Ok.don't own Zelda.anything not of the Zelda universe is mine.*bows*
No author's note today! ^^ Long live Frodo and Link!
**
Ch. 4: A Quest Revealed
The midday sun fell over the distant wooded entrance to the Kokiri forest. Still a few miles away, Peligran galloped full speed towards it while Airaen talked to her "guide" in an intelligent and informative conversation. "Sooo, Gate. You're a guy fairy. Don't you find that.disturbing?"
"For the last time, child, NO!"
"Really? Because, aren't most fairies girls? I mean, my father had a girl fairy. Don't you find it disturbing that you're a guy in a race thing that's of a connotation of feminity or whatever you call it?"
Gate sighed. This was turning out to be a long journey. "Airaen, feminity is not a word. And no, there are plenty of male fairies.Navi is the only fairy you've ever heard of. Besides, try not to be any denser than you are already. Please, it's disturbing."
Airaen gritted her teeth menacingly. Dense?, she thought, I'll show him dense. Perigan galloped on.
**
One ugly argument later, the travelers had reached the entrance to Kokiri forest. The giant, hollow tree trunk gaped out at them. Perigan whinnied uncomfortably. He was loath to enter, but Airaen urged him on. Reluctantly, the young horse entered. As they crossed the bridge, Airaen noted the odd floating lights crisscrossing here and there. As if he knew what she was thinking, Gate said, "Those are forest sprites and tiny fairies. They will not harm you unless you have an evil heart." Airaen felt a little better.
They entered yet another tree trunk to the magnificent site of the home of the Kokiri. The guard at the second entrance jumped a little to see a horse and rider. He was about to call out when he saw the fairy next to the rider, and felt safer. Nodding fearfully to the rider, he stepped away and hid behind the sign posted by the entrance. At a sign from Airaen, Perigan trotted on through the village. The place seemed deserted, but, every so often, she could see the glint of eyes through windows and out of bushes. Sighing, Airaen said, "Alright, Gate, now what?"
"See that opening in the hill, across the stream? There. Hurry! The Deku Tree is waiting. Leave the horse here." Gate flew off at a quick pace. Jumping off Perigan, Airaen followed at as quick a pace as she could. After leaping from rock to rock over the stream, she made her way through, following Gate as quickly as she could. Finally, Gate halted, and Airaen bent down, panting.
"Great way to abandon me, ass! I nearly fell in that stupid stream!", she yelled, but Gate silenced her.
"Fool! You're in the presence of the Deku Tree! Show some respect!" Looking up, Airaen saw the Tree, nearly half of the height, had she known it at the time, of the late Great Deku Tree of old. Though smaller, it was the biggest tree Airaen had ever seen, and she stood dumbfounded at it.
Before she could say anything, a great voice came from the face of the Tree (for indeed it had a face and mouth): "Welcome, Airaen, child of the Hero of Time! Long have I waited for you, child! Well done, Gate! You shall be rewarded soon enough, old friend. But first, the matter at hand. Bring forth the sword of the Kokiri, Airaen!"
Shit, she thought, here I am, talking to a tree, and now he wants that broken sword.I'm in for it now. She drew the broken sword from her pack and held it out to the Tree. Expecting a roar of outrage, she flinched. However, she heard laughter, of the kind that could send one laughing for days on end. "Well, now," the Deku Tree laughed, "here ends the great sword of the Kokiri, and it could not have happened sooner! I half expected it to shatter on its own, but I guess the sword would rather have died in battle."
Surprised, and forgetting her place, Airaen cried, "What the hell does that mean.er.begging your pardon. It chose to die? But it's just a sword!"
"Nay, child! This sword was forged by the first Kokiri to walk this land. The very soul of that Kokiri was in that blade, and, when it found it had no more use in this world, decided to pass from this place. It chose a rather excellent end, though that sword loved your father like a son. Though I will miss it, I am happy the sword has passed on," the Deku Tree said.
"Oh," Airaen said quietly, and held the hilt more respectfully.
"Now, then," the Tree said, "Speaking of your father, I know he has been captured. Ganon's followers have returned, and have taken your father to the Gerudo Fortress, no doubt. But, not so hasty, Airaen!", he said as she tried to leave, "Even if you knew the way, what good would you be for your father? I have already seen that, though you have some skill, you have a long way to go before you can wield a sword properly. Speaking of a sword, you're going to need one. But first, you'll have to hear me out. Do not underestimate Ganon and his horde. They are powerful, even more so than that captain who attacked you!"
"But, I survived it!", Airaen protested.
Gate intervened: "Only with my help, and the Triforce of Power!"
"Gate! You should not have revealed that name to her, not yet! She was not ready for it," the Deku Tree cried, "But do not try to apologize, friend. It cannot be undone."
"What is going on?", Airaen asked, puzzled.
