Author's note: for those of you reading this (I know there are some people reading this...), I know I've taken longer than usual to update. I found a new fandom and it's totally addicting, just like Zelda. The fandom is D. and if you like Anime/Manga, I would suggest watching/reading it. It's awesome! You might see some of it in this 100 theme challenge of mine!

As usual, please review. I love reviews! ~Twili Rupee


Theme 55 – Waiting
OOT

Saira sighed, wishing the Hero would hurry up. She knew there was a Hero, this knowledge confirmed by Rauru when she found out she was the Sage of Forest, but she didn't know who he was. It was infuriating. Truly infuriating.

But suddenly, someone entered the Forest Temple. Was it the Hero? She perked up. Finally, he was here. Another four presences arose as well, and Saria frowned.

Poes.

Very powerful poes by the feel of their presences. They raged and separated through the temple.

Saria sighed again, sensing the Hero, go chasing after them. "Oh, leave the poes," the Sage muttered to the Hero she had yet to meet. She not only wanted to meet him, she also needed him to break the barrier preventing her from aiding him and generally moving about the temple and the forest. She had already been waiting seven years. Now she had to wait even longer.

Hours passed, and finally, she felt two of the poes die, only minutes apart. Perhaps this Hero wasn't too shabby of a fighter. But the second she came to that thought, she shook her head. The Hero was supposed to be great at fighting. I think this barrier is driving me crazy, she thought, kicking at the green, shining wall that surrounded her.

She sat down on the hard stone, peering around her, and sensing the Hero's movement throughout the temple. It seemed she was in a room made completely of plants. She closed her eyes, putting all of her focus on the Hero's presence and the remaining two poes' presences.

After another half an hour, the third poe died, most likely by the hand of the Hero, and quickly, ten minutes later, the fourth poe was gone.

So now that the Hero's side-quest is done, is he coming to free me from this barrier? Saria wondered. Then she gasped. A foul presence filled the temple, coming from very near to her in her all-plant room. It was dark, like it was Ganondorf himself.

But no. She knew what Ganondorf's presence would feel like. And though this one felt similar, she knew it wasn't Ganondorf.

So who – or what – is it? the Forest Sage wondered. She sighed again, bored, annoyed, and tired of being in this barrier in this strange plant room.

After what seemed like ages, but was only a few minutes, she heard sounds of battle coming from the next room over. The Hero was so close to freeing Saria. She hoped he would be strong enough to win.

It turned out, he was. The evil presence disappeared, and as it did, the green barrier surrounding Saria faded. She was free!

Now she could meet the Hero and lend him her power.

Suddenly, she found herself standing in a hexagonal room with portraits covering the walls. A young man garbed in green and holding the Master Sword was there, accompanied by a blue fairy. The man was leaning against the wall, breathing heavily, burns covering him.

He didn't see her, but his fairy did, and tapped him on the shoulder. He opened his eyes and smiled. "Saria," he said, recognition filling his blue eyes.

Saria smiled, seeing her friend. So this is what happened to Link. He had grown up, becoming not only a man but the Hero as well. "Congratulations, Link, you've awoken the Sage of Forest."

Link nodded with a triumphant smile. "Do I get to meet this sage?" he asked. Saria was startled a bit at his voice, which had deepened from the last time she talked with him. But she shook it off.

"You've known her all your life, Link," the Kokiri said. "And you're looking right at her."

Link's smile grew wider, despite his disheveled look. He straightened, sheathing his sword. "Well, then," he said, his voice becoming mockingly solemn, though he had a teasing glint in his eyes. "It is an honor to meet you, O Sage of Forest."

Saria laughed before studying him. "You've grown like a weed, haven't you?" she asked teasingly.

Link sighed. "Well, that's what happens to Hylians. We tend to grow like weeds."

So that's it, Saria thought. Link's Hylian. She sighed and walked toward him. "I have to go now...duty calls and all that." She put the Forest Medallion in his hand and smiled. "Navi, you take good care of him."

"I will, don't worry," the blue fairy replied, bouncing off Link's head. He swatted at her playfully and grinned at Saria. The goodbyes came and went quickly, and all too soon the Sage of Forest found herself in the Chamber of Sages, deep in thought.

"You must be very good friends with him."

Saria turned and saw Rauru standing next to her.

"Yeah. He's been my best friend for a long time."

"And you'll get to see him again. After all is said and done, the Sages will be allowed to return to their normal lives."

Saria looked up at Rauru. "Really?" she asked.

The Sage of Light nodded.

Saria sighed and sat down on the green hexagon that represented the Sage of Forest.

She had more waiting to do.