Chapter 4

"Like this?"

Leda stood rigid and straight, her feet planted shoulders-width apart with her left arm extended straight in front of her and right arm straining back. She had to try with all her strength not to shake as the tension in the string pulled against her arm.

"Yes," Link inspected. "Allow yourself to relax a little bit—no, now you're too relaxed."

With a huff, she straightened her slouch and tried to fit right in between, relaxed and easy but still solid. Learning to use a bow turned out to be much more difficult than she expected. Living on the streets allowed her to become fit and agile, though her arms were quickly exhausted under such strain. Link had apologized for not having a more beginner-friendly bow to try with, for the only one they found in Kakariko village was from a weaponry shop owned by an odd man named Barnes and had more weight to the string than she had hoped. But she insisted it would be fine as long as she could learn to use it effectively.

"Alright," Link nodded from his casual lean against Epona, and Leda at last released the string gently and allowed the bow to straighten. "I think you're ready to fire an arrow now." With that, he snatched an arrow from the quiver strapped around his back and walked to her, placing the arrow in its place on the wooden bow. "Now, you'll want to hold near the feather fletching between two fingers." He reached is left hand forward to move her fingers, but quickly thought twice and used his right hand instead. Leda could tell he was being wary of that strange occurrence happening again, for it seemed that only if their opposite hands touched that there was any reaction. She was glad for his caution, though worried at the furrowed look on his face as he stared at her hand.

Ever so gently, he took her fingers and guided them to the string and settled the nock of the arrow between her fingers. Just from such simple contact, Leda could feel her heart thudding and face threatening to heat. Did he really have so much control over her like this?

"Now let the arrow rest on your other hand," he said, his breath causing shudders to go down her spine as he spoke closely to her face. She shoved the thoughts from her head and desperately tried to focus on the bow, arrow, make-shift target on a tree in the distance—anything. "Now pull it back until it nearly touches your cheek like I showed you," he instructed, and she eagerly followed, her excitement pushing her fluttering stomach out of her mind. Link took a few steps back, double checked her stance and nodded once. "Now concentrate on your target and keep your breaths even and calm. Don't let anything distract you. When you're ready, go ahead and fire." She allowed her breathing to stay deep and even, staring straight at the carved mark in the tree with a determined look on her face. Her fingers were about to release, when, "Oh, and Leda, you don't have to blush."

It was too late; the string slipped from her fingers and send the arrow flying with a thwung sound. She didn't even watch to see where the arrow landed, for she was spinning on her heels and glaring a fierce stare into Link's laughing face. Leda prayed to Hylia that her face wasn't getting more red. "You ruined my concentration!" She exclaimed letting the bow fall to her side. "Link, you're such-"

Link allowed himself to stand up and look toward the target, his laughs stopped, face replaced with awe, then pride. "I ruined your concentration, you say?"

"Yes-!"

He jabbed a thumb in the direction of the tree, a grin spreading on his face again as he looked back to her. She sighed and looked over—only to see the arrow embedded only a few centimeters off from her target. All irritation with Link dissipated, and excitement took over once again as she began bouncing on her toes and cheering. "I can't believe I actually managed to even hit the tree," she gaped, Link smiling with her. "You must be a natural. Are you sure you've never done archery before?" He rose his eyebrow. Leda shook her head, still surprised at her success. She quickly ran—practically skipped—to the tree and yanked the arrow out of the bark and rushed back to try again.

"I may have just gotten lucky. Surely with another try I can see if that's really the case—I mustn't get so pleased."

Link just shook his head and chuckled, seeing her thorough and determined personality shine. She stood again in the stance Link had guided her into, pulled the string back, breathed, and released the arrow once again. It landed with a thump nearly directly on the target. This time, she allowed herself to truly grin with excitement.

