Ocarina of Time II: Parallel Symphony

Standard disclaimer: I don't own any of these people, places or things. Heck, even most of the verbs belong to someone else. :-) All characters and settings © Nintendo. Hey, they've earned it.

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Interlude One: Before the Arbiter

I watch.

The Hero of Time, though precious few know his real worth even now, returns to the Kokiri Forest, receiving a Hero's welcome from his one-time people. Mido, the closest thing the Kokiri have to an official leader, remains suspicious of the Hero, but Link -- and their true heart, Saria -- will soon put an end to that. The lad carries the Spiritual Stone of the Forest with a grim, determined air, and I believe he may actually know what to do with it. Surprising even me, he leads a young Epona, the steed having grown enough in the passing weeks to carry the boy.

One day soon, I will have to withdraw myself from emotion. Soon, I will become the Arbiter, chosen by the Gods to give birth to the fortress which shall determine the fate of Hyrule for centuries to come. Soon, I will have to give the King of Evil as much opportunity as the Hero and Sage of Time. When that day comes, I must be without favor, lest a far more terrible fate befall this world than even the reign of the Mandrag Heir.

I have a little time yet, though. Gods be good, just a little more time, please. How could I have come to care for this Hylian boy so quickly?

My question is folly. He is worthy to be the Hero of Time, as he proves with each act of kindness, of charity, of courage. I was not at all surprised when the Hero sought me out, as he did so many others he knew before. Clearly, he has been to Lon Lon Ranch. I watched him go to Kakariko, and naturally I met him in a familiar place. He smiled to see me, though Navi had a few choice words to say. It was all fond, even the complaints of his boisterous fairy. I hated feigning ignorance with him, though I hate my true ignorance more. In spite of my passable body of lore, I haven't the least memory of my identity before I became...as I am. And now, I face becoming something even more different. All I know is that I agreed to this, and that it was worth the price. The gods are merciful, I know, whenever they can be.

Already, the great Shield of Hyrule sits less uncomfortably on his back. When the boy is able to heft it unaided, he will vanish to the other world, drawn by the capture of his beloved fairy partner. Then, I will be as I am no more. As the Arbiter, I can only build and judge, though my faith is enough that I will trust the gods, even in this. Until then, I will do all I can for him. Gods be good, just a little more time...

I see the Skull Kid with his twin fairies in the distance. The gods have been as kind as they could afford to be with me. Tomorrow, the princess will entrust the Ocarina of Time to the Hero. After that...a few weeks, a month at most. He must be growing quickly. So I do the only things I can. I prepare myself, and I pray that I have made the right choice. Gods help us all.