A/N: Whoops, I hadn't meant for any of these chapters to directly connect but the ending of the last one does look like I would do that…you could class that first chapter as a prequel to my other fic Before the Legend, take a look if you want to see my take on the war.
Also, if anyone noticed the pattern I was following to name the Kokiri, you'll notice I messed up, ah well, I like the names now so it's all good.
Come, we are waiting. Come to us, chosen one.
Saria shot up from her bed, wiping the beads of sweat from her forehead, she shivered. This hadn't been the first time those mysterious voices had seeped into her dreams, she refused to tell anyone in case they thought she was crazy.
"Just who are you?" She whispered to herself not realising Nori was hovering over her head.
"I'm me, who are you?" He smirked as she glanced up frowning at him.
"Saria doesn't know anymore." She mumbled dropping into the third person talk Nori had been trying to get her out of.
Landing on her shoulder, he sighed. "Saria, don't start this again."
When they had been younger, all the Kokiri would do it sometimes, it was a child-like trait that the Deku Tree said they'd grow out of over the years. In Saria's case it was different, she was well known for being one of the most mature of the Kokiri but now and again, her mental state would switch extremely, usually when she was anxious or confused. Nori often wondered if she simply didn't want to be who she was anymore so would talk in third person as if not wanting to be someone else watching herself.
"Huh? Oh, sorry." Saria smiled weakly, she honestly never realised when she started doing it. The words of the voices echoed quietly within her mind.
Stepping into the morning air, she shielded her eyes from the bright morning sun creeping up behind the trees. It was still early so not many Kokiri were out, only Somo cutting wood in the Training Centre.
"Saria!" An upbeat voice called from her right. Turning to look in the voice's direction she saw Rela running towards her, large empty basket in hand. "I need to collect some things from the shop then get some stuff from the Lost Woods, but um…" Saria's story surfaced to the top of her thoughts. "…will you come with me?" The twin gave her friend a pleading expression, she really didn't want to go into the Lost Woods alone.
"Okay, I'll come." Saria chuckled a little. "My story getting to you?"
"No, of course not! I just wanted the company, Fala is still asleep so I thought I'd ask you." Rela semi lied, Fala was indeed still asleep but even if she hadn't been, Rela wouldn't have gone in without Saria, everyone knew she was the one most familiar with a large part of the dark woods. Slipping her arm through Saria's, Rela dragged her off to the small Kokiri shop.
Entering, they were greeted by Tila leaning on the shop counter chatting amicably to Domi. Unlike Fado or Saria, Tila knew she was pretty and would make sure everyone else knew it too. Long fiery red hair cascaded down her back as she turned to welcome them with dark piercing eyes. It was common knowledge that she had a bit of a thing for Mido, the Kokiri may not have known about romantic love but they were aware of crushes and liking people. It annoyed Tila that Mido liked Saria, annoyed her so much that you'd often find her throwing in snide remarks about Saria in conversation.
"Good morning girls." She smiled deviously at them. " Oh my, Saria you look awful today."
Saria couldn't deny that she did look worse than usual, lack of sleep along with voices in one's head does that to a person. Tila wasn't a bad person in Saria's eyes, she was just overly jealous of the attention Mido gave her.
"Don't make me put a bucket of water above your door again Tila." Rela mumbled to herself then laughed at the memory of the last time she'd managed to do it.
Placing a hand on Tila's shoulder, Saria shot her a bright smile. "Thank you for your concern Tila. I'm sorry Mido doesn't like you the way you want him to, if it makes you feel any better, I don't like him in that way,"
Shoving Saria out of the way, the redhead stormed out of the shop in a whirlwind of anger.
"You're too nice to her." Rela shook her head at Saria who shrugged.
"She's right," Domi agreed. "Someone needs to cool that girl off sometime. She goes around acting like she has a deku nut wedged somewhere uncomfortable most of the time."
Hearing the mention of deku nuts, Rela remembered what she'd come in for.
"Can you give me all the deku nuts and sticks I can get for this amount?" She asked piling the rupees she'd collected onto the counter.
"Uh sure, why do you want so many?" Domi turned towards the shelves to find the deku sticks and nuts. Placing them on the counter, her took her rupees.
"Protection! You never know what monsters could be in the Lost Woods." Rela explained as she swept her goods into the basket.
It was true that the Lost Woods was home to many dangerous animals, Saria herself had been chased by a wolfos more than once. A few of the Kokiri were being trained by the Great Deku Tree on how to tame a wolfos, none had gotten very far yet though.
Leaving the shop, they made their way up the cliff into the depths of the woods.
A series of strange noises welcomed them within the woods, whispers of lost spirits, creaking branches, scuttling bugs, all the sounds together could scare the weaker of heart.
