A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

A Pair of Time

Chapter 17- The River Flows

Kakariko Village; Day

Oddly enough, the owl lands our heroes of Hyrule on top of Impa's former house. However, the two use this to their advantage and manages to get inside the cow's cage, finally obtaining the long-awaited Piece of Heart, thus completing a Heart Container. Second thing to do in Kakariko Village is to visit the House of Skulltula, where one of the family members manages to break himself from the curse. In return, he happily gives them an Adult Wallet, a bag that can carry 200 Rupees.

"Gee, thanks, mister!" Malon thanks the freed son.

"Please save my other brothers, too! I'm sure they will give you something a lot better!"

"Okie-doke!"

Outside, Malon holds up and admires the Adult Wallet.

"Wow! Dad and the adults only carry these around! Now, we can, too!"

"200 Rupees," Link recalls. "That's a lot to carry."

"Still, at least we can hold more."

They stand there, for countless moments, not sure of what to do next.

"So…" Malon starts, "what now?"

"Um…" Link puts a hand to his forehead. "Navi, where are we supposed to go next?"

"Uh…" Navi flies out, "I'm not exactly sure. Maybe Saria knows."

"Good idea."

Link remembers that Saria can talk to Link at anytime anywhere with her song. Pulling out his trusty instrument, he keys the notes on his Fairy Ocarina, emitting the soft sounds from it. The feeling of the forest swells back in Malon and Link, and then, Saria's voice speaks out.

"Link…?" her voice said, coming from nowhere.

"Hey, Saria," Link greets. "How are you?"

"Yeah, hey, Saria!" Malon's voice chimes in.

"Oh, I'm fine, you guys."

"Saria, listen," Link said. "Me and Malon are collecting the Spiritual Stones."

"You are?"

"Yeah. We have two of them already. We need to find the third one, the Spiritual Stone of Water. We were hoping you know… something?"

"Hmm… I think I know where it might be. The Great Deku Tree once told me that King Zora, ruler of the Zora's Domain, has it…"

"Is that so? Where's Zora's Domain, then?"

"I think it's beyond Zora's River, somewhere northeast of the forest. I can't be sure."

"Let's see…" Link takes out his World Map.

The river that flows into Hyrule Castle Town comes from the source just northeast of the forest. This is as sure as it can be.

"We'll try there. Thanks, Saria!"

"Yep, thanks a lot!" Malon yells.

"You welcome. Be careful, guys."

The presence of the forest is gone along with Saria's voice. Link rolls up his World Map.

"Well, to there, then!" Link exclaims.

"To Zora's River!"

Zora's River

It doesn't take long to reach the river's source. A sign clearly points to the ravine carved by it. The river runs smoothly through the ravine, reflecting the sun and the still images of nature, including a creature that constantly watches Malon and Link, meeting them right now.

"Hoo hoo! Looks like you've gotten bigger and stronger already, Link, Malon!" the owl does its strange greeting.

"We just met over three hours ago," Link reminds.

"Three hours is but a year to some people. Where else, a moment can be seven years in waiting for others. It's all how people live by time, whether with its rule or not."

"Yes, and maybe some days without a certain somebody wouldn't hurt," Malon said.

"Of course, now's not the time to talk about time." the owl cranes his head to where the river is flowing from. "Just ahead lays Zora's Domain. The Zoras serve Hyrule's Royal Family by protecting this water source. Now, for a test. Listen well, children, for the door of the Zoras will not open for anyone except those who have some connection with the Royal Family."

"So, basically, the door would open if we-" Link begins.

"Play the melody of the Royal Family, yes." the owl nods. "You two seem smart enough to figure the rest out, so, until then, adieu."

The owl flies off away from the river, disappearing into the sky.

"Thank Goddess!" Malon sighs. "He's just too strange for me."

"I have to admit, he's too strange for me, too."

Blowing the rocks blocking the rest of the ravine, they cross to the other side of the river, finding a purple octopus that jumps into appearance in the water. It jumps and spits a revolving rock at them.

