Oro hummed as he awoke, snuggling deeper into the pillow that'd been provided. It was nothing like the pillows at the inns he'd gotten used to or even the one from his childhood home. Though, he doubted a cloth sack with goose feathers counted since he'd been allergic to them.

A knock startled him a slight as he sat up, eying the area before making to get up. His leg throbbed as he groaned and the door swung open. Link stood there, crossing his arms almost scoldingly. The bard smiled. "I gotta get out of bed at some point. Besides, I want to see the domain in its glory."

Link sighed and nodded, coming in. "Can I see it?" He signed, frowning a bit. Oro nodded and carefully removed his trousers and lifted his underpants a slight, revealing the bandaged wound. He unwrapped it with Oro's help, eying it. With a sigh of relief, he concluded that it wasn't infected but irritated from movement. It was even swollen which only further upset him. He grunted softly when a finger flicked his ear. Link frowned as he met Oro's look.

"Quit that. I know you're overthinking. It's my fault."

Link sighed as he moved his hands, "But I was the one who woke the Hinox. If we'd gone passed it, it wouldn't have alerted that-" His hands stopped suddenly as the memory hit him again.

Oro reached over and hugged him. "Quit. It's okay. That thing...Guardians are terrifying." He rubbed his back gently. "You remembered something, didn't you?" Link sighed. "Talk to me."

Link gulped and signed, "I think one of those things is what led me to this. I mean, having no memory and one-hundred years passing." Oro nodded. "There was a voice. I think it might've been the princess. She was crying and I couldn't do anything about it."

"It's possible. You've still got a ways to go. I know it sucks but, maybe you should focus on remembering other things and wait for them to come naturally. It'll make it easier," he said, ruffling Link's hair. The hero nodded, giving him a gentle smile.

They both jumped as they heard someone clearing their throat. Looking up, Oro blushed as he saw Sidon eying him. "Good morning," He greeted, flashing them both a smile. He came in. "How's your leg?"

"Sore, but it's healing."

Sidon nodded. "I'd like to take you both to speak with my father about the help we'll be needing. After, I will take you back to the healer. She said she wanted to work slowly, didn't she?"

Oro nodded. "Yeah. It's not too bad that she was worried but her focus was stopping the pain and restitching it last night," He confirmed, making Link frown. "Seriously, stop. I'm fine." Sidon frowned in confusion. "He's blaming himself. We'd just fought a Hinox and unfortunately, our little battle had grabbed the Guardian's attention."

"You fought a Hinox?" Sidon asked in shock before smiling broadly. "That's incredible! You're both amazing!"

Link chuckled as Oro blushed. Link made to help Oro redress, blinking as he noticed the Zora tensing. He raised an eyebrow to him, to which the Zora shook his head and looked away, though the hero did catch him glancing at Oro a couple of times.

Oro got up, favoring the leg for a moment before putting weight on it. He followed Link and the prince when Link gripped his wrist. The bard hummed in confusion before Link passed him his harp. he beamed and held it to his chest. "Thank you," He sighed in relief.

Sidon blinked. "That's right. You'd said you were a bard. Is that a harp?"

"Sure is. I'll play it for you later, if you'd like," He said, attaching it to his hip. "Let's do this meeting first though."


"The Hylians Sidon brought here, correct?" The king of Zora said in way of greeting. Link and Oro nodded. The king smiled a slight when he saw Sidon shifting closer to Oro. "You did well to come all the way here. Especially after being chased by a Guardian." The two bowed their heads in gratitude.

Sidon watched Oro as Dorephan spoke, curious about his reactions. He also studied his leg when Dorephan said, "Now that I've truly looked at you, it's clear. You're Link. Do not tell me you've forgotten me."

He blinked as the memory suddenly hit him and he gaped. "The Hylian Champion? You can't mean the Link? That Champion?! So that's where I have heard your name before! What a fateful coincidence that we could cross paths!" Sidon beamed brightly, wanting nothing more than to run to Link.

Link blinked in confusion. "I cannot believe it. The Hylian Champion, Link, has appeared before us... We have met numerous times, I'll have you know. Ah... So many memories! My mind is overflowing with nostalgia, my friend. I'd heard a terrible rumor that you had fallen in combat, but it appears you managed to survive. Extraordinary!" Dorephan exclaimed.

