Part two Legend of the Sam'kemesa.
"What did he do me?" Saria asked, as she looked at herself. She was a bit confused though realieved, in that she appeared exactly the same. Nothing seemed different.
"I... don't know" Link said truthfully. He thought back, trying to figure out what the mask
represented.
Saria's fairy also seemed agitated, as it circled all about her. It then stopped in front of Saria's face. The fairy appeared to speak to her.
"WHAT?" Saria shouted at it.
"What? What did it say?" Link asked anxious.
"I... I am no longer a Kokiri."
"Then... What?"
"A Hylian."
"..." Link was speechless. He stared at her, not knowing what to say.
"W-Why did he do this?" She asked.
"I don't know," Link thought. "But remember, it's just a mask. We can take it off," he said
confidently. A bit closer, Link started to notice small and minute differences on her appearance. Her hair was still green yet seemed slightly longer, though not by much. Her face and body did not change very much, although he did notice she was about a centimeter taller, about the same height as Link now.
"I feel so weird... can you really take it off?" Saria asked hopefully.
"Leave it to me," said Link. He put his hands on the sides of her face, and slowly pulled.
"Ow! That hurts," Saria rubbed her face.
"Sorry, try taking it off yourself. Just do as I did. Imagine you are still wearing the mask,
only you can't see or feel it."
"I- I can't find the edges!" Saria was beginning to panic.
"There are no edges," Link explained. "You have to 'imagine' there is one, then take it off."
Saria tried again, but all she could find was her own face. She was almost ready to cry.
Link comforted her. "It's okay Saria, it's not that bad."
"Really?"
"Really. At least you didn't change into a deku scrub or something weird, like I did. You're
not really that different."
"But... I don't feel like me, anymore." She felt cut of in a way she never felt before.
"Don't worry. It can come off," but Link was beginning to worry. "Let me try playing the song
of healing." He got out the Ocarina of Time, an instrument intrinsically linked to the Triforce
and Master sword, and the treasure of the Royal family. He started to play the notes of the
song, filling the air with an incredible feeling of well being.
This was the first time Saria heard this new song. Hearing the notes, she almost felt complete
contentment. Her life was like an open stream, every point with no regret. She saw Link's eyes
noticing, not for the first time, but more clearly the great weight of destiny he carried. She
also saw herself, her true self, covered by the mask on her. Slowly, instinctivly, she placed her hands on her face, feeling the release of the magic.
*******************************************************************************
The salesman watched this, completly neutral.
"Hmmm, Yes, I admit it, I did teach him our sacred song of healing , it was necessary..........
Majora's mask.................... Is the girl really that important?.............
WHAT?........... Must it be this way?........... It is not our way to curse......sadness........ to save her? Is this the exception to the rule?................... I do not accept the reasoning of this morality............ Destiny..........but will she stop us?......... I understand............very well, for the sake of...true happiness."
The masks salesman suddenly blinked out of existence, and reappeared sitting on a strange music
machine that resembled an organ. He started to play a song, punctuating every note with power.
He then repeated it, over and over. A tear came to his eye as he played.
It was the inverted Song of Healing.
********************************************************************************
As Link played, he watched Saria relax to the point where she could see the Mask on her face.
He nodded in encouragement, as she started to take it off. He continued to play, but he was
beginning to hear a sound. Another music had entered into the air, and it was interfering with
the Ocarina. It also felt intrinsicly 'opposite' to the song of healing. Still, he played on.
A scream of pain came from Saria.
Link stopped playing for just a nanosecond, just enough to see the mask on her go red around the edges as she pulled it away. *What's going on!* he thought in surprise. He tried playing harder on the Ocarina, noticing Saria got slightly better, the redness changing to a sweet green colour. However, the interfering sound just got even more stronger. Her mask glowed an eyrie red, the ocarina also started to go red.
"LINK!" Saria tried to shout, the pain of holding the mask away from her face became unbearable, but Link appeared in worse pain. Even she oculd feel the heat resonating from the ocarina in his hands.
The Ocarina became even hotter as he played. It was starting to burn his fingers and mouth. Link
then screamed, as the heat became too much for him. He dropped the instrument on the soil.
"The... ocarina.... Saria..." Link thought, just before he collapsed.
*******************************************************************************
The salesman nodded.
"It is done........no permanent damage, but it was close....... Sadness.... I had to use much
power, he possessed an instrument of the Triforce.... yes, the ocarina.... The mask has been
sealed to her....... Sad, unhappiness.......Sadness.... sad...." The Masks salesman continued
to mumble to himself, as he wondered though the forest. Then he stopped.
"And yet... a possibility."
********************************************************************************
As Link awoke, he started to remember what happened. He was playing the Ocarina, then the
heat... then Saria... "Saria!" He shouted. He got up, noticing his hand had been bandaged up
with leaves.
"I'm right here, Link."
Link looked to his left, first seeing the fairy, then Saria. She looked so sad. It reminded
him of Romani, how she looked when he once failed the ranch, and the strange sphere had taken
her. Saria had that same expression now and this time, the clock can not be turned back.
"Saria," he groaned. "Are you okay?... did the music hurt you?"
"No Link," Saria shook her head. "Your music was helping me... it was something else, someone
else was playing. It was terrible."
Link started to wonder, who could have power against the Ocarina of the Royal family? Its power was mostly unrivalled, it manipulated time and space itself. Someone else must have a power just as strong. "The Ocarina, where is it?" he asked.
"It was still very hot, I put it in that pond over there," Saria pointed. "It was like red hot
iron Link, why did you hold it for that long?"
