Chapter 3

The Boy without a Fairy

Link sat up in bed, hot and sweating. He shook himself slightly, trying to rid himself of the vivid images of his nightmare, but he could not. The man remained, those burning eyes etched into Link's mind. The girl remained, as well, her words echoing back to him. It was the same images he had seen in the Sacred Forest Meadow before entering the Forest Temple with Saria. Then, too, her voice had haunted him. He wished he knew who she was.

He also knew with immitigable certainty that something of the dreams were real. They were not just dreams, they were visions, portents. He did not know what it meant, but he knew that the man with red eyes was an evil man, who wanted to hurt the girl. He knew the girl was important, and he had to protect her. He wanted to get up immediately, to go and find her and save her. Her voice was so achingly familiar, he felt sure if he could remember who she was he could help her.

Glancing through the window, Link saw it was the middle of the night. Knowing he would not now be able to sleep, he quickly dressed himself and crossed the room.

Stopping at the threshold, he looked back, then turned and sat back down on the edge of his bed. Carefully, he drew the sword out from under his bed where he had hidden it hours earlier. He picked it up and ran his hand over the sheath, then took a firm hold of the hilt and drew the sword in his left hand.

For a moment, everything seemed forgotten; his whole way of life dropped away from him. Being a kokiri meant nothing, and he no longer minded that he did not have a fairy, because he had a sword. He had always felt he lacked something, and it made him feel he was not a real kokiri. Now, though, having this sword meant that he was different from the other kokiri because of something he had that they did not, rather than any deficiency. It was an electrifying sensation.

He slid the blade back into its sheath and returned it to its hiding place, before going out into the night air for a walk. He hoped the forest air might clear his mind.

He passed Mido's house without apprehension. All the kokiri would be asleep at the moment. Even if they were not, the bully held less fear for Link than he had done previously.

His mind was still full of his dream as he passed under the eaves of the trees; he was still thinking of the girl who had called to him. Perhaps it was because his mind was so occupied that he did not notice the deeper shade, moving where the shadows should have been still.

Hugging the tree line, staying out of sight, a figure was stalking silently. For the first time in two millennia, the enchantments of the forest had been broken, someone had eluded the magic that protected the inhabitants of the Lost Woods.

The intruder was in good spirits. He had been able to resist the barriers and his own puissance had enabled him to overcome the defences of the guardian spirit. He knew the spirit would be found just beyond this village of the kokiri. It should not be necessary to be seen by them, the Little People held no place in his plans.

On the east side of the village, he crossed a stream and saw a large rock formation thrust up amongst the trees. It looked like a small hill formed of rock, a mountain in miniature. The forest had asserted itself with small hardy trees in many places. Close up, it seemed very out of place. According to the legends of the forest, it had been left by the goddesses themselves. A passage ran directly through it, a hollow through the rock, leading to the dwelling place of the guardian.

Smiling, the intruder passed into the little passage. He had to crouch. It was low enough not to trouble the kokiri, but he was much taller than any of them. His prize was almost within his grasp.

***

The horse disappeared into the mist. A voice echoed back to him, a voice he was sure he knew. "Do what I have asked of you! I believe in you!"

Link turned. A man in black armour stood before him. His face was a sickly green and his red hair was plastered against his head. He raised a hand towards Link.

Again, Link jerked awake. He glanced around the familiar settings of his tiny house. Everything was in order. He knew where he was. He closed his eyes but when he did all he could see in his mind was the man in black armour.

The images of his dream had plagued him intermittently for three weeks now. Some nights he could sleep deeply without being disturbed, but others he awoke three or four times, trying to shake the innate threat the dream always ended with. Each evening, he found himself praying to the goddesses for deep and dreamless rest, and yet he could not help hoping that he would again find himself outside that castle. Perhaps if he could hear those words just once more, he might recognise the girl, but still her identity eluded him.

At Saria's behest, he had gone to see the Great Deku Tree and had shown him the sword. The guardian had seemed troubled by it, but had not told them to return it. He had agreed with Tehl that it should stay in Link's possession. He had also agreed that it should remain hidden from the other Kokiri.

