Disclaimer:The Legend of Zeldais property ofNintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto, all rights reserved. I am in no way affiliated with these companies, or any legal proceedings concerning The Legend of Zelda. This story has been written purely out of enjoyment, and is not intended to make a profit, steal ideas, or offend anybody. Any similarities between my work and anyone else's is purely coincidental.
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"Elements of Hyrule" — Chapter Nine: The Heart of the Forest
By The Last Princess of Hyrule
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"Where are we going?" Navi asked, flying next to him.
Link ducked under a branch. "The Sacred Forest Meadow."
"That's the usual place?"
Link nodded, looking around. There were several faint trails running through the Lost Woods, a dense, ancient part of the forest said to house terrific magical powers. Only the Kokiri children had any idea of the mystic energies.
"Are you lost?"
"No." He turned left. Only one of the trails would lead him to the Sacred Forest Meadow, the place Saria had asked to meet him. The other trails led deeper into the heart of the Woods where, if one did not know exactly what they were doing, they would be killed.
These mysterious trails were one of the Woods' innumerable defenses. Each defense had been created with the single purpose of keeping the Sacred Forest Meadow safe. The Meadow was a pure place that was home to the Forest Temple. The temple, an ancient structure that seemed older than the Lost Woods, radiated a magic aura, so said Saria, who had an odd ability to sense these things.
Link knew very little about the Forest Temple, save that it was especially sacred and to be treated with the utmost respect. It was rumored that the Forest Temple was the reason that most life began in the Sacred Forest Meadow. Something of the temple's mysterious properties must have caused the fertility of the Meadow, which led to the growth of the great trees and thus, a cycle of birth, life, and death began. One that had remained uninterrupted to this day.
Obviously, if this were true, it made perfect sense why the wild overgrowth of the Lost Woods turned up to protect it. All Kokiri understood the workings of the Woods. They had been imbued with vastly powerful and just as ancient magic of illusion. Because of this, the Sacred Forest Meadow was impossible to find, unless one either knew the way or had the help of a guide.
Ages ago, when the Woods were still young, groups of foolish Hylians would venture into the forest seeking the Forest Temple. Not one ever came back. Over time, the illusions of the Lost Woods bred superstition amongst the outsiders. Things that they did not understand often frightened them beyond resolve, and they would make up reasons to justify their fear. These uncertainties further guarantied that the Woods and their treasures would not be disturbed.
"You're sure this is the right way?" asked Navi as they passed a branch that looked very familiar.
"Positive," Link replied, hardly listening.
"You've been to the Sacred Forest Meadow before?" Navi went on.
"Yeah."
"How often?"
"Plenty of times."
"How many is that?"
"Navi!" Link wheeled around to face the fairy. "Would you stop worrying? I know what I'm doing."
Navi blushed sheepishly. "Sorry," she muttered as they started off again.
Link had no trouble finding his way through the Lost Woods, as he demonstrated to the skeptic Navi. When he had been very young, somewhere around six years old, Saria taught him the secrets to navigating the Lost Woods. The trick was to listen. "Ignore what your mind is telling you and just focus on your heart." She would say. "It'll lead you anywhere you want to go in the Lost Woods as long as you have faith."
After much practice, the boy managed to navigate the Woods as easily as any being of the forest. Unfortunately, while he had still been learning, Link would become so confused and turned around that he ended up back in the Kokiri's village every time. "That's because you wanted to come home." Saria explained once. "You get so frustrated in the Woods that you tell yourself you can't do it and just want to go home. That proves that you can do it, you just need to focus a little harder."
Now that Link knew how to make it through the Lost Woods, he had no trouble distinguishing the path that would lead him to where he wanted to go from the paths that could get him killed.
As he traipsed slowly through the thick underbrush, Link heard the faint whisper of music. Link smiled as he heard the tune, a sure sign that he had almost reached his destination.
"What's that?" Navi suddenly asked, having noticed the melody. "It sounds like music."
Link ignored her as the trees thinned and he found himself in the Sacred Forest Meadow. The Meadow was almost half the size of the clearing in which the Kokiri lived, but far more beautiful. The lush, bottle-green grass was so thick it seemed like moss. Everywhere he looked, Link could see tiny forest creatures; birds twittering in the canopy of the trees, squirrels and chipmunks darting across the branches while graceful deer grazed below. The sight of the Kokiri boy did not strike the animals as any significant reason to abandon their present pursuits, so they ignored him.
