Author' Note: Okay, this is finally the last chapter. If you've stuck with me through this, I congratulate you! And just remember, if I don't have five reviews or more after this, then I won't get the Second Part up...or, I might. In any case, please review my story. I'd really like to hear your comments, because I'm working towards becoming an author as a career. ~T-Lea.
The Adventure Begins
"You have much to do, young one," the tree told Link as he arrived into view. "You must set out into the world to learn much about yourself, and of the world's condition. Bear that sword well, too, for your mother had high expectations of you in her last hour alive."
Link nodded his head, and then fixed the sword in his belt. However, the weight was too unbearable for him, and he stumbled over.
"But with much wisdom," the tree added hastily.
Link laughed nervously before loosening the object from his belt, and then dropping down on the earth with it at his side. "Sorry, I guess I'm not strong enough, yet."
"In due time, young one. . ."
Link agreed silently, and then dropped his head in shame. He just then realized he would be leaving the forest. What about Saria and Taters?
"Link. . ."
"Great Deku Tree, this forest has been my home since I was a baby," he answered in a thick voice. "Why must I leave?"
The tree sighed with a small tremor to the earth. "Link, all children must mature— "
"Yeah, but the Kokiri— "
"—are not Hylians," the tree finished for him in a gentle voice. "They are the forests' protection, and you are not a spirit of the forest. Your spirit lies in Hyrule, where all other Hylians linger. I am sorry, Link, but it is the way of a child to strive for adulthood."
Sorrow trickled into Link's heart at these words: He knew he had to leave. But what about Saria and Taters?
"But, Saria and Taters!" Link protested loudly, jumping to his feet. "What about them? I can't. . . I can't tell them good-bye, can I?"
"It would be for the best."
Link's heart began to ache. Not even Saria. . .?
"Link, listen well to what I have to say," the tree began again in a graver tone of voice. "That mark on your chest, it bears great evil. You must find a way to destroy it, and remove the evil sealed within your body. If naught you can, then the world will fall into darkness."
Link clutched at his chest at the Forest Guardian's words.
"Wha— But nothing has happened now!" Link answered, almost disgusted by his own chest. "Please, how can that be? I don't have an evil mind!"
"Listen well, young one. You must find a way to release the evil spirit from your body, and then destroy it before it consumes your soul and heart."
"Well, couldn't you tell me how to get rid of it?" Link asked the tree. "Don't you know everything?"
The earth shook slightly in the tree's dismay. "Alas, I know nothing of the evil concealed within you, only that it is not a good sign."
Fear began to envelope Link's every thought. If he couldn't destroy the evil within his body—the mark on his own chest—then the world would be doomed. And perhaps, the ominous rumor of him destroying the world would be—
"I will. . .do as you say," Link stammered, sweat forming on his forehead. "Just tell me what it is you want me to do, Great Deku Tree. . .and I will surely find a way to do it!" He began to feel angry with himself, but he knew he had to destroy the evil to protect the forest, Saria included.
"Very well," the tree replied. "Then, I will tell you what you must do."
Link took the sword in his hand and carefully stuck it into the earth where it may stand on its own weight. Then, he placed his hand on the hilt to become familiar with the feel. After all, he would soon have to become familiar with the weight of the sword before he could start his adventure. There wasn't anything he could do about its size, but he did know that he would have to eventually come to learn to use the object to defend himself on his travels.
"First, you must find the means to destroy the evil sealed within your body. Then, you must flee to the mountains and hide there until the time is right. For the Hylians believe that you are dead, Link, and they cannot see nor think you are alive until you are much older."
"But, why— "
"Do not question why," the tree interrupted sharply. "In due time, you will understand the task at hand. I will send a messenger to you when the time is right, and you will know him because he will tell you of me.
"Now, for the rest. . ."
Link listened well to what the forest guardian had to say. He listened with great fear in his heart, but he knew he had to overcome the many challenges that awaited him outside of the forest. For he had to protect the forest from the evil, and partly because he was the one harboring the evil at the moment.
