Author's Note: Here is chapter 10. I decided to post it early because it'll be awhile before chapter 11 is posted.
Chapter 10: Back Below Lake Hylia
Link and Zelda came back down at the front of the temple. The Occo appeared in thin air, thanked Link and Zelda for finding them and teleported off. Link took out the Breaker Sword shard that had been found after he defeated the vine monster and looked at it. The shard looked as if it was one of two pieces. It looked as though Link got the top part as it looked as if Link had the blade. Link supposed that the other piece was the shaft of the sword.
"Well, we have two more pieces to get," said Link. Zelda nodded and the two of them walked out of the woods and into the village.
Link and Zelda walked through the village and headed to the cave. Link put the shard back in his pocket. Suddenly Zelda stopped.
"What are we going to do now?" asked Zelda.
"I guess we could go back to Castle Town and see if there's been any news," said Link.
"I guess we could do that. We have no idea where any of the other pieces could be," responded Zelda.
The two of them walked through the cave and were in the very northern part of Hyrule Field. They got on Epona and began to go to Castle Town. They went left and headed back to the Bridge of Eldin. They then arrived in the part of Hyrule Field that was north of Kakariko Village. They took a left and went to the path which led to the western entrance of Castle Town. When they got to the entrance, Link and Zelda got off of Epona and entered Castle Town. Castle Town was just as busy as always with people running about doing their business. Link and Zelda arrived in the Castle Town square and went south to Telma's bar.
"Hello Link, Princess Zelda," greeted Telma as Link and Zelda walked in the bar. "I have something to tell you."
"What is it?" asked Zelda. Link winked at her and she winked back because they already knew what was coming.
"Shad sent a letter to me saying that he has found an underwater area that could fit your description," said Telma.
"He said that it was near Lake Hylia and that you two should meet him by the bank of the lake."
"Ok. Thanks a lot Telma," said Link. Telma smiled and winked at him. Link didn't like it when she did that. It made him think she was coming on to him.
Link and Zelda walked out the door and out into the streets of Castle Town. They went to the left and headed towards the western exit where Epona was. When they got to Epona, they got on and were back in Hyrule Field in a couple of minutes. When they were in Hyrule Field, they went to take the eastern most path that led to Lake Hylia. Link then had Epona stop because he had an idea.
"Wait a second. I have something we might need so let's stop off in Ordon first," said Link. Link led Epona back towards the middle of Hyrule Field and then went south towards Orodn. Link led Epona past Coro the lantern salesman's house as they went back towards the fork in the road. They went east and arrived in Ordon within minutes.
What greeted Link when he and Zelda arrived in Ordon was a devastating scene. The entire village was burnt to the ground. All the houses in the village were nothing but ashes now. Link was shocked. It appeared that the bandits had come back and destroyed the village.
Link felt a whirlpool of rage build up inside him. This rage was quickly replaced by extreme sadness. Zelda sensed this and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry Link, we'll rebuilt the village when all of this is over," said Zelda gently.
"It's just… this is my hometown, and to see it all burnt down to the ground…" Link started as tears started developing in his eyes.
"I know. It must be hard. I had similar feelings when Hyrule Castle was burnt down," said Zelda consolingly. Link took a couple of minutes to collect himself.
"Alright, enough distractions. Let's go to my house. I have something I need to get," said Link, wiping his eyes.
Link led Zelda up the path towards his house. Link was not prepared for what met his eye. Link's house was in total desolation. The tree in which it hung was burnt to the ground and the house itself was in total ruins. Link lost it then and there. He fell to the ground and was overwhelmed by tears. Zelda came over and put her arm around him. Link kept crying and Zelda hugged him consolingly. Zelda held Link for awhile until he was done crying. When he was done, Link got up.
"Thanks Zelda," said Link gratefully.
"No problem Link. I completely understand," answered Zelda sweetly.
"Anyway, I see the bandits didn't take anything. Maybe what I was planning on getting is still here," said Link as he led Zelda to the ruins.
Link rummaged through all the rubble and found the chest that contained all of his belongings that he had obtained on his journey. He sorted through his things and found it. He took out his Zora armor and showed it to Zelda.
"You see this armor? It was given to me by the Zora Queen Ruela. This armor allows me to breathe infinite amounts of air just like the Zoras do," explained Link as he held it in front of him.
"Ah this will be useful. Just let me duplicate it," answered Zelda. She waved her hand and suddenly there were two pairs of Zora armor. Link put both of them away and led Zelda back to Epona who was standing in the middle of the ruined village. Link helped Zelda on Epona and the two of them started riding off. They headed out of Ordon Village and headed back towards Faron Woods.
Link was surprised at the reaction that seeing Ordon Village and his house burned to the ground brought. He wasn't one that cried very easily. He was a little ashamed that he had started crying in front of Zelda. He wasn't happy about her seeing him so vulnerable. He supposed that seeing his home ruined was one of those things that just got to a person. He would just not have to let this happen too often.
They rode until they came to the fork in the road and went west. Link, Zelda and Epona traveled past Coro the lanern salesman's house and were once again in Hyrule Field. They went east and were once again along the path that led to Lake Hylia. They traveled along the path and came to the spot where Falbi's house was. Link and Zelda got off of Epona and went towards the house.
"Wait a second, we're going to have to take those cuccos down again aren't we?" asked Zelda.
"I'm afraid so. It's the only way to get down there," said Link. He made an apologetic face at Zelda.
"I'll have to fix that," answered Zelda. She sighed and followed Link to Falbi's house.
When they went inside, they were greeted with Falbi almost immediately.
"Hello Mr. Link. Hello again Princess Zelda. I take it that since you are back you will be needing a ride down to the bank?" greeted Falbi with a smile.
"Yes so we'll need two cuccos," said Link.
"Right away Mr. Link," Falbi said and walked off. After a couple of seconds, Falbi returned with a chicken for both Link and Zelda.
"Here you go. Enjoy your flight," said Falbi and he walked away.
Link and Zelda walked to the edge of Falbi's house with their two cuccos.
"I hope this is the last time I have to do this," Zelda said as she grabbed her cucco.
"You're telling me you don't like flying down with a cucco flapping down on top of you?" asked Link grinning.
"No I do not," answered Zelda cooly.
The two of them grabbed onto their cuccos and jumped off the edge of the house towards Lake Hylia. They went plummeting down and their cuccos started flapping and slowed them down. The chickens flapping their wings gradually brought them down to the ground.
"It's nice of you to join me here today Link," said a voice.
"It's nice that you are able to help me out today Shad," responded Link grinning.
"Always a pleasure. Anyway come with me. I have to show you something," said Shad. He led them to the edge of the bank. He then pointed down to the bottom of Lake Hylia.
"Do you see that big rock at the bottom of this lake?" Shad asked.
"Yes, is that where the place you were talking about is?" asked Link.
"Yes. Below that rock is the entrance to an ancient underwater temple. It has been hidden here for tens of thousands of years. Nobody had ever even suspected that it was there. But just recently, a few Zoras stumbled upon its entrance and have told me about it," said Shad.
"Thanks Shad. This should help us on our journey," said Zelda gratefully.
"Always a pleasure to help. Good luck on your journey," said Shad as he walked away. Zelda turned to Link.
"Well here take your Zora armor," said Link pulling out both Zora armors.
Link and Zelda both stripped down (Link looking away of course) and dove for the bottom. Once at the bottom, Link spotted the boulder. He took out a water bomb and threw it at the rock. Link and Zelda swam inside the tunnel that the explosion created.
Next Chapter: The Underwater Temple