Reunion

*

"This is the Forest Temple." he said and looked back up at the building in front of him. The courtyard was permeated with the smell of the moss that covered the Temple. It woke memories of people and things he'd not thought about for a long time. The night air carried the sounds of buzzing insects and the occasional owl but was otherwise quiet. The Potter pulled himself out of his memories long enough to look back at his granddaughter. He noticed her thoughtful look, one that told him he might have some explaining to do. However, the question she asked was not the one he expected.

"Do you think he loved her, Grandpa?" She asked as she watched the moon rise over the courtyard wall.

"Loved who?"

"Saria." She said simply.

He weighed his answer for a few moments. "I think she was the best and truest friend he ever had."

Lunnaei said nothing, just continued to watch the sky. When she looked back at him, he noticed the smile on her face and she said, "That's so sweet." Something in his expression made her smile turn mischievous. "Ha! That means yes! Ha ha!"

The Potter shook his head, a little unsure of how to respond. She continued to grin so he decided it would be a good time to change the subject and said, "Well since you have it all figured out, let's get camp set up and then I'll tell you the rest of that story. Where did we stop?"

"You mean when did I stop listening?"

"Same difference."

"Link just got his fairy," she tapped the end of her nose and asked, "what was its name again?"

"Her name was Navi."

"Okay, her name. Like 'navi'-gator?" and laughed to herself at her joke.

"In a way, yes." He laughed too and said, "Why don't you collect some wood and I'll clear a spot for a fire." She nodded and walked a short distance away picking up the stray wood she found on the ground.

The Potter walked past the broken staircase that led to the Temple's front entrance. The vines that always covered the walls were sparser now he thought. He stopped when he thought he heard on the breeze something very familiar. He paused and listened very carefully but did not hear it again. He moved nearer to a round marble disk inset in the ground and after he pulled away the grass that had almost covered it surface, stared at it. The design carved into was simple but intricate. He traced the swirled pattern that reminded him somewhat of the crescent moon with his left hand and felt a buzz of latent magic. Not wanting to risk setting fire to the dry grasses nearby he instructed Lunnaei to pile the wood there.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small red stone. He blew on it once whispered a few words and when he touched it to the dry wood a small fire started. He looked up and saw Lunnaei watched him very carefully. She'd seen him light the kiln this way since she was a small girl, but her expression held a level of interest that was new. Again, the expected question did not come and she sat next to him and pulled out the dinner rations. For the most part, they were both silent while they ate and it was not until after they set up their bedrolls that Lunnaei reminded him he was supposed to be finishing up his story.

"Make sure you don't leave anything out either." She admonished.

He chuckled to himself and began his tale.
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The fairies of the Kokiri were unlike any of the others that were scattered about the environs of Hyrule. Born of the Fairy Queen they were made for a special purpose, to be the guiding spirits of the perpetually young Kokiri. The fairies never left their charges alone and were always there to warn or give advice to the forest children if they needed it. Navi, was such a fairy but she like the hero, never had a partner so had always dwelt within the Great Deku Tree's branches. Flying through the Kokiri woods was a new experience for her, and after only a small amount of trouble, found her way to Link's house. She'd seen the other fairies with their charges, but never having had one of her own, she felt unsure of what she should do when she found Link in bed, whimpering from the nightmares.

"Hello, Link! Wake up!" The boy did not respond. "The Great Deku Tree wants to talk to you! Link? Get up! Hey! C'mon!" Still the boy did not wake up, 'Can Hyrule's destiny really depend on such a lazy boy?' she wondered. Irked, the fairy let loose a mighty yell, it was actually quite jarring for one so small and Link finally sat up. His eyes held a haunted look until he rubbed them and looked at her. Navi said in a much calmer tone, "You finally woke up! I'm Navi the fairy! The Great Deku Tree asked me to be your partner from now on! Nice to meet you!" Navi was amazed that the boy said nothing at all; in fact, he stared at her with his mouth slightly open. She was beginning to wonder if he was perhaps, a little dim. "The Great Deku Tree has summoned you! So let's get going, right now!" The boy only nodded and she followed as he headed for the door.

When they reached the base of the ladder outside his tree house home, one of the female Kokiri was waiting for him. Navi flew closer to the girl she recognized as Saria but was forced to back off a little when the girl's own fairy intercepted her, "Hey! You're Navi right?" the green glowing fairy asked, "Why are you with Link?"