The Deku Tree sighed: "Long ago, in the creation of Hyrule, the three goddesses, Din, goddess of Power, Nayru, goddess of Wisdom, and Farore, goddess of Courage, formed our land. When they had finished, they returned to the heavens and left the Triforce behind. Where those goddesses left became the Sacred Land. Since then, many have tried to claim the Triforce. If one with a pure heart claims the Triforce, the Land will become a paradise. If one with an evil heart claims the Triforce, it will split into three segments: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. The one part that the evil person most believes in will belong to that one, while the rest will scatter across the land and find the ones chosen by destiny to bear these parts, which the mark of the Triforce can be found on the backs of their hands. Then, the Land will become as evil as the evil heart. You have already heard of Ganondorf's triumph in the Sacred Land. He held the Triforce of Power, while the Triforce of Courage went to your father, and the Triforce of Wisdom went to the Lady Zelda."
"But," Airaen cried, "my father and the sages defeated Ganon! He was sealed away in the Sacred Realm, never to return!"
"Nay, child," the Deku Tree answered, "Because he held the Triforce of Power, Ganon, after gaining enough strength, escaped from the seal of the sages. The sages are weakened, and cannot summon enough strength to seal Ganon again. He is building an army to lead an assault on Hyrule Castle once more. Ganon knows that your father no longer holds the Master Sword, the blade of legend, and so he will not be unchallenged. The Lady Zelda cannot hold off Ganon. She will need your aid ere the day is ended, child."
"My help? What can I do? I should rescue my father, first, and then find this Master Sword. He can kick Ganon's ass!", Airaen cried.
"No," the Tree said, "His part in this tale is almost spent. The Master Sword will not be wielded by him again. You must take his place. I shall give you a more suitable sword, and then you will need to journey to Hyrule Castle. Take this pendant as well. Wearing this, the guards of the Castle will not deny you entrance. Here, Gate! Go and fetch the sword and pendant!" Gate flew off into the trees and was gone. In a few moments, he came back, bearing a long, sheathed sword and belt, and a red-jeweled pendant bearing the mark of the Triforce on it. After putting these things on, the Deku Tree continued: "Lady Zelda shall explain everything to you, but you must make haste, for Ganon will surely be sending men after you! Don't ask questions, just go, and quickly! Try not to take open roads unless you truly have to! Gate will show you the way."
At this statement, Gate and Airaen both cried, "What??!! We're partners now?!" Gate yelled out, "There is no way I'm working with this moron!" to which Airaen replied, "Well, I'm not working with him!"
"SILENCE!", the Deku Tree roared, "Gate, you will do as I say, and Airaen will no longer protest! Now go before I have to make you!" Two forgot their bickering and left quickly, followed by more stares from the Kokiri. Airaen leaped onto Perigan's back and, with Gate following close behind, set off at a gallop to Hyrule Castle, just as Link had set out to Hyrule Castle all those years ago.
**
Ch. 4: A Quest Revealed
The midday sun fell over the distant wooded entrance to the Kokiri forest. Still a few miles away, Peligran galloped full speed towards it while Airaen talked to her "guide" in an intelligent and informative conversation. "Sooo, Gate. You're a guy fairy. Don't you find that.disturbing?"
"For the last time, child, NO!"
"Really? Because, aren't most fairies girls? I mean, my father had a girl fairy. Don't you find it disturbing that you're a guy in a race thing that's of a connotation of feminity or whatever you call it?"
Gate sighed. This was turning out to be a long journey. "Airaen, feminity is not a word. And no, there are plenty of male fairies.Navi is the only fairy you've ever heard of. Besides, try not to be any denser than you are already. Please, it's disturbing."
Airaen gritted her teeth menacingly. Dense?, she thought, I'll show him dense. Perigan galloped on.
**
One ugly argument later, the travelers had reached the entrance to Kokiri forest. The giant, hollow tree trunk gaped out at them. Perigan whinnied uncomfortably. He was loath to enter, but Airaen urged him on. Reluctantly, the young horse entered. As they crossed the bridge, Airaen noted the odd floating lights crisscrossing here and there. As if he knew what she was thinking, Gate said, "Those are forest sprites and tiny fairies. They will not harm you unless you have an evil heart." Airaen felt a little better.
They entered yet another tree trunk to the magnificent site of the home of the Kokiri. The guard at the second entrance jumped a little to see a horse and rider. He was about to call out when he saw the fairy next to the rider, and felt safer. Nodding fearfully to the rider, he stepped away and hid behind the sign posted by the entrance. At a sign from Airaen, Perigan trotted on through the village. The place seemed deserted, but, every so often, she could see the glint of eyes through windows and out of bushes. Sighing, Airaen said, "Alright, Gate, now what?"
"See that opening in the hill, across the stream? There. Hurry! The Deku Tree is waiting. Leave the horse here." Gate flew off at a quick pace. Jumping off Perigan, Airaen followed at as quick a pace as she could. After leaping from rock to rock over the stream, she made her way through, following Gate as quickly as she could. Finally, Gate halted, and Airaen bent down, panting.
"Great way to abandon me, ass! I nearly fell in that stupid stream!", she yelled, but Gate silenced her.
"Fool! You're in the presence of the Deku Tree! Show some respect!" Looking up, Airaen saw the Tree, nearly half of the height, had she known it at the time, of the late Great Deku Tree of old. Though smaller, it was the biggest tree Airaen had ever seen, and she stood dumbfounded at it.