Amidst the outer bounds of the Meadow where sixteen tall, graceful trees that seemed to stand out from all the others. The trees looked strong and healthy, but at the same time had an aura of magnificent fragility to them. Link could feel something strange about these trees, but would never have guessed what it was. The sixteen trees were the mother trees, glorious spirits that grew the Kokiri in their wombs.
At the furthest end of the Meadow from where he had entered, Link spotted Saria sitting on an old rotting stump. Her eyes were closed and she had her small ocarina to her lips, blowing through it a lively tune, the one he had heard upon entering the Meadow. The girl's body bobbed side to side and her foot tapped in time with the quick beat. Slowly, Link walked over to where she sat, treading softly on the copious grass. Saria, oblivious to anything but her music, did not notice the boy stop and sit before her. Link listened to the song with his hands folded in his lap, waiting patiently for her to finish.
When the song ended, Saria opened her eyes and suddenly spotted Link, who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere while she had been playing. The girl gasped and jumped to her feet, causing Link to burst into peals of laughter.
"Link!" she exclaimed, a hand over her chest to still her pounding heart. "You scared me! How dare you sneak up on me like that?"
"You shoulda . . . seen the look . . ." Link managed to say between laughs,". . . on your face . . . !"
Saria crossed her arms indignantly, but there was a hint of a smile on her face. "Where have you been? I've been waiting for you."
Link had stopped laughing, but continued to grin triumphantly. "I'm sorry, Saria. I was talking to Joseph."
"About what?" Saria asked.
The smile faded and Link's visage became serious. "Some of the Kokiri are saying I killed the Great Deku Tree." Link launched into a quick explanation about what Mido and Joseph had said.
Saria nodded, understanding. "Tessa made that accusation to me this morning."
"Do you believe her?" Apprehension filled the boy's face.
"Not for a second."
Link sighed with relief.
"Those two are all rumor and no fact," Saria added, referring to Tessa and her twin sister, Ressa. "Don't pay any attention to them."
Link looked considerably more calm after that.
"How come you wanted to meet me here?" the boy asked.
Saria hesitated. She had wanted Link here so that she could fulfill her promise to the Great Deku Tree, to give the boy something very important. The Speaker had been in conflict with herself ever since the death of her patron. The tree's last request was something she did not want to do. Yet, no matter what she felt, Saria was obligated to carry it out. Her word, the word of the Speaker of the Kokiri, bound her to the deed.
"I . . ."she started. "I have something to give you . . . "
Link held his breath. He could tell that something of great importance was about to happen by the way Saria was acting. She seemed unusually secretive of him today, while she was always so open around the boy. Saria closed her eyes with a long sigh and dug into her pocket. From inside, she slowly withdrew a gem, a large emerald about the size of Link's fist with a thin gold cord snaking ornately around it. Sunlight refracted off its smooth, multi-facetted surface and threw thousands of green sparkles across the pair. Saria cupped it gently in the palms of her hands.
"This is the Kokiri's Emerald," she said in a soft voice. "It's an incredibly important symbol of the forest. This and two stones like it were the cause of the War of the Races almost twenty-four years ago. The Hylians wanted these stones very badly, but for what reason, I don't know. They tried to burn down the forest to get it. I don't know why the Great Deku Tree wanted you to take it, but I believe it might have something to do with your journey."
The tiny green lights danced across Saria's solemn face as she placed the emerald in Link's outstretched hands. "The Kokiri's Emerald is the heart of the forest, Link," she added. "Please take good care of it."
"I promise." He spotted a small tear on her cheek. "Why are you crying?"
"The forest spirits are grieving," she replied, wiping the tear away with the back of her hand. "They weep for the Great Deku Tree, they weep for the sacred stone, and they weep for change. The spirits are afraid."
"Of what?"
"The events of a great prophecy have begun to transpire. They are afraid that the forest will burn again."
"Do you think it will?" Link asked quietly.
Saria shook her head. "I don't know. Before the War of the Races, I never thought someone could set the Kokiri Forest on fire." She paused, overcome by sad memories from that time. "Stuff like that never seems real until it hits home."
"Saria . . .?" Link began timidly.
Saria looked up at him with a sad smile. "I'm okay—don't worry."
"All right," he replied skeptically
"When are you leaving?"
It struck Link that she asked such. He had realized Saria knew he was leaving, but, for some reason, the thought of it actually happening had never registered in his mind. Now that Saria had said it, it seemed a sure thing, as if there had been some shred of hope that he would have been able to stay in the forest.
"Later tonight, after sunset," Link answered. "I don't want everyone to know I'm leaving."
"That's a good idea," Saria agreed. "But before you go, you should come to the Great Deku Tree's meadow. A service and silent vigil have been planned in honor of the Great Deku Tree tonight and you ought to be there."
