Before you ask, yes. I am tired. But I finally got this done. I had to step away because I was struggling with this so hard. I was gonna scrap this and try again, but after looking over it after a couple months, I'm glad I didn't.
"You were great."
The skies were cloudy. Niah looked down. What she held was almost weightless, to her it was a machine, an object meant to defend.
But today, it was going to be used as a means to comfort, and sooth.
"I remember the last thing you said to me on the phone. I still have the last picture. I can still see the last email you sent me. And even in his paranoia of the rudeness of death, somehow. You were still right. I concede it."
Her lip quivered in anticipation as she looked up from the crumbled bit of paper she had pulled from her pocket. Eyes sat upon her, many were in tears, and those who honor his time in the service were lined up against the back of the ceremony in uniform. This made her uncomfortable, there was so much pressure. Her cousins sat to her left, they pondered on towards her, and one sat next to an empty seat. That was meant for her Uncle Griff. She already knew he wouldn't show up. His daughters knew this, everyone did. But she could still hope.
"I remember the first time you taught me to shoot a gun, I think I was ten or eleven at the time. It was the dead of winter at Griff's-" She looked towards her cousins. "It was at a snowman." Niah said slowly. "You said to imagine it as if it were a snowball. And I did." There was so much she needed to say, so much to do for something so sudden. It scared her honestly. But she knew there would be a time that this would happen. But for some reason. When she looked at the attendees, she did not feel their sadness.
"Right before he died, he told me that he loved me, of course. Which isn't anything new."
She looked towards Lucy. Who felt the most genuine pain.
"Call me selfish but, I wish he would have told me something I didn't know."
_/\_
Breakfast was quiet.
Neither could get enough caffeine in their system, the bitter coffee that Niah gulped down was less than desirable, and even questionable in its quality. There were more than a few times that she would grimace at the drink, but she pushed through it. Fortunately for her though, Link failed to fare better than she. He took small sips, his eyes were still clouded with sleep, and his hair was a mess. They both wanted to crawl back into bed, Link probably regretted his decision to agree to such a ceremonious occasion.
On second thought-
She looked back at him with a knowing glance.
No, he didn't.
When they left the inn, it was still dark out, many would probably mistake it for the middle of the night, but the smell of wet grass, and the sound of birds told otherwise.
But even that didn't wipe the tired from her eyes.
The door to the stables made a loud slam as it closed behind them. The fire of torches made the place smell like ash and wood as it dimly illuminated the area.
As Link searched through Epona's saddle bags, Niah made sure to fill their buckets with feed. Not much was said between them, the silence was easy. Niah took a brush and pressed it over Mara's coat, once, twice, three times, it made her think of anything; everything. It felt like her thoughts were not her own anymore. The memory of Burvis and the earring flashed in her mind more than once.
"I prefer men the same age as me."
"Oh, I guess we're both at a loss then-"
Calug, was his name, had turned towards Burvis at the comment.
It was too early for this.
"We need to meet with Renado before we head out." He started as he pulled out a sheet of paper made of sheepskin parchment. There were a few tears as he opened it, but the map was intact. "Since we're heading into Snare-Dragon territory, we should be able to avoid the Yiga."
Niah nodded in response, "Good, but-" she yawned, "How long should it take to get to Castle Town?"
He contemplated the question. His eyes scanned the map, and Niah realized that it was more translucent than what she previously saw as he held it up to the torchlight. There were ink splotches and petite scratches from a quill. A ring-stain in another place, and through the chaos of printed lines, there was the key.
"Are you sure you want to know?"
"Well, when you put it like that, it doesn't sound too good."
"About a day, maybe two."
Niah sucked in a breath and sunk her head low. "Yikes on trikes, if I do say so myself. That sounds like it's going to be miserable."
"Yep."
"And we're going to have to sleep on the ground? You sound like you're used to it though."
"I'm not feral, but no, actually, there are a few small farms along the way, I'm sure with a favor or two, they will let us room with them for a night."
"Oh, that's great." Niah sang with sarcasm, "I'm ready for stranger danger, or whatever I learned in school."
"It's either that or the ground."
"Fine, I'll learn how to cope."
They finished their strange routine. Niah would saddle Mara, and Link would write on the map. He tried to show it to her, but she knew nothing of Hylian. The most she could do was nod and wave in agreement and even stare intently. It was tactless and witless, the reins felt like beaten leather, dried like it had been sitting in the sun far longer than it should, it even appeared to be losing its color. Niah was not pleased with the extent of what this journey would be. Too long. There was no telling how the Zora boy would fare to such a degree.
"I will never forgive this world for committing the unpardonable offense of being dull."
"For once," Link said, "I agree with you."
_/\_
Link wanted to see the children before the departure.
This made their exit take much longer. As the horses grew restless, Niah was sure to keep her attention elsewhere as not to invade. But it proved fruitless as she was beckoned to join the commotion. The eagerness displeased her in a way, but they were children, and they were kind enough to her.
