Conqueror

Chapter One

Visit from an Old Friend

It was Link's eleventh year of being at Kokiri Forest when Saria decided she had to tell him. He'd been changing. Something was different about him. He was getting taller. No longer was he fitting the body of a ten-year-old. He was growing. And he wasn't supposed to be.

Saria confronted Link about this one afternoon as they sat in the Sacred Meadow, listening to the songs the Skull Kids played, the sounds traveling through the trees.

"Link, I don't know how you're not noticing this," she said after she'd stated her piece.

Link shrugged her off. "I'm a Kokiri, Sar. I don't think my getting bigger has anything to do with it," he said, kicking his legs. The two were sitting back-to-back on a tree stump.

Saria sighed. "I talked to the Deku Tree about it…he said there is something strange going on. He thinks you should try leaving the forest," she suggested. Link chuckled, his body shaking against hers.

"That's funny, Sar. I'll leave the forest and get eaten by that huge…whatever-it's-called. You know, the one that eats Kokiri children?"

Saria turned to him. "Then it should leave you alone…"

Link rolled his eyes. "What makes you think I'm not a Kokiri?"

Saria shook her head, standing. "Stand up, Link."
He did as he was told and she instructed him to stand next to her. He was a full five inches taller than she was.

"You're taller than you used to be, Link."
"So?" he asked with another shrug. "Mido's grown since last," he stated.

Saria shook her head. "An inch in two years, Link…the Deku Tree told me that Hylian people grow up…big and tall and strong, you know…?"

Link stepped back, his eyes wild with concern. "Woah, now. You think I'm a Hylian? I don't want to be one of those…freaks. You've heard the stories!"

Saria nodded. "Yeah, but…"

"Sar, I'm…I really don't see how this is such a concern." He paused for effect. "I thought you liked me being here."
She froze. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged, yet again. "Sounds like you're trying to get rid of me."
Saria sat down and drowned out her frustrations by playing a short melody on her ocarina. Her fairy fluttered around her as she played, dancing to the tune. Saria ignored her stubborn male friend as she played, paying attention to the Forest sprites as they twirled around her; she also paid great attention to the feel of the plush grass beneath her. It was terribly comfortable; she really ought to come here sometime and take a nap in this grass.

Link sat next to her, taking the ocarina away from her lips.

"Sar, if it bugs you so much, how about I talk to the Deku Tree about it."
She opened her eyes wide. "Would you really?"

He nodded. "Just for you."

"Promise?"

"After dinner we'll go, okay?" he promised, sticking out his pinky finger. "Pinky swear."
They shook pinkies and sealed the deal.

---

In Hyrule Castle, Princess Zelda, only eleven years old, smiled. It was at this time that she had met Link for the first time, the boy from her prophecies. She wondered what he was doing, now that he had his childhood back. He was probably enjoying time with his friends. She assumed someone of his likeness would have many friends, probably all female. She felt a twinge of jealousy. She knew it wasn't meant to be, but she couldn't help it. She knew how handsome he was going to become. He was going to be quite the ladies' man. Too bad he'd have to leave Kokiri Forest and enter the world…

---

The Deku Tree was expecting them when they came late that afternoon.

Saria sat before the Tree respectfully while Link stood. He was unsure what to say. Saria was always better at talks like this.

"O, Link, I knew ye would come…Thou hast answered the cries that lie within thine heart."

Link frowned. He didn't understand talk like this. He looked at Saria, who said, "He said you're here to get some questions answered."

Link nodded. He understood now.

"Thou hast had a wonderful childhood, haven't thou, Link of the Forest?"

Link nodded faintly. What was the old Tree getting at?

"Saria has told me about your growth. I can see that thou hast been growing. Thou art taller than the other boys. Verily thou dost question such an event…"

Link shook his head. "Not really…it's all Saria's idea."
"So you say, young child." The Deku Tree sighed heavily and Link sat down.

"Link, thou art blessed. Thou hast gone through life without a fairy, without many friends. One such as thyself is destined for a different future."

Link was confused.

"Thou must understand that I have much to tell you," the Deku Tree said. Link nodded. "I'm all ears."
Saria prodded at her friend. He wasn't being very polite to their guardian.

Saria was fascinated as the Deku Tree began to tell Link of his heritage. Link was told that as a child, a Hylian mother barely fleeing death had brought him into the forest. She died soon after she entrusted her baby boy to the Deku Tree, who then promised to raise that boy as a Kokiri in the forest, safe from the claws of evil.

Link frowned. This couldn't be, no matter what the Deku Tree said. He was a Kokiri…Kokiri children had no parents…

The Deku Tree continued. "Years ago, young Link, thou didst aid the sages in sealing Ganondorf, the great King of Evil, in the Spirit Realm. Thou may not believe this, but thou were seventeen years old at the time." He took a deep breath and continued.

"Years ago, Link, thou didst earn control of the flow of Time. Thou were able to control Time's cruel flow…and eventually, after Ganondorf's demise, thou were returned to this time, the time in which thou art."

Link frowned. He could control time…and he'd been seventeen? No. He was ten. He'd always been ten. He always would be ten.

"Link," the Great Deku Tree continued, "You are a Hylian, and have been destined since birth, to not be one of the Kokiri. You don't belong hither-"

This coming from one who had agreed to be his guardian. Some guardian. Telling one of his very own children to leave the only home he'd ever known. What did a tree know of the outside world?

Link refused to listen. "Why are you saying this to me, Deku Tree?"

Saria was also shaken. "Deku Tree…are you saying Link has to leave?"

"Verily I say unto you, children, Link's destiny does lie in Hyrule, not Kokiri Forest. It would be best for him to grow up in the village where he can grow up as a normal Hylian."
Link didn't want to hear any more. "Thanks but no thanks, Deku Tree, I've got plenty of other things-"

"Wait, Link. I have someone thou shouldst meet."

From the Great Deku Tree's branches flew a fairy. She was tiny and glowing white. She seemed…familiar somehow. She lighted on Link's shoulder. "Hi! I'm Navi, your new fairy partner! It's nice to meet you!"

Her voice was high and irritating, but she was friendly. Link frowned and turned back to the Deku Tree. He had a fairy and that was exhilarating in itself, but he just couldn't feel the rush he probably should have felt.

"I don't understand…"

The Deku Tree gave a murmur of agreement. "I know you must be confused, young Hero-"

"Woah, woah, Hero?" Link interrupted.

"The Hero of Time. Link, it is time for thou to embark on a journey. Thou shoudst head to the village of Kakariko. Thou will know where it is when the time comes. Say your goodbyes this night, young one. Thou best had leave by nightfall."

Link grumbled. "Kokiri don't see nightfall…" he murmured through tears.

Exiled. Link had been exiled.

Even the presence of his very own fairy partner didn't comfort him. Saria had her arm around his shoulder as they left the Deku Tree's presence. They stopped before they entered the forest so no one could see Link's tears. Saria, having to look up at Link by now, reached up a delicate finger and brushed his tears away.

"I don't want to go…" he whispered. Saria nodded. "Link…it is your destiny."
He took her hands in his, clasping his fingers over her entire hand. "Do you want me to go?"

Saria's eyes were wild. "What?! No, of course not!"

Navi decided now was a good time to introduce herself to Saria's fairy partner. The two fairies flew a few feet away where they could talk amongst themselves, leaving Saria and Link to each other's company.

The two best friends sat down, leaning against a grassy wall. Saria held Link's hand and the two sat in silence for a long time. "You will come back to visit, right?"

Link met her eyes. "I don't know what motivates you to believe I wouldn't."

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