The leaves are rustling peacefully as they whisper of things that only the forest knows of. Even I, a sage cannot always comprehend what they are speaking of. Do they whisper tales of a past so ancient beyond my understanding? Or do they predict the coming future of this land? Or is it the present? Or is it just plain nonsense?

As a little girl… well, I guess I'm still a little girl in a twisted way. Back when I was among the children of the Kokiri, I thought the forest spoke wonders. I always wanted to know more and stood amazed at the mysteries it held, even though I was a part of it.

Such foolish optimism it was…

Such foolish curiosity I had…

Because now I know everything.

Accepting my duty as a sage, the forest provides me with more knowledge than I ever wanted, telling me things that I never even wanted to know about.

However, the movement of the leaves are always so concealed, only driven by the wind that came by them. The leaves have no mind of their own, for they do not stand by their own roots or have a firm hold to keep them intact. Their only duty is to live until they are needed anymore.

Then they are discarded without hesitation, without anyone grieving their loss, without anyone to embrace them… the only thing that awaits them is pain and torment as the sun drains the life out of them, as animals big and small grinds them into powdery shards, as the winds that once befriended them carries them away, as they fade transparent.

I wonder that's what I will become…

I wonder if the winds of destiny will have me suffer the same fate.

It's a nice day today.

Well… actually, that shouldn't even be considered a news because it's always nice in Hyrule.

So I decided to do what I always did and packed up to fish.

I've always loved fishing ever since… well ever since I left the forest. It was a time off from my usual day of annihilating monsters or being stuck in a dungeon wondering what the hell to do. It gave me serenity and time to recollect and rest… but also gave me an opportunity to improve my reflex and have a nutritional meal at the same time.

I always sat there and thought about my best friend Saria after I left Kokiri Forest. Then, when I met Zelda… well, I must guiltily admit, I dreamt about Zelda. I really thought I loved Zelda. Sometimes I thought about Malon too. Thinking about Saria did nothing more than bring a smile on my face, thinking back on the times we've spent together. Zelda and Malon - I thought - meant something much different.

Then when time came for me to truly awaken as the Hero of Time after seven years… The truth struck me so hard that it hurt.

I loved Saria.

Everyone looked at my worried face and assured that Zelda was just fine… Zelda… What they didn't realize was… It wasn't Zelda I was worried about. Well, I was worried about Zelda - don't get me wrong - but not as much as I worried about the girl Kokiri that was my first friend.

For her, I entered the graveyard and raced a creepy ghoul.

For her, I slashed down the enemies in my path through the maze of the Sacred Forest Meadow.

For her… I went through the cursed Forest Temple to free her… I didn't know anything about her being a damned sage. I didn't even care.

I thought all that mattered was getting her back safely.

When I finally defeated the Phantom Ganon, I thought everything was going to be all right.

I thought…

When she appeared before me, she seemed like a completely different person.

Then I felt the pain.

I felt my heart tearing asunder.

She was a sage.

She was a sage.

I knew of it already but when I actually saw her standing in front of me, still pale and tiny with eyes gleaming with ancient aura, my mind went numb.

Oh by goddesses… she was a sage.

Oh, I feel a bite on my rod. I reel in slowly and find that it is a little difficult than usual.

Good, it must be a big one.

I reel in harder, feeling excitement in my heart for the first time in many months. My hands spun the handle with more effort and speed as the nylon line stretched back and forth between the lake and the rod. This was nice. I've always enjoyed a nice tug-o-war in a situation like this. It shows which of us are truly superior… sort of.

Back then, I almost always lost, falling into the lake instead of pulling the fish out but now, it's either the brave ones hang on to get cooked or the bastards let go of the bait in which I reel in the empty hook back to the surface. In either case, I won.

Today was much the same.

The fish surfaced up, twisting and springing violently in agony as the curved edge of the hook pierced the piece of its flesh to hold up its entire weight.

I reel it closer to me as its movements grow still more restless as terror overpowered the pain.

I grip it with my hands firmly as it squirms and struggles beneath my hands.

Its scales are dull-colored yet hard and the muscles beneath it are firm and toned. No wonder it was harder catch than usual…

It watches me as I contemplate what I should do. It can feel the time ticking by as the hellish moments seem to drag on forever. Will it die? Or will it live?

Would I let it die or would I spare it?

It gasps for the water, its gills gape open and shut, as it still hangs there by a hook caught on the back of its throat.

I can't feel its pain.

But yet I can feel it so clearly.

As it pleads for mercy, as its movements grow limp as hope fades out, as death comes to it silently yet so lethally…

When I throw it back in, it's too late to save the damned life.

Death had already done its job.

It never fails to accomplish its job.

Even through immortality.

Fishing… just never felt the same to me.

Not anymore.

The lifeless flesh floats on the surface for scavengers to devour.

And I simply pack up and leave.

I climb on Epona's back and ride off again to wherever my hands feel like turning towards. I really have no where specific to go. I really have no direction that I set my mind on. I just go wherever I go… wherever the wind blows… wherever my mind directs me to go… just because I don't have anywhere to go.

Epona's hoof beats are muffled by the grass beneath to create a thumping noise.

No one is out on the field… as always.

Though beautiful, this always have been such a lonely place. Who was going to travel around in the field for so long if I were to finally die?

My thoughts were interrupted by a presence of another being.

I looked towards the presence that now occupied the field besides me.

A fairy…

It flew around calmly towards me and when I reached out my hand, the delicate creature rested on it. I could feel its gentle aura glowing on my hand but it was neither cold nor warm.

But the feeling was so familiar.

It flapped wings gently as the satin wings brushed against my hand.

"Navi…?" I called out.

She swayed her tiny body to make a single nodding motion.

I held her within my two palms now. "Navi! What are you doing here?" I ask with sheer joy in my voice, but my joy was shattered by her next words.

"Link, I'm dying."

My voice froze in my throat and that was when I noticed how more fragile she had become. Her aura was much weaker than it had been and her wings were torn in certain places. Life was draining out of her. "Navi…" I trailed my thumb over her, barely touching the frail spirit.

"Link… I can no longer fly… please, can you take me to the Kokiri? That is the only place that I may rest in peace…"

I blinked in surprise.

The Kokiri?

"I'm so sorry to suddenly turn up and ask you such a favor but…"

"Shh, Navi," I said. "I will take you to Kokiri. Don't worry," I said as soothingly as possible.

It broke me to see her like this… my fairy… my guide… my only friend that I thought I would always have…

She was dying.

Silently, I led Epona along to the place where I thought I would never return to.

All for the sake of an old friend who would leave me soon…

Very soon.

I know that was still very short but I promised to update and so there... mehh... You know what returning to Kokiri means... right?