"I guess that proves it." Link chuckled with her. "You're a natural for sure. It's incredible, you seem to use the bow as if it's a part of you—another limb, I would say. Very impressive," he marveled. His grin grew sly. "Then again, you did have quite the incredible instructor. Who is this dashing archer that taught you such talent?" He wriggled an eyebrow as she shot an unconvincing glare at him, a smile still hanging on her pink lips. "Oh," she played along. "Just some ruffian I found around some town," she waved her hand nonchalantly.

"'Ruffian'?" He mocked offense, and she poked him in the chest teasingly with the end of her wooden bow. "Yep," she nodded. "Quite the bother, always teasing me, a poor wench. Though," she looked him up and down, taking in his sapphire eyes, blond hair, and the green tunic he had chosen to wear today. For some strange reason, the color fit him perfectly and made him almost more handsome than she could handle. "I can't argue that he is dashing."

His eyebrows rose under the shags of his bangs, and she turned from him to wade through the tall grass and onto her horse, face burning furiously. Had she really just said that? Was she…flirting? Oh, goddesses, she thought, pinching herself on the arm slightly. The heavens have cursed me. "Let's go," she said, trying to hide her blush. "I want to reach the Lost Woods before it gets dark and harder to navigate."

Link obeyed, trying to stifle the grin pulling at his lips and climbed atop his own horse. He had to push Epona into a quick trot to catch up with the golden-haired girl hurrying away.

The summer day had brought a few clouds, the first Leda had seen on their entire adventure. Some were fluffed and white as snow, hanging lazily in the sky, where in the distance some looked heavier and darker as if they were holding a bought of rain and preparing to release. She noticed the wind blowing and noted that it was blowing the mass of clouds right to them. Leda could only hope it didn't hit them, and if it must that it would be after she and Link reached the cover of trees in the woods. The long expanse of the grasslands allowed her to make out the tall, dense trees standing in the distance, huddled and pressed tight against a large cliffside and above it, the Gerudo Desert. The sandy horizon was slowly growing larger and closer as they traveled, and Leda marveled at how massive it seemed.

"Zora's Domain is just west of the forest," Link told her, looking southwest. Leda followed his gaze, and spotted a large, shining mountain that she guessed held the Domain. It seemed it was very close to the woods, and she was instantly curious. "Do you think we could pay a visit after the woods?" She asked. He thought, then shrugged. "I can't see why not. We've made good time, and haven't even been out for a week," he turned his bright gaze to her and smiled gently. "I would love to show you around."

Leda grinned back, elated to hear that they would be able to. "What are they like?" She asked, pulling out her small leather book to sketch the shining mountain. "The Zoras."

"Very kind," he replied, a distant look settling in his eyes as he remembered. "I once helped escort their queen from the castle in Hyrule back to their Domain. She, along with her maids, were extremely kind. Their voices were smooth and calming, much like the waters they live in. I've never heard such enchanting singing before." He absently traced the design on his gauntlet and continued. "The Domain itself is absolutely stunning. The rocks surrounding it all shine a coral blue, and there are more waterfalls than you can count. The guards I traveled with called it aquardisa, meaning 'water paradise'. And that it was. Our commander practically had to drag us by our ears to go back to Hyrule's grassy lands," he chuckled. Leda stared at him, enjoying his look of nostalgia and curious at the distant look he held in his eyes. This man very surely had seen nearly wonder in the land, and his love for it was inspiring to her. She was continuously curious about him, what he else he had seen, and who he was.

"Have you been back since?"

He nodded his head. "Once, but that was some time ago. It was…to visit someone."

Leda waited for him to elaborate, but he remained silent, his expression stone and eyes still set on the grand mountain. She wanted to ask, but his closed-off stance kept her, too, in silence. With one last touch-up, she closed her small book and slid it back into its spot on her horse's saddle pouch. She would just have to wait and see what caused him to be so somber.

