Inspiration: King David and Nathan the prophet.
Author Note: Reap what you sow.
Word Count: 6,878
Chapter 23
Nightfall in Hyrule, Hyrule Castle: Link's POV
Night was here and with it a chill, but it wasn't enough to get me to go inside. I was standing out on the terrace adjacent to the bed chambers, contemplating the upcoming events surrounding the imminent lunar tetra. I still had not been able to speak with Saria. Like Zelda warned me, Saria was avoiding me like the plague. It had been a little over a week, and still nothing. So far, it was all a waiting game. I couldn't watch her constantly, and it was wrecking my brain that she wouldn't answer my ocarina. However, I couldn't become obsessive regarding this. I was going to have to be patient. It was just hard to take.
She can't avoid me forever, I thought, the lunar tetra is in less than three weeks.
The night sky was beautiful, bluish black, and vibrant. It was covered with stars that spread like diamonds over the event horizon. The trees dotting the landscape in the distance were blowing capriciously in the wind, as if a sudden gust would make them fall over, but the steadfast ferns reminded me of how beautiful Hyrule was. So much of my life now was consumed with the day to day duties of the throne, that I had almost forgotten what it was like to just stand and reflect on the world in which I nearly gave my life for. Watching these green landscapes, these mountains of ore and splendor, and these valleys of tundra, made me understand why Zelda loved this land so much. It made me reflect on why she was both willing to live and to die for it. The more I thought about my wife, the more guilt I felt in my betrayal to her. Zelda was a complicated woman, but most great women were complicated women. My recent behaviors certainly didn't help things.
If I could go back… I thought, if I could go back…
Reality was a great sobriety unguent. Even so, after a few more moments of introspection, I turned to leave the terrace and head back inside. However, I halted in my tracks when suddenly a shooting star caught my eye, two for that matter. It was the first time in ages that I witnessed a shooting star. Perhaps it was going to lead to a star shower. The sighting made me walk back over to the terrace's edge to search the heavens for more. The celestial wonder abated unfortunately, and I was unusually disappointed by that fact. It actually made me think of the nights I stared up at the sky on Hyrule Field when I was a child. When the world was in peril, the only thing that seemed constant was the stars. The luminaries were magnificent then too, and I actually witnessed many astral showers before falling asleep on the grass of Hyrule Field at night. Interestingly enough, watching the heavens tonight reminded me of my duty to protect my people as king. Daphnes had told me for years when he was alive that my role as king was because of destiny. He always spoke of destiny. Now, with the way the world was changing, I had a feeling he was more right than I ever gave him credit for. It was moments like these that made me mourn his death all over again.
I'm sorry I didn't understand you more when you were alive sire, I thought, I should have appreciated what you were trying to tell me.
Even still, I stood staring at the night sky a moment longer before taking in a deep sigh and turning to retire. It was time to get back to what my life had become. However, before I took a step forward, I once again halted in startled surprise when I found I was no longer alone.
"What in Hylia's name.-?" I whispered, but I stopped myself.
Standing to the right of the entrance of the bed chamber was a hooded woman. She had long green hair and a very mysterious countenance. For a moment, I thought the obvious.
My eyes widened in shock.
"Saria?" I whispered.
The woman scoffed, as if predicting my utterance, but then she stepped away from the entrance and started walking towards me. My guard went up immediately, especially with her being so stealth that I could not hear her steps. Even now, there was no sound to her walk. There was something regal and enchanting about her manner, almost as if she didn't belong to this world. Nevertheless, I placed my hand behind my back and wrapped my fingers around a dagger I kept hidden underneath my waist wrap. I always kept a weapon on me. I knew my best bodyguard was me. Interestingly enough, I used to be the head of the royal guard when King Daphnes was alive. It seemed today the soldiers still needed a few lessons in security. This woman could have easily been an assassin, and my men allowed her easy access.
They will hear about this, I thought.
She finally spoke up.
"No, but the hair is the same," she replied, then added, "and you won't need the weapon sire, I am not here to fight you."
I looked at her surprised at her cognizance, but still didn't let my guard down.
"Who are you?" I asked.
