Chapter 1
"Link, how could you not remember her?" Link gazed across the Inn's bar. The bartender was sending him vibes in his groin. He felt dizzy from the heavy ale, and his chest felt tight from the heavy smoke-filled air.
"I remember her Jojo… I remember her like the first day I met her. She's busy with her own life, I've ruined enough of them to know when to back off." Link pulled his hair away from his face. His friend was sitting next to him, not knowing who Link really was.
"Yeah, but she wanted to talk to you! You pushed her away. It's your own fault for not going after her Link… Idiot." Jojo slammed his ale down on the bar, sloshing the amber liquid and splashing it across Link's hand. "I'm going to sober up, a walk should do. Hyrule is good for a walk…" Jojo spun around, throwing two rupees on the bar, and strolled out the door. Jojo was a new merchant, tall, lanky, and handsome. Link made friends with him on the open road from a recent quest into the highlands. Jojo never talked about Link's past, and Link liked that. He felt like a normal Hyrulian around him. Something he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Link, doll face, want another?" The bartender leaned over the bar, breasts planted firmly on the bar surface, bouncing up to her chin. Her blue eyes burned into Link's already reddened face. She was breathing hard, her chest flushed like her cheeks. She must have been hitting the sauce at work, Link thought. He rapped the bar with his fist and looked up at her. "Nah Meri, I'm done for the night…" Link left her a few rupees and headed out the door. He was fully aware of her staring at him, breathing heavy, thinking about him and her entangled in a mess of bed sheets. Link shook his head as he walked out the door, trying to shake the feeling of loneliness from his soul.
"Link? What are you doing here?" Link looked over and saw Nabooru. Link rubbed his neck and stretched.
"Nothing, just getting a drink of ale. I just came back from an assignment in the highlands. Aren't you supposed to be in the Gerudo Temple, doing what you do best?" Link didn't like Nabooru, never had.
"I'm in town getting some things from the herbal shops… I can't find fresh herbs in the desert." She smiled at him, but it wasn't a kind smile. "I saw your girlfriend. She seemed upset."
"She's not my girlfriend, and wipe that smirk off your face Nabooru… I've trained in your training facilities, saved your temple, saved this whole kingdom, but oh no… I'm sorry, I forgot you are a spoiled desert princess of thieves. Leave me be witch." Link spat at her and turned on his heel. Nabooru kept the smile on her face.
"Well, I'll just be on my way Hero. Remember, no one is that safe, even with you around." Link turned to look back at her to comment, but she was gone. Sneaky thief… Link thought as he trudged towards the stables. What did she mean by that? Link was exhausted, slightly drunk, and depressed. He hung his head and grabbed Epona. His stable fare was free, and he could come and go as he pleased. A young boy was holding the reigns out, looking at Link's dirt stained face.
"Um, Link… I just… I just wanted to tell you how much I admire you." His small frame, bright blonde hair, and green eyes reminded Link of himself at one time.
"Thank you." He didn't know exactly what to say to him. It was hard enough having to relive the memories, but it was even harder when a child wanted to be like him. Link just lowered his head and mounted Epona. "If you ever… If you ever want to practice sword fighting, let me know. I'll be happy to show you some moves." Link forced a smile, straining his burnt skin.
"Oh! Sir Link, that would be wonderful! I will take you up on that next time we meet!" He was so excited his little voice broke. Link smiled and patted him on the head as he left. He felt sick to his stomach. He felt like he was setting the child up for disaster, death, and war. It was depressing because that was all he knew, and he knew that if anything got in the way of his fate, they too would die.
He reached the edges of the Lost Woods, the Kokiri Forest was just beyond. This was his home, his life, his family. He couldn't face looking at a place where he originally never belonged. Saria was the only real friend he ever had. She was his strength when times were tough. There were always strong feelings with her, like she was a part of him. He considered her a piece of his heart and life, and always will. Saria's childlike disposition confused many, but she was the wisest of any man or woman he had ever met.
Link, hallo again good friend. What ails you? Saria touched his mind with her soft voice. Link sighed and walked Epona to her regular post at the mouth of the cave leading to the forest.
I have come from battle with the Carenherts weeks ago. The war was gruesome, terrible, and bloody. I'm losing faith. I needed to come home to be with my thoughts and my friend. Link walked forward into the cavern. It wasn't long before he was on the bridge to Kokiri Forest.
Friend, come to me. We will talk in our normal place. I hope you haven't forgotten it in all this time. Her voice faded from his mind leaving chimes of wind in its place. Link gripped his brown leather jacket.
