School's going to start soon! Bad news for everything! I've been procrastinating like crazy! I'm so ashamed! I got sick and had to push back working on this! Going to practice my showing and not telling skills! Did not forget about certain character! Let's write! Ahhh!

Chapter 7: Saria's Minuet and Zelda's Lullaby

Zelda's POV

Princess Ruto left Lon Lon Ranch the next morning. Good riddance in my opinion. I don't truly have a reason to dislike her, other then her constantly cozying up to Link, so it would fall on me for being impolite. As princess of Hyrule, I must not be biased with my feelings and should show everyone the utmost respect, even to her. Back to the subject at hand, Ruto told Talon that her stay at Lon Lon Ranch was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Hopefully that meant she enjoyed her stay.

After breakfast was finished, Link pulled me aside to talk. "Hey princess. I've got an unusual task today. Would you care to tag along?"

"Might as well see what's so unusual about it" I replied. We walked the main road all the way down to the cabins. Link took my arm and led me off the road. "Are we going to the children's lodgings?"

"Yes we are. I have a favor to repay a friend."

As we got closer to the cabins, the young workers who lived there walked out to meet us. They were all wearing green which I found just charming. I inspected each one of them, absolutely enchanted. I love children. "Hello. Who are you all?" I asked cheerfully. Link watched me as though he had found out I was part Zora. Mentally, I rolled my eyes at his stupidity. A girl with bangs and blonde hair in two buns stepped forward.

"My name is Fado. These are the Know-It-All Brothers, and the Twins." She gestured to each one respectively. She listed off the names of a few others before a round faced red headed boy interrupted her.

"I am The Great Mido, boss of the Kokiri. You've come to see me haven't you. But why's Link here?"

"Mido" Link said as he stared the young child down.

"Link" Mido shot back. "You can go away now. You brought the new girl so your job is done, delivery boy."

Link scowled in distaste. "Contrary to what you think cucco brain, I have to talk with Saria. That's why Zelda is with me." Mido crossed his arms and turned his head away.

"I don't get why Saria even is friends with you. You're just a weird annoying chump."

"Oh Mido. Ignore him. You know how he acts Link" a voice came from behind Mido directed. Saria waltzed right up to the duo. Mido stared at her helplessly, begging for her attention. She did not even give him the time of day. "Oh hi Zelda. I didn't know you would be here" Saria said with a smile the instant she saw me.

"Link invited me to tag along on his unusual task" I explained to her.

"So you're showing off again?" Saria asked Link in a playful tone.

"Since when have I been known to show off?" he asked rascally. She opened her mouth and wagged her pink tongue at him.

"Saria, I've been dying to know why we are here" I finally admitted. She sighed. She turned around and pointed to the cabins.

"The saplings that grow around our homes have been suffering lately. I don't know what the problem is, but it's been like this for a week now. It seems as though something must be blocking their energy flow." Her interpretation was definitely interesting. I have never heard about the energies of a plant. Is it like the magic of Nayru that feeds the land? "The point is, we need Link to heal them with his ocarina."

"Ocarina? I didn't know you played" I stated with a hint of disbelief.

Link seemed to sense my skepticism for he said to me, "The ocarina is only one of the many instruments I can play. I'm skilled at all of them really."

"His ocarina is magic actually. If he plays a certain song, it could have special effects like summoning rain or sand" Saria continued. How intriguing. "Come on Link. Let's start already" Saria whined.

Link took out his fabled ocarina from his leather pouch. "I call this Minuet of Forest" he said to me. He tweeted practice notes a few times before beginning the melody. The notes were light enough so it seemed like they floated on the air. The tune had a peaceful feel to it. I imagined the minuet play through the forest as the branches of the trees swayed. When he finished playing, Link immediately kneeled to the ground to get a better look at the saplings. My mouth opened slightly in surprise at what I saw. The plants were healed! What's more, they actually looked taller.

"That-that's amazing" I whispered in awe.

"All in a day's work" Link replied cheekily.

"I guess that means we can leave" I said to him. Suddenly a small red head with a white headband took hold of my arm.

"Please don't go. We want you to stay longer. We could play dress up. Us Kokiri know how to make you look absolutely beautiful" she begged in a longing way. How could I say no to someone so cute?

"Alright. I'll remain a little while longer" I gave in.

"Wait a minute now-" Link started. Saria silenced him with an impish smirk.

"We'll pretty her up for you. You can let the boys take you." A bunch of the girls squealed and dragged me away to some remote corner of the forest leaving Link gaping in our wake.

They fanned over the grassy floor. The tall pine trees blocked out the sunlight casting a dark green light. I wasn't sure what they were looking for until Fado brought up a small pretty flower. Then all the others brought more. They ordered me to sit down. Saria braided my hair and put the flowers in it while the girls chattered about their life with the male Kokiris. It was genuinely pleasing to hear their stories. Goddesses know I'm going to have to do that a lot once I become ruler of Hyrule. Makes me wonder if I'll ever get to hear Link's story.

Once they finished, I was taken back to where Link was. As he came into view, I had to stifle a laugh when I saw him with decorative twigs in his hair. He had a sullen face that clearly expressed his annoyance. His eyes widened and his body grew still as I stepped forward.

"Do I look that silly?" I asked shyly. It takes him a moment to register what I said. He shook his head.

"N-no. Not at all. You look ravishing. The flowers really compliment you. Anything would. Wait, I mean..." I giggled at his awkwardness. Saria came to us and grinned.

"The Kokiri will be happy to perform for you love birds as long as Link plays the music for us." Link laughed and squeezed the petite girl.

"You planned all this didn't you? Of course I'll play."

With that, Link began to play a quick beat. Each Kokiri found a dance partner of the opposite gender and linked arms. Saria got a rather ecstatic Mido which she didn't seem overjoyed about. The dancers separated at a certain portion of the song and raised their hands. They twirled, they jumped, they bowed. I hummed along with the tune. If only such music was played at the court of the castle. Maybe then there would be more cheer. Link lowered the ocarina from his lips. He smiled at me with a smile so sincere I had to look away. I just tell myself that the love in his eyes was for the moment, the music.

"And that my lady is Saria's Song" Link tells me.

"She get's her own song?" I teased.

"Why, do you want one?"

"I already have my own. I'll teach it to you." I sang the ditty without any words which Link repeated on his instrument.

"What is the name of this lovely melody?"

"It's called Zelda's Lullaby. Literally. My nursemaid used to sing this to me every night before I went to sleep. It's been passed down through the royal family for generations."

"I guess this means I have to treat you more like a princess then before since you're so special" Link said as he kissed my hand. I uncharacteristically giggled and blushed. Link played my lullaby again as I leaned my head on his sturdy shoulder. I closed my eyes and thought of home, all the while snuggling into my protector on the ocarina.

And scene! I know that at the start I was rather snappy so I'll talk normally here. I thought it would be nice to have a chapter about Link's amazing ocarina playing and a chance for Saria/Link and Zelda to grow closer. I also wanted to bring in Mido for some future laughs, perhaps. I know that Minuet of Forest does not actually make plants grow, it takes you to the forest temple, but I really wanted to get a song that fit the theme so I just changed its powers. I'm gonna do that with the rest of the songs too. I forgot what else I wanted to say so you'll just have to wait until next chapter. Oh yeah, I have more inspiration for this again. Yay!