Chapter 4 – The Sapphire
Link ran through Zora's River to go back and check out Zora's Domain. Last time
he'd seen it, it was frozen solid. He scurried through the grass and over the land bridges
heading up to the waterfall. This time, the entrance was conveniently open for him, and
playing Zelda's Lullaby to enter was unnecessary. Link jumped through the water and
into the domain.
The domain was amazing. It felt like a personal utopia of water. Zoras were
everywhere. Link ran through the domain and headed up to see King Zora. Was he still
sitting in the exact same spot? ... Sure enough he was. Link ran up the long stairs to greet
him.
"Hi, King Zora!" said Link.
"Oh, hello there, Link!" replied King Zora.
"When did the domain return to normal?"
"About a couple o' years ago, shortly after the fall of Ganondorf."
"Oh."
"Yeah, we wanted it back and were tired of being at Lake Hylia all the time."
"I can see why."
"Have you said hello to the other Zoras yet?"
"Nope, not really."
Right then Princess Ruto came walking in from Zora's Fountain.
"Daddy, Lord Jabu-Jabu's hungry again!!" said Ruto.
"Well, go get some fish or something!"
"I've already given him seventeen. That huge fish is never satisfied!"
"Well there are bound to be some more."
"By the time Jabu-Jabu is satisfied, all other fish will probably be extinct."
"Just go get some!"
"Well, fine! I'll go get some..." Ruto pauses and looks at Link, "Link? Is that you?"
"Yes, Hi Ruto."
"Well it's about time you returned!"
Link says nothing and simply smiles.
"I've waited long enough!"
"Long enough for what?"
"Getting married!!"
"Get married?!?! When did we plan that?!"
"It's been planned for almost three years! The day I gave you the Zora's Sapphire it all started! I only give the Spiritual Stone to the man I'm going to marry!"
"Well, this is different...back then I desperately needed that stone."
"That doesn't matter, you are my fiancée whether you like it or not!"
"I'm sorry, Ruto, but I think we're gonna have to call the wedding off."
"Why?"
"Because we are two different species! What would are kids look like, mermaids?"
"Most likely."
"I'm sorry, Ruto, but I have to go. See you around."
Link turns around and begins to walk off.
"Link! What am I supposed to do now?!"
"Well, you can try going to the Temple of Time and getting the stone back, but I wouldn't because it's off limits to anyone not in the Royal Family."
Ruto scowls at Link.
"Okay, maybe you should just forget about the oath and find another Zora to marry," Link said.
"It's not that simple."
"What do you think, King Zora?"
"Ruto, leave the boy alone. A human can't marry a Zora anyway!" said King Zora.
"It doesn't end here! Either I get that stone back or I'm marrying Link!"
Link sighed tiredly and walked off down the stairway. He continued to walk on
the granite floor of Zora's Domain until he reached the Zora's River Waterfall.
"Geez, that was stressful. I made a mistake coming here," Link said to himself.
"Hey! Look! Over here!" yelled a voice.
Link looked around to see who was calling. Not a person in sight.
"Hey, Link!! Look! Right here!"
Link still couldn't see anybody. Then he saw a fairy flutter before his face. He blinked a
few times and fanned his hand at the fairy.
"Who are you?" said Link.
"You can't remember me? That hurts, Link! That really hurts!" said the fairy.
"I'm sorry, I can't remember everything!"
"We were companions during the torment of Hyrule!"
"Oh, you're Navi?"
"Yes, I'm Navi!"
"Ohh, well...Long time no see!"
"That's all you got to say?"
"Well, two years ago, when I returned the Master Sword you just fluttered off without even saying goodbye!"
"Well, you never told me you were going to Termina!"
"I would have told you, but I couldn't find you!"
"Well I just wanted to say hi again."
"Well it was nice."
"I gotta go, Link."
Before Link can even say bye, Navi flutters off toward the forest.
"Man, that was weird," Link mumbled to himself.
Link all of the sudden got a random though regarding Ruto.
"I've got an idea! I can warp to the Temple of Time and get the stone back!"
Link pulled out the Ocarina of Time and played the Prelude of Light. Yellow
streaks of light emanated from the sky and beamed him to the Temple of Time warp
point.
Link stood in silence in the Temple. He looked around. It was dead silent. Not the
faintest sound could be heard. In fact, it was impossible. Link took a step and couldn't
even hear his foot hit the floor.
"Have I gone deaf or something?" Link thought to himself.
Link continued to ponder until he saw the Spiritual Stones. All three sat in small
pedestals. There were plaques below each one and a large plaque in the center. Link ran
over to read it.
THE TEMPLE OF TIME
Legendary location of the Master Sword
Sanctuary of the Spiritual Stones
Portal to the Sacred Realm
Temple of the Sages
SILENCE IS GOLDEN
Link looked up at the Door of Time. It was completely shut. The Triforce lay
directly above it, gleaming and shimmering of golden light. Link looked at the plaques
below the stones and read them in order.
THE KOKIRI EMERALD:
Legendary Spiritual Stone of the Forest
THE GORON'S RUBY:
Legendary Spiritual Stone of the Mountains
THE ZORA SAPPHIRE:
Legendary Spiritual Stone of the River
"No, no, no...I can't take the sapphire. It is to remain here. I'll just have to tell Ruto what has to happen," Link thought.
"Link..." a distant voice whispered.
Link looked around in surprise.
"Link...you still hold the keys to the Door of Time. Open it."
"Why?"
"It opens the portal to the Sacred Realm."
"The Sacred Realm is to be sealed forever."
"That doesn't matter."
"Yes it does."
"Link, open it now..."
"No."
All of the sudden a brilliant sphere of light shot down from the Triforce above the
Door of Time and struck down Link. Link screamed, yet nothing was heard.
"I said, OPEN IT!!"
"NEVER!!"
Another sphere of light struck Link.
"I still hold the Triforce of Power, Link! You can never take it from me!!"
"GANONDORF?!?!"
"YES, YOU MENACING LITTLE BOY! IT'S ME!!"
"How did you get out of the Sacred Realm?!"
"I never did, genius! I am still stuck in here! However I still hold the Triforce of Power!"
"I'll never open the Door of Time again!"
"CURSE YOU, LINK!!!!"
The shout was so loud, the Temple shook.
"I'm leaving."
"Open the door, NOW!!!"
Link simply did not respond and sprinted out of the Temple.
"No wonder Zelda restricted this place," Link said.
END OF CHAPTER 4
