"Skull kid, skull kid, where have you gone?
Why is it that I long for your song?
Skull kid, skull kid, where do you hide?
Why do I long to be by your side?"

Hylian Nursery Rhyme

The Lost Woods were as old as the land of Hyrule itself. As long as there had been plants and animals in the world, the Great Deku Tree had been there to act as their guardian, and as long as the Great Deku Tree had been around, the dense, almost impenetrable forest that surrounded him had been there too. Over time it had changed shape, grown and shrunk with the seasons, been chopped down and used as firewood and even swallowed great cities whole, but one thing had remained constant throughout:

Things got lost in it.

It was no accident either, because when Farore made her beautiful creatures of the world, she knew that some would be corrupted by Din's power, and shamed by Nayru's order. So, she made a safe haven. A place that those in need, those who's hearts were pure despite their faults, could always find respite. And that place was the Lost Forest.

In this forest, navigation could not be done with the conscious mind. It could not be mapped, or scouted. It wasn't possible. Instead, one had to use their heart to guide them. Those who required shelter would plead with their heart and find themselves in the Great Forest Meadow, whilst those who were pursuing would have anger or lust in their hearts and only find the Skull Children, if they were lucky. It was a perilous place where one wrong thought or emotion could take a person to places where he would dare not tread normally, and escape was given only to those worthy enough to deserve it.

Link, however, was a special case. Protected by the Great Deku Tree, he could not be harmed by the Skull Children, but neither could he leave the forest, although he'd tried many times to find its extremes. His adventurous and analytical mind struggled to come to terms with the logic of the forest, for there was none, and so he found himself wandering for hours, and yet seemingly going nowhere.

That made finding a lost Kokiri very...troublesome, and was also why he was immensely glad on the rare occasions when Saria came along on his explorations.

'This way,' she said, walking off in exactly the opposite direction that Link had been about to head. Link didn't even ask why, he'd given up years ago. Instead he readjusted his new sword on his back and jumped over a rather large root to catch up with her.

'Where are we going?' he asked, peering into the murky darkness of the forest before them. 'The Sacred Forest Meadow?'

Saria shook her head. 'I don't think so.' She replied. 'This feels more like... the Crystal Pool.'

Link wondered how it was possible that Saria, who knew the forest better than any living person or creature alive, except maybe the Great Deku Tree, could only guess in what direction she was heading.

'Crystal Pool?'

Saria nodded. 'It's a small clearing with a small spring in it. The rock below the water shines and sparkles as if it has jewels embedded in it. It's really pretty.'

'Oh! You mean the wishing well!' Link exclaimed happily. 'I found it by accident last year whilst I was looking for a place to refill my water canister. It was so peaceful there that I dropped a Rupee in and made a wish.'

Saria grinned at him. 'You always were a bit of a fool.' she laughed.

'No! It came true! I was able to find my way straight back to the village, just like I wished! Ever since then, I've paid a Rupee and made a wish every time I find myself there.'

'Have these wishes come true too?'

Link shrugged. 'Well, my first wish was to find a massive golden Rupee, like the know-it-all brothers said they'd seen, but I don't think it exists, so that doesn't really count.'

'Have you tried wishing for anything small?'

Link grinned. 'How do you think I found this sword?'

Saria stared at Link and shook her head in disbelief. 'I did wonder.'

They didn't end up at the wishing well in the end, probably due to the fact that Link was now looking forward to getting there, but at the Great Deku Tree's clearing instead. Right at the heart of the forest sat its Guardian Tree. Scorned by Hylians and Humans alike, who thought the concept of a sentient tree was ludicrous, the Great Deku Tree was in fact one of the last great spirits of nature left in the world, probably because it was the only one that neither race could find. Entering the clearing was considered an honour to the Kokiri, for even they could not find it unless they were summoned by the tree itself.

The clearing, a strange name to give to an area taken up almost entirely by a massive tree, was like an eye in the storm that was the Lost Forest. It was an area of grassland of almost seven acres, flat and clear of even the smallest scrub. Even the Deku Tree's massive canopy didn't quite reach the forest at the border of the clearing, leaving a ring of beautifully blue sky, now darkening into purple with the close of the day.

At its centre sat the Great Deku Tree itself. Rising twice as high as any other tree in the forest, and several times as thick around the trunk, it was a truly impressive sight. Link couldn't help but be in awe of the massive being. It must have lived since the dawn of time.

'He looks ill...' Saria said, softly.

At first, Link didn't understand what she meant. How could something like the Great Deku Tree, the guardian of all living things, be ill? But then he looked closer at the canopy. Even in the dying light of the day, the usual lush green colour of the Great Deku Tree's leaves were darkened, even brown in places. The bark wasn't quite as solid as he remembered either, but flaking and rotting away. Even on the lush grassland, a layer of golden debris was starting to build up.

She was right. The Great Deku Tree did not look well at all.

