Conspiracy Against The Crown
Chapter One: The Harvest Festival
"I'll have it! They taste good when they're burnt!" Zannon yells across the way to his friend, Lolita. "Give 'em here!"
The girl walks over to where Zannon is sitting with the rest of their friends and hands him a plate of blackened ribs.
"I'm just not going to say anything about this," his friend said looking at him strangely. "I'm just going to turn around and forget what weird eating habits you have."
"Kenata!" Zannon shouts as the girl walks back over to the spit with the other women.
The whole town of Murieope was gathered for their annual Harvest Festival. Wild flowers decorated the streets as well as all of the women and children. There was dancing and merriment every where you looked, people enjoying themselves and a whole community united. The younger children played games of tag around the adults, constantly getting under foot and causing problems. But no one seemed to mind or get irritated; this was a time to celebrate the year and all of its blessings.
Each plate was piled high with food and each cup was overflowing with wine. Even the younger children were allowed to drink it for it was a tradition among the people of Murieope. Laughter could be heard from anywhere in the valley as well as the jovial singing of every man, woman, and child.
Loraefin and her friends were seated in a circle on the warm ground in the very midst of the levity. Within this merry little group were seated people who have known each other from birth and Loraefin's family respectively. To the left of her sat Megeara and to her left was Mariva. Staceana was next which was probably not the best place to sit, everyone knew they would start to argue. Lycus sat next to her, the quiet and charming young lad that had once pulled Mariva from the river when she had slipped and fallen in. His shock of wild, ruddy hair was always known for standing on end. Continuing around the circle was Take, Mariva's older brother and the oldest in the third born generation, then Berg and Zannon who were spewing wise cracks and Megeara slapped them upside the head. Lolita was busy cooking at the spit with the other women, but was to join them shortly.
"Hey wait a minute! Get your hands out of my food!" Mariva yelled at Galvin and slapped his hand. "Go get your own potatoes!"
"But I'm to lazy to get up," he smiled, "can't I just have one?"
"Here, have this," Mariva said and chucked one of her small potatoes at him which promptly smacked him on his forehead. He picked it up off the ground, dusted it off, and plopped it into his mouth. Galvin grinned broadly in Mariva's direction to irritate her. "You're sick!" She yelled, "sick, sick, sick!"
"But you love it when I'm sick don't you," he continued to tease her. Mariva looked like she was going to kill him.
Lolita came over and sat down next to Loraefin on her right.
"Your mom done forcing you to cook?" Loraefin asked.
"Finally, so what conversations have I missed?" Lolita smirked.
"Mariva just chucked a potato at Galvin," Staceana said. "Not that he didn't deserve it," Galvin glared at her.
"Hey, after this anyone want to go and play some Paarvoss?" Megeara suggested excitedly. Paarvoss, for those of you who didn't know, is the Hyrule equivalent to football, a game that this group of friends loved to play. A chorus of 'yes' met the idea with great enthusiasm.
"Hey, I claim Witt for my team!" Lycus declares.
"Fine, then I get Zannon!" Berg announces likewise.
"Zannon and I have to be on separate teams so I can sac em'!" Megeara gets in on the team calling.
"We'll settle this on the field guys, eat first, pick teams later," Lolita orders. "Hey Fin, didn't you invite Link to the festival?"
Loraefin looks up from her plate, a smudge on her cheek from the sauce on the ribs.
"Yea, he said he would try and make it if he could. He's probably busy ya know being the local hero and all," Loraefin wiped her face with her napkin.
"When was the last time Link came down here?" Staceana inquired curiously. "A few weeks ago maybe?"
"Yeah, three weeks ago. Getting down here can be a pain; it's a pretty good hike through the tunnel and all. Besides, he's busy," Loraefin informed.
"He should come down more often," Lycus said, "he's a great guy to hang out with."
"Yea and besides that he's really hot!" Lolita, the hormone driven, blurted out. "He has more sexy upper body than any of you excuses for men!"
