A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
A Pair of Time
Chapter 11- Lost Path of Friendship
Kokiri Forest; Day
Connecting the world to Kokiri Forest is but one simple bridge over a small gap. Link looks around at the trees, feeling the comfort of their presence. Malon is amazed by such wonder that grows around her. But, one question is nagging her ever since Link suggested that they go find Saria.
"Um, Link, haven't I heard in legends that if you aren't a Kokiri, you can't enter the forest?"
"Huh?" Link takes time to think. "I think that's what they say. But, look at me. I've gotten out of the forest somehow. Maybe there's some reason you can come in."
"Maybe. A lot of legends about you and the Kokiri are just like this?"
"I don't know. I think it has something to do with the Great Deku Tree. Maybe when he died… something happened that allows us to do this kind of thing."
Link takes a deep breath as he enters his homeland. Fresh smells of life makes his spirits soar. The sight is to be stunned by, too. One can hardly imagine a world where people, animals, and plants live together like a husband and wife.
"Link!" a voice next to him yells out. "You're OK?"
"Hey!" Link waves at a Kokiri boy, guarding the entrance. "Yeah, I'm OK."
"You didn't leave the forest after all, did you?"
"Oh, that… Did Saria tell you that?"
"Saria told everybody. You were missing and we wanted to know, so we asked Saria where you were. But, you didn't… I mean, you didn't leave the forest at all! You're OK! Man, that's so great. I thought we would have los- What the… Stop! Intruder!"
"WHAH!" Malon screams as the guard grapples her. "Let go of me!"
The Kokiri guard grabs Malon's wrists and holds them behind her back.
"Who are you! What are you doing here!"
"Uh, stop… Um…" Link tries.
"You know her, Link?"
"Oh, great, how should I explain this…? OK, I'm just going to say it then. I DID leave the forest, and on the way, I met her and became best friends, OK?"
The guard look stunned for a moment. Link did leave the forest, contrary to what he thought. He found this redheaded girl, and became…
"Let me get this straight…" he puts his hands on his head, "you're… best friends with her? But, I thought you were close to…"
Silence makes a moment's snooze before flying off.
"You know what, Link? Forget it." it's too much for the boy to update the facts. "If you can trust this girl, fine by me. But, still, best friends when you're that close with Saria?"
"I know… Where is Saria?"
"I don't know."
"Oh. Well, see you then."
After what seems like forever of asking (not only of Saria's whereabouts, but why Malon is here, too) and tons of explaining, Malon and Link find out that Saria's somewhere in the Lost Woods, at her usual spot. It takes a good amount of effort, but most of it comes to Mido, the 'leader' of the Kokiris, who just so happens to have a thing against Link because of his friendship with Saria, and it doesn't help that Malon is along with Link here.
"WHAT!" Mido yells in outrage. "Link, you stinkin' excuse of a Kokiri! How could you just waltz out of the forest like that, and return having the guts to say that… she is YOUR best friend? HUH?"
Why do I even bother? Link makes a mental note.
"Look, Mido…" Link holds up his hands for peace, "I'm just asking where Saria is, okay?"
"Oh, right. Hmm, now I wonder how she's going to react when she knows that now YOU have a best friend? You might as well get a slap from her just for bringing your best friend along!"
I hope it doesn't come to that.
"Um, I'm just gonna wait outside…" Malon says and walks out without any response.
Link has enough of this. "What is your problem anyway, Mido? I always have to hear you complain that I'm 'Saria's favorite.' Do you want to become her favorite? You would be if you didn't get on my case so damn much."
"You and I know that you are completely different from all of us. Heck, even Saria knows. Do you think I like somebody who's different from the people, my people? One should belong where he belongs, Link! And you don't belong here! That's why I don't treat you like the others. Because you don't belong here!"
"Fine. Maybe I don't belong here. But, did you ever think for once that maybe I don't have a place to go to? That I don't know where I belong? I may be some race here, or some race elsewhere, or maybe even Kokiri, and you just not know it. The Great Deku Tree lets me live here because he thinks that maybe I am a Kokiri. Saria accepts me not only because of our friendship, but because of our bond. The others accept me, they're more considerate about letting me live than being somewhere else I know of dying. The only one who doesn't accept is you. You just can't stand me being different from the others, even worse being friends with Saria. Did you ever think of that, Mido? Did you?"