Link made to sign but when no one reacted, Oro stepped forward. "King Dorephan, I don't know if he was like this beforehand, but when he'd taken an oath of knighthood, he also had taken a vow of silence. He says he'd been sleeping all this time."

Dorephan nodded. "Yes. It'll make things easier if you were to retreat...erm...?"

"Oro the Bard, your highness."

"So you're the one who fought alongside my son, the archer," The King said with a smile. "Thank you for that. I don't think I could bear to lose another of my family." He then looked to Link. "It seems you are unable to remember me. But surely you must remember my precious daughter, Mipha, yes? You do, do you not?"

Link shook his head and signed, Oro translating. "The deep slumber within the temple he'd been lain in has caused amnesia. He is trying his best to remember but some things are much harder in this state."

Dorephan frowned as he saw the shiver that went through Link as the Hylian gulped. "Still, I cannot believe it... Have you truly forgotten my dear Mipha as well? You and Mipha were so close... Yet you do not remember her? Young hero... Please look upon the beauty of Zora's Domain. Do you see that statue? Does gazing upon Mipha's immortalized form still not jog your memory? Well, perhaps your memory will return in time. I dearly hope so," The king tried, seeming desperate for his old friend.

Sidon stepped in when Link frowned. "Father... I do not believe discussing my sister is helping matters at the moment. Link seems confused."

The large Zora nodded. "Yes, of course. But first, it is worth noting how remarkable it is that Sidon brought a Champion here without realizing it! That is quite a feat, my boy!" He chuckled, smiling adoringly to his son. Oro smirked as he looked to Sidon, catching the blush that went of the Zora's cheeks. "That is a good one! Link, I doubt not that you have endured a great many trials. Still, I must ask you to hear my plea. Now then. Hero... I must inform you that Zora's Domain is in danger of vanishing because of Divine Beast Vah Ruta. I shall do you the courtesy of speaking bluntly. We alone cannot stop this beast. Will you lend us your strength?"

It was then the royal advisor, Muzu, suddenly exclaimed, "What?! King Dorephan! My liege! Please do not speak so! To ask a Hylian for help... Why the very thought of it curls my fins!" in disgust.

Oro frowned at that as Dorephan sighed in disappointment. "Muzu, I expected more of you. How can you still protest?"

Sidon glared at the advisor. "Muzu! It is rude to speak that way to your king and his guests. Link and Oro are here because I invited them! With such unprecedented rainfall, we have no choice but to rely on the aid of a trustworthy Hylian. Have we not already discussed this and arrived at that very conclusion? They are the key to saving Zora's Domain. I have no doubt in my mind."

"Indeed!" Dorephan said firmly. "Link is a Champion, through and through. As things stand now, Zora's Domain... Nay! Perhaps all of Hyrule... is doomed to be swallowed by the sea. This is bigger than all of us, my friend. Zora and Hylians alike must put aside our differences and band together."

The advisor snarled in disgust, glaring at the Champion and Bard. "Have you forgotten already, my king?! We cannot trust these lowly Hylians! A hundred years ago, they abused the power of an ancient civilization and turned Hyrule into what it is today! And that is not the least of it!" His face fell as he glared at the ground. "It is their fault that Lady Mipha was lost to us..."

Dorephan watched the advisor as a heavy silence settled over the throne room. He then looked to the Hylians, opting to ignore the Zora. "Link... Divine Beast Vah Ruta has great power. It is the unique ability to create an endless supply of water. Of late it has been mercilessly spouting water into the air. As a result, this area has been plagued by heavy rains. For us Zora, water and air are as one, so you would not think this would be quite so critical of a problem. Sadly, the rains have filled the eastern reservoir nearly to the point of flooding. If the reservoir bursts, as it soon will, I fear immense damage will befall not only Zora's Domain... but also the area downstream from us. There, Hylian lives are in very grave danger."

As if to emphasize the king's point, a loud bellow was heard from the reservoir. "Hmm... The Divine Beast is crying out once again..." The king muttered.

