I Will Come Back For You

by Mira-LoZ

After escaping Lord Jabu-Jabu's belly Link only wants to get away from Ruto, but he soon finds that he may not want to leave her after all. The story goes across the game of Ocarina of Time with chapters on every time the young love birds meet. Includes both child and Adult Link x Ruto chapters. Complete for now, may add a 4th chapter later.

3. Sage of Water

A/N: This chapter has not yet been updated, I will soon update it to match the writing in chapter 1.

Here is Chapter 3 of I Will Come Back For You, I ended up making it way longer than I wanted to, (Over 5k words) and spending about 5 hours on it.. so I hope you enjoy! Please review to let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of time or any of the characters in this fic.

"Link!" The Zoran Princess' screams echoed through the large half flooded chamber as a previously air bond Tiketti smashed down onto the blue clad hero with all its might. For a moment it seemed as if Link's form had been crushed under the Tiketti's weight but upon closer inspection Ruto found the hero curled into a ball with shield held up above him as a platform for the creature. Not one of its four barbed legs even came close to hitting Link and without giving it a moment to recover the young man swung his sword up and around the Hylian shield, plunging the blade deep into the creature's side.

Erupting into a blue flame the spider-like monster stumbled off Link's shield and into the water where it quickly vanished. Link soon after stood to full height and turned his gaze to Ruto who seemed to still be in a bit of shock. "Princess" he began, stepping towards the blue being with a smile. "I know that when you last saw me such a creature as this may have overthrown me, however I'm stronger now. You needn't worry over such things. I will protect you from any monster small or large."

Ruto's expression changed from one of worry to that of relief and a slight smile played across her lips. The princess' bodily expression changed as well, from a defensive stance to an open and slightly flirty posture with one hand resting on a pushed out hip. The hero tried to restrain himself, but found his eyes drifting over the young woman's body just as she looked at his. The Zora stepped forward towards Link; giving him a quick look over for wounds but with finding none simply continued to smile. "You truly have grown into the hero we all knew you would. After you disappeared people began to talk of a young boy from the forest that had disappeared, but would return to save us all. I knew it was you they spoke of, I knew that you would come back."

The Zoran Princess' speech was cut off as a loud crash came from the next room, causing both figures to spin towards a large chain-covered door on the wall opposite them. Compared to the other doors of the dungeon this one was unique, however Link had seen it's like before in the previous dungeons he had navigated and knew that this one as well would soon be behind him. Reaching into the side of his tunic the hero grasped a larger than normal key which he assumed would fit the keyhole to the boss chamber; yet his hand shook slightly in contemplation of what sort of creature could be waiting for him.

Already on the brink of exhaustion due to the nightmarish water temple the Hylian did not look forward to his next battle but knew that he was the only one who could kill the beast. "Ruto, tell me everything you know about the monstrosity that awaits my arrival inside that chamber." Link's voice fell deep as he spoke, wishing not to show any signs of fear to his companion.

Try though as he may Ruto still felt the underlying fear that lined the hero's words. "Listen to me," she spoke while suddenly stepping between the green clad hero and the monstrous double door. "You do not have to face this creature alone Link! You are my Fiancé and therefore it is my duty to protect you just the same as you protect me!" Link frowned at the Zora's words; he may have been afraid but did not let the thought of having Ruto help cross his mind for even a second.

Sidestepping around the Zora the Hylian opened his path to the door and replied "Ruto you know I can't let you join me in battle. If anything were to happen to you..." The young man felt the Zora's gaze on his back and looked down to the blue-tiled flooring. "I would be unable to forgive myself. No, I would be unable to go on." As the words departed the Hylian's lips blue arms slid under his arms and around his waist as Ruto clung to her future husband. The young man continued in a dull plead "please, just tell me what you know and leave the beast to me."

There was a moment of silence in which all Link could hear were the droplets of water from the ceiling splashing against the pools around the chamber. If it weren't for the corruption that had taken over this holy temple it would be a truly beautiful place. Finally however Ruto's voice broke the silence as she pulled herself even closer to Link's back. "Morpha." She spoke, her usually firm voice trembling. "It is a creature of the likes you have never encountered Link. It takes water as its own to create a grotesque body with overwhelming power. Using all my power I sealed it into that room with limited water but once you break the lock and enter... if you lose the creature will be set free."

