Impa was starting to think they'd bitten off more than they could chew with the boy. Less than two days after finding him he'd already tried to escape no less than six times.
Although the first time could be easily seen as panic, his consistent attempts to return to the woods were both confusing and startling. Sprained ankle and all, he would try every chance he got to slip through the guard they'd placed around their new camp. The first night, he'd nearly gotten away with it too. Thank heavens there'd been one of her own kind posted nearby or all they would have known of his disappearance would have been the empty straw pile serving as his bed.
Speaking of which, Impa couldn't help but notice some definite irregularities with him compared to the rest of the children. He always slept alone, as far away from anyone else as he could. He wouldn't play with anyone else, at best watching over younger children, sometimes better than the people actually assigned to guard them. When it came to conversing with people, he simply wouldn't. People talking at him were given funny looks or ignored, and very often he could be seen jabbering some strange language at the animals, especially the one filly the ranchers had brought, rather than try and associate with others his age.
He didn't eat the food people gave him, he'd practically had a fit the one time someone had lit a match in front of him (which soon turned to curiosity and a few burned fingers), and anytime someone tried to take his clothes away to wash he'd swing the nearest pointy object at them. Trying to separate him from the dagger he'd held had been a chore and a half, now that she thought about it. Not to mention the one time someone tried to tell him to clean his clothes, showing him they needed washing by pointing at them and miming a bad smell, the boy had promptly gone and jumped in the pool with the Zoras. Although it was apparently great for Zoran comic relief, having to redo the wet bindings on his leg had earned him a stern scolding from the healer, whom was given a sheepish grin and then ignored.
Impa tried to tell herself that she had more important things to worry about, such as Zelda hiding herself away in a tent, but a particular weakness to any Sheikah was when something in an equation didn't work out. Thankfully she could hide her curiosity well.
That didn't make it go away, though.
XxXxX
Link was hungry. Actually, scratch that, he was starving. Being held captive was no fun, he mused.
The Kokiri boy fiddled with a blade of grass as he watched the inner workings of the camp. Beside him, the young mare snorted and played with his cap. Epona, as he'd managed to get from her, was a very fickle horse, and the youthful age she was at made it hard for her to keep her thoughts in a line for more than a few sentences. Definitely a clever one though, if even one of her many escape stories were true.
Link figured he liked horses. Horses were smart.
Epona's mother nosed her young and the two went off for some prime grazing. Link waved goodbye shyly, then returned to his own brooding. He was hungry, and quite frankly, he trusted nothing that anyone was giving him. He was a prisoner after all, right? Not to mention he rarely recognized anything that was offered him. It certainly wasn't the hearty vegetable fare he was used to, not even the occasional fish or berry he knew and loved.
Link stood up and stretched, carefully testing his leg even as a Hylian guard watched him from nearby. Well, whatever, he was too hungry to care about escape attempts right now. Besides, Stall had managed to find him this morning. Distraught as the skull kid was, he'd at least been able to understand that Link was perfectly fine, if a little stir-crazy, and that all he wanted Stall to do for now was to tell the Great Deku Tree that he was doing alright (although the great escape plans Stall had tried to hatch were more than a little tempting).
A wonderful scent drifted past Link's nose. He sniffed appreciatively and it took all his willpower not to start drooling. Food, and good food at that! As stealthily as possible for a Kokiri with a sprained ankle, he followed the scent to its source. It was those fish people again.
Link hid behind a tent, peeking over at the dishes they were handing out. Bowls were being filled and placed on a table, the hungry refugees nearby grabbing what they could. Soon the tide of refugees trickled off, but a few bowls were left. Link drifted towards the table, hiding behind things and avoiding the gaze of others whenever he could.
Finally close to the table, he peered into the bowls and the pot. He could recognize everything within them, an altogether appetizing mixture of carrots, small fish, and other assorted vegetables. Suddenly looking up, he ducked behind the nearest available cover. The fish person had been looking at him!
He breathed silently, hoping that he hadn't been seen. When he looked back around the fish person was looking away, continuing to fill bowls, but a small smirk rode on their features. Link counted his blessings, maybe he hadn't been noticed?
