Chapter 12 moving forward
This was paradise.
I never wanted to move again.
I snuggled further into my mom's lap, humming a happy little tune as she ran a brush through my hair. Cuddles could solve all the world's problems, I thought sleepily. Maybe I could snuggle Gannon into submission? I might not have magic glowing powers, but I could give a mean hug if I do say so myself. Maybe Gannon just needs a hug and a nap to calm down?
Mmm no. He's oozing all over the place in botw, he'd be gross to hug.
Well too bad for him, I sighed in contentment as my mothers careful ministrations nearly sent me to sleep before continuing to humm for her.
This is the life. I feel like a cat being pet. Any moment now I would melt into a satisfied puddle of goo.
"And perfect! your hair's all done, my little songbird!'' I whined dramatically as my mom put down the brush and plopped a kiss on the top of my head.
"Don't wanna." I grumbled wanting back the soothing ministrations of the brush against my hair.
My mom chuckled as she scooped me off her lap and into her arms. Ugh, the burdens of being small enough to be physically moved around by everyone.
"Anyways, I was thinking little bird,-"
"Never a good sign," I teased, sticking my tongue out at her.
"Treason! My daughter is treasonous! Where did I go wrong?"
"The moment I was born!"
"Zelda!" She chided.
"You asked."
She huffed, giving me a wry look. "Your humour is entirely too sarcastic for a three year old."
I gave her a smug look before snuggling further into her arms. "You love me anyways!"
She gave me a fond smile. "I do baby, but that's not the point I was getting to." She said, booping my nose playfully. "I was wondering, my little bird, you like music right?"
"Yeah?" I mean, I hum all the time. Does she think I do it out of rage or something?
"Well I was thinking, would you like to learn how to make music with an instrument?"
Huh? I paused in surprise. I had never considered playing an instrument before. In my last life, my dyslexia had made it nearly impossible to read music. I had never really thought of that changing in my next life.
Wait. I don't have dyslexia anymore. I could learn how to play an instrument.
Huh. That's…I don't know how to feel about that. It should be a good thing, I should be celebrating the fact. But…
Before, my dyslexia had been a part of me. It was part of me, the good and the bad. I wouldn't have been me without my dyslexia. I would have been fundamentally different. It was small, in comparison to all the changes that had come before, but still I…
I guess it doesn't matter.
I'm not M- I'm not her. Not anymore.
I'm Zelda.
I nodded, at first weakly and then firmly. "Yes. Yes, I would like to learn how to play an instrument."
My mother frowns, a worried crease on her forehead. "Are you sure? I'm not forcing you to do anything, little songbird. I just suggested it because I thought you might enjoy it."
"Yes, I'm sure." I had to be. "I wanna learn how to play an instrument."
"Ok!" my mother beamed. "What would you like to learn how to play?"
I blinked in surprise. I hadn't actually thought of that. I was more focused on the 'I can do it' part.
"Oh, I'm so excited, songbird! There are so many wonderful choices! You could play the ocarina, the harpsichord, the lyre, the flute, the accordion, the lute, or… oh, there are so many wonderful choices!"
As my mother chatted about what each instrument was, I hummed, contemplating my options. My first instinct was to go with the ocarina, the idea of magical music was almost too good to pass up, (this WAS a Zelda game after all) but time travel? TIME TRAVEL!? I am not messing with time travel. I know WAAAYYYYY too much about the theoretical consequences of time travel to mess with that. Like, half, of my mental breakdowns so far have been about the theoretical consequences of my existence in what was once a predetermined narrative. Yeah, so I'm gonna say a solid no to the ocarina.
It's not like the ocarina was the only magical instrument in Zelda either. (only the only one that involved actual time travel holy cow i can't even think about that being an actual thing without getting chills.) In Wind Waker, Link uses the wind waker to teleport, in Twilight Princess he has magic reeds, ect ect. So even if I'm thinking from a purely practical use standpoint, I don't think I need to limit myself to any certain type of instrument.
Hmmmmmm. While I like the sound of the flute, I should probably eliminate the woodwinds and such similar breath based instruments, as I would like to learn how to sing. Being my own accompaniment appeals to me. So that left what? The harpsichord, the lyre, the accordion (of all things), and the lute.
