"Should we wake her?"
"Are you nuts? She's an outsider!"
"But she's hurt!"
"She'd kill us in an instant."
"How do you know? What makes you the great expert all of a sudden?"
The voices came to Ket's ears, waking her from her blissful sleep. She floundered in the dark that cradled her, held her close. Giving in, she allowed it to consume her and she slipped back to sleep, relishing the peace of dreams. While in dreams she could forget...forget what?
Her groggy brain concentrated hard, trying to recall what she desperately wanted to overlook. A breeze floated to her, carrying the scent of wood smoke. Fire! The castle! Gods, Impa! Her memories of last night returned in a flood and she threw herself against the darkness, pushing it back with the force of her single-minded determination and sat up quickly. A wave of vertigo clutched at her and she fought it off, focusing on the earth before her.
When her vision cleared, she found herself alone in the deep woods from last night. Glittering sunlight filtered from the lush foliage that covered her in a leafy canopy. Trilling from their woody perches, birds sang, their songs full of joy and peace. Forgetting about the voices from before, she thought, Where am I? Where was Impa's body? Panic and a burning rage filled her. If anyone had taken Impa's body and defiled it, the Goddesses themselves would cringe at the punishment she would mete out. Calming herself, she studied the ground for signs of someone dragging the corpse away. There, leading deeper into the woods, were traces of footprints and a tell-tale scuffing of the ground that showed something heavy had been dragged away. Keeping her eyes to the trail, she followed, ignoring her aches and pains that had blossomed overnight.
She passed a thick copse of oak, their tall, stately branches reaching for the sun, and entered a brilliantly lit meadow. Her eyes stung, unused to the bright sunlight, and for a moment she was blinded.
Blinking, her eyesight adjusted and she scanned the verdant lea, searching for any sign of Impa's body. A gleam of gold caught her attention. Zephyr stood next to an odd lump that broke the smooth surface of the grass. He still had his tack on from their whirlwind ride from yesterday, and sweat caked his hide.
He seemed desolate; his head hung limply, his normally bright eyes dull and unfocused as he kept a silent vigil over his lost friend's grave. Walking to the middle of the field, she knelt beside Zephyr and bowed her head. Without being told, she knew Impa now lay beneath her, clutched in the warm bosom of the earth. Someone had buried Impa already, letting her body rest in the beautiful nature around her.
Over the freshly turned earth, plucked wildflowers completely covered the mound, blotting out the dark color of the damp dirt. Fingering a lilac, its bright blue offering cheer to the mourners, Ket silently thanked whoever preformed the kind act.
Wrapped in her thoughts, she failed to hear the rustle of the grass as a pair of feet crept up behind her. It was not until she heard a soft sigh in her ear that her eyes widened with the knowledge that she was no longer alone.
Craning her head cautiously around, her eyes met a pair of deep brown, the color of the earth dappled in sunlight. Stifling a scream, she flew backwards, landing on her rear, the plush grass cushioning the blow.
Zephyr darted back in fear, letting out a shrill whinny, but he remained close to Impa's grave, refusing to be chased away.
The owner of the earthen eyes darted behind the other who stood next to him. Ket's mouth dropped in surprise and consternation when she realized her two would-be attackers were only little children.
The girl, who hid the boy from view, giggled softly at their antics. Her blonde hair shone like honey in the sunlight and a pair of sea-green eyes peeked out from under a set of fluffy bangs. She wore a green tunic and light brown shorts. Probably for camouflage in the forest, Ket thought in wonder. Do they live here by themselves?
The shy boy peered from around the taller girl, his mischievous grin contagious. Ket soon found herself smiling in return. Reassured, the boy stepped from his hiding place, letting Ket get a full glimpse of him. He was dressed similarly to the girl, except a floppy green hat covered his light brown hair. Both of them had pointed ears, like Ket. They look like forest spirits, she mused.
Gathering his courage, the boy peered at Ket through his unruly flop of hair and asked, "Are you an outsider?"
Puzzled, Ket repeated, "An outsider?"
"Someone from the vastness outside," stated the blonde girl. "Someone not from the forest."
"Oh. Well then, yeah, I guess I am."
"Told you!" caroled the boy in excitement. "Can you believe it? A real outsider!"
Remembering Impa's grave, Ket interrupted the boy's celebration and asked, "Are you the ones who buried my friend?"
A look of bewilderment crossed over the two faces, then the blonde said, "Oh, you mean the lady we returned to the earth. No, that was Rill and Yoru. We do that for everyone we see that no longer breathes. We found you, too, and they wanted to leave you here because they're afraid of you. But me and Scamp wanted to bring you to see our home and rest, so we came back to get you."
"Afraid of me?" said Ket, bewildered. "Why would they be afraid of me? I haven't hurt them."
"No," conceded Scamp, pushing his bangs from his eyes and only succeeding in making them messier. "But they're scared of anything from the vastness. Everyone is, 'cept for me and Mara," he proudly said, pointing at himself and the blonde as he spoke.
"Uh-huh," confirmed Mara. "We think all the stuff that happens from beyond is amazing. One day me and Scamp want to visit there."