As they had left his meadow, following the little passage through the rock, Link was a step behind Saria and was sure he was the only one who heard their guardian's words: "Darkness is creeping over our fair land, Navi. Soon, it will be time. Our peril is growing. It is clouding my vision. It threatens to swallow all of Hyrule."

Link lay awake for some time, looking out of his little window at the stars and the treetops, before drifting back to sleep. His sleep had been so broken that he was exhausted. Deep sleep held him for many long hours, and the sun was high above the same treetops outside his house when in his mind he found himself once more stood in that courtyard. The horse disappeared into the mist and Link strained his ears to hear the words that echoed back to him. The girl was gone, though.

Link turned, and a man in black armour stood before him. He raised a hand towards Link.

"Hey!"

Darkness swirled in Link's mind. That voice did not fit the man with the red eyes. It was a piercing, high pitched voice. "Come on," squealed the voice. Link's eyes flickered open and he saw a bright ball of white blue light hovering above him.

"Can the fate of Hyrule really depend on such a lazy boy?" asked the light.

Link rubbed at his sleep filled eyes, and looked at the light again. Now, as he looked properly, he saw beyond its bright illumination and made out the form of a tiny person with wings. Her miniscule features wore a look of consternation but she smiled broadly as he blinked and pushed himself into a sitting position.

"You finally woke up!" said the fairy. Link yawned broadly and stretched his arms, looking in puzzlement at her. "Hi!" she said, brightly. "I'm Navi. The Great Deku Tree asked me to be your partner from now on. I'm sure we're going to get on."

Link blinked several times to try and clear his eyes and his mind. "But I don't have a fairy companion," he said, his voice thick with sleep.

Navi giggled. "You do now! We have to go. The Great Deku Tree has summoned you."

That woke Link up with a jolt. He leapt to his feet, scrabbling on the floor for his boots and his hood. A single glance through the window immediately told him how late it was. He had obviously slept for a long time before the dream had come back to him. As he pulled his left boot on, he looked up and saw Navi standing on the window sill. He paused.

"Are you really going to be my fairy, now?" From this distance, he could not make out her features at all; she was just a ball of light with wings again. He could not help thinking she was smiling, though.

"That's right. When we go to the Deku Tree, he'll bind me to you. Only he can do it, though." Link finished getting his boot on and got up.

"Link," Navi began hesitantly. He looked at her again. "Bring your sword." Link paused for a moment before nodding and bringing it out from under his bed. Link was too small to wear the sword on his belt, but the scabbard was attached to a leather strap that easily hung over his shoulder, so the blade rested on his back.

Thus equipped, he followed Navi through the door into the bright sunshine. There was no one around. He quickly descended the ladder and broke into a jog towards the Deku Tree's Hollow. The clear landmark of the Goddesses Hill, as it was known by all the kokiri, was ahead of him and he splashed through the little stream towards it.

At the edge of the village, a tall figure in green leant against a tree and watched the small boy walk out of his house and climb down the ladder. He was careful to keep himself out of sight, unnoticed by anyone. He smiled to himself as he watched the boy, and then stepping backwards into the foliage, he disappeared.

Just before Link reached the opening of the passage that led to the Deku Tree's Hollow, he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. He saw it in just enough time to throw himself to the side, thudding onto the soft grass. Looking up, he saw Mido stood over him. He had climbed up the wall into one of the trees and then tried to jump on Link as he passed. Link scrabbled to his feet.

"Why are you going to see the Deku Tree?" demanded Mido.

"That's none of your business, Mido." It was not Link who responded, it was Navi. Mido's focus had been entirely on Link, it was only now that he noticed the fey with him. His double take was almost comical.

"What? But- Who are you?" he said, trying to regain his composure. Mido's fairy, Tari, landed on his shoulder.

"Mido, perhaps we ought to leave them alone." For Link, it seemed the day could get no stranger. Tari had never shown any desire to restrain Mido's bullying in the past.

