Trial of Keys

V2.4

By: (o'.')o

Disclaimer:

Pikachu brought Zelda!! It's in the news! He's the new owner! But since he himself is owned by Nintendo, I suppose the Legend of Zelda and all subsequent related characters are property of Nintendo.

Notes from the Author:

This is the 8th installment in a series. To see the last few installments, visit Fanfiction.net , use the SEARCH for AUTHOR and type in (o'.')o. Sorry my name is so damn complicated, but you know how it is.

These characters have the same name, but are NOT the same characters from past Zelda games. Think of them being one in a long historical line.

*******

In the last Chapter:

Link defeated the Lost Kids, and with the help of Saria and her fairy, Esea, he defeated the Boss of the Lost Woods to procure the Forest Key. That being done, Saria and Link leave to join the others on the quest for the other two keys. Link wasn't that conscious, however, when Saria decided to join.

And now, on with the story.

*******

The sun was beating down quite heavily on our intrepid group of travelers. Their number has now increased to four ( not including Esea )…with two horses between them. In layman's terms, this meant some of them had to walk.

Well...one of them actually. Link. Malon and Saria used Epona, while Zelda rode on her horse 'Destiny.'. Link grumbled as he trudged on through the beautiful Hyrulian landscape. He would have been riding Epona if Saria didn't insist she come along the journey.

Link did enjoy Saria's company, after all, they did talk sometimes about the days when Link was younger, but not too much. However, Link felt betrayed. By the time he was fully conscious, the Kokiri woods had been locked away from them, and the other girls had accepted Saria in their journey. Without his input! "I'm the bloody leader damn it!", Link thought.

The truth was, Link didn't want any of them traveling with him. It was far too dangerous. Link kept thinking about the hit Saria had received in the lost woods. If it wasn't for Esea, she'd be dead. There was no doubt about it. Link also knew that that kind of threat lingered over the heads of Malon and Zelda too. Link voiced his opinion, but they refused to leave. As far as they were concerned, it was their quest too.

Link didn't buy it.

He also didn't buy the civility act between the three girls. Sure, they looked like they got along…but Link started to get used to their looks, and their body language. The way Zelda would peer at Saria and Malon sidelong from atop of her horse. The way Malon would talk with Saria, and laugh, while at the same time tensing up her upper body. Link saw the way Saria would communicate with the two, but refuse to look at them in the eye at the end of the discussion. Link was pretty sure, these girls were not getting along.

Link didn't know why. They came from different walks of life, sure enough, but they were all very likable. Why didn't they get along, he didn't know. What he did know, was that as long as they continued to not get along, there would be trouble. Link couldn't afford trouble…not now.

The girls decided it was high time for a break in the travel. So they found a patch of green with several thin trees placed around, and decided to rest there. A stream flowed next to the area, so it was the idea spot anyway.

Link immediately fell to his bottom, not looking at the other girls, feeling the heat and pressure leave his feet. He sighed and relief, and was thinking of his next route. Zelda looked at him from a few meters away and spoke.

"Where do we go, Link?" she asked, as if reading his mind. "Do you have an idea?"

Link didn't look back. "Well…fire and water…that's what we need right?" he glanced over to the flowing stream to his right. "Well, there's water over there."

Malon began to feed Epona. "Well, it should be in a holy or important Water place…like the Kokiri Water was for the Forest Key." Malon said, glancing at Link. "Maybe Lake Hylia?"

Link slowly shook his head. "You're right, Mally, but it's not Lake Hylia." He turned and looked at her, half smiling. "It's probably with the Zora."

Zelda nodded approvingly. Apparently, she had deduced the same thing. Link glanced at her with annoyance. "If you have ideas, Princess, would you mind sharing them with the rest of us?"

"But you're doing so well by yourself, Sage Link." she said sarcastically, rubbing her dress straight, and taking a seat under a tree.

Link sighed in exasperation. "Do you know how to get to Zora's Kingdom?" he asked her.

Zelda shrugged. "Without growing gills?" she smiled. "Yes, I know a way. We can go in a few hours."

