Chapter 4

Beyond the Forest

The sun was setting as Link and Marin returned to Mabe Village. The cello they had recovered from the Tail Cave was surprisingly heavy, so Link had to carry it with both arms.

"It's a good thing," he said, striking up conversation with Marin, "your dad found that harp instead of something like this. He never would've been able to get it out if a monster were chasing him!"

Marin giggled, no doubt trying to imagine Tarin running off with that particular instrument in his arms. Her smile soothed Link's heart, and caused him to smile in turn.

"Father might not be happy," she said, "when we get back."

"Why not?"

"He knows how dangerous those ruins are. He'll probably cause a scene because we went in there." She didn't sound particularly worried. On the contrary, it was almost as if she was anticipating some sort of punishment.

"It's okay, I'll just tell him I went in alone."

"No, it's okay," Marin insisted. "I'd rather not lie to him. I'll tell him we went inside together, and that you kept me safe from the monsters."

"I thought you said you'd get in trouble?" Marin giggled, then looked up at Link.

"I think I'm a bit too big to go over his lap for a spanking." Her comment got Link laughing freely for a change. Watching him, Marin felt her heart go aflutter in her chest. She felt her face go warm.

"Marin, where's the swamp?" The sudden change in topic snapped Marin out of her dreamy daze.

"To the north of the village, past the Mysterious Forest. Why?"

"There's another instrument there, right? Some more ruins or another cave?" Marin nodded, confirming what the owl had told him. Link didn't exactly want to say it was an owl that shared that information with him, but at least he knew the owl was being honest.

"Father knows a way through the forest," Marin added. "He goes there often to collect mushrooms. You can ask him for directions when we get back."

"You don't know how to get there yourself?" Link asked, not fond of the idea of having Tarin lead the way.

"I went with him once or twice, but I don't remember the way too much. Why?" The question threw Link off balance for a moment.

"O-Oh, just asking, is all," he stammered, looking away from her. "Would've been nice if we went there together, just like today."

Those words had escaped Link's lips without him even realizing it. He swallowed hard, and glanced shyly in Marin's direction. Her face was red, but the smile she wore with it hinted at her true feelings. The moment was tense, but Link knew he only said that because he really meant it. He had known this girl for only a day, and already he could feel his heart longing for her.

Her hand was free at her side, he realized. He adjusted the cello so that it rested on his shoulder, while his left arm held it steady against his body. With his right hand free, he slowly reached out to grab hold of Marin's hand. Rather than pull away when she felt his touch, she gently grabbed back. As the sun set behind them, they entered Mabe Village together.

Hand in hand.

~o~

Night fell on the island, and still Tarin hadn't returned home. It was clear for Link to see that Marin was worried about her father, yet she insisted Tarin would show up eventually.

"He's always like this," she told Link several times over the course of the evening. "I'm sure he'll burst through that door any minute now with a bag full of mushrooms!"

But the hour grew later, the village lights went out one by one, and still Tarin was a no-show. Link chose to sit outside as Marin prepared his bed, to keep an eye out for the missing man. From time to time, he'd look up at the sky, and just doze off as he stared at the stars. He'd wonder if the Princess Zelda knew of the ship's disaster yet, and if so, was she worried about him? Link shook his head.

"She wouldn't even be thinking of me," he mumbled to himself. Why would the Princess worry about him?

"Who's 'she'?" Marin's voice startled Link, which only made her more suspicious of this 'she'.

"N-Nothing! No one! I'm just talking to myself," he lied, trying his best not to confess he was thinking of Zelda. The last thing he needed was for Marin to get jealous and force him outside in the cold... rather, warm. The night was muggy.

"Link, who is 'she'?" Marin asked again, proving she wasn't just about to let this slip by again. Link stood up, putting a bit of distance between them.

"I'm telling you, it's nothing to worry about..."

"It's Zelda, isn't it?" Link's face went white.

"H-How did you...?" Marin's expression formed a fiendish smirk.

"You mentioned her name when you woke up this morning, remember? I didn't give it much thought until now. Who's Zelda?"

