Chapter 10: The Fight For The Shores
disclaimer: Zelda and all characters of the game are property of Nintendo. In no way do I expect to get paid for this.
Link, Darmani, and Sahashra rode for five days across the fields of Hyrule, only stopping to buy supplies at nearby villages. They reached the shores by noon of the fifth day. Once they arrived, they were greeted by two odd looking figures. They were Zoras. They were of the height of ordinary Hylian man but their anatomy was quite different. They had large fins on the outside of their forearms and what appeared to be a long tail fin on the back of their heads. Their skin was very smooth and was a sky-blue color. They wore green, fish-skin tunics and no foot wear to cover their webbed feet. Behind them was a small boat.
Sahashra spoke to the two guards, for the Zoras were in good relations with the Shiakah. "We seek the domain. We have business to discuss with your kind."
The Zora guards got the boat ready and the three warriors boarded the boat. Link and Darmani rowed with the two oars while Sahashra stood in the back. After ten minutes of rowing, they reached a large island city. They dismounted the boat and ventured into the city. It was a large city full of attractions. Stalls and shops were spread out across the land and many Zoras roamed the roads.
The Zoras were aquatic people who lived above and under water. They were a peaceful race but contained a strong army. They were the influences of music and creative arts. They took pride in the paintings they made and their theater plays. They were excellent swimmers and they could breathe under water. The soldiers were well trained and their weapon of choice was a large curved sword. They had the ability to change the shape of their arm fins to make a variety of weapons or even a large shield. They usually kept to themselves and had no real alliance with anyone, other than the Shiekah. King Daphnes Nohansen was not an enemy to the Zoras, but he was not their ally. They have remained a neutral race of Hyrule for quite some time.
The three warriors entered the main chamber of Zora Palace. Inside sat a bulky Zora with blue fish skin robes on a throne. To his right was a female Zora by the name of Ruto, their princess. To his left was their highest ranking general, Mikau. He was armed with a Zora sword and wore a red tunic vest over his chain mailed armor shirt. He had tribal markings that spread from his shoulders to his wrists. Sahashra approached the three Zoras with Link and Darmani behind her.
"Hail King Ivan of the Zoras," said Sahashra as she kneeled down to the Zora King.
"Ah, Sahashra of the Shiekah, your companions are strangers to my city. Why have you brought them here?"
She stood up and gestured to her companions. "This is Sir Link of Hylia, and this is Prince Darmani of Goron Mountain. We have traveled here to retrieve the Pendant of Wisdom. This man is kin to the Hero of Legend. He has overcome many dangers and has already recovered the other two pendants of the Triforce."
"You are here by the request of the Royal Family of Hyrule, are you not," inquired Ivan.
"Ay, your highness. A great evil is spreading across the land. Goblins are roaming the fields-"
"We do not contribute to the King of the mainland," said Ivan. "We will remain neutral as we always have. We owe nothing to King Daphnes Nohansen, and this is not our war."
Link walked past Sahashra and approached Ivan. "This war involves all of Hyrule, and it is only a matter of time before this threat reaches your city. All that I ask is for the pendant. I have been given a responsibility by my King to defend this land and destroy the source of this evil, and I intend to carry out his wishes."
Ivan was about to speak when a Zora soldier entered the throne room and approached the King. "My lord, scouts have reported that an army of goblins is coming from the north. They will be here by noon tomorrow."
Mikau approached the soldier. "How big is the army?"
"Five hundred strong at least."
Princess Ruto gave out a worried expression. "They're right, father. We must help them."
Ivan thought about his plan of action and gestured to Mikau. "Prepare your soldiers for battle, general. If this threat intends to make its way here, we shall meet them in battle." Mikau and the soldier left the main chamber and Ivan turned his attention to Link.
"I'll make a deal with you, knight," said Ivan. "You and your friends join us in battle tomorrow, then not only will I give you the Pendant of Wisdom, but I will also come to the aid of your King as a symbol of our union. What say you?"
Link smiled at Ivan. "We shall fight for you, King Ivan. Those goblins will never reach this city."
Ivan smiled and said, "Then report to General Mikau in the armory. He will inform you of his battle plan and I shall arrange for your new quarters." The three warriors bowed to Ivan and were escorted to the armory.
The next day, the goblin army reached the Zora bay to discover four warriors waiting for them. Link, Darmani, Sahashra, and General Mikau stood their ground, blocking the path of the goblins.
