The Lost Woods of Play

by Tenial

A collection of stories about the mythical Kokiri Tribe that supposedly lives in the haunted woods south to Hyrule's capital- a tribe of children, they say? Check out their stories and how it leads up to the grand adventure in the Triforce of the Gods also written by yours truly here. These are tales of friendship, innocence, humor, and even some adventure.

1. Of the Ailengwell

Introduction

Folks do not give it credence that the Ailengwell was a real haunted wood, nestled between the borders of mighty Hyrule and her sister kingdom the realm of Calamar, standing as a marker of the old world: but it was haunted. Those trees had known the ancient gods and wizards and were testament to their existence, having migrated this way from the East when they foresaw that the Breaking of the World was going to happen. Their father was the lord of the gods, Aene, and their mother the blessed Farore who breathed life into them; our ancestors, the Ilia, taught them to speak and think, and it was from their inspiration that the deku descend from these ancient oaks.

But the times have not been kind to these old beings. Years of Hylia using their bark for protection or limbs for the fire had stifled their feelings, most particularly in due to the greatest offenders who gave no absolution for their sins. They adored us once, but now they are bitter. And so the Ailengwell stands, a barrier to all who pass by: and a doom to all who enter. Even in light of science and technology, none dare to enter that wood, no matter how much the scholars dismiss its habitants as myths.

Many have tried to tame this ancient realm, but none have ever succeeded; let alone, few ever return with a figment of reality in their perspective. They come back as madmen, ranting about dark spirits in the canopy and imps who shoot darts at passerbys to induct them to the brotherhood of demons.

But despite these dark tales, I must parley to shed light on why so many folk, commoners and kings alike, have tried to claim this land. It is not solely for the reason that doing so may allow swift passage, for everyone has to go all the way around this woodland in order to traverse between the two kingdoms. No, not just for economy. It is for the Kokiri.

Legend speaks more about the heart of this place, and it is this one story that draws so much curiosity, for its depths promise a glimpse at an even more ancient time. In this new age of gunpowder and industry, the semblance of innocence has been lost for the profit of civilization. We are all adults with sin on our shoulders. But the Kokiri are innocent. Who are they? Why, they are immortals who never age, never contend against the test of time. They are angels incarnate on this world: they are children blessed with long life.

The Kokiri is a tribe of ageless children whose magic and being grant them perpetual youth. They look like our own, save that their appearance is aligned with the hues of the forest itself: from their attire to their very physical appearance. Their hair may be auburn or green, as wood and leaf, and their eyes sparkle the color of hazel or brown. They are short but as stocked as a child can be for running, jumping and rolling. All Kokiri wear boots, and they oft compare their worth to the strength of their soles.

The Kokiri do not work, or at least they do not see what they do as work in of itself. Their main occupation concerns the upkeep of the village, whether that be agriculture or entertainment. For a Kokiri's main concern is to play, and to do so means to play with others. That was a child's first priority, to play. As for the management of the community itself, although one called Mido may pride himself as the chieftain (self-proclaimed that is), the village, let alone the entire forest, resides under the protection of the deity of the realm. He has had many names in his life, and was once a mighty wizard himself, charged with protecting and guiding our ancestors. For his great deeds, the gods granted him the Ailengwell, and he accepted. In his residence, he took it on himself to take the form of the very trees he loved, and so became the Great Deku Tree. The Kokiri were of his creation as ordained by the Golden Three goddesses. His reign over this realm protected it from the effects of the Breaking, and yet evil has stilled snuck its way within. There are rebel deku he has warred to convert back to him, but the war still continues. Until then, the Kokiri are to never leave the village, and no outsider is granted access to this realm until all is well.

In his time, the Great Deku had met many allies from many worlds. As a token of friendship and of gratitude for courageous deeds, the fairy queen had gifted the Great Deku the alliance of her kin, the Faeri, to protect his children. As the years go by, the fairies have been regarded as an extension to the very life force of a Kokiri. They mentor, guide, monitor and channel these children to sustain the village and play.

You may ask me, however, how can this tribe live for so long and yet never change? That is the purpose of this collection, my friend: this is a myriad of stories about these bright and energetic angels.

These are the stories about the Lost Woods of Play.