Chapter 12: Lights
Princess Terra held Alec by the hand as she pulled him across the small wooden bridge leading into the Kokiri forest. She seemed to almost float as she walked, a new found happiness taking over her. The night before Terra and Alec had been at Lon Lon Ranch, taking shelter from a storm, and now Terra had already made plans for them both, plans in the Kokiri forest. Occasionally she would look back at Alec, only to see his warm smile staring back at her.
Night had fallen across Hyrule when Terra dragged Alec out of Hyrule castle and into the Kokiri forest. It had been only a couple hours after sunset and the moon was now ascending in the sky, the stars out at their full brightness.
“Come on, It’s not much farther now!” She said with glee, tugging on his hand a little harder to speed him up.
Alec chuckled as he quickened his pace enough to come side by side with the beautiful Hylian girl. He adjusted his grasp on Terra’s hand, interlacing his fingers with hers. As they stepped off the wooden bridge and into a wooden passage way their pace slowed to a walk. “Where are we going?” Alec chuckled silently.
Terra giggled and replied “Oh…You’ll see…”
“Just tell me…Please?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see Alec…It’s a surprise!” Terra whispered back, and with a slight pull on Alec’s arm brought his body closer to hers, close enough for her grasp his arm with her other hand and lay her head gently on the knight’s shoulder.
“Ha-Ha-Ha!” Childish cackles came from the trees, followed by a rustle of leaves and branches.
“What was that?” Alec said with a bit of alarm, turning his head toward the trees.
“I didn’t hear anything. Are you alright Alec?” She couldn’t help but lie, she too heard the sounds, but she knew who made them.
“I’m almost certain I heard…Children…Children laughing!”
“Are you sure you’re alright Alec?” She whispered, trying to withhold the laughter.
“I’m not going crazy…” Alec said his head spinning in complete confusion. “…I could’ve sworn I heard…”
“Terra!” A group of children squealed as they erupted out of the lush green trees.
The amount of green clothed children that jumped out of the foliage and charged them caused Alec to jump and grip Terra’s hand a bit tighter. Alec wasn’t excepting this kind of a welcome.
“Terra’s here! Terra’s here! She made it!” The children cheered as they pranced around the couple. “She brought a friend too!” A few others blurted loudly. The amount of noise seemed to draw even more children to the group.
“W-W-What’s going on?” Alec mumbled, slightly terrified by the sheer numbers of little Kokiri’s running about Terra and himself.
“Heh…You’ll see Alec, calm down!” The princess replied in a comforting tone, nudging Alec once again. She then turned her attention to the Kokiri that were running around. “Yes-Yes…I made it; I hope you all don’t mind that I brought a friend?”
“Oh-no-no-no we don’t mind!” Each Kokiri seemed to say in unison. “What’s his name!” One would ask. “Where’s he from!” Another would question. “Wow Terra, he sure is handsome!” Was the final thing Terra heard before she quickly changed the subject off of her slightly frightened escort.
“Is Saria around?” Terra giggled, leaning down to the children’s height. “I’m sure she would love to see us, where is she?”
Mido weaseled his way through the large mass of kids, making his way toward the Hylian Princess and the knight. He pulled himself out of the crowd and placed himself in front of his fellow children and the two Hylian teens. “She is waiting in front of the Deku Tree along with the rest of us!” He bellowed proudly “We were waiting for you guys!”
“Aww…Thank you Mido, I’m glad you didn’t start anything without us! The princess cooed, moving her free hand away from Alec’s arm to ruffle the red haired Kokiri.
“We-Uh…Just…” Mido stuttered, his face turning nearly as red as his hair. “…We…We just didn’t want you to miss anything that’s all! Now come on, let’s go, we are wasting moonlight!” And with those words the so called ‘leader’ of the Kokiri children pushed his way back through the crowd and toward the forest town which the children called home.
Moving her hand back to grip Alec’s arm, Terra gave the boy another gentle tug. “Come on, let’s go.”
“You still haven’t told me what is going on…” Alec mumbled, even as he began to take steps forward along with the princess.
“And I said you’ll see!”
“I’m simply curious!”
“Heh…You’re acting like you’ve never seen Kokiri children before Alec.”
Alec couldn’t help but laugh a bit. “I’ve never seen so many…And I’ve been so afraid for my life! Did you see them all?”
