The Twilight Princess 2: The Time Forgotten

Fourteen

She awoke the very next morning to the sound of robins building their nests outside. As she lightly lifted her fully rested eyes, the first thing she noticed was the bright and gentle streams of light that were gleaming through the big window. It was a peaceful morning. She couldn't remember the last time she had experienced one like it. Between fighting evil and constantly being on the run from danger, it was a nice change of pace.

Wait a minute.

She lifted her head up from the pillow and realized that she was still in that weird little room. It felt so familiar to her that it was creepy. She felt the need to get out of there as soon as possible. That way she could find Tom, and they would regroup and find that dang emerald. That's all she could focus on right now. Finding that emerald so she could get home. She missed seeing familiar faces. Being away from home for so long was starting to get to her. At this point, she had become desperate.

A knock sounded on the door. "Good morning, sweetie! I made a very special breakfast just for you! Come and get it while it's hot!" Her stomach grumbled. That did sound pretty good right now. If this lady really did think Aria was her daughter, she didn't see why not go get a quick bite to eat before hitting the road again. How could she mess anything up?

"On my way," she called, hopping off the bed and sliding into the closest, not to mention also the comfiest, slippers she could find. As she sat down at the table which was decked out with lilacs in the center, the woman placed a plate full of hot and fresh pancakes with a side of bacon in front of her in a blink of an eye. Even though this wasn't her home, she hadn't felt this at home in a while. For once, someone was treating her.

"Eat up," she said. "You'll need the energy for all the fun activities planned for us today." Aria chugged down the glass of orange juice that had been placed next to her just a second ago. She couldn't remember the last time she had eaten this much. Or even just sat down with a clear mind. "Activities?"

The woman nodded. "Yes. I picked them out myself, and I just know you'll love them. Sometimes a little break and some mother-daughter bonding time is all you need to unwind." She bent down and planted a kiss on Aria's neck. She tried to dodge it, yet the woman was way too quick.

Aria took her first stab at the heap of golden pancakes that were perfectly smooth yet crisp around the edges at the same time. "Why all this?" The woman lifted down the newspaper she was reading. "Whatever do you mean?"

"You just seem very...generous."

"More so than usual? This is your favorite breakfast you have every morning."

"Every morning?"

The woman nodded. "Yes. And I thought you enjoyed our weekly mother-daughter days every weekend?"

Aria gulped a delicious piece of pancake and washed it down immediately with a sip of orange juice. "Of course I do. I guess I just...forgot it was the weekend already. Man, this week sure did go by fast." She forced a fake laugh at the end. The woman gave her a suspicious look. "You seem a bit dazed. You feeling alright? How's your head?"

Aria had almost forgotten about the huge bruise scrapped across her forehead. She smiled. "It's getting better. It really is." But it wasn't her bruise she was talking about; it was the first time she felt comfort in this time thanks to her suddenly new lifestyle. Her temporary home. One where she wasn't a character in a fairy tale. One where her magic didn't define her. One where she wasn't the Chosen One. One where she was just an ordinary girl with a loving mother.

"Well, that's good. I'm glad to here that." The woman got up to grab her coffee and then sat down in the chair across from Aria. "Once you're finished eating, go make your bed and get dressed. Then we'll head out for a fun-filled day on the town. You ready?"