"But Link, why do you have to go? I don't want you to leave.you'll only put yourself in needless danger - AGAIN! Please..stay."

"You don't understand Saria." Link let out a deep sigh and shuffled his feet on the ground. "No one here understands me. I'm not like the rest of you. I may look like it on the outside, but inside I long to do more than just live day to day in this forest." Link looked sadly into Saria's big, green eyes. "Please say you understand Saria. You've always been my best friend."

By now, Saria had begun crying; great diamond tears slid down her pale cheek, and the rims of her eyes had begun to lightly puff and pinken. She looked slowly, but intently into Link's large blue eyes.

"I-I understand Link. You were always meant to have a destiny greater than that of the Kokiri people. The forest will only hold you back."

Saria had stopped crying now, but the pathways of the tears still shone visibly on her cheeks. She reached up with both hands and tenderly clasped Link by his face, all the while never losing contact with his gorgeous eyes.

"Don't be frightened, Link. When you return to the forest, I will not be here. No amount of searching will produce my location. This is our destiny, Link..we." Tears began to form in the corners of Saria's eyes again.

"We will never see each other again!"

That was it. Saria was so overcome with her grief she could speak no more. She quickly turned on her heel and sped away from Link, with her fairy trailing closely behind her.

Link was shocked.

He couldn't believe what Saria had just told him. She was a Kokiri - she couldn't leave the forest. But then again, she was also the Sage of the Forest. He looked back in the direction she had run off in and faintly saw the sparkling remains of a fairy's trail leading into the Lost Woods. Link wondered for a moment whether or not he should go after her. He ultimately decided against this, as she might resent him for it. No, the only thing he could do was grab the Kokiri sword (which had informally become his), his Deku shield, his boomerang and his busted slingshot (he had got angry from missing a skulltula one day and chucked it off Death Mountain).

"Well, I guess I will go then. I hope Saria will be alright."

As he walked towards his house to grab his things, he remembered her sad, pleading eyes and began to feel the pangs of indecision. Should he leave the Kokiri forest, if it meant he would never see Saria again? If he stayed, would she be angry with him for not pursuing his destiny? Link was so confused.

"Oh, what do I do? Do I leave? Or should I stay?"

Then it hit him.

"Of course! Why didn't I think of this sooner? I'll go see the Deku Tree - he'll know what I should do!"

Feeling happier, Link made off towards the entrance to the Deku Tree.

~ meanwhile ~

"Messenger, how fares my daughter Zelda? Any news of her travels?"

The King of Hyrule leaned over from his throne to pluck a tasty grape from the dish of fruit beside him. The messenger spoke as the King ate.

"My liege, the princess fares quite well, and sends her love to you. She is just leaving the Goron district, and is on her way to visit the Zoras. She reports business is prosperous with the Gorons, and hopes will be equally successful with the Zoras."

"Excellent. I am pleased she is enjoying her trip. She had been looking forward to going for a long time..Any news yet on the whereabouts of Sheik, her usual caregiver?"

The messenger looked quickly down at his boots, as if something about them became imploringly interesting.

"N-no my liege. The woman is still missing. Reports from your sentries tell us that they may have picked up her trail, heading towards Gerudo Valley, but the reports are inconclusive. We still do not know where she dwells"

The King looked disturbed by this news. He turned to face a burly man standing in the corner of the room and raised an eyebrow at him to get his attention. The man, obviously seeing the King's signal, approached the throne and kneeled before it.

"Your servant, my liege."

"Malecus, I have a job for you." The King's tone had become quite serious. The burly man rose to his feet, but kept his head bowed.

"At your command, sire."

"I understand you have quite a talent at tracking people down. I need you to find this missing Shiek woman. My normal men have all failed and it is imperative that she be located. If you succeed, I will reward you."

Malecus slowly let his head rise, until he was facing the King's old and worried face.

"Will you accept this quest?"

Malecus replied with a mysterious, assured tone.

"It would be my pleasure, your Highness."

And with a practiced bow, turned and left the Grand Hall.all the while with a curious smirk on his face.

My pleasure.