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Chapter 4: The Expected (and Unexpected) Returns

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Sheik's POV—


I decided it would be best for me to stick around in the Temple before starting in on trailing him. Surely he can make it out of Castle Town without getting into trouble. There haven't been any patrols here for years, only the Re-Deads—OH, that's not good, He's been asleep since they've moved in—a shriek breaks the otherwise still night, damn, that's not good. Can he do nothing on his own? It should be dark enough for him to slip by unnoticed, even the Re-Dead need at least some light. Tonight is the new moon.

I race out of the doors and around the corner to watch as a ball of blue light bounces around in the sky for a few seconds, then zips back towards a figure, slightly blurred by the night, and disappears under fabric. At least he had the mind to get her light put back out.

I listen closely and hear his feet pounding the stones as he races towards the front gate. No more screams come and I hear the soft thuds as he races over the drawbridge. Thank goodness. He's not an idiot after all.

I shake my head in a slightly relieved yet disappointed, if he had been, I could have made fun of him a lot easier. I'll have to find something else to nag him about. He didn't seem too happy about being called "Hero" so that is a must for sure. I smile to myself as I jump lightly from one broken rooftop to another, making sure I don't step on any weakened beams or pieces of roof.

I had come back the first year after the King and Queen died to look for any signs of Link or to sit, and brood, to wish things were different, to pray for my chance at revenge. A life had been stolen, though it may not have been wanted the most at the time, it was still a good life, nice, simple, free. Now I'm bound, and only one person can give me release. Well, his bitter and painful end rather…

I make a final leap from the roof to the ramparts and then over to land lightly on the other side of the river. I see no sign of Link, no sound of breathing or footfalls. I scan the horizon, or at least as far as the dark will allow me to see. Maybe I should have stayed closer, there's no telling if he went to Kakariko or towards the Kokiri Forest or somewhere else entirely. Though I may look and act like a guy, but I doubt I will ever be able to fully think like a guy…

Behind me, there is the sound of ground being broken, a rustling of sorts and the clattering of dry bones and muscle-less joints click together. I draw my sword and, without turning around, strike at the level where the connection between neck and head on a stalchild would be and completely dislodged the skull from the rest. It fell over and laid still.

I continue looking straight out from the gate and see a small light randomly burst into being in the night's air. So, he went straight. Has he not stopped running? Please don't tell me the Hero of Time and bearer of Courage is scared of the Re-Dead. Annoying, yes, scary? Only when one sees you before you see it and the scream gets you. Come on, hero; give me some good dirt to tease you with.

I run quietly after him, the only thing in this direction is Lon Lon Ranch, wonder if he knows anyone there, or used to know there rather. Ingo turned bad some years back and stole the ranch from under Talon and his daughter. Malon is our age, maybe he knew her before Zelda sent him for the Spiritual Stones.

I wonder if he likes her, I bet I could bug him about it, even if there isn't anything between them. That's what guys do to each other isn't it? I grin mischievously, yeah, I'll follow him and see what all happens.


Unfortunately, I couldn't reach the ranch by dawn, and by this time, I'm worn out from running for so long. Goddesses, what did you feed that boy while he slept? I haven't seen this much energy in a newborn foal. Nor this stamina from a well conditioned Sheikah.

I decide to lay down for the night, I start a small fire with some simple magic, its bright enough to keep stalchildren away, they are the only ones to worry about at night on Hyrule Field, and warm enough to sooth some of my already sore muscles. I feel like I could sleep for seven years now.


I woke a couple hours after the sunrise and continued to the ranch, muscles sore and tight, note to self; never challenge that kid to a race. I still had an hour or so of walking left before I reached the ranch. It didn't look too rundown, but I could tell there was some disservice with different details; the paint was chipping on the sign, some of the logs standing upright as a wall around the front entrance were worn down from stalchildren gnawing on it, and there was dead grass sticking up from in between said logs. It still looked to be a somewhat welcoming place though.

Instead of walking in, I went around the side, scaled one of the far walls to the south side of the ranch and then dropped quietly, unnoticed inside. Link was walking over to Ingo with a hard look of resolve set on his face, doesn't look like this conversation is going to go nicely for Ingo, no personal experience to pull from for it, but that isn't a look I want to be on the receiving end of.