"Listen to your fairy, Mido." Navi's voice, which had been girlish and giggly when she came into Link's house, now sounded authoritative and commanding. "No one has appointed you to protect the Deku Tree or to tell other kokiri what to do. The Deku Tree has summoned Link. I would not want to stand in the way." The more Navi spoke, the more Tari's light seemed to dim, as if the fairy wanted not to be noticed. Suddenly Link realised that was the reason Tari wanted to restrain Mido: she was scared of Navi. Link looked at his new companion with admiration.

Mido's face filled with doubt for a moment. His confusion was obvious. Making Link's life miserable had been Mido's favourite pass time for years, and his favourite way of doing that was taunting him because he did not have a fairy. Now he did and that favourite weapon had been taken away. As if that was not bad enough, two fairies were telling him he could not do what he wanted.

Perhaps it was that that made up his mind. Mido had always done what he
wanted, and was not about to change that now. He swatted at Navi, knocking her out of the way, then lunged at Link. Not long ago, he would easily have been able to jump Link and wind him badly, but the Forest Temple had changed the younger kokiri. He ducked to the side smartly and Mido's own momentum carried him on. Link stuck out his foot and tripped his bully, then grabbed his arm to pull it behind his back, incapacitating Mido. He held him for a second, unsure what to do next, until Navi came to his aid again.

She fluttered down to the level of Mido's face, pressed against the turf. "Listen to me, Mido. You are to stop trying to tell anyone what to do. This will be your final warning. If you wish to remain amongst your friends in the forest, I would be very careful from now on." She flew up into the air again. "Come on, Link. We've wasted enough time here."

Link let go of Mido's arm and got to his feet. He turned away and walked through the aperture in the Hill to answer his summons. A forlorn voice echoed after him: "How did you get to be the favourite of the Deku Tree and Saria? It's not fair!" Suddenly the tone changed. "Hey, what have you got on your back? Is that a real sword?" Link ignored him. He had more important things to think about now.

The passage turned slightly at the end, and as he rounded this bend the Deku Tree's Hollow lay before him. It was a low bowl where the ground dipped down. Trees stood all around the edge of the bowl, but none fell down its sloping sides. The trees were so thick all around the edge that there was a strong sense of being enclosed in the space, with no way in or out except the passage through the rock.

In the centre of the hollow, was the Great Deku Tree himself. At first, he might be mistaken for just a tree, for anyone unprepared for an encounter with him would be overwhelmed by his enormous size. The broad trunk was twenty feet thick, and enormous roots thrust out from it, disappearing under the ground. The Tree stretched upwards, his true height indiscernible because of the many close branches that reached outwards and turned the hollow into a leafy glade.

But anyone properly looking at the woodland guardian, even the most obtuse to magic, could not help seeing that there was a sentience to the Tree. The enchantment that radiated from him felt both benevolent and menacing; he was obviously kind-hearted, but was certainly not a spirit to try and intimidate or deceive.

As soon as they entered the Hollow, Navi left Link's side and flew forwards, calling to the guardian. "I'm back, Great Deku Tree!"

The voice that answered her did not seem to actually come from anywhere. It filled the enclosed space, but did not sound loud.

"Welcome back Navi. Thank you for returning so promptly. Well met, Link." Link half bowed, feeling awkward. He had been to see the Deku Tree before, but always with Saria, and he had never been summoned before. He felt sure there must be some kind of protocol, but had no idea what it might be. His awkwardness was slightly eased though, as he felt the Deku Tree's good will. If it was possible, he felt sure the Tree was smiling. He smiled himself, tentatively.

"Do not be afraid," the voice continued. "But I am afraid the festivities of receiving your fairy must be held back. I have to speak with you about important matters."

This seemed to make Link feel oddly better, though he felt sure it ought to have made him feel worse. "Great Deku Tree," he said, summoning boldness and courage, "Can't Saria be here with us?"

"I am afraid not Link. These matters must be between you and me, and Navi.