Right off the bat I'm going to eliminate the accordion, I'm just not partial to accordion music. So that leaves me with three instruments, the harpsichord (the proto piano), the lute (the proto guitar), and the lyre (the proto harp).
Decisions, decisions. I think I would prefer a portable instrument instead of something as big and as bulky as a harpsichord. That would make it easier to practice in the relative privacy of my room with only that day's bodyguard to hear my scratchy rendition of this world's twinkle twinkle little star instead of serenading whoever is in the music room with a hundred renditions of the same broken melody.
So now I am left with only the lute and the lyre.
No matter what logic I try to go through, no matter the reasons I might profess to eliminate the other choices there was never really a choice. In reality my heart had already chosen. My mind kept lingering over one choice over any other. Childhood dreams danced over my mind's eyes. A beautiful woman in a black velvet dress seemingly effortlessly caresses a large lovely elegantly curved instrument and enchantingly beautiful music echoing around the room. Watching one video over and over. Learning how expensive a grand harp is and clearly deciding to focus on other things.
"Mama?" I tugged on her sleeve, breaking her out of her excited rambles on the advantages of each instrument. "I know what instrument I want to play."
I wanted to play the lyre.
"That's wonderful, little songbird! Mommy and Daddy will get everything set up in a jiffy!"
I had known that my family was ridiculously rich, being literal royalty and all, but every time I start to forget they go and do something like this and hit me over the head with my newly acquired wealth.
"So what do you think, honey?" My mother beamed, clapping her hands happily as my father surveyed their bounty looking for any non-existent flaws.
The objects of my mother's excitement and my fathers scrutiny was a humongous pile of lyres of all types, arranged haphazardly around a once completely empty room.
There were large lyres, small lyres, grand lyres, simple lyres, elegantly adorned lyres, tackily gaudy lyres, and lyres seemingly made from pure gold.
"Isn't this, I don't know, a bit much?" I ventured, unable to take my eyes off a lyre that was made of pure gold and encrusted with what seemed to be millions worth of jewels.
"You don't like it?" My mother asked, looking like a kicked puppy.
"Hmph, I told you we should have had something specially crafted for her! How can we be certain of the quality of any of these?" My father grumbled, sending a dour look at an unadorned but lovely wooden lyre that still managed to scream 'I cost more than your rent'.
"No, no, no! That's not what I meant!" I hurried to assure them, not wanting to spend any more unnecessary money. "I just- uhh" I paused casting my eyes around desperately looking for something to say that won't hurt their feelings. "I'm not exactly an expert on lyres, I haven't even had my first lesson yet! I was just thinking this was a bit early? I wouldn't even know which lyre would be best!"
My mother blushed, rubbing that back of her head. "We might have put the cart in front of the horse there, dear." She told my father.
Daddy started to bluster, embarrassed, "It's still important to have all the supplies necessary before a mission!" There was a pause as we both stared at him, "Though you might be right in that we should have waited to ask the opinion of your teacher first."
"An entire room Jiro! They filled an entire room!" I gestured emphatically as Jiro gaped.
"You're joking."
"I wish! I swear to Hylia that some of those instruments were entirely made of gold! What am I supposed to do with a golden lyre! Do you know how heavy gold is?! How am I supposed to LEARN to play on a solid gold lyre bigger than my entire torso and head?!" I was almost hysterical at this point. "They haven't even found someone they think is good enough to teach me yet!"
"You know sometimes I forget that you're the princess and not just some other kid, until you say things like this."
"Really?"
"No. Not with your bodyguards breathing down my neck and the background check done by ninjas."
"Ughh" I groaned, letting my head fall to the table cushioned by the book we were going over that day.
"Also you're like 1 and super tiny."
"Not helping Jiro."
"So sweetheart, we decided to leave the final decision on who to teach you up to you!" My mother cheered.
"Of course," My father said, "All of these people are only the best in their field and all thoroughly vetted by the palace guard, so no matter who you choose you will be getting only the best of lessons!
I stared deadpan at the row of teachers all dressed to the nines, either puffing up like peacocks or sweating like the damned.
"Umm…maybe you could all tell me a little about yourselves?"
"Two of them literally got in a fist fight."
"Are you serious?"
