[Mari]

TartoonHand94

Hey, Sleepyhead. 

I know how much you like to sleep in, so I'm guessing this letter will be your alarm clock this morning. 

Did I guess right?

Rise and shine, Arle!

Today's the celebration of Hearts Intertwined by Destiny!

I'm not exactly sure what they call it Madou village, but I believe the same sentiment is celebrated.

You promised you'd meet me in the Rainbow Square to celebrate. I trust that you won't keep me waiting.

I've written you a song and you simply must hear it in person. I'm afraid the lyrics are a bit... tacky without music.

P.S. I've enclosed a little treat for you to nibble on on the way.

Love, Zelda

The sublime innocence of a valentine from your mom--It was enough to bring out the child in Arle--literally! The causes of her sometimes de-aging and taking on her smaller form were still unknown, but it would be wrong to say that they were entirely random. And so, a very frantic kindergartner had to fight her short legs to get to Rainbow Square in time without anyone stopping her to ask where her parents were. They're waiting for her! Gosh, just go away caring strangers! Finally, a tiny figure stumbled her way into Zelda's vision. She was red in the face, red like the little parcel she was clutching to her chest. Was she a little late? ...Maybe. But you could see how hard she'd tried. Staggering forward, Arle held the heart in her arms up to Zelda's knees. Her golden eyes met the other's with curiosity, lighting up as their gaze met. A smile graced her face

"...I bringdid you a valintime." Arle breathlessly explained. On closer observation, Zelda would discover that the heart Arle was offering her was a giant candy heart. It was as big as Arle's head! ...Makes you think, huh? No wonder she was voted most edible hero on Li. Just beneath the soft shell was a sweet raspberry jelly interior. It was like a big jelly bean! What a nice treat. ...Where did she even get that? Probably from Amitwo, considering the famine normally made extravagant gifts like that either impossible or ridiculously expensive. "I love you too, ...Mommy." Arle went on to admit, recovering a bit of her breath. That was probably the only time she'd ever said 'mommy', as opposed to just 'mom' or, if she was feeling lazy, 'mama'. That sort of lack of self-awareness usually came with complete comfort. How sweet!

[TartoonHand94]

Dressed in her rosiest smile, Zelda patiently awaited Arle in the Rainbow Square. There was something about Valentines Day that brought the best moods out of her. Perhaps it was the love, that came in all shapes and sizes, floating through the atmosphere today that was just contagious. Gazing lazily at the sky, Zelda would pick out and count the clouds shaped like hearts, waiting for her valentine to arrive. Expecting the gentle clomp of booted heels, the equaly familiar but much less expected pitter patter of a toddler’s booties graced her ears and caught her attention. “No. It could not be…” She thought in disbelief. A heart to the knees soon proved to her that it was.
Her sky-blue eyes met the other’s with surprise, lighting up with wonderment as their gaze met.

“Arle! Could that be you?” Zelda asked, bending down and opening her arms to greet her. “Aw you did, did you?” Zelda smiled preciously, scooping the tyke up and lifting her into a great big hug before seating her in her arms. “But you’re so sweet already! What could possibly top you as the best Valentine ever?” Pulling back, Zelda got a better look at the giant heart she had smushed between them. It was a large candy heart. Where on Li could she possibly have gotten this? How did she get so young again? Did she come all the way here by herself this way? To go any deeper into this questions would surely spoil this moment. All that mattered now was that Arle was here and that she was safe in Zelda's arms.
“Mmm well, I had to ask~ It’s wonderful Arle, thank you-” Her thanking was cut short by the next thing Arle’s precious little voice said. A tender chord was clearly struck by the way Zelda’s eyes grew wet.
“I love you more, Arle you precious little dunlin.” She sniffled, pulling Arle back into another cuddle and planting a nuzzling kiss into her forehead.
“You really are too sweet for me. I believe this means ought to, as they say now, step up my game?” Zelda giggled, attempting to support Arle in one arm while the other fished out a valentine from her adventure pouch.

And out Zelda pulled a long… white...and blue... thing?... what was it. It wasn’t chocolate like Arle’s valentine… It didn’t seem to be edible at all. It was…

A Scarf!

“I knitted it myself, just for you. I made sure to sew love into every stitch.” She cooed as she draped it over her, wrapping them both up in it. It was soft and warm to the touch, as if it had just come out of the dryer. It smelled nice too.

Didn’t Zelda say in her letter she wrote Arle a song? Well if Arle were to inspect the scarf closer, she’d discover Zelda had kept her word.