Colin looks at the map and then back out across the river they were standing beside. He knew that across that river was Zora's Domain and that they need to get over there so they could get this temple that is supposed to be there. The domain is large though and Colin isn't sure if they can pinpoint the temple without asking the locals. Which means they have to go to the city at the center of the domain and ask.

Zelda peaks over his shoulder, "Hmm, so we need to go here, right?" She points to the center of the domain in front of them. "And then we need to head up here?" She points to the mark on the map for the temple dedicated to Din in Akkala.

"Yeah, I just don't think we can take the horses any further than this." He was actually rather loath to admit they may have to leave them here.

Zelda hums again. "There's a stable right here though, it's on the way out of the domain. Why don't we just sent the horses there? That way we have them when we finish with the Zora and can make our way to the temple."

"Send the horses? Zelda, they won't know how to get there."

Zelda just waves him off and walks over to Epona and begins taking the saddlebags off and loosening the saddle. "Epona's smart, she'll get both of them around to the stable, we just need to tell her where to meet us."

Colin is a bit confused and gives his sister an incredulous look. "That's insane, she's never been there before, there's no way to think she'll know where to go."

Zelda has moved onto his horse now and is dressing it down as much as she can before grabbing its reigns and securing them to Epona's saddle. "So little faith in your dear sister and her steed." She walks over to Epona's head and rubs her between her eyes. "Alright Epona, I want you to lead Colin's horse to the stable at the base of Death Mountain." Here she points up to the large volcano in the distance. "You'll be good and wait for us there, right?"

The horse actually knickers in response, which unnerves Colin, and then begins walking off along the river. Colin's horse is quick to follow.

"Alright so how do we cross the river?"

"Cross the, oh right, the river." Colin turns his attention to the river, no longer needing to figure out what they were going to with the horses, though that still confused him. "We just need to find a narrow stretch or one with boulders that we can jump across, swimming would not be ideal."

"Why not?" Zelda is peering over into the river below them, curiosity clear on her face.

"Aside from the current being so strong there is the additional problem of our gear weighing us down." He bends over and picks up his saddlebag and hers, handing hers to her. "There's more than just these bags. We also have our chain shirts and weapons. Bows don't do well once wet and while the Master Sword may be impervious to water damage, mine could still rust."

Zelda looks slightly chastised, not Colin's goal in what he told her, but it's not going to have him changing what he told her. He watches her glance up and down the river bank before pointing downstream.

"The water seems to be rougher that way, you can almost hear the rapids. If you want to go across on rocks that would be where you want to go." She points upstream now. "If we go this way we'll have to climb more, you can tell that the bank gets higher from the water upstream, maybe a canyon or something. We may be able to find a tree that's fallen across up there or use rope to make a makeshift bridge."

Colin stares at Zelda for a long moment, "How do you know all of that?"

She rolls her eyes and begins making her way upstream. "Colin, we have a stream on the farm with a similar pattern to it. Believe me or not, but I do know quite a bit that's actually helpful."

"And that's how you milk a cow." Dorin stands and steps away from the short stool and bucket under the cow. "Why don't you give it a try now?"

Link eyes the cow but figures it can't be that hard and settles down on the stool before gripping the teat and squeezing it between his thumb and forefinger and pulling down. A thin stream of milky white is his reward and he is soon alternating between the two. After a while though he realizes his fingers and wrists are aching. He scowls and tries to push through, changing his grip and the angle of his wrists.

A chuckle behind him has him stopping.

"Getting sore?"

Dorin is still in the barn, adding hay to the stalls for the animals, and apparently keeping an eye on him.

"I'm probably just doing it wrong."

"No, you were doing it right. It's harder than you expected, isn't it?"

Link nods, trying to ignore the laughing tone his knight's father is using.

"I know you're not afraid of hard work, Colin wrote about how hard you trained with him and the other knights, but farm work will build your muscles in other ways. Go ahead and take a break. I can finish the milking."

Link scowls a bit at the udder before him and then down into the bucket, it had about a glass full of milk in it. "I want to be helpful though. I don't want to just sit around. There has to be something I can do."

Dorin hums thoughtfully for a moment, "Well the cuccos need to have their eggs collected. There's a basket in the kitchen for them and you know where the coop is. Just throw down some feed before going in to pick out the eggs."

Link stands and goes to fetch the basket. He knew where the coop for the cuccos was as Dorin had shown him where it was so he could feed them, it was one of Zelda's chores and he felt he should do what he can while she was off saving everyone. He knew he wasn't the hero, he had known for a long time even. It didn't make it feel any better knowing that she was out there risking her life for his kingdom.

Link picks up the basket in the kitchen and makes his way to the cucco coop.

He had studied the legends. He knew that the hero and the princess were meant to be together. Most of the legends were romanticized with tales of gallant knights fighting to save their love. That meant the one he was destined to love was out there, fighting, and she hadn't spent a lifetime practicing swordplay and archery.

Links shoulders slump as he opens the bin for the cucco feed, shoveling out a few handfuls to draw the cuccos out from the coop.