"I thought I could fight it... What's this stuff on me?" Link looked at the leaves on his
hands, he also had the strangest taste in his mouth.
"I asked my fairy about some plants here. I was told they promote healing, a bit like your red
potion, though not quite as strong, I guess. It was the best I could do. I smeared some on your
mouth too."
"It doesn't taste good," Link said as he smiled.
"No, but green lips suit you!" Saria giggled.
Links expression became sombre. "The mask, did it come off?" He only needed to look at Saria's
expression... "I knew that salesman was bad news! Why would he do this?" It made no sense.
"I can handle it Link. If you can handle being a Deku scrub, a Goron, and a Zora, I can handle
being a Hylian." Saria said determined. "Like you said, it's not that different." Saria's fairy
seemed to shake its head at her statement.
"I bet it was that salesman who played that song," Link thought ignoring the fairy. But why? He
thought about trying the healing song again, but Saria may not be able to bare it, if the same
thing happened.
Saria also started to think about the salesman. "He was so weird. He didn't seem real," she thought. "Did you notice? He was real, yet there was something wrong. It was like he was..."
"Just like a mask..." Link thought in a flash of insight.
"Huh?" Saria wondered.
"It's something I thought about before, he reminded me of a mask. Masks are not real. They don't
change you. But in a sense, they can be real."
"I think these masks 'do' change you Link," Saria now wondered how different does her face
looks now? if it does. Curiously, she looked into Link's Mirror shield, but her reflection was
too distorted to make out differences.
"Yeah, but just your body. It doesn't change you." At least not at first, Link thought. In
time, it might. He glanced in concern at Saria. They still don't know 'exactly' what mask it
was. What if it had other abilities? What if she could never take it off? The next time he sees
that salesman, he was going to suffer more then the pure fires of Din can give...
It suddenly occurred to Link, Saria was now the same species as him! What did this mean? She
was his best and only friend while in the forest... still, he knew he would do anything and
everything in his power to restore her Kokiri state. It was his duty, for getting her in this
mess.
"Link!" Saria exclaimed, "He knew you were after Navi..."
"You're right! And he gave us these masks... he said they were essential to finding her! Why
would he help us, but then do this to you? It doesn't make sense..." He had to vent his
frustration. "Show yourself! We know you're there somewhere! Come back and undo this spell!"
The forest greeted them with silence. Link looked at the Fairy Locator Mask. The outside had an
outlandish face, representing a fairy. On the inside, It appeared to look like a compass, only
it had no needle. Now, how to get it to work... One thing Link had got very good at is 'working
out' how magical artefacts worked, simply by using them. Still, he trusted the salesman far
less then anyone. He noticed a short poem on the inside. Link began reading it.
If a fairy you wish to find,
Somewhere unknown and in strange lands,
Speak its name but it must be true,
This Mask will then guide you.
A warning to the reader
For you must remember,
You cannot wear this mask
When you need to use the locator.
Link scratched his head at the inscription. It seemed perfectly understandable, but he did a
quick check for any secret words or code. Finding none, he wondered why doesn't anyone write in
a simple language? Wouldn't it be easier? He held out the mask. "Navi," he said to it. The Mask
began to glow briefly, and a line appeared filling up the compass. To Link's satisfaction, the
line always pointed to the same direction, even when he turned the mask around.
"You did it!" Saria beamed.
"Of course," Link nodded. "Navi lies somewhere in 'this' direction, North West."
"Deeper in the woods," Saria thought. "Does it show how far?"
"Doesn't look like it," Link sighed. "The salesman won't show up here again, but I have a
feeling we will see him later..."
"It's getting really dark, Link."
"We can't stop here," Link thought. "It's too close where the Stalfos ambushed us. Let's move
on."
************
The two continued on through the forest, Link used the mask throughout their walk. Link wished
Epona had some kind of saddle on her. Although he sat comfortably out of habit, Saria did not
fare as well. They went through twisted trees, strange waters, and occasionally bizarre
creatures. Link was sure he had heard the sounds of many new animals he had yet to encounter.
To fill out the time, Link told Saria more of his adventures.
"Are you bragging Link?"
"It's true! Volvagia was one mean dragon. I can still remember the fire of it. The Goron Tunic
made it feel like a warm bath. The hammer worked it's magic, I hit it right on the head!"
"It's a shame you don't have that hammer now. We could really use it."
"Perhaps. But it wouldn't do us any good, it'll be a bit too heavy for me to lift. Much of my best equipment is in the future, some of my memory of the encounters are also disappearing. But I
keep the important ones."
"Maybe you should write a diary."
"I think it's best forgotten what happened. If people start remembering an alternative history,
the world may have a way of fulfilling it. I never want to see it happen again."
Epona was getting exhausted. Link noticed the mare was having trouble with both their weights.
"I think we should camp out here." Link thought.
"I've never been here before Link. Do you think it's safe?"
Saria may have a point, he thought. "One of us should stay up. We can take it in turns."
"Yeah Link. Besides, don't you remember the legend? Falling asleep could allow the lost woods
to affect us. Even with a fairy protecting us. The fairy is sharing its power to protect the
both of us."
"You don't have to go the rest of the way Saria." Link thought. "Your fairy can guide you
back..."
"What about you!" Saria said appalled at what Link was suggesting.
"The Lost woods are only going to get worse. Every step we take makes us more vulnerable. I can
take care of myself."
"Never! We stay together, no matter what."
Link didn't want to risk Saria in this but he had to admit it was true that without the fairy,
there was no chance he could survive for long. There was also another problem, he thought as he
looked into the terrain. "I don't know if we can take Epona through that," mused Link.
