Chapter One
The return of Princess Azaelia was to be greatly celebrated, and Anju awoke at the first break of daylight to begin with the preparations. The townsfolk hustled around fervently, decorating every inch of municipality that could possibly be adorned. The mailman rose very early, distributing and collecting mail, and afterward he announced that, because of the arrival of the royal family, afternoon service was cancelled. Mayor Dotour was being his usual irresolute self, and couldn't decide between lavender or cherry streamers. Madame Aroma, his wife, ordered the commoners about, telling them to bake, beautify, and clean. Even the chary man from the Curiousity Shop assisted, hanging placards and banners on the granite walls.
The Zora band, The Indigo-Go's, was coming as well, anxious to perform for the dignified people. The Rosa sisters were putting together a new dance. Gorman, the troupe manager, had renounced from the group to be with his brothers, and now the instrumentalist, Guru-Guru, was the leader. Anju peered through her bedroom window and couldn't help but grin. Two years ago when Azaelia had lived in Termina, she had been the life of the town, and had been missed in the years she had been absent, fulfilling her duties as princess. Anju frequently wrote to her, and the princess never failed to correspond.
She felt like a child, gazing out the window at her friends working so hard for a girl they esteemed and loved so much. No, Anju thought, not a girl anymore. A woman, a young woman. It had been evident in her letters, she was so unlike the insecure child she was when she left. Azaelia would be seventeen now. However, Anju was still five years her senior.
Anju felt a gentle hand touch her shoulder. "What are you looking at, my darling?" a voice said. It was the tone of Anju's husband, Kafei, who apparently had risen himself to greet the day. He rested his cheek on her auburn hair, breathing in the fragrance of lilacs that she always smelled like. It was a familiar smell to Kafei, soothing and knowing, just as she was.
His spouse's eyes didn't leave the transom. "I was looking at the people," she told him. "Look at how hard they are working, all for our Azaelia." A smile crossed her pretty face, but it was gesture tainted with sadness. She missed Azaelia, of course. Kafei knew that. Luckily, it didn't impede with her everyday life. In fact, sometimes he didn't know how the woman handled it all: managing their inn, Stock Pot, caring for her ill mother, cleaning, cooking, shopping...he questioned, sometimes, if she ever became stressed, because if she was, she never illustrated it. She was unruffled, serene, in control.
He pressed his lips into her hair. "I know," he murmured. "But do you think, maybe, that we should be out there helping them?" He pulled away from her, giving her an encouraging smile.
Though she did not return the smile, Anju nodded. "Yes, I suppose we should. I'll go dress. Dear, will you please draw together our decorations? Madame Aroma will indubitably want to see them."
"My mother?" Kafei asked. He laughed. "Yes, she certainly will."
Heading into the section of their room that was sheltered by a large pastel blue curtain, Anju put on her traditional work attire of a pallid chemise, scarlet vest, and green dress. She stepped into her shoes and was out the door. She didn't bother to wait for Kafei; he would come out soon.
"Ohh, Anju!" a familiar operatic voice shouted. The accent drowned out the chatter of the crowd in East Clock Town. "I'm soooooo glad you're here!"
Anju didn't have to look up to see who it was, calling her name in such a respited tone. Glancing up with a knowing smirk on her lips, sure enough, it was the mayor's wife Kafei's mother, Madame Aroma. "Hullo, Madame," Anju said sweetly, even though Madame wasn't her favorite person. It was hard for Anju to respect the woman, but she knew she had to. She was, after all, her husband's mother.
Madame Aroma rushed forward toward Anju, her pasty hands fluttering around her chubby face and two chins. "Oh, Anju, thank goodness you're awake!" Madame let an edgy titter escape her throat. "I was getting worried! Good good, now you take over here...well, I'll be heading back home now, siesta time for me, hahaha!" She skidded off, dragging her feet along the cement pavement, high-heeled pumps and all. "Oh!" she called over her shoulder, "make sure my son helps too, Anju dear!"
Anju felt inundated. Just as she was feeling flawed for not being able to take charge immediately, Kafei came into view beside her, their decorations in a bulky cardboard box in his arms. A confused look passed over his face. "Uh...where's Mom? Wasn't she instructing this group?" He surveyed the townspeople, appearing vaguely surprised. "Wow, there sure are a lot of us."
Anju nodded and cringed. "Your mother left me to be in charge of this crowd," she reported to him. Alarm flowed through her body. The royal family would arrive in roughly twelve hours. It seemed like a long time, but Clock Town was fairly large, and would take ten hours in the least to fix everything up just right.
"You?" Kafei queried, visibly shocked. "Honey, if you are overwhelmed, I'd be happy to take over for you," he told her, smiling gently, wishing she would let him take her place.
