Narrator- Saria's Song

"I want to go inside," he said, jumping off the stump and tugging at Saria's sleeve. "Can we?" "Someday I'll show you," Saria said gently, unable to help but feel a little disturbed by the boy's insistence. "But not today." He pouted, but Saria didn't relent. "I mean it," she said firmly. She didn't want to deliberately upset Link by letting him sense the worry that nagged at her, nor did she think he would understand. He was still too young. Something still called to her, and Saria repressed a shiver. It was getting more insistent. She would need to speak to the Great Deku Tree, but that wasn't a promising option. The last time Saria had mentioned any misgivings about the temple, he'd been unusually vague. Her powers, as he called them, were simply maturing, and as they did, she was becoming more sensitive to the power within the woods. It was like he was trying not to frighten her, which worried Saria, because whatever he wasn't saying, it must be bad. She could recall countless years, much of it a blur, so she wasn't exactly young. Entire peoples had come and gone, few of them ever daring to come near the forest's edge. Villages and towns had sprung up amidst the verdant fields, only to vanish again as time flowed on. The ancient forest spirits, of which the Great Deku Tree was one of the oldest, protected the woods fiercely, letting the Kokiri live undisturbed by the troubles beyond their sacred abode. Saria's charge - the little boy, proudly attired in his green tunic - pulled a face, disappointed by her words. "Nice try, but that's not going to help!" she told him. "Now you better stop asking me, or you'll have to pick all of Saria's herbs by yourself." "What? No!" Link exclaimed, looking suddenly horrified. Saria laughed, giving him a gentle nudge. "You know I'm not that mean." "Meanie," Link repeated, but he wasn't serious. They both knew he was too young to go harvesting herbs by himself. He'd probably come back with a few pet insects again, having forgotten whatever it was she'd sent him to fetch... That floppy green hat that he loved to wear so much was sitting lopsided again, making him look truly goofy, but he didn't care. Nor did Saria mind. Right now he was the happiest boy in the world, and it was a sight that made Saria's fears melt away.

And that was when Saria heard it. The distinct scampering of an animal moving somewhere in the maze. Whatever it was, it was big. And then, from beyond the tree, appearing between the dense foliage, a tall human-like figure emerged from the mist, flanked by three enormous Wolfos. It was him. He had them trapped, lured like helpless animals to a hunter's trap. They were right where he wanted them. His cold, glowing eyes settled on Saria first; he didn't seem all that interested in Mido. Frozen like hares before a wolf, the two Kokiri just stared, trying to back away towards the oak. Saria felt the cold, hard stone of one of the statues behind her and tried to swallow, but her throat felt dry. "Who are you?" she demanded, willing her voice to work. The wolves growled in answer, hackles raised, crouching, but the man just regarded them, silent and still, almost as if he had turned to stone. "Run!" Mido cried, and suddenly the two Kokiri were running back the way they had come, unsure of exactly which way to go. To their right, a shape, a blur of fur and fangs, exploded through the underbrush. It leapt over the low wall and landed with a heavy thud straight between the two Kokiri. Saria shrank back from the Wolfos and ran towards the nearest opening in the maze. A scamper of paws and a ferocious growl that seemed to come from the darkest depths told her that her pursuers were close behind. It was only when she was halfway back to the corridor, trying to decide which way to go, that she realised Mido was no longer behind her. The mist was getting thicker, and there was nothing she could see except the dense foliage. She twisted around, trying to spot him, trying to hear him, but all she could hear was the sound of the hounds crashing through the bushes, leaping atop the low walls and coming right for her. "Mido!" she cried out, but there was no answer. "Fora, can you see him?" Fora zipped into the air, but it was useless. The fog was getting thicker, as if the Soulless One were somehow controlling it. Shadows moved, dark and huge, but there was no sign of her friend. No sign at all. The Wolfos that had been chasing her emerged from the mist, lips curled in a feral snarl. Just behind it, the tall man in black armour appeared. He stood just behind the hound. Waiting. And then the hound was tearing after her, the sounds of its packmates ringing loud in Saria's ears, getting louder. Terrified, she bolted into the corridor that they'd come through earlier. The barrier that had corralled her into the garden was gone, but that was of little significance now. Spotting another door up ahead, Saria fled towards it. This led her into yet another vast courtyard, but nothing that Saria could see looked remotely like a good hiding spot. She leapt over a balcony, not bothering with the stairs, and then sprinted into the garden. Another glance at her surroundings revealed that there was nowhere to hide. No trees, no dense foliage that might resist being torn to shreds by a hungry wolf. Nothing. Nothing except the well.

"Great Father! This woman asks that you take her son," Fora said aloud, so all could hear. "She was hunted by assassins who believe her son to be a child of destiny, spoken of in prophecy. They sought to destroy him. She has heard of your great mercy and compassion, and asks that you take him into your care. It's the only hope she has. If you do not help her, her son will surely die." The woman was crying as she held her child aloft, the blankets falling away so that all that protected him from winter's cruel grasp was his blue tunic. The effort seemed to sap Larisa's remaining strength, but she was determined. Saria swallowed, trying to push down her own emotions — the growing pity she felt for this woman and her child. She came to the Hylian's side, placing a hand on her shoulder. She already knew the Great Deku Tree's answer. She already knew hers as well. The woman looked up into her eyes, and Saria held her gaze, offering a gentle smile and then nodding in acceptance. She would take this boy as she asked and care for him as if he were her own. "Do not fear for your son. He will be safe here, I promise," Saria said. She held her arms out to accept the still squalling bundle. Slowly, the woman placed the child in Saria's arms, and Saria didn't need the gift of language to hear the gratitude in the woman's words. She accepted the squirming infant, holding him close and peering into his bright blue eyes. "Hush," Saria soothed him. "I'll try and help your mum, okay? It'll be okay. You'll be okay..." She looked up at the mother, who had slumped against her horse, exhaustion plain on her face. "What is his name?" "Link." Larisa's voice was laboured, and Fora had to fly closer to hear the name. "His name is Link."