"Stop it! Stop it now I don't want to hear it!" Loraefin laughed. "You are driven! Driven and sick!"
"Oh stop playing innocent with us Fin! We can all probably guess what was going through your mind when you were alone with him on that quest or whatever you went on about a half a year ago!"
Loraefin crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out playfully at Lolita.
"Well at least I'm not as hormonal as you!" She laughed out loud.
Lolita shot back, "well maybe you should be!" Both started to crack up even harder, the males in their group tried to keep a straight face, but in the end they were forced to crack a smile.
"Is everyone done?" Megeara says, as always impatient. "I want to go and play before it gets dark and out parents start the bonfire."
"Sure, I'm done."
"Me too."
"I'm full."
"Now can I have your potatoes Mariva?!"
"Arg! Take them all for crying out loud you lazy bum!"
Quickly they piled their plates onto the large pile of used dishes, ran down across the bridge and over to the open field where all of their games took place. Teams were picked and the defensive and offensive lines were set up.
"One two three heatte'!" Zannon yelled at the top of his lungs. The two teams spread out, fanning over the field, one trying to stay open and one trying to block. The ball was quickly snapped to Lycus, who was able to run it twenty feet before being tackled by Lolita. The game went back and forth, each team scoring points against the other until they didn't really bother to keep score. Loraefin took her eyes off the game for a minute and stared up toward the village.
"Hey, you said it yourself, he's just probably busy. I bet he tried as hard as he could to get here," Megeara comforted.
"Your right, Hero of Time out rules fun and pleasure," she smiled trying to make it all a joke. She had wanted Link to come though, and deep down she was very disappointed that he hadn't shown. Staceana started the play and everyone began to run again. "Lora catch!" Megeara shrieked laughing as Zannon came crashing on top of her. Loraefin snapped back into attention just in time to get a loose grip on the ball. She started to sprint up the field, dodging Mariva and Witt. Something caught her eye though, as she looked over her shoulder.
"Link!" Loraefin shouted as she ran. The little figure on top of the bank waved in their direction. Loraefin unknowingly started to slow down.
"What are you doing Fin?!" Berg yelled across the field. "Run!"
She turned around to see Lycus coming straight at her; quickly she began to pick up her pace. Her feet carried her as fast as they could the last few yards until she flew into the end zone. Lycus sacked her anyway.
Link saw Loraefin get pummeled to the ground as he was walking toward the field. The game stopped and everyone, dusty and winded from running, came over to meet him.
"I thought you wouldn't make it!" Loraefin smiled, "it's good to see you!"
"How's it going Link?" Berg smacked him on the back.
"Er, uh fine," Link said, "sorry I'm late, business at the castle."
"Oh it's OK!" Mariva spoke up. "The only thing you missed really is Lolita commenting on…"
"We'll stop there won't we Mariva?" Lolita said jamming her elbow into her friend's side.
"Ouch! What did you do that for?!"
"So you would shut up!" Lolita clenched her teeth.
"Don't mind them," Lycus informed nonchalantly.
They started to head back up toward the village where the adults had already started to build the traditional bonfire in the center of the Town Square. Its huge billowing flames lifted up skyward to the stars that were just coming out.
"I'm really glad you made it," Loraefin leaned over and whispered to Link.
"Wouldn't miss it for all of Hyrule," he whispered back smiling. "I'm glad you invited me."
"At least you know everybody now," she laughed.
Link winced a little. "Yeah, it's been kind of awkward."
"Let's not think of that, let's just enjoy today, or what's left of it, shall we?" Loraefin said.
"Yea, you're right," Link pauses for a moment, "hey, Lolita isn't going to…"
"Flash everyone? No, no, we made her promise not to do that again, boy were you surprised!" She laughed, "good ol' Lolita, always the open one."
"Quite literally I saw."
"I guess we're just used to it."
