Feeling generous again, so you're getting two chapters today. Kinda lucky this isn't late actually...I thought today was Wednesday most of the day ^^;. Ooops! But chapters are on time, phew. Getting to some fun stuff now too...Enjoy it!

Queen Rutela's first order to Mikau for us was to provide us some lunch before we headed out. I was glad; my stomach was beginning to complain. Mikau lead us to a guest chamber, and asked us to wait while he got someone to bring us some food.

The room was luxurious, as was everything in it. Huge couches, a king sized four-poster bed with blue satin hangings, even a chandelier and grand piano! I felt like a little kid exploring every nook and cranny of the wondrous room…and this was just a guest room! I stopped by the open terrace looking down at the Lake; it looked steely in the storm. But no whirlpools. Yet.

I heard Kage laugh from behind. "Having fun?"

I crossed my arms back at him, and humphed theatrically. "Hey! You might be used to this sort of treatment, but I'm a lowly commoner, remember?" I scampered away and lent on the balcony railings. The lake was beautiful, even in such weather. But I'm sure it would be more so with the backdrop of a clear sky. It was hard to believe it was in turmoil; even in the storm the waters looked calm… and vaster than I could have ever imagined.

I heard Kage walked up beside me. "The view is wonderful, I'll admit." Perhaps he was thinking the same thing as me. This place could make you feel like there were no problems in the world…

"Can I come out and see too?" Navi squeaked from my chest.

"I guess. It's just us in here so it should be fine. Best be quick to hide when food gets here."

Navi swooped out of my pocket, and took a deep breath. "Much better…it gets stuffy in there." She perched herself on the railing as well. "Wow, it is really beautiful from up here! Bigger than I remember, too!"

"You've been here before, Navi?" I asked.

"Yeah…this is Lake Hylia, right? I came here with Link before."

Link again, huh? She had said he was the previous Hero, the former barer of the 'Triforce of Courage'. Hmmm…

"Navi, what was Link like?" I asked her as I took in the view. "Like, what kind of person was he?"

Navi jingled a bit. She probably never expected that sort of question. She was silent for a time, and then flew in front of me.

"He was pretty energetic when I first met him. Happy to finally have a fairy partner, and to help out others and explore. Determined kid, and didn't like people picking on each other. He took a lot to heart though, 'cause with our task a lot of hardships developed…like I mentioned before, you remind me of him." She pressed against my nose, like the first time we met.

I knew she meant it as a compliment, but I frowned. "So you've said." I paused, contemplating whether I really should say this aloud…well, she'd asked me to be more open with her. "Is that the only reason you want to be by my side? Because I remind you of him?" I queried in an exhale.

"What? Sarah, no!" She buzzed away with a jolt, glowing slightly pink. "Y-you two might be alike in your reasoning, yes, but you're still very different! He was a bit more…simple minded. You've definitely got the sharper tongue, and you use it much more often! And at least I didn't have to jump through hoops to get him to open up to me." She sneered, but with a giggle. She bopped my head playfully. "Sarah, you're similar, and in similar situations, but you're different. I mean, sure, at first I might of hung around with you because of your similarities, I'll give you that. But I couldn't remember anything! And the longer I spend time with you, the more different your mannerisms get." She planted herself on my head. "Trust me on that."

Was that really true? I doubted the flower with her in it presented itself before me because of how different we were…

"We're probably all very relatable, Sarah. With the same enemy we must bring to justice." Kage pat my back. "Me too, I bet."

Navi said nothing.

We were interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Oh, good, lunch." Kage put his hood back up as Navi sighed and dove in my lowered one. He turned his Sheikah Eye to me after it was raised. "Shall we eat?"

"Mm-hmm!"

I went to the door to open it. Outside was…the Zora from before? The young one who had been helping the Oracle held a platter and smiled at me.

"Oh! Hello." I stepped back to allow her in.

