A/N Thank you to those who gave me nice reviews they are greatly appreciated.
The hall became packed as hundreds of excited people came to watch the next match. Link had been watching the old brown oak door waiting for Ruto to make her grand entrance. As if on cue she stormed through the doors followed by her Zora supporters who she had most probably bribed to be there. The small crowd of Zoras found a row of seats near the front of the audience. Link himself had asked to have a seat at the side of the battle square so he could keep on eye on Ruto in case she decided to play dirty.
Ruto slowly made her way to the side benches to wait for her turn. Link started to think about what magic Saria would use. He then had an idea.
Link stood up and made his way over to Saria who looked as though she was going to be sick from all the nerves.
"Link I don't think I can do this. I don't even like battles."
"Link sat beside her and held her hand.
"You'll be fine especially with these."
Link took out his three magic spells. Saria looked confused.
"Link that's really sweet of you but I don't know how to use any of them."
"You'll know when the time comes." With that Link gently kissed her on the cheek and got up to go back to his seat.
Ruto had seen their whole conversation but she had not heard any of it. She picked up her book of sage magic which her mother had left for her after she had suddenly passed away. The book was quite old, it had a battered dark blue cover and on the inside many sage spells were neatly written in Zora script. Ruto quickly flicked through the dusty pages reading some of the spells. She read many spells until she found one that took her interest.
"Perfect! Forest girl won't have a whirlpool of a chance against me." Ruto began to laugh evilly attracting funny looks from the people near her.
Zelda had just entered the hall. Today was her first match and she wanted to take a quick look around before they started. Zelda scanned the challenger benches, she noticed Saria and hurried over to her.
"Hi Saria I see you are in the square today. Who are you against?"
Saria looked up with a weak smile.
"Our own darling Ruto." She replied sarcastically.
Zelda winced at the thought of losing to Ruto. She knew that who ever Ruto beat she would make sure they knew for at least the next five years.
"Oh that's too bad and on your first match." Zelda smiled sympathetically still wondering who she herself would be against.
The crowd became silent as a short footman appeared and walked up to the front of the hall.
"Welcome again ladies and gentlemen to the second day of the National Tournament. Today we will bring you some more great battles."
Another taller footman stepped forward with a list in his hand.
"In the first square will be Ruto of the Zora against Saria of the Kokiri."
At the mention of the twosages the crowd went wild
Ruto jumped up and ran into the square waving like crazy to all of the crowd. Saria closely followed her but didn't turn into a mad loon sucking up to the crowd.
"In the second square Princess Zelda of Hyrule shall be against Darunia of the Gorons.
Darunia and Zelda took their places in the square.
"LET THE BATTLES COMMENCE!"
Ruto and Saria wasted no time in small weak attacks, both were out to win.
"POWER OF WATER!"
"POWER OF THE FOREST!"
A bright blue blast crashed into a bright green blast causing a mega explosion. Amazingly both girls remained on their feet throughout the blast. Ruto was fuming so she shot a series of sparkling blue orbs for Saria. Saria side jumped past the orbs. Ruto summoned a massive dark blue orb and flung it for Saria. Saria summoned a similar orb but of a green colour. The crowds thought she was going to try and stop the blue orb but the young sage surprised them all even Link.
Saria pointed the orb to the floor, the blast was so strong it shot her up into the air as the blue orb sailed past. Saria quickly said something in the air that no one could hear. By this time Ruto was furious at how Saria had dodged some of her strongest attacks, it was now time for the ultimate magic. A sly smile crept onto Ruto's face.
"WHIRLING WATERS!"
A large whirlpool rocketed out of the ground. Saria had no chance or did she?
"FARORE'S WIND!"
Saria yelled just as the whirling water was about to take her under. Saria warped up into the air to the warp port she had created earlier. The spell engulfed her in a green bubble so she could stand in the air.
Ruto screamed in rage as her whirlpool vanished. She started shooting blue blasts at Saria but the bubble blocked them.
Saria had no idea what to do. The bubble wouldn't hold much longer and if she fell Ruto would surely summon another whirlpool. Saria looked around the cheering crowds, she then looked down to Link. His face was full of determination he knew she could win this battle it showed in his eyes. Those eyes that made her feel new strength, those eyes that made her feel love. Suddenly Saria began to glow a light pink. Powers of strength and love flowed through her body, she could feel the energy powering up ready to escape any minute.
Link also felt the power but in a different way. He felt his strength and love leaving his body, he was giving it to Saria.
The bubble burst, as Saria flew through the air the energy took over her body.
"STRENGTH OF LOVE!"
A bright pink blast exploded down right for Ruto. Ruto franticly shot blue orbs at the pink light but it was no good the energy hit Ruto and sent her flying out of the squareinto the crowds.
Saria landed neatly on the ground as the footman ran into the square.
"The winner is Saria of the Kokiri!"
A great cheer went up from all sides of the hall. Saria was overwhelmed from all of the noise she was also really tired from using so much energy.
Link ran into the square giving Saria a mighty bear hug. Saria wrapped her arms around Link and laid her head on his shoulder closing her eyes and whispering a loving thank you.
Link led Saria back to the benches her head still on his shoulder as they sat down. Link pulled her close to him putting both his arms around her. No words were needed both knew what the other was feeling.
Ruto was shocked. In all her days as a sage she had never seen such magic. But that was no ordinary magic it seemed special like magic that only comes from someone you love. Ruto was also mad at losing yet another match she had to pull herself together and try harder on the island challenge.
In the match against Zelda and Darunia, Zelda had won by a mile. Darunia was just too slow for some of the other contestants.
Link was so relieved that Saria had won. For a few minutes he had thought Ruto had the edge with that whirlpool of hers. Just then the hall doors opened and in walked Alfos Red. Alfos like always was wearing his dark purple cloak and had the hood covering his face.
Alfos made his way to the empty spot next to Link and Saria. Saria who was feeling a little better opened her eyes and was shocked when she saw who was next to them. Link could feel her shaking in his arms, he held her tightly not wanting to let go in case something or more like someone tried to take her away from him. Link wouldn't be able to handle that again so he wasn't going to take any chances.
One of the footmen came over to Alfos.
"Ah hello Mr. Red I see you have come to watch some of the day's last battles."
Alfos just nodded quietly not bothering to look up at the footman.
Alfos then stood up and went to the small stall selling refreshments.
Link didn't trust that guy one bit, there was something not quite right about him especially the hood part.
A few hours later Link and Saria arrived back in the forest. It had passed sun down and both of them were getting tired. They walked to the entrance of Saria's house where they said goodnight and parted ways. Tomorrow was the day Link would face Alfos Red and see what his powers were really like. Did Link have the power to beat him?
A/N That was my fave chapter. Please review nicely.
