Patience
In the last six years since Link vanished, princess Ruto has been quite petulant. She has turned away countless suitors all in the name of a love which could well amount to nothing. She cannot leave the Zoran Kingdom. Yet, even if she could slip past her people she would be leaving Lord Jabu-Jabu behind. They are frozen in their places; in a world without warmth, but she will not leave them to their fate.
She sighs and glances around. The water level is worryingly low. The Water Temple is almost entirely above the surface. In her heart resides a deep fear that a great catastrophe will befall the Water Temple if the water vanishes entirely.
Link vanished at a peculiar time. His disappearance makes her think of his importance. From the very moment that they met she knew that he wasn't an ordinary person. There was something more to him that she just couldn't understand at the time.
Now, with the Zoran Kingdom on the verge of utter ruination, she hopes that he's the one. In the entire world she knows that someone has the capabilities of bringing salvation to her people. She feels that it's only right for Link to be the one.
With the Zoran Sapphire in his possession it seems impossible for another to take on the task. However, she sometimes wonders if he still possesses it. There are many cruel people who can don a mask of kindness to mask even the cruelest of intentions. Has he sold it? She fears the worst. She doesn't even know if he'll return.
He could have been forced away, she reasons. The travesty of the Water Temple can't be the only travesty in the world. The utter ruination that faces her people can't simply be limited to her people. It's selfish, she knows, but she doesn't want to suffer through it alone. If there were other people from other civilisations who have been left as sole survivors to watch over their people then she might feel less lonely; even if that's what keeps Link away.
She daren't lie to herself forever, though. It isn't simply because he possesses the Zoran Sapphire. She wants him to save her people because she wants to see him again. It isn't a wish that she makes out of love. It isn't because of his promise to marry her. If he is a bad person, if he has to leave, or she has to leave him, then she wants to say goodbye.
She's ready to say goodbye.
Author's Note: I know that she cares for her people. I wanted to focus on that rather than romance. I guess I didn't succeed. Though, I am happy that this is the way that you see this. I like this. I think this is nice. This is more than simply love. This is more than being dutiful. This is selflessness in a way. I find that rare in this world. I thank you for reading. I hope that you enjoyed. I apologise if you are in any way dissatisfied.
Part of the Revival Collection.