Anju laughed conceitedly. "Do you think I cannot do it, Kafei?" She folded her arms across her chest and stared angrily at him through her tangential vision.
"No, of course not!" Kafei said hastily. His rendered, speechless look seemed unending. "Why would you think such a thing, Anju, dearest?" His eyes, a shadowy crimson, gaped back at her. Anju was touched. He always gazed at her with such adoration in his eyes. His eyes. She remembered the split second she realized she loved him: the instant when she first stared into his eyes. They were so unique; no one else in all of Clock Town possessed red eyes such as Kafei's.
Anju quickly removed her eyes from his gawk and tried to bite back a grin. "Never mind, you," she told him in a lighthearted tone. "Just...you go help out with the rest of the crowd, alright? And let me have those decorations."
Kafei nodded without delay or objection and passed the box to her. Then he leaned in, kissed her tenderly on the cheek, and disappeared into the swarm of people.
A warm, content feeling filled Anju's soul. Kafei was what kept her stable during tough times such as these. Because of that simple kiss, she felt as if she was in high spirits and prepared to get to work. She wanted everything to be perfect for Azaelia's return, but for a moment she looked at the crowd. People were laughing, chattering and gossiping eagerly. So many people made up Clock Town. Anju contemplated on how Azaelia could have possibly left. She wouldn't leave for anything.
On the other hand, Azaelia left because she had found out who she truly was: a princess.
Anju grimaced and just as she had started to stroll away from the mob, a recognizable voice called, "Morning, Anju!"
Anju turned swiftly and saw a young friend of hers, Luken, sauntering past her. "Hello, Luken," she responded. She perceived a box akin to the one she seized in her arms in his. "Helping out?" she asked.
Luken smirked. "You seem surprised."
"I..." Anju started but could not finish. "Well..."
The boy chortled. "Yes, I am lending a hand, if that answers your question." Laughter was in his tone of voice.
"You just didn't seem like the type to help make things enjoyable for the royals, that's all," Anju admitted. A mischievous spangle emerged in her gray eyes suddenly. "What with the way you make fun of them and all."
Luken played along with her. "I do no such thing," he declared.
Anju laughed haughtily. "Excuse me? 'Those spoiled rotten royals,' " she quipped, emulating him. "What do you call that, huh?"
Luken smiled naughtily. "Can you keep a secret?" he asked. He glanced around as if to see if anyone was watching him.
Anju did the same, and nodded.
"I'm only helping," he said, "because some of this garnishing stuff would be great to play tricks on that princess with."
Anju's eyes grew wide. "You're evil," she stated to him. But she was smiling.
A sarcastically humble look was on Luken's face. "Thank you. I know," he said.
Anju studied him. "I hope you are joking," she said, "because I will guard her with my life if you are serious."
Luken expressed his amusement with a laugh. "Do not fret, Lady Anju. I am kidding. If you'll excuse me..." He motioned that he had to leave. "I must get to my...ah...work."
Anju nodded. "Good-bye for now, Luken. See you later at the celebration?"
"Wouldn't miss it." Luken flashed her another impish grin and hurried off.
So began Anju's lengthy, difficult day of bejeweling. Finally, the mayor decided that red silk streamers would be finest, so that is what Anju commenced to twirl around the upper part of East Clock Town. She had just finished when Madame Aroma bustled into Anju's area in a flurry of feather boas and costume jewels and proclaimed that the color chosen was, in fact, purple. This perturbed Anju greatly, but she forced a smile and tore down her decorations.
Not long after she had begun working yet again, Madame Aroma came to Anju and commanded her to go cook lunch for the crowd. Knowing that she would never be able to handle cooking for so many citizens, Anju enlisted in her husband's help. Together, the two scuttled around the kitchen of their inn in a great commotion, baking and cooking all the food they owned, from soup to mashed potatoes and back to desserts and pastries. As things were winding down in the Stock Pot Inn, Kafei let out a huff of annoyance. "I cannot believe my mother dumped this chore upon us."
"Nor can I," Anju concurred, a fire in her voice that wasn't typically there. Kafei resisted a grin.
"It's just," Anju persisted, stacking colorless plates on the coppice tabletop, "she thinks that just because she is the highest authority in this town, we are her personal servants, and that is not the case!" She sighed deeply and plopped down in a chair.
"It's not just us," Kafei told his wife. "She treats everyone this inadequately ." He sat down next to his wife, who rested her chin in her hand. "My mother was part of the reason I was hiding two years ago," he confessed. A misty look was in his eyes as he remembered when the imp had changed him from a grown man who was about to be married, to a child. He evoked his days spent in the laundry pool and winced. But he was grateful that after the imp from the woods had seen what he had done wrong, he had changed Kafei back into his true form--a man of age twenty-one. He was twenty-three now, but yet, not much had changed in Termina since the imp had left.
