Chapter III: The Prophecy

Link mumbled indecipherable things. He kept his eyes closed shut, not wanting to see where he was. He didn't know where he was, and something told him he wasn't in bed. He didn't want to find out what had transpired was real, either. Instead he continued to lie there, letting sleep start to take him back. Or was it unconsciousness?

Then he felt a slender hand stroke his forehead. Link's temperature rose. He knew whose hand it was; yet he wondered why it wasn't gloved. Then he felt something under his back. Slowly, Link's eyes opened. They started to focus on the blurry mess that made up his vision. First he picked out the sky above him. Then the trees came into better view. At least he thought they were trees; it was still blurry. But Link was convinced he wasn't in his bed where he wanted to be. Something or someone was leaning over him; lots of yellow surrounded this mystery. Link started to focus more, and he decided it was a woman. Finally his vision returned to normal, and Link recognized Zelda watching him, smiling happily.

"Link, you're awake," Zelda said. She was holding him in her lap and had been stroking his forehead caringly when he woke up. Link noticed the cinders and small burn marks on her clothing. It was unlike her to be so…unclean. Yet he was happy to see her. Link smiled back, and set his hands on the ground.

Yet getting up was not what Fate wanted for him. Pain seared through Link's leg, and he stifled a shout as he dropped back into Zelda's lap. Almost instantly her face showed compassion and concern as she gently put a hand on his chest.

"Relax," Zelda said. "You're leg's still broken."

"But…" Link started.

"Ssshh. Relax. It's alright," Zelda said, smiling. Link couldn't help but smile back. Until his mind started to think.

"If my leg's broken," Link realized, "then Ganondorf's back. And the Master Sword is…" Link's voice trailed away. Zelda looked to side, and Link turned to see. The Master Sword handle lay in the grass. Only the handle remained: the blade was gone. Link reached over and grabbed it. He held it up to his face, studying it, trying to find a way to disprove what he saw. But he couldn't, and Link traced his life through the Master Sword hilt. All of his memories, his life, his self, could have been traced back through the blade. It was the blade that he first found, that was part of his first journey. It was the blade that led him through the Temples of Hyrule. It was this blade's journey that caused him to leave, and then to come back eventually. Without this blade, he would have still been in the forest, and he would have never met Zelda. He remembered the countless battles this blade had been through. Tears started to well in Link's eyes as he clutched a lost friend.

To his surprise, Zelda held him up to her and hugged him gently. She whispered soothing words, and Link let it go. He started to cry. He didn't care about being tough anymore. Zelda continued to hold him, whispering in his ears. Link was glad Zelda was there. She probably didn't understand his connection to the sword, but she still cared. This caused Link to cry harder. He didn't make a sound; rather more tears began to stream from his eyes. Without Zelda, Link thought, where would I be?

After a while, Link stemmed the flow of tears, and Zelda released him from her embrace. He looked at her with reddened eyes and smiled thankfully. He started to roll off of her lap when it hit him. The sense. Only it was so powerful that Link dropped down. It embraced him almost instantly, thankfully, and Link struggled to his hands and knees. Zelda got on her knees and started to help him to his feet.

"What was that?" she asked. Zelda slung an arm around Link and helped to lift him to his feet. She hesitantly let go, and Link stood on his own, however wobbly that was. He looked in her eyes with a serious look.

"She's coming," Link stated simply, leaning forward to say it. Zelda interest piqued: Who was this 'she' Link was talking about? Her question was answered soon enough. Farore walked out from behind a tree and set a hand on it.

Zelda's eyes widened, and she went to her knees instantly. Link turned to see Farore watching him. He waved slightly.

"It is good to see you again, Chosen Hero," Farore said. "But I'm afraid we cannot spare any time. Nayru believes that time is incredibly short. Din says you now lack the power to do anything about it." Link nodded. Zelda got to her knees slowly, still amazed one of the Goddesses were in front of her.

"What is it you expect me to do?" Link asked, knowing that he was going on another adventure.

"Nayru has told me about a prophecy she gave long ago to my brothers and sisters," Farore explained.

"I didn't know you had nephews and nieces," Link blurted. Farore rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Don't you remember the story of how Hyrule was created?" Farore asked. After receiving an expected no, she continued, "Din created the world, Nayru created the law of life, and I created the life, remember? I created Hylians, Gerudos, Zoras, Gorons, Kokiri, and Shiekahs. So I consider them to be my brothers and sisters. In this case, I am talking specifically about my forest brothers and sisters."

"You mean the Kokiri?" Link asked. Farore nodded. Zelda was confused.

"But…I thought the Kokiri were only myth," Zelda wondered aloud. Farore shook her head.

"I'm afraid you're wrong, Princess of Destiny and Seventh Sage," Farore apologized, "The Kokiri exist. They're simply good at hiding. In fact, you're boyfriend was raised by them."

