Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda franchise. I only own the OC characters: Ateiti & Irena.
Chapter 2: Into the forest
It has been several years since Ateiti had passed away because of a fever. Now, Talon had to raise his daughter and adoptive son on his own. And even though it was hard for him and his two children to move on, Talon would do anything to give Link and Malon the childhood that they deserve. As for Link and Malon, they had promised to their mother on her dying bed that they would stick together no matter what. And that was a promise that they were going to keep.
Now, Link and Malon have grown into two fine eleven year old children on Lon Lon Ranch, helping Ingo and their father with all kinds of work. And during their free time, the two children were out playing with each other or making music for the animals, with Link using his Ocarina and Malon singing any song that would come to mind, but her mother's song was always her favorite to sing, as it was Link's.
But sometimes, during the night, Link and Malon would sneak out of the house and hunt for Guays on the ranch. These crow-like creatures had only appeared around Lon Lon Ranch two years ago and would on fly around the ranch during the night, looking for food. Ingo had become increasingly frustrated that these Guays had eaten several Cuccos, killed two cows and severely injured one of the horses. All what Talon and Ingo could do was to build some more extra protection around the barn.
However, Link felt that these measures wouldn't protect the animals forever and knew that he had to take care of these Guays himself. So, he secretly made himself a wooden sword and wooden shield. But Malon, being the smart girl that she is, had found Link making these weapons. Link was shocked at first and was worried that she was gonna tell on her father. But Malon wasn't someone that would snitch on anyone, especially not her 'little brother'. Instead, she offered her help to get rid of the Guays. This greatly surprised Link and tried to talk her out of this. That was when Malon reminded him that they had promised their mother that they would stick together no matter what. Defeated, Link knew she was right. So, he also made a wooden sword and shield for Malon.
They have been doing this for two years and it had helped a lot. The Guays stayed away, once Link and Malon appeared to deal with these little flying monsters.
One night, Link and Malon were sitting on top of the barn, waiting for some Guays that would dare to come near the ranch. Link held watch for some hours now, while Malon was sleeping peacefully, resting her head on his lap.
Link then spotted more than a dozen Guays flying towards the ranch. He shook Malon to wake her up "Malon! Malon, wake up! They're here!" Malon's eyes popped right open and took her wooden sword and shield, same as Link. He pointed with his wooden sword to the west "There they come."
Malon nodded while they both jumped down from the barn, ready to face them. She stood ready to fight these crows and keep them away from the barn "I'm not gonna let any of them inside the barn! Not this time." Malon said determind, as she was not going to let any Guays in the barn again.
Link remembered from two weeks ago, that three Guays had passed her and had entered the barn, hurting Candice, one of the horses that was pregnant. Malon felt so sorry for letting her guard down, that she had nursed Candice all by herself for days.
As the swarm of Guays flew over the ranch, three of them spotted Link and Malon and dived down to get the children. Link hit the first one with his wooden sword, while Malon slashed threw the two others.
Then, the two children ran back to the barn to protect it, as it was part of a strategy that Link and Malon had thought of ever since a few weeks back.
After a few minutes, two more Guays flew to the barn. One flew down to attack Link, while the other looked for a hole to crawl into. Link easily defeated the Guay that was attacking him. Malon quickly climbed on top of the barn to brab the little crow-monster before it had the chance to crawl inside. She grabbed it by it's legs "Get out of there you little-!" she pulled him out hard and smashed him hard to the roof of the barn. The Guay quickly flew up and bite Malon in her arm "Ow! Ow!" Malon said as the bite hurts, but smacked him hard with her wooden sword, killing it. As it died, it dropped a few rupees. Malon picked them up and placed them inside one of her boots for safekeeping.
Malon jumped back down, near Link. He saw the few biting marks on her arm "Are you alright?"
Malon nodded as she stroke her arm "It's not the first time that I've been bitten by those nasty crows."
Link smiled at her, as she was not gonna be stopped after just being pecked by a Guay like that.
For nearly an hour, the two children hunted five more Guays throughout the ranch or near the barn. Finally, the Guays had enough of it and all flew away from the ranch.
Link stood confident as he yelled to the cowardly crows "Yeah! And stay out, you little annoying birds! That's what you get for hurting our animals!"
Malon joined Link and added "And if you ever hurt the horses again, MY MOTHER'S GHOST WILL HUNT YOU ALL IN YOUR DREAMS!" Link and Malon glanced to each other and slowly started to laugh and cheered as they had been successful. They hugged and danced in victory.
But then Link heard some heavy wings flying near them. He stopped and looked around "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Malon asked. But then she heard the noise of large wings as well. Both looked up and were shocked to see an even larger Guay that was ten times larger than a normal one, diving down to attacking them!
Link quickly grabbed his shield and protected Malon from being bitten. The Guay grabbed Link's shield in his peck, while Link hit him with his wooden sword, but it barely hurt him. Malon grabbed her wooden sword too and tried to hit the large Guay on his head. Then, Malon pierced her sword into the Guay's eye, making it screech in pain as green blood flowed from his injured eye. It writhed around as it let Link's shield go. Link saw his chance, and finished the Guay with a jump attack, slashing his wooden sword into the big crow's head, killing it.
Link sighed deep as he pulled his wooden blade out of the Guay's skull "Wow… I didn't think it would actually work."
Malon raised an eyebrow at him "You mean, how you killed it?".
Link nodded "Yeah. I thought his head could take it, not that it would kill him."
"Maybe their skulls are not that strong?" Malon theorized.
Link shrugged "Maybe."
He then yawned while Malon picked up a few blue rupees from the Guay's corpse before it burned in a small red fire "Well… that's enough hunting for the night, I think. Let's get back to bed."
Malon was surprised that Link was so calm after they had just faced a giant crow. But as they walked together back to the barn, she mentally said to herself 'He's so confident when it comes to facing monsters… and so brave…' Malon formed a small smile as she looked at him. Tinking about those things, made her blush.
Link and Malon entered the barn and hide their wooden weapons behind the hay of Candice's place. Malon stroke Candice head as she was awake for a moment when Link and Malon had entered the barn. Malon smiled at Candice and then softly patted her pregnant belly and felt a little kick from the baby horse inside. Malon giggled when she felt it and told Candice "It's not gonna be long before you're gonna be a mother, right?"
