The young woman did everything she could to ignore the bleeding arrow wound in her side as she kept running. From behind her rose the cries of deranged and violent men, yelling for death and chaos. The glows of their torches rose above the subtle curves of Hyrule Field and lit up the violent night. The echoing screams of countless battles and victims of senseless slaughter rose up to the heavens themselves, pushing the woman to keep her legs moving. Just a bit farther. Just a few more minutes, and her destination would be reached.
In the woman's arms, the crying of a baby boy, not even half a year old, rang through the night sky. Swaddled in a sheet, the child was held close to his mother's chest as she ran, and his cry was what motivated her more than anything else. Doing everything she could to block the pain, the young woman finally saw the trees dead ahead. She couldn't help but let out a desperate cry of joy despite the situation.
Finally reaching her destination, the young mother ran past the forest edge without a hint of hesitation. It was a massive gamble at best, but there was nothing else she could do at the moment. She had to keep her baby boy safe, even if she became lost within the Lost Woods forever.
The cries from behind halted, the men pursuing their would-be pray deeming it not worth the danger of entering those cursed woods. They knew the rumors, everyone in Hyrule did. Whether it by Hylians, Gorons, Zoras, or even the rare Gerudo, no one entered those woods and came back out to tell the tale. With that, the glow of their torches receded back from where they came, the men looking for other ways to quench their bloodlust.
The halt of her pursuers did not stop the parent as she wove through the towering trees of the Lost Woods. A small mercy came when the baby stopped crying, as if sensing that the immediate danger had passed. The woman, at least, stopped running at full sprint. Still, she dared not stop her escape. Even if her human hunters had given up, there were still the creatures of the forest to worry about. Countless legends spoke of dark and hungry entities living within the forest, each tale more disturbing than the last.
So, the two of them kept going.
Daybreak eventually broke, the sunlight unable to fully penetrate the ever-present haze that lingered above the trees. It was if even the rays of the sun got turned around within the Lost Woods, not able to find their way to the ground. No matter which way one turned, the seemingly infinite trees went on forever. Creaking of wood, scuttling of animals, and what almost sounded like whispers filled the warm forest air.
The woman, her name and features lost to memory and time, hadn't stopped moving. The arrow wound was getting worse, and her body weaker. Still, she dared not halt for a moment or turn back. If she left these woods, both she and her precious son would surely die. Even if he alone survived, she would be happy. The mother's progress was slow now, barely above a limp, but pure determination kept her going. Her baby boy needed her, she was all he had left, and she would rather go back and give herself up to last night's pursuers than let him down. The young Hylian rested peacefully within his mother's arms, oblivious to the horrible tales surrounding the forest he was in.
There were times where the mother thought she saw someone. A fellow Hylian, perhaps. Yet she would blink, and the figure would be gone, replaced by the stump of a long-fallen tree. That was what the forest did, or at least that's how the legends went. It would play with your mind; make you see and hear things that weren't truly there. As this went on, the creatures that really did exist would bide their time before pouncing.
Yet, there was a happier legend.
Whispers spoke of a deity that existed within the Lost Woods, one that could help the injured mother and her son. An impossibly ancient tree, one said to be nearly as old as the Golden Goddesses themselves. A minor but benevolent god, one that cared for children, especially ones in need. If the young woman could somehow find this entity, her child could possibly survive. It was a great risk, one that hinged on unproven stories passed about Hyrule for hundreds of years. Still, it was her last hope.
Pain shooting through her wound, the woman let out a cry as she fell. In a quick maneuver, she twisted her body, so she fell on her back, protecting her son from harm. Despite this, the jolt shook him from his slumber, causing him to whine lightly. "Shhh…It's okay…" The young woman cooed, holding her baby close. "Momma's got you. It's alright…" She whispered sweet nothings to the baby as she managed to stand up using only one hand, the other arm carefully cradling her only remaining family.
Thankfully, the baby soon calmed down and was back asleep within seconds. The young woman smiled faintly as she kept going. If she just went on, surely she would find that deity soon. That benevolent tree. He had to exist, he just had to. Because…if he didn't, the two of them would die.
Time moved at a crawl as the young mother went on. Her face had grown pale, the bleeding of her arrow wound catching up with her. She so desperately wanted to keep moving, but even her determination wasn't enough anymore. Her energy was sapping away with every step, every breath she took, every time she turned her head to look at a sound with no visible source.
Her face almost white as a sheet, the woman leaned against a tree, looking down at her son. He stirred a few times as the hours passed, but never fully woke up. She had to keep moving. If only so he could survive. It didn't matter what happened to her, as long as he could go on! After a moment's rest, the mother kept going, now moving only at a limp. She knew she wouldn't last until sunset.
