From the brain of CAP: This story takes place about 6 months after Link returns from Termina. It is not a story stating what I believe should happen, or will happen. Allow me to clarify.

Douglas Adams, may he rest in peace, stated in one of his books that the fifth deminsion is probability. I disagree, but that's a diferent subject entirely, and you don't want to get me started on it. Though I don't believe probablity is the fifth dimension, I do believe that it determines much. Probability is endless. It stretches out to infinity, only to come back on itself again. It may even be a dimension, just not the fifth. Anyway, this is not the endall definitive account of what happens. It is merely what could happen. That being said, enjoy, and don't kill me.










Link was in the castle when he heard the call. Zelda was there, as was her father. They were discussing some ceremony or another with the nobles of the kingdom; Link had no idea what for. He really didn't care about that sort of thing- it was only out of respect for the Royal Family that he went to these meetings. Otherwise he would probably have been back in the forest, with Saria. It had been like this ever since he got back from Termina. It was as if Zelda and her father were trying to make his part of the family- he shuddered at the thought. It wasn't that he didn't care for Zelda- he did- but he didn't want any part in the Royal Family's affairs.

The call surprised him, though. He had gotten used to the monotony of the castle, and it had become like a second home, almost. The call had nothing to do with the castle, though. Saria's voiced boomed in his head, louder than he remembered it ever being. A shrill shrieking. Words he couldn't quite make out. Grunts and yells, loud percussion. And, just as suddenly, it broke off.

It was then that Link realized he was down on his knees, barely supporting himself with his arms. He was drenched with sweat, and trembling. He looked up to find Zelda and her father staring wide-eyed at him. He stood up quickly, apologized, and told them he had to leave. He ignored their requests that he wait till the end of the meeting and proceeded to leave the castle as fast as possible without being conspicuous. A futile effort after the scene he had just made, but he tried all the same. When he reached the stables, he didn't bother to saddle Epona. He swung his leg up over the horse and rode bareback all the way to the forest.

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"Saria!" Mido yelled. It was useless- no one could here him above the din. He called anyway. "Saria! Where are you?"

A Moblin backhanded him and sent him flying through the air, landing in a pool of water now contaminated by blood. He rolled just in time to avoid the beast's axe as it struck the mud where he had just been. Mido jumped up and began to back away when he realized the creature's weapon was stuck. It was attempting to free the blade from the mud, and seemed to have forgotten about Mido completely. Mido looked at the ground beneath him, and found a rock of considerable size. He ran towards the creature just as it pulled the ax free, and as the Moblin stumbled backwards, Mido threw the rock at its head. The projectile struck the creature square between the eyes, and it fell backwards, dazed. The ax slid from its hands. Mido grabbed the haft of the oversized weapon, barely managing to lift it due to his size. It didn't matter, tough. He tightened his grip as he walked to where the creature's head lay, still dazed. The mud on his hands made the haft slick as Mido hefted it above the Moblin's head. He closed his eye's as the blade dropped downward, cutting deep into the beast's neck. When Mido opened his eye's, the Moblin was spewing blood from its mouth as it died, slowly and painfully. Mido didn't care.

He wrenched the ax from the Moblin's neck, and set the haft on the rock he had used to stun the beast. Putting one foot on the side of the blade, he brought the other down on the haft. It made a sharp crack as it broke in half. The shortened pieced of wood was easier for Mido to deal with, though still heavy. It didn't matter. It was a weapon.

Mido had never killed before. He'd never even held a weapon before today. But the Moblin's had come to the forest, and there was nothing to do but fight. He'd been trying to find Saria, but he was beginning to realize it was hopeless. Unless she had gotten to the Lost Woods. If she had escaped… there was a chance. There was always a chance, as small as it may seem. There was nothing else for him here. He couldn't have reached the Deku Sprout if he tried. He turned and fled, with one last hope to keep him going, one last flame burning inside. As he ran into the tunnel, he noticed a figure on horseback ride into the village, wearing a shade of green not unlike Mido's own. Deciding that it probably wasn't possible and his eyes were playing tricks, he disappeared into the Lost Woods.

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Chaos enveloped Link as he entered the Kokori Forest. Almost as soon as he entered, something grabbed him and tried to pull him off Epona. His sword was already drawn, and he swung it behind him to cut down his attacker. He spun Epona around to face the Moblin who's face he had just mutilated. Link drove his blade into the Moblin's chest, twisted it, pulled it free, and turned to face the carnage. Flames licked roofs of the houses, and blood covered the ground. Screams and yells rang out from Moblins and Kokori children alike. It was mostly the Kokori doing, the shrieking, though. The Moblins were just yelling to make things confusing.

He cut a swath through the Moblin ranks as he made his way through the village. Kokori children rallied to Epona, fighting with whatever they could. He made his way to the Deku Tree's meadow, afraid of what he would find. Evil was not supposed to be able to enter the Forest as long as the Deku Tree lived. Not evil of this magnitude, anyway. Perhaps it was because the Deku Sprout was not fully developed yet; perhaps that was why the Moblins had gotten in. But something inside of Link suspected otherwise.

He and his band of Kokori reached the meadow, only to see what Link had dreaded the entire time. Flames engulfed the Deku Sprout, as well as the remains of the old Deku Tree. It was too late. He was too late.

He leaned down to one of the children.

"Have you seen Saria?" He yelled. He had to call twice before the child answered.

"I… I saw her going into the Lost Woods. It doesn't matter, though. Nothing matters…" The child burst into tears. Link let him cry. He turned Epona and rode as hard as he could for the Lost Woods.

