AN: hey! I'm back! For this story, I referred to "Book of Rohndor" at .com
Disclaimer: this. Is. A. Work. Of Fiction. I don't own Legend of Zelda.
Lost Woods
Saria walked through the familiar grounds with careful footing and a weary eye. She had been through these woods over and over to the point where if dared to, she could walk backwards and blindfold and still reach her special place and yet….
Owls sang in time with the cadence set by the cicadas as she gently folded a larger fern to the side. Still the silence… the lack of Kokiri voice was enough to make her nervous. On several occasions she turned back, thinking someone followed her in, but found nothing.
"…The three great goddesses, daughters of Fohn soared from the heavens to create the world Hyrule" She recited quietly to herself
"Din, Nayru, and Farore. They came to create the land. Din cultivated the red earth, Nayru made law to hold the earth together and Farore…."
She came to the well-known gate to the sacred grove and stopped. The air seemed different here all the time; cleaner. Even the ground seemed healthier. That alone made her smile. The path to her special place was clear. Her pace relaxed as she continued to the through the maze and up the stairs.
"….and Farore created life to up hold that law."
She looked up at the looming building before her. Her relaxed smile faltered.
The "dungeon" as she often called it, was built up from the ground with grey-black stones, seeming to large to be build by hands alone. If that were the case, then why was the building in the forest where the only building method WAS by hand? Given, there were plenty of materials: tree-trunks, vines stone, but the job was still done by Kokiri hands. It was the reason their houses were so short. This Temple didn't fit with the scenery at all.
Farore is a Goddess with power over nature… so why does that place look so unnatural?
Her eyes fell to her favorite stump and her smile returned. The grass folded under her feet as she approached it and sat down with a sigh, swinging her legs back and forth.
"But to do that," Saria continued, "Farore first had to land on the new world. Having a goddess set foot on any part of a new world has its effects doesn't it…." she mused to herself
The cicadas slowly grew still and quiet and the scenery around her grew that much more unnatural; her frail smile faded with the passing of their music
She ceased kicking her legs and looked up at the stars above her. Blue eyes that seemed to belong to an adult stared through a child's face
"I wonder if Link even knows… just how important he is."
She pulled out her Ocarina from her pocket and looked at the instrument, not really seeing it.
"Treasure the days you don't have a fairy Link. Every day you walk alone it means nothing has been set in motion just yet."
Tapping her foot in three's, she began playing.
By morning, the Kokiri Forest was alive with activity. Everyone gathered around the Great Deku Tree, Saria among them. The Great Tree's stories were one of the highlights of the week. Saria looked around, but as usual, Link hadn't shown up right away. She shrugged it off and sat by one of the roots as the Deku Tree began.
"Which would you like to here?" the great tree asked
"The one about Kiren, the forest spirit!"
"No! one about Farore!"
"We've heard that one already though…"
"So?"
"What about-"
The argument continued until Saria asked in a quiet voice, mostly to herself: "What about the building in the lost woods?"
The Deku Tree glanced at her "Saria?"
"O-oh… there's a building deep in the lost woods. It looks like an old castle… or a dungeon."
"Ahh… that one" he said with a satisfied smile. He turned to the audience who were still debating.
"How many times can you listen to that story before you're bored of it?"
"Alot!"
"We have a suggestion for a new story." The Great Tree declared.
Saria smiled and drew her knees comfortably against her chest, ready to listen.
"Once there was a great lady in green, who was friends with Farore. She would talk and dance with her while Farore's sisters formed the great land Hyrule."
Link ran in and slid next to Saria, winded from sprinting from his tree-house. Mido glared at him but the Deku Tree continued as though nothing had changed.
"The green lady was named Alra and she was a favorite creation of Farore. While every other creature in the land lived peacefully, Alra would tell Farore of her day, what she did and what she liked in the new world. Farore loved this creature so much she allowed her to enter her favorite forest."
The Deku tree's voice grew more majestic as he continued.