They later came across a spring, and Leda was elated to finally wash the filth that was gathering on her skin and hair. Water truly had never felt so lovely as she waded into the crisp liquid, her clothing strewn on the rocks on the shore. She had told Link to make a lunch and give her privacy, and she now relished the comforting feeling of the water against her sunburned skin. She thought it strange that while she was out traveling with few possessions, she had been experiencing much more luxuries than she ever had back in Castletown. A sadness once again tugged on her, and she stared at the back of her right hand, the sight wavering under the ripples of water. With a gentle touch, her hand glowed and the Triforce came into view. As the days had passed, her baffled curiosity had grown immensely about what this symbol meant. Her gaze moved from her hand to a slight break in the rocks that surrounded the spring, and she spotted the lush cover of the woods in the distance, now only perhaps an hour or so away. What lied within the thicket of those trees? Would her life ever be the same afterwards? Only time would tell.

Her thoughts wandered to Ampi. Though she knew she was more than capable of taking care of herself, Leda couldn't help but wonder how she was doing and hoping all was well. A slight feeling of guilt settled in her chest as she realized that she had thought of Ampi so little during the past few days, and had hardly remembered how much she missed the stern lady and how odd it was to not have her always close by. Leda was immensely grateful for Link, however, for he had offered company to her without a second thought. The golden-haired girl knew she would be completely lost in the massive land if he hadn't come along. It was so odd, his commitment to aid her in her travels without a second thought. Surely, he was wary of a strange girl he had never seen in Castletown before. Or perhaps he felt the same feeling of trust and connection to her as she did him. With a small shrug, she allowed her thoughts to wander elsewhere as she scrubbed the grime from her hair, the strands transforming from a muted blonde back to shining gold.

Link was nearly finished roasting a trout over a fire when she came wandering back, refreshed and beaming from her time in the spring. "Smells absolutely delectable," she observed, breathing in the scent of food. Her stomach rumbled in agreement. Link looked up to her and grinned, watching her as she spun her wet locks into her usual braid. "Glad you think so," he returned his attention back to the trout. "It's just about finished."

The meal of fish and dried berries tasted equally as good as it had smelled, and Leda hadn't felt this satisfied all day with clean skin and a filled stomach. She was sat on a small rock, elbows on her knees as she peered over the great expanse of the field.

"I assume you're from either the upper middle class, or perhaps even higher than that," Link said suddenly.

She raised an eyebrow. "Pardon?"

He turned his blue eyes to hers. "Your speech is very sophisticated, as are your manners. Except when you're irritated, of course," he grinned. Leda rolled her eyes and he chuckled. "And," he continued, "it appears you are literate, and your clothing is very well-made. Though, your discomfort with wealthy townspeople argues that you aren't super high class. So, I'd vouch for upper middle."

A frown pulled on her lips, and turned her head away and pretended to be distracted with adjusting her boot. She almost felt guilty for wearing such fine garments, and for the fact that Ampi had educated her as she grew up. It seemed unfair to her neighbors who couldn't read a single word, or do even the simplest of math. She nearly felt like a traitor to her own people.

"I didn't mean to be nosy," he said suddenly, sitting up straighter. "Simply making observations. I want to know more about the strange girl I am traveling with."

She sighed, and turned back to him. Why was she hiding her living conditions from him? He clearly was a respectful young man, and surely, he wouldn't see her any lesser…right?

"Actually," she said softly. "I'm of neither of those." She picked at a piece of grass nervously. "I've lived in Castletown's slums my whole life."

To her great relief, he didn't respond disgusted, but rather leaned forward with a sad look on his face. She continued to look away, not wanting his pity. Leda really didn't mind living without a proper home, and didn't want Link to think that she was unhappy. "It's really not all that bad," she explained. "My 'aunt' takes great care of me. I make enough money doing small jobs to get by."

"Leda," he said softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't know-"

"Don't be," she stopped him. "I have a shelter more or less, and enough food. Do not fret."

His face suddenly turned upset as he stared at his toes, and she was worried he would now become disgusted with her. "It isn't fair," he blurted. "People shouldn't live in poverty while the rest of us live practically worry-free. Especially people like you," he turned to look at her once again. "You deserve so much better, Leda." His eyes looked sad once again. "It isn't fair," he repeated.

