Chapter – 8

An Ancient Gift

I walked into the Castle Marketplace. Business was thriving like usual, but today it was a bit busier then yesterday so it was a great day to sell the 20 fish I caught this morning for a bit more money then the day before.

I walked around to find a place to set up shop and there was a perfect place right next to the fountain, which was in the center on town. I placed my goods down the started setting up the prices and stuff. Before I was done 5 people were already standing around ready to buy a fish or two. I continued to set up the remaining things then finally I got ready to begin selling my fish. Once I was completely finished everything I saw that there was now 10 people standing around with their money in hand. I walked over to one of my customers and pointed to her, "Which fish would you like to buy miss?" I asked out loud. She happily pointed at one of them which had the price of 5 rupees. I slowly picked it up then handed it to her as she handed over the required amount of money.

"Thank you for your purchase," I smiled as I gave a little bow then she left as I picked another customer out of the crowd of 12, and this continued til I had no fish left, but I still had several customers left then like magic Montana and Chad showed up with two crates full of fish.

"Oh Montana great timing," I smiled happily.

"You ran out didn't you," Montana laughed.

"And by the look of it we have just enough too," Chad smiled as he placed his crate next to my empty one.

I had the world's largest smile on my face. As Montana places her crate on top of mine I turned to the remaining customer and with a greeting arm I introduced my friends. "This is Montana and Chad I work with them and thanks to them you don't have to go home empty handed," I laughed then one by one I sold the fish, but when I finished I still had one fish left and I knew who to sell it to. I picked up the fish then walk to Hyrule castle gate and there sat good old hungry Gates, I stepped one step closer and he looked up at me with a large smile on his face. "I've been waiting," he spoke still smiling happily. And like every other day he was on duty I handed over the fish for a small sum of money then as we smile gratefully we said our goodbyes for the day I walked back to the marketplace.

Once I stepped onto the plaza I notice that there was only 3 hours before sunset and I haven't eaten anything since breakfast this morning just before sunup. As I placed my hands on my stomach I started to feel hungry. "I need food," I moaned. Before I gave up hope I noticed someone was selling pastries, so without hesitation I ran over there and bought 3 things that looked like the tops of cherry muffins, I didn't know what berries were used, but it was the best thing I have ever tasted in my whole life. I sat on the edge of the fountain and slowly ate the pastries.

I looked up at the castle, it reminded me of when I was inside with Ganon, what did he mean by its future king anyway and where was I the past or the future? I can't understand what he meant and why did he want Montana so bad? Howell, it was forever ago when I was there. I sat back and looked up at the sky it was starting to fill with sunset colors, it was very beautiful. I finished my pastries then looked back at the castle.

"The castle is a beautiful site," I smiled.

"Yes it is," Makai sat next to me and put his arm over my shoulder. "It is beautiful, a perfect place for a princess like you." Makai pulled me closer.

"You're so sweet my dashing prince," I snuggled closer to him. "By the way when did you get here?"

"5 minutes before you got back from delivering your last fish to Gates the gate keeper," he replied.

I looked up at him after lying down on the edge fountain with my head placed on Makai's lap. "If you got here so soon and knew where I was, then why didn't you meet up with me at the gate?"

Makai leaned back dangling his fingers his that cool water before he looked up at the clouds, but stayed silent. Soon later he responded with a sweet laughter, "I talked with Montana and Chad."

"But I thought you didn't like them."

"I don't."

"And yet you were talking to them."

"Yip," Makai smiled.

"Sometimes I don't understand you Zora's."

"I needed to know where you were."

"Ok fine I'll stop there."

"Why?"

I smiled at him, "I can't think of anything to top that, well other then if I'm in the market place yet not with them, I'd be with Gates, besides he's cute."

"Why you," Makai laughed as he started to try to tickle me, even if I wasn't ticklish I still tried to push his hand away, but it was difficult since I was on my back so it gave him the upper hand.

"Makai," I giggled, but before he could say a word we both fell into the fountain, as Makai pulled his feet in we both laughed underwater then sat up together.

"Woops," I laughed as I looked at my sweet yet wet Makai.

