Memories of Lost Moments

Chapter 1: A Never Ending Rain

I remember…

Yes…I remember that day. The rain was falling gently and the sky appeared as a blue mist, the forest was vibrant and filled with life. The other Kokiri each came out of their homes to bask in the rain and relax. Some sat by the river and dipped their feet in it; others laid down on the moist grass and looked upwards at the sky.

It was a morning filled with serenity, refreshing and life giving. I savored the moment from atop the bridge connected to my house. My legs dangled over the side of the bridge, swaying gently while I took in the soothing sounds of the rain. I thought to myself that it would truly be a peaceful day.

I was wrong though. Things would soon change. In contrast to the serene moments in the forest, chaos was running rampant outside our domain. The various races were embroiled in a bitter war filled with endless bloodshed. We Kokiri were unaffected by the battle only because of the barrier the Great Deku Tree set up. I am grateful that he kept us away from the war.

We only found out about it when a victim of the conflict found her way into the forest. I can so vividly remember the looks of shock and fear present on the Kokiri's faces when the badly wounded woman limped into the forest. I myself could only wonder how she got in the forest. As the woman inched her way underneath the bridge I was perched on, I could see the exhaustion in her face. She was struggling to even stand. Upon further inspection, I saw she was clinging tightly to a bundle in her arms. I couldn't properly see what it was at that angle.

I turned around and saw that she was heading towards the Great Deku Tree's meadow. At this point, I noticed that Mido was preparing to take action. The other Kokiri were too frightened to do anything. Mido…he wanted so badly to just be a leader. He was just as afraid as the others; I could see it in his face. I hopped down from the bridge and stopped him from advancing. I told him I would deal with the situation.

I don't know…at that point, I just felt compelled to do something. I ran up to the woman, a bit apprehensive. After a few seconds, I offered to land her a hand, and she accepted immediately. I could see she was relieved. I knew at this point, I was doing the right thing, so I helped her to the Meadow without hesitation. As we made our way past the river, I couldn't help but focus on the large amount of blood that was falling from a massive gash on the woman's stomach. The dark red pools clashed with the bright green grass.

The pouring rain served to clean away some of it, but a lot remained, leaving a trail that marked her difficult struggle. When we reached the tunnel leading to the meadow, the woman nearly fell over. I managed to catch her and keep her upright. I helped her to push on through the tunnel. It proved to be difficult for the both of us, as the rain water flowed through the entrance. Our shoes were completely soaked, it was like walking with weights on our feet. Throughout the entire ordeal, I noticed the woman continued to cling tightly on whatever was in her arms. I decided to look closely and was shocked to find that what she was holding was a baby.

I understood now why she was so desperate. With the newfound knowledge of the precious child she was carrying, I became determined as well. I slowly but surely picked up the pace so that we could make it to the Great Deku Tree, being mindful of her injuries all the while. After several grueling steps, we eventually made it to the entrance. From here, a downward trek remained into the meadow. This was especially risky, so I took great care to keep a hold of the woman. It seemed like an eternity, but the trial finally came to an end. We got just close enough for the Great Deku Tree to take notice of us.

Once he acknowledged our presence, I told of him of how the woman entered the forest somehow, likely coming here for help. The Great Deku Tree told me to calm myself, as he had let the woman in when he sensed her pure intentions. This was a relief to me, as it meant no one could just waltz in if they wanted to. We were still safe from the war. With that anxiety erased from my mind, I put all my attention to the matter at hand. I asked the Great Deku Tree what should be done about the woman's injuries. After I said this, she grabbed onto my hand and shook her head. I couldn't figure out what she wanted, and the Great Deku Tree sensed my confusion.

He revealed to me that the woman did not come here to be healed, but to just leave her child in safe hands. I honestly couldn't believe this when I heard it. I looked to the woman for confirmation, and she shook her head yes. I was astounded. For years I had always lived with the assumption that Hylians were selfish people who cared little for others. Years of stories of the outside world convinced me of that. Now however, I started to doubt what I had been told. This woman was more concerned about her child than herself, to the point where she would forgo getting her injuries healed.

The Great Deku Tree, adept at sensing the desires and motivations of people, told me what it was exactly that the woman wanted. He told me that she wanted me to be the one to take care of her child. I didn't know what to say. I could only stare at her in shock. She looked up at me, silently pleading. She soon held out her child, trying to get me to take him. There were so many conflicting emotions going through me at that point. My thoughts were jumbled and flying about randomly, then they suddenly stopped.

I looked at what was in front of me, the woman smiling at me. Hope was present in her eyes. Hope for the future of her child. She and I, though we met briefly, came to understand each other. In our struggles, our thoughts became one. It all hit me at that one moment. What she was willing to do for her child gave me hope for the Hylian people, and she was counting on me to give her hope for her child. I made up my mind. I lifted up my arms and accepted the baby. When I did this, I saw relief much greater than when I offered to help her to the meadow. It emanated from her very being. She uttered just two words to me after this. "Thank you."

Two simple words, yet more sincere than anything I've ever heard spoken at that time. I cradled her precious child, and looked up at her with a smile. I saw she was content, and she just seemed willing to let everything go. She soon collapsed to the ground. With the baby in hand, I knelt down to her, worried. The Great Deku Tree told me to rise, saying that she had passed on.

I suddenly realized the weight of everything that happened right at this very moment. Tears began to flow down from my face with the force of the rain falling from the sky. I was afraid and confused. I didn't know what to do. Suddenly I was tasked with an incredible burden. Just how significant of a task it was did not occur to me when the woman still lived. Her child, her legacy, was in my hands. I wasn't ready.

I couldn't handle the emotions I was experiencing. The tears continued to cascade down my face, not stopping for even a second. In the midst of my emotional struggle, the baby started to cry along with me. Overcome by even more emotion, I held him close to me as if he was all I had.

In this difficult time, we connected. In the endless rain drenching us without mercy, we held on to each other. Being overtaken by overwhelming despair, we were there for each other.