Candice happily neighed.
Link stood next to Malon and stroke Candice's belly too before telling Malon "You know, I got a feeling she's going to give birth to a strong horse."
"You think?" Malon asked as they walked to a ladder that lead to Link's bedroom.
Link nodded "I sure do. We'll… goodnight, Malon."
Malon nodded too while smiling at Link "Goodnight Link." But just as Link was about to climb up the ladder, Malon turned back to her little brother "Link?"
He turned himself, looking at Malon "Yes?"
She walked closer to him and asked softly while putting her arms behind her back "Can I… sleep with you? Just for tonight?"
Link never minded as Malon had slept with him many times before "Sure."
As they climbed up the ladder to Link's bedroom, Malon took off her long beige dress and boots, while Link released the braces of his pants and took it off, along with his green shirt and taking off his boots. Now they were only wearing their undergarments. Link then smirked as Malon was with her back to him. He then jumped on her while saying "Wrestle fight!"
As they fell on the bed, Malon quickly turned herself and grabbed Link tight while both tried to gain the upper hand. Both of them laughed as they tried hard, but in the end, it was Malon on top of Link holding his hands tight. Malon had won, while Link still tried to get up, what didn't work. Malon giggled as she had won, again "Pinned ya."
Link sighed deep as he gave up "Okay okay, you win…" Malon let him go and went off of him. She now sat next to him while he sat straight.
Then all of the sudden, Malon gave him a kiss on the cheek. Link blushed deep as he was surprised that she had giving him a kiss "Uhh… what was that for?" Link asked.
"For saving me back there." Malon answered with a lovely smile.
Link smiled back at her "I would never let anything happen to you."
Malon then hugged him tightly "And I won't let anything happen to you, little brother." Link hugged her back.
She then let him go and gave him one last kiss on the cheek "Goodnight, Link." she said before lying on the bed and closed her eyes. Link still sat there for a moment, raising an eyebrow of why Malon kissed him again. But deep down, he kinda liked it. He smiled as he too lied down close to Malon and started to sleep.
Both slept deep in a few minutes, tired from fighting all those Guays. Not long after, the both of them slowly startig to shiver, despite having themselves covered with a blanket. It was not the cold of the night that made the shivering, it was from some kind of evil force, getting stronger every day and was now starting to effect the children. Malon crawled closer to Link on her own and now lied on his chest. Link then felt a heavy shivering all of the sudden and moved his arm over to Malon, holding her. Malon felt the same heavy shivering coming from Link and held him in a embrace too.
Link and Malon started to have the same identical dream.
It was dark and it heavily rained, as lighting strike every five seconds. Both stood outside of Hyrule Castle town, before the drawbridge as it lowered, allowing a royal horse carrying a girl and a women to leave. Link and Malon just watched as they saw the horse galloping away. The girl on the horse looks at Link and Malon for a moment, before she left out of sight.
But then, both heard another horse coming behind them. When they turned themselves, they saw a tall Gerudo man on his black stallion who whinnied and reared up on it's black legs. The Gerudo man frowned in anger, but then he faced Link and Malon and grew an evil smirk on his face. He stretched out his arm to the children, and cast a ball of darkness at them. Link and Malon screamed in fear as they held each other in their arms!
- The next morning, at Kokiri Forest -
"Navi… Navi, where art thou? Come hither…" The Deku Tree spoke to his most trusted fairy.
The blue shined fairy girl, Navi flew close to the Deku Tree, asking as she could sense that something greatly was troubling the Deku Tree "What's the matter, Great Deku Tree?"
With a heavy sigh, the Deku Tree told "Oh, Navi the fairy… listen to my words, the words of the Deku Tree…. Dost thou sense it? The climate of evil descending upon this realm…. Malevolent forces even now are mustering to attack our land of Hyrule…"
Navi slowly nodded as she too had sensed that in the past few years, a strange force had been descending on the lands of Hyrule.
The Deku Tree then told "For so long, the Kokiri Forest, the source of life, has stood as a barrier, deterring outsiders and maintaining the order of the world… but… before this tremendous evil power, even my power is as nothing."
This had send chills to the little fairy's back as she became frightened that even the might Great Deku Tree could do nothing against this rising evil.
"It seems the time has come for the boy and the girl to begin their journey… the youths whose destiny it is to lead Hyrule to the path of justice and truth."
Navi rose an eyebrow as the Deku Tree spoke of a girl as well "A girl? Wait, Great Deku Tree, you mean that this girl is the companion, the one that will be at the boy's side you told me about?"
The Deku Tree then said "Yes… she is the one… the one born from the Gerudo women and the Hylian farmer…" but then the Great Deku Tree told "Navi… go now! Find these two children and guide them to me… I do not have much time left."
Navi nodded as she would do that, but then reminded herself that she didn't know where the boy and girl lived, so she asked quickly "But… where do they live? How can I find them? And what are their names?"
The Deku Tree answered "You will find them on a farm, known as a ranch… It lies in the middle of Hyrule Field… The boy with short blond hair is known as, Link and the girl with long red hair is known as, Malon. Fly, Navi, fly! The fate of the forest, nay, the world, depends upon thee!"
Navi nodded as she flew up and called as she flew away to find the boy and girl named, Link and Malon "Okay, Great Deku Tree! I will find the boy and girl and bring them here!"
As fast as the wind could carry her, Navi flew away from the Great Deku Tree meadow, flew fast over the Kokiri Village and went through the tunnel that lead out of the forest.
When Navi flew out of the tunnel and came to Hyrule Field, she flew higher up to look over the field, to see where this 'ranch' was located. Navi could see that the sun had been a bit higher over the horizon. Then the little girl fairy spotted some buildings at the center of Hyrule Field "That must be the place. Let's just hope I will find the children Link and Malon over there." She flew fast to the ranch.
