So cold. I lost so much weight. My clothes are barely keeping me warm. It must be fall now. I try not to think about the hunger, I get fed, but barely. Many of my fellow guards are gone. I like to believe they died of starvation, the latter is much more horrible. Like my cousin. He wasn't even a guard, just a farmer. I pray everyday for him, but I know. He is no longer with us. He became like Mary. But before I get into that, I want to talk about the Zoras. Truly magnificent creatures they are, I understand why they sealed themselves away to everyone after that incident.
Darwyn yawns as he works the fields. A letter was sent that his father was ill and couldn't work the fields anymore. He told the Goron leaders he needed to come home. His cousin wanted to come home as well, but Darwyn told him he would be alright. Besides, he needed to provide for his bride who was still away.
He waved to his siblings. His sister Royce was holding her daughter, she was working the fields also despite being a busy mom. She walked towards her brother she needed to ask him for a favor.
"Darwyn! Working hard? Or hardly working?" She teased. Her brother worked way too hard, but had a great work ethic. She coos at her baby who was fussing.
"Very funny. How's my niece?" He wanted to hold her, but was too filthy. Instead her makes funny facial expressions at her, making her laugh.
"She finally stopped crying." Royce was exhausted. She had a huge family, her newest baby had colic for the last year. Her kids and husband were dead tired from helping her. Who would have thought one baby could cause so much trouble. "How's Dad?"
"Still weak. But the doctor from Hyrule Castle Town says he will be back on his feet in a few weeks. Pneumonia, ugh."
"Poor father. Mom warned him not to go outside during the storm."
"Only because his cherry and apple trees would have been destroyed. Newborn trees are expensive." Darwyn should have been home instead of working at Goron City. That poor woman. The Chief of Gorons refused to come out of his room, instead sending his assistants to interact with the workers. Besides Darwyn rather work with plants, not rocks.
"We can always buy more trees, people cannot be replaced." Royce sees her baby scrunching up her face. Oh oh. "I gotta go. Before I go, I need a favor."
"Shoot."
"We need to get some fish. I cannot leave the house, my husband is busy building that shelter in the graveyard. The kids are attending at school, and I won't let them miss any more classes."
"Say no more." The river is not that far. Darwyn could get some fish for his sister and her family, he can also get some for himself as well. "I'm done anyways. I'll be back in a few hours. Do you want me to catch some frogs as well?" He knew she adored frog legs.
"Tempting. But if you do, give them to Father. You know he loves eyeball frogs. Especially in stir fry."
Hearing that, Darwyn's mouth drools. He never been able to reproduce their mom's secret recipe. Her stirfry was as well known as well as Cecily's shellfish stew, their neighbours paid her to cook that stirfry on occasion. Maybe he should come over to visit.
"Now you made me hungry. I'll be done soon, then after I'm done, I'll wash up."
"Okay." The baby starts crying. "Oof. Better take her for her nap I don't want her screaming during supper." See you later!" Royce walks away.
Two hours later, Darwyn was freshly shaven and clean. He dressed casually, he didn't have much fancy clothes, however hated to dress like a bum. He didn't care about how he looked in the field, but whenever he wasn't working, he liked to be presentable. He went and got his fishing gear, a few fishes should be enough.
He saw that Hylian woman walking into the Sage's home, he didn't think much of it. He waved to Isoda who was blushing. He liked Isoda, but he always saw her as a little sister. His younger cousin's wife Cecily was best friends with her had a major crush on him since she was a teen. He didn't feel the same, but tried to be nice to her whenever possible.
As for himself, he wondered about love. He dated women from the village, but also Hylians, as well as the Gerudo. He wasn't as popular as Barten, he was considered "working class." At least in Kakariko. The other races loved him though, many loved the Sheikah men and women due to their good looks. He knew he was under pressure to find a wife, as the only son of his parents, he was expected to carry on the family bloodline.
Until that day, he didn't worry about the future. For now, take a walk to the river. Hopefully the Zoras didn't mind, they were very territorial about their lands.
Darwyn was humming a song, a song he made up singing in the fields.
"Sleepers dream, dreams will fade
Although we cling fast..."
He stopped when he realized he was being watched. A group of frogs were watching him. He smiled at the frogs.
"Hi. Enjoy the show?" The frogs crocked. He laughs. "Thank you. You were a great audience." He was tempted to capture them, but he didn't want to harm the harmless frogs. He starts humming some more, losing himself while fishing. He was so into his hobby, he didn't notice a female Zora watching him.
"That song. It is beautiful." Darwyn jumps when he heard her voice. Seeing the creature, he immediately turns red. Self consciously, he stands up and bows to the Zora.
