Angel: (grins happily and is currently glomping Link)
Link: Wait a second...aren't I supposed to be dead?
Angel: It doesn't matter, as I can bring you back in author's note world! (continues to grin happily)
Link: (sighs) Wonderful
Angel: (coughs) Anyway, nothing more to say here, so here's the next chapter!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda. I own the game of Ocarina of Time and this story, but that's about it.
Angel: Oh yeah, clearly, this story contains spoilers, but I think I can assume that most people reading the story have played Ocarina of Time anyway.
The Daughter of Wisdom and CourageChapter 3: The Book
Maia hurried along the path to Angmar's house. It was a lovely home, a quiet little cottage on the outskirts of the town. Angmar had lived there for as long as Maia had known her, and she was a lovely woman. She was the village's herbwoman, but she rarely left the house. She had taken on an apprentice quite a few years ago, whose name was Lilia. Lilia was a friendly and quite pretty woman who was a few years older than Maia, and she was always willing to help. Orphaned as a child, she had no one other than Angmar to turn to for a job. Lilia was the one who looked after Angmar, as she tended to fall ill quite often, normally involving sharp chest pains. However, Maia suspected that the old woman wasn't just ill, but something else.
Maia loved Angmar like a grandmother. She had always loved learning, and Angmar had often been the one to tell her what she wanted to know. Angmar had a huge collection of books, and Maia had spent hours there over the years. She had been reading for a very long time, and had still not read all the books. She was slightly suspicious that there was another chamber behind the bookshelf, and that the bookshelf rotated, as there always seemed to be new books. However, she didn't really mind at all. She had always loved reading. Her books transported her to a world that was all her own.
When she knocked at the door, Lilia answered it, "Hey Maia. It's great to see you again."
Maia smiled. "Likewise, Lilia. Mother sent me over with this soup for you and Angmar," she said as she handed over the food.
Lilia looked delighted, and eagerly smelt the still hot soup, "Smells delicious. Tell your mother thanks so very much. It was kind of her to think of us."
"It's no trouble, really. You know Mother loves to cook."
Lilia nodded, and her dress caught Maia's eye. "That reminds me. Mother said she'd have your dress, and Angmar's cloak, finished by tomorrow."
"Great! Well, Maia, will you be staying here this morning? I just have to go to the Markets here in Kakariko to get some herbs and stuff today. I should be back before lunch, so could you just stay here in case Angmar needs you?"
"Sure. I finished my embroidery yesterday, so Mother gave me the morning off. I was going to stay here and read anyway. So I might as well take care of Angmar for you…as long as you're back by lunchtime, because I have to go home then."
"Great! I should be back by then as it doesn't normally take very long. I'll see you when I get back I guess."
"Ok then. Bye!"
Lilia then hurried off, eager to get to the market before the huge rush at noon. Maia sighed, and closed the door behind her as she stepped inside. Pulling off her cloak she added it to the one still hanging up, the old threadbare cloak that belonged to Angmar. Seeing as Lilia had left so quickly, Maia was the one that poured some soup into the bowl for Angmar, and put the rest in the cold room under the house.
As she was coming back upstairs, she heard a clear voice echo from the upstairs room. (1)
"Lilia? Is that you dear?"
"No, Angmar. It's Maia. Lilia had to go to the markets to get some more herbs and stuff, so I'll be staying here this morning."
Angmar stepped out of her room, dressed in a shabby-looking dark blue dress, "Well, that's kind of you dear. You don't have to stay, you realise. I'll be fine."
Maia smiled. "I was going to be here reading all morning anyway. Besides, Angmar, last time you said that, you nearly collapsed within the hour."
Angmar chuckled softly. "True, child. Now, what have you got there that smells so delicious?"
"Oh! Sorry, I almost forgot. Mother made some soup for you and Lilia. I just put the rest in the cold room."
"Thank you, child. Now, can you bring it over to my chair by the fire?"
