Zoran Stories:
To Love a Princess
By
BlackWingedAngel776
Disclaimer:
Due to the legal crap that would get me sued until I never get any cash till 5192, I have been instructed to inform you, the reader, that this story originates from the Legend of Zelda series, and that I own nothing but this story, and the OC's that are in the story. Princess Ruto and King Zora are both characters owned by the creators of Zelda. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the story.
Chapter One:
Coming of Age
Part One:
The Dive into Love
Every year there is a time when the young are presented in a 'Coming of Age' Ceremony, where they are celebrated and enjoy their first steps into adulthood.
The Zoras believe firmly in the choosing of the Princesses Groom at her 'Coming of Age' Ceremony with the other Zoras. Only a small handful of the young male Zora have a chance to be eligible to become the King of the Zora.
This is the story about one of the young Zora, and tonight is both his Ceremony, and Princess Ruto's…
Shade peeks out of his chamber door, sighing with relief when he sees no one in the corridors. "Good," Shade said in the middle of his previous sigh, "They are all probably out diving for the Ceremony's buffet… Hopefully there isn't anybody guarding Lord Jabbu-Jabbu…"
He ran swiftly and silently from his room to the Royal Chamber, sneaking behind the throne where the King usually sat and running to where Lord Jabbu-Jabbu's shrine was.
"Where is he?" He wondered impatiently, looking around Jabbu-Jabbu's lake. Then, like an arrow, it hit him. "Oh yes! I remember now, Lord Jabbu-Jabbu needs a sacrifice of a fish… I think I still have one here…" He pulled out a bottle filled with fresh water and a medium sized fish. "Oh Great Jabbu-Jabbu, please take this offer, in exchange for you to hear my wish."
A rumbling sound came from the deep part of the lake, and emerged a gigantic fish-like animal. It let out a growl, and Shade understood. He poured the fish out, and the animal sucked it into his mouth, and closed its mouth, being quiet. He knew Jabbu-Jabbu was listening. This was the most opportune time to ask Jabbu-Jabbu for the favor.
"Oh Great Jabbu-Jabbu, please give me the slightest chance of being chosen as Princess Ruto's betrothed… I would do anything to be hers, because, Lord Jabbu-Jabbu, I am in love with her."
The fish god looked at Shade, sizing him up it seemed, and then opened its mouth wide and bellowed. Shade did not know whether he granted his wish or denied it. He still bowed low and said, "Thank you, Oh Great Jabbu-Jabbu," And then left.
On his way back, he heard noises in the walkway leading to the Royal Chamber, so Shade ran into the passageway to the diving waterfall, and jumped.
The fall seemed to take hours. Shade felt a strange gaze on him as he fell, and he looked up to see Ruto looking at him. He blushed a navy blue and then realized he was parallel to the water, and then tried to pull it in for a cannon ball, but couldn't do it fast enough and did a belly flop. He remembered what he had to do and swam out to Lake Hylia.
A few hours passed, and the moon was already set high in the sky. Shade was sitting on the shore of Lake Hylia, waiting until the Ceremony to show back up. He was immersed in thoughts of how he mustve looked to the Princess, and how much he screwed up.
"Maybe he didn't grant my wish… Maybe I am not destined to be with the Princess…" he said, looking at the calm waters of the lake. If he weren't so far into his thoughts of failure, he would have heard her come out of the water and sit beside him. "I screwed up, didn't I?" he asked himself, but she answered.
"Not necessarily," her soft, warm and welcoming voice kept him from jumping. However he did look over to see the beautiful Princess Ruto. His eyes went wide and he stood up fast and bowed low.
"You're Highness," Shade said, once again blushing like he had when he had failed at diving. "I did not know you were here…"
"Oh but didn't you? Your mind was most definitely on me." Ruto said, winking. "I heard so with my own ears."
Shade blushed a deeper blue. "What all did you hear?" He was scared she heard his hopes of being with her.
"From you screwing up to now, but not much, I assume?" She said with a giggle. "I hope you mean that little dive you did… You made me laugh."
"I—" his voice caught. "I was diving, then I saw you and…"
She giggled again, then said with a sigh, "Well I am flattered. I do not believe you have introduced yourself, Zoran."
"Of course! Where are my manners?" He bowed low and said with as much pride as he could, "I am Shade Surfstalker."
"Surfstalker? Oh, youre the boy that the admiral wont stop talking about." She blushed a little, making Shade's stomach overflow with the 'butterflies'.
"Good things, I hope?" He silently cursed himself. Good things, I hope? I sound completely asexual!
The Princess apparently found this funny and giggled so much Shade had the overwhelming urge to fun for the hills, and the Princess read his body language like a book. "You know, Shade…" Her eyes shone like the crystals deep inside the Zoran City. "You ARE kind of cute…"
He blushed so brightly he thought he would catch on fire.
Chapter One:
Coming of Age
Part Two:
The Ceremony
About an hour after Shade had his moment with the Princess, he was sitting in his chamber, pondering their conversation. Just then, he heard the ceremonial music. Drums and flutes filled the air, and Shade knew he had to leave his chamber. The walls of the underground city were clad with blue tapestries adorned with the Royal Seal. The walkway was paved with a substance that seemed silvery.
The ceremonial drums grew louder, and the cheering of the older Zora became even louder. Shade grew restless, and couldn't wait to get to the ceremony. He thought more about who the Princess would choose, and the more he thought about it, the more he was convinced she wouldn't choose him. It just wasn't possible.
"SHADE!" the voice jostled him out of his thoughts, and he looked around. He was already at the ceremony, and the Zorans around him were looking irritated. He could almost hear their thoughts. That idiot… Not answering when the King called his name the first time… And why does the Princess keep looking at him? … Probably thinking about how stupid he is… The thought made him shudder, then come to realize his subconscious had pointed something out. The Princess was looking at him. Quite intently, as a matter of fact.
"Now, as all of you know, you are at the proper age to become adult Zoran. Also, since this is not only your ceremony, but my daughter's as well, she will pick one of the males to be her husband. That lucky chosen will have the privilege to earn my blessing." The King Zora hummed, every now and then kicking his legs. "There will be three trials, each one harder than the other. Be prepared for anything."
The tension was unbearable. Shade couldn't help but fidget, every bone in his body screaming out to yell. He would have done anything… Everything he wanted, all of his hopes, his dreams, his wish to Jabbu-Jabbu… In his mind, it was do or die.
"You." She pointed to one of the Zorans, and the one next to him said,
"Me, You're Highness?" Shade's heart sank, his mind set at an all time low. "I am very surprised, but happy—"
"Not you," she laughed, "The one beside you."
"Me?" the one to the other side of the previous one piped up. "I am a woman."
"The other side! Shade!"
His heart leaped, his face went flush. He could barely breathe, much less form words. "Y-yes you're Highness?"
"I choose you."
To Be Continued…