"Epona can easily get to the Kokiri village. The magic doesn't effect her," said Saria.
"Really? Without a problem?"
"Well, no one has gone this deep, but I would imagine so."
Link got out a mask, Saria thought she recognised it. Link brought one similar before. It had
an eye that burrowed deep into your soul. It was a similar design to the rocks scattered about.
He put it on.
"Epona, can you understand me?" said Link.
The horse grunted in slight surprise. Saria thought it looked like it was 'speaking.'
"Good. Listen carefully. Go back the way we came, back to the Kokiri village, then the plains."
Epona looked at him quizzically.
"You can't take us any further. Just picture the Kokiri village. You will find yourself back."
Link explained. "Understand? Don't worry, if I need you, I will summon you."
The horse slowly trotted away.
Link looked at the horse shimmered away. "I hope Epona makes it..."
"She will Link," said Saria.
Link sighed. "We should get some rest. I'll stay up first."
"Okay Link." Saria sat up against a tree. For some reason, her new form did not find it easy to
relax in the woods.
Link sat next to her, the fairy still protecting both of them as it circled. He saw Saria
quickly fall asleep, and he couldn't help thinking how sweet she looked. If any monster wanted
to get them, the Hero of Time was not going to let anything happen. He practised a few swings
with his sword. It kept him awake, and it was good practice. He pointed the sword upward, and
then did a quick down thrust. He was a bit disappointed as the force was not as strong as when
he wielded the master sword, but the fairy sword had an invisible edge. All in all, he was
pleased with the work the blacksmith did to the Kokiri sword in Termina.
He was starting to get very tired. Normally, he would keep himself busy and walk around, but he
was tied to Saria, as long as he was vulnerable to the Lost wood's power. He had to stay within
at least a few meters from her. It would not be easy to fight with this handicap; his
experience with the Stalfos showed that. He tried a few more moves with his sword, pretending
Saria was close to him and he had to attack an imaginary opponent. He started to get an idea of
where Saria would be safest about him. Still, he found he had to wield the sword more
accurately. Wide swipes would make Saria in danger.
Saria started to stir. "Hmmm. Link?"
"Right here" He said, putting his sword back in the scabbard.
"Is it my turn?"
"Well... I am getting a little tired," he had to admit. A tired fighter is a danger, he remembered someone telling him once.
"My turn then!" She said getting up. "Remember fairy, give him an easy sleep."
Saria's fairy appeared to look reluctant, but gave a nod.
Link got something out of his interdimensional bag. "Here Saria, why don't you practice with a weapon? Try a bow." Link handed the fairy bow to her.
"I don't know Link... I am not much of a fighter."
"Hopefully you won't need to use it to attack something," said Link. "But I think you should try,
just in case?"
"Okay, but you get some rest."
"Fine."
*************
Link started to fall asleep. He listened to the inherent rhythm of the woods. He once heard the
Hylians say it is the sound that can turn people into raving lunatics. However, Link has heard
the sound since he can remember. It was a comfort to him. 'Stuck in two worlds' he thought. He
then thought about Zelda, the seventh sage. She was so beautiful, he wished he could get to
know her better. In fact, he would have to get to know a lot of people all over again. He then
thought about the souls of the Masks he possessed. He wasn't sure, but he felt a small part of
their own power had been given to him. He thought he should be very... humbled to be given their abilities.
'Navi' he thought silently, in a dream.
"Link! You should not have come. Stay away!" Navi seemed to screech back.
Link found himself in total darkness, the only light cast from the fairy. "Navi? What's going
on? Why did you leave?"
"You can't be here Link. If you take this path, you won't live! Please, just go."
"Whatever it is, we can both face it, as we always have."
"Not this Link. Forgive me..."
"Wait Navi, where are you?"
Navi fluttered a moment, then turned back to Link. "I am searching......Sam'kemesa.....
goodbye Link." She started to disappear
"Wait, come back Navi. Navi? Navi!!!
**********************************************************************************
Saria practised with Links bow. She tried hitting a few things, but found she couldn't get much
distance. Her fairy floated by, giving her advice. "So I should straighten, aim, then-" the bow
hit cleanly to a tree she was aiming at. "Yes!" She said ecstatically. She looked at Link, the
poor boy looked like he was having a nightmare. She played a few notes on her Ocarina, it
seemed to soothe him. "Oh Link, what did fate make you do?" She whispered. What was fate going
to do to both him and her now?
She shivered a little at the forest air. Her Hylian self felt so alien in these woods. It was
like a sixth sense had almost disappeared. She sat next to Link's sleeping form, wondering
where should they go from here. She looked at a few of Link's items, having learned from him how to access this magical space. Some were simple, but others looked really weird. She would have to ask later what they were all for.
***********************************************************************************
Link woke with a start. From the sounds of the woods, he guessed sunrise was just starting.
"Hey Link, awake?" Saria asked beside him.
"Yeah. But I had the weirdest dream." Link rubbed his eyes.
"I've got better with this bow!" She said. "Maybe I can get better the you!"
"Don't expect a miracle," Link smiled.
"Ha. Very funny."
"Let's just get going." he said getting up. "Next time, I'm packing a tent" he thought picking off bits of leaves from his back.
"What's a tent?" said Saria, as she helped remove stickier seeds.
"Well, it's like a house you pack with you."
"Well It wouldn't be very large then," thought Saria at the idea.
"It provides shelter. Luckily, it's generally a warm night here. If it's cold, it would be
needed."
"So, where does the mask say we go?"
Link took out the Mask. "Navi" he spoke again. The compass glowed once more. "That way."