A mischievous grin spread over Link's face. "Did you ever…?"
Loraefin shot him an equally mischievous glance. "Maybe…" Link's face dropped with shock.
"Should I ask?"
"No you shouldn't."
"Hey! I've got something to ask you!" He declared abruptly. Loraefin looked at him strangely. Link pulled her off to the side as the rest of the group walked ahead past them. Once he was sure everyone was out of earshot he continued. "King Harkinian is having a ball at the end of this week in honor of his new Lead Adviser," he shrugs his shoulders innocently, "you wanna come with me and keep me company? Functions like these are so boring and I'd like to have a friend to suffer with me."
A wide smile spread over Loraefin's face. "I'd love too, but..." her smile lowered, "I don't know, you know that we're not supposed to leave the valley anymore. Remember what happened after our little 'adventure' we had? All that 'chosen' mumbo jumbo didn't get us out of that one. Grandma and the others are worried about being discovered and the safety and secrecy of our village will be lost," Link looked down in thought. "You know I would love to go, in fact I think almost everyone here, every young one that is would love to get out of the valley, but…"
"You've worked too hard to keep it secret I know, I know," Link sighed and smiled at her.
He quickly looked her over. It had been almost six months since he had stumbled onto this 'lost' little village called Murieope. Almost half a year since he found the 'chosen one', whom, as he now thought, purpose was still unclear, and since he had made a wealth of new friends. The inhabitance of Murieope had accepted him and gave him their trust to protect their secret. They always welcomed him with open arms and never questioned his being there. Somehow, Murieope seemed to have a haze of contentment enwrapping it, something Link wished the rest of Hyrule had.
It wasn't very often that he had a chance to travel out to the village though. Hyrule was in peace, yes, but now the Hero of Time seemed to have no time for himself. The King had him traveling to nearby countries to help with treaties or he was helping repair some of the damage that Ganondorf had left behind. He barely had time to stop by and see Malon at Lon Lon Ranch anymore he got so busy. But he guessed that was OK, it kept him from trying to figure the mysteries of him traveling back and forth through time, many a head aches that had caused. Honestly, he didn't think he was ever going to figure time travel out. The last time he saw Loraefin was about a month ago at the tail end of summer, and he couldn't even stay for very long. But that's the burden of being the Hero of Time he guessed.
"Why don't you ask your friend Malon you're always talking about?" Loraefin said to snap Link back into attention.
"Wha?"
"I said why don't you ask Malon to go with you to the party? You've known her longer than you've known me," she looked past him to where the bonfire was growing. People started to sing and the music was struck up. "And I'm sure you have other friends that would love to go."
"Yea, but Malon can't go, she left with her father to visit family on the other side of Death Mountain."
"Oh, well then…"
"I guess I could ask Misa, but I'm not so sure I want to. He'd only go if Susan went and Susan would hate to go. Besides, at night he rather be out in the graveyard probably, some weird obsession he's had since he was a kid, creepy huh?"
"Just a smidgen," she answered, twisting her face. "I'm sure you'll find somebody."
"Link! Fin! Get over here and join the party!" Lolita shouted at them from the edge of the firelight.
Over the past half-year Loraefin's friendship with Link had grown, but still it was nothing compared to the deep bond she had with the rest of her friends. And no, she didn't have feelings for him despite what everyone thought. Link was just…a friend, and nothing more. Link didn't come around often enough for that, and when he did come it was hardly anytime at all. Despite their obvious destiny together, whatever it may be, Loraefin wasn't as close to him as she thought she would be. Sure they enjoyed each other's company, and yes they were friends but, she didn't know, something was missing. Of course this never really crossed her mind being the character she was, which tried never to think of such things.
Loraefin took a seat next to Megeara and Link sat next to her. The light from the fire lit up the entire circle, sending waves of warmth up to the sky. The music struck up to a more lively song and everyone gathered in a circle around the fire to dance.
"Are you coming Link?" Megeara asked. Link fidgeted where he sat.
