The Carnival of Time
By
Rebecca Anna Coleman
A Legend of Zelda Fanfiction
I am not claiming ownership of the Legend of Zelda

I could not believe the reflection that greeted me in the mirror. The smooth glass surface reflected the image of a young woman, one with golden blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes. This young woman wore a powder blue dress that had a rose colored silken sash tied around the waist. And on her dainty feet were leather sandals that had thin strips of leather wrapping around her ankles.

“Goddess of Time.” My mom said as she peered toward me.  “Dear Goddess of Time!”

“I don't look like me..” I said blushing as I turned around. 

“No..” Mom said at last. “Dear Goddess of Time..”

I was just about to say something when a sudden knock came upon wooden door. Mom turned around and so did I. A few moments later the old brass handle started to turn and in the doorway appeared a young woman with shortish blonde hair. Her deep blue eyes seemed to twinkle with teenage mischief. And her well tailored pink dress seemed to hug every curve of her body. Over her pink dress she wore a  brown leather apron. The apron had two deep pockets sewn into the front. 

Pocking out of the pocket I could see the brass handle to a pair of shears, and the wooden handle of a brush. The woman smiled at me and then at mom.

“Oh good you changed.” She said, looking at me. “Hmm that dress looks good on you. Your mom really rolled the dice on that one. I'm glad to see the Goddess of Luck decided to smile on her. Normally, I take several measurements before starting on a dress. Looks a little short on you.” The woman said as she started to walk around. I blushed, the woman's piercing gaze seemed to judge me. “A little short. But given the warm weather we're having tha could be a plus, that is a warm weather dress.”

Mom and I paused.

“But you have nice legs, and all that farm work has really given you a nice, natural tan.” The woman said. She then smiled and turned toward mom.

“You gotta be careful.” The woman said. “City boys find country girls alluring. It seems like they can't keep their hands off them.” A playful smile crossed her face. “And a fetching girl right here will turn a lot of heads.” 

Mom seemed a little unease at this.

“Fago.” She said finally as she peered toward the blonde haired woman. “I'm aware that my daughter is quite fetching and is starting to bloom from bud to flower. But I trust her to know how to handle herself around boys, and I trust you to give her a proper haircut, one befitting a young woman.”

Fago smiled a little.

“Oh! Miss. Cremia you have nothing to worry about. I promise I'll treat Miss. Marin is like my own little sister.” Fago said with a sweet smile. She then turned toward me.

“Anyway, since your dressed to impress Marin, I think you should come down to my room. I have a extra large vanity in my room with a really comfortable stool for you to sit on. Plus you and I need to have a little talk.” Fago paused, “Miss. Cremia, my mom would like to talk to you over breakfast.”

Mom was about to protest but she then looked into Fago eyes and she closed her lip.

“Okay.. But don't take too long,” With that mom left me along with Fago.

The walk from the room I shared with mom to Fago's room passed in complete silence. It seemed Fago and her mom and dad along with her older grandmother lived on the lower floor of the inn. Fago's room was the one that was located right beside the kitchen and right across from the bathroom. Her mother's room and fathers room was located right next to her right across from the common room. And her grandmother's room was the room right beside their room. It was the room beside the stairwell that lead to the upper floor.

Once we reached Fago's room she ushered me in and locked the door. Once she locked the door she leaned against the door and peered directly into my eyes.

“Okay.. Spill the beans.” Fago said as she folded her arms under her breast.

I blinked.

“I said spill the beans. I know Miss. Cremai does not have a daughter, in fact I know for a fact that she has only one child, a son named Talon. “ She looked me dead in the eyes.

I went silent.

“You can't pull the wool over my eyes. I remember your mothers wedding. I was a flower girl at your mothers wedding. My mother was her Maid of Honor at her wedding. And my father stood in for your dad as his Best Man.” Fago paused. “My grandmother was also your mothers midwife and I was there the the night she gave birth to you. In fact, my grandmother wanted me to see your mom give birth to you. Something about a life lesson she said all girls should see.. So I know Cremai gave birth to a healthy, though a tad bit weight baby boy whom she named Talon after her late father.”

