Zelda
Chapter 1: The Start of my New Life
Finding my way… Termina is a hard place to find, and even harder to leave… I had, of course, taken all of my masks, and Epona was barely able to get inside the clock tower in South Clock Town. Somehow, though, I was able to make it back… I soon found myself riding through the Lost Woods, hearing a familiar tune… As I heard Saria’s Song, I suddenly remembered it for myself…
I pulled out the legendary Ocarina of Time and put it to my lips. Upon doing so, I played a song I thought I would never use again… The Minuet of Forest. The notes rang a tone of familiarity in my large, pointed ears. Upon finishing the song, a green glow surrounded me, and I was whisked off to the Sacred Forest Meadow, where a good friend was waiting.
“Link!” Saria shouted, as she ran over and hugged me as tightly as possible. I looked at her face and smiled. She was the same as always. She wore the traditional garb of a Kokiri girl, consisting of a short, green dress with dark-green sleeves, and Kokiri boots. Her green hair was a testament to her deep connection with the heart of the Forest. Her blue eyes shined as I looked into them. “How have you been? Where have you been? What happened to you? I heard a strange sound three days ago and the spirits told me that you were gone!” She continued like this for ten solid minutes.
After the questioning was all over, I regaled her with the tales of my many adventures in Termina, helping the people of the vast kingdom, one by one, for what felt like a year, but, in actuality, only took three days in actual time. After the tale of my battle with the ferocity that was Majora’s Mask, Saria stared blankly. I doubted that she even came close to believing the fantastic tale…
“Wow… You must have been really busy!” Saria stated. “But really, I’m just excited to have you home…” She closed her eyes, and started to walk back through the forest. “I was really worried about you, Link… Because… It’s said that the Kokiri die if they leave the Forest…”
“Well… Saria…” I started. I truly wanted to tell her what the Deku Sprout had told me, seven years in the future. I am not a Kokiri, Saria… I soon came to my senses, and smiled. “I’m OK…”
We walked through the Lost Woods, knowing the path like we knew each other, and parted upon coming to its exit. She couldn’t leave the forest, for some reason… I quickly climbed down the vine-covered wall behind the home of Mido, the so-called “big boss of the Kokiri”, and turned to face the log opening that marked the exit of the sacred Kokiri Forest…. I turned, looking at the scenery, and all of the children of the woods playing… Physically, I was the same age as all of them, but I had been through so much more… I had once been the legendary Hero of Time… I had wielded the legendary Master Sword and fought along the six Sages and Princess Zelda against the horrible King of Evil known as Ganon. As I thought of Zelda, my thoughts returned to the task at hand. Now that my journey was over, I had to return the Ocarina…
I ran to the exit of the forest, unconfronted by any of the other children. They had all seen me leave before, so they weren’t worried. Upon leaving, I found myself once again in the vast expanse of land known as Hyrule Field. I had made this field my home several times after starting my journey for Zelda… I once again played a familiar song on the Ocarina of Time… This one was a simpler tune, Epona’s Song… I had used this song several times in both Hyrule and Termina to call the trusted horse to my side. When the song was done, I looked towards the east, and the brown and white stallion came galloping at full speed to me. I got on, and made quick work of the trip to the walls of Castle Town.
I dismounted the horse and proceeded into the hustling and bustling that was the Castle Town Market, soon making my way to the gates of the massive Hyrule Castle. I quickly made my way around the many guards and found myself looking at the wide entrance to the courtyard where I first met the Princess of Destiny, Zelda… Surprisingly, my heart was pounding like a Goron on a large drum. I had thought of Zelda previously since returning to Hyrule, but I had never been so nervous. I found myslef thinking of what to say, and how to address her, for, although I knew her well enough to call her “friend”… And… Perhaps more… She only knew of me as one that she had only met twice. I sighed, and stepped forward… This would probably be the last time would look into those beautiful sapphire eyes… For some reason, thinking about it that way hurt…
“Zelda?” I said, slowly walking up to the steps she stood on… “I’m back… I’ve brought back the Ocarina…” She turned around gracefully, her pink and white dress shining in the sunlight. She looked upon me and smiled.
“Welcome back, Link.” She replied. For some reason, I found a distinct comfort in hearing her speak. “How was Termina?”
I staggered backwards for a moment. She knew about Termina? How?
“How did you know I was there?” I asked, confused.
“I felt a large evil coming from there… Then, three days later, I felt that all was well. I knew you were there, because the only known entrance to that kingdom is in the Forest, which is where you were searching for your friend.” Zelda stated. She smiled, and then leaned forward. “By the way… Did you find her?”
“No…” I said. “She was nowhere to be found inside the Forest…”
“I’m sorry.” Zelda said, and I could feel how sorry she really was. “Well, it seems that it would do you well to stay a while…”
I looked at the princess. She had turned red upon her invitation. I merely sat on the edge of the small island-like structure that led to the stone steps just looking into the throne room. Letting my feet dangle in the water, I looked up to see the sky, only to see the lovely face of the princess looking me in the eye. She laughed and I screamed loudly, falling face-first into the water that surrounded the garden.
“Is that some kind of habit you princesses have?” I asked, recalling a similar experience with the Zora princess, Ruto. “Or was that just on a whim?”
“I just felt like it, so… the latter would be the appropriate response.” Zelda said, giggling. I could tell she was enjoying the sight of me, soaking wet in my green Kokiri tunic and cone-shaped hat.
“Well, I’d best get going… I still have to find my friend…” I stated. I started to walk away…
“No… Please don’t…” Zelda called. “I have very few people who I can laugh with… Your company is… comforting…”
After hearing that, there was no way I could leave…
Next Chapter
