Melmar's Origins

[italiangenius91]

Melmar's Origins




Prologue

Of all the islands of the Great Sea, none match in beauty to the Forest Haven. The Koroks, living peacefully under the Great Deku Tree’s supervision, lead peaceful, though secluded, lives. Then one day a great evil befell the Great Sea. Ganondorf, the King of Evil, broke free of his prison and brought disturbance to the lives of the citizens of the Great Sea.
No race felt the threat more than the Koroks. They depended upon the Great Deku Tree for safety and guidance, yet found him in danger. The evil being sent his minions to kill the Great Deku Tree, and the Koroks found themselves defenseless. Praying for a solution, they waited for help to arrive. And help did indeed come.
A young boy named Link, who was on a quest of his own, arrived to speak to the Great Deku Tree. After finding him in peril, the boy destroyed the creatures and saved the Great Deku Tree’s life. The Koroks were amazed at this act of bravery, and did everything they could to help the hero in his quest.
The boy, the Hero of Winds, went on to destroy the great evil, and after a long quest, succeeded. News of this victory spread to the Forest Haven, and the Koroks were much relieved. The Great Deku Tree realized the need for the Koroks to be more self-supportive. He then began to teach them to do work while at home to help support themselves.
But then the time of the annual ceremony arrived, and the Koroks were ready to set off for the sea. The Great Deku Tree then realized the answer to this problem: he needed more Koroks. Before the annual ceremony, he had a new, special ceremony and created several new Koroks through his magic. Through the years, these Koroks were raised, matured, and taught to do various jobs to support themselves. A new generation of Koroks was born, and lived peacefully in the Forest Haven.
There was one Korok who seemed different to the Great Deku Tree, though. One of the new Koroks named Melmar showed exceptional magical prowess, although he did not yet control it. The Great Deku Tree, hoping to concentrate Melmar’s magic, sent him to be the apprentice of Hollo, the potion-maker. The Great Deku Tree sensed that this Korok would someday be vital to the Forest Haven and would someday fulfill his destiny. Hoping to see this through, he placed his faith in time.

[italiangenius91]

Chapter I

“MELMAR!” shouted a voice from afar. “MELMAR! You’re late! I started making potions two hours ago. Hurry up!”

Ugh, Melmar thought. Why do I have to get up? It’s too early to start. None of the other Koroks have to attend to their job this early.

Melmar rolled out of bed and drank a bit of forest water. His annoyance at the time vanished, and he left his house to get to Hollo’s potion shop. On his way he gathered some green herbs to use later that day. Greeting the few awake Koroks, he finally arrived at Hollo’s.

Hollo said angrily. “Did you gather your morning herbs?”

“Yeah, I did,” replied Melmar, holding his annoyance back. Why does he constantly yell at me? The workday hasn’t even started yet, and it’s not like being late ruins any potions. He really needs to calm down.

“Good, good. At least you didn’t forget that,” Hollo said more kindly. “Your main task today is to attend to the third cauldron. We’re making green potion there, something that you should be able to do well by now. If you finish that early, gather supplies and make a red potion in the fourth one. If you can finish both, I might teach you how to make a blue potion. Only if you’re quick.”

“Yes, sir,” he replied. It’s amazing how quickly he can change his mood. One minute he’s angry, the next he’s professionally giving instructions, no emotion at all. He’s such an interesting Korok.

Melmar walked over to the third cauldron and began emptying and cleaning the old brew out. Green potion was very useful to the Koroks, as they used a lot of magic while flying and performing everyday tasks, as they use magic for nearly everything. Melmar felt quite proud to be put on green potion duty, although he’d rather make blue. At least his primary task wasn’t red potion; barely anyone used it, as there aren’t many ways for Koroks to hurt themselves.

He started the water boiling, and went out to gather Boko Baba Seeds, which are found in the most foul plants on Forest Haven. He picked up a stick as he left, and went out to fight.

He approached the bud and waited for the plant to appear. As he got close, the plant lunged, its teeth narrowly missing Melmar. He jumped back, and hit the plant with a crack. The plant’s stem stood straight up, and in one last lunge, Melmar broke the stem and took the seeds from the bud. He then flew off, fearing the plant would grow back.

He returned to the potion shop to find the water boiling aggressively, ready to use. Melmar threw the herbs and seeds in, and carefully began to stir it. The potion crackled and hissed, and began to change to a light shade of green. Melmar, recognizing the color, quickly through in more of the herbs, and the potion darkened to the correct color.

