A/N: It's just as the title says xD
After spending the night at the stable, the group continued on their way to Lurelin Village. A light sprinkle of rain greeted them as they exited the thick forest and came out into a broad, grassy area. The dirty path led towards the small seaside village.
The village houses were small and wooden, set onto chest-high stakes to keep floods from reaching them. Torches were positioned at each house and around the decks. The inn sat near the center of the village.
"It's amazing," Zelda murmured, gazing around the town.
Link led the horses to the inn to take off their saddles. The Zora took off to the beach, leaping into the waters of Lurelin Bay.
Zelda hadn't seen such clear blue water. She could almost see the bottom.
The sand was soft and white, covered in a myriad of footprints. Crabs scuttled along the beach, scattering if a seagull swooped too close.
While Zelda began to greet the locals, Ganondorf walked towards the beach, pausing just before the waves lapped at the shore.
As he stared out at the water, the noon sun sparkling on the surface, he barely noticed Link coming to stand beside him. After staring for a bit, Ganondorf glanced at Link to see the blond gazing out at the water with an unreadable expression. He wondered if Link was remembering the same thing. When Hyrule was buried by water.
Link looked at Ganondorf and grinned. You thinking what I'm thinking?
"Water shield surfing?"
Link nodded quickly.
"I'll get a rope."
I got a shield.
"Are you certain this is quite safe?" Sidon asked, glancing at Ganondorf and Link as he held onto the rope.
Link stood on the dock, standing on the shield he kept on his back. He had the rope tied around his waist.
"Perfectly," Ganondorf lied. "We've done it loads of times."
Shield surfing, yes. Water shield surfing was their first attempt, but it couldn't be that difficult, right?
Sidon appeared doubtful, but he put the rope between his teeth, watching Link expectantly.
Link gave a thumbs up when he was ready.
Sidon dove under the water and seconds later, Link was pulled off the dock, shield hitting the water and beginning to skim the surface.
Link waved as he was pulled along the water, grinning widely.
Ganondorf chuckled, waving back.
"What is he doing?" Zelda asked, coming to stand beside Ganondorf.
"Shield surfing on the water."
Zelda watched as Sidon turned sharply, almost causing Link to fall off the shield. "Is that safe?"
"Probably not. But it looks fun, doesn't it?" Ganondorf leaned closer to Zelda with a grin. "Wanna go next?"
Zelda hummed, crossing her arms as Link finally fell off the shield, splashing into the water. "It does look fun."
"You want to do it."
"Perhaps."
Ganondorf gave a laugh at the deflective response. Zelda definitely wanted to go next.
After a few hours of water shield surfing, Sidon got tired and the group took a break.
It was near evening and since everyone was getting hungry, Link decided to make some local cuisine. With some rice, butter, salt, and fish from the bay, he made salmon risotto.
The evening wind was warm and fireflies made an appearance along the beach.
As Zelda ate, she watched the lights from the fireflies, feeling relaxed. It was nice not to have to worry about monsters or anything else.
Ganondorf watched Zelda then looked at the fireflies. He glanced up at the sky, staring at the nearly full moon mocking him. He hoped the blood moon would hold off until they were far away from Lurelin or any civilization.
Ganondorf went back to his food, trying to ignore the moon's shifting phases.
Early the next morning, Link was up before anyone else.
Well, not anyone. The Zora were already in the bay, enjoying the water.
Link watched Lurelin's residents bustling about, avoiding several that almost ran into him. He grabbed someone's arm so he could see what was going on.
"Today's the festival!" the man explained.
Festival? Link asked.
"The anniversary of the day Prince Sidon saved our village from the Octorok."
That had been a true story?
As the man scurried off, Link glanced around to see banners being strung up and a long table being set up. He looked towards the bay, wondering if the residents had recognized Sidon. He was hard not to remember.
"Ohh, Link, my man, what are you doing here?"
Link turned to see three Rito landing several feet away. He recognized the one in the middle right away, grinning. Brimstone!