"Good day, Chosen One, and Sir Sheikah. I'm sorry, I'm sure you hardly expected to see me again." She carefully lay down the tray on the table between the couches. "But when I saw Mikau in the hall getting you food I asked him if I could bring it to you. He kindly allow such, having to gather a few things, I think for you two."

"Right. Umm, probably." I felt really awkward… "H-how's your grandmother?"

She bowed lightly to me, strained smile gracing her features. Her long head tail, with a slight curl to the end of it, bounced when she did. "She will be fine with rest, thank you for your concern. In fact, I wished to come here to apologize again on her behalf; her premonitions can be quite frightening if you are not used to them. I'm sorry she startled you so."

"Oh, it's fine, really." I tried to wave it off, but where she grabbed my arm before was pounding sorely…

"Even so, I implore you; she is quite skilled. Please, consider deeply what she told you about that stone. I don't know what it is, but it will definitely be important in your future. Do not forget." The Zora girl placed her hand on my arm in their formal greeting. She stepped forward, but frowned. "I do wish I could help her more, but my Prophecy is but a pebble compared to hers."

My mouth curled up at the familiarity of this thought, and held her arm tight back. "I'm sure she appreciates how much you help her, even if it's not about prophecy. Everyone has their own skills. And it's better to have your own than just try to emulate another's, no?"

She looked at me with wide eyes and pink cheeks. I didn't think what I'd said was worthy of a blush, really…but perhaps she just really needed to hear that right now.

"You are very kind, Chosen. Thank you. I…do quite enjoy the lapidary work I do on my own…"

"Oh? Did you make your own bracelet?" I glanced to the finely-crafted chain she wore on her wrist, a gem with the Symbol of Water engraved largely in the center.

Her face tinged deeper, making her long nose seem to protrude even more from her light blue face. "Oh, umm, yes. Thank you for noticing…" A moment later she started, and let go of my arm. "Oh, excuse me! I should be going now. P-please, enjoy your meal!" She bowed in a new flush. Geez, she was easily embarrassed.

"Right. Thanks again, Medlia." I nodded, recalling what the Oracle called her. She just waddled out of the room as quickly as possible.

Well, that was weird.

Kage chuckled as I went to sit and remove the large tray's cover. "Looks like you have an admirer."

W-what?! "Kage, really! S-she's a woman!"

Kage revealed his face again, going for the tray lid I had abandoned in my shock. "Zora's, Like Gerudo, aren't too…differential about race or gender in a union. I thought you of all people might know that. Besides, you look a bit androgynous at the moment."

"No thanks to you!" I huffed. "And well, I know some Gerudo are…like that, from Nabooru…b-but its still…it's not right! T-the teachings at Worship state very clearly a soul mate is found in your gender opposite!"

Kage chuckled, handing me a plate. "You know, that's something I always wondered about. The Goddesses are each female, right? And were the first beings…Who do you think they had relations with? Besides, in The Written Myths of Creation, the statement a man and woman are to be soul mates is only mentioned once; there are so many other passages saying other-"

"Kage are we REALLY having a conversation like this again after last night?" I hissed quickly, feeling flush myself. I looked down at my plate. "And what in the known earth even is this?!"

Kage heaved a sigh and rolled his eyes. "It's called sushi, it's a Zora delicacy." He said, popping one of the small morsels into his mouth after dipping it in some sauce. He chewed and swallowed it quickly. "It's good, try one. I like the Hylian Loach best."

"So it is fish…" I looked hard at my plate. I grabbed one. "B-but its cold!"

"Yeah, its raw."

"Raw fish?"

"Hey, don't knock it until you try it. It's delicious. And clean, don't worry its prepared very carefully. You won't get sick from it… Sarah, stop making faces at it and eat one. Really!"

I grabbed one tentatively, and, throwing caution to the wind, put it in my mouth. It was…chewy. And slimy? The flavour was sort of sweet though. Not overpoweringly fishy like I thought it would be. I swallowed it down.

"Well?" Kage asked with another piece held to his mouth.

"…Not what I expected at all. But not too bad."