"No, I'll just stay here and watch," he replied. Lolita smiled mischievously.
"Oh no you don't! Not this time! I let you off easy at the Spring Celebration, but your not going to get away from me now!" She grabbed a hold of his arm and pulled him to his feet. Link tried to resist, but with little effort and was dragged into the forming ring of people.
"Lolita, I'm not so sure I'm ready to dance yet, maybe let me sit out one so I can watch and then maybe…" Link persisted for he was terribly self- conscious about his dancing ability, well, in front of people anyway.
"Nonsense! This is easy, just follow my lead and you'll pick it up," she reassured him. The music started and everyone began to move with the rhythm. They first started one giant circle, each person holding the next person's hand. In a single movement they started slowly, first to the left, and then to the right, hands still in the air, feet crossing one another in perfect sync with everyone else. The music picked up and the circle parted everyone into pairs of his or her own. The couples of two were joined at the hand as they started to move around the fire at a faster pace. The people around the outside of the ring joined in by clapping their hands in delight and cheering merrily. As the music moved faster, so did the dancers, their feet flying in and out from beneath them, spinning and moving into one beautiful dance. The firelight seemed to sway with them. Everyone was laughing as Berg picked Mariva up and started to spin her around, she likewise laughing and smiling. Lycus, wanting to join his friend in the mirth and levity, grabbed Loraefin close to him, one arm still outreached with hers, and started to make up steps of his own. Loraefin laughed and went along with him as they went the opposite way around the circle, making fools of themselves and enjoying every moment.
"Your doing fine Link," Lolita congratulated him as the dance continued. "You're a wonderful dancer! You shouldn't be so self-conscious about it." Lolita laughed when she took notice of her two friends making idiots of themselves and said: "You two look ridiculous!"
Loraefin turned around and replied, "but it's so much more fun!" Lycus smiled in their direction before they swept off again around the ring. The music ended and a new group of people took their place around the fire as the others left to sit down.
Chapter One: The Harvest Festival
"I'll have it! They taste good when they're burnt!" Zannon yells across the way to his friend, Lolita. "Give 'em here!"
The girl walks over to where Zannon is sitting with the rest of their friends and hands him a plate of blackened ribs.
"I'm just not going to say anything about this," his friend said looking at him strangely. "I'm just going to turn around and forget what weird eating habits you have."
"Kenata!" Zannon shouts as the girl walks back over to the spit with the other women.
The whole town of Murieope was gathered for their annual Harvest Festival. Wild flowers decorated the streets as well as all of the women and children. There was dancing and merriment every where you looked, people enjoying themselves and a whole community united. The younger children played games of tag around the adults, constantly getting under foot and causing problems. But no one seemed to mind or get irritated; this was a time to celebrate the year and all of its blessings.
Each plate was piled high with food and each cup was overflowing with wine. Even the younger children were allowed to drink it for it was a tradition among the people of Murieope. Laughter could be heard from anywhere in the valley as well as the jovial singing of every man, woman, and child.
Loraefin and her friends were seated in a circle on the warm ground in the very midst of the levity. Within this merry little group were seated people who have known each other from birth and Loraefin's family respectively. To the left of her sat Megeara and to her left was Mariva. Staceana was next which was probably not the best place to sit, everyone knew they would start to argue. Lycus sat next to her, the quiet and charming young lad that had once pulled Mariva from the river when she had slipped and fallen in. His shock of wild, ruddy hair was always known for standing on end. Continuing around the circle was Take, Mariva's older brother and the oldest in the third born generation, then Berg and Zannon who were spewing wise cracks and Megeara slapped them upside the head. Lolita was busy cooking at the spit with the other women, but was to join them shortly.
"Hey wait a minute! Get your hands out of my food!" Mariva yelled at Galvin and slapped his hand. "Go get your own potatoes!"
"But I'm to lazy to get up," he smiled, "can't I just have one?"
