The entrance to the Kokiri forest was a giant fallen tree with its center hollowed out. Shylock mutter a few choice words about it looking a gaping abyss but did follow as they began to walk through it.
Link covered his eyes as they emerged, the sunlit area a sharp change from the tree canopy they had left behind. The village was simplistic with a few houses and a shop with little ponds evenly spread around. The Kokiri caught sight of them almost immediately and began to rush over. Though Link had been told that the Kokiri never grew up it was still a bit of a shock when a group of waist-high children came clamoring up to their group.
A boisterous red-haired boy with a pointy green hat pushed his way to the front.
"Who are you guys!? And how did you get in here?" He demanded pulling himself up to full height, which was still not very tall, and crossed his arms.
"We are a group of adventurers who wish to speak with the great Deku tree." Auru said as he bent down to be at the boy's level much to his indignation.
"Well nobody speaks to the great Deku tree without going through me the great Mido!" The boy apparently named Mido declared.
"Are you willing to take us to him?" Auru asked patiently
"No way! You guys are super suspicious! Appearing out of nowhere and not even telling us who you are!" Mido yelled.
"I suppose it would be better if we introduced ourselves." Auru admitted. "My name is Auru, that's Shad, Shylock, Hugh, Ashei, Sheik, and Link." He introduced
"Link?!" Multiple Kokiri exclaimed at the same time.
The began to push each other to try to get a closer look.
"Is he really back?"
"I don't see Link."
"I thought he wasn't coming back?"
They all talked over each other asking a million questions at once and seemed to be getting more and more upset that they weren't getting answers.
"I'm sorry for the confusion but I don't think that I'm the Link that you're thinking of." Link broke in apologetically.
This immediately quieted them as they stared at him perplexed.
"Well obviously you're not him." Mido put in rolling his eyes, but also sounding slightly disappointed.
"... he looks kinda like the mister that came and got rid of the monsters." A blond-haired girl said after a few seconds.
"Yeah but that mister had a fairy." A red-haired boy pointed out snootily
"Do you have a fairy?" The girl asked Link.
"Um no I don't." He answered.
"We have fairies!" A pair of twin boys chimed in.
"Yeah see?" The girl said as she beckoned her pink fairy from behind her head.
The others did similar things and suddenly the group was aglow with multiple different colored fairies.
"Can't be Kokiri without one." Mido said proudly as he displayed his fairy on his shoulder.
"Then how did that 'mister' have one?" Shylock asked boredly examining his nails.
This gave them all pause. They glanced confusedly between each other.
"Never thought about that." A girl with a headband admitted.
"I think we're getting off topic." Auru said.
"I think the Deku tree won't mind talking to them." One of the Kokiri in the back voiced their opinion.
"Yeah they seem nice!" Another said.
Mido glared at them but ended up huffing and saying. "Ok fine I'll take you to him."
Most of the Kokiri scattered at that point growing bored with staying in one place for a long time but a few hung around their group skipping alongside to keep pace.
"What's that?" The blond-haired girl asked.
"A sword." Ashei answered.
"What's that?"
"A shield."
"Oh, why do you have metal on your arms?"
"It's armour." Ashei answered shortly
The girl paused for a couple seconds.
"Why is your hair black?"
"I don't know I was born with black hair."
"It's pretty!" The Kokiri beamed.
Ashei didn't know how to respond to this but the girl had moved on and was now talking to Shad who immediately started asking her questions as well much to her delight.
"The Deku tree is through here." Mido said walking into a narrow walkway.
Any of the Kokiri that had been following turned and left, evidently not wanting to intrude on their discussion with the Deku tree.
The passage went in a little way before opening into a huge clearing. And in the clearing was the biggest tree Link had ever seen. If he strained his neck he could see the underside of the tree's leaves but couldn't see the top. The tree trunk had two giant eyes carved into its bark as well as what looked like a mouth.
"Great Deku Tree these people want to talk to you." Mido announced
"They do, do they?" The giant tree boomed. It then looked as if it was leaning over slightly to get a closer look. "Don't recognize them, where did they come from?" It asked still addressing Mido.
"They wouldn't tell me, they came through the forest entrance." Mido answered with a sideways glance at the group.
"Very well, you may go now Mido, make sure the triplets aren't getting into too much trouble." The great Deku tree said.
Mido didn't look happy about being sent away but did leave.
"Now I guess some introductions are in order." It said. "Hi! I'm the great Deku Tree, formerly the Deku tree sprout and the Deku tree sapling!"
Auru looked a little surprised by the tree's casual carefree nature but quickly pushed past it and introduced the group as usual.
"Very nice, very nice and what can I do for guys?" It asked after shaking its leaves happily.
"Well we want to discuss the relic that you are in possession of."
The tree shifted uncomfortably. "Relic? Sorry man no idea what you're talking about." The great Deku tree said while somehow giving the impression it was avoiding eye contact
"Uh the Koni said you have it so you can stop messing around." Ashei huffed immediately
The tree leaned to the side a bit in a contemplative manner. "The Koni? Um well let's say there is a relic... just for, you know, interest sake why do you want it?" It said trying to cover its mistake and failing miserably.
"We don't want it." Shad said speaking up. "We want to make sure someone else doesn't get it."
"Oh? Well in that case, sure! What do you want to talk about?"
"We need to determine the best way to protect it, an arcanist is collecting them and people are getting hurt in the process. This last relic may be the best way to stop him." Auru explained.