Ingo shrinks back some, I turn and climb to the top of the tower like structure near the southern wall and then lay on my stomach on the side away from the ranch and peak my head over the top just enough to watch.

Link is now inside the fence and walking cautiously towards a horse with a white mane. "White Mane" the older ones called her, how creative… I heard stories of a horse here that couldn't be ridden, even some Sheikah came here to ride once but none could calm the horse enough to get close. I may not have known him well or very long, but I feel like seven years of sleep wouldn't help him do better than people with twenty years of practice and experience, call me crazy, but I doubt it.

As he passed Ingo though he had pulled something out of his pouch. He brought it slowly to his lips and then is fingers began moving, it was the Ocarina of Time. Did the Goddesses teach him a horse taming song? I think incredulously.

To my complete surprise, the horse dances forward slightly, the stops again. Link plays the song again and the horse dances closer and he puts the Ocarina away and works down one side of the horse. He must have already known the horse because now it greets him like a friend, close companion. He gets on and rides for a while, looking completely at ease. Even I am impressed, as I know most of the Sheikah would be also.

It was definitely the horse from the stories they told, but these two look like they were created for each other.

Not much of interest happened for a time, though it looked like Link thought he and the horse were going to crash at one time and had accepted his fast approaching death. The look on his face was priceless when the horse cleared it.

Ingo returned and apparently Link challenged him to a race. One he won with ease. There was just no competing with this horse. Ingo was furious and demanded a rematch; I could hear his curses and challenge clear over where I was hidden. His red and purple face was also clear to be seen by the world as Link made fun of him from the looks of it.

They lined up again and Ingo cheated by starting before signaling to Link. It still wasn't long before Link and "White Mane" caught up to him. As soon as they passed Ingo he got startled, as did his horse and they came almost to a complete stop, Link and his horse flying past unperturbed.

Time for some payback? I think so. I slid up a little farther, grabbed some of my own Deku nuts from my pouch and skillfully lobbed them down near the feet of the horse. It went stiff legged for a couple seconds, hmm, never knew horses could do that, and then it took off like a bat out of hell and went wildly around the two turns as it came to it and zigzagging on the straightaways; Ingo holding on for dear life.

Link and his horse made it around once more before Ingo and his made it into their second turn the second time around. I ducked back so I could be sure I wasn't seen after I saw Link cross the finish line. I looked over again when I heard Ingo shouting something again.

The gate leading from the horse field was closed and locked with Ingo standing behind it with his arms crossed. Most of the conversation I couldn't make out, but then Link was turning his horse and riding flat out straight towards the southern wall I was nearby. What is he planning? I know he cleared the gate in the inner field, but…this is a wall, this is a tall wall, its at least another foot higher than that gate…please don't be dumb enough to try it…

But it wasn't Link pushing the horse with cries or kicks, he was leaned forward as if whispering to her, a look of fierce determination set on his face, a look that, to my continued surprise, was mirrored as much as possible on a horse's face. Yeah, they were made for each other. No horse can have that kind of expression other than the one that belongs to Link.

They cleared it easily, landing perfectly on the other side. A pang of jealousy shot through me. Damn, that's a fine horse. A lucky one to, her rider is the Hero of Time.

I turn back to the ranch; Ingo is on his knees head in his hands, crying. Goddesses, that man is annoying. I shake my head and then half drop, half slide down the wall of the building I was on top of, and then climb back over the wall, unseen once again.

Link is now riding towards Kakariko Village, on one of, if not the fastest horses Hyrule has ever seen, and what am I stuck with? Oh yeah, that's right, my own two feet. I start that direction anyways. Better late than never though right? I'll meet him after he gets the hook shot from Dampé's grave.

I walk for thirty minutes until a thought strikes me and I almost face-palm myself. Why am I walking when I can teleport? I shake my head as I realize my stupidity and then teleport into the graveyard at the back of Kakariko.


