Before this chapter I would like to apologise. No jokes, no hints, just a pure apology. I have been stupid in not updating this story and would like to say sorry to those (very few) people who have wanted to discover what happens in my story. I have looked at the date of when I first published The Lost Legend fan fic and I feel genuine shame that I have not updated.

I have therefore decided to write 5 chapters ahead and not upload them. this being the first, there will definetly be regular updates. I have no excuses besides my own stupidity, laziness and lack of enthuiasm. I PROMISE you I will update on a regular basis, and that is not an empty promise.

If I fall behind even by a single day, then feel free to spam me with PM's and comments without repercussions until I update. I WILL have a new chapter up every sunday night by 10:00pm (UK time)

Please, enjoy the chapter and do not hesitate to comment and flame.

Chapter 8

The Lost Meadow

Silence. Not a creature could be heard throughout the forest. The stillness was only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves as the wind passed by and the rare hoot of an owl. A bridge connected what seemed to be two seemingly endless black holes between the trees. A yellow light flickered in the distance of one of the gaps, lighting up the dark passage way. Two figures walked calmly though the pathway, unaffected by the dreary scene. The light trembled like a candle in the breeze.

'I don't like it here. Why cant it be like the Lost Woods in Termina…with a monkey!' Tatl continued shuddering as though she was drenched in ice water. Link turned his head to the fairy and smiled.

'This is only the entrance to Kokiri Forest Tatl. You should actually try spending time getting through the lost wood on your own.' Link turned away remembering how he had spent months searching through the forest for Saria, almost succumbing to the curse that had so woefully fallen upon the Skull Kids. As grim as the memory was, he felt that it was an important experience for him. Had he not have done it then, he would have never have been prepared for the trek through the woods now. The warriors stopped in the middle of the bridge. Link could see the dim lights of the Kokiri children in the distance. He longed to meet his old friends again but it would have proven to no avail. They would have remained the same through all these years while he has grown into the young man that he is now. Saria would be the only one who would recognise him, and he knows where she wouldn't be there.

'We can't pass through here.' The green clothed fighter stated. 'I'm sure that after the last encounter with outsiders, the new Deku Tree would have put some powerful curses on the entrance.' He somehow knew that the Deku Tree would not have been affected by the timeline change. He was close to a deity in terms of power; the Gods would want him to protect the innocent Kokiri children from anymore evil.

'Fine, we shall start our journey through the lost woods from here then.' Sheik declared simply. With barely any effort, the Sheikah jumped over the ropes to the grass below, landing silently. Link followed, making a loud thump on the ground. Sheik stared at him.

'What do I look like? A ninja?' Defended Link 'Sorry I'm not as agile as you (!)' Tatl followed closely as the two fighters calmly walked into the next meadow. She flew into Links hat whenever an alien sound was made.

'I'm just cold, that's all.' She quivered. They walked into the next opening to find the sound of music being played. It was a familiar tune that Link recognised instantly. However, only a handful of people actually knew it. 'Could it be her?' Link thought. No. It was not an ocarina playing this theme. It was some sort of flute. The blue-eyed warrior swerved towards and nearby tree stump to find a child standing upon it. The child lowered its flute. It did not seem human. The clothes were made out of woven leaves and braches and the body did not seem natural for a normal human being, more wooden than anything else. The face was a covered in darkness, only broken by to red glints for eyes. This was a Skull Kid. The little person began to shudder with rage.

'Grown-ups!!' It hissed. It began to attack the trio without hesitation. All three dodging with ease, they flanked the enraged child. Sheik drew some shuriken but Link pulled out a much more effective weapon. From what little light that shone into the grim wood, somehow reflected of the blue oval object. It glistened as the hero put it towards his mouth to start playing.

'An ocarina?' Sheik questioned 'Link, this is hardly the time for a duet!' The child turned towards the unarmed fighter and charged. A gentle melody left the ocarina and soothed the entire wood. It was the same melody as the Skull Kid had previously been playing. However, for some reason, it was more enchanting coming from its mother instrument. The Skull Kid stopped instantly at the sound of the song and tilted his head in confusion. Link finished the tune and looked at the child.