"Dead serious."
"In front of the queen!" He looked scandalized, his hands at his heart like some horrified grandmother who was told that her grandson had gotten hit by a car.
"My dad nearly blew a gasket!"
"Well, at least you have a music teacher now." Even when he was trying to cheer me up he sounded dubious, at best.
"If only by the process of elimination."
"So, um, princess!" the man looked nervously at the three heavily armed guards hovering at the door (my parents weren't taking chances after the last…incident).
He rallied himself, gulping nervously as the guard shifted, armor clinking menacingly.
"What do you know about playing the lyre?"
"So how are your new lessons going?"
"Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh."
"That well, huh."
"My new teacher can barely speak with how nervous he is, and when he can he's torturing my poor fingers."
"Princess, you're just beginning, it will take some time for certain calluses to be developed so that you can play properly." Granny's smooth voice chimes in, startling the both of us.
"SWEET HYLIA!" Jiro attempted to jump up into a defensive position forgetting about the table and toppled to the ground clutching his shins in pain.
"Quiet!" Mr Tommison hissed from his desk, looking down at Jiro.
"Sorry Mr. Tommison! We'll be quieter." I glared at Jiro in warning.
"Please do." He sniffed before stalking away to shelve some books.
Jiro and I held our breaths until he was out of sight.
"How do I keep forgetting about your ninja nanny?'' He groaned in pain as I collapsed into quiet giggles.
"She's not a ninja, you're just easily startled- like a wittle rabbit." I cooed mockingly, crouching down to pat his head condescendingly.
He batted my hands away grumbling, "she's literally the queen's Sheikah guard, give me a break."
"Wait really!?" I glanced at Granny in surprise.
She raised an eyebrow at me. "Did you not know?"
Jiro gaped. "How did you not know? She literally has white hair."
I turned red. "I just- I just thought she was ah," Shoot, how do I say this tactfully? "I just thought she was… older?"
Jiro started to cackle.
—
"No princess! You're holding your hands wrong! Loosen your fingers!"
A guard shifted his sword clinking noisily against his platemail.
"Ah! If that, uh, pleases your majesty, that is."
I withheld a despairing sigh.
"At this point I'm pretty sure they're just doing it to mess with the poor man." I complained, rubbing my tiny hands into my temples, ruining the intricate style that Dottie had braided this morning.
There was a spacious silence. And to my surprise, Jiro avoided my gaze.
I narrowed my eyes. "What do you know?"
"I heard about a running bet between the knights about who can get him to squeak the most in a lesson without saying a single word. According to the bookie, the record right now is twenty seven."
"I am seriously thinking about murder right now, hey Hyila, as princess am I allowed to order executions?"
"Now, A C B, A C B, A A B"
The clumsy tune of a basic hylian nursery rhyme filled the room, some notes lasting too long, some too short, and the spacing in between was inconsistent. But even still it was recognizable as a song. I was getting better!
"Ok, try one more time but hold c longer and you need to get to your A's faster." I nodded, repositioning my hands.
"Annnd once again A C B, A C B, A A B"
Come on, Zelda you can do this.
"So your fourth birthday is coming up, are you going to do anything special?"
"Mommy and daddy are going to throw a party and invite a bunch of nobles and their kids."
"Aren't you excited? You'll get to meet a bunch of kids your age."
"Not really, I'm not exactly the most relatable girl there is, I don't think any of the other kids will find me fun to play with. Daddy also wants me to show of for the other adults by playing at the party"
"… Also I'm not too sure how… articulate, the other toddlers will be."
"Well, if there's one thing I'm certain of it's that they won't know what articulate is."
"Real comforting Jiro."
"I'm not even certain that I know what articulate means."
"Thanks, you really know how to reassure a girl."
Jiro gave me a stupid looking smirk, "Well what are friends for?"
Ughhhhhh.
The dining room was packed and I was uncomfortable. I fidgeted in my stuffy dress pointlessly straightening the bow in my hair.
"Sweetie, why don't you go play with the other kids?" My mom suggested, lightly shoving me in the direction of the chaotic corner where most of the children invited to the party had gravitated toward.
"But!" I protested, not exactly excited to go near the snot covered terrors.