It was autumn in Hyrule, cold, damp, and red. Link hated the color red, it reminded him for fire, screams, blood. He felt nauseated all of a sudden and swallowed some bile in the process. His face paled as he walked through the tiny Kokiri village. It was so quiet at night time, so serene and peaceful. Life was so simple here, he thought feeling sentimental. It had been over a year since he had been back. Nothing had changed, the fireflies were out, a couple Kokiri were playing in their yards, fish jumped randomly to eat anything bug like at the surface.
"Link?! Hallo! It's been such a long time!" It was a smaller girl, she looked eight but her eyes told a different story. It was their age, their eyes always gave away their age. She was probably in her 100's by now. They never aged, and if they left their village they would die. Azura, that was her name, Azura. She was so tiny and frail.
"Hallo Azura. It's been a long time, friend. How are things?" Link asked, leaning against a great tree.
"Oh, same old days Link. Nothing has changed. Mido has gotten nicer in his age, but other than that, nothing has changed. Saria knew you were coming tonight, she's at the temple waiting for you. Are you on your way to see her now?" She bounced on the balls of her feet, giddy with childlike stance, but wisdom beyond Link's short years.
"Yes, she has been expecting me. I'll see you tomorrow Azura. If you need anything, call to me." She nodded and watched Link walk away towards the Lost Wood's entrance. He remembered the stone paths like an old friend. He followed the maze and ended up in his place next to Saria.
"Ah, old friend." He embraced her small frame, almost crushing the wind out of her.
"It's good to see you as well, but let me go, I can't breathe." She laughed as he released her, looking worried as if he might have hurt her. "I'm fine Link. Sit, you've had a long journey for these few months." Link took a seat by her side in front of the Forest Temple. The moon was out sending an eerie glow through the woods, it seemed to always transcend in the forest. The beams were lighting up Saria's green eyes and hair, she was pale skinned and the moon didn't help her complexion. She was just as eerie as those bright moon beams hitting every leaf, branch, and blade of grass in the area.
"I have been gone only a year, but I figure something would have changed by now." Link looked over at her.
"Yes, but there is a stirring in the wind. Something is coming, and I really don't know what it is." Link furrowed his brow and looked down at his boots. "I think we will be ok, but I'm nervous about what you might have to do." She looked worried; she never gets worried Link thought.
"It'll be ok, I'm sure I can handle it Saria." Saria shook her head, green locks bounced around her face.
"No, I don't think it will this time." With that she looked up at the large dead tree, vines hanging off the large single branch, it gave an iridescent glow. "I need to go now… I'll speak with you tomorrow Link." She kissed his cheek and got up from the large trunk.
"Ok, I guess I will see you in the morning, but I have to do some errands. Maybe the evening will be better. Let me know if you find out what is going on." Saria smiled and nodded.
"I will brother." With that she disappeared into the opening on one side of the Forest Temple. Link sighed and stared up at the cloudless sky, the moon hanging over head. He hated the moon after being in Clock Town for as long as he was. He shook off the memory and walked back through the maze to his house. He climbed up the ladder into his tree house. It was just the way he left it. The bed tidy, bookshelves full of books, and his clothes trunks opened and spewing with trinkets and different uniforms. He pulled out his red outfit, one that gave him resistance to fire. He pulled out his steel boots, slingshot, and a drawing he made when he was very young. It was him and Saria holding hands in the forest. Link smiled a little and folded it carefully. He put it on a small wooden table near the larger window in his house. He looked outside, feeling recognition of where he was. Home at last was on his mind. It relieved the stress and burden of despair he carried.
He finally lay down on his bed. It was soft, goose feathers and chicken feathers. He curled up in a ball, just like when he was a small child. He felt so alone, and it was his own fault. She was there, at the bar tonight. She looked just as lovely as the day he met her in the corral at Lon Lon Ranch. Her hair was long, red and lush. It was gorgeous. Her bright blue eyes glowed when she laughed, her lips pink and plump. I should have said something to her… Link gripped his bedding as he felt the embarrassment of their interaction.
"Link, how are you?" Link stood there staring at his drink.
"I'm… I'm tired." He answered her shortly, still refusing to look at her.
"Well, it's really nice to see you in town. Maybe you can come by later?" She smiled, he could see a glow in the corner of his eye.
"Yep. Maybe." He hovered over his beer, putting his back to her. She walked away slowly. He could hear her footsteps changing pace, she had changed her mind at first, but it didn't take long to figure out he wasn't interested in talking to her. Link was, though, he really wanted to talk to her. He, however, had no gusto when it came to women. He was a quiet man, never really thought through when it came to talking about feelings, or what he liked. He didn't really think he even liked much of anything anymore. Fishing was nice, horseback riding, the moon… Slowly as these delicate thoughts crossed his mind, sleep overcame the tired and worn hero.
