9: Return to the Forest


The conflict against the Bulblins had come to an end after little over a week. The battles had taken their tolls on both sides as both Hylian and Bulblins were laid to rest. The Bulblins funeral pyres burned for several days following the end of the war. The intervention of the Rito had stopped their advance, and the efforts of young Link had brought everything to a close.

And now the leaders of the three people meet on an open field accompanied by warriors for their own safety. Munit-Bur'r was accompanied by his brother, Shukur-Da'yadr as representatives of their people. The only known intelligent race of Blins.

The King of Hyrule was in the company of Rusl, as well as his three young Pages. Link stood just behind the Knight Commander, his knees bandages from the previous day's battle. Shukur-Da'yadr gave the young Page a nod of acknowledgement, the boy doing the same.

Chieftain Revali was accompanied by Qual, the dark-feathered commander of his warriors, and his son, Komali. The Knights of Hyrule had brought out a large table in order for them to sit and talk more comfortably.

Munit-Bur'r was the first to speak, "Kih Verd has bested this one of my chiefs," the large Bulblin said, gesturing to the injured second beside him, "He want speak of peace. Here we speak."

Daphnes nodded, "Speak we shall," he said, "But first, I would like to know who asked you to attack us?" He said, "You said to me when you asked for my daughter that you were to bring her before someone else in exchange for lands here in Hyrule."

"Elek," the Bulblin King nodded, "Our people small, but many. Desert cannot feed us anymore. Many starve. Die beneath sand searching for water." He shook his large horned-head, "Desert King comes to us, asking us to bring him Long-Ear princess, and he gives us land so we can make new home."

Revali clicked his beak, and nodded in understanding, "This I can understand. My people have always struggled to survive until we found our homes in the sky. And now we no longer have to bind ourselves to the water for our food."

"This 'Desert King' you spoke of," Daphnes said, "Would that happen to be King Dragmire?"

"Elek," the Bulblin nodded again.

The King sighed. 'So it was Ganondorf again,' he thought tiredly, 'The man's more dangerous than I thought.' He looked up at the Bulblin Kings, "I have little to offer you in land that is not already taken up by my people, Hylian and Human alike. Should you move into any of those lands, they will likely try to drive you out against my wishes."

Revali looked at the Bulblins, and smiled, "If you would not mind the journey, my peoples lands are more than vast enough to keep your people safe, and well cared for," he offered, "My people are fishing folk, and rarely venture into the forest surrounding our mountains for food. And there are no other races that I have seen in the forests that hunt the game there. There are other mountain ranges there as well, if your people wish to make a home there."

"Mountains we have not seen in many summers," Munit-Bur'r said, smiling, "If Sky-People chief say so, then Bulblins will be neighbors."

Daphnes smiled in relief, "I'm glad that we have cleared this misunderstanding up," he said, looking at the winged-chieftain gratefully. "Chieftain Revali, I thank you for coming all of this way to meet with me, and also saving both our peoples from what could have been a horrible war. As compensation for your troubles, you have but to ask, and anything from the royal treasury is yours."

The Rito chief shook his head, "We are a peaceful people by nature, though we are no strangers to conflict," he said, "As compensation, I would only ask for your friendship, from both you, You Highness, and you, Chief Munit-Bur'r, should ever I find myself or my people in need of a helping hand."

"Then we are in agreement," He said, reaching out to shake his hand, doing the same to the Bulblin King, "Both of your peoples are welcome in Hyrule to move through as you wish. And should any of us need aid, then the other two shall raise to the challenge."

As the meeting began to disperse, Ruls looked at the Bulblin Kings, "I was wondering," he said, catching their attention, "What was that name you've been calling my young apprentice?"

Shukur-Da'yadr looked from the commander to the smallest of his Pages, "Ah, you mean Kih Verd. Means Small Warrior."

=x=

Within the next several days the entirety of the Bulblin race that once lived within the Gerudo Desert had moved across Hyrule and into the Death Mountain ranges in or to cross into the Gohma's Pass. The Bulblins moved fast and easily through the mountains in order to reach their new homes, but ultimately did not reach it. The area of Gohma's Pass was precisely what the two leaders of the Blin race wanted for their people.