Renado and Barnes had given them supplies of their own volition. A few potions, fruits, bread, and enough rupees to get them to Castle Town and back twice over if they budgeted well enough. Renado gifted them wisdom, none of which would compare to that of Zelda herself, but helpful nonetheless. Barnes on the other hand, offered something much more destructive; bombs and a few arrows.
Link was far more excited for the last one.
When they spoke, it was as if it would be their last conversation for a lifetime to come, they showered them with praise and adoration for their travel, and it made Niah nervous. A feeling she hadn't felt since she left for her flight to college.
It was the same feeling. The exact same feeling.
"Do not trade with the creatures lest they hound you otherwise. If so, make it small, and be insistent. Eat well, and rest frequently, we don't need two heroes' collapsing from exhaustion. If fate predicted your death, it would have happened a long time ago."
There was a sense of reluctance from Link, who seemed to carelessly pick at his sleeve in an attempt to remain still and intact. "You sound like my mother-"
Renado took that with a visible disgust one would not assume from just a man. He covered from the mental recoil and sighed, "Do not sing to the dead either." The voice was factual and demanding, but Link was unphased of course.
Niah would not open her mouth but for a final goodbye from the village, and as soon as she pressed her foot to the reins, Mara ushered the small party towards the gate. The hard patter of horse shoes on dirt did not calm her nerves as she assumed they would. Link could seemingly feel her nervousness as they walked on. He chuckled and pulled out his notebook-
"Don't worry about Yiga raids, we're heading towards Snare-Dragon territory."
"How does that help?"
"Because rumor has it that their raiders have tamed the monsters in certain parts of the territory."
"So that's what Renado meant when he spoke about trading with them?"
"Yeah."
"That's great, but what if we did come across any Yiga? Surely, they're all over the place no matter the territory."
"True, but unlikely."
Link pointed towards the exit of which they were headed. Of course. It was Burvis, with a horse of his own as he unlocked the gate, and opened it outwards. He didn't wave though as the creaking of the old metal pounded against himself, and the cackle of worn chains started to swing in motion.
When he turned, Niah noticed how different he looked. He wore a new set of clothes. The tunic was unlike Link's, as it buttoned but from the side, and the color of it was a bright yellow that did not match Burvis's dark complexion, as it appeared to be gaudy and impractical to the eyes. His trousers were a dark brown color, and were slightly more tight fitting and it was stuffed into the boots he wore. His dreads were held back with what appeared to be a line of butcher's twine, and a few loose strands fell to the shape of his face.
Needless to say, the tunic made the man look hilariously ridiculous, terrible even. But, he threw the lock to the side, dirt wicked up and fluttering around from the commotion, and he turned to positively look towards the other two.
"You look like shit." Link called to him. When Niah looked over, his arms were folded.
"I'm tired," Burvis said back, "There are ten things to worry about in this world." He heaved himself unto his steed with much difficulties, almost as if he avoided the activity. And Niah refused to say much, and the pain of being saddled for a day was terribly painful, and mentally, she had been dreading it. "And no offense, you're not one of them. Come on."
It was midday, hot, and the earth was crumbling beneath them seemingly. As they crept through the rock, and what looked like weathered sandstone, there wasn't much else to witness for a few miles. The greenery was tepid and almost repetitive, and little conversation among them was made. Niah supposed, even a fantasy world could grow boring to someone in due time. Regardless of how entertaining the sound of hooves on rock sounded, the sun bent above them, the dirt still blew in the seldom wind, and when the wind finally did blow down into their valley, it was welcomed and kept up spirit with that small drabble of hope.
"Where do you plan on stopping first?"
Burvis broke the silence like a knife piercing a thick heart. His voice was lacking his normal baritone, and instead opted for something more raspy and hushed in kind. But the clear need for a drink did not stop him from looking at Link whose face was buried in his notebook, and a smaller map.
"Turis Ranch should be the first thing we see once we hit the grass. I was hoping to stop there and rest for the night-"
"I'm gonna stop you right there-" Burvis chuckled, "Turis was raided… weeks ago."
"Weeks ago? By who?" Link slammed his notebook shut.
"Bublins took over and ate their horses and the rest of their cattle. If we get lucky though, we can come to a compromise with the creatures to avoid getting into an impasse-" Burvis stopped, "Wait… you never knew?"
Slowly, Link shook her head as he turned to directly face the other man. "Correspondence between other's was never really my thing back home."
Burvis could do nothing but shrug. "It doesn't matter, we can avoid them anyways. Easily."
"The next decent stop after though would be hours away-"
"Six. We can manage."
Epona started to match Burvis's pace with his own steed, Niah opted to stay back.
"This isn't about managing, this is about the fact that-"
Burvis stopped in his tracks and turned to Link. There was no anger, rarely a hint of frustration as crows feet lacked around his eyes. For some odd reason, she took notice of it. But when he stopped, the rest of them stopped, and his reigns were thrown forward in a sense of contemplation, and the agony of the ride was knowingly bearing down on them like the tip of a quill to the skin.
