A/N:
Aargh. Another delay. Sorry bout that. I blame it on graduation. No, I did not graduate but my sister did. Now that that is done and over with, and can finally present to you guys the next chapter! Wahoo. XD
Disclaimer: This is so dumb. I've done this at least 20 bizzilion times. Geez. I don't own Zelda. :P
Squabbling and Sad Realizations
Saria pointed to the violet flowered plant before her. "What is it?"
Crinkling her brow for a moment, Zelda eventually replied steadily, "Foxglove."
Saria nodded. "What parts are used?"
"The leaves."
"And…?"
Zelda eyed her teacher for a moment, her blonde eyebrows furrowed in thought. "And…they have to be at least two years of age for them to work," she replied hesitantly. When Saria nodded once again in approval, Zelda smiled.
"And what can it be used for?"
"Heart pains and irregular pulses."
Patting her student's hand, Saria said with a smile, "Well done, Zelda." She then pointed to the next plant. "And how about this one?"
Zelda sighed in annoyance but complied. While twisting a strand of her golden hair around her finger, she identified plants and their uses. Rosemary tea for colds, sage lotion for ulcers and abrasions, peppermint oil for stomach pains…the list continued on for what seemed like an eternity.
As Zelda was about to identify another plant, she felt something graze her left shoulder. Looking behind herself suspiciously, she found but a rock close by and not the culprit behind the throwing. She attempted to ignore the circumstance but soon found herself stuck by another rock, harder this time. "Ow!" Zelda cried while rubbing her arm, "Someone is throwing rocks at me, Auntie Saria!"
Saria frowned and rose from her seat. Glancing about the vicinity, she saw none but fellow Kokiri about, and they certainly would not have committed something so childish. Taking her seat once again, she replied, "I'm quite certain that 'twas nothing but an insect, my dear. Now, let us continue on with your studies."
Zelda nodded but was still suspicious. She had a distinct feeling someone was to blame for the rock throwing, someone in particular, actually… As she began to identify the yellow plant before her, a third rock struck the back of her neck. With a screech she rose to her feet and screamed, "LINK! STOP THROWING ROCKS AT ME!"
When the said young boy did not appear, Zelda stomped away from her teacher and into the nearby shrubs and bushes. "LIIIIIIIINK!" she continued screaming, literally tearing the vegetation to shreds. "It was you! I know it was!" Her litany was cut off when she snagged her palm on a sharp thorn; tears formed in her eyes and she eventually began to cry. "I hate you, Link! You're so mean to me! I hate you!"
As Zelda sat in the bushes and cried, Saria rose and inspected the bushes where laughter happened to emanating from. Finding a blonde boy snickering between the branches, Saria scolded, "Link! How many times have I told you specifically to not torment Zelda?"
Link blinked his big blue eyes, his hair full of leaves, before answering, "I don't know, Auntie Saria. Maybe you should tell Zelda to not be such a big baby about everything."
Zelda uncovered her flushed, tear-streaked face to yell, "I am not a big baby!" she cried, going over to Link and beginning to hit him furiously, "You're such a liar!"
When Link began to laugh at Zelda's attempt to hurt him, her fury grew. She began to strike at him harder before finally smacking him hard upside the head. "Zelda!" he yelled, "Stop it! Stop hitting me!" Zelda did not stop, however. Link eventually scrambled from his bush and ran from the seven year old girl, she close behind and still full of rage.
Saria watched with a tired sigh as the two children ran around the circumference of the Kokiri Forest. Although she had attempted to separate the two, her size was a severe disadvantage and she had found herself incapable of accomplishing anything of real value. When she felt a hand upon her shoulder, she glanced up to see Triana beside her, smiling ruefully.
"They really are a pair of evil brats, aren't they?" the tall fairy woman commented, her scarlet hair in a neat braid and her ruby eyes sparkling. Above her floated Navi, as always. "Are you going to go after them?"
Saria scrubbed her face tiredly. "No," she replied, "I would not be able to catch them, anyhow. They will be tired soon and then I will discipline them."