Within the volcanic lands infested by various species of Gohma, the Bulblins were quick to learn that the giant arachnids made for good and plentiful food for their people, while the plant life proved to be sufficient for their mounts to grow into a sizable herd.

While not as safe as they would have been within the forest surrounding Mount Hylia, the Bulblins would come to enjoy the challenge of living within the Magtail's Valley.

The Rito had taken to hunting within the Hyrule forests. The over population of Kargaroks, and the odd Helmaroc proved to be an open invitation to the winged hunters. Soon the skies were filled with the feathered hunters. Though they gladly kept the feathers as their prize, the meat from the dangerous birds went toward some of the less fortunate villages around the area. The gesture made the Rito extremely popular with the common folk, as well as raised them in the eyes of the King.

The return of Arn of Calatia had caused an uproar around Castle Town. After nearly twelve years, the former Knight Commander had returned from Mount Hylia. With him he brought detailed maps and etching of what he had seen. The one thing that the man regretted in his return...was, oddly enough, his son.

His "father" was hailed as a hero, but the youngling wanted nothing to do with the man. Arn took it very personally that his son avoided him like he had the plague. The boy, now that he could be seen side by side with the man, was the spitting image of his father. What none of the realized was that, given that he had been through so much in his young life on his own, was that Link didn't want or need to e treated as a child. The only one that seemed to understand it, however, was Rusl.

In the days coming after the war's end, Rusl saw to Link's training with renewed vigor. Both he and his apprentices sparred constantly, getting a feel for each other's individual skills. Groose was a heavy hitter, favoring his mace over swords or bows. His strength was well beyond any child of his age group, he was even capable of wielding signature Hylian shield, though he was still far too small to heft the larger Knight's shield.

Pipi was the brains of the group, and would make a fine captain in his later days if he survived training. He was quick and agile, well on his way to mastering the sword, and bow. He also had a fine head on his shoulders for problem solving, often getting the better of Groose when he tried to outsmart him. Groose, however, had his share of brains.

He liked spending his free time with Gondo, the castle smithy. The idea he came up with at times were wild, and often wouldn't work if put to the forge, but one such idea had Gondo complimenting the boy. A crossbow he called it. It was a more powerful type of bow that launched a smaller dart, but took a little time to load. Still, Gondo praised his idea, and even came up with a larger version that would launch spears and harpoons.

Link was the full package.

Fierce, cautious, and ruthless.

His skills with the blade were fantastic, as were his skills in archery, as he demonstrated several times over. His skills at riding were just as good as his archery skills. The only shortcoming he actually had was his reading, and social skills.

Two skills that were widening with each moment he spent with the princess.

It honestly surprised Rusl when he saw the two of them together. Zelda obviously had a little thing for his apprentice, but looking at Link, he could see something much deeper there. The boy actually smiled around her. When not practicing his skills, he would often be found by her side. He spoke with Pipit and Groose, and the Commander could see that they were friends, but Link came alive when the young princess was around.

Arn was often in attendance when the boy was with her, however, and listened to them. In this way, though it felt shameful, the man learned of his son. For Zelda could not help but want to know more of Link's home in the forest. And he told her.

He told her everything. Of his little home in the giant oak tree that he'd carved out by himself. Of his friends within the forest, of the kindhearted Saria that had raised him from a baby, and of the Great Deku Tree that had been like a father to him and taught all that he knew. He also told her of his frustrations of not being able to return the Kokiri Emerald to his former people.

And thus, Arn thought of a way to at least get his son to trust him.

=x=

The entrance to the Lost Woods was just as he remembered it. Quiet, peaceful. The sounds of birds and insects singing were like a welcoming verse for him as he rode side by side with Groose, Pipit, and Rusl. Behind them rode the princess, eager to finally see something beyond the castle walls, and at her side was Impa, as always. Behind them, at a slower pace, rode Arn.

Rusl looked back at him and frowned, pulling his mount back beside the man, "Are you planning to sulk the whole way?" He asked, looking at the man's sullen expressing. He was dressed in typical Rito style, having become accustom to it in his years away, even having a feathered headdress. at his hip, he wore the Royal Knight's broadsword, signifying his status as a high-ranking Knight.