Malon hears all of this outside Mido's house. She has no idea, what Link has to go through during his life here… Being different and living only because they had the heart to do so. It's only Mido that doesn't like the idea… And maybe… being so different made Link leave the forest. Like Malon. She's so different, too. It's a strange thing, fate, bringing these two vastly different people together, on that one memorable day.
"I know, I know that I have a best friend, Mido," Link continues. "But, that doesn't affect me and Saria in friendship. We've known each other since… since I can remember. But, Saria… She's a Kokiri. She can't leave the forest… like I can. Maybe that's why I can leave, being so different. I'm alone out there, out there in the world where everybody here has never seen, or will see. I know Saria isn't with me, but she's my friend, something I can remember. Malon, well, she's my best friend, because of time together, because we're traveling together, because we know each other to the heart, because… we're different. I know my time spent with Saria is great, but… Malon… we… share something… that I think… I can never share with Saria."
Malon's heart leaps at this description of their friendship.
"Something about Malon… I don't think Saria would know of. She's… she's that person… that makes me feel like it's okay, good to go, whatever. Saria, we played together, but it's only because… she accepts me. She knows of my difference, but tries hard to hide it. I… I don't like that. She helps me, but to make sure my day goes okay. It was okay before, but when I left… My difference got the better of me, and people laugh and point at me. I didn't like that. I wanted to go back. But… I met Malon. She… didn't care about my difference. She just talks, plays, things that truly made me feel like one of everybody. She was different, too. But, she accepts it like it's natural, and did things that made me accept mine, instead of pretending, no, changing myself to the people who want me to. I felt what it was like to live by my own way. I accepted her being so different, too, something I've never done. It was better living in the truth than lies. I think… no, I know that's the reason why we're best friends. Because we're so different."
Malon almost feels like crying; tears of sadness and joy. Her emotions are about to go haywire. It's true down to the last part, what Link said. Being so different. And the way Link said all this, it could have made Ingo shed a tear, at the most. So sweet and kind are these words to Malon, it feels like a drop of warm honey from heaven.
Fairy boy… I know, too…
Again, silence flies in for a moment's rest, before Mido clears his throat.
"If you're looking for Saria, she's in the Lost Woods, as usual. And don't tell me you don't know where that is! The entrance is up on the cliff overlooking the village!"
"I know where it is, Mido."
"But… I know you'll get lost!" Mido continues on without pause. "Don't worry, you'll just end up back at the entrance!"
Link sighs in resignation. "Whatever."
"Harumph!"
Link exits, seeing Malon on the ground, leaning against the wall of the house. Malon looks up to his eyes, seeing them so deep and full of meaning.
"Malon… you heard that, too?"
She nods, not sure of what to say.
"You, uh, have some… tears in your eyes there."
"Huh? Oh…" Malon turns her head around and wipes them, "they're… they're just nothing."
"Well, let's get up that cliff over there. It should lead to the Lost Woods." Link extends his hand.
"But, what about what Mido said? How would we travel through it?"
"Uh… I'm thinking of that. Let's just go up there."
Lost Woods
"What's that?" Malon hears a strange music fill the air. "That music…"
"Hmm…" Link thinks for a moment. "I think Saria used to play this song…"
Link listens from all four directions of the hollow trunks around them. On his right, the music can be heard easily, and is played livelier.
"Something tells me she's trying to lead us," Link concludes. "We've got to follow this music. It'll help us from being lost in here."
"Okay. Lead on, then."
The trunk leads to an open area ahead with a tree and a slice of a trunk hanging from its branch. On top of the tree seems to be Deku grass, and the slice of the hanging trunk looks awfully like a target. Link pulls out his Fairy Slingshot and takes aim. If something is weird, something should happen, in Link's book.
"Um, fairy boy? What… what are you aiming at?"
WHAM! The Deku Seed hits the target dead center, earning him a bull's eye. A 100 sign appears above the Deku grass.
"Okay…" Malon sees the 100. "I wanna try, too!"
