The Curse of the Maple Leaf

Though Link had amassed quite a fortune raiding dungeons, caves, and other monster lairs, the house he (now a she) bought was rather a statement than a proper dwelling. Its exterior was decent, its interior was scarce. Link used it only to sleep and to store gear; nothing else mattered. So, finding a single mirror took near half an hour. She looked like a sister she could have. Not exactly a twin, but a close double. The chin was a little less sharp, the eyes were a little wider, the nose was turned up a little more. Those who knew the original Link would never confuse them, but would readily believe in their close relation. Clothing presented more of a trouble: boots became a size too large, and the tunic now sat in a weird and totally alien manner. "Well," Link studied herself in the mirror a little bit more, "it's all fun and dandy, but I need to get back to normal. Maple's just an apprentice; her curse must be as primitive as they get". As Link didn't want to be mistaken for his original self - that would embarrass him and (in Link's eyes) would likely become a source of limitless jokes - she changed into some simple town clothes that happened to lay forgotten in a chest that served as the wardrobe. She also put on a hooded cape. The road to the nearest village was rather short. The local witch's shop did offer an uncurse potion, so Link parted with fifty rupees, walked outside and gulped it right away. Nothing happened. Close inspection of her body, which Link performed in a dark corner around the shop, proved that no changes, however small, took place. And thus, her shopping spree began. Link visited one town after another; villages large and lively, or small settlements with barely a few denizens; large pharmacies and tiny huts of forest herbalists. No uncurse potion had any effect. She experimented with every potion she could get her hands on, some made from the rarest of ingredients, others concocted by those claiming to be adept in reversal magic. Each potion either did nothing, or worse, had side effects like turning her hair an absurd shade of green or giving her temporary wings. "At this rate, I'll be more bird than hero," she grumbled after one particularly avian mishap. Yet the silly side-effects either faded quickly, or got removed by some simple spell. The original curse remained intact. Link even visited one of the Great Fairies. Blushing and biting lips, she told the Faity that "someone remade me into a person of different looks and build". (of course, Link would never reveal his/hers true identity, even to someone as divine and wise as a Great Fairy). The winged demigoddess took a generous offering and rinsed Link in the magic waters. Then she sighed, returned the rupees and said: "Don't despair, sweet child. No curse is unliftable. At worst, you'll have to find the caster and force them to undo it. Or search some forgotten temples for artifacts and scrolls that would unravel the curse's secret"; While Link's frame was different now - in some places more than others - but the adventurer's wiry muscles stayed the same, and the lungs could withstand the same amount of running, swimming, or swinging the sword Link explored many ancient ruins; she encountered puzzles, beasts, traps, and treasures. People of Hyrule whispered of her now as a new hero, some even suggesting a romantic connection to the famed Link, which amused her to no end. yet no crypt or abandoned mine offered a solution. So, Link headed out on a new journey, an intellectual one. She scoured the libraries of the mainland, of Holodrum and Labrynna, seeking any lore or magic that might undo the spell. She consulted with witches, wizards, and even paid for some rituals that summoned otherworldly creatures with mystical powers. Each attempt was met a failure. Internally, Link oscillated between thrill and frustration. At first, the challenge invigorated her, turning every mirror into a battlefield of wits against her own reflection. "This could be fun," she thought initially, finding humor in the situation and in the reactions of others. But as days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, the initial excitement waned. "How long does one have to play dress-up before it's just... life?" she mused, her determination to return to her original form growing desperate. Her nights were spent poring over scrolls and tomes, her mind racing with theories and plans. "There has to be something I've overlooked," she'd mutter, frustration seeping into her voice as she traced the ancient writings with a new, slender finger. Despite the growing desperation, Link refused to let Maple see her falter. Each failed attempt was met with a public face of nonchalance, though inside, she was as eager to shed this curse as a snake its skin. "I'm not just playing the hero; I am the hero," she would remind herself, her resolve hardening with every setback. One morning sun had barely begun to warm the stones of Link's house when an all-too-familiar shadow darkened her doorway. Maple, with her broomstick leaning casually against her shoulder, stepped inside without so much as a knock. "Look at you, still living like a bachelor in a hero's den," Maple taunted, her eyes scanning the room, noting the absence of anything remotely feminine in Link's attire or decor. Link, who had been sharpening her sword, looked up with a smirk. "What, expected to see pink curtains and frilly dresses? Sorry to disappoint, but I've been too busy being a hero to redecorate for tea parties." Maple laughed, a sound that was both mocking and joyful. "Oh, Link, or should I say, 'Linkette'? Still clinging to your old ways, I see. No dresses, no skirts. You're in denial of your new form." Link stood, her movements now more fluid but no less confident. "Denial? I'm still me, and I've got to prove nothing. Besides, you think I'd give you the satisfaction of seeing me change my ways thanks to your silly little revenge?" "You know," Maple said, her smirk growing wider, "I've been watching your little escapades. Quite the show you've put on, trying to reverse my spell. But to no avail, I might add." Link's eyes narrowed, but she kept her tone light. "Oh, you've been watching? Must have been quite the entertainment for you, sitting on your broomstick with your popcorn." Maple conceded with a nod, her tone shifting slightly. "I'll give it to you, you've got determination. I've seen you chase every lead, every whisper of a cure. It's... impressive, in a pathetic sort of way." Link stepped closer, her voice dropping to a challenging whisper. "Pathetic? I call it resourceful. But you didn't come here just to mock, did you?" With a theatrical sigh, Maple admitted, "No, I didn't. I've come to offer you a way out, Link. I'm the only one who can lift this curse, after all. No one else has the magic or the... let's say, motivation." Link scoffed, crossing her arms. "And what, you expect me to beg? You think I'll surrender to you just because you've got the upper hand for now?" Maple's eyes glinted with mischief. "Oh, I don't expect begging. I expect... acknowledgment. Acknowledgment that I've bested you this time. But, since you're so stubborn, I'll give you one more month. One more month to find another way, and if you fail, you'll come to me for the cure. Deal?" Link's jaw clenched, pride battling with practicality. "One month. And when I find my own way out, don't think for a second I'll let you forget this." Maple laughed, her laughter echoing through the room. "Oh, I look forward to seeing you try, 'hero'. And when you crawl back, I'll collect every tear you shed begging me for salvation. I reckon they'll make a base for amighty potion. A humility elixir." With that, she mounted her broomstick, gave a little salute, and flew off, leaving a trail of sparkles behind. As the door closed, Link's facade of confidence fell slightly, her mind racing with the implications. "One month," she murmured to herself, "One month to prove her wrong." The challenge was set, and the countdown began.