"Right, I need some fresh fruit and flowers." Rela told a dazed Saria who didn't seem to be paying attention to the twin.
Come, we're waiting, come to us.
The voices rang in Saria's head, were they real or only her memories?
"Saria?" Rela tugged on her sleeve.
"Fruit, flowers, ok then." Saria mumbled leading the way through the towering trees, the voices had faded away into the distance.
Arriving at a peaceful clearing, Rela scurried around gathering bunches of flowers for the village houses. Climbing a small tree, she reached up for some fruit while Saria stood staring blankly in the opposite direction.
Come, you're close now, follow our voices.
Hearing the voices again, Saria walked in the direction they were coming from, totally ignoring her friend who was sat up in a tree knocking fruit down.
"Could you pick those up for me Saria?" Rela called from the tree. "Saria…?" She glanced down to find the girl had disappeared. Sliding down, she heard a rustling in the bushes behind her. Shakily turning, she instantly froze, irrational thoughts overtook her mind. There stood a mischievous Skullkid garbed in orange, its wooden face shadowed by its orange hood. Skullkids were perfectly harmless to Kokiri but the only thing on Rela's mind was Saria's story, "Aaaaahhh! Corpse!" Throwing a pile of deku nuts on the floor, she ran like a wolfos with its tail on fire out of the clearing screaming as loud as she possibly could.
Getting back to the village, Rela stopped for a breather, placing her hands on her knees, she took a deep breath.
"What the heck have you been doing?" Mido asked as he and Timo were passing by the cliff.
"Corpse! Saria! Disappeared!" Were the only things that came out of Rela's mouth.
"Catch your breath then explain." Timo instructed her.
"Saria disappeared then I saw a twisted corpse but I think I blinded it good and proper!" Rela shouted in their faces.
"You left Saria in there on her own!" Mido shrieked, all sorts of images flooding into his head. "Let's get some weapons, we're going in."
She travelled deeper and deeper into the darkness, the trees closed in around the girl as she followed the voices. Saria had never been this far into the Lost Woods before since she'd always been led back out into the village by the Deku Tree's magic.
"Saria we should go back now." Nori anxiously squeaked, why wasn't she listening to him?
"Just a little further." Saria replied. Entering another pathway, she gasped when they arrived at a metal gate, two stone walls surrounded it on either side.
If you are the one, you will pass the test.
The voices began to make her wonder what was going on. Before she could think anymore on it, a loud howl sounded behind her. Spinning around she came face-to-face with a snarling wolfos. Saliva dripped from its mouth as the animal zoned in on her, yellow eyes gleaming hungrily.
"A weapon would be good right now." Nori advised.
"I-I don't have anything." Saria backed up into a corner, a wolfos had never cornered her until now.
Show us what you can do.
The wolfos lunged towards her, instead of doing nothing, Saria looked it directly in the eyes. The animal was inches away from her but she refused to look anywhere else. Her heart was pounding, her hands were sweating, she hoped this technique the Deku Tree taught her would work.
The wolfos stopped in its tracks, staring at the Kokiri it tilted its head to the side then leapt on her giving her face a giant lick. Pushing the thing off her, Saria gave it a gentle pat on the head, turning her head, she saw the gate disappear.
"What is this place?" She whispered while admiring the mossy covered walls. Making her way through the maze, she was amazed when they found two sets of old stone steps. Following the steps, the sight that awaited her at the top was breathtaking.
"I thought this was only a myth." Nori too, was awestruck at the place they'd found.
Welcome to the Sacred Forest Meadow.
A large vine-covered mansion stood before them. A variety of plant life clung to the grey ancient walls as forest sprites and fireflies danced serenely around the area. A crumbled stairway was placed at the entrance disabling anyone from actually entering the building easily. A bare tree arched itself over the broken stairs creating an entrance for those who were able to climb it.
Spotting a flat round stump opposite the other tree, Saria took a seat on it, she finally had somewhere to play her ocarina without being disturbed. Placing the wooden instrument to her lips, she blew a tester note to get in the mood. Satisfied that she was ready, Saria closed her eyes and let the music take over. The joyful tune floated through the whole woods bringing every single being to life within. The sprites linked together in chains and swayed through the air, the Skullkids took out their flutes to accompany the music, even deku scrubs bounced up and down happier than they'd felt in a long time.
After half an hour of fussing in his house, Mido was finally ready to venture into the Lost Woods, an array of sticks, nuts and a wooden dagger at his side. Clambering up the vines towards the entrance, he stopped in his tracks when a smiling Saria exited the woods.
"Saria! Where have you been?" He demanded to know, a little disappointed that he never got to be the hero.
"Nowhere." She grinned. She had decided to keep the meadow a secret from the others, it would be her special place to go play her music and be alone with her thoughts. Besides, none of the others were brave enough to try to find it.