Chapter Ten: Lost Letters

Coral walked in step with Laru through Ordon. They couldn't help but stare at everything from the people walking the paths to the birds soaring in the trees. Laru had never set his sight on anything in the light world, and Coral had never seen so many trees all in the same place. In truth, they were enchanted by the forest's beauty.

"Do you know where we are going?" Laru spoke as he watched a child shoot a sling shot at the branch of a tree.

"No." Coral admitted, taking in the sight of the Hylian. "If that was the Hero's house, he's not around. Our second best chance of getting help is by finding the Princess. I don't know how to get to the castle.. I don't even know where we are. Let's just keep walking." Laru nodded, squinting his eyes at the burning sun.

"What is that?"

"It's the sun. It's what gives us light." Coral squinted at the rays as well.

"How does it stay up in the sky like that?" Laru inquired, genuinely fascinated.

"The Goddesses put it there. As long as light shines on us, the Goddesses watch and protect us. From the rivers to the mountains."

"What if the sun doesn't stay up there anymore?"

Coral looked at Laru and blinked. "Then I suppose we pray for a God on land to save us. Laru can I ask you something?" The Zora nodded. "Your Princess abandoned you. She admitted it herself that the Twili-Zora were left to survive in tainted water. Why did you protect her today? As wrong as they were, they had right to be angry didn't they? "

Laru took a moment to answer. "Ruler's are often blinded. They often turn their attention elsewhere when they haven't got an answer. It doesn't mean they gave up on you. It's just too painful for them to try to fix something they know they don't have the power to. I think that's how Midna feels. I believe she suffers in her heart for what she cannot mend. I forgive her. I'll always be loyal to our Princess. She hasn't turned her back on us, I won't turn my back on her."

"Any word of the thief?" Zelda asked the guard stationed outside of her chambers. The guard shook his head, and the Princess shut her door once more. The Hero, still in his riding clothes, sprawled across the Princess's bed, propping his cheek upon his hand. Ralis stood awkwardly beside her vanity, observing a silver comb.

"I hate waiting." Link blurted out.

"So do I." Zelda said bitterly, eying the Hero. "Especially when I was promised I wouldn't have to."

"Princess, I'm sorry I didn't write I-"

"We'll discuss this later." Zelda cut him off, turning to Ralis. "Your friend, what is she like? Was there anything about her that would cause her kidnapping? Was she rich? From an old family? Were you betrothed? Is she strong?"

"She's only a girl. She's my age-"

"Only a girl? That doesn't mean a thing." Link expressed, looking at Zelda.

"You're right." Ralis corrected himself. "She can handle her own. She used to sneak out with me to the lake. Her father died long ago, her mother is no more wealthy than any other Zora. We weren't.. She's not.. She's my friend, that's all."

"So it was random?" Zelda questioned, sitting on the edge of the bed, disturbing Link.

"Yes- well her skin.."

"What about it?" Link asked, kicking his boots off as Zelda gave him a dirty look.

"She had violet skin. All other Zoras are blue and only the royals are pink. A lot of Zoras shunned her because of it." Zelda stood suddenly. "I know who her father was." She said suddenly, jetting to her vanity and pulling open the drawer. This startled link and he climbed to his feet. "Princess?" Zelda threw a letter she retrieved from the drawer at the Hero.

"Midna wrote to me once about a Zora. He was one of hers, but she gave him permission to stay in Hyrulean waters. That's why his friend is colored differently. Her father was from the Twilight realm. The only question that remains is why is that important? Why would they want her?" Ralis gripped the shell around his neck and thought.

"Because she does not belong here." Link whispered before Ralis could say it.