Oro blinked, seeing the trunk of the beast reaching higher as the rain seemed to increase. He limped over to the railing, watching it curiously. Sidon walked beside him, sighing softly as he watched it. Dorephan was explaining what he could to Link as Oro and Sidon watched the beast from the rail.

"Are you alright?" Sidon whispered to him. "Muzu seemed to have upset you."

Oro smiled softly. "You know how sometimes older folk are so set in their ways, not even danger can change that?" Sidon covered his mouth to hold in the laugh that threatened to escape before nodding.

Oro blinked when Muzu suddenly stormed out. Dorephan sighed. "I'd tasked Muzu with finding information on shock arrows but...ever since we lost my daughter, he's grown to despise Hylians, much like the rest of the older Zora on the council."

Sidon frowned. "Link. Don't let his words concern you. I'll go speak with him." Sidon then hurried out, chasing after the old creature.

"You should go to," Dorephan told Link. "Muzu can help you get the arrows but...Take this with you." He reached down and handed Link a suit of armor. Oro gaped in surprise. "With this, you can swim like a Zora."

"That's beautiful!" Oro said, smiling. He blinked. "Hold on." Oro limped back over and held it against Link's chest. "This fits you almost perfectly." Dorephan chuckled as Oro looked up at him. He then looked away as Link made to put it on over his tunic. When he looked back, Oro gaped. "It's like it was made for you!"

Link blushed at that and smiled before hurrying out of the throne room. Oro made to follow but Dorephan said, "Bard, might I speak with you?"

Link frowned and Oro nodded. "Go on. Get the information. I'll be there shortly." Once Link left, Oro looked up at the king. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"I know you've only just met, but my son seems quite fond of you. How does that make you feel?"

Oro blushed. "Before I answer, are you asking as the King of Zoras or as his father?"

Dorephan chuckled. "Smart boy you are. His father."

Oro blushed more and shifted. "I'm not sure yet. I admit I am...I do find him very charming, but that might just be due to coming from a small village and being treated with such formality suddenly. But, ever since we met, he's been...protective of me. It's so strange and I don't understand why. Is it a Zora thing?"

"I do believe so. I'll have to ask him about it later. For now, go help Link. Though, knowing that boy, he's going to do what he can to stop you from doing much. Your leg has them both worried."

Oro blushed and nodded, bowing before limping out.


"Do you really remember her?" Sidon asked Link softly, making Oro blink as Link nodded. Sidon gulped. "Do you remember me?"

Oro stared at Link's hands moved. "Little Guppy," He signed. Sidon then hugged the champion tightly, making him grunt in shock and pain as he laughed.

"You do remember! This is glorious, simply astounding. It makes me incredibly happy!" The prince laughed before turning and seeing Oro. He set Link down and sighed. "Oro, you shouldn't walk around so much on that."

"How else will I get around-Ah!" He yelped as the Zora lifted him, holding him in the crook of his arm. "Geez. You do this and I feel like a child," He grumbled, making the Zora chuckle. "So," The bard said, looking to Link. "What's our plan?"

"Get the shock arrows from the Lynel on Ploymus Mountain," Link signed before pointing to the peak. "I am going to go get them. You are going to rest your leg."

"What? No! I can help!" Oro protested.

"Oro, please," Sidon said gently as Link signed, "No. You can barely walk as is without stopping. This is my fault. We should've stayed in Kakiriko longer before leaving."

Oro frowned. "Link, I'm fine. I can handle it."

Link glared a slight, making Oro sigh softly as Sidon said, "It really is for the best. I don't think you could survive if you cannot run from it. Please. Let the healers take care of you while Link gets the arrows."

Oro looked up at the Zora and nodded. "Alright." He then glared at Link. "You better come back in one piece though."

Link smiled and saluted before making his way. Sidon hollored after him, "Come find me once you have them so we can discuss a strategy!" Link waved his hand as he ran, indicating he heard. Sidon nodded and walked towards the healers. "Now to get you some rest."

"I swear, you've claimed me as your own," Oro teased. He blushed as he noticed other Zora staring. "Sidon, they're looking."

"Don't mind them. They're probably just surprised to see a Hylian here."

Oro wasn't sure if that was the reason they were staring but nodded nevertheless.