Link had to hand it to Marin; when she wanted, she could be quite crafty and attentive. Figuring his cover was blown, Link sighed and resigned himself to confessing. He wouldn't tell her everything that happened, but enough to get Marin off his back. He sat down on the porch again, with Marin sitting right beside him.

"Zelda..." Link's voice trailed off for a moment. Should he say she was a princess?

"Zelda...?" Marin repeated, expecting more.

"She's a princess," he said, bluntly. "She's the princess of Hyrule."

Marin's face went through a few different expressions rapidly, but Link caught them all. From surprise to joy, joy to worry, worry to anger.

"You mean... you and the princess...?"

"What? No! No, not at all!" Link was quick to dispel that assumption, both for Marin's sake and his own. "I mean, she's beautiful and all, but she's the princess!"

"But you keep thinking about her," Marin said, looking at Link carefully. "Do you... like her?"

Talk about being put on the spot. Link wanted desperately to look away from her, but those big, brown eyes, sparkling in the starlight were too enchanting to turn away from. Marin wanted an honest answer, and it was up to Link to swallow his reservations and give it to her.

"Y-Yeah," he stuttered. "She's really pretty, you know? Kinda hard not to like her..."

Marin's expression got worse, and it took Link a few seconds too long to realize what he was saying. He might not be the best ladies' man, but he knew when certain things could hurt a girl's feelings.

"I see why you want to leave Koholint Island so badly," Marin said, utterly dejected.

"Marin, it's not that. The Princess entrusted me to something to do, and I have to go back and let her know what happened. If the rest of the people on the ship were killed I have to go back and let her know!" Link knew he wasn't making a strong case for himself, but it was either that or admit he wanted to see Zelda again. At that moment, he realized he was lying again.

"It's okay," Marin said, turning away from Link slightly. "I'll promise to help you find the rest of the instruments. You can't do it without a guide to the island, or my harp."

She was trying her best to hide her pain, but it was slipping through her quivering lower lip. Link knew he had hurt her feelings, feelings he acknowledged only hours ago. Feelings he shared, and that were developing despite his efforts to prevent that very occurrence.

"Marin," Link said softly, placing his hands on her shoulders, "you said earlier that you didn't want to be on this island. Why don't you come with me?"

She looked up at Link. Her eyes, watery from welled up tears, sparkled even brighter in the starlight. Link could feel his heart skip a few beats as he stared into her eyes.

"You mean...?"

"Yes. We can leave the island together. We'll wake the Wind Fish together, and ask to leave together." It was as if the thought never occurred to Marin herself.

"We hardly know each other, Link," she replied, suddenly unsure of herself or the proposition. "How could we just-"

Link cut her off by placing his finger on her lips. The sudden action made Marin jump a little, but she did not fight back. Link removed his finger, and stared into her brown eyes.

"I haven't known you for very long," he started, choosing his words carefully, "but it hasn't taken me long to realize that my feelings for you are greater than anything else in the world right now. You want to leave Koholint Island as much as I do; why not leave together?"

The tears in Marin's eyes threatened to escape. In her heart of hearts, she never would've imagined this. That Link would share that childish crush; that love at first sight was real. She didn't have to say anything to him, only nod her head slightly in affirmation. Link smiled, and dared to go one step further.

He leaned in closer to her face, and she to his. Their lips locked in a soft embrace underneath the starry night. If only this moment would last forever.

"Marin!" A shrill voice shattered their moment. It wasn't Tarin's but that of an old lady. Of course, both young people pulled away from each other in the blink of an eye, doing their best to make themselves presentable.

"Mrs Ulrira! What's wrong?" Marin did her best to remove traces of her tears before the old woman approached, but there just wasn't enough time.

"Oh Marin, I just heard from Papahl! Your father's been bewitched somehow in the Mysterious Forest! Are you alright?" Fortunately, it seemed as if the old lady hadn't caught them kissing. Link was beyond relieved.

"What? I-I didn't know! I've been down by the beach all day with Link!"

"Link? Who's that?" The old woman looked past the young lady, seeing the boy in green sitting on the porch. "Who are you?"

