Chapter 4: The Great Deku Tree
Ashwin was trudging through Kokiri forest. The tall leather boots he received from Evie were very helpful, especially since he was not on any kind of path. This part of the forest was not frequently visited. He had his Kokiri sword strapped to his back in its leather scabbard. He now knew how to use it.
Ashwin had been taking lessons in swordsmanship with the Kokiri and was getting quite good at it. He'd been living with them, adopting their customs and learning about their culture. In the village, he was known as "the round-eared boy from another village" on account of his ears missing the pointed top, characteristic of the Kokiri.
One thing he couldn't quite wrap his head around was the idea of the Great Deku Tree. Apparently he had been summoned by this tree, or so the Kokiri told him. Ashwin wondered if this tree could somehow get him back home. It was a tree that brought him here in the first place. He had tried to find the place where he crawled through the tree hollow with no luck.
Now he was bounding through the forest in search of the Great Deku Tree. Apparently it was quite an honour to meet this tree and not everyone has had this opportunity. They explained to Ashwin where to find it, but he was not sure exactly what to expect. He wondered whether it was a specific tree he was looking for or if this was some kind of figurative tree he was supposed to have some kind of experience with. He had passed several trees that were quite large.
Ashwin noticed a clearing up ahead. He stepped into this clearing to find the most enormous tree he had ever seen. He could mostly see its massive thick trunk and the exposed tops of its roots. He craned his neck backward, struggling to see the top of it. He now recognized the deku species of trees that grew in Kokiri forest but he had never seen one even close to this large. He now understood how this tree could make such an impression on the Kokiri.
He stood there silently for a while, taking in this fantastic sight. Suddenly, the tree began to creak loudly. Ashwin could see some bark up on the trunk begin to twist. He could now recognize the shape of two eyes and a mouth in the bark. A thunderous gust of air proceeded from the mouth. "I have been waiting for you Ashwin". The words sounded out very slowly like creaking and the rush of the wind.
At first, Ashwin was too stunned to even consider responding. After some silence, he gathered the confidence to reply. "I'm looking for a way home!" He shouted up at the tree. He must be so small to this tree. Can the Deku Tree even hear him?
"The time of your return has not yet come. Your fate lies in this world for the time being." The creaking words came out agonizingly slow.
"This place is terrifying!" Ashwin shouted back. "There are monsters everywhere! I'm no use to anyone here! I want to go home!"
"The bravest warriors feel the same fear that you do, Ashwin." The Deku Tree's loud, thunderous voice was frightening. "You are destined to learn the nature of courage. Show me the mark on your left hand."
Ashwin looked at his hand. What was so special about it? The only thing he could notice was a triangular shaped birthmark he had since he was born.
"This is the mark of the hero. It shall guide you while facing your destiny in the House of Farore." The Great Deku Tree paused here. The pace of his speech was already so slow that this was quite a moment of quiet. "Seek out two others that share the same mark."
A loud crack sounded from the base of the Great Deku Tree. Some of the bark had instantly peeled and was sticking out from the rest of the trunk. "Take this gift of bark and fashion it into a shield in the Kokiri style."
Ashwin approached all the way to the edge of the trunk of the Great Deku Tree. He took hold of the jutting piece of bark with both hands and pulled it backwards until it snapped off from the tree.
"Go now, Ashwin." The creaking of the Deku Tree's voice resumed. "And remember, you are your own greatest enemy."