Chapter 8

Ruto had cleared out her father's throne room in order to have a private meeting. She didn't need the Zoras disagreeing with her, and making their own little groups.

She needed her people to stand united, especially in the time of battle.

Link and Zelda stood on the pedestal in front of my father and me, looking truly distressed. I couldn't imagine how Zelda was feeling. Part of me wanted to feel sorry for her, but another part of me hated her for stealing Link.

Ruto turned her attention to Link as he stood. His fists were clenched tightly at his sides, as if he were ready to go into battle at that very moment. His face was stone, but his eyes were scared and filled with concern.

Concern for Zelda.

Ruto bit her lip angrily, trying to contain herself.

"King Zora, Ruto…Zelda and I have come before you to ask for your help. We need as many people as we can get to fight the Gerudos." Link looked right past Ruto, and instead looked to her father.

"Nabooru, one of the Sages," Link nodded towards Ruto without taking his eyes off of King Zora, "has gone to Death Mountain to ask the Gorons for their help. With the Gorons, the Kokiri, and the Zoras, we have a good chance at defeating the Gerudos."

"I'm afraid that the decision is up to Ruto. I fear my time is running short, and Ruto will soon be queen." King Zora glanced sideways at his daughter.

He knew she loved Link, even though she knew that he didn't love her. He saw the way she was looking at him.

Her gaze didn't waver, even when her father mentioned her name. She continued to look at Link, longing for him.

Link quickly looked from King Zora to Ruto, and caught her stare.

"Ruto?" He asked, clearing his throat.

Her stare only intensified, and Link broke their eye contact, looking instead down at the pedestal.

"Link…we Zoras have already suffered much. A good portion of our race was lost when Zora's Domain was frozen, and my powers have been stricken from me."

"Nabooru's have as well," Link looked up, "and I'm sure the rest of the Sages are in the same state. But Ruto, if we don't stand up to the Gerudos now, then all hope will be lost."

Ruto marveled at Link's eyes. Two piercing blue orbs, hidden somewhat beneath his golden colored hair. They seemed to melt her heart, which was frozen to the idea of allowing her people to fight.

No. I will not be persuaded. Ruto thought.

"I'm sorry," she looked away, "I have made my decision."

Zelda was filled with anger. She and Link had assisted the Zoras when they were in need, and now, Ruto wouldn't fight to help save Hyrule.

"How dare you." She hissed.

Ruto looked up, surprised at Zelda's harsh tone.

"How dare you call yourself our friend, when here you are, too afraid to fight? Is it because you love Link? Is that why you won't help?"

Ruto's eyes narrowed. She didn't appreciate the remarks Zelda was making.

"My love for Link and the fear for my people are two separate issues." Ruto snapped.

"Do you not remember when we aided your people? Link fought bravely to save everything, and I saved you."

"I know, and I have thanked both of you for your services, but I cannot risk the extinction of the Zora race!"

"I wish that I had never saved you. I wish I had left you to die!"

Ruto felt as though she had been slapped in the face. She took a step backwards, her eyes widening.

She could feel the tears rising, and quickly regained her composure.

"Get out. Get out of Zora's Domain and never come back." Ruto's voice cracked as she spoke. With that, she turned, and fled from the room.

King Zora turned his head to see Ruto fleeing, and turned back to see Zelda running from the room as well.

Link turned back to face King Zora, and bowed his head slightly.

"We'll be going now." He whispered.

King Zora nodded, and watched Link run after Zelda.

The sound of feet slamming against the floor echoed off of the cave walls as Zelda ran down the corridors, and tripped down the stairs.

She stopped to catch her breath as she neared the exit, her hand pressed against the wall for support.

She didn't mean to say such a horrible thing to Ruto, but she couldn't believe that Ruto could be so selfish.

Zelda pressed her back against the wall as she breathed heavily in and out, waiting to hear Link's footsteps coming after her.

"What was it like?" A voice asked from around the corner.

"Horrible. There was smoke everywhere, it covered the sky completely. We could feel the heat from the flames, and we weren't even close to the castle."

Zelda froze, and raised her hand to cover her mouth as she gasped.

"Were there any survivors?"

"I don't know. The fields were covered in blood, as though the Gerudos had fought some of the townspeople outside of the walls."

The Zoras voices became distant, and Zelda blinked away her new tears. She had to go to her father, to Impa…she had to save them.

"Zelda?" Link poked his head inside of the cave, his eyes searching the room for her.

He still needed to retrieve some of his weapons, so he turned and went to his own cave.Zelda is probably waiting for me by the exit. Link thought as he grabbed his Kokiri tunic, which was dry.

There was no time to change. Instead, Link tucked it away inside of his Zora tunic, and continued grabbing his weapons.

He wondered why Ruto was being so stubborn. Was it because she loved Link, and she didn't want to see him with Zelda? Was it really because she feared for her people?

He knew Zelda hadn't meant wishing Ruto were dead, because it wasn't in Zelda's nature to wish for death. She was too happy and full of life for that.

Link smiled thinking of Zelda.

How he loved her. He would do anything for her, and when he said anything, he meant anything.

He hated seeing her in pain. He knew she was worried about her father, wondering if he was dead or alive, or hurt.

Once Link had tucked his hookshot inside his tunic, he began down the corridor, but stopped when he saw Ruto standing there, breathing heavily.

"Ruto?" He asked, stepping forward.

She raised her hands, and he stopped. She walked slowly towards him, and gently slid her hands up onto his shoulders.

"Link," she whispered, "are you leaving?"

Link looked down at Ruto as she looked up at him, and he wondered what she was doing.

"Yes. Zelda and I are going to Kokiri Forest."

Ruto sighed, and raised one hand to stroke Link's cheek. His skin was warm against her cold, clammy skin.

"Ruto, what are you doing?" He asked, trying to back away.

"I love you Link."

Then her lips met his, and Link stood, shocked.

He quickly backed away, wiping his mouth off with the back of his hand.

"Ruto, I'm in love with Zelda." He stated loudly, his voice echoing off of the corridor eyes were wide, and her hands shook as she stood there. She was hurt, embarrassed, and heartbroken.

"Link…you promised to marry me." She whispered, tears falling down her cheeks.

"We were ten years old, and I needed the Spiritual Stone. You know that." He replied calmly, stepping towards her.

"No, don't." She snapped, stepping backwards.

"Ruto-"

"No!" She screamed, falling to her knees.

She sobbed into her hands as she heard Link walk towards her. She heard him reaching out, and slapped his hand away.

She looked up angrily, and saw Link taking his arm back.

"Go." She demanded through clenched teeth.

Link nodded, and walked past Ruto.