"Then what do you suppose we do then Mr. Hero?" He folded his arms, "There isn't a single way I am letting her sleep on the ground. It's hot today, but what is it going to be like when it turns dark?"
Link opened his mouth to speak, but he was cut off almost immediately.
"It's different sleeping underneath a volcano, the air is warmer, crisper. But it's not like that in the fields. But, in addition to the obvious to opt for more obviousness, it's dangerous."
Link stole Epona's reins again as he threw them against the saddle as well, "Jackass." He muttered as he trotted his mare to the front of them. Burvis wasn't offended by it, and seemed to find humor in the subject. The prospect was also an audacious conquest that did leave Niah offended.
"Do you both seriously think that I can't fend for myself?"
"We never said that. We simply inferred it."
"Implied, you implied it."
"Eh, same difference, who cares."
She clutched the leather as hard as she could without exploding, but let the energy release almost immediately. "Fine," She let her lip drag against her teether a little longer to exaggerate the word, " I guess there is no arguing with you anyways." And truly, there wasn't, depending how long Burvis stayed with them, the worse it could get.
"I can sleep on the ground fine, but don't expect me to defend the both of you if I have to."
"I wouldn't expect anything more." Burvis wasn't offended by her comment, in fact, there was the smugness that she should have expected.
Eventually, they did break into the grassy plains of Hyrule field. The air was soft, and the sweet smell of spring grass and lilies flooded their senses. It was reminiscent of the other field, however, that could never bear the sheer vastness that was Hyrule field. To the East, you could see the fog of the castle, shrouded in Twilight more closely. There were also vultures and other creatures around, but they were easy in comparison to what could be found in temples and dungeons. They rode onward, the sun lowered, and the heat pelted down upon them, yet somehow it would fade into a solem chill, there was no rest this time. And it was an eerie experience.
Niah couldn't help but use this time to reminisce though. About her life, and her family. Was Lucy okay? Was her father's stuff donated, or out away for Niah to go through? She had pages, and notebooks of words and writing to go through, and frankly, she didn't want to do it alone. Her father liked to write, he was a professor, a scholar in his own right, and made a living by provoking his ideas, and sharing them with a listenless world. Her father though seemed to always be the topic of discussion when she was left to herself. Being here made her forget about the grief of his passing. A horrific feeling that was admittedly a blunder to her soul, and it wretched out like a monster from within. All the regret she felt. She knew from the start that leaving to the complete other side of the country was the worst idea possible.
"If you want to leave so badly, I will make it happen."
Niah gasped in fear, but suddenly she remembered the weight of Midna's presence, "I can't."
"Why?" There was no mirth or sarcasm in her echoed voice. But a genuine sense of mortal curiosity.
"Something is keeping me here. Something is wrong. Something wrong-wrong."
The other two were far ahead of her as she spoke to Midna. She did not show herself to Niah, and in a way, she was glad of that. "Can you tell me about your sisters?" Niah wanted to gain as much information from her as possible to starve the boredom and it felt like needles pressed against her backside from the saddle.
"Think of it like this: royal Twi children wafting around the palace like a pack of hungry orcs waiting to be married for a throne. In addition to the smothering laughter that would drift down our halls, mocking those inauspiciously below us like we weren't the hungry thieves at the dinner halls."
Niah snorted, "Doesn't sound too different from here."
"It was never meant to be any different. The anguish of my ancestors is a fraction of the torturous endeavors of this world. If it was a game, I'm fine with being stuck as the outcast, as I often am."
"Do you regret it?"
"Regret what?"
She took a deep breath through her lips, "Leaving your family behind."
"No. Twili were never meant to regret. We can feel sorrow, but it's not the same thing."
It was a few moments later, neither said anything more, there was still the weight from her shadow that was a good relief, but for the first time, Niah didn't feel a sense of discomfort when it came to her presence, in a sense, there was an odd feeling of safety and delight.
"You won't tell him. Right?"
"Your life is not my business to tell." And it was a fact. "But why are you telling me this?"
"Because you told me about your father in great detail, I have only my royalty to hide, and who cares. It's not telling how long you're going to be here anyways." Her snarky tone was back, and it put a smile to Niah's lips.
In a way, she wished that Midna would simply tell Link as soon as possible. It could potentially clear the air between the two of them, but she knew better than to think like that. Midna did not trust Link, she could feel that, and if Midna felt more comfortable with Niah, then perhaps it was for the better, until then. Niah couldn't mess with the flow of emotional confessions, they were important to their characters regardless of how real everything was. Midna hid herself again.
Over the next hour, Niah didn't have much to keep herself company with, even songs in her head didn't last. But as the sun grew lower, and midday came to pass, her stomach grumbled in hunger, but she tried to hide it. She kept as far from the other two that she comfortably could. But as they passed broken pieces of old cracked stone that were creased and shimmied with time. A time of war. There was also charred grass, but it did not smell of fire, so it must be old, and even Burvis mentioned that it was not something to worry about, finally, they had come across Turis Ranch.