She was surprised to see so much emotion from him on such a subject that she had always felt so passionate about herself. "Link, really. I am happy. I have all I need: a friend—now two—that care for me, a community of kind and humble people, and a roof over my head. Don't feel unhappy for me. You earned your success, so you deserve every bit of it." She reached her fingers forward and touched his knee gently and comfortingly. "Plus," she continued, "you have made this trip absolutely wonderful. I can't possibly thank you enough."

With a sad sigh, he nodded. "Of course, Leda. Anything for you."

Her heart fluttered slightly.

"Well," he pushed away the sad expression hanging in his blue eyes and looked back at her. "What is it like? Did you build your own home? My mother was from Ragtown. She said that her father had built their hut with his own hands."

She smiled, happy to see him cheerier again. "We actually live in an old building," she explained. "Ampi said she grew up in it too. It looks ancient, probably older than all of Castletown with stone walls and a great bell hanging under the spire. I think it used to be a church of some sort," she explained, recalling with a touch of homesickness the old structure she had called home her whole life.

"Are you talking about the old Temple of Time?" His blond eyebrows rose.

"What?" She looked at him, unknowing.

"There's an ancient temple in that area of Castletown," he elaborated. "It was from an era before the war with the desert people even. It is said to have an ancient magic still living in its walls, and old writing carved into the stone. It is quite legendary, though I'm afraid most people have long forgotten about it."

She nodded. It made sense now, the word "time" she spotted carved on the altar. It was amazing to her that she lived in such a historical building, though she was disappointed more of the carvings weren't legible. "Most of the words have long since worn away, and only a few characters are even distinguishable," she told him. "Though," she recalled, "there is an old slot on what looks like an altar as if it was meant to hold something lost long ago. I don't know what."

"Hm," he pondered. "I haven't read anything about that in the textbooks of the castle's library," his eyes suddenly brightened. "You must show me around when we return," he pleaded. "I would love to see it, and to meet your dear friend."

A smile spread on her lips. Why hadn't she told him about herself earlier? "I would be delighted to."

From afar, the Lost Woods seemed peaceful and gentle, but now that the pair stood right beneath the entrance to the trees they seemed unwelcoming with tall trunks casting dark shadows at their feet. Leda picked at her gloves nervously, trying to peer into the dark air within the woods. Whatever nervousness she felt previously was amplified nearly more than she could bear.

"Don't worry," Link's voice broke the eerie silence of the trees. "I know where to go. There's only one settlement in the entire forest, so I assume that's where you should look. The path starts behind that tree back there with a carving." He lifted his finger to point to a tree that looked just like the others, but a faint mark was etched into its rough bark. With a deep and shaky breath, she stepped forward, determined to find this "Great Deku". Sadly, they had to leave their horses at a nearby stable since the pathways were too narrow for them to walk through. Plus, Leda had noticed, the horses were uneasy the closer they got to the shade of the woods. Perhaps they sensed the intimidating aura of the Lost Woods as well.

Leda saw no evidence of any pathway, but believed Link's word and climbed over the twisted roots toward the carved tree. As she approached, she saw the symbol to be a single circle with a swirl through it. It looked strangely familiar, but Leda couldn't quite place where she had seen it before. Maybe it had been in one of the books Ampi allowed her to read.

"This way," Link took lead and stepped around the tree to a small path of beaten-down dirt. The trunks of the trees pressed in close, and Leda couldn't help but feel claustrophobic. That was one thing she had never felt before; this forest seemed to bring out her most nervous emotions. She couldn't wait to get to whatever village that lied within it.

Not even a single bird seemed to sing within the shadows of the giant trees, and the pair had yet to see a single sign of wildlife. The silence rung in Leda's ears, and goosebumps began to take over her bare arms. Blood pumped to her ears, making her heart sound unnaturally loud.

"I thought forests were supposed to be peaceful," Leda whispered, almost fearful to break the thick quiet. "All I'm feeling is unnerved."

