We arrived at Zora's Domain, grimy, sweaty, and in desperate need of a bath. Thankfully, the Domain was centered on the Zora's chief need for water.
The Domain was huge, complete with what seemed to be natural structures made of rock and pools of water. The water was crystal blue and pristine, and I felt my knees grow weak at the sight. I longed to jump in those wonderful waters right then and there, but Aqua and Marine held us back.
"We would like to introduce you to our father first before you all have a shower," Aqua motioned for us to follow her. The rest of the group dispersed, leaving just our original group with the addition of Aqua and Marine.
I sighed inwardly but knew that it was for the best. I glanced over at Zelda, who looked all but happy at this moment. She gazed at the clear, blue water one last time before turning to face me with a slight smile. This was going to be hard for both of us – to be so grimy and disgusting with water within reach – Yeah, this was hard.
I fought all my urges to turn around, racing to the water, and instead followed Marine and Aqua as they walked to what I supposed was the Zora equivalent of the Gerudo and Hylian "throne room."
"Aqua! Marine!" came a sickeningly sweet call.
I cringed, as did the rest of our group, besides Nabila, who just so happened to be chatting away with her new friend. "Who's that?" I questioned.
"I don't know – But do I want to?" Aziz scoffed, rolling his eyes.
Nabs placed a hand on his arm, "You're taken already, Aziz. You know that. Let whoever it is chase Sheik – or Link."
I saw Zelda's eyes darken slightly and wondered if the cause of her actions was Nabs mentioning me or Sheik… I certainly hoped it was me, but I wasn't exactly sure why…
Four female Zoras at various stages of adolescence and early adulthood came storming through to where we were standing, all crushing the Zora twins in a very large group hug. "Aw, Aqua! Marine! Why didn't you tell us you were coming?" one squealed.
"Yeah! You've been gone for ages! What do you find so fascinating about having 'adventures' anyways?" another added.
We Gerudos and Hylians stepped away from the group inconspicuously, exchanging glances warily as the screeching and squealing continued. All I wanted was to take a shower! – or a swim…
Marine giggled. "OK, girlies. Calm down. We know you've missed us a ton – as you should – But we have to speak to Daddy really quickly. We have a question for him."
"Yeah," Aqua agreed, "Now can please get off of us? It's not like we've been gone for years or something like that."
All four of the girls turned and gave her side eyes.
Aqua threw her hands in the air dramatically. "OK! OK! So maybe we have been gone for a few years – So what?"
Aziz cleared his throat awkwardly, gaining all the girls' attention. "Where did you find him, Sis?" one of the girls exclaimed.
"Back up – He's mine," Nabs barked quickly, her eyes narrowing. She threw a possessive arm around Aziz's shoulder.
All the girls sighed disappointedly until they noticed me and Sheik. One look in their eyes, and Sheik and I took off into a fast-paced run, not stopping even when Zelda called out to us. Soon, Zelda joined us, and we ran to the water.
We ducked underneath the surface of the water before we were actually pulled through an underwater passageway by a slight current. We arrived, sputtering at a completely different location. We gazed about us in shock, wondering where we were now.
"Uh – Was that such a good idea, guys?" Zelda questioned, her voice shaking slightly.
"Yes!" I exclaimed. "Some of those looked at us as though we were pieces of meat! Creepy! I'm not getting near one of them!" I declared, and Zelda's look of relief didn't slip my notice.
"Hey, at least we can take a bath now," Zelda stated, wading in the water. Her red silk dress was completely soaked, now not only with sweat, but with water as well. Her golden blonde bangs matted to her forehead, but she still looked beautiful to me. She began splashing water at me, and I was taken aback by her sudden playfulness.
I had rarely seen this playful side of her, so it was still relatively new to me. I chuckled before returning the action. Zelda's lips parted slightly in shock, but she recovered quickly, splashing me once more with no mercy.
Sheik had remained quiet for a bit before his piercing red eyes lit up in realization. "I know where we are!" he exclaimed.
Zelda and I paused our splashing game for a moment, glancing at him. "Where are we?" we both questioned in unison.
"Lake Hylia," he responded, and my eyes also lit up in realization. Was this what the real ocean would be like? If so, then I loved it already.
"I've never been here before, Sheik," Zelda stated, her voice awed. Her ocean blue eyes eagerly gazed about her, taking in the new scenery.
"I haven't either," Sheik nodded. "I only remember this from the images in some of the books I used to read. Father used to always take only Arvid during diplomatic trips to the Zora. He used to say that I would never have enough patience to deal with everyone here. I guess he was right." He rolled his eyes.