"Octorok," Navi said. "Just bounce back their rocks."

"Great." Link switches his Hylian Shield for the Deku one. "It's like Deku Shrubs in the water."

Deflecting the rock back at it, the Octorok flips over, and puffs, knocked out.

"So, I wonder…" Malon said while they jump gaps, "exactly how many monsters are there in the world?"

"Too much for me to count… and those down there don't help at all."

On the water beneath them are Tektites, but with a blue color.

"Blue Tektites." Navi looks down at them. "Don't worry, they wouldn't jump high enough to get us."

"But, of course, it wouldn't hurt just to…" Malon starts as she grabs her slingshot.

Both Malon and Link finish the Blue Tektites, leaving their remains and blood to flow down the river.

"Like shooting a fish in a barrel." Malon whirls her slingshot.

"I'm not sure it's that easy…"

"Oh, like you tried before."

Continuing their way across the ravine, they cross a bridge, and find themselves next to a magnificent waterfall, natural overpasses leading to the height of it.

"Hey, this must be the source!" Malon runs up the overpasses. "Look at this beautiful waterfall!"

Link runs pass her, seeing a stone plate engraved in the front most overpass.

"I found something!" Link yells out his discovery.

"What is it, fairy boy?"

Malon sees the plate underneath Link's feet, a description of the waterfall.

'Sleepless Waterfall

The flow of this waterfall serves

the King of Hyrule. When the King

slumbers, so too do these falls.'

"Wha…?" Malon reads it over twice. "Does it mean when the King sleeps, the waterfall sleeps, too?"

"Well, maybe the waterfall sleeping… Maybe when it sleeps, we can pass it."

"How? It says that it will only sleep when the King does."

"There're other ways. Like Zelda's Lullaby could make the waterfall sleep."

What a weird world I live in… Malon rolls her eyes.

"All right." Malon stands next to Link. "Shall we, then?"

Zelda's Lullaby reflects off the water like the sun, carrying it on its flow outward. The waterfall suddenly weakens, revealing an entrance.

"I guess waterfalls do sleep…" Malon said to herself, jumping in after Link.

Zora's Domain

Water. Water, water everywhere. The whole cave is filled with water, with a mini waterfall to boot. The water is so clear that Malon and Link can see the bottom, the textures of the ground showing easily. The place has a cool feeling, with the great smell of freshness.

"Oh… wow…" Malon looks down at the water. "It's so cool here…"

"Yeah…" Link peers over, too.

A funny impulse suddenly makes Malon grabs Link and jump in the water, the clear liquid embracing them nicely.

"What…" Link sputters, shaking his head. "What did you do that for?"

"Because it's fun!" Malon gives him a splash. "C'mon! Don't you like the water?"

"Well…"

Link dives and tackles Malon, making her cough out. Link surfaces, but is immediately grabbed by Malon and sent plunging down into the depth. The water is so clear that it completely shows Malon's carmine hair perfectly. Link bends down and tickles Malon, making bubbles of air escape from her mouth as her face squints in laughter. Link pulls her up to the surface, laughing along with Malon.

"I do like the water," Link finally answers.

"Thought so."

SWHISH! A white being with fins, gills, and a long head that resembles an aquatic tail surfaces next to them. Its black eyes blink sideways.

"Who are you two?" it asks.

"Oh, newcomers," Malon replies.

"Are you two friends?"

"Yeah, best friends!"

"Oh, because I saw the both of you wrestle in the water, and I thought you two were enemies."

Malon giggles in surprise. "We were just playing around!"

"Well, you two are Hylians, so it's not that safe to play in the water."

"Uh, sir, I'm a Kokiri." Link corrects.

The being looks at him.

"Sir? I'm a female Zora. And, I'm sorry if I was mistaken."

"That's okay. So… you're a Zora?"

"Yes, everyone here are Zoras!"