*********
They walked further and deeper into the forest. The sounds were getting stranger and stranger.
To block it out, Link and Saria played their forest song. The forest was also getting dense.
Eventually, Link got the impression they were standing on the trees themselves. Also, he
couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched.
"I never dreamed I would go so deep in these woods" said Saria both in wonder and fear.
"I don't suppose you know anything we can use here? Link asked.
"Well, you already know all the legends."
"I can't see much of this forest. Everywhere, it's just trees. It's like a wall and were
just looking though the cracks."
"I feel like we are being pushed back..." Saria thought.
"More Lost wood magic?" wondered Link.
"I don't know, but my fairy is having trouble flying, and no we are not turning back!" She said
to it.
Link looked at the fairy. It's glow appeared less then a while ago. Why would Navi come here?
If it is a spell, she might be in pain.
"Link, I think we have a problem. The Lost woods are very powerful this deep. My fairy can't
protect us for much longer." Saria said with concern to her fairy friend.
Link understood. "Saria, you and your fairy go back." The little fairy seemed to nod.
"Not without you Link." Saria said.
"Dammit don't make me do this! I don't want you to die."
"And we are not going to let Navi or you down," Saria said back.
*******
"Why have you come here, Kokiri?" A new voice came startling them. They came face to face with
a Stalkid. Link eyed it carefully, there was no way to no way to know these creatures would
react. They tended to be friendly to Kokiri, and a bit hostile to Hylians. With him and Saria,
it was going to get real confusing.
"Hello," Link and Saria both said.
"We are searching for a fairy said Link. "Her name is Navi."
"Hmm, your fairy I take it," The Stalkid said. It had noticed the fairy present floated around
Saria most. "You are unwise to have come this far Kokiri. I am the last of the Stalkids you
will likely meet if you go further. Even I dare not go as far as this."
"Well, it is where our friend is," said Saria.
"But what of your fate? The woods allow Kokiri, but not this deep. That is what your fairy is
for. Eventually, your fairy would lose all its power. It already looks like it can't take more,
unless you leave now..."
Link didn't want to admit it, but the stalkids was telling the truth. Even if the fairy was
protecting Saria alone, she wouldn't get much further then this. "What is beyond here? Do You
know?
"For a fee, I will say what I know." The Stalkid responded.
Link reached into his deep pockets. "Do you take Rupees?"
"Very tempting... but, I see you have masks."
Link and Saria nearly fainted.
"Is something wrong?" Questioned the stalkid innocently.
"You want masks?" Link thought after recovering. "Okay, how about this?" He reached for the
mailman mask.
"It's nice, Very red. But, not very forestry...throw in something like that as well, and we
have a deal."
"Okay, uh, how 'bout this one?" Link brought out the kitsune mask
"A Kitsune! These have been extinct in the forest. I love it! Very well, I will tell you what
I know from myths and Legends."
Link handed the masks to him.
"I only know that none have passed through this place unscathed by the woods. However, we have
observed fairies passing by here on occasion. We believe it is the realm of the fairies, where
the small ones live. That is all we know."
"So... fairies can make it through here?" said Saria.
"That is so Kokiri. But I would suggest you give up. If your Fairy has returned to her home,
she will come herself. I would not go myself..." The Stalkid began to disappear into
camouflage.
Saria had already thought about the solution "Link... The salesman gave us the fairy mask. He
knew we would have this problem..."
"I know. I don't trust him, or these masks."
"I don't think I want to become a fairy. I've already gone through being a Hylian and I can't
change back. What if I get stuck as a fairy?"
Link had the same thought, but they had no choice. "Saria, I'll use the mask first. When I
change, I can use my power to protect you with your fairy. You won't have to change."
"But Link! What if-"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Link said with false bravado. "Besides, we need you to use your
fairy mask to find Navi. The poem said both can not be done at the same time while worn."
"Okay Link." Saria conceded.
Link got out the Fairy mask. He slowly put it on. The first change was always strange, since he
didn't know what to expect. He felt himself shrink, getting smaller and smaller. He felt wings
grow out of his back, as he suddenly became lighter then air. Then it all stopped. He breathed
out and blinked his eyes, seeing nothing but grass. He then noticed Saria's shoe.
"LINK! ARE YOU DOWN THERE!"
"Hey! No need to shout Saria!" Link muttered as he plugged his ears.
Saria came down on her knees, and spotted Link. "Wow Link! You look so..."
"Don't say cute." Said Link. He had enough of that when he was a deku scrub.
"Well- um. You look- well-"
"Like a fairy?" sighed Link.
"Yes!" said Saria happyly.
"Great," thought Link. It was worse enough when he was a deku boy. How was he supposed to
inspire fear! His sword was gone, he had none of his equipment... he was at the mercy of a
breeze of the wind! He felt the slender wings on him, it was his most bizarre transformation
ever .
"Come on Link, try flying" Saria encouraged.
"Give me a sec..." Link said as he tried to start his first flight. He managed it with only a
little trouble, and was even surprised to see a green glow surround himself. He also spotted
Saria's fairy up close. It was really strange.
"Welcome to our world," said Saria's fairy, speaking for the first time to Link. "Fate has
chosen you to protect this child as I have. As a co-fairy and a protector of a Kokiri, you are
now sworn into this service. Congratulations, it is our most highest honour."
Link gulped.
*****************************************************************************
Meanwhile, a Stalkid roamed the woods. He carried a Kitsune mask and a red cap, and broke into
a short laugh. "At long last, more happiness! Link, why are you so generous? You would make a
terrible Salesman! Or are you the better salesman?"