But slowly she was getting tired, as Navi had never flew this far so fast before. She flew a bit slower as she moaned "Ugh…! Why do they have to live that far and not in the forest? It would make my job a lot more easier for me…"
Just then, a lost Guay spotted the little fairy and saw it as an easy meal. It dived fast to grab it in it's peak, but Navi had seen it and avoided it's attack just in time! This made her angry and pounded hard on the Guay's head over and over again, till it flew away. Navi's blue light glow red out of anger "THAT WILL TEACH YOU TO THINK THAT I WAS AN EASY MEAL! Stupid bird!" Navi flew further. Her glow slowly became blue again as she calmed down.
After more then an hour of flying, Navi finally made it to Lon Lon Ranch. She sighed deep as she felt relieved of finally making it to the ranch "Pfew! I made it. Now where are these Link and Malon?" she asked herself while she looked around. Her first guess was the house that was close to the entrance.
Navi flew to a closed window to check inside, but all she saw was a man sleeping on his bed, snoring loud. Navi then checked the other window down, but saw nothing but a lot of cuccos.
She then tried to look inside the barn through one of the small openings, but couldn't see anything cause they were barricaded. As she checked the roof, Navi saw a small opening that was big enough for her to fit in through. As she did, she saw nothing but cows and horses inside. Navi sighed deep as she didn't had any luck so far, but then she saw the ladder. Navi flew up the ladder and came into a small room that was some sort of bedroom. And on the bed, she saw a young boy with short blond hair and a girl with long red hair, with the girl sleeping on the boy's chest and held each other close.
Navi sighed in relief as she had finally found the two children he was supposed to find. She slowly flew above them "Hello, Link! Malon! Wake up! The Great Deku Tree wants to talk to you two! Wake up!" But both didn't wake up, as Link turned himself and Malon turned her herself to the other side. Navi became a bit angry and flew up and down above them "Hey! C'mon! Can Hyrule's destiny really depend on such lazy kids?"
Finally, Link and Malon started to wake up. Malon rubbed her eyes as Link yawned as he stretched himself. While Link rubbed his eyes, Malon looked up with her sleepy eyes, seeing the flying light that was in front of them "Huh…?" but when she saw that it was a fairy that flew close to them, Malon's eyes went wide open and sat straight "A fairy?!" Malon heavily shook Link out of her enthusiasm "Link! Link! Look, it's a fairy! An real fairy, Link!"
Link woke up quickly by her heavy shaking "W-wha-what…?" Then Link saw the flying fairy as well. He watched the fairy with amaze as he too had never seen a real fairy before.
Navi annoyingly said "Good, you're finally awake! I'm-… I…" but then Navi felt dizzy as she was so tired from flying so far and slowly fell down.
Malon quickly caught her with her hands "Oh my gosh. Are you alright, little fairy?" Malon asked worriedly. Link moved closer to take a look on the fairy if she was alright.
Navi's glow dimmed a bit and the two children could now clearly see how the fairy looked like. She had pure white skin and long blue hair that went all the way to her ankles. She was also wearing some kind of dress made from leaves and was barefooted.
Navi looked at the two children while still feeling some dizziness and rubbed her head. Link asked her "Hey, are you okay?"
Navi nodded slowly "Yeah… well, no. I've been flying from the forest all the way up here."
Malon and Link looked at each other before glancing back at the fairy "Wait, you're… from the forest?" Malon asked.
Navi nodded to Malon "Yes. I'm Navi the fairy."
Malon smiled to her "Please to meet you, Navi."
Link waved at her "Hi."
Malon then wanted to know why Navi had come all the way to here "But, if you're from the forest, what are you doing all the way up here, Navi?"
Navi tried to stand up on Malon's hands and stated "Listen, I've been send here by the Great Deku Tree to find you two."
"The Great Deku Tree?" Link asked surprised.
Navi nodded "Yes. He needs to see you two, said that it was very urgent!"
Malon was now really surprised that the Deku Tree wanted to see her and Link. Slowly, she became exited "Really? The Great Deku Tree from the forest wants to see us?! Wow! Isn't that amazing, Link?!"
Link agreed to that "Yeah, it is! But… what's so urgent that the Deku Tree wants to see us?" Link asked Navi to clarify what was so urgent that the Deku Tree wanted to see him and Malon.
Navi flew a bit up and said "I… he said that it had something to do with the evil forces descending upon Hyrule and that his power can't do anything about it."
Link and Malon looked at each other again, as this didn't sound very good "This sounds really bad, Link."
He nodded "Yes, really really bad. I guess we should go and see how we can help the Deku Tree."
Navi flew high as the two children were coming along with her "Great! Then let's get going, right now!" but then she felt dizzy again and slowly fell down.
Malon caught her again in her hands and said "Whoa, whoa, relax, Navi. You're still not feeling fine." then Malon thought of something as she put Navi on the bed "Wait. I know something that will help." she said with a smile.
Link and Malon quickly dressed themselves back into their clothes and went to the house, with Malon holding Navi in her hands. Once inside, Malon placed Navi on the table and went to the kitchen to take a bottle of Lon Lon Milk from a closet. She poured some in a small cup and gave it to Navi "Here, drink this. It'll make you feel better."
Navi drank a bit from the milk and in a few seconds, she felt a lot better! She flew up and down, all across the room "Wow! That was the most delicious drink I've ever tasted!" then she flew back to Link and Malon "I… I feel a lot better now! Thanks!"
Both Link and Malon smiled to the little fairy "You're welcome." Malon said.
Then, they heard a door being opened from upstairs. It was Talon that walked out of the bedroom and asked while yawning as he walked down the stairs "What was all that loud noise?" But then he looks surprised as he noticed Navi, flying close to Link and Malon "Wait… is that… a fairy?"
Malon nodded as she skipped to her father "Yes, daddy! This is Navi the fairy. She's from the forest."
"The forest?" Talon asked.
Link nodded as he walked to his adoptive father "Yes, Talon and… Navi told us that… the Great Deku Tree needs to see us."
This made Talon even more surprised "The Great Deku Tree? From the Kokiri Forest?"
Link and Malon both nodded as the little girl pleaded "Please please please, daddy, let us go and see how we can help! Navi said that it was very urgent, something about-"
"About dark forces had descended on Hyrule and the Deku Tree can't stop it." Link said, finishing Malon's sentence.