"Well, this is the Lost Woods. The name itself is enough to make one unsettled." Link didn't seem slightly phased, as if this odd trudge through a terrifying and cold forest was just a daily affair. He turned and offered Leda a soft smile, and she accepted it happily, trying her best to return the look.

"What was your childhood like?" She was desperate to make noise, any noise. As long as she didn't have to listen to silence. She'd much rather listen to Link's voice than the blood rushing in her ears.

"My childhood?" He almost looked surprised, then looked away thoughtfully. "Cramped, I must admit. The servants' quarters were always way too full, and we were only given one room for my mother and my siblings."

"You have siblings?"

"I did," Link smiled sadly, and Leda opened her mouth to apologize but he raised his hand to stop her. "My sister died in an accident, and my brother died in an attack on the castle. It's fine though, I've long since found peace with my losses."

"I'm so sorry," she whispered despite his explanation.

"On happier memories," he changed the subject, "I spent most of my time in the gardens of the castle, or pranking the poor maids and guards. I don't know how they put up with me," he smiled. "There was an old commander that I ran across in the gardens one evening, and he saw my restlessness and began teaching me how to use the sword. He was truly a life saver; I finally channeled my mischievous energy into something productive. Thanks to him I became a castle guard. I really owe my success to him," his smile became nostalgic and distant, remembering his childhood. Leda remained quiet and allowed her fingers to brush the ferns hanging over the edge of pathway as she listened.

"We were kicked out of the servants' quarters after the King's child went missing," he continued. "With my mother no longer having work, we had to live in a small home near Ragtown. I had to pay for her, myself, and sister by working for the castle. It was a long year," his fingers began tracing the details of his armguard again, a mindless habit. "My mother found an opening for a laundry maid after some time, and moved herself and my sister back to the quarters. At that point I was a higher ranked soldier and was allowed to stay in the barracks at only sixteen."

"That's very young for the castle guard," Leda pointed out. "I didn't know they even allowed people that young."

He nodded. "Yes, I was a bit of an exception. I had to prove myself with my skill with the blade. This way." He pulled Leda by the elbow and off the pathway to the west—or was it the east? Leda was terribly disoriented in the woods. "Off the path?" She questioned nervously.

"Yes, the path is meant to lead its followers astray after this point. We must head to the right and another pathway will appear."

Leda just exhaled and followed him faithfully. She knew nothing about the Lost Woods, only that it seemed to be terribly dangerous and unpredictable. The walk was excruciatingly slow it seemed, and they couldn't reach the village soon enough.

"Are we close?" Leda sighed like a toddler once they had finally found the second narrow road. She hardly cared at this point, only wanting to be done wandering the woods. It felt as if they had been walking among the trees for hours, though she knew it had only been a short time.

"We're about halfway there," Link smiled apologizingly over his shoulder as Leda slouched. "Let's keep walking. You're doing great."

Reluctantly, she pressed forward through the chilly forest, trying to concentrate on making her legs step forward on the soft earth beneath her. She had to admit that though the woods were less than welcoming, it smelled wonderful. The earthy scent of rotted wood and rain hung in the cool air, filling every space she entered. That was what she tried to concentrate on during the long walk; the earthy scent and willing her steps forward.

A sudden whisper, almost like a soft gust of wind, reached Leda's ears and she looked up at Link's back in front of her. He wasn't turned around, and was simply walking and stepping over the occasional root, clearly not having said anything. She shrugged it off; the silence of the trees was probably getting to her head.

The whisper sounded again, louder this time, and Leda furrowed her eyebrows and strained her ears. Her hand lifted, poised and ready to grab the bow off from her back in case of danger. Link still was faced away from her, clearly not the one speaking. What in the—

Zelda…

She stopped in her tracks, head whipped around and trying to find the source of the sound. Who was saying her name? A shiver racked up her spine, and the goosebumps on her arms multiplied. She couldn't wait to be out of these cursed trees.

