The Hero's Call
It was an ordinary day in the Lost Woods as Link was going to meet Saria at their usual spot. After so many years playing in the lost woods as a kid, Link had no trouble traversing the tricky maze. A wrong turn could either have you falling in a bottomless pit or have you walking for what seems forever, while you're really not going anywhere. But for yet unknown reasons, as Link rounded a corner he found himself face to face with a Deku Scrub. As the scrub shot the seed was hurled towards Link, he instinctively grabbed the nearest stick and sent it right back at his ugly foe. It hit so hard that it knocked the scrub over and it disintegrated before his eyes. Something about this seemed familiar. Not wanting to waste anymore time, he dashed past its burrow and continued on.
The woods were normally quiet, only changing to protect the Sanctuary that sat deep within the Lost Woods. As he got deeper he found that more and more Scrubs were acting funny. They're normally peaceful creatures that sit and wait on main roads and high traffic trails to do business with passersby's. What could have made them act this way, to go completely against their nature? He finally got to the Sanctuary but there were three Deku Scrubs blocking his path. This really felt familiar. He ducked and dodged every seed as looked for the perfect opportunity to run in and knock them off balance. When he was finally able to run up and attack he also somehow managed to hit and knock all three back. Luckily he didn't have any more to worry about.
Finally reaching his destination, he walked into the sanctuary and found Saria sitting on a small stump playing her ocarina and playing with the spirits of the forest. Not wanting to disturb her and wanting her to finish playing, he crept up to her making as little noise as possible.
"Took you long enough" She lowered the instrument and the music stopped. "If you're going to try and sneak up on me, don't do it when I'm playing with the spirits. Then can see you and I can understand them."
"I don't know how you got here without any trouble but almost every turn had me fighting." Link stopped his sneaking and walked the rest of the way up to her. Saria got up off her seat and looked into his eyes with concern. No words were spoken for quite some time. With Saria and her look of fear and concern and Link trying to figure out what she was thinking, the only noise was from birds in the trees and bugs flying around. Link took a step back and finally spoke, "So, would you have any idea why the Deku Scrubbs have been acting up?"
Saria finally snapped out of her little trance and shook her head "How would I know? I know I can speak with the spirits of the forest, but they would have told me when something odd was happening and I would have found a way to warn you." The day seemed to pass like nothing as they talked of the troubles brewing and why it happened as Link was travelling to the Sanctuary. The sun began to set and they decided to head home. Saria finally saw what he was talking about as she kept seeing the burrows they inhabited.
Later that evening, as Link lay sleeping soundly, Saria could be seen sitting atop her home playing her cherished ocarina. Not meaning to, Link awakens to her beautiful musical score and joins her on the roof. "What's wrong?" asked Link, wiping his eyes trying to become fully aware of his surroundings, "Why are you up so late?"
All Saria could do was look him in the eyes with that same look of concern on her face as before. "I had an awful dream, and I think you should see the Great Deku Tree. The forest is changing and I have a feeling you'll have to leave because of it." She put her ocarina down and grabbed and held Link tightly in her arms. "If you have to leave, I don't know what I'll do." She laid her head in Links lap and began to doze off. "Besides, who else would I play with? Mido is a fool and a klutz." Link gave a smile before he too fell asleep.
In the morning Link awoke on Saria's roof, but with no Saria. After breakfast Link did as Saria wished and went to see The Great Deku Tree. Before he set of on his journey, Link stopped by her place to see if she was there. He knew she wouldn't but he told himself that it never hurts to only other place she could be was their usual spot. Wondering why she would be there when the forest is acting up, he set out anyways. He needed to let Saria know he was going to take her advice and see the old tree. He also wanted to ask her if she would join him, seeing as how she might be right and he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible in case he did have to leave.
Amazingly, not one Scrubb was to be found. Not even the burrows from yestedrrday were there. He finally came upon a gloomy Saria sitting on her stump holding her legs in her hands. She heard Link as he approached "I don't think I can" cried Saria. "I don't think I could handle the news if I am right." A tear began to run down her face. Link saw this and lightly brushed it away. "Don't worry. If it comes to that, I'll make sure I'll come back safely." She got up and walked away without saying anything else. Link just stood there. He wanted to cry with her but he needed strong right now. He needed to be able to show her that nothing will be able to stop him.
Link returned to his home and grabbed all his traveling gear; a knife, some food and his life savings in rupees (which was only 300), and set out to get his or rather Saria's questions answered. He walked past Saria's house and considered whether or not to check on her. Deciding it would be best not to, he walked on. The path ahead of him was long, and depending on what happens, could be even longer. He didn't know what to expect but he made a promise that he had to keep no matter what.