Link looked away. "I want to come, but I don't think I should."
"Why not?"
"I have a really bad feeling . . ." Link said. "I think something's going to happen. Something terrible."
"Oh, I understand," empathized Saria. "I think I know what you're talking about. You think some of the Kokiri are going to try something against you."
Link nodded without looking at her.
"I hadn't thought of that," Saria went on. "Everyone would have had enough time by now to get over their shock and are probably looking for some way of revenge. Especially Mido. He seems devastated." Saria sat for a minute, rubbing her chin, deep in thought.
"What am I going to do?" Link whimpered quietly. "I don't want to die, but I don't want to dishonor the Great Deku Tree's memory by not coming."
"Then come to the service," Saria decided. "Come to the service, but stay out of sight—you don't want to attract any attention. Then you can sneak away when the vigil starts. I think the Great Deku Tree would understand, considering the circumstances."
Link looked up at her hopefully. "Do you think this will work?"
"I don't know," Saria answered seriously. "Now go home. Try to get some sleep before tonight. You should travel all night until you're out of the forest."
"Saria, about that . . ." Link trailed off.
"Nothing will happen to you when you leave the forest's bounds," Saria assured him. "Mido made that up years ago to keep the Kokiri from wanting to leave the forest. You'll be as able to survive outside the forest as any Hylian."
Link looked relieved as he stood up. "Well, I guess I should go get ready to leave. I'll see you at the service, Saria," he said as he turned and walked slowly away.
"But I won't see you," she said to herself when he was out of earshot. The Speaker picked up her ocarina and played the same song as before, but at half the speed. Where it had at first been a jovial welcome was now a quavering farewell.
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". . . And all life, from the smallest forest insects to the first Kokiri children, paid homage to the Great Deku Tree and accepted it as the most superior life form."
Saria, the Speaker of the Kokiri, stood at the foot of the great deity, closely surrounded by fifteen of her peers, the forest children, and their fairy partners. They were seated in complete silence around her, listening as she told the story of the Great Deku Tree's origins and the creation of the forest. Far on the outskirts of the meadow, in the shadow of the forest stood the seventeenth Kokiri, Link, and his fairy partner. Out of sight of the other Kokiri, Link listened to his best friend deliver her eulogy with the gracious respect she deserved.
". . . The Great Deku Tree, being the source of all life in the forest, decided that it needed help to care for the forest to the utmost of its power. So the Great Deku Tree grew six Guardian trees out of the earth, each to harbor one task to keep the forest safe. The Great Deku Tree realized that there were limits to its power, which teaches us to know that there are some things that we can't do, either on our own or at all . . ."
Thin wafts of creamy clouds lazed past overhead. The sunset was a vibrant wash of colors that evening. The sky above the treetops was splashed with bright orange and vivid crimson. All the clearing was colored with an orange sheen.
". . . A storm that rained fire fell upon the clearing. The Guardian trees, which could not protect themselves from disaster as the Great Deku Tree could, were killed and reduced to stumps. The Great Deku Tree was forced to take their burdens upon itself, teaching that, when a responsibility falls on us, we should accept it without argument, as the Great Deku Tree did . . ."
Responsibility . . . Link mused. A cold breeze caused the boy to shiver, pulling the course jade blanket tighter around his body.
". . . Then the Kokiri children hollowed out the great Guardians and used the stumps as homes to keep out of the rain and cold. From this we learn that nothing is to be wasted, but used as much as possible, as is honorable . . ."
What will happen to the Great Deku Tree then?
". . . The Great Deku Tree was more than just a patron guardian and the physical representation of the forest's Creators. It protected the boundaries of the forest, filled the soil with nutrients to help life grow, shielded the Sacred Forest Meadow with the wild overgrowth of the Lost Woods, grew the mother trees which we the Kokiri are born from, protected the flowers that created our fairies, and kept peace and tranquility between the forest's inhabitants . . ."
Everything was silent, listening to Saria's words. Every being in the forest had stopped its own tasks to hear the final blessing of the Great Deku Tree's life. It was only fitting that all life stopped for a short time to honor the patron of the forest, who would not live when this ceremony was over.
". . . The last lesson the Great Deku Tree had to teach us was mortality. All things have a time to live and a time to die. Even the Great Deku Tree had to die sometime. But death is never the end- a new journey with wonderful things to be discovered awaits those whose happiness seem over, but in fact has just begun . . ."
