The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess ~ Love of Light and Shadow - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Monkey Business

Lhikan woke up to the sound of crowing cucoos, and the sun shining bright through his window. He smiled as he got out of bed, ready to enjoy his day off. As he was getting dressed, he heard voices shouting his name.

"Lhikan! Hey, Lhikan!"

"Wake up already! Come play with us!"

He closed his eyes, chuckling to himself. Geez... Sun's barely up, and those kids are already full of energy. Oh well. That's the gift of youth, I guess, he thought as he opened his door. Grouped around the base of the ladder to his home were most of the children of the village. Lhikan grinned, and nimbly jumped from his porch, landing on his feet in front of the kids.

"Geez, took ya long enough," grumbled a boy with brown hair. Lhikan just ruffled the boy's hair, a smirk on his face.

"Hey, respect your elders, Talo. Especially when they make their living herding goats, and could toss you around like a doll if they wanted to," he joked.

"I have only the utmost respect for you, Lhikan. It's just not very often you get a day off to play with us," Talo said. Lhikan smiled, and gave Talo a pat on the shoulder.

"Well, let's quit talking and have some fun. You three came looking for me at the crack of dawn, so obviously something's got you excited," Lhikan said, looking at the kids one by one.

"You haven't heard? Beth's mom is selling a slingshot in her store. We all wanted to give it a shot, but..." Talo began, trailing off. Lhikan tilted his head, confused.

"But?" he asked. Just then, a younger boy spoke up.

"But Talo and I don't have enough rupees to buy it, and Beth can't take it or she'll get in trouble," he said, looking at the girl out of the corner of his eye. Lhikan smirked again.

"Well, you're in luck, Malo. I just so happen to have a modest fortune saved up from my wages at the ranch. I'll buy the slingshot, and you guys can play with it until I finish the errands I was planning to do today. Sound fair?" he suggested. Malo, Talo, and Beth all nodded, and with that, Lhikan climbed the ladder, and went back inside his house to get some rupees.

Taking a candle and lighting it, he climbed down a different ladder that went down into his basement. Now let's see... I know that chest is around here somewhere, he thought, looking around the dark room for his money chest. After a minute or two, he found it, and opened it. Well, look at what we got here. A nice purple rupee. This is worth 50 rupees, and I can't imagine the slingshot being more expensive than that, he thought, picking up the large purple gem, and putting it in the pouch at his waist that served as his wallet. Climbing out of the basement, he blew out the candle, and went back outside.

After taking a moment to tell the kids he'd be back, he went to the general store, owned by Beth's mother, Sera, and walked inside. However, when he got in, he was surprised to find Sera slumped over the counter, looking very depressed.

"Sera? What's wrong?" Lhikan asked. Sera lifted her head to look at him.

"Oh, it's you, Lhikan. I'm sorry, dear, but I can't sell you anything right now," she said. Lhikan stepped closer to the counter.

"Is something wrong, Sera? You look upset..." he said, a note of concern in his voice.

"It's my cat, Lhikan. Last night, he ate one of the fish we were going to have for dinner, and I scolded him something awful. He ran off, and hasn't returned. I'm too worried about him to even work. Can you help me?" Sera pleaded. Lhikan nodded, and left the store.

A fish, huh? Heh. I think I might be able to do something about this. But before I can, I need to make a quick stop at Rusl's place to get the fishing rod Colin was making for me, Lhikan thought as he began to walk down the path to Rusl's home. He saw Uli standing by the stream, and she seemed to be looking for something.

"Uli? Did you lose something?" he asked, approaching her. Uli looked over at him, and smiled.

"Good morning, Lhikan. As a matter of fact, I have. One of those pesky monkeys came by and took my cradle," she said.

"A cradle?" Lhikan said. Uli nodded.

"Yes. Rusl made it when I was pregnant with Colin, and since we're expecting a second child, I took it to the stream to wash it. But while I was cleaning it, a monkey came by, and snatched it away. It's very precious to me..." Uli explained. Lhikan put his hand on her shoulder and looked her in the eye.

"I'll see what I can do, Uli. You have my word," he said. Uli looked at him and smiled.

"Oh, thank you, Lhikan. Just don't hurt the poor creature, ok?" she said.

"I won't, Uli," Lhikan answered. Walking away, Lhikan followed the stream. Thinking he could see better if he got higher up, he climbed some vines, and made his way to the roof of Sera's store. He happened notice Sera's cat near the fishing pier. That's Sera's cat. What's he doing over there? Wait... Maybe he wants to catch a fish... he thought to himself. Hopping across some rocks, he saw a monkey off in the distance. Looking closer, he could just make out the cradle it was holding above its head.

Heh. You think the river will stop me? I'm getting that cradle back, monkey, Lhikan thought. Looking around, he noticed a hawk flying over the village. Perfect, he thought with a smirk, and put his fingers in his mouth. He whistled, his voice being carried on the wind. The hawk heard it, and swooped down towards Lhikan, who extended his arm so the hawk could perch. Looking at the monkey, Lhikan lined up his sight to the cradle.