“Alec!” Terra growled playfully, yanking the knight close enough for the side of their body to be snug against each other again.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…I take it you didn’t find that joke funny.”
The princess let out a small giggle, tightening her grip on Alec’s hand as the two neared the entrance to the Kokiri town. “Oh…It was funny.”
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Mido led his troop of Kokiri children and the two Hylian teens along the path that weaved through the Kokiri forest village. All the lights in the houses were dimed or put out, the giving the entire village an eerie feeling. It was nearly pitch black save for the moonlight shining from a full moon in the sky, and a soft yellow light coming from an opening in the dense trees.
“Have you ever been to the Kokiri village before?” Terra whispered up to Alec’s ear, then placing her head back down on his shoulder.
“No, I can’t say I have…It looks nice…From what I can see of it.” Alec responded quietly.
“You should see it in the day time, oh it looks so beautiful!”
“Heh, I bet!”
“All the flowers and all the colors, you’d love it Alec!”
The knight nodded in agreement. As they drew closer to the light he could feel Terra’s head rub against his shoulder. “I sure would…” he whispered down to her.
“It’s by far one of the most beautiful things in the forest!” Terra continued to say, shaking Alec’s hand with excitement.
Alec leaned his head down to Terra’s ear once again, and taking a gulp of courage he spoke. “…I know something more beautiful that’s in the forest right now.”
“Hmmm? And what’s that Alec?” Terra swooned silently, closing her eyes momentarily letting Alec lead her along. The princess rubbed her head against the knight’s shoulder, getting a more comfortable resting place…Then she felt Alec stop where he stood, she looked up at the knight opening her shining blue eyes, letting go of his arm with her other hand.
Summoning up even more courage Alec took his free hand and lifted it toward Terra’s face. In the moonlight she saw the gorgeous Hylian Princess looking back at him, her glimmering blue eyes shimmering in the starlight that shined down from above. Using the tips of his fingers he gently brushed Terra’s sandy blonde hair to the side and away from her face. Alec could feel the shivers going through Terra’s body, but all she did was look back at him with an enchanted stare. Slowly, Alec let his fingers run down Terra’s neck, down her arm and to her slender hand, which he took softly in his.
“A-A-Alec?” Terra stuttered. She could feel her body begin to melt from Alec’s warm and comforting touch. Subconsciously the princess took a small step forward, still looking up at the Hylian knight that stood before her.
“She’s standing right here…” He whispered. And slowly a grin took over his face and he looked down onto Terra with a comforting and smitten gaze.
“Alec…” Terra cooed quietly, taking another step close to the young knight, a smile running across her face. “…I…”
“Hey!” Mido called out, annoyed, from the edge of the light, interrupting Alec and Terra. “Are you two coming or what?”
Although a silence had fallen over the two, Alec was the first to respond. “Heh…Yes…We are coming.” Turning he began back down the path, Terra’s hands still locked in his. He could feel the princess laying her head against his shoulder once again.
She snuggled up against him before she spoke. “Thank you Alec…”
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Stepping into the light Alec and Terra looked upon a vibrant and colorful scene. What stood before them was the open field in which the Deku Tree stood. Torches we set up along the borders of the clearing where the tree line stood. In the middle of the clearing sat the Deku Tree, and around him were set an assortment of Kokiri sized table and other objects, and on these tables rested a buffet of fruits and other forest edibles. In addition, strewn about of the random in a random manner were colorful blankets and pillows, obviously ripped right out of each of the forest children’s homes.
“What’s this?” Alec yelped in surprise, looking around furiously taking in all of his surroundings.
“Surprised?” Terra replied happily, as she dragged Alec toward a set of large pillows, specifically set aside by Saria for the two Hylians.
“Yeah a bit, what’s going on?”
Reaching the set of pillows Terra sat down, releasing her grasp on the boy’s hand after yanking him down onto the pillow directly beside her. “Well…The Kokiri have always been in tune with nature, they can feel the forest around them, almost like that are a part of it….So, every year during the summer they throw a little party, a small celebration of the forest itself.”
Alec chuckled and looked around at all the activity. “You call this a little party?” He said motioning to all the movement in the small clearing around the Deku Tree. “The entire area is swarming with little green clothed children!”