He expected Anju to become angry, and was repentant about telling her this, but Anju's miserable, fed up expression did not change. "I can see why," she mumbled.
"I'd try to have a discussion with her," Kafei said, "but you know what she'll say. 'It's for the benefit of the people,'" he impersonated nastily. "I'll tell you, I hope her manners are altered when Azaelia gets here. There's no way she would act superior around the royal family."
"I'd hope not," Anju answered bitterly. "The problem is, they're all so polite. If Madame was to order them around, they wouldn't object!"
"I--" Kafei had started to respond to Anju's statement when there was a loud knock at the door.
"Oh!" Anju said, startled, hopping to her feet. "We'll finish talking later on," she told her husband. "For now, we must do what we are here to do. And that is provide food for our friends." She gave a tiny smile and went to answer the door.
For the next hour, Anju and Kafei served the townspeople all the food they had cooked. Youthful and elderly came to the Stock Pot Inn to obtain a free lunch, and then went back outdoors to munch and chatter with friends and family. Anju knew that Azaelia would be the center of tittle-tattle today. She was almost afraid of what the people might say about her.
It was one o'clock when Anju and Kafei concluded doling out the food to the extensive line of people that had flooded inside the inn. At last they too went outside to join the others for a few minutes of relaxation. They sat on two wooden barrels with their serving dishes, not speaking to each other, but taking note of the words of gossip their fellow commoners had to say.
"I've heard that the king saved Hyrule prior to his marriage to the queen."
"Did you hear? The princess is getting married in two weeks!" This was followed by shrieks and giggles.
"Queen Zelda is pregnant. Did you know that?"
Anju shook her head cheerlessly and whispered to Kafei, "I don't think any of that is true."
"I know it's not," Kafei replied, glaring at the gossipers.
"Hey, Anju," a gentleman's voice said. It was a soldier, Captain Viscen. "Do you think the princess would like a body guard?" Hope was in his tone of voice. Though Viscen was a very young soldier, not much older than Kafei, he was one of the greatest and most respected.
Before Anju could answer, another male voice interrupted. "Don't be ridiculous, Viscen! She'll want someone older, more advanced, if you will." Another soldier, Shiro, had intruded on their conversation. Usually, he was quite bashful, becaue he felt his fellow guards looked down on him. "Anju, I'd be a better choice for the princess, don't you agree?"
Anju shrugged her bony shoulders. "Ask her when she arrives. I am sure she wouldn't want me to choose for her, gentlemen."
Shiro looked thoughtful. "Yes, I suppose that's true."
Meanwhile, a heavyset carpenter named Mutoh was addressing Kafei. "Kafei, buddy," he said gruffly, cuffing the younger man on the back. "You think our princess would appreciate a new house of her own? I got some of my men making a blueprint as we speak. That way she'd have someplace to live when she comes to visit..."
Kafei held up his hands as if to surrender. "Whoa, Mutoh," he said. "I think you ask should her yourself. She's...quite an independent young lady."
Midst all the discussion, a silvery cobalt coach drew up, led by clean, sallow horses. Anju identified it automatically, though others did not.
Gasps were heard in the huddle of people. "The princess! She's early!" One panicked voice could be perceived above the rest.
"Don't be stupid!" an additional voice countered. "That's the Zora carriage! The Indigo-Go's are here!"
It was true. A coachman, who was human for some reason, opened the carriage door, and the Zora band stepped out. First was the manager, a round, stout Zora called Toto, accountable for much of the band's celebrity. Anju recalled a chat she'd had with them a short time ago. He spoke of how proud he was of the band, and how much progress they showed...Anju felt the same way when she thought of her inn, and the growth it had made since she was put in charge.
Next, out stepped the bandleader, Evan, who played keyboard, followed by Japas, the bass player. Girls screeched as he stepped out. "Hey, Clock Town dudes!" he called.
Tijo, the drum player, hopped out next, and followed by the most attractive band member, the guitarist, Mikau. Even more squeals of bliss trailed his entrance.
At last, the band songstress, Lulu, poked her head out. Japas extended his hand to her. She took it, and timorously stepped out. Oohs and ahhs followed this, and Anju could comprehend why.
She was dazzling, for a Zora at least. Zoras were the aquatic people of the sea, part human, part fish, skilled swimmers and, as the Indigo-Go's demonstrated, talented musicians. Most of them were typical looking, with fins and light blue skin. Not Lulu.
