In the depths of the night, Link dreamed he was home again. Back in Kokiri Forest. The warm green shadows embraced him and Link's heart felt full with contentment. It was as if he'd never left, never had to grow up and fight for this land. Here there was peace and life bloomed untainted by evil. Here, the Sacred Rhythm was as strong as it had ever been.

Link walked down paths he'd known as a child. Each tree and flower were as familiar to him as old friends. Slowly, he made his way to the Great Deku Tree's meadow, letting himself be drawn forward. The ancient spirit father of the forest still lived.

Solemnly, Link knelt at the giant tree's knotted roots, and the Great Deku Tree looked tenderly down upon him.

"Welcome Link. It has been many seasons since I last looked upon thee." The Great Deku Tree rumbled in it's deep, weathered voice. Its branches reached out to touch the young Hylian's upturned face.

At the sound of the great tree's voice, Link was struck by a yearning to return to the time when he and the world were still young. But he smiled and said, "Great Deku Tree, you live! I thought you were dead."

"Yes Link, I am dead this is naught but a dream."

"A dream?"

Wind whistled high through its leaves as the Deku Tree nodded its heavy boughs. "Aye. Long has it been since I left the Earth to join the Goddesses in the Blessed Field. But now there is something I must show thee."

A branch motioned Link around the tree's massive trunk, and the Hero of Time saw a new glade laying before him. In it's center stood a tall silver maple. Beneath it sprouted many tiny saplings. Each seemed to huddle close to the parent tree's trunk. Link felt a bizarre protectiveness for the new trees. He wanted to go stand over them with the big maple and shield them from harm.

Looking at the Deku Tree for answers, Link asked, "what does this mean? These little tree's."

"The silver maple is thee and the saplings art thine children."

"But-there are so many!"

The Great Deku Tree's laughter rumbled throught the clearing. "Aye, there art many. But they represent not only thy children, but also grandchildren and all descendents seeded from thee."

Wonderingly, Link bent and gently touched one of the saplings. It seemed to lean toward him. The Great Deku Tree's voice brought the young Hylian out of his thoughts. "There is more Link, and I show you this not to trouble thy heart but to warn ye. Now look up."

Obeying the spirit, Link gazed skyward to see a black cloud bank rolling in. Long ago, before his quest, he'd seen such sights in his nightmares. Anger gripped him and Link muttered, "Ganondorf."

In response, lightening fired down and the earth split open. From the great rent, a horrible twisted vine grew, Its black, foul tendrils snaked towards the saplings. Link cried out in rage as he dove at the demonic vine. He ripped at it with his bear hands, trying to get it away from the young trees. The vine swung viciously, trying to stab Link with it's thorns. It writhed and shrieked as he ripped its tenrils out. Finally it shuddered once more, then slithered back into the ground.

Breathing hard, Link faced the Deku Tree again. "Ganondorf is back, isn't he?"

The great tree looked down at him intently. "I wish it were not so Link, but yes, the evil is about to return. You must face him again Link, if you do not he will plague you and your children for eternity."

"Is there nothing I can do?"

"Yes, but if I told of all you are about to face, I fear you would be striken with dispair. Though I will say this: time is the key once more and now the sword will do no good. Only the heart. You must heal Ganondorf."

Link wanted to ask, how can I possibly heal one so evil? But he nodded. "I understand. I'll do whatever I have to."

"Of course thou would, which is why I came to warn thee." The Great Deku Tree smilwd once more then continued, "No matter what, thou will succeed. The love of the Goddesses is with you. As is mine."

Before Link could reply, mist enveloped him and he was drifting back to conciousness.

Moonlight shone into Link's eyes bringing him fully awake. For a moment he lay still, remembering where he was. Then soft, sweet singing reached his ears and he rolled over to see his wife sitting up beside him. When she saw that he was awake, she smiled tenderly. "I didn't wake you did I?"

"No Malon, it was a dream."

The red haired woman reached over and stroked his hair, "a good one or a bad one?"

Nuzzling his face against her gentle hand, Link sighed, "both, I think it was prophetic."

Malon leaned back, and he marveled at her beauty in the moon's glow. They had been married for over a year now, and so far they'd never even exchanged cross words. She had convinced him to stay at Lon Lon Ranch with her. Aftre all, she said, it was her inheritance. A week after their wedding, Link began building a house for them on the ranch's property. So many people volunteered help and supplies that he was astonished. Many of Hyrule's citizens felt indebted to him for ending Ganondorf's reign. No one took a polite refusal for an answer and within a month, the Hero of Time's bride had a new home.

There was plenty of room in the new house, which was good, because now Malon's belly was swollen with six months worth of pregnancy.

Through her night gown, Link could see the heavy ripeness of their child. He thought of his dream and how he'd fought to save the young tree's from Ganondorf's grasp. He laid a protective hand on Malon's stomach, and imagined he could feel the flutter of motion within. It felt like the movement of butterfly wings. Malon's hand covered his and her smile told him it wasn't his imagination. "Your heir has been acting up," she chuckled. "That's what woke me. He's going to be a fighter like you."

Link shook his head, "heiress, Malon." He corrected. "I want a daughter, boys are a damn lot of trouble. I remember what a little $@#& I was."

"Yes, but as I recall that same little $@#& saved Hyrule." Malon grinned. "I guess we'll get whatever the Goddesses see fit to give. Now tell me about this dream."

Propping himself up, Link began to tell her of the Great Deku Tree's words and the vision. Malon listened closely, alternately nodding then looking alarmed or angry. Finally she said, "I don't put alot of stock in prophecy and whatnot, but this....just gives me a bad feeling." Her eyes suddenly darkened with anger. "I'll tell you one thing though. That Ganondorf bastard isn't coming near our kid. Thats for sure."

The courageous tone of Malon's voice gave Link new strength. He hugged her tightly, tucking her head beneath his chin. "No Malon, Ganondorf will never come near you, or our family. I promise. I'd rather die than let him hurt you."

"I know, Link." Malon murmured into his neck.

"But if something should happen to me-"

Pulling back, she looked at him sternly, "nothing will happen to you."

"No, nothing will happen to me but if it comes to it-"

Malon hushed him by clapping a hand over his mouth. "I won't hear another word of this foolishness, Link! Let's just get some sleep and tomorrow we can think better, alright?"

They settled back down under the covers. Malon nestled close to him and drifted off almost immediatly. Link however stayed awake awhile longer, wondering about the Deku Tree's warning and what he might have to sacrice in order to save his new family. As he closed his eyes, a night bird called outside. And the world slept on, oblivious to any stirring evil...