There were barricades with posts with a gate along the path which could easily be avoided if they strayed from it, but that wouldn't be a good idea. There were archers, and regardless of their intelligence, it doesn't take smarts to have a good eye for moving prey.
The three of them removed themselves from their horses, and huddled behind a piece of stone.
"You weren't kidding." Link said.
They kept their distance from the beasts, sure enough to remain out of eyesight, as well as close enough to remain vigilant.
"It's worse this time around. But, I think I can delegate with them-"
"No," Link muttered as he looked onward, "Or, yeah. Or… I don't know."
"I say we kill the bastards and move on with our day."
Burvis put a hand on her shoulder as he shushed her. Niah frowned before she realized what they were truly looking at. But Link leaned over to her other ear as she looked on. "No offense, but killing isn't going to solve anything."
Slowly, Niah turned to him, her eyes were squinted and she frowned, "You have a sword, and I barely get you to see you use the thing."
"-It does sometimes." Burvis replied quickly over Niah. "But, he's right. They're bublins, but if they were able to scorch the fields and take their cattle, and potentially keep the keepers prisoner, then we're dealing with a different breed of bublin. Killing them isn't as easy as you think it is."
"Well," Link started, "We better figure something out soon, because it's getting dark out."
"I can see that, but I also see an opportunity."
"Um, okay..?" She rubbed her arms as she realized just how chilled it was.
"If I can convince them that your brooch is a Snare-Dragon brooch then we might have something going for us. They're more than likely intelligent."
"So, you want to swindle them?"
Link nodded, "Yeah. I think it could work."
"But why don't we just move along and not bother them?"
Burvis shrugged. "If there's anything that I learned from my time as a Yiga, I know for a fact that even just an acquaintance is better than an enemy."
Burvis moved quickly. He saddled himself onto his steed as Link and Niah looked on. There was that jealousy though, she could feel it. Link's face was contorted in a sense of anger and resentment. He pushed himself up though.
"I'm coming with-."
"Uh no- This is what I'm good at."
There was no sense in talking to Link as he saddled himself up as well. That left Niah alone from a moment as they argued with themselves, it made her head spin.
"I'm sure we can come up with a story, and besides, I have the brooch anyways."
"Then give it to me."
Link puckered his lips in a pout as he crossed his arms.
"You're a child, Link. A literal child."
He didn't budge, and for the first time, Niah could see agitation spread on Burvis's face.
"You know what, fine. Here's the story. Link you're a crippled mute, and Niah-"
He stared at her, for a moment.
"-you're the Snare-Dragon I am traveling with. And since you're a woman, you will ride in front of us."
She scrunched her face as she looked at him "Why in front?"
"Because they're like royalty out here. Now get on your horse."
Link cleared his throat, "It doesn't make sense though, a Snare-Dragons emblem isn't red-"
"Which is a shame, honestly, the red symbol's power. Power gets respect. I said they were intelligent though. Not smart."
There was no reason to obey him, however, Burvis did have a point. Acquaintances were better than enemies, but these were monsters in hindsight, and this could go poorly. They needed to take the chance though. Overall, this felt stupid, practically absurd. "But what if this doesn't work?" Niah said. "What then?"
Burvis shrugged his shoulders as if it was a question he did expect though, and chuckled. "There are no 'what if's' here, Niah. If I say what we are, then they will believe it. It's as simple as that. As long as we present ourselves with confidence. Because if there's one thing about confidence, it's that no one knows if it's real or not."
Niah frowned in discontent, her heart fluttered though because it wasn't exactly took a breath, and nodded. Niah was many things. Naive yes, but she was no fool either. There was no turning back though as soon as she perked herself off the saddle of Mara, but even as they started to press forward or gain any formation, the horns blew. Torches lit in an instant, and just as soon, arrows were ignited on the tips and many were drawn. But they dare not fire. Perhaps that horn was just a warning. Oddly, she felt the confidence, she strode to the front as if she was as Snare-Dragon. As if she even knew what that meant to begin with.
The closer they got, the more guarded she realized the ranch was. It apparently was a big asset to the fields, more than she assumed. The grass was scorched, and some of it still smoked in the wind, however, near the fencing the grass had started to over grow with lilies and mums the color of the sun. They could tell when the original fencing from the previous tenants broke into the fencing designed from the enemies. It wasn't just the design, from the spikes and lit torches that circled loose targets and burn pits. But there was a clear difference in wood colors, from the smooth lightness of the country, to the deep color of pine. Scaffolding and platforms were hastily pieces together with bits of twine and makeshift nails. Even as they scattered along, and watched them as if they were sentinels, the wood shifted beneath their weight.
The gate blocked the pathway, easily though, they could curve themselves to a new one without being noticed, but that wasn't a viable option apparently. But as they approached, they were made to halt.