"Of course."
Once Angmar was seated in her chair, she started to eat her soup. Maia watched her, a slight frown marking her features. Everyone always said that Angmar was so old, and although she did look old, she barely acted like it. She could move quickly enough, and her voice was clear and strong. Maia seemed to be the only one that noticed that Angmar wasn't as fragile as everyone thought. But then again, her vitality might just be due to her herbs, as Angmar was prone to extreme chest pain, and had to take a variety of potions just to stay alive. No doubt they had some sort of revitalising effect too. So despite how young she acted, she was probably truthfully old.
Maia was sharply pulled from her thinking by Angmar coughing violently. It stopped after a few moments, and Angmar noticed Maia's expression of alarm. "No need to worry child. Just went down the wrong way."
Maia looked doubtful, and then decided to ask something that had been plaguing her mind for a while. "Angmar, why do you get chest pains all the time? If your herbs can keep your movement and your voice so young, can't they also keep your health that way?"
Angmar chuckled again. "My, child, you have sharp eyes! Not even Lily notices that!" she said, sounding more amused than cross. "And in answer to your question, it's because of a wound I received on the first day of the King's reign. I was attacked, and the wound has never really healed. Don't worry child, it's been like this for years. My herbs can keep me alive but they can't stop the side effects of that wound now."
Maia looked upset. "I'm so sorry Angmar."
Angmar smiled, "Why should you be? You didn't inflict the wound, so it's not your fault."
Something tugged at Maia's memory, "Truly spoken, but I feel I've met this guardsmen you speak of. You know how some of the guards visit the village on weekends and suchlike? I've heard them talking about the wars, and that day that changed all our lives. I must have heard one of them talking about the people they attacked, and it must have been you. Oh well. It's not like anyone can get vengeance for you anyway. Whoever tried would be killed for interfering with the King's guard."
Angmar looked interested at Maia's memory, but her expression turned troubled at the girl's last words. "True spoken, child. So don't you do anything of the sort!"
Maia laughed. "Me? Of course I won't! I can barely use a sword anyway," she said looking slightly sheepish, and lying through her teeth. She was actually quite gifted with the sword, but pretended she wasn't so her mother wouldn't get angry at her for learning.
Angmar looked up, suspecting a lie. "I shouldn't expect you to, child. Despite your father's obvious gifts with swordcraft, you are a young woman, and it is not the place of young women to learn how to use a sword."
Maia looked exasperated, "You sound like my mother."
Angmar laughed, "No doubt. It is the place of all mothers to correct their daughters."
Maia flushed slightly, and Angmar smiled. "But despite the wisdom of both your mother and myself, you continue to use the sword, don't you? You're getting that boy Callum to teach you, aren't you?"
Maia flushed further, and Angmar's smile widened; but then she frowned lightly, "You should be careful my dear. Although you've known him since you were a child, you should beware of what he could do to you."
Maia looked shocked. "What? Callum would never hurt me, I know it!"
Angmar sighed. "That is what my foster daughter said once about her beloved, whom she had known since childhood also. The young man nearly killed her."
Maia froze, picking up the truth from Angmar's tone, "The King controlled him didn't he?"
Angmar nodded sadly, "But it took a long time for trust to be re-established. This was before the Black One became King, and my foster daughter thought 'the Great Ganondorf' was gone. (2) It was only because of their child that she learned to trust her husband again. Her husband was so afraid he'd hurt her again; he began to avoid my foster daughter. Anyway, it's a long story child, and no doubt you have far better things to do than listen to an old woman."
Maia shook her head, "I find your stories interesting, especially when they are true and about the Black One. No one else ever talks about him, and I don't remember a time without him."
Angmar narrowed her eyes, "It is not good for you to be so curious, dear child."
Maia sighed. "I know, but I feel safe here. Anyway, what was your foster daughter's name? What happened to her blood relatives? Why don't she and her family live here with you?" Seeing the sad look of Angmar's face made her freeze, "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring up memories."
