The Carnival Of Time
by
Rebecca Anna Coleman
A Legend of Zelda Fanfiction
I am not claiming ownership of The Legend of Zelda
My name is Talon, I'm fourteen and I live with my mother and my aunt, both are owners of the famous Romani Ranch. A ranch that is world famous for a special brand of milk called 'Chateau Romani'. My mother and aunt inherited the ranch when my grandmother passed away last spring.
Anyway, it's early spring here at the ranch. The mornings are pleasant enough I suppose, but the late afternoons are hot and humid and the nights are just as cold and bitter as the heart of winter. I follow ranchers schedule. I rise before the sun, milk the cows, feed them and then move them into the pasture.
Once the cows are out at pasture they can pretty much take care of themselves. It's then time for breakfast, normally breakfast is either oatmeal or toasted bread, with milk of course. After breakfast mom normally forces me to sit at the table and do lessons. My Aunt is a school teacher in yonder Clock Town and often she leaves me lessons to complete while she away teaching the sons and daughters of Clocktown cornerstones of the annual diploma exams, that being, reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Those lessons normally eat up most of my morning. But by afternoon mom had finished her chores, lunch is normally a tray of salted meat, sliced cheese, crusty bread and jug of spring water. After lunch she sends me out to play. I normally spend my afternoons watching the cows and fishing from one of the many small cow ponds that dot our northern pasture land.
When the first star appears in the night sky, I know it's time to bring the cows back to the warmth and safety of the barn. Once they are secure for the night. I return to the farm house to wash away the grit and grime of another hard day. About the time I'd finished with my bath, my aunt has returned from Clocktown and had finished looking over and grading my lessons. Mom too has finished with her chores and we all settle down for dinner. Normally dinner is something special, either it's a piece of beef mom has had roasting all day or some kind of chicken dish, sometimes if we're lucky it's fried fish.
Dinner was a kind of special time of the day, because all three of us gathered around the old kitchen table. Normally my aunt would tell my mom and I the latest gossip going on in town, who was dating who and what new shops had opened up in clock town. Mom would tell us about her day, and I'll just sit and listen and soak it all up.
After dinner, we'll normally gather around the fireplace, and I'll read from one of the old leather bound books my mom collected. Like most modest houses we had our own modest, personal library.
Anyway our story opens at the closing of another day. The cows had been safety put away in the barn. And now my mom, my aunt, and I had gathered around the old kitchen table. In the middle was a large black kettle, inside the kettle was a simmering, hearty stew, large cubes of beef floated in a sea of brown broth, surrounded by chunks of orange carrots and thick slices of white potatos.
On the side are a loaf of fresh, baked bread, and beside the bread a patty of white butter that had been sprinkled with a little salt. And rounding out the meal was a large, yellow cake that had been smothered in thick, dark brown, chocolate frosting. It was a feast fit for the bourgeoisie of Clock Town.
“Wow.” My aunt said with a smile, “Never knew my little sister could cook like this? What is the occasion? Did the goons under the hill finally decide enough is enough and pull down that eye-sore of a shack they call a house?”
The 'Goons' my aunt was talking about was the Gorman Clan. The Gorman Clan was a bunch of in-breed, crooks Ever since I could remember my family and the Gorman Clan have been feuding over the right to supply Clock Town with milk. They claimed our milk was watered down and not worth drinking, we, we'll since my great-grandmother's time, have time and time again proved them to be nothing but a bunch of liars, horse thieves, and crooks. Nobody in Clocktown or in Mountain Village really trusted them, and nobody wanted much of nothing to do with them.
My mom smiled a little and shook her head.
“I wish, but I don't, what got me in a good mood is that the Stock Pot Inn has finally agreed to renew its contract with us. The new owner of the inn, a sweet woman who is around my age, named Medi has finally seen the light and has grown tired of the inferior milk the Gorman Clan has been selling her.” Mom said, smiling.
My aunt smiled and leaned back in her chair.
“Wonderful! More business meaning more rupees and more rupees means we can finally afford to get some things fixed around here. Maybe we can finally afford to take a holiday.” My aunt said with a small smile. She then shifted her blue eyes toward me.