Brimstone's feathers were a red-orange, like he was the embodiment of fire. His eyes were yellow and his crest feathers were spiked back like boar bristles. A thin silver chain necklace held the fang of a Lizalfos and Brimstone wore only brown trousers with a few small pouches for items.
Link had seen Brimstone in Castle Town a few times when he had been younger. The Rito had done a few small gigs with his other bandmates, Starlight and Mesa.
Starlight had black feathers with several drooping over their right eye like a fringe. The left eye was a deep purple. On the Rito's legs were two amber bracelets and they wore a purple tunic.
Mesa was shorter and stockier than Brimstone and Starlight with light brown feathers, crest feathers shaggy. Markings sat beside his green eyes. On a chain necklace, the Rito had the decorative skull Bokoblin wore and Bokoblin fangs. Like Brimstone, he wore only trousers, black in color.
Why are you here? Link asked.
"The festival," Starlight said, flipping a wing towards the bustling village. "We're here to sing."
Brimstone nodded. "Here to honor the brave Zora Prince."
Sidon was coming out of the bay, obviously to see if Link was out to make some breakfast and paused when he saw the blond talking to three Rito he didn't recognize. He tried not to feel a bit jealous. Link was allowed to have friends, after all.
Leaving Link to the Rito, Sidon returned to the inn to see if Ganondorf or Zelda were awake.
Mipha had smelled the scent of the Sea Zora, revealing how close they were to arriving to Lurelin. While they waited, Sidon was going to see if Zelda or the others wanted to see the Sea Zora as well.
Bazz glanced at Mipha as he hovered beside her while they waited to see any sign of the Sea Zora.
He was nervous. Not because he was alone with her. No, he knew the Sea Zora came to Lurelin to mate and lay their eggs.
It was mating season and Bazz was determined to show his interest in Mipha.
I'm going to do it, he thought to himself seriously, nodding. Even if she rejects me, I at least tried.
"What are you so happy about?" Mipha asked, glancing at Bazz when she saw how excited he appeared to be.
"Oh. Oh, the Sea Zora! It's been so long and we made it in time for you to see them and talk to their leader."
Mipha chuckled at the answer. "Oh, yes. It's quite exciting. I wish dad could see this."
"Perhaps next year?" Bazz offered.
"Perhaps. Yes."
Bazz smiled and was about to say something else when Mipha gasped.
"There they are!"
Bazz looked towards where she was pointing. It wasn't difficult to miss the Sea Zora's arrival.
They were a colorful bunch with scales of orange and red and bright blue, broad fins and striped or spotted headtails which were long and tapered.
Bazz remained silent as Mipha swam to the group's leader to engage them.
While the two talked, the Sea Zora congregated amongst each other, several males beginning flashy dances to try and woo any interested females.
The Sea Zora weren't monogamous like River Zora. They chose different mates every year.
It was interesting to watch their dances and how they used their scales and the sun to their advantage.
Bazz waited for Mipha to finish speaking with the Sea Zora's leader, perking slightly when she swam over to him.
"They said yes!"
"They'll trade?"
Mipha nodded eagerly. "Yes! This is so wonderful, Bazz! The Sea and Desert Zora and the Gerudo and Rito…"
"I wish we could ask the Goron."
"Perhaps we can send a messenger from the Rito to ask. Find a middle ground…"
Bazz nodded as he watched Mipha who was in full future queen mode as she thought about how to open trade with the Goron. He took a deep breath then reached out to touch her arm. "Mipha?"
"Yes?" Mipha paused in her thoughts to give the guard her undivided attention.
"I want to show you something."
Mipha tilted her head, a faint smile on her face. "Okay?"
Bazz nodded, moving back a few feet before beginning to circle Mipha.
Mipha watched him, realizing what he was about to do. She had seen a lot of mating dances before.
After circling a bit longer, Baz dove down before turning and swimming up to breach the surface.