This "Dark Sage," as the shadow-adult had called it, was now sealed inside of Link. He didn't exactly like the idea of having something evil inside of his body—and having to leave his homeland because of it—but who would want something evil sealed inside of their body? Just knowing that he could become the destruction of the world in years to come made him feel soiled and unclean. But he had to destroy the "Dark Sage," else the world would cease to exist. And what better way to do it than to place it inside an orphan in the forest?
But then there was the thought of Taters and Saria. They had been Link's good friends all through his life. They played together, and discovered many different things. But, Link made it possible to discover all those things in the Lost Woods because he thought differently. He remembered even then when Saria told him the story of how hardly any other Kokiri child ever wandered into the Lost Woods because it was uncharted and it held its many secrets close. But, when Saria and Taters—accompanied by Link—went into the Lost Woods to discover its many secrets, other Kokiri children gradually began to explore its maze. And thus, the fear of the Lost Woods slowly began to break.
"Do you understand well, Link?" the tree finished.
Link nodded his head.
"I do, Great Deku Tree," he replied, his voice thick. "I will heed your words. I will find a way to destroy the evil inside of me. I will. . ." His voice trailed away as tears began to form in his eyes.
"Link," the earth shook once more as the Great Deku Tree withdrew a tree root from the ground, and then placed it gently on Link's head in a comforting gesture, "we must all face our destiny. You must be courageous, young one. Even though you bear something dreadful—and that it is not your fault that you have been cursed with such things—you must obediently move forward to find a way to destroy it. I sense a great war emerging, and I believe that it is the evil that shadowed one has placed within you. If you do not find a way to destroy it, then the world will fall into darkness."
Link's figure began to shake in fear.
"It is not fair," the Great Deku Tree continued, lifting Link's face to where they met eye-to-eye, "that such a young boy your age is given this task. But, it is sometimes necessary to sacrifice one's life to save an entire country—nay, the world!"
Tears dripped down Link's cheeks at these words. He knew what he had to do, and he knew he had to leave as soon as he possibly could. No good-bye to Taters, no good-bye to Saria, no good-byes to anything or anyone. It was time for him to emerge from the forest where he had remained hidden from the world since he was born, and to face his destiny. Defeat the Dark Sage sealed within himself, save Hyrule from the oncoming war, and then seal all the evil away.
What evil, though?
"Link, sometimes it is better to drop your shoulders and exhale all your fears," the tree told him gently, as he began to sob quietly with his head turned away from the tree. "Come, young one, for now you shall sleep under my protection, for tomorrow begins your adventure."
And Link, though his heart filled with contempt and sorrow, collapsed beneath the Great Deku Tree's shadow, and fell into a fitful sleep where he dreamt of passed adventures he had with Saria and Taters in the Lost Woods.
In the morning Link went to see his mother's grave once more. He placed a wreath made of flowers on her grave, and then prayed a thank-you for saving his life. Then, he tightened the sword in his belt with great strength in his body, but fear and sadness in his heart.
"You have much to do ahead of you," the Great Deku Tree told him. "I can see your eyes have changed since last night, young one." Link nodded his head.
This was true. He dreamt of his adventures with Saria and Taters in the Lost Woods, and these memories he held so dearly urged him to heed the Great Deku Tree's words. The forest was his home, and all the Kokiri children in it were his family. He had to protect and fight for them, because the war was brewing in the west.
"Yes," Link replied confidently, "I am no longer too fearful to allow it to hold me back. I must fight; I must destroy the evil before it reaches the forest." Before it can take Saria and Taters with it. . .
"I see," the tree replied shortly. "Then I grant you the Kokiri Emerald, Link. Once you leave the forest, you should gather the other two Spiritual Stones left to take with you to the mountains. Hide them there with yourself, and let no one know about your existence until the time is right."
"I understand," Link replied in a hard voice. "I will go hide in the mountains, and I will protect these Spiritual Stones." Link took the Kokiri Emerald that the Great Deku Tree offered him.