Makai smiled then moved my hair from my face then spoke, "You're so beautiful Larissa." Then he pulled me closer before he kissed me so sweet and tenderly, soon I was kissing him back, it tasted sweet and full of heart loving passion. Time felt like it had stopped for that moment alone, it truly was true loves first kiss. After the kiss was over I looked into Makai's eyes, I knew I truly loved him.

Makai stood up and held out his hand for mine to help me up, I gently placed my hand in his then he helped my to my feet, then he stepped out of the fountain still holding my hand.

I stepped up onto the edge of the fountain then spoke softly to Makai, "I guess I have to accept your proposal."

Makai turned to face me, "You mean you will marry me," he spoke.

"Yes Makai, I will marry you," I smiled sweetly.

Makai placed his hands on my hips as I placed my hands on his shoulders, then he spun around holding me high. After spinning in two circles Makai gently put me down without moving his hands. "Thank you Larissa, Thank you so much," He pulled me close and gave me a big hug.

"Your welcome, my soon to be husband," I gave him a small kiss on the cheek then smiled at him.

"Hey Rissa, Makai we're ready to go," Montana called.

I looked over at Montana and Chad, they were holding the crates that they brought full of fish, but now were completely empty.

With no hesitation I ran over to them, "What were you two up to?" I asked.

"We were talking to people," Montana replied. "Well come on we have to go and clean these crates before the smell stains them and before the sun sets."

"Okay," I smiled.

Makai walked up beside me and stood tall with a smile on his face, seeing him like that just made me laugh, he was so proud and full of cheer I don't know how he could hold it all in. He looked so cute and funny at the same time. I gave him a wink then we left.

"Does either of you two know why everyone who was standing around you over there are all wet?" Chad asked.

Makai and I looked back and saw that all the water that soaked into my clothes and hair was whipped out when we spun around with happiness. We just laughed as we kept on walking, "Oops," we whispered to each other.

"Tana, do you know how weddings go?" I asked we were next to the steps up to Kakareko.

Montana stopped, "Why are you asking that now?" Montana walked over to the river and slowly washed her crates with a small clothe.

"Oh no I forgot my stuff at the market place," I started running to pick up my things. Once I was standing next to the fountain in the center of the marketplace I saw someone had neatly stacked my crates, I looked around, but I couldn't see anyone who could have done it and all I saw was people who wouldn't even look at my things. I went to pickup my stuff, but someone tapped my shoulder so I slowly turned to see 5 castle guards this made me a little nervous.

"Do these things belong to you miss?" One of them asked.

I didn't know what they wanted, but it would be best if I don't do anything wrong. "Umm… Yes sir this is," I spoke softly trying not to be scared.

The leader turned to his mates and pointed at 3 of them, "Take this stuff to where I told you to, and quickly please." Then he turned back to me, "Will you come with us?"

"Okay sir I will," as the remaining guards and I started walking to the castle the other three pickup my stuff and went the opposite direction.

Once I could see the castle gates I began to think of the things I could have done wrong, but I couldn't think of a single thing. Then a few things pop into my head it might have been that I raised my prices or maybe it was selling them without asking someone if I could. Or was it all those people I got wet and didn't apologize to.

We stopped at the gates, but Gates wasn't at his post, instead a taller more built man was standing there and boy was he ever serious about his job.

"It's okay Kayin she's with us," the guard on my left assured.

Kayin looked at me and examined me closely, he had such scary eyes they seemed so evil.

"Don't mind him miss he's new," the guard on my right exclaimed. "Now open the gates Kayin."

Kayin lifted his spear and hit the ground with a lot of force, but then the gate slowly opened then we walked in, while Kayin still stood at his post with his eyes crawled around still looking at me. When we were through the gate it slowly closed at Kayin's command.

"Have you ever been inside the castle?" the guard on my left asked.

"No sir," I answered.

"That doesn't sound right," the guard on my right pondered. For some odd reason these two guards always seem to take turns talking.

"Gates always talks about a sweet girl who sells him a fish everyday since he started his duty."

"Yes everyday,"

"He really started that day," I smiled.

"Yes that same day."

"Who knows how that happened," I looked at my hand and thought of that fish I gave Gates, he was so happy."

"Did you give fish to anyone before him?"

"Even if they never spoke of it."

"No sir, he was the first."

"Really?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure, sir. It was the first time I fished in the land of Hyrule."