This made Talon nonplussed. Link and Malon waited impatiently for Talon to say something. Navi flew next to the two children, ready to say her piece of her mind if this man refused to allow Link and Malon to go with her.
Talon looked at his daughter and adoptive son, and mentally said 'It's time…. It's finally their time…' He then sighed as he said to his two children "Then… you should go and help…"
This surprised Link and Malon, that he was allowing them to go, just like that "Wha… really?!" Link asked.
Talon smiled and sat on one knee as he placed his hands on Link and Malon's shoulders "Link. Malon. This is something me and your mother knew would happen one day, that both of you would go out and help someone in distress. So go… go and help."
Link and Malon's smile grew as they hugged their father tightly, what Talon returned. Navi let them have this moment and looked at them with a smile.
Just then, Ingo stormed inside, looking very grumpy as usual "Link! It's already noon and you're still around here?! C'mon kid, we've got a lot of work to do today!"
Link frowned at Ingo for pushing him around like this. Even Malon was not happy about it.
Talon let go of the children and said to Ingo as he stood up "Ingo." Ingo stopped before he could leave and turned himself to face his boss "Link is going away for a little while together with Malon for something important."
This surprised Ingo greatly "Something important?! Now hold on a minute, Talon! There is a lot of work to be done and-"
"They have my blessing to go." Talon said calmly.
Ingo didn't know how to respond to this, other then saying "But… but… but…"
"But that's that, Ingo" Talon said once again that Link and Malon have his permission.
Ingo started to frown and walked out of the house starting to grumble as he went to the supply tower "Grrrr… great, just great! Now I have to do all the work around the ranch all by myself, again!"
Navi then flew close to Link and Malon, saying "Okay, now let's get going, right now!"
Link tried to ease Navi "Hold on, Navi. Me and Malon need to take some supplies first and…" he nearly told about the wooden swords and shields that he had made for himself and Malon.
Talon chuckled while putting his hands on his hips, finished Link's sentence "You mean your wooden weapons, right?" this surprised Malon and Link as they faced Talon.
"Wait… you knew, Talon?" Link asked.
Talon only smirked as he said "I've known it for over a year. Those bite marks you or Malon had sometimes? I don't need to be a genius to known that those aren't bite marks from our cucco's."
Malon and Link looked at each other for a moment. Link scratched his head in embarasment, seeing that his excuse that it was the cucco's all along hadn't worked.
Malon crossed her arms as she smiled while she shook her head to her little brother "I told you that my father wouldn't fall for it."
Link laughed a bit as she was right "Yeah, sorry for not telling you sooner, Talon. I… we didn't wanted to make you worried." Link said as he apologized to his adoptive father.
Talon only smiled and patted Links shoulder "I never was."
After an hour, Link and Malon had packed all the things they thought was necessary. Malon took a small moneybag that she have made and placed in all the rupees that she and Link had gathered from all the Guay's they've killed. It was a total of 54 rupees. Link packed in some food, a few bottles of Lon Lon milk in a bag and his Ocarina, that he got from his adoptive mother, Ateiti. They also took their wooden weapons with them.
Link and Malon then said goodbye to Talon, by giving him a big hug "Now, both of you be careful, okay?"
Both children nodded "We will." Link said.
Malon then whispered something in her father's ear "Please try not to fall asleep to much when you're at work, okay?"
Talon smiled before giving a wink "I'll try my best, Malon." then Talon said one last thing to them "And always remember; stay together no matter what. No matter what." Link and Malon nodded and gave Talon one last big hug before leaving.
Link and Malon walked across Hyrule Field, right after Navi, who lead them to Kokiri Forest "Come on! Let's move, we've got to hurry!" Navi told them impatiently that they need to hurry as they have been on the way for some hours.
As the sun was about to set, Link and Malon stopped to take a moment to rest. They sat on the grass, near a tree and took out some of their food and milk from link's bag. Navi didn't liked to wait and said to them "Link! Malon! We can't wait now, the forest is only a few more miles from here!"
Link tried to calm Navi "Navi, relax. We're hungry and thirsty, alright? We have been walking for hours."
Navi rolled her eyes and said sarcastic "Okay sorry, I thought that you both were used to walk this much?"
That comment annoyed Link.
Malon tried to ease the situation as she saw how Navi's sarcasm made him uncomfortable "Well, me and Link always get up and leave the ranch early in the morning when we join my daddy to bring milk across Hyrule. We're not used to leave in the afternoon and get somewhere fast."
Navi sighed, seeing that Malon did had a point and was too quick to judge "I see. Okay, we rest a bit. But as long as we make it to the forest before it gets dark."
"You're not afraid of the dark, are you?" Link asked the little fairy.
Navi shook her head "No! I'm not scared of the dark! I'm just… really worried about the Great Deku Tree…! He seemed… well, not feeling fine, for some reason."
This worried Malon as she asked "You think the Deku Tree is sick?"
Navi shrugged while she shook her head "I don't know, Malon. I don't know." Navi then looked at the edge of the forest, thinking about the Deku Tree as she sighed 'I really hope he isn't…'
After their short meal, Link and Malon stood up and went further with Navi. However, all three hadn't noticed that the sun was almost down. Navi then said "We need to hurry. C'mon!"
Link agreed to that and held Malon's hand as they started running to the forest "Let's go, Malon!" Malon nodded.
They tried to get to the forest before it was getting dark. As they were only a few minutes away from the forest… the sun had set and all could hear a wolf howl.
"We're almost there." Navi said as they were near Kokiri Forest. But then… she and the two children heard something close to them.
Link and Malon stopped to see what it was "Did you hear that?" Link asked.
Malon stood with him back to back. She then screams as she sees two skeleton's crawling from the ground "LINK!"
Link looks behind him, where Malon watches and is shocked to see these two living skeletons crawl out of the ground "Navi! What are those things!?"
Navi flew to them and said "Those are Stalchilds! Don't be afraid of them, just attack them repeatedly!"