The knight was right; all around them was a swarm of Kokiri children. Each would run to a table, sample some food and then run off. Saria was over to one side talking with a smaller group of Kokiri girls; they were giggling and glancing in their direction. Mido had also split off and formed his own posse of little green clothed boys; they too were looking toward Alec and Terra except with a slightly more serious look about their faces.
“Are you mocking them…?” Terra growled playfully, she knew that he was only having a bit of fun. “…Because if you are I’ll…”
“You’ll do what hmm?” Alec laughed happily with the same playfulness, countering Terra’s words with his own. He turned his head to look at the Hylian Princess sitting next to him, giving her an evil yet friendly grin.
Terra cracked a similar smile around her face; she already knew what actions she was going to take. “This!” She shouted abruptly, launching herself at the young knight, placing both of her hands on the knight’s shoulders and pushing him down onto the soft ground. Terra than proceeded to pulled herself atop the young knight, playfully pinning him to the ground with her own weight. Moving her hands out to Alec’s palms she grabbed each hand in an attempt to keep the Hylian knight from wiggling away. Finally she dropped her upper body onto Alec’s torso, her legs lying off to his side; their faces were now only inches apart.
“Uhmmm…Terra?” Alec mumbled nervously, his face turning bright red.
“You wanted to know what I was going to do!” Terra giggled happily. “And I did it!”
Alec looked around once again; he could feel the Kokiri staring at him and the princess. “Your father would kill me if he saw this right now, you know that?”
“Oh…I wouldn’t let him do that…” Terra whispered into Alec’s ear.
“Trust me Terra…He would…”
“Then who would I have to escort me around Hyrule Alec?” The princess attempted to sound sad, as if trying to toy with the young knight she had pinned beneath her of the forest floor.
“I think you would venture around Hyrule anyway!” The knight explained as his face grew even redder, he could feel Terra’s weight relaxing on his chest.
“Maybe…” Terra let her forehead fall on Alec’s forehead, their noses coming into contact with one another. She could feel Alec’s fidgeting stop, the boy no longer attempting to get away. “…But you’re too much fun to let my father get rid of you just like that, I like you to much Alec, you’re too much of an adventure.”
“An Adventure?” Alec mumbled back, looking up into the Princess’ bright blue eyes which were staring down back at him. “Those are pretty brave words coming from a princess. If you’re mother heard that…”
“…My mother will never know…” The princess cooed silently. “…You worry too much Alec.”
“Worried? I’m simply afraid for my life right now! Ok then, what should I worry about instead of your father killing me for seeing us like this!”
Terra’s smile softened as she looked down onto the knight she had befriended nearly a little more than a month ago, a knight whom had saved her life, and a knight who had not only become her friend but something more. With the smallest amount of force she threaded her threaded her fingers in between Alec own digits, squeezing them ever so gently. Slowly she began to close her eyes and lean in. “Worry about…”
“Eh-Hem!” A sharp voice called from the side, causing Terra to open her eyes and lean back away from the knight’s face. Saria stood tapping her feet, giving them both a humorous look. “The party is about to start…” She began; obviously she knew that she had interrupted Terra and Alec’s moment. “…I think you both should get ready!”
Leaning farther back off of the knight Terra, turned a bright red and spoke. “Uhm…Of course Saria! Sorry.” Releasing her grip on Alec’s hands the Hylian girl lifted herself off the young knight, unpinning him from the forest floor.
Smirking Saria took a seat next to the princess. “It’s alright.” The Kokiri said, a bit of amusement in her voice.
Alec put his arms behind him and pushed himself up off the forest floor. He wasn’t exactly sure what just happened, and his face was blushed enough to show it. Something about Terra’s words got to him, he was now almost sure about his feelings deep inside himself. He was sure about his feelings toward the Hylian Girl that he had spent so much time with and a girl that had also changed his life.
The knight brushed off the grass on his white button up shirt. Looking around he noticed that Terra and drawn a lot of attention, a few of the Kokiri girls were smiling in their direction like they had just heard a romantic story. On the other hand a few of the Kokiri boys were looking at Alec with more of a questioning gaze, as if they were checking the boy over for flaws. Turning away from the forest children he glanced over to the Princess who had inched next to him while he was looking away. What he saw was a beautiful blushing girl staring right back at him, face-to-face, with a smile that cut down deep inside the knight and made him feel almost god-like.
