Chapter 7

King Zora was deeply disturbed as his daughter flew up the stairs, bowing hastily before him before climbing the stairs to stand on the pedestal before him.

"Ruto, what is it?" He asked, shifting as he sat.

She nervously looked around the room, as if she hoped King Zora hadn't seen her at all. But she soon sighed, and turned her attention to her father.

"Father, something is troubling me."

King Zora sighed.

"I can see that Ruto, but what is it?"

She seemed to almost blush, although her skin remained its white color.

"Father, the Gerudos have attacked the castle, and I fear that Link and Zelda-"

"The Gerudos? Why would they attack the castle?"

Ruto couldn't give her father an answer. She herself was clueless as to why the Gerudos would leave their valley.

"I don't know father, but Link and Zelda have come, and I fear they may ask us to battle with them."

King Zora was confused. First, he wondered why Ruto had allowed Zelda into Zora's Domain, seeing as how she disliked her. Second, he didn't understand why his daughter was hesitant to join the battle.

"Daughter," he patted next to him, "why does this trouble you?"

Ruto reluctantly left the pedestal, and joined her father. She knew he would try and talk her into helping, but she didn't want to.

"Our people have already suffered so much. If we join the battle against the Gerudos, we will lose half of our race."

King Zora nodded, putting one of his small arms around his daughter's shoulders.

"Yes, true. But we Zoras have always bounced back from these hard times."

Ruto stared at the water, trying to think of a good reason to keep the Zoras from joining.

"In the end Ruto, it's your decision. Soon, you will be queen, and you will have to make these decisions alone. But please," King Zora turned Ruto to face him, "remember that Link and Zelda helped our people once before."

Ruto remembered. Link had so bravely fought in the temples, and then defeated Ganondorf. Zelda had saved Ruto before she could be trapped beneath the ice, although she was dressed as a Sheik.

"Whatever you decide, I love you Ruto."

Ruto blinked back her tears, and looked up into her father's eyes as he smiled down at her.

"I know." She said quietly, standing.

She felt heavy as she returned to the caves, and she felt ashamed.

If she decided to enter her race in the battle, then she could risk losing everyone. However, if she decided to decline, everyone would think her a coward.

Link opened his eyes, and groggily lifted his head to see Ruto standing near the entrance to the small cave.

"Link, you're awake." She whispered, rushing inside.

Link wiped his eyes, and blinked a few times to adjust his shaky vision. He felt a lot warmer, and realized that he was wrapped in a blanket.

"Where did you get this?" He asked, looking up at Ruto as she stood near his bed.

"Some of the Zoras traveled to Kakariko Village for them."

Link's eyes widened and he flung the blanket off of him.

"Did they see the castle?" He asked, getting to his feet.

He reached for his scabbard, and tied it to his waist. His sword was still inside.

Ruto grabbed his wrist gently, and tried to ignore the sudden weakness in her knees as she touched him.

"Link, you're still weak. Please, rest."

"I'm fine Ruto, really." He assured her gruffly, continuing to reequip himself.

Ruto watched as he grabbed his bow, and tucked it inside his blue tunic. His green tunic was still drying, and so he had kept his blue one on.

She remembered when Link had come to the Water Temple.

He had looked so handsome, so fierce as he entered the room she had been in when they first saw each other after seven years.

Iron boots on his feet kept him underwater, and the Zora tunic kept him from drowning. His pale, blue eyes filled with such fear, but such courage. His face set as stone when he realized it was Ruto standing in front of him.

She laughed, and Link lifted his eyes.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Nothing, just remembering the past." Ruto confessed, her laughter slowly dying.

"Had the Zoras seen the castle?" Link asked again.

"Yes…yes they had." Ruto chewed her lip, and sat down on the bed Link had been lying on. It was nice and warm, and Ruto felt like lying down and falling asleep.

"And?" He turned around to face her.

Ruto remembered how horrified the Zoras had been. They had described flames, smoke, mayhem, and the blood…

"Link…you should go to Zelda." She whispered.

Link suddenly grabbed Ruto's shoulders, and she was shocked at how firm, yet how gentle his grip was.

"Please Ruto," he looked into her eyes, "tell me."

She wanted to badly to kiss him. She wanted to feel his lips against hers; she wanted to touch his face, to run her fingers through his hair.

No Ruto, he isn't in love with you! Ruto screamed to herself.

"Link…I can't." She lowered her eyes.

He sighed in defeat, and let go of her shoulders. They immediately felt cold without his touch.

Ruto watched as he left the cave, and closed her eyes to make a decision.

Zelda was still amused that she was in Link's Goron tunic. It smelled just like him, and she could almost feel his body tucked inside of it.

Actually, Zelda enjoyed wearing it. Sure it was a little big, but it was comforting.

But even that little piece of amusement was drowned by her fears for her father and for her kingdom.

She could only imagine what was going on in the castle.

Horrible images of guards lying on the ground, spears stuck in their backs, and Impa trying to fight off the Gerudos, but being killed. She saw her father…

"No!" She screamed, throwing a rock across the cave and against the wall.

She threw another, and another, quickly tiring herself out.

"Zelda, Zelda!" Link's voice shouted.

She fell to her knees, sobbing into her hands.

Link's arms were suddenly around her, and his face was pressed against her shoulder as she shook and cried.

"Zelda, please talk to me." He begged, listening to Zelda crying and breathing heavily as she did so.

She turned around in his arms, burying her face into his tunic.

"Link my father could be dead." She sobbed, her voice almost inaudible.

Link rubbed Zelda's back, holding her close to him.

"Zelda, I promise, we're going to save Hyrule." Link whispered, rocking her body in his arms.

"You can't promise that."

Link gently pulled Zelda back, looking into her eyes.

Her face was red, her eyes were puffy. It killed him to see her like that. Link would die for Zelda, just so she could be happy.

"Zelda," he wiped her tears away, "I promise to you that I will fight my hardest. I won't let the Gerudos take away your father's kingdom, and I won't let them take away your father."

She took in a deep breath, while Link stared her down, his worried gaze softening as her breathing became normal, and her tears stopped.

She nodded, and Link kissed her forehead lightly before helping her to her feet.

"I like your tunic." He commented, pulling gently at the red fabric.

"I like it too, because it makes me feel closer to the man I love." She admitted shyly, walking into his open arms.

Link blushed, and hugged Zelda close to him.

"Link."

Link turned, still hugging Zelda, and saw Ruto standing at the entrance to the cave.

She saw Zelda in his embrace, and tried her hardest not to look heartbroken.

"Yes?" He asked.

"My father and I…we wish to speak to you and Zelda." Ruto nodded to the couple.

"Yes of course." Zelda smiled, and stepped back, out of Link's arms.

Ruto smiled back, and quickly strode down the corridor, blinking back her tears while trying to remember that she was happy for Link and Zelda.