"Why don't you go now?" Ket inquired with a smile. These two children were cute and a little odd, but they were interesting to talk to.
Both children's eyes widened at her words. "Go out now?" squeaked Scamp. "No way!"
"Why not?"
"If we leave the forest, we'll die," Scamp told her.
"Says who?" Why would someone tell these two that they'd die because they went beyond the woods?
"The Great Deku Tree told us," Mara said solemnly.
Ket was sure her eyebrows now resided somewhere in the vicinity of her hair. This gets weirder and weirder. "Who's the Great Deku Tree?"
"You don't know the Great Deku Tree?" Mara said in wonder, her sea colored eyes the picture of innocent surprise.
"Nooo, if I did, I wouldn't ask."
"He's our guardian," chirped Scamp. "He watches over us and keep us safe."
"Can I meet him?" She wanted to talk to the man who played with young kids' minds, telling them crazy tales that kept them trapped in the dense forest.
"I don't know," Mara said slowly, thinking. "He's never seen an outsider before, at least not since we've been born."
"How long ago was that?"
"Oh, about two hundred years ago for me," Mara said nonchalantly. "But Scamp here's about ten years younger than I am."
Her ears must be malfunctioning. Surely she meant two years or twenty, anything but two hundred! "Care to repeat that?" Ket said weakly, grateful that she was already sitting on the ground. She didn't think her legs would support her right now.
"I'm two hundred years old, more or less," Mara carefully repeated to make sure Ket fully heard her. "'Course me and Scamp are the youngest in the village right now, but the Great Deku Tree says another will be born soon, so then we won't have to be the babies anymore."
They were the youngest? At two hundred years? "Uh, are your years the same as a normal Hylian calendar?" she asked, trying to find any shred of logic in this wild story.
"I think so," Scamp said, his face scrunching in concentration. "We think we found a calendar about thirty years ago. It had pictures of moons and such all over. It was really pretty and had a number next to each day. But we don't use the moon to tell our days. We use the earth's children."
"What do you mean 'the earth's children'?"
"I mean the new plants that sprout up," Scamp said, as if it were the most obvious statement in the world.
"I see... So you say you live in the woods with some mystical being you call the Great Deku Tree that dictates your life, which incidentally happens to be centuries long. Perfectly believable, I'd say."
"Glad you think so," Mara said brightly. "Do you want to follow us home?"
Letting a great sigh escape, Ket studied the pair's faces. They're so innocent, carefree. I don't think they could lie even if they wanted to. But two hundred years old? Maybe I've fallen asleep, or I had one too many a glass of wine and am now drunk beyond belief. Then again, they may be telling the truth. Either way, this is incredibly twisted.
Wondering if the world had gone insane, Ket nodded to the two. "I'll go. It's not like I've got anywhere better to be. But Zephyr comes with me."
"What's a Zephyr?" asked Scamp.
"He's Zephyr," said Ket, pointing to the watching horse.
Mara looked up at the golden stallion, her eyes focusing intently on his. She studied him for a moment, then nodded. "He wants to come and he's more than welcome. No one's seen a horse in a while. I bet they'll be excited when he arrives."
Ket studied Mara's face. Now it seemed this young girl could communicate with animals. Well if you are two hundred years old, I guess you pick up a trick or two. Nothing could surprise her now.
"So you're going?" Scamp asked again, seeking reassurance.
"Yup, just point me in the right direction."
Both children cheered and gripped her hands, helping her stand. Before she left, she turned to Impa's grave once more. Fingering the Ocarina that now lay in her skirt pocket, she prayed to the Goddesses that Impa was happy and she would see her again.
A small gust of wind brushed her skin and for a moment it felt like Impa caressed her face once more. Then the wind died, leaving the scent of wildflowers thick in the air. Smiling slightly, Ket turned and started after the two anxious children, Zephyr following resolutely behind.
Sunlight dappled the forest floor and dust motes danced in the sun's beams as it shot through the ancient, gnarled boughs of the trees. Bird calls rang across the forest, filling the land with their song. It was a far cry from the woods Ket had witnessed last night. Listening to the two children skip beside her, humming softly, her heart felt unburdened and free.
After a while, walking past a thick curtain of leaves that hung from a bent oak, she began to see little flashes of light and she wondered if her eyes were failing her. But the deeper they went into the woods, the brighter the specters became.
Unsure, Ket stopped when one went off right next to her, hanging right above Mara's head before fading into the deep green background. "What's the matter?" queried Scamp, his hands resting behind his head as he trotted to a halt beside her.
"I keep seeing lights all over," Ket said, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.
Mara exchanged glances with Scamp, an unspoken communication passing between them. "What do these lights look like?" Mara asked.
"They wink out before I can get a close look," Ket said, focusing on another that popped up above Scamp. "But they kinda' remind me of fireflies, only larger and brighter."
Her words caused both children to grin broadly. Nonplussed, Ket said, "What's so funny?"
"We didn't think outsiders could see 'em," Scamp said, his brown eyes twinkling.
"See what? Dancing lights?"
"No," Mara said with a giggle. "Faeries."