She gestures with her arms, letting Malon and Link see the many Zoras swimming around the lake. They swim at a fast pace, but with elegant grace. One dives out of the water and back in again, creating a perfect splash. The female Zora swims around the two, curving around between them without a hint of a touch. She resurfaces, letting water fall in a strange pattern.

"We are the Zoras, the proud aquatic people!" she said with pride. "Seeing how you two manage to get pass our waterfall, you must have some connections with the Royal Family, no?"

"Yes, ma'am, we do." Link nods.

"Well, why are you two little kids here for?"

"We're here for a certain… something."

"What do you want from us?"

"Could you show us where King Zora is?" Malon asks.

"He is up in the main hall." the Zora points to a cliff. "Follow that cliff, and you should be able to reach there."

"Thank you, Miss."

Swimming towards the shallow end of the lake, they literally stumble onto a Zora during his dive.

"Ow. I should have seen that…" he mutters.

"Oh, we're sorry, Mister!" Malon apologizes.

"No, I just didn't see where I was going. Are you two new here?"

They both nod.

"Well, have you seen Lord Jabu-Jabu?"

"No," Link answers. "Who is he?"

"He's the Zoras' patron deity. He's a fish of extraordinary size, a leviathan, protecting the source from where all water of Hyrule comes from. I believe Princess Ruto takes care of his meals. Anyway, you two should at least see him once."

"Well, where would Lord Jabu-Jabu be?"

"He swims in the Zora's Fountain, the source. It's beyond King Zora's throne, but you need King Zora's permission to actually visit."

"Oh, okay, then."

Malon and Link both make it to land, not dry, but still land.

"Oh… It felt much better staying in the water than standing here…" Malon said.

"We can stay in the water later. Let's head up to the main hall."

A giant, overweight Zora wearing a red cape and a crown sits on a cliff opposite the main hall. In front of him is a platform. On his right is an opening.

"Sir?" Link yells. "Are you King Zora?"

No response.

"Link, look." Malon points to a sign.

'King Zora's Throne Room

To hear the King's royal

proclamations, stand on the

platform and speak to him.'

"Right…" Link understands.

Link and Malon walk up the steps to the top of the platform. Only then does King Zora notices.

"Greetings, little ones!" his voice echoes loudly. "What brings you here to the proud world of the Zoras?"

"Your Majesty," Link bows, "we were wondering if you can give us the Spiritual Stone of Water."

"For what reason do you ask for the stone?"

Reason? Link thought. Great… This is going to take longer than it looks.

"For, uh…"

"For His Majesty, the King of Hyrule!" Malon lies.

"Is that so? Well, come as you did, I do not have the Spiritual Stone of Water. My daughter, Princess Ruto, has it in her possession."

"Well, where can we find your daughter?" Link asks.

"I apologize for this, but…" King Zora's face goes to worry, "my daughter is missing."

"She's missing?"

"Yes, my dear, sweet Princess Ruto… I have my people searching for her, even as far as Lake Hylia… but… I have found no trace of her… So, you see, I cannot assist you two even if you two are speaking the truth."

"Oh… Well, let's just hope you find her, sir."

"So, what do we do now, fairy boy?" Malon asks when they are out of sight.

"I have no clue. We have to find Princess Ruto, I know that. But, the Zoras don't even have a trace of her to begin with."

"Maybe Lake Hylia. It's a big lake. They couldn't have thoroughly searched it."

"Where is this lake?"

"It's on the very south end of Hyrule. I've been there once. It's a big place filled with water that reflects almost perfectly. But, it's big enough to get lost in. I doubt even the Zoras could comb through and not miss something."

"How do we get there?"

"Well… we… we can't anymore. It's blocked off for something about research."

"There must be another way…"

"Fairy boy! Watch your step!"

Link almost runs his foot over the mini waterfall. He looks through the hole the waterfall carved through, seeing the whole Zora's Domain in a small, beautiful picture. And the waterfall does look a bit tempting to jump off of.

