Fan Fiction ❯ Somewhere I Belong, You'll Be Right There Waiting ❯ Part 3: The Quest for Fellowship ( Chapter 3 )

Part 3: The Quest for Fellowship

[The blanket of the night covered the great woods of the Kokiri. Hordes of fireflies brightened the forest with their glowing sparks, not leaving a corner unlighted. The soft green grass swished as the whistling wind blew by. It was a cold quiet night indeed, just like every other night in this holy forest. The Kokiri people sheltered themselves in their wooden homes, sleeping like babies. It wasn't safe to roam around at this time of day, but there was one person who was willing to take the risk…

Little Link slowly walked the narrow path leading to the Deku Tree's lair, anxiously turning left and right on the look out for any monsters. He shivered as a whooshing breeze blew by him, sending a chill through his skin and spine. He was cold, scared, and unarmed; but every chill, every fear, and every step was worth it. Link had no one to turn to but the Deku Tree, a wise and caring tree with advice of wisdom.

After minutes of walking, he finally found himself exiting the path. He looked around; he was in a familiar vast grassy field... In the center stood a very large and aged tree… The Deku Tree.

"Thou hath come," a voice boomed. "Approach, lad."

Link obeyed, and walked closer towards the tree, his tear-stained face held an expression of fear.

"Do not be afraid my boy," said the Tree. "Heroes do not cry."

Those words grabbed Link's attention, causing him to walk closer.

"So you… remember?"

"More than thou can ever know," it responded. "Hyrule owes it all to thee, Hero of Time."

Link was shocked that the Deku Tree knew his title. He thought no one would remember his quest.

"You…know about my quest?"

"Thou underestimates me, Link. I may have died but my spirit has lived on. I would never abandon a member of my family; even death would not stop me from helping thee. Even though thou art not Kokirian, I still treat thee as my son."

So, he knows I'm Hylian, Link thought.

"You helped me?"

"In a way, indeed I have."

Waves of silence echoed in the air as the shocked Link wiped his tears. He felt comfortable to be with the Deku Tree, 'someone' who remembered him. But he wondered if he knew about the so-called 'curse' that had befallen him since the day he saved Hyrule. The green-clad child had so many questions in mind, and luckily he knew exactly where to start.

"Why have you summoned me?"

"I sensed trouble and sadness in thee. What is wrong hero?"

Link didn't know how to explain this, so he answered in the clearest way he possibly could, "Nobody…remembers me."

"I see. Thou hast no one to turn to for love and support." The Deku Tree was trying to comfort his 'son'.

"I don't know what's going on anymore. Everybody treats me like a stranger. It wasn't supposed to turn out this way. I fought for them; I fought for Hyrule. I don't deserve to be treated like dirt. I'm a hero, you hear?! I'm a…hero." Link started to cry again, covering his face with his two hands.

And I got nothing to say; I can't believe I didn't fall right down on my face.

(I was confused)

Looking everywhere, only to find,

That's not the way I had imagined it all in my mind (so what am I?).

Silence…again.

"I cannot explain to thee what hast happened, for thou art too young to understand…I can only tell thee this: if everyone should recall the events of thine quest, it wouldeth be a disaster…

"Thou art the greatest of heroes Link, and thine legacy shall live on, for I willeth always remember how thou hath saveth me.

"Heroes do not give up, that is why I will send thee on a quest that will never end…"

Link was shocked.How can he send me in a quest at a time like this?! Does he have no feelings?!

What do I have but negativity?

'Cause I can't justify the way everyone is looking at me (nothing to lose).

Nothing to gain, hollow and alone, and the fault is my own and the fault is my own.

"A quest that requires courage and patience, and thou had demonstrated thine courage, but now thou needeth to prove thine patience…

"I will send thee on a quest to seek friends, friends who will supporteth thee in need. "

Link felt very happy and relieved to know the greatness of his quest. A smile crept in his handsome face.

"Thou will be missed… I love thee with all my heart…I shall love thee forever."

Link couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was this a dream? If it was, then he wished that he would never wake up. Tears shaded his handsome face as he ran towards the Deku Tree… and hugged its large trunk, smiling happily.

"Thank you, o wise Deku Tree, for your love and support. You're the first friend I have found in this new quest," Link smiled.

The Deku Tree chuckled, "so indeed I am. And thou art the first person that hugged me…I have always wondered how hugs feel, and now I knoweth."

"And I have always wondered how it feels to hug a tree," Link joked. "Comfortable, but a little on the rough side I might say."

The Deku Tree chuckled again. "Thou dost hath a sense of humor, for I hath never laughed like this in a while. Never have I met a hero like thee, Link my lad."

"And you never will o wise Deku Tree…and you never will…"]

And here I am now, resting on my bed soundlessly, as the candlelight grows dimmer with each second passing by. I think about the Deku Tree's words of wisdom, for this so-called 'quest' has not sunken into my oceans of thought yet. It puzzles me; he sends me on a journey to seek friends, and yet, I do not see what goodness befriending will bring to Hyrule. Yes, making new friends is for my own good…but how will it bring righteousness to the people?

No matter, I won't get anywhere if I keep spinning around in circles. After all, actions do speak louder than words, do they not?

I learned a valuable lesson from the Deku Tree's words: A chip on your shoulder is like a splinter in your finger; it will bring more pain if you try to ignore it. Tuck the pain away, and just pull the splinter out.

That is why I've decided; regardless of Zelda's memories, and regardless of my bottled bitterness, I will meet her tomorrow.

Wish me luck.

I will never know, myself until I do this on my own.

I will never feel, anything else until my wounds are healed.

I will never be--- anything till I break away the pain.