Niah was at the front of the group, her horse was just as restless as her at that point, because there was a long drawn out eerie silence that lingered. Desperately she wanted to turn to Burvis, or Link, and beckon them near her. But her mind as read as the previous voice did speak up in a seldom quiet tone. The bublins undrew their arrow.
"They're observing you, us, I guess. Patience."
It was evident that even he grew impatient, as she could hear him dismount. Niah dared not take her eyes off of them, even as she heard Burvis walk towards Link, more than likely handing him the brooch, but there was still the sound of dirt being kicked up. Her bones felt like they were rattling in fear. As he approached the gate though, there was shuffling above. The light from the sun was slowly going down, they had no time for this, she had no time for this.
"Don't say anything, let me do the talking."
Again, she had no room to argue.
Finally, a bublin opened the gate slightly. And Burvis walked up to them as if he had experience with it. There was a bit of mumbling going on, and she was a certain distance away to where she could hear the conversation, but not the words being formed. The man and the enemies turned themselves towards Niah, who looked on with her mouth open in confusion , but he also pulled out the brooch to show the thing. It grumbled and creaned at the sight of it and before she knew, there were calls being made openly, and the gate was being pulled open fully. The pathway was cleared, and next thing she knew, Burvis was walking back towards them with a smile on his face.
"Now, to get you to your father so you can be wed on the morrow." He winked at her. "Easy as pie."
Niah looked towards Link who frowned and crossed his arms.
He climbed onto his steed and situated himself again. His face was smug with expression as he looked pleased with himself. He rode to the front, as he guided them back onto the road.
Inside the gate, it smelled absolutely disgusting. Like spoiled milk, and meat combined to make the perfect concoction of bile that burned her throat and nose. It took everything in her to remain straight. She couldn't imagine the tragedies that happened at this ranch, the horror that could happen long after as time progresses. The sheer thought of people wandering through, and not sharing the same luck as they had. In essence, it made her fearful of next time, but in theory, it was manageable.
The home, (assuming it was such), had been burned, and the only thing that remained was the skeleton. The ash had been trampled into the dirt, and the memory of the place would soon be scattered with the legacy.
It was a good twenty minutes before anyone truly spoke, as they wanted to make sure they were as far from the bublins as possible.
"That was a lot more simple than I expected," Niah said. She wanted to avoid the thought of smell, and the bare sights of the whole ordeal.
"Like I told you, confidence does wonders, and a bit of bargaining." He laughed, "I told them we would bring back a vat of honey as soon as we could."
Niah left it at that.
They rode like that for the next several hours. Again, there was minimal conversation, and even as Niah trailed behind once more, Midna kept to herself, and in a way, she preferred it like that. Beyond the checkpoint, there was hardly a creature in sight, the fields stretched for miles, and with it being so open, there was little windlife to truly keep her company, as the wondrous sight of fogged Twilight did keep her entertained, but it died quickly as it started. Eventually, they would stop to eat with rationed bread and berries that were sweet and it reminded her of home once again. A memory she hoped would fade before it became too repetitive as she might finally ask Midna to send her home to simply experience the taste of simplicity in itself. But soon they would ride again.
As it grew colder, she longed for the warmness of a bed and a fireplace. A blanket and other company. But that wouldn't be for a few miles. As there was no telling how far they had gone, or will go. But the fields stretched regardless of the temptation to wander and roam with herself. There was no time for the thought.
"Do you even think we'll be able to even get there before sundown?"
There was no telling as to who was actually talking, as she rested her head down, but undoubtedly sure that someone must have shrugged to her left with no voice of its own.
It turns out though, no matter the place, there were hordes of monsters with their own property. At least they kept to themselves instead of burdening them with their presence around them consecutively, however this time, they did not attempt to even reason with them, and instead walked on. As the night did fall, it was decided that they should look for a stray forage to make camp. Niah was not excited, and in fact, rather peeved at the idea, but knew it was a necessary evil. It didn't take long, as they found a solen stream, with a cluster of trees and nutrients although it did not flow with honey or milk. It would do.
Everyone was tired though, but the stars were out quite beautifully that night.
Link made the fire. It was simple, struck with stone and crossed with wood. Burvis would unsaddle the horses as they were to be used for bedding and leaning with the fire. They portioned their rations, and their horses remained unhitched as they grazed next to them. Seldom did the creatures spook themselves with small steps. Alas though, it seemed to be the only time they were frightened, as everything sounded eerily silent as they huddled themselves around the small fire. The flames sparked the air with heat, just as it sparked conversation. But it was light, and not-so fresh. Burvis was the one to carry most of it. As his words sounded wondrous and spoke in such a way of detail that Niah would assume that he was older than he appeared. A sense of untapered, unbridled wisdom flowed with his words as good wine does with blood.
Soon, the words of him would die into a silence, and just when Niah started to truly lean herself softly against the saddle, a sense of relaxation topped within her. She was not tired, but she felt more relaxed than she did the night before in Kakariko.
"It seems that everywhere we go, the world silences to hear what you have to say."