The girl turned and spoke to Link, "Oh, you have a fairy now! That's great, Link!"

Navi glowed a brighter blue when the girl turned that smile on her. "The Great Deku Tree asked me to be Link's partner and bring him to the meadow."

"What?" Saria said with awe as she looked back at Link, "You've been summoned by the Great Deku Tree?"

He nodded, and murmured, "Yes."

"What an honor!" she cried and gave him a quick hug. Link blushed and stared at the ground.

Navi realized why this boy was not like the other Kokiri. When he spoke, he used his normal voice. The other children spoke through their respective fairies. Navi wondered then just what the Great Deku Tree was thinking asking her to partner with a Hylian child. Perhaps he would explain when they returned and Navi reminded Link that they needed to be on their way. "I'll see you when you get back," Saria said as she turned to walk back to her own home. Link waved and Saria seemed to vanish and only her fairy remained.

Link hurried to the entrance of the Deku Tree's meadow, but again he was halted, this time by Mido. "Hey you Mr. No Fairy! What's your business with the Great Deku Tree?" Link only sighed as the other added, "Without a fairy, you're not even a real man!"

Anger now clouded Link's face and it was clear an argument was in the works so before it could start Navi piped in, "The Great Deku Tree has summoned him! We need to get going, right now!" and she took on a slight red glow.

Mido's eyes bulged out of his head in surprise, "What! You've got a fairy!" he blinked in further surprise and shot a sidelong glare at his own orange tinted guardian as it flashed to get his attention. "Say what? The Great Deku Tree actually summoned you!" After a moment he said begrudgingly, "If you want to pass through here, you should at least equip a sword and shield, Sheesh!" The red haired Kokiri chortled when Link's expression showed that he had no idea where to find a sword, let alone a shield. Navi did not understand why this Kokiri disliked her charge so much but she was determined not to let this one stop them. She brightened and said, "Let's go talk to Saria, she will know!" Her boy cheered at this and ran to Saria's house. When they arrived Navi did all the talking as Link fidgeted nervously near the door.

"What? Mido won't let you go to see the Great Deku Tree?" Saria's normally calm expression took on a look of irritation and said, "Ohh...That bum! I don't know why he's always so mean to everyone! What he said is true, though." With a sigh she smiled and said, "In the forest, strange things have been happening there lately. You need to be ready for anything. You'd better find a weapon! You can buy a shield at the shop, but there is only one sword and that's hidden somewhere in the forest. The entrance to the grove is over near the training grounds."

"Thanks!" Navi heard Link shout and he bolted out the door. She could see it was going to be hard to keep up with her quick moving charge and flew out the door after him.

Three enchanted boulders guarded the grove they found connected to the training grounds. They rolled in an endless cycle around it, ready to squish the unwary. Navi did her best to warn Link whenever one approached and after several near misses, he finally came upon an old treasure chest. He flipped it open with a cry of triumph, pulled out a sword and held it up in the sunlight. It was the Kokiri Sword, which was only to be used in times of emergency. She saw his smile fade when he looked at her and the same haunted expression she had seen earlier returned to his eyes. He shook it off and they went in search of the rupees they would need to purchase a shield. On the way out of the grove, during yet another narrow escape, Link dove into a small alcove. In it was a smaller chest that contained one red rupee. Link slipped it into his pouch and they finally made it back to the village.

Once he scrounged up enough rupees, he went to the shop and bought a Deku Shield. They returned to the entrance of the meadow where Mido again, stopped him. "Eh, what's that! Oh, you have a Deku Shield and what's THAT!" and he pointed at Link's newly acquired weapon, "Is that the Kokiri Sword! GOOD GRIEF!" Only then did Mido begrudgingly let him past as he said bitterly, "Well, even with all that stuff, a wimp is still a wimp. I, the great Mido, will never accept you as one of us!" Again, Navi wondered at Mido's dislike but understood better, when she heard him say, "Shoot! How did you get to be the favorite of Saria and the Great Deku Tree? Huh! Grumble...grumble..."

As they entered the Deku Tree's meadow, they both noticed the Tree state of ill health. The normally green leaves, were browned and curled. Sections of his bark were peeled back exposing the soft wood underneath to the elements.