Before she could say anything, a great voice came from the face of the Tree (for indeed it had a face and mouth): "Welcome, Airaen, child of the Hero of Time! Long have I waited for you, child! Well done, Gate! You shall be rewarded soon enough, old friend. But first, the matter at hand. Bring forth the sword of the Kokiri, Airaen!"
Shit, she thought, here I am, talking to a tree, and now he wants that broken sword.I'm in for it now. She drew the broken sword from her pack and held it out to the Tree. Expecting a roar of outrage, she flinched. However, she heard laughter, of the kind that could send one laughing for days on end. "Well, now," the Deku Tree laughed, "here ends the great sword of the Kokiri, and it could not have happened sooner! I half expected it to shatter on its own, but I guess the sword would rather have died in battle."
Surprised, and forgetting her place, Airaen cried, "What the hell does that mean.er.begging your pardon. It chose to die? But it's just a sword!"
"Nay, child! This sword was forged by the first Kokiri to walk this land. The very soul of that Kokiri was in that blade, and, when it found it had no more use in this world, decided to pass from this place. It chose a rather excellent end, though that sword loved your father like a son. Though I will miss it, I am happy the sword has passed on," the Deku Tree said.
"Oh," Airaen said quietly, and held the hilt more respectfully.
"Now, then," the Tree said, "Speaking of your father, I know he has been captured. Ganon's followers have returned, and have taken your father to the Gerudo Fortress, no doubt. But, not so hasty, Airaen!", he said as she tried to leave, "Even if you knew the way, what good would you be for your father? I have already seen that, though you have some skill, you have a long way to go before you can wield a sword properly. Speaking of a sword, you're going to need one. But first, you'll have to hear me out. Do not underestimate Ganon and his horde. They are powerful, even more so than that captain who attacked you!"
"But, I survived it!", Airaen protested.
Gate intervened: "Only with my help, and the Triforce of Power!"
"Gate! You should not have revealed that name to her, not yet! She was not ready for it," the Deku Tree cried, "But do not try to apologize, friend. It cannot be undone."
"What is going on?", Airaen asked, puzzled.
The Deku Tree sighed: "Long ago, in the creation of Hyrule, the three goddesses, Din, goddess of Power, Nayru, goddess of Wisdom, and Farore, goddess of Courage, formed our land. When they had finished, they returned to the heavens and left the Triforce behind. Where those goddesses left became the Sacred Land. Since then, many have tried to claim the Triforce. If one with a pure heart claims the Triforce, the Land will become a paradise. If one with an evil heart claims the Triforce, it will split into three segments: Power, Wisdom, and Courage. The one part that the evil person most believes in will belong to that one, while the rest will scatter across the land and find the ones chosen by destiny to bear these parts, which the mark of the Triforce can be found on the backs of their hands. Then, the Land will become as evil as the evil heart. You have already heard of Ganondorf's triumph in the Sacred Land. He held the Triforce of Power, while the Triforce of Courage went to your father, and the Triforce of Wisdom went to the Lady Zelda."
"But," Airaen cried, "my father and the sages defeated Ganon! He was sealed away in the Sacred Realm, never to return!"
"Nay, child," the Deku Tree answered, "Because he held the Triforce of Power, Ganon, after gaining enough strength, escaped from the seal of the sages. The sages are weakened, and cannot summon enough strength to seal Ganon again. He is building an army to lead an assault on Hyrule Castle once more. Ganon knows that your father no longer holds the Master Sword, the blade of legend, and so he will not be unchallenged. The Lady Zelda cannot hold off Ganon. She will need your aid ere the day is ended, child."
"My help? What can I do? I should rescue my father, first, and then find this Master Sword. He can kick Ganon's ass!", Airaen cried.
"No," the Tree said, "His part in this tale is almost spent. The Master Sword will not be wielded by him again. You must take his place. I shall give you a more suitable sword, and then you will need to journey to Hyrule Castle. Take this pendant as well. Wearing this, the guards of the Castle will not deny you entrance. Here, Gate! Go and fetch the sword and pendant!" Gate flew off into the trees and was gone. In a few moments, he came back, bearing a long, sheathed sword and belt, and a red-jeweled pendant bearing the mark of the Triforce on it. After putting these things on, the Deku Tree continued: "Lady Zelda shall explain everything to you, but you must make haste, for Ganon will surely be sending men after you! Don't ask questions, just go, and quickly! Try not to take open roads unless you truly have to! Gate will show you the way."
At this statement, Gate and Airaen both cried, "What??!! We're partners now?!" Gate yelled out, "There is no way I'm working with this moron!" to which Airaen replied, "Well, I'm not working with him!"
"SILENCE!", the Deku Tree roared, "Gate, you will do as I say, and Airaen will no longer protest! Now go before I have to make you!" Two forgot their bickering and left quickly, followed by more stares from the Kokiri. Airaen leaped onto Perigan's back and, with Gate following close behind, set off at a gallop to Hyrule Castle, just as Link had set out to Hyrule Castle all those years ago.