"Didn't you hear, Mrs Ulrira? He washed up on the shore this morning! I've been down by the beach with him all day helping him find his things." Link could tell, even in the dim light and at a distance, that the woman still didn't trust him.

"Are you sure you'll be alright in the house with him? Papahl is willing to search for your father in the morning, but I'd feel much better if you stayed with us tonight, instead of with that stranger."

"It's okay, Mrs Ulrira, I'm-"

"Okay with staying at your place, ma'am," Link cut in, answering for Marin. She looked back at him, stunned at his decision.

"Link?"

"She's right, Marin. I'm a newcomer here, I'll be okay staying in your house alone until morning. You go with her, so she won't be so worried about us being alone." Those words made Marin blush a deep crimson all over again, making her all the more adorable to watch.

"You heard the young man. Gather your things, dear." Mrs Ulrira was eager to return home, so she practically forced Marin back into the house. Link followed her in, and watched as she packed a couple things into her satchel.

"Why'd you do that, Link?" She asked, a bit disappointed she couldn't stay the night with Link. She honestly felt like she were being babied by the very boy who had a crush on her.

"She'd probably have a sleepless night worrying about us," Link replied. "Just go and rest. Tomorrow, we'll head up into the forest and find Tarin, I promise."

Marin finished packing her things and threw the satchel over her shoulder. She walked by Link, and gently pecked his cheek as she went out the door. The sudden gesture made him blush a bit. He watched from the door as both ladies disappeared into the dark of night.

There was no sense lying to himself anymore. Link had fallen for Marin, and there was nothing he wouldn't do to keep her happy.

~o~

Not even the morning sun was enough to dispel the darkness of the forest ahead of them. It seemed Marin was afraid of the dark, as she remained close to Link as they entered the forest, even going so far as to clutch onto his arm along the way. All around them, they could hear animals scurrying about the trees, making it hard for them to focus on any potential danger cues.

"Tell me about the forest, Marin," whispered Link to his traveling companion.

"Why? Wouldn't it be better to stay quiet, so no one can hear us?" While Marin did have a point, Link wanted her to relax and ease up off his arm. Getting her to talk and become distracted was the easiest way.

"Well, maybe. But it'd help if I knew a bit more about this place, so we can find your dad faster."

Marin hesitated at first, but eventually she started talking about the forest. According to local legend, an evil witch lived in the forest, and she was the one that cursed people that got close to her hut. According to Marin, her father was always careful never to go too deep into the forest for that reason. If that was the case, the witch probably found Tarin herself. Link kept that little guess to himself, though.

"Link, look!" Marin stopped her story to point out a discarded bag on the side of the beaten path. She ran over to it, and instantly recognized it.

"It's Dad's! There's a bunch of mushrooms inside, more than what he usually brings back home!" She looked around the immediate area, finding nothing but a few more mushrooms on the ground. Link kneeled down beside her, picking up one of the mushrooms. This one had been bitten by someone or something. It was giving off quite a powerful stench.

"And your dad eats these?"

"He's very strange," was all Marin could come up with as a response. Link figured they must be safe to eat, so he went in to take a bite. In that instant, he heard a high-pitched cackle come from beyond the line of trees. Dropping the mushroom, he drew his sword and prepared to defend Marin against the witch.

She actually didn't take more than few seconds to make herself known to them. Though Link was ready to fight, and Marin had moved to a safe distance, the old witch did not move at first. When her eye caught a glimpse of the mushrooms on the ground, however, she bent over to pick one up.

"Which of you two ate from this toadstool?" She asked, her voice raspy for some reason. Link and Marin glanced at each other for a moment.

"We don't know," she told the witch. "But it might've been my father."

"That would explain the ill air of the forest," the witch mumbled to herself. She tossed the mushroom to a side, and picked a fresh one nearby. She broke the stem in half, took a quick whiff, then pocketed the fungus.

"You two might want to follow me," she advised. "There is no need for that sword, either, young man."

Before Link sheathed his blade, he watched as the witch forced the shrubberies to make a path deeper into the forest. He was still a bit on edge regarding the witch, while Marin's fears seemed to have vanished into thin air. She started after the witch, causing Link to grab onto her shoulder.