"I told you! Now, try some with the sauce."

"How's that taste?" I said, trying to grab a piece that looked the same as the last.

"It's a salty flavour."

Huh. The saltiness and sweetness actually worked really well together.

"Sarah?" Kage said starkly after we'd each cleared our plates.

"What's up?"

"When the Oracle touched you, your face went…slack. I was wondering, did you see something? What's with this stone we should be looking for?"

"Err, well." I cleared my throat. "I may have…fibbed a bit in regards to the stone being something I knew anything more about." Kage stared at me blankly. "I-I mean, Kage, come on! I had to convince her to let me go with you somehow."

"But you didn't. Sarah, I appreciate your want to help, but I don't want you to get in harms way if we can avoid it."

"The other day you asked me to help any way I can! I might not be a master at it, but I can use a sword. I think I'm pretty good at figuring strategies on the fly…I know a lot of monster weaknesses, some from dad, and Navi can scan stuff too! I thought you wanted my help. Isn't that the whole reason we're here, together?"

"I mean, in part, yes. But I'm the one meant to fight. I don't want to burden you with that too." Kage looked uncertain.

I groaned, growing impatience at the constant mentions of how things 'should be' and 'were destined'. "Screw how it's meant to be! Things are already different, according to everyone involved! I'm helping. If anything, right now, my use of a sword is the lightest 'burden' I have!"

Kage sighed. "Okay, fine. But I can't guarantee your safety, like before, when we sparred. You realize that, right?"

I lifted my sleeve, showing my Wolfos scabs and scars. "Intimately."

"R-right. But what did you see? Or was it-did you hear something through time again? Was it related to the Oracle's prophecy?"

I pursed my lips. "I heard… a song. Then a child spoke, a girl. She said 'This reminds me of us.' A-and that was it. I don't see how that's related to a stone, if at all…" I sighed. "Honestly, with how much this hearing through time has been happening lately, I should be getting used to it. But it still makes me feel…off, every time. Like afterwards, I'm not totally me for a moment." I groaned, flopping my head back. I studied the hanging crystals on the chandelier above.

I felt something on my leg. I looked down, and saw Kage had placed the ocarina on my lap, eyes serious.

"Can you play it?"

I grabbed the instrument and stared at it. I glanced up at Kage sitting there.

I sighed and thought back, testing a few notes. When I felt I had it, I played the song I heard in my vision. Now, in the real world, somehow it sounded even more eternal...

Navi dinged at my last note, flying out of my hood. I was just about to ask her what was up but there was another knock at the door. It opened before I could even stand to answer it.

B-but Kage's hood was still down!

"Kaaaage!" The blue streak yelled before jumping for him.

I-it was a Zora girl, maybe Zelda's age? Her head was unlike most, wide instead of with a head tail. She was currently nuzzling it against Kage's face, holding his arm tight.

"Goddesses, Prince! I was so worried for you! But Mother said you were okay! Thank Din!" She giggled, interlacing their fingers as well as she could with webbed hands.

Kage looked horrified. I think I would have laughed had I not been so shocked. Mikau walked in behind the Princess, closing the door she'd thrown open, face set in stone.

"May I present her Grace, Princess Ruto XVII." He said in monotone.

"But outta the sixteen before me, I'm the prettiest, right, Kagey?"

My Goddesses…Kagey? Wow.

He tried to smile. "O-of course, Princess."

"Oh, and who're you, hmm? A new bard, perhaps?" She sat up on his lap as he grimaced, changing face immediately as she looked at him, putting her arms around his neck. She hung off him as she peered at me. "I heard music in the hall, though it sounded rather lackluster. But regardless, musician, why aren't you bowing before me? How rude!"

O-oh. I stood. "I-I apologize, Princess. It is an honour." I bowed to her, feeling confusion between wanting to laugh at her, and wanting to give her a good hit. "My name is-"

"Oh, I don't really care, just be sure to sing Kagey's praises better, knave! He needs all the help he can get right now." She frowned up at him, four eyes (she had two on the end of her wide head as well…odd) each watering melodramatically. "I cannot believe the atrocities people think you caused. It's madness! My Kagey would never! But I suppose they don't know you as well as I do, right, Prince?"