"We can go now." Link said, getting up. He walked over to the princess, took her by both arms and pulled her to her feet. "Break-time's over, Princess. We move."

Zelda stared at him, blushing in anger …and something else. "How dare you!" she said between gritted teeth. "You ask before touching me!"

"I'm sorry… I'm getting senile in my old age.", Link smiled.

"Don't smile! And we're not going now! We just started our break!" Malon and Saria were watching the exchange intensely. Link glanced at them too.

"I'm the leader, we're moving now." He told her. "If you don't like it, then please…feel free to leave." Zelda stared at him, mouth open. Link gently brought a gloved hand up and brought her chin up to closer her mouth. Zelda's eyes widened…but Link wasn't finished.

When he saw that she wasn't moving, he put his arms around her waist and lifted her back atop Destiny…astride the horse…which wasn't the way Zelda rode. The young princess looked like she was going to explode.

Link handed her reigns to her, then looked at the other two, who were staring shocked. "Well?" he said in a certain tone. Quickly, Malon and Saria got back atop Epona.

Link nodded and looked to Zelda. She was blushing furiously. "If you please, princess." He said, smiling. Zelda gave him a nasty look, re-positioned herself on her horse, and started moving.

Link sighed inwardly. "Well, if they're gonna stick along…they'd better get used to some orders." He thought. Link straightened his boots and started walking along side Zelda, towards the Kingdom of Zora.

********

Zelda had taken them up to the Zora's Fountain, a giant Waterfall west of the Kokiri Forest. It was a mighty waterfall that stood alongside many natural rock formations that created platforms cases towards the Fall. They were difficult to navigate, and many times, the four had to wade in the cold water of the basin of the Falls.

Epona and Destiny were left in the field outside the entrance to the Fall Basin. Zelda and Saria had created a spell that would ward thieves away from the well-bred mares, while giving them ample room to graze and even gallop if they wanted to. It couldn't be helped, there was no way the horses would be able to make it up the Basin to the head of the Waterfall.

Eventually, Zelda, Link, Malon and Saria reached the top of the raging waters. Link looked down the ledge precariously. The water was so falling so hard, it would have pulverized small rocks. He gulped and glanced at Zelda.

"I can see an entrance through the water…how are we supposed to get through?" he asked her.

Zelda peered back at him, still irritated at the stunt he had pulled a few hours earlier. "We jump." She said.

"Jump!?"

"And hope we don't get crushed to death." Zelda smiled. "Of course, I can levitate with my power… you on the other hand." She glanced at the other girls knowingly. They put on a morbid smile.

Link nearly fainted right then and there. Zelda stifled a laugh with her slim gloved hand. She then raised her left palm against the raging Waterfall.

The symbol of the Triforce shone fiercely, especially the Triangle that represented Farore, the Goddess of Wisdom. Link watched in awe as the waters began to flow slower and slower until they were just drips falling to the basin. The opening to the Kingdom of the Zora was completely cleared.

Link gaped at Zelda, then shook his head. "Don't….do that ….. again." he warned. Zelda simply laughed and skipped across into the opening. Malon and Saria both gave Link looks and followed her.

Link hung his head. He simply thought "Crap", and followed them in.

***********

Link and the others looked around in amazement. They thought the waterfall was impressive enough, but the inside of the Zora Domain was….mind-bogglingly amazing.

The walls of the giant cave were covered with a crystal that reflected the water that poured down from the higher rises of the cave, making the entire place look like it was accosted with falling water. A stone spiraling platform was created by the Zora to accommodate the Land Dwellers, several centuries ago at the advent of the Treaty with Hyrule and the other races.

The cavern wasn't the only thing to stare at, there were the Zoran people themselves. Most of them tall and proud. They were an attractive people in their own right, very athletic and muscular, with lean faces and sharp blue tinted eyes. All of them varied in the way the tendrils at the top of their heads were created. Some, like Ruto, had them created to fall around their face like thick hairs. Others had just one mighty tentacle that fell down their backs. All of the Zorans were completely buck-naked.