"Are you two up here for the High Diving Practice Spot?" the Zora at the top of the waterfall asks.

"What's that?" Link turns toward him, a bit interested.

"You pick up all the Rupees I throw from here. But, you have only a limited amount of time. When you pick them all up, come back here. I'll give you something very nice."

"Doesn't sound too bad. What's the fee?"

"20 Rupees."

"Can we both try at the same time?" Malon asks. "Sorta help each other?"

The Zora blinks, its eyelids closing at diagonal angles.

"What a strange concept. But, I guess it would be fun to see two people try to get all the Rupees. I will have to double the Rupees I have to throw down there, because of this."

"That doesn't matter."

More Rupees for us, Malon thought.

"Right, then." the Zoras extends his hand. "40 Rupees."

"40 Rupees," Link repeats as he pays the amount.

"Okay. Now…"

The Zora then tosses Blue Rupees over the waterfall, letting them fall into the lake. They slowly settle to the floor.

"START!"

Link jumps from the waterfall and dives headfirst into the lake, the water familiar around him. A second splash is heard as Malon follows in after. Link grabs a Rupee before he surfaces.

"Let's hurry it up!" Link said to her when she surfaces.

10 Blue Rupees the Zora tosses. 10 Blue Rupees that are easy to get in just 50 seconds. Malon surfaces with the last wet Rupee in her hand.

"Hey!" the Zora above yells out to them. "Congratulations! Come and get your prizes up here!"

"You two are naturals!" a Zora compliments nearby.

"Never seen Hylians dive like you little kids!"

The same female Zora before by the entrance swiftly swims up to them.

"Maybe I was wrong," she said as she surfaces. "You two can handle the water just fine."

"Oh… thanks, Miss!" Malon smiles.

"You two may be able to help us out then…"

"With what?" Link asks.

"Our search for Princess Ruto. The prize that is to be given to you two should help."

"Well, we're planning to go to Lake Hylia to search."

"Oh, that shouldn't be too difficult to reach. The tunnel that leads to it is right there, if you two don't know."

The Zora points through the water to an underwater opening. But, still, it looks unreachable. They're not Zoras; they can't dive that far.

"We can't reach there!" Malon states.

"Actually, you should." the female Zora smiles. "The prizes that you're about to receive should make sure of that. Now, go on, get your well-deserved prizes."

The Zora at the top hands them two brightly white scales.

"You two sure make graceful dives!" he compliments.

"What are these?" Link observes his scale.

"This…" the Zora puts his finger on the scale, "is a scale of our kind, a Silver Scale. With this, you can dive much deeper underwater."

"To where…" Malon looks down at the tunnel, "we can dive in that?"

"Oh, yes, it should help you dive down there easily."

"Well, let's get there, then!" Link jumps over the waterfall again.

With a breath of air, they dive down with a much longer hold on their lungs. Reaching the tunnel, they reach the other side…

Lake Hylia

Fresh air happily reaches Malon and Link's lungs as they break the water's surface.

"We made it!" Link said.

"Wow! Lake Hylia!" Malon takes in the view. "It's still as pretty as ever!"

A giant lake fills the land, clear and reflective. Behind the two is a structure with the mark of the Zoras. Two islands peak themselves from the lake, connected to each other and the mainland by bridges. A house stands on a jutting cliff, overlooking the lake. Another building is seen far off on the left side of the lake. A magnificent lake in all its glory.

A Zora surfaces in its surprised to see them.

"You two there! You came from Zora's Domain?"

They both nod.

"Well, if you're searching for Princess Ruto, do help out. You can keep anything you find here, but if it has any relation to the Princess, please hand it over to us, okay?"

"Yes, sir!" Malon acknowledges.

The Zora dives back down again, landing on the bottom and searching.

"Well, let's start searching…"

An hour passes before they meet back on land.

"Anything?" Link asks.

"Nothing."