"I'm just hoping that this will let him open up to me," he sighed, looking down at his saddle. "I...I haven't even spoken to the boy since you first told me." He looked up ahead at the boy, "And seeing him fighting against a Bulblin King when he's so small, I - "

"Arn, I'm going to tell you the same thing you told me when I was first wounded under your care," Rusl sighed, looking the man in the eyes, "Get over it."

Arn looked at him sharply, anger in his eyes, "He's still my son."

"He's also the most amazing young man I've ever met," Rusl said, "If you can't see him for what he truly is, a warrior incarnate, then you'll never reach him."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" Arn hissed quietly, "I've only held him once, the day he was born, and since then I've thought he was killed with his mother. Nothing could have held me here save for him! And now he thinks I'd abandoned him!"

"He doesn't think that," Rusl said, shaking his head, "And he hasn't lacked for love, either. You've heard the way he talks about this place."

Arn frowned, because he had heard him speak of it. He spoke of the forest with love, and longing, like that of a home not seen in decades. Like a soldier.

As the two men spoke, the boys halted at a rope bridge that would lead them deeper into the forest. "Is this it?" Pipit asked excitedly.

Link nodded, and pulled out his old, to him, occarina, and started playing a soft, jaunty tune.

"I didn't know you could play," Zelda said delightedly as she pulled up beside him.

Link smiled at her, "Mother taught me how to play." He looked ahead of them, and dismounted.

Zelda looked ahead as well, and was shocked to see a tiny green-haired girl coming toward them. At first, she had thought Link was small, but seeing this girl made him look...normal. The girl was a full head shorter than he was at only three feet tall. But she looked to be healthy and lively as she jogged across the bridge toward them.

"Congratulations, my dear one," Impa whispered to her, "You're about to meet your first Kokiri."

The girl giggled and jumped to embrace the young Hylian. "Vah van turcah!" (You came back!)

Link laughed with her and swung her around, "Bah vuct'san'antah Ch'ah k'ir." (Of course I did.) He laughed as he set her back down, "Csei s cart ran'cuzo ch'eo vamci." (This is still my home.)

The girl stepped back, looking him over with eyes so green that they looked like emeralds. She placed her hands on her hips, smiling, " Vah viz vsarv ch'an'ciuh nah tun'hn vah tir nen." (You've grown since you left us.)

Link smiled bashfully, scratching at the back of his head, "Ch'ah viz cart csso ch'a tucim." (I've been through a lot.) He said, reaching into his tunic, and pulling out Farore's Spirit Stone, "Ch'ah van ch'at csosn'ah csah csei s." (I came to return this.)

The girl's smile nearly split her face in two as she reached out and took the stone gently in her hands. Nodding gratefully to the boy in front of her, she looked behind him toward the others that had gathered. "You've brought guests." She said in fluent Hylian, smiling at the three other children.

Link nodded, stepping aside to introduce them, "These are the people that helped me," he said as Groose and Pipit hurriedly got down from their ponies. "My friends, Groose and Pipit." He said when the two stepped up, "This is my mother, Saria."

"Wow, she's tiny - OOF!" Groose started but was elbowed by Pipit with a dirty look cast his way. "What?"

Pipit huffed, "He means it's nice to meet you ma'am," he said, giving a short, polite bow. "Link's told us a lot about you."

Saria giggled at their antics, "I hope he hasn't been much trouble," she said, smiling at the boy as he frowned, "He's been known to be a little bit of a prankster."

"He is?" Both boys asked, flummoxed. Link always seemed way too serious in their opinion.

Zelda was next to dismount as the introductions went on. Upon seeing her, the tiny forest girl smiled. "And who is this?"

"Zelda," the girl said for herself, giving a small curtsy. "Link's told me so much about you, and this forest."

Saria smiled at her, "I'm glad he's not forgotten us after being gone for so long." She said, looking back at Link, "I do worry about you, K'et."

Link's ears drooped a little, "You know I can get by on my own, Csen'ai."

"What did they call each other?" Arn asked, not knowing the Forest Tongue.

"Son, and Mother," Impa supplied.

Saria looked at the three adults, and frowned, "If the adults enter the Lost Woods, the forest will take them." She said, looking at Link with worry, "They can't enter without the blessing of the great tree."

Link nodded a little sadly, and looked back at the adults, "You'll need to stay here."