She then stopped in her tracks and stared at me for a long time. Afterwards, she removed her hood. I still didn't recognize her, but I was struck immediately by how extraordinarily beautiful she was. Her hair wasn't just green, it was glowing with a heavenly jaded light. Her eyes weren't simply the color of emeralds, but they shined like the sacred jewel of the forest. Her skin was perfect, with a complexion of creamy beige flawlessness that shined like the midday sun. This woman was like none I had ever seen before. There was a fierceness in her eyes that was both inviting and courageous.
She grinned at me, but she also crossed her arms across her chest.
"My, my… how you've grown," she said suddenly.
I then stared at her slightly confused.
"Excuse me?" I replied.
Her smile widened.
"And you're extraordinarily handsome too," she went on, "probably one of the most beautiful men in Hyrule. It looks like I made the right choice."
My perplexity only deepened. I had no idea what she was talking about. This woman looked no older than twenty. She looked younger than me.
"I need for you to tell me your name," I said, losing a bit of my patience, "who are you?"
My tone didn't seem to bother her either, but she digressed.
"I suppose I do owe you that," she said, then withheld it from me no longer, "my name is Farore, I am the Goddess of Life and the Triforce of Courage."
My eyes widened immediately at her utterance.
"What?" I whispered.
Her smile returned.
"My name is Farore your majesty," she repeated, then for some insane reason got on one knee and bowed to me.
I didn't know what to think, so I instantly returned the gesture, completely in awe of what was happening. I bowed too, but got down on both knees. Farore giggled at my discomfiture, but I didn't care.
"You're really Farore?" I whispered. "As in the goddess Farore?"
She nodded.
"Yes your majesty," she replied, "and you are this age's chosen hero, please rise sire."
My heart skipped a beat at her saying as I stood back up.
"I had no idea who you were," I said, "I never would have addressed you so disrespectfully."
She held up her hand to silence me.
"Fret not good hero," she said, "I know your valor. I have witnessed it over the years."
I took in a deep sigh of relief and relaxed a little.
"Thank you your excellency," I said, "that means a great deal coming from you."
Farore grinned again and walked over to me. She was everything I expected her to be and more: regal, enchanting, powerful, stunning -everything.
"Ever since you were a young lad in the forest, I knew you were worthy to bear my Triforce," she said. "There was courage in you even then when you were weaning. You had the strength and will to survive. I knew a child who could survive such conditions would be someone special."
When she stood next to me, I turned to face her. Words simply couldn't do her justice. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. She really captured the title: goddess.
"Thank you," was all I could think to say.
Farore then placed her hand on my shoulder.
"Pleasantries aside, you're probably wondering why I am here," she stated.
I raised my brows.
"That had crossed my mind," I said honestly, "though, this would be considered a great honor even if it was just a simple visit."
She stared into my eyes, then got more to the point.
"You are not ignorant to what is going on in the world," she started, "we can agree on that."
I nodded, but wasn't completely confident.
"But only to a certain extent," I admitted.
She allowed me that variance and nodded.
"Link, you may not be aware of this, but it is forbidden for me as a goddess to interfere in the lives of Hylians," she said, "so my coming to this summit means I have grave tidings for you good king."
That caught my attention.
"I expected your message to be as such," I replied.
She took in a deep sigh.
"There is very little I can tell in the way things will play out," she said, "but I know both outcomes if you are successful and if you fail. Just know this: you cannot fail."
That was an obvious bit of conjecture.
"I am aware of that," I replied.
She then looked up at the heavens.
"I have been watching you in your role as king," she shifted, "I know it was a banner you did not see for yourself when you were a child, but you are doing well in terms of taking care of the people."
I nodded at her acknowledgment.
"Thank you my lady," I said, "I try my hardest to serve the people."
She was silent for a moment after that, and it didn't take a genius as to why. It was then I went on for her.
"And in terms of my queen?" I asked softly.
Farore kept her eyes heavenward and didn't reply right away.
"As for your queen… I don't think you need a lecture from me," she replied, "you know the difference between right and wrong."
I looked up at the sky myself at her words.
"I was a fool," I admitted.
She nodded, but then glanced over at me sympathetically.
"You're in love," she said simply, "I cannot fault you for that, but unfortunately your actions were done in ignorance as well."
I had no rebuttal for that.
"That is true," I said, then glanced over at her myself, "what must I do to make this right?"
Farore again didn't answer right away.
"You know what you must do Link," she replied quietly, "your wife told you what is required of you in order for you to be successful."
I nodded, but paused again.
"Your excellency," I started, "are you disappointed in me?"
Farore became quiet.