"Here, have this," Mariva said and chucked one of her small potatoes at him which promptly smacked him on his forehead. He picked it up off the ground, dusted it off, and plopped it into his mouth. Galvin grinned broadly in Mariva's direction to irritate her. "You're sick!" She yelled, "sick, sick, sick!"
"But you love it when I'm sick don't you," he continued to tease her. Mariva looked like she was going to kill him.
Lolita came over and sat down next to Loraefin on her right.
"Your mom done forcing you to cook?" Loraefin asked.
"Finally, so what conversations have I missed?" Lolita smirked.
"Mariva just chucked a potato at Galvin," Staceana said. "Not that he didn't deserve it," Galvin glared at her.
"Hey, after this anyone want to go and play some Paarvoss?" Megeara suggested excitedly. Paarvoss, for those of you who didn't know, is the Hyrule equivalent to football, a game that this group of friends loved to play. A chorus of 'yes' met the idea with great enthusiasm.
"Hey, I claim Witt for my team!" Lycus declares.
"Fine, then I get Zannon!" Berg announces likewise.
"Zannon and I have to be on separate teams so I can sac em'!" Megeara gets in on the team calling.
"We'll settle this on the field guys, eat first, pick teams later," Lolita orders. "Hey Fin, didn't you invite Link to the festival?"
Loraefin looks up from her plate, a smudge on her cheek from the sauce on the ribs.
"Yea, he said he would try and make it if he could. He's probably busy ya know being the local hero and all," Loraefin wiped her face with her napkin.
"When was the last time Link came down here?" Staceana inquired curiously. "A few weeks ago maybe?"
"Yeah, three weeks ago. Getting down here can be a pain; it's a pretty good hike through the tunnel and all. Besides, he's busy," Loraefin informed.
"He should come down more often," Lycus said, "he's a great guy to hang out with."
"Yea and besides that he's really hot!" Lolita, the hormone driven, blurted out. "He has more sexy upper body than any of you excuses for men!"
"Stop it! Stop it now I don't want to hear it!" Loraefin laughed. "You are driven! Driven and sick!"
"Oh stop playing innocent with us Fin! We can all probably guess what was going through your mind when you were alone with him on that quest or whatever you went on about a half a year ago!"
Loraefin crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out playfully at Lolita.
"Well at least I'm not as hormonal as you!" She laughed out loud.
Lolita shot back, "well maybe you should be!" Both started to crack up even harder, the males in their group tried to keep a straight face, but in the end they were forced to crack a smile.
"Is everyone done?" Megeara says, as always impatient. "I want to go and play before it gets dark and out parents start the bonfire."
"Sure, I'm done."
"Me too."
"I'm full."
"Now can I have your potatoes Mariva?!"
"Arg! Take them all for crying out loud you lazy bum!"
Quickly they piled their plates onto the large pile of used dishes, ran down across the bridge and over to the open field where all of their games took place. Teams were picked and the defensive and offensive lines were set up.
"One two three heatte'!" Zannon yelled at the top of his lungs. The two teams spread out, fanning over the field, one trying to stay open and one trying to block. The ball was quickly snapped to Lycus, who was able to run it twenty feet before being tackled by Lolita. The game went back and forth, each team scoring points against the other until they didn't really bother to keep score. Loraefin took her eyes off the game for a minute and stared up toward the village.
"Hey, you said it yourself, he's just probably busy. I bet he tried as hard as he could to get here," Megeara comforted.
"Your right, Hero of Time out rules fun and pleasure," she smiled trying to make it all a joke. She had wanted Link to come though, and deep down she was very disappointed that he hadn't shown. Staceana started the play and everyone began to run again. "Lora catch!" Megeara shrieked laughing as Zannon came crashing on top of her. Loraefin snapped back into attention just in time to get a loose grip on the ball. She started to sprint up the field, dodging Mariva and Witt. Something caught her eye though, as she looked over her shoulder.
