Don't want to lose you
a zora's heart

"Old man?" Link questioned as he ran to the man whom patiently awaited him. His legs were aching and he hoped the man was going to say Ruto was already freed. But the discouraging look in the old man's eyes and the wrinkles that surrounded his frown dashed that hope immediately.

The simple swinging bridge creaked with every step and swayed in the icy wind. Links eyes travelled to the water of lake hylia, an unusual shade of black/blue seemed to infect the crystal clear water like a disease. When Link looked up, the man's gaze had also drifted to the water and his frown increased.

"Hey pops… What's going on?" Link's concern had heightened and his eyes pleaded for an answer more than his words ever could. The old scientist turned to Link and forced a smile.

"I'm glad you came lad. The Zora's need your help."

"What happened?" Link asked again, his patience non-existent as he nervously pushed his fringe aside.

"I think there's someone who can explain that better. Please, come in. We have to get him out of the water before my lab is also affected." The old man led the way, shuffling his frail legs and folding his hands behind his back. He came at least 3 inches lower then Link's shoulders and Link waited a moment before he followed, easily catching up with long strides.

As they entered the Lab Link looked around the room but could see no other living being. He walked to the pools edge and as he looked down into the labs pool a male zora, about his age, jumped out. Link fell backwards in shock and landed with a rather loud thud as he looked into the eyes of the confused Zora.

The Zora's blue scales shone with the water that dripped from them and his dark blue eyes seemed almost black as they looked Link up and down. The Zora's expression fell into disgust as anger burned in his eyes.

"Sir, I said I did not need the help of THIS thing." He said firmly as he pointed a finned arm at Link.

"THIS THING has a name!" Link replied, trying not to add that he also had the title of hero of time.

"Thing is your name as far as I'm concerned." The Zora said in a gruff, crossing his arms and pointing his nose upwards.

Stuff trying to be humble and modest, Link thought as he stood tall and looked down at the Zora "I AM THE HERO OF TIME! THING IS NOT A NAME I DESERVE!"

"Oh, the thing has such decorum doesn't he?" The Zora sarcastically said as he glared at Link. Link opened his mouth to reply when the old man patted his shoulder.

"Don't mind him Link. He is worried about his loved one." Link's face softened as the Zora, despite his resolute expression, blushed.

"Worried about the one you love." Link whispered as his thoughts drifted back to Zelda.

The Zora remained sitting on the floor so Link fell to his knees beside him and held out his hand, smiling widely as he said

"Names Link." The Zora looked at Link's hand like it was poison but finally relinquished as he looked to the professor. Taking Link's hand he mumbled "Fakhar."

Link tried to force his smile despite the way Fakhar acted.

"Can you tell me what's up?" Link was beyond pushing the boundaries of fake kindness as the cold glare of Fakhar chilled our hero to the core. Link was used to bad guys looking at him as if he was a stain on their clean white shirt but he could not ever remember a normal human being….errr or zora as the case may be, treat him this way. His mind urged him to keep his cool, act like the charming and not to mention dashing hero of time that wins hearts. Don't be so thin skinned damn it! But the glare only forced his smile into an obviously forced sign of kindness.

This only proved to make Fakhar fall silent as he contemplated running out the door and ignoring this irritating and self-absorbed 'hero' the professor had brought to his attention. 'I am the hero of time'? Who gave a damn! He was still nothing but the hylian man that broke hearts.

The professor sighed in annoyance as the staring contest continued. Both were fools. They needed each other to save the Zoras and if they didn't hurry they might as well bid the entire kingdom goodbye.

His aged wisdom began to take effect and the old man took up an ancient looking walking stick and proceeded to do the wisest thing he could conjure up… he hit both men hard on the shoulders.

After a unified chorus of pained yelps the starring contest ended and the glares now fell on the old man.

"You both want to save your loved ones right? Then get a move on. Work together or lose 'em. You decide."

Fakhar looked guilty as his gaze drifted to the ground. "You know how the water is going that weird colour?" a nod from Link answered him so he continued without hesitation "It's like a poison. Any living thing it touches it freezes instantly. There are only two Zora's left that are not frozen…"

"You and Ruto right?" Link seriously asked. The glare returned to the Zora's eyes as he spoke "Don't address her highness Ruto in such a familiar manner."

