I do not own Zelda. Joulee and Dura are mine. Longer A/N at bottom. WARNING! SAPPYNESS! Enjoy!

Everyone tried there hardest to find her. She had left in the night, when Telma was asleep and collected some things; extra clothes, food, water, and anything else that could be carried.

There was no note. She didn't tell anyone where she was going. We looked everywhere for her. My guards and I checked every body of water. Ashei checked Snow Peak and Shad the skies. Telma checked the towns, Rusl and Link checked the forests, and Renado had the Gorons look through the mines of their mountain.

All that was left was the desert. Rusl couldn't leave his family, Telma had to stay at her bar, Shad couldn't go, and Ashei wasn't used to the harsh heat –only the harsh cold. I couldn't go or send my people because the lack of water would kill us. That left Link and we didn't ask him to go- he had bittersweet memories and painful experiences in the desert.

So we just prayed to the Goddesses to keep her safe. I felt like I prayed to everything that was a higher being to keep her safe and to bring her back to me. I was furious at her for not talking to me. I was sad that she didn't at least leave a message saying she was going to be gone. Didn't she care that people were worried about her?

That I was worried?

I was restless for three months, going about my duties on autopilot. I remember signing things, fishing, trading, and sleeping. I kept a façade that I was alright, but I could tell that my people noticed my melancholy mood in everything I did. When I had nothing to do, I would either sit on my throne and just watch my people go about their days or sit in my library and read over the book. The same book she would read every time she got the chance. The book itself was telling the story of the Zora.

It told about Nayru and a Hylian man of the sea. He was wise like the goddess and she loved him the most of all the beings created by Farore, though she thought that all creatures made by her sister were too self absorbed. One day, while he and his family were at sea, a storm hit the vessel that he manned and the ship sunk. As he was drowning, Nayru heard his prayers. It wasn't something she expected from the selfish people she knew Farore had created. He prayed that his family would be saved, even if he had to die to appease the sea. Just before she transcended to the heavens with her sisters, she fulfilled his prayers and saved his family. They grew gills and flippers, their bodies transforming into the Zora that are known now. She also saved him, giving him the same gifts. And for many years, if a sailor and his family were almost lost to the sea, they turned into Zora to live their new lives in the water. His selfless prayer saved lives and created my people.

Why the eight year old Joulee wanted this book, I never knew, but I never asked. I was just happy to be with her.

I was in the meeting room, going over some trade agreements, when Lord Dura came in. His footsteps woke me from my daydream and I looked up to the older man. He was much more joyful since Joulee left, telling me every day that she left because it was for the best. When I first saw him, I thought he was going to go off on another rant about how I 'should stop thinking about the treacherous Gerudo and completely forget her'. I sighed.

"Yes Lord Dura?" I murmured, my hands lying loosely on the table. "Can I help you?"

He eyed me for a moment, and then nodded.

"More like how you can help your people." He answered me in a very serious tone. I gave him a curious look. I have always helped my people. When he saw that I wasn't going to reply, he continued. "You are turning twenty-two, your majesty. Have you even thought about who is going to be your queen?"

A shocked look came to my features.

"My Queen?" I repeated, still shocked at the sudden topic. Lord Dura had always hinted at this topic, talking about how beautiful or dignified a Zora woman was. His now out right question caught me completely off guard.

"Yes, your majesty." He replied, a sigh escaping him. "Though you are King, our people and others still call you Prince. You must marry soon, so that your true title can be recognized and so that you will have heirs to the throne."

I stopped myself before I could retort. It was true. I was the King of my people, but I am still called Prince Ralis by both them and people under other monarchs. I personally didn't mind, but I saw where Dura was getting at- our people need a King, not someone people still thought of as a Prince. Looking up to Dura, I blinked.

"You are correct, Lord Dura." I answered him, nodding. A small smile came to his features, for it was rare for me to openly say he was correct.

"Thank-you, Your Highness. