Chapter Text
King Forest is throned upon shadows. His locks are wide-blown by the wind, all fairies proclaim his dominion. His rule in no law is defined. His words are the birds and the runlets, his bed is the dream-woven sod; How gladly we honor his scepter and bow to his blossomy rod! And would you be one of his kingdom? Cringe never, nor humble your knees. But come with your lips tuned to singing, and love in your heart for the trees. To feel is the price of his favor. How easy to fill his behest! The tribute of courtier is silence, the service of minion is rest.
-Ruby Archer
The Korok Forest is located north of Hyrule Castle in the Great Hyrule Forest. Mainly consisting of The Great Deku Tree, and the many Koroks that live there as well. Besides the Great Deku Tree and his many children, the forest is also home to the Master Sword. The forest has many flowers and trees, as well as shallow water along the ground. Acorns are abundant, and the paths in the forest are lined with Bean Lamps. Inside The Great Deku Tree, there is the General Shoppe, the Spore Store, and an inn, as well as a Statue of the Goddess. In order to reach Korok Forest, one must travel through the Lost Woods, a foggy and eerie forest that serves as a barrier. There is only one way through the woods, and that is to follow the wind.
It was an early morning. The sun was rising, and the birds were singing happily to the sound of their own tune. I had stopped at the Woodland Stable to stock up on some supplies. As I was about to leave, I looked toward the road to see a large variety of covered wagons with the royal insignia painted on the thick tarps. Knights and Royal Guards had also halted their journey to rest at the stable. This brought up a similar feeling of discomfort and unease. Some wagons stopped while other sped by. It was weird. ‘What on Earth are they doing?’ I then remembered the stable’s proximity to the Military Training Camp, which made the picture whole.
A couple of soldiers glanced at me, making me nervous. One had chestnut brown hair with a matching mustache and hazel eyes. The second practically had white hair, with piercing green eyes. The third was timid looking, with black hair and brown eyes. I decided to stay calm, before the group of three sauntered over to me, “Hey little mouse. Where are you headed to? I could give you a ride.” One soldier offered, leaning down to make better eye contact with me. ‘Why did I have to be so short?’ I wondered to myself, before one of his friends spoke.
“Shut up man, you are scaring her with that hideous excuse for a mustache.” That much was true. The second soldier had laughed at his own remark, as I just stared at the three of them, “Wait, now that I have had a better look at you…” Sweat started to run down my forehead and neck as I anticipated the worst, “You must be lover boy’s girl. At first, I thought he made you up. I mean, a scrawny joker and someone as beautiful as yourself together is completely absurd. But look at you.” The only emotion to go through my head was confusion. ‘Lover boy? Scrawny joker? Who could that possibly be?’ I was pulled out of my thoughts, by a familiar voice shouting my name.
“(Y/N)!” Turning my gaze to the direction of the voice, I saw none other than Angus. I immediately knew what the other three soldiers were talking about. With a large smile on my face, I ran up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck, using my tippy-toes to reach. The friendly knight snaked his broad arms around my waist, holding me close, “Look at you! You’re here!! Has your journey went well? That is what you’re doing right?!”
“Yes Angus, and my journey has went fine. What about you? And what’s with your fellows knights knowing about me?” Angus froze up a smidgin, before glaring at the three soldiers. The three men snickered to themselves, before coming over to the two of us.
“Ah~ Why are you ang-y, Angy?” The beach blond one teased, as the other two couldn’t control their fits of laughter, “Was I not supposed to tell her?” I asked what he meant by that, “Well, little mouse, Angy here hasn’t shut up about you for months. After he reported back to our superior officer, he started bragging about how he met the most beautiful, humble girl upon his return.” A small blush formed on my cheeks, as I looked down at the ground. Angus pulled the three away, arguing with them before coming back over to me.
“S-Sorry about those guys. They are just… um… being themselves… Anyway, what are you doing here, (Y/N)? Just passing through?” Angus changed the subject sitting me down on a stool, as he waited for all the details.
“Yeah, I was going to go to the Lost Woods to meet the Great Deku Tree. I need some… guidance. But it looks like I won’t be able to go. What is going on anyway?” I asked, genuinely wondering what was taking place. Angus softly smiled at me.