She had that wooden practice sword and he knew she was fearless from Colin's stories, but this wasn't the same as life on a farm. It was war, it was life and death and pain and heartbreak.

"Why couldn't I have done this on my own?"

Cucco squawks at him in answer to his question. He looks down at the bird and sighs before heading into the coop and collecting the eggs.

Zelda stares in awe at the site before her. Zora's Domain is beautiful, blue stone shimmering in the bright sunlight. Arching buttress and sweeping pathways floating above a deep blue lake. She had heard stories from traders that came to town about the Zora's architecture, but they did not do it justice.

"We should hurry so we can get a room at the inn before we start looking for the temple."

"Right." Zelda follows after her brother as he makes his way down the path from the hill overlooking the domain toward a long bridge lined in buildings that lead to the series of platforms raised above the lake below the city.

"Have you been here before?"

"A few times. The prince had to come for diplomatic reasons a few times and as his guard we came with him. Most of what you see now is for the benefit of visitors, the Zora's actually make their homes in the walls and banks in the lake and reservoir. I believe they were negotiating with the King recently on expanding into Lake Hylia with a small group of Zoras and starting a town."

"That makes sense, it must be getting crowded here."

They had just reached the start of the bridge and began making their way across. Zelda couldn't help but look around at all the shops lining the bridge. There were restaurants and souvenir shops. All run by Zora. Closer to the main platforms they start to see inns and clothing shops and mixed in with it all were a few shops run by Hylians selling goods from the broader parts of Hyrule.

"Careful there sis or your eyes might just pop out of your head."

Zelda playfully punches Colin in the arm as they pass onto the first platform. "So, which inn are we staying at?"

Colin points to the next platform up and a regal structure built beside a sweeping staircase leading up to the tallest platform. "It's called the Royal Inn and it's the oldest inn in Zora's Domain." He points up to the tallest platform. "The king of the Zoras has his audience rooms up on the platform above the inn. We'll need to go see him while we are here. He may have news about what is happening near the castle."

"Are we going to have enough rupees to pay for even one room at the inn, it sounds like it would be expensive."

Colin pauses with his mouth open before shaking his head. "I just realized I've never had to worry about how much it cost. We always came as part of a diplomatic entourage and never actually had to pay while we were here." Colin scratches the back of his head. "Still, we should check there first, I at least am familiar with the owner."

"Meaning its someone we can trust?"

Colin gives his sister a small smile, "Yeah. I know this is hard,"

"It's not that. I just, I know we've been avoiding roads and most towns so we aren't found by the enemy. I get that. I'm worried though."

"Worried?"

"About the prince. He's back in the castle and who knows what that man is doing to him, right?"

Colin's smile turns into a frown and he stares ahead at where they are going. "It's not that I'm not worried as well, but the prince is resourceful and he's trained his whole life for this."

"It sounds like you're trying to convince yourself more than me, Colin." Zelda dances around in front of him, her hair swaying behind her in the loose braid she'd taken to keeping it in.

Sighing, Colin picks up his pace to the inn. "Maybe I am, but we should still try to stay out of the center of attention if at all possible. No point in drawing unwanted attention to ourselves."

"Have you found either of them yet!"

The bokoblin reporting to Ganondorf cowers under the glare of his master and shakes his head. "No, Sire. We've managed to get spies into Zora's Domain and Kara Kara City, but the Rito and Goron cities are harder to infiltrate. We are watching the roads leading into them though."

Ganondorf grinds his teeth at the news. The prince was most likely to seek asylum in the homes of his allies. Knowing this he had sent his minions out to watch over them and report back if the prince was spotted. It was less likely they would find the hero so easily, though he may attempt to recruit allies in the fight against him.

While Ganondorf is contemplating what else he can do to find the hero, or where he might have run off to, the door to the throne room is hastily pushed open. The evil king's eyes snap up to the intruder and glare.

"What is it?"

The bokoblin in the door cringes back. "Sire, we have received word that the hero was spotted in Zora's Domain."

Ganondorf's grin at the news causes both creatures in his presence to shiver. "Wonderful. I want him brought here immediately. Inform our people in the domain to act. I don't care about the state he's in as long as he is alive when he arrives."

"Yes, Sire."

Colin had managed to get them a room at the Royal Inn. Zelda was right to worry about the expense though. If Colin hadn't known the owner and been able to explain things to him they would have had to worry though. As it was though, news of the attack on Castletown had reached the domain and many were concerned about what was happening. Colin being one of the prince's personal knights had the innkeeper more than happy to give the two a room on the house. He even sent a messenger to the Zora king to arrange a meeting, for which Colin was thankful.

"We'll need to be ready to meet the king when the messenger returns."

Zelda hums in acknowledgement while sprawled out on one of the beds in their room.

"We should probably bathe before seeing him."

With a groan, Zelda sits up and narrows her eyes at Colin. "How can we both bathe before the messenger gets back though?"

Colin chuckles. "This inn has separate baths for men and women. If we're quick we can at least get most of the travel grime off before we need to see the king."