Triana glanced at the pair, one boy running for his life, and the girl chasing him, obviously in anger. "Whatever happened to the wise girl she was supposed to become? What happened to the charm and elegance?" Triana laughed lightly as Zelda caught Link and pummeled him to the ground. "Whatever happened to the lovely princess, Saria?"
Saria glanced at her female friend and then looked to the children once more. "She is but seven years old, Triana," she replied, "She is not yet fully grown. Give her time." Saria grimaced as Link received a hard blow to the shoulder. "She will mature one of these days. For now, I believe it is time to intervene."
The two women went to the two children, both of whom were crying now, and dusted them off and took them to Saria's house. Link walked next to Triana, sullen and attempting to hide his tears. Zelda, on the other hand, clutched her Auntie Saria and sobbed, blubbering about how she hated Link and how mean he was to her… Navi floated about both pairs, chattering away about something unimportant, at least in retrospect. When the four and the sprite reached the house, Saria and Triana settled the two children on opposite sides of the household table and began to attend to their fairly minor cuts and bruises. Link glared at Zelda while she stuck her tongue out at him in retaliation.
Saria cleaned Zelda's thorn wound (which was fairly small) and bandaged it gently. Triana did the same for Link despite him being difficult when it came to cooperation. With a gusty sigh, Triana gave up on her charge and snapped, "If you're going to be so difficult, then I'm not going to help you." She began picking out larger leaves from the little boy's hair gently, although her face was flushed with annoyance. "I'll prepare a bath for the both of you and then you and Zelda will be punished. Yes?"
Link began to grumble something under his breath, but not before Triana pulled him by his pointed ear toward his room. Finally discontinuing his rebelliousness, Link trudged along with Triana for his bath.
Zelda had quieted by now and took a bath soon after. The two children eventually discovered that they were not able to play outside for the rest of the week. They were to stay inside and help Auntie Saria with the chores and to study their lessons in complete obedience. Anyone who did not abide by these limitations would be punished severely.
"Do you understand?" Saria asked sternly, Triana beside her.
"Yes…" Link and Zelda replied simultaneously, their eyes glued to the floor. "We understand, Auntie Saria."
"Good. Now go to your rooms. I don't want to hear a peep from you or there'll be trouble!" Triana added. The pair quickly ran off to their opposite rooms and shut their doors rather loudly. Silence abounded within the house thereafter.
Saria collapsed upon a nearby chair. "Thank you for your help, Triana," she said softly. "Sometimes they can be a handful."
Triana in turn situated herself opposite the tiny healer woman. Navi settled herself upon the great fairy's shoulder. "Sometimes?" she asked with a laugh, "They're a handful everyday, if you'd like my opinion."
"Do you think they'll get married someday?" Navi inquired, bouncing slightly on Triana's shoulder.
Triana scowled at her charge. "Why in Din's name would you ask something like that?"
"Well, Tael said that Tatl said that this book she read one time said that people always hurt the ones they love. And then when they grow up they get married." Navi pondered her words a moment. "Or something like that."
"You really are something, you know that?" the great fairy commented with a sigh. "Might I ask what this has to do with Link and Zelda?"
The glowing sprite chirped happily, "They obviously dislike each other because in reality they love each other." When Triana raised a skeptical eyebrow, Navi added, "At least, that's what Tael said that Tatl said that a book she read one time said. I'm telling the truth, really!"
"I am certain you are, Navi," Saria replied cheerfully, smiling at the sprite. "It is simply that Zelda and Link are very young. What you speak of seems highly unlikely."
"They are only seven and ten years of age, Navi," Triana added. "Quite young to experience feelings of love. At least, romantic love that could lead to marriage."
"But what if they did get married?" Navi asked expectedly. "It could happen!"
Saria sighed sadly. "They would be unable to, Navi, because of Zelda's future duties. You know that."
Triana looked to her friend, her mind switching to another topic. "Do you believe they will ask for her back, Saria?"
"Yes, I do. Before long, they will ask for her back, and we will never see her again."
"But what of the curse?" Triana inquired. "What of Farthnelda? She is not going to abandon what she began."
