Link didn't want to become the hero. In fact, he was scared and just wanted to go home with his new fairy partner, Navi. But things don't always work out that way for the heroes of Hyrule...
Danger lurks in his very shadow and heartbreak appears to...
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Link emerged in a wide meadow containing one, huge tree. It's bark was twisted with age and it's leaves spread like an enormous canopy, dappling the ground with shadow. Fairies flitted about the meadow, picking up scattered leaves, pruning the smaller braches, picking sweet fruit from it's heavily laden branches.
"Great Deku Tree!" Navi called cheerily. "I'm back!"
A great creaking noise filled the meadow and the giant tree in the center of the Meadow swayed and groaned in a non-existent wind. A face emerged from the lined bark; a nose, a wide mouth, and two indentions that were probably eyes. The Tree opened it's mouth and spoke in a voice like the leaves sighing in the breeze.
"Navi...did you bring the boy without a fairy with me? Have you brought your partner?" asked the Deku Tree.
Link blinked in open-mouthed shock. He knew that the Deku Tree was a tree, but he never expected him to be so huge.
"Yep. Link, this is the Great Deku Tree, the Sage of the Forest and the Father of the Kokiri Sprites. Deku Tree, this is Link, the boy you sent me to fetch," Navi introduced them.
"Ah..." The Deku Tree sighed. "Link...the quiet one...I heard about the...mishap this morning."
Link flushed red and hung his head.
An undulating noise rumbled through the ground and up through the Deku Tree's trunk. Link looked up at the Tree. He was laughing at him!
"That boy, Mido has been a troublemaker from the start. I do say he quite deserved the spiders in his bed!"
Link grinned in relief and laughed nervously. Maybe he wasn't in trouble?
"No, my dear child. You are not in trouble. I have a very special and important task for you and your new partner. One that only you can carry out."
A special task? For me? he wondered.
"I have been cursed. Only you can break that curse."
Link's insides froze. 'I can't do that!' he thought. 'I'm just a handicapped kid!'
"You...doubt my choice of you?" Another creaky chuckle filled the Meadow. "I assure you, Link, that I chose you for a very specific reason. And I tell the truth when I say that only you can do this. It's quite alright, child. You can speak freely here."
"N-n-no...no I c-c-c-can't. I never-r-r-r h-h-h-have," Link answered quietly.
"Ah...so that is why you are so quiet. You lack self-confidence, but not courage. I am dying, Link. You are the only one who can save me. If you can overcome your doubt, then please...enter."
Link bit his lip and closed his eyes. Navi was about to say something, but she closed her mouth. This was Link's decision.
Link suddenly knelt and lay both his hands on the ground. Navi flickered and hissed, "Link, what are you doing?"
"I...I f-f-f-feel...some-t-t-t-thing." Link murmured. He lay flat on the ground and pressed his ear to the ground. Underneath the soft soil of the meadow came a soft, almost imperceptive whisper of something underground. He pressed closer and closed his eyes, concentrating on the noise.
"What is he...?" Navi wondered.
"Hush. He's listening," whispered the Deku Tree. The bark around his mouth twitched up into a smile.
Link stood and brushed off his tunic.
"You felt it, didn't you? The curse?"
Link looked up in surprise.
"That noise is coming from the curse under my roots. It's growing more and more powerful with every passing second. Link...I need you to do this. But I will not force you. If you are afraid of what lies ahead, then you and Navi may turn back. But if you feel ready..."
"I'll t-t-t-try," Link decided. "For y-y-y-you."
"I knew you had courage. It's very dangerous under there. Who knows what fearsome things this curse has produced? Take these as a token of my gratitude."
Four fairies flew forth, two bearing a short sword and two carrying a round, wooden shield.
"I know that you are left-handed, so I had this shield specially crafted for a right arm. I think it will fit you nicely."
Link's heart leapt at the sight of the weapons. He'd owned a wooden sword until Mido stole it and broke it in two. He'd been rather skilled with the play weapon then. He took the sword and hefted it in one hand. It was considerably heavier than his wooden sword, but it fit in his hand beautifully. The fairies gently pulled it from his grasp and strapped it over his back. The shield was slung over the scabbard in a place where he could easily slip it onto his right arm. The hilt of the sword protruded a little over his left shoulder. He stood a little straighter and nodded once.
"I'm r-r-r-r-ready," he announced. The Deku Tree leaned to one side and the roots under the ground burst from the turf, sending dirt and grass flying. Link shielded his face from debris. When he lowered his arm, a gateway had opened up, made of twisted roots. It led to a black, abysmal corridor under the Deku Tree's roots.
Link swallowed and ventured toward the gaping frame. He peered inside. Nothing but blackness. He took a single step forth into the darkness. The sound was much louder here. An eerie wail echoed down the corridor. Link covered his ears. The Deku Tree groaned and twisted in pain.
"Hurry Link...." he moaned.
Link refused to think twice. He started down the corridor and into the infinite blackness below.
Greetings and Salutations to my fellow human beings! I know this chapter is slightly shorter than normal, but the next chapter is going to be pretty long, so I decided this was best. Follow, comment, vote, all that jazz, and I will see you next time. Ciao! ~Ridley