*****************************************************************************
To be continued.
"What did he do me?" Saria asked, as she looked at herself. She was a bit confused though realieved, in that she appeared exactly the same. Nothing seemed different.
"I... don't know" Link said truthfully. He thought back, trying to figure out what the mask
represented.
Saria's fairy also seemed agitated, as it circled all about her. It then stopped in front of Saria's face. The fairy appeared to speak to her.
"WHAT?" Saria shouted at it.
"What? What did it say?" Link asked anxious.
"I... I am no longer a Kokiri."
"Then... What?"
"A Hylian."
"..." Link was speechless. He stared at her, not knowing what to say.
"W-Why did he do this?" She asked.
"I don't know," Link thought. "But remember, it's just a mask. We can take it off," he said
confidently. A bit closer, Link started to notice small and minute differences on her appearance. Her hair was still green yet seemed slightly longer, though not by much. Her face and body did not change very much, although he did notice she was about a centimeter taller, about the same height as Link now.
"I feel so weird... can you really take it off?" Saria asked hopefully.
"Leave it to me," said Link. He put his hands on the sides of her face, and slowly pulled.
"Ow! That hurts," Saria rubbed her face.
"Sorry, try taking it off yourself. Just do as I did. Imagine you are still wearing the mask,
only you can't see or feel it."
"I- I can't find the edges!" Saria was beginning to panic.
"There are no edges," Link explained. "You have to 'imagine' there is one, then take it off."
Saria tried again, but all she could find was her own face. She was almost ready to cry.
Link comforted her. "It's okay Saria, it's not that bad."
"Really?"
"Really. At least you didn't change into a deku scrub or something weird, like I did. You're
not really that different."
"But... I don't feel like me, anymore." She felt cut of in a way she never felt before.
"Don't worry. It can come off," but Link was beginning to worry. "Let me try playing the song
of healing." He got out the Ocarina of Time, an instrument intrinsically linked to the Triforce
and Master sword, and the treasure of the Royal family. He started to play the notes of the
song, filling the air with an incredible feeling of well being.
This was the first time Saria heard this new song. Hearing the notes, she almost felt complete
contentment. Her life was like an open stream, every point with no regret. She saw Link's eyes
noticing, not for the first time, but more clearly the great weight of destiny he carried. She
also saw herself, her true self, covered by the mask on her. Slowly, instinctivly, she placed her hands on her face, feeling the release of the magic.
*******************************************************************************
The salesman watched this, completly neutral.
"Hmmm, Yes, I admit it, I did teach him our sacred song of healing , it was necessary..........
Majora's mask.................... Is the girl really that important?.............
WHAT?........... Must it be this way?........... It is not our way to curse......sadness........ to save her? Is this the exception to the rule?................... I do not accept the reasoning of this morality............ Destiny..........but will she stop us?......... I understand............very well, for the sake of...true happiness."
The masks salesman suddenly blinked out of existence, and reappeared sitting on a strange music
machine that resembled an organ. He started to play a song, punctuating every note with power.
He then repeated it, over and over. A tear came to his eye as he played.
It was the inverted Song of Healing.
********************************************************************************
As Link played, he watched Saria relax to the point where she could see the Mask on her face.
He nodded in encouragement, as she started to take it off. He continued to play, but he was
beginning to hear a sound. Another music had entered into the air, and it was interfering with
the Ocarina. It also felt intrinsicly 'opposite' to the song of healing. Still, he played on.
A scream of pain came from Saria.
Link stopped playing for just a nanosecond, just enough to see the mask on her go red around the edges as she pulled it away. *What's going on!* he thought in surprise. He tried playing harder on the Ocarina, noticing Saria got slightly better, the redness changing to a sweet green colour. However, the interfering sound just got even more stronger. Her mask glowed an eyrie red, the ocarina also started to go red.
"LINK!" Saria tried to shout, the pain of holding the mask away from her face became unbearable, but Link appeared in worse pain. Even she oculd feel the heat resonating from the ocarina in his hands.
The Ocarina became even hotter as he played. It was starting to burn his fingers and mouth. Link
then screamed, as the heat became too much for him. He dropped the instrument on the soil.
"The... ocarina.... Saria..." Link thought, just before he collapsed.
*******************************************************************************
The salesman nodded.
"It is done........no permanent damage, but it was close....... Sadness.... I had to use much
power, he possessed an instrument of the Triforce.... yes, the ocarina.... The mask has been
sealed to her....... Sad, unhappiness.......Sadness.... sad...." The Masks salesman continued
to mumble to himself, as he wondered though the forest. Then he stopped.
"And yet... a possibility."
********************************************************************************
As Link awoke, he started to remember what happened. He was playing the Ocarina, then the
heat... then Saria... "Saria!" He shouted. He got up, noticing his hand had been bandaged up
with leaves.
"I'm right here, Link."
Link looked to his left, first seeing the fairy, then Saria. She looked so sad. It reminded
him of Romani, how she looked when he once failed the ranch, and the strange sphere had taken
her. Saria had that same expression now and this time, the clock can not be turned back.
"Saria," he groaned. "Are you okay?... did the music hurt you?"
"No Link," Saria shook her head. "Your music was helping me... it was something else, someone
else was playing. It was terrible."
Link started to wonder, who could have power against the Ocarina of the Royal family? Its power was mostly unrivalled, it manipulated time and space itself. Someone else must have a power just as strong. "The Ocarina, where is it?" he asked.
"It was still very hot, I put it in that pond over there," Saria pointed. "It was like red hot
iron Link, why did you hold it for that long?"