"For the first time in forever, huh?" Zelda joked, earning a glare from Sheik.
"Are we going to go back to the Domain any time soon?" I questioned, not especially wanting to go back to those squealing girls.
"Oh, yeah! We were supposed to go to see the king!" Zelda nodded. "We should head back now before people start looking for us…" She made her way back to the passageway, and Sheik and I followed reluctantly, groaning.
"Great," I rolled my eyes.
"Hey, at least the Zoras are being hospitable toward us. You know that they weren't obligated to do so, considering the way Ganondorf treated them prior to our actual meeting," Zelda stated, once again reminding me to see the good in a situation and to be grateful.
We entered the passageway and returned to the Domain, where Nabs, Aziz, Nabila, her friend, the twins, and the other female Zoras were searching for us. When we arrived, Aqua face-palmed. "How did I not think to check Lake Hylia?!"
"Because you're not that smart?" Marine provided cheekily.
"Because you're not helping?" Aqua replied in a similar fashion, her eyes smoldering.
"Love you too, Sis," Marine grinned. "Now, let's go see Dad and tell him we're back." She and Aqua began to lead us to the throne room. A male Zora sat atop the throne, peering down at us skeptically as we approached. He then rubbed his eyes, as if to make sure it was really his twin daughters that had been gone for years, leading a band of fellow wanderers.
"Aqua? Marine?" he questioned. He rubbed his eyes once more before his eyes lit up in delight. "You're really here?"
"Yes, Daddy, we're back," Marine giggled. She climbed up the throne to give her father a kiss on the cheek.
"Hey, Dad. Long time no see, eh?" Aqua greeted her father with more brusque words; however her actions were just as tender as her sister's.
"My two twin daughters!" King Zane exclaimed, overjoyed.
I shifted my weight awkwardly, gazing down at the floor. I felt like an intruder at such a momentous family instance. I glanced to the side to see Zelda, Sheik, Nabs, and Aziz acting in a similar fashion.
"Daddy!" came another ear-piercing call. I'm telling you, by the time we left the Domain, I'd be able to have more than fifty piercings from all the various squealing females. Mental note, female Zoras enjoy screeching. Ugh.
"Ruto!" Zane exclaimed in return. "Come see! Your sisters, Marine and Aqua have arrived back at the Domain after their long period of wandering. What say you, girls? Are you done with that lifestyle? You know that I would be more than happy to arrange a marriage for either of you with any of the male Zoras around the Domain."
"Um, Dad?" Marine cut in. "We're going to keep on wandering. It's in our blood. We actually weren't coming back until we met with these folks," she motioned to us.
King Zane turned his attention toward us, taking notice of us for the first time since we had arrived. "Who are you?" he asked suspiciously.
I prepared to speak, but Sheik motioned for me to be quiet. "King Zane, I am Sheik, Prince of Hyrule, and this is Zelda, my sister, Princess of Hyrule," he stated, gesturing at us each in turn. "This is Link, Crown Prince of the Gerudo, and this is Nabooru, Princess of the Gerudo. This young man is Princess Nabooru's fiancé."
Nabs looked slightly repulsed at being called "princess," in correlation to Ganondorf and Ren. I silently hoped that she would refrain from commenting, at least right now. Thankfully, she held her tongue, albeit reluctantly.
King Zane's eyes lit up at the mention of the words, "prince" and "princess." Gee, I wonder what he has in mind now. "Ruto!" he called again, seeing as the girl had yet to show up.
"Daddy!" exclaimed a female Zora that descended down a staircase into the throne room. Her eyes immediately flitted over to me and Sheik, and we exchanged uneasy glances. Not another one! "And who's this?" she asked, and I was instantly repulsed, as Nabs had been a few seconds ago.
"Get ready to run if you have to," Sheik hissed out of the corner of his mouth.
I nodded silently, not liking the way this was going as the girl – Ruto, I presumed – stared at us. "OK," I whispered back.
"Daddy! Have you finally found some decent suitors?" the Ruto girl screeched. She clasped her hands in an odd fashion, and I groaned. This was not happening – This was something I would probably have in a nightmare, not in real life!
I glanced over at Zelda and Nabs, and they both looked equally disgusted. Nabs clung to Aziz possessively, giving "Ruto" a once-over. "You're talking about my brother here!" both Zelda and Nabs exclaimed at the same time.
"Well, if they're your brothers, then you can give your full consent to our possible courtship and union. I would go with either one of them, although I think I like that one more," Ruto stated nonchalantly, pointing at me. Ew! Disgusting!