"Out of the question," Arn said, dismounting, "The forest is dangerous, and I can't - "

Link fixed him with a gaze so cold that Arn felt as if he were looking at a wolf ready to slaughter a lamb. "The forest is my home before the walls of a castle," he frowned, "Don't insult my home, or my family."

With that, the boy turned on his heel, and marched across the bridge. Arn made to follow him, but Impa stopped him. "Don't. Link is right. If any of us entered the forest without the blessings of a Deku Tree, we'd be turned into Stalchildren within hours."

"Groose, Pipit, you'll go with him, won't you?" Rusl smiled at the pair.

The two boys nodded, and hurried after their friend. Zelda was right behind the, much to Impa dismay, "Dear one."

Zelda looked back at her, and smiled, "I'll be fine, Sensei." She said impishly, and hurried after the boys.

Arn, looking at the retreating form of his son, could only watch. Rusl came up and clapped him on the shoulder, "He's not a child anymore, my friend...he's my apprentice." He said, looking after the boys, "And someday, my replacement."

=x=

Saria led them through the Kokiri village, all of them drawing the eyes of the tiny villagers. Holding the Kokiri Emerald for all of them to see, each and every one of them bowed before the girl as she passed. Link felt a pang of guilt as they passed through the short and narrow canyon where Mido stood guard. He was no longer there to stop them. Nothing was left guarding the Deku Tree's valley, not even the Deku Babas that Link had killed the first time around.

Zelda followed the young Kokiri-raised boy closely with Groose and Pipit following up behind her with their hands on their weapons, fingering them nervously as the entered the small meadow.

What greeted them was sad sight.

Link felt his heart clench painfully in his chest as he looked upon the decaying husk that the once Great Deku Tree had become. Leaves littered the ground around his roots, his branches like skeletal fingers reaching above him. His bark was rotted and peeling from his trunk, leaving half of his face completely gone.

Zelda's gasp was audible as she saw the fallen deity, her tears coming unbidden. "...oh, Nayru..."

Saria turned to her with sad smile of her own, "He was magnificent not so long ago," she said, stepping to the forefront of the group just in front of the tree, and got down on her knees, holding the stone above her head. "Farore, Nunaten bah to Ch'asnisat, Ch'ah bacin'bah bah vah." (Farore, Lady of the Woods, I ask of you.) She spoke with the gentleness of a whisper, and the stone shone brightly in her hands, "Csosn'ah csah csei s ran'rovehe'ah ch'an'eci ch'at veo sesvio't'san'ah, vim tir ten vez csaah." (Return this withered soul to your embrace, and let him live again.)

Next to her, Link knelt beside her, his head bowed. Zelda followed suit as she tucked her dress in, and knelt beside the young Hero with Pipit and Groose following their actions.

As the glow brightened, a fierce breeze picked up. Leaves swirled around the stone, covering it as it lifted from Saria's hands, and drifted toward the ground. Zelda, Pipit and Groose watched in amazement as the stone sank below the soil. A moment later, a sprout started to grow from the same spot. The old tree began to develop cracks within the bark where green light shone through, a deep rumble sounding through the trunk.

As the little sprout grew into a sapling, a distinct face grew within the bark, and the old tree burst with a deep crack of splintering wood, and a gust of wind washing over the five of them.

A roar shook the air around them, forcing them to cover their ears as the air smelled of ozone. A deep impact shook the ground they sat upon, and the sound of a deep breath caused them to look up.

The tree was now a beautiful oaken tree with a smiling, albeit young, face as he looked down at the four beings. Behind him, however, the elder tree had disappeared, replaced by a gigantic being.

It wasn't his first time seeing one, but it was certainly his first time seeing one so large. The Dragon had long, twisted golden horns that hung over a wizened reptilian face. His scales were almost leaf-like, and green as spring grass. Sparks of electricity jumped and flitted over his long serpentine body. Truly, no Dragon could hold a candle to this being.

He heard Zelda and his friends gasp when they saw the great creature. But there was no ill will from the beast. Those reptilian lips curled into a gentle smile as he looked down at the boy. "Link, my dear boy, you've grown so much in such a short time." He said, his voice warm and familiar.

Both Link and Saria were stunned as the Dragon spoke, the latter tearing up. "Great One!" Saria breathed out.