"I thought I could fight it... What's this stuff on me?" Link looked at the leaves on his
hands, he also had the strangest taste in his mouth.
"I asked my fairy about some plants here. I was told they promote healing, a bit like your red
potion, though not quite as strong, I guess. It was the best I could do. I smeared some on your
mouth too."
"It doesn't taste good," Link said as he smiled.
"No, but green lips suit you!" Saria giggled.
Links expression became sombre. "The mask, did it come off?" He only needed to look at Saria's
expression... "I knew that salesman was bad news! Why would he do this?" It made no sense.
"I can handle it Link. If you can handle being a Deku scrub, a Goron, and a Zora, I can handle
being a Hylian." Saria said determined. "Like you said, it's not that different." Saria's fairy
seemed to shake its head at her statement.
"I bet it was that salesman who played that song," Link thought ignoring the fairy. But why? He
thought about trying the healing song again, but Saria may not be able to bare it, if the same
thing happened.
Saria also started to think about the salesman. "He was so weird. He didn't seem real," she thought. "Did you notice? He was real, yet there was something wrong. It was like he was..."
"Just like a mask..." Link thought in a flash of insight.
"Huh?" Saria wondered.
"It's something I thought about before, he reminded me of a mask. Masks are not real. They don't
change you. But in a sense, they can be real."
"I think these masks 'do' change you Link," Saria now wondered how different does her face
looks now? if it does. Curiously, she looked into Link's Mirror shield, but her reflection was
too distorted to make out differences.
"Yeah, but just your body. It doesn't change you." At least not at first, Link thought. In
time, it might. He glanced in concern at Saria. They still don't know 'exactly' what mask it
was. What if it had other abilities? What if she could never take it off? The next time he sees
that salesman, he was going to suffer more then the pure fires of Din can give...
It suddenly occurred to Link, Saria was now the same species as him! What did this mean? She
was his best and only friend while in the forest... still, he knew he would do anything and
everything in his power to restore her Kokiri state. It was his duty, for getting her in this
mess.
"Link!" Saria exclaimed, "He knew you were after Navi..."
"You're right! And he gave us these masks... he said they were essential to finding her! Why
would he help us, but then do this to you? It doesn't make sense..." He had to vent his
frustration. "Show yourself! We know you're there somewhere! Come back and undo this spell!"
The forest greeted them with silence. Link looked at the Fairy Locator Mask. The outside had an
outlandish face, representing a fairy. On the inside, It appeared to look like a compass, only
it had no needle. Now, how to get it to work... One thing Link had got very good at is 'working
out' how magical artefacts worked, simply by using them. Still, he trusted the salesman far
less then anyone. He noticed a short poem on the inside. Link began reading it.
If a fairy you wish to find,
Somewhere unknown and in strange lands,
Speak its name but it must be true,
This Mask will then guide you.
A warning to the reader
For you must remember,
You cannot wear this mask
When you need to use the locator.
Link scratched his head at the inscription. It seemed perfectly understandable, but he did a
quick check for any secret words or code. Finding none, he wondered why doesn't anyone write in
a simple language? Wouldn't it be easier? He held out the mask. "Navi," he said to it. The Mask
began to glow briefly, and a line appeared filling up the compass. To Link's satisfaction, the
line always pointed to the same direction, even when he turned the mask around.
"You did it!" Saria beamed.
"Of course," Link nodded. "Navi lies somewhere in 'this' direction, North West."
"Deeper in the woods," Saria thought. "Does it show how far?"
"Doesn't look like it," Link sighed. "The salesman won't show up here again, but I have a
feeling we will see him later..."
"It's getting really dark, Link."
"We can't stop here," Link thought. "It's too close where the Stalfos ambushed us. Let's move
on."
************
The two continued on through the forest, Link used the mask throughout their walk. Link wished
Epona had some kind of saddle on her. Although he sat comfortably out of habit, Saria did not
fare as well. They went through twisted trees, strange waters, and occasionally bizarre
creatures. Link was sure he had heard the sounds of many new animals he had yet to encounter.
To fill out the time, Link told Saria more of his adventures.
"Are you bragging Link?"
"It's true! Volvagia was one mean dragon. I can still remember the fire of it. The Goron Tunic
made it feel like a warm bath. The hammer worked it's magic, I hit it right on the head!"
"It's a shame you don't have that hammer now. We could really use it."
"Perhaps. But it wouldn't do us any good, it'll be a bit too heavy for me to lift. Much of my best equipment is in the future, some of my memory of the encounters are also disappearing. But I
keep the important ones."
"Maybe you should write a diary."
"I think it's best forgotten what happened. If people start remembering an alternative history,
the world may have a way of fulfilling it. I never want to see it happen again."
Epona was getting exhausted. Link noticed the mare was having trouble with both their weights.
"I think we should camp out here." Link thought.
"I've never been here before Link. Do you think it's safe?"
Saria may have a point, he thought. "One of us should stay up. We can take it in turns."
"Yeah Link. Besides, don't you remember the legend? Falling asleep could allow the lost woods
to affect us. Even with a fairy protecting us. The fairy is sharing its power to protect the
both of us."
"You don't have to go the rest of the way Saria." Link thought. "Your fairy can guide you
back..."
"What about you!" Saria said appalled at what Link was suggesting.
"The Lost woods are only going to get worse. Every step we take makes us more vulnerable. I can
take care of myself."
"Never! We stay together, no matter what."
Link didn't want to risk Saria in this but he had to admit it was true that without the fairy,
there was no chance he could survive for long. There was also another problem, he thought as he
looked into the terrain. "I don't know if we can take Epona through that," mused Link.