"Oh... Navi...Thou hast returned. Link, welcome. Please sit down and listen carefully to what I, the Deku Tree, am about to tell thee. Thy slumber these past moons must have been restless, and full of nightmares. As the servants of evil gain strength, a vile climate pervades the land and causes nightmares to those sensitive to it."

Navi saw how the boy squirmed under the Deku Tree's gaze.

Verily, thou hast felt it.

Link only nodded and the Deku Tree continued, "This evil ceaselessly uses vile sorceries in its 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. Before time began, before spirits and life existed, three golden goddesses descended upon the chaos that was Hyrule. Din, the goddess of power. Nayru, the goddess of wisdom. Farore, the goddess of courage. Din. With her strong flaming arms, she cultivated the land and created the red earth. Nayru. Poured her wisdom onto the earth and gave the spirit of law to the world. Farore, with her rich soul, produced all life forms that would uphold the law. The three great goddesses, their labors completed, 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 of our world's providence. The resting place of the triangles has become the Sacred Realm. Link, though thou art young, the time has come to test thy courage. I have been cursed. I need you to break the curse with your wisdom and courage. Dost thou have courage enough to undertake this task?"

Link looked at the sword again and up at Navi. He set a determined look upon his face and nodded.

"Then enter, brave Link, and thou too, Navi. Navi the fairy, thou must aid Link. Moreover, Link, when Navi speaks, listen well to her words of wisdom."

With one last nod, Link embarked unknowingly toward his destined future as the Hero of Time.

The spirits that dwelt within the Great Deku Tree were restless and Navi sensed the perils that awaited them. She listened to the voices of those spirits as they warned her of the dangers of this place. Some whispered to her of the weakness of those enemies, while others spoke of traps and snares that had been set to stop them. All this she passed on to Link, who often used the information to destroy the enemies they faced. She discovered they were a good team and decided she liked this Hylian boy. His determination never seemed to lessen, even when they were face with terrible odds.

When the time came to face the last and worst of the monsters inhabiting the Great Tree, she did her best for him. She could see he was tired. They had been at this for almost three days now, and it was all beginning to take it toll on him. In those three days, she saw the Deku Tree was already doomed. That parasite, the deku scrubs called Queen Gohma, had done her job. She wondered why the Tree would ask this of Link or even if the Tree knew he would succeed. 'All questions for later.' she thought, and once again flew nearer to the parasite to help her charge aim the slingshot they had found earlier. When he struck the final blow, the parasite came apart and Link had to take a step back from it. The Tree shuddered as a portal of shimmering blue light opened before them.

"Thou hast verily demonstrated thy courage." The Tree said when the boy returned from his trial, "I knew that thou wouldst be able to carry out my wishes." Navi saw then the first genuine smile on the boy as he stood proudly before the Tree that all the Kokiri looked to as father and teacher. Though Navi could tell the Tree was pleased that Link managed the test he had set for him, she knew it was not to last.

"No, Link." The tree said sadly, "Thou must know my time is short." Link's smile faded as he put away his sword and shield. "Now, listen carefully. A wicked man of the desert cast this dreadful curse upon me. 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."

Navi flitted from the Tree to the boy and back. She watched the sparkling green stone that descended from the branches of the dying Guardian and floated in front of her charge. "This is the Kokiri's Emerald." The Tree said, "This is the Spiritual Stone of the Forest, now entrusted to you Link." Link reached up, took the stone and hugged it to himself, "Go now 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 his curse on me. Because of that curse, my end is nigh. Though your valiant efforts to break the curse were successful, I was doomed before you started." Navi felt a moment of panic when she saw the boy was crying and she flew back to him. She knew now why she'd been sent to the boy. When the Deku Tree died and Link went to the castle, he would need looking after.

"Yes," The Tree said in a voice so gentle it belied his great size, "I will pass away soon. But do not grieve for me. I have been able to tell you of these important matters. This is Hyrule's final hope." A warm gentle breeze blew through the Trees branches as his final words left him, "The future depends upon thee, Link. Thou art courageous. Navi the fairy, help Link to carry out my will, I entreat ye, Navi. Good...bye..."