She held some traditional Zora features, such as the fins at her ankles and shoulders that helped her swim gracefully. Her skin was insiped white, spattered with cerulean, and it seemed to shimmer. Sapphire earrings dangled from her ears, glinting in the sunshine. Her eyes were truly indigo, a vivid, shining purple that glittered when she sang and spoke. She wore a short violet dress that sparkled. She radiated, it seemed.
She smiled brightly at the huge bevy of humans watching her. "Greetings," she said. Her voice, even when it wasn't crooning, sounded harmonious.
Suddenly people from all over town were rushing to the band, asking for autographs and giving them admiring comments. The band members smiled and willingly spoke back to the townspeople, until Toto disrupted the commotion with a loud, "Wait a moment! Everyone, calm down, please!"
Everyone reluctantly shifted their eyes from the band to the manager.
"The Indigo-Go's will be performing for you all later," he said hardheartedly. "For now, let's just let them get settled."
"Oh, it's okay, Toto!" Evan the bandleader called to his manager. "We'd like to get acquainted to this crowd. Besides, there will be no time for autographs later, with the princess coming and all."
The manager did not look thrilled with this assertion, but he answered with a brusque "All right, all right..." before commencing to unload the members' belongings.
Lulu had spotted Anju and strided over to her. "Anju, it is so good to see you again!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up.
"It's wonderful to see too, Lulu," Anju answered, smiling sincerely at the Zora girl. Lulu beamed and hugged Anju. Feeling somewhat awkward, Anju returned the hug. "So. How've you been, Lulu?" she asked, making courteous dialogue. "How's the Cape?"
"Oh, you know how it is. The fans...every time we even mention the sheer possibility of a rehearsal, the place is packed." Lulu said this as though it was a bad thing, and Anju struggled to pity her. She was young, beautiful, and talented--what more did she want?
"Oh". Anju was unsure of what to say. Lulu sure had adjusted to fame since the last they had met, which was not even a year ago, for the Carnival of Time. Back then, Lulu had been retrained and kind of quiet, but yet very considerate to her fans. Now she spoke of them like they were an inconvenience. "Well, Lulu, it's nice to see you again," Anju said neutrally, touching the Zora's arm. "Good luck at the show. I'm sure Princess Azaelia will enjoy it very much."
"You think so? Good," Lulu said, giggling nervously. "I was worried..."
"Don't. She'll love it. Believe me, I know her very well," Anju reassured Lulu. "I must get back to the preparations. I'll show you to your room shortly, if that's all right. You are staying at that Stock Pot Inn, correct?"
Lulu's eyes lit up. "Oh, Anju, could you show it to me now? I'd love to unpack now. I'll be much too weary to do it later."
Anju made an effort to not show her averse, and put on her business voice. "Sure. Come right this way."
She led Lulu to a room in the upper level of the inn. There was a solitary bed there, as the girl requested. The other members of the band were sharing the room next to hers.
"Oh, it's so charming, Anju!" Lulu said elatedly. "Umm...Anju...would you mind if Japas came in here later?" She was biting her lower lip to keep a grin from working its way onto her face.
Anju blinked several times in a row. "Uh...no! No, go ahead, it is your room for the time being." She blinked again, hard. "I'll leave you to finish un..." Anju's voice trailed off and she gave a nervous laugh. "Unpack. Yes, good-bye, Lu...Lulu..." She groped over her speech and backed out of the room. Once she was unaccompanied out in the corridor, she giggled some more, and trotted down the stairs.
Kafei was on his way up, carrying a tray of food, and saw his wife's foolish grin. "What's so funny?" he asked.
With another snigger, Anju answered, "It seems that Lulu and Japas have quite an intrigue."
Kafei's eyes narrowed. "Anju..." he said warningly. "I told you to stay out of other people's business."
"And I am," answered Anju innocently. "She told me!"
"Ah," Kafei said. "This Lulu is indeed different from the one we saw several months ago."
Anju nodded her accord. "Eminence has gotten to that pretty head of hers."
The man sighed. "Well, the royal family shall be arriving soon, and Marilla is demanding lunch. See you later, my love." Kafei kissed his wife's cheek and hiked up the final stairs.
Anju's footsteps were soundless as she strolled down the burnished, wooden staircase. She pulled a key from her vest pocket and unlocked the door to the small bedroom she and Kafei shared. As she had done early on that morning, during the first crack of dawn, she gazed out the window, watching her friends prepare for the great event that evening, at dusk. Wind blew through streamers of amethyst and silver. Refreshment stands had been set up, and already people stood, drinking ale and laughing together. Excitement was in the air, and Anju drank it in, as her pals sipped their beverages. At last, she could see her sister again.
