It is 13 years before the war of the ring at the end of the third age. We are in the depths of Hyrule in the eternally peaceful Kokiri Forest. Here inhabit the equally peaceful Kokiri Elves. Having no remaining memory of their dark past they are quite happy and could care less about their world around them. Who’s to blame, they know nothing other than their lives inside the forest. But this certainly does not make them unintelligent. They just choose to ignore all dealings of a less positive nature. Of the inhabitants of this forest is a green haired, blue-eyed girl named Saria.
A few things to note about her. She is the unofficial leader of the village, being the oldest of the inhabitants, she is kind, creative, outgoing, and she loves music and everything about it. Yes, that about covers it for now.
Another point of interest, Link. Another villager, little is known of his past. Probably because he is a strangely quiet boy. It would later be debated over even what species he is…. A Kokiri, a Wood Elf, or a Hylian. Wow, a hero whom his admirers can’t specify, quite intriguing. That was, fortunately, sorted out in one of his most moving (and only) speeches. His role, of course is extremely… minor in this story. So if you want another story of the heroics of Link you should not read this though it has many heroics. You’ll be introduced new and great heroes in this story.
It was as usual a normal and predictable in the Kokiri Forest. Fairies and other odd glowing orbs and bugs floated about in the thick hazy air of the forest. The Kokiri were active in their usual business. What with picking berries, cleaning their small tree stump homes, those that use to be the bases of huge trees. Their chores of collecting water, trimming tall grass and tidying up their environment brought the suggestion of gossiping while they worked and soon brought to the Kokiris’ minds the thought of procrastination. Altogether the village was laid back; little was done, due to the simple lack of anything to do.
Saria stepped out her door on a fine morning in the forest. The mist was rising as well as the sun. She looked around the village to find many of the inhabitants already awake and active around the village. Naturally Saria turned and began walking towards Link’s house. As she approached she saw Link step out of his house. He immediately noticed her and climbed down his ladder. Something was… different about him.
“Hallo link!” said Saria cheerfully. Link looked very sleepy eyed that day. He often did lately. He stepped down the ladder and walked over to her.
“Hmm, you look exhausted Link, are you well?” Asked Saria. She was genuinely concerned, for little to Link’s knowledge Saria was Link’s ‘unofficial’ mother (she raised him). Link said nothing but he yawned and rubbed his eyes.
“You’re not sleeping enough Link, come on let’s go in and get you settled, I have a feeling you didn’t sleep well at all last night”, and at that the two of them climbed the ladder into Link’s house and went inside. Link lay down on his bed and Saria picked up some blankets out of the corner and threw them over Link.
“Get some sleep, if you need anything, Miso is next door. I will spend some time in the Lost Woods right now… But I’ll be back soon and I should be somewhere in the village throughout the day…” said Saria but Link was sound asleep before she finished. He started to shake a bit in his sleep and moan a bit as Saria left. She looked over her shoulder with a concerned expression. She wrapped another blanket around him and left him to rest.
She walked up the small hill towards Domi’s house and the Know-it-all brothers. Mido and Domi were standing outside talking about whatever the two of them tend to talk about. Usually about the leadership of the village since it is basically Mido, Domi and her who are in charge. They turned as Saria approached:
“And a good morning to you Saria!” Said Domi with a smile. Saria had a more concerned look on.
“This isn’t really social business is it”, said Domi, his smile fading.
“You know, Link has been acting really odd lately, it’s beginning to concern me”, said Saria.
“I haven’t noticed anything”, said Mido.
“I have, He seems…ill”, said Domi.
“But Domi, Kokiri can’t get…” Saria stopped in mid-sentence and looked down.
“You forget who he is Saria”, said Mido with a smirk. “It’s strange nonetheless, we’ve seen him like this before, but where does he develop this illness from?” Pondered Mido.
“Bah, it’s probably just something his people are infected with naturally”, said Domi. Saria nodded and her spirits lightened up. She began to walk away down the hill. The other two watched her as she walked off, both looking nervous.
“Where are you going?” asked Domi with a narrow look. Saria shrugged.
“I suppose to the Lost Woods”, she said casually. Mido shook his head.
“You know I don’t like it when you go out there alone”, complained Mido. Saria sighed; he was always worried about her.
“But why not go alone, why do you worry!” Whined Saria.
“Between Mido and I, we would not dare even to begin thinking of all the reasons why not!” Retorted Domi.
“Aww, but I want to go!” Complained Saria. Domi sighed and waved her off. Saria smiled and dashed off to the thick wood above the village. Mido turned to Domi:
“I worry about your decision making sometimes, the Lost Woods are no place a lone Kokiri girl’, said Mido. “She needs protection”.
“Saria is a strong girl, it’s what she bears that makes her so bold and naïve… that is what we need to protect, we only need to guide Saria”, said Domi looking off at the entrance to the Lost Woods.
“She means more to me than that Domi”, corrected Mido.
“Though you’re right, what she bears is changing her, that’s why she doesn’t like me He-he. Regardless, the Skull Kids say that the Lost Woods are getting really dangerous”, Mido persisted.
“Yes I will go with her then, and… Maybe I should keep her away from that blasted Forest Temple, it has been a dangerous place lately”, said Domi at last. He picked up a Deku stick and began walking off after Saria to the Lost Woods.
