Disclaimer: This is a hypothetical alternate timeline to the events of "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time." This story is a showcase of what might have happened if Saria were to take on the role of Hero of Time in Link's place. This story includes existing events and dialogue from the game, deviating more as the story progresses and its differences become more pronounced. This is not an exact retelling, however. There are new characters, names (some characters were not given names until Majora's Mask while others didn't originally have names at all, such as Saria's fairy), and extra content meant to fill in the gaps. The story also explores and interprets available lore, diverging only when appropriate (such as to complement the additional content). Any critique or feedback is greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoy.

Somewhere to the east in Hyrule, a foul plan has been hatched. A sorcerer from the Gerudo Desert known as Ganondorf tried to take the Kokiri's Emerald, but when the Great Deku Tree refused him, a terrible monster was sent to curse the Deku Tree and feed on his life force. Unable to move, he was helpless against this monster. Growing weaker, he reached out to one of the fairies of the forest.

"Navi… Navi, where art thou? Come hither…"

A blue fairy hears the Deku Tree's words, swiftly flying to his side.

"Deku Tree? What's happened to you? You look… Sick."

"Oh, Navi the fairy… Listen to my words, the words of the Deku Tree… Dost thou sense it? The climate of evil descending upon this realm… Malevolent forces even now are mustering to attack our land of Hyrule.

For so long, the Kokiri Forest, the source of life, has stood as a barrier, deterring outsiders and maintaining the order of the world… But… Before this tremendous evil power, even my power is nothing."

Navy listened carefully to the Deku Tree's words, nodding. "Did an outsider do this? Please, tell me!"

"Indeed… A sorcerer most foul sought the spiritual stone I guard. I would not bargain with him, thus do I now suffer from this curse." A moment of silence followed as the Deku Tree stopped to regain his strength. His voice grew weaker by the second. "It seems the time has come for the boy without a fairy to begin his journey… The youth whose destiny it is to lead Hyrule to the path of justice and truth… Navi… Go now! Find our young friend and guide him to me… I do not have much time left. Fly, Navi, fly! The fate of the forest, nay, the world, depends upon thee!"

"Of course! I'll bring him here straight away!"

And thus did Navi fly off in search of the boy without a fairy. The Deku Tree watched as Navi disappeared, waiting patiently for her return. As his life force continued to fade, a thought crossed his mind regarding the sorcerer.

That Ganondorf… I feared such a man would come here one day, a man hungry for the Triforce's power. Such a strange, frightening figure. I wonder what he meant by "We meet again"?

Saria, a Kokiri girl, was sitting on a tree stump. She gently played her ocarina as forest spirits danced through the air. She had traveled to the Sacred Forest Meadow, a place of peace and quiet where she often spoke with and played music for the spirits of the forest. Today was peaceful as well, only… Something was bothering her. It was a strange, intangible feeling that she couldn't place no matter how hard she tried.

At first, she thought she got up on the wrong side of the bed. After all, no one else seemed to be bothered. The other Kokiri were at play throughout the village as if nothing was wrong. Fado was standing on the lookout post, Mido was standing guard in front of the path to the Great Deku Tree, and many of the boys were taking care of the village. One was trying to move rocks, and another was trimming the grass in front of Saria's house.

How nice of him! Saria thought.

The only one that Saria couldn't see was Link. This didn't surprise her, however, as Link was always a late sleeper. She had decided to leave him be and go to the meadow to calm her nerves. There was no need to burden the others with her troubles, after all.

The forest spirits were not talkative that day, wishing to hear Saria's music first before they answered her questions. As she played her ocarina, that same bothersome feeling crept into her mind.

"Stop. That's enough," said one of the wispy spirits in the air. "Your music… It feels sad, somehow."

"I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. Ever since I woke up I've felt like something is wrong."

"Hmm… The forest has felt strange as of late," said another spirit. "We've seen deku babas sprouting up all over. Strange indeed. The Great Deku Tree should have suppressed their growth. What kind of protector is he if he's letting all these monsters sprout up!"

"Hey! That's no fair!" said Saria. "The Great Deku Tree's reach extends far beyond this forest. We can't expect him to notice every little thing."

"It does make me worry though," said Saria's fairy, Poppy. "The Deku Tree would never let monsters like deku babas grow here. What if something's wrong?"

