Saria: Chapter Four

Skull Kid hopped from one branch to the next following the sounds of the explosions. The trees shuddered at each new noise and Skull Kid felt his worry rise. 'What if it was something after Saria!' He wondered as he dashed along.
Finally, he reached the source of the noise an old tunnel entrance that had been sealed off by rocks for many years.
Skull Kid stopped for a second, and stared at the tunnel which incited a memory to flash before his very eyes.

Before he was lost in the Lost Woods, Skull Kid lived in Kakariko Village with his family. It was so long ago that the boy couldn't recall their names or faces but he knew for certain he had a brother. He and his brother were goofing around the village when Skull Kid had the idea to visit Death Mountain. No matter how his brother protested, the answer 'no' was out of the question.
So he dragged his younger brother to the gate where the guard took watch. Along the way the young boy stated that it was dangerous, and that the mountain erupted quite often.
But that didn't worry Skull Kid, how announced it to be fun and a real adventure. The guard naturally turned them away when they asked to go through, telling them to head home and stay safe. Skull Kid didn't like this, then remembered some vines growing along a house that were strong enough to be climbed.
Going up the vines and on the roof, they were able to jump over the gate and both took of as the guard called for them to stop.
The boys were very impressed at the sheer size of the mountain, from the village the mountain stood watch over the village but it seemed to be watching from a safe distance, at its feet, the two gasped as the rock faces stared them down to size.
Death Mountain was very active, and they discovered that no too long after passing the gate. Rocks rolled down the walls at different intervals, and some where accompanied by a deep rumble.
The boys walked along th slope and peered into a large cavern at a corner where the path went upward along the mountain. They heard a loud roar in the belly and decided it was best to pass it and continue on their way.
The Skull Kid remembered that a race lived on the mountain, the Gorons. He became excited with the idea of meeting them in person. All the while the younger boy became more frightened as the eruptions became louder.
When they finally reached the end to the winding trail, the boys were meet with a cave that was lit with fire inside.
It was the Goron City, and the two entered quickly, one eager to meet the people there, and the other wishing to go home.
At the time of their arrival, there wasn't much movement in the city, it was almost deserted.
Skull Kid was disappointed in it, but did catch sight of a red gem resting on a pedastal hanging in the air. He made a bet with his brother that he would make it across and retrieve the jewel. The brother told him not to, but the Skull Kid began anyway. The chunk of rock that held the jewel was suspended by large ropes that were hooked on the top floor of the city. The rope was so strong that when the Skull Kid stepped on it, it didn't bend or even move. The brother called to him and told him not to do it, but still the boy walked on, one step at a time.
He made it there with little problem, and read the message on the pedastal.
It read, "The Goron's Ruby".
The Skull Kid grabbed the ruby, and began to make his way back across the rope. When he was about half way though, the rope began to shake as did the walls and ceiling. The brother cried out that the volcano was erupting again, and that he should hold on.
Skull Kid reached down to grip the rope but in doing so fell to the side. He was now hanging on the the rope with one hand but still held the ruby. That is when a rock broke from the ceiling and hit the Skull Kid causing him to fall and hit a lit torch.
The boy's clothes caught on fire and in his attempt to put himself out, he backed up into a strange round plant on the wall that fell down and began to glow red. A bomb flower.
Skull Kid jumped away as it exploded and rocks began to fall down, blocking off the exit to the Goron City. The Skull Kid looked at the blockage and coughed a bit, then made his way to the Lost Woods.

Skull Kid shook his head clear of the memory, and was startled at the sight of a large owl landing on the branch in front of him. The Skull Kid jumped back to avoid falling off and was hidden by more branches when he saw a boy appear from the tunnel with a blue fairy flying around him.
"Who is that?" Skull Kid asked to himself and the owl began to speak, "Who! Link, up here!" The owl whood at the new boy and began to ramble.
"Link?" Skull Kid mouthed, wondering what that meant. When the large owl finished his speech, the boy named Link turned the the blue fairy and nodded, then made his way into the Lost Woods.
Skull tried to hear them talk and only could make out one word, 'Saria'. At least he was sure of it.
"They're after Saria?" Skull Kid said, then became panicked, "What if they want to hurt her! I have to protect her!"
He stumbled on the branch he was on, then began leaping from tree to tree.

Saria sat on the stump and wiated for the Skull kid to return, She wished he hadn't run off, that he stayed there with her. The more she was with the Skull Kid, the more she felt like Link was there, and safe in the forest.
"Saria." Breena said, "Someone is in the woods, I think it is Navi! Then that means..."
"Link's back?" Saria finished, and felt a lump in her heart vanish.
"Does he know about this place?" Breena asked.
Saria put a finger to her chin and thought about it. "No, I don't think he does." Then, in an unconscious move, looked at the balcony above her. It always intrigued her as to what was up there, if the entrance was easier to reach, she would already have explored it.
"I think Link should come here, I'll play my song to guide him!" She smiled and began playing her song.

After a little while, Breena gasped and said, "I think they're here!"
She was correct as a moment later Link and Navi appeared at the top of the steps, obviously exhausted.
When he came closer, Saria stopped playing and said, "Welcome Link. This is the Sacred Forest Meadow. One day I feel this place may be important to us." She was so happy to see him that she decided to teach him her song.
"Would you like to learn my song? We can keep in touch that way."
Link nodded and pulled out the ocarina that Saria had given him. At this point Skull Kid arrived on a tree branch and was about to shout to Saria about Link when she started to play.
"Saria?" Skull Kid said, confused as to why she was entertaining the intruder.
Then when she was done, she motioned to Link, who began to play the song Saria had played. Skull Kid listened to the music, which sounded slightly different then it sounded when he played, as if a touch of magic was added to it.
"Great! If you want to hear my voice just play that song!" She said, knowing that Link would have to leave again soon.
Navi fluttered and said, Link has met with the princess of Hyrule and now we have to save the world."
Saria widened her eyes and said, "You have to save the world? How can you do that? I mean, what are you doing to save it?"
"First we need to collect the Spiritual Stones, the Great Deku Tree gave use the forest stone already, and now we are trying to collect the Goron's Spiritual Stone of Fire. The Goron's are in trouble right now and they won't let us have it, or even talk to us! Do you have an idea how to get them to speak with us?" Navi summarized.
Saria gave it a moment then said, "I remember hearing that Gorons love listening to music, maybe if you play them a song they'll talk to you."
Link smiled and Navi exclaimed, "That could work!" Link nodded and Saria knew she helped them more than they thought she would.
But she knew they had to get going.
"Well go ahead and talk to the Gorons! Tell me what happens! Kay!" Saria said. Link and Navi said their good-byes then left for the Goron city.
"Good-bye Link." Saria said, watching her friend leave for a second time...