Long Ago

The Tree

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He called himself the "Deku Tree," saying that he had been standing guard in the Lost Woods for centuries. You nodded politely when he apologized for frightening you, although you also kept feeling the need to pinch yourself whenever you were reminded of the talking tree.

As if he heard your thoughts, the Deku Tree laughed enormously, shedding a few leaves as well as animals from his branches. The ground shuddered underfoot and you unintentionally released a strained squeak.

How unladylike, an unfamiliar voice echoed in your mind.

"My apologies, Princess, but I must admit that I find your lack of memory of me somewhat amusing," the Deku Tree rumbled. You squinted, frowning slightly at his comment. You may not have had the barest idea of what he was talking about, but it still sounded rather rude.

"You must understand, you once came to me nearly every week, just to tell me of your proceedings." You shuffled uncomfortably under the tree's crushing gaze, folding your hands in front of you.

The corners of his wide, inhuman mouth tipped down, an action that confused you further. How could a face of bark and knots show expression? He clearly had some kind of emotions, but how? How could he move his face, or talk, or think?

Once you had given yourself a headache, you decided that you had neither enough consciousness nor willpower to answer your questions, and that some things could be left unknown. But not everything.

"Pardon me, Sir, ah, Deku Tree," you began awkwardly. How should I say this... "If I may ask, where am I? And who am I?"

At voicing your queries, a surge of panic sent your heart speeding once again. How had this not concerned you until now? Did you just not think of it?

As if responding to your sudden alarm, the spores clogging the forest air seemed to brighten, erasing the shadows that lingered around clumps of plants or rocks.

You blinked: you hadn't even realized that the spores were emitting light before. The word "bioluminescent" came to mind, strangely, although you were you sure you didn't know what it meant. You could faintly recall, however, an intelligent-sounding person saying it out loud when explaining the forest's environment.

The glow subsided. You cleared your throat and looked up expectantly at the Deku Tree.

"Oh child, you have much to remember. Shall we begin with your first question? I believe this may provide you with an answer."

A leaf that had fallen from a high branch seemed to drift down towards you as you looked at it. It was perfectly oval, oddly. If you reached out, you might even be able to—

"...the Lost Woods. Countless species of fascinating creatures dwell there, f/n. You know of the Great Deku Tree, of course, but have you heard of koroks? They're said to be invisible, but I have also heard rumors of their magic being connected to the Ancient Sheikah, and while I doubt that's true, it is worth..."

Zelda had been rambling the whole way to the forest, but now that you were in the forest and off horseback, you could actually hear what she was saying. Not that her words were any more discernible from next to you than on horses.

It wasn't anyone's first time in the Lost Woods, but it was Zelda's first trip to use entirely for research. You sighed quietly.

"Ah! Careful; do not step off the path or I fear we may never find our way back out once I've finished my research." Zelda held her torch higher, casting its light to the left before turning accordingly.

You glanced back at your ever-present shadow, the boy with the pretty eyes and pretty hair and massive, ancient sword on his back. You startled when you realized that you were making eye contact with him and turned you head away sharply.

Unlike your sister, it wasn't that you disliked him, rather that you weren't quite sure how to feel about having a "Hero of Time" as a body guard. Aside from that, the sword he carried spoke to you, and that wasn't something that was easy to get used to.

That sword... it sang louder as your party moved towards the plinth from where it had previously rested in the ground, awaiting its master. The sword's voice encroached on your thoughts far too often, speaking nonsensical warnings and desperate pleas. It's whispers tickled the tips of your ears and one phrase stuck out to you, repeated over and over:

"He awakens."

You weren't clumsy, but you were distracted, so the root protruding from the path before you caught your foot and pulled you backwards. You barely had time to yelp when a pair of firm hands materialized on your shoulder and lower back, steadying you.

You spun around breathlessly and found yourself face-to-face, or rather face-to-chin, with a marvel of a young man, burdened with the power of the goddess that he never asked to have.

Images that you had not yet seen with your own eyes swam in your vision, blurring Link's face.

"He awakens."