Disclaimer: I do not own Legends of Zelda. I do not own, Link, Zelda, Malon and all other characters and names related to the game. I do own Teri Goy, her ship, her sailors and her land. (you take them, start running).

Author's Note: This isn't my first Zelda fic, but it's the first time that Ganondorf or Majora are not the enemies. Hope you enjoy.

    Epona stood quietly on the shores of Great Bay as she watched Link swim in the waves. He was diving in and out, splashing the water into the air, tackling waves. He was having the time of his life. Epona watched silently, for she enjoyed drinking water, not being in it. In fact, it was her only fear. Why, she was unsure.

    She heard footsteps. She turned her head and saw a Zora approach her. The Zora smiled and patted Epona on the head and continued on.

   "Hey Link!" the Zora called, "Can you stop moving for a minute?" Link stood in the water, surprised by the Zora's appearance.

   "Princess Ruto?" Link asked in disbelief, "What are you doing here?"

   "Reminding you," she said in a playful tone, "that you have to be a somewhat important dinner at Hyrule castle tonight." Link gave her a puzzled look, but his eyes widened as he understood.

   "Zelda's birthday!" he said between clenched teeth, slamming his fist against his head, "How did I forget?" Ruto laughed.

   "At least you got her a present." She said.

   "Yeah, somehow I remembered that," Link said, then gave Ruto a suspicious look, "How do you know about the present?"

   "I'm a Sage Link," Ruto replied, walking away, "I have my means." Link didn't bother to ask. Instead, he got out of the water. He opened his mouth to ask something, but saw Ruto looking at the water with a puzzled look. Link turned and saw a Zora moving at a very fast speed. It leapt from the water, landed and rolled to Link's feet.

   "Do you have your mask?" he asked.

   "The Zora mask? No, but I have my Zora tunic with me." Link said, retrieving the blue shirt from his pack.

   "Put it on quick and come to Zora's Hall as fast as you can." Before Link could ask why, the Zora was already swimming back to his home.

   "What's going on?" Ruto asked.

   "I don't know," Link replied, "But I know I'll never be able to reach Zora's Hall. The waves are too strong for me to swim against."

   "Take my hand." Ruto said. Link obeyed and they were soon heading towards Zora's Hall.

    They surfaced within the beautiful home of the Zoras. Link and Ruto walked up to the main walkway. Next to it was a moat, which surrounded a large, clamshell, stage. There were many passages leading to the lodgings, the stores and other rooms, which provided these Zoras their daily needs.

    Link had learned long ago that this was just one type of community home and that there were at least two-dozen more. Over the years, Link had visited all of these homes. Each one was spectacular in its own right, but Link favored this one the most. Partially because it was the first one he had ever visited (besides Zora's Domain), partially because he really liked the way Zora's Hall was designed.

    The Zora that had asked Link to come was now rushing towards them. He looked panicked and yet, amazed at the same time. All the other Zoras were all in a similar state.

   "You best come out back." The Zora said.

   "What's going?" Link asked, running to keep up with the Zora.

   "There's a large ship heading towards us."

   "So?" Link asked, not understanding.

   "It came from beyond the Great Bay Temple." The Zora explained, "And it's not a Gerudo ship. They tend to use small motorboats. This looks like a warship."

   "Let's hope that war isn't its intentions." Link said as he stepped onto the rocky backyard. The other Zoras were already there, including the band. Link was amazed to see that the giant turtle was awake.

   "What are you doing up?" Link asked.

   "I wanted to see this with open eyes," the turtle answered, "This ship comes from a land unknown to me. I wanted to see it." The turtle looked at the crowd, "You and your friend should climb on me. You'll get a better view." Link thanked him and climbed up. Once up, he turned and helped Ruto. When she was standing, Link followed the crowd's gaze. And understood what the excitement was about.

    A little in front and to the left of the Great Bay Temple was a huge wooden ship. Link judged to be at least 150 meters long and twenty meters wide. Its crow's nest was higher than Hyrule's gate. On the sides, Link was able to discern cannons and many oars below them. He could see small figures moving across the ship. They must have been excited to see land.    

    Link watched as the ship glided towards them. It looked like it would crash into the Hall, when Link saw the anchor drop. They came to a dead stop. The oars turned the ship to its starboard.

   "Lower the plank!" a voice from the ship said. A couple of Zoras jumped back as a wooden plank crashed down at their feet. Link looked back at the ship and saw a woman with brown, curly hair, leaning on the rail. Link felt his heart skip a beat.

