Part 21: Leaving the Forest

A minute later Link came out of his house, wearing a shirt, his sword on his hip and his back slung on his back. He then helped Nabooru and Billy up onto Epona's back. He was going to walk; he does not want to overburden Epona with three riders.

"You can hold the reigns." He told Nabooru and the boy. "Just do not pull sharply back on them, Epona will not like that." He patted Epona's head and they started walking.

"Link!" Saria shouted.

Link turns back around to see Saria walking toward them.

"What is it?" he asks.

"So you were not going to say goodbye?" she asked.

"Oh, Sorry… I just want to get the boy home as soon as possible." Link says.

Saria glances at the boy, noting the change.

"So how did you heal him? I though he was a skull kid?"

"His eyes were normal; I asked the Great Deku Tree if there was a way to heal him. He told me the song of healing might work."

"I am glad the boy has healed, but are you sure it is a good thing for him to go home? We have no way of knowing how much time he has spent in the forest or how much time passed on the outside since he came here." Saria cautioned.

"I know, but at least the boy will know, trust me, not knowing is worse..." Links says back.

"Okay, so you are going to Kakariko village then back to the desert?" Saria asked.

"Pretty much." Link told her.

"Do you think we should stop by Lon Lon Ranch on our way back? They have the most delicious milk and Malon has not seen Epona for a while." Nabooru added.

"Who is Malon?" Link asked questioningly.

"She is the farm girl who looks after the ranch, the ranch where you found Epona…" Saria said, with an odd look on her face.

"What is wrong Saria?" He asked, wondering why she had such an unusual look on her face.

"Nothing, I just am not sure you should see her in your condition…" Saria says.

"Why?" Link asked, wondering what history he had with this ranch girl.

"You will see…" Saria says avoiding his question. Luckily for her, they were nearing the edge of the forest and it was time to say goodbye.

"Bye Link." She says as she hugs him "Stop by on your way back and keep us informed, okay?"

Link hugs her back.

"I will."

And with that they leave the Kokiri forest… Saria watches them go. Silently wondering if she will ever see Link or Shadow again…