Zelda… The whisper practically hissed her name. You've failed. You left them all.

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words escaped her lips.

Thanks to you they will all suffer…You're a failure.

You are unworthy to bear that divine symbol.

She subconsciously rubbed the back of her hand, scared beyond reason. The whisper multiplied, several voices fighting their way to reach her ears. The sound was deafening, and her vision became a blur of green and earthy brown. Her limbs became numb, and all she could feel was the harsh whispers attacking her ears.

They will all suffer. You failed your destiny.

Zelda…the first of her ancestors to fall.

You've condemned them all to misery.

"What…" she choked, fighting to catch her breath. "..are you talking about? H-how do you…" Unconsciousness threatened to take over. All she could hear was the hissing voices, a thousand whispers assaulting her mind. The vaguely felt herself stumbling, a branch and occasional fern brushing against her cheek. Stop! She pleaded in her mind. Leave me be!

The voices ignored her begging, and only increased in volume. She felt like she was suffocating, like a thousand rocks were pressing onto her head. I'm dying, she concluded. I've gotten so far just to-

Suddenly, in the midst of the poison whispers, Leda could hear a humming voice. It was deep and comforting, strong yet kind singing what sounded like a lullaby.

"L-Link?" Her voice barely squeaked beyond a whisper, trying to fight through her fading vision.

The humming stopped abruptly, and she could faintly hear the rustling of leaves and a now frantic voice. "Leda? Leda! Where have you gone?" The crashing of leaves sounded closer, and she suddenly felt strong hands grasp her shoulders, their warmth pulling her out of the possessed state she had fallen into. "There you are!" The harsh whispers faded away and out of her mind, and her vision began to clear. Leda found herself on her knees, one hand grasping the trunk of a tree and other fisted against the rich soil on the ground.

With shaky limbs, she turned to face Link knelt above her. "Link?" Her voice broke again.

"What in Hylia's name are you doing over here?" Link's eyes were wide with concern, their blue glancing frantically between her eyes. Leda looked around, and realized they were no longer on the pathway, but amidst the tight cover of trees. "You could have gotten lost," he continued. "The woods would have held you captive forever, Leda!"

"Why are you calling me that?" She asked suddenly, clutching a fistful of his green tunic in her shaking hand to steady herself.

"Leda, what are-"

"That isn't my name," she mumbled, her eyes glazed and staring through him.

He only shook his head slightly with confusion. "Leda-We need to get you to that village right now." He hoisted her up and grasped her around her waist and lead her to the path, patiently waiting a she clumsily stepped over the straggled roots and rocks. She was desperately trying to blink her dazed state away from her mind, hardly realizing she was walking—or rather stumbling—again on the path. Her mind was still spinning, trying to make sense of what just happened. What did they mean 'failed your destiny'? How did they know my name—and that I bear the Triforce? She suddenly remembered the soft lullaby Link had been humming. It sounded so familiar, like she had heard it once before. But where? A distant dream-like memory seemed to be trying to fight to her mind, but she couldn't quite grasp it.

"What were you singing?" She said suddenly, breaking the silence hanging between them.

"What?" Link continued guiding her forward.

"That song," her words slurred, "you were humming a song. What was it?"

"Oh," he nodded. "It...it was a lullaby my mother sang to me when I was young on nights I got scared. She said it was the lullaby she also sang to the King's child to comfort them."

Leda furrowed her eyebrows. "Can you sing it again?"

Link hesitated for a moment, then his deep humming rung again through the silent forest and Leda closed her eyes, allowing the sound to ring through her as well. The tune sounded so familiar, yet she still couldn't grasp where she knew it from. Perhaps Ampi had sung it to her as a child? He finished, then looked at her through the corner of his eye expectantly.