WHAM! Another 100 hovers over the Deku grass. WHAM! Link lets loose the last shot, scoring another 100. The Deku grass rustles, then a Deku Shrub pops up from it. It hops to the edge of the branch, a pleased look at Malon and Link when it reaches the end.
"Cool! You guys are great!" the Deku comments. "You scored three perfect bull's eyes! I have to give each a neat present to such wonderful people! Please take it!"
The Deku Shrub shoots out two bags at them, then returns to its home. Link catches the bags, staring at them.
"Hey, these are bigger Deku Seeds Bullet Bag! 50 bullets!" Link said after examining them.
"Well, hey, aren't you going to give me the other one?"
"Oh, yeah, here."
"C'mon, let's hurry up! We don't want to keep your friend waiting!"
Following the music, they found a structure of clean cut rock. Strange are the people that put such a thing in the midd-
"Hey, over here! Hoo hoo!"
The voice of this person comes from above. Link looks up to find his feathery follower, a giant owl that seems to watch his every move. Malon is, of course, surprised that this owl can talk, and is talking to them like old friends.
"Link… Good to see you again! I see you have changed much since the last time we met. Hoot hoot!"
"Uh, when was the last time we met?" Link thinks for a second. "Near Hyrule Castle, I think?"
"Hoot hoot! No, Link, it was over Miss Malon's ranch there."
Now, this comes at an even more surprise. "Hey, how do you know my name?" Malon demands.
"Hoo hoo! I know a certain amount of knowledge beyond yours and Link's. It was just luck… no, I think it's Fate that brought you two together like this. I flew over Lon Lon Ranch to see if it was true. I heard the song you two played, and that was enough to tell me."
I'M GETTING MY PRIVACY OPENED BY AN OWL? Link thought.
"But enough of that," the owl said. "Link, Malon, listen to this! Hoot hoot… After going through the Lost Woods, you will come upon the Sacred Forest Meadow. That is a sacred place where few people have ever walked."
"Oh, right… Saria said that's her usual spot," Link remembers.
"And, did you find out about the mysterious tune that wanders this forest?"
"Yeah… I'm listening to it."
"If you are courageous, you will make it through the forest just fine… Just follow your ears and listen to the sounds coming from the forest! Hoot hoot!"
The owl flies off, to the sky and away from the forest. All that's strange left is the stone structure in front of them.
"What a weird bird," Malon comments.
"He does help."
"I guess so." Malon turns her attention to the structure. "Now, here's another one of those strange things people put down in the middle of nowhere."
"Let's not worry about it. C'mon, I think the music is coming from the right."
They passed through a pond, and find themselves stuck in a four-way.
"Which way now?" Malon asks.
"Wait… I'm getting confused here… Maybe the left?"
A small meadow comes in sight, with a tree overlooking the grass. They wade through the grass, confused by the sight.
"Is this the Sacred Forest Meadow?" Malon looks around. "Because it sure looks less impressive than I thought it would be."
"No, Saria's not here. This isn't the Sac- Whoa!"
"Huh?"
Link is gone.
"Fairy boy? Link? Where are you?"
"I'm down here!"
"Down where?"
"Here! Check the butterflies next to you!"
"Butterflies?" Malon walks through them. "But how's that go- Ah!"
She falls through a hole, then lands on something.
"Ow…" Malon shakes her head. "Fairy boy?"
"Right… here…" she hears a straining voice.
"Right where?"
"Underneath… you…"
"Oh, sorry!" Malon gets off. "I just keep getting on top of you every time, don't I, fairy boy?"
"That's okay," Link groans as he stands up. "I was trying to catch you, anyhow."
"Oh… thanks, then."
"You welcome."
"What is this place?" Malon then notices a sign.
'Forest Stage
We are waiting to see your
beautiful face!
Win fabulous prizes!'
"Forest Stage? Show off our faces?" Malon said.
"Hmm… Maybe wearing a mask could help."
"Yeah. I don't want to show off my face, anyhow."
"The only mask that we brought is the Skull Mask. You'll think that'll get us something?"
"It's worth a try."
Wearing the Skull Mask on and walking to a bright patch of grass, Link stands still to wait. Deku Shrubs appear from the back, talking and whispering. They're discussing about this strange face, a face of a skull.
Come on… Link thought. My face isn't so bad… is it?