Link sighs in frustration. "How could one princess cause all of this?"

"She must be a stubborn one," Malon said as she squeezes water from her dress.

"Where has the Zoras not looked…?" Link scans the area.

"Maybe dry land?"

"Could be. Let's check that house there."

A sign posted outside bears,

'Lakeside Laboratory

Daily trying to get to the bottom

of the mysteries of Lake Hylia!

--Lake Scientist'

"Now, who would want to know the mysteries of Lake Hylia?" Malon said. "That would just ruin it. I don't like to know what makes the lake so pretty."

"Crazy person, I bet?"

"Oh, yeah," Malon agrees.

Lakeside Laboratory

An old man is living in the house full of specimens and chemicals all around him. Tables are lined with bottles, flasks, beakers, all filled with unique compounds and mixtures. Fishing tools, and dried animals and shells hang on walls and in shelves. A strange, thin octopus is looking through its glass world of a tank. Malon makes her way slowly up to it, a strange little wonder in a tank. Her eyes fall on the round black ones of the creature. She taps on the glass, giving it a scare. It squirts a black liquid, clouding the water with its spread. Soon, the water is nothing but a dark liquid that looks like it's solid. Malon blinks, amazed by what happened.

"Hey!" the old man walks over to them. "Why did you do that! Now, I've got to clean the water again."

"I'm sorry!" Malon backs away. "It's just… It's just that…"

"Oh, that's all right. You've never saw this creature before, have you?"

"No. What is it?"

"It's a rarity here in Hyrule. This is a squid."

"A squid?"

"Yes. Related to a mollusk. But, I suppose you two young ones really don't care much about that."

"Why did it squirt that… black stuff?"

"It's black ink, and it normally ejects it whenever it feels threatened, like your finger tapping."

"Oh…"

"I'm a scientist here at Lake Hylia. I'm researching the process of making medicine by mixing Lake Hylia's water with various unusual compounds."

"What's so different about Lake Hylia's water?" Link asks.

"It has minerals from the unique rocks found on the bottom of the lake's floor. Not only that, but since all of Hyrule's water empties into this lake, a numerous amount of substances from around the world mixes in these waters, producing the most unusual composition. I have a sample behind me, this chamber."

A chamber filled with water is built into the floor. Marks measuring depth are on a painted ruler. In the water, Link sees a crate, some lost Red Rupees, and a cage, holding a rather fierce-looking fish (a shark in the real world).

"So… the water is just unique, right?" Link questions.

"Yes. A student of mine is using these waters to make potions. She's the old lady from the potion shop in Kakariko Village. Perhaps you met her?"

"No, we haven't. Uh… do you, by any chance, seen Princess Ruto?"

"Oh, no, sonny. I've seen the Zoras around searching for their princess. But, I haven't seen her anywhere."

"Well, thank you, then."

Lake Hylia

"This is kinda hopeless," Malon said after they were outside. "The Princess is as good as gone."

"Well, we can't go back yet. It'll look like we gave up too easily."

"So, what are we supposed to do then?"

"I don't know. You were here at the lake once. What did you do?"

"Swim with Mom. She taught me how to swim here…"

Memories of her taking her first stroke, her first dive, her first watery rescue by her mother. Malon remembers all those. Those were the good old days with her mother before she was gone. Besides swimming, Malon remembers fishing. That building on the east of Lake Hylia has a fishing pond. Her mother took her there and gave her the lessons on fishing, too. They fished until night. Malon remembers catching one, but the fish was too strong, and it actually pulled her into the pond. She stuck to catching 2 to 3 pounds. Still, it was tons of fun.

"Hey, fairy boy! We can fish over there!" Malon points at the same building.

"There?"

"Yeah! You… do know how to fish, right?"

"I guess so."

Link remembers his moments with it, too. All he had to call a fishing rod is a Deku Stick with strings and a hook made of the bark from the Great Deku Tree. He and his friends used to fish, just for the fun of it. He isn't the best, though. He kept getting small fishes for some reason.