"One day Alra came to Farore but her usual smile was gone. 'What's wrong Alra? Why are you so sad?' Farore asked. Alra looked up at her and replied 'Nayru's law says that one day all living things must die. I don't want to die because that would mean I can no longer play here.' Farore patted her shoulder and told her that there was nothing she could do to change the law of the new world and Alra began to cry."
The Kokori were listening intently; some looked aghast that one of the Great Goddesses would be so cruel.
"That's wrong" Mido interjected
"Let him finish the story" Link insisted
"Stupid half-…."
Saria though was engrossed enough not to hear their bickering.
"Years and years later it came time for Alra to die. Farore came to visit her. 'Farore, my only regret is that I could not stay longer. I know not where I will go but I shall surely miss you.' Farore nodded then offered her a deal. She said to Alra "You have lived a full, happy life as a Hylian, what would you like to become next?' Alra smiled and said she wanted to become the trees and the flowers as they were what Farore loved. And Farore agreed."
"She DIED?!"
"Shhh! Mido quiet!"
"And so Alra became a part of the forest and stayed happily by Farore's side. She watched many other creatures live happily as well and she remembered all of them. The forest grew healthier until one day Farore told Alra she had to leave. Alra then said she would protect the land Farore loved so much. Farore smiled rewarded her further again and again until the end of time for her loyalty and kindness by granting her life once more."
"Woah!" on Kokiri said, amazed.
"And you had your precious goddess in the story too"
"That's what made the story and you know it"
As the other Kokiri left, Saria stayed.
"Saria?" The Deku Tree asked.
"Alra remembered everyone and everything in the forest?"
"Yes she did."
"wow… someone with that kind of memories would be really special huh?"
"She was Farore's favorite creation so she had many blessings."
Saria smiled and thanked him then left.
Link ran after her calling her name he almost reached her when Mido stick his foot out, tripping him
"OW! Jeeze… What's your problem?!" Link snapped
"A half-person like you can't talk to her"
"And why is that?!"
"Because you don't have a fairy, freak."
"I don't need a fairy just to talk, Jerk!"
"What was that?!"
"I said I don't need your permission to talk to my friends!" He said louder, now standing on his feet.
"You stupid!-" Mido snarled before hi heard another set of footsteps. He lifted his eyes up past Link to see Saria coming closer.
"Saria!" Mido called, startled
She smiled and quickened her pace. She came closer…. Close enough for Mido to see that certain glint of joy in her eye. He dared to smile back through the blush on his face and…she grabbed Link and marched to the Lost Woods, leaving Mido all to his lonesome.
Mido fell to his knees and moaned quietly in defeat.
"Uh… Saria? Where are we going? I thought this place was forb-"
"There's this really cool place you need to see." She chirped back.
Link suddenly forgot the rules laid down by the Deku Tree and now listened with interest.
"What cool place?"
"I don't think that was just a story the Great Deku Tree told us"
Link slowly thought of all the details in the story and caught on. He began to match her pace.
"Where at?"
Saria turned and twisted deeper into the woods, to places Link never knew existed. As he followed, he couldn't entirely ignore the sound of flutes heard in the distance.
"Hold on Saria, do you hear that?"
Saria stopped and perked up her ears. She heard the sound of water, insects, birds flying away but not chirping as usual…and then a flute.
"What is that?"
"I'm the only one in this place I know of that plays music in the woods."
"But the music… someone else is here! We need to get them out of here or they'll turn to a stalfo!"
Link started for the noise but Saria kept him in place, tugging at his arm. He turned back to see Saria looking away "Saria?"
"Who's in here? The other Kokiri know not to step foot in the Lost Woods"
Link's eyes remained wide as he caught on to her meaning.
"Well then… who…"
Saria shook her head.
Link's face crumpled in confusion then straightened out in surprise before looking at the ground.
They were sinking.
"Saria look out!"
The ground below them caved and the two Kokiri fell.