Link noticed another aspect of the Zora to stare at…actually, the Zoran woman. They were …uh….well...let's just say that when puberty rolled around, the Goddesses were very very generous. The woman were well endowed…a quite many few of them. Link couldn't help but stare. Now he knew what Ruto had meant when she was complaining to him.*

*A Kid Named Link V1.2

Zelda peered at him, smiling sarcastically. "Enjoying yourself?" she asked simply "I'm glad you enjoy the view.". With that, she started up the platform, hiding a smile. That lone statement slammed Link back to reality, not to mention embarrassed the crap out of him. Link turned several shades of red and followed the princess and the other girls up the platform, staring at his boots the whole time.

"This…is so beautiful" Saria said quietly. Esea bobbed up and down in an exaggerated nod. "I've never seen anything like it." She took another step up the platform, when three splashes from the huge pool a few meters below them caught her attention.

Just like that, 3 tall Zoran males landed right in front of the foursome, the water quickly falling off their bodies. They were armed with 5 foot long tridents, and they were pointed at the party right now.

Link put his hand on his sword, but Zelda spoke up before any move could be made. "I am Princess Zelda of Hyrule." She said in a such a loud and commanding voice, that the Zora's were almost inclined to kneel and bow in front of her. " I've come here with Link and Malon of LonLon Ranch, and Saria of the Kokiri ." Saria bristled at that remark…but let it slide. "We've come by command of the Land Sage to seek the Water Key."

The Zoras looked at her coldly. "The Water Key is not here." The middle one said harshly. "Now Leave."

Zelda continued. "Well then, you should show us to your King. Maybe he would know how to…." She trailed off when she saw the shocked and murderous look in the Zora's faces. They leveled their Tridents and prepared to attack.

Zelda brought her hands around her, creating a sphere of blue energy. The first Zora attacked her, and his Trident broke off the invincible sphere. Malon, who had been carrying around her Quarter Staff this whole time, used it now. She slammed it between the ankles of the first Zora, and then yanked it to the side, bringing the man down hard on his back.

The other two attacked. Malon parried the attack of the second Zora, whipped around and brought the butt of her staff into his neck. He fell gasping for air. More Zora where now jumping up into the platform.

Saria whipped out her Ocarina and began to play a slow melodious sound. The Zora around them suddenly became woozy, only for a few seconds. This allowed the girls to push the back down into the Pool below.

Link smiled. This was more fun than fighting himself, and less deadly too, not to mention he enjoyed the view. Pretty girls fighting naked fish people aside, he decided it was time to try negotiations again, when a Zora grabbed him from behind, his powerful arms locked around Links chest.

"H…Hey!" Link gasped, before the Zora pulled him down several meters into the Pool below.

"Link!" the girls cried. Link splashed hard into the Pool below.

Zelda was turned and stormed up the platform, completely enraged. If she'd have to take the King hostage to end this, she would.

Mean while, Link was several feet in the water, when he managed to break out from the Zora's grasp. Instead of going up for air, Link dove further into the depths, snatching a rock off the floor of the pool. He swam back to the surface, breaking water and gasping heavily for breath. Link then made it to the shore, where several Zora awaited him.

"Did you just take that rock from the floor?", one asked in amazement. Link looked at him, then the rock. He was soaked and tired, and he supposed he didn't know what he was thinking.

"Yeah…" he admitted. "I dunno, I guess I was going to bash someone's head in or something."

The Zora looked amongst themselves. It seemed that they were impressed by this feat of aquatics. Link straightened. "Hey, we came in peace! Why'd you attack us!?"

The Zora conferred amongst themselves again. Then the one that spoke to Link earlier spoke to him again. "You said you wanted to see the King. The King had informed us not to even dare think of letting anyone see him. He considered all that isn't Zora an enemy."

Link was puzzled. "Hey…I thought we were all allies?" he said with a look demanding an answer.

The Zora's looked at themselves again, then looked at Link. The one talking to him sighed. "The princess is missing."