The return of Princess Azaelia was to be greatly celebrated, and Anju awoke at the first break of daylight to begin with the preparations. The townsfolk hustled around fervently, decorating every inch of municipality that could possibly be adorned. The mailman rose very early, distributing and collecting mail, and afterward he announced that, because of the arrival of the royal family, afternoon service was cancelled. Mayor Dotour was being his usual irresolute self, and couldn't decide between lavender or cherry streamers. Madame Aroma, his wife, ordered the commoners about, telling them to bake, beautify, and clean. Even the chary man from the Curiousity Shop assisted, hanging placards and banners on the granite walls.
The Zora band, The Indigo-Go's, was coming as well, anxious to perform for the dignified people. The Rosa sisters were putting together a new dance. Gorman, the troupe manager, had renounced from the group to be with his brothers, and now the instrumentalist, Guru-Guru, was the leader. Anju peered through her bedroom window and couldn't help but grin. Two years ago when Azaelia had lived in Termina, she had been the life of the town, and had been missed in the years she had been absent, fulfilling her duties as princess. Anju frequently wrote to her, and the princess never failed to correspond.
She felt like a child, gazing out the window at her friends working so hard for a girl they esteemed and loved so much. No, Anju thought, not a girl anymore. A woman, a young woman. It had been evident in her letters, she was so unlike the insecure child she was when she left. Azaelia would be seventeen now. However, Anju was still five years her senior.
Anju felt a gentle hand touch her shoulder. "What are you looking at, my darling?" a voice said. It was the tone of Anju's husband, Kafei, who apparently had risen himself to greet the day. He rested his cheek on her auburn hair, breathing in the fragrance of lilacs that she always smelled like. It was a familiar smell to Kafei, soothing and knowing, just as she was.
His spouse's eyes didn't leave the transom. "I was looking at the people," she told him. "Look at how hard they are working, all for our Azaelia." A smile crossed her pretty face, but it was gesture tainted with sadness. She missed Azaelia, of course. Kafei knew that. Luckily, it didn't impede with her everyday life. In fact, sometimes he didn't know how the woman handled it all: managing their inn, Stock Pot, caring for her ill mother, cleaning, cooking, shopping...he questioned, sometimes, if she ever became stressed, because if she was, she never illustrated it. She was unruffled, serene, in control.
He pressed his lips into her hair. "I know," he murmured. "But do you think, maybe, that we should be out there helping them?" He pulled away from her, giving her an encouraging smile.
Though she did not return the smile, Anju nodded. "Yes, I suppose we should. I'll go dress. Dear, will you please draw together our decorations? Madame Aroma will indubitably want to see them."
"My mother?" Kafei asked. He laughed. "Yes, she certainly will."
Heading into the section of their room that was sheltered by a large pastel blue curtain, Anju put on her traditional work attire of a pallid chemise, scarlet vest, and green dress. She stepped into her shoes and was out the door. She didn't bother to wait for Kafei; he would come out soon.
"Ohh, Anju!" a familiar operatic voice shouted. The accent drowned out the chatter of the crowd in East Clock Town. "I'm soooooo glad you're here!"
Anju didn't have to look up to see who it was, calling her name in such a respited tone. Glancing up with a knowing smirk on her lips, sure enough, it was the mayor's wife Kafei's mother, Madame Aroma. "Hullo, Madame," Anju said sweetly, even though Madame wasn't her favorite person. It was hard for Anju to respect the woman, but she knew she had to. She was, after all, her husband's mother.
Madame Aroma rushed forward toward Anju, her pasty hands fluttering around her chubby face and two chins. "Oh, Anju, thank goodness you're awake!" Madame let an edgy titter escape her throat. "I was getting worried! Good good, now you take over here...well, I'll be heading back home now, siesta time for me, hahaha!" She skidded off, dragging her feet along the cement pavement, high-heeled pumps and all. "Oh!" she called over her shoulder, "make sure my son helps too, Anju dear!"
Anju felt inundated. Just as she was feeling flawed for not being able to take charge immediately, Kafei came into view beside her, their decorations in a bulky cardboard box in his arms. A confused look passed over his face. "Uh...where's Mom? Wasn't she instructing this group?" He surveyed the townspeople, appearing vaguely surprised. "Wow, there sure are a lot of us."
Anju nodded and cringed. "Your mother left me to be in charge of this crowd," she reported to him. Alarm flowed through her body. The royal family would arrive in roughly twelve hours. It seemed like a long time, but Clock Town was fairly large, and would take ten hours in the least to fix everything up just right.
"You?" Kafei queried, visibly shocked. "Honey, if you are overwhelmed, I'd be happy to take over for you," he told her, smiling gently, wishing she would let him take her place.
Anju laughed conceitedly. "Do you think I cannot do it, Kafei?" She folded her arms across her chest and stared angrily at him through her tangential vision.
"No, of course not!" Kafei said hastily. His rendered, speechless look seemed unending. "Why would you think such a thing, Anju, dearest?" His eyes, a shadowy crimson, gaped back at her. Anju was touched. He always gazed at her with such adoration in his eyes. His eyes. She remembered the split second she realized she loved him: the instant when she first stared into his eyes. They were so unique; no one else in all of Clock Town possessed red eyes such as Kafei's.
Anju quickly removed her eyes from his gawk and tried to bite back a grin. "Never mind, you," she told him in a lighthearted tone. "Just...you go help out with the rest of the crowd, alright? And let me have those decorations."
Kafei nodded without delay or objection and passed the box to her. Then he leaned in, kissed her tenderly on the cheek, and disappeared into the swarm of people.
A warm, content feeling filled Anju's soul. Kafei was what kept her stable during tough times such as these. Because of that simple kiss, she felt as if she was in high spirits and prepared to get to work. She wanted everything to be perfect for Azaelia's return, but for a moment she looked at the crowd. People were laughing, chattering and gossiping eagerly. So many people made up Clock Town. Anju contemplated on how Azaelia could have possibly left. She wouldn't leave for anything.
On the other hand, Azaelia left because she had found out who she truly was: a princess.
Anju grimaced and just as she had started to stroll away from the mob, a recognizable voice called, "Morning, Anju!"
Anju turned swiftly and saw a young friend of hers, Luken, sauntering past her. "Hello, Luken," she responded. She perceived a box akin to the one she seized in her arms in his. "Helping out?" she asked.
Luken smirked. "You seem surprised."
"I..." Anju started but could not finish. "Well..."
The boy chortled. "Yes, I am lending a hand, if that answers your question." Laughter was in his tone of voice.
"You just didn't seem like the type to help make things enjoyable for the royals, that's all," Anju admitted. A mischievous spangle emerged in her gray eyes suddenly. "What with the way you make fun of them and all."
Luken played along with her. "I do no such thing," he declared.
Anju laughed haughtily. "Excuse me? 'Those spoiled rotten royals,' " she quipped, emulating him. "What do you call that, huh?"
Luken smiled naughtily. "Can you keep a secret?" he asked. He glanced around as if to see if anyone was watching him.
Anju did the same, and nodded.
"I'm only helping," he said, "because some of this garnishing stuff would be great to play tricks on that princess with."
Anju's eyes grew wide. "You're evil," she stated to him. But she was smiling.
A sarcastically humble look was on Luken's face. "Thank you. I know," he said.
Anju studied him. "I hope you are joking," she said, "because I will guard her with my life if you are serious."
Luken expressed his amusement with a laugh. "Do not fret, Lady Anju. I am kidding. If you'll excuse me..." He motioned that he had to leave. "I must get to my...ah...work."
Anju nodded. "Good-bye for now, Luken. See you later at the celebration?"
"Wouldn't miss it." Luken flashed her another impish grin and hurried off.
So began Anju's lengthy, difficult day of bejeweling. Finally, the mayor decided that red silk streamers would be finest, so that is what Anju commenced to twirl around the upper part of East Clock Town. She had just finished when Madame Aroma bustled into Anju's area in a flurry of feather boas and costume jewels and proclaimed that the color chosen was, in fact, purple. This perturbed Anju greatly, but she forced a smile and tore down her decorations.
Not long after she had begun working yet again, Madame Aroma came to Anju and commanded her to go cook lunch for the crowd. Knowing that she would never be able to handle cooking for so many citizens, Anju enlisted in her husband's help. Together, the two scuttled around the kitchen of their inn in a great commotion, baking and cooking all the food they owned, from soup to mashed potatoes and back to desserts and pastries. As things were winding down in the Stock Pot Inn, Kafei let out a huff of annoyance. "I cannot believe my mother dumped this chore upon us."
"Nor can I," Anju concurred, a fire in her voice that wasn't typically there. Kafei resisted a grin.
"It's just," Anju persisted, stacking colorless plates on the coppice tabletop, "she thinks that just because she is the highest authority in this town, we are her personal servants, and that is not the case!" She sighed deeply and plopped down in a chair.
"It's not just us," Kafei told his wife. "She treats everyone this inadequately ." He sat down next to his wife, who rested her chin in her hand. "My mother was part of the reason I was hiding two years ago," he confessed. A misty look was in his eyes as he remembered when the imp had changed him from a grown man who was about to be married, to a child. He evoked his days spent in the laundry pool and winced. But he was grateful that after the imp from the woods had seen what he had done wrong, he had changed Kafei back into his true form--a man of age twenty-one. He was twenty-three now, but yet, not much had changed in Termina since the imp had left.