Link's POV—


Kakariko has changed some. There is no Hyrule guard here now, the boss guy is gone and the tree has changed quite a bit. I left Epona in Hyrule Field to graze, I needed to remain as unnoticed as possible, and coming in with a horse that looks as good as Epona would do anything but help.

I quickly walk through the village and back to the entrance to the graveyard. No kid here to stomp about during the day. Such a sad thought and memory…He had such fun and was honest about keeping the graveyard in order. Dampé, he was a kind-hearted old man, and he loved his job. His face looked strange and his voice sounded odd, but his eyes were always kind, warm, and welcoming.

I scan the headstones throughout the graveyard until I find his, then, I just stand there for a moment. I pay my respects, and then look around. So I'm here, now what? I walk around the headstone a couple times and see some marks on the ground behind the stone slab. Maybe its like the composition brothers there I had to touch the front of it?

I reach out with my hand and press it against the stone…nothing…I shift my weight so I can move into more of a kneeling position but as I do, the headstone slides backwards and I find myself tumbling forward, down into the gaping hole that was covered be the stone. Great, hope there aren't more Re-Dead in here like there was in the Royal tomb at the top of the hill here. Boy was that a nasty surprise.

The one I got at the bottom of this hole wasn't nasty, but it was probably more of a surprise. As I regained my bearings, I look up to see Dampé floating just in front of me with a glowing halo just above his head. I always said he was a nice guy under the scary mugthis is just the proof.

As I meet his eyes, his face contorts into a smile, not menacingly, but with a twisted face like his, it can only be called contorting, however, it reaches his eyes and they light with a fire no one had seen in them for many years before he passed.

He laughed and asks "Light on your feet young fella? I may not look it, but I'm confident in my speed, Let's race. Follow me if you dare!"

And with those words, to took off floating backwards his hand flying lazily to the side. Once I recovered from my initial shock of seeing him and the random and abrupt topic, I took off after him. I quickly found out the arm flying 'lazily' off to the side wasn't as innocent as I first thought as a tongue of fire flew off from it and alighted on the ground in the middle of the pathway. I had to redirect myself to not be burned. I bumped into the wall harshly and I hear his light-hearted cackle echo off the walls around me.

I'm playing a game of cat and mouse in a tomb of the old graveyard keeper. And I thought having to carry the Zoran princess on my shoulders through a Fish God's belly was weird. Is this some sort or hidden humor the Goddesses are enjoying, who can find the most random and weirdest thing for Link to do to get rewards?

I chase Dampé's ghost for what seems like half an hour, taking this turn and then that, dodging fireball after fireball and going through rooms as dark as a moonless night only his halo giving light to his form. After a countless turns, minor burns, bruised shins and arms from running into things I couldn't see or found were in my way while dodging a fireball, he stopped and hovered over a platform. I walk up to him as he laughs like a young boy who just discovered the best game in the world.

"You did well, and you are quite speedy indeed. I live here now, if you come visit me again some time, I may have another gift to give you. But for now take this one. Oh and be careful on your way back out." He laughed once more and then turned and disappeared in a puff of blue smoke. I look at the platform under where he was just floating and watched as a chest appeared. I open it and find in the bottom, wrapped in soft fabric a strange looking device. It is like an arrow attached to a handle with a spring connecting the two.

There is a trigger on the handle, I squeeze it, and with a clicking sound the arrow like tip shoots out, startled, I release the trigger and the end comes whizzing back through the air and settles once more in a locked position. I play with it a bit longer before looking around. Seriously? He left me with nothing to go on to get back out? I could end up joining him here as a spirit if I don't get out soon. I still haven't eaten yet!

I turn and look at the four open archways on each of the walls surrounding me…they all look the same to me… I decide to resort to the fail-proof way of choosing when you don't have any clue how to chose, by closing my eyes and spinning in a circle, stopping only when I get too dizzy to keep going.

Half stumbling in the direction I ended up facing, I make it through the archway and my vision goes black before a room lights up before me. A large box is in front of me; it has the symbol from the Temple of Time on it. My mind still twisting on its self, I pull the Ocarina of Time out and place it to my lips, willing my mind to concentrate long enough to play the tune.

After I end the song, I reopen my eyes, head clear and path cleared now as well. I'll make it out of this grave yet!