Saria pocketed her ocarina, slapped her knees, then stood up. "I think we should go see what's wrong then. If he needs help with anything, I think we can handle it. Don't you?"

Poppy nodded then floated after Saria as she left the meadow behind. Hopping across the top of the maze down the stairway, Saria deftly landed on her feet at the end. As she landed, however, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. A deku baba burst from the ground and lunged at her with its toothy maw. Saria backflipped away, dodging the plant's bite.

"There's one here too? Poppy, close your eyes!"

Saria reached around her back, drawing a deku nut from a pouch and a curved dagger from a hidden sheath. With a toss, the deku nut burst open, stunning the plant monster. In its moment of weakness, Saria dashed forward and sliced the deku baba's stem, killing it in an instant. The severed stem hardened instantly, becoming a stick. Saria gave her dagger a flick before putting it back in its sheath and picking up the deku stick.

"Seems ordinary enough. Branches like this fall from the Deku Tree all the time," said Saria as she examined the stick.

Poppy floated over to Saria and said, "You're right. It really is the same type of wood. You don't think…"

Saria and Poppy's eyes met for a moment.

"Let's not worry about that until we can talk to the Deku Tree."

"Right!"

Saria and Poppy then left the meadow and made their way through the Lost Woods on their way to the village. While the Kokiri ran, dark thoughts bubbled in her mind.

I just hope the others are okay…

When Saria returned to the village, everything was fine. There were no signs of deku babas or any other monsters about. It seemed that whatever was happening had not yet reached the village. Saria breathed a sigh of relief, checking in on the other Kokiri as she passed through. Finally, she approached the treehouse with a ladder leading high up. At the base of the tree was a small drawing of a kid fighting a giant lizard. Just as Saria reminisced, Link stepped out of his house.

"Yahoo! Good morning, Link!"

Link looked down and waved. "Hi Saria!"

The young boy climbed down his ladder and greeted the girl. Much to Saria's surprise, a blue fairy was accompanying Link.

"Wait, is that a fairy? Wow! A fairy finally came to you! Now you're a true Kokiri!"

"Pardon me," said the blue fairy, "but we have a pressing matter to attend to! Link must see the Great Deku Tree at once!"

"Is that right? I needed to speak to him as well. I don't want to interrupt if it's important. Go on! I'll wait here until you're done. Let me know if it's okay to speak with him when you get back."

"Of course!" said Link. "All right Navi, lead the way!"

Link ran off with the blue fairy, and all Saria could do was wave goodbye.

"Navi, was it? I don't think I've met that fairy before," said Saria. "I'm glad he finally got one, though. Now hopefully Mido will leave him alone."

"I'm not so sure about that," said Poppy. "I'm sure he'll find something else to complain about."

Saria giggled at the comment. "Oh, those two… I hope they become good friends someday."

The Kokiri girl waited patiently by Link's house for a time, keeping an eye out for anything unusual. Curiously, Link returned after a few minutes with a frustrated look on his face.

"Link? What's wrong?"

"Mido won't let me pass!" said Link. "He says I have to arm myself before I stand before the tree. What's with that?"

"Indeed!" said Navi. "The Kokiri boy was most rude!"

"What?! Mido won't let you go to see the Great Deku Tree? Ohh… That bum! I don't know why he's always so mean to everyone!" Then the thought occurred to her. Perhaps she wasn't the only one to have seen the deku babas. "Hmm… I don't blame him for what he said. Strange things have been happening here lately… You need to be ready for anything, Link. I believe the Kokiri Sword is up by the training grounds, and you can get a shield from the shop. If you show up with those, Mido will have no choice but to let you through."

Link sighed. "Do I really have to buy the shield, though? It's not like it's a real shop…" Link then glanced over to a rupee sticking out of a bush. "I don't even know where they get these things."

"I know it's a little frustrating but try and play along. They take a great deal of pride in their work."

"All right, all right. I think I'll need about five blue rupees… I swear, if something bad happens while Mido keeps me out, I'm gonna slug him!"

"Don't worry. I'll keep an eye on the village while you're away. Good luck, Link."

The boy left with a reassured smile on his face, waving goodbye. Saria was happy to see him in good spirits, yet that nagging feeling would not leave her alone. A cold, sinking sensation in her chest. It was almost as if…

Time passed. Saria saw Link get past Mido, but he had yet to return. It wouldn't be long until dusk. Even the other villagers were starting to get anxious. Saria decided to check with Mido.

