Prologue A Mother And Her Child Speak
"..Mother?" Ralis gasped, his beautiful sea-green eyes going wide as he looked up at the floating image of his mother's soul where she hovered before him.
He had been sitting there, thinking and enjoying some time by himself on the high bank of the pool just below the main waterfall that flowed from the heart of Zora's Domain when she came to him.
"Ralis, my beautiful son.."
"Mother.."
"I am here for a reason, my child. This will be my last visit to this world before I go to my rest, and to be at the side of your father. Please, Ralis, would you tell Zakura that I love him still and wish him well?"
"Yes, of course, my mother."
"Thank you. Now, for you, I have words as well. You must be prepared to do in the future what is best for yourself, and for your Mate, regardless of the customs of our people, for following them will lead to loss and ruin."
"Mother?.. I.. do not understand."
"When the day comes that our people reject you, and it will come, you must go from here. Promise me. You must make your own way in the world and not yield to the old-fashioned ideals of our kind. They served one well a century ago, and may yet serve again, but they are not for you, Ralis. Trust me in this, as in all things that you have trusted me. It will not be easy on you, to leave our homeland, but it is for the best. Link is yours, as you are his, and any challenge to that must not be tolerated or yielded to. Do you understand me, Ralis? You will conceive a child from your Mate's love, and yours for him, but the people will be angry. They believe that power and strength come only from a position of.. of taking, but to give, my son, takes more strength still then this. You give of yourself to Link, and this is the sign of a good leader, a good king. You give him what he needs, and get what you need in return. This is what must be, not what our people believe to be right. Do you understand now? When the day comes that you are confronted with this cruel truth, you must take Link and go to Kakariko. You will be happy there, and prosperous among friends. Do you trust me, Ralis? Will you promise me this?"
"Oh, mother.." Ralis choked, tears streaming down his face at her heartfelt plea for him and his Mate, as well as the thought of a child to be. "Yes, I.. I promise."
"Good. You must then give the throne to Zakura, my once Consort. The people will accept this because of his connection to me. After all, there will be no more full royal-blooded Zoras to choose from after you are gone. And if they ever come to you with a request to return, do not agree. You must stay in Kakariko, Ralis, if you are to be happy. Your future will be a good one, but only if you leave our people. They will always be our people, but you must not live here ever again after this occurs. The consequences to your child would be most dire. It's future is in Kakariko, not Zora's Domain. To alter that would bring much pain and heartache to all three of you."
"I.. understand, mother. I shall do as you ask," Ralis agreed, smiling up at his mother as she smiled down at him before waving farewell and vanishing with the light of dawn as the sun rose. He made the journey back up to Link, his loving Mate, with happiness for his family and sorrow for his people mingling in his generous heart.