"M'kay sooo why don't you take care of it? I mean I don't there's a safer place for it than in the protection of the three Triforce holders." The great Deku tree said
"Three?" The group asked in unison
The Deku tree looked at the confused. "Yeah three, courage, wisdom, power? You know? The most powerful item in existence? Lots of stories about it, songs were written, stuff like that?"
"We know what the Triforce is." Link and Sheik both retorted holding their hands in the air the Triforce glowing through their gloves.
"But there's only two of us." Link said
"The Triforce of power is with Ganondorf." Zelda added.
"...Ganondorf is dead, therefore the Triforce of power isn't his anymore, honestly I'm surprised I need to explain this to you." The Deku tree said irritatedly
"Well if Ganondorf doesn't have it who does?" Link asked
Shylock cleared his throat. "Um I might know the answer to that." He said embarrassedly
"You have it!?" Link and Zelda both exclaimed
"Well I do if that's what this weird triangle is on my hand yeah!" Shylock retorted. "And stop yelling I have sensitive ears!" He said indignantly
"Are you kidding me?" Sheik yelled at him, which was quite a surprise for everyone, and stomped over to the king. "Show me." She demanded
"Ok sheesh, I don't see what the big deal is." Shylock rolled his eyes and held up his hand. Sure enough a glowing Triforce with the top triangle filled it shone proudly in the center of the king's hand.
"Why didn't you tell us that before?" Link asked mildly shell-shocked from the discovery
"Didn't think it was important." The king shrugged. "Besides I could ask the same of you two." He shot back
"We assumed you already knew." Ashei said crossing her arms
"Well I did but that's besides the point." Shylock stuck out his tongue.
"Honestly I think you're being rather hard on the lad." A new voice broke into the conversation. "I understand the desire to keep magical powers to oneself."
Everyone wiped around to the entrance of the clearing and standing there was none other than Arnold, who was looking very pleased with himself. While that was worrying enough he was also accompanied by his dragon that was currently completely blocking the exit.
"I've been known to do it myself if you'll recall." Arnold smiled
"Arnold! Hey man long time no see!" Shylock greeted happily waving.
"Shylock! A pleasure as always! How are the girls?" Arnold asked cordially
"They're just fine, a bit irritated at me at the moment though." The king laughed.
"When aren't they though?" The arcanist sighed teasingly.
"I know right?" Shylock shook his head in mock despair. It was at this moment that the king noticed that the rest of the group, Deku tree included, were glaring at him.
"Oooh right, sorry." Shylock apologized rubbing the back of his neck and grinning nervously. "Um Arnold I know that it's been a while since we last hung out but do you mind listening to me this time and maybe not stealing this weird giant tree's-"
"Hey!" The Deku tree said indignantly.
" - relic thing? I mean it would make everyone's lives a lot simpler and you know have less violent and dangerous fighting involved." Shylock asked the arcanist tentatively. Link just rolled his eyes at the attempt of peace as there was no way Arnold would go for that.
"Hmmm Ok." Arnold replied.
"What?" Everyone chorused in astonishment
"I said 'Ok', meaning you can keep the relic." Arnold repeated
"Wow seriously? That's awesome thanks man!" Shylock exclaimed.
"Yeah I mean I figure why bother getting a bunch of old relics that no one really knows the power of when you can get all three pieces of the Triforce which nobody will quit talking about how powerful they are?" Arnold shrugged
"Uh... run that by me again?" Shylock asked
Arnold chuckled and tapped his walking stick against the ground. Link, Zelda, and Shylock all screamed in pain and fell to their knees. The rest of the group started towards them but didn't get more than a step before Arnold tapped the ground again and they froze in place.
"Don't worry the freezing will wear off soon just didn't want any irritating distractions, you know how it is." Arnold said conversationally as he walked over to the three. "Funny thing about the Triforce." He continued as he knelt next to Zelda's shaking form. "It seems to defend its host's mind and body from magical attacks and can take a long time to break down. Now thankful I'm the patient sort so this didn't prove too much of a deterrent but the nature of the attack tends to alert the person that the attack is happening." He laughed. "But none of you three ever thought twice about having consistent nightmares as something odd, I mean how dense can you be? Especially you princess, I would have expected more." Arnold shook his head. "Not that I'm complaining mind you just surprised is all. Anyway, that's not important I suppose we should be on our way, lots to do you know." He smiled and got back to his feet
"You. Will. Not. Take. Them." The great Deku tree managed to say though it sounded like it was a great effort.
Arnold looked at it surprised. "You broke the spell? I'm impressed, I guess "Great Deku Tree" isn't just for show!" He grinned.
As he was still speaking giant tree roots burst from the ground and wrapped around the arcanist lifting him into the air.
"Tree roots? That's so cool! Are these like actual roots or are the physical manifestations? Because physical manifestations would be stronger but it would be harder to do in large quantities." Arnold talked animatedly even though the roots were progressively getting tighter and tighter making his words sound more and more choked.
"Small thing to keep in mind though." Arnold coughed out. "Don't use flammable materials when there's a dragon around."
Said dragon landed with a thud next to the arcanist and blew a small burst of fire over the roots charing them in a second.
"Well I'm getting the feeling that we're overstaying our welcome so I guess we'll get out of your hair, or leaves I guess," Arnold jumped onto the back of the dragon. "Toodle-oo!" He called waving perkily.
The dragon grasped Link, Zelda and Shylock in its claws and shot up through the tree canopy disappearing from sight.