Sadly, the woman did not even make it until the hour's end before dropping to her knees, miraculously not stirring the baby enough for him to awaken. Her face was drenched in an exhausted sweat, her face devoid of color. All around were just more trees, all looking so identical to each other. She felt if she turned and looked back, she'd see the part of the forest's edge that she came from, no progress having been made in all this time. She thought she saw flickering lights high above in the trees. Fairies? Some other forest dweller? Or just figments of her imagination?
It was at this moment that a voice rang out. An ancient, deep, and echoing sound that seemed to come from every tree in the forest, from the ground itself, and even form within the mother's mind.
"Who art thou, Hylian woman?"
The voice did not sound angry or accusatory. It was a curious voice, with a touch of gentleness to it.
Was this…real? Was it another lie sprouting from the woman's imagination? If there was even the slightest chance that this was the deity, the mother had to take the chance. "Please, are you…the Great Deku Tree? The Father of the Forest?" She called out weakly, unable to even properly raise her voice.
The trees around the woman groaned and creaked, as if the forest itself was closing in on her. She swore she heard whispers in the air, but she saw no one about. Just the trees.
"I am he. Why art thou here? Dost thou not know the dangers of the wood?"
The voice rang so clearly around and within the mother that she started to truly believe that it was real. She could hardly believe it; her goal had been reached! The legends were true! "I am aware, mighty Deku Tree. Please, this was my only choice. I beg of you, please help us." She held out her child in front of her, as if expecting someone to walk over and take him. "If you cannot help me, I beg that you help my son!"
A rumbling noise echoed through the forest around the woman. It almost sounded like a giant humming to itself in thought.
"I am afraid I cannot heal thy wounds. Thou will die."
The mother knew this was coming. Many tales of forest children have been passed through the ages, but no stories of adults surviving in these woods ever spread. Her energy almost gone, the woman gently placed her son on the forest ground, lying down next to him. "If you can save my son, that is all that matters. Please, Great Deku Tree, spare him…"
The creaking and rumbling of the woods echoed louder than ever. It was as if something massive was approaching the woman and her child. The mother was too weak to look around anymore. She simply gazed into the sleeping face of her precious son.
"The Courage and selflessness thou hast shown moves me. I will grant thy wish, and I will grant thee a gift."
The woman felt something wrap around her body. She was barely able to glance down and see vines and roots growing from the earth and gently entrapping her. There was no panic, she had faith in the god she was speaking with. "Thank you, mighty Deku Tree. I must ask, what is this gift?"
"Those who die in this forest are doomed to wander it eternally, changing into spirits or monsters. I will spare thee such a fate. Close your eyes and let go, Courageous one. Rest peacefully."
"Please, I must say goodbye to my son…My precious Link…" The woman leaned forward, her child still sleeping soundly. "Link…Your Momma loves you. Please, live, and have a happy life." She knew that the boy would have no memories of these events or her words. Still, a part of her prayed that the words would somehow reside within his soul. The brave mother gave her beloved child a gentle kiss on the cheek, the last she would ever give.
"So, his name is Link…Please, woman, tell me thy name." There was a pause, the only sound being the roots and vines slowly cocooning the mother.
It was too late. She had passed.
There was a loud, creaking sound in the Lost Woods. The heavy, sad sigh of an ancient god. Soon, the plants completely encompassed the woman and slowly, gently, dragged her under the earth. Her body and spirit would rest in peace until time itself came to an end.
And, as everyone knew, Time was eternal.
All that left was the baby, the orphan named Link. The poor child had no idea what was happening around him, that his mother had died less than a foot from him. All he knew now was the nap he was in the middle of. It was time for the Great Deku Tree to fulfill his promise. A single, long root extended from somewhere off in the forest, gently wrapping around the boy. Slowly, and making sure not to harm the baby, the root started to drag Link along the forest.
The process was long, great effort being taken not to accidentally hurt the orphan or awaken him from his sleep. As the baby was transported, the situation caught the attention of the creatures within the forest. Animals such as foxes, rabbits, even Wolfos, watched as the young boy was carried off. Creatures such as fairies, Skull Kids, and other nameless spirits would watch as well. They all knew not to interfere. Even the dumb beasts and monsters instinctually knew not to interfere with the workings of the Great Deku Tree. Doing so would result in swift, unavoidable death.
It was in the afternoon that the child finally reached his destination. By this time, he had awoken, even cried out into the forest around him, desiring the embrace of his mother. As the root slowed down and stopped, the baby had ceased his wailing, having exhausted himself and realizing no warm embrace was coming. After the trip was over, Link looked up at the entity towering over him.