Zelda had perked up slightly at the idea and is already standing. "Fine, where to?" Despite her words there is a smile on her face and it's easy to see she's excited.

Colin waves for her to follow him and the two make their way down to the main floor of the inn and past the reception desk to a short hallway. He points to one door. "That's the women's bath, don't take too long, you can soak later after we meet the king. Just clean up a bit."

"Yeah, yeah, will do." She hurries through the door and into the women's bath.

Both siblings finish with their baths quickly and once out are soon met by the messenger that went to make arrangements for them to see the Zora king. They soon are standing before the king and Zelda is shocked at his size.

The king had to be around eight feet tall, with deep blue skin on his back and limbs. His front is creamy white and he has a crest shaped like a hammerhead shark and gold eyes set beneath it. His smile greets them with a jovial flare and Zelda can't help but feel impressed by his display.

"Ah, welcome Sir Colin. We have heard news of the attack on Castletown, I assume you are here on business from Prince Link?"

Colin hesitates before nodding. "I am. May I ask that we speak in private Your Majesty?" He glances around at the advisors scattered about the room with the guards.

"Hmm?" The king seems to consider the request for a moment. "Please leave us, it seems we have delicate matters to discuss with our guest." The advisors are soon shuffled out the door by the guards who then close the doors and presumably are standing right outside them to keep out any others that would think to interrupt.

"Now, what is so delicate that you wish to speak to me alone?" The king looks at Zelda, curious that Colin had kept her in the chamber with them, "Does it have to do with this girl and her possession of Prince Link's sword?"

"It does. My Lord sent me on a mission to find her when the castle came under attack."

"Ahah! So, she must be the Princess of Destiny then. Does she need somewhere safe to hide from those that attacked the castle?"

Colin cringes and Zelda has to stop herself from huffing.

"No, it seems that we were all mistaken about the prince. He was not the Legendary Hero, he is the, ah, Princess of Destiny. Zelda," Colin motions to his sister, "Is the Legendary Hero. My Lord sent me to find her and give her the Master Sword. He also asked that I guide her to several temples and shrines that house the power needed to seal the great evil away."

The king's eyes have gone wide at Colin's admission. "I see. That is certainly troubling. Where is Prince Link now?"

"The last I saw of him he was facing down the one that lead the forces against the castle. I believe he has been captured."

"Hmm? I have heard that the man that has taken control of the castle recently sent out many search parties. My people that I had keeping watch over the castle also reported a commotion within. If Prince Link has been captured, I would say he gave them quite the fight beforehand."

Zelda reaches for the hilt of her sword, but stills her hand. This wasn't the time or place to get upset about the prince being in danger.

"Those search parties are most likely for us, it's also likely that there are spies looking for us."

"Ah, so that is why you asked for this meeting to be private."

Colin nods, "Impa brought up while we were in Kakariko that our enemy may not know who the hero is. It's possible that since he saw me leave the castle with the Master Sword that he suspects I am."

"And it is safer for everyone if the enemy continues to believe that."

"Colin!"

"Zelda, I know you don't like that but I have been tasked with keeping you safe until you are strong enough to fight. Part of that means keeping who you are from our enemy."

Zelda grumbles under her breath to the amusement of the king before them.

"I feel there is something here I am not yet aware of."

Colin flushes slightly before nodding his head. "Zelda is my sister, she was on her way to visit me in Castletown when the attack happened."

"Hmm, so your protectiveness is not solely from your duty to the prince and your kingdom."

"No, Your Majesty."

The king chuckles and his deep voice reverberates through the room. "I understand, I understand. Now, you mentioned temples?"

"Yes, there is one in your domain that we need to visit, but we are not sure where it might be."

"Hmm, well there are ruins in the bottom of the reservoir. It was said that an ancient hero freed a beast there and now its remains lie in the reservoir." The king shakes his head after a moment's' thought, "But you would be hard pressed to swim down to them."

"Great, how are we supposed to do this then?" Colin fidgets in agitation at the obstacle before them.

"There may be a way for one of you to get down was said that heroes of the past had objects that allowed for them to breath underwater. If you were able to locate one of these items,"

"Then one of us could go down to the temple!" Colin looks over to Zelda after her excited outburst.

"Yes, though where they have gotten to over the centuries is hard to imagine. You would need to know where the heroes were buried or where they left their belongings. It is no easy task to locate these objects."

"Great, so where would they have left them." Colin mutters to himself, though Zelda must have heard him as she turns to look at him before addressing the king.

"Maybe one of the ancient heroes left them with the Zora of the time. Are there any zora ruins we could look in?"

The Zora king hums in thought for a moment. "I suppose the Old Zora Ruins could possible hold a clue. To get there you will need a guide though. Delfin is the one that found them while exploring down river. He should be able to lead you there."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Colin bows to the Zora king, Zelda hastily does the same when she notices her brother bowing.

"Think nothing of it. I will send Delfin to meet with you shortly."

As the two exit the chamber the many advisors and petitioners file back in to conclude their business with the king.