Link cautiously meandered back over to the table. Although their ears twitched on occasion and the smirk widened, the chef practically refused to look his way. Finally, target reached, Link swiped a bowl and made a break for it, completely missing the grand smile the chef was wearing behind him.
Success!
XxXxX
"I hear that kid finally ate something."
Impa glanced up from the latest conversation on supplies, an eyebrow quirking as Darunia approached. "Oh?"
"Yeah, that kid, you know the one? The one you've been fawning over all the while trying to hide it?"
Impa stiffened. Had she been anyone else a blush would have crossed her features, but Impa wasn't that kind of woman. Darunia grinned and continued, "Well, it turns out he likes soup. One of the Zoran chefs was handing it out and the little kid came over and took some. It seems those Zorans are right fond of him. He didn't get a spoon though, oddly."
The Sheikah huffed, "He nearly lands on their heads in the pool and instead of being offended they think he's adorable. Go figure." she grumbled, purposefully ignoring Darunia's earlier comment. Then she leaned back, thoughtfulness showing on her features. "Darunia, what would you think if I asked you if he was a Skull Kid?"
Darunia snorted in surprise. "That one a Skull Kid? He does not seem mischievous enough to match the descriptions I've heard."
"I wonder. He's certainly not acting like any civilized child should."
"Can't argue with that, really. No one can figure out what language he's speaking, and that little Malon girl is utterly convinced that he's been talking to one of her horses." Darunia smiled, "Considering that one of my Gorons seems to agree with her, I can't really argue that one either."
With no one else around but the two of them, Impa groaned. "What do I do with him, Darunia? No one's claimed him as their own, but no one seems to want to adopt him either."
"I don't know, most people are surprisingly fond of him," argued the Goron leader, "I've even seen one or two of your Sheikan females eyeing him up."
"That's because they can't figure out how he was so fast. None of them have sudden parental urges towards him, I can assure you."
Darunia grinned and raised an eyebrow at her.
Impa scowled. "What did I just finish saying?"
The Goron leader laughed.
XxXxX
Day moved on and night fell, slowly yet surely. Fireflies launched into the skies, providing a gentle light to the camp. Cool breezes wandered in from the trees, seeking refuge besides the warm campfires along with the survivors of castle town. Somewhere a Goron was nibbling on a rock, the crunching noises fading along with the day's light as elsewhere a child yawned.
The camp was falling asleep, Link along with it. The pilfered bowl had been returned long ago, and now it was just him and his new best friend, the horse Epona, who was breathing softly against his side. He curled up against her flank near the middle of the camp, but his worries for his friends back in the village kept him awake just enough to hear the shuffling that started up behind him. He immediately tensed, peeking over Epona's girth to where a particularly long shadow flickered.
Something was there.
Link tensed. No guards took notice, perhaps because it was so close to the camp's centre, but Link was on high alert. He tested his leg, finding it painful, but useable in a pinch. Thank heavens for the fast pace of Kokiri healing. The blue eyed boy glared intently at the spot.
"I know you're there. Come out!"
Silence echoed, Epona's soft sighs a stark contrast to the tension. Then a voice whispered through the darkness. "Shhh! It's me! Shh! They'll hear you!"
Link's ears perked and he glanced wildly about the camp before returning his sight to the spot. "Geer? Is that you!?"
The orange haired kokiri appeared as if from nowhere, quietly stalking towards Link, "Yeah! Shh! Wow, these adults are so big and scary! Ah!"
"Hmph? New friend?" Epona's head rose, her soft, sleep-filled eyes staring blankly at the startled Kokiri.
"Go back to sleep Epona."
The filly snorted once, then lowered her head back down and rested once more. Geer stared in awe. "Wow, you're so brave Link! Was that an adult too?"
Link smiled, "No, Epona is a horse."
"A horse? I've heard of those. Oh! But that's not what I'm here for! It's urgent! Link, we've gotta go, right now!"
Link stumbled up, patting the horse's flank one last time as he followed after Geer, "Why, what's up? Are you helping me escape finally?"
"No! Well, yeah, but no! Link, Saria went missing!"
Ice travelled up Link's spine. "We've got to find her!"
