Chapter 3

Link knew something was amiss the moment he set foot in Kokiri Forest. The sun was still shining, and there was a little time left until dusk; but Kokiri Forest was dark. It should not be like this. How odd.

He looked up upon entering the village. The sun was trying to penetrate the openings in the tree branches to illuminate the area, but something was keeping it from doing so. There was a smokey, almost ethereal veil of blackness hovering above the trees. Link could still see the village, but the place is unnaturally dim. A few Kokiri were in front of Mido's house standing around talking. He couldn't tell what they were saying, but there was no doubt in his mind that they were discussing this odd...thing that is keeping the village dark.

The fairies that accompany each of the Kokiri were the brightest things in the village. They were almost like beacons of light to help guide those through this now-dark realm. There was something else that wasn't quite right, either. Link couldn't put his finger on it, but there was indeed something else wrong here. He took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling slowly. What is going on here?

Link could see Saria running towards him from his old house up in the tree. He went forward to meet her, noticing a troubled look on her face.

"Oh Link, thank you for coming! I'm glad you're here!"

"Good afternoon, Saria, or shall I say 'odd afternoon.' Where is Mido? Let us go talk to him."

Without saying a word she headed toward Mido's house, beckoning Link with her finger. Before entering the house he saw the Kokiri that stood outside all look at him, hoping he can help them solve this problem. The worried looks on their faces belied their fear.

Inside the house, Mido sat on his bed with his arms hugging his legs. He was stricken with fear, so much that the Kokiri boss was quivering. His eyes are wide open, like he had seen a poe. Mido's skin was pale and sickly, which is odd because the Kokiri never look sick. They are immortal, so long as they never leave the forest. Did Mido leave the forest for some reason? It is highly unlikely, but not out of the realm of possibility. Being the boss of the Kokiri, Mido might have deemed it necessary to venture outside to investigate the source of this...whatever it is that is troubling the forest and by extension those who dwell within it.

Saria stood next to Link, shaking her head. "He won't talk to me, and sometimes he'll rock back and forth, muttering something I cannot understand. He barely acknowledges me. He won't respond to my words, but when I wave my hand in front of his face he'll look at me with frightened eyes and then go back to rocking and shaking."

Link took a couple steps closer to Mido and crouched down so he could maintain eye level with him. "Mido? What ails you? It is I, Link. You can talk to me, there's no need to be afraid."

Nothing. No response from Mido.

Link waved his hand in front of Mido's face, and the Kokiri glanced his way, said his name, and went back to rocking.

Quite odd indeed, Link thought. Saria walked around the house and lit a few candles with the snap of her fingers while Link lightly grabbed Mido's chin and turned his face to lock eyes with him.

Staring into the Kokiri's eyes, Link could see the Kokiri was deeply troubled by something. Mido paid no attention to the fact that Link was holding his chin with his hand and directly facing him; Mido was here in the flesh, but the Kokiri's mind was somewhere else.

"What do you suppose is wrong with him, Link?" Saria asked once she returned to Link's side.

"A nightmare, perhaps. Looking into his eyes, it is obvious that his mind is elsewhere. Something is troubling him, no doubt. Sometimes I've had nightmares that lingered with me upon waking up, and the energy from them was so strong that I myself have been in states similar to this. They always passed, though. How long has he been like this?"

"Since the break of dawn," she replied. "I didn't even know about it at first, but Fado told me something was bothering Mido, and I saw him like he is now. He hasn't changed, and it is almost night."

Link continued to look into Mido's eyes. Sometimes he could obtain great insight about someone when looking through the windows to their soul. Zelda had taught him to focus when communicating with the forms of life that have eyes, saying that the lenses through which they see the world reflect what dwells within them. Caution must be taken, though, lest one intrude on another's privacy. Right now, though, would be an exception, for a friend is in trouble. Mido is in such a terrible state that he cannot focus enough to help himself.

Through the lenses of Mido's eyes, Link could see trees—darkened trees, and a little pond nearby. Link was seeing whatever Mido saw in his nightmare. He was in the Lost Woods, and it was night. Link saw a pair of eyes reflected onto the pond. They were getting bigger, and bigger. In the vision, Mido turned around and Link saw a black, shadowy figure. It disappeared, and the vision went black. Link could no longer see anything through Mido's eyes.