I went silent again.

Fago seemed to growing a  bit annoyed with my silence.

“Okay either you start talking now, or I'm going to give you a pixie haircut.” Fago's voice was a half joking, half serious tone of voice. The kind of voice mom used whenever she would threaten to pull me across her lap.

“Okay..” I said, taking a deep breath.  “Where do I start?” It was not a question that I expected an answer but Fago decided to answer my question anyway.

“I guess the most logical point to start your story is to start at the beginning.” She said, fixing me with a gaze.

I nodded my head. That made perfect sense.

“Okay, one evening a few days ago. My mom, my aunt, and I were gathering around the kitchen table for dinner. And then my aunt started talking about the upcoming Carnival of Time.” I paused as I eased down upon Fago bed. 

“Go on.” Fago said as she peered toward me.

“Anyway, my aunt, she is a school teacher here in Clock Town.” I was very much aware that my thoughts were scattered now. Not that Fago seemed to mind, she seemed to have all the time in the world on her hands. 

“I know, your aunt prepared me for my Civil Exam. She is a bit of a bitch. But she makes sure you understand her lessons. I mean as a teacher she a bitch. Okay maybe not a bitch, but she is strict, strict but fair. Anyway, go on.” Fago seemed eager to see were all this was going.

“Okay, so my aunt asked me what I wanted for the Carnival of Time. I said I did not know, she suggested a princess and I agreed.” I said blushing a little. “And well one thing led to another, like for example my aunt started teasing me about being a princess for the Carnival of Time! And I agreed.” I muttered under my breath.

Fago nodded her head.

“Okay Fago shook her head. “Being a princess for the Carnival of Time, I can understand. Boys often dress as girls for the Carnival and girls often dress as boys. But what I still don;t understand is why Miss. Creamia is going telling my mom, my dad, and I that her son we all know as a boy named Talon is a girl named Marin?” Fago then leveled her gaze at me. “Enlighten me please?”

“So.. yesterday. Mom asked me to gather eggs. And well she called me Marin.. and one thing led to another, and things kind of snowballed. And I guess I started to like to called Marin. And well, I never felt like Marin until I put on the dress..” Again I was aware I was stumbling over my own words. But like last time Fago did not seem to mind

“Goddess of Time..” Fago said, “Does your mom ever think things through? It would have been simple to let you put on a dress for the Carnival of Time and act like a princess. But giving you a girlish haircut, and getting your formal picture taken in the traditional wedding gown.. Goddess! Goddess! Goddess!” Fago was now rubbing the bridge of her nose.

I titled my head to the side.

“From a boy with hay behind his ears, I don't expect much.” Fago said. “From a girl with hay in her hair, I don't expect much more. But from an adult I would expect a lot more. Tell me, Marin, do you know anything about being a girl?” Fago asked.

“I know they get to wear pretty dresses?” I said, smiling a little.

Fago then looked like somebody struck her with a heavy iron skillet. She then sighed and turned her head toward the heavens and then sighing heavily she closed her eyes and muttered.

“Goddess of Time! Please Help me! I gotta give this country girl an education she'll never forget! She has hay in her hair and her mom has her head full of wool. Goddess of Time, Goddess of Harvest. Help me! Please, this girl still needs to be tied firmly to her mothers apron strings! Goddess of Divine Aid. Look down and take piety on this moon struck girl. Cause she needs it right now.”

I crossed my arms and gave Fago a pout.

“What's all that about?” I said as I peered toward her.

“Trying to rustle up some divine aid. You're going to need it. Now, we need to get your haircut and I need to style it.. we don't have much time. And I also need to tell you some things most moms will tell their daughters when they're around your age. But given how much wool your mom has stuffed between her ears. I doubt she'll even think to give you this talk!”

End of Chapter five.