I am proud to say that it has taken me 92 days (or 13 weeks + 1 day or 3 months) to write type and edit this chapter. I knew it would take me long but I never imagined this long.
I'd like to thank Elendil Star-Lover and AngelKalyna for giving this story and chance and reviewing it. It would have probably taken longer for me if you guys hadn't reviewed. You like me! You really like me! ^ _ ^
Disclaimer – If I owned Zelda, I would have made it a movie…(hint hint Mr. Miyamoto)
________________________________________________________________________
"This is what really happened. I didn't feel you would understand 'til you were older. I think now it's time that you knew the truth."
"What's such a big deal that you couldn't tell me before?" Zara asked.
"I think you'll see why after I tell you," Lillian explained. She closed her eyes and winced a bit as if the memories were causing her physical pain.
"It was a very dark time in Hyrule," Lillian began, "All the races were at war – except the Kokori. They're so sheltered and oblivious in their forest that they probably didn't even know that there was a war going on.
"The war started when I was 13 and ended when I was 18. When I was 14 my father was drafted into the Hylian army. A little less than a year later, my mother received a package from the army's general. As soon as she saw the sheen of my father's polished bronze helmet, she broke down. She couldn't bring herself to read the letter that came with it. I read it, but burned it soon afterwards. I didn't think my mother would ever be able to bring herself to read it, no matter how many years passed. I was right; she was never the same again.
"When I was 17, I got a job working as Impa's secretary and assistant.
"My mother didn't want me to take the job. It was still quite dangerous, even inside the village walls, and I was the only family she had left. It took awhile, but I finally convinced her."
"Sorry, but what does this have to do with me?" Zara interrupted.
"Shh…" Lillian said putting a finger to her lips, "I was just getting to that part."
"Well, I had been working for a few months. I wrote letters, filed documents, and scheduled appointments with Impa for the villagers.
"One day, in mid-summer, I was very busy writing a letter. It took a while to get everything worded right and by the time I was done, it was already nightfall. I grabbed my purse and Impa said:
'I'm so grateful to have you working here as my assistant, especially since I'm spending much more time at the castle. The queen is battling a fierce illness. We have known each other for a while and I feel obligated to help the king take care of his daughter until she is well. I can sleep well while I'm there knowing that I have such a responsible young lady taking care of the village.'
'Thank you,' I replied, 'Goodnight.'
'Goodnight,' she replied as I walked out the door.
"I took the letter to Peter's house. He was the town messenger. He and his family lived in what we now call "The House of Skulltula". I dropped the letter off and he promised to deliver it in the morning.
"Then, I started on my way home. I tried to hurry home as fast as I could. It wasn't really safe for a girl of my build to be wandering around unarmed and late at night.
"I was in one of the main streets that fed into the open area in the front of the village. The tree that is there now was only a sapling at the time.
"As I was walking along, I heard a soft thudding on the ground. I quickly ducked behind a nearby house and peeked over the side.
"I could hear the thudding gradually getting louder and soon I saw a figure running through the village gates. It had to be a person. The person began moving slower and slower until it finally stopped. I thought it had seen me because it was facing in my direction. I quickly pulled my head over the side and prayed to the goddesses that it hadn't seen or heard me. Then, I heard a loud thump. I peeked my head over again and there was the person, collapsed on the ground. Instinctively, I ran over toward it. When I got close enough to tell, I saw that not only was it a woman, but a Gerudo woman as well. I recoiled at the sight.
"Gerudos, the people that murdered my father. How dare they set foot in our village, I thought.
"When my back was turned, I heard a muffled cry. I turned around and walked back over to the woman. I crouched down beside her and I heard another cry. This time, I was positive; there had to be something under her. I placed my hand on her upper arm and attempted to roll her over.
"She seemed to be fairly muscular, but with very little effort, her body turned over. As I did, her hand fell back from right below her left breast. I gasped and my hand covered my mouth when I saw the sight that was directly in front of me. Her hand was covered in a dark substance and I could tell from its metallic scent that it was blood. It hadn't clotted and it was trickling down her beautiful purple garments.
"Once again, I heard a cry but it was much louder this time.
"Beside me, there was a beige bundle. I picked it up and undid the top layer. I remember my jaw dropping a little as I saw a tear-streaked face and a pair of intense red-."
Lillian stopped suddenly when Zara pushed herself away from the table and stormed out of the house, slamming the door on the way out.
_______________________________________________________________________
Was it worth the wait? Review and tell me what you thought.