As the Mido slowly stepped over to the Deku Tree, Terra began to inches closer and closer to Alec. Pulling her sitting pillow beneath her she took her place right beside the knight. And in a stealth motion she reached under Alec’s arm and once again grabbed a hold of the knight’s hand, interlacing her fingers with his once again. “Are you alright Alec?” She whispered into his ear, a small bit of laughter coming through as well.
Clearing his throat Alec spoke up, still nervous and not entirely sure what to make out of the situation. “Uhm…Yes…At least, I think so.”
“Good! I don’t want you feeling nervous now do I?” The princess said sarcastically. She took pleasure in making Alec feeling uncomfortable.
Reaching the side of the Deku Tree Mido turned to address the crowd, quickly grabbing everyone’s attention. “Attention everyone, Attention!” Mido called out, waving his arms above his head. A few of the Kokiri turned to look, but still some wandered about, not taking what Mido was going to say seriously.
“Oh…Here we go…” Saria sighed silently, looking down and shaking her head. The entire forest was now in for a long speech…
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It was now later in the night, the celebration over. Most of the Kokiri had since vanished from the clearing, the fires had died out, but yet all the tables and blankets were still set out ready to be cleaned up the next morning. The moon was now high in the sky, the great white sphere seemingly motionless in the starry heavens above…And in a high hill on the edge of the Kokiri village sat two figures, one leaning against the single tree that crowned the hill, and the other sat only inches away, leaning forward and looking upward toward the clear twinkling night sky.
“It’s so beautiful out her Alec.” Terra cooed as she leaned forward, looking out from under the lush green tree branches. “The stars and the moon look like the goddesses up the, looking down upon us.”
“Yes-Yes it is Terra.” The young knight replied softly, even though he wasn’t looking into the heavens like the female Hylian. Alec was much more interested in the goddess like girl sitting in front of him. She almost seemed like a goddess the way the girl glowed in the moonlight, each little ray of soft white light highlighting every little detail of the Hyrule’s Princess. Each little trait seemed amplified, from her slender figure to the sandy blonde hair that flowed over her back.
Turning her head over her shoulder Terra looked back at Alec, and she noticed that he wasn’t looking up to the sky like she had done, but was looking directly at her. “Heh…Can I help you Alec?” she spoke, matching his soft tone.
Smiling, Alec shook his head. “No, I’m perfectly fine…Prefect.” The knight placed his hands out to his sides, propping himself up against the forest tree behind him, getting more comfortable.
With a smirk Terra scooted back next to Alec, removing herself from the direct rays of the moonlight and into the less lit area where her knight sat. Upon reaching Alec she propped her body up against Alec’s, her slender body leaning on the left section of Alec’s chest. She could feel a sharp frightened breath from the body when she snuggled herself down deeper onto her knight’s upper body. Terra then leaned the right side of her head down onto Alec’s shoulder placing her forehead against Alec’s cheek, letting her hair be a cushion between her soft skin and Alec’s firm muscle. Finally, taking her hand she reached behind her back and pulled Alec’s own hand up off the ground. She then pulled his hand around her waist and placing it just above her hip, giving Alec a grip on the Hylian Princess’ body
“What about now…” Terra purred, snuggling deeper into Alec’s body now that she was fully encased in Alec’s protecting arms. She could feel Alec’s breathing slow down as he became more comfortable.
With a heavy huff of air the knight spoke. “Now? More than prefect…”
Terra giggled softly. “I don’t think there can be anything more than prefect Alec.”
Alec then gently pressed his cheek up against Terra’s forehead, nuzzling her. “I think right now…The goddesses can make an exception.”
Closing her bright blue eyes, Terra gently pressed back against Alec’s cheek. “You’re probably right Alec…This is more than prefect.” Lifting her left hand across the knight’s chest, The Hylian girl took a firm grip on the fibers of Alec’s shirt, using the grip to cling herself to the boy and bring herself in as close as possible to the boy’s warmth.
The knight didn’t say a word; he simply pulled Terra in closer, letting her get comfortable against his body mass.
And time began to pass by, and neither moved, each enjoying the moment they were having with the other. Alec slowly began to rub his hand gently on Terra’s waist, feeling the delicate curves of the beautiful Hylian Princess which he now held in his arms.
“You know…” Terra finally whispered, breaking the tender silence between the two.
“Hmm…?” Alec purred back, his brown eyes closed.
“If my father saw you holding the Princess of Hyrule like this…He might expel you from knight-ship…or worse…” Terra cooed bringing her legs in, huddling in further into Alec’s arms.
