Disclaimer: I, the author, do not owe Legend of  Zelda®: Ocarina of Time™ or any of the game characters used in this story. Original characters are owned by the author of this story. All Rights are Reserved.

After Link had left, having left with the utmost effort of not turning around again, Saria cradled the sleeping babe in her arms with a mother's care. Indeed it seemed her own maternal instincts had become vivid the moment the child had been slipped into her arms, into her life. And it dawned on her than.

Who is the mother?

"A bastard now…" Saria whispered. "No, not true. Link will come for you again. As long as he lives and continues to fight, you have a father."

As if hearing and understanding, the baby opened its eyes, and Saria gasped, staring into eyes a reflection of Link's. Blood of a hero most certainly ran through this girl's body.

"And yet he left you with no name or mother."

A whimper escaped the baby's lips, gurgling quietly.

"'Tis all right, little one. Saria shall care for you until you can take care of yourself."

Keeping her promise, she turned and walked off to the other side of the forest where the Deku Sprout sat and grew. Even now it was apparent there was a great life force, roots of power and wisdom thriving through the soil beneath the Kokiri's feet.

"How odd that this would happen a second time," Saria said to herself. "Once again I am to present a babe to the Deku. Oh Link, how I wanted you to have a happy life to make up for the family you never had."

"Saria!" a sudden voice called out.

The Forest Sage did not have to turn her head to see Mido had called to her, now running up to her side. "Why did Link come here? What has happened?"

Saria side-glanced at her friend and smiled. "You watched on from a distance without coming up to say hello? That is rather rude."

"I'm sorry," Mido whispered, bowing his head in shame. It was than his eyes caught the bundle in Saria's arms and gasped. "Who is that?"

"Link's daughter. He has entrusted her into our care."

"'Our' care?"

"The Deku Sprout and I, of course. And you if you wish to help out."

"I'll have nothing to do with that Hylian! He was responsible for killing the Deku Tree before. What will stop his daughter, his blood, from doing the same to this one?"

The baby stirred in Saria's arms before letting out a wailing cry that pierced the sensitive hearing of Mido's Kokiri ears.

"Be silent if you have nothing to say respectful of the babe's father," Saria commanded. "She understands you perfectly and she'll not care for you when she grows older."

"A babe understanding? Foolish talk, Saria. You've been in the Sacred Realm too long. Or perhaps your love for the Hylian is the cause of your nonsense. That this babe is not yours, that the idea she was conceived by Link and another woman is what—"

"Enough!"

Both Saria and Mido looked up in surprise, to learn that the voice had come south of the forest where the Deku Sprout grew. His voice echoed throughout the area.

"Enough, Mido," he said more calmly. "It is neither your place nor right to assume or mock Saria's feelings. You also have no authority to speak to a sage in such a tone. Apologize now and leave her to come to me with the child."

Saria turned to her friend as he clenched his fists in shame and hurt pride, mumbling a soft "sorry" before turning and running off.

"Come now, Saria."

Watching Mido disappear into the entrance of the Lost Woods, Saria continued walking until she arrived in front of the Deku Sprout. He had grown much bigger in an alarming fast rate, already thirty feet above Saria's head.

"I know of Link's past and I too find this hard to believe this would happen again in your lifetime, Saria," he said softly. "I also understand the uneasiness of the circumstance."

"There is no uneasiness, Deku Sprout," Saria replied sweetly, her usual smile never faltering. "I do this in the favor of a friend. And even if Link were a prefect stranger to me, I would still grant his wish."

"I would think the latter would be more of your own wish, Saria."

"What do you mean?" the sage asked.

"That Link would be a stranger to you. Saria, it is clear even without the power of the Deku of the emotions you carry for the Hero of Hyrule."

Nothing was said, save for a kind smile slowly vanishing. "I do not deny it."

The baby in Saria's arms stirred again, this time a tiny arm waving around, wishing to grab hold of something, wanting to know what was going on.

"Ah, but such a tender, precious thing she is," the Deku Sprout said, deciding to change the conversation. "Let me see her."

With the length of Kokiri arms, Saria held out the child as the Deku Sprout brought down his longest limb and encircled it delicately around the infant's body, slowly lifting her up to his carved eyes.

"By the Triforce…"

"What is it?" Saria asked her eyes wide.

"I heard Link speaking about visions he had of his daughter's future, of what was to become of Hyrule. This is most grave and fearful."

"Than it is to come true?"

"No…unlike Link, this girl's fate is in her own hands, in the choices she makes. Saria, you must teach her to make wise decisions, for the fate of us all is intertwined with hers."

A sigh of relief escaped the Kokiri's lips, smiling again with new hope.

"What Link saw were only bits and pieces of one path. There is always an alternative; one must just look for it. Link believed his path was chosen for him, but he did not realize he could have walked away from his quest at any time."

"He would have never."

"Of course, because he knew of the result of that path, therefore he took the other. His daughter is no exception. She too must become aware of her options and decide her actions."

Understanding, Saria nodded and held out her hands for the babe.

"But Saria…there are hidden truths…"

"Such as?"

"This is not Link's only child."