A/N: One review. ONE. (For last chapter, anyway.) I appreciate the
enthusiasm that you guys met this with, but don't turn lazy on me now.
There are still twenty-some chapters to go! (Most of which, as I said
before, are characterization...) Anyway, the sword fighting in this and later
chapters is completely out of my head, and seeing as I don't know how to
sword fight, it's probably not as accurate as it could be. Tell me if
there's anything wrong.
Oh, yeah, and I own that poem later in the chapter. It is mine. Don't steal it.
Chapter 4
"You're doing much better!" my trainer shouts encouragingly. Yeah right. I'm still nowhere near good enough to fight Ganondorf. Like I'll ever be. I need to at least be able to defend myself, though. I try and swing this clumsy hunk of metal in my hand, and end up toppling over onto the floor of the room we're in. My trainer sighs.
"I take back what I said about improving. You need help."
"Thanks. That's encouraging. Maybe I'll be able to seal away Ganon when I'm fifty." I stand up again. "Come on, I'll beat you this time!"
My trainer sighs again.
"You're holding the sword wrong. Maybe we should let you practice with the Master Sword. You might feel more comfortable."
Heather looks up at him at this suggestion. "What! Let him practice with a real sword! He'd end up impaling himself on it!"
"I would not," I mutter in defense.
"Besides, with Ganon being so closely connected with the Sacred Realm, he would sense the removal of the sword from the pedestal." She sighs, and looks away. "Besides, the Door of Time is sealed. For safekeeping, you know. Don't want random villagers trying to pull the sword." She says this last part very quickly and quietly.
My trainer stares at her. "The Door of Time has been sealed? Who sealed it?"
A small mutter escapes her.
"What was that?" I say.
"I said I sealed it! Okay? It was for the best!"
"Don't freak out Heather. How did you get access to it anyway?" I ask.
They both stare at me. Heather speaks.
"I'm the princess Zelda. Heather was my alias."
I suddenly feel very stupid.
"Of course. So how do I open it?"
"You have to ask the people of Hyrule for the Spiritual Stones. They should give them willingly. They are held by-"
"I know who's got them. You really think they'll just hand them over?"
"They should. I don't see why not. Just explain the situation."
Yeah right. Last time, according to legend, even if I did explain the situation, I had to put myself in danger to get what I needed. No way they'll make me go inside a fish.
"Well, I'd better practice so I can at least swing a sword without falling over. Let's get to it, then."
A voice calls from out in the hallway.
"Princess! Dinner's in an hour! You need to change!"
"It takes you an hour to change?"
"No, but it takes an hour to get my hair up to my nurse's strict standards. She means well."
I stare after her as she walks out of the room. I can't wait to see her dressed up. I'll bet she looks like a goddess.
"Pay attention, lover boy. Assume correct defensive position. Hop to it!"
I try and bring my sword up to block his blow, but he just pushes it out of the way and knocks me on my back. It's going to be a long day...
I'm sitting in the noisy great hall of the castle. It's dinnertime, and we're waiting to be served. Most people are staring at me. I don't know if it's because I look like the Hero of Time, or if it's because I'm sitting next to Zelda. I bet most people would kill for a seat like this. I really don't care at the moment, seeing as I can't feel my arms.
"Rough day of training?" she asks. She's watching me try and shake some feeling into my limbs.
"No kidding. I don't know how I'm going to be able to walk out of the hall. I can barely feel my feet."
The past hour is all a blur to me really. I don't remember half of my lesson. I couldn't help not paying attention. It should seem that a guy lunging at me with a sword should wake me from my daze, but my heart wasn't in it. My heart was with my family. I kept thinking what Jen would say if she could see me now. I know I wasn't always that nice to her, but I miss her a lot. I keep thinking about what she'll say to me when I get home. If I get home. That was another thought speeding through my brain every five seconds. What if I die on this mission? Will Hyrule be doomed? I might never get to see my friends or family again. I might never get to see Zelda again. It would be really pitiful if I died on my first attempt at a mission. And I have to learn all these new skills, like fencing, archery, and horseback riding, not to mention stealth and logic. Those are two things that I never really had. Logic. Ha. If I had logic, I would have realized that Heather was really Princess Zelda. If I had logic, I would have never touched the portal thing on the television. I don't have any logic, and forget about stealth. I couldn't sneak up on a blind slug. My thoughts are interrupted when I realize someone's talking to me.
"Sorry, what was that?"
"Are you really the new hero?"
"As far as I know."
"Then meet me in the armory after dinner."
That was weird. Note to self: Don't agree to do something creepy for someone you don't know.
I realize that everyone is standing up. Must be a custom of theirs. I stand too. We all look out the big window overlooking the Market and watch the sunset. It's pretty. We sit back down. Zelda remains standing though.
"We gather here today
To share with friends our wealth
They share this meal with us
And leave us in good health
To any goddess listening
May fortune find those pure
And leave us without troubles
Time will be the cure."