"Epona can easily get to the Kokiri village. The magic doesn't effect her," said Saria.
"Really? Without a problem?"
"Well, no one has gone this deep, but I would imagine so."
Link got out a mask, Saria thought she recognised it. Link brought one similar before. It had
an eye that burrowed deep into your soul. It was a similar design to the rocks scattered about.
He put it on.
"Epona, can you understand me?" said Link.
The horse grunted in slight surprise. Saria thought it looked like it was 'speaking.'
"Good. Listen carefully. Go back the way we came, back to the Kokiri village, then the plains."
Epona looked at him quizzically.
"You can't take us any further. Just picture the Kokiri village. You will find yourself back."
Link explained. "Understand? Don't worry, if I need you, I will summon you."
The horse slowly trotted away.
Link looked at the horse shimmered away. "I hope Epona makes it..."
"She will Link," said Saria.
Link sighed. "We should get some rest. I'll stay up first."
"Okay Link." Saria sat up against a tree. For some reason, her new form did not find it easy to
relax in the woods.
Link sat next to her, the fairy still protecting both of them as it circled. He saw Saria
quickly fall asleep, and he couldn't help thinking how sweet she looked. If any monster wanted
to get them, the Hero of Time was not going to let anything happen. He practised a few swings
with his sword. It kept him awake, and it was good practice. He pointed the sword upward, and
then did a quick down thrust. He was a bit disappointed as the force was not as strong as when
he wielded the master sword, but the fairy sword had an invisible edge. All in all, he was
pleased with the work the blacksmith did to the Kokiri sword in Termina.
He was starting to get very tired. Normally, he would keep himself busy and walk around, but he
was tied to Saria, as long as he was vulnerable to the Lost wood's power. He had to stay within
at least a few meters from her. It would not be easy to fight with this handicap; his
experience with the Stalfos showed that. He tried a few more moves with his sword, pretending
Saria was close to him and he had to attack an imaginary opponent. He started to get an idea of
where Saria would be safest about him. Still, he found he had to wield the sword more
accurately. Wide swipes would make Saria in danger.
Saria started to stir. "Hmmm. Link?"
"Right here" He said, putting his sword back in the scabbard.
"Is it my turn?"
"Well... I am getting a little tired," he had to admit. A tired fighter is a danger, he remembered someone telling him once.
"My turn then!" She said getting up. "Remember fairy, give him an easy sleep."
Saria's fairy appeared to look reluctant, but gave a nod.
Link got something out of his interdimensional bag. "Here Saria, why don't you practice with a weapon? Try a bow." Link handed the fairy bow to her.
"I don't know Link... I am not much of a fighter."
"Hopefully you won't need to use it to attack something," said Link. "But I think you should try,
just in case?"
"Okay, but you get some rest."
"Fine."
*************
Link started to fall asleep. He listened to the inherent rhythm of the woods. He once heard the
Hylians say it is the sound that can turn people into raving lunatics. However, Link has heard
the sound since he can remember. It was a comfort to him. 'Stuck in two worlds' he thought. He
then thought about Zelda, the seventh sage. She was so beautiful, he wished he could get to
know her better. In fact, he would have to get to know a lot of people all over again. He then
thought about the souls of the Masks he possessed. He wasn't sure, but he felt a small part of
their own power had been given to him. He thought he should be very... humbled to be given their abilities.
'Navi' he thought silently, in a dream.
"Link! You should not have come. Stay away!" Navi seemed to screech back.
Link found himself in total darkness, the only light cast from the fairy. "Navi? What's going
on? Why did you leave?"
"You can't be here Link. If you take this path, you won't live! Please, just go."
"Whatever it is, we can both face it, as we always have."
"Not this Link. Forgive me..."
"Wait Navi, where are you?"
Navi fluttered a moment, then turned back to Link. "I am searching......Sam'kemesa.....
goodbye Link." She started to disappear
"Wait, come back Navi. Navi? Navi!!!
**********************************************************************************
Saria practised with Links bow. She tried hitting a few things, but found she couldn't get much
distance. Her fairy floated by, giving her advice. "So I should straighten, aim, then-" the bow
hit cleanly to a tree she was aiming at. "Yes!" She said ecstatically. She looked at Link, the
poor boy looked like he was having a nightmare. She played a few notes on her Ocarina, it
seemed to soothe him. "Oh Link, what did fate make you do?" She whispered. What was fate going
to do to both him and her now?
She shivered a little at the forest air. Her Hylian self felt so alien in these woods. It was
like a sixth sense had almost disappeared. She sat next to Link's sleeping form, wondering
where should they go from here. She looked at a few of Link's items, having learned from him how to access this magical space. Some were simple, but others looked really weird. She would have to ask later what they were all for.
***********************************************************************************
Link woke with a start. From the sounds of the woods, he guessed sunrise was just starting.
"Hey Link, awake?" Saria asked beside him.
"Yeah. But I had the weirdest dream." Link rubbed his eyes.
"I've got better with this bow!" She said. "Maybe I can get better the you!"
"Don't expect a miracle," Link smiled.
"Ha. Very funny."
"Let's just get going." he said getting up. "Next time, I'm packing a tent" he thought picking off bits of leaves from his back.
"What's a tent?" said Saria, as she helped remove stickier seeds.
"Well, it's like a house you pack with you."
"Well It wouldn't be very large then," thought Saria at the idea.
"It provides shelter. Luckily, it's generally a warm night here. If it's cold, it would be
needed."
"So, where does the mask say we go?"
Link took out the Mask. "Navi" he spoke again. The compass glowed once more. "That way."