Judging by his soon to be wife's tone of voice Link knew that loosing was not an option. A creature that gains its power through water being released into Lake Hylian would be catastrophic not only to the Lake itself but all inhabitants of Hyrule. As the Zora's body shook Link spun in her arms to face her directly. Moving one arm to cover her shoulders and the other around the smaller woman's waist the hero held her close. "Ruto, you trust me right?"

"Of course" replied the Zoran Princess into the young man's shoulder. She was on the verge of tears which caused Link to hold her only tighter.

"I promise you that this will not be the last you see of me. I will put an end to this corruption and we will leave this place together." Link pulled all of his courage together to speak with Ruto; and in doing so began to motivate himself. "I can do this; I survived a mountain of fire and death! There's no way a bit of water will take me down."

Finally Ruto shifted her gaze up to the Hylian's blue eyes with tears still welling in her own. "I know Link; I know you'll be okay. After all you're my husband; you can't just go dying on me yet."

At this comment Link couldn't help but chuckle, pulling Ruto even closer against his body causing her to let out a little squeak. "Hey now, I'm not your husband yet haha!" The young man laughed happily thinking to himself how silly his fiancé truly was. "That said I plan on becoming your husband so I can't die here."

The two seemed content with the last comment, smiling at each other happily. Suddenly aware of their close proximity however Link's cheeks flushed and he avoided eye contact with Ruto; her body pressing against his. This caused her to put on a grumpy expression, moving to attempt to enter his vision once again and pressing against him harder. "You know Mr. Hero; once we get married we'll have to do a lot more than just kiss. You'd better get used to holding me like this!"

Her comment did not help at all, causing Link to release his hold and stumble away towards the edge of the platform on which they stood. "W-What!?" He shouted as the Zora grinned and took a step closer before crouching slightly, similar to how a tiketti would crouch when preparing to pounce. "Ruto, no! I just got dry! Sto-" too late, the now playful young woman sprang forward and crashed into the Hylian, wrapping her arms around him as they fell into the deep pool.

Quickly surfacing Link struggled to stay afloat as the Zora wrapped her legs around his waist as well, effectively putting to rest any thoughts of escape. The Zora's fins drifted in the water, entangling themselves in Link's Tunic "Ruto! What are you doing!?" He yelled, yet had to admit that he didn't completely mind feeling the princess' body so close.

Ruto simply giggled and leaned in slowly, capturing Link's lips with her own and ending the young man's struggles to get away. Without giving him time to breathe the Zora kissed the Hylian again, and again; Her lips felt a little cold against his own and yet they felt amazing. Link knew that he'd have to separate to breathe sooner or later but for some reason the sensation of suffocation did not faze him. So he continued to kiss his fiancé, her arms moving offer his back and quickly he got lost in time.

Eventually Ruto pulled away, a massive grin spreading across her blue lips. "When we're in the water like this you don't have to breathe through your mouth Link, which means I can make it all mine." The hero felt a little surprised at Ruto's aggressiveness but at the same time didn't really mind being called hers. Gazing into the Zora's blue eyes Link leaned in slowly for one last kiss before leaning away and turning to the door. "You know..." Spoke the blue being as Link's eyes fixated on the lock. "That means we could kiss for an entire night, all alone."

Her last comment finally caused Link to hit his limit as the blue-clad hero moved to separate from the Zora. "Ruto!" He shouted, similar to earlier but now even more flustered. "I- I should go. Hyrule won't wait for me forever." Link tried to act level headed about the situation however his bright red cheeks and flustered swimming gave him away as being extremely embarrassed.

"I know, I know..." Whispered Ruto sadly as she drifted over towards the ledge of the platform which the Boss Door sat on, lifting herself up and sitting on it sexily with one leg crossed over the other. C'mon Mr. Hero, let's get you ready to fight Morpha." Following Ruto Link swam to the ledge and pulled himself up, attempting to shake off some of the water even knowing that the chances of getting through his fight dry were very unlikely. "Link, I know that you'll win. And when you do, maybe you can take a rest from your adventure? Spend the night with me in the Zora's Domain to regain your energy." Though it was she who offered, Ruto sounded a little upset.

