Link buried the man in the graveyard of a small village just north of the forest; to have buried him in the Lost Woods or the Kokiri Forest would have damned him to a rebirth as a Stalfos. It was midday by the time Link returned to the forest, his thoughts heavy with the stranger's words. He wandered through the Kokiri village, pondering what had happened. Around him the other Kokiri were going about their business, some of them greeting him, others not, particularly Mido.
It wasn't long before Saria strolled up beside him, not saying a word, just walking. Link glanced down at the green haired Kokiri and smiled a little. Saria had been his best friend his entire life, and she knew that all he needed right now was time to think. Her presence was enough. Besides, being the Sage of the Forest made her a little more sensitive to the needs of others, and also a wealth of information and advice.
After a while they settled in Saria's house, sitting across from each other at her small table. Link related all that had occurred that morning. After the tale, Saria sat in silence, gathering her thoughts on the matter. Finally, she said, "Do you think it's true?"
"I don't know," Link sighed, running a hand through his blonde hair, "I have no idea what to think. You and the other Kokiri are the only family I've ever had. I've never even considered that my parents might still be alive. When the Deku Tree Sprout told me my mother died shortly after bringing me into the forest, I automatically assumed my father had also died. But now…" he faded into silence, leaning back in exasperation.
"Well, I dunno if what this guy said is true, but I do think it's about time you tried to figure out a little bit about your real family," Saria advised, "I mean, for the past eight years you've been wandering Hyrule, going on some great journey to 'learn anything that might be useful', but you haven't discovered anything about yourself. I know it's only been two months since you came back, but I think it's time you put your past at rest, and if your father is alive, then to seek him out and make your peace with him."
Link couldn't help but smile. "You know, for a girl permanently stuck at the age of ten, you sound amazingly old."
"The perks of being a mystic Sage in a future I shouldn't even remember. Or is it the past now?" Saria giggled, "Anyway, what are you going to do?"
Link thought a moment, then rose to his feet. "First, I think I'll pay a visit to the Tree."
* * *
"What brings you here today, young Link?" the Deku Tree asked as Link entered his glade. This new Deku Tree sprouted shortly after the death of the first Great Deku Tree died, and had since grown from a sprout into a large, strong sapling. It regarded Link with an air of ancient knowledge and wisdom.
Link looked up into the "face" of the Deku Tree, really just a shaping of the bark into brows and a nose. "A man came into the Forest this morning…a Hylian."
"I know," the Deku Tree replied.
"Then you also know what he came for…me. He came searching for the 'Hero of Time'. He knew about me and my travels through time. Something only you, the Sages, and Navi should know."
The Tree remained silent. Link pressed on, "He claimed that my father was still alive. Then he died. I want to know if this is true. And if so, why you didn't tell me."
The Tree remained silent for a moment, and then replied, "It is true, though how this Hylian discovered this is beyond me at the moment. And I never told you because you did not ask."
Link grimaced. He couldn't argue with the Tree's logic, even if he didn't appreciate it at the moment. Crossing his arms, he looked up into the Tree's face. "Then tell me," he demanded, "Who is he? Where can I find him?"
"I cannot tell you." The Tree replied.
"What?" Link gaped in astonishment, "Why not? I have a right to know…after all I've done, it's the least I deserve."
"I will forgive your anger, due to what has happened. However, I cannot tell you because I am forbidden." If Link didn't know better, he could have sworn he heard embarrassment and a trace of regret in the Tree's voice.
"Who forbids it?" Link demanded. He couldn't believe what the Tree was saying.
"It is forbidden by fate. You must discover the answer for yourself."
Link couldn't think of what to stay. 'Forbidden by fate'? It could only mean that he was the focus of yet another prophecy; destiny had already chosen the path for him to follow. "Fate," he grumbled, "What has fate determined for me this time? Another tyrannical despot? A new evil mask? Maybe a new evil demon for me to add to the dozens of killed in the past eight years." His tone took an angry turn. "Ever since your predecessor sent Navi to me, my life has been one battle after another. You know what I've been doing ever since then. For Farore's sake, I only got back two months ago! Why can't I have one blasted moment of peace?"
"I am sorry Link," this time Link was sure he heard regret, "You must discover it for yourself. The road will be long and difficult. Even I cannot foretell the outcome…the chances of your returning to this forest again are small…as are those of your survival."
Link said nothing for a long time. Finally, he declared, "As always, I have no choice. If that is the path the goddesses have chosen for me, then I'll walk it…no matter where it leads."