"A sense of evil pervades this land. It has spread throughout Hyrule and reached even into this hidden and guarded realm. Verily, it has pierced the barriers and shrouds around the Lost Woods. Against this dark power, even my own strength is as nothing." Now fear really did start to grip Link. He could not imagine what kind of dark power could be stronger than the Deku Tree.

"I am afraid my strength is waning. I have been cursed, Link, and I need you, your bravery and your courage, to break this curse. Are you willing to undertake this task?"

This question took Link by surprise, and he hesitated. If the Deku Tree was cursed, it seemed impossible that there was anything that Link could do. Again, though, he felt the benevolence of the woodland spirit.

"You may question your own power, but I do not. I ask again, if you are willing."

"Yes, I mean, if I am able. Of course I will try."

"Your answer is perchance wiser than you know, as will be seen ere all things have come to pass. I thank you. First, we must attend to your new companion, though. Are you willing to be bound to Navi as your companion and guide?"

This was a question Link was certainly ready to answer. "I am."

"Navi, are you willing to guide Link, protect him and go with him wherever he must go?"

"I am," she responded. "I will do my utmost to enable him."

"Very well, then. Navi, go with Link. You will be his advisor and his counsellor. And Link, listen well to Navi's words of wisdom. Now, may you be bound, your lives entwined, your beings merged as one, as is all life in our forest."

The sensation of the Deku Tree's presence seemed to tighten on Link, and he felt the magic in the Hollow turn into something pressing on him. The pressure was not physical but was certainly overwhelming, and he suddenly become aware of Navi's presence in the same way he was aware of the Deku Tree's. It was as if they began to join together, flowing into one consciousness instead of two, their emotions becoming enmeshed and entangled. With a gasp, he found that his dearest wish had finally come true: he was bound to a fairy.

"Now Link, I must ask you to look between the roots beneath me. When you find the source of this evil curse that has been placed upon me, you must find it within yourself to overcome it. I beseech you, Link, to do this."

Link was not quite sure what his guardian was expecting of him at this point. How could he go beneath the mighty Tree's roots? He felt a certainty of understanding from Navi, though. It was a strange sensation, to know exactly what she was feeling as if he was feeling it himself. She moved forwards towards the base of the Tree, and he followed her. When he reached the point where the roots directly in front of him emerged from the earth, he realised there was a hole in the ground. Looking more closely, it looked as if something, some creature, had burrowed its way through the ground, dug down past the roots.

Navi hovered in front of his face. Looking past the brightness of her own light, he could see a reassurance in her face. He frowned, as it occurred to him that if he could feel her emotions, she could probably feel his. She inclined her tiny head, silently acquiescing to what she knew he was thinking, and then she dropped into the hole.

Firmly holding the sides of the opening, he lowered his legs down, and started to descend. It was not hard going; whatever had made this pit had churned the earth up, but it was still fairly firm, and there were thick vines that were part of the roots, which Link could hold on to easily. He quickly disappeared into the earth.

The Deku Tree waited until Link was deep into the cavity before speaking again.

"You can come out now, Mido."

Sheepishly, caught doing what he knew was wrong, Mido emerged from where he had been hiding just beyond sight in the passage to the Hollow.

"You must accept Link, now," said the Tree. "Your quarrel with him must end. That is my command." Sullen faced, Mido nodded.

"Why did you say all those things to him?" he asked.

"Do not think your actions towards Link have gone unnoticed, Mido. I watch all my children closely, and Link more than any other. You have thought ever since his first night in the forest that he did not belong here. I understand why you thought that. You were wrong, though. Link's time amongst us was necessary. It will end soon, I fear, but the time may come when you will no longer doubt my decision to harbour him in these woods."

"But I don't understand. What did you pick him to do? Why did you pick him and not me? Why's he got a sword? Where's he gone now?"

"You think I have picked Link because I prefer him to my other children? That is not so. Indeed, if I could spare him from the path laid before him, I would. However, my power only stretches so far. I have now done all I can. I hope when your turn comes, you will do the same."

It was obvious the conversation was at an end. The sentience the Tree gave out became stern; it was not unkind, but it made it clear that further argument would not be permitted. Mido nodded again, and turned back towards the village.