'You know…Saria?' The skull Kid questioned. There was a pause. Link had known who it was as soon as he heard the song being played.

'Nice to see you again Mido.' Link Said.

A small Deku scrub lazed up on large tree, dozing as it spat a Deku seed bag out of its mouth and catching it again. Not far from the drowsy scrub lay, Link Sheik and Tatl all sat on a small tree stump. The transformed Mido sat upon an oddly shaped tree opposite the trio. Link looked sympathetically at the dreary Mido. The Deku Tree had constantly warned the children of the forest not to enter the Lost Woods. He had lost many of friends who were foolish enough to go against the Deku Trees orders and enter the wood. He had never considered Mido as a friend due to his bossiness and constant taunting of not owning a fairy but his feelings had changed towards the childish tyrant over the years after hearing the message hat was suppose to be relayed to his younger self. "If you see him…tell him I'm sorry. That's all." The irony being that this message was given to the adult Link that sat in front of the once proud Kokiri.

'So it was you all the time…who was helping Saria?' Mido questioned. Tatl flinched as he spoke. She had not had good experiences with the Skulls Kids in the past. Link nodded in response to the question. Mido turned away, shamefully, most likely wishing to repeat the forgotten quote that Link had already heard.

'Mido…' Link hesitated 'how did this happen to you?' Mido turned back towards Link and sighed.

'Because of you.' He stated simply. Link was slightly taken back by this. He had never dared Mido to do such a thing. Mido laughed.

'Don't worry; it was all down to my own stubborn pride than your fault. The rest of the Kokiri kept on talking about how you could leave the forest freely whenever you wanted and could even find your way out of the lost woods. I tried myself but no matter what I did, there was no exit…' He lowered his head shamefully 'Saria found me just after the curse had settled in. She told me that only those with a destiny bound with the fate of Hyrule could find their way out of the wood…' Link stared at the poor child. Only Link and Saria could really found their way through the Lost Woods due to their destinies. Mido had always wanted to feel acknowledged by his peers and was willing to do anything to gain it.

'The worst thing is, Saria could have helped me escape from here but it was too late. The curse had rooted itself in my very soul. There wasn't anything anyone could have done to help me.' A moment of silence followed the end of the speech. Sheik stared at the Skull Kid with great pity, but had not forgotten their mission.

'Where can we find the Ring of Heroes?' He asked simply. Mido's head pricked up quickly and a large grin grew behind the darkness covering his face.

'I thought you would be here for that.' He giggled. 'Why else would a Sheikah enter the Lost Woods?' The child clicked his fingers. Behind him a small gap began to emerge in the trees. It began growing larger as the trees began to bend in the shape of an arc. After a few seconds, it was large enough to fit the whole group through. Mido flipped backwards through the darkness of the hole and disappeared. The trio stared at each other and nodded simultaneously. They swiftly followed the young child through the darkness.

The run seemed to last forever. Link began to worry if this was a final prank that Mido would play on him…to make him wander forever in the darkness of the Lost Woods. Before the worry could settle itself in the green clothed champion, a spot of light could be seen in the distance. The warmth could be felt even from so far away as the heroes kept moving. Link was ecstatic with the concept of this new challenge and as he turned to Sheik and Tatl, he could also see in their eyes the lust for adventure glint even in the blackness. Even looming memories of his past battles with Dark Link and Morpha had been drowned out by the excitement of the road ahead. They had reached the end of the path. The whole area was bathed in light. Flowers, trees and grass consumed the whole meadow. The trio stood in awe at the unexpected change in scenery from the Lost Woods. However, not all was peaceful in this beautiful area. In the middle of it all stood a small rocky hill with a cave entrance. Next to it stood Mido, again with a grin on his face. He looked at Link and the grin slowly turned back into the face of the lonely Skull Kid.

'Maybe it was my destiny to get lost here, so I could help you Link…' Mido smiled cheekily and the trio for one last time.

'Don't get lost.' He stated simply, and with a simple turn of his body, disappeared in a flurry of leaves. The heroes walked towards the cave and peered inside.

'Nice to see you finally got a sense of humour Mido.' Chuckled Link.