The statement was so random that Niah barely recognized that the words were directed to her. Her body tensed slightly, and she opened her eyes to stare at Burvis. The sound of his knife against whetstone was drowned out from her ears like a metronome.
"Does that bother you?" Niah mumbled.
"No." Burvis replied. But Link looked towards the both of them, his eyepatch was untied and the damage to his face could be seen tenfold. "Should it?"
"What? No, it's just that… you sounded…" She took a breath "-so ominous."
In response, he shook his head and started to stand up with a chuckle. "I'll be back, I need to piss. Don't interrupt him if he starts to sing."
After he left, that left Link and Niah to themselves again, but Niah didn't say anything as she stared at Link, who had tilted his head up to look at the stars. They put themselves in such a clearing that the trees formed a circle, and the sky was more than visible above them. Link looked to be in a trance. There was no sense asking him about it, as she hadn't even thought about talking to him in the first place. The problem was that his eye was as distant as ever. He idly brushed the tips of his fingers against the fabric of his outfit. But, as if it was predicted by the Gods, Link did start to sing.
It was more of a hum. A melody that she had never heard of before, nor could she predict.
Niah was not well versed in the art of musical literature. She grew up with farming, and weapons. Writing and reading. A mixture of mostly intellectual conversations and politics. It was a bore to sit through frankly, but that was her life, political science, and all the like, it was built upon that fact, and her father etched it into her brain. But, he was right. The area was as quiet as it could be other than the melody. Looking at Link's face, it seemed that the melody had lyrics. Judging by the sound of it though, it was sad and quiet. Almost like magic, it seemed that a flash in her brain let herself wander internally as she was graced with certain memories of her past. With her family, old friends and herself. Bad memories that ended poorly. Honestly, she was sick of everything as a tear came to her eye. Link's voice finished with a low, sad note finally.
"My mother would sing soft lullabies of wishes, and grief. Sometimes, I think, if she knew. Why didn't she tell me?" He stayed like that for a moment.
"Burvis said that he was going to leave before we entered the Twilight."
Just like that, Link shifted himself in such a way that he laid down, seemingly uncomfortable. He turned himself away from her.
Niah followed suit, but didn't close her eyes or turn away. She didn't realize how tired she was, but just as she was about to sleep, Burvis came back, "Don't tell him I said this but, He's a nymph, well, not a pure one like his mother, but blood is blood, and nymphs can certainly run, but they can't hide. I've seen many of them try and do things as if they're running out of time." Burvis said in such a way that it frightened Niah.
"You sleep, I'll stay up for the night."
It did not reassure her. But, she wasn't going to deny the pleasure.
_/\_
They rode for much of the next day. Idle conversation lingered like a hair in the wind, and caught almost anything that would get annoyed to it. But overall the silence was plentiful in their culture.
Through the long stretch of the day, they still wandered, but miraculously, they came to another small ranch as they broke through a slim path and dense trees, something definitely not in the game, but it was welcomed and it was good to explore. The ranch wasn't really a ranch in hindsight, more like a cottage the more that she thought about it, as it was smaller than the ones that the bublins took over. Although, not well hidden. A small creek ran through, and a simple bridge. They decided to trot along. Moss thrived, and there were plenty of tulips, red, white, yellow, and Niah thought she had spotted a purple one along the way somewhere. There was a wooden picket fence that had been worn with time, and broken in a few places, but it was overall pleasant.
"The lot of you have some nerve to come solicit here." The voice was gruff, but womanly. No one could pinpoint exactly where the noise had come from as they looked around like headless chickens.
An old woman popped out of a clearing, with a straw hat, and a worn basket filled with berries and what looked like leaves, possibly mint. She reminded Niah of that old woman from Spirited Away, just less… wrinkly and taller. She can't remember the name even if her life depended on it.
"I promise you," Burvis started, "We are no solicitors."
"Doubtful." Muttered the woman as she came to them on threaded feet.
"Eh, maybe a little bit." Burvis shrugged.
The old woman set her basket down before she started to approach them again. Honestly, Niah had some serious stranger danger going through her brain.
"What do you want then? I have no use for money, so make it quick."
Burvis didn't say anything for a moment. In fact, he was somewhat mute to the whole ordeal before Link spoke up.
"We're making our way to Castle Town, we were hoping we could stay here for the night."
The old woman laughed, "You were hoping? Not a lot of it in your voice though. Who are you?"
"I'm Link. This girl behind me is Niah, and this is-"
"Burvis. I already know. He's disgusting."
"Oh," He smirked, "So you've had the opportunity to discuss me."
She raised an eyebrow, "Unfortunately. Your kind smoked this area. Do you have any idea as to how hard it was to bring it back? Yet you have no shame in facing me?"
"Fine, fine. I concede." He rolled his eyes.
She let out a huff before she glared back at the other two.
"If I let you stay, how can you repay me? I'm not a charity case."
"... I'm good with a sword, I guess." Link muttered.
"And you?"
Niah shrugged.