Saria's emerald eyes glittered strangely in the little light that was shining through the translucent windows. Her jade earrings, the jewelry the signified her as a healer, were barely visible. "We will take things as they come, Triana. But mark my words, there is more to this meets the eye. Farthnelda desires more than murdering an innocent girl."
Triana's eyes widened. "What? What more is there than destroying the royal family's only heir?"
"I do not know," Saria replied softly. She turned to the light behind her. "We will discover her motives soon. Too soon for comfort, I'm afraid."
"What will happen to Zelda?" Navi then asked.
"She will become queen," Triana replied slowly, "or she will die. Unfortunately, she will not be with us either way."
Saria turned back around and stared at her hands a moment. "I hope to the Goddesses above that she will find happiness in the future," she whispered, almost to herself. "And that Farthnelda will fail in this. Dear Goddesses, I pray, let it be so."
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Another chapter! I'm kinda writing this by the seat of my pants, especially plot wise… But oh well! Now you guys can review!! REVIEW! REVIEW! R-E-V-I-E-W! YEY! XD
To the reviewers from chapter 2:
babowonsuni: Yeah, I'll definitely be fast forwarding in time, because who wants to wait forever for some fluff? XD
Azure Raelin: Wow, thank you so much! Compliments like yours never fail to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And the fact that you want me to publish the next chapter quickly gives me an incentive to write! =D
Story Weaver1: Link's a brat. Lol And, yes, there will be some major fluff. Maybe even some that will make people all teary eyed… OO
Perfect Soldier 01: Thanks! I'm glad you think Link is boyish, b/c it'd be kinda bad if he acted like a girl……. Oo
Blue Fire Blaire: I'm glad you're back! I was wondering where you went off to. Lol Thank you for the review!
Jewel of the Wolves: I know, I have a hard time reading something if there isn't any fluff at all. Ah, the curse of being female. XD I think this fic'll be longer than The Carnival, but that also depends on inspiration too. I'm sure it won't be more than 15 chapters, though. We'll just have to wait and see. =D
Lost Soul 01: I'm glad you're back! You always have the nicest reviews. :) More than one person has said I have good dialogue – maybe it's true! XD Thanks again!
SmileBeHappy: That wasn't a very long hiatus, was it? Lol I can't wait for the third Fruits Basket! It's my most favorite manga of all time. I need the anime! ARGH! XD
PIRO the unforgiven one: I'm usually not big on AU fics, but I think this one will work. Hopefully… XD
ZeldaChik63: To quote every adult on the planet: "Practice makes perfect." I recently read fics of mine from 2 years ago and they're pathetic! Anyway, my point is that I'm sure you could write just as well as anyone else if you really wanted to! How cheesy, yet it's true. Believe me. XD
CrazyGurlMadness: Thanks so much! I'm a big Zelinker, have you noticed? :D:D:D:D And I always try to update once a week, and with it being summer now, I'll have all the time in world! YEY!
Link,SSB, and Yu-Gi-Oh-Fan: Thanks I will! XD
magnum326: I'll definitely keep updating so I can get even more reviews! Lol They're so enjoyable. :)
sawyerzelda: Thanks for the review, as always! I'm looking forward to see where I go with this fic too. XD
Midnight Starfire: Awwwwwwww, thanks. You're so nice to keep reviewing all of these silly fics of mine, MS! :) But you gotta update F&I soon! I'm dying of impatience! OO
SoulessCalibur: Yeah, well, Link is only three. Toddlers are notorious for being brats, right? I'm glad you like it, though! Keep reviewing! =D
aslan-chic: Yeah, I always thought Link would have been a bit older than Zelda. But that's just me. Thank you for always reviewing! :D
jade04: Saria is like Link's adoptive mother. So to speak. XD
LostReyn: It would be kinda bad if I wrote fics that confused people! I hate that. XD And thank you for the compliments. I feel special. :D And the map I'm referring is the OOT one, b/c truth be told I've never played LTTP. I know, it's a crime! OO
Hikari no Purinsesu: Sorry about your comp. I hate when that happens. I don't know if I could live without my comp or the internet! (how sad) XD