He ran out to the middle of the Forest Haven and flew up to the upper levels. I love my Deku Leaf. This would take forever without it, he mused. He arrived at the upper levels and began to gather different herbs, ones that would make a red potion. He searched for twenty minutes before finding enough of what he needed.
That took way too long, he worried. I really want to make the blue potion today, and I can’t do it if I can’t make the red and green potions fast enough. He looked to the sky and attempted to judge the time. It seems to be close to noon, maybe a bit later. Maybe I’m worrying for nothing! I can do this!
He flew back down to the potion shop and cleaned out cauldron four. He set the water to boil and did a check of his supplies.

I’ve got enough herbs, but I only have two more Boko Baba Seeds. What should I do? He sat and wondered, and something in him told him to proceed with only two. It will work. I know it will.

He made the potion without a hitch, and found its red color to be spot on. He ran over to get Hollo, and was proud when complimented on his speed.

“Wow Melmar!” Hollo muttered in amazement. “That was really fast! But it’s not the speed that counts, only the quality. Let’s see how you did.”

Why can’t he be happy with anything I do! I work the fastest I ever have, and he just talks about quality. Any other day he’d lecture me on my speed!

Hollo went up to cauldron three and took some of the green potion. “The color looks good, and it smells fine,” he commented. He took a sip. “The taste is fine, and I can feel the magic power. Very good. This potion passes.”

Melmar sighed with relief. Only one more to check and I’ll be on my way to a blue potion!

Hollo took a taste from cauldron four. “AUGH! This potion is horrible! It looks and smells fine, but it tastes horrible, and there is no magical property to it! What did you do wrong!”

“Well, I only used two Boko Baba Seeds. Is that really going to mess up a potion?” Melmar wondered. He was crushed; he really wanted to learn to make a blue potion.

Hollo noticed Melmar’s disappointment. “Well, without the other two seeds, it just doesn’t have the magical strength to do anything. As for the taste, I’ll have to teach you what herbs make things taste better,” he replied tenderly.

“Will you still show me how to make a blue potion?” Melmar asked hopefully.

“Well, I guess I can. You improved a lot from before, and your mistake was just an ingredient one, so I guess I can teach you,” Hollo said kindly. They went to cauldron two.

“Now then, this potion is quite simple. It involves, of course four Boko Baba Seeds, and several herbs. The herbs consist of the herbs for both red and green potions, and a special, more rare herb. There is a grove where it grows in the Forest Haven, and I think it grows in other wooded areas, but very rarely in the field. Let me show it to you.”

Both Melmar and Hollo flew up to the upper levels. Up near the top of the Forest Haven was a patch of plants, with a strange looking herb growing from it. “That is the plant we want,” instructed Hollo. They took it back to the potion shop.
“Here are all the ingredients you need. Now then, if you’ve learned nothing else, you know that stirring the pot and timing the boiling time is very important. Note the herb that will improve the taste; it’s that one. I’m going to test you now to see if you’ve got the…intuition to make it one your own,” he said, pointing to the cauldron.

Intuition? What does he mean? How am I supposed to know how long to stir this? Melmar thought. He walked up to the cauldron and threw the ingredients in. Concentrating, he started to stir. He let his hands do the thinking, and waited until it felt right. When that time came, he blew out the fire, and finished stirring. He waited for Hollo to criticize him, but heard nothing. Hollo was standing with amazement.

“You’ve done it! You created a blue potion successfully on your first try with no guidance! I took months to master this potion, and you did it on your own on the first try. Amazing!” Hollo acclaimed. “Very good! You may be finished today. Something that amazing deserves a reward.”

Melmar left, with pride radiating from him. Hollo, with excitement, called to the Great Deku Tree. “I must talk to you!” he called. In curiosity, the Great Deku Tree called for Hollo to be summoned first thing in the morning, hoping for the message he’s wanted for years.

[italiangenius91]

Chapter II

“Great Deku Tree,” Hollo said with a bow. “Thank you for allowing this meeting.”

“If this is what I think it is,” he replied. “I’ll be very happy for allowing it too.” He laughed after this, and Hollo smiled. “Now then, what do you need to tell me?”

“Melmar has learned much quicker than I thought,” Hollo said excitedly. “He has a very special aptitude for potions and magic. For many years I’ve been training him not only how to make the potions, but how to know when it’s ready, like you told me to.”

“Yes, that was the whole reason for sending him to you. I knew he was special, but wanted to observe him. I needed to know if he had any natural talent for magic,” the Great Deku Tree reaffirmed. “I sent him to you so you could test this.”

“Yes, well,” Hollo interrupted hastily. “He has shown exceptional prowess. He’s always been a quick learner in the art of potion making. I’ve had him make red and green potions for many years, and have tried to have him do magic to fill one of the cauldrons. Though the magic didn’t go completely as planned, he did create a bit of water. I feel he needs someway to concentrate his magic before this is successful, so I haven’t tried it since.