"Leave these shores," shouted Link, "or all of you will die today!"
The goblins laughed at Link's demand. Mikau raised his right hand in the air and dozens of arrows shot from the sea, killing many goblin soldiers. The four warriors readied their weapons and charged the goblin horde. As they began their pursuit, hundreds of Zora soldiers materialized from the ocean and charged the goblin army.
Mikau was a skilled fighter, cutting down dozens of goblins with his sword and his fins with amazing speed and agility. Darmani swung his war hammer and battle ax, showing no mercy to his enemies. Sahashra alternated between firing arrows with her long bow and using her staff and Shiekah sword. Link fought furiously with his sword and shield. The Zora soldiers were well trained in battle and fought with passion against the goblins. A few ogres joined the fight against the Zoras, killing anyone that stood in the path of their war clubs. Darmani fought against one and brought it down with his Megaton Hammer then killing it with his ax. Every once in a while, Sahashra would wave her staff at a number of goblins, sending a beam of bright colored energy which would cut down anything that touched it. Mikau's enemy of choice to fight was any high ranking officer. They were better and more experienced in battle and were more difficult to kill. Mikau always enjoyed a good challenge, and he cut down many captains and sergeants with his sword. Link wiped out large numbers of goblins as he fought and he also spent his time helping the less experienced Zora fighters in the battle field.
After three hours of raw combat, the Zoras emerged victorious over the goblin army with few casualties. Mikau shouted his war cry and everyone who was alive to tell the tale responded to the call. He then approached Link and bowed his head to him.
"You are indeed a great warrior, Sir Knight. I am honored to have fought along side you and your strong companions."
Link returned the gesture. "As am I, General." Everybody then made their way back to the city of Zora's Domain.
Princess Ruto presented the Pendant of Wisdom to Link and put it around his neck. The blue jewel glowed with the other two as he received it. He now had the keys to the Blade of Evil's Bane, the Hero's legendary weapon over evil. King Ivan stood from his throne.
"This is a day of rejoicing," said Ivan with a wide grin on his face. "Rejoice in the reunion of the people of the land and the people of the waters. Let the lands and the water of Hyrule come together once again as it once was in the ancient times."
The Zoras in the main chamber cheered and chanted as Link faced them, presenting his three sacred pendants in the air.
A great feast was held in a large ball room of the palace. Link and his companions sat at the main table with Ivan, Ruto, and Mikau. The soldiers ate at separate tables and everybody ate ceremonial fish and meat only ate for special events and festivals. Music played and female Zoras danced about the ball room. Mikau and Ruto exchanged looks to each other at the main table. They were arranged to be married in two weeks, but their attraction to each other began at an earlier time, before the King made the arrangements.
Link kept to himself as he ate his food. "So tell me, knight," spoke the King, "Now that you have collected your prize, are you going to leave us by the marrow?"
"Ay, my lord," said Link as he swallowed a bite of his food. "I have much to do and little time to do it."
"Are you going to go straight to your King?"
Link shook his head. "I have but one small errand to make before I return to the castle." Link found it best not to tell him exactly what his quest involved.
"I will send someone to accompany you on your journey," said Ivan all of the sudden.
"I will go," said Mikau.
Ivan was surprised at his quick statement. Ruto expressed sadness to Mikau.
"So be it," said Ivan. "Mikau will join you until your task is done."
Ruto left the table without a word. Mikau stood from his seat. "Pardon my absence, my lord." He followed Ruto outside the ball room.
Link expressed concern to Ivan. "I want no problems. I'm certain that-"
"He will join you, Sir Knight. He just needs time."
Ruto stood in a hallway crying as Mikau approached her. "Why must you go?"
He held her hands and looked deep into her eyes. "I will return to you. You need not worry."
"I die every time you go into battle. I won't survive without you."
"Don't say that, love. You are strong in heart. This is the life I was chosen for, just as you are bound to your fate."
She looked down, trying to hide her tears. He lifted her chin with his fingers and wiped away her tears from her smooth cheek.
"You know that I love you, Ruto. I will come back for you. I promise." She smiled at his brave words and kissed him ever passionately.
The next day, Link and his two friends waited on the beach for Mikau. He turned to see his new companion ride on a brown horse, equipped with his large sword and his armor. The others mounted their animals and rode north for the Lost Woods, where Link would find the sword of legend at its holy resting place.