Not more weird stuff, Ket thought with resignation. "Faeries?"
"Yup, our guardian faeries. They keep watch over us and are our best friends," said Mara, motioning to the light green glow that now hung over her head.
Ket bent forward, squinting her eyes to focus on the soft, grass colored glitter. In response, the green orb inched closer to her face, stopping in front of her nose. Staring past the glow, Ket made out the form of a small, delicate girl, a pair of diaphanous wings attached to her bare back.
The girl giggled in a high pitched voice and pinched Ket's nose. With a yelp, Ket jumped back, rubbing the tip of her nose with her hand. Mara and Scamp laughed, their faces highlighted by the many lights that now filled the forest.
Where once only a scattering of glitter would show, Ket saw hundreds of floating balls ranging in a wide variety of colors. Her eyes wide in shock, she said in awe, "There's so many of them."
"You see them all," Scamp asked, surprise blatant on his young features. "That's pretty good. They must like you, since they usually don't show themselves. Unless they're your faery or if you're by the Great Deku Tree. Then they're all over the place."
"This can't be real," Ket muttered in shock. Faeries lived in, well, faery tales! They existed in legends, not everyday life. Tell that to them, Ket wryly thought to herself. The presence of all the flying faeries showed her that they were very real. Pinch hard too, she recalled, still absently rubbing her nose.
Mara's faery flew closer to her and was quickly joined by Scamp's pale yellow partner. They studied her intently, hovering next to her face. Soon others followed suit until Ket felt like she had been plunged into the sun. If the sun was cool and multi-colored. Hundreds of tiny hands patted her skin and hair and Ket wondered wildly what would happen if she breathed in deep and accidentally inhaled one of them. They were so light and ethereal; she didn't dare move for fear she might harm one.
The sound of their laughter filled Ket's ears and she felt her body relax and her face break into a grin. These little creatures were made of ether and joyk and they soon spread their gaiety to all who ventured near. The air surrounding them tingled and Ket innately recognized the feel of magic the faeries shed. Lost in the sea of light and laughter, she forgot her worries and woes and let them be swept away in the tides of delight.
"What's going on here?" a sharp voice cracked out, snapping Ket from her commune with the faeries.
The gentle creatures broke away from her and darted across the forest, fleeing the harsh words. Blinking her eyes, she let her dazzled vision readjust to the twilight of the forest.
Standing before her was another child, this one a boy dressed like Mara and Scamp, with blond hair a darker shade then Mara's. He had his hands planted firmly on his hips and he scowled menacingly. Scamp and Mara backed away from his glower, taking refuge behind Ket's tattered skirt, their faeries hovering closely in response.
"I said, what is going on? What's she doing here?" he repeated, jerking his head at Ket.
"Um, uh- you see..." Under the other boy's furious gaze, Scamp quailed and quickly fell silent.
"We brought her here," Mara said softly, her eyes focused on the pine needles that carpeted the floor.
"What?!" The other boy looked at them incredulously. "You brought an outsider into our woods? Are you idiots?! What were you thinking?!"
"She was all alone," Mara said mutinously, raising her face and meeting the other's gaze resolutely. "She's been in trouble; can't you tell? She needs help and the Great Deku Tree told us to always give aid to those who need it."
"He didn't mean outsiders!"
"How do you know?" questioned Scamp.
The boy frowned at him and Scamp squeaked, ducking behind Ket once more.
"Who made you the Deku Tree's spokesperson, Rill?" Mara challenged, stepping out from her hiding spot and facing the new boy, her tiny hands clenched at her sides.
"You can't trust outsiders," the boy, Rill, said exasperatedly, as if he had repeated this many times before.
"Says who? The faeries welcomed her, so she must be trustworthy."
Rill ogled Mara. "The faeries welcomed her?"
"Yup," Mara said smugly. "They let her see them and before you butted in, she was literally covered in them. They all wanted to meet her."
'There must be some mistake," Rill spluttered. "Maybe she rolled in something the faeries liked."
"I am not a dog!" exclaimed Ket in disgust.
All three children looked her and asked in unison, "What's a dog?"
"Oh, never mind," she sighed in exasperation. Facing Rill, she said, "I'm not here to harm anyone, least of all a bunch of little kids. I just need a place to rest before I leave."
Rill glowered at her and opened his mouth, but Mara stopped him from speaking. "Lets take her to the Great Deku Tree and let him decide."
A moment of silence stretched across the forest while Rill glared at all three of them. Then with a weary sigh, he said, "All right, all right. We'll take her to the Deku Tree, but if he wants her out, than that's it! She's gone!"
"Fair enough," conceded Ket.
"Lead the way," trilled Scamp as he followed after Rill, his faery bobbing playfully overhead.
Ket fell into step behind them, glancing back to make sure Zephyr still followed. He paced softly behind them, faeries covering his creamy mane as they hitched a free ride, highlighting his snowy locks into a rainbow of colors.
Mara stayed by her side, taking two steps to keep up with Ket's stride. Pitching her voice low so Rill would not overhear and interject, she said, "Are you really planning on leaving right away?"
"Yes. I promised a friend I'd deliver a treasure to someone for them."