To simply call the Great Deku Tree a tree would be like saying the Golden Goddesses were magicians. The minor deity towered over all the trees within the Lost Woods, none reaching even half of his immense size. Healthy, thick brown bark coated the god, with lush and green leaves covering the uncountable branches that crowned him. The leaves stayed upon the Great Deku Tree throughout the entire year, even during the harshest of winters. Kind eyes under thick wooden eyebrows gazed upon the baby before him. With shiny, tiny blue eyes, the orphan looked back. Being in the presence of something like the Great Deku Tree instilled not fear, but a strange sense of serenity within Link.
There was something special about this child. Now that the Great Deku Tree got a closer look, he was able to see that. Yes, there was tremendous Courage within this boy, just like his mother. Right now, it was but a small ember, but it would one day grow into a raging flame. This was no mere baby, but a child of destiny who would one day do great things. The Great Deku Tree sent out several fairies to round up his children and bring them before him.
It was time they met the newest member of the tribe.
A calling for all the Kokiri was a rare event, so the entire village came faster than usual when summoned. Within just a few minutes, all twenty of them were present. While having the appearance of children, most of them were older than any living Hylian. All adorned with green clothes and gazing with shining blue eyes, the children of the forest approached their father. Lights of various colors buzzed about the crowd; the Guardian Fairies curious about what was going on as well. Most of the Kokiri were clamoring over each other verbally and wondering as to what was going on. They all looked up at the Great Deku Tree's face, so none even noticed the baby who looked around the area silently.
"Father, why have you called all of us? It's been decades since you've done such a thing." A Kokiri with green hair asked. "Is something wrong?"
A low rumble rang out in the small clearing, the chuckling of a god. "Quite the opposite. I implore thee to take a closer look of the area."
It took only moments for the Kokiri to notice the baby nestled before their father. Instantly, they ran over to see the child up close. The girls cooed at the bundle of joy while the boys smiled at the newest addition to the village. The fairies hovered above, silently adoring the child. "He's so cute, father! When did he emerge?" A female Kokiri with short red hair asked. A new Kokiri's emergence was a rare and exciting time for the children of the forest. It had been decades since it last occurred!
There was the smallest of pauses, one that none of the children noticed as they looked down at the baby, who looked right back up with eyes just as blue as theirs. The deity made a decision, one he hoped he would not come to regret. Even those as wise as he could make errors, as exceedingly rare as such times were. "Quite recently, Lydo." The god replied. "He had just arrived in the clearing minutes ago."
"Looks like you're not the youngest anymore, Fado." One of the male Kokiri said, looking over to a blonde girl.
Fado nodded, seeming pleased. "Good! I was tired of being the baby of the village!" She declared, having recently celebrated her 88th birthday.
The child looked around at the crowd of forest dwellers and strange balls of light surrounding him. His eyes were wide and curious as he looked around at all the strange new faces and shapes as his tiny limbs moved back and forth and to and fro. His mouth opened and closed repeatedly as he babbled on, not even close to forming real words yet.
As the Kokiri closed in more, getting louder as the Great Deku Tree watched on, the baby reached another breaking point. The poor orphan had quite the long day and the night before was hardly better. So much noise, erratic movement, strange faces and places…it was hard for someone so young! He was tired, hungry, and a little bit frightened despite the calming aura the deity nearby gave off. So, the child scrunched up his face and started to feebly cry out to those around him, demanding comfort and a full belly.
The mood dampened, if only a little, and a few children aww'd in sympathy. It was the Kokiri girl with green hair that acted first. Having done this many times before, she gracefully swooped down and picked up the crying baby. "There, there…No need for tears…" The girl said gently, cradling the newest member of the tribe. She had held and consoled all the other Kokiri at one point or another, being the very oldest among them. Even with some births being centuries apart, she never forgot how to care for a baby properly. Of all the ones she saw, this one had to be among the very cutest.
In almost no time at all, the baby calmed down, at least enough where he was no longer actively crying. Still, an upset look was splayed on his face, still requiring food. "You're always so good at that, Saria." One of the boys pointed out.
Saria smiled down at the small bundle in her arms. "I suppose I've had a lot of practice." She replied; her voice filled with a sincere air of modesty. The green haired girl looked up at the deity that acted as the guardian of their tribe. "Father, what's his name?"
It always warmed the old god's spirit when a new child joined the tribe, and this was no exception. He had a rare moment of self-doubt concerning his choice to keep the baby's status as a Hylian to himself. After all, it would only take a few weeks for the Kokiri to realize something was amiss. The deity only hoped that the boy would be accepted anyway, as he would have no second chances elsewhere for a number of years unknown even to the Great Deku Tree. Destiny may call for him within a decade, or it may even wait until he has fully grown into an adult. Only time would tell. For now, the forest's guardian would have to let things play out as fate demanded. Letting out another rumbling chuckle, the Great Deku Tree looked down at his children with happy eyes, all twenty-one of them.
"His name is Link."