"It's so familiar…"

"We're here," Link said, his voice relieved. Leda felt him relax slightly, and even through her lethargic state she felt her face threaten to heat as she realized his strong arm wrapped around her waist. She forced herself to ignore his grasp and instead looked to the clearing they had just entered. The village was hilly, fully surrounded by the towering trees. The homes themselves looked to be built straight into the trunks, and were craftily made with carved details on the wooden doors. Small clear ponds speckled around the pathways, and the sound of croaking frogs replaced the silence that had been in the forest.

"Welcome to the Kokiri Forest," Link said. Leda only grunted in response, relieved to be out of the woods. She let go of Link, taking a deep breath and tried to clear her head. "We need to find someone that can direct us to the person I'm looking for," she told Link, and he gave a nod.

He sought out a home near the end of the village, and led Leda to it and helped her up the branchy ladder. She grasped the railing and stumbled into the door he opened for her, and stopped abruptly when she saw the small child with vibrant green hair sitting on a small table, polishing a small instrument. The child looked up startled, wide green eyes meeting the pair that crashed into her home suddenly. "How may I—Sir Link, is that you?" Her gaze met the blond man grasping Leda to help her stand as she set the little flute-like instrument to her side.

"Saria," he smiled. "I'm terribly sorry about bursting into your home, but my friend here needs to be directed to someone." He nudged Leda, and she realized that was her signal to speak. She hadn't told him exactly who she was looking for, so it appeared it would but up to her to find the Great Deku from here.

"I-I've been sent to find a person by the title of the 'Great Deku'," Leda explained, and Saria nodded.

"Of course, that is the reason for most people traveling here. What is your business with him?"

"I have some very important information to give and ask him," Leda tried to explain, unsure herself why she even needed to see him other than to speak about the Triforce.

Saria's eyebrows furrowed, and she gave a nod. "That's very vague…but I won't intrude on your information if it is private. Follow me." She hopped down from her table and walked between the two standing in her doorway. Leda nearly laughed over the small girl that spoke with such an adult-like stance and leadership, for she was only half the size of Leda herself.

The green-haired girl led them through the village, waving to other small children along the way. Leda realized she had yet to see a single adult around the treehouses, and rose a single eyebrow thoughtfully. "Just through this pathway," Saria stopped at the front of a narrow path with tall walls on either side. "You may need to wake him." With that, the small girl left them and headed back through the small cluster of tree-homes.

Leda looked to Link, who only shrugged and gestured her forward. With an inhale, she walked forward, noticing her head was clearing greatly and she no longer stumbled with each step. Whatever had happened in the woods truly confused her, and she dreaded the walk back through them. She would have to ask this "Great Deku" what had happened.

The passageway was short, and soon opened to another clearing of grass and moss with a single, giant oak-looking tree in the center. Leda looked around expectantly, walking gently forward and straining her eyes to see any sign of someone but seeing none.

"Is he supposed to be here?" She turned to Link and he only shrugged, equally as uncertain.

She walked closer to the giant tree, checking to see if it had a door like the other homes in the village. She found the tree was odd with a misshaped trunk that looked almost like…a face?

"I'm impressed you made it through the Lost Woods."

Leda shouted and jumped back, surprised and stared at the tree. She must be losing her mind. There's no way the tree just spoke—

"Well don't act so shocked," the tree chuckled, its voice old and raspy. Leda just stared, trying unsuccessfully to mask her bewilderment. She felt Link arrive beside her, gazing up at the wooden face with an equally surprised expression.

The tree became solemn and stopped its chuckle. "It's been a very long time, my dear."

She gave a unsure expression. What did he mean "it's been a long time"? She had never been here before…at least that she could remember.

"I assume Impa sent you," he continued. "She's been very good to keep you in her care for the past decade and a half."

"Impa?" She furrowed her eyebrows. "Who?"

"Your guardian," he explained. "I believe she took on an anagram of her name while you guys were in hiding. 'Ampi', I think it was."

Leda was even more confused. Ampi wasn't who she said she was? Sure, she had suspected that there was a lot about the stern woman that she didn't know, but Ampi wasn't even her real name?

