T-Lea: Hey guys, I'm back...finally. Sorry, it's been so long, but I promise that part 2 will have more humor in it than the last section. I realize that it was basically the introduction to every LoZ game, but now the real story opens up. Enjoy! And please review.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own LoZ, only a selected few of this fic's characters that I made up.

Part Two: The Old Hero's Journey


Uncertainty And Doubt

The afternoon was cool as Navi and Link sat around a smokeless fire just beneath the shelter of a few weak trees. After wandering through the forest to Hyrule's fields all morning, Link stopped just before the forest could end, and then made himself a fire. Navi perched herself on top of a tree branch above, and watched as he prodded the fire with a weak stick.

So, Link thought to himself, this is the last of my childhood. After I leave this forest, I won't be able to see Saria and Taters for a while—possibly for the rest of my life. He sighed heavily before snapping the twig and then throwing it into the fire. And I made all of those promises. I suppose. . .I'll have to return sooner or later to live up to them. . .

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his traveling cloak, and as he did so, his hand met something hard and smooth.

Oh yeah, he thought as he withdrew the object slightly to where he could see it, and the Kokiri Emerald. Why did the Great Deku Tree give me such an item? Doesn't he know that if the evil inside of me decided to break, that it might take control of my body and take hold of the three Spiritual Stones after I find them all?

This thought made him feel anger for his own body.

But I shouldn't let that happen to myself! he argued, shoving the object back into his pocket. I have to find the Spiritual Stones, and then go hide in the mountains until the time is right. I can't let unnecessary thoughts consume my mind.

He shook his head, and then fixed his eyes on the fire before him. Immediately, memories of the past few days with Saria and Taters swam before his eyes.

And if I don't destroy the evil sealed within myself in time, then the forest will cease to exist, and Saria and Taters will be. . . He shook his head again. But how does the Great Deku Tree know I'm the one for this kind of job? How does he know that that shadowed- adult didn't seal the thing inside of me because of how weak I am?

No! he added to himself with another ferocious shake of his head, I am not weak! For Saria and Taters and everyone else's sake, I am not going to be weak and let this happen! Link jumped to his feet with slow determination pulsing through his veins. The forest is counting on me! I have to do what I must to save them. . .

And then another thought struck through him like an arrow. He dropped back down on his haunches as his determination quickly drained from his veins. And the entire world could be destroyed if I don't find a way to destroy the evil. . .

Slowly, Link fell to staring into the fire as his thoughts and memories consumed him.

He was frightened of himself, and of what the future held. He had to leave the forest to save the world, but the world hated him. All the Hylians thought him dead, and it was very true that this was the reason for peace thus far in Hyrule. But if Link were to return to the surface to the world that had once fought to find and kill the one boy rumored to destroy the world. . . Was there really a good destiny out there for him?

And then Saria and Taters, and even Mido made promises with him. He had to keep to his word, he knew, but he didn't know when that would be. For all anyone knew, Link would be searching the world for a way to break the seal until the day he died. And if that happened, Saria and Taters, as well as everyone else, wouldn't know anything about it. After all, they never aged, and could never die unless they left the forest.

He dropped his chin on his knees as he watched the dancing flames. His mind reeled in remembrance of the events that took place over the past few days, and his brain was in shock upon learning the truth about himself. Though the tree refrained from telling Link much all through the eleven years he lived in the forest among the other Kokiri, it was a straight-forward and very blunt truth. There was no hesitation, and no preparations. It was a straight leave-the-forest-after-hearing-the-truth-Link.

Tears rolled down his cheeks as his memories rushed back to the surface. He buried his head in his knees, sobbing quietly as Navi sat in the tree above, watching him, and as the fire continued to crackle silently. From somewhere further away in the forest he could hear the howl of a lone Wolfo. As he sat simmering in his own thoughts for a few painful moments, he slowly began to realize that he couldn't just keep thinking of past memories of his life with Saria and Taters. No, because he had to protect them, and guardians have no time in thinking of their own past affairs. He had to pull himself back up by the bootstraps, and then obediently move forward towards his destiny to save the entire world!

Link lifted his head once his tears were finished. Then, he stood up and called up to Navi. She fluttered down to him, and then hovered above his hands as he spread them out for her.

"There is a stream nearby," she told him in her squeaky voice. "Go; and wash your face free of your past. Then, return here so we may begin our journey."

"I will," Link told her, then hurried away to the stream.

He found it easily. It was the only gently flowing body of water around. He swept his hat off of his head and knelt before the water. Then, he cupped his hands together and stuck them in, withdrawing water seconds later. He washed his face smoothly, and then washed his neck. He felt as the icy substance trickled down his back. Then, he threw his hat back over his head after washing his face, and then returned to where Navi awaited for him.

"Are you done with your chore, Link?" she asked him upon his arrival.

"Yes," he replied with a deep sigh. "It is time for us to go into Hyrule. We must heed the Great Deku Tree's words."

He turned to check the fire, but found that it had been extinguished already. He thanked Navi, and then apologized for delaying the journey. Then, the both of them started forward again, but this time with much determination in their hearts.

'Link, sometimes it is better to drop your shoulders, and exhale all your fears.'

I will, Great Deku Tree, Link thought to himself as he stepped out from the confines of the trees. Don't worry any longer. I will do just that.


T-Lea: Next chapter's coming very soon!