They started towards the tree. The Great Deku Tree had allowed them to come, and it was much too early for the Kokiri to arrive and give their thanks, that would take place at midnight that night as the final part of the festival. Perhaps there was something it wanted them to do before then?

Link was secretly pleased, although he'd never admit it. The Great Deku Tree had never spoken to him directly. In fact, he had never heard the Great Deku Tree speak at all. He only ever spoke 'through' someone, that someone usually being Mido – hence why the Kokiri generally believed he was the boss of everyone else. The only other person that could remember being spoken directly to was Saria, and she was extremely tight-lipped on the subject, going very silent whenever someone brought it up.

Maybe, just maybe, this time it was 'his' turn.

Things didn't get off to a good start.

'What are YOU doing here!' screamed a voice easily identifiable as Mido's as they approached the trunk. They spotted him sitting atop the stump they used as an altar of sorts during their thanks-giving ceremony. He looked dishevelled and slightly unwashed, but otherwise unhurt. He certainly still had spirit.

'Y-You... Go away!' he shouted, getting to his feet. 'This is a sacred place! You are not to be here! GO!'

Link felt the beginnings of anger build within himself, but a soothing hand on his forearm from Saria helped him calm enough not to act on it. He was glad when Saria spoke and directed Mido's attention away from him.

'We have every right to be here, Mido.' she said calmly. 'You know as well as I do that only those called by the Great Deku Tree can reach the clearing.'

Mido seethed for a few seconds more, his gaze darting between Saria's emerald eyes and Link's crystal blue. He huffed something, then turned his back on them and tapped his foot irritably. Saria sighed and turned to Link.

'Well, at least we found him.' she said. Link, if he was honest with himself, almost wished they hadn't.

'Link... Heed my words.'

Link shook his head. Had he heard something? Did someone speak? Saria was looking at him strangely.

'Did you say something?' he asked her. She shook her head.

'No. Why, did you...' she continued talking, but was drowned out by the mysterious voice as it spoke again.

'Link... It is I, the Great Deku Tree... Look into thy heart, and ye will know it is so.'

Link's eyes bulged. 'It's the Deku Tree!' he exclaimed. Saria squealed, but Link's words had caught Mido's attention and he spun on the spot, anger back in his eyes.

'The Great Deku Tree talk to you? How ridic...' Once again, the Great Deku Tree's voice drowned out all others.

'Link... Child of Time... I have a grave task to ask of ye...'

'He has a task for me...' Link said aloud, more to Saria than Mido, but he knew the boy was listening anyway.

'A great evil hath afflicted me. I am in great need of thy courage, young one.'

'He's in trouble. He needs my help.'

Mido guffawed. 'Help from you? About as useful as a Deku stick in the...'

'There is little time. Ye must enter my body and destroy the evil before it is too late.'

'Enter?' Link said, this time to the Great Deku Tree. 'But how?'

'There is a burrow, hidden by the roots at my base, that has not been used in o'er a century. Ye must cut a way through. It will take ye inside, Link.'

Link was shocked. 'What? You want me to cut...'

'Do not be anxious. Ye have strength that ye do not know yet. Have courage. Hurry.'

And with that, the Great Deku Tree went silent.

'What?' said Saria after an anxious few seconds of quiet. 'What is it that the Great Deku Tree wants you to do?'

Link turned his dazed expression towards her. 'I need to go inside the Great Deku Tree and 'defeat' the evil that has infected him... or something like that.'

Saria frowned. 'Inside? Are you sure? How are you meant to do that?'

Link gulped and reached up, grasping the hilt of the Kokiri Sword. It came free with a ring that echoed all around the clearing. He started towards the base of the Great Deku Tree.

This was obviously taken exactly the wrong way by Mido, who jumped to his feet and charged at Link.

'Nooo!' he screamed, leaping at the boy. Link dipped his shoulder and rolled with the hit, sending Mido careering towards the leaf-strewn floor in a heap with little more than a weak tug on Link's tunic. He continued on, determined in his mission, afraid that if he stopped, he wouldn't be able to take the swing that he knew he must...

...at the roots of the Great Deku Tree itself.

'SMACK!'

The root parted with the first stroke, the ancient blade as sharp as the day it was crafted untold ages ago. In Link's hand, it seemed to sing. The root fell aside, and Link could just see a small hole in the earth, not more than a few feet across, only a meter from where he stood.

Only a meter more of sacred roots to cut through then.

'What are you doing!' cried Mido from his place on the ground. He hadn't stood again, distraught with what he was seeing. 'You're killing the Great Deku Tree! Murderer!'

Link ignored him. The Great Deku Tree had said there was little time. If he stopped to argue with the Kokiri, the Great Deku Tree could die. The irony was not lost on Link. He took another swing and yet another thick, 100-year-old root fell away to the song of the blade.

'Link!'

This time, Link paused. He could ignore Mido all day, he had been training to do that since he could remember, but he couldn't ignore Saria.