"Hey Mido, have you seen Link?"

The boy shook his head. "Haven't seen him since we last spoke. I heard some fighting not long after he left. Seems he ran into some deku babas on the way," Mido said as he pulled out a stick. "Those were some clean cuts, I gotta say…"

"Hmm. Maybe I should check on him."

"What?! I mean, you shouldn't worry so much about him. If he can cut stems this cleanly, I'm sure he'll be fine… Maybe… Probably…" Mido tapped his foot impatiently, his brow furrowed. "He better come back!"

Saria decided to step away for a moment. "Poppy, what do you think?"

"There's nowhere to really go in the Deku Tree's domain. I can't imagine a conversation lasting for hours."

"What could be taking him, then?"

Worry getting the best of her, Saria marched back to Mido and said, "Let me past. I need to check on him."

"Wait, I can't let you through! Not without a summons!"

"Not even me? But I've spoken with the Deku Tree before…"

Mido scratched his cheek, glancing away. "It's not like I want to stop you, but orders are orders, right?"

"I'll take responsibility," said Poppy. "If trouble should come from this, you needn't worry."

"But Saria doesn't even have a weapon! What if-"

"I appreciate your worry, but I'll be fine."

Mido looked from side to side, as if scanning for observing eyes. "I… Um… Fine! If you really wanna see Link that badly, I won't stop you!" The boy then stepped aside, grumbling under his breath.

As Saria passed, she looked back and said, "Thank you." The boy pulled his cap down over his eyes, blushing. Smiling softly, Saria made her way down the path to the Great Deku Tree. Sure enough, more deku babas had grown along the path. Making use of her dagger, nuts, and swiftness, Saria made short work of the plants. At the end, she looked across the field to the Deku Tree. He seemed sickly and tired, and his bark was starting to lose color.

"Saria… Is that you?"

"It is. What's wrong, Great Deku Tree? Where's Link?"

"Link…? I asked him for aid. I've been… Cursed, you see. I tasked him with striking down the source of the curse, and yet, I still feel myself slipping away."

"That's terrible! Is there anything I can do to help?"

"It pains me to burden so many with my troubles, but if you would be willing, step inside me. Find Link and help him stop this curse."

Saria looked to Poppy, then back to the Deku Tree. "Of course. I'll do what I can."

The Deku Tree opened his mouth and Saria approached. Standing at the base of the tree, she was reminded just how big he truly was. Often she and the others would sit in this very grove and listen to his tales of the outside world. To see the Deku Tree in such a sorry state… It pained her to no end. Steeling herself for what lied ahead, Saria stepped inside and began her search.

It didn't take long to find clues. Inside the Deku Tree were slain monsters (many of which were skulltulas), and a large hole in the center of floor looked like spider webs had once covered it, now torn through.

"What happened here? Where did all these monsters come from?" Saria asked.

"Perhaps they were brought here by whoever put a curse on the Deku Tree."

Saria reached the edge of the hole ringed with webbing. Looking down, she could see pools of water far below.

"Do you think Link is down there?" asked Poppy.

"Only one way to find out."

Taking a leap of faith, Saria dove into the hole, safely landing in the water below. After emerging from the water's surface, she saw the shallows, as well as plots of dirt and rock. There were metal bars to the south where water flowed through, as well as a stone block with curious symbols on its sides to the north.

"This can't be right. Is this really part of the Deku Tree?" asked Saria.

"It might not be," said Poppy, following Saria as she stepped onto land. "The Deku Tree's roots extend far below the surface. Perhaps this place was built by our ancestors so they could check on his roots. It'd be easier to navigate than digging new tunnels every time."

"Fair point." Saria looked around, noticing signs of battle and burnt webbing. A half-burned deku stick was discarded by a doorway, as well as by another hole ringed with webbing. After climbing up to the hole via the stone block, Saria and Poppy looked down. "How far does this go? This is most confusing."

"Do you think whoever built this place left a map behind?" wondered Poppy.

"Even if they did, I doubt it would have survived in these conditions. It's simply too damp."

"What if they kept it in a box, or a treasure chest?"

"Now you're just being silly."

Once more, Saria dove down, landing in another pool of water. After emerging, she noticed a trio of deku scrubs fighting over something.

"Let me have it! Let me have it!" one cried.