"Useless." She said before she started to walk away from them.
The three looked at each other in defeat. Before Niah grabbed Mara's reigns. But before anything could truly be said, the woman turned around again, she grabbed her hat and her basket, then she looked back at them. She let out a sigh of defeat.
"Unsaddled and get in here. I'm not going to have the lot of you stranded."
Link looked surprised, his lips curled into a hopeful smile as he dismounted, and Nian followed suit. Burvis, though, seemed more apprehensive.
_/\_
Her name was Mrs, Claudi. From what Niah had gathered, she had been living there for an estimate of fifteen years after her husband died.
"-lived right on the main road of Castle Town with that man. Glad he's dead."
The woman made soup, but since she had unannounced company, there was only so much to go around.
"I hope you like cucco meat. I ain't making anything else."
Niah was starved and didn't complain.
"You're all lucky that you got here when you did-"
Everyone stopped what they were doing as they stared at the woman in question.
"The rabid beast comes just after nightfall. Poor thing, a poor sight for even my poor eyes."
Link did a double take. He set his bowl down, and glared at her through his eye, and scoffed. "What do you mean?"
Claudi shrugged. "Dead things like to creep here sometimes." She said, "Nothing personal, simply a lost soul."
From the corner of her eye, Niah could see Burvis nudge Link against his arm harshly, and it made Link flinch and glare back at him with a snarl of his own. Niah wanted to question it herself, but also didn't want to draw attention.
"Comes from the graveyard maybe a quarter mile from here." The woman said mournfully.
"Why do you have sympathy for a dead beast, instead of your own kind?" Burvis spoke with conviction, voice stern and unchanged from the likes of hatred.
Claudi shrugged. "I do not know." She replied. "My husband was ruthless. Heartless even. And I followed him in kind to perform my duties." She stirred her own bowl of soup and did not look towards Burvis who was frowning, and the age shown in his face. "I suppose it's perhaps when you're trapped without a way out, I get sympathetic."
The hearth could be heard crackling in the background as Niah looked amongst the three.
"That is my explanation, I suppose. But don't take that as my excuse."
There was no telling the sadness that Niah could feel coming from Link. The brooch burned in her pocket as she felt it.
After they had eaten, Claudi had shown them into a guest room. There were no extra blankets, and the room was tiny, the bed smaller. A dim glow of the lantern was all that provided them some semblance of comfort. The room was so small in fact, that from the outside, any rational person would assume that the small space they had eaten dinner in was the only room. But no, and since it wouldn't be the first time, and certainly not the last, Niah assumed magic was involved, no matter how insane it sounded.
Burvis did get a bedroom from his horse and offered himself the floor. He was parting in the morning anyways, so it was best for the other two to remain as comfortable as possible before they head to Castle town the next morning.
The bed creaked underneath Niah's weight, and before she could get comfortable, she noticed Link glaring out the window. Parting the curtain here, and there to gaze, or observe. Who knows. It annoyed her for the most part, and she finally spoke up.
"What are you doing?"
At first, Link didn't respond.
"I think I'm gonna go out there and find it."
Niah raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
He shrugged. "Maybe I can help it."
"You can." Replied Burvis as he walked back into the room. Arms full with a blanket and a campy pillow from who knows where. "I have a satin blindfold in case, if you need it. I'm not spotting you though."
Link wanted to reply with a snarky tone of his own, but opted for the better option of observing again.
She perked up, "Wait, what's going on?"
"Nothing." Link quickly replied.
Then, they heard it.
A loud screech, almost like the sound of tires reverberated around them and echoed from the walls, and Niah could almost feel it in her soul. The night sky almost turned an orange tinge and the trees rustled with the commotion. Soon, the screech turned into a loud cry, similar to what Niah assumed a dragon would sound like, and the orange sky turned darker, and the animals outside could be heard scampering, and the horses stomped outside their window, and let out a cry themselves.
"What the fuck was that?"
Burvis held up his arm, a blindfold, dimly illuminated by the lantern that hung in the room, and with a fainted breath, Link rushed to take it, and ran through the door, it slammed open, and the front door did as well, and it didn't close.
Niah felt rushed to slip on her boots and run out the door herself. Hollering and screaming for Link to simply stop, and explain what exactly was happening. But through the back of the woods, and into the clearing, they both ran. She was barely able to trail behind, and she could feel the sweat drip down her back, and she was out of breath as she struggled to keep up. It was not a familiar spot. But a graveyard could definitely be seen the more they ran.
Suddenly, Link stopped in his tracks. Niah slammed into him with a huff, and he seemed unfazed by it.
She knelt down to catch her breath. Her brain was fuzzy and jumbled, and she could definitely use some water right now, and she could definitely work on her cardio a little bit.
"I'm gonna put this over my face, and you're gonna spot me."
"Yeah sure," Niah said sarcastically. "If I actually knew what you meant-"
"Just make sure I don't die!" He huffed and tied the blindfold over his patch, and his working eye. "And when I start singing, keep your distance.
