Hello! Shorter than the first and it has no action. Just a small emotional scene between the two. I don't own Zelda games and Characters, but I do 'own' Joulee and Dura. Enjoy!
"Ralis!"
I heard that familiar voice call to me from the bottom of the waterfall. I was busy signing some things and issuing last minute orders for a large trade of Mountain ore for twenty boxes of Reekfish, which I had caught over the course of two weeks. It seems that Yeto was asking for two more boxes full in return for two more boxes of essential ore.
"Ralis!"
The voice repeated and I couldn't help but smile as I finished signing the agreement to catch two more crates of fish. I motioned the carrier to leave and I made my way over to the edge of the falls, looking down to the figure that had called my name. It was now waving ecstatically and the crimson mass of hair was getting tousled and damp from the falls.
"Come down here! I have a surprise!" Joulee called again and I knew, without even seeing them, that her golden eyes were full of their normal mischief. I let out a chuckle, my hands placed just above my pouched belt and loose fitting pants.
"Why don't you come up here?" I teased. From even that distance, I saw her stick her tongue at me. The guards that were around her laughed at the sight and I grinned even larger.
It wasn't always this way. My people didn't always enjoy Joulee's company, just because she was part Gerudo. But over the past four years, they have come to love seeing the golden eyed girl almost as much as I did.
"You know as well as I do why!" She called, now her own hands now on her hips. From that distance, all I could tell was that the clothes she wore were that of a deep purple and that she was wearing pants. Those were influenced by Ashei; that much was obvious.
I sighed. I did know why she was reluctant to come up to the throne room; Lord Dura. Though my people had grown attached to her recurring visits, Dura never enjoyed seeing her. Every time she would visit, he would implore to me to send her away. I always refused, of course, but somehow he managed to scare her. Only when she knows that he is on a trip to talk to Princess Zelda would she set foot into the upper domain.
"Come on!" She called again, tearing me from my thoughts. I grinned. I walked to the edge of the water fall and, with the grace that is known to my people, I dove into the water. I took a deep breath from the chilled water before I broke the surface of the estuary. Though Zora could breathe air, we did prefer the pure oxygen from the water.
She looked to me, grinning as I got easily out of the water. Now that I could see her closer, the deep purple shirt was that of a Goron style and make. The ornate pattern and the gold embroidery were very different from the plain, almost unnoticeable clothes she would normally wear. I was taken aback and did not notice that she had her hands hidden behind her back now.
"Wanna see your surprise?" Her voice nudged me from my thoughts and my eyes finally noticed the fact that she was indeed excited to show me something.
I nodded and as I did so a large grin broke across her face. Quickly, her small hands shot out to reveal a tiny wrapped box with a bow on top.
"Happy Sixteenth Birthday!" Joulee chimed, still grinning.
I looked to the present, blinking. Soon I smiled and gently took the box from her, examining the box and bow.
"My birthday was three days ago you know." I teased, looking over the gold ribbon used to tie the blue box shut.
"Well Excuse me your highness!" She placed her hands on her hips, one eyebrow raised. "Not my fault Telma wanted me to help her clean the bar." Joulee then gave me one of her lopsided grins. "Then Darbus wanted me to help deliver some hot spring water. That is where I got the rupees for the stuff to make your gift!" She bounced on her toes, looking from me to the gift. "So open it! Open it!"
I chuckled at her excitement and slowly opened the gift to get her peeved. It worked, for she smacked me in the arm. I laughed thunderously, quickening my pace. Gently, I pocketed the ribbon and opened the box. At seeing the gift, I was slightly shocked.
"You like it?" She asked, standing on her toes to look into the box and then at my expression. In the box laid a silver neck chain and on the chain was a small, simple bottle. It was a slightly tinted Cobalt blue and the inside was empty. A cork was loosely put into the top and on the inside next to the necklace was a piece of metal.
She saw me looking at it and another grin came to her features.
"The metal is for sealing the bottle with the cork once you decide on what to put in it!" Joulee tilted her head to the side, and then looked up to me as I continued to look at the small gift she gave me. "What? Don't you like it…?" She asked in a sad tone.
I looked up to her then and smiled.
"No. I love it." I reached inside and pulled out the token and then proceeded to put it around my neck. I wore many items of jewelry, but none would be as valued as this one. "Thank-you very much, Joulee." I smiled to her again, the necklace now hung at my neck.