I liked kids, but I was well aware of how… rough around the edges they could be. And now I lacked the authority that came with being older and bigger. It would not be fun to be the odd one out because of my memories.
"No buts. I want to talk to my cousin and you need to interact with some kids your own age."
WhAT- "You have a cousin?!"
"Yes and she's pregnant and I want to congratulate her, so shoo." She shooed me away while I was still processing the fact that I had a relative I've never heard of.
Why had I never heard of this before?
And now I was alone, great.
I was going to be just fine. I have over seventeen years of practice in interacting with people, I could talk to some stupid children. I love kids! Surely speaking to them as a peer instead of an authority figure can't be that much more difficult. I can do this.
I straightened my dress one last time before nodding decisively. Now time to head into the breach.
As I stared at the assortment of children bringing absolute havoc to the formerly peaceful corner of the dining hall, while the adults willfully ignored the chaos, my long forgotten meme instincts reared their ugly heads.
How do you do, fellow kids?
I suppressed the nervous giggles building in my chest.
Not the time m- Zelda.
Not the time.
Ok, I can do this! The first thing you should do in a new social situation is to scope out the different groups and decide which to approach.
Most of the kids that were my age or younger were either running around like lunatics, roughhousing, or clinging to their parents in other parts of the party.
Hmmm. Yeah, no.
Ok next.
The kids 6 and up were more divided, separating into serial groups of three to five talking or playing with a slightly more collected and mature air. Seems like noble training isn't just something that only exists in fiction.
Hmm. Yeah ok I can do this.
Now who to approach?
As I scanned the groups of children one group caught my eye.
It was a group of three children, two girls and a boy varying in ages from about seven to twelve a good meter or two from all the other children. They stood out among the other children their ages in how they dressed and how they held themselves.
Instead of the elegant, seemingly western suits and dresses the other children were wearing, these three were all dressed with a more eastern set of kimonos with lovely patterns of swirling silk. (which to be honest I was quite jealous of.) On top of that, instead of the straight backed aristocratic arrogance the other children stood with, these three children were settled into loose easy stances that would allow them to move freely and see all of their surroundings with relative ease. I vaguely recognize it to be rather martial in origin.
On top of all of that they had WHITE hair.
Ok that was cool.
Wait, they might be sheikah.
Ok, I had to meet them now.
Pulling my shoulders back into the perfect posture my mother had insisted I use, I attempted to copy my mother's elegant glide and approached the group.
The three fell silent, eyes swinging toward me in an eerie unison. Their intent gazes almost predatory.
Ok now I see why there's a solid meter of space between them and all the other children. Still I forged on and drew up the courage to speak.
"Hello! Might I have the pleasure of knowing your names?"
They blinked glancing at each other, before finally the oldest girl spoke a wide grin splitting her face.
"Hi! My name's Purah! This is my younger sister Impa and my cousin Robbie! It's nice to meet you!" She beamed inclining toward her younger sister, who nodded politely, and cousin, who waved vaguely.
(The names tugged at something in the back of my mind, but now wasn't the time to look for what they reminded me of)
"Can I just say I love your outfits! The designs are beautiful!"
And it was. Pictures depicting swimming fish, flying birds and butterflies were painted onto the fabric, making the kimonos almost look like a part of nature.
The children blinked, trading another glance, before Purah, their seeming leader, (which was odd, you'd think Robbie being the oldest would be in charge) responded, "Oh! Thank you, You're very kind."
"Do you really like them?" The solemn looking Impa interrupted eyes narrowing ignoring the hissed reprimand of her elder sister.
I tilted my head in confusion. "Why wouldn't I like them? They're beautiful! I really like how different animals were used as decorations, I've never seen anything like it before!"
A tension I hadn't noticed from them seemed to release as I said that.
"Thanks kid." Robbie grinned ruffling my hair.
"Hey! If I'm a kid, so are you! What are you, 9?"
He squawked in offense. "Hey! I'm twelve!"
"Like that's so much better."
I turned from the sputtering boy to talk to the two snickering girls of the group. "How old are you two?"
"I'm ten."
"I'm seven."
" Impa, you're just a little older than me!" Finally, I was making friends (kind of) my age!
"I've been kinda wondering how old you are." Purah said, eyes roving over me curiously.