"Link was raised by…" Zelda stopped as she realized the trick she had stepped into, admitting Link was her boyfriend. She blushed a deep pink, and Link did so as well. Farore laughed in excitement. Then she cleared her throat.

"But yes the Kokiri are real," Farore confirmed. "Now as I was saying, Nayru gave a prophecy to them about the Master Sword and the Hero of Time. It's in the Great Kokiri Library." Then Link and Zelda both blinked, and Farore vanished.

"Link, why didn't you tell me about this?" Zelda asked. Link looked at her confused.

"Do you mean the Kokiri, me being raised by them, or having met Farore before?" Link questioned.

"All of it," Zelda answered. Link shrugged.

"I don't know," he said. "I thought you would know. Why don't you use the Triforce of Wisdom?"

"Oh, right," Zelda said, looking down and blushing. Link thought there was something behind this, but dismissed it for the moment.

"Well, I'm going to the Kokiri Forest," Link said. "I want you to go-"

"Don't start Link," Zelda cut off. "I'm coming with you." Link sighed to himself, and then consented. He took her by the hand and led her out into the open. They were in the middle of Hyrule Field, not far from the forest. It was a good thing, too. Link's leg was broken. He started to limp off towards the Forest, while Zelda walked with him and helped him keep balance. The sun was at its highest in the sky, and for the next two hours, Link and Zelda traveled to the forest. Then they reached the forest edges. Zelda was starting to wonder about the Kokiri. She still hadn't used the Triforce of Wisdom yet; she had her own reasons.

Suddenly Link gave a cry of excitement and surprised Zelda. He started to hop over to a bush. Zelda watched him curiously, guessing he knew something the bush was good for. Link gently took a couple leaves of the plant. Then he started to take bites out of them. After he had eaten a couple, Link made a small cut on a branch. Sap leaked out, and Link took enough to rub over his leg. He took a couple more leaves to eat, then rejoined Zelda.

"What plant is that?" Zelda asked.

"It's the Anelis plant," Link said. "Its leaves are good for you and taste good, while the sap can be absorbed through the skin for injuries. We'd better hurry; I don't want to be caught." Zelda nodded, and the two continued their trek into the forest. Zelda noticed how much less Link was favoring his leg: he was taking regular steps on it. Soon they came deep into the forest and found a bridge. Link walked confidently across the bridge, with Zelda following behind. The path on the other side of the bridge was black. But as soon as they passed over the bridge, Zelda recognized the darkness as magic, used to conceal things. Then they passed through the magical blackness, and found themselves in the Kokiri village.

Zelda was amazed by what she saw. All the houses were giant tree houses. This was the perfect balance of civilization and nature. What surprised her more were the Kokiri. She knew they should be there, but they still amazed her. They were all so young looking, and yet they were probably older than the Sages themselves! They all seemed to be here just to enjoy life. All of them had red or blonde hair, all wore the same green clothing as Link, and they all were naïve of the outside world. One of the Kokiri boys approached them, smiling.

"I've never seen you before mister," the Kokiri spoke. "Are you lost?" Link shook his head.

"No, I've been here before," Link said. "I'm just looking for a Great Library. I would like to see it."

"Oh, you mean the Great Kokiri Library," the Kokiri said. "I think that's in the Forest Temple, but I'm not sure. Maybe you should seek an audience with the Deku Tree Sprout. You should talk to Mido."

"Thanks," Link said. The Kokiri nodded and ran off.

"Don't they know who you are?" Zelda asked as they started walking to one of the houses.

"No, I haven't returned here since the Forest Temple," Link said. They don't recognize me because they think I'm a Kokiri. The Kokiri, as you've noticed, don't grow up. So they expect Link to be a kid. Besides, I never really felt like I belonged."

Zelda watched Link in horror. How could he have endured so much? He had been an outsider all his life. Even as Hero of Time he was different than everyone else and was treated so. Zelda felt more pity for him as she searched his face. It was full of wistfulness. He wanted to belong here, where he grew up, but he knew he couldn't. So with the wistfulness was grief. Zelda felt she could have hugged him there.

Link walked into one of the houses. Inside was another Kokiri. Zelda could tell by the way he held himself he was in charge to some degree.

"Hello mister," Mido said. "Can I help in some way?"

"Yes," Link answered. "I would like to see the Deku Tree Sprout. He can help me with a problem." Mido shot a shoot out of his mouth he had been chewing on.

"Is it that big a problem?" Mido asked. Zelda guessed that the Deku Tree Sprout was important to them.

"Not really," Link said. "I'm just looking for where the Great Kokiri Library is."

"Oh," Mido said. "Well that's simple. It's in the Forest Temple, located in the Lost Woods."

"I know my around there," Link muttered. "Well thanks for your he-" Link was cut off by a fairy suddenly making noises. Mido turned to the fairy.

"What is it?" Mido asked. He listened to the fairy whispering to him. When she was done, Mido looked at the fairy disbelievingly.