"Link!" Loraefin shouted as she ran. The little figure on top of the bank waved in their direction. Loraefin unknowingly started to slow down.
"What are you doing Fin?!" Berg yelled across the field. "Run!"
She turned around to see Lycus coming straight at her; quickly she began to pick up her pace. Her feet carried her as fast as they could the last few yards until she flew into the end zone. Lycus sacked her anyway.
Link saw Loraefin get pummeled to the ground as he was walking toward the field. The game stopped and everyone, dusty and winded from running, came over to meet him.
"I thought you wouldn't make it!" Loraefin smiled, "it's good to see you!"
"How's it going Link?" Berg smacked him on the back.
"Er, uh fine," Link said, "sorry I'm late, business at the castle."
"Oh it's OK!" Mariva spoke up. "The only thing you missed really is Lolita commenting on…"
"We'll stop there won't we Mariva?" Lolita said jamming her elbow into her friend's side.
"Ouch! What did you do that for?!"
"So you would shut up!" Lolita clenched her teeth.
"Don't mind them," Lycus informed nonchalantly.
They started to head back up toward the village where the adults had already started to build the traditional bonfire in the center of the Town Square. Its huge billowing flames lifted up skyward to the stars that were just coming out.
"I'm really glad you made it," Loraefin leaned over and whispered to Link.
"Wouldn't miss it for all of Hyrule," he whispered back smiling. "I'm glad you invited me."
"At least you know everybody now," she laughed.
Link winced a little. "Yeah, it's been kind of awkward."
"Let's not think of that, let's just enjoy today, or what's left of it, shall we?" Loraefin said.
"Yea, you're right," Link pauses for a moment, "hey, Lolita isn't going to…"
"Flash everyone? No, no, we made her promise not to do that again, boy were you surprised!" She laughed, "good ol' Lolita, always the open one."
"Quite literally I saw."
"I guess we're just used to it."
A mischievous grin spread over Link's face. "Did you ever…?"
Loraefin shot him an equally mischievous glance. "Maybe…" Link's face dropped with shock.
"Should I ask?"
"No you shouldn't."
"Hey! I've got something to ask you!" He declared abruptly. Loraefin looked at him strangely. Link pulled her off to the side as the rest of the group walked ahead past them. Once he was sure everyone was out of earshot he continued. "King Harkinian is having a ball at the end of this week in honor of his new Lead Adviser," he shrugs his shoulders innocently, "you wanna come with me and keep me company? Functions like these are so boring and I'd like to have a friend to suffer with me."
A wide smile spread over Loraefin's face. "I'd love too, but..." her smile lowered, "I don't know, you know that we're not supposed to leave the valley anymore. Remember what happened after our little 'adventure' we had? All that 'chosen' mumbo jumbo didn't get us out of that one. Grandma and the others are worried about being discovered and the safety and secrecy of our village will be lost," Link looked down in thought. "You know I would love to go, in fact I think almost everyone here, every young one that is would love to get out of the valley, but…"
"You've worked too hard to keep it secret I know, I know," Link sighed and smiled at her.
He quickly looked her over. It had been almost six months since he had stumbled onto this 'lost' little village called Murieope. Almost half a year since he found the 'chosen one', whom, as he now thought, purpose was still unclear, and since he had made a wealth of new friends. The inhabitance of Murieope had accepted him and gave him their trust to protect their secret. They always welcomed him with open arms and never questioned his being there. Somehow, Murieope seemed to have a haze of contentment enwrapping it, something Link wished the rest of Hyrule had.
It wasn't very often that he had a chance to travel out to the village though. Hyrule was in peace, yes, but now the Hero of Time seemed to have no time for himself. The King had him traveling to nearby countries to help with treaties or he was helping repair some of the damage that Ganondorf had left behind. He barely had time to stop by and see Malon at Lon Lon Ranch anymore he got so busy. But he guessed that was OK, it kept him from trying to figure the mysteries of him traveling back and forth through time, many a head aches that had caused. Honestly, he didn't think he was ever going to figure time travel out. The last time he saw Loraefin was about a month ago at the tail end of summer, and he couldn't even stay for very long. But that's the burden of being the Hero of Time he guessed.
