Sacred Forest Meadow
The gentle chorus of singing birds and the other natural sounds of the forest filled the secluded village nestled in a clearing in Kokiri Forest, part of what was known as the Lost Woods on Hyrule's eastern boarder. The inhabitants of this village were child like people called the Kokiri. Dressed in green tunics and dresses made from the forest around them, they went about their daily lives cheerfully, never worrying about the outside world. The Kokiri were the children of the forest and here is where they belonged and would always be, since if they left their woodland home they would wither and die.
A ways away from this peaceful little village stood an old and mighty temple full of ancient power. Before it's entrance on an old tree stump sat a girl with green hair, playing an Ocarina in her hand. She was one of the Kokiri and she played a well-known tone to those who dwelled in the forest, which was also named after her: Saria's Song.
"Do you ever tire of playing the same song?" a gentle voice asked from the top of the staircase that led up into the Sacred Forest Meadow.
The green hair girl lowered her ocarina and smiled, "You know I don't… this song… has a special place in this forest, and it lightens the hearts of those who hear it." She opened her green eyes and looked at the one who had addressed her.
A blond, blue eyed, Hylian youth smiled back… He was one of very rare few that could tread in the Lost Forest without being lost or cursed forever. Dressed in a simple green tunic, white under shirt and pants, leather boots, red leather and gold gauntlets, and a green hat, the Hylian boy walked over and sat down beside the green haired girl. "Hello, Saria… I was swinging by to see how everyone was doing; Mido seem as friendly as ever and I noticed my house has been kept up… I take it that was your doing?"
Saria smiled, "Yes, I go up there from time to time and straighten up when I think of you off on your travels, Link. I hope you don't mind."
Link smiled, "Of course not, I'm not around enough to keep it up myself. Thanks for taking care of the cow too… Not really sure why Malon insisted in giving it to me, but I guess it's fine here."
"We've all been rather enjoying her milk, actually," Saria smiled. "And she's really no trouble at all."
"So how have you been Saria? I haven't really had much chance to talk to you since you all reawakened… you, Princess Ruto, Darunia, Impa, and Nabooru… and old Rauru is probably stirring back in the Chamber of Sages. It was rather unexpected actually… Seeing how things have been rather peaceful here in Hyrule, you wouldn't think the Sages would need to reawake." Link looked down at the girl beside him. He was almost eighteen and much taller then she who would always have the body of a child after all.
"It's strange… I remember you telling me about that strange thing that happened to you, all that about being Hyrule's Hero of Time… Then you left to find that Princess of yours and started off on all those adventures… Then a few months ago, suddenly it's like… I had been there when you fought to save Hyrule… It's all hazy like a half forgotten dream, but I somehow know every room in the Forest Temple, even though I had never gone inside of it before." Saria looked toward the hard to reach entrance of the temple.
Link nodded with a slight frown, "I just hope the reawakening of the sages is not some warning of some trouble yet to come."
Saria turned her green gaze back to Link, "Where's Navi? Have you visited the Great Deku Tree's meadow? The Deku Sprout is growing larger and holds all the wisdom our former Great Deku Tree once did."
Link smiled, "She's back with Epona waiting for me, and yes I did, to at least pay my respects to the old guy… His mighty form still stands tall there, even if the life is gone. "
Saria looked out at the grass of the meadow, "The loss of the Great Deku Tree was the greatest sorrow the Kokiri have ever experienced, though we now how the Deku Sprout, we will still feel the loss of our father."
Link moved his arm around her and gave Saria a half hug, "I'm sorry I wasn't able to save him."
Saria shook her head, "We don't blame you… But you do need to visit more often. You might really be Hylian, but we're still your family here."
Link grinned, "Yes of course. The Kokiri are the only family I've ever known. Anyway, I have to pick some things up at my house and be on my way. Princess Zelda has called me back to the castle, and as elegant and serene as she is, she can also be very impatient at times…" Link stood up. "I will try to make another visit back soon. Take care of yourself Saria."
"You as well, Link," watched the Hylian hero walk away and start down the stone stairs back into the forest. Once he was out so sight, she lifted her Ocarina back to her lips and began to play again.
Kokiri Village
Link pulled himself up onto the porch of his tree house and went inside, having to duck some to get in the doorway. Inside was his humble abode. The things in there sure brought back memories… He had things he had brought back with him from all his adventures over the last seven years…
On one wall hung his old weapons and equipment from when he was younger. His Kokiri Tunic pinned up on the wall with his old Kokiri Boots on the floor below it. His old Deku Shield next to the Kokiri Sword hanging in its sheath. He had tired to get the Kokiri to return it to its old resting place, but they insisted he keep it.
In a case were his old Goron Bracelet, Boomerang, Deku Seeds Bullet Bag and his Fairy Slingshot. There were also some odd ends about from his strange adventure in the land of Termina; a round Mirror Shield and such.
Turning his blue gaze he looked at another wall, here hung some of his other equipment that he could only use now that he was older. He had the Biggoron's Sword, a gift from the large Goron smith, and the fancier Great Fairy's Sword her received in Termina. He didn't have the Megaton Hammer as it still rested in the Fire Temple, nor the Mirror Shield or Silver Gauntlets from the Spirit Temple, Fairy Bow from the Forest Temple, Longshot from the Water Temple, or Hover Boots from the Shadow Temple. Not even the Iron Boots from the Ice Cavern behind Zora's Fountain. He sometimes pondered going and retrieving them, but somehow it felt they should stay resting.
On his person he carried his Gilded Sword from Termina since the Master Sword was once again laying at rest in the Temple of Time, his Hylian Shield, his Hero's Bow and Biggest Quiver, his Biggest Bomb Bag, his Hookshot, his Giant's Wallet, five empty Bottles, the Fairy Ocarina since the Ocarina of Time had been returned to Zelda, his Gerudo's Membership Card, the Stone of Agony that alerted him to hidden places, and the Gold Scale. On his person he just wore his green Kokiri styled Tunic, but he had his red Goron's Tunic and blue Zora's Tunic folded up and stored in a pack he took with him, simple leather boots, and he had his normal gauntlets.
He gathered what he need, then walked back out of his little tree house, pausing a moment to look around Kokiri village from this higher view point… it was hard to believe he used to live here and believed he was one of them… It seemed another lifetime ago…
"Hurry up Link! You're taking too long!" A little blue fairy zoomed around his head.
Link smiled, "Ok, ok, Navi, I'm ready… let's get going…" He started down the ladder, letting go half way down and letting himself drop to the ground more quickly. It wasn't that much of a fall… He paused to walk over and pet the cow that Malon had given him's nose as it stood beside his tree, munching on grass, before turning back and moving up to Epona. "Well girl, let's make are way back to Hyrule Castle shall we?" Epona merely pawed at the ground with a fore hoof as Link took hold of the saddle and hoisted himself up.
"Bye Link! Visit us again soon!" A Kokiri girl with blond pigtail buns called as he started toward the path out of the village on Epona. He waved to her and to the other childlike Kokiri's he past until he passed through the passage and out onto the bridge, the village quickly falling out of sight. Well here he went again... hopefully he didn't get himself into another mess...