Grr...I think this is the fifth time I've tried writing this chapter. Several times I found myself wanting to throw the monitor across the room, but hopefully, this time it came out okay...also, there's one line I know really doesn't fit into the whole "zelda world," but it fit the situation so well, I put it in anyway. I hope you like.
26th Entry: The Kokiri Forest
January 14th, the 7th year in the reign of King Ganondorf I
As much as I love the Kokiri, they are exhaustingly energetic. The night I arrived, Mido got them all together and planned out my entire day, from dawn until dusk. Just trust me, if you had to go through the day I've just had, you'd be tired too.
This morning I woke around six, very pleased that I hadn't slept in. After I changed clothes, I went outside and sat at the top of the ladder, observing the little village that lay before me. Two houses lay to my right, another on a hill to my left. Directly across from where I was staying was the house Mido had run off towards last night, and to right of his house was a small shop. I was still curious as to who had given up their house so that I could have a place to sleep (though I was not pleased with the answer I later received).
About that time, a small Kokiri boy ran up to my umm...treehouse.
"Miss Malon!" He called up to me, and motioned for me to come down. I hopped down from where I was sitting, and took a moment to observe the boy who stood in front of me. He was slightly shorter than Mido, had a wide smile, and bright orange hair that covered his eyes. "C'mon, I'm going to show you around for a bit." He told me, taking my hand and leading me up the hill to my left.
Once we reached the top of the hill, I noticed a fenced in area in front of the house I had seen earlier. Five other Kokiri boys stood there, all holding little wooden play swords. When they saw us, they come over to introduce themselves. Let's see if I can remember all their names...the one who brought me up to the hill's name was Irvine, and then there was Bailey, Cole, Julian, Neil, and...oh what was the other one...oh yeah! His name was Riley. Bailey, Irvine, and Riley were brothers, Cole and Julian were cousins, and Neil said he was the cousin of two twin girls who lived in the village.
Once the introductions were over and done with, Irvine turned to face me. "We were wondering if you would like to train with us for a while. We have fencing practice every morning, and we all decided that we would really like it if you join us."
I laughed. "I'd love to practice with you. You should know, however, I'm really not very good."
Neil spoke up, smiling. "So are we. That's why we practice."
And that's how I spent the first part of my day. The boys taught me several sword techniques they had learned over the past couple months (I'm sure it was a sight to see), and in return I helped referee the little competitions they held. I have to say, I was surprised by the amount of aptitude each one of them had with a sword. At one point during the morning, I asked Cole who had taught them all of these techniques. I can't say I was surprised when he responded by saying he didn't know for sure who he was, just a nice man who came to the forest and chased the the bad guys away.
We stopped around noon to eat lunch. I have to admit, I was more than pleased to eat the food they gave me. As good as Goron cooking is (I'm not talking about rocks here), after having it day after day, you get tired of it. Just as I was finishing my meal, I saw a girl walk up to the training area. She had short orange hair (big surprise) and bright blue eyes. Neil waved when he saw her.
"That's my cousin, Charity." He told me as she came up. She walked over and stood in front of us.
"Have you been having a good time Miss Malon?" she asked, a grin on her face. "I do hope my cousin and his friends haven't been too tiresome."
I laughed. "No, I've had a very good time with them all." At that, Neil gave her a smirk, and stuck out his tongue.
She stuck her tongue out at him. "Well, if you'd like, you can come with me and meet the rest of the village."
Neil stuck his tongue back out at her. "Oh you wouldn't want to do that. It's just a bunch of girls."
I laughed, and stood up. "Still, I met all of you, I should meet everyone else as well." Neil gave a smile, and the boys all gave a wave bye. Charity took my hand and started down the hill. She led me past the treehouse and into the house on it's right. Several girls stood inside. One she introduced as her twin, Christy. I was also introduced to Madison and Gwen, who were cousins. Of the four, they all looked very much alike, short orange hair, blue eyes. However one Kokiri, her name was Ann, had light blond hair tied into pigtails, and really stood out when standing with the other girls.
"Well," Charity began, "We decided that more than anything else, we would like to hear about the outside. You know, where you live, where you've been, that kind of thing."
Madison spoke up. "And in return, we'll make you a Kokiri dress."
"Thanks, that would be great." I replied, thinking it ought to go just beautifully with my Goron Tour Guide uniform (right...).
They all brought out green fabric (Lord knows where it came from), and had me stand up straight, arms out to my sides as they measured, cut, measured again, sewed, and measured again. The entire time they asked me questions about the 'outside world'. What Hyrule City looks like (well, looked like), how Hylians act, what Goron City looks like, do Gorons actually eat rocks (that question made me laugh, and their reaction when I told them 'yes' was hilarious), what my home looks like, what exactly is a horse. By the end, their eyes had grown to the size of sausers.
Gwen asked a question towards the end. "Umm, if you don't mind me asking..." She seemed to be the most timid of all the girls, and had trouble finding the words for her question. "Mido told us that you had said you were friends with Link..." All the girls stopped what they were doing to listen. "Is that true? I mean, is he really all right?"
I could tell that Link's disappearance seven years ago had probably effected them just as much as it had me. I smiled reassuringly. "Yes it's true. I talked to Link just a couple weeks ago." At this they all smiled.