"Regarding what?" she asked afterwards.
I thought it was fairly obvious.
"Regarding my actions with Saria," I replied.
She then looked over at me and stared me straight in my eyes.
"What do you think?" she asked. "Just reverse your roles for a moment and see yourself as Zelda, how would you feel? I cannot hold your hand for you."
I took in a deep sigh and looked away. The cold truth was, I wouldn't care if the roles were reversed, but that wasn't her point.
"I…I regret it," I replied, "but not for the reasons you would expect."
Farore grinned.
"I am aware of that fact Link," she said, "I know how you feel about the former Forest Sage. To be quite honest, I find her more fitting for you too."
I suddenly stared back over at the goddess surprised.
"You do?" I replied.
She nodded.
"I do," she replied, then joked, "let's just say, I have a soft spot for girls with green hair. They are rare within this world."
For the first time talking with her, I truly felt at ease.
"I appreciate that," I said.
She turned her complete attention back to me.
"There are a great many things we want in the world Link," she said, "but there is always going to be sacrifices for the greater good. I am sorry you two could not be together, but you have to know it is because of such treachery that evil creeps into the world."
Her words were sobering, but I needed to hear them.
"I am aware," I replied.
She went on.
"It is easy to forget what our responsibilities are when all we think about is what we want from our own selfish hearts," she said, "but we must fight such selfishness Link."
I knew that too.
"Yes, but it is hard sometimes," I said.
She nodded.
"I understand," she said, "and my visit here today was to encourage you, not to scold you. You have been scolded enough, and you already know you're going to have to live with the consequences of your decision."
The wind picked up for a moment, and I couldn't help but feel it was in relation to her words. Farore then raised her hand and suddenly gestured in a circular motion to substantiate a vision in the space right in front of us. The manifestation was one of the stars and the heavens above. I had never seen anything like it. Though, I had a similar experience inside the Deku Tree a couple years back.
"I want to show you something great hero," she started, then rotated her hand ever so slowly, "you see, there is a delicate balance that must be maintained in the world, an ebb and flow if you will of space and time."
At her gesture, the vision contorted and acted as an optical illusion where the projections moved within the space. The projections started with a scene of Hyrule, but then quickly changed to that of two people holding hands together in the forest. It was obvious who the two people represented, but what was interesting was that darkness surrounded one and not the other.
"That balance must be maintained to keep the unity of the world in place," she went on, "if not, then distortion will reign."
At her last utterance, the scene shifted from the forest to one of the moon. On the moon was a hollowed image a destitute woman. This was the Moon Goddess no doubt, but the image of her was obscure.
"This distortion will bring darkness to Hyrule," she continued, "a darkness, if unfettered will reign for a thousand years. The land of peace we have established will be gone, and the only thing left will be memories and legends."
The vision shifted again, but this time it showed a desolate land with only poes and redeads walking about the earth. It was a meager future to be sure. Once the final scene finished with a redead jumping towards us, Farore gestured again to make the scene disappear. The vision dissipated and was gone.
"Do you want that world to be your legacy Link?" she asked.
I, of course, shook my head.
"No, not at all," I said.
She smiled at my words.
"Then you know what you must do," she said.
There was a bit of frustration from me with that.
"I know," I agreed, "but how am I to do it if the woman I am to protect will not speak with me?"
Farore was quiet for a moment.
"Not everything will be easy sire," she said.
I raised my brows. That was all she had to say?
"I understand that, but I still need her cooperation," I said.
Farore then looked away. There was a brief pause between us.
"It will not happen," she said finally, "she will not cooperate with you, but you know this already."
This was not what I wanted to hear.
"But why?" I demanded suddenly. "Her life is in danger!"
Farore looked at me sympathetically just then.
"Link…" she trailed, "she feels guilty. She feels unworthy of so many people right now: her husband, her family, her daughter, and even you."
I looked at her taken aback at her last utterance.
"Why would she feel unworthy of me?" I asked. "I love her, she knows that."
She looked away.
"You are also the king," she said simply, "with Zelda as your queen, that would make any woman feel unworthy."
I shook my head.
"But your excellency-" I tried.
Farore went to silence me.
"Link," she interrupted softly, "I cannot condone this kind of reasoning from you. What you did had monumental consequences. You must understand the true gravity of your error with Saria."
My eyes widened slightly at her words.
"What?" I replied. "What do you mean?"