Mipha poked her head above the water to watch as Bazz began to do intricate flips and spins in mid-air, the sunlight glinting off the water droplets and his scales at just the right angles.
As Bazz dove back beneath the water, Mipha joined him. He did a few twirls and twist then watched her for any sort of reaction or reciprocation to his moves.
Mipha giggled at him and Bazz tried not to be disappointed.
Of course, she would laugh at him. He had made a complete fool of himself.
Mipha moved closer and circled him before reciprocating his twists and turns.
As Bazz gaped at her, not believing that she was returning his interest, Mipha laughed and took off in the opposite direction.
Bazz chased after her.
Once the sun was beginning to set, the banquet and festivities for Sidon had already begun.
The Zora prince was of course embarrassed by the locals' attempt at honoring him, telling the people he had done it not to be rewarded but because he couldn't let anyone get hurt.
That still didn't stop the villagers from continuing their festival which not only included local cuisine, but dances and songs from Brimstone and the Lost Feathers.
Eventually, Sidon gave up on trying to stop the festival, joining in on the festivities. The cuisine was mostly seafood so he stayed near the food.
Zelda had drug both Ganondorf and Link into the midst of the dancing locals, determined to make the two relax while they were in Lurelin.
"This is our newest song, Omens," Brimstone said as the band set up for their next song. "Hope you enjoy."
As Mesa began a steady beat on his drums, Starlight joined in with their keyboard. After a few seconds, Brimstone struck a rift on his guitar.
"Sitting on the ocean, a mysterious location that will test your devotion. Fight the beast of gold, its power is old. Take the gift, you will not be adrift, it'll be swift. You'll see in some time; you'll know when it's there. Though it's a frightening thing to let go, there is someone there to go to! The burning of the village will light up the night sky, embers rising to meet the stars. Resist! Allow her to guide you home. Keep fighting! You are not alone! Don't let the darkness take you. Shooting a beam of light towards you, piercing your flesh, will erase the demon in you. Walk with the power of light beside you, and nothing will harm you again. The darkness will not return again!"
Ganondorf felt the back of his neck prickle as the Rito finished the song, tune slowing to a stop.
Omen, huh? He wasn't sure if he wanted to know whether the Rito was predicting the future or not.
Ganondorf didn't think it was good to debate on it for too long. He was getting a bit hungry and it seemed the Lost Feathers were starting up music for slow dancing. As he was about to go towards the banquet table, someone grabbed his hand. He looked to see that it was Zelda.
She grinned at him, holding up a finger. "One more?"
He didn't want to tell her he didn't feel like a slow dance, nodding instead. He allowed her to grab his hands, setting them on the sides of her hips.
She was a bit too short to reach his shoulders or wrap her arms around his neck so she held onto his biceps instead.
Ganondorf tried to ignore their closeness, focusing on a point in the distance and the slow sway of their bodies.
"And here I didn't think the great King of Darkness could dance."
Ganondorf glanced at Zelda who was staring at their feet. He wasn't sure if she was purposely teasing him or trying to distract him. He played along. "I am still royalty, princess. I had to learn all that boring royal stuff."
"Perhaps you decided to become a warlord because you were bored."
"Perhaps."
Zelda chuckled at the response, leaning her forehead against his chest.
Ganondorf relaxed slightly at their banter. "Well, I didn't know you could dance, princess, seeing as you're always daydreaming."
Zelda pouted up at him. "Rude."
"It's okay, I still love you."
Zelda hummed, moving closer to Ganondorf to wrap her arms around his chest. "Me too."
Ganondorf fell quiet, focusing on Zelda's body heat against his and their swaying. He rested his chin on her head then his cheek, wondering if she misunderstood his meaning or not. He hadn't meant to say it out loud. He could still take it back, saying he hadn't meant it like that.
After a while he couldn't take it, pulling back to look at Zelda. "So, when I said I love you, I meant—"
"Gan." Zelda put her hand against the back of his neck.
"What?"
"Shut up." She pulled him down until their lips touched.
Ganondorf froze and tensed before he slowly relaxed.
This wasn't exactly how he had imagined his first kiss to go, with Zelda taking the reins, but he wasn't complaining.
Before Zelda could pull back, Ganondorf set his hand against the back of her head, kissing her back to reciprocate her feelings.
When they finally did part for air, they pressed their foreheads together, eyes closed. Everything felt right. like they were supposed to do this.
"And I'll love you tonight," Brimstone warbled. "Like it's the last night I'll ever have. And we'll wake up in each other's arms come sunrise."
The cucco's crowing brought Ganondorf out of the confines of sleep and he grumbled to himself, rubbing his eyes. He squinted around the inn, noticing that beds were still made.
Had the village really not slept last night?
With a grunt, Ganondorf sat up, glancing beside him to see that Zelda was still asleep. He let her take the blanket to keep warm as he got dressed.
Outside, the villagers were cleaning up from the night before. Link was already at the cooking pot with Sidon, making some breakfast. He grinned at Ganondorf's approach, a look in his eyes that told the redhead he knew what had transpired last night.
Ganondorf ignored the look, noticing they were missing two Zora. "Where are Bazz and Mipha?"
"Nearby," Sidon said. "They're saying farewell to the Sea Zora."
They're leaving already? Link asked. They've only been here a day!
"That's all they stay for," Sidon explained. "Lay their eggs and fertilize them before leaving."
"They abandon their children?" Ganondorf asked, surprised.
Sidon chuckled, shaking his head. "No, no. Once the eggs begin to hatch, the Sea Zora return to protect them while they lead the hatchlings home."
Still weird.
"Yes, it is strange for outsiders and non-Zora. But a way of life for them," Sidon sighed. "I don't think I would be able to handle leaving my future child alone in an ocean filled with Lizalfos and other predators."
It'd be like leaving a baby in the woods!
Sidon laughed. "Right?"
"That smells good," Zelda said as she approached the group, running her hand through her hair.
Link signed Thank you while Sidon smiled at Zelda.
The look said he knew as well, possibly due to scent.
As Zelda sat beside Ganondorf, the redhead shifted closer to her to rub her back.
While Link began to hand out some omelets, Mipha and Bazz approached the group.
"Good morning," Sidon said as the other two Zora joined them.
"It most certainly is," Mipha replied with a grin.
Link gave Bazz and Mipha their omelets.
As everyone began to eat, Link looked out to the island in the distance.
Sidon caught where the blond was looking. "Do you want to check it out?"
"The island?" Ganondorf asked, looking to the island.
"I wonder what it's called?" Mipha murmured.
Ganondorf stood and made his way over to Helltrotter, taking the map out of the pack and returning to the group. He spread it on the ground, pointing to the island on the map.
"It doesn't have a name?" Bazz asked, appearing intrigued.
We have to check it out, Link said, grinning.
"Could be interesting," Ganondorf admitted. "We have time."
"We'll take you there," Mipha offered.
Island adventure! Link signed excitedly, throwing his arms up.
Once breakfast had completed, the group grabbed extra rope and two extra shields.
Sidon pulled Ganondorf while Bazz and Mipha pulled Link and Zelda respectively.
With the Zora acting as their boat, the island was coming into sight quickly. Several feet away from the island, though, the Zora suddenly halted, throwing the three off their shields.
They landed in the shallows near the beach.
"What the hell?!" Ganondorf asked as he stood up, annoyed at the sudden stop.
The Zora appeared nervous, staying in the deeper water.
"Apologies!" Sidon called. "However, I'm afraid we must part here."
"The island doesn't want us," Mipha said. "It's keeping us from coming closer."
"The island?" Zelda murmured.
Is it just an us thing? Link asked.
"I suppose so," Ganondorf sighed, wringing out his shirt. "Must be if they feel like they shouldn't come closer."
The three trudged out of the shallows. The second their feet touched the sandy beach, a voice stopped them.
Welcome to Eventide Island, chosen ones. I have been awaiting your arrival.