"Ruto!" Aqua and Marine both protested. "Cut it out!" Aqua added.
"Why?" Ruto taunted. "You jealous that I have two suitors, and you both have none?"
I coughed awkwardly. "I hate to break it to you, but I don't think we ever stated that we were here to pursue courtship with you, Princess."
"What?!" Ruto exclaimed. "Then be gone!" she added, flailing her arms about unattractively. She glared daggers at me and Sheik. Yikes; if looks could kill, Sheik and I would be dead right now. She tossed her head haughtily before turning to her father once more.
Sheik and I shifted our feet uncomfortably, exchanging glances. I cleared my throat and moved a bit closer to Zelda. "She kinda creeping you out too?" I asked Zelda out of the corner of my mouth.
Zelda stifled a giggle, her countenance lifting considerably. I hadn't realized how miserable she had been looking until her expression had changed. I slipped my hand in hers inconspicuously, offering support. She leaned on my shoulder slightly, and I pulled her a little bit closer.
"Daddy – We're not here for a wedding of our own," Marine began.
Aqua cut her off, as was her custom. "Princess Nabooru and Aziz are getting married, and they want their wedding here in the Domain!"
King Zane looked slightly more appeased at the mere mention of a wedding at all. He sat back in his throne, and a look of resignation took over his countenance. It appeared as though he had been urging his daughters to marry for quite some time. "All right," he stated easily.
Aqua and Marine didn't look the least bit surprised; they simply looked satisfied. "Thanks, Dad," they responded in unison.
"Yes, thank you, King Zane," Nabs added. She looked surprised at the Zora king's quick approval of the twins' proposal.
"Preparations begin now," the king declared, not even bothering to acknowledge Nabs's expression of gratitude. "Oh, and congratulations to you both," he stated to Nabs and Aziz, almost as though it were an afterthought. He clapped his hands exaggeratedly, and two female Zora attendants came, whisking Nabs away.
"Well, that's taken care of," Zelda giggled slightly, though it wasn't the silvery laugh I had grown to love. It was sadder, as though she was purposely trying to remain happy for Nabs, while not making it obvious that she was hurting.
"Zel," I whispered, pulling her aside. I placed a hand underneath her chin, lifting it gently so that her ocean blue eyes would meet my own cobalt. "What's wrong?" I realized how broken my own voice must sound, and I swallowed the lump in the back of my throat.
She brushed some of her blonde bangs away from her face, refusing to look directly into my eyes, keeping them on the floor. I noticed that small tears were forming in her eyes. "Zel?" I asked hoarsely.
She then lifted her eyes to meet my own ever so slowly. "I – don't know what to say, Link."
I captured her other hand, grasping both of her small, slender hands in my own hard, rough ones. "Just tell me what's wrong," I answered, searching her ocean blue irises. They had a certain depth to them, and I tried to discern what they were trying to communicate to me. They spoke volumes, and I would probably have an easier time figuring out what was wrong with her had I been able to interpret the messages her stormy blue eyes were sending.
"I – I don't know how!" Zelda exclaimed in return. Her voice cracked, and her brows furrowed. I could tell that she was stressed from the way she bit her bottom lip, as I had observed over the past few weeks – or was it months? I had pretty much lost count of how long Zelda had been in my life from the first night when Ganondorf wanted me to decide her fate.
That's when the barrier broke, and tears began slipping down her porcelain cheeks, staining them slightly. She sobbed, and I pulled her into my arms, holding her close. She cried into my chest, and I just held her, rocking us back and forth.
This seemed to comfort her, but only a little bit. Tears still coursed down her pretty face, and, before long, I began to cry along with her, though I didn't know why. I laid my head on hers, still holding her close to me.
"Link," she tried to speak through her sobs. She murmured softly, but I couldn't understand what she was saying. She then gave up, beginning to cry afresh.
"Um, Prince Link of the Gerudo and Princess Zelda of Hyrule?" a voice asked.
I turned to face a male Zora with a straight face. He seemed to be oblivious to the fact that we were having a heart-to-heart moment. I mean, did he not see Zelda in tears? Was he that blind? "Yeah?" I questioned, irritated, both at being caught crying and ruining my moment with Zelda.
"I'm sorry to appear callous, but Princess Nabooru requested for your presence in her quarters, Princess Zelda," the Zora stated. He motioned to another female Zora by his side, "Aerwyna will escort you to Princess Nabooru's quarters with your consent, Princess."