"I know we do!" Geer wailed. The pair winced, but when no one arose they continued towards the edge of camp, "Mido's falling over himself! He has no idea what to do! She was supposed to be in her special place but then she wasn't! And it's so deep in the woods, and Deku tree told us not to go there, but we have to to go find her and you're the only one who knows how to fight and, and...!"
Saria's special place. Link grimaced, "Right. I'll go find Mido and find out what's going on. Geer, I'm sorry, but I need you to do something special for me. Can you find me a knife or a dagger I can use? The adults took mine."
Geer gulped, "Uh oh, uh, I mean yes! Sure! Right! Mido's waiting just before the entrance to her special place to make sure no one goes in and gets hurt. He'll help you out, now go!"
The pair split apart, Geer heading back into the camp and Link heading into the woods. Gritting his teeth against the pain of his ankle and his own anger, Link started to let a fury build up inside himself. How dare they? How dare anyone hurt Saria in her special place?
Kokiri, being long-lived beings, all had their own unique yet strong personalities. While most were very friendly and loved being in big groups, even the most outgoing of Kokiri had a 'special place' to call their own, somewhere to take respite. It was a very private, personal space that they almost never told anyone else about, much less let anyone into. Rumour was that the Kokiri who ran the shop had his special place in the store's backroom, where he could be alone in a comfortable, familiar setting. Saria was one of the few exceptions in that everyone knew what her special place was. It was a grand, old stone building deep in the woods, and Link had sometimes been there and seen the stump she always sat on to play her ocarina.
While everyone knew what her place was though, only him and Mido actually knew how to get there. Geer may know now that everything was going on, but all things said and done someone had infiltrated that sacred place. It was unforgivable.
For a moment, his thoughts headed to his own special place. A stone structure deep, ever so deep and hidden in the woods that even he couldn't find sometimes unless he was in dire need of it. The warm light filtering through the trees, the thick stone doors, the steps of the altar, and that object, that beautiful thing that laid asleep there untold eons, the one that bore his birthmark and the very thing that inspired him to learn how to use a sword.
A special place indeed. And for someone to intrude upon Saria's place... That someone would pay dearly.
He rushed through the woods even as some fellow Kokiri yelled in surprise at seeing him again. It didn't matter, he'd deal with it later. They passed, as did the trees of the forest, all in a blur of green and golden mist. Link only stopped when a familiar face glared at him with concern.
"About time you showed up, Triangles!"
Link's head shot up, gritting his teeth in anger at the use of the old nickname. "Mido...!"
"Look, Link..." Mido, the red-headed head of the kokiri, was tapping his foot impatiently. No, not impatiently, worriedly. "Look, Link... er, well, you heard what happened from Geer, right?"
"Yeah! And I'm going to go find her and rescue her!"
"Whoa whoa whoa! Not so fast!" Mido held up his palm, "Did the Great Deku Tree say it was okay for you to go? You just showed up who knows how long, don't you think he's worried?"
"We're all worried! But I've gotta go rescue her, now! How about you get someone to tell the Great Deku Tree about all this, you're the boss after all!"
Mido's consternation faded to be replaced by an uncharacteristic sorrow, "I j-just did, not long ago. Look, Link-!"
"Mido, she's in trouble! Move!"
Mido and Link stared at each other. Mido looked down and shook his head. "You win. Oh gosh, you look so much like he did so long ago..." he muttered, Link barely hearing the end of the odd comment.
The redhead moved aside. As Link passed, Mido had one last thing to say.
"Hey, Triangles?"
"Yeah?"
Mido coughed and crossed his arms, looking anywhere but at Link, "Don't go getting hurt now, you got that? Or I'll never forgive you! Now get outta here, Triangles!"
Link smiled wanly as the redhead waved him off, blushing and looking away sadly. The old insult based on his birthmark, 'Triangles', was now a term of endearment. "No problem, boss."
With that, he disappeared.
XxXxX
Back at the camp, Geer was frantic. He had no idea where to look, and constantly dodging around guards and other restless refugees was beginning to wear on him. All was looking hopeless.
"Oh noooo, what do I doooo? Oooooh!"
Then, suddenly, a stroke of luck. A long-handled kitchen knife had apparently been left out by one of the late night cooking staff. A quick surveying of the area proved no immediate threats. Geer swiftly descended on the object, "Yes! Score!"