Angmar looked thoughtful, "No, it's alright child. Her name I won't say – as it is far too painful to think about - but as far as I am aware, she and her husband – who was a Knight in the old King's army - perished in the beginning of the Evil King's reign. Their daughter may still live, but she wouldn't know I existed anyway. And my foster daughter's blood mother died when she was only a baby."
Maia nodded; her expression clouding over as she went through all the deaths that she had been told about in her head. She was so sick of the stupid King! He had murdered so many, and couldn't even say his guards did the killing on his behalf. She was beginning to realize that she hated him for all the deaths and suffering he had caused.
Angmar noticed the girl's expression, and something in it frightened her. She had seen that violent hatred in the eyes of only one other, and it burned her to the soul
"Maia, you must not let hate into your mind now. Promise me you will put your feelings towards the King aside! If he finds out..."
Maia frowned lightly, "I know the consequences Angmar. I just wish there was something I could do about this horrible injustice. I feel like I can do something, but I just don't know what!" The last was said in sheer frustration.
Angmar looked deeply troubled, and Maia calmed down, looking far more like the Maia everyone knew and loved. "Sorry. I need to learn to control my emotions at times; particularly in regard to sensitive subjects."
Angmar visibly relaxed and nodded, "Perhaps you do child. Now, I need to go back upstairs. I have a book I need to finish. You find yourself something to read down here, alright?"
Maia nodded, and turned to face the bookshelves. Angmar smiled, and then left.
As Maia's eyes skimmed the bookshelves, a small blue book caught her eye. She pulled it out, and was surprised to find it had a velvet cover. It was a simple-looking book regardless of what it was made of. Gold writing on the front revealed its title, 'The story of King Link and Queen Zelda.' A gold pattern that looked like the legendary Triforce was inscribed beneath the title.
Maia looked delighted as she saw the book's name. She had always wanted to find out the story of the King and Queen. She then frowned as she saw how thin the book was. Obviously the story couldn't have much information on them anyway. Besides, no one could have been with both the King and Queen throughout their childhoods, as according to other stories she'd heard, they'd grown up separately.
She shrugged, and carried the book over to the cushions by the fire. She took another few books with her, in case Angmar came downstairs. She had a feeling Angmar wouldn't be very happy to know Maia was reading this book. Information about the old King and Queen was practically taboo these days, and no one wanted to talk about them.
Maia frowned lightly as she turned the book over in her hands. There was no author's name on it. Normally, a book would at least have 'author unknown'. She shrugged again, and opened it. As she read the first few paragraphs, she realised it was telling her of King Link's childhood. She gasped aloud. Surely, no one knew about the King's past. And if the book started from there...it must contain the entire story! Maia was at first disappointed, thinking the book couldn't contain much detail if it was so short, but then she was merely confused. She shut the book, turning it over in her hands again. She could have sworn it was twice the size it had been a few moments ago…
Raising an eyebrow slightly, she opened it again, reading patiently. She felt shock when the story revealed to her the truth of the King's childhood: he had been raised a Kokiri. Maia thought the Kokiri were only part of legends – legends she read in secret, knowing others would disapprove of her knowing. Her interest captured, she continued on.
As the morning progressed, Maia felt her fascination with the book rising. It was so interesting, and had so much detail it was astonishing. However, she was too pre-occupied to notice the book stayed the same length, and that she was never a page closer to the end……
After a few hours of reading, Maia realised the book mainly focused on Link. Zelda was mentioned a lot, and there had been a whole chapter on her, but her childhood story before Link was only guessed at, not actually told. Maia read about Link's childhood quest to find the Sacred Stones, and to recover the legendary Triforce to save Hyrule. As she was approaching his eventual return to the castle (after receiving the 3rd Spiritual Stone, the Zora's Sapphire), she heard Angmar moving around upstairs. Hastily, she stuffed the book under the cushions, and glanced quickly at the clock. To her astonishment, it was almost lunchtime. She had been reading for quite some time.