A shriek, then the Deku Shrubs runs up and crowds around him, making high-pitched noise of excitement. An old Deku Shrub from appears from his Deku grass, making excited noise, too.
"All of the young Deku Shrub brothers agree… you look exactly like our sacred forest totem!" he exclaims.
I do? Link blinks. Now that's a strange look.
"As an offering from us, please accept these Deku Sticks. We will also enhance your carrying skills!"
"Thank you, kind Deku Shrub."
"You are most welcome. Abracadabra! Alakazaaaam!"
After this, the Deku Shrubs all scurry back to their grass. Link finds the Deku Sticks somewhat easier to carry, to an amount of 30. Back then, he remembers taking care of a Business Shrub, and for the price of 40 Rupees, he could carry up to 20 Deku Sticks. But now, he doesn't see the advantage of carrying more of breakable sticks much, but maybe…
"Hey, Malon, I'll let you carry most of the sticks."
"What? I don't want them!"
"You might if something comes at you and you want to whack it."
"Oh… good point, then."
Hey, when they have 30 Deku Sticks, they can certainly waste a few to kill something.
Finding their way out of the meadow, they continue until the sun above shines through the trees easily.
Sacred Forest Meadow
They couldn't continue on; there is a metal gate barring the way forward.
"Hey, what's the big idea?" Malon moves ahead. "Why's the way blocked?"
"I don't know… Something's not right."
"What do you mean?"
Link shrugs, not knowing how he can sense such things. But, something urges him to be careful. Switching the Hylian Shield for the Deku one, he draws his weapons.
"I just know something isn't right."
"So, what, fairy boy, is this a sixth sense or som- AAAHHH!"
The cries of a wolf and a girl combined fill the air. Malon is staring right into the eyes of an animal that killed… that killed…
"Malon, c'mon! Get back!"
Too stricken by fear, she couldn't move a muscle. Her mind fills with the horrible memory, the Wolfos coming in, tearing her mother to death…
Then, something… something overwhelming comes over her. Whatever it is, it makes her stand up. She draws a Deku Stick, then looks straight into the eyes of the creature. One failed strike by the Wolfos exposes its back, and Malon jumps and takes the most powerful swing she could muster. The Wolfos cries as the hard stick rams into its back, breaking its bones and mashing its organs. It falls, blood flowing from its mouth, dead.
Link sees the whole thing before him, unbelievable, yet… he knows what made Malon do that. And certainly, a recognizable trait in Link is now flowing through her.
Malon lets go of the broken Deku Stick, then looks down at the dead Wolfos. She knows that she shouldn't have taken out her years of anger to put into revenge on an innocent Wolfos. But then, the Wolfos did want to kill her. So, she shouldn't feel so guilty about this…
"Malon…" Link walks up to her, "let's go…"
She feels it, courage. If she didn't have such a thing, she might have ended up like her mother. Courage is what let her face that Wolfos and defeat it. Partially anger, yes, but still, courage nevertheless.
"Link… is this… what courage is like?"
"If it means taking down what you fear… yes."
"What I fear… from so long ago… because…"
"Then, that's courage you just showed to face that Wolfos, and defeat it." Link nods. "Let's get going."
The trail of the Sacred Forest Meadow is a small, but deadly maze. Scattered throughout are Mad Shrubs, Deku Shrubs who can't seem to get a living. Link deflects the Deku Nuts they shoot while Malon snipes them from far off with her slingshot. After a while, they find a stairway, leading up to a narrow path jammed with two more Mad Shrubs. Like before, they take them out, clearing the path. Another stairway reveals a closed area by the trees.
This open surface has a strange symbol that is raised in stone in the middle. An entrance to somewhere is found above, unreachable by a broken stairway. And there, on a stump nearby, is a green haired Kokiri girl, playing a Fairy Ocarina in tune with the forest. Link slowly walks up to her, Malon following in an even slower pace. Saria hears the footsteps, lowering her Fairy Ocarina. The forest grows silence of its music, the only sound are the animals around them.
"… Hey, Saria…" Link greets after a while. "How you've been doing?"
"I've been waiting for you, Link… Well… this is the Sacred Forest Meadow. It's… it's my… it's my secret place."
"I… I see."