"It must be real important," Mara said, her light green eyes thoughtful.
Nodding in agreement, Ket said, "It is. Besides," she continued, a wry grin dancing on her lips. "I wouldn't want to spread my evil outsiderness on your home."
"Bah," scoffed Mara. "I'm just thankful the Great Deku Tree's not as thick-headed as those morons are. He'll let you stay, I'm sure of it."
I hope so, she said silently. Else I'm stuck in a forest without food or shelter. Plus I don't have a clue where I am or how to get out. Sighing again, she wondered if the Goddesses understood what had befallen her and Hyrule. She was certainly lost in the dark. Why did Dalite attack the castle in the first place? she pondered, quickly losing herself in her thoughts. I remember Impa telling that Dalitian captain in Bevry's about that peace thingy. Why would they break an alliance? What caused them to burn the castle and murder everyone inside?
Her wonderings led her in circles, taking her nowhere. Try as she might, she could not come up with a decent explanation for the vicious assault. Her meditations only succeeded in leaving her deeply depressed with a monster headache coming on strong.
Before total despair stole over her, she was interrupted from her musings. Her head made contact with a hard surface and she stumbled back, holding her now throbbing forehead with a groan. Not my day is it?
Glancing up, she found the source of her pain. The three children had led her to a log tunnel where they walked in easily, their small bodies passing through without a hitch. The tunnel was almost as tall as Ket, but not quite. Just short enough for me to knock my head, she thought ruefully. Figures.
Ducking slightly, she stepped into dark log and walked forward, her hand pressed against the rough wooden wall, listening to the steady clop of Zephyr's hooves against the wood. Heading towards the light at the other end, she reached the log's opening and stepped out. Her jaw dropped the instant she took in her surroundings. I seem to be in a state of perpetual shock, she thought in amusement, her eyes sweeping across the scene before her.
Surrounded by earthen walls, the tiny village sprawled across the green carpet of grass. Near the back, a gurgling stream played across stones and fallen branches, passing under wooden bridges that connected paths, before the creek continued on its way, ending in a pool pressed against the opposite bluff wall.
Tiny houses made from hollowed tree stumps decorated the landscape, blending in perfectly with the forest surroundings. Other kids played or talked outside the homes, and hundreds of faeries sparkled overhead, giving the land a mystical feel.
When the Kokiri spotted Ket trailing behind the others, their faces reflected fear and shock. Most darted into their homes and Ket could feel their eyes upon her as she walked past.
A few stayed out, scrutinizing her with shuttered and wary expressions that were at odds with their child-like facades. Only the faeries appeared unperturbed by her presence. They hovered nearby, watching her curiously, their bell-like laughter ringing in the air.
Leaving the homes behind them, they continued to the back of the glen where the stream played. Crossing the bridge, they headed to a giant tree that towered hundreds of feet into the sky, its great branches nearly covering the entire back section of the glen. "Who is the Great Deku Tree?" she softly asked Mara, her eyes focused on the behemoth tree. She had no idea they were capable of reaching such heights
"He's our protector and teacher." Mara's eyes shone with love as she described her Guardian. "He watches over us and keeps the forest safe."
"Is he as old as you guys?"
"Oh no, he's much older. He's been here since the Imprisoning War, centuries ago."
Mara's words surprised her. "You guys know about the Imprisoning War?"
"Of course. The Deku Tree taught me all about Hylian history. It took me a while to convince him; he didn't think it was a good idea for me to hear all about the bloody wars and such, but I wore him down and he told."
"But how can one man live that long? Its not feasible."
Mara shot her an amused glance. "Who said he was a man?"
Ket raised her eyebrows. "What is he then? Animal, vegetable, or mineral?"
Mara pondered her words. "I'd say he's more vegetable then anything."
Dawning realization swept over Ket. "You can't mean-, it's not possible-"
Mara smiled. "Why not?"
"Trees do not talk! Granted, I've been told they live for a long time, but they aren't conscious!"
"How do you know? Are you a tree?"
"No, but-"
"Just follow and you'll see for yourself," Mara said and she hurried ahead, leaving Ket to stare in wonder at her back.
"There's no way," Ket muttered to herself, but she did not sound convinced. After all, if children could live for centuries and not age, why couldn't a tree be a demi-god of a forest?
Reaching the trunk of the giant tree, she skirted the behemoth and found a narrow passage hidden behind. A split in the walls formed the natural passageway, and according to a jubilant Scamp, lead to the resting place of the Guardian.
Faeries became more numerous, their multi-colored glimmers lighting the way. After a hundred feet, the way opened into a sprawling meadow, devoid of anything save a tree and the faeries. A very big tree, Ket thought in awe, craning her neck back to get a full view of the enormous plant.
If the tree before was a giant, this one was a god. It soared hundreds of feet into the sky, its boughs completely covering the enclosed meadow. Its thick trunk shone a ruddy brown and glittered against the glow from the millions of faeries that clung to its branches.
Ket could feel a presence emanating from the Tree, filling the meadow with its power. Amazed, Ket wondered how such a being could exist. For there was no doubt in her mind now that the Great Deku Tree was alive and conscious.