"No! I saw it first! It's mine!" said another.

"You're both idiots! It belongs to me! He hit me first, so it's mine now!" said the third.

It was strange. For just a moment, the thing they were fighting over looked familiar. Saria stepped onto land and swept her hair back to get the excess water out.

"You three! Did you see a young boy come through here?"

"W-what? Another one?!" shouted the deku scrub.

"We can't let you pass! Not after our last failure!"

"Yes, yes! The queen would never forgive us!"

"The queen?" said Saria. "Who are you talking about?"

"You idiots!" shouted the largest of the scrubs. "You said too much again! Get rid of her, quickly!"

The two smaller deku scrubs stood their ground and fired nuts at Saria. She dodged one then struck the other with a stick, knocking it back at the scrub and smashing it into the wall. Saria closed the distance to the other two, batting away the nuts before finally striking the scrubs across the heads.

"You bullies! That's what you get for attacking someone for no good reason!"

"Ow ow ow! We're sorry!" said one of the scrubs.

"We promise we won't do it again!"

"Honest!"

Saria sighed, crossing her arms. "You better not. Now, if you please, could you answer my question? Did you see a young boy pass through here?"

One of the deku scrubs nodded. "We did, we did! We tried to stop him the same way we did with you, but he was too smart!"

"Someone must have told him our secret! The traitor!"

"We'll find that no good scrub soon enough!"

"Please, calm down," said Saria. "This boy, did he have blonde hair? Green clothes?"

"He did, but…" The scrub trailed off, looking away in shame.

"What do you mean?" asked Saria.

Poppy, who had been floating over Saria's shoulder the whole time looked behind her and flew down to the ground.

"Saria! Take a look at this!"

The Kokiri girl turned and looked. On the ground was Link's green cap.

"Wait… Did he lose it?"

Saria knelt down by the cap and picked it up. It had a faint red stain on it. The girl's heart sank at the sight, nearly causing her to drop the cap.

"You three…" said Saria. "Did he go through this door?"

The three deku scrubs, who were huddled up, each nodded nervously. Saria pocketed the cap, readied her dagger, then stepped through the door.

On the other side was a large dark chamber. Stone came slamming down behind Saria after she took a few steps past the door. Pillars of old grey wood supported a twisted ceiling of gnarled roots, and a cold mist obscured the ground. A skittering sound could be heard further within. Saria looked around, but no sign of a monster could be seen. Just skittering, skittering, skittering…

Stepping lightly, Saria moved further into the chamber. A faint flicker of blue light caught her attention, and upon moving closer, Saria realized what it was. A wounded Navi was on the ground, missing a wing. So shocked by the sight, Saria dropped her dagger and scooped up the fairy.

"Navi? Navi! What happened? Who did this to you?!"

"The eye…"

"What?"

"It uses magic to hide… Seek the eye…"

The small fairy went still in the Kokiri's hands. A tear slipped down her face as Saria placed the fairy in a pouch.

"I'm sorry, Navi. Just hold on for a little while longer."

Just then, the air shifted. Saria dodged on instinct, avoiding a fatal blow. She suffered a small cut across her leg, however. As she looked around, there was no sign of her attacker. The air shifted again, forcing Saria to roll out of the way. Picking up her dagger as she rolled, Saria got back on her feet in a fighting stance. Then, in the middle of the air, a bright blue eye manifested, its pupil spinning backwards as another pupil appeared. The mist flowed against the faint outline of something strange and insect-like as invisible eyelids closed and the creature disappeared.

"So that's what she meant," said Saria. "Poppy, can you see it?"

"Barely, but it's fast." Saria and Poppy stayed on the defensive, waiting. Then before the beast struck, Poppy shouted, "Behind you!"

Saria ducked, striking at where she thought a limb might be. The dagger cut across something that felt like steel. The creature was quick to move away, changing its position once more. This exchange went on until the eye revealed itself momentarily. This time, Saria was prepared. She struck a deku nut at the ground below the eye, stunning the beast. The Kokiri made a mad dash and struck at the eye, slicing again and again.

When the beast could move, it darted away, clambering onto the ceiling. Not long after, three egg sacs hit the floor, birthing two-legged eye beasts with singular horns on their heads. When their eyes and horn tips grew red, they charged. Three on one, it was all Saria could do to stay on the defensive. Waiting for an opportunity, Saria struck down one of the beasts, scaring the other two away. Though she was on edge, Saria left them alone. Hostile though they were, she felt bad striking down creatures so young.

