The Twilight Princess

One

Aria wiped dirt and sweat from her forehead. "We're finally here," she said under her breath. She breathed heavily. "Slow down Aria, I can't keep up," Zoey, Aria's best friend, called up. "Sorry Zoe," Aria replied. But instead of looking back at her friend, she was looking at the amazing and astonishing view that Mount Verro had to offer. "But, wow, look at this view." Zoey reached the top, and got to her feet. "Ah, Ari, we should probably head back now before we get caught-

"Relax, we won't get caught. Plus, I'm not afraid of those Zeru." Zoey tugged Aria's arm.

"I still don't think this is a very good idea......." Aria scanned the area.

"Seems safe. Come on, just a few more minutes. Zeru can't come this far anyway. We're technically not in Zerelelia."

"Shhhhh...... they might hear us," Zoey shushed. "You worry too much." "You don't worry enough. If it weren't for me, you would constantly getting yourself into trouble." Aria remained silent.

.......

A few hours later, the two arrived at Aria's family cabin. Marie, Aria's mother, rushed over and threw her arms around them.

"Oh, thank goodness you girls are okay! Your father and I were worried sick."

Rose, Aria older sister, stood alone in the back corner, arms crossed, frowning. "Ro, please come hug your sister and her friend," Marie called to her, an arm flying over her chest. "Yes, mother. Coming," Ro said in a negative and annoyed tone. "Um, that's okay," Aria said, knowing her and her sister's not very good relationship. "It's fine."

"Oh, but, honey—

"Why, don't you go fix dinner? I'm starving."

"Well, I suppose. John, go scoop off the snow on the front porch. It's like a tundra out there."

"Is it the princess's doing?" Aria asked.

Her mother didn't reply.

"We don't speak of her," Aria's father, John, said simply.

"Oh, okay."

"Gather at the table for dinner everyone," said Marie, changing the subject.

"Thanks again for letting me stay here, after, well, the accident," said Zoey. Just a few weeks earlier, her parents had been killed by the evil Twilight Princess.

The Twilight Princess was feared throughout the land. She used her beautiful looks and voice to kill. Anyone who made her angry would face her wrath.

"Yummy stew Mrs. Van Hashtings," said Zoey, gulping down a spoonful of stew. "Thanks so much again for your kindness."

"You're so very welcome sweetie. Glad you like it."

Aria took one last big bite, and scraped the bottom of the bowl. She gulped and set her silver spoon down with a big thud. She pushed her chair back, wiped her face with her napkin, set it down on the table, and stood up. Aria started to head up stairs, when her mother asked, "Aria, where are you going?"

"I'm finished eating. Thanks. Goodnigh –"

"Not so fast. You must wait until everyone else is finished with their dinner. It is proper curtesy."

Aria sat back down, arms crossed, with an annoyed expression on her face. Ro lifted an eyebrow. "Yum, yum, so good honey," said John.

The night seemed to go on forever. But Aria finally received her freedom.

"Alright, Aria, you're free to go," Maria told her. Aria rushed upstairs to her bedroom. It was a little stuffy in the tiny wooden room, so she opened the window that was right next to her bed. A rush of cold air whooshed through the room.