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Shadowed Waters

10

Transportation Troubles

Agitha was fairly sure time had slowed down during the week she was forced to wait to see Ralis again with the sole purpose of driving her insane. The days seem to stretch to invariably long lengths and every little request of Hena's seemed to grate tenfold on her nerves. Agitha knew she shouldn't be annoyed at her older cousin; it wasn't as if she knew her presence was keeping Agitha from the one she really wanted to see.

"You're up early," said Hena to Agitha on the morning of her departure, "And awfully bright-eyed for such an early hour." Agitha had entered the living area to find Hena packing her bag on the table, the only light came through the window, as the first few rays of the rising sun filtered through the sheer curtain.

Agitha just shrugged, trying to pull down the corners of her smiling mouth, but failing miserably. "I guess I just got a good night's sleep, last night," said Agitha. It was a complete and total lie, Agitha had lied awake for hours just watching the moon's progression outside of her open window, and imagining the day to come.

Hena cast her a questioning glance, but said no more on the subject. "This trip will probably take all day, Agi. I won't be back 'til late tonight. I assume you'll find something to do all day…?"

Agitha just smiled and said, "Don't I always?"

"I guess you're right," said Hena smiling warmly, "I'm sorry, I just can't get over the fact that you're no longer that little girl back in Castle Town who played make-believe castle with all her little golden bugs."

A moment later Hena drew the strings of her pack and tied them tightly. "Well, I guess that's everything." She hoisted her pack across her back then turned to Agitha, her indigo eyes full of concern, "Be careful okay?"

Agitha grimaced, "I'll try to avoid any more run-ins with mops and buckets."

Hena smiled and shook her head, but her voice was very serious, "You know what I mean, Agi. Stay inside the Fishing Hole, okay? I don't want another… incident, involving them." Hena spat the last word as if even speaking of Zoras would sully her clean Hylian mouth.

Agitha hoped she covered her wince well enough to avoid questioning. "I'll be good," replied Agitha.

A moment later Hena was embracing her in a hug, as she whispered, "I know you will, I just worry, you know?"

Agitha didn't reply as Hena let her go, she was more focused on trying to stop the guilty butterflies fluttering around in her stomach from dampening her good mood.

Hena smiled as she said, "Bye Agi," and made her way out the door.

Ralis just couldn't hold back the smile as he woke up that morning. He quickly and quietly made his way out of his chambers and into the throne room, which was nearly empty – not surprisingly though, considering the early hour. He didn't hesitate at all to dive into the pool of water before the throne, slicing through its crystal-like surface ripples with little splash.

Ralis had told the Advisor yesterday that he was taking today off. Even Mallor's slight jibe about the young Zora shirking his princely duties couldn't dampen his mood. Ralis was pretty sure the Advisor was happier this way anyway – Ralis found it very easy to get on the Advisor's nerves, and the fact that he enjoyed doing so didn't really help.

He swam swiftly and silently through the clear water, only passing a few Zoras on the way. He exited the Domain, swimming low through the dark passageway that led to Upper Zora River. He surfaced to find Agitha, standing on the bank, arms crossed in what Ralis guessed was an attempt to look disappointed, but the poorly hid smile easily ruined the façade.

"You're late," said Agitha, as Ralis climbed out of the water. Her blond hair was tied in two pigtails, and the flyaway strands where held back with a pink headband. She wore a simple blue, sleeveless dress which fell to her knees, with a white shirt pouf-sleeved shirt underneath and a pink sash tied around her waist.

"I think you're just early," replied Ralis.

"Nope," said Agitha shaking her head and smiling, "It doesn't work like that. I think you're just going to have to make it up to me."

"Oh really?" said Ralis, playfully, "Well, you look lovely. Does that count?"

Agitha shook her head, "Flattering, but not good enough." She took a step closer to Ralis and glanced up at him quickly before looking away, arms crossed again. Ralis blushed as he realized what she meant, but definitely did not mind.

"How about this?" He reached out and tilted her chin up with a few fingers, and smiled as a grin broke out across her own face. She unfolded her arms and twined them around Ralis's own neck as he leant downwards, pulling her closer.

Their faces were mere inches apart when Agitha whispered, "Much better." And with that Ralis closed the gap and kissed her.

"So what exactly are our plans today?" asked Agitha after their brief interlude of kissing. Ralis had told her last week to bring food and he would plan the rest. She had packed a picnic basket full of breads, jams, and bottles of milk, thus holding up her end of the bargain. She hoped Ralis had done the same.

"It's a surprise," said Ralis smiling. He bent down and picked up the picnic basket in one hand, and reached out and took Agitha's own hand with the other. She eagerly laced her fingers through his reveling in the cool, smooth sensation of his skin against hers. "This way," he said brightly, as he led her towards… Iza's house?

"Uh, Ralis?" said Agitha as he dropped her hand to reach for the handle of the front door, "You do know this is my cousin's house right?"

"She is your cousin?" asked Ralis surprised, "You look nothing alike."

Agitha smiled, thinking of Iza's outrageously poufy afro, compared to her own silky blonde strands. "Very true, but that's beside the point. Why are we going in here?"

"It'll ruin the surprise…" said Ralis but only half-heartedly as he bent to power of Agitha's single-eyebrow-raised-glare. "Fine," he said, "I want to take you to Lanayru Spring and Lake Hylia. Both are really quite beautiful."

"But why does that require us coming here?"

"I felt bad about getting you soaked the last time I saw you… I figured you'd want to stay dry if we were going to be out all day, so I thought you could ride down the rapids so you wouldn't have to swim with me."

Agitha felt her eyes widen in fear, as she remembered what Hena had told her about Iza's business. It basically was a combination of a test of wills and a test of skill, as it required the participant to keep a level head while navigate their way down the fast moving rapids around large rocks and other natural obstacles. Agitha knew Iza was an expert and a boat rarely ever crashed on her watch… but Iza wasn't here right now…

"Agitha…?" said Ralis's voice, pulling her out of her fear-driven reverie. "Are you okay?"

Agitha knew she must have turned very white. She gulped before answering, "I'm not so sure I can do that."

Ralis looked at her confused for a moment before saying, "You mean going down the raids?"

Agitha nodded slowly, "I can't go down the rapids alone."

Ralis blinked a few times, as understanding dawned across his face. Then he burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" asked Agitha mustering up as much of an indignant voice as she could manage.

"You really thought I'd let you go down the rapids alone?" asked Ralis between chuckles. He continued when Agitha didn't answer, "Goddesses no. No offense to your cousin, as I'm sure she is practiced at what she does, but letting untrained Hylians go down that flume of death is just dumb. I would never let you go down alone."

"But you said you were swimming down…" asked Agitha, very confused at the moment.

"I am," said Ralis, "I'm going to swim under the boat and guide it."

"But this is a big river…" said Agitha, instinctively knowing her argument was weakening.

"And I am a Zora," he said, his lips twisted into a sideways smile, "So, are you ready?" He opened the door then held out a hand.

Agitha hesitated slightly before taking it, "You know, if I die, you're going to have hell to pay. You don't want to upset Hena, if you know what's good for you."

"I'm pretty sure I'll have more to worry about than your cousin if I let you get hurt on this trip. Which I won't, by the way."

"That's sweet, but it wouldn't be the time to be selfless – you'd want to flee Hyrule while your fins were still attached to your body."

"I'll take my chances."

"Such confidence…"

"If you say so…"

And with that Agitha let Ralis lead her forward into the darkness of Iza's house.

Not much happening in this chapter, but fluff is fun to write and fun to read... i hope..?

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