"I am truly sorry, Hero of Time. The only advice I can provide is to remain strong; never falter in your resolve. Once again, the fate of our world, and others, will depend on you. Farewell…and good journey."
By then Link was gone.
* * *
Saria sat on Link's bed as he packed for his journey. Wrapped into a large satchel he carried with him his Goron and Zora tunics and masks, the Fierce Deity mask, his gold and silver gauntlets, and the Fairy Sword he had brought back from Termina. At his waist, hooked to his belt, were his longshot, rupee pouch, bomb bag, and a small pouch holding his ocarina. Strapped across his shoulders were his broadsword and bow and arrows. He flung his long cloak over his shoulders—fall had just begun, and it was getting cold—and picked up his satchel. "So," Saria said, "Where're you gonna look first?"
"I figure I'll start at the castle library. They keep records of all the births in Hyrule. My birth has to be in one of the records."
"Sounds like a good plan. You just gonna warp there?"
"No," Link answered, "I'd be warping right into the middle of a sermon. I'll walk. If I hurry, I can make it to Lon Lon in about a day and a half. I'll pick up Epona and take her with me."
At the mention of Lon Lon Ranch, a mischievous smile crept across Saria's face. "To get Epona," she repeated. "That it?"
"Yeah." Link regarded her with a puzzled look, "What are you smiling at?"
"Oh, I just figured you'd stop and say hi to Malon when you got there."
"Of course," Link replied, turning away to hide his slightly blushed face, "She's a good friend. Which, I might add," turning to face her, a playful smile on his lips, "is none of your business."
Saria giggled, "Of course not."
"Besides," Link continued, stuffing a change of clothes into the pack, "I could use the solitude of walking. Every time I warp or use my magic, it just reminds of why I have them in the first place."
Saria leaned forward. She and Link had had this conversation before. "There's no point in feeling sorry for yourself Link. Everyone else does that for you."
"You don't understand Saria." Link sighed. "Yes you're a Sage, but you still get to live in peace. That's your job. I haven't been able to do that since I was ten years old. After I defeated Ganon, I defeated Majora. The last eight years of my life have been spent training and battling and killing." He sat down on the bed next to her. "I know every form of combat in this country. I've mastered every weapon and fighting style in eight years when it would have taken the average person a lifetime. Not because I chose to, but because it was required for whatever threat needed to be taken care of. It's frightening to think that while I'm supposed to be a hero, all I really know is death. I'm a weapon, plain and simple. And I hate it."
Saria looked at him for a moment, and then wrapped her small arms around his broad shoulders. She and Link had stayed in constant contact during his travels thanks to the Ocarina of Time and his frequent visits during his travels, and she had seen the toll all he had described had taken on him. When he first became the Hero of Time, at the tender age of ten, he had accepted it without question. As he aged however, he began to resent the role thrust on him. He would never shirk his duty to the people of Hyrule—he'd die before that happened—but knowing that his life was not his own frustrated him. Link was still the good, friendly person he had always been, but his eyes and his spirit had aged beyond his eighteen years.
As a Sage, it was her duty to bring peace. As the Hero of Time it was his duty to destroy.
They sat like that for a while until Link gently unwrapped her and gathered up his satchel. "Want me to go with you to the bridge?" she asked.
"If you like. Goddesses know I'll want the company later on."
* * *
Link stooped down and gave Saria a quick hug as they stood on the bridge leaving Kokiri Village. "I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised.
"I know." Saria smiled, "Just make that soon. If you need me for anything, just call on the ocarina."
"You know I will. Take care." And with that he was gone.
She stood there staring after him for a while, and then she turned back and entered the forest. She headed straight for the Deku Tree's glade. The Tree was expecting her. "I know why you have come, Forest Sage, and I am afraid I know no more than you concerning Link's fate."
"I have a bad feeling about this." Saria confessed, "All of it. How could this Hylian know where to find Link, let alone know he was the Hero of Time? Link's kept his whereabouts hidden for the past eight years. He only just came back two months ago. No one knows what he did for Hyrule, so no one recognizes him, and he always warps here so he can't be followed. Something just doesn't smell right."
"I concur, young Saria, but alas there is nothing we can do. I am also puzzled by this turn of events, even though they were to be expected. So it was deemed at the beginning, so shall it be."
"I know, I know. That doesn't keep me from worrying though. Something bad is going to come of all this."
"Indeed," the Tree agreed, "but alas, our fate will once again be determined by the Hero's actions. I can tell you this: The Goddesses have no more plans for Link. The destiny that has been laid out for him will soon be fulfilled. Whatever may happen, for better or worse, this will be Link's last quest."