Caranril: Thanks to T-bone and Art for reviewing!  Enjoy this next chappie!

Legolas: Fortunately for T-bone's muses, Caranril thought it would be funny to hide every single one of my arrows around the forest.  As for my bow...

Caranril:  Muwahahaha!  I'll never tell!

The Dark Before The Dawn - Chapter 4: Royal Pains

Link tried to struggle against his assailant, but with his entire body underwater, his movements were sluggish and futile. Link's mind started to black out from his efforts and his dwindling supply of oxygen. He tried to keep his burning lungs from inhaling, but the desperation was stronger than his will. He breathed in...and found he was able to breath out...and in again...and back out. He stopped his struggling, bewildered. As soon as his fight had ended, so did the pressure holding his head underwater.

Link shot out of the river, spraying water everywhere as he flipped his long hair back and drew his new knife. He whirled around, prepared to strike, but froze in surprise to see a figure floating over before him, laughing hysterically. He didn't know what to make of it, until they straightened and gave him a broad smile.

"Hello, Link, my dear fiancee!"

Link blinked twice, recognizing the fish-like features in the dark. "Ruto? Princess Ruto?"

"Of course, silly!" Ruto swam closer. She hadn't changed a lot since he had seen her, well, technically four years ago. She wore clothing, dark colours, probably to prevent being seen at night. She gave him a long, studious look up and down. "Where have you been? You're so pale! And your hair is so...unruly. But your eyes are still the same, fiery blue they've always been."

Link shrugged his shoulders nervously. "I've been...away."

"It's no matter. We should return to Zoras' Domain before the dead roam about."

Link couldn't agree more. As they crossed the river, his first question returned to his mind. "Why didn't I drown when I tried to breath underwater?"

Ruto giggled. "Oh, you remember the blue tunic my father gave you? Obviously you don't have it anymore, but I created my own version of an item that allows you to breath underwater. I knew you would return someday, and I wanted to give you a wedding present. It's that necklace."

Link's hand flew to his throat. He tried to take it off to look at it, afraid that it was some gaudy item that would raise questions.

Ruto giggled again. "You can only take it off or put it on underwater. And don't worry, it's a simple blue metal band. Well, it looks like metal. It's made of magic, of course."

"And how did you know I was coming?" Link wondered.

"I'm a Sage, do you think there's any chance I wouldn't know?" Ruto giggled...again. "Actually, if you couldn't sense it, the river flowing out of Zoras' Domain is spelled, not only to prevent any evil creatures from crossing their rapids, but I can also hear rumours of happenings about Hyrule. When you filled your water in the river, I heard of your presence. I've been waiting for a couple days here, knowing that eventually you would come to the land of the Zoras for clues of where to find the Princess."

"You know about my quest?" Link knew her answer as soon as he asked the question.

"I'm a Sage," she giggled.

Yep, punctuated by another giggle. She had an irritating habit of repeating herself. And giggling.

Ruto guided him through the twists and traps up to the waterfall, meant to deter the dead, but Link knew he could have figured it out on his own. When they stood in front of the waterfall, Link pulled out his ocarina to separate the waters, but Ruto held up her hand to stop him.

"The Lullaby of the royal family no longer works in this land," she said solemnly.

Link looked at their feet, and where the symbol of the Triforce had once been, there was a blackened circle. Like someone had burned the ground where the symbol lay in attempt to wipe it away.

"What happened?" Link asked.

Ruto lifted her hands and whispered a few words, and the falls parted. She grasped his hand and jumped over the gap, leading him right after her. "The same thing that happened to the castle and all the temples," she explained morosely as they entered Zoras' Domain. "Every symbol of the Triforce, every tribute to the goddesses, all of them have been burned out by a strange shadow. With the temples destroyed, there was no longer a reason for us Sages to remain separated from those we love." They entered the audience chamber of the King, each bowing reverently to the very obese King Zora. Ruto continued as they entered the royal chambers to talk in private.

"Whatever this force is, the one Impa told us about, it desires the eradication of the Triforce and everything that relates to the goddesses, but that would be impossible, so everything lesser is burned up, or however that happens." Ruto opened the door to her room and sat on her bed. She opened her mouth to say something when a blur of white flashed past Link and tackled the bed right next to Ruto. Link nearly fell over with his surprise and Ruto shrieked.