"And remember one thing, Link: No matter what happens to you on your adventures, or befalls those you love dearly, never allow anger and hate to consume your heart. Keep your mind clear, and your heart righteous. Then, and only then, may you destroy the evil sealed within yourself."
Link nodded his head. "It is done, Great Deku Tree."
"Good. Take care of yourself, Link. You will be missed."
Link nodded to dismiss himself, and then turned to leave, but the tree called him back quickly.
"Alas, I must be getting old in age," the tree said, laughing shortly. "I almost forgot. . . Navi, you may come out now. It is time for us to part ways, and for you to watch over young Link here."
From the branches above, a cream-white orb fluttered down to greet the two creatures close to the earth. As the creature came into view, Link began to realize that it was a small figure with long, flowing blond hair that curtained her fair back, and that she wore a humble, white dress that draped her body. She wore no shoes, and her eyes were a crystal blue. Link's heart and expression lightened a fraction as he began to realize what this creature was.
"A fairy?" he wondered aloud. "The Great Deku Tree has finally granted me a fairy?"
He held out his hands as she fluttered down to his level. Her fair wings struck out from her shoulder blades, and were barely flapping to keep herself suspended in the air. She came to hover above his hands a few inches, staring into his bright face.
"My name is Navi," she squeaked, bowing her head slightly. "The Great Deku Tree has chosen me to accompany you on your journey. Please regard me well."
Link stared into her cream-white face with a few blank blinks. Then, he slowly nodded his head with a smile he couldn't help but flash her.
"Of course!" he nearly exclaimed in excitement. "I will regard you well, so please regard me well, too!"
"I will."
"Take care of Link, Navi," the Great Deku Tree called down to her. "And Link, take care of Navi. From this day forth, you both shall stay together through every hardship. Do not become easily discouraged."
They both agreed.
"Understood, then. Link, Navi, you both should head out soon. If you head west from here, then you should come across the bridge leading into Hyrule's fields. This way, you may avoid the stares of your friends and the other Kokiri. Navi"—the tree addressed the tiny fairy staring into Link's face—"You know the way. Lead Link through there, and then guide him through the fields. Once outside, you should look for the other Spiritual Stones, and then take them into the mountains. Be well, and safe."
"Worry not, Great Deku Tree. I will lead Link to where it is he needs to go."
"Then, hurry! There isn't any time to spare."
Both Navi and Link turned to leave, but something made Link turn back again.
"Thank you for everything, Great Deku Tree," he called to the Forest Guardian, as it disappeared back into the bark of the tree. "Good-bye."
And with that, he followed Navi as she led him through the forest to this bridge between the forest and Hyrule fields.
They navigated through the forest with little effort, and before long they came to the bridge the Great Deku Tree had mentioned. It appeared rickety and old, almost as if it would not be able to support anything or anyone for long. With a sigh in his breath, Link stepped up to the bridge with Navi close behind him.
"Well, Navi," he mumbled, staring ahead at the land directly across, "looks like this is it. This is the last of the familiar forest for years to come—possibly forever. I guess we should get going. . ."
Link took a step forward as Navi began to fly ahead, but something made him pause.
"You're leaving, aren't you?"
Link's heart skipped a beat. "Saria?"
Link spun on his heel quickly just as Navi stopped and fluttered back to where he stood. Standing inches from where Link stood, was Saria with a black traveling cloak in her arms. But, it wasn't just Saria. Taters was also there, and Mido and his friends, and all of the other Kokiri children. It seemed as if all of the forest had gathered there, feet before Link to see him off.
"Saria," he repeated breathless. "Taters, Mido, everyone? What . . .?"
"We knew this day would come soon," Saria interrupted as she flashed Link a brilliant smile that made him flush dark red. "We just didn't realize it would be this soon."
"Saria. . ."
"Hey! Look everyone, the loser's been granted a fairy," Mido shouted, rushing forward with his finger thrown out in Link's direction.