"Good enough." Malon dives from the cliff into the lake.

Link follows her across the lake, a good distance between the Lakeside Laboratory and this fishing spot. Grabbing Malon's hand to the only piece of land next to the building, he shakes himself of the water.

"You sure do swim pretty fast, Malon."

"I do?"

"Yeah, you left me in the ripples."

She giggles in return to this compliment. "Well, don't try to mess with the best, fairy boy! Especially at fishing!"

"So, this is it? The Fishing Pond? Where it says…" Link looks at the sign, "'The fish are really biting today!'?"

"Yep. Let's go in."

Fishing Pond

"Hey, customers!" a man behind the counter notices. "Y'all fishing today?"

"Yes, Mister." Malon nods.

"That'll be 40 Rupees."

Malon grabs the Adult Wallet and pulls out the money.

"Here you go, Mister."

"Thanks, you two!" the owner exchanges the Rupees for two rods. "Remember, it's just fishing for fun. You can't catch what you keep."

"We know, Mister."

"Ha! I'm so generous, I'll let you two fish for as long as you want. However, each of you can keep only one fish."

"Thanks!"

The owner taps a tank nearby, holding a medium-sized fish.

"The biggest fish ever caught here weighed 6 pounds, caught by me. I doubt you two could catch any bigger fish than this, but try your best. So, now… Let's fish!"

The two walk around the pond, Malon trying to find the best spot.

"Hmm… This one." Malon stops near three poles sticking out of the water.

Link, staring at his rod, bumps into Malon, making her lose balance and fall in the water. The fishes nearby swim away like mad.

"Whoa! Sorry, Malon!"

"Aw, great. The fishes swam away…" Malon said as she picks herself up.

"Sorry…"

A sigh escapes. "That's okay… Let's just find another spot…"

Minutes later, they settle near two sunken trees. Malon casts her line over the water, the lure landing with a splash. Her spot is next to the rocks. Link looks at his rod.

"Hey, Link, where's your lur- Hey, I thought you said you could fish!"

"Not with this rod."

"Well, do you at least know how to cast it?"

"Isn't the line too short?"

"It'll extend when you cast it. Trust me."

"But, if it's that long… I would have to pull the line in to catch the fish."

"You don't have to. You just reel it in by turning the handle there. It's much easier than pulling."

"Anything else?"

"Unless you're bad at casting… no."

"Okay, then."

Link tosses his line, over to the reeds. He tries the reeling, and finds the line retracting.

Oh… Much easier… Link thought.

"So…" Malon breaks the silence minutes later, "do you… want to talk about anything?"

"Um… I don't know. You?"

"Oh… uh, well… we could know each other better…"

A sharp feeling hits Link's heart. He already knows most of Malon's life through her diary.

"Uh, I guess so," Link agrees.

"You start."

"Okay. Um, I'm Kokiri, yeah."

"… Um, do Kokiris remember when they're born?

"No, not that I know of. The Great Deku Tree tells us."

"Oh… Are you really ten? Or do Kokiris have no age thing?"

"I'm ten, yes. But, that's the limit before Kokiris stop growing. So, well…" Link chuckles a bit, "you're going to be older than me."

"Aw, that's right. I'm growing up while you aren't…"

"That's okay. We're still best friends, even with that, right?"

"Yeah! Best friends to the end!" Malon smiles.

SNAG! Malon reels in a 4-pound fish.

"I'm getting better at this." Malon tosses the fish back. "Well, you haven't caught anything yet."

"I'm waiting…" Link checks his lure.

"Waiting for what? For me to beat you again?"

"You'll see."

"Okay, then, we'll see."

"… So, what do you like?" Link asks a moment later. "Besides this."

"… Working on the ranch, I guess. I don't like it, yet I do."

"The animals?"

"Yeah. I love them. Epona's my best. I kinda raised her when we were little."

"Really?" Link fakes his tone.