“So, what did you to today nephew? Did you finish all the work I left for you?” It was a direct question. And one I had no way of avoiding. And the way mom was looking at me, I knew I better answer quickly and truthfully.
“Yes ma'am.” I said, sighing. “You really laid it on thick this time.”
“Well, I'm preparing you to take the exams.” My aunt said, giving me a side eye look. “You're fourteen now and this summer you'll be fifteen. This autumn you'll be sitting for your first exams. If you pass, which you will, you'll be awarded a diploma. With that diploma you can sit for either he civil or military exams”
“I know it's hard work.” My mom chimed in. “Balancing both school work and the chores that I need you to do around the ranch. But I want more for you. I believe in you.”
I blushed a little. And that seemed to that. Mom smiling from one ear started to fill and pass out wooden bowls that were filled with the hearty stew around the table. And once everybody had a bowl all conversation seemed to cease. Well it ceased till everybody had emptied their first bowl and had gone for seconds.
“So, the Carnival of Time is only three weeks away.” My aunt said. “Given any thought what you want to go as this year?” The question was not directed at anybody really.
“Oh! I forgot about the Carnival of Time!” Mom said. Her eyes seemed to twinkle a little. “I bet I could make a ton of money! You know there are going to be a lot of thirsty people there!”
“Leave it to my little sister to turn the most celebrated event of the year into a chance to make a few quick rupees.” My Aunt said, rolling her eyes a little.
My mom blushed a little and maybe even gave a little pout.
“So, what about my nephew?” My aunt said,
“I'll have to think about it.” I said blushing a little as I looked down at my stew. Truthfully, I've forgotten all about the Carnival of Time, even though it was the most celebrated event of the year. The Carnival of Time was a celebration that marked the completion of one cycle, well it marked the completion of one cycle and the start of another one. It celebrated the renewal of life after the bleakness of winter.
“How about a princess?” My Aunt said smiling. Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “You used to enjoy those cradle stories of the many adventures of the fable princess of Hyrule, Zelda and the heroic struggle of the mystic Hero of Time as he battled across time to save a doomed kingdom from the bandit thief-king Gandororf.”
I blushed.
My aunt laughed a little. My mom giggled a girlish giggle.
“I mean you have your father's hair, golden blonde like the princess in the story books, your eyes match her eyes, and you're like her, tall and slender. You could also go as the fabled hero, but I don't think green is your color and you alo lack a fairy.”
my blushed deepened.
“I'll do it.” I said blushing a little as I shoved a spoon full of stew into my mouth.
Silence. Mom and my aunt exchanged looks. Mom fell into a fit of girlish giggles and my aunt just sat there with her mouth wide open.
“What?” My aunt said, blinking.
“I said I'll do it.” I said looking down at my lap as I shoved another spoon full of stew into my mouth.
“I was joking..” My aunt said and all of a sudden she seemed a bit confused. “I mean.. if you want to do it that's fine, but I don't want you to think I'm forcing you to go as a girl. Though I'm sure you'll look cute as one!”
“I said I'll do it!” I said, sighing as I shoved another spoonful of stew into my mouth. “Nobody is forcing me to do anything!”
And that seemed to settle the matter.
End of Chapter One.
The Carnival of Time
by
Rebecca Anna Coleman
A Legend of Zeldan Fanfiction
I am not claiming ownership of the Legend of Zelda
I took a deep breath as I peered out across the broad rolling pasture land. A gentle spring breeze caused the tall green grass to sway back and forth. Releasing my deep breath I peered up at the sky, the sky was filled with dark, iron gray clouds that held the promise of rain.
“Hey Talon!” A voice called out from behind me, I quickly turned around and noticed my mother was coming up from behind me. “Could you please give me a hand collecting some eggs! The Cuccos are really laying the eggs for some reason! I could use an extra hand!” I then noticed she had two woven baskets resting in the crook of her arm. The first straw woven basket was filled to the top with smooth, oval, white eggs. The second one was empty
I blinked and slipped off the wooden fence and smiled.
“Sure mom!: I said as I walked to greet her, soon I was standing beside her, mom smiled and handed me the extra woven basket.
“Thank you! So.. About last night.” Mom paused and looked away.
