I jolted awake with a start —it's time.— Somehow I just knew. It was time for me to go to Lover's Pond.
It is a legend among the Hylians,that at one special time in ones life,an obscure magical power brings two destined people to the Lovers Pond. Soulmates. Sometimes one won't feel the urge until much later on in life,or perhaps never if they are meant to live life alone. Few have ignored the call of the said "Goddess of Love". No one really knows the exact location of the fated heart-shaped Pond;when the time comes,the lovers somehow find their way,as if guided. Consequently,there can be no mistake of the wrong person arriving at the Pond.
And now,it is my turn.
I slipped out of bed and padded over to the window of my upstairs bedroom. All was quiet,dark,and peaceful in Hateno Village. I love this little town with all my heart. I've been here as long as I can remember...
My name is *Kara Hateno. My ancestors were the founders of this village,centuries ago. They settled in these hills,nestled against the mountains,most of them planted small farms,and made families.
*Kara is pronounced like käh-rah.
My family is well respected by all the folk dwelling here,our history is important to us all. In fact,one tradition in the Hateno heritage is that whenever the oldest female child In one generation turns 17,she will inherit the family heirloom. A heart,carved out of pure diamond. It fits in the palm of my hand,glittering in the light when I admire it. Supposedly gifted from the Gods to the first wedded lovers. I received it 2 months ago.
I figure it to be around 3 a.m. judging by the stars in the clear night sky. I have no idea how long it will take me to find Lover's Pond...
I dressed in a dark indigo tunic,leather walking boots,and my tan pants. I grabbed my satchel and headed to the door. But I hesitated turning the doorknob. This may be our first meeting. I turned and hurried over to my small vanity. I peered into the mirror.
I don't have any special beauty or anything. My warm brown hair is waist length and slightly wavy, lightly tanned skin dotted with freckles,and pretty normal features.
other than that I'm a wee bit short. But I often get told that my eyes are nice. They are dark grey/blue,and occasionally they take on a deep violet shade.Well,I guess I can't make myself look much better...
But I still sprayed some of my favorite scent on: Silent Princess. I took in the sweet aroma with a sigh, I am lucky to have access to this luxury of a fragrance-I couldn't afford it if it weren't for my Father's connections with big traders.
*Creak* I cringed on the wooden steps,praying to Hylia I didn't wake our crazy Shetland Terrier,Mina.
*Grrrr....* "I've gotta get out fast" I thought. One step... good. Two ste— *creak* Crap. I knew what was coming so I crouched against the banister rail,and here came Mina! Flying down the stairs at breakneck speed,she leapt on my back and barked like a mad dog. I think she is a mad dog.., She wouldn't calm down until she recognized me,and still growled at me until I gave her a piece of meat out of the kitchen. But the damage had been done. "What is going on down here?!" I looked up to see my mother standing at the top of the stairs,in her silk robe. I didn't know how to answer,she asked "Where in Hyrule are you going at 2:30 in the morning?!" She pointed to the clock above the doorway. "Mother—" she came down a step "Are you sneaking out?" I knew I'd have to explain.
Le time skip~~~~~
After a short explanation to Mother,I walked briskly away from Hateno Village. I felt strange,just like the guided feeling the others had said they experienced. "Is there really a Goddess of Love?" "Will he be there first?"
I felt strangely calm & casual about all of this too,which surprised me.
These thoughts swam in my head as I traveled into the East Necluda Mountains.
"Mm... it's really nice out here tonight." I threw my head back in the cool breeze and breathed in the night's fragrance. Nightshade... Pine needles...and just a trace of the ocean,over the mountains somewhere.
Have I explored this far before? I didn't recognize the foreign landscape. I've been walking for a few hours... My eyes wandered the worn path ahead,rolling over hills,plunging into ravines, and disappearing into the horizon. The Great Beyond.
A familiar longing filled my heart. I crave adventure. Ever since I was but a young little girl,I've had a tendency to wander off,to find out what was beyond the safe boundaries of our home land. Sigh. But Mother and Father have prevented me from pursuing my dreams. "It's just a childish desire." And "Don't be stupid,the rest of the world is not our interest or business." I try to push these unappealing memories out as I cross a bridge built over a swift river. While I've always aspired to be "The good girl",my rebellious side seems to be getting stronger. My 'sins' these past couple years have proven that. I smirk to myself as I recount them in my head.
There was the time me and my best friend Moni snuck off to spy on a rumored Lynel,which ended in me getting grounded,and then the incident with some of the cute village boys. We were caught in a barn in the middle of the night,with two other boys my age. We were only hanging out and having fun. As in practicing out archery skills,roasting apples,and doing tricks off the rafters into the soft hay bales. Tsk,grown ups think that once we start to turn into young women,Dear Hylia forbid we continue to be buddies with our male friends any longer! Moni is luckier,her family is oft regarded as what some would calll... Hillbilly's? Pfft Moni goes and jumps off the chimney into the half frozen pond half naked at 5 in the morning? Normal. Everyone chuckles it off. Then when I come following suit? Scandalous! Unladylike. You'd expect a Hateno lady to act like a respectable young woman and conduct herself properly.
Yes I'm grounded again. I hate getting grounded because then I can't visit Moni's house! It's awesome. They yell at each other like hell has risen,yet their family bond is like no other. Oh,the adventures we've had! Fishing from trees,wrestling with her 3 brothers,making a grand concert with the pots and pans,and even dressing up as a man once to fool snobby old Prima at the Inn. I'll always remember the horrified/disgusted look on her face when,right after me and Moni had each kissed her hand and she agreed to a room with Moni (of course she had no idea),We ripped off our cross dressing disguised and revealed ourselves. The 2 hours of everyone padding our clothes,gluing on facial hair,and checking our 'manly' voices was definitely worth it.
(She still won't speak to us or our families to this day)
"Ha what a snob." My head aches from all these jumbled thoughts. "Why the middle of the night?" Then suddenly, a rock slips under my foot and I stumble down the mountainside "AHHH!" I land in the underbrush "OWWwww!" My ankle! It hurts really bad! After lying there I few minutes waiting for the pain to subside I mange to clamber to my feet. "It's just a sprain,I think.." Still every step on my left foot makes me wince,and I limp along.
Half an hour later~~~~~
"That's it." I know this is the place! I look up yet another steep mountain,but this one is special,I know it! It takes me a while but I finally reach a little plateau near the top. It's right around here. I dust myself off & attempt to straighten my hair. I close my eyes and exhale a shaky breath, I'm so close... I muster all the courage I can,and step up the small stone steps I found leading to the very top. At the top step I slowly look up. And I see........
No one
.
