Legend of Zelda: A Shade of Time

IV A Wedding and a Natural Life

It was not long in the pass of time that Ordon had its own ranch. For Lon Lon Ranch had branched out in expanse of its trade and franchise as business had thrived. While the ranch of Lon Lon focused on stock of dairy and breeding equine, Ordon Ranch focused on stock of goats and boarding equine. Malon's visiting relationship had grown very close indeed. So close, in fact, that it was not long after that that the mayor, Mido, had proposed to the red headed mistress in marriage. And as speechless as Malon was, she was blushed as red as her hair. As could easily be supposed, that was indeed a "yes" which she confirmed verbally right after.

As for Link and Saria, they had for the most part been the same in their attendance to each other and their time spent with their friends. But then came a day when Link and Saria went to revisit the temple of the forest. At first, Phaelon joined them in tagging along as they made their way through the Lost Woods. Link was wearing his Kokiri garb as well was Saria. He began to climb, and the green head commented, "What happened to ladies first?"

But when link got half way, he stopped and reached out to her as well as replied, "I am now simply in position to give you a foothold as I help you up over me." She gripped his hand and arm as he hoisted her up to him when she climbed on ahead, and he followed.

"Well, thank you my sweet knight." She mischievously stated, and he glared at her in awkward humor,

"How long are you going to keep calling me that?"

But she teased him further, "I guess I could call you my dear Hero."

The 'young man' paused in a moment of silence as he merely stared at her, and then he sighed as he began to stir, "Alright! You win my lady." And then Saria just grinned victoriously. They stood still in remoteness before the entrance to the temple, and they both began to breath heavily. After all, this was their first visit to it since the change of times, and that was in a different 'past'.

The Hero led forth as the green maiden followed. The Forest Temple appeared as it did in the days before with cracked wooden doors, weathered stoned walls, and a multitude of undecorated grass, moss, and vines. In exploration of the temple, there was an empty silence within the halls and chambers. When they came to the main hall, there were four colorful torches that enlightened the chamber. They each gave their own accent in glow as the room challenged them with its enveloping darkness. Before them stood a mysterious elevator of red birch. They did not take its path as it descended to a dark place that only recalled of horror and shattering hearts. So, they continued to see the place as they walked from room to room, and there were two gardens outside amidst the temple.

Eventually, they had seen all, but then they came across a passage that was missed. It led through another hall of shadow until light from outside was seen in shining upon the opposite doorway. "This place actually has a back door?" Saria voiced in wonder. But as they stepped forth, it was another garden enclosed from the world except the heavens. But unlike all else, this place fared well and was exceedingly fair with wild flowers, and yet it had tamed roses and violets as well. In the center sat a simple pool of water which seemed like a vessel of light as it reflected the sun.

Both of them were struck with simple awe as the sun light showered the crowns of their heads. Link broke the silence, "I've never seen this place before."

"I didn't know about it either." Saria replied. So, they walked around and browsed the simple beauty that lay before them. Then Link observed a special green flower that stood all alone. It was a fragile and delicate beauty as its petals lay forth in similitude to that of the silent princess save its markings were different. The petals were splayed in dark green while their tips were golden, and except for the pollen, the core was splendidly silver. He was unfamiliar with it as he enquired of it from Saria. "That is the 'whispering maiden'." She answered and then continued to elaborate, "And there is a similar flower in the castle known as the silent princess. Their similarities is why I was so enamored of the flower of the castle when I saw it. ... the whispering maiden is also rare and it is very delicate in its growth and reproduction. To domestically attempt to harness them in growth is fatal for them. The silent princess, as I have recently learned, grows in the wild along the land here and there as it awaits in silence for one to take notice of it and care for it. But the whispering maiden is settled in one place alone, the Lost Woods, and there it remains in content as its friend, the wind, gives it voice wherewith it whispers to the ears of all who have ears to hear. But when the wind travels and leaves to many places, the maiden fades as it drowns in sorrow of loneliness. Yet then the wind returns to it in its faithfulness, and the maiden revives as if in glowing joy. However, the life of both are temporal, and when the wind dies, the maiden withers." She was then downcast almost as if filled with an emotion shared with that of the story of the flower.