Chapter 5

The hot sun beat down on Ruto's back, scorching her skin. Her ceraceous blue fins were marred by the dry land, and her throat was parched with her craving for water. Zelda urged her onwards, always several steps ahead.

"I can't go on," Ruto gasped, her voice cracking.

"You have to," Zelda replied.

Ruto glared back at her, trudging through the tall, sienna grasses. "Why is Hyrule so big?" she muttered, wiping her forehead.

"Really Ruto, it's not too much farther now. Stop complaining," Zelda said sternly. "We're doing this for your people, there are sacrifices that must be made."

"But I'm exhausted," she whined.

"Live with it," Zelda continued to walk on, jaded by Ruto's constant quetch.

"But I'm thirsty! And it's hot outside! And..."

"Ruto, you took this upon yourself," Zelda whirled around, smoothing back her thick blond hair that was now drenched in sweat, "If you're not up to it, then I suggest we turn back now. But if you really want to save your people, you have to give of yourself. How many times must I tell you this?"

Ruto rolled her eyes, quickening her pace to define her determination, "A lot Zelda, a whole lot."

"We're almost at Lake Hylia," the princess added.

"You still haven't told me, just why we're going there," Ruto muttered wryly.

"But I already told you that I can't tell you why as of yet," Zelda retorted, chuckling at her slurred, confusing phrase.

"Sometimes, you're to deep for me," Ruto snickered back.

The sun faded, eventually bringing about a cool, refreshing shower. The sky darkened, and clouds surrounded the realm, pierced by the sun that hid behind them. As the two approached the gateway of Lake Hylia, the temperature had dropped, and the ground was chilled and moist with the rain.

"I'm cold, and wet," Zelda coughed, shivering.

Ruto smiled at her smugly, "Sacrifice..." she echoed.

"Be quiet," Zelda snapped, wrapping her arms around her shoulders for warmth.

* * * *

Lake Hylia seemed to stretch on everlastingly, bordering Hyrule with its infinite waters. Often, Ruto had come here to simply think on her role, on her meaning, on her very existence. It seemed different now. She only began going there when Hyrule was threatened, and she'd never seen it for what it truly was: a lake. Somewhere where she could relax, and be herself. And at the moment, somewhere that could prove to save her foundation of life.

She listened intently to the soft air of the crickets, hardly daring to speak, as she would break this ultimate silencing melody that echoed all around her.

"What are we doing here?" she whispered, letting the breezes of the water surround and engulf her in their folds.

"I know not if this is where we must be. But I'm sure that it links to what we must find," Zelda murmured.

"I cannot understand your never ending riddles, Zelda. Speak the truth," Ruto's voice twinkled in the frigid air, fading in and out of the light, then back into the darkness.

"Listen to my words, and you'll understand what I know, not what I say," Zelda smiled mysteriously, backing into the shadows.

Ruto stepped nearer, her body tensed by their surroundings and her urgent desire to free her people and land, "I'm not like that. Just tell me."

"We must regain order in your realm, before we can restore its lost years to life," Zelda pursed her lips together, awaiting Ruto's enquiry.

It didn't come.

"I know what you mean Zelda. And I think you're right," she said, her voice stirring with relief. "But I'm worried. What if...?"

"Hush, we can't afford to think thoughts like that. Every moment we waste is fatal, for we don't know where we should begin our search."

"This is where the answer is. Zelda, I can feel it," Ruto stepped away from the princess, squinting at the center island of the lake. "What's out there?" she asked, pointing.

"Nothing that I know of. Beneath it is your sanctuary, the water temple," Zelda glanced at the water that encased the small mountain of earth.

"We should look over there," Ruto strolled calmly over to the water's edge, where it licked the sand shores.

"I haven't a swimming costume," Zelda's voice was tinted with a definite uncertainty.

"You don't need one," Ruto giggled, making a graceful dive into the lake. She popped her head out, shivering in the cooling relief of the water flowing over her skin. The water rippled in from the shore, the tide moving steadily. The moon's reflection was mirrored on the water, spherical and honey shaded. "For once, just for this moment, everything seems to be exactly as it should be," Ruto whispered.

* * * *

Zelda coughed up water as she grasped the dry earth between her hands. Gasping for breath, she pulled herself onto the bank of the island.

"I've been waiting for about twenty minutes," Ruto said, perched atop a stone pedestal.

"I'm no Zora," Zelda growled, wringing out her layers of sodden cloth.

"Zelda, I noticed something here. What is it?" Ruto dismounted the structure, and ran her fingers over an embossed inscription on its base, "It's in Hylian, isn't it?"

"I believe it's directions for receiving the fire arrows. The goddesses work in strange ways," Zelda replied, not even glancing at the verse.

"No, it's nothing like that. Come read it."

Zelda skimmed over it, her face creasing with suspicion and curiosity. Hesitantly, she began to read, "it's a prophecy," she breathed...

Eye to eye

We all must see

The order's as it shouldn't be

Return the realm

By sacred ways

By noticing the bygone days

With water pure

And soul afire

Time will melt

Old ways retire

Moments ago all was clear

The downfall was because of fear

Sacrifice what needs to be

Yet you must give

Eternally

Don't be afraid

Keep a strong heart

And light will reign

The vale of darkness to part

"I don't understand it..." Ruto whispered.

"But I do," Zelda whispered, "And you must know of the first lines. We were right. The only way to return your world's purity is to return it's order and law. Ruto, who's most sacred to your people? Who rules them by night and day?"

"Our Lord..." Ruto paused, "Jabu-Jabu."

"That's what I thought all along. Without Lord Jabu-Jabu, chaos has erupted for the Zoras. He was the one who maintained your society and people, though few knew of his true role. Only when Jabu-Jabu is found, will the Zoras prosper once more."

"Only when he is found, will the Zoras live once more."