"I-I'm sorry," Leda shook her head. "I'm rather lost. I…don't know what you're talking about. Are you saying Ampi isn't her real name?"

"Correct."

A whoosh of air fled her lungs. "I…" she had no clue what to say. "Are you the Great Deku?" She asked, and he responded with a bored "yes". Suddenly, she remembered the letter that she was to give him from Ampi—or Impa, since that was apparently her real name. Leda dug through her satchel and found the entwined paper slightly bent, and pulled it out to unravel the twine and unfold the letter. She lifted the paper up for the Great Deku to see. He was silent for a moment, then gave a thoughtful "hm".

"I see." He didn't continue.

"Well?" Leda asked expectantly. "I am terribly confused. So much has happened in not even a week, and I need answers."

"What is your first question?" He waited.

What was her first question? There was so much she wanted to ask, all the way from the Triforce on her hand to who Ampi—Impa—really was and how he seemed to know who Leda was already. She thought carefully.

"The Triforce upon my hand," she began slowly, "what does it mean? Why has it chosen me?" She unbuckled her right glove and touched it the back of her hand, watching as it began glowing and held it to the Great Deku. She felt Link's gaze widen and as it stared at her hand, but she ignored him and continued staring at the tree in front of her.

"You bear the Nayru's portion of the Triforce, which allows you wisdom beyond your years. The goddesses have entrusted you with this power, which means your destiny is great. There are two others in this land bearing the other portions of the Triforce." He paused, his attention brought to Link standing silently beside her. "I see you have brought the bearer of the Triforce of Courage with you."

Leda's eyes widen as she gasped, and she turned to stared shocked at Link. He looked unsurprised, and met her stare. With a deep breath, he too undid his left glove and touched his hand, revealing the glowing Triforce that mirrored hers, except the bottom right triangle glowed brighter than the rest. "Link," she gasped again. "You had a portion of the Triforce this whole time?"

Link nodded then looked at her bare hand. "Looks like I wasn't the only one hiding the goddess's mark." He grinned. Perhaps that was why they couldn't touch each other's hand. Was it the goddess's powers responding to one another? Leda just continued to stare shocked at both of their hands. Link, of all people, turned out to have one part of the Triforce. Was it coincidence, or destiny that they would meet and leave on this journey together? She shook her head, and they both turned to the amused tree.

"But," Leda mused, "If the two of us are here, where is the final bearer?"

The Great Deku became solemn again. "This is where the bad news arrives. If the mark has found home in you two, that means someone has tried to forcefully take it, so the Triforce found safety in you two. There is a great danger in Hyrule, the one who possesses the Triforce of Power. I know not who it is yet for certain, but I do suspect it was the person that attacked you when you were only a child." He directed to Leda.

"What…?"

"Impa informed me some time ago that the attack stole your memory. You were only a small child, not even six years of age, in the safety of the Hyrule Castle's gardens. The person violently attacked the castle, claiming several lives that got in their way. From what I understand, you took a nasty blow to the head that made you forget everything."

Leda reached up and touched the scar on the back of her head, her expression awed. That dream that she always had…that must be a faint memory of what happened. In the dream, she could always faintly tell she was sitting among grass in the sunshine, and then a pain exploded in the back of her head. It all made sense now, and why she remembered so little about her first few years of her life. She had simply shrugged it off as being too young to recall much, but perhaps there was much more to it than she thought…

"Impa saved your life. She was your personal guard and mentor at the time, and fought off the attacker and fled with you into hiding in the slums of Castletown to raise you. In the long run, your amnesia was a blessing."

She furrowed her eyebrows, not understanding what he meant.

"Leda, as you probably know already, is not your real name. You weren't born a poor resident of Castletown."

His wooden gaze bore into her. "You are the heir to the throne; the King's missing child. You are the Princess Zelda."

A/N: We're starting to get into the more exciting stuff! I am super psyched for the next few chapters. Thanks for reading and be sure to leave a review. Thank you for all the follows/favorites! Until next time.

-Ximnah