“Sorry (Y/N), but it is classified.” Was all he answered.
“Oh! I actually was hoping to run into you eventually. I wanted to give you back the money I borrowed when we first met. I have been saving it up the moment I started to get an income. I was finally able to get enough, so here you go!” I gently put the rupee-filled bag into his large hands, as he looked at it solemnly. Just a moment ago, he was happy and upbeat, but at the moment, he held a frown on his expression, “D-Don’t worry! I still have quite a bit, so it is not like I’m broke or anything.”
“(Y/N), that money was a gift. B-But if you really do want to p-pay me back… I- well… would you-” Before Angus could finish, a captain ordered him to get back into the squadron. He looked at his captain, then to me. Back and forth his head faced. I lightly nudged him toward the group of departing knights. Saying a quick goodbye, he left towards Rauru Settlement. I was once again, alone. I decided to continue my way to the Lost Woods. Passing by the Military Camp, I gazed upon aspiring soldiers for Hyrule; However, I knew of the terror that was to be placed down in a little less than a year. Sighing, I looked ahead, resuming down the beaten, yet grass covered path.
The more I walked, the less the trail could be seen. The once untainted air had grown opaque. My surroundings were getting harder to see. At the door like ruins, I noticed the lack of torches. No fire was nearby or could be remotely seen. Hearing the cracking of a stick, I snapped my neck toward the noise to find a dark brown steed grazing. I sighed again pulling out two apples from my bag, before rolling them toward the horse. I expected the steed to get spooked, but it didn’t respond until the red fruit came to a halt. The steed happily ate both apples. “Where’s your owner boy? Did they venture into the woods?” I looked into the trees to only see a thick fog. The horse seemed so familiar, yet I couldn’t put my finger on why. I dusted off the thought for the time being. I knew the way through the Lost Woods like it was the back of my hand. The atmosphere was eerie, and I doubted my memory a couple of times; However, once I gazed at the opening, I felt reassured.
The fog started to lift, and I was met with beautiful greenery with the occasional flowers. As I walked through the logs, I saw small Koroks hiding behind bushes and shrubs. I rubbed my eyes out of shock, wondering if I really saw the forest spirits. When I opened my eyes again, I continued to see them. I thought Link was the only one that could see them, but I guessed wrong. I walked along the stone path, looking forward. The Great Deku Tree stood tall, and his Sakura covered branches hung over the entirety of Korok Forest. Once setting foot on the triangular platform, the Great Deku Tree started to stir. “I knew you would come here eventually, but I didn’t expect you to come so early…” He mumbled loudly, making me gasp a little, “Out of formality, let me introduce myself. I am the Great Deku Tree, but you already knew that didn’t you?” Diffidently, I nodded, “You are not of this world, nor this universe. As far as I am aware you, dear child, are from beyond even my comprehension.”
“Great Deku Tree, I have come to ask you something of great importance. There is something I desperately need to get back home. I do not wish to interfere with the future that is to come. I believe I have already made quite the impact… You see everything. Everything that goes on in Hyrule, so please. Have you seen my switch fall from the sky? And if so, where did it land?!” I was frantic to say the least. From the bottom of my heart, I hoped that my search wasn’t a lost cause. The Great Deku Tree stayed quiet, not saying a single word.
“My dear child,” He spoke, as his children played around me feet, “I see many things… but I haven’t seen what you are looking for. I do have limits, you know…” Before I could restate or ask any more questions, he interrupted, “My dear, I sense a great deal of your stress and anxiety, but there is nothing you can do to turn away now… You have seen more than I, haven’t you?” Stillness, “I will take your silence as an answer… My dear child, I urge you to stay in Korok Forest for a day, so I may remember if I have seen your device; However, I am usually not wrong about these things…”
“Please Great Deku Tree! It would put me at peace!!” I held my coiled fist to my heart, feeling all sorts of emotions. Pressure, apprehension, irritation, melancholy… The Great Deku Tree grunted in affirmation, as Koroks led me into the tree’s navel. I hadn’t expected them to trust me that easily. After all, I had arrived in Korok Forest a couple minutes before. I decided to not fight the little tree saplings, and just live in the moment. I thought that the Deku Tree would need time to think. If only I knew that the Great Deku Tree lied to me.