Rill walked up to the Tree and bowed slightly to the still giant. "Great Deku Tree, we have a question to ask you."
For a second, silence pervaded the moist air of the forest, then the Tree's branches shook slightly, as if in a soft breeze. But there is no wind, Ket realized with a kind of reverential awe.
What do you wish to ask, my child? boomed a deep bass voice from the confines of Ket's suddenly numb mind. He's speaking to my brain, she realized. I hear him in my mind.
"Mara and Scamp brought an outsider to our forest and I believe we should send her back. She will only bring trouble if we allow her to stay."
"But she's in need of help," argued Mara. "You told us to always give aid to those with need."
"But not to outsiders," countered Rill.
"Only you said that," Scamp muttered from his position behind Rill.
Rill scowled at him, then turned back to the Tree. "We seek your advice, Great Deku Tree."
Step forward child, came the Tree's drawling reply.
Ket frowned, puzzled. Why did he want one of the kids to step forward? A dry chuckle like fallen leaves brushing against one another filled her mind. Not them, the Great Deku Tree told her. You.
Oh. Shrugging, Ket tentatively stepped closer to the Tree. Closer than that, said the Tree. Branches formed a hand behind her and pushed her closer to the trunk, stopping when she rested only a few feet away. Much better.
Swallowing nervously, Ket shifted her weight and wondered what she was supposed to do. Just hold still for a moment, the Guardian told her.
He could read her thoughts and project into her mind. She felt invaded, her privacy stripped from her, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. Calm down, young one. It is an unimportant detail.
For you maybe, Ket thought huffily. A soft laugh flavored her mind, tasting of autumn wind and ripening grass. Fading, the laughter was replaced by sense of deep concentration. Ket felt something peering deeply at her and she wondered if the Tree had eyes. Remembering that the Great Deku Tree could read her thoughts, she banished it in case she offended him. Or her. Or, whatever. Flustered, Ket endured the sensation of searching for a minute, then asked the Tree vocally, "What are you doing?"
Deciding if you are worthy of staying in the Kokiri Forest or not.
Deciding if I'm worthy? She ruminated the Tree's words, er, thoughts, and wondered how much longer it was going to take. Youth is always so impatient, laughed the Deku Tree, the intense feeling of concentration fading.
So, Ket thought to the Tree. Am I in?
It would seem the Goddesses chose to send another to me. The Deku Tree seemed to be talking to himself, forgetting Ket's presence for the moment. Ah, I guess they appreciated the way I looked after the last one. So be it then.
Confused, Ket looked at the tree, a lost expression on her careworn features. I wonder if tree gods go senile, she thought before remembering the Deku Tree's abilities.
The Deku Tree only laughed again, this one flavored like spring flowers and nesting birds. Ket flushed red and tried to stammer out an apology. Do not worry, the Tree assured her. I would think the same if I were in your position. You are welcome to our woods, the place we call Kokiri Forest. If there is anything you wish to know or have, I will grant it if it is within my power.
Ket mulled over the Great Deku Tree's words. "Can I ask one thing?"
Ask whatever you wish came the reply. I may not be able to answer, but I will try.
"Do you know anything about Dalite's motives for attacking Hyrule?" As she asked the question, she felt her throat constrict, remembering the screams, the cries of the injured and dying when she fled the castle.
An image of King Regius and Impa appeared before her eyes, her memory recalling the way they had smiled, so full of life and love. Now they were dead, never to share their joy or hurts with those they loved. Never to share with her ever again. She lost the only vestiges of friendship she had experienced in years and the knowledge ripped into her soul, leaving her trembling in the aftermath.
The Deku Tree sensed her pain and a wave of sympathy and love rolled from the Tree, covering her in a warm cocoon. I know of Hyrule's siege. Their motives are not entirely clear, but I fear that their actions will have deadly repercussions. Already I can sense signs of approaching danger, but they are slight and subject to misinterpretation. I wish I was able to tell you more, my child, but I can not.
"That's all right." Ket closed her eyes, savoring the images of her now dead friends while they were still fresh and untainted by time's erasing influences. Impa's eyes implored her in her vision and she recalled the task the Hylian warrior had placed on her. Opening her eyes, she said, "Can I ask one more question?"
Rill looked ready to jump in and say no, but Mara stomped on his foot and he hopped around the glade yowling like an alley cat, leaving Ket and the Deku Tree's conversation uninterrupted. Of course. Ask anything.
"Do you know if Elias, the King's son, if he's alive and unhurt?"
The Tree was silent for a moment and then, I sense his presence in Kakariko. He is undamaged and not alone.
Releasing a breath that she had not realized she was holding, she offered a grateful prayer to the Goddesses. Much as she wanted to throttle the stubborn boy, she did not want him to die, even if he did deserve a butt kicking or two. But only she could dispense that, no one else.
Is there anything else?
Thinking hard, Ket become conscious of the fact she had not asked a single question about the Kokiri Forest, or of its inhabitants. "What is this place? And if you'll forgive my asking, what are you and these kids?"