"Why?!" She yelled. The hollow noise of the creature could be heard through the area, and drowned out their voices the closer they got.
"Because I'm a little out of practice!" He shouted back.
With that, a red cloud formed. The creature huffed and groaned, it was loud and obnoxious and even scary. Niah had to cover her ears. A shape formed into what looked like a hybrid of a very large cat close to a lion or tiger. But on its feet, it was no bigger than the both of them. The thing was the color of red and a dark brown. It wasn't so simple however, as the color of red and brown made the creature look like blood not of springing blood from the heart, but the blood of a wound that had never healed, and never would. The brown was like scabs prickling and peeling from infection and decay. But the smell, and the taste of the air was like death, and the taste of the air was like iron or nails. The essence of the thing poured like sweat, and when Niah finally got the courage to truly see the thing, she looked into its eyes. She realized they were pure white with no iris, and she finally realized…
The creature was blind.
Niah faced the thing with inching fear. She stepped back with a gasp as the thing let out a sound unlike anything she had ever heard. A cry of anger and hate.
Link seemed unfazed. He stepped forward and the creature seemed confused. He took in a breath and let out a hum, which turned into a hymn, and just like that. Niah couldn't hear anything else. She could hear the commotion of birds and wildlife. The noise of rustling trees and grass seemed to cease.
In the back of her mind, she heard it, a song. A song she did not understand, and she wasn't even sure if she wanted to understand.
The creature began to glow brighter, but Link raised his hand in companionship. The creature was a bright red hue, but the Triforce was brighter.
Soon, the world dimmed to a nightly glow from a normal moonlight, and the creature decided to concede and walk away.
Link swiftly followed.
Niah kept her distance as she was told, and followed the beast. For how long they followed, she wasn't sure. But she did realize that they were not following the creature, they were following Link.
It had to be a mile. They walked past the graveyard to another forested area where Link briskly walked over branches and past trees without missing a beat, or misstepping. It was intriguing to say the least. The song in her mind was loud before, but the more they pressed on, the dimmer it got, and the more she could hear.
Eventually they stopped.
The belly of a hollow tree was in front of them. Link knelt down and started to dig in the dirt. Niah remained behind him, and watched at Link picked up something.
A skull of another animal.
Miraculously, the creature seemed to weep. It knelt down towards the makeshift grave and cried. Slowly, it morphed. The blood and the scabs dusted off, and the patched fur fell into the dirt until nothing but bone remained. But the bone wasn't as large as it appeared to be at first, and faded to be a simple house-cat. Then the bone rotted away into dirt, and the only thing left was the smell of death.
Link didn't stop singing until the creature had fully evaporated into the Earth. When it did, slowly he peeked from the blindfold, then slowly took the cloth off.
He sighed.
"All she wanted to find was her baby." He muttered.
They walked back to the cottage, and didn't say a word.
A song mage, Burvis had said. That was what he was.
_/\_
That night, Niah turned over in her cot.
Maybe it was the locations, maybe it was the people, or the magic. But know she knew something wasn't right.
Link slept beside her soundlessly. It was the hymn he sang in response to anger and grief. It was the idea that perhaps everything wasn't as it seemed. Even if his mother had predicted his plight, she could have warned him, it would be that mothers instinct. Did she have one? Do nymphs have instincts as to their Hylrulean counterparts?
"He's a nymph, well, not a pure one like his mother, but blood is blood, and nymphs can certainly run, but they can't hide."
Niah couldn't take the silence anymore. The breath of air from the outside was like a death call, weaning her into the night, the sound would be pleasant to anyone, but it was hard to focus on the soft sounds of night that crept through the cracks, and seeped into the corner of her consciousness. Niah stared at the wall that her and Link shared for a moment before she bit her lip.
She reached over behind her, into her father's jacket, and pulled out her phone.
Niah held the power button, the screen illuminated, and for a half a second, she assumed it was dead. It wasn't. Her lock screen pulled up and it was a picture of her, her dad, right before she boarded her flight. The date and time was skewed and hard to read. The phone couldn't tell her location. No big deal, she had no signal, but she had downloaded her playlists beforehand anyway. Niah turned the volume down so low that it could only be heard by her through the pillow.
The battery would be fine for just one hour. Just one.
This morning I woke up in a fortress of distortion. I'm at war with my emotions, I'm at war with they enforcement.
Tryna fight for what's right and got sidetracked, where ya mind at? Nevermind that. Can we think in a blink, you swimmin', you sinkin'. You win, you leavin' a head where I've loaded my weapon.
I stay with my brethren, I pray for protection. My prey in my sight som i'm doing what right and not askin' no questions,
I wanna be home free–
If I remember correctly, this song is called 'Home' from Spiderman Into the Spiderverse. Great film. Anyways, I tried to make this as consistent as possible, but since I was gone so long, It was kinda hard, so if anything seems off, lemme know :,) thanks yall for reading!
(No beta, we die like men.)