Link and Malon nodded and drew their wooden swords. Navi wasn't sure if those were gonna help "Ehh… guys…"
Link was the first to attack and slashed his sword to the face of one of the Stalchilds. But… it barely did anything to him. Link gulped as the Stalchild hit him hard with his clawed hand to his arm, hurting Link bad. Malon gasped in shock. Then she became angry and attacked the same stalchild, hitting him in the back. But it also didn't do anything. The Stalchild turned to face Malon, with a very angry look. It wanted to hit her, but she blocked it with her shield! But the clawed hand kept stuck in her shield! As Malon tried to pull her shield loose, Link kept hitting the Stalchild with his wooden sword, but every time it didn't work.
The other Stalchild had walked behind Malon while she was distracted and was ready to strike on her "MALON LOOK OUT!" Link screamed to Malon. Malon looked behind and was shocked to see the other Stalchild behind her. She dodged his strike in time, but it hit her shield, breaking it into pieces!
Malon fell backwards as both Stalchilds walked to her. Malon screams in horror. Link then body slammed one Stalchild and pushed him to the other, making them falling on the ground. Link quickly helped Malon up "Thanks, Link."
"No problem."
They moved away from the two skeletons. Navi then said "C'mon! Into the forest! HURRY!"
Both nodded and ran after Navi to the entrance of Kokiri Forest! But then, their path was blocked by four more Stalchilds, crawling out of the ground! The other two Stalchilds approached them from behind. Link and Malon were horrified as they were surrounded. Link and Malon held each other close as they were afraid.
Navi didn't wanted them to die and hit one of the Stalchilds in the head "LEAVE THEM ALONE!" but the Stalchild just ignored her and kept approaching the two children.
Link then thought of what he did before and told Malon "Malon, when I say so, we slam ourselves out of this and run as fast as we can into the forest, alright!?" Malon nodded quickly.
They waited for the right moment as they stood ready. All six Stallchilds stood ready to strike.
"NOW!" Link called and both him and Malon ran as fast as they could and pushed the Stalchilds out of the way, but both took a lot of hits from their clawed hands. Navi flew after them.
As they ran into the tunnel, they ran over a small wooden bridge and entered another tunnel, where they made it to Kokiri Forest.
Navi was so relieved that they made it "Pfew! That was a close one! I gotta admit, Link that was a good idea, but I tried to warn you that your self-made wooden swords wouldn't help against those Stalchilds, so-" she then turned herself, seeing Link and Malon lying exhausted and nearly motionless on the ground. Their bodies had a lot of wounds and both bleed. This made Navi horrified. She called for help "HELLO?! ANYONE?! HELP! HELP! I NEED HELP, PLEASE!"
Link and Malon nearly lost consciousness. Both looked to each other one more time, holding hands. Link felt so sorry for bringing Malon in danger, while Malon gave him a small smile that it was alright.
As they lost consciousness for a moment, all what they could hear were other children's voices, asking what had happened or trying to take care of them.
Link regained consciousness for a little moment, and all that he saw was Malon was being carried by two boys and a girl with green hair saying "Bring them inside! Hurry!" before Link passed out again.
As time seemed to pass slowly, Link's vision was blurry, but could see that the sun was shining from a window. After a few minutes, his vision returned and saw that he was lying on a bed, only wearing his undergarments. He grunted as he tried to sit straight and noticed that he has some bandages over his arms and torso.
The first thing that came into his mind was Malon. He quickly looked around, but thankfully saw her lying on a different bed. She was only wearing her panty and was as much bandaged as Link is. He nearly jumped out of his bed and went immediately to her. He shook Malon carefully "Malon? Malon, wake up!"
Malon grunts as she opens her eyes and sees Link. She then instantly hugs him fiercely "Oh Link! I'm so glad you're alright!"
Link returns the hug "Me too."
When they broke the hug, both checked around where they were "Where are we?" Malon asked.
Link shook his head as he didn't know "I don't know. It looks like we're in some kind of a house, a house in a tree of sorts."
Just then, a familiar fairy flew down to them. It was Navi, being relieved that both of them were okay "Link! Malon! I was so worried about you!" but then she became serious again "Well, now that you both are alright, we should get to the Deku Tree, shall we?"
But Link and Malon first wanted to know where they were "But, Navi, where are we?"
Navi rolled her eyes and said "You are in the Kokiri Forest, silly. And this is Saria's house you both are in now."
"Saria?" Malon asked.
Just as Navi wanted to tell who Saria was, someone entered the house "Oh, speaking of Saria, there she is now." Navi said as the green haired girl, Saria came into her house, holding a wooden plate with all kinds of fruit.
Saria was wearing a green tunic with long dark green sleeves, a short skirt and brown boots. She was also accompanied by a fairy, like Navi, except that her fairy had a yellow glow.
The green haired girl looked surprised as she saw Link and Malon all standing up from their beds, but then smiled and said "Oh, hi there! I can see that you both have recovered pretty well." she walked to them and showed them the plate with fruit "I brought some fruit. Thought you guys might be hungry."
Link and Malon looked at the fruit on the plate, there were apples and peaches, but they were a bit bigger then the once from the Market in Hyrule town. They both took a peach and took a bite from it. It tasted more sweet and juicy then they've ever tasted it before "Wow! These are delicious!" Malon said. Link agreed as he took another bite.
Saria smiled as she put the plate down somewhere and asked "You both took some big hits before you came here. What happened?"
Link swallowed his bite and answered Saria's question "We were attacked just before we arrived at the forest."
Saria understood "I see. So, what are your names and what brings you both here in the forest?"
"Oh, I'm Link, and this is Malon. We're here because the Deku Tree wanted to see us."
This surprised Saria greatly "Really?! The Deku Tree wants to speak to you?" Link and Malon both nodded "How odd, the Deku Tree had never summoned outsiders before, not even having a fairy." Saria said further.
Then Navi flew to Saria and started explaining "I was tasked by the Great Deku tree to bring Link and Malon to him, that's why I was with them."
Saria completely understood now.
Malon then asked Saria as she finished her peach "Uhm… where are our clothes?"
Saria pointed to a small chest "There over there, on top of that chest. But I don't think you can use them anymore, cause they're in really bad shape."