A chill wind brushed past Link's cheek, causing his tears to burn with the cold. A new journey awaits . . . Saria seemed to be looking directly at the grove of trees in which he hid. Surely, the words had been meant for him. In some odd, unexplainable way, they made him feel better.
At the foot of the tree, Saria bowed her head, signaling that she had said her piece. Mi, the Speaker's fairy, fluttered her wings and jumped from Saria's shoulder into the air. "But the Great Deku Tree has not left us with nothing of its great legacy to be remembered by. A treasure of unbelievable worth grows in our midst . . ."
A murmur ran through the assembled Kokiri and Link straightened with interest. Navi leapt off his shoulder and hovered several inches above his head, trying to catch Mi's gaze. What she's saying . . . the little Water fairy thought frantically. It can't what I think it is . . . can it?
Mi clutched her hands to her chest, feeling the pounding of her heart. "We have not lost the Great Deku Tree by any more means than Fate and mortality. Its legacy lives on . . . in this tiny seed . . ." The fairy held out her cupped hands as the concealing glow around her dimmed. In her palms was a tiny sandy-colored seed, about the size of Saria's index fingernail.
". . . This seed, though so small now, will someday grow to be as big as the Great Deku Tree once was. It will be the new patron of the forest and continue to protect us until it too is taken by mortality, many uncountable centuries from now . . ."
Mi's glow returned as she gently placed the seed in Saria's outstretched hand. "As Speaker of the Kokiri," Saria resumed, "I will plant it here, at the base of the Great Deku Tree. As the Great Deku Tree corrodes and becomes part of the forest soil, the seed will take its nutrients and flourish. So, we will not touch the Great Deku Tree—we shall let it grow the new seed . . ."
Navi settled again on Link's shoulder and whispered in his ear, "We should be going soon. The ceremony is about over."
Link nodded. "As soon as the vigil starts, we'll go back to my house, get my stuff, and leave."
". . . In honor of the Great Deku Tree's life, death, and sacrifice, we shall observe a silent vigil all night. In that time, please think about what the Great Deku Tree meant to you, what you knew about it, times it summoned you, and so forth. We shall respect the Great Deku Tree's memory until daybreak starting now . . ."
Then, the forest was silent. It was as if all life, not merely the Kokiri, were participating in the vigil. The knowledge made Link feel even worse about his decision to leave. He did go though, for he knew what the Great Deku Tree asked of him. Without a word, the boy turned and vanished into the forest.
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Back at his house, Link quickly retrieved a small leather bag from where it lay on his bed. The bag had been packed earlier with a few of the necessitates—food, water, the stone Saria had entrusted him with, the items to make his slingshot, and a few herbs to tend his wound.
"How are you feeling?" Navi asked timidly, indicating his back. She was not sure whether he wanted to talk or not, considering how he must have felt after the eulogy.
"I'll be fine," Link replied, hoping to quell the worry he could hear in her voice. Link grabbed his sword, checked to see that was properly attached to its bandoleer, and carefully pulled it over his shoulder. "I can travel."
"Are you sure?" The fairy landed on one of the flowers on his table.
Link turned to face her. "Positive. It can't be very far from here to the 'castle' the Great Deku Tree was talking about."
"How do you know?"
"There aren't any trees after the forest ends," Link reasoned. "We'll probably be able to see it when we get out. The world can't be that big."
"What if a 'castle' is a really small thing?" continued the endless bundle of questions.
Link grabbed his little wooden shield and swung it across his back. "Then how would the 'Princess of Destiny' fit in it?" Link retorted.
"Do you even know what a 'Princess of Destiny' is?" Navi asked.
"Saria said that a 'princess' is a kind of Hylian," said Link as he checked to see that the gilt dagger was still tied firmly around his waist. "I doubt a 'Princess of Destiny' is much different."
Navi sighed, Link's statement finishing the argument, and followed the boy outside.
The forest was bathed in cool moonlight as Link stepped out. Not surprising at all, Link found the clearing graced by nature and life even in the still of night. The sound of crickets chirping and the sight of fireflies dancing in the tall grass complemented the clearing with a pristine effect. Every tree house in the clearing was dark and quiet, its occupants still at the Great Deku Tree's meadow for the silent vigil, unbeknownst that one of their number was about to leave the forest.
Link descended his ladder and decided to head west. Saria had told him that once, a long time ago, a Hylian had stumbled into the forest from that direction. Since Link was pretty sure he was looking for a Hylian, he figured trying where one had been seen was the best place to start. Plus, it was the opposite direction of the other Kokiri.