"Please bring back that cradle that monkey is holding, my feathered friend," he said quietly, thrusting his arm forward, letting the hawk go. It flew across the river, and swooped towards the monkey. It grasped the cradle in its talons, and turned back towards Lhikan. Swooping low over his head, the hawk dropped the cradle into Lhikan's arms, and flew away.

"Much obliged, my feathered friend," he said with a smile. Lhikan carried the cradle across the rocks, and walked back to Uli to deliver it. When she saw him coming, Uli noticed the cradle under his arm, and gasped happily.

"Lhikan, you got it back! Oh, thank you so much," she said, smiling brightly.

"It wasn't a problem, Uli. But, you should probably thank that hawk that lives in that tree near Mayor Bo's house. He actually got the cradle and brought it to me," Lhikan explained. Uli smiled, and bowed her head.

"Well, my thanks to both of you. That cradle is very precious to me. Oh, that reminds me. There's something I was supposed to give you when you came by today," she said, walking up the path to her house. Lhikan followed behind her, still carrying the cradle. After reaching the house, Uli sat on the step, and motioned to the fishing rod leaning against the wall.

"Is that the fishing rod Colin made for me?" Lhikan asked, setting the cradle down next to Uli. She nodded, and smiled.

"Yes. Colin finished it this morning before going to your house. Rusl told me to give it to you before he left this morning," she said cheerfully. Lhikan smiled, picking up the fishing rod. He looked it over, admiring the markings painted on it.

"Impressive for such a young boy. And the markings he painted... They're like my tattoos," he said with a soft smile. Uli nodded, a bright smile on her lips.

"He's always found them fascinating. He decided to put them on the fishing rod to give it a personal touch," she said, laughing a little. Lhikan smiled, and shouldered the fishing rod.

"I'll think of him whenever I go fishing. Take it easy, ok, Uli? Stress isn't good for the baby," he said. Uli nodded, rubbing her belly.

"Of course. And you as well, Lhikan. Tomorrow's the day you go to Hyrule to deliver Ordon's gift to the Royal Family. You should take it easy today yourself," she said. Lhikan nodded, and walked back down the river towards the mill owned by Talo and Malo's family. Walking behind it, he found Sera's cat staring at the river.

Yeah, he definitely wants to catch a fish... I'll probably have better luck than him, he thought with a smirk. He stepped onto the small dock, and readied his fishing rod. Throwing his arm out, he cast his line. It didn't take long for his bobber to sink, and he yanked hard, pulling the fish out of the river. Taking it off the hook, he gave it to Sera's cat. The little feline grabbed it with his teeth, and ran off to Sera's store, Lhikan right behind him. When he entered the store, he saw Sera's cat lapping at a saucer of milk.

"Oh, Lhikan! You'll never guess what my little kitty did. He caught a fish, and brought it to me, almost like he was trying to apologize for last night. Oh, I feel so much better," she said, rinsing out an empty milk bottle. She then handed the bottle to him.

"What's this for, Sera?" he asked. Sera laughed.

"Recycling is important, m'dear. I'm sure you'll find a use for that bottle. Maybe you can use it to hold fishing bait, or medicine," she said with a smile. Lhikan pocketed the bottle, and smiled.

"Thank you, Sera. I'll put it to good use. But there's another reason I came to your shop today," he said.

"Of course, m'dear. What can I get you? Milk? Maybe some bee larvae? They make good fishing bait," Sera said. Lhikan shook his head, and pointed to the slingshot on the shelf.

"I was actually interested in purchasing that slingshot, Sera. I was gonna let the kids play with it since none of them can afford it, and Beth can't borrow it without getting in trouble," he explained. Sera laughed, and took the toy off the shelf.

"Say no more, m'dear. 30 rupees and it's all yours," she said. Lhikan fished the purple rupee out of his wallet, and passed it over the counter.

"Keep the change, Sera. I have no desire for money, to be honest," he said. He pocketed the slingshot, said goodbye to Sera, and left the store. He walked back to his house, and saw Rusl approaching.

"Ah, Lhikan. Just in time. I just delivered your sword to your room. It's in your supply chest," he said. Lhikan nodded and shook his hand.

"Thanks a ton, Rusl," he said. Rusl left, and Lhikan approached Talo, Malo, and Beth, who were standing near his house, waiting for him to get back with the slingshot. As he approached, he slipped the slingshot out of his pocket.

"Ah! Hey guys, check it out! Lhikan has a slingshot!" Talo exclaimed.

"Cool! You were able to buy it, Lhikan?" Beth asked. Lhikan nodded, and the kids set up a practice field, putting targets in the trees, and setting up scarecrows. The 4 of them took turns with the slingshot until it was out of pellets. Lhikan left the slingshot with the kids, and went inside his house to get his sword. Opening his supply chest, Lhikan looked at the sword, running his hand down the stainless steel blade.