Did…did she just call me a knave?!

"I suppose not, Princess."

"Oh, and this is why I like you, Kagey!" She squeaked and pulled his head down into her underdeveloped chest, "You're so agreeable!"

And this girl was a princess? Actually? How was she related to Queen Rutela?!

"Oh, oh, what's that?!" She hopped off of Kage (who I'd never seen look so relieved), and jumped the table in front of us, beside me. Navi chimed as she tried to catch her. She flew up out of her reach.

"Oh no, come back! Bard, get it for me!"

"I have an name, you know! It's Navi!" She called down from her roost on the chandelier.

"Oh my! It talks! What are you, tiny ball of light?"

"I'm a fairy, I'll have you know! And I don't appreciate-"

"Goddesses! A real fairy, actually?!" She gasped. "Have you come to be my pet? I'll be the talk of Hyrule!"

Navi was changing colours lightning fast. I think she was as confused (and flabbergast) as I was. "Princess Ruto, Navi is her own self. She is not a pet." I cut in.

The Princess glared at me, trying to look intimidating while being a head shorter than me. "What would you know of it, you drab minstrel? And a word of Royal advice, if you truly are female, as you hardly sound or act, I would get rid of the pants and tunic! Or have you nothing to flaunt? I wouldn't be surprised, you look shabbier than a piece of driftwood to me-"

"I think I have more than you do, Princess."

"Goddesses! How dare you! I am your superior in every right. Apologize now, wretch!"

"Ladies, whoa, calm down!" Kage stood, putting an arm between us.

He'd call her a Lady?!

"Kagey, why? If you don't scold your subordinates, I will! He-she was totally out of line. You saw! You can't think it's okay for anyone to treat me so cruelly! C-can you?" She was putting on the waterworks again. Kage seemed at a lost.

"P-princess Ruto. It's as you just implied. I-it is my responsibility to punish my servants. I should have stepped in sooner, but, well, umm, I did not want you to witness such a side of me?"

"Oh Kagey, so kind! I understand, but I still feel I am owed an apology." She narrowed her gaze on me at the last few words.

Kage looked away. I felt like I was smoldering.

"Bard, I insist you apologize to her Grace." Mikau stepped up.

I breathed in shakily.

FINE.

I bent fast, staring hard at the woven rug. "My apologies, Princess. I should have stayed silent."

"And?"

I scowled at the floor. "It will not happen again."

"Good. I guess you can learn after all. Still, loose the concealing clothing as soon as possible. It is degrading to think one the same gender as I would hide their body such."

"Princess, I do apologize, but I have private matters to discuss with the Prince at present." Mikau finally said.

Through my bow I could see the child scuttle away. I dare not rise. "Oh? I'm sure it's okay if I hear! Right, Kage? I won't tell anyone."

"I'm sorry Princess, but it is your Mother's order I speak only to him and his company."

"Okay, fiiine." She huffed. I heard footfalls skipping to the door. "Sorry Kagey, but I'm sure I'll see you around the Palace! Talk to you soon!"

The door was opened and shut.

There was a heavy silence.

"Sarah, I'm so sorry!" I heard Kage run before me. "I…she's always…I never know what to do around that girl! S-sarah?"

I was still bent down, seething. I think I finally understood the term 'seeing red'. Everything appeared in a burning tinge. I closed my eyes and rose stiffly.

"Mikau." I said loudly.

"Yes, Maiden?"

"Show us where this monster is. I think right now I could punch it into submission."

"O-of course, Maiden. Please, follow me, the three of you. I'll explain when we arrive."

Navi gave me a glance before fluttered down on Kage's head as he concealed himself. Kage allowed me to go first after Mikau.

That girl just best hope we not meet in the halls.