As they left the meadow and passed Mido, the red haired, Kokiri boss stopped him, "Hey, Link! What did you do!" Mido noticed Links sad expression then, "Did something happen to the Great Deku Tree?" Link did not respond, "The Great Deku Tree...did he... die?" Link nodded and Mido shouted at him, "How could you do a thing like that!" Confused by the accusation Link turned and walked away. Navi suppressed the urge to crack that boy in the head, but Link ignored Mido's insults and she followed Link back to his tree house. Link lay on his bed and examined the Kokiri emerald. He turned it over in his small hands and after a short while fell asleep. Almost immediately he fidgeted in his sleep as the nightmares returned. He needs to rest, his fairy thought, so she stayed with him and warded off the spirits that came to haunt his dreams. The boy's face calmed and he sighed and for the first time in a long while, Link slept undisturbed.

Link awoke the next day to find that Mido had called a meeting. He was not invited it seems since they were going to talk about what sort of punishment he should get for killing the Great Deku Tree. Link asked the other Kokiri where Saria was but none of them seemed to know. Navi could see this saddened him. The Great Deku Tree had given them a mission and he would have to leave the forest that had always been his home soon. After half a day of searching, he gave up and resigned himself to the fact he would not get to say good-bye to his best friend.

He gathered up the few things in his tree house he thought would be useful and headed for the exit. He was stopped there by another Kokiri who said, "We Kokiri will die if we leave the forest!" The other's face looked worried and he said, "You're not going to try to leave the forest, are you!" Navi told the other's fairy they were leaving on a mission, "What? Where are you going!" His worry turned to confusion as he asked, "To the castle? What's a castle?" Link shrugged and stepped for the first time beyond the tunnel that led to the outside world. It was dark and hazy here as his footsteps echoed around him. It smelled a little different too, but not in a bad way. When he stepped out and onto the last bridge, he saw Saria standing alone at the center. She was looking out over the forest and turned when she heard his approach.

"Link, you're safe!" Navi spoke to the other's fairy and Saria asked him, "Link, are you going to go away?" he nodded. She fell silent and looked back out at the woods, "I knew that you would leave the forest someday, Link. Because you are different from my friends and me." She reached into her pocket and pulled out her ocarina, "Can you stay long enough for one more song?"

"Yes," Link said, "I'll always have time for that." Saria smiled and played the special song she only played for him. It was gentle and flowed like the wind through the trees. When she finished, she held out the instrument and said, "Take my ocarina and think of me when you play it? Okay?" Navi watched Saria very closely she had genuine tears in her eyes. Navi knew the children of the forest were never meant to feel sorrow or regret. Link took the ocarina and held it just as he had the stone given him by the Tree. He bowed to her and started toward the last tunnel that led to the outside. He stopped when he neared the other side and looked back again. He hesitated until he heard the voice that had always reassured him and given him strength say;

"Saria and Link will be friends forever."

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The Potter looked over at his granddaughter to see if she had any questions. She looked back at him with an unreadable expression and said, "That was a good story Grandpa."

"Thank you."

She smiled and yawned. "I'm so tired, I'm going to sleep now. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Luna, sweet dreams."

Lunnaei curled up under her blanket and was asleep in minutes. The Potter took a deep breath and sighed. He was about to go to sleep himself when heard that familiar sound again. Curious he got up and walked nearer to the entrance of the courtyard. He looked into the gloom of the staircase, but found nothing. He shrugged and turned back toward their campsite but stopped when he heard it again. A little nervous he closed his eyes to help clear his head and was amazed by what he saw when he opened them.

All around him fist-sized balls of light flitted about. Each was different color and their wing beats sounded like the tiniest of wind chimes he made back home. They flew around him in a tight circle and just a quickly fluttered off in different directions into the night. All but one, the blue tinted fairy floated in front of him and flashed. He just stood there staring at her with his mouth slightly open. The fairy flashed again causing him to blink and smile.

The fairy flashed several more times and the Potter looked past her and pointed at the campsite. "That's Lunnaei, my grandchild." The fairy now flashed very brightly for a few moments and he paid close attention. When she returned to her normal glow, he nodded. The fairy flew very close to his face and he waved as she rose up and away from him and disappeared into the moonlight.

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A/N: What!? Yes, I can be vague (looks up at last three paragraphs) you'll just have to get used to it. At times, I do expect the reader to make a few leaps of logic. Nevertheless, always remember this is NOT regular fantasy stuff. Things will and already have behaved in not normal ways. This is the norm - not the exception

I truly did not remember how chatty the Great Deku could be.

Please also note: portions of the dialogue come from text dumps of the actual game.

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