Chapter 1
Link had just hung the last saddle up. He turned to walk away and nearly stepped on his daughter, Saria. At almost a year old, she had been walking for about 2 months, and was quite good on her feet. Malon was already teaching her to ride Navi, her horse. She was bright for her age, and picked it up quickly. Also, she knew how to talk very well for her age, and was even into singing, like her mother. In terms of physical appearance, she was her father's daughter. She had Link's blonde hair and blue eyes, but her mother's smile. Aside from this she was a mini, female Link.
Saria had both her parents' tough personalities. She would grow up to be as courageous as her father, as much of a tomboy as her mother, and as much of a nature-lover as both of them. She already had an affinity for horses (much more so than Link), and a love of the forest (much more so than Malon). There was no question as to who her parents were. She was as similar to them as any child could be.
"Daddy, carry me?"
"Sure, sweetie." Link picked his daughter up and carried her out of the stables. She continued talking.
"Can we go to Ko-ki-ri Forest today, Daddy?" (she stumbled over worlds like Kokiri, so she had to say them slowly). A unique feature of hers was that she could survive in Kokiri Forest, unlike most Hylians, a trait inherited from her father. She would go with Link and father-daughter excursions there often, and the Kokiri children looked on both of them as forest people. Saria I, the Sage of Forest, had warned that this would backfire, because Saria II would pass the immunity on to her children, grandchildren, etc. It would spread until the Kokiri would no longer be safe. They would be unable to leave the forest, but Hylians would be able to enter it. This problem could be solved by Saria marrying a Kokiri, but this would cause conflicts in itself. Link said it would just be best to let the goddesses handle it, and the Deku Sprout (which was growing into a quite impressive tree), if need be.
"But, Saria, we're going to see the Aunt Zelda and Uncle Chezdon today! Don't you want to go see them?"
Just then, Malon approached and said, "Link, did I tell you? You're going to have a little niece or nephew in about 5 months. Zelda's pregnant!"
"What? Really? That's great! Saria will have someone to play with. They'll be best friends, I know it. Did you hear that, Saria? You're going to have a cousin!"
"Aunt Zelda gonna have a baby? A girl."
"Maybe," said Malon, "or maybe a boy. We won't know until it's born."
Saria scrunched up her face. "Not a boy. A girl. I know is a girl. Baby girl, princess, name what?"
"She, or he, doesn't have name yet. It will get a name when it's born." Link said, "And, Malon, as to knowing the gender, Zelda will find out in a few months, maybe about 3. Telepathic mothers find these things out while the baby is still in the womb."
"Do you think Saria could be right about the baby being a girl? Do you think she really knows?"
Link snorted, "I doubt it. I didn't know what your baby was going to be. But she's got a fifty-fifty chance, so you never know. Come on, let's get dressed."
Malon took the child from Link and told him, "I'll dress Saria. You never did have a way with coordinating clothes."
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At the castle, Saria was fascinated by Zelda's slightly swollen belly. She spoke to it as though it were a person, and seemed to hear the baby answer back. The adults thought this was the cute behaviour of a child with an imaginary friend, but they also wondered (though not out loud) if maybe Saria could actually hear something. They dismissed this idea, because she would have to be the child of extremely magical people to have such abilities. She would have to have magic greater than that of her father, which wouldn't be possible.
Conversation wandered through many topics: potitical, religious, idle, gossip. Eventunally, they turned to Saria's first birthday, which was in less than a month. when the topic came up, Saria knew she was being talked about.
"My birth-day soon!" she told everyone, "We have a party for me! Presents and cake for me! I'm gonna be one years old!" After making this statement, she continued her conversation with Zelda's unborn child. Still, it was difficult to plan a party and gifts when the birthday girl was in the room, so she was sent off to play with one of the servants, Linessa.
With Saria gone, tha adults could plan in peace. Saria would receive, from her parents, Link's house in Kokiri Forest, which she could go to whenever she liked. They would also get her other small gifts, such as jewelery, clothes and toys.
"What will you two get her?" Malon asked the royal couple.
They looked at each other, then Zelda said, "Well, we had an idea. Chezdon, do you want to tell them?"
The crown prince spoke, "Well, obviously our child would be the heir to the throne, but it's always a good idea to have another heir to fall back on..."
Link's jaw dropped, "Don't tell me you're going to..."
Malon interrupted, "You guys, can you really do that?"
Zelda finished, "We want to give her a royal title."
Chezdon added, "Unless you have any objections?"
There was a moment of silence, then Link said, "I'm fine with it. Malon?"
"Sure! Why would I disapprove? I mean, to make her princess... that's an impresive gift for a one-year-old."
Zelda grinned, "We've got the paperwork drawn up. We just need your signatures and it's official. Rabay!" she called to her servant, "Bring the papers for Saria's birthday present!"
"Right away, Your Highness." The girl left, and in a moment returned. She handed the papers to Link and Malon, who breifly read them, and signed on the lines under "Mother" and "Father".
"It's official," said Chezdon, "Saria is now Princess Saria. We'll tell her at her party."
"Of course," said Zelda, "We'll also get her other gifts. You know, toys and such."
They proceeded to plan the party, until Saria returned. It was dinner time, so they ate at the castle. After the meal, it was time for Link, Malon and Saria to return home. Saria talked nonstop about the wonderful toys they had at the castle.
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