Mara," She suddenly replied, "I think I'll go with Mara."
Link smiled as he saddled Epona.
_/\_
"What are you good at when it comes to combat?"
Niah had just dismounted from Mara, the sun had risen higher above the fields and the heat was persistent with every second they spent outside. Epona's reins were clenched in Link's hand as they started down the path. Apparently Link was in no big haste to save the world from impending doom as their speed walking was a mere steady pace. However, the question startled Niah for a moment, she hadn't even thought about it.
"I can do hand to hand combat," Niah replied, but there was a small lurch in her brain that pressed her to stop the sentence, but instead Niah substitute it for a lack-luster explanation, "-but It's limited."
"Anything else? Sword, knife…" Link quirked an eyebrow in her direction.
Niah rolled her eyes, "Fine, I can use a bow and arrow. Not great because I'm out of practice, but we'd use them for hunting or whatever."
Link scowled, "... oh. I see." The path was coming to an end as they finally entered the main part of the village. The dust had risen in their air quite a bit - making her feel a tad queasy, since out of the meadow though there was only a slight glimpse air that brushed past them almost haphazardly to miss their delicate forms.
"...what?" Niah brought herself back to her senses.
"We haven't made any here at the smith shop. Guess we'll just have to wait until we get back to Kakariko." Link's voice was obviously laced with disappointment, discontent and practically anything in between.
"Why is this a bad thing?"
"Remember when I said something about outlaws on the trail? Or other other-wordly beasts that like to make their way onto my path?" He shrugged, "I… just don't want you getting hurt, that's all." Link shifted his gaze from her as he pressed forward.
"You barely know me." Niah replied quietly, mostly to herself, but since they were in such close proximity it didn't matter because as he turned his head slightly back towards her, an aura of irritation and indignation seeped forward, he somehow looked more stiff than he did before and it had been mere seconds as his brows furrowed;
"That isn't the point."
And with that final statement, silence was like a weapon, and Niah used the opportunity to keep her mouth shut. As they passed by the little shop near the entrance to Link's home, it deafened her mind - even if it was just for a moment. As they entered and the steam cleared, the walls of earth surrounding them made her feel claustrophobic.
However, she didn't want to waste the opportunity for peace and quiet.
_/\_
When they had gotten to Link's house, he wanted to stock up some more before their official departure. Which was fine with her, a moment alone would do them best from the sudden - yet mellow outburst. The trees were a welcomed guest as they blocked the sun and left a nice cool shade for her to perhaps wallow in.
"He does that sometimes."
Niah perked up - she lazed on Mara like a log. It was taking Link forever to do whatever he needed to do, again though, not unwelcome, nevertheless he did have a realm to save. "Don't worry about it," She mumbled, hand pressed against her face, "He doesn't want people to get hurt. Can't really blame him for much."
Midna had appeared and stared at her with dark endless eyes, "It's rare that a man is taken for what he is. No matter where I find myself, there is misjudgement everywhere."
Niah was left with a bitter sensation, she wasn't sure where it had come from. However - the words were somber, but nevertheless; true. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. A thought forced itself into her mind though. Midna said 'it's rare that a man is taken for what he is.' What was that supposed to mean? Was it a reference to the destiny that Niah supposed they shared? Or was it meant as something with more menace and distaste that even Mida couldn't describe. Midna was a princess in her own right no matter the form, even she knew that, but what would make trials if errors never came? Now that was a thought. If Link hadn't been chosen as the hero to protect Hyrule. If Midna hadn't been laid to waste by a man with little cogency and even less merit. Is that what everything was though? Her being here. Was this meant to be a trial for her?
Or was it an error for the Gods?
Niah was thankful that Midna didn't expect an answer out of her. In fact, Midna looked relieved that Niah hadn't answered at all, because just as Link had closed his door, and started town the latter. They both looked at him with perhaps a small ounce of pity and understanding, but he never saw. Midna hid herself away again, and Niah made herself look more alive.
She took a deep breath. "Are okay?"
Link shrugged in a mild response, "Couldn't be better."