Link stood up while keeping his gaze on Mido. "He had a nightmare alright, Saria. He was in the Lost Woods and something approached him. He turned around and whatever it was vanished. For some reason that black, shadowy figure scared him to the point where he is affected in the waking world. That thing had somehow crossed over to this plane of existence and is still with him."

Sighing audibly, Link shook his head, perplexed. He couldn't figure out how the nightmare could have affected him with intensity such as what he is now exhibiting. This is very weird.

"There's something else you should know, Link," Saria said.

Turning toward her with one raised eyebrow, he said, "You're referring to the forest being darker than normal, aren't you?"

She nodded. "Yes. That, and two other things. The rest of the Kokiri refuse to enter the Sacred Forest Meadow. Most of them even avoid going into the Lost Woods altogether."

Unbeknownst to Link and Saria, Mido looked up at them at the mention of the Sacred Forest Meadow. By the time they both glanced back at Mido, he had already withdrawn into his state of detachment.

Saria continued. "Something must be inside the forest, or rather the Meadow. They usually go into the Lost Woods to look for nuts or play with the forest creatures, but not lately. Something is scaring them, keeping them from going near that area."

Link was silent a moment while looking at her. "You're afraid to go into the Sacred Forest Meadow yourself, aren't you?"

"No, Link. Not so much as afraid, but..."

"Well? But what, Saria? You did mention two things."

Nodding, she said, "Yes, Link. The other thing. There is an awful smell in the Lost Woods. Terribly foul! It is faint when you first enter the woods, but as you go deeper it gets worse. Once you reach the gate to the Sacred Forest Meadow, it is so strong you cannot go further! I almost vomited, it was that strong!"

An odd smell, Link thought. That must explain the other thing that was wrong that I couldn't quite figure out.

"An odd smell, you say? Is it really that bad? Maybe a huge beast somehow made its way into the woods and died. Carcasses emit foul smells once they begin to decompose, Saria." It occurred to Link that the Kokiri may not have an understanding of that part of nature because of their immortality.

"Oh, Link, it is horrible! The smell is the biggest thing keeping the Kokiri out of the Meadow and the Lost Woods in general."

Saria walked to the entrance to Mido's house and looked out at the village. There were a few Kokiri here and there that were still outside talking. No one was playing, and no one had a smile on their face. The whole atmosphere was somber and fearful.

"Do you think that the smell could be connected to Mido's nightmare and the darkened forest?" she asked Link as she turned around to face him.

"There is no doubt in my mind that they're all connected, Saria. This is not a coincidence. Kokiri Forest never gets dark like this, and it never smells as foul as all of you claim. When I looked into Mido's eyes I could tell it was night, but it was darker than normal."

Link began to walk around the house, idly beholding the surrounding wall, lost in thought. "The question is, Saria, is what exactly did Mido see in his nightmare, and what exactly does that have to do with the darkened forest and foul smell?"

A rustling noise came from Mido on the bed. Link and Saria turned to look at him. He began shivering more fiercely, like he was in a cold environment. "It's—ít's—it's in the..."

Link and Saria both looked at each other with questioning eyes. They walked back over to Mido, wondering what was happening.

"It's in the what, Mido?" Link asked. "Where is it?" Mido is referring to what he saw in the nightmare.

"It's...it's in the...it's—it's in the Forest—ˮ

Mido went silent once more. Nothing was said by anyone in Mido's house for a few moments.

"Mido?" Saria asked. "Mido, what is it?"

No response. He just rocked back and forth, his teeth chattering.

"Link, I don't understand it. Mido has never been like this! I'm scared."

"I have an idea, Saria," Link said. "There's someone who lives in the Lost Woods that may know more about Mido's condition. If what Mido saw in his nightmare is actually real, and not just a figment of his imagination, then this person may be able to give us some insight."

A faint trace of a smile briefly appeared on Saria's face. She looked hopeful now. She knew the one to whom Link was referring. "You're right, Link. If there's anyone who could help us, it will be him. We'll go there at once."

