The Vinculum

Authors note: please be nice i took time on this and i take pride in my work so please enjoy the story Sorry if it is short.


A voice rose from the rear of the group, a voice young and strong. "Hey, and what are we--chopped Cucco?"

At that, a cry rang out from the edge of the gathering. "They're here! They're here!" folk shouted. "The Hero and the Princess!"

A path was cleared so that the new arrivals could reach the fireside. Link and Zelda came into the light, stopping before the Sages present.

"Welcome, Hero of Time," Impa said, as implacable as ever. But for some reason, she seemed very relieved to see them. "Good work, both of you. Your Highness..." The stolid Sheikah woman came forward to embrace the Princess, for Zelda was like a daughter to her. Darunia thumped Link on the back in congratulations, guffawing in joy. Ruto blew him a shy kiss, and Nabooru crossed her arms and grinned.

Link stopped when he stood before Saria. She smiled at him, and he knealt to hug her, engulfing her tiny form in his strong arms. "Thank you," he whispered. "I couldn't have done it without you."

"No--thank you," the little Kokiri replied. "None of us would be here if not for you."

Mido, jealous, crossed his arms and tapped his foot impatiently. "Hmph!" the elfin boss snorted while the other Kokiri looked on in confusion.

Impa came to stand beside Link and Saria, Zelda close behind. "What angers you, little one?" the Sage of Shadows asked.

"Nothing," Mido said quickly, but his voice was sullen. "But Saria's my friend--not his! He's not even a Kokiri!"

Link gave a small smile. "You're absolutely right, Mido. I'm not a Kokiri."

The little elf jumped. "Hey! How'd you know my name? What are you talking about?"

The tiny Forest Sage giggled, taking Link's larger hand in her own small one. "Silly!" she laughed. "I'm surprised you didn't recognize him. But then, we Kokiri never grow up, so how could you know?"

Mido scratched his head. "Huh? Who?"

Saria laughed again. "Mido, this is Link!"

The elfin Kokiri made a strange, startled noise and jumped about a foot backwards, staring up--way up--at the tall youth before him. This person was Link--grown twice his size?

Mido nearly choked in surprise as he suddenly recognized the rich blue eyes, the unruly golden hair, the familiar half-hipshot stance. "Link!" he gulped. "Really?"

Link nodded. "Really. You were right all along, Mido. I never was a Kokiri--not a forest elf, no fairy, nothing. I'm Hylian."

Mido remembered all the times he'd teased little Link about his lack of a guardian fairy, his lack of forest instincts, and his completely un-Kokirish looks. He also remembered all the times he bullied Link, pushing him around just because he was smaller. Now that he looked up at adult Link, he quivered with fear. "W-why didn't you say so before?" he stammered.

Link put his hands on his hips. "I didn't want to scare you."

"Well, I'm scared now!" the little Kokiri squeaked. "You got so big!"

"No hard feelings. Really!" Link grinned, kneeling and holding out a leather-gloved hand. "I'm glad to see you, Mido."

The Kokiri boss stared at him a moment in disbelief, looking as if Link were about to pounce on him. Seeing the familiar lopsided grin and gentle gaze, he relaxed. Then, a slow smile crept across his elfin features, and he shook Link's offered hand. "Glad to see you too, Link. I think I actually...really...missed you. I'm...you know...sorry I pushed you around."

"Forgiven."

"Peace has been made at last!" Saria said with a giggle. "No more fighting over me, you two. Link--" she turned to her kneeling friend. "--I am Mido's. No--don't say anything. It's not personal. I do love you, Link--you're my best friend. But...I'm the Forest Sage...and a Kokiri... And, well...you're not."

A sad frown creased Link's handsome face. "I...understand."

Saria looked across the bonfire at the Princess of Hyrule, with her slim, slight form and beauteous pale-blond locks. "She is for you, Hero of Time. I saw this when I first awakened. I think it's destiny--to each his own."

Link stared at her, shocked. "But--you'll always be my friend, won't you?"

"I promise, Link; always," Saria replied. "You're like a brother to me. But the Princess will be yours. Don't worry about me. I'll always be in the Forest--if ever you need me, just play the song." She winked.