'Please, Link. Stop.'

He turned, looking her dead in the eyes. It almost broke his heart to see she was on the verge of tears. 'If I don't, the Great Deku Tree could die.' he said slowly, forcefully. 'There's a burrow down there that the Great Deku Tree says will get me inside.' he pointed into the thicket, where he had seen the hole. 'I don't have a choice.'

Saria hiccuped, a sign she was very upset. She stayed very quiet for what felt like an eternity, her eyes never leaving Link's, not even to look at where he was pointing.

'The Great Deku Tree told you to do this?' she said eventually, 'You're certain?'

'I swear to you.' Link said, preying to all three deities that she believed him, he couldn't waste any more time.

Saria took a deep breath and raised her hand. 'Try over there,' she said, surprising both Link and Mido, 'The roots aren't as thick there.'

Link shot her a small smile and moved to where she was pointing. Indeed, the roots were much sparser here. It wouldn't take half as long to cut through them all.

Meanwhile, Mido was going berserk.

'Saria! You can't be serious! He's murdering the Great Deku Tree!' he was yelling, 'He's a murderer!'

Saria pulled herself together. 'Link is trying to save the Great Deku Tree, Mido!' she shouted, 'Or do you only use your ears to hear what you want to hear like everybody says?'

Mido was stunned. Saria never shouted. And what was she saying? Did she truly believe what Link was saying? 'He's not even Kokiri!' he blurted out. 'How could a Hylian talk to the Great Deku Tree, huh? Explain that!'

Saria's eyes turned sad. 'And that is where you show your ignorance, Mido.' she said softly. 'Link may not be like us, as much as I wish he were sometimes, but he is still a child of this forest, and he, like all of Farore's Children, are still protected by the Great Deku Tree. Whether they understand that or not. The Great Deku Tree may talk to and call upon any living thing he pleases, because we are all equal in his eyes. Don't you see that, Mido?'

Mido shook physically as he listened to Saria's soft voice. How could she say these things? Didn't she understand what a privilege it was to be Kokiri? To be one of the Deku Tree's caretakers? Didn't she understand what it meant when a Hylian was chosen to save the Deku Tree and not a Kokiri?

'He...He's tricked you!' Mido cried, 'He's turned you against me! I always thought you were too close to him!' he backed away on the floor, crabbing backwards on his hands. 'You're in this together!' he shouted suddenly, his eyes crazed. 'You want the Great Deku Tree dead! Murderers!'

With a shout he got to his feet and sprinted towards the tree-line. He looked over his shoulder and shouted 'Murderers!' one more time before disappearing into the forest.

Saria watched him go with a heavy heart. Mido would see his mistake in time, once he'd calmed down, she was sure of it. The boy was just afraid, she was too, but she had something that Mido had resisted from the first day that the Great Deku Tree had called them to him those twelve years ago. The day he gave them warning of a newcomer to their midst, and what it would mean for them.

The friendship and trust of a young Hylian boy, called Link.

Suddenly, the boy himself appeared at his shoulder. He was panting and slightly rosy-cheeked, but otherwise unaffected by the conversation that had occurred. With relief, Saria realised that Link had been concentrating too much on his task to hear anything of what was said. Perhaps the vegetation was too think in there, or perhaps the Great Deku Tree had shielded him somehow. She would never know, but she was glad all the same.

'I think I can get through now.' the boy said, looking about the clearing. 'Where's Mido gone?'

'He's..er..gone somewhere to think.' Saria said, looking over her shoulder at the point in the tree-line that Mido had disappeared.

Link shrugged. 'Least he's not here to shout at me any more.' he slid the sword back into its scabbard. 'I'm going in. Wait here 'till I come out?' he said, and Saria detected a hint of nervousness in his voice. She made a snap decision.

'I'm coming with you.' she informed him.

Link blinked, then shook his head violently. 'No way. It's too dangerous.'

Saria felt like laughing. There were things in this forest she'd seen that would give Link nightmares for months. Nothing inside the Great Deku Tree, no matter how horrible, would shock her.

'There's no light in there.' she said simply, 'You need my help.'

Link raised an eyebrow. 'And how do you think you can help me? I'm perfectly able to create fire on my own, you know.'

Saria felt like laughing. Link was capable of using a flint to create a spark, but he was notoriously hopeless with turning that spark into a viable fire for any practical use. Luckily, she had her own method of creating fire that was much faster and more reliable. She raised her hand and concentrated; a small green fire blinked into existence on her upturned palm. Link looked at her in shock. She smirked back.

'I'm coming with you.' she said again, and this time, there was no argument.

So that's chapter 2 for you. I always liked this scene... Mido, for all his faults, is a great character to write when he's hysterical. I just hope it was as enjoyable to read.

Chapter three should be along soon, but tell me what you think so far. I'll be editing as I go along, and it's always good to have outside opinion.

Chris