The hero chuckled a bit at this proposal, assuming that spending the night with Ruto would entail spending more energy than he would regain. Nonetheless he replied happily "yeah that sounds like fun. I need you to do a favor for me though Ruto; while I'm in there can you go fetch Navi? She's waiting at the front of the temple." Link was worried about his fairy companion, but t honestly he simply didn't want Ruto nearby in fear that she may try to interfere with the fight.

The Zoran Princess nodded softly, stepping closer to Link and the hero knew what she wanted. Leaning in softly he pressed his lips against hers, giving Ruto a good bye kiss and whispering "Don't worry; I'm not leaving you this time." With this Ruto spun and dove into the water on her way to the previous room. Link turned as well, to face the Boss Room which he had been avoiding. "This is it" he whispered to himself, reaching for the Boss Key with one hand and his Long-Shot with the other; assuming that he would need it.

The key fit perfectly into the ridiculously large keyhole, unlocking multiple sets of chains which fell to the floor with a crash. Just like the other Boss Doors, it consumed the key into its lock before very slowly grinding open. The base of the door scratched the tiled floor as it moved until finally coming to a stop; the Chamber inside was unlike other boss chambers which usually seemed dark and evil; this felt alive and open. All along the walls were fountains which poured water into the main pool however Link assumed that the same water was being recycled as Ruto had stated there should be a fixed amount.

The square room had a ledge around the main pool in the middle, for a mere moment Link felt as if he may be able to stay dry! The wall though was lined with wooden stakes facing in towards the center. The stakes only reached about thigh height, meaning any fall on them would be crippling. The pool itself had many square platforms to stand on which were within jumping distance of each other but the thought of being surrounded by water that Morpha could control didn't sit well with the hero. Before charging in Link turned to the massive door and pulled each side shut to keep this "Morpha" from accessing any more water.

"All right Morpha, it's time to show me what you've got!" Shouted Link as he stepped further into the room. Notably the corner was not lined with the wooden stakes providing at lease a bit of safe wall space. "Show yourself creature!" He continued to yell, banging the Longshot on the Hylian shield twice to generate some noise. Still nothing. Frowning, the hero stepped closer to the edge of the water to peek in, noticing nothing out of the ordinary. "It's just a regular body of water..." He whispered to himself.

Moving to walk around the edge of the pool Link looked for anything out of the ordinary, anything that was out of place. Nothing. "Where are you Morpha?!" he yelled, getting angry. A small rock laid by the hero's feet which he moved to grab and throw into the center of the pool expecting a splash or at least a ripple. But nothing happened; no reaction on the liquid's surface as the rock simply landed as it would on stone. Raising a brow Link watched it as the rock very slowly slid into the water. "What the..." Moments after the rock began to dissolve and within seconds it was gone.

"What the he-" Link's voice became cut off by a sudden shriek which filled the room and out of nowhere a Large crimson orb rose from the pool surrounded by a pillar of liquid. The pillar of water seemed to be but a puppet as the orb ascended and descended within it, seemingly searching the room for whatever the source of its disturbance was. Link stood still, not knowing what to do until a thought crossed his mind. Before the creature realized what was happening the hero raised his left arm with Longshot in hand. "You don't seem so tough" He spoke confidently and pulled the trigger.

Instantly the metal hook was ejected towards the creature, for a moment Link felt as if it might not hit with the creatures erratic movement but sure enough the hook hit dead center into the orb causing another shriek to fill the room as a red liquid seeped into the water. For only a second tens of water currents similar to the one the orb was riding in lifted up out of the pool and shot at Link, however once the crimson ball became separated from the water pillar they all collapsed into normal liquid. Link grinned, feeling invincible as the now defenseless Morpha flew onto the ground before him. Quickly drawing the master sword Link began to attack the creature, getting only three slashes in before it slipped back to the pool.