By the time I get topside again, the sun is slowly but noticeably sinking lower in the sky. Almost a day has passed since I woke up. I don't know what the temples hold for me yet, but I feel like I still have a ways to go… My stomach growls louder than it had the past few times, okay, so food first, then the quest. Ha, I doubt Sheik expected me to get the hook shot this fast. Acting as if I cannot take care of myself well enough to cross Hyrule Field at night. He has a lot to learn about me if he thinks I'm that weak. x stomach grumble x Alright, alright, I hear you, I'm going!


Sheik's POV—


Though I will never admit it to him, or anyone else for that matter, I am impressed, no matter how slightly, that he got in and out of the grave in the amount of time that he did. Dampé and I had enjoyed a talk a few months before he passed, he always said there was something special about Link, he could just tell. But he told me, that if I ever met Link, to tell him to go to his grave, Dampé had no heirs in life, so he wanted to give his highest treasure to Link. He wrote it off to being old and figuring Link was the only one nice to him, but if he truly had the hook shot in his possession, then it was divine intuition he felt strongly connected to Link. Of that I had no doubt.

I had just teleported into the graveyard when Link went tumbling into the hole. At first I panicked, but then I saw it was Dampé's grave and that calmed me some. I should know by now, when Link goes for something, he does it head first…I removed myself a ways from the hole and settled in to wait under some ground brush. I dozed lightly for a short while until I heard a voice echoing up from the ground. At first I thought night had fallen and the Poes were playing a trick on me, but when I realized it was coming from Dampé's grave, I knew Link was on his way out.

Link was now geared to a little better level, not much-but a little, than when he first woke back up after the seven year snooze, was that really only a day ago? At this rate he could be done in a matter of weeks! Wishful thinking of course, but still it sounded nice.

Next stop for him will be the Forest Temple; I'll need to meet him there. Ooh, minor problem though, I don't think I can go into the Kokiri Forest or lost woods without being invited…Guess I'll just have to travel on horseback with him. My horse, Nightscream, is not quite as fast as White Mane, but he is definitely quicker than my feet.

By this time, Link had already gone past my hiding place and headed back into the village, his stomach growling something fierce. Chuckling, I stand up and follow him back at a distance.

Once back in the main town area, I take to the roofs, over take him and pass by, heading towards the only restaurant in town, I drop to the ground, walk in, and sit down at a table before he could turn the corner probably. Sure enough, almost a minute later he opens the door and steps in.

I keep my head tilted down and directed away from the door. I hear him half scoff and his footsteps head in my direction. They stop to one side of me and I lazily turn and lift my head to meet his eyes, "Care to sit down, hero?"

"You know, I do have a name Sheik." he returns flatly, defensive already, yeah; he will be a fun to mess with.

"Hmm, yeah, I know, sorry I didn't say the full thing, Hero of Time, I'll make sure I do that from here on out, Hero of Time." putting more emphasis on the word hero than the other words.

He groans and rests his head on his hands. I smirk, unseen by him, and roll my eyes. "Cheer up, and figure out what you want to eat. Half the people in here are looking at you like you're a wild animal in disguise because of the noises coming from your stomach. I mean good grief, it's not like you haven't eaten in seven years or anything" I chuckle lightly at the end as his head shoots up with an astonished and embarrassed look and then looks around to see if anyone else heard. "No worries, hero. No one listens to a Sheikah's conversation. Not that they could hear much over your stomach, but all the same. Anything is good here." He blushes deeper and turns his face down a little more again. Too damn easy, it's almost not fun, minus the fact that he is the Hero of Time and he is extremely self-conscious.

After we pay, we both exit the restaurant together and head towards the front gate of the village. It's almost like unspoken consent that we had a break, now it was time to get down to business. I break off from him and stop by the stables shortly and grab Nightscream's reigns and then hurry to meet up with Link at the front gates. No conversation passes between us until we reach where he says he left Epona, but she is nowhere to be found. He looks across the horizon before shrugging his shoulders and pulling out the Ocarina of Time and playing a song that makes me think of freedom, loyalty, and trust. A neighing and the sound of hooves clopping over the grassy field alert us to her approach, she seems joyful, prancing, as she did back at the ranch. That must have been the song he played to approach her, to calm her. It is her song.