*********
They walked further and deeper into the forest. The sounds were getting stranger and stranger.
To block it out, Link and Saria played their forest song. The forest was also getting dense.
Eventually, Link got the impression they were standing on the trees themselves. Also, he
couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched.
"I never dreamed I would go so deep in these woods" said Saria both in wonder and fear.
"I don't suppose you know anything we can use here? Link asked.
"Well, you already know all the legends."
"I can't see much of this forest. Everywhere, it's just trees. It's like a wall and were
just looking though the cracks."
"I feel like we are being pushed back..." Saria thought.
"More Lost wood magic?" wondered Link.
"I don't know, but my fairy is having trouble flying, and no we are not turning back!" She said
to it.
Link looked at the fairy. It's glow appeared less then a while ago. Why would Navi come here?
If it is a spell, she might be in pain.
"Link, I think we have a problem. The Lost woods are very powerful this deep. My fairy can't
protect us for much longer." Saria said with concern to her fairy friend.
Link understood. "Saria, you and your fairy go back." The little fairy seemed to nod.
"Not without you Link." Saria said.
"Dammit don't make me do this! I don't want you to die."
"And we are not going to let Navi or you down," Saria said back.
*******
"Why have you come here, Kokiri?" A new voice came startling them. They came face to face with
a Stalkid. Link eyed it carefully, there was no way to no way to know these creatures would
react. They tended to be friendly to Kokiri, and a bit hostile to Hylians. With him and Saria,
it was going to get real confusing.
"Hello," Link and Saria both said.
"We are searching for a fairy said Link. "Her name is Navi."
"Hmm, your fairy I take it," The Stalkid said. It had noticed the fairy present floated around
Saria most. "You are unwise to have come this far Kokiri. I am the last of the Stalkids you
will likely meet if you go further. Even I dare not go as far as this."
"Well, it is where our friend is," said Saria.
"But what of your fate? The woods allow Kokiri, but not this deep. That is what your fairy is
for. Eventually, your fairy would lose all its power. It already looks like it can't take more,
unless you leave now..."
Link didn't want to admit it, but the stalkids was telling the truth. Even if the fairy was
protecting Saria alone, she wouldn't get much further then this. "What is beyond here? Do You
know?
"For a fee, I will say what I know." The Stalkid responded.
Link reached into his deep pockets. "Do you take Rupees?"
"Very tempting... but, I see you have masks."
Link and Saria nearly fainted.
"Is something wrong?" Questioned the stalkid innocently.
"You want masks?" Link thought after recovering. "Okay, how about this?" He reached for the
mailman mask.
"It's nice, Very red. But, not very forestry...throw in something like that as well, and we
have a deal."
"Okay, uh, how 'bout this one?" Link brought out the kitsune mask
"A Kitsune! These have been extinct in the forest. I love it! Very well, I will tell you what
I know from myths and Legends."
Link handed the masks to him.
"I only know that none have passed through this place unscathed by the woods. However, we have
observed fairies passing by here on occasion. We believe it is the realm of the fairies, where
the small ones live. That is all we know."
"So... fairies can make it through here?" said Saria.
"That is so Kokiri. But I would suggest you give up. If your Fairy has returned to her home,
she will come herself. I would not go myself..." The Stalkid began to disappear into
camouflage.
Saria had already thought about the solution "Link... The salesman gave us the fairy mask. He
knew we would have this problem..."
"I know. I don't trust him, or these masks."
"I don't think I want to become a fairy. I've already gone through being a Hylian and I can't
change back. What if I get stuck as a fairy?"
Link had the same thought, but they had no choice. "Saria, I'll use the mask first. When I
change, I can use my power to protect you with your fairy. You won't have to change."
"But Link! What if-"
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Link said with false bravado. "Besides, we need you to use your
fairy mask to find Navi. The poem said both can not be done at the same time while worn."
"Okay Link." Saria conceded.
Link got out the Fairy mask. He slowly put it on. The first change was always strange, since he
didn't know what to expect. He felt himself shrink, getting smaller and smaller. He felt wings
grow out of his back, as he suddenly became lighter then air. Then it all stopped. He breathed
out and blinked his eyes, seeing nothing but grass. He then noticed Saria's shoe.
"LINK! ARE YOU DOWN THERE!"
"Hey! No need to shout Saria!" Link muttered as he plugged his ears.
Saria came down on her knees, and spotted Link. "Wow Link! You look so..."
"Don't say cute." Said Link. He had enough of that when he was a deku scrub.
"Well- um. You look- well-"
"Like a fairy?" sighed Link.
"Yes!" said Saria happyly.
"Great," thought Link. It was worse enough when he was a deku boy. How was he supposed to
inspire fear! His sword was gone, he had none of his equipment... he was at the mercy of a
breeze of the wind! He felt the slender wings on him, it was his most bizarre transformation
ever .
"Come on Link, try flying" Saria encouraged.
"Give me a sec..." Link said as he tried to start his first flight. He managed it with only a
little trouble, and was even surprised to see a green glow surround himself. He also spotted
Saria's fairy up close. It was really strange.
"Welcome to our world," said Saria's fairy, speaking for the first time to Link. "Fate has
chosen you to protect this child as I have. As a co-fairy and a protector of a Kokiri, you are
now sworn into this service. Congratulations, it is our most highest honour."
Link gulped.
*****************************************************************************
Meanwhile, a Stalkid roamed the woods. He carried a Kitsune mask and a red cap, and broke into
a short laugh. "At long last, more happiness! Link, why are you so generous? You would make a
terrible Salesman! Or are you the better salesman?"
*****************************************************************************
To be continued.