Part XIII: "Offspring"

"The Lost Woods are just how I remember them," Link said aloud, "but I've never been here before. How strange."

He was standing alone in the first chamber of the Woods. Before him were three tree trunk tunnels. He knew almost instinctively that only one path was correct. He had to follow the music.

And so he did, leaning into each tunnel as he found it, listening for the sweet music of the forest, until he finally emerged into the Sacred Forest Meadow. and the hedge maze. Cautiously, he peered around the hedges and into the maze. There were no Molblins or Mad Deku Scrubs this time around. All was calm and peaceful.

Link walked slowly through the maze. Above him he could hear birds chirping a happy song. He could smell the scent of fresh pollen in the trees. This forest was truly at peace. It took longer to coplete the maze than Link had expected. For an instant, he thought the maze to be larger than he remembered, but then he realized that he wasn't supposed to remember it at all so he simply continued on.

He found the giant staircase that led to the Forest Temple. Again, there were no Deku Scrubs or giant Molblin protecting it. He was free to pass.

So pass he did. As he climbed the last step, he knew what he would find there. Sitting on a stump beneath a giant tree and playing a sweet melody on a small ocarina was a tall Kokiri girl with green hair. She stood to meet Link.

"Welcome, Link," she said. "I've been waiting for you."

"Saria?" Link asked.

"Well," she replied, "yes and no. I am really her daughter. My name's Joliente... You see, when a Kokiri dies, another is born and called their child. That way, we will always survive and never overpopulate. Normally, the memories of the dead are implanted into the Great Deku Tree. Saria was different. He memories were given to me, her daughter. So you see, I'm Joliente. AND I'm Saria. I hope it isn't too confusing."

"No," said Link, "I think I understand. What I don't understand is why I think I remember this place even though I've never visited before."

Joliente smiled.

"What was done with me...I mean Saria was also done with your father. However, because he and you are really Hyrulians, the memories did not surface until you came in contact with Kokiri Forest. You see, we have quite a bit in common."

"So we do," Link said. "So we do..."

Joliente smiled again.

"Come on, I'll show you around the temple!"

Link laughed.

"Sure!" he said. "I haven't been there in years! Let's go!" Link and Joliente ran up the stairs together and into the Forest Temple. For Link, not a single more joyous day could have occured.

He was home...