She looked away.
"I understand your feelings, really I do," she said, "but you have acted treacherously against your wife and more importantly you have risked the security of the kingdom. The world is in danger Link."
I felt my throat tighten at her sobering words. I said nothing.
"Your feelings are in many ways justified because of Zelda's own treachery against you," she reassured, "but you are not negated from the consequences of your actions, you nor Saria."
My heart raced a little when I heard that. I went to her defense.
"Saria has suffered enough," I said, "I bear full responsibility. I pursued her, I wanted her."
Farore was silent for a moment.
"I am… I am afraid it does not work that way your majesty," she whispered, then added, "whether you are successful in stopping the Moon Goddess or not, there will be consequences."
I was frustrated in hearing this.
"What consequences?" I demanded. "Why?"
Farore glanced over at me and stared into my eyes.
"I am sorry Link," she said, "I cannot tell you."
I was starting to feel desperate.
"Is Saria going to die because of me?" I demanded. "If that is the case, I forfeit my life right now to save hers!"
The goddess winced slightly at my words.
"Link-" she tried.
I looked away and felt a rare wave of emotion come over me.
"I cannot live with myself knowing she would die because of me," I interrupted with a slight crack in my voice, "I cannot."
I blinked back the tears so they wouldn't run down my cheeks. I closed my eyes to get my bearings together.
Saria… I thought.
Farore stared at me silently for a long time, before reaching over and touching my shoulder again.
"Link…" she whispered, "I know this is hard to hear and for that I am sorry, but Hyrule needs you as its king."
I looked up at her and felt at a loss.
"Is she going to die?" I whispered. "Please, I need to know."
She took in a deep sigh and very slowly shook her head.
"No," she whispered, "she is not going to die the way you think, but both your lives will be forever changed because of what happened in that meadow that day. It would be wrong not to have a consequence for so serious an action. Even Zelda had to pay for her own treachery… she still is. A balance is always required for the actions taken, and that is all I can tell you."
I was grateful she was honest with me, but I didn't like the sound of all this.
"Thank you," I said, "and I am ready for whatever punishment you see fit."
She stared at me sympathetically again, then reached up and caressed my cheek.
"More than anything my little lad," she whispered, "I want you to be happy. You have served me well, and I hate your forlorn nature now. I have no punishment for you personally, but you must remember you have a son. That beautiful little boy needs you, and more than that… sometimes history has a way of repeating itself."
I stared at her slightly confused for a moment.
"Your excellency?" I whispered.
She shook her head and looked away, dropping her hand.
"I have said too much," she said more to herself than to me, "I must go, but please do not lose heart and please realize how important you are to me, to your son, and to your queen. They all need you Link."
I nodded and that was when she walked over to the terrace's edge, though, I wasn't ready for her to go. It was comforting to have someone objective to talk to.
"Do you have to leave now?" I asked her.
She paused, but kept her back facing me.
"I'm afraid I must," she whispered.
I took a step forward.
"But I have so many questions to ask you," I said, "questions about my parents."
She was quiet before answering me.
"I can't tell you everything about them," she replied, "but I will answer one. What would you like to know?"
I looked at her surprised and took another step forward. I hadn't expected her to say yes.
"What… what were they like?" I whispered.
Farore looked over her shoulder and glanced at me. She gave me a small smile.
"Your father was a soldier who fell in battle," she said, "he was very brave and fought valiantly. All you have to do is look in the mirror if you want to know what he looks like. As for your mother, she was a kind and gentle peasant girl. She was mortally wounded during a siege, but she was able to escape to the forest and beg the Deku Tree to look after you before she died. She was extraordinary as well… a very brave woman. It is no wonder you turned out to be the man you are."
Her words made me smile, but it wasn't anything I already knew. I was hoping for something deeper, a little more personal. However, Farore surprised me when she went on.
"Your father was also a very good archer," she continued, "the best in his rank, but he practiced everyday to be so exceptional. Also, your mother was the best cook in her village. Her hotpot was second to none. She prided herself on a good home, but she was a simple girl with a heart of gold. I trust… that is the reason you love Saria so much. She was a great deal like your mother when it came to her nature."
My throat tightened at hearing that.
"I suppose so," I whispered back, "thank you for telling me that."
Her smile widened.
"You're welcome," she said, "and please, don't give up hope, and don't forget about your family. They need you."
