The Snow Maiden

The Cursed Village

The village was a little better off than what Link had expected.

For firsts, none of the buildings were as dilapidated as the shack he had found shelter in last night. In fact, other than the materials were rather ragged, they were clean and well-cared for. None of the people looked like starved skeletons, though it was obvious that they could use some healthy weight, and the milk cows and sheep were well taken care of, seeing they were now the main source for food. By far the most disturbing sign of famine in the village was the lack of children under the age of three.

"Any babe died after a year of a winter like that," the grizzled town mayor told him, "and our women are too skinny now to keep any baby they conceive."

Apparently, the way the people had hung on for so long was because of their genius in trade. Using the materials they could find under the snow-such as ore, coal, and other minerals-along with their now refined cheese, they could import just enough food when the pass was clear to keep everyone going. When Link asked why the people didn't just leave, they gave him strained, desperate looks.

"We didn't think the winter would last this long," a herdsman told him, "and by the time we realized we were in trouble, the pass had been snowed through. One strong man such as yourself traveling on your own could make it, but with the blizzards coming and going as they please and the snows as evil as they are, traveling with women, children, and the old is impossible."

It was all too apparent that Link hadn't come a day too soon. Zelda had sent him specifically because, one: no one else could figure out how to help these people, and two: he had experienced a curse much like this one in another land called Termina.

But after only a few questions with the townspeople, it became obvious that no Majora's Mask or anything like unto it had come upon these people.

"You're sure nothing...unnatural passed through here?"

The village (which wasn't very large, 200 people at the very most), all shook their heads and exchanged looks.

"A winter just came and never left." said a woman.

"Please, can you help us?" asked another, "My little daughter is very sick and we've already lost so many children to this cold."

"We can't live this way for long!"

"Can you at least help us find a way through the pass?"

A cacophony of voices rose pleadingly to him. Alarmed, he raised his hands helplessly.

"I'll do everything I can!" he cried. "Please, just give me time."

There were uncertain glances, desperate faces, wringing of hands, and plenty of murmuring. Link bit his lip. The mayor exchanged a glance with his wife. He then turned back to his people.

"You heard the man! He'll do everything he can to help us, and if the royal family trust him as their best, then we should put some stock in that. Now, move along. I'm sure we all have work to do after last nights blizzard."

The crowd dissipated, still murmuring amongst themselves. The mayor plopped a hand onto his shoulder.

"You can stay with us, young man. We've got some attic space."

"You don't have to-"

"Going to sleep in the snow." he raised a bushy eyebrow. "Don't be an idiot. Stay with us, we'll even feed you. Consider it payment for your help."

Link still felt uncomfortable after seeing the stress these people were under, but he couldn't think of anything to argue against it. The mayor's wife, with warm brown eyes, gave him a wide smile creased with years of laughter.