Soon enough, the large monster returned to attack. Since it worked the first time, Saria readied a deku nut. She kept dodging the monster's attacks, and sure enough, it took a peep with its eye to confirm her position. Just before she threw the nut, however, one of the baby monsters leapt in the way, causing Saria to hesitate. The monster's eye glowed red and its invisible limb shot out, piercing the baby and pinning Saria against one of the wooden pillars.

"That was one of your own! You monster!"

The creature cackled. "I care not. I can always make more."

Saria tried to swipe with her dagger, but another clawed limb swatted the knife away. A third limb reached up to Saria's face, bringing a claw to her cheek.

"Where is it?"

"Where's what?"

"The stone! I need the stone!"

"The Kokiri Emerald? Why would you want that?"

"Don't ask questions! Tell me where it is, and I may spare your life." The claw dug into Saria's cheek, drawing blood. "But be quick about it. My brood is still hungry. I can't hold them off forever…" said the monster with a mocking tone.

She wasn't sure what to say. Saria had heard of the spiritual stone, but its location was a closely guarded secret. Not even she knew.

"Well?!" The claw dug further in. "I'm waiting!"

Before things took a turn for the worse, Poppy (who had slipped away) floated up from behind the monster, carrying a deku nut. After getting into position, she dropped the nut right onto the monster's eye, stunning it. Saria broke free, picked up her dagger, then drove it straight into the eye. The monster stumbled back, hissing and howling, then finally collapsed. As if they drew their life force from their queen, the little ones collapsed as well, and then they all faded away in ghostly blue flame.

"Saria, are you okay?" asked Poppy, flying close.

"I'm fine, but where's Link? I thought those scrubs said he came in here."

Poppy's eyes turned downcast. "I… Saw him while I was flying about."

"Is he wounded? Show me to him."

"I… I'm not sure I-"

"What are you saying? Show him to me!"

Tears streamed from the fairy's eyes as she cried, "I can't!" and flew away.

"Poppy!"

Wounded and feeling as if a stone was in her throat, Saria searched the chamber. She did find Link, but…

There was nothing left but bones.

"Link… Link…!"

Saria fell to her knees, the strength in her body leaving her. As she reached down for the tattered green cloth and bones, magical light enveloped her.

"No, what's happening? Link! Link come back to me! Link! LIIIIIIIIIINK!"

Saria disappeared from the chamber, teleported back outside by strange magic. Mido was the first to come running into the field, followed shortly thereafter by the other Kokiri.

"Saria! You're okay!" shouted Mido. "What happened? Where are the others?!"

The girl, who was clinging onto tattered cloth looked up at her friend with teary eyes.

"He's… He's gone…"

The other Kokiri reeled at those words, Mido most of all. The boy's legs shook as he struggled to stand. Before he could ask more questions, the Deku Tree spoke up.

"Saria… Thank you…"

"Thank me? For what?"

"Dost thou not remember thine deeds? Thou has verily demonstrated great courage."

"But… I didn't make it in time. I… Couldn't save him."

"I know, and for that I am sorry. It was I who tasked him with ending my curse. Perhaps what is happening is my punishment for my misjudgment."

Saria and Mido looked to one another, then to the Deku Tree.

"What do you mean?" asked Mido. "Did Saria not break the curse?"

"She did, but the curse took too much of a toll on me. Please… My time is short. There is much I must tell you before I go."

Saria, still grasping onto the tattered cloth, stood up.

"Okay. Tell me."

"Thank you. Now… Listen carefully… A wicked man of the desert cast this dreadful curse upon me… This evil man ceaselessly uses his vile, sorcerous powers in his search for the Sacred Realm that is connected to Hyrule… For it is in that Sacred Realm that one will find the divine relic, the Triforce, which contains the essence of the gods…"

"The gods? Do you mean Din, Nayru, and Farore?"

"Indeed. Dost thou remember the tale? When the three goddesses finished making the world, they departed for the heavens. And golden sacred triangles remained at the point where the goddesses left the world. Since then, the sacred triangles have become the basis for our world's providence. And, the resting place of the triangles has become the Sacred Realm."

"Then that bad man must be after the Triforce, right?" said Mido.

