Chapter 6
Return to Kokiri Forest
The travelers rode over the drawbridge which led to the marketplace. The slowly rode in and passed several Hylians, Gorons, Zora, and some villagers. Link nodded his head as he passed by. The crowd smiled. Link stopped Epona and raised his hand for silence.
"I have returned to you now at the turn of the tide!" he told them.
The crowd cheered. All of a sudden an elderly Goron walked up to the Hero. It was none other than Darunia! Link smiled as he got off his horse and hugged the Goron.
"Darunia, it has been a long time since our last meeting! What brings you to Hyrule Castle Town?" he asked his old friend.
"The Twilight. It has engulfed Death Mountain and is slowly twisting our minds to its evil purposes. Gorons are attacking innocent Hylians!" Darunia replied.
Link nodded in understanding.
"I will try to get there as soon as possible. I have other business at Kokiri Forest right now. Oh, do you happen to have any weapons and equipment with you? I have two young girls with me who need some." Link asked.
"I do have some with me as a matter of fact. Are we talking tunics, swords, and shields?" Darunia asked.
Link nodded. Darunia handed him four different tunics and chain mail, several shields and swords, a couple bows with quivers of arrows and a few bomb bags.
"This is my gift to you, Hero of Hyrule, use them well. I will be at the mines if you need me." He said in farewell.
Link gave the Goron a parting hug. He watched as the Goron left with a tear in his eye.
"That was easy and cheap!" Link said as he turned to his companions. Malon and Ilia got off their horses and walked up to Link.
"Alright Malon, here is a Goron tunic with hardened chain mail, a Goron Sword, a Hylian Shield, the Goron Bow with its quiver of fire arrows, and a bomb bag. Use them well." He said as he helped her into the chain mail and tunic.
Malon nodded.
He held out another Goron tunic and chain mail for Ilia. Ilia put them on. She took her sword and shield with a smile and accepted the bow, arrows, and bomb bag as well. An elderly woman walked up with four axes. She gave them to Ilia and Malon. They smiled in tanks as the woman walked off. Ilia stood there in her tunic with her bow and quiver strapped to her back on one side and her two axes on the other underneath her shield. Her sword hung at her belt. Malon looked the same. Link nodded in approval. They mounted once again and rode off for the forest of Kokiri. Link felt the Force urging him on with all speed. He laid a hand on Epona's mane.
"Ride with haste, Epona. Ride for all your worth!" he whispered.
Epona gained speed every second and was soon a blur alongside Shadowfax. The wind was rippling through his blonde hair, sending it flying behind him. Link could now see the vast forest of legend. He smiled as he thought of his childhood. Epona gathered even more speed as they came closer to the forest. As they entered the forest of Kokiri, Link could feel the Living and Unifying Force wash over him in vast waves. The Force was connected to Kokiri Forest it seemed. Link smiled in contentment. He was back! He slowed down his horse, as did his other companions. He led them slowly into the forest.