“Listen mom,” I said blushing.
“No, I mean I'm fine with that. And if you want to go as a princess I'll do everything I can to help you. You're my child and I want to support you. It's just..” Mom paused again and once more looked away. “It just..” Her voice trailed a little.
“It's just what?” I asked as I took the woven basket from her hand.
“It's just that there's more to being a girl than putting on a dress. There is a lot of extra stuff you gotta do if you want to pull it off. I mean, sure any guy can put on a dress and walk around town. And often that is seen as humorous or funny.” Mom seemed to be struggling with her words.
I shifted my attention toward mom as I shifted the basket to the crook of my arm.
“But when a guy or a boy makes an effort to act like a girl, say in manners, tone of voice, and takes on a demure pose.. that is seen as cute or adorable. There is a big difference between the two! So I just wanted to know if you are going for the funny side of things or the adorable side of things.” The way mom spoke, the way she seemed to fumble over her words reminded me of a person walking across a pond that had a thin sheet of ice across it. It was like she was afraid that at any moment she might make one wrong move, and boom she'll fall through the ice.
“I suppose I'm going for the adorable side..” I said, it was now my turn to blush.
“Oh! Good!” Mom said smiling. “Okay! So with that being said, I'll start teaching you everything I know about being a woman!”
“.... WHAT?!” I said my eyes went wide saucer plates.
Mom giggled a little and smiled.
“Oh don't worry, Marin, you mommy is going to take really good care of you. When I'm done with you, you'll be the perfect princess! You'll have all the boys of Clock Town eating out of your dainty little hand! Oh Marin, this is going to be so much fun!”
“Marin?” I asked as I cocked my head to the said.
“Yes, remember she was the heroine of the old fable 'Ballad of the Windfish' remember you used to love that story, of how the Hero of Light, after sealing away the even Ganon in the dark world again with the help of princess Zelda and the seven maidens went on a training quest. And during his quest the ship he was on was caught in a violent gale and was smashed to pieces. Floundering and gasping for breath the hero clung to a piece of wood that was all that remained of his ship before he passed out. And when he awoke he found himself washed ashore on the mystic island of Kololint!” Mom said, smiling. “I used to read you that story every night when you were a toddler! You used to sit on my lap while I read it to you!”
I felt my cheeks start to grow red.
“MOM!” I said loudly.
“And you used to love the parts when the heroine of the fable, Marin appeared to help the hero on his quest to wake the fable Wind Fish! So I figured that Marin would be the perfect name for you!”
“MOM!” I said loudly again as I turned around.
“Yes sweetie?” Mom said smiling, then then snapped her fingers together. “Oh sweetie! I'm so sorry, how could I possibly forget! You need a formal picture taken of you! We'll have to go by the Picto Box gallery next time we're in town! No, I'll write ahead.” Mom said, smiling. “Oh Marin you will love it, you'll get to wear a formal white dress, that kind of like a wedding dress! And your picture will be printed in the local newspaper too! Oh you'll feel like a star! And just before the Carnival of Time too!”
I felt my cheeks starting to flush a dark red color.
“Once you're done collecting the Cuccos eggs, come to my office. I should be finished counting up the hours you worked this week. You can collect your allowance and you can then spend the rest of the day as you please.” Mom then snapped her fingers again. “Oh! Also, I could use your help. It's been a while since I've gone into town to make a milk delivery, we'll do that tonight. We'll leave the ranch around six o' clock this evening”
I nodded my head.
“Anyway Marin, you go ahead and go collect those Cuccos eggs.” And with that mom left me to go collect the eggs.
Collecting Cuccos eggs is one chore I don't really mind, the first step is to scatter some feed in the yard, the Cuccos smell the feed and come out of the coop, sometimes it the whole flock of them other times they come out one at a time. Cuccos are simple minded creatures, once they see one of their own pecking and scratching at the ground the rest just follow. Once you get them pecking and scratching at the ground you can easily sneak into the coop and collect the eggs. Simple as one, two, and three!
The only problem was mom maintained a very large flock of Cuccos! Which was good, because we were never short on eggs. Mom firmly believed in using just what we needed and selling the rest to the Stock Pot Inn. Or the other restaurants and cafes in Clock Town.
