Link walked across the field with Malon, his sword and shield hanging in their customary spot. They bounced up and down as he walked, clacking together occasionally. With a happy grin on his face, he explained to her all about the kokiri and the forest he had come from. He told her enthusiastically about Saria and his other friends, and less enthusiastically about Mido. As he said the kid's name, Link stuck his tongue out and made a raspberry in the air. Malon laughed at that, and then he laughed too, after he had wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. Whenever Link looked over at Malon, he saw giggling or grinning. This was going to be great, he hadn't been back to the forest for a while, and he was bringing a friend too! Link wondered if Malon would like Saria, or the other way around. Link hoped they did. Just then they reached the crest of one of the rolling green hills Link caught sight of the forest for the first time since leaving the ranch. The trees stood tall and welcoming, just as he had remembered them. A path opened up between two of the larger oaks, leading off toward the kokiri village. Link laughed out loud from excitement and took off toward the forest, calling to Malon to follow him and waving her on with one hand.
Malon ran after Link, eating up ground in her pursuit of the boy. He was nearing the edge of the forest, and she didn't want to get left behind. She was feeling nervous already, between coming to meet his friends and going into the woods that were the source of many a ghost story. However, as long as she was with Link she felt safe. Luckily, she managed to catch up with the boy before he disappeared into the woods. They walked once under the canopy of branches. The air seemed very still there, much quieter than the outside world. There was an eerie feeling in the air that Link didn't seem to notice. The scary atmosphere just bounced off of the green clad boy. He strode ahead confidently with a broad grin on his face. Malon tried to copy the grin but it just felt thin over her inner nervousness. The woods were scary, but so long as Link was here they would be tolerable. She glanced down for a moment, just once, and wished that she was more courageous. Not as courageous as Link, facing the woods without fear. She would never be like that, but if only she was brave enough to grab his hand. That would make everything all better. She just knew that all of her fear would melt away if she could do that, but she also knew that she was way too cowardly to do that. It annoyed her, but at least Link was here. Being with him and being cowardly was better than being without him or just plain being cowardly.