Link groaned as he waved a hand dismissively "Okay sorry. PRINCESS Ruto. But am I correct?"

Fakhar nodded sullenly as he looked at the last of the water darken in the pool. "Yes. Her highness Ruto is the one causing this poison. If only I could get close to her I may be able to reverse the damage."

The professor talked now as he tapped his walking stick on the ground. Every tap made Link and Fakhar flinch, "You will need each other to save The princess. You see the water temple is divided. Some water poisoned and some pure. You must find a way to get through the poisoned water; it will freeze both of you but Link… You are not a zora. If we defrost you, you will be dead. Zora's have the unique ability to freeze and be fine once thawed out. The pure water is thick and deep. You may be able to get down to the bottom with your iron boots but you won't be able to walk in that water. Only a Zora can swim through it…"

"Sounds like he will only hold me back." Fakhar smirked triumphantly.

"And how do you suppose you get through the poisoned water yourself? You will freeze instantly. And the pure water will not be absorbed into your scales. It will not hydrate you and you will still dry out." Fakhar grunted as he avoided the professors serious, worn out eyes.

"But how will I help with that?" Link queried. Navi came up in front of him. "Maybe you have a song that will help!"

"My, what a lovely fairy. It is a pleasure to meet you miss…." Fakhar said as he jumped to his feet and leaned closer to Navi.

"errrr…. Navi…"

"Miss Navi. How rude of me not to notice a pretty young lady with such a radiant glow. Are the stories true? That you are a marvellous help when in dire times?"

Navi giggled as she stammered over her words "Well… I wouldn't go as far as marvellous… Awesome maybe but…"

"Or annoying." Link muttered as he glared at the two. He racked his brain, trying to work out what the fairy meant. The sun song? Nah changing from night to day will only waste time. Important time. Epona's song won't work and Saria's song will only allow him to talk to saria… or dance with the king of Gorons. The warping songs won't work neither the scarecrow song, zelda's lullaby nor the song of sleep…

Link's mind whirled with excitement as he pulled out the handful of sheet music he had earlier found in Zelda's harp. His eyes scanned the pages quickly and finally he broke into a broad smile "Song of protection." He exclaimed as he held up the paper. Fakhar's deep conversation with the fairy drifted to Link as a confused look changed his short lived expression of kindness.

"It's meant to protect any who hear it for two minutes."

"You are a genius…" Link nodded proudly at Fakhar's praise

"…Miss Navi!" as fakhar finished his sentence Link's scowl returned. Sure Navi had suggested it but HE found it… okay so he couldn't have thought of it without her help.

He smiled warmly as he took Navi in his hands "Thanks Navi. You're a life saver." Navi beamed at the praise.

"Excellent. Link will get you all through the poisoned water and Fakhar will swim you through the pure water."


It was only a few minutes of planning before both Link and Fakhar stood before the entrance to Zora's domain. It was an awkward horse ride here, Fakhar had never ridden a horse before and to actually hold Link's waist did not set well with the tall Zora. In fact it didn't go down too well with Link either.

Due to the water near the temple entrance in Lake hylia being too deep, they were not able to get in with only two minutes of protection so they arrived at zora's domain, Fakhar knowing of another entrance.

The sun was setting behind them and link's mind counted down yet another day. After tonight it will be the fourth day. He was running out of time but at least Ruto was the last of his friends to save.

Link played the melody and both watched as a gold shimmer settled on their skin. Fakhar didn't bother to admire; he swiftly jumped through the poisoned water fall and into Zora's domain.

"I can't stand that guy." Link muttered under his breath.

"I think he is very nice." Navi commented.

"You would wouldn't you. Just has to show a sliver of kindness and your putty in his hands." Link grunted before jumping through the waterfall himself. The water hit him and his body ached from the cold. Never had he felt such an icy coldness as that poisoned water! Ice itself would have been warmer! But when his feet landed on the stone path he fought the urge to rub his arms and pushed forward after the Zora that led the way.

He didn't have time to worry about how cold he was; he only had time to worry about Zelda and Ruto.

A/N sorry this has taken so long! I started this chapter ages ago but then I got stuck and writers block set in… and then I got distracted by the skyward sword game…. Hmmmmmm I think my wii remote has just finished charging…. SKYWARD SWORD HERE I COME!