He expected Anju to become angry, and was repentant about telling her this, but Anju's miserable, fed up expression did not change. "I can see why," she mumbled.
"I'd try to have a discussion with her," Kafei said, "but you know what she'll say. 'It's for the benefit of the people,'" he impersonated nastily. "I'll tell you, I hope her manners are altered when Azaelia gets here. There's no way she would act superior around the royal family."
"I'd hope not," Anju answered bitterly. "The problem is, they're all so polite. If Madame was to order them around, they wouldn't object!"
"I--" Kafei had started to respond to Anju's statement when there was a loud knock at the door.
"Oh!" Anju said, startled, hopping to her feet. "We'll finish talking later on," she told her husband. "For now, we must do what we are here to do. And that is provide food for our friends." She gave a tiny smile and went to answer the door.
For the next hour, Anju and Kafei served the townspeople all the food they had cooked. Youthful and elderly came to the Stock Pot Inn to obtain a free lunch, and then went back outdoors to munch and chatter with friends and family. Anju knew that Azaelia would be the center of tittle-tattle today. She was almost afraid of what the people might say about her.
It was one o'clock when Anju and Kafei concluded doling out the food to the extensive line of people that had flooded inside the inn. At last they too went outside to join the others for a few minutes of relaxation. They sat on two wooden barrels with their serving dishes, not speaking to each other, but taking note of the words of gossip their fellow commoners had to say.
"I've heard that the king saved Hyrule prior to his marriage to the queen."
"Did you hear? The princess is getting married in two weeks!" This was followed by shrieks and giggles.
"Queen Zelda is pregnant. Did you know that?"
Anju shook her head cheerlessly and whispered to Kafei, "I don't think any of that is true."
"I know it's not," Kafei replied, glaring at the gossipers.
"Hey, Anju," a gentleman's voice said. It was a soldier, Captain Viscen. "Do you think the princess would like a body guard?" Hope was in his tone of voice. Though Viscen was a very young soldier, not much older than Kafei, he was one of the greatest and most respected.
Before Anju could answer, another male voice interrupted. "Don't be ridiculous, Viscen! She'll want someone older, more advanced, if you will." Another soldier, Shiro, had intruded on their conversation. Usually, he was quite bashful, becaue he felt his fellow guards looked down on him. "Anju, I'd be a better choice for the princess, don't you agree?"
Anju shrugged her bony shoulders. "Ask her when she arrives. I am sure she wouldn't want me to choose for her, gentlemen."
Shiro looked thoughtful. "Yes, I suppose that's true."
Meanwhile, a heavyset carpenter named Mutoh was addressing Kafei. "Kafei, buddy," he said gruffly, cuffing the younger man on the back. "You think our princess would appreciate a new house of her own? I got some of my men making a blueprint as we speak. That way she'd have someplace to live when she comes to visit..."
Kafei held up his hands as if to surrender. "Whoa, Mutoh," he said. "I think you ask should her yourself. She's...quite an independent young lady."
Midst all the discussion, a silvery cobalt coach drew up, led by clean, sallow horses. Anju identified it automatically, though others did not.
Gasps were heard in the huddle of people. "The princess! She's early!" One panicked voice could be perceived above the rest.
"Don't be stupid!" an additional voice countered. "That's the Zora carriage! The Indigo-Go's are here!"
It was true. A coachman, who was human for some reason, opened the carriage door, and the Zora band stepped out. First was the manager, a round, stout Zora called Toto, accountable for much of the band's celebrity. Anju recalled a chat she'd had with them a short time ago. He spoke of how proud he was of the band, and how much progress they showed...Anju felt the same way when she thought of her inn, and the growth it had made since she was put in charge.
Next, out stepped the bandleader, Evan, who played keyboard, followed by Japas, the bass player. Girls screeched as he stepped out. "Hey, Clock Town dudes!" he called.
Tijo, the drum player, hopped out next, and followed by the most attractive band member, the guitarist, Mikau. Even more squeals of bliss trailed his entrance.
At last, the band songstress, Lulu, poked her head out. Japas extended his hand to her. She took it, and timorously stepped out. Oohs and ahhs followed this, and Anju could comprehend why.
She was dazzling, for a Zora at least. Zoras were the aquatic people of the sea, part human, part fish, skilled swimmers and, as the Indigo-Go's demonstrated, talented musicians. Most of them were typical looking, with fins and light blue skin. Not Lulu.
