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The Last Kokiri Chapter 9
Long Way Home

Only the moonlight illuminated the trail, but Link never had any doubt in Epona. With one hand holding the reins and the other holding Fare, who had fallen asleep, they made their way across Hyrule Field. They had been riding all day, and he was feeling awfully tired himself, but he was determined to get Fare home. It was his fault she had left and ended up seeing the horrors that befell her race. He didn't think either of them was expecting what they found.

Lana was still awake, sitting quietly on Link's shoulder, which is why she alarmed Link slightly when she suddenly spoke. "She made a wish, you know." Lana said softly. Link stopped dead, causing Epona to look up at him in concern. He gave the reins a soft tug, but his mind was firmly on Saria's words; "The Goddesses move in mysterious ways…as do wishes." Link looked at Lana. "What…what kind of wish?" he said, his voice slightly edgy. Lana gave a sad smile. "If I told you, it'd never come true, would it? But let's just say…if that wish ever came true, it'd change Fare forever. I know she wouldn't just make that kind of wish for no reason. I also know you know something; you're terrible at hiding it. If you've hurt her, I swear…" Link shook his head "Lana…Lana if I tell you, you mustn't tell her." The fairy looked interested. She flew down from Link's shoulder to the arm that was guiding Epona. "Unless it puts her in danger, I shan't" The fairy said warningly. Link took a deep breath in. "I…I've been having these dreams, Lana. Fare is in them, but she isn't a Kokiri. She looks around my age, if a little younger" Lana grinned "That's because she is, silly. She's one of the younger Kokiri, she's 16. Anyway, go on." Link suddenly felt much calmer knowing that "The thing is…in these dreams, we…well, we kiss" Lana gave another sad but mysterious smile. "Really? Well…I have a feeling her wish might just come true"

Lana refused to say any more on the subject and it only left Link more confused. Whatever it was, he hoped his friendship with Fare wouldn't change because of it. She was very different to the timid, deeply frightened girl by the pool that day in the forest. She was courageous, trusting and loving. He knew, while the death of the Kokiri had shocked and upset her, she was stronger now, and in time, it would get easier.
She was snuggled against his chest, fast asleep. He'd moved her so she wouldn't fall off. Her sleep was deep and dreamless now, but earlier it was torn by nightmares, and he had a sad feeling he knew what they were about.
Hyrule Field slowly passed by. He couldn't have Epona go any faster while Fare was asleep, for her safety. It made the journey from the lonely Hylia Forest back to the familiar Lost Woods feel even longer. It was a long way home, and he knew they'd not be there before the dawn.

On the horizon, the sky was beginning to lighten, a thin line of blue against the black of night the only sign of dawn. Sleep dragged at his eyelids but he refused to succumb just yet. He looked down at the slumbering Fare, and noticed a soft glow from the neck of her tunic. He gently moved the fabric and pulled out her necklace. It was a pretty little thing, a teardrop shaped green stone, which glittered as bright as the Kokiri's Emerald, even in the darkness. In his hands, it glowed brighter, his Triforce crest shining softly. As he held it, he could hear Fare's voice in his head, but it was faint, emanating from the stone "…I want to be me…"

Alarmed, he quickly lied it back down on her chest, but the brighter glow did not go away. His crest stopped shining, and he was left to wonder what happened. He turned to ask Lana if she knew anything about it, but the fairy was fast asleep on his shoulder, her glow dim. Looking back toward the field, he could see the silhouette of the Great Deku Tree against the lightening skyline. The old tree's silhouette was comforting, in a way. They were not so far away now. Light began to engulf more of the shadowy sky, and the setting moon was full and large, shining softly. It was the Dawn of a New Day. They could leave the horrors of yesterday behind.

Epona let out a soft whinny. Link hummed her Song in an attempt to soothe her. He knew she was tired; they had traveled all day with only a few rests. The sky was now all a dark blue, and golden wisps of light crept up from behind the forest skyline, slowly staining the clouds gold and coral. For a moment, his eyes flickered shut, longing for sleep, and when he jolted himself back awake, Epona was trotting toward the entrance to the Lost Woods. He gently picked up Fare and slowly climbed off Epona, who lay down and slept on the soft grasses. Holding the girl firmly but gently, he began to make his way across the bridge to the village, Lana fluttering behind them. The rays of the rising sun began to penetrate the canopy as he entered the village, and under a blue and gold sky, the last Kokiri returned home.

With one hand he shakily gripped the ladder to Fare's tree house, slowly climbing. It was lucky Fare was as light and small as she was, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to make his way up. Pushing the door open, he lay her down on her bed, where Lana joined her, and taking one last look at the sleeping girl, he left the house, walking sleepily toward his.

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Fare sat up, confused for a moment, before she realized she was in her bed. Rubbing her eyes, she shakily got up, sleepily smiling at Lana. Oh, she was home. Adjusting her tunic, she left her house and climbed down the ladder. The sky was pale blue, the sun still low. She looked toward Link's house and saw his shield and boots lying against the ladder. She softly made her way down the village and the path to the Deku Sprout, her necklace glowing brightly. As soon as he came in sight, she ran toward him. The sapling smiled. "Oh sweet Fare, I am relieved to see you back. Pray tell, did you find them?" Fare's smile vanished. "I'm sorry, Sprout…we…we found them…but…they had been attacked…we found Mido alive and he told us what happened…but it was too late to save him…" She bit her lip, willing herself not to cry, not to remember that terrible place. The Deku Sprout looked down. "It is I who should be sorry, Fare. I should've stopped them." Fare sat down at his roots "Link says he saw Saria going to them, so I know they will be safe, wherever the Goddesses have taken them." Sprout gave a sad smile "My dear Saria…it eases my guilt a little to know she is watching over them."

Fare rested her head against his trunk, and watched the sun climb the sky. She weaved her necklace through her fingers. "Sometimes, sometimes I wish I wasn't a Kokiri…" The young tree looked to her in surprise "Why ever would you wish such a thing, child?" She gave a deep sigh.

"Because I love him, Sprout. I love him"

Authors Notes/Afterthoughts/Reviews
This is technically the end of the story. This was where I always planned it to end. However, I feel really bad about ending the story on such a depressed note, so I'm writing a Epilogue called Fare's Wish. You can all guess what that covers, no? Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed this little story, thank you to all my loyal readers, and I hope you read Daughter of Time, it's semi-sequel, which is set a couple of hundred years after. I'll be fixing up the first few chapters, for things like spellos and getting rid of that annoying centralization.
Hope too see you all for the epilogue,
Stars.

Reviews:

HatchetChu: I know, I know =( I really hate Mido too, but it made the scene that much better if he was suffering, and they didn't just find him dead. Mido was a coward and hid while everyone else paid for his jealousy, and I think Fare's reaction is fully justafiable. But I promise the Epilogue will be happy!