He moves to stand to the side of her head, turns around and faces me, "Sheik, I'd like you to meet Epona, My horse." He said beaming brightly and rubbing the other side of Epona's head by reaching under her neck and up around with his hand pulling her head closer to him.

Yes, these are two friends that should never be separated, like Link and Navi…hmm, seems there's a common denominator here. Is this why Link must befriend all the races of Hyrule, because he just fits with everyone so well that it should be against nature almost to separate them?

He is an interesting young man, that fact cannot be doubted or disputed. What kind of future do you offer to Hyrule, Hero of Time?


Link's POV—


I know Sheik is the guy who told me where to start and to go to Kakariko to get the Clawshot, but I am still not too sure if I trust him fully yet. When he asked if he could ride along to the Kokiri Forest, I was not sure what to say at first. I didn't even think anyone besides the Kokiri could live in that forest. I know normal Kokiri can't leave, but seeing as how it took me ten years to get a fairy rather than at birth, which is the usual, I guess I've never been quite like the normal Kokiri. Of course I ultimately agreed. I mean, really, if I can't trust him, I probably can't trust anyone.

The ride to Kokiri with him riding beside me and talking was nice and enjoyable so I guess I can't complain much on that either. Not to mention the fact I feel like there is much more to this than I fully know or understand right now. But I can ask Saria once I meet up with her. Surely she knows more that she can tell me.

We did not really talk about anything of importance. I asked about his background and he told me some, he had a rough life growing up, but it sounds like he is really good at fighting. Maybe he can show me some pointers and teach me some things with sword fighting, I never had a real teacher or anything. I picked up a sword and just started trying to kill the monsters in any way I could. I mentioned as much and he offered to duel with me if we got the chance.

I decided that we could take a bit longer on the trip to Kakariko since it was already pretty dark by the time we really got into Hyrule Field so I suggested we stop for the night and build a camp. He did not look too tired but I was slightly starting to drift some, I asked when the last time he slept was and he told me the night we met and then a light nap just before I came out of Dampé's grave.

We ride a bit farther just so we can get under some trees and have a place to tether her horse, I don't take the time or trouble to tether Epona, she will come back when I call anyways. We set up our tents and then build a small fire. The dinner we ate not too long ago was still settling comfortably in our systems so we sat and talked a bit more. He looked over at me after a couple minutes of comfortable silence with a slight gleam in his eye.

"What do you say we spar for a bit, see what you know and what we need to work on?" He said, excitement leaking into his voice slightly. I nod, stand up and pull my sword out of its sheath. He laughs, "Um, how about for the first few times we just use some training poles. There is nothing wrong with the Master sword, but I am afraid that if you miss, there is a good chance either of us could get hurt pretty bad from it. Poles for now until we get more used to each other's styles."

"Great, so then we can know what each other's weak points are and have an even deadlier chance of hitting each other. Great idea, Sheik." I say back with humor coloring my tone. He shakes his head and throws a wooden pole to me over the fire. I slide my sword back into its sheath and then catch the pole with my other hand.

We move over a couple steps where we are still near the fire so we have good lighting but not too close to need to worry about stepping in it as we dueled. I spin the pole in my hand and try to get a feel for it before stepping forward quickly and starting off the spar with a strong vertical strike. Sheik blocks the blow easily with his pole turned sideways using both hands to hold of my attack before pushing me back and following through with a slash that would have caught me if I hadn't spun at the last moment. After trading a few more blows, it became blatantly obvious that fighting the evil monsters in the Great Deku Tree and the ones I encountered while trying to retrieve the Spiritual Stones is very different from sparring with another person, especially a Sheikah. I only landed a couple hits that could be called decent but I ended up walking away, or maybe limping away would describe it better, with more than a few bruises and sore muscles.

Just from the short time we sparred, he made all sorts of comments to egg me on and then other times he would offer small pieces of critiques for me to better my stance or feints. Once or twice he even held up a hand and walked through a couple of swings to help me learn to get rid of some bad habits I had formed.