"Yes. Thou must never allow the desert man in black armor to lay his hands on the sacred Triforce… Thou must never suffer that man, with his evil heart, to enter the Sacred Realm of legend… That evil man who cast the death curse upon me and sapped my power… Because of that curse, my end is nigh… Though your valiant efforts to break the curse were successful, I was doomed before you started… Yes, I will pass away soon… But do not grieve for me… I have been able to tell you of these important matters…"

A green orb of light appeared mid-air, floating down to Saria.

"This is Hyrule's final hope… Saria… I know I ask much of you, but go to Hyrule Castle… There, thou will surely meet the Princess of Destiny… Take this stone with you. The stone that man wanted so much that he cast the curse on me…"

Saria took the stone, which was a brilliant green emerald with gold swirled around it, reminding Saria of a seed.

"But Great Deku Tree… I thought if a Kokiri left the forest they would die? What are you asking of me?"

"The world is full of danger and strife. Within the forest I could always watch over and protect you, but beyond this place I could not. With my disappearance, you must all learn to protect yourselves through your own strength. I am… Sorry to leave you all… But I believe in you. Stay together… Train well… Do what you must… And Saria, the future depends upon thee… Thou art courageous indeed…"

Before her very eyes, the Great Deku Tree began to wither. His brown bark turned grey, his leaves fell one by one, and his voice went silent. His spirit departed, all the Kokiri were reduced to tears.

Saria returned to the inside of the tree, seeking out Poppy, Link's remains, and anything else of import. Link had the Kokiri sword and a deku shield, which she entrusted to Mido. Saria kept Link's slingshot and cap, burying the rest with Navi beside the Great Deku Tree. What felt like days passed as the Kokiri mourned the loss of so many and struggled to pick up the pieces. Mido, who had always called himself the boss of the Kokiri, earned his title by directing others and staying strong in the face of looming danger. Soon enough, the Kokiri who were unfamiliar with the ways of battle swiftly learned, fashioning bark and sticks into shields and weapons. Mido and the others would protect the village no matter what.

At least… That's what Saria hoped.

After talking it over with Poppy, Saria decided it was time to go. She had been entrusted with an important task by the Great Deku Tree. She had to leave the forest and seek out this so-called Princess of Destiny. Once she finished preparing food, supplies, and her gear, she put on a cloak the others fashioned for her as a gift and made her way to the bridge.

As she stepped onto the bridge that sat between Kokiri Village and the outside world, she saw Mido waiting for her.

"You really are leaving, huh?"

"Of course. What choice do I have?"

"You could stay! That bad man wants the spiritual stone, right? If you leave, you'll be walking right into a trap!"

"But if I stay, he'll only come back. He's already done enough harm here."

"Then let me come with you! Surely it would be safer than being by yourself!"

"The village needs you, Mido. They need a leader. Besides. I won't truly be alone. I have Poppy, and…" Saria put a hand to the green cap on her head. Mido looked up at it.

"I thought I saw you cleaning it… I still can't believe he's gone." Mido paused for a moment. "Do you… Hate me? If I didn't let him through, then-"

Saria hugged Mido, patting him on the back. "How could I? This wasn't your fault, nor the Great Deku Tree's. It was that monster and the man from the desert." Saria let go, stepping back. "It all feels wrong. It feels like he should be standing here. I always thought he would leave the village someday. Maybe he would have if it weren't for that man…"

"What do you think you'll do if you encounter him? To enter the village undetected and hurt the Deku Tree so… He must surely be strong."

"I don't know. But maybe I'll learn. If the outside world is truly dangerous, then I'll need to be strong as well. I'll fight, survive, and seek out the princess. And if I see that man and he hesitates for even an instant…" Saria gripped the handle of her dagger, "I'll make him regret it."

Mido couldn't help but chuckle at the statement, even as he cried. "Spoken like a true warrior. Seems you've graduated from being the big sister of the village! Best of luck then. And please… Don't forget about us."

"Don't worry. As soon as I'm done, I'll return straight away."

"You better not be lying!" Mido shook his fist. "You hear me!"

For the first time in days, Saria smiled. Without another word, she ran across the bridge and out the tree hollow. For a moment, fear clenched her chest. She had always been told over and over that if a Kokiri left the forest they would die. Even after being told otherwise, instinct almost stopped her dead in her tracks. She pushed through it, however, and left the forest behind. She was still alive, and her journey had finally begun.