"What?" Malon said as she went to where Saira put their clothes. As Malon took her beige dress, she was shocked that it was nearly torn apart "Oh no! Those Stalchilds have ruined my dress! Just look at it Link!" she showed it to Link with a bit sad face. Link felt bad for her as she had worked so hard on that dress. Link then checked his clothes and they were just as bad as Malon's dress.
Saria then took something from a closet "Don't worry, I asked Fado to bring you guys some new clothes. Here, take these." she said as she gave two green Kokiri tunics to Link and Malon "You both can take the bandages off now."
Link removed some bandages from his arm and saw that it was not bleeding anymore, nor even showing any scars "Wow! It's almost as if I was never injured." he said as Malon also took a bandage off and showed the same thing of not being injured anymore.
Saria giggled and told "Well, I'm also taking care of anyone in the forest who was injured, so…"
Malon thanked Saira by giving her a hug "Thank you."
This was a bit unexpected for Saria but returned the hug "You're welcome."
Saria left to give Link and Malon some privacy. After fifteen minutes, both came out of her house, wearing the Kokiri tunics, accompanied by Navi. Malon was now wearing a green shirt with no sleeves, a belt and a short skirt. Link wear a green shirt with short sleaves, a belt and a short green pants. He had also putted on a green hat, what he liked for some reason.
Malon admired herself as she made a little spin "Hihihi, I never thought I'd ever wear a short skirt. It feels so open… and more space to move."
Saria smiled to her and said "Well, we all have to work here in the forest, so every girl wears short skirts." she gave her a wink, making both girls giggle.
Just then, a blond girl and two identical boys walked up to them and greeted Link and Malon friendly "Hi there! Thank goodness you two look a lot better now." the blond said.
"Yeah, you scared us a lot last night." one of the two identiacal boys said.
"Me too." the other identical boy said.
They all then introduced themselves "I'm Fado," the blond girl said "And these two are the Know-It-All brothers." Fado said introducing the two identical boys who were the Know-It-All brothers.
Not long after, nearly all the Kokiri along with their fairies came to greet their two visitors.
"Please to meet you all." Malon said, but was confused why everyone was still a child, despite they all lived in a village "But, where are your parents?"
All the Kokiri raised an eyebrow in confusion "Parents?" one of the Know-It-All brothers asked.
A browned haired Kokiri girl thought what Malon meant by that "Oh! I think she means our father, the Great Deku tree." That made all the Kokiri nod.
Link and Malon had no idea what they meant by that. Navi then said to them "Actually, all the Kokiri here are children. The Deku Tree is their father and deity protector." That made a little sense to Link and Malon, but it still didn't answer of why everyone was a child.
They left it out of their minds for now and Link asked Saria "Uhm, Saria? Me and Malon couldn't find our stuff back in your house. The bag with food and drinks?"
Saria then reminded herself "Oh! I gave it to the Know-It-All brothers, for safe keeping."
The Know-It-All brothers nodded and both ran into their house to get Link and Malon's bag. But when they returned with the bag they said "We kept the bag as when you came with it but-"
"We're afraid that… something might've been broken inside." both brothers said.
Link and Malon took the bag and checked inside "Oh no!" Malon said "All the bottles with milk are broken and all the food is soaked."
But that was not what Link bothered, he searched the bag for something more important than that. When he found it, his eyes went wide "NO!" his reaction shocked the other Kokiri and Malon too, but when she saw what was in the bag that troubled him, she gasped. His Ocarina, broken in half "MY MOTHER'S OCARINA! It's… broken…" he held both halves in both hands as tears started to form in his eyes. The other Kokiri felt sorry for Link, even Navi felt sorry for him.
Malon patted his back "I'm sorry for you, Link."
But then, another Kokiri boy marched in on the crowd "HEY! Why is everyone out here and not doing their work!?" Then the boy saw Link and Malon "Well well well, if it isn't the wimps from outside the forest."
That insult made both Link and Malon angry. Saria stepped before them "Leave them alone, Mido."
"Or what? They are outsiders, Saria and they don't belong in the forest!" Mido said before he walked up to Link and Malon "Listen you two! Just because you both wearing Kokiri clothes and have a fairy, doesn't make you one of us."
Malon faced him and asked "What the hell is your problem? We did nothing wrong to you."
"But you guys will! You outsiders always cause problems to us, and I don't want you or him in MY FOREST!" Mido then pushed Malon hard, making her falling backwards to the ground.
Link was now really angry and jumps on Mido! He punched him hard on the face as he was on top of Mido on the ground. Mido threw him off of him and quickly stood up, ready to fight Link "You wanna piece of me? C'mon, you wimp. Let's see what you got."
"With pleasure!" Link said as he started to attack Mido.
All the other Kokiri just watched as they didn't dare to interfere. Navi tried to stop it but was unsuccessful. Just then Saria pulled Mido away from Link "Mido! Stop it!"
Malon stood up and held Link back.
Mido struggled that Saria let him go "Let me go! Let me have him!"
Link struggled as well "No, Link, please! Stop." Malon pleaded him.
"He pushed you, Malon, and no one hurts you when I'm around!" Link angrily stated.
Malon shook her head and said with a very serious look "Link! We're here to help the Deku Tree, not to start a fight with others!"
Link froze as he saw her serious face. He quickly calmed down and nodded "Right. I'm sorry, Malon."
She then smiled and stroke his cheek "It's alright, Link. It's alright."
Mido had heard from Malon that they are here to talk to the Deku Tree and said "Whaaaaaat?! Why would he summon you bunch of outsiders and not me, the great Mido?!" he became irritated as Saria let him go, but then he said to Link and Malon "I don't believe it! Besides, you aren't even fully equipped! How do you think you are gonna help the Great Deku tree without even a sword and shield?"
"We have a sword and shield!" Link stated.
That made Mido laugh "Bwahahahaha! You mean those wooden toy swords you brought with you?! Hahahahaha! Sheesh! No wonder you got so easily injured before you got here."
Link got angry again, but didn't attacked Mido as he saw Malon shook her head, so he didn't do anything about it.
Mido then looked at the other Kokiri that only stared at them "What are you all still doing here!? GET BACK TO WORK!" that shocked all the Kokiri and went back to their business. Mido walked away, leaving Link and Malon with Saria.