"Yeah. I taught her to walk, gallop, know what's what of a horse. She really likes my mother's song. Everybody likes it."

"Ingo, too?"

"Yep, even Mr. Ingo likes it. He's a ranch hand, if you didn't know."

Of course I know.

"Dad hired him after Mom died," Malon continues. "He's rough around the edges, but he can get the job done easily."

"But, he complains about how lazy your dad is."

"Oh, yeah. Sometimes, even I complain. Dad is so lazy; sometimes I just want to make sure he sleeps at bed the right time."

"Oh…"

SNAG! Malon catches a 5-pound.

"Well, how was life on the ranch?" Link asks. "You know, before I came along."

"It was great sometimes. But… with no friends besides the animals…"

"Oh… uh, sorry… I… I shouldn't have brought it up…"

"No, it's okay. I'm just remembering how it was without friends. Those days when I go to the Market with Dad, him delivering milk personally, me waiting by the fountain… I always tell him I like it, but… I didn't, actually… So many people around. I never did like how two people who are friends just go up and talk to each other. Even worse, kids like us playing around me. I asked if I could join once… I… They… They didn't even respond to me… I… cried. I cried there. They were so mean not to talk to me. I cried in front of everybody. I cried in front of them. The worst part is… they laughed at me… when I cried. One even has the nerve to say, 'Hey, farm girl… you're a baby…'"

A tear rolls down Malon's face.

"You're not," Link said. "Crying is just letting your feelings out. It doesn't mean you're a baby."

"Yeah… well, I certainly let out my feelings that moment. They don't like me, fairy boy… They… don't want to visit me. They don't even want to talk… They're so mean… It's… It's because they never had the chance to know me. I'm always there and not there like that. My ranch is too far for them to visit. They don't want to be friends with that farm girl who don't have the time to play tag, or something. They think… I'm sorta like an adult. But…"

Malon lowers her head, closing her eyes. A fish catches onto her lure, but she doesn't do a thing. The fish loses interest and lets go.

"Malon… I sorry. I didn't know they were that ignorant."

"I wish they had the time to know me better, instead of saying, 'She's the farm girl who has too much on her hands to be a kid.' I… I want to be a kid. I want to have fun. I want friends. But, they… they pass me off as some sorta traitor or something."

"Hey… I don't see you like that…"

"Well, that… that's because we just met back then."

"Why did you keep going if you didn't want to go to the Market?"

"Because… I hope… Every time I go to the Market, I hope… that they would be friends with me… I hope everyday that they would reconsider… But… the thing I hope for the most… is to have a friend."

Malon looks up at Link with a renewed smile.

"And you came along, fairy boy… My hope came true… I now have a friend."

"Yeah, uh, well…" Link blushes a bit.

"You were all lonely out here like me… So, I guess that's how it came to be. You're so interesting, too, you know that?"

"Yeah, because I'm a Kokiri."

"Not just that. You were the nicest kid I've ever met. You talked to me so friendly. I felt so great when you did that. You were a friend right from the beginning. And, you promised to come over and play with me. And you did… You kept your promise, Link…"

"Heh, yeah… I keep promises no matter what."

Malon notices the rare color of red on Link's face. How surprising, that such a compliment can make Link show red.

"And… maybe I haven't told you this…" Malon starts to blush, too, "but… you're cute, too."

"Oh… uh…"

"You're cute, fairy boy. Did you like to know that?"

"Umm… I guess… it wouldn't hurt… to say you're cute, too, Malon."

"Huh? Oh… thanks, fairy boy."

They're just a pair of cute, blushing kids fishing in a pond. The sun is setting, giving them a red and orange makeover. The colors glide in a soft dance. The only thing that is strange is the owner's scratching problem.

URGH! I SCRATCH AND I SCRATCH, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP ITCHING!

SNAG! Malon catches a 7-pound.

"You better hurry up, Link, or else I'll beat you."

"Just wait."