"You're a slippery one" said Link while sheathing his sword and grabbing the Longshot once again. "But I won't let you get away from me this time!" Suddenly the hero's world flipped upside-down as a string of water had wrapped around his ankle and pulled it up into the air. During the flip Link's head hit the tile floor, luckily not hard enough to cause a blackout but it still hurt more than he was ready for. The room began to spin and Link wasn't sure whether the monster was spinning him or he his head was.

The crimson orb known only to him as Morpha passed the young man's vision rather close and instinctively Link dropped the Longshot to reach for the Master Sword and giving it a swing, hitting nothing but air. Within seconds his vision cleared up and the orb made itself seen once more, directly below the hero easily within his sword's range. It seemed to be studying the hero, as much as a seemingly single celled organism could. Now it was Morpha's turn to feel invincible.

Thinking back to the rock Link realized that Morpha's surface must be stronger than water, it could choose what would pierce its barrier or not. The only reason his Longshot most likely got through was that he surprised the creature. "So you think you're safe from my sword huh?" Link shouted towards the orb. "Well I've got some new for you, this is the Master Sword! Evil's Bane! You go ahead and try to stop it." With that the hero swung, his sword passing through Morpha's aqueous barrier like a hot knife through butter. As the edge of the Master Sword passed thorough Morpha visibly panicked; moving to avoid the blade but not making it out of the way before another gash was cut into it releasing another gush of blood into the water.

Just as it did before, before Morpha let a shriek fill the room and its pillars collapsed causing Link to fall hard onto one of the few platforms in the pool. Still upside down he landed on his left shoulder, causing a surge of pain to pass through it and numb the entire arm. "Ah!" He yelled; losing his grip over the Master Sword and watching in horror as it slipped over the edge into the pool. He had no fear that the sword would dissolve as the rock had, but knew that without the master sword he would need a new strategy; and he would need it fast.

Morpha's water pillars began to raise again, many of them coming up from every inch of water in the room. Link struggled to his feet, feeing intense pain through his shoulder as well as a numb pain in his head. "Should have... Brought Navi with me..." he whispered knowing that her healing powers would be extremely useful. To revive him from death would kill her, but fixing up some bones and a head injury would likely only make the selfless fairy tired. The pillars continued to grow slowly, forming a dome together over the hero; it didn't look good at all. Rummaging into his tunic Link found only a few bombs which would be useless, his bow and a couple arrows, his Megaton Hammer and a few more items that would be of no use. Maybe an arrow could pierce the orb's shields however it would most likely melt away before hitting the creature itself.

Frowning Link equipped his bow and drew an arrow, it was his only chance. Pulling the arrow back in the bowstring Morpha didn't even twitch, sitting motionlessly in a pillar of water. It knew the arrow wouldn't work.

"Get away from my husband!" Ruto's voice cut through the silence and for a moment Link thought his head injury was worse than he'd though but sure enough he spun to find the Zora's figure standing in the doorway. Before the hero could tell her not to Ruto bolted forward; kneeling at the edge of the pool and speaking some kind of incantation before plunging her hands straight into Morpha's water. Instantly the dome around Link dispersed and Morpha's body fell into the pool; Ruto had somehow disabled the monster.

"Quickly Link, find the heart and kill it!" Assuming that the 'heart' was the crimson orb Link knew this task may be impossible without the Master Sword. Looking over the edge of the platform he stood on Link saw the sword, down at the bottom of the acidic pool of water. The creature had been momentarily subdued, but that's didn't mean that its aqueous body could not dissolve the hero.

"I can't get the Master Sword!" Shouted Link; not turning to Ruto whom had begun towards the Longshot which sat on the floor near a corner. "Its body of water dissolves whatever it touches; I would be killed before the sword is in my hand." The young man began to stretch his thoughts for ideas; maybe the Longshot could reach the sword? Maybe ho could somehow distract the creature long enough to reach it?

"Link, just go for it." Suddenly a bright blue glow filled Link's vision, causing him to focus on its source which revealed itself as a tiny blue fairy. "I'll keep you alive long enough to grab the sword and kill the beast, just please be fast!" Navi shouted at the hero even though they were only an arm's distance apart. The look in her face was determination, there was no way that the little fairy would take no for an answer.