Sheik praised me for doing as well as I did, his almost arrogant tone suggesting I did far better than he was expecting. It was not a tone of condescension or an attitude of him being better than me, even though he is, but it was a challenge. A challenge for me to get better so that every time we sparred, he would be surprised at how well I was doing. The look in the eye I could see was proof enough of that. He wouldn't let me slack off just because I was able to kill some monsters easily. He would push me further and harder than I would on my own. If I had had a brother growing up, I would imagine him being like this, encouraging, but also making fun of me for different things.

As we finished up, Sheik looks at me and his shoulders slump some in exhaustion, he may have more techniques and skills with fighting, but I have far more stamina and we had been trading hits for almost two hours. I tell him I will take first watch and to tell me when he woke up next so he could take over for me to get an hour or so. He looks like he is about to argue but then slumps farther and accepts. I chuckle to myself as he half stumbles to his tent and rolls in. I move over closer to the fire and go back over our fight in my head.

Since we just finished, it is very fresh in my head and I am able to go over every block and landed hit that went between us. I pay close attention to the memory of how Sheik moved for each hit and block and the things he told me to practice. There was a certain level of grace to his moves, almost like a dance. The pole is still in my hand so, as I replay the spar in my head, I stand with my eyes closed and slowly walk through the stances he had and any movements he made during the fight.

The more I duplicate the stances and strikes, my mind clears and my body rests. I am moving slowly enough that it is almost like a stretching exercise except I am working to memorize how the muscles feel as I move them. I have no idea how long I am doing this, but my concentration and practice is broke as I hear movement in Sheik's tent and open my eyes to see him slowly climb out of bed. The sky had slowly begun to lighten as the sun had just broken the horizon. He offers to take over the watch but before I answer, I mentally check myself and find I am refreshed and relaxed. I shake my head and tell him,

"Nahh, it's time to mount up and finish the journey to the first temple." He must have heard or seen something that gave him pause because he didn't say anything like he was looking like he might. He gave a short nod and then climbed up on his horse as I mounted Epona. We turned our horses towards our destination and started off once more.

As we come into view of the tree trunk that leads to the bridge that crosses into the Kokiri forest, a feeling of nostalgia and anticipation takes a death grip on my gut. When I left last time, it was while being called a murderer; not of another Kokiri, but of our greatest friend and protector, the Great Deku Tree.

He was poisoned before I got there by Ganondorf. By the time I reached him he was already mostly gray. I went inside and killed all the evil creatures, but it wasn't enough, he still died. He was the one who sent me to the princess in the first place with the first Spiritual Stone. One of the three used with the Ocarina of Time to open the door to the Sacred Realm.

When I went back past Mido, the leader in the Kokiri forest, he accused me of being a murderer and told everyone else that I killed the Great Deku Tree. The only one who didn't think I did it was Saria. She gave me my first ocarina and taught me a song that let me talk to her whenever I was lonely or needed help before I left the forest. She was my first friend, and Zelda after that.

Will Mido recognize me? Will anyone else? Will Saria stop being my friend because I've grown up? True Kokiri never grow up. Everyone in the Kokiri forest have been the same age for as long as I can remember, they never grew an inch or day older. They were their seven year old selves the whole time I was growing up. That means I'm not a true Kokiri, because I've grown taller, and I'm seventeen now. I was ten before I left, I realized, but I was the same size as all the other Kokiri before I left…

I look down and play with Epona's mane between my fingers…Am I ready for what they will say and think? …. Yes. I decide resolutely, I have a job I need to do, they can think and say what they want to, maybe some day I can come back and explain everything to them. I couldn't right now even if I had time because I don't even know the answers to my questions, let alone theirs. It wasn't just their bodies that were like children, their minds were also, though Saria always seemed to have age-old wisdom stored in her mind…they wouldn't be able to comprehend many of the things I would try to explain. And even if I cannot answer all their questions, if they ask, I will explain what I can.

Though I had set my mind on how to react, it didn't change much, I was still worried, still scared. My hands twisted in Epona's mane more before untwisting and then twisting once more. I see Sheik glancing at me every once in a while out of the corner of my eye.


