Every Kokiri had a forest fairy guardian assigned to him or her, as a companion and protector. The power to assign forest fairies to Kokiri children was held by their guardian spirit, the Great Deku Tree. Before he set out on his destiny-led journey to meet Princess Zelda, the guardian spirit paired Link with Navi, though in this act the Great Deku Tree was breaking his sacredly held convention with the fairies. He had foreseen that Navi would be a powerful ally for Link, and so bound her to him as his final act.
Navi was a faithful friend and guide for Link, staying with him through all his many trials. From the slaying of Gohma to the ultimate imprisonment of Ganondorf, she was a steadfast and courageous ally, small and vulnerable though she was. However, as soon as flow of time was mended anew and the blade of their destiny laid to rest, Navi was summoned away from Link. Their bind was severed, and the calling of the Elders drew her back to Jasinin.
To her horror and surprise she was forced to stand trial for claims of treason. Anger had been roused amongst her people. To some it was outrageous that a fairy had chosen to spend such a long time in the company of a Hylian. Upon the revelation that she had aided the Hero of Time in saving Hyrule from destruction, the mood of her people changed. Instead of reprimand, she was rewarded. The once diminutive forest fairy was granted rebirth as a great fairy, and she blossomed into the form that she held today.
Naturally livid, Elder Wrath had used his influence to order that she be confined to Jasinin for seven years, as punishment for the time spent with Link. This sentence weakened Navi’s spirit, and she retreated within herself in sorrow. For those seven years she spoke to no-one, and became reclusive. When her term of restraint was over, Navi no longer dared t venture out into the open world. She was too ashamed to face Link again, and decided that he would have long forgotten about her.
“Tell me about your son,” Navi said, still floating upside down in front of Link.
“Rael?” asked Link, looking up. Navi was watching at him patiently, as though scrutinising his every move. “He makes me proud,” he said. “He’s a good man, he was raised well. What else can I say of him?” It was difficult for Link to express how he felt about Rael, as he was unsure how he felt in his own heart. He had known his son for such a short time, and had been in his presence so little that their relationship was fragmented.
“Is he like you?” asked the great fairy.
Link laughed grimly. “Well, he looks much like me, if that’s what you mean. That is he’s a much younger and finer looking man, but he’s tall and strong like his father.” A thought passed across Link’s mind as he pictured his only son. “His eyes are very familiar.”
Navi arched an eyebrow. “Familiar?” she prompted.
“Hard... and distant...” Link said, “but dutiful. He’s fiercely loyal and unafraid of facing danger.”
“That is familiar,” Navi said, smiling.
Link shook his head. “We’re not similar like that. He takes after his mother, though she would not see it.”
“Of course,” said Navi.
“He has a fiery temper,” said Link, “and he needs to control it.”
“And his mother,” said Navi, “what is she like?”
Link paused, gazing beyond Navi into the night beyond. “She is the very image of Queen she is. Wise... majestic... graceful... Everything that I’m not.”
“How does she appear now?” Navi asked.
“Her appearance?” said Link, looking back at Navi. “She’s...” Link stopped. How could he describe Zelda? In all his years he had never seen a woman so beautiful as the mother of his child. Like the first day of springtime, blessed with youth throughout her years. “Indescribable,” he said at length.
“So,” said Navi, rolling over in the air again, “we’re going to meet Zelda.” She folded her arms. “This seems rather familiar.”
Link nodded, watching Navi closely. He did not want to be caught off balance by one of her sudden movements.
“Do you love her?” Navi asked.
Link’s heart beat slightly faster. He shifted in his place, and took another bite of his food. “I would die for her,” he said eventually, looking down at the ground.
Navi shook her head. “So would the next good soldier. But why have you not made her your bride?”
Link nearly choked. “My bride? I’m sure every soldier would gladly make her their bride!”
“She would not have any of them, though,” said Navi.
“And she would have me?” asked Link.
“I’m asking you,” said Navi. The great fairy righted herself, so that she was standing with her feet on the ground. Her fragrance washed over him as she moved. “I suspect though, that she may have made the offer herself, already.”
Link looked up at the fairy stonily. His old friend was much more intense than he remembered her being. “She did. A long time ago.”
Navi smiled triumphantly. “But?”
“But nothing!” Link exclaimed. “I have nothing to offer her. Only death and misery.”
Navi sighed and sat down beside Link. She put an arm behind him and rested her chin on his shoulder again. “Don’t miss your chance Link,” she said. “Or you might regret it forever.”
“What do you-” Link turned his head, once again turning face to face with the fairy. Navi grinned playfully. “Don’t do that,” he said flatly. He tossed the rabbit carcass onto the fire and stood up indignantly. “Good night Navi,” he said. He walked to his bedroll quietly, not looking back. Fairy or not, women were all the same. The world could be coming apart at the seams, but they would only care about one thing.
ds