"Oh, yeah," Link mumbled in response. "Her name's Navi." He began to remember what the Great Deku Tree had mentioned about Mido. He suddenly felt as if he wanted to cry and hug Mido, but Mido beat him to it.
"You idiot!" Mido shouted, throwing himself on top of Link, sobbing hard. They both fell to the ground in a tangled heap. "I can't believe you were gonna leave us all without sayin' good-bye!"
"Well, I guess it's a good thing to know that you're still alive," Link mumbled under his breath, remembering what the shadowed- adult had said. "But, Mido, get a hold of yourself! Quit with the crying, alright? You're embarrassing me. . ."
Link managed to force Mido off of himself, and his group of friends fetched him away before he could tackle Link again. Then, Saria stepped forward with Taters behind her.
"I knew you were different from us," she told him with a wide grin. "But, seriously, did you really think that you could sneak out of the forest before saying good-bye to us?"
"Well, the Great Deku Tree seemed to think it was for the best. . ." Link's voice trailed off as Saria offered him the traveling cloak.
"I heard it gets cold out there in the world," she said. "Take this, and take very good care of yourself." Link took the cloak, and then quickly wrapped it around himself. "When it gets cold and lonely, think about us in the forest, and sitting around the fire at night, k?"
"Yeah," Link nodded.
"Looks like you'll be having to use a sword from here-on-out," Taters observed, indicating to the sword in Link's belt. Link quickly hid it behind the cloak with heat rushing up into his cheeks.
"Yeah," Link mumbled, ashamed.
"Well, we should definitely get together sometime and spar!" Taters nearly shouted, clapping him hard on the shoulder. "How about it? You promise to come back, right?"
Taters extended his arm. Link stared down at it blankly, almost confused of these rushing events. Then, he took his arm in a promise, and nodded his head.
"Yeah. I'll come back some time and spar with you, Taters," he replied.
"Great!"
Saria stepped up to him, and then reached into her pocket and withdrew her ocarina.
"I want you to have this," she whispered, her voice filled with tears. "When you feel alone, play this ocarina for all of your friends to hear, and I hope you think of our time together." Link took it as his heart stopped: Saria was giving him her most prized possession. "And Link," she added in a smaller voice, her eyes filled with tears, "Don't ever forget where you come from, got it? Because. . . Because if you do. . . I'll never forgive you!"
Link watched as tears flowed down her cheeks. At that moment—he didn't really know why it happened, but that he had to do it—he pulled Saria and Taters into a tight embrace. Everything around them seemed to disappear as he hugged them close, tears drenching his face. He could feel Saria's tears on his tunic, and felt how Taters did nothing but wrap his arms around Link and Saria in return.
"I'll come back," he whispered to the both of them, a whisper that only they could hear. "I swear it to you! I have to destroy the evil sealed within my body, and once I do, I'll return so that we can go on adventures once again in the Lost Woods, and Saria can play her ocarina again. Until then, though, just hang in there. Live strong, and hold your memories close."
He pulled away from the both of them with pain his heart, and then turned with Navi hovering above his head.
"Shall we, Navi?" he asked her.
She nodded, and the both of them began walking away from their home, away from the family that had gathered to see them off. But suddenly—just as Link stepped out onto the bridge—something in his memory hit and he spun on his heel once more.
"Yo, Mido!" he shouted, just as the small Kokiri child turned to leave.
"What?!" he called back, almost flustered with anger.
"We didn't fight, remember? Did you forget about fighting over Saria? When I return, you're mine!"
A thin smile curled up over Mido's mouth, exposing his teeth. "Yeah! I'll be waitin' for yeh. . .Fairy Boy!"
A wide smile crossed Link's face. "Great! Then it's a promise!"
And with Saria and Taters the only two Kokiri children still standing there as everyone else began to depart, Link turned his back and crossed the bridge to Hyrule's fields.
"And Mido," Link added under his breath, as he crossed to the other side with Navi leading the way, "thanks for everything—even burying my mother after she died."
End Of Part 1