I stared at her for a long time before I nodded.
"You're right," I replied, then added before she left, "can I ask you something else? Something not related to my parents?"
She then turned around full on to look at me. She raised a brow.
"And what is that?" she asked with a hint of suspicion.
I gave her a long once over before answering.
"Saria looks a great deal like you as a Hylian," I whispered, "you are of course a goddess, so your beauty is beyond compare, but she favors you a great deal. Did you… did you do that on purpose?"
Farore stared into my eyes for a long time before cutting away and taking in a deep sigh.
"It was the least I could do for her since she could not be with you," she divulged. "A woman whose beauty rivals the queen's could only be begotten of a goddess. It was my gift to her since she was conversant to the woodlands. She was loyal to her position, until her heart intervened… Hylia has a similar story, so I was sympathetic to her plight."
I grinned at her disclosure.
"Thank you for giving her that," I said, "she deserved to be beautiful like a goddess… her heart was so pure."
She returned my smile.
"Indeed," she whispered, then added, "I'm afraid I must go your majesty."
I nodded, figuring that was the case.
"I understand," I replied.
It was then Farore looked a heavenward and closed her eyes.
"I am very proud of you Link," she said, "I love you my son, and I know in the end you will do the right thing."
Her expressions of love surprised me. I didn't know what to say.
"Thank you again your excellency," I replied, "I will work hard to do you proud."
With that, the goddess snapped her fingers and suddenly a light engulfed her and she disappeared. As quickly as she was here, she was now gone. Everything she told me was still with me, and I would never forget it.
Consequences of my actions, I thought.
What did the future hold?
"I will do the right thing," I whispered, "no matter what."
Afterwards, I retired to bed.
It had been an eventful night.
~SSS~
Three days later: Saria's POV
I was trying to maintain a sense of calm, but nothing was working. No matter how I tried to reconcile my feelings, I felt guilty. I even promised myself to be the best wife in the world after my betrayal with Link, but nothing was ever going to take away the stigma of my sin. When I got home that auspicious day from the Sacred Forest Meadow, I cried for at least an hour. I held my daughter and apologized to her a hundred times. Elincia simply looked at me concerned, but just cooed in return as a baby should. Afterwards, I ridded myself of that horrid bodysuit, cutting it up into pieces and burning it up in the hearth, then bathed twice before Ralph came home. Even so, right away my husband saw a notable difference in me when he greeted me. I couldn't make eye contact with him and I teared up immediately. He asked me what was wrong and I just hugged him as tight as I could without answering him. My guilt was that paramount. Ironically, at the same time, later that night I dreamt of Link making love to me again. It was as visceral and intense as it was when we made love in the Sacred Forest Meadow. I was terrified of my feelings of betrayal, and woke up as if I was having a nightmare. But instead of fear I felt regret… terrible, terrible regret.
Farore help me, I thought that night.
The next day I went out and sought the Deku Tree to speak with him alone. I asked the nanny Matilda to come back and watch Elinicia while I went out. I even asked her about the previous day, wanting to know if she thought I was different. She notably gave me an odd look and said she wouldn't know what 'different' would be with me because yesterday was our first acquaintance. She was right of course and I was only making myself look more guilty. I dismissed myself immediately and must have looked strange to her. I left anyway in search of answers.
I couldn't account for the time I lost, but I knew before I passed out she was fighting with me. She had been struggling for dominance for months. I thought I had her under control, but it seemed I was wrong. I thought the seal was supposed to prevent all this. I thought the whole point of Link marrying Zelda was to keep the Interlopers at bay and seal off the darkness from the world. There were things that weren't making sense to me that I needed answers to. I couldn't sit and wait for them. I reached the Deku Tree in a couple hours, but I noticed as I entered the forests, the canopy was dimmer, the evergreens were more fertilized with mulch than with fresh foliage, and the Kokiri didn't come out to greet me. I was concerned with this as I hurried to the large aperture that housed the Deku Tree, but even as I entered I noticed the cold wind right away.
I felt terrified.
I went up to the tree immediately, but was aptly halted when a burst of bright light suddenly shot throughout the canopy at me. I had to cover my face.
"Stay right where you are Saria," the great tree ordered.
My eyes widened and I got down on my knees trembling. My heart began to pound rapidly.
"Deku Tree… please…" I whispered with a broken voice and didn't know what else to say.
