Three Witches

Three Witches are the ones responsible for "freezing" the Fairy Pool and trapping the fairies. They are obsessed with spreading "lovul-e evil". They "bring the darkness down", covering all the rooms of the forest in blackness. Zelda later defeats them, and they are blown away by a powerful gust of wind. Their frees the fairies.

Strategy
Once the fight begins, Zelda must use the Magic Lantern to light up the forest as it has been covered in darkness. First, she must fight a single witch, who (as with the other two) is capable of throwing fireballs the instantly kill Zelda. She is weak, though, as a single sword slash (or Sword Beam) can defeat her. Next, Zelda must face the remaining two witches at once. One is at ground level while the other is high on a branch. Both will be casting fireballs at Zelda simultaneously. Sword Beams are a significant advantage in this part of the battle. As with the first witch, a strike will defeat them, earning Zelda a Heart Container, Water of Life and some Fairy Dust.