The sun was setting over Kokiri Forest, letting the last of its splendorous golden rays free to play on the green leaves and houses the Kokiri resided in. The children, ignorant of the sun's descent and the moon's rising, continued to play a feverish game of Tag. However, one kokiri was not playing with her fellow kokiri.
"Great Deku Tree? Why are you so quiet?" Saria asked, looking up confusedly at the large tree standing before her. She was sitting down in front of the large tree, legs crossed and waiting for the tree to respond to her question.
"Saria, where did you hear that word?" The Deku Tree asked worriedly. The large tree deity couldn't believe that Saria heard that word, surely the other sages Saria had mentioned before wouldn't dare say that to a mere child?
"I heard about it from Nabooru. I asked Link what it meant, but all he told me it was that it was a bad word. Is it a bad word?" Saria replied, the confusion on her face slipping away to be replaced with worry.
"Saria, Link is right. You should never repeat it, especially in front of the other Kokiri. It would be wrong for them to learn that word," It gravely said.
"Is sex that bad a word?" She asked, twisting her hands worriedly as she glanced down.
"Yes, it is a terrible word. My dear, will you promise me you will never repeat it again,"
"Okay, Great Deku Tree. I pro…"
"Saria! Saria!" A frantic yell interrupted Saria. She turned to see Mido come racing towards her. He skidded to a halt before he crashed into her, gave a bow to the Deku Tree, then panted for a couple of minutes before he was able to talk again.
"Saria! There are two strange tall people at the entrance of the village! One of them is asking for you! Hurry, we have to go before they do something!" Mido yelled loudly, hopping up and down in an effort to help Saria understand the urgency of the situation. Saria noticed a bright red mark in the shape of a hand on Mido's left cheek and guessed he was panicked because the person had smacked him.
"I am sorry, Great Deku Tree! I must go and see what Mido is talking about, but I'll be back!" Saria called as she jumped up and followed Mido out of the meadow. The large tree sighed and hoped that the kokiri girl would not repeat the word.
Nabooru stared at all the children swarmed around her, all of them wearing expressions of fear, worry, and anger. She thought it might have been because she smacked that one boy who had approached her. But, he deserved it for trying to hit her with a stick and telling her that she had no right being in their forest. She was only passing through their village, not attempting to conquer it. She would have nothing to gain from controlling the forest anyways, it did not seem to hold anything secretive or of any value.
"Nabooru? What are you doing here?" She suddenly heard a familiar voice and Saria pushed through the crowd of children. The boy she had smacked earlier huddled behind the girl, glaring venomously up at her from behind the green-haired girl.
"I'm here to find Link," Nabooru replied with a wide grin. A look of horror flickered on Saria's face, but it was hidden with false confusion.
"Link hasn't been back for a long time, Nabooru. I told you that a while ago. What makes you think he is here?" Saria asked impatiently.
"I know he is here, Saria, so that cute confused expression is useless. Now, tell me where he is," Nabooru asked again.
"I don't know where he is, Nabooru. Stop asking me for the answers to questions I can't help you with," Saria growled, crossing her arms as if it was her final decision to not tell Nabooru.
"Saria, do you see my horse over there?" Nabooru asked. Sarai looked and saw Nabooru's horse nibbling on the grass near the gate.
"How did you get him past the gates?" Sarai asked in genuine confusion. Nabooru grimaced at the memory of her the arduous effort it took to get the horse through the first gate, let alone the bridge and the second gate.
"A lot of shoving and cursing, but that's not the point. See that girl sitting next the horse?" Nabooru continued. Sure enough, a steaming-red Malon was sitting next to the horse, glaring at Nabooru with pure hatred gleaming in her eyes.
"If you don't show me where Link is, I'm going to hurt her. Do you understand?" Nabooru asked sweetly. Several of the children around them opened their mouths to say something, but a quick dangerous glance from Saria silenced them. The girl stood there; fidgeting while she looked at Malon, at Nabooru, then back to Malon.
"…Fine, follow me. Don't get lost," Saria answered sadly, she turned and started walking away. Nabooru smiled before walking towards Viento. Viento watched her approach with eager eyes, he had already forgiven his master for forcing him through the gates and across the bridge.
"Stay here, boy," She whispered as she pulled Malon to her feet. The horse shook his head as if in annoyance and snorted into her face before wandering hungrily towards a large patch of grass. Nabooru smiled to herself as she dragged Malon through the crowd of silent children to catch up to Saria. The children shifted aside, staring in worry and shock as the trio walked towards the Lost Woods.
"Ow!" Nabooru yelled as a bunch of sticks landed on her head. She heard childish laughter above her and looked up to see two sets of angry yellow eyes. The eyes blinked back at her before vanishing into the protective leaves and tree limbs.
"Saria, tell them to stop!" She yelled as a nearby bush rustled and a handful of pebbles and stones were thrown at her feet, the tiny rocks scattering before they managed to reach them. She wanted dearly to see who was foolish enough to attack her, but dusk was fading to night and her eyes were not fully adjusted to the dark oppressing shadows the numerous trees cast around them.
"Don't mind the Skull Children, they are those that become lost and ensnared by the forest's magic. Don't stray too far behind," Saria replied curtly, glancing around before continuing on. Then, one on the skull kids jumped into the path, looking at Nabooru with angry gleaming eyes before focusing on Saria.
"Who's the old woman, Saria? She should not be here," He asked.
"How dare you call me a old woman, you bastard!" Nabooru yelled, letting go of Malon and pulling out her sword. Before she could attack, it leapt upwards to the safety of a tree and laughed.
"Nabooru?" Nabooru spun and glared at Saria. The younger girl jumped, frightened by Nabooru's sudden movements. The Gerudo sighed and put her sword back into its sheath.
"Sorry, continue on," Nabooru replied. Saria nodded and started walking again. For a couple of minutes, they listened to the sounds of the forest, the leaves playing in the wind, the sound of their footsteps, Malon's dragging feet, and the skull kids' malicious laughter around them. Then, Saria suddenly thought of something.
"Nabooru?"
"Yeah?"
"What's a bastard?"