The tree was silent for a moment.
"Saria… what have you done?" he asked.
Tears filled my eyes and I choked up.
"Something terrible," I sobbed softly, "something I never should have conceived."
The wind picked up a little.
"Interesting choice of words," he said.
I could barely get a hold of my emotions.
"I didn't mean for my feelings for the hero to make me act so hastily," I swore, "I love Ralph, I really and truly do."
The great tree lowered one of its limbs and touched my head.
"Your love for Ralph pales in comparison to that of the hero Saria," he divulged, "otherwise you would not have been compelled to see him in such compromising circumstances. You have been trying to fight it for quite some time, but even when you came and saw me last, I knew you were struggling."
I looked to the ground.
"I have been struggling, but I am fighting it," I said, "and I will continue to fight it."
The wind rustled the Deku Tree's leaves.
"Those are quite the words for the actions you've already taken," he said, "for you must know, I am aware of what has taken place yesterday."
I paused for a moment and nodded.
"I know," I whispered.
The Deku Tree went on.
"I warned the hero once too that the path he needed to take was going to cause him a great deal of pain," he revealed. "The hero is now having to live with that pain, but his heart is still with you Saria. You know this for a certainty with how he expressed his love for you."
My chest caved a little when my confusion started there.
"Great Deku Tree, that's the thing," I said with a broken voice, "I don't remember coming to the forest and being with him in such a way until I woke up."
There was a brief silence between us after that, but I had a feeling it was for two very different reasons.
"Yes, I know that too," he replied finally.
My eyes widened in surprise.
"You know?" I whispered.
The boughs of his branches shook again.
"Yes, my dear Saria," he said, "I know."
I was puzzled. I then stood up, hoping to understand what was going on.
"What's going on?" I whispered. "Why am I having a wrestling within my soul? What does this all mean?"
The tree paused, but not for long.
"Saria, there was a great deal of mystery surrounding your origins in becoming a Hylian," he replied. "The biggest being the mechanism used for such a feat, the Shadow Crystal. That crystal is an element of darkness, but not all aspect of the dark are evil."
I looked on surprised.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
Suddenly, the canopy dimmed and a manifestation from the leaves of the Deku Tree began to substantiate and produce a vision. The fixed space looked to be a void, but within the void were a series of pictures of different creatures and persons. I had no idea what was happening, but I was intrigued with the visions.
"The darkness envelops many different realms connected to our world: the land of Lorule, the land of Termina, the Dark World, and the Twilight Realm," he went on. "These different lands are important to the history of Hyrule, or will be one day."
My confusion deepened.
"Will be?" I repeated.
The Deku Tree went to clarify.
"The world is very complex Saria," he said, "even I as I reside here now I am a mere iteration of time and space itself. For instance, the land of Lorule exists only if you know about it at this point in time, but it has always existed in its own time. Certain past events effect its future, but Lorule still exists. It is not an evil country, but a down trodden one."
Things were not getting clearer for me.
"I don't understand," I said, "what or where is Lorule?"
The Deku Tree probably already guessed that summation.
"I don't expect you to understand," he said honestly, "but I will try to help you as much as I can for this is important to you. Lorule is in another space and time, but it is connected to Hyrule. It is a place where darkness has ruled, but the royal family was manipulated into such. Termina is another place that is more betwixt Hyrule than a part of it."
Again, I had never heard of such a place.
"Termina?" I repeated.
The Deku Tree went on.
"Termina is a land with a terminal point of destruction," he explained. "I say is instead of was because Link was able to save the land from its dire fate. The land exists to this day, but it too lies in a world that shifts between ours."
I listened carefully and remained silent.
"Termina was a creation for a specific purpose that was spurned by the goddess who desired it," the Deku Tree explained. "The land was inherently evil, but there were defacto forces known as the giants who worked against the Moon Goddess to keep the evil from consuming it. Hylia, the Goddess of Light, helped the giants ascertain an opportunity to save their land with the aid of the hero. She imbued the power of the sun prince into a mask known as the Fierce Diety's Mask."
I had no idea what that was either.
Fierce Deity's Mask? I wondered.
I remained silent.
"As time went on, elements of these worlds shifted and began to bend," he explained. "Another world known as the Twilight Realm too has composites of this."
That was the only land I was familiar with.
"Zant's world," I whispered.
The Deku Tree shook its leaves.
