CHAPTER 7: FINDING THE PIECE OF THE FOREST
“Where to now, Link?” Serenity turned to the hero. He pulled Epona to a stop on top of a hill. Serenity answered by doing the same with Star Streak. He pointed toward a grove of trees off in the distance, “See those trees? That’s the Kokiri forest. That is where we should be able to find the next piece of the Staff.”
“How do you know that?” He smiled, “Farore said that the next piece of the Staff is where the lost children are. The Kokiri are a race of people who stay children forever. I’m sure that’s where we’ll find it.” Serenity smiled, “then that’s where we go! How long should it take?” Link twisted his face in deep thought, “Oh; I think we can make it in about an hour. But I bet I’ll beat you.” Serenity snapped her head, “Oh really? I beg to differ.” With a whinny and a jump, Star Streak bolted away from Epona. Link laughed and called, “Is that how you want to play? I will too then!” He gave Epona a kick and she bolted after Star Streak. The two streaked across the vast field, with Star Streak now barely in the lead. With a final jump, Epona sneaked in front just as they were reaching the edge of the forest. The two riders slowed their horses to a stop and dismounted. The horses were breathing hard and could use a good rest. Link and Serenity were breathing hard as well, for both were laughing the whole way.
“Wow, you run a good race,” Link said between gasps. Serenity nodded and said, “Back at you.”
“Hu?” She giggled, "oops, other world lingo." she thought to herself. “Never mind! I meant you too.” She looked forward at the gaping tree trunk in front of them. Link knew what she was thinking, “It only looks scary, it’s not like that inside, believe me.” The two of them started walking toward the entrance, and Serenity caught her foot on a root. Link swiftly put his arms around her and stepped in front of her so she would fall into him and not on the ground. “Careful now!” he warned, his face inches from hers. She blinked her eyes a couple of times, “Oh, thank you. I am a little clumsy sometimes.” He grinned and gently brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, “I understand, believe me, I’m not exactly the smoothest guy either. I guess we’re kind of the same that way, hu?” Serenity smiled and nodded. Once they regained their composure, they entered the forest.
Once inside, she realized what Link was talking about. The forest was beautiful, with lush green grasses and trees that seemed to go on forever. There were small children playing around eveywhere, with small balls of light following their every move. The houses in the village were quaint and seemed to be made right out of trees. There was a small brooke off to the side, and a huge bridge going in several directions above the houses. The sun was still bright in the afternoon sky, but the trees kept the forest cool. “You grew up here? This is beautiful.” Link smiled and nodded, “Yeah, I lived here until I was ten. That’s when the great Deku Tree summoned me and my journey to become the Hero of Time began.”
“Why didn’t you come back when it was over?” Link sighed, “Well, when all of it was over, I was restless and wanted to explore. I wanted to find my fairy partner, Navi, but she wasn’t here. She had ventured to a land called Termina, so that’s where I went next. That’s a whole different story, however.” Suddenly, a bright light started dive-bombing Link’s head, and a tiny voice was calling, “Link! Link! Is that you? Is that really, really you!? Oh where have you been you naughty boy! You had me worried sick!” Link laughed and swiped the little ball of light out of the air with his hat, “Speaking of Navi, this little ball of energy is her.” He held out his hat and she came out, facing Serenity, “Hey, I’m Navi. Nice to meet you!” Serenity giggled, “The pleasure is all mine!” Link was confused, “Wait a minute, why aren’t you afraid of her? Normally fairies only talk to other fairies and Kokiris. What’s the deal?” Navi questioned herself for a minute, and said, “I… I don’t really know.” Serenity spoke up, “I think I do. Link think about it, what race am I from?” Link wrinkled his brow, “Uh, the Faierikin race, why?”
“Oh! I know!” Navi piped in, “The Faierikin race is a direct relative to the Fairy race! Think about it Link! She and I are like cousins!” Serenity nodded in agreement. Link smiled and shook his head, “Of course, I should have known that.” Then he got an idea, “Hey Navi, why don’t you come with us, we will certainly need your help. Especially if we come upon any new monsters that cross our path.” Navi turned a backflip in the air, “I would love to! Where are you going?”
“Well right now we’re going to go see the Great Deku Tree, and then we’ll go from there.” The two started walking as Link continued, “Come on, I’ll explain on the way.”
As they passed through the forest, many familiar faces smiled and waved, but Link was looking for one in particular.
“She’s not here Link, and you know it,” Navi said, reading his mind, “Saria’s a sage now, she has to live in the Chamber of Sages.” Link sighed and nodded, a small ache in his heart. He missed those carefree days of playing in the forest with Saria, his childhood best friend. Serenity turned to him, “Link, are you okay?” He gave a half smile, “Yeah, I was just thinking of old memories. One of my best friends from my childhood is the Sage of the Forest; remember me telling you about the sages?” Serenity nodded her head as Link continued, “Anyway, I don’t get to see her very often anymore.” As they got to the entrance to the Great Deku Tree Meadow, someone jumped out of the bushes and said, “Halt! You may not pass without my permission!” Link sighed impatiently, “Mido, I don’t have time for this right now, so please go bother someone else for a change.” Mido glared at Link, “You know what mister? I don’t know who you are thinking that ‘outsiders’ are allowed into the Kokiri Forest, let alone the Great Deku Tree Meadow, but don’t think you’re getting past me.” Link bent down so he was eye level with Mido, “Look into my eyes, Mido. You know who I am.” Mido looked, blinked, looked again, and blinked again. Finally, his eyes grew wide, “Link?!? Is that you?? How did you get so big? I knew you were different from us! Just another reason for me to not let you pass!” Serenity was getting impatient, “Excuse me? We’re kind of on a mission here. I need to meet with this Deku Tree.” Mido shot her a glare, “And just who do you think you are missy? Someone important? Ha!” Serenity returned his glare, “That is no way to talk to the last living Faierikin of the Faierikin Tribe!” She then lifted up her pant leg to show the mark to Mido, who gaped in awe, “Oh, I see. I guess then that is a good reason. Link, I’m sorry, go ahead… but NO FUNNY STUFF!” With that, he marched off to sulk in a corner of the forest. Link shook his head, “You know, I will never understand him. I have come to that conclusion.” Serenity giggled and the three headed to the meadow. It was huge; in the background was a massive tree, bigger than any that Serenity had ever seen. The only thing that was amiss was that it appeared to be dead. “Uh, Link? I don’t think he’s alive.” Link half laughed, “No HE’S not, but HE is,” he pointed to a smaller tree in the foreground, “that’s the Deku Tree sprout. He started growing when I beat the monster in the Forest Temple all those years ago. He’s the one who told me about my mother, and told me I was a Hylian, not a Kokiri.”
“Greetings Link, Serenity; I knew you would come to see me. I could sense it.” The Deku Sprout said, “I believe I know why you are here, and yes, I can help you.” Serenity’s eyes lit up and she smiled, “Really? You know where the next piece of the Staff is?” The Sprout laughed, “Yes my dear, I do. My, aren’t you a delightful little child. Link, she’s wonderful.” Link smiled too, nodding his head, “Yes she is, I’m beginning to wonder how I got around without her.” Serenity blushed, wondering if there was more to that statement than she thought. Link blushed too, and cleared his throat, “So, where can we find this Staff piece?”
“Deep in the Lost Woods, in a shrine guarded by a pack of great white Wolfos, there you will find the missing piece of the Staff. When you have retrieved it, return here and I will tell you more.” The two nodded and turned to go to the entrance to the Lost Woods.