"You little monster! What are you doing in my room?"

Link regained his composure and looked at the young Zora perched on the bed just out of Ruto's reach, an impish grin plastered on his face.

"And who are you?" Link asked in surprise.

"Actually, I should be askin' who you are, elf," he retorted, looking Link up and down.

"Harlen, be nice! Link is my guest," Ruto said authoritatively. "And this is MY room, so scram!"

"This could have been my room, but you had to come back from the Water Temple!" Harlen stuck his tongue out at her.

"Daaaaaaaddy!" Ruto screamed.

A pattering of feet sounded outside the door, and Link wondered how King Zora was able to run on those tiny legs, when a Zora burst through the door.

"Prince Harlen, the King requests your presence to discuss the matters of the crown," the Zora announced with somewhat practiced ease.

"Ooookkaaaay," Harlen sighed. "Always whining...stupid girl."

"Harlen, do you want to see the things I can do as a Sage?" Ruto threatened.

"No," Harlen stuck his blue tongue out again as he ran out the door, followed by the relieved Zora messenger.

"Who was that?" Link asked curiously.

Ruto sighed in exasperation. "Nearly two years ago, before I had created a defense against the new creatures, some of them were able to make it past the waterfall and into the Domain. They killed several Zoras and their families before I was able to stop them. It so happened that my aunt and uncle were murdered and their son orphaned. So Daddy adopted the little wretch, and now he seeks to place Harlen on the throne instead of me. He wants a male of the family, thinks it will be a stronger rule." Ruto bristled. "I used to be his favourite thing in the world, but since I left to protect the Water Temple, I think he's resented me for abdicating the throne. When I returned, he said he might let me reclaim the crown, but then a week later Harlen joined our family."

Link was silent. He had always considered Ruto to be a spoiled brat, but she did have important responsibilities, and when she had lost the privilege of maintaining the temple, her father hadn't been too welcome to his only child's return.

"At least he understands your frustration with Harlen and gets him off your back sometimes," Link offered.

"Hah, the only reason he interferes when I'm about to lose it is because he knows I'll do something permanent to him, like change him into a fish or something," Ruto replied bitterly. Her expression changed as a thought crossed her mind.

"But...I will be able to claim the throne if I marry before Harlen is the required age for coronation..." Ruto giggled and peered at Link through half-lidded eyes.

Ohhhhhh no... Link thought in panic.

"Do you recall the Zora's Sapphire that I lent to you and you never returned? Well, as I mentioned a long time ago, it is the engagement jewel of my family. Seeing as you haven't rejected the proposal by returning the gem, I would say that a wedding is still planned."

Thinking fast... Link cleared his throat nervously. "I'm sorry, Ruto, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to turn your offer down. You see, I'm desperate to find the Princess before it's too late, for if the power that wants to destroy the Triforce is freed, he will kill Zelda and me. I must act as quickly as I can, and if I do die, then Harlen will get the throne anyway. I'm sorry, but I must continue with haste."

Ruto looked crestfallen. Her eyes almost beaded up with tears, but when she met Link's eyes, they were clear. "I understand. I do not wish for you to die. If this evil is defeated or simply passes us by, I will find you, Link. No matter where you go, I will find you and hold you to your promise of marriage."

Link nodded, rushed to leave the uncomfortable atmosphere. "Of course. Goodbye, Ruto, and thank you for the necklace."

"Farewell, fiancee." Ruto saw him to the door.

"Besides, I'm sure there's plenty of Zoras who would love to get to know you, Ruto," Link added before dashing through the audience chamber.

"But it's you who I want to love to get to know me," Ruto said sadly before closing the door to pout.

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Caranril: (pouts and glares at Legolas) Stupid Elf, takin' my fireworks...

Legolas: For everyone's safety, especially my own.

Caranril: Despite my deprived celebration, I enjoyed writing this chappie. Harlen and Ruto's interaction was so much like my fights with my siblings. It's easier to believe characters when there are real life people to compare them to.

Legolas: Please review!