"Hey, Link, have I ever told you what I saw before I met you?"

"What did you saw?"

"I think there were dark clouds over the forest. Then, I saw a light. The light drove the clouds away. And, in that light was a boy."

"Really?" Link said, even though he already knows. "Who is he?"

"You, fairy boy. You had Navi flying around you, while holding the Kokiri Emerald, in the forest. I'm pretty sure it was you."

"Yeah, I think so. I did come out of the forest and into the Market the next day."

"Finding me… Isn't that a coincidence? I saw you the day before we truly met."

"I guess so."

"You're the strangest boy I've ever met…"

"Well, you're the strangest girl I've ever met…"

Malon giggles instead of scowling. She walks over and leans against Link.

"You're so nice, Link, even if you are weird. I… I…" Malon pauses for a moment, "I l-like you, Link. R-Really, I do. Even if you're my best friend."

"Hey…" Link somehow feels comfortable. "I like you, too, Malon, the same way."

Best friends. That like each other. A girl and a boy fishing in a pond. Leaning against each other. The moon rises, hanging above their heads. It would make the cutest picture of the year right now. However…

GODDESSES! WHY DO YOU CURSE ME WITH THIS ITCHING!

SNAG! Link's line starts to pull him.

"I've got one!" Link pulls back his rod.

And it's a big one. This fish is about the size of Malon. But, Link's having trouble reeling it in…

"C'mon, fairy boy! Reel it in!"

The line hasn't move a bit in either direction. Link digs his left foot into the dirt, and pulls hard, the rod bending both of the forces' will. The fish responds by giving more effort.

"Link! Hang on!"

Malon rushes up next to him, and grabs onto the rod.

"Okay!" Link sees her. "On the count of three, yank the fish out! One! Two! Three!"

With a great amount of effort, they send the fish flying out of the pond and through the air, towards the ground. They both fall backwards in the process. Link shakes his head, then grabs the large fish before it can flip-flop its way back into the water.

"Whoa…" Malon said when she sees the fish. "It's… bigger than mine."

"Hey, I did say wait. You didn't think I was doing nothing, were you?"

"Well, you looked like you were really doing nothing…"

"A 7 pound from you, then?" the owner weighs Malon's fish later on. "That beats my record! Hah, probably beginner's luck."

"I fished here before, Mister."

"Well… you're just lucky, then!"

Link holds up his fish.

"WHOA! This fish is huge! It looks like it could beat your fish, little lady!" the owner pauses to weigh it. "It weighs at least 10 pounds! Seriously, what luck do you two have?"

"I think we got it by ourselves, sir," Link said.

"Well, as it is the new record, I've got a prize for you two, then."

He hands them a Piece of Heart.

"Thanks, sir!" Malon stashes away the prize.

"We'll be going now," Link said.

"Okay, hand in the rods."

They both place their rods on the counter. The owner takes his fish out of the tank and throws it into the pond. He then places Link's fish inside the empty tank, containing it in a small world of glass walls. How to swim in a tank, with no freedom…

"Come back when you two get older!" the owner shouts to them when Malon and Link head for the door. "The fish will be bigger, too… Well, maybe."

Lake Hylia; Night

"Night, already." Malon looks up at the moon. "I can't believe we've let time fly so fast while fishing."

"Back to Zora's Domain. We can spend the night there."

Link and Malon dives back into the lake. During their trip back to the Zora structure, Link's eye catches an object underwater that reflects one of the moon's beams.

"Wait."

"What, fairy boy?"

Link dives down to the bottom, feeling the cylinder object against his hands. He grabs it, and surfaces.

"What did you find, Link?"

"A… Bottle."

"Hey, something's inside!"

"What?"

"It… looks like a piece of paper is in there."

On shore, Link uncaps the Bottle, shaking the Letter out. It reads,

'Help me.

I'm waiting for you inside

Lord Jabu-Jabu's belly.

--Ruto

P.S: Don't tell my father!'