Fair questions and easily answered. I am the Great Deku Tree. I was placed here many centuries ago after my predecessor died during the Imprisoning War. I watch over the entire realm of Hyrule, keeping guard against any evil that may try and take seed. I am bound to warn the current ruler of the land if any sort of trouble arises in Hyrule.
"Why didn't you warn King Regius about the Dalitian invasion?" Ket demanded. If they had warning, then their castle may still be in Hylian hands and not in the clutches of the ruthless Dalitians.
I was unable to detect their intentions. They are under a strong magical protection that blocks all attempts at seeing into their thoughts or attacking them with magic. It is crafted so that it matches the environment around it. I failed to see this and so the castle was unprepared. It is as the Goddesses will it.
"Tell me. If the Goddesses are our creators, if they love us so much, why did they allow innocent, helpless people to die needlessly? Why do they tease us with the idea we have free will when they really toy with our lives as if we were puppets for their amusement?"
I know you are jaded, young one, but the Goddesses care for all of their creations. They do not interfere with our worlds and so we are granted free will. But the gift is a double-edged sword. With free will comes limitless freedom to do as we please, whether for good or evil. It is our decisions that forge the world around us and make it as it is, not the Goddesses. Only you can change the world, no one else.
That I'll agree with, Ket thought grimly. You can only count on yourself. Everyone else leaves you sooner or later.
The Deku Tree gave no response. Instead he continued with his explanation. This land, the Kokiri Forest, is our home. It acts as a haven for magic, allowing the power to breed and grow. It is also a place for the faeries to live.
Once they thrived throughout the lands, but now the magic outside is fading and faeries cannot survive without its presence. The people lose their belief in magic and magic needs their belief to survive. It is a sad cycle that will result in the loss of magic in your world if nothing is done to prevent it. But as long as this forest stands, magic will never be completely lost to those who desire to see it once more.
The children are Kokiri. Once they, like the faeries, inhabited other forests similar to this one, but they have all returned here. They have been driven out by farmers and loggers who desecrate the sacred trees they plant, the evergreens and oaks that help preserve the magic.
This is the only place safe for them anymore. If they leave the forest without their guardian faery, they will die. They have lived with magic's presence for so long that they require its existence like their guardians. It used to be that the faeries would provide the magic required for the Kokiri to survive, and they could both leave and start new forest groves to protect the magic.
You see, Kokiri are unable to utilize the magic like their faery partners and so they cannot use the land magic like the faeries can. Since they require the faeries to live and the faeries are unable to leave because of the shortage in magic, my children can only stay in these woods and preserve the magic here instead of spreading it in the world, thus allowing magic to grow again. Because they are in constant contact with magic, they hardly age and never enter adulthood, though they do eventually return to the flow of life.
Then they are reborn once again by the magic's power and need, and I teach them from birth what they need to know in order to protect the forest and the magic. They lose all their memories once they return to the forest, though rarely one may be fortunate enough to recall their past lives. Is this sufficient knowledge for you?
Her head swam from the information the Deku Tree instilled in her. "Yes. I remember hearing children's stories about little elven creatures that lived deep in forests, but I thought they were only tales."
Every legend stems from a grain of truth.
"I'll never forget that, not after all this."
Then you have learned an invaluable lesson. If that is all you require to know, then you should rest.
Nodding, Ket turned from the Deku Tree and left the twilight glen, Mara, Scamp, Zephyr, and a limping Rill following close behind.
The Great Deku Tree watched her go, his heart heavy with the knowledge only he could know. So young, he thought, recalling past events that reminded him greatly of the ones arising now. They are always so young and innocent. Goddesses keep this one safe; I cannot.
Ket reentered the forest city before the Deku Tree's glen, feeling burdened and weary. She desired nothing except sleep at the moment and she hoped the Kokiri would be able to comply.
Mara seemed to understand her wants. Taking Ket's hand in her own small one, she led they way past the vigilant Kokiri from before, who continued to stare as they walked by. Spotting Rill and Scamp trailing behind, they swarmed around the two, firing off questions about the stranger in their midst.
Mara led her away and past most of the houses until they reached one that sat beside the wall surrounding the city, tucked near the log entrance. Small and squat, the hollowed tree beckoned to Ket, offering her rest and respite for her weary body and soul. "You can sleep here," Mara said, gesturing to the wooden building. "It's my house so you don't have to worry about throwing someone out."
She stepped inside and Ket followed, remembering at the last second to duck her head when she walked through the low-slung entryway. The interior of the round home consisted of one room. A bed made of wood sat to the left, pressed against the wall, a brilliant red and green patterned quilt covering the mattress. In the back was a small table for eating and on Ket's right stood a dresser for clothes. Baskets weaved in intricate patterns decorated the floor and walls of Mara's home. "It's beautiful," said Ket, her eyes taking in the charming surroundings.
Mara turned pink from the praise, but all she said was, "The bed will be a bit small, but you should fit somewhat. If you're hungry or need anything, come get me. I'll be outside so I don't disturb you." With that, she left, letting the carpet that acted as a door flap shut behind her.