It doesn't take a genius to know that Saria already saw Malon the moment she walks in with Link.
"Um… who… I mean…" Not to be rude, but that's a hard choice, "who is your… new friend here, Link?"
"Oh… uh, Saria… She's…"
Malon takes a step forward and puts out her hand.
"I… I guess this is hi, then. I'm Malon."
Saria hesitates, then takes her hand and shakes.
"My name is Saria. I'm an old friend of Link. Been close since little."
Suddenly, Saria lets go of her hand.
"But… I see… that you're… you're… best friend with him… aren't you…"
What a shock this must have been for Link.
How in the world does she know! The thought runs through his mind repeatedly.
"Saria… I… I c-c-can ex-x-xplain…" Link stutters.
"Malon, will you let us two be alone?"
Malon sees no other choice. She walks back to the stairway, stopping midway and sitting down. However, Malon can still hear the conversation going on between the two.
"Saria, you see, I… I…"
"Shh… You don't have to explain to me, Link. I understand." Saria closes her eyes. "I know… I haven't been the greatest friend you ever have."
"No, you… are… I mean…"
Saria turns her head away in slow agony. "Acting like you were one of us, I did that everyday back then. I pretended like there was no such thing. I felt bad for doing that. And I know you somehow felt even worse that I'm doing this for you, covering up how different you are. I never did like that, Link. But, it's a horrible mistake of mine to keep on pretending."
"Saria… I know…"
"Malon… your friend… no, your best friend… She… doesn't try to pretend you're different… right?"
"… Yeah…"
It feels like an eternity lasted as Saria turns and opens her eyes up to Link. "I thought so… That's why you two are best friends. I can't… I can't ever be your best friend, Link."
"No, Saria…"
She shakes her head in protest. "Please, listen. I just can't be a best friend, because I still pretend. I still pretend that… you're really like my other friends. Best friends don't rely on lying. I… pretend just to… make everybody… and me… think that you're really one of us. I'm… I'm sorry, Link."
Link feels his world cracking at a tip. He can't stand to see Saria handling things like this, and continuing on. It makes him feel woeful, to where his heart is torn by the relationship between them. Malon, hearing this, feels like she's the one torturing Link, becoming best friends, then hearing this from a close one. Guilt swells in both of their hearts.
"I… I… I forgive you, Saria." Link picks these words from lack of choice. "I just… sometimes, I just wish it doesn't come to this."
"That's OK," she assures. "We're still friends, right?"
"… Yeah." Link nods with what little confidence he has left. "We still are."
Saria looks around the area, seeing the green being plump everywhere.
"This place… I feel… This place will be very important for both of us someday. That's what I feel." Saria gaze back at Link. "If you play the Ocarina here, you can talk with the spirits in the forest."
"… Really?"
"Yes. Link… would you like to play the Ocarina with me?"
"Yes. Yes, I would."
"OK, try to follow along with the melody I will play. Are you ready?"
Link nods, then pulls out his Fairy Ocarina. Saria puts in the mouthpiece along with Link. Malon, feeling that she should sing along with them silently, takes a deep breath. Three notes, in consecutive order, go from low to high. Again, it's repeated, echoing throughout the forest, giving balance to nature. Saria pulls out her mouthpiece, giggling.
"Great! Great!" Saria said. "Please don't forget this song! Do you promise?"
"I promise."
"When you want to hear my voice, play this song. You can talk with me anytime…"
"Thanks."
"So, good luck… saving Hyrule."
"Savin- How did you know?"
"I… just know. It's just something I have, I guess."
"So, this is good-bye, then?"
"Yes… Bye, Link."
"Bye, Saria."
Malon stands up, hearing their good-byes, then Link's footsteps.
"Hey, I'm done," Link said.
"So…" Malon kicks the dirt nervously, "have you finally decided?"
"Decided what?"
"Who's closer, a close friend, or a best friend?"
"Oh, I pretty sure it's a best friend."
"Really?" Malon perks up. "So… I'm closer to you, then?"
"Yep. You're the closest friend I have."
Malon sighs with a glad feeling. She proceeds with a giggle. "Thanks, fairy boy."
"You know, the Kokiris will be very upset and annoyed if you say that name to them."
"Oh… well, it's only for you then, Link!"