"But Navi, you'll-"

"Did I ask for your opinion?!" She once again yelled, flying right up to Link's face forcing him to stumble back. "If you go fast enough I'll be fine! Just don't die and I won't d ie!" Link nodded slowly, he knew it was the only way. And if they waited any longer the slumbering beast may awaken. "Here, let me heal your current injuries first." With her words came a warm glowing feeling in Link's shoulder and head. Within seconds all pain was gone, however Navi looked a little out of breath.

'Will she truly be okay?..' Link thought to himself; but shook the thought and made his way to the edge of the water. No time to think about that now; if the three of them could not defeat Morpha then they would all be killed along with countless innocents outside the temple. Ruto made it to the Longshot, announcing "I've got it Link! Just get to the sword and come to me!"

These were the last words Link heard before diving into the water, his body slipping through Morpha's barrier easier than he'd expected. Possibly because the monster had been stunned? The water didn't hurt as he thought it would, the only thing he felt at all was a warm feeling on his left hand but ignoring it he made his way down towards the Master Sword. Reaching out for it Link noticed the Tri-force symbol on his hand was glowing brightly, the heat from it increasing slowly. 'Is my symbol protecting me?' He thought for a moment but quickly took hold of the sword.

Turning back up towards the surface the water's mood suddenly changed; it felt heavy and hot all around him. It didn't take the blue-clad hero long to realize what had happened; but Morpha's appearance before him proved the thoughts true. The spell had worn off. Suddenly Link's skin felt as if it were melting off his body, his nails felt hot and his blood screaming in alarm as it gave off a boiling sensation. "Navi! Keep me alive!" And she did, even though Link felt his skin melting away it stayed on his body.

Link thrust forward with the sword; however Morpha was too fast in its own aqueous body and easily dodged again and again. Link kept trying, but knew that eventually Navi would be able to heal him no longer. Already his skin felt as if it was truly melting off and soft red patched of water began to form around the now very scared boy. "I-I'm going to die" he gasped as his vision went red as well.

"Link! Don't leave me!" Ruto's voice cut through the liquid to the hero's ears and yet he knew it was useless. No words could save him now.

Link's vision went black.

He lost all sensation.

Muscles began to relax, and as his mouth hung open the young hero could taste his blood in the water.

'It's over' he thought as all feeling left him.

"Link!"

Ruto and Navi's voices rang in unison, seeming to pull at the young man from the darkness. He felt cold, the ice water running over his skin and through his hair as he hung in suspension in the water. Suddenly the water no longer felt hot, it wasn't burning him alive and he somehow found the strength to move. One finger, now his hand grasped the Master Sword tightly. His arm regained its movement as well and then the other one. His legs kicked hard, creating momentum as the hero opened his eyes to see the surface only a few feet away!

Bursting out of the water Link gasped for air, his tunic had obviously been destroyed as the young man found himself needing to breathe. Looking around quickly Link found Ruto sitting in one of the corners of the room holding a large crimson orb that looked rather angry. Morpha. He quickly swam to the closest edge and pushed himself up before sprinted to the Zora, screaming "Let it go!" as he got close. She did so, tossing the monster into the air as Link lunged forward to pierce the orb to the hilt of the Master Sword.

It struggled momentarily, writhing on the sword and deepening its wound before finally falling silent and bursting into a blue flame. "It's... dead…" Whispered Link before falling to his knees and dropping the Master Sword to the ground. His arms and legs were bare, the blue tunic covering only his torso to his thighs. The room began to shake before another large pillar of water formed from the center of the pool, reaching up towards the ceiling. All water flowed into it, and slowly disappeared into the roof with only droplets left behind.

"You did it Link!" Yelled Ruto, instantly jumping onto the hero's back and squeezing him tightly. Her body felt hot against his bare skin. "I knew you could do it!" Link struggled in the Zora's arms to turn around and embrace her properly, pulling the princess as close as he possibly could. Ruto hugged him back, but soon leaned away with a smile on her face. "You truly are amazing, you are the only man fit to be the husband of the Zora's Queen."