Charity spoke up this time. "He's a Hylian, isn't he?" I nodded, and she gave a grin. "I don't know why we didn't figure it out earlier. He was always different than us. Don't get me wrong, not in a bad way, but I don't know...there was just always something...different." She kept on working without saying anything for a while, and then she stood up straight, as if she had just realized something. "The man who saved us! That was..." she looked at me, and I just smiled. She laughed, as did all the other girls once the realization hit them. "Talk about blind!" Charity said, after finally regaining some composure. "I can't believe we didn't see it earlier." She shook her head, and they all returned to working, but their attitudes had changed, they just seemed more joyful.
About fifteen minutes later, they finally announced that they had finished. I have to admit, I really did like the dress, it felt very light compared to the other clothes I own. The girls brought out supper to eat, and I had a very good time, just as I had with the boys. About the time I finished my meal, I heard someone come into the room. Mido stood there, arms crossed, foot tapping the ground incessantly.
"Are you all quite done yet?" He asked.
Charity laughed. "C'mon Mido. Be nice."
He tried to keep a stern look on his face, but I could tell he was fighting a smile. Charity looked up at me. "It's all right, you can go ahead and go with him. Thanks for coming." She said, a smile on her face. The other girls smiled as well.
"Thank you everyone. I really appreciate it." I said with a smile. They waved bye, and I followed Mido out of the house.
"Did you enjoy meeting everyone?" He asked.
I nodded. "Yeah, I really did. You all are amazing." He gave a grin.
We walked until we reached a path that went into the trees. Mido stopped suddenly.
"Just keep following this path. It will lead you to the Deku Tree." He said, looking at me.
I frowned. "Who? Wait, aren't you coming?"
He shook his head. "No. The Deku Tree is the forest guardian, and he expressed the wish to meet you at some point during your stay." He smiled. "Don't worry, he doesn't bite."
Looking down the path, it seemed as if it was clearly marked, so I wouldn't have trouble getting to...wherever I was going. I smiled. "All right then."
I took a deep breath and started down the path. The trees formed a canopy above my head, letting in very little of the sun's light. After walking a few minutes, I reached a clearing. In the middle stood the largest tree I've ever seen in my life. It was huge, it's branches seeming as if they touched the sky. However, the tree's bark was black, the leaves were brown. I stood there for a while, just taking it all in. "Am I supposed to talk to a dead tree?" I thought to myself. As I looked up, I noticed the leaves and branches of the dead tree were just so that a little of the sun's light shone through to the floor of the clearing. Only then did I see it...a small sapling standing at the foot of the dead tree.
I slowly walked over. As I neared, it's bark began to shift and change, so that it almost looked as if it had eyes and a mouth. "So...you are Lady Malon Astira." It asked. I nodded.
He (I guess it's a 'he') laughed, surprising me even more than when he initially spoke. "Mido tells me you are on a vacation. Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked. Once again I nodded, very unsure of what to do or how to act around a forest guardian. His expression changed to one understanding. "Come, come, there's no reason to be ill at ease. Take a seat, relax." I shrugged and sat on the ground.
"Now, Lady Malon, there is a reason I asked to speak with you." I listened to him intently, though I had no idea where the conversation was going. "I am here to give people a glimpse of their destiny. It was I who revealed to Link that he was a Hylian, the Hero of Time, the one who would...who will, defeat the evil one..." he paused as if he was lost in thought.
"So why do you want to talk to me?" I asked him. "Do you need me to tell Link something?"
His branches shook, as if he was shaking his head. "No, not at all, Lady Malon. What I am about to tell you is for you to hear only." I looked at him, bewildered. "Excuse me?"
His eyes twinkled with amusement. This is all I have to say. Do what you know is right. Do not let others' opinions decide for you.
I frowned. What is he, a fortune cookie? If I hadn't been confused before, I was now. I sat there for an unknown amount of time just trying to make sense of what he had told me. I was startled when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Mido standing by my side.
"Are you done speaking to Miss Malon?" he asked.
"Yes Mido, you may take her back to the village now." Mido nodded, and I stood up and started out of the clearing. As I left, the Deku Tree spoke up one more time.
"Do not forget what I've told you." He said to me. I nodded, and watched with amazement as his features seemed to melt back into the tree.
Mido led me back to the treehouse. Before I went up, he spoke up.
"Will you be leaving tomorrow?" He asked.
I nodded. "I don't want to intrude on you all any longer. I hate the fact that someone doesn't get to sleep in their own bed just so that I can have a place to stay."
He smirked. "Oh, don't worry. I'm sure he doesn't mind." From the look on his face, I knew I was missing something. And then it hit me. I could feel the blood rising to my cheeks.
"T-this is Link's house...?" I asked. Mido just grinned.
I took a deep breath. "Well, umm, thank you very much for letting me meet everyone, I really had a good time.
He smiled. "I'm glad. I know everyone enjoyed meeting you. Don't leave without telling everyone bye."
He gave a wave as he ran off towards his house. As I climbed up the ladder to Link's house, a dozen thoughts were racing through my mind, though one in particular. "How nice. Link comes home during the night and who does he find sleeping in his bed?"
The only thing I know, I am not sleeping in his bed tonight. I'll figure out...something. Talk to you tomorrow.
-Malon Astira
