Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Link…Link…" Navi whispered loudly.

The sun hadn't risen yet, but if they were going to reach Castle Town by nightfall, they were going to have to get a move on.

"Still as lazy as ever," Navi muttered to herself. Flying a short distance away from the sleeping Hylian, she raced toward him, hitting him with a bump, and yelled, "LINK! WAKE UP! We have to get moving!"

Link groaned and sat up. "It's too early," he mumbled sleepily. Then with a jolt, he remembered. "I forgot! Today we were going to Castle Town to meet Elayn!"

He hurriedly pulled on his green tunic and hat, and fastened his belt at his waist. At the door of the house he slipped on his boots and grabbed his sword, shield, and small bag of supplies, before climbing down the ladder.

"C'mon, Navi," he called out. "You're moving too slow."

Navi just rolled her eyes at his teasing and raced into Link's hat, where it would be warmer than the crisp morning air.

All of Kokiri Forest was quiet, with only an occasional cricket or bird chirp to break the silence. It seemed the whole forest was asleep, save for Link and Navi. However, as soon as they got to the bridge, a familiar voice rang out,

"Link, wait!"

Link turned to see Saria standing there, like she had before his great adventure as Hero of Time.

"I-I heard you were leaving again," she stammered.

Link nodded. "Yeah. The Great Deku Tree said a lady named Elayn might be able to tell me about my mother, so I'm going to Castle Town to try and find her." He paused a moment before adding, "Would you like to come?"

Saria smiled but shook her head. "I can't. I came to tell you good luck, and that I hope you have a safe journey. I'll be waiting for you when you get back." She hugged him gently before letting go. "Come back soon."

Link smiled broadly, hoping he wasn't blushing. (After all, he'd never been hugged by a girl before.) "Don't worry, I'll only be gone a few days; and when I come back, I'll have lots to tell you about."

Then with a wave and still smiling, he trotted off and out of the forest.

The hours dragged by monotonously. Since there was peace in Hyrule, there weren't any monsters to fight, except for one very lost Deku Scrub, and he only asked for directions. Navi and Link were both hot and tired, and they still had about two hours to go.

"So Navi," Link asked, breaking a four hour silence. "Did you ever see my mother?"

"I was a baby fairy at the time, so I don't really remember when you two came to the forest," she said from her place on his shoulder. "Though, there is one thing I remember…" she trailed off.

"Really? What?" Link asked, his interest peaked.

"I don't know if it is of any consequence, but I remember seeing your mom with the Great Deku Tree one day. I had been sitting by myself watching them, and then there was a flash of white and green light all of a sudden. I don't remember anything after that; the fairy taking care of me took me away so fast I couldn't see. I never saw her again."

"That's strange. I'll have to ask the Great Deku Tree about that. Or Saria, if she'll ever answer any of my questions about it."

The clock just struck four o'clock when the tired pair made their way over the drawbridge and into Castle Town. On his first journey, Link had been amazed at all the new sights and abundance of people; now he barely paid them any mind. With a practiced air he made his way through the twisting back alleys of the town until he came upon the astronomer, a wise old man who always wore a blue robe. He knew everything about Castle Town, and Link figured that if anyone knew where Elayn lived, this man would.

"Excuse me, sir," Link said politely, tapping the old man on the shoulder. "I was wondering if you could tell me where a lady named Elayn lives?"

The astronomer looked surprised. "Elayn?! The tailor's widow? Why, she lives a little ways away from the bazaar. I'll take you there myself." He paused a moment, then spoke sharply. "Why do you want to see her? If you aim to play a trick on her…"

"Oh, no sir! I want to speak with her, is all." Link hastened to reassure the man that his intentions were good.

The astronomer peered at the boy's face. "You have an honest look about you. Very well, I'll take you there; but take heed you don't upset her." As he and Link walked, he elaborated on what he had said. "She's had a rough time these past years, with her husband dying ten years ago in the Great War, and her child's death three years ago; it's been hard on her. Though I don't expect someone as young as yourself would know about such losses."

Link shook his head. "I, too, have gone through great trials. I lost my mother when I was a baby. I'll try not to upset her, sir."

The astronomer smiled. "I believe you are sincere. You're a good lad, with a good future ahead of you. I wouldn't be surprised if you grew up to be a great knight or a scholar someday. Take care."

After he left, Link looked at Navi and took a deep breath. "Well, here goes nothing," he whispered as he opened the door and stepped inside.

"Hey, Saria, come and play with us!" Mido called out as she walked past him and his cronies.

They were about to play Deku-Deku, the Kokiri version of hide-and-seek mixed with freeze tag. Saria just shook her head. She didn't have time to play; and she wasn't in the mood, anyway.

"Come on; it'll be fun, and besides, you can be on my team," Mido offered, blocking her way to the Great Deku Tree.

"Please, Mido, just let me go; I have to see the Great Deku Tree."

Mido frowned. "You never play with us. You always go off with Link in that little old meadow and don't ever play any games. It hurts my feelings." He grabbed her arm as she tried to walk past.

"Let go of me; I don't want to play right now. Maybe later," she tried to pacify him.

Mido wouldn't be swayed, however. He whispered in her ear, "Why do you like that Link kid so much anyway? I bet I'm much better company, if you would only give me a chance."

Saria wrenched her arm away. "You're too bossy, and rude to Link. Just because he's a little different from you, doesn't give you the right to be mean. Now leave me alone." And with that, she ran off.

Mido just folded his arms. "Fine!" he shouted. To himself he muttered, "Saria doesn't know when she's got it good. Link only thinks of her as a friend, and doesn't treat her like he should. I'm perfectly willing to treat her like she should be treated, and she throws it in my face."

As soon as she reached the Great Deku Tree's clearing, Saria stopped running, and tried to catch her breath.

"What is the matter, my child?" the Tree asked in concern.

"Mido was bothering me again," she panted, and sat down to rest.

"You mustn't be too hard on him; you know he thinks the world of you."

"So does Link, but he doesn't go around snubbing people."

"Link isn't perfect, my dear. I think you're just a bit prejudiced because of the bond you share with him."

Saria couldn't think of a reply to this, so she asked instead, "Do you think I should tell Link? About his mother?"

The Great Deku Tree smiled sympathetically. "You do as you feel you must. You are worried things will be different, if you tell him what you know about her, are you not?

Saria nodded. "I don't want anything to change."

"Things will change. He has gone to seek out Elayn, and maybe she will tell him what he wants to know. He may not learn it all, but he will piece things together, and he will guess. Don't you think it will be better, if you told him yourself? He would rather hear it from you, his best friend, than from strangers."

Saria sighed. "You're right. When he comes back, I will tell him. Thank you for your council, Great Deku Tree."

"You are most welcome, dear child. Do not lose heart, for all will be well."