Chapter 7

Ruto turned the whale onto its back, overseeing the tolls that death had payed to him. She poured some more iced water over his corpse, still precisely as it looked when he'd lived. Somehow, death hadn't yet scarred his sacred body, and it seemed as if he could swim away at any moment...but it never happened.

"Water pure?" she mumbled, "the Zora water is the purest in all of Hyrule, what more can I do?" She gently rubbed his head, letting the moisture melt into his skin.

It was scary, watching him lay so still. On the pedestal he looked so regal, and yet there was something missing...and Ruto could never again replace it, never again give it back.

Merely getting the great creature back to its haven was a feat that had seemed impossible. She still felt wretched having denied even a race as lowly as the Gerudos of her trust. Thievery was so lowly, and when she'd just learned that everyone had their human side...

She shook her head, pushing such thoughts to the darkest recesses of her mind.

"Are you Ruto?"

"Who's there?" the Zora whispered, her eyes fleeting over her surroundings. She drew back, but then smiled slightly seeing the voice's source; a lucent, agleam faerie. "Yes, I'm Ruto. But who are you?"

The faerie hovered in the air, its wings beating against the wind, "Navi. I've been sent from Link to relay a message to you," she cleared her throat significantly.

"Alright, what is it?" Ruto asked, her eyes never straying from Navi. Never before had she seen such a graceful and delicate sight, as of this silvern glow called a faerie.

"He's heard of your plight and of the prophecy, and would like to offer his help if need be," Navi breathed, satisfied that she'd remembered her words.

"That's very chivalrous of him I'm sure, but no one can help me."

"Are you sure? What do you have to lose by simply asking him?" the faerie's voice was so melodic and ariose that Ruto couldn't help but feel enlightened and in higher spirits.

"Very well, I suppose you're right," she murmured.

"Then come with me, and we'll speak with Link right away!"

"I can't go with you. I must stay with Lord Jabu-Jabu at all hours. He cannot be left alone. No one should ever long for someone, when they needn't..." Ruto stroked the whale's fin, feeling its silken finish.

"But he's...passed," Navi said pointedly.

"But I doubt it's eternal. Send Link to me, and tell him what I've said."

"Alright," the faerie muttered skeptically, and with that she flittered off, taking to the skies, soaring through the day and night.

* * * *

"I just can't think of anything," Link muttered, shaking his head. "It's all so...confusing."

"Don't I know it," Ruto sighed, resting her head in her hands.

"Only you can fulfill the prophecy, Ruto. Maybe I can't understand it because it doesn't pertain to..." he broke off, his mind wandering.

"Continue..."

"Water pure," Link echoed, his voice deep and sure, "I think I understand it."

"Well clue me in!" Ruto squealed, practically leaping to her feet.

"Though the Zora waters are sacred, there is more sacred water in Hyrule. Water that breathes with the essence of life, water that can cure your deepest wounds, water that echoes with the foundation of our land, with faeries..."

"The Fairy Fountain," Ruto gasped, her voice trembling.

"You've got to get Jabu-Jabu there before it's too late," Link said earnestly.

"And I will."

* * * *

"I guess it was already too late," Ruto whispered, her eyes tearing. "Too late for him, too late for the Zoras, too late for me." She watched as another faerie set its sweet kiss of life on the whale's flesh. And she watched as he stayed still, not even stirring.

"Faeries can heal those past death, but I guess he's just to large..." Link sighed, "And it seemed so right, it made so much sense. But even a faerie fountain isn't strong enough to heal some wounds."

Ruto glanced at the great creature, laying silently on the white cloth. "Nothing's strong enough to cure the wounds of Hyrule. They were too great, they're were too many."

"I'll help you bring him back."

"No, Link. I'll leave him here, so he can be peaceful in his sleep." Link rose, putting a hand on Ruto's shoulder.

"Everything will be alright, you'll see," he murmured.

"I know it. I'll miss you, Link. You've helped me a great deal."

"I'm sure we'll meet again some time," he grinned at her, trying to provide what little solace he could.

"I don't doubt it," she watched as he walked from the fountain, leaving her alone in the small room. The fountain glimmered with a pale, cerulean light, and twinkling melodies lingered in every breath of the space. The faeries dove through the waters, cooling their bodies and cleansing their souls. Ruto kneeled down, sobs racking her entire body.

"I'll only see him again in death," she whispered," because I won't live alone for eternity. I just can't..." She stood up, drawing in the consoling air of the fountain. It would be that last time she'd ever taste comfort. The last time she'd ever taste life.

From the sheathe of Jabu-Jabu, she drew a pointed sword, short in stature, but so sharp that it could cut the thickest armor cleanly in two. She ran her finger along the blade, reveling in the fact that she'd soon join her people in eternal rest. "I'm so sorry that I let you down, I'm so sorry that I told that tyrant where you rested, and I'm so sorry that I didn't join you before now," and with that she drove the dagger into her chest.