With treasure in hand, the enthusiastic kokiri darted back towards safety. Geer was so engrossed in his task that he didn't notice the two pairs of eyes watching him as his small figure disappeared back into the woods.
XxXxX
Mido was relieved, at first, when Geer finally showed up, a sword-like object in his hands. The Kokiri leader was much less enthused, however, when a pair of large beings stepped out behind him.
Geer followed his gaze and paled. He turned to Mido and shrieked, "They weren't there a second ago! I swear! I'm sorry, oh Mido I'm sorry!"
Poor Geer was so overwhelmed that he began crying. The two adults behind him looked at each other, muttering something in Hylian before turning to Geer and trying to comfort him further. This only proved to further scare the already witless Kokiri, who backed off wailing. Mido was pretty mad at this point, stepping between his charge and the two adults who, by all rights, should have sent him packing.
"I got this Geer, just hush and I'll take care of it!" He turned to the pair in front of him, summoning up his most commanding voice, "Oi! You two, who're you guys? You go scarin' my friend and followin' him here to this sacred place? You ain't got no right to do that!"
Hey, just because Saria was teaching him Hylian didn't mean he was particularly eloquent with it.
The bigger of the two raised his great brows. "Impa, this one speaks!"
"That he does, Darunia. Hello, my name is Impa and this is Darunia. A friend of ours disappeared, so we followed this one. What seems to be the matter?" The smaller, yet more intimidating of the two looked at him with placating eyes, but Mido was having none of it.
"I said lady, this is a sacred place! You got no right to be here! Buzz off!"
"Mido, I think they're talking about Link!" Geer hissed in the wild tongue.
The adults were tensing, And Mido had no doubt they were getting ready to try something. He spread his arms wide, blocking them.
"Little man, have you any idea who you're talking to like that?" Darunia warned.
"Don't know, don't care! This place is sacred to the Ko-! To the forest people! You can't go there without permission! As the leader, it's my job to make sure no one goes in and gets hurt!"
"Where's Link? Mido, where's Link, where'd he go? I thought I sent him here!"
Mido turned to Geer, "He went inside already. He's strong enough to take care of himself!"
"But he doesn't have a sword!" With that the spikey-haired youth held up the knife and Mido's heart plummeted.
"Triangles you idiot..." Mido whirled towards the adults who had been watching the exchange with interest. "You, yeah, you guys!"
"Yes?" The pair stood rapt, awaiting his verdict.
"Look, like I said, The Forest temple is sacred to the Kokiri," and holy Farore he'd just let slip a big secret, oh dear oh no, "b-but just this once, I'll let you pass! But you've gotta keep everything you heard and did here today a secret, okay!" And phew, that might have just saved himself there.
The adults gave a wide-eyed glance to each other, but nodded, "Of course. We know the need for secrecy better than most."
"Well good." Mido moved aside, taking the knife from Geer and offering it to them hilt first, "Let me guess, you're looking for a guy with blonde hair and blue eyes? That's Link! I'm only letting you in 'cause it's gonna be your job to deliver this sword to him, but as soon as that's done you come straight back out? You hear me? Gotta promise!" Mido had to stare long and hard at the pair before they both sighed and nodded.
"Promise."
"You have my word."
"Good!" Mido's gaze followed them as they entered, "Link's sorta our guardian, so you make absolutely sure he gets that sword, okay? And, uh, best of luck. Just because Saria's the sage doesn't mean she can always control everything in there. The Forest Temple is a dangerous place."
His words echoed ominously into the trees even as his form disappeared into the darkness of the woods behind them. Silence reigned between Darunia and Impa as they stepped into a clearing, ivy-wreathed walls a labyrinth before them.
"Kokiri..."
"And a forest temple's sage..."
The two turned to each other.
"Our late-night escapade has turned into something far bigger than either of us thought, hasn't it?" Darunia frowned solemnly.
Impa could say nothing, merely stare worriedly at the small excuse for the sword that Mido had given her. The high walls surrounding them were imposing and eerie, their secretive surfaces mocking of the small presences daring to knock at their door.
What hope had lone warriors against their might?
