AN: I don't think much was changed about this chapter, but I hope you enjoy it anyway!

Disclaimer: Still don't own it!

Link

Kagome

"Spirit People"


The three made their way through the stone tunnel, hoping it lead toward answers. All too soon the tunnel opened up into a large chamber. Circular in its shape, it looked to be carved straight from the stone walls that surrounded it. In the middle of the floor were steps that looked to lead where a pool once rested, had it not been frozen over. Surrounding the steps were pillars that held lattice like walls between them. The two farthest pillars, however, held no wall between them. Instead, just behind the pillars, an empty throne rested. The two wolves slowly made their way toward the throne.

Where are all the Zora?

I don't know.

They had just reached the center of the frozen pool when they found themselves, once again, trapped within the twilight fence, complete with three Twilit Messengers.

Maybe they know where are?

How about you ask, and I'll just sit here and laugh while they smack you around?

Link's response was to grab her tail and give a light tug, which caused her to yelp.

How about you take the one by itself, and I'll take the other two after.

Sounds fine to me.

Following the plan, they easily made quick work of the monsters.

Well that was…

"Whoa! Hey! Down! Look below the ice!"

What are we…what the…are those…

Yeah, those are the Zora.

"Those... Those are the Zora! Wow... This is really strange... What in the world happened? Hey... What do you want to do? We can't just leave them like this... I think all we need to do is thaw them out... It does us no good to just stand here thinking... Let's leave and come back later. The portal should work for us. We need to find a way to melt the ice and then come back here..."

Wow, she actually seems concerned.

You're right. But what can we do to help them?

They paused to think of a way to free the frozen captives.

Thaw…

Hmm?

Midna said 'thaw'! Remember when we went to Death Mountain and that large rock fell in front of us?!

Yes.

We can have Midna use the portal to bring it here!

That's right! That should be plenty hot enough to melt the ice around this place.

And it may even help the water to flow again and refill the lake!

Let me get the map and show Midna where to go. I'll go with her this time since you went last time.

Ok.

Doing just as he said, the wolf and the imp soon departed. It did not take long for them return and drop the heated rock right into the middle of the frozen pool.

As predicted, the water heated up enough to begin thawing all the ice within all of Zora's Domain. This included the waterfall outside and began melting all the frozen water before moving outward and continuing to free itself.

"Who knew that something so dangerous would come in handy... All right... The Zora are safe now, so let's go. The ice melted and restored the water flow to normal. Can we finally meet the spirit of Lake Hylia?"

They turned to begin the trek back the lake when an ethereal voice stopped them.

"Wait!"

The group turned and saw before them the spirit of a Zora woman. She wore a dress that layered like the petals of a rose at her hips before fanning out past her feet, much like the tail of a mermaid. Unlike the other Zora's, she had hair upon her head that looked like coral when looked at closely. Her face though, looked familiar to them, but they could not think of where.

"Please, you must allow me to thank you for revitalizing both my people and this spring, which is the water source for all the lands of Hyrule. In life, I was the elder of this Zora village and the queen of my people. I was called Rutela."

"Not to be rude, but we didn't exactly do it for you guys..."

At least she's honest.

"The dark ones... They raided this village and, as a message to my people, executed me before them. Young ones... You who takes the form of proud beasts... I have something to ask of you. When the dark ones descended upon our village, I sent my young one, Ralis, to Hyrule Castle to inform Princess Zelda of our fate. But...I fear danger followed him from this doomed place. I feel it. His presence grows fainter to me over time... But my time in this world has passed, and though I would give it gladly, I no longer have a life to risk in his rescue. Please... Would you save my dearest, Prince Ralis? If you do this thing, I will bestow upon you the protection of water. This power will grant you the ability to swim and respire in very deep water as if you were a Zora. Please... Save my son..."

After her plea, the image of the fallen Queen faded back into nothingness. The group was silent as they thought about what they had just heard. But, of course, Midna had to break the silence.

"Hmm... So, if we help her, she'll grant you the power to swim in deep water like a Zora, huh? So... What do you say, Hero? ...Oh, but now that I think about it, I don't suppose you should meet the prince as a wolf, huh? Eee hee! So... No hurry to return you to the world of light, then, right?"

She just loves her sarcasm, doesn't she?

Sounds like it.

Once more, the group began to make their way back toward the entrance so as to return to Lake Hylia. The part of the Domain below the throne looked very different from the frozen wasteland that they first happened upon. The haunting beauty of the twilight reflected its orange glow on to the water and throughout the clearing. The water, though, did not seem as calm as one would think resting in such a place.

"Looks like the shock of that impact not only raised the water level, but sped up the flow, too... This water should flow all the way down to the lake. Why don't you let it take you there?"

Well what do you know; it seems Midna had an answer for that. Surprise, surprise.

It doesn't look as high as the jump from the bridge.

And at least we know there is large body of water to catch us.

So on three?

Yeah.

1…

2…

And together, our furry little friends jumped from the high platform into the water below. It seemed that Midna was right about the flow of the water. As soon as they splashed into it, they found that the current was pulling them along a set course, before passing out that is.