"What are you talking about? This isn't him," Mido said to the fairy. Then he turned to Link, "I'm sorry. My fairy thinks you're a Kokiri who used to live here." Link gave a friendly smile.

"She must be mistaken," Link commented. "Well goodbye." He and Zelda turned to leave.

As they were leaving, they heard Mido say to his fairy, "Oh please; he looks nothing like Link."

Link grinned at Zelda. Zelda couldn't help but grin back.

As they started down a path to the Lost Woods, Zelda asked, "Why do all of the Kokiri have fairies with them?"

"They're their guardian fairies and partners," Link answered. "That one of the reasons I felt left out. I never had a fairy. The fairy hat was with me during my journey with the medallions was a partner the Great Deku Tree gave to me. After the journey was over, she left.

"You know, why aren't you using the Triforce of Wisdom; you could've found this out for yourself," Link wondered. Zelda blushed and mumbled something. Now Link knew something was going on. For now he continued to walk the path. His leg seemed to have fully recovered now, and they were back at an ordinary pace. Then they entered the Lost Woods.

To Zelda it was endless repetitive woods, but Link seemed to know where he was going. He moved quickly through the trees, and if he had a map in his head.

He did.

Soon they came to a meadow within the woods. Link helped her navigate through a maze in the meadow. A long hall with stairs was at the end. They passed through there, and arrived in a clearing. A Kokiri with green hair was playing the ocarina while sitting on a stump. Zelda recognized her.

"Saria!" Zelda said. Saria stopped playing and greeted them both.

"I didn't know you were a Kokiri," Zelda said to Saria. Saria raised an eyebrow.

"Really? Why didn't you use the Triforce of Wisdom?" Saria asked. "Are you hiding something?"

"No," Zelda said quickly.

"You know," Saria said, "The pieces of the Triforce have a conscience of their own. Power will something perform feats, Courage will spark up and give courage, and Wisdom will give Wisdom. I think you're afraid of something Wisdom says to you."

"Wait, hers speaks?" Link asked.

"It can tell her wisdom, that's all," Saria said. "Yours communicates through feeling. But let us see what it is Wisdom is saying."

"Don't," Zelda implored. But Saria used her power, and Wisdom started to glow. Instantly Saria started laughing and Zelda blushed a deep red. Link had no idea what was happening. Then Courage started to glow, and Link heard what Wisdom was saying:

He is a fine match for you. He would never leave you. You're afraid he might be horrible or something but he isn't. Link is your match. Plus you think he's a good kisser…

"That's enough!" Link interrupted. He put his hand over the Triforce of Courage, trying to get it to stop, but the Triforce pieces have a vague sense of humor. They wouldn't stop. Saria was on the ground laughing. Link and Zelda were blushing furiously and neither could look at the other, as Wisdom was giving advice about both of them to the other.

Finally Wisdom quieted, and they stopped glowing. It took Saria awhile to stop laughing, and for Zelda and Link to make eye contact. Finally Saria got up. Then Saria's expression changed from happy to gloomy.

"I felt what happened in the Castle," Saria spoke softly. "I'm sorry about what happened to your sword, Link. I guess you're also here to see the Great Kokiri Library. This way." She got up and led them up a ladder that had been placed on the entrance to the Forest Temple.

"Why couldn't this have been here when I was on my journey," Link murmured. They walked into the Forest Temple, and Link immediately noticed the differences. For one thing, vines were not growing rampant, and the Temple was also brighter and sacred. A much better improvement to his last trip here. No monsters were there either. Instead fairies, spirits, and animals inhabited it. A wolf came up and lick Link's hand. Saria led them to the elevator and down to the basement. She pressed a button, and the walls rotated to reveal the entrance to the Library. They went in.

The Library seemed endless, full of tomes, books, volumes, scrolls, and other writings that could have told you almost everything. Saria guided them through several isles before reaching a certain shelf. She pointed to a scroll on a shelf too high for her, and Link got it for her. He gave it to Saria.

"Why are you giving it to me?" Saria asked. "You're the one who has to read it."

Link nodded, admitting his mistake. He unrolled it and read the small amount there. It was almost like a letter to him:

-Year 501 of the land of Hyrule, prophecy given by Nayru-

Chosen Hero,

Your task ahead is a difficult one. It is true that he has returned and shattered your symbol. Yet you must still defeat him. To do this, you must restore your symbol.

To restore your symbol, you must travel to the Spirit World, where heaven and hell reside. You must recover a stone from both of these, and infuse them into the reforged blade. The blade must reforged in Heaven itself. After you have done this, go to the Chamber of Sages and have them offer their prayers. The symbol have its power, and then must defeat him.

"What does it say Link?" Zelda asked. Link looked up.

"It says I have to go to the Spirit World," Link answered. Zelda and Saria gasped in surprise.

"Let me give you a one-way ticket."