Sheik's POV—


Is it just me, or is Link getting more tense and fidgety the closer we get to the hollowed out tree trunk we are heading for? And how the hell has he not dropped from exhaustion? We dueled for almost two hours and when we stopped he looked tired, maybe not worn like I was, but slightly tired but then this morning, he looked as refreshed as he did when I first saw him. If I did not know better, I would almost say he slept during his watch, but I doubt he would do that, plus, he still had his pole in his hand with a thin layer of sweat across his forehead. As we moved, I noticed we had been heading in a straight line towards the tree trunk ever since it came into view a few minutes ago. Its almost like he is struggling on whether to be excited or not.

When we were kids, we never really talked about his past. We didn't have much time to talk about anything other than the Spiritual Stones and stopping Ganondorf really and now that I think about it, we never spoke but that once. I wonder what he went through as a kid. Nothing so bad as having your kingdom overthrown and your parents killed, sor example, but it might be something painful to remember…

He's looking down, playing with Epona's mane, yeah, he is definitely anxious about something. Guess all I can do is sit and wait to see how it plays out. Hopefully he didn't leave under bad circumstances, though Kokiri aren't supposed to ever grow up so maybe they wont recognize him. Hmmm, that's another strange thing about him. He looked like a Kokiri and had a fairy when I first met him, and he still meets both statements to this day minus the fact he is taller than any other Kokiri I know, but he grew up…how is that possible? On top of that, he left the Forest, Kokiri aren't supposed to be able to do that either. My mind stops after this internal question, I work to clear my mind and focus on important matters.

As we continued to move closer I realize I didn't check in with Impa like I wanted to while in Kakariko, although that is mostly Link's fault; I wasn't expecting him to get in and out so quickly. However, a visit with her should be made soon, I'll go with him to the entrance and then say I got an urgent message from Impa that I need to go attend to. I'm still not sure how to tell him I cannot go into the temples with him.

We dismount at the fallen, hollowed out tree trunk. Link looks over his shoulder at me, opens his mouth for a second and then clamps it back shut and steps into the tree trunk. He disappears into the thick darkness. I move forward, tense when the darkness surrounds me and then quickly take a couple more steps forward and bump into Link. He has a bit of a relieved look on his face as I pass through. What, did he think something would happen if I tried to come in?

I shoot a questioning glance at him but he shakes his head and keeps on walking across what I now see is a bridge with another hollow tree in front of me. This time I just keep walking and don't hesitate. When I come through the other side, I am amazed.

There are multiple monsters running freely from one area to another. Things filled to the top with evil intent, I look around, saddened, the grass in most places has died, there is debris scattered everywhere from things the monsters have torn up, but my reaction to the sight is nothing like Link's.

Link is visibly shaking, trembling from head to toe with anger almost rolling off of him tangibly. Well, he was for the couple seconds he was standing still. Within an a couple moments of me coming to a stop to take in everything, Link was moving again, sword in hand and shield on his arm and an enraged battle cry at his lips, moving at a speed I didn't think was possible for anyone.

I'm still not entirely sure how he did it, but as he ran forward, he found the straightest path that let him run between a huge mess of monsters and hack at the evil creatures on either side of him. He would run until he had no more room to run, and then he would turn around and find another path to run. In a matter of minutes, he destroyed every monster and anything that was defiling the nature of his former home with only a few passes down and back.

He made glanced around the village, satisfied he had cleared them out, he then began picking up bits and pieces of broken things, putting them back where I suppose they once belonged. He then went and knocked on every tree stump that had an opening, he called in with a friendly greeting and, slowly, a handful of children came out, blinking in the sunlight. Their eyes widened at the sight of him, going over in great detail his clothing. I looked back and forth between them and he, his clothes were an exact replica of theirs other than the fact his clothes were so much bigger.

Some looked at him with distrust, but most thanked him. One of the boys looked at him, got a weird look in his eye and then walked off with his nose in the air. Who knew one so small could strut so big I wondered to myself, if he were half as big as he walked, he would tower over Link and I.