Once that chore was done I had a basket full of round oval eggs. The Cuccos did not seemed to mind me robbing their nest. I sometimes wondered how large the Cuccos brain was, I wanted to say it was around the size of a Deku nut. So not very big. I think the herd of pigs we kept where there had once been a race track had bigger brains than the semi flightless Cuccos.
Anyway, once all the eggs were collected I walked into the farmhouse and climbed the flight of wooden stairs that lead to the upstairs part of our modest farmhouse. Now the stairs lead to a narrow hallway. At the end of the hallway one would find the bathroom. Now there were four doors in this hallway, the first one on the left led to the small, square bedroom that belonged to my aunt. The first one on the right belonged to my mom. The second one on the left belonged to me, and the second one on the right was my aunt's office.
I stood in front o the door and took a deep breath. Steeling myself I knocked gently upon the door. I waited a few seconds and then I gently knocked again. A few seconds later I heard my mothers voice from the other side of the door.
“Come in..”
I swallowed hard and pushed upon the brass handle of the door and stepped into the office. As soon as I took a few steps in, I quickly pushed the door closed behind me. My eyes quickly settled on mom who was sitting behind an old wooden desk, the top of the desk was littered with papers. And the smell of ink hung heavy in the air.
“So..” Mom said without even looking up from her pile of papers. “According to my math, you've put in around fifty something hours of work since you last collected your allowance three weeks ago. I was paying you three rupees per hour.. since then you've been promoted from three rupees an hour to four.. so that means I owe you close to two hundred rupees.” Mom said as she looked up from paper work.
I blinked, two hundred rupees was nothing to sneeze at.
“Yep, we'll call it two hundred.” Mom said as she reached down and pulled out a draw from her desk, she reached into the drawer and pulled out a small, brown box. In the center of the box their was a large iron lock. Mom placed the box in the center of her desk and then she reached into her skirt and pulled out a small silver key, she placed the keyhole and gave it a little turn.
Mom then reached in and pulled out a hand full of colorful jewels. Slowly she started to place the jewels down upon the table. The first one she put down was a bright red jewel. That was a red rupee that was worth twenty rupees. Slowly she counted out ten bright red rupees on her desk. Once they were counted out she closed the lid of the box, locked it, returned the key to her pocket and returned the box to her desk. She then motioned me to step forward.
“Here.” She said scooping up the jewels. “Please count this out for me.”
Slowly I counted the value of the jewels.
“Two hundred..” I said looking down at the shining collection of jewels I held within the palm of my hand.
“Good.” Mom said smiling. She paused. “Now, if you want to earn another twenty rupees, I want you to collect all the rupees you have lying around your room and when we go into Clocktown. I want you to deposit them into the bank. A good rule of life is you only keep on hand the minimum amount of rupees you need for day to day business. And you put the rest in the bank. You do that so your account in the bank can get the maximum amount of interest. You're about fifteen. It is a good idea to start saving now. Interest is compounded daily with the total paid out at the end of each season.”
“Wow..” I said.
“Your not going to grow rich just keeping your money stuffed into all the little corners of your room. You need to put your money in the bank. And there a number of reasons you need to do this, number one is if say a thief breaks into the house and steals all your money, well your out of luck. If a thief breaks into a bank, then they are required by common law to refund ever rupee that was taken. Your deposit in the bank is insured, that means it is covered up to a quarter million.” Mom said as she leaned back in her chair.
“The bank is insured by the 'Guild of Merchants' , a collection of all shopkeepers, innkeepers, smiths, and craftsmen who own a business in Clock Town, Mountain Village, and Fair Haven.” Mom paused. “In order to open a shop they must have a 'Permit of Trade' this is only issued by the 'Guild of Merchants' they must renew this permit every year at the Carnival of Time. They also must pay a membership fee each season. The money collected from these fees allows the bank to insure all deposits. The bank makes money by charging people to borrow money. Do you understand all this so far?”
“I think so..” I said in all honesty my head was starting to hurt.
“Good, now, I'd suggest you get a bath. I want to get an early start tonight.” Mom paused. “Also a nap might not hurt too.”
End of Chapter Two