"I just turned 4!" I announced proudly to their shock.
"You've gotta be shi-"
"Robbie!"
"Ah I mean kidding me!" Robbie gapped disbelief.
"What did you think? That I was just a very small six year old or something?" It's not like I look much older than I am. I'm like 3 feet tall.
"Yes." Impa said seriously while her sister hissed at her to be quiet.
I giggled quietly as Purah apologized while stealthily pinching her sister. "Don't worry about it, most people mistake me for older than I am."
"I completely understand people usually mistake all of us for older than we are." And for a single moment there was a mutual sense of understanding connecting the three of us and I couldn't help but beam.
Finally, I was connecting with kids my own age!
"Dear, where are you? The performance is going to start soon!"
Great. The ONE time I DON'T want an excuse to get out of a social situation.
"Sorry guys, that was my mom, maybe we can talk later?"
"Sure, it was a pleasure to meet you!" Purah smiled eyes bright as Impa waved, a slightly less solemn look on her face and Robbie grinned easily
"Likewise!" I smiled. Maybe today wouldn't be all that bad.
"Little bird!"
"Coming! Bye guys!" I gave them one last bright smile before running off to find my mom.
The din of the noisy ballroom started to quiet as my father's booming voice echoed.
Come on Zelda, you can do this.
"That's your cue, sweetie" my mother whispered lightly, pushing me toward the stage. She gave me one last grin before entering herself to go join the crowd.
I took a deep breath. This is what you practiced for.
As I entered the doors, all of the eyes swung toward me and I gulped, freezing in fear. They were all so much taller than me.
My gaze swept the muttering crowd fearfully searching for familiar faces.
I couldn't spot my parents. My breath was starting to quicken. I was starting to panic.
Then I spotted them.
There in the back of the room were Dottie, Jiro, a few of the guards that would take turns watching me, and my music teacher was even there! And there in the front were my parents and granny, smiling at me encouragingly. I could do this.
Taking a deep breath squaring my shoulders and collecting myself I took a step forward.
I could do this. I've been practicing for months.
You could probably play this in your sleep by now. You got this.
I raised my hands to the harp holding my wrist just so touching the strings lightly. Not too hard now, remember what your teacher taught you.
Take one deep breath then another.
One two three,
Go!
The first few notes echoed off the stone walls.
Don't look at the crowd. Don't pay attention to the world around you. There's nothing but you and the instrument now.
I was the song and the song was me.
I didn't hear the rest of the murmurs fade away, I didn't see the proud smiles of my parents, I didn't feel the pain of playing over my still healing calluses.
The rise and fall of the melody swept me away.
I played and played and played.
And as the final note echoed through the room, I looked up and smiled.
The party was over and everyone was winding down, the sun had set and I was getting tired, but Mommy had said my birthday wasn't over yet.
She led me out of the ballroom to a much smaller room away from the sound of tired children and drunken guests.
"Happy birthday, my little songbird." She smiled softly, opening the door to a decorated room with a small table of presents surrounded by Jiro, Dottie, Father, and Granny all chatting happily waiting just for me.
I still missed my family before, I still ached and longed for the world and family I had before. But standing here looking at the new family forming around me.
Suddenly it hurt a little less.
Lying in bed with a smile on my face I sleepily started to fade away. Today was a good day.
A stray thought caught my attention and I sat bolt upright.
Oh my god.
I was such an idiot!
How could I forget!
I forgot to tell Impa, Robbie, and Purah my name!
Meanwhile in the background Purah Robbie and Impa are losing their minds over talking casually even somewhat rudely to the actual princess blood of hylia which there village has sworn to follow and defend since time immemorial.
I am so sorry this chapter took so long foaks but with finals a new job creating a cover and reploting the story this took forever!
Please forgive me!
*hangs head in shame*
Dragon of yin and yang: Welcome! So great to have you! You're just going to have to wait and see!
Thatbluestrawberry: thanks! I was hoping you guys would like jiro! He's going to be sticking around for a while!
Heitor: I always love reading your reviews don't worry about it! And as for the link issue I completely understand I think we're all excited to see link! But I will tell you this, we've got a while to go till we see link and he's going to be around zeldas age just a few months to a year older then her.