“Well…That is just a chance in willing to take.” The young knight whispered back. Using his cheek Alec pulled the Princess’s face up to look up at him. This caused Terra’s eyes to slowly slide open, the blue color once again shimmered in the soft light of the moon. The two were now face-to-face.
“Those are pretty brave words coming from a knight.” She replied. Terra watched as Alec’s dark brown eyes opened, and looked directly into her own. The look he gave her sent shivers of emotion down her spine, causing her to tighten her grip on Alec’s white shirt.
Alec then placed his forehead softly down upon Terra’s, their eyes coming closer together. “I like to think that every once and a while I can be brave.” He tightened his grip on Terra’s waist, bringing her body that little bit closer to his own.
“The question is Alec…” Terra began, her eyes sliding part-way shut as she began to slowly move her lips closer.
“Yes?” Alec’s eyes also began to close, and he too began to move closer.
Closer…
“Are you brave enough to…?”
Closer…
“Brave enough to what?”
Closer…
“Brave enough to…”
Terra and Alec’s lips met for the first time in the darkness underneath the tree. The princess’ body was electrified as she felt Alec’s soft lips gently press against hers, and she could feel Alec’s hand tighten on her hip. Softly she pressed her lips against his, taking in every sense of the moment into her memory, from Alec’s strong touch to his scent, she took it all in. The moment seemed to last forever, her soft lips slowly moving against his, and his against hers; it was as if an eternity was passing by as each prolonged their first kiss, a moment that was now burned into each other’s memories, forever…
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Meanwhile…
Malon’s eyes snapped open. From just outside she heard the whiney of horses and the movement of other farm animals…Something was happening at the ranch…The horses were usual never making noise this late…
Sliding herself out of bed and still in her nightgown Malon opened her bedroom door and looked down the stairs into her empty ranch house. The ranch owner now took careful steps down the staircase, careful not to make the wrong step that would send her tumbling down the stairs.
Upon reaching the ground level, she made her way toward the wooden door; taking a moment to look back into her dark empty house….She opened the door and stepped outside…
Malon stepped into the path between her house and the barn…There was nothing…She looked around for a moment looking for something different, something that was out of place…The night air was cool and crisp, slightly humid from the night before a very pleasant night for being the middle of summer…But still nothing, Malon caught nothing that was out of place…
But behind her in the darkness of the tree line…Something was strange, something was out of place…A group of figures stood, and sharp shining blades shimmered in the white moonlight…
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A lone horse slowly moved out of the Kokiri forest entrance, two riders situated on top of it. Alec held onto the horse reigns, keeping it moving slowly and gently enough not to disturb the other Hylian on the beast that was half asleep. Terra’s head leaned back against Alec’s shoulder, her face slightly turned, buried into the side of Alec’s neck. Her eyes were half closed, the princess seemingly lost in blissful thought. She took comfort in Alec’s arms which passed by her waist, even while guiding the horse through the thick grass of Hyrule Field Alec was holding her against him. The two had since left the Kokiri village and were heading back toward Hyrule Castle.
Terra nestled herself against Alec, taking comfort in the boy’s warmth, and on occasion she would place a soft kiss on the boy’s cheek. For the first time in a long while, the Hylian Princess, and the Ranch Boy, had been very truly happy…
…The horse stopped…
One of Terra’s eyes peeped open. “Alec?” She murmured. “Is something wrong?” Terra angled her face to look up at Alec, who was looking furiously about the darkness of Hyrule Field.
“Do you smell that?” He whispered down to her, still looking around.
“Smell what?”
“Smoke…”
Terra, breathed in through her nose and inhaled the scents of the open grassy field…Smoke…She caught the smell of smoke on the wind. And before she could say anything Alec moved the castle horse toward the crest of a nearby hill, reaching the top in moments. And when at the top the princess’s wide eyes spied a bright orange light in the distance, glowing like the eyes of some beast in a nightmare.
Along the horizon stood Lon Lon Ranch, the place where the knight she had with him came from. Bright orange flames now encircled the ranch at the top of the hill and a pillar of black smoke ascended into the night sky, barely visible except when the moonlight hit it. The entire ranch was a burning inferno, looking as if the god had decided to smite one single spot on the land.
And before the princess could speak, Alec moved the horse into a dead sprint, heading toward his former home…