"Why don't you ask your friend Malon you're always talking about?" Loraefin said to snap Link back into attention.
"Wha?"
"I said why don't you ask Malon to go with you to the party? You've known her longer than you've known me," she looked past him to where the bonfire was growing. People started to sing and the music was struck up. "And I'm sure you have other friends that would love to go."
"Yea, but Malon can't go, she left with her father to visit family on the other side of Death Mountain."
"Oh, well then…"
"I guess I could ask Misa, but I'm not so sure I want to. He'd only go if Susan went and Susan would hate to go. Besides, at night he rather be out in the graveyard probably, some weird obsession he's had since he was a kid, creepy huh?"
"Just a smidgen," she answered, twisting her face. "I'm sure you'll find somebody."
"Link! Fin! Get over here and join the party!" Lolita shouted at them from the edge of the firelight.
Over the past half-year Loraefin's friendship with Link had grown, but still it was nothing compared to the deep bond she had with the rest of her friends. And no, she didn't have feelings for him despite what everyone thought. Link was just…a friend, and nothing more. Link didn't come around often enough for that, and when he did come it was hardly anytime at all. Despite their obvious destiny together, whatever it may be, Loraefin wasn't as close to him as she thought she would be. Sure they enjoyed each other's company, and yes they were friends but, she didn't know, something was missing. Of course this never really crossed her mind being the character she was, which tried never to think of such things.
Loraefin took a seat next to Megeara and Link sat next to her. The light from the fire lit up the entire circle, sending waves of warmth up to the sky. The music struck up to a more lively song and everyone gathered in a circle around the fire to dance.
"Are you coming Link?" Megeara asked. Link fidgeted where he sat.
"No, I'll just stay here and watch," he replied. Lolita smiled mischievously.
"Oh no you don't! Not this time! I let you off easy at the Spring Celebration, but your not going to get away from me now!" She grabbed a hold of his arm and pulled him to his feet. Link tried to resist, but with little effort and was dragged into the forming ring of people.
"Lolita, I'm not so sure I'm ready to dance yet, maybe let me sit out one so I can watch and then maybe…" Link persisted for he was terribly self- conscious about his dancing ability, well, in front of people anyway.
"Nonsense! This is easy, just follow my lead and you'll pick it up," she reassured him. The music started and everyone began to move with the rhythm. They first started one giant circle, each person holding the next person's hand. In a single movement they started slowly, first to the left, and then to the right, hands still in the air, feet crossing one another in perfect sync with everyone else. The music picked up and the circle parted everyone into pairs of his or her own. The couples of two were joined at the hand as they started to move around the fire at a faster pace. The people around the outside of the ring joined in by clapping their hands in delight and cheering merrily. As the music moved faster, so did the dancers, their feet flying in and out from beneath them, spinning and moving into one beautiful dance. The firelight seemed to sway with them. Everyone was laughing as Berg picked Mariva up and started to spin her around, she likewise laughing and smiling. Lycus, wanting to join his friend in the mirth and levity, grabbed Loraefin close to him, one arm still outreached with hers, and started to make up steps of his own. Loraefin laughed and went along with him as they went the opposite way around the circle, making fools of themselves and enjoying every moment.
"Your doing fine Link," Lolita congratulated him as the dance continued. "You're a wonderful dancer! You shouldn't be so self-conscious about it." Lolita laughed when she took notice of her two friends making idiots of themselves and said: "You two look ridiculous!"
Loraefin turned around and replied, "but it's so much more fun!" Lycus smiled in their direction before they swept off again around the ring. The music ended and a new group of people took their place around the fire as the others left to sit down.