Zelda nodded tearfully, trying to wipe her eyes free from the remainder of her tears. "Alright; I'm sorry, Link." She turned to leave with the female attendant, Aerwyna.
"Wait – Zelda – We will talk later, right?" I asked, hating how vulnerable I sounded. An image of that caged bird briefly popped into my mind, unbidden, but I chose to brush it aside. "Please?" I added, hoping to get through to her somehow.
She sighed, her back still turned on me. "Maybe," she stated noncommittally. She walked off, beginning to find Nabs's temporary quarters, led by Aerwyna.
I sighed, watching her leave, knowing how persistent she could be. If she didn't want to talk, then she didn't want to talk, and nothing would be able to make her change her mind.
"Prince Link, King Zane has requested that I show you around the Domain," the Zora stated.
"OK," I sighed again, "And – What's your name again?" I asked.
"I never gave it to you," he responded. I didn't think he was intending to sound harsh, but he did sound quite cold.
"COVE!" came a loud call. I whipped around to find Marine running quickly, panting. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" she exclaimed.
"I guess that answers that question," I chuckled to myself aloud. So this guy's name was Cove. He didn't act like a servant, and I remembered – He was another member of the Wanderers. That made more sense, although I didn't know how I didn't catch his name before then.
"Cove!" Marine called again. She pulled Cove into an embrace, her eyes shining. That's when another thing clicked – Marine loved Cove… Cove responded by pulling her even closer to him, and I knew that the feelings were mutual and reciprocated.
I watched them with interest, not taking into consideration that I was acting was similar to how Cove had acted during my moment with Zelda. I cleared my throat awkwardly, suddenly realizing that I was intruding on their moment. "I'll just go, I guess."
"No, no, Link!" Marine responded. "Cove and I have to give you that tour!" She was obviously a ball of energy, excited about everything. She held Cove's hand, bouncing up and down with enthusiasm.
Cove seemed used to her antics and simply let his arm go limp as Marine jerked it up and down. "Let's go then."
"If you don't mind," I shrugged. I took a quick glance at the throne room and noticed that King Zane was observing us with interest. My eyes widened as I realized that he had probably been watching my encounter with Zelda as well.
"C'mon, Marine, Prince Link," Cove commanded, still holding Marine's hand. Marine dragged him eagerly, and I followed behind them, chuckling. They were an interesting couple for sure with Cove's seriousness and Marine's constant cheerfulness and joy.
They led me all throughout the Domain and Lake Hylia, showing me all of their favorite spots and locations. They turned out to be excellent tour guides working together, their weaknesses and strengths balancing each other out.
Besides learning more about the Domain, Lake Hylia, and the history of the Zora, I also learned more about Marine and Cove as people. In my opinion, they were a great couple, and I smiled. Serious Cove was actually a very funny comedian with a more dry and witty humor than Marine's especial appreciation and love for goofy and corny humor.
I laughed at another one of Cove's sarcastic responses to Marine's exaggerating comment about the beauty of the Domain. Their chemistry was too hilarious, and I decided that I forgave Cove for his harshness during our initial meeting.
"Well," Marine began, "I guess we should head back now; it's getting late, and I want to see what progress everyone has made for Nabooru and Aziz's wedding. But that was fun!" she added, her eyes twinkling.
"It was," I admitted with a nod. The tour had been full of jokes, comments, and fun. I hadn't felt like a third wheel at all, which was a plus.
"I suppose we'll see you soon, Link?" Cove asked; his hand was still entwined with Marine's.
"Sure," I nodded. "See you guys around."
Cove and Marine walked off together like the lovebirds they were, and I wandered back to the throne room. Luckily, Aziz and Sheik were there, standing near the throne, talking to King Zane and Aqua. An odd feeling panged in my heart, but I shook it off. I had hoped that Zelda had been with them, but she was not. The odd feeling was still present, but I attempted to shrug it off and joined the conversation going on at the throne.
Hey guys! I made it! Chapter VIII! Yay! While writing this chapter, I listened to "Insomniac" and "Lazarus" by Trip Lee on repeat. I love his album, Rise! So... yeah... Can you believe that we have actually made it to at the minimum quarter mark for this book? Wow... I feel so proud. I literally have over 26,000 words documented right now, and I want this to be at least 100,000 words...
So, yeah. Please subscribe, and, if you feel so inclined, please drop a review down below. It means a lot and gives me inspiration. :) See you Tuesday! *smiles* ;D
~Elsie
Total Word Count (excluding Author's Notes):
3,450