Her face went blank for a moment and that similar mask in her eyes hid her emotions. I was confused, but it soon went away and she grinned at me.
"So, what cha gonna put in it?" The red head changed the subject, now back to rocking back and forth on her toes. I shrugged.
"I don't know yet, probably a-"
"Your Majesty," A guard cut me off, bowing deeply before he continued. "Iza wishes to speak with you. Something about hiring on another Zora to help clean the river ride of large branches…"
"Yes, Yes. I'll get on it." I nodded to the guard, who bowed once more and left. A sigh escaped me as I turned to look back to Joulee. "I have to-"
"I know. Iza won't take long; just need to work out who wants to work for her." She smiled. Suddenly, she hugged me tightly.
I was taken by surprise. Slowly though, I hugged her back. As I hugged her, I noticed that she barely came up to my shoulder. There was always a height difference between us, but not this little. I realized that she was now twelve, soon to be a teenager. I hoped that we would always be close, even as we grew old.
She soon let go and then moved her hands in a shooing motion. I chuckled, messing up her hair with my hand and then quickly retreated. She called after my in a sarcastic tone, though I couldn't catch the words.
By the time I got back, I assumed she had gone home. But as soon as I made to the throne room, I saw Lord Dura with Joulee. His hand was clasped tightly around her arm and he was pointing to a small Zora child. I couldn't hear his words, but I knew that he was yelling at her.
He soon saw me approaching, a glare on my features, and he dropped her arm. Joulee rubbed it, yet didn't look up to Dura or me.
"What is the meaning of this Lord Dura?" I spoke with anger laced in my voice.
Dura just looked at me with an expression of pride.
"I was showing it the horrible things its kind has brought to our people!" He pointed an accusing finger to Joulee, his earrings clanking together with his sudden movement.
Dura was a middle aged Zora, average in height and build. His eyes were the same color as most Zora, though there was always a hint of distaste that shone in them. His garb was elaborate, even more so then the clothes I owned for special occasions and this was to prove he was better than others. Though he was pompous, he was a close advisor to my mother and had helped me many times during my first year or two of rule. And he was a man that would always tell me of the Zora law.
The way he treated Joulee never sat well with me.
"She did nothing to this child!" I almost growled to Dura as I glared daggers at him. He returned my glare and crossed his arms.
"Gerudos are all alike." He huffed as he held his chin high. "They are to be held accounted for each other's actions."
I was about to angrily reply when I saw from the corner of my eye Joulee kneel down in front of the small Zora child.
"Hello. I'm Joulee… what is your name?" She whispered to the girl.
The child said nothing at first, just looked up to her with wide eyes.
"Lord Dura says to not talk to you…" The small girl finally spoke at a whisper, taking a glance to Dura and me before returning her stare to Joulee. "He says you killed Momma when you freezed the upper pond." The girl looked to her feet, sniffling slightly.
A pang of anger swelled in my chest and I was about to speak, but Joulee spoke first.
"Oh? I'm sorry to hear your Momma died." She placed her hand over her heart, still looking to the small child. "My Momma died too. The desert took her from me…" A sad smile came to her lips. "I promise to you, on my Momma's soul, that I didn't do anything to hurt your Momma." She lifted her hand and then gently petted the girl's arm. "But if feeling anger towards me will make you feel better, then you can go ahead and hate me. I'll understand."
I watched her with awe as she acted so much older than she was. Dura was about to retort, but I stopped him with a glare that could kill and he remained silent.
The Zora shook her head. "I don't wanna hate you." She began to sniffle again, tears now running down her cheeks. "I just want my Momma." The girl cried, her tiny voice letting out a sob or two once in a while.
Joulee quickly scooped up the small girl and lifted her into her arms, holding her close. The small girl clutched at her purple shirt, soaking it with her tears. With the hand that wasn't supporting the small child; she was petting her head and cooing, whispering:
"It's good to cry. It will never be alright, but it will get better." She spoke honestly to the child in a calming tone.
The small spot in my heart for her grew then and I then wondered if that someday this girl will control the whole thing… and if I would embrace the control.
"Of course she would lie on her mother's soul." Dura growled, breaking the moment.
Sometimes I really disliked him.
Like I said; shorter than the first. I liked writing this emotional scene, though I would guess it might be boring to outsiders. Next chapter will happen within this same year and will –hopefully- involve some action! Please review/critique!