Lilia then walked through the door, looking thoroughly irritated, "I can't believe those guards! Stupid idiots! Can't they even see where they're going?"
Maia raised an eyebrow, "What happened?"
Lilia hung up her cloak, and sighed in sheer frustration, "I finally managed to get all the herbs and things we needed, and this idiot guard comes up behind me and knocks me to the ground! I know he did it on purpose...and then I had to go buy everything again, because his stupid friends 'fell' on everything and crushed it all!" At this, Lilia began to cry.
Maia ran up to her and gave her a big hug, "Lily, don't cry. At least you managed to get the things you and Angmar needed in the end."
Lilia sighed heavily, "I guess so, but still, it's so annoying! If they weren't the King's guard…"
"The people would rip them apart. However, they are the King's guard, and there's nothing we can do about it."
Lilia expression was one of defiance, "Yes, there is! We must find the true heir!"
Angmar's scolding, and somewhat saddened, voice then spoke (she had just come downstairs). "My dear Lily, you know the heir is probably long dead, along with its parents."
Lilia shook her head, "No, the heir lives! I'm sure of it! You know Hyrule would die without a Harkinian in it! That's why the former queen was allowed to marry the King, because she would not have to leave Hyrule to be at his side!"
Maia blinked, "Are you sure?"
Lilia sighed bitterly. "Well, what else would you say? Will you destroy the one thing keeping the people going, destroy their last hopes? If the heir does not live; if the Harkinians are not coming back; then we might as well give up all hope for a better life now! "
Maia shook her head. "No, I don't want to do that," she said quietly.
Angmar's tone turned scolding, "Lilia, dear, you should know better. It is not your task to scold Maia. Everyone has their own beliefs and deals with them in different ways. Besides, I believe that that story about the Harkinian family is merely a legend. Even if the King, Queen, or their child were alive, they could not possibly be in Hyrule. And the Royal Family often left Hyrule, and has done so for centuries. Perhaps the legend was invented to keep the people calm in the face of crisis. Or perhaps it arose from the mysterious stories from many generations ago when the people thought Hyrule was doomed, but the Princess came back and saved them from the tyrant who had taken over."
Maia looked over at Lilia at that, and saw that the other girl looked just as confused. "What story are you talking about Angmar? I don't think I've heard that one."
Angmar glanced at the young girl, frowning lightly. "It doesn't matter dear, no matter how interested you are. Now, I suggest you get back to your home and help your mother before she comes here looking for you."
Maia sighed. "Alright, I'll get going. It was nice seeing you both," she said before collecting her cloak and leaving.
Angmar sighed again, and Lilia glanced over at her. "Not to worry dear, I'm fine. That Maia just worries me sometimes though," she said, and Lilia nodded before moving into the kitchen area to start lunch.
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(1) You know how in the game, upstairs seems to only covers half the house in some of the houses? Well, this house has that too, and Lilia and Angmar both have rooms up there. And just in case you're wondering, yes, Angmar's house is Impa's old one. As far as I can remember (I am playing the game at the moment, but I never go in the houses), it was the only house in the village with a bookshelf, so that is where Angmar lives.
(2) In this story, Ganondorf appeared once about 25 years ago, but this time he was stopped properly by Link and Zelda. (Note: This is after the ending of Ocarina of Time, after Zelda turned back time or whatever she did. He still attacked when Link and Zelda were about ten, but they stopped him the 'second' time around...if that makes any sense) He then reappeared 18 years ago, but they couldn't stop him this time. Most people remember that Ganondorf tried to take over the palace the first time and was stopped, which is why Angmar says that her foster daughter 'thought the Great Ganondorf was gone'
Angel: And so ends chapter 3. Check my profile for news on updates and story progress etc. And as usual, please review!