"Where are you going?"

"She said to follow her. We should hurry before we lose her!"

"You're the one who said the witch was evil," Link reminded her. She simply shrugged her shoulders.

"It was a just a silly rumor, I guess. If she was evil, she'd attack us instead of invite us to her house."

Marin ran after the witch, leaving Link behind to gawk at this sudden development. Not every witch had to be evil, that much was true. Memories of the great witch Syrup in Hyrule was all Link needed to be reassured. Sheathing his weapon, he followed the two women deeper into the forest.

The witch's hut was just on the edge of the forest. That same stench that emerged from the bitten mushroom filled the air around her hut, leading Link to assume she was cooking the mushroom. Marin was standing just outside the door, covering her nose.

"She's making something for us." She told Link, her voice squeaky as she held her nose. "But it smells worse inside than out here."

"Don't worry, I'll go inside," Link said, trying his best to not be bothered by the smell. Of course, that plan backfired when he swung open the door to the hut. The odor struck him like a sucker punch, and Link did his best to keep his breakfast inside his stomach. Marin couldn't help but laugh at him, which made him feel all the more embarrassed by that pitiful display. Fortunately for Link, he didn't have to set foot inside the house. The witch delivered whatever she was making right to him at the front door.

"This is magic powder," she said, handing him a small leather pouch. "One pinch of this will cure the man whom ate the toadstool in the forest."

"Thanks, but are you sure he's in the forest? How can we find him?"

"He was right next to you the whole time. Beware the raccoon." With that cryptic warning, the witch slammed her door shut, blasting Link one last time with that terrible odor. Their business done, they both hastened their step back into the forest, and away from that smell.

"What a weird old witch," Link commented. "She's nothing like the one back in Hyrule."

"Maybe they know each other! She said her name was Syrup." Marin's words stopped Link in his tracks. The witch's name... was Syrup? Just like the witch that lived by Zora's River? Could such a coincidence be possible? How common was that name?

"Link? Something wrong?"

"Nothing, just had to clear my nose of that bad smell." Marin giggled, and continued ahead. Link was getting surprisingly good at lying, though it wasn't a trait he wanted to get better at. He turned his head back to the witch's hut, wondering if her being named Syrup had any significance.

Following her advice all the same, they returned to the spot where they found Tarin's bag. Of course, Tarin was no where to be found, but like Syrup had hinted, there was an animal nearby. It was a raccoon, though it was considerably larger than any raccoon either of them had ever seen. Marin went to pet it, but Link pulled her back.

"Remember what Syrup said? Beware the raccoon."

The animal looked at them closely, but didn't run or make any sudden moves. Instead, Link closed the distance between them, the pouch of magic dust in his hand. The raccoon did nothing as Link dug into the pouch for a pinch of the magic powder, and sprinkled it on the raccoon's nose. As the powder worked its magic, the raccoon reeled back to sneeze. Link backed away, blocking Marin from anything that might happen.

The raccoon sneezed, which came out as a powerful gust of wind and a bright flash. When Link and Marin were able to see again, it was Tarin lying down on the ground where the raccoon used to be.

"Dad!" Marin screamed out, running over to embrace him. The man was still in a bit of a daze, but he was all the same happy to see his daughter again.

"Marin, I had the strangest dream," he started, rubbing his forehead. "That I was a giant raccoon."

"You just passed out from eating a bad mushroom," said Link. Marin looked up at him, and decided to back his story.

"Yeah, we found you right here. When you didn't come home last night, I was so worried!"

"I'm sorry, Marin. That's the last time that'll ever happen to me. I promise I'll stay away from mushrooms for a while."

The situation didn't call for something so drastic, but Marin was happy all the same. It would be a couple hours before Tarin could walk again, so Marin suggested she and Link continue to the swamp in the meantime. The old man still knew his way back home, so he promised that he would head back soon as his legs would let him. He also didn't bother to ask why the two were on their way to the swamp.

After being rescued by them, Tarin wouldn't dare cause a ruckus for his daughter and her new love interest. After all, he wasn't blind to her attraction to Link.