Music floated through the forest. The tune was simple, and a bit sad. It was a timeless melody that spoke of many generations. The source was an ocarina played by a young man sitting on a stump in the center of the forest. He played with his eyes closed, summoning the notes from memory. Colorful orbs of light flitted here and there about the clearing, a blue one hovered just above his should.
A small girl approached the focused musician. She stepped lightly, as not to interrupt.
The young man opened his eyes; he had known she was there all along.
"Hello Link" she said, and he waved in response. The girl's name was Saria, Link was her childhood friend, and though he was mute she could always understand him.
"HEY!" the orb of light that had been near Link flew circles around her, irritated at not being acknowledged.
She laughed at the blue fairy "Hi Navi"
After she was sure she had been sufficiently noticed, Navi floated back to her post above Link's shoulder.
"Link I need to talk to you"
The young man tilted his head slightly in response.
"I'm…worried" she began "It's just…when you left on your quest all those years ago I thought I was never going to see you again. Then you just reappeared one day, wounded and almost dead…I'll admit…it scared me"
Link looked down guiltily, he knew it looked like he had only returned because Koriki was the closest village he could get to. That wasn't what happened, but he wasn't sure how to explain that. He had been delirious…and had just wanted to go home.
"So much has changed. We aren't even really the same the same people anymore. I'm the Guardian of the Forest Temple and you…you're supposed to be some sort of hero. I remember when we were just kids, when we'd just play in this clearing without a care in the world."
He nodded, he remembered those days too. The memories were bittersweet.
"You're leaving again…aren't you"
He nodded solemnly. It had been nice to come home for a while, to see Saria again and to reminisce. But he had a responsibility to Hyrule, and even if he got home sick from time to time he was glad he had been chosen for the quest. If he hadn't he would have never met princess Zelda, or the Goron and the Zora, and he certainly wouldn't have gotten to see the outside world. He had learned many new things and knew when everything was said and done he'd come out of it a better person
While he was deep in thought Saria's gaze had gone to the ocarina in his hands. "Link…is that the Ocarina of Time"
He nodded.
"Princess Zelda gave it to you…didn't she?"
Another nod.
"…and…what did you do with the ocarina I gave you? You lost it…didn't you, or gave it away since you obviously don't need it anymore" she was feeling unreasonably jealous and hurt. She turned before he could answer, her eyes burning. There was no way she'd let him see her cry.
She started to walk off and was halfway out of the clearing when she heard a familiar tune. She WOULD know it of course…it was her song.
She whirled around "you remembered!" she had taught him that song all those years ago…and he had learned countless songs since then and yet he still remembered. Also, he was no longer holding the ocarina of time, but a smaller handmade instrument, her ocarina.
He had kept it after all. He smiled, and she had no choice but to smile as well, Link's smiles were contagious. "You kept it"
His expression seemed to say "of course I did"
She hugged her friend tightly letting her previously withheld tears fall free. "Oh Link, you're the best friend a girl could ask for. Go on, save the world. I promise I'll be waiting here for your return.