Ket glanced at the bed and snorted. There was no way she would fit on that tiny piece of furniture and she did not know whether to be insulted or flattered that the Kokiri thought her small enough to squeeze onto it. Taking the quilt from the bed, she found the softest spot on the floor and laid down, wrapped in the warm embrace of the soft fabric. The instant her head touched the ground, exhaustion overcame her and she plummeted into the realm of oblivion.
Mara exited from her home, her mind full of questions she had wanted to ask the new girl. Like her name for starters. Or where she came from and what was she doing in the Kokiri Forest? An outsider had not wandered into their midst for centuries, from what she had learned by listening to the elder Kokiri gossip.
Yet she had nobly refrained. By the haggard and worn look on the young girl's face, Mara did not think she was up to answering her inquiries. They would have to wait until later, even if the desire to learn more was eating at her like the acid spit of the carnivorous plant, the Deku Baba.
Curiosity always drove Mara forward and everyday she would awaken and hope that today she would learn something new, a secret for her to keep and watch over. This drive was what urged her to gather all the information she could find on the vastness, the world beyond her forest.
She knew it meant death to leave, but still she yearned that one day she would satisfy her yearnings and step beyond the confines of the wood, facing the outside head on. So many possibilities lay there, so many new people from all different races.
Maybe, if she one day figured out how to leave, she could see a Zora, one of the aquatic people who dwelled in Zora's Domain and kept the water of Hyrule pure and clean. The exact location of Zora's Domain was known only to its inhabitants, but still, maybe she would stumble into it much like the girl had done when she came into their home.
If not a Zora, then a Goron instead. She would love to talk to the race of rock eaters who lived high on top of Death Mountain, the dormant volcano that flanked Hyrule's capital. In her quest for knowledge, the Great Deku Tree had told her all about the different races and lands of Hyrule.
Instead of sating her thirst, the more she learned, the more she needed the cool taste of knowledge to quench her burning desires. The other Kokiri thought she was a bit touched, not quite right. They did not share her desires, wanting only to live out their lives in the cool, solitary Kokiri Woods, not caring that beyond the trees lay a world of infinite possibilities.
Scamp was the only one who understood how she felt. He, too, wished to see the world. Joined by their common hopes and dreams, the two became best friends when they were young. Sticking together, they endured the ridicule they received from the other Kokiri, drawing on each other's strengths, ignoring the doubters who believed they would never succeed in their dreams. Mara knew she would, one day. It was only a matter of time.
Drawing away from her home, she walked slowly to the cluster of Kokiri that surrounded Rill and Scamp. His eyes wide in discomfort and anxiety, Scamp resembled a cornered animal. He always hated crowds and was a very shy boy.
Rill, however, was in his element, enjoying the attention he received immensely. Rill was an arrogant jerk that loved to be idolized, but he was one of the few Kokiri that let Mara and Scamp alone. He did not try to poke fun of their dreams at every opportunity and seemed to have a live and let live attitude. Unless, of course, you were an outsider. Then you were public enemy number one.
The elder Kokiri, the ones who stayed outside their homes when Ket passed, disdaining to run and hide like the youngsters, where all abuzz, swarming around, trying to ask their question first, each talking above the other. They reminded Mara of agitated bees, or mad Deku Scrubs, the little bushes that you thought were safe until they popped their gnarled, wooden heads above ground and fired a Deku seed at you from their long snouts. If you reflected the seed back with some sort of shield or hit the Scrub upside the head, you disoriented the plant and it would leave its hole and run about as if possessed. That was how the Kokiri were acting now, as if the strange girl had struck them all and they were still trying to figure out what exactly happened.
Coming upon them, she heard their excited and worried questions. "Is she really an outsider?" asked a Kokiri with dark brown hair like mahogany, his child-like eyes wild with wonder.
"Of course she's an outsider," snapped a girl near Mara. Her gray eyes flashed while she talked. That was Quill, one of the oldest Kokiri. She had a short temper and was quick to bark at others. She was also the smartest person Mara had ever known and a talented healer, so she respected the cantankerous woman, even if she did yell more than talk.
Quill focused her steely gaze on Rill and said, "So what did the Great Deku Tree say about the outsider?"
The rest of the Kokiri quieted down, anxious to hear what Rill had to say. "He says we are to let her stay until she is rested and healed. He found her worthy to remain in our forest." When he spoke the last sentence, it sounded to Mara as if he did not agree, but he held his peace.
"So we're letting her stay?" piped up a voice from the back of the crowd. Mara craned her neck around but could not locate the owner of the voice.
Nodding, Rill said, "She's staying and that's that." The tone of his voice brooked no argument.
The Kokiri recognized the end of the discussion. Leaving in groups of two or three, Mara heard them all speculating on the newcomer and what she must be like. Ignoring them, she pushed her way through the remaining Kokiri and walked up to Rill, Scamp, and Quill, who was deep in conversation with Rill. They broke off when they saw her approach.
Scamp seemed relieved to see her and he smiled at her, his little face lighting up like a faery. Mara smiled back, but turned her attention to Rill and Quill. These were the two that would either make the newcomer's stay easy or difficult, and Mara had to know which it was going to be. Focusing her light green eyes on the pair, she asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Quill only cocked a strawberry brow, but Rill said, "Meaning what?"