After a few minutes of walking between the lush green trees, Link found himself at the foot of a bridge. Beneath it was a good-sized stream of water sparkling with reflected starlight. The bridge had been built for access over the stream in the spring, when it raged nearly triple its usual size. Link's footsteps clunked softly across the sturdy wooden planks. Two rope side-rails stretched either side of the bridge. Link's thoughts, however, were not focused on the bridge, or the forest and his friends. All he could think about was what the world away from the trees was like. A million questions clogged his usually sharp perception of the things around him, which was why he did not notice the familiar figure at the edge of the bridge, waiting for him.
"You're leaving . . ."
Link stopped, instantly recognizing the voice. He slowly turned around to find Saria, one arm wrapped around a fraying strand of rope, watching him with a heartfelt sad look on her face.
"It's good that you go now, Link. I heard talk this afternoon—Mido and some of his friends want to make you pay for the death of the Great Deku Tree. I don't know what they would have done, but I have no doubt that it could have been life threatening. They're so confused, and they don't know what to do with all the emotions they're feeling. I fear they would have killed you . . ." Saria trailed off. "I should have known it would come to this . . ."
Link said nothing.
"I knew . . ." she went on slowly. "I knew you'd leave the forest someday . . ."
Link walked to her. "I told you that this afternoon."
Saria shook her head, tears coming to her eyes. "No, I've known for a long time—since you were an infant. It's because you're . . ."
She stopped, the thought frozen in her mind. Link looked at her expectantly. Saria opened her mouth again, but the words would not come. In her head, she knew exactly what she wanted to tell him—the truth. If I don't tell him, this thing will haunt me like a demon for the rest of my life. I'll never see him again once he leaves the forest, Saria told herself. I should tell him everything, but I just can't. I don't know why, but it's just something I cannot do . . .
"It's because you're . . . different . . . from me and the other Kokiri," she finally managed to say.
"Different?" Link repeated. "In what way?"
"Just . . . different," Saria said with much effort. "You're just different . . ." The girl turned down her eyes sadly. "But that's okay," she went on, "because, even though you're leaving, we'll still be friends forever . . . won't we?" She looked up at him hopefully.
"Of course we will," Link assured her. "We'll always be friends."
Saria looked relieved. "You won't forget me when you leave?"
Why is she acting like this? Link asked himself. She's being so insecure—I've never seen her so worried before, so unsure of things. "How could I ever forget you?" Link held out his hand. "I won't be gone long—maybe only a couple days. But even if I were gone forever, there's no way I'd forget you. You're my best friend."
Saria's eyes filled with tears as she pulled Link into a hug, sobbing into his shoulder. Slightly shocked for a moment, Link rubber her back softly, letting her get it all out. He knew from experience that sometimes, Saria just needed to cry and nothing he could say would make a difference. This was just one of those times. Oddly, just a couple minutes later, she pushed him away and rubbed her eyes dry with the back of her hand.
"Are you going to be okay?" Link asked, his eyes shining with concern.
Saria nodded, giving him a small smile. Another tear rolled down her cheek as, from her pocket, she pulled out her ocarina. The girl gave it a long look, and then turned back to her friend.
"Link," she began, "I want you to have my ocarina." She held it out to him.
Link looked from the little wooden instrument to Saria. "You're giving me your ocarina? But why? You love playing . . . are you really willing to give that up for me?"
"It's worth it," Saria told him. "Besides, you said yourself you wouldn't be gone long. And anyway, if you feel so bad about taking it, just know I can make another one."
Link took the ocarina in his hand. It was perfectly smooth he found, rubbing it underneath with his thumb. "Saria . . ."
Saria held up a hand to silence him. "Link, I've decided. Don't try to talk me out of it. It's a goodbye gift."
Link nodded. The two that faced each other in silence for that moment, both so alike, were so different for one particular instant. Saria, with her eyes full of tears and face expressing the heartache within, looked like the world was ending. Then Link, both hopeful and sad at the same time, was reluctant to leave his friends, but excitedly anticipated seeing the world, which to him was just beginning, outside the forest.
Saria closed her eyes, realizing that, no matter what pained her heart, certain events must transpire, and Link's journey was one of them.
"So . . ." Saria said. "Goodbye, Link."
"Saria . . ." Link started, but Saria held out her hand to stop him again.
"Don't say anything- just go," she ordered. "This is really hard for me . . . do you understand?" Her words were becoming sharp.
Link took a step back, his visage solemn. "Goodbye, Saria." With those last words, Link turned and sprinted across the bridge, into the forest beyond, and out of sight.
The withheld tears poured down the Speaker's cheeks as she slumped into a pathetic heap on the bridge, and her heart knew only sorrow as Link disappeared.
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