********

Atop the spiral platform, Zelda was being held back by a half-dozen scrambling Zora. While Zelda didn't have any offensive spells, her sphere was nearly impenetrable, and that meant she could mow down whoever was in her way.

In this case, she had her cutters set on the huge, sad faced Zoran that sat on the crystal boulder across the small lake from her.

Saria and Malon looked at her with concern. "Zelda…don't you think this is a bit much?" Malon asked gently.

"After what they did to Li--" Zelda stopped and corrected herself. "—to me, this isn't enough!" she raged. She expanded the sphere around her, flinging all the Zora that were pressing themselves against it several feet in all directions.

"Hey, relax" a voice called from behind her. Zelda looked back and saw Link walking up the platform, surrounded by a platoon of Zora.

"You idiot!" she chided, "You let them take you prisoner!"

"No I didn't!" Link shot back. He pointed up to the King that sat silently across the pool. " He ordered them to do that because he's depressed. His daughter, the princess, is missing."

Immediately, Zelda dropped her shield. She knew that if she was missing, her father would tear down Kingdom looking for her. She had told her High-Guard what she was planning to do, and that he should relay the message to the King. Zelda knew that if she had told him directly, she never would have been able to leave the castle.

Zelda turned, golden curls swinging, towards the king. "I apologize, my Lord." She said humbly.

"Leave." The king sighed in a voice so deep, it resonated among the crystal walls.

"We can't!" Malon exclaimed. "We need to find the Water Key! Please, my Lord…If you can help."

"Leave" the king of the Zora repeated

Link walked up, standing next to Zelda. "Sir…on my honor, if you help me find the Water Key, I will find your daughter."

Zelda turned sharply at Link. "No!" she mouthed. "We have no time for that!!"

Link continued. "I swear to you and the Goddesses, no matter how long it takes, I wont rest until I find the Princess!"

The other Zora gasped. The King brought his head up to look at Link. Zelda and Malon stood wide-eyed, horrified. Saria just looked sadly at Link. They knew that it could take forever to find this Princess. They had no idea where to even begin to look. Link had just completely sabotaged their quest.

Link knew it too. He had to do it though, the King knew where to get the Water Key, and he wasn't speaking. He needed something shocking enough to pull him out of his grief, so that he could tell Link what he needed to know.

Link only prayed the Goddesses would show him mercy and help him look for this girl.

The King looked at Link for a long time. Link saw the intense grief in his face. "He'd be willing to do anything." Link thought. "That's both a good thing…and a bad thing."

The King brought a hand up slowly, and Malon, Zelda and Saria winked out of existence. Link darted forward into the space where they were at.

"Find the Water Key, then bring me my daughter.", Grumbled the grief-stricken King. "Bring her to me in exchange of those three."

"My Lord!" Link shouted. "You can trust my wor-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Link too vanished from the company of the King.

*******

Link landed on the soft ground with a wet thud. He got to his feet quickly, not wanting to get too wet. The ground was soaked and soft…and pink. He looked around, the surroundings were pink and…organic…not at all like the pretty surroundings of the Zora's Cavern. It smelled worse too. Much worse…like rotting fish.

Link took a squishy step forward, and noticed something bulbous hanging from the ceiling above him. On a hunch, he unsheathed his sword, and poked the object. It wiggled, along with the entire cavern.

Link spread his arms to balance himself during the vibrations. When it stopped, he turned around slowly, he had a good idea where he was, but he needed to be sure.

In front of him were rows upon rows of huge, yellow teeth. Most of them had scraps of flesh between them. Link gulped and cursed silently.

He knew he now had to navigate the insides of a giant fish.

NEXT: Remember way back in a Kid Named Link v1.2, at the end of Ruto's meeting with him. Yeeeep that's right. Heh heh. Thought I'd ignore that? Next chapter, Link does navigate the inside of a giant fish, to confront an unexpected threat. Can he kill two birds with one stone? Please Review this one. Thanks, and see ya! (o'.')o