"Do you guys plan on leaving her alone, or are you going to make her life miserable while she's here?"
"If the Deku Tree accepted her, then we have no choice but to accept her," said Quill, her child's face neutral.
"That's not what I asked." Mara crossed her arms over her chest, scowling slightly. Scamp hid a grin when he saw her. He knew that expression very well. It was the one Mara always wore when she was being extremely stubborn or determined. Quill and Rill were not leaving until they answered her, he was sure of that.
"Why do you care if we harass a stranger or not?" demanded Rill, a wicked grin playing on his lips.
"She's already been through so much, you jerk! Can't you see that, after what you overheard when she talked to the Deku Tree? Her home was stolen and I'm sure she lost a lot of friends. How would you like it, if you went through all that and only wanted rest and someone to take care of you, and instead they treat you like, like some sort of monster!" By now Mara's face was flushed bright red and she did not bother to keep her voice lowered.
Both Rill and Quill seemed shocked at her display of emotion. Normally Mara was quiet and laid-back, preferring to be indiscreet and away from the center of attention. Now here she stood, angry and upset, her eyes feverishly bright as she faced them. Rill was surprised the young girl could yell so loud. Waving a placating hand at her, he hissed, "Will you keep it down already?"
Those were the wrong words to say as he soon found out. "I WILL NOT CALM DOWN OR KEEP QUIET OR ANYTHING UNTIL YOU PROMISE TO LEAVE HER ALONE!" Mara's face had turned scarlet from the effort of screaming and her voice echoed all over the Kokiri meadow. Heads turned in their direction, wondering what all the racket was about.
Seeing Mara inhale for another bout of hollering, Rill cried, "Wait!"
"Will you two promise to leave her alone?"
Glancing at Quill, Rill said, "I promise already! Just don't yell anymore."
"I thought you liked being the center of attention," quipped Mara, her face returning to its normal peach color.
Rill threw up his hands in disgust and stalked off. Before Quill could leave, Mara said to her, "Hold on."
Now that she had Rill's word, she needed Quill's. "Do you promise?"
Quill's eyes danced with concealed laughter. "I have never seen a more original or weirder way of getting someone's oath before."
"That's not an answer. Do you promise?"
"Of course, of course," Quill said lazily, like a cat stretching after a nap in the sun. A grin flitted across her face. "I'll certainly remember to never get you mad, or at least bring ear plugs if I do."
With that, Quill departed for her home, her glacial blue faery perched on her shoulder, turning her strawberry hair purple with her light.
Mara sighed, hoping she bought the newcomer some reprieve from the slew of questions she knew the other Kokiri would pepper upon the girl once she awoke. That is, if they could get past their fear first.
Wondering what to do next, she stared vacantly in the direction of the entrance of the village. A flash of gold caught her attention, bringing her back from her thoughts. The animal from before, what did the girl call him? Zephyr, that was it. Zephyr stood next to the door leading to Mara's home, as if guarding the entrance to ensure the girl's safety. Mara smiled at the sight.
The Kokiri, while interested in the sudden appearance of the horse as well as the girl, put more focus on the newcomer's arrival and had left the golden creature alone. Horses were not all that uncommon, since many seemed to escape from their homes and wander into their woods. The Kokiri left the animals alone, unless they required help. They did not believe in using the animal for labor, likening the act to enslavement.
Mara felt a twinge of sympathy for the waiting horse. He looked miserable, his head drooping and his coat full of dirt. His leather trappings still adorned his body and they appeared very uncomfortable to her.
Making up her mind, she walked up to Zephyr and smiled reassuringly, leaving behind Scamp and the other Kokiri who had watched her yell. The horse studied her with a calm, expectant gaze. She passed his judgment, for he let her approach, not shying away from her soft touch.
She reached for the leather band that encircled his girth, fastening the saddle to his back. Mara stared at the leather, nibbling on her lower lip. How do I get this contraption off? she wondered. Coming to a decision, she pulled out the small dagger she kept in her belt. Normally for defense against the occasional Deku Baba or other small predator, the tool came in handy often. "I hope you don't mind," Mara murmured to Zephyr, setting the blade against the inside of the leather binding.
With a quick, outward jerk, she cut through the cinch and released the leather's hold. Zephyr shook his entire body and the saddle slipped off, falling unceremoniously to the grassy floor. He seemed relieved to have the heavy burden lifted and he nuzzled Mara with his velvety muzzle in gratitude. She giggled softly, enjoying the feel of his warm breath on her face, and proceeded in removing his bridle in a similar fashion. Once finished, she said, "I can lead you to water and food, if you like."
Zephyr paused, then looked back to Mara's home. "Don't worry," she said. "No one will bother her while she sleeps. You need to eat anyway. If you collapse, what good will you be?"
Zephyr pulled back his lip in a distinct horse version of a laugh. When Mara turned and headed for the creek, he followed close behind, his worn body moving slowly. Mara smiled as she walked to the cool waters. Today was full of such promise and she knew more adventures would spring up from the girl's arrival.