Link looked annoyed at Mido while asking Saria "What's his problem?"
She signed and said "That's Mido, he's… our leader."
Malon crossed her arms "Why is he so mean to everyone?"
Saria shrugged "I wish I knew. But, the Deku Tree choose him as our leader. I'm sure he had a good reason for it. But I think what Mido said is true, that you both need a better sword and shield before you can speak to the Deku Tree."
"Why so?" Link asked.
Saria then told with concern "The forest… strange things have been happening here lately… so Mido wants us to be ready for anything. I guess you both should find a better weapon, with those wooden swords you've had, you won't survive for long."
Link and Malon agreed on that, for they were nearly killed by Stalchilds and their wooden swords didn't worked. So, Malon asked "Where can we find better weapons here in the forest?"
Saria answered "You both can buy a shield at our local shop. There are also two swords hidden somewhere in the forest."
"Do you maybe know where?" Link asked.
Saria thought hard but didn't know "I'm not so sure, but go and ask one of the Know-It-All brothers, they surely know!"
Link and Malon were grateful for Saria's help "Thanks Saria." Malon said.
"No problem." Saria then picked up the two ocarina pieces and said to Link "If you want, I can fix it for you?"
"You know how to do it?" Link asked.
Saria nodded "Of course! I play the ocarina too."
This surprised Link as he never had met anyone before that also played the ocarina "If you can, I'd really appreciate it, Saria."
"Happy to help. Good luck you two!" Saria said as she went back to her house.
Malon checked their old bag again and found their moneybag, with all the rupees they collected inside. Navi saw the moneybag with rupees too and suggested "Let's go and buy shields for you two first." Link and Malon both nodded and followed Navi to the Kokiri shop.
As they saw the shop, Link and Malon went to it. One Kokiri girl on top of the store waved at them "Hi!" Link and Malon waved back at her and entered the shop.
Inside there was one Kokiri boy behind the counter, trying to get on top of it cause of his small size. When he noticed Link and Malon entering his shop he friendly greeted them "Welcome. What can I get you?"
Both greeted him back "Hello. Me and Malon want a shield. We were told that you had some for sale."
The little Kokiri nodded "I sure do! Let me get them for you."
As he searched under the counter for two shields, Link and Melon looked at what was more for sale. Besides some fruits and vegetables, the little Kokiri also sold some Deku sticks and Deku nuts.
The boy then took two shields and placed them on the counter "Here you go! Two Deku shields."
Link checked one of the shields. It was lighter and more stronger then the ones he had made for himself and Malon "How much for both of them?" Link asked.
The little owner answered "For both of them, 80 rupees."
Malon checked the rupees they had and said to Link "Uhh, Link. We only have 53. We cannot pay for both."
Link thought for a moment how to fix this and then said to Malon "You pay one for yourself, Malon. I'll go and search for some more rupees."
"You sure?" she asked.
Link nodded "Don't worry, I'll be back soon with some." and Link left the shop, with Navi following him.
So, Malon told the owner "I'll take one for now. I want to wait till Link can pay for his own."
The owner shrugged as he didn't mind "No problem. That'll be 40 rupees." Malon counted her rupees and paid the owner for one of the shields. As she took it, the owner gave her also a belt "Take this with it, so you can put your shield on your back."
"Thank you. How much for that one?" Malon asked.
The owner smiled as he shook his head "Nothing. It goes together with the shield." Malon nodded and puts the belt over her shoulder, crossing her chest and attached her shield to her back. She smiled as it was so easy to put it and easily to take it when she needed it.
As Malon waited for Link to come back, she had a little conversation with the owner and the Kokiri girl that was also in the store. Malon told them where she and Link came from and how the outside world was like.
"Amazing! I'd never known how beautiful Hyrule could be." the girl said.
Malon then suggested "Then why don't you guys go out of the forest and see for yourselves?"
That however made both the girl and show owner horrified. The owner then said "We can't leave the forest, Malon."
Malon raised an eyebrow "Why?"
The Kokiri girl then told "If a Kokiri leaves the forest… we will die…"
This shocked Malon a bit as she didn't understand "You die?! But how? And why?"
The girl explained "We Kokiri are bounded to the forest, as it's magic and that of the Deku Tree protects us. But if we leave, that protection will be gone and we will die."
This revelation was hard for Malon, but somehow she understood. It made her to wander that that's why all the Kokiri are children.
Link then entered the shop after looking for more rupees "I'm back," he put 8 blue rupees on the counter "with enough rupees for another shield."
The owner nodded as he took the rupees and gave the shield with a belt to Link "Here you go. Stay safe!"
Link nodded as he put on the belt over his shoulder "We will." Link and Malon then left the shop with Navi.
Both went to see one of the Know-It-All brothers, who was busy on clearing some rocks from Mido's home, but they were to heavy for him to raise. Link came up to him and asked "Need some help?"
The boy looked at Link surprised, but then smiled wide and nodded "Sure! If you can, help me to move these rocks away." Link and Malon nodded and helped him to remove all the rocks. Link could easily raise them and throw them away, breaking them on impact. Malon was able to do the same, as she helped Link sometimes with heavy things back on Lon Lon Ranch.
After a minute, all the rocks were cleared. A few of them left some rupees, what they were allowed to keep. The one of the two Know-It-All brothers wiped away the sweat of his forehead as he was relieved of finally have done this stupid work for Mido "Pfew! That was the last one. Thanks a lot! If it weren't for you two, I would've been busy removing these rocks for days."
Link and Malon felt sorry for him for being forced to do this for what was a way to heavy job for him to do. But both were happy to help "No problem." Link said as he now wanted to ask him something too "But now that we helped you, perhaps you can help us? Me and Malon are looking for two swords to use. Saria told us that you and your brother know where they are hidden in the forest?"
The boy looked around, to see if Mido or anyone wasn't around, he then whispered "Yeah, I do know where it is. Look for a sign that says 'Hole of L' at the Forest Training center, there is a tunnel leading you to the two swords. But don't tell Mido I told you this!" Link and Malon nodded as they promised that they won't tell Mido anything.