She held some traditional Zora features, such as the fins at her ankles and shoulders that helped her swim gracefully. Her skin was insiped white, spattered with cerulean, and it seemed to shimmer. Sapphire earrings dangled from her ears, glinting in the sunshine. Her eyes were truly indigo, a vivid, shining purple that glittered when she sang and spoke. She wore a short violet dress that sparkled. She radiated, it seemed.
She smiled brightly at the huge bevy of humans watching her. "Greetings," she said. Her voice, even when it wasn't crooning, sounded harmonious.
Suddenly people from all over town were rushing to the band, asking for autographs and giving them admiring comments. The band members smiled and willingly spoke back to the townspeople, until Toto disrupted the commotion with a loud, "Wait a moment! Everyone, calm down, please!"
Everyone reluctantly shifted their eyes from the band to the manager.
"The Indigo-Go's will be performing for you all later," he said hardheartedly. "For now, let's just let them get settled."
"Oh, it's okay, Toto!" Evan the bandleader called to his manager. "We'd like to get acquainted to this crowd. Besides, there will be no time for autographs later, with the princess coming and all."
The manager did not look thrilled with this assertion, but he answered with a brusque "All right, all right..." before commencing to unload the members' belongings.
Lulu had spotted Anju and strided over to her. "Anju, it is so good to see you again!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up.
"It's wonderful to see too, Lulu," Anju answered, smiling sincerely at the Zora girl. Lulu beamed and hugged Anju. Feeling somewhat awkward, Anju returned the hug. "So. How've you been, Lulu?" she asked, making courteous dialogue. "How's the Cape?"
"Oh, you know how it is. The fans...every time we even mention the sheer possibility of a rehearsal, the place is packed." Lulu said this as though it was a bad thing, and Anju struggled to pity her. She was young, beautiful, and talented--what more did she want?
"Oh". Anju was unsure of what to say. Lulu sure had adjusted to fame since the last they had met, which was not even a year ago, for the Carnival of Time. Back then, Lulu had been retrained and kind of quiet, but yet very considerate to her fans. Now she spoke of them like they were an inconvenience. "Well, Lulu, it's nice to see you again," Anju said neutrally, touching the Zora's arm. "Good luck at the show. I'm sure Princess Azaelia will enjoy it very much."
"You think so? Good," Lulu said, giggling nervously. "I was worried..."
"Don't. She'll love it. Believe me, I know her very well," Anju reassured Lulu. "I must get back to the preparations. I'll show you to your room shortly, if that's all right. You are staying at that Stock Pot Inn, correct?"
Lulu's eyes lit up. "Oh, Anju, could you show it to me now? I'd love to unpack now. I'll be much too weary to do it later."
Anju made an effort to not show her averse, and put on her business voice. "Sure. Come right this way."
She led Lulu to a room in the upper level of the inn. There was a solitary bed there, as the girl requested. The other members of the band were sharing the room next to hers.
"Oh, it's so charming, Anju!" Lulu said elatedly. "Umm...Anju...would you mind if Japas came in here later?" She was biting her lower lip to keep a grin from working its way onto her face.
Anju blinked several times in a row. "Uh...no! No, go ahead, it is your room for the time being." She blinked again, hard. "I'll leave you to finish un..." Anju's voice trailed off and she gave a nervous laugh. "Unpack. Yes, good-bye, Lu...Lulu..." She groped over her speech and backed out of the room. Once she was unaccompanied out in the corridor, she giggled some more, and trotted down the stairs.
Kafei was on his way up, carrying a tray of food, and saw his wife's foolish grin. "What's so funny?" he asked.
With another snigger, Anju answered, "It seems that Lulu and Japas have quite an intrigue."
Kafei's eyes narrowed. "Anju..." he said warningly. "I told you to stay out of other people's business."
"And I am," answered Anju innocently. "She told me!"
"Ah," Kafei said. "This Lulu is indeed different from the one we saw several months ago."
Anju nodded her accord. "Eminence has gotten to that pretty head of hers."
The man sighed. "Well, the royal family shall be arriving soon, and Marilla is demanding lunch. See you later, my love." Kafei kissed his wife's cheek and hiked up the final stairs.
Anju's footsteps were soundless as she strolled down the burnished, wooden staircase. She pulled a key from her vest pocket and unlocked the door to the small bedroom she and Kafei shared. As she had done early on that morning, during the first crack of dawn, she gazed out the window, watching her friends prepare for the great event that evening, at dusk. Wind blew through streamers of amethyst and silver. Refreshment stands had been set up, and already people stood, drinking ale and laughing together. Excitement was in the air, and Anju drank it in, as her pals sipped their beverages. At last, she could see her sister again.