Chapter 3

"Do you hear that?"

The four boys stood still to listen. As if in response, the noises of the Lost Woods dimmed to silence. Then, even from a distance, they could make out a familiar melody on the wind.

Link's pointed ears perked at the sound. "That's Saria's song!"

Misol turned to Dosol. "It sounds like she's at the appointed meeting place. I hope she hasn't scared the ghost away."

Making their way through the crowding branches in the misty darkness, they were all at least partially glad that a familiar face would be awaiting them at their destination.

Finally, they reached the clearing. It was boxed in on all sides by aging castle walls, one of which held the gate they had entered through. The wall opposite to the entrance held a giant door into impenetrable shadow, preceded by a broken stone staircase. The two remaining walls were partially eclipsed by large hedges that even now spoke of their previously well-trimmed forms.

There, on the same tree stump as usual, was their good friend Saria playing her ocarina. Even though Link had never before been in the Sacred Meadow at night, seeing her sitting in such a casual manner made moonlight seem as bright as sunlight.

Misol stepped forward. "Hey, Saria! Why are you out here alone in the middle of the night?"

Saria raised an eyebrow, subtly indicating that he should remember her policy regarding the performance of music. She never left a song incomplete, especially when there was an audience.

Fasol gave Misol a shove. "Alone? Did you really forget about your own brother?"

"Well, I didn't see you," Misol explained. "So I assumed Saria sent you away or something. Where were you?"

"Fasol was accompanying me while I checked the perimeter," a new fairy answered.

Gator spun towards the familiar voice. "You're also here, Navi?"

"Of course," Navi replied. "It's dangerous to have dealings with spirits. You've got to have at least one exorcist at the ready."

Gator shrugged. "That won't be necessary this time. I know the ghost can be trusted. Besides, don't you think you're a little overqualified?"

Navi smirked. "Is that a compliment, dear brother?"

Saria finished her song, put her ocarina in her lap, and said, "We've been waiting for you."

Misol groaned. "How did you find out? Whatever happened to the virtue of secrecy?"

Feeling the piercing gazes of Mido and Link on his back, he amended, "I mean, why didn't I think of inviting you? For a second back there, I thought Link wasn't going to come. You would've given him confidence for sure."

Saria's expression remained level. "I guess you didn't invite me because you thought I would have said this is too dangerous. And you would have been right. However, the ghost appeared to me, convinced me that he could be trusted, and asked that I remain both to reassure Link and to play music while we waited."

Link tried to peer through the shadows. "Where is he? Is he here?"

Navi flew to the open doors of the ruined castle. "He's up here!"

Link approached the gaping hole in the wall. The others stayed where they were.

There, in the light of the fairy's glow, lay a suit of armor leaning against the stone doorway. Upon closer analysis, Link could see nothing connecting the gauntlets and boots to the main body.

Then the helmet turned towards him, revealing a human skull still encased within. One eye socket glimmered dimly with a red light.

Slowly, the mysterious entity stood, stepped forward, and toppled down the broken stairs in a startling clatter of metal and bones.

The Know-It-All Brothers couldn't help but snicker at the clumsy display. Mido crossed his arms tightly, disturbed at such a state of disrepair. Saria ran to the pile of ruin and began to help the ancient soldier put himself back together.

Cautiously, Link approached and lent a hand in the endeavor. He discovered that the missing arm and leg bones had been stored within the giant gloves and boots themselves. Mido also approached, but couldn't bring himself to touch those strange white rods, especially with that depressing red eye watching. The Know-It-All Brothers, sensing a chance to show off a little, took over the reconstruction process, even going as far as to call the bones by name as they worked.

Sitting up, the soldier spoke. "My thanks to you all. I would have asked you to join me within the castle where the magic that binds me together is stronger, except I am aware that you are expressly forbidden from doing so. Also, these stairs are terribly unsafe for anyone's use, living or dead."

Saria smiled at his humor, then gestured towards Link. "Here is the one you asked to see."

The skeleton leaned closer to Link as if to get a better look at the boy. His fleshless face manifested no feelings, but there was something about his glowing eye which communicated to Link a range of emotions.

Fear and hope. Pride and concern. Love and anger. All of these and more could be found within the glint of his eye.

"Tell me, child. Have you ever killed something intentionally?"

"Intentionally?" Link repeated, wanting to back away, yet kept captivated by curiosity and an undeniable sense of importance.

"Intentionally," the ghost confirmed.

Link remembered something, gathered his courage, and confessed.

"I killed some weeds once. They were choking some other plants, so I tried to relocate them, but I couldn't find a place to replant them, so I let them die."

A dead silence followed.

The soldier's head tilted as though he couldn't quite believe what he had just heard.

Saria explained, "Sir, the Great Deku Tree has taught us that life is sacred, and death should be avoided wherever possible. Even when it comes to weeds."

Link continued, "I also killed a spider. It just jumped out, and-"

"That's quite enough," the spirit interrupted. "It is a noble thing to value life in all its forms. Truly, what do men fight for other than the preservation of lives?"

The ghost sighed, memories of past days haunting his heart. "Still, times come when one must choose one life above another. Will you save the weeds, or the plants that are being choked by the weeds? Relocation isn't always an option."

Link frowned. "I suppose if there is no alternative... I'd let the weeds die."

The skeleton placed a hand on Link's shoulder, making sure he had his full attention.

"The weeds that I speak of do not die if you leave them out in the sun. No. They find new plants to steal sustenance from, sometimes travelling great distances to do so. They can learn from their past failures and prepare against you in the future. These weeds are able and willing to murder you and anyone associated with you. Tell me, child. Are you willing to kill?"

After a moment of hesitation, Link nodded slowly.

"If I have no better choice."

As promised, the ghost allowed the Know-It-All Brothers to study him. Link had been watching silently, but his questions demanded answers.

"Why? Why did you ask to see me specifically? Why did you ask me if I'm willing to kill? What do you want from me?!"

The ghost gazed evenly at the boy with his one eye. "Here's a better question: What do you want for others?"

Knocking away the twentieth swab presented to him, the old soldier stood up, drew a dagger from his boot, and presented it to Link.

"Weeds will grow regardless of your wishes. If you truly believe life is sacred, you should patrol the garden regularly."

Link politely accepted the small sword and placed it in his belt. The ghost nodded his approval and turned to face the others.

"I apologize for appearing at such a late hour. I shall depart soon, and I doubt we shall meet again. As it is, I wish to convey one last lesson from my life."

Turning back towards Link, he said, "Every life is worth the effort."

Link shuddered at the quality of his sincerity.

As the skeleton clattered and clanked his way back up the broken steps, Mido had to take this last chance.

"Who were you?"

The soldier paused, sighed, and disappeared into the darkness.