On their way out of the house, Saria stopped at the door and looked back at Mido. The candlelight revealed the Kokiri still sitting on his bed. Saria could see orange dots where Mido's eyes are, though she was sure that was just the light of the candles reflecting off of them. She shivered nonetheless as a chill slithered down her spine.

Mido had stopped rocking, and he was facing Link and Saria. Though he said nothing, the look in his eyes betrayed his inner thoughts.

Help me!

"We will, Mido, we will," Saria said in reply to his mental plea.

Link and Saria stood at the tree stump in the Lost Woods. This is usually where one finds the Skull Kid. He hasn't been seen yet, but perhaps he will turn up in moments. The Skull Kid favors this spot, as he is frequently seen playing his flute on the tree stump. No one knows why he likes this area of the Lost Woods so much. It must have a lot of significance for him, though, because he is here a lot.

Saria sat down on the stump and looked skyward. She let out a small sigh. "He is usually seen here, but I guess we can look around if the doesn't show up soon."

A few moments passed, and the woods were still quiet; no sign of the Skull Kid could be seen or heard.

Link had an idea. He pulled out the fairy ocarina, the one that Saria gave to him so long ago—so long ago to Link, as time means nothing to Saria or the rest of the Kokiri.

Saria smiled at the sight of the ocarina. "Oh," she said with delight, "you still have that! How lovely!"

"Of course, Saria, I still have it. The Ocarina of Time was not mine to keep, and besides, you gave this to me. Why on Hylia's green earth would I get rid of it?"

She chuckled as he put the ocarina to his lips, clearly pleased that he still had her gift to him in his possession.

Link played a familiar tune, and Saria realized what Link was trying to do. The tune she taught him was one of Skull Kid's favorites. It was upbeat, and whoever heard it usually broke out in a little jig.

Before long, Saria heard some rustling in a nearby bush. She looked past Link, who was still playing, at the bush. Like summoning magic, the Skull Kid came out of the bush—or behind the bush, she couldn't tell because it was dim—and began dancing his way toward the two of them. Saria laughed delightedly, her spirits raised at the sight of his dancing and the sound of the music. The song she taught Link really is powerful.

Link had not even realized the Skull Kid was near until he produced his flute and began playing along with him. Link didn't stop, either, he kept on playing until he reached the end of the song. The Skull Kid stopped right at the same time as Link, as the two of them playing were connected on a musical level that only musicians could understand.

Link winked at Saria as if to say See? I knew he'd show up once I played your song!

The forest dweller hadn't changed in appearance one bit since Link last saw him. He still wore his big, red, straw-like hat and those green leaf shorts. His beady little eyes reminded Link of the reflected candlelight in Mido's eyes as they left his house just a few moments ago.

"Ah, what brings you two here to the Lost Woods?" Skull Kid asked.

"You know I come here often, just like the rest of the Kokiri," Saria replied, thinking he ought to know better than to ask a silly question like that.

"Yes, yes, you do! But, the two of you?" He pointed at her and Link. "Or did you just want to play some fine music?"

Saria sighed. "Well, there is actually a reason why Link and I are here right now. We were looking for you because we need your help."

Skull Kid stepped back a moment, the look of surprise on his face drawing a smile from Saria. "Me?" he said. "You want MY help? But how could I be of assistance in whatever it is you need help with? I'm just a little forest dweller who likes to play his flute!"

Saria recounted the events of the past day. Skull Kid listened with rapt attention, nodding every so often.

"Yes," he said after a brief period of silence. "I think I know what the trouble is. It explains how Kokiri Forest is...like it is. Though I cannot smell, I have noticed the darkness. Something is not right, for sure. What you explain sounds just like an ancient prophecy I heard in a time long past, before the Forest Temple was even built."

Intrigued, Link leaned forward a bit, his arms crossed and one hand stroking his chin. "Go on, then. What is this ancient prophecy?"

The delight and happiness that emanated from the Skull Kid was no more; it had sapped out of him with the frightening realization of what is plaguing the forest. His countenance was grim and fearful, and his voice matched his emotions.

Staring off at nothing in particular, Skull Kid said, "Why, it is the prophecy of Aracnatha, the foul spider beast from a far off place, a place that is very different from places like Hyrule."