The two guards stopped and looked at each other, but I kept on walking. I was about 10 steps away before I stopped and turn to the guards and to my surprise no one was there. I turned and continued on. The hall was long with candles paired together along the walls with pictures that may have been the members of the Royal family.

Once I came to the end of the hall I had two ways to go. The way to the left was dark, while the other was bright with several windows. Before I could choose I heard many voices, so being very curious I took the right hall and I found that the voices were coming from outside. Who know who was there so I slowly snuck to the window and found that everyone in the castle was out there yelling at one another for some reason. I listened in on them and heard that some how they were tricked to come outside.

Before I could make out anything else the two guards that brought me into the castle ran into where everyone was. "Your majesty, there is an intruder in the castle," one spoke. What was he doing?

Every single person there was shocked, but in seconds they all ran out and started searching for me. This was hard to understand that the same two guards that let me in the castle are now telling everyone that I'm an intruder, what did I do wrong do deserve this?

I heard the guards coming and they were coming fast so in a state of fear I ran down the hall that I hadn't seen and took a right turn and I came to two large doors, I pushed one open and slipped into the room closing the door behind me.

The room I was in was quite large, with a red rug that led to a large throne, but the thing that caught my eye was a large stone. As I walked closer I could see symbols carved in the smooth surface, I could read a little, but since it was in Helyn I couldn't make out much.

"Don't try to read it," an old voice spoke.

I turned quickly and there next to the door stood an elderly man dressed in clean cut clothes with a gold crown on his brow, he was the king of Hyrule.

"You're the king aren't you?" I asked.

The man chuckled with a sweet and humble laughter, "Of course I am my child." He walked up to me and placed his hand on the stone, "It tells something like 'the one bestode with the power of water will hold this stone in her heart, soon to save our would,' but we don't exactly know why, the sages protect us."

I looked back at the stone, maybe this is what Ganon brought me for, but why can't he get it himself. "Hold this stone in my heart, it looks a little heavy," I laughed.

"What did you say?" this voice came from the direction of the door, I slowly looked around the king and there stood those two guards. "You said your heart didn't you?" The guards walked up to me.

"Yeah I did, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you did."

"Huh?" I looked up at both of them, they didn't alternate when they spoke, but this can't be, the part that got to me was they didn't smell like the guards that brought me into the castle. I shook my head and turned to the stone.

"Don't turn your back on me miss." He placed his hand on my shoulder.

I pointed to the stone as I read, "The one bestode with the power of water is 'The Legendary Warrior of Water' and the keeper of an ancient stone wielding the same power as the goddesses Triforce, but without the power of the others she cannot help save the land of Hyrule, as this stone sleeps I her heart together it will awaken and save the world," I sighed. "I'm the true Legendary Warrior of Water."

Before I could say another word the stone began to glow when I placed my hand upon it, soon the stone was glowing too bright for my eyes and I had to close them, but then the got warm and I felt a sharp pain in my chest as if I had been shot.

"Larissa!" I heard Montana's voice call to me, but I was drifting away, was I dieing?

Awaken young wielder of an ancient power and power of water. Awaken young warrior of water, you must awaken."

I sat up and rubbed my eyes, the pain in my chest was gone and I wasn't in the throne room anymore.

"Young warrior of water take this power and protect it with your life, Ganon seeks this power to create a new world out of Hyrule, a dark world one unsuitable for our civilization, he must not take this power or we will all die at his hand," a little light appeared above me, slowly it descended and stopped inches from my face, was it a fairy.

"What are you?" I asked without hesitation.

A sweet and tender laughter filled around me, like thousands of cheerful smiles dancing everywhere, yet nowhere, they never came from the same place, it could drive a normal man insane.

"My name is Elixer, and I'm an ancient wielder of water, and the stone of the ancient power," the blow of light transformed into a small fairy glowing with a beautiful blue light that moved like water.

"So how do I get the power of the Ancients?" I asked.

"Like this," I fairy darted at me and disappeared into me.

I laid there again with that sharp pain, but do I have that power?

Chapter comment

You want to know who those guards were that brought me into the castle read on (torture eh?). Who is this Kayin and what did he have against me, and who was the real intruder? I don't know I'm the Author not a detective.