The table broke into applause. "She writes a new one every week. It's our only break from her father's boring, out-of-the-book grace," the person next to me comments. "The last line seemed a bit out of place though," he adds. I know why she wrote the last line like that. Me. I don't have long to think about it, though, because steaming trays of food are being brought out of the kitchens. The kitchen staff sets the food on the table and lifts the lids off of the trays. I'm immediately faced with a decision. What should I get to eat? It all looks delicious! I happen to glance up and notice the staff is all smiling. Not the fake smile that waitresses wear when they're trying to get a big tip, no, these guys look genuinely happy. They either enjoy working here, or are paid generously. I'd probably bet both. I don't think about this for long, as Zelda's pointing out what I should take and what I shouldn't.
"Try the filet mignon. That's always nice. Or the stuffed mushrooms. But stay away from the fish. I don't know if it's just me, but the fish haven't been tasting quite right lately."
"Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind. Everything looks superb." I reach for everything and anything near me. We never had food like this at home, not even on Thanksgiving! I don't get any fish though. I look at the princess. She's not trying to scarf down everything at once, like I am. She's eating with so much more grace than I ever could. I guess these types of things are bred into you. I try and eat slower. I also notice that nobody is eating in silence. Everyone is talking. Of course, nobody talks with their mouth full, but this isn't just a time to relax. It's a time to socialize. At my table, no one talks cause everyone's too busy filling their face. I've noticed this kind of thing with other stuff too. It's not so rushed here. At home, everyone is rushing to do everything, and the sooner you get it done, the sooner you can move on to something else. But here, no one is rushing to get chores done. It feels relaxed.
When dinner (and dessert – a huge cake) is over, everyone takes about thirty minutes to finally get up. I'm probably the first one out of the hall. I start to walk toward the room I'm staying in, but remember the guy from dinner. I head off to the armory. When I get there, I look around. The place looks deserted. There's not even a guard! For some reason, I really wish there was. Someone hurries up behind me.
"Go in the room!" says the guy from the great hall. I go in.
"What is it you want?" I ask.
"I was watching you practice. With a little more training, you could be an honorary member of our group." Suddenly there are people all around the perimeter of the room, all of them wearing cloaks, stepping out of the shadows. Creepy.
"What's your group all about?"
"We're the best swordsmen in the whole of Hyrule. You've got promise, kid. Everyone agrees that you should join the brotherhood." Several people nod.
"How do I join?"
He grins. Somehow, I know joining isn't going to be easy. "You have to pass our test. You have to fight me, and win."
I knew it wasn't going to be easy.
"Don't worry, kid. We'll help train you. Meet us an hour after dinner in two days in the courtyard, and bring whatever you're using as a sword." He pats my shoulder. "Remember, you've got promise."
They all line up in some pre-chosen order and walk out of the room. Weird. Guess I know where I'll be after dinner in two days. I walk out of the room with that comforting thought, and try and make my way back to my bedroom.
Oh, yeah, and I own that poem later in the chapter. It is mine. Don't steal it.
Chapter 4
"You're doing much better!" my trainer shouts encouragingly. Yeah right. I'm still nowhere near good enough to fight Ganondorf. Like I'll ever be. I need to at least be able to defend myself, though. I try and swing this clumsy hunk of metal in my hand, and end up toppling over onto the floor of the room we're in. My trainer sighs.
"I take back what I said about improving. You need help."
"Thanks. That's encouraging. Maybe I'll be able to seal away Ganon when I'm fifty." I stand up again. "Come on, I'll beat you this time!"
My trainer sighs again.
"You're holding the sword wrong. Maybe we should let you practice with the Master Sword. You might feel more comfortable."
Heather looks up at him at this suggestion. "What! Let him practice with a real sword! He'd end up impaling himself on it!"
"I would not," I mutter in defense.
"Besides, with Ganon being so closely connected with the Sacred Realm, he would sense the removal of the sword from the pedestal." She sighs, and looks away. "Besides, the Door of Time is sealed. For safekeeping, you know. Don't want random villagers trying to pull the sword." She says this last part very quickly and quietly.
My trainer stares at her. "The Door of Time has been sealed? Who sealed it?"
A small mutter escapes her.
"What was that?" I say.
"I said I sealed it! Okay? It was for the best!"
"Don't freak out Heather. How did you get access to it anyway?" I ask.
They both stare at me. Heather speaks.
"I'm the princess Zelda. Heather was my alias."
I suddenly feel very stupid.
"Of course. So how do I open it?"
"You have to ask the people of Hyrule for the Spiritual Stones. They should give them willingly. They are held by-"
"I know who's got them. You really think they'll just hand them over?"
"They should. I don't see why not. Just explain the situation."
Yeah right. Last time, according to legend, even if I did explain the situation, I had to put myself in danger to get what I needed. No way they'll make me go inside a fish.
"Well, I'd better practice so I can at least swing a sword without falling over. Let's get to it, then."
A voice calls from out in the hallway.
"Princess! Dinner's in an hour! You need to change!"
"It takes you an hour to change?"
"No, but it takes an hour to get my hair up to my nurse's strict standards. She means well."
I stare after her as she walks out of the room. I can't wait to see her dressed up. I'll bet she looks like a goddess.
"Pay attention, lover boy. Assume correct defensive position. Hop to it!"