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Mido laughed. It wasn't a time to be laughing, but it wasn't really much of a time for anything. He laughed at the fact that he was still alive. It was funny, really. None of the other Kokoris had probably lasted this long. He was probably the last one left. Unless Saria was still alive. Or Link. He had forgotten about Link. He was still Kokori; sort of. But it couldn't have been Link he saw earlier. Not a chance of him showing up now. And it wasn't possible that the figure on the horse over there was Link, either. Wait.

The figure on horseback rode over to where Mido stood leaning on his ax. As it neared Mido, he realized that the figure was indeed Link, and the sword in his hand that dripped with fresh blood was indeed the glided sword Link had acquired somewhere in that Termina place. There had apparently been no time to wipe it.

"Where's Saria?" Link shouted. The din wasn't as loud here, but it could still be heard. It wasn't surprising that those were the first words out of his mouth.

"If she's anywhere, she's here. But we can't get to her." The confusion on Link's face made Mido smile. "Have you seen the Deku Sprout? Is it alright?"

Link turned his head to the ground, not bothering to answer. Mido frowned. Well, at least it wasn't a surprise. He had suspected it. He immediately began smiling again.

"What do you mean we can't get to her?" Link asked. A small band of Kokori began to filter through the woods behind Link. They had apparently rallied to Link when he had entered the forest, and they must be the strongest if they hadn't broken down after seeing the Deku Tree.

"Well, I can't anyway. Not alone. There's a big band of Moblin's guarding the Sacred Forest Meadow. I couldn't get through by myself, and I barely got away alive. But with you here, we might have a chance." Mido stood up straight, and hefted the ax onto his shoulder. He supposed he must look quite comical- A little boy in green clothes holding a weapon much to big for him. "I'll take the rest of these Kokori and distract the Moblins. You get through on your horse."

"Mido, I can't let you do that. You'll be killed," Link replied. That was like him- thinking of others above himself. This was no time for that.

"Don't argue. We can't all just push our way through."

"I can't let you kill yourself." Mido took the smile from his face.

"Blast it, Link, I'm not going to kill myself. If anyone kills me, it's going to be a Moblin." He smiled again. "Besides. She loves you, Link." He smiled, and gazed at the surprise etched across Link's face for a moment before continuing. "You didn't know that, did you? Well, it was certainly obvious. Anyway, I'm sure she'd much rather see you right now than me. So it's settled. Who knows, I might even survive."

Link opened his mouth as if to protest, but closed it again. Mido turned to go, but stopped when he heard Link's voice behind him.

"I won't forget this, Mido."

"Of course you won't," he said, not turning around. "And remember, you owe me."

The rest of the Kokori followed him as he walked away, muttering under his breath. Link caught snippets of it. Something about how Saria could ever have chosen Link over him. Link smiled and shook his head. He never would have thought Mido would be brave. He turned Epona and rode off to wait for his chance.

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Epona burst through the Moblin ranks like a lightning bolt, running faster than ever before. Spears flew past her as she galloped through the Lost Woods. Moblins would be in pursuit any second now. She just ran as fast as she could, trusting Link to guide her.

Leaving the Woods behind, Link rode Epona into the Sacred Forest Meadow. This, unfortunately, wasn't a much better place to be. Wolfos sprung up almost immediately, slashing at Epona's legs, and trying to pull Link out of the saddle. He hacked at them, but they kept coming. Link would make whatever had brought this evil to the forest pay. He would make them pay dearly.

Suddenly, the Wolfos stopped their pursuit. Link realized he was past the gate, and now all that remained was the maze of corridors that led to the Forest Temple. Link climbed off Epona and stroked her mane. She was scared to death, but she'd follow Link anywhere. Link let her rest for a moment, and then began to lead her along.

There was a surprising lack of resistance in the maze. Neither Moblins nor Wolfos attempted to kill Link. In fact, nothing tried to kill or hurt him or Epona. Then, finally, they were through. Link guided his horse up the ramp, and then entered the clearing where the Forest Temple lay hidden. There, on the dais in front of the temple, was Saria. She was half laying on the ground, supporting herself with her hands, and weeping. But it was Saria. And she was alive.

Saria looked up.

"Link?" she whispered quietly. "Is it really you? Have you really come?"

"Yes, Saria," he answered coming closer. "It's me. I came."

She jumped up, and began running towards Link. She cleared the distance rapidly, and he just stood, arms wide, ready to embrace her.

It came as a surprise to Link when the arrow seemed to grow out of Saria's chest. She stumbled, and fell. Link caught her in his arms, and kneeled down, laying her out, head propped up by his hands and legs. Blood ran from the corners of her mouth as she looked up at Link. There was a deep sadness in her eyes.

"Link, I-" she began, but stopped as her body was wracked with pain. "I… I… I l-l-" she closed her eyes, unable to finish. He held her close to him.

"I know, Saria. I know."

He wept openly as she died, burying his face in her chest. When he set her down, he stood up, and looked around. He wiped the tears from his face. Then something caught his eye. On top of the temple was a figure garbed in black, with a swirling cloak. The figure held a bow, a bow from which the arrow that killed Saria had been fired. Its face was shrouded by a black mask, all except the eyes. The eyes were a dark red. Not just the pupils either- all of the eyes were blood red. Then, the figure turned, and fled. Link had no choice but to pursue.

And the hunt began.











Like? Hate? Well, tell me in a review if you think I need to lighten up. Or get heavier, whichever.