"No longer, my dear daughter," the Dragon chuckled deeply, "A new Deku Tree has grown. I am simply a watcher." He said, smiling at Link, "Link, my boy, you've done well." He said, the boy hanging his head, "Do not blame yourself for what happened to me. Many things now, will be never be the same as they should have been." He looked down at the young princess, who flinched, "Princess Zelda of Hyrule."

"Y-Yes, G-Great One?" Zelda stammered out.

Again, the Dragon chuckled, "Fear me not, dear one," he said, leaning down, his warm breath washing over her like a summer breeze, "I have a gift for you." He blew out a breath that knocked the girl's cap off of her head, letting her hair fly free as something settled on her head. "That circlet was made by the Oracle of Nayru. Fire will not harm you. Water and Ice are yours to command...use it wisely, young one."

Zelda took off the headpiece and marveled at the sapphire and silver circlet, "Thank you, My Lord." She said, placing it back on her head, "I'll treasure this always."

The Dragon nodded, and turned to Groose, "As for you, little one - "

"M-Me?!" Groose squeaked.

"Hold out your hands," the Dragon instructed. Groose did as he was asked, and a long, silvery shaft of a spear appeared in his hands, "This spear was wielded by the ancient Zoras before they adopted peaceful ways. It is light, and sharp, though I believe you will have to grow into it." He chuckled as the spear was a good four feet taller than the boy. He then turned his attention to Pipit, who was looking at his friend with slight jealousy. In his lap landed an odd re-curved bow, "For you, young Pipit, I give this bow crafted by the Yiga. The greatest of all archers."

His great head then turned to Link, "Link, I know that you've lost the shield you took from these woods," he said, and shook out his scales from whence fell a round, golden object. Link caught the object as it floated down to him and found it to be a beautiful golden shield. "That shield is called Daybreaker, a shield once held by a great Gerudo warrioress, strong and light enough for you to hold while in battle."

Link smiled up at him and placed the shield on his back, "Thank you, Tisci." (Father.) The Dragon dipped his head, smiling fondly.

"These gifts, I'm afraid to say, may need to e used far soon than you may wish," the Dragon said, smiling at them, "Many things will begin to change now that I have come into this form." He said, looking down at Saria, "Saria, my dear daughter."

"Yes, Tisci?" She said, rising to her feet.

The Dragon then looked at her sadly, "I fear that I must ask something of you that you do not wish to come about."

Saria shook her head, clasping her hands together, "You bade me to protect this forest, and Link when he was a babe." She said, smiling up at the Dragon. "Bacin'bah ch'ah veo vah baper, Ticsi." (Ask me what you wish, Father.)

The Dragon nodded his head, "Then take these earrings made from the amber of the tree I once was," he said as a small glow drifted down from his horns, and flew down to Saria's ears where they stayed. "With these, you shall have power over the land, and all that grows within it." He said as Saria nodded, "And then...I want you to leave the forest."

"What?!" Link rose up, outraged, "But she'll die!"

"Link, your manners!" Saria hushed him, "Please, just listen, I'm sure he has a reason for this!"

"I do," the Dragon said, "And forgive me for frightening you, my child. But for what needs to be done, you will have to leave this forest and go to Hyrule. There, you will change. There, you shall be an Oracle of Farore."

Saria looked up at him, shocked, "An Oracle?" She breathed out, "Me?"

"An Oracle of each of the Goddesses will soon be needed." He went on, "When you leave here you will grow into an adult, and your aging will cease when you have reached the proper size of an adult. When the time is right, you and two others will give power to the Master Sword, and whoever pulls it from where it lay." At this he gave a pointed look at the three boys in the group, his emerald eyes lingering on Link with a knowing twinkle.

Saria smiled at his, "This is an honor I gladly except, Father." She smiled, but frowned, "But...who will protect the forest and teach the new Deku Tree?"

The Dragon chuckled heartily, "T'is I, Farosh, that shall teach the Sapling, and guard the forest." He roared, "For who would be foolish enough to trifle with a Dragon?"


The Stone of Courage has been returned, giving new life to the Lost Woods as the Great Deku Tree who raised Link is reborn as the Dragon Farosh. With gifts granted by the new guardian, Link now has someone within the castle walls to look to. How will Arn react in meeting Link's "mother"?

Trivia Answer: Ganondorf was speaking with Demise.

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