I watched them, the happy couple, as they danced around the floor. I have never seen him so happy in all of my life, and I have never felt angrier. He was supposed to be mine! I felt my fists clenching to the point that I almost couldn't bear it anymore. Mine! He had come to save me, personally, when I was stuck in Jabu-Jabu. I gave him my mother's sapphire pendant, for crying out loud! I had given him the Zora engagement ring years ago! And this is the thanks that I get. I looked up and saw a little girl running out of the room, sobbing. That's what I felt like doing, but I, being a mature princess, managed to keep my tears to my self, at least for now. I tried to think of a happier time, the time that I had gotten what I wanted.
Zora's domain had been defrosted, thanks to the magic that my true love had used to save us. I was sitting in a cove high above the rocks, singing a little song that my mother had taught me, wearing a gorgeous white dress that fluttered around my ankles when I moved. I remember it like it was last night. I took a breath to continue my ballad, but I was interrupted.
Link was seventeen now, and a wonderfully built seventeen-year-old. His eyes were a wonderful blue, and his blonde hair contrasted with the blue tunic that I had made him. As soon as I saw him, my heart leapt. Somehow, I knew that this day would be special.
"Link," I said, running over to him. I threw my arms around him, and before he could say anything, I pressed my lips to his. Time stood still in that delicate balance, and, like any real man, he couldn't resist. We stood that way for who knows how long, locked in each other's embrace. I edged my arms up and slowly tried to slip his tunic over his shoulders. When it didn't budge, I tried lifting it over his head. That's where it went wrong. He pulled away and held me at bay.
"Ruto, you don't understand. I can't do this. The thing is, I came to tell you… well, I just cannot do this." I looked at him, shocked. My lips still tingled from the kiss that I shouldn't have given him; he didn't deserve it. "I have to tell you that I won't be back. I'm sorry, Ruto." With that, he had left. Just like that. I forced myself to come to the present, and sat alone for what seemed like ages. When I felt a hand on my shoulder, I jumped.
"Oh, hi, Link," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Nice wedding." I knew that I wasn't fooling him. He held out his hand to help me up, but I didn't take it.
"Come on, Ruto. Let's go somewhere and talk, alone." I looked into his eyes. The blue staring back at me was alarming. "I need to talk to you about what's going on." I gazed at him, unbelieving. Maybe, just maybe, there was still hope. He could possibly realize that it was me that he wanted. I nodded and stood, my blue satin gown clinging to my Zora body in a way that it would fit no human. We walked to the entry hall of the king's castle and sat down on a small wooden bench.
"Ruto, you don't understand what I'm going through. I didn't want to have to hurt you, hurt Saria, or any one. But you and I never could be together. We're different people, Ruto. Different species. It can't work. Never." I couldn't believe it. Again, Link had decided to mess with my mind.
"Are- are you sure?" I couldn't believe it. Here, he had gotten my hopes up only to crush them once again. I wished that he would disappear. He nodded. I stood up and pushed him away. "I hate you," I cried, all of the dignity that I had been trying to keep as a princess gone. He reached for my arm, but I hit him in the face.
"Ruto…" he whispered, trying to keep me still, to no avail. I turned, my dress billowing out from behind me.
"Get out of my life," I screamed, running away. When I had safely gotten to the gates, I turned around. Link was standing in the doorway, watching me. I acted like I hadn't seen him and ran off, the tears freely flowing now. I blindly tore off through the fields, not even sure what direction I was going. I soon realized that it was getting harder and harder to run and breathe, so I stopped and looked around.
To my surprise, I was on top of Goron Mountain, a place that I had only read about in my books. I looked over the edge, and saw the castle, the lake, the Kokiri forest, and so many other familiar places. I felt the tears coming back, so I shut my eyes tightly. When I opened them, I looked down. I thought about my future, and how bleak that it looked. Did I really want to live? As I looked over the edge again, I made my descion.