"Yes, but there was an element of that world that was given to you that had factions from all domains," he said.
I knew then what he was speaking on.
"The Shadow Crystal," I whispered.
The Deku Tree agreed.
"Yes," he said, "that crystal has the essence of Lorule, the Twilight Realm, Termina, and the Dark World. It was a gift to the Interlopers from the Moon Goddess. It was why you were so powerful when you acted as an assassin for the late king."
I looked to the ground, hated recalling those horrible moments of my past.
"I'm not that person anymore," I whispered, "she is gone."
The tree was silent for a moment.
"No Saria," he replied, "no she is not gone, for she showed up again to seduce the hero… to produce a seed."
I gasped and started breathing hard.
"The dark maiden?" I whispered.
"Yes," he replied.
I looked up at the tree once again.
"But why?" I asked. "Why is she coming back now? What does she want?"
The wind picked up slightly.
"She wants a child of destruction to bring her ruler back," he divulged, "to bring the Moon Goddess back."
I shook my head.
"No!" I whispered.
The tree contorted his xylem induced face into one of empathy.
"I am sorry, but the damage has been done," he replied, "she was successful in seducing the hero. That was why you lost time yesterday, she had taken over. She had gotten what she wanted from you and from him."
I sobbed and covered my mouth.
"I can't believe it!" I whispered. "How could I have been so blind?"
The Deku Tree was quick to answer me.
"Because you were in love and allowed that to work against your better judgment," he stated plainly, "you knew what would happen if you kept seeing the hero alone the way you were. One kiss leads to another and then suddenly there is so much more to consider."
I had no rebuttal for that.
"I… I thought I could reason with him," I whispered.
The tree once again shook his boughs.
"Don't make it seem as though you were innocent in all this," he warned, "when you awakened you were in your right senses when you made love to him again. You knew what was happening when he made love to you for that fifth time that afternoon."
I had no rebuttal for that either, so I said nothing.
"The maiden was aware that this was your fertility cycle," he revealed, "she knew you were ovulating and thus took over. She wanted you yo get pregnant by the hero."
My eyes widened at hearing that and I shook my head.
"It can't be Link's," I said desperately, "I was with my husband only a couple days prior to being with him. In fact, I am sure of it."
The Deku Tree went to set that matter straight.
"Then there is no way of truly knowing," the Deku Tree said. "I do not know whose child you are now impregnated with, but I know you are going to be pregnant if you aren't already. If you are pregnant with the hero's, then great calamity will befall Hyrule. If it is your husband's, then Hyrule still has a chance."
I stared at the tree shocked.
"What do you mean?" I asked. "What are you talking about?"
The Deku Tree did not hesitate.
"Saria there are events in place you cannot escape from now," he said, "the hero tried to warn you, but the black maiden had taken over."
I shook my head terrified.
"What can I do?" I asked. "How can I protect myself?"
The Deku Tree didn't offer much consolation.
"I'm afraid that since this path has been chosen for you," he started, "there is very little deviation from it."
I took a couple steps back as tears filled my eyes.
"What about my daughter?" I whispered. "What about Ralph?"
The tree was quiet again.
"I'm afraid there is not much they will be able to do for you either," he disclosed, "you will not be able to protect them, and they will not be able to protect you."
My heart began to race again.
"No," I whispered.
The tree shook its leaves again.
"I am sorry Saria," he said.
I shook my head and closed my eyes.
"No," I whispered, then my voice got louder, "No, no, no, nooooooooooo!"
My scream was echoed throughout the entire canopy, and afterwards I couldn't help myself, I turned and ran out of the Deku Tree's presence, daring not to turn back. I practically ran all the way home. That occurrence was over a week ago and I still had not recovered from it. I was paranoid about everything now and would not leave my home or Elincia's side. I worked twice as hard to maintain the house and take care of my family. It didn't matter how tired I felt, I owed my family that much. Another problem was when Ralph came home from work, I greeted him like the dutiful wife I wanted to be, but my apprehension mounted constantly with each compliment, each kiss, and each endearing word. Ralph trusted me implicitly and seemed more in love with me than ever… and I tainted our vows. I had no idea what I could do to make it up to him, and somehow I knew something terrible was going to happen soon very very soon. I thought I was prepared for the future of this edict, but it seemed I was wrong… very very wrong.
What's going to happen? I wondered. What's going to happen?
The next chapter will be up soon.