I can't remember why, but using a sword feels so... familiar... Why can't I remember anything beyond the last 3 months, he thought, looking at his reflection in polished metal. As he looked at his own face, for a single instant, he saw a different face staring back at him. That face... It looked like mine... He had the feeling that the strange reflection was somehow related to the dreams he'd been having. Deciding to ignore it for now, he put the sword in its sheath, and strapped it to his back. After closing the chest, Lhikan left his house. but as he was leaving, he heard Talo yell.

"Hey! C'mere you!" he shouted. Lhikan looked over, and saw the young boy run after a monkey, Beth and Malo right behind him.

"Dammit. Those kids are gonna get themselves killed, running off like this," he said, getting on Rukura's back. "C'mon, girl. Let's go after them," he said, gently kicking the white mare's sides with his heels. Rukura took off at a steady trot, carrying her master towards the nearby Faron Province, a piece of Hyrule ruled by forestry. Lhikan followed the kids' trail, running into Beth and Malo along the way. Both of them told him the same thing; Talo had continued chasing after the monkey. After telling them to return to the village, he continued on his way, crossing the large bridge that connected the provinces of Ordona and Faron. After reaching the other side of the bridge, Lhikan reigned Rukura to a stop. He hopped off her back, and knelt down to examine the ground.

"Hmm... There are multiple sets of footprints here. Talo and that monkey weren't alone..." Lhikan said, gently feeling the ground. He looked up at the sky, noting that it was getting darker. "The sun is setting... Nightfall isn't far off... I have to hurry," he said, hoisting himself onto Rukura's back. With a gentle kick, he urged her forward. It wasn't long before they came to a fork in the path, one way leading to the Temple of the Forest, the other leading to the vaster lands of Hyrule.

"Fuck... The gate to the Forest Temple is locked, and the tracks are leading right to it," he said, cursing under his breath. Looking around, he saw a young man sitting by a fire. I know that guy. He has the key to the gate. He also sells lantern oil, so he might have a spare lantern lying around that I can borrow, he thought, getting off Rukura's back and approaching the young man.

"Excuse me. I need your help," he said as he approached. The young man looked at him, a bright smile on his face.

"Hey, an Ordonian. What're you doing this far from Ordona Province?" he asked. Lhikan pulled out his wallet.

"Listen, I don't have much time, so I'll get down to business. A kid from my village has been taken towards the Temple, and I need your key, and a lantern. I'll return them when I'm done," he explained. The young man laughed, and handed him a lantern.

"Oh, put your money away. You can keep this lantern, but refills will cost you. As for the key, make sure you give it back to me, ok?" he said cheerfully. Lhikan nodded, and put the key in his pocket.

"Thank you," he said, running back towards Rukura and the gate. "Rukura, stay here, and wait for me to come back with Talo, ok?" he said. Rukura snorted, nodding her head. Lhikan unlocked the gate, and ran ahead. Just hold on, Talo. I'm coming... he thought. The path led him to a large open area, another gate nearby. This gate was guarded by three bokoblins; Two on one side, one on the other.

"Ugh. I don't have time for this," he said, drawing his sword and charging in. Acting on instinct, he cut down the first two beasts, and then climbed the gate. He jumped from the top, impaling the last creature through its head, and continuing on his way. After passing through a tunnel, he could see the massive Forest Temple ahead.

I'm almost there. Just a little longer, Talo, he thought, catching his breath for a brief moment. Gripping his sword tighter, he surged ahead, cutting down every bokoblin who got in his way. He ran up the winding path leading to the entrance of the temple, and could see Talo and the monkey in a wooden cage. They were being guarded by two more bokoblins. Without hesitation, Lhikan charged ahead, and quickly disposed of the creatures, and then broke open the cage.

"Lhikan! Boy, am I glad to see you," Talo exclaimed, running to Lhikan and hugging him.

"I'm just glad you're alright, Talo. Now come on. We need to get back to Ordon before more of those creatures come for dinner," he said, wiping his sword clean.

"No argument on that," Talo said. Lhikan lifted the young boy onto his shoulders, and ran back the way he had came, relieved that the monsters hadn't regrouped yet. Upon returning to Rukura, Lhikan put Talo on her back, and took hold of her reigns.

"Now let's go home. It's almost nightfall," he said, walking Rukura back to the village.

"I'm sorry Lhikan. My dad's always telling me not to go into the forest because it's dangerous," Talo said quietly. Lhikan just smiled, and shook his head.

"Talo, relax. Everyone makes stupid decisions every now and again. But next time..." he said, looking Talo dead in the eye. "Next time, make sure it's a decision that's less stupid," he said with a smirk. They shared a laugh, and made their way back to Ordon.