At this statement Link's eyes widened, he had never thought of it like that. Once the King Zora passes away, making Ruto Queen of the Zoras would he be crowned King Zora? Shaking the thought away for the moment he simply smiled back, leaning in to give his fiancé a quick kiss. "I wouldn't have beat the monstrosity without you and Navi Ruto, I truly- Navi!?" Link quickly released Ruto whom also let go, and he spun to the center of the room where he had last seen his fairy.

There she lay, obviously exhausted and on the brink of death. Without a second thought Link jumped across the platforms to her side, crouching down beside the glow-less fairy and cupping her into his hands. "Navi I told you it would be too much! Don't die! You can't die!"

Link felt a tear begin to well up in his eye as the fairy lay motionless, not responding to his voice or touch. "Please Navi… You can't leave me… without you I'm lost…" the tear made its way to the hero's cheek as another tugged in his other eye. Ruto's hand on Link's shoulder didn't help at all and he began to choke up. "Navi.." he whispered softly.

"You big dummy"

Navi's tiny body began to move slowly, as she always did when waking up. "You dummy.. Of course you need me, so.. Don't leave me behind again…" Navi's face turned to meet Link's gaze, blue eyes meeting blue. Navi had tears in her eyes as well, and from hearing the words Link had spoken her cheeks were slightly flushed. "Link, I am you companion to the end of this quest. And once this quest is over I will be the faithful watcher of the King of all Zoras."

Link couldn't help but let out a sad chuckle at this, his lips twisting into a smile. "Thank the goddesses you're alright Navi." Link held the fairy close, knowing that she would need to rest. "Go to sleep now, okay? I'll wake you when we get out of this place." With that he slipped the fairy into his hat, before standing and facing Ruto.

Ruto's eyes seemed a little red but she seemed alright, stepping close to look at the Hero of Time as she had earlier. Ruto reached forward to place her warm hands on his body, sliding them over the hero's bare skin "No injuries.." she whispered causing Link to look over his body as well. "That fairy of yours, she truly is amazing." If Link didn't know better he would accuse the princess of being jealous, however he knew that that was simply ridiculous.

"Yes, she is. But you are as well, and now the three of us can finish this together. Come with me Ruto, join Navi and I as a team and we can put an end to the evil in this land!" Link took the Zoran Princess' hands in his own, smiling happily at her. However her face did not reciprocate his own; the Princess began to tear up once more. "Ruto?" He asked with fear lining his voice. "What's wrong? Why do you cry now that we're finally together?" Link stepped closer, pulling his princess against his own body.

"Link, I'm not coming with you." She replied matter-of-factly without meeting the hero's gaze.

"What? What do you mean you aren't coming with me?! I finally found you again!" Link began to panic, wondering if he'd done something wrong. The woman whom he'd fallen in love with was pulling away and it scared him. "Ruto, I love you and only you. You are my fiancé, my future wife! Please, tell me what's going on?"

Ruto slowly pushed back, leaving the young man's embrace before looking up at him with a smile. "Link, I know you love me. I know that you treasure me. Therefore I must ask that you finish this quest to the end and allow me to return to this world. I leave you now for the Sage's chamber; where I will stay until you defeat the Mad King." Link moved forward after his princess, but it was too late. A blue light began to envelope Ruto's body starting at her feet and moving up her legs fast. The Zora began to cry, obviously wishing not to leave.

"Y-you're the Water Sage?!" Link took a momentary pause, before a grin broke across his lips. "Unbelievable, not only are you the Princess of the Zoras as well aa the most beautiful woman I have ever met, but a sage as well? And I will! I'll bring you back to me!" Link stated as he closed the distance, wrapping his arms around her hips as they disappeared leaving him with empty space. At his words Ruto only began to weep more. "I came back for you Ruto, and now I will fight to the end of my life to find you again." Tears continued to flow down Ruto's cheeks as Link leaned in, kissing her one last time before the light disappeared; taking her with it.

"I know my hero."

A/N so there ya go! I hope you enjoyed it! I'm thinking one more chapter? maybe two if I decide to write just a pure LinkxRuto chapter. anyways, let me know what you think!

P.S. I was thinking about ending it after Link passed out, but figured that that would be cruel. So.. You're welcome.