   "Ahoy there!" she cried, "Hope nobody was hurt from the plank."

   "No one at all," Lulu said, "Please come down. We welcome you to Zora's Hall."

   "Zora?" the lady said, "Strange name, but you don't look dangerous. All right, we accept your invitation." She whistled and cry rang from the ship. A hundred men and women descended from the ship. Many of the Zoras went back into Zora's Hall to allow room for the visitors.

   "Hope we're not too much for ye." The woman said.

   "Not at all, we've had bigger crowds," Lulu replied

   "I hope I didn't offend ye when I said that Zora was a strange name." The lady said apologetically, "It's just that, from where I come from, the stranger the name, the more dangerous the creature."

   "No offense taken. By the way, my name is Lulu of Termina. I am the singer of the Indigo-Go."

   "Pleasure to meet ye," the lady shook Lulu's hand, "I am Teri Goy, captain of the Lucky Charm. We come from the land of Hesra, a six-month journey from here."

   "You must be tired from such a long voyage," Lulu said, "We can provide some rooms for your sailors here and at our sister homes. We shall also prepare a feast in your honor."

   "I thank ye very much," Teri said. Then she saw Link, "I see that humans live here too."

   "To a certain extent," Link said, pointing at his ears. Teri's ears were rounded while Link's were pointed.

   "Interesting," Teri said, "Never seen something like that. Course, never seen a Zora before either."

   "The world is full of surprises," Link said, extending his hand, "I am Link of Hyrule." Teri shook his hand.

   "Ye are not from the same place as these Zoras." Teri asked.

   "No," Link shook his head, "Our lands are connected through various passages. I'll show you them later on if you like."

   "I would enjoy that." Teri said.

   "Right now," Link said, squinting at the red sun, "I have to get back to my land otherwise my princess will get upset at me for being late."

   "I shall leave ye to your business." Teri said, "How long does it take to get to your princess?"

   "By swimming and horse," Link thought it out, "Three days."

   "Then how will you make it in time?" Teri asked in disbelief.

   "Not by swimming and horse." Ruto said, placing a hand on Link's shoulder. And in a brilliant flash of blue, they were gone.

    They re-appeared on the beach so as Link could reclaim all his belongings and Epona. Then Ruto transported Link and Epona to Lon Lon Ranch. Link put Epona in her stable. He then rushed into the house, where Malon had agreed to keep his present and his clothes for the evening. When he reached Malon's room, he saw the wrapped present on the bed. Next to it was a blue jacket. There was a white shirt with golden buttons, very frilly. The rest of the suit included blue knickers, long white socks and black shoes. Link stared at the suit for a moment then said out loud, "I am not wearing that."

   "Yes you are." Malon said from behind. Link let her pass as she came bustling into the room.

   "Did the king say I had to wear this?" Link asked exasperatedly.

   "No," Malon said, "I want you to wear it."

   "Oh, good," Link said, "I've finally convinced one of the two people who don't want me to wear the black tunic, that I should wear it. Speaking of which, where is my black tunic?"

   "I've hidden it." Malon replied, changing her clothes.

   "I've found it." A small voice said.

   "Navi!" Malon cried, forgetting to put on her gown. Link turned away, and thanked his fairy friend.

    A few minutes later, they were in the carriage heading for the castle. Ruto had gone on ahead, saying that she would explain to Zelda why Link was late this year. Meanwhile, Link was doing his best to explain to Malon why he was late.

   "A ship from beyond the Great Bay Temple?" Malon repeated.

   "Yes." Link said.

   "This is a big deal…"

   "Because the ship is neither Terminian or Hylian. They come from Hesra."

   "Where's Hesra?"

   "Six months west of Zora's Hall."

   "Oh, okay." Malon fell silent, "Why is it a big deal again?" Link gave an aggravated cry. Malon laughed loudly.

   "All right, you got me." Link admitted. Malon stuck out her tongue at him. Link looked at her and chuckled.

   "If people saw us, they'd think we're married." Link said.

   "Yeah, so are you going to ask Zelda tonight?" Malon asked, looking at the road.

   "What makes you think I'm going to ask Zelda to marry me?"

   "That's an awfully small present you got Zelda this year, Link." Malon said loudly.

   "You don't know what's in it." Link said.

   "Yes I do."

   "No you don't."

   "Yes I do."

   "No," he pointed a finger at her, "you don't."

   "Okay, I don't." Malon fell silent again. Link continued to stare at her, noticing the smug smile she had on her face.

   "You don't." he said.