"My lady. My apologies. I hope you don't mind me fishing. My family needs to eat."
She shakes her head.
"Please. I don't care if Man fishes here. Our Creators made water and fish for everyone to enjoy." She pauses. "That song, where did you hear it from?"
"Oh that? It's just a song I made up. I get bored working the fields day by day." For a Zora, she was pretty. The Zoras were aquatic creatures, but were somewhat attractive. Darwyn quickly looks away when he realized he was staring. Clearing his throat, he returns to fishing.
Roana blushed when he looked away. She never met a Sheikah before, her father forbade her from interacting with the outside world. He said everyone, Sheikah, Hylians, and Geruldo were monstrous creatures. He claimed they were bloodthirsty beings who cared about nothing but themselves. Her fellow Zoras guarded the entrance to their land, and parts of Hylia Lake, but did allow outsiders to use the entrance to the portal to Hyrule Lake.
As she watched the Sheikah fishing, why was her father so paranoid? He never went further then the hills, beyond that the Zoras guarded the entrance to the river. Only a few were allowed in, only those that hired the Zora to work, such as capturing certain creatures, such as shellblade, or any other kinds of fish, to use he portal, or to shop in their stores. No one was allowed to wonder freely, every person had to have a escort. He seemed nice. His voice was beautiful. Too bad he wasn't a Zora, he would be a famous singer among the aquatic race. She was about to walk away, then realized, why go home? It was still daylight. She could stay for awhile. Besides her father is down south fishing. She could ask to join. Besides, she didn't need a pole to fish.
"Mind if I join you?" Roana asked shyly.
Darwyn smiles.
"Sure. Hope you don't mind our little orchestra." The frogs watching were croaking along with his humming. Soon both were singing outloud.
Roana. She was just a girl. But her and Darwyn got close to her father's chagrin. Darwyn was always respectful, he never entered the Zora's domain without permission, eventually the Zoras welcomed him. Especially since he became a singer.
Darwyn was nervous. He was down in Hyrule Lake waiting for his partner. Roana and a few of their friends created a band. Darwyn only sang part time, he had to be home in Kakariko most of the time to work the fields. But whenever he had free time, he visited his Zora friends, many he made friends with. Other than Roana, his two best friends were Amis and Elric. He was nervous. They were making their debut tonight. He wondered why he was expected to sing, he was only a songwriter. However, he couldn't help but be excited. Most of the audience were Zoras, plus a few Hylians. But what made him nervous was the King of Hyrule. He actually came. Almost everyone bowed down to the King, himself included. Guess the rumor about the King liking music was true.
Roana giggles as she saw her friend fidgeting. He was dressed up, as were everyone else. Their song, "Ballad of the Wind Fish" was being debuted tonight. Her and Darwyn worked for weeks on the lyrics, she and him used the lyrics from the song he liked to hum. Their band worked hard on the song, and even with a rough start, all four were ready. They had other songs, but this new song could make or break their career. Better a famous singer than a poor nobody. Especially since their rivals, Ocean Revival was performing as well. Great Bay was far, but performing for Hylian Royalty, they would travel to the ends to let their music be heard.
"You will be great. Don't worry so much!" She walks up to him and straightens his suit. Since he refused to buy clothes, Roana made it herself. Darwyn was a proud man, he refused her gift at first. But she said he can repay her when they win. The contest prize wasn't much, a trophy. But performing for the King, every Zora wanted to see who won.
"I am a outsider. No Sheikah or Hylian ever performed in a Zora competition before. What if everyone boos, or worse, throw rotting fish heads." He shuddered.
''Oh please. We are more civilized than that." She refused to remember the last show she attended. The whole audience was drunk on Chateau Romani. She was only a child, but remembered her cousins rushing her home afterwards. They were on a vacation down south. The swim back was uneventful, her father blamed everyone else except the Zoras. They brought the alcohol, not the Hylians. "Besides, the King is here. Everyone will be on their best behavior."
Both looked shyly at each other. It wasn't forbidden, but heavily frowned upon if Zoras married outside races. Both of them were staring in each others eyes when their bandmate interrupted them.
"Guys! We're up next!" Elric, the drummer tells them. Elric saw the attraction they had to one another, but knew it can never be. He didn't judge, love had no boundaries. But her father and the rest if the Zoras will judge them harshly. Both of them pulled away blushing.
"Ahem." Darwyn clears his throat.
"Right." Roana straightens her dress. "OK, this is it." She nods to her friend, Amis who was playing the guitar. She was lead vocalist with Darwyn, their song was their song.