I try and bring my sword up to block his blow, but he just pushes it out of the way and knocks me on my back. It's going to be a long day...
I'm sitting in the noisy great hall of the castle. It's dinnertime, and we're waiting to be served. Most people are staring at me. I don't know if it's because I look like the Hero of Time, or if it's because I'm sitting next to Zelda. I bet most people would kill for a seat like this. I really don't care at the moment, seeing as I can't feel my arms.
"Rough day of training?" she asks. She's watching me try and shake some feeling into my limbs.
"No kidding. I don't know how I'm going to be able to walk out of the hall. I can barely feel my feet."
The past hour is all a blur to me really. I don't remember half of my lesson. I couldn't help not paying attention. It should seem that a guy lunging at me with a sword should wake me from my daze, but my heart wasn't in it. My heart was with my family. I kept thinking what Jen would say if she could see me now. I know I wasn't always that nice to her, but I miss her a lot. I keep thinking about what she'll say to me when I get home. If I get home. That was another thought speeding through my brain every five seconds. What if I die on this mission? Will Hyrule be doomed? I might never get to see my friends or family again. I might never get to see Zelda again. It would be really pitiful if I died on my first attempt at a mission. And I have to learn all these new skills, like fencing, archery, and horseback riding, not to mention stealth and logic. Those are two things that I never really had. Logic. Ha. If I had logic, I would have realized that Heather was really Princess Zelda. If I had logic, I would have never touched the portal thing on the television. I don't have any logic, and forget about stealth. I couldn't sneak up on a blind slug. My thoughts are interrupted when I realize someone's talking to me.
"Sorry, what was that?"
"Are you really the new hero?"
"As far as I know."
"Then meet me in the armory after dinner."
That was weird. Note to self: Don't agree to do something creepy for someone you don't know.
I realize that everyone is standing up. Must be a custom of theirs. I stand too. We all look out the big window overlooking the Market and watch the sunset. It's pretty. We sit back down. Zelda remains standing though.
"We gather here today
To share with friends our wealth
They share this meal with us
And leave us in good health
To any goddess listening
May fortune find those pure
And leave us without troubles
Time will be the cure."
The table broke into applause. "She writes a new one every week. It's our only break from her father's boring, out-of-the-book grace," the person next to me comments. "The last line seemed a bit out of place though," he adds. I know why she wrote the last line like that. Me. I don't have long to think about it, though, because steaming trays of food are being brought out of the kitchens. The kitchen staff sets the food on the table and lifts the lids off of the trays. I'm immediately faced with a decision. What should I get to eat? It all looks delicious! I happen to glance up and notice the staff is all smiling. Not the fake smile that waitresses wear when they're trying to get a big tip, no, these guys look genuinely happy. They either enjoy working here, or are paid generously. I'd probably bet both. I don't think about this for long, as Zelda's pointing out what I should take and what I shouldn't.
"Try the filet mignon. That's always nice. Or the stuffed mushrooms. But stay away from the fish. I don't know if it's just me, but the fish haven't been tasting quite right lately."
"Thanks for the tip. I'll keep that in mind. Everything looks superb." I reach for everything and anything near me. We never had food like this at home, not even on Thanksgiving! I don't get any fish though. I look at the princess. She's not trying to scarf down everything at once, like I am. She's eating with so much more grace than I ever could. I guess these types of things are bred into you. I try and eat slower. I also notice that nobody is eating in silence. Everyone is talking. Of course, nobody talks with their mouth full, but this isn't just a time to relax. It's a time to socialize. At my table, no one talks cause everyone's too busy filling their face. I've noticed this kind of thing with other stuff too. It's not so rushed here. At home, everyone is rushing to do everything, and the sooner you get it done, the sooner you can move on to something else. But here, no one is rushing to get chores done. It feels relaxed.
When dinner (and dessert – a huge cake) is over, everyone takes about thirty minutes to finally get up. I'm probably the first one out of the hall. I start to walk toward the room I'm staying in, but remember the guy from dinner. I head off to the armory. When I get there, I look around. The place looks deserted. There's not even a guard! For some reason, I really wish there was. Someone hurries up behind me.
"Go in the room!" says the guy from the great hall. I go in.
"What is it you want?" I ask.
"I was watching you practice. With a little more training, you could be an honorary member of our group." Suddenly there are people all around the perimeter of the room, all of them wearing cloaks, stepping out of the shadows. Creepy.
"What's your group all about?"
"We're the best swordsmen in the whole of Hyrule. You've got promise, kid. Everyone agrees that you should join the brotherhood." Several people nod.
"How do I join?"
He grins. Somehow, I know joining isn't going to be easy. "You have to pass our test. You have to fight me, and win."
I knew it wasn't going to be easy.
"Don't worry, kid. We'll help train you. Meet us an hour after dinner in two days in the courtyard, and bring whatever you're using as a sword." He pats my shoulder. "Remember, you've got promise."
They all line up in some pre-chosen order and walk out of the room. Weird. Guess I know where I'll be after dinner in two days. I walk out of the room with that comforting thought, and try and make my way back to my bedroom.