Link and Malon reached the Forest Training Center to look for this tunnel next to a sign. What didn't took them long to find. Link examined the hole and saw that he and Malon would just fit in "Okay, I'll go first." Malon nodded and followed him as he entered the hole.
Both crawled to the other side. They were in a little maze or some sort. But when they checked on their right, both were shocked of the sudden giant rolling boulder coming towards them! They moved out of the way, but the rock then went the other way. Both Link and Malon raised an eyebrow as this didn't make any sense. After a few seconds the same giant boulder came again and rolled to the left again.
Link guessed that this was some kind of booby trap "Must be some kind of trap or trick to keep people away." Malon nodded as she thought the same thing.
Navi then advised them "You guys should run after the giant boulder, so you won't get hit." Link thought that was a good plan. Both waited till the boulder past them "Now!" and both ran after the boulder.
Their was a opening to stay safe with nothing, but at the next one there was a big chest. Both went to that one and approached the chest. Link opened it and took a look. Link pulled out two Kokiri swords. Malon took hers and examined it as she took it out of the blade holder "Wow. A real blade. Now we can really better defend ourselves."
Link nodded and said "We sure do. I guess the Kokiri won't mind if we borrow these, for now."
As Link and Malon equipped their swords to their back, behind their Deku shields, Navi then said "Okay, now that you both are equipped, let's go and see the Great Deku Tree now!"
After avoiding the rolling boulder and crawling back through the same hole, Link and Malon followed Navi to the Great Deku Tree's meadow. But the entrance was blocked by no other then Mido, who said as he sees Link and Malon "Hey wimps! I won't let you pass unless you both have some REAL weapons." he says as he was not going to let them pass without a sword and shield. But then Mido notices the equipment on their backs "Eh, what's that?! Oh, you both have a Deku shield…. And what's THAT?! Are those the Kokiri Swords?! GOOD GRIEF!" he annoyingly said as he never thought that they would ever been able to find the Kokiri swords. He just dismisses it and says to tease them "Well, even with all that stuff, a wimp is still a wimp, huh?"
Link got angry and wanted to teach Mido a less not to call him or Malon a wimp, but before he got his chance, Malon stepped forward and said to Mido with a serious face "We got real swords and shields now, Mido! So step aside and let us see the Deku Tree!"
Mido wasn't being intimidated by her look and just rolled his eyes "Ugh! Fine, you can see the Great Deku Tree. Shoot! How did you get the honor to see the Deku Tree and not me, the mighty Mido?! Grumble… grumble…" Mido annoyingly steps aside and walks away.
Just as Link and Malon wanted to go further, they were called back by the blond Kokiri girl, Fado "Link, Malon, wait up!" she gave them two new bags "Saria asked me to give you these."
"Oh, thank you. New bags." Malon said as she was thankful for the new bags.
But Fado then explained "These are not just normal bags. These are magical bags. You can put almost anything in it and it never gets heavy and always has a lot of space." Link didn't understand of what Fado meant by that. Fado winked at them and said "Just put something in it and you'll see." she then walks away.
As Link and Malon went to the meadow, both were shocked as all of the sudden, three Deku Baba's emerged from the ground! They stood all straight and only bite in the air while spinning around. Apparently these plants try to hurt the two children. Link and Malon draw their swords and with one slash, they killed the Deku Baba's. But what remained of them were Deku Sticks. Link took one to put in the 'magical bag' and surprisingly it fitted in without taking much space, as if his whole arm could entirely fit in the little bag.
Malon smiled at how useful these bags were "These will come in handy. Hihihi." Link nodded and took the other two Deku sticks in his bag.
They went further, till they came to a very large tree, that had a face and a large mustache. Navi happily approached him "Great Deku Tree… I'm back!"
Both Link and Malon were amazed by the large size of the Deku Tree, as he spoke "Oh… Navi… thou hast returned…. Link… Malon… welcome…. Listen carefully to what I, the Deku Tree, am about to tell thee…" Both nodded as the Deku Tree told further "Thy slumber these past moons must have been restless, and full of nightmares… as the servants of evil gain strength, a vile climate pervades the land and causes nightmares to those sensitive to it… verily, thou hast felt it…"
Link and Malon nodded at that point, as they did have a lot of nightmares lately "That would make a lot of sense, Link. Those Guays that keep coming to the ranch, the Stalchilds in Hyrule Field…?"
Link agreed "It must be this evil that the Deku Tree speaks about."
Both looked back at the Deku Tree again as he said further "Link… Malon… the time has come to test thy courage…. I have summoned thou here because I am cursed… and I need you two to break the curse with your wisdom and courage. Please… help me…"
Navi was shocked to hear that the Deku Tree was cursed "What!? You are cursed, Great Deku Tree?! What didn't you tell me?!"
The Deku Tree calmed Navi down by saying "All will be explained… in time…. Please, Link and Malon…. Dost thou have courage enough to undertake this task?"
Link and Malon looked at each other for a moment. The Deku Tree had called them for a reason and if he knows that they can do it, then they will. Both nodded to each other and then Link said to the Deku Tree as he looked back at him "We have, Deku Tree. We'll break this curse."
Then the Deku Tree lowers the portion of its trunk that resembles a mouth as he said "Then enter, brave Link and Malon, and thou too, Navi…. Thou must aid Link and Malon and guide them…"
Navi nodded as she would do as the Deku Tree says "Alright, Deku Tree, I'll guide Link and Malon." she flew back at them and said "Well, looks like I'm gonna be your partner for a little while longer. Let's enter the Great Deku Tree and help him!"
Link and Malon went to the open mouth of the Deku Tree. They stopped for a moment and looked at each other. "Together…" Link said.
Malon gave a nod while she smiled, as she was ready for this, as long as they stayed together "Together."
And both went inside, to break the curse that haunts the Deku Tree…
That's it for the second chapter of 'The heroes of time', Link and Malon have begun their quest and are about to save the Deku Tree.
The reason I got the magical bags in this story is because it never made any sense of how Link even keeps all of his stuff during the game. So I used this idea of a magical bag (like from Harry Potter) so both him and Malon can keep all their stuff with them, without having to carry all of it around.
So rate and review, and I'll see you all in the next chapter.
See you then!