I could see a rush of pain flow over Link's eyes. There was some tough history buried deeply there, but it needed to be left for later. I catch Link's attention and nod meaningfully to him. He nods back in understanding. He dismisses himself, promising he'd be back later to talk to them and then leads the way up a hill to another hollow, fallen tree.

Here, he turns around to me and says seriously, "You need to stay close. We are about to go into the Lost Woods. I know these woods better than I know myself and if you get separated from me, you will die. People know not to come here if they aren't invited or led. Stay close and if you get slowed or caught in something, tell me immediately."

There was something like reverence lying behind his words. These woods were his friends growing up, his safety zone, his escape plan, but he knew they could be deadly. I nod in understanding with due solemnity taking a step closer to him.

He nods once and then turns and enters the tree trunk, grabbing my hand for a second and pulling me through with him. As we come through the other side, I can see why he made such a big deal about staying close. There is something welcoming about the feel the trees give off, but at the same time they are almost unforgiving. Its like they say, "Come, do what you need to do and then leave. Do not waste time, do not mess around, and do not come if you don't need to."

I readjust my tunic subconsciously and try to wrap it tighter around me.


Link's POV—


Home. This feeling washed over me, not the moment I stepped foot in the Kokiri Village, no, I grew up there, but I was raised in the Lost Woods. It was almost as strong as the feeling I get when I am in the Temple of Time. The only other place I felt welcome like I do here and the Temple was during the short time I was around Zelda. These trees are like my family though. They know all the ins and outs to me; they know my fears, hopes, dreams, and my questions. I spent more time in here than anywhere else in the village combined, this was the first place I felt I actually fit and belonged.

There was no requirement or standard or status quo. I didn't have to have a fairy to be welcomed by the trees; I didn't have to have a fairy to play with the Skull kids. I didn't have to know who my parents were, or why they left me here, to walk through the tree trunk and wander the woods all day. No, I was welcome just as I was. Nothing special needed.

I was serious about what I told Sheik, this forest was dangerous to those who don't know it, to those who don't belong. That's why I told him to stay close, because I do know it, I do belong, here more than anywhere else in all of Hyrule aside from the Temple of Time.

The "usual spot", the meeting place Saria and I would go to after a particularly hard day for me of ridicule from Mido or just one of those days I didn't want to be around people, just so happens to be where the Forest Temple is. Maybe we were both drawn to it unknowingly, she because she is the sage, me because I am the one to free the Sages so they can be awakened…

Long story short, I could have walked us there with my eyes closed.

Only one thing threw me for a loop for a second. Mido was guarding the only path that led to our meeting place… He was sitting cross-legged on the ground until Sheik and I walked up. He got a look on his face, stood up, and crossed over to me in an angry manner. Shoving a finger as high as he could reach on my chest accusatorily.

"What are you? Though you wear Kokirish clothing, you can't fool me! I promised Saria I would never let anyone go through here" He finished boldly; for one half my size, he was very brave.

Sheik bristled beside me and was about to fly off his handle, I looked over and motioned with my hands to calm down. I look back to Mido, half glad he doesn't recognize me, half saddened that he didn't. I pull out the Ocarina of Time and play Saria's song. He and I both know only those Saria considers close friends know this song.

Mido's eyes widen as he hears me play "That melody! Saria plays that song all the time! Do you..do you know Saria?" I nod slowly once.

"Okay, I trust you…" He starts to turn away and let us through, but stops for a second and looks at me again. "When I see you," he starts slowly and then looks at the ground, "I don't know why but I remember…him…." He looks back almost wistfully with a sad look in his eyes before turning once more and walking away.

I don't have time to ask or find out why he had that reaction, but my curiosity is piqued to be sure. He would remember me in a different way other than hate or disgust? The only times he was nice to me before was when Saria was around and had told him to be nice. Even then it was touch and go at best… Maybe he and I need to talk after I get Saria free from the evil that infested her temple, even if it is just to let him know he was right all along, I'm not a Kokiri…

I work to get myself refocused and take a step forward, once again grabbing Sheik's arm and dragging him along behind me, darkness envelops us for a second, and then, we have arrived. Well, almost. There is a small maze that we must get through but it is nothing too hard. Or at least, it didn't used to be.