"Before we go on, we have to make sure everyone is ready to play. Singers, you ready?" Amis wasn't stupid, he knew Roana was in love with the Sheikah. But if her father finds out...
"Yes." Both of them unintentionally holds hands. Then quickly letting them go. Her family is sitting in the front row.
"Your drums ready to go?"
"Let's do this!" Everyone holds hands.
"One, two, three...No Boundaries!" They chose that name, wanting everyone to live together with no judgment.
"And now presenting the final band of the night, No Boundaries!" The Zora MC calls.
"Let's break everyone out in tears with our song." Darwyn says smiling at Roana. Roana stares in his eyes. Both their bandmates smirk.
"Save that energy for the stage." Elric was itching to win. Especially when he saw a cute guy out there, one of the Zora's fisherman. He saw him staring with a shy expression. Elric had a bottle of Chateau Romani. Sharing a drink should loosen up his lips. Maybe a private swim later.
"You know it." Amis' girlfriends were dressed up to the nines. All three were giggling when he peeked his head out. He blew them a kiss. One of them, her name Penelope waves. Ever since picking up his guitar, he had no shortage of women. Good thing he had a private room at Hyrule Lake's Inn. The owner there had a suitable area for Zoras. They walk out.
All four were in disbelief. They won. They won! Even with their mistakes, they won the competition. They walked up to the stage to the enthusiastic applause. They never thought they'll place. Especially when most of the audience snickered at Darwyn. His and Roana's song blew everyone else out of the water. They walk out to get their trophy.
Darwyn. He smiled every time he told me that story. He was beloved by the Zoras after that. He and Roana fell deeply in love. But they had to keep their relationship a secret. Their relationship was never meant to last. Especially when Roana's father arranged a marriage with his best friend's son.
"Darwyn." Roana runs to her boyfriend's arms crying.
"Darling. What is it?" Darwyn was visiting his two friends. Amis was excited to show off his eggs which was due to hatch anytime. He and his wife Penelope were excited to be parents. Elric was building a playpen for his godchildren.
"He did it. He actually did it." She sobbed in Darwyn's arms. Both Elric and Amis grimace. They hoped that Roana's father would accept Darwyn as Roana's lover.
"Oh no." They were crying in each other's arms. "Roana, did you try to tell him about us?"
She nodded.
"I did. He just laughed. He said 'you silly girl. Zoras marry other Zoras. You just have a infatuation.' He said he and his best friend Alsem arranged a marriage with that awful Gavin."
Gavin was from a well to do family. They came from Lake Hylia, they owned the inn in the area. They moved from the Great Bay years ago, and built their inn there. Gavin was highly disliked among the four friends; they found him snobby and mean. He looked down at their band, called them a one hit wonder.
"You got lucky with one song." He taunted. He agreed to marry Roana, he said as his wife, she would be expected to obey and bear his many children. Plus quit singing. He was highly racist as well, he hated Sheikah, called them pale freaks.
"Your skin is whiter than ours!" Darwyn barked back.
"Your human. Why are your eyes red. Why is your hair white? Most Sheikah I met are blonde. Who's racist now?" He hated Darwyn the most, he saw the way him and his fiancee looked at one another. He swore to get rid of him. "Marry within your own race! Or marry a Gerodo or a Hylian instead. You don't belong here!"
Both Elric and Amis had to prevent Darwyn from hitting him. They knew Gavin wanted him banished from the Zora Realm, he wanted to keep this place exclusive.
"You're not even from here! Your family is the outsiders! Darwyn is from Hyrule! Unlike you! Go back south!" Roana screams back.
Gavin just glares at her.
''When we marry, I'll make sure you keep that pretty mouth shut." He storms out.
Roana was shaking. She never screamed like that before. Darwyn holds her as she cried.
Both Darwyn and Roana agreed to run away together. Gavin sounded awful. But if Roana stayed, she would be marrying him by the end of the year. They headed south to marry. There was a temple west of Hyrule Lake, Southeast of the Geruldo's fortress. There, they discovered a beautiful jewel.
Huh? The underwater temple was down south. Link had to rack his brains about history. Navi must have thought the same thing he was thinking. She mentioned there was a earthquake a long time ago down south in Hyrule Lake. There was a huge hill where a temple stood. When the earthquake came, the entire region collapsed in a deep hole. The hole and the temple sank in deep mud. Over time, rains filled the hole, and the lake west slowly drained into present day Hyrule Lake thanks to the small creeks that appeared after the earthquake.
Link heard monsters coming. He had to keep moving. He tucked the diary in his tunic and moved on.