“As for the potions, he learned red and green potions fast along with other types. I explained the exact process to him, and tried to get him to feel when it was finished or wrong. So yesterday, I sent him to do the regular routine: make a red and green potion for the shop. I promised him that if he finished both, I’d teach him to make a blue potion. He finished quickly, and after I tested them, I found the green potion to be sub-par. I was going to make him finish the rest of the routine by cleaning and manning the store, but he looked very depressed. So I decided to let him make it.

“I showed him the plants necessary to make it, and let him try the timing on his own, just to see if he had the magical sense. He made the potion, and it turned out perfect!” Hollo said with excitement. “His first try with the hardest potion came out right. And without any real help. He has the magical sense. You were right! I bet, if we gave him some way to concentrate his power, he could cast very powerful spells easily!”

“You’re sure it wasn’t just some sort of luck?” the Great Deku Tree asked.


“There is no luck involved in a blue potion. You either do it right or you don’t,” replied Hollo, slightly annoyed. “Can’t you just trust what I’m telling you?” he asked pleadingly. “This is the real deal. I don’t know what to do with him after this, but I’m sure that he will do great things. I need you to finish his training. He’s ready for more advanced magic, and I’ll just hold him back. He’s yours.”

“So now you want me to take him,” the Great Deku Tree stated. “I shall do it. Tomorrow when he arrives at the shop for his training, send him to me. Tell him I have summoned him. There is something that has been bothering me for quite a while, and I think he might be able to solve it. Remember to send him to me. We shall see if he is ready for his fate.”


“As you wish, Great Deku Tree. Good day to you,” replied Hollo humbly, as he left for his home. The Great Deku Tree couldn’t wait to see, finally, if all their work was going to pay off. There was just one more day until that time would come.

[italiangenius91]

Chapter III

“Good morning, Hollo,” Melmar said cheerfully as he entered the shop for his morning work. “May I try my hand at a blue potion again?”

“No, Melmar, you have more important things to do,” he replied with excitement. “You’ve been summoned by the Great Deku Tree! He heard about your success with the blue potion and has an important task for you. Go, quickly! Do not leave him waiting!” he shouted with pride as Melmar made his way out of the shop towards the middle of the Forest Haven.

“Great Deku Tree,” Melmar said humbly. He bowed to him, and then looked straight up. “I’ve come by your command. What do you wish of me?”

“Melmar,” the Great Deku Tree said with pride. Melmar bowed at the sound of his name. The Great Deku Tree said my name! He knows me, Melmar thought as he looked back up at the Great Deku Tree. Although Melmar had spoken to him before, and knew him, the Great Deku Tree still seemed like a god. He was omniscient to him, and was extremely powerful.

“Melmar, I have been watching you for quite a while now. Observing you. Measuring your progress in social skills and potion making. And I’ve come to the conclusion that you are the only one who can help me with this problem. There’s been some…unrest in the Forbidden Woods.”

Melmar shuddered. The Forbidden Woods we avoided by all. Access to them was prohibited, and most considered that to be for the best. Melmar feared the place, and under no reason would desire to go there. But now the Great Deku Tree was talking about it, and he might have to go in.

“You see, although I have substantial power, I am weak. I cannot move, and I’m susceptible to attacks. There is an evil brewing in the Forbidden Woods. It is an evil monster that commands many minions. If he is able to gain power, he could send his minions from deep in the woods to me, and I would be defenseless.

“There are also two sacred Korok objects deep in the woods that were lost long ago. I would greatly like them back. Please Melmar. I am old, and becoming weak, and I need your help. You are the only one who can do this for me. Only you have the power and skills. Be careful, and make sure you come back safely. Please. For me.”

I have been trusted with this important job? What makes me any different? Why isn’t someone more experienced like Hollo doing this? Me? I’m so young; so inexperienced. How am I supposed to do this? And in the Forbidden Woods! That is the worst place I have ever known! And now I’m supposed to go in there? And not only go in, but to face some sort of demon! Melmar’s confusion and fear was quickly escalating into anger. Why me? This isn’t fair! What does he think he’s doing?

“Melmar, will you do this for me?” he asked, one last time.

Oh, I guess I have no choice. I’ll have to do this. Maybe he isn’t crazy; I might be the one he needs. He is the Great Deku Tree, after all, Melmar decided.

“Yes, sir. I’ll do this,” Melmar replied.

“Good. Go home and gather your things, and then go ahead over to the Forbidden Woods. I’ll assume you know where it is, and that you can get there yourself. Remember your Deku Leaf, because you are going to have to fly over. Thank you, Melmar. Good luck!” the Great Deku Tree finished.

“Thank you sir,” Melmar replied. “Good day.”

He left the middle of the Forest Haven for his home, so he could gather his things. I hope he knows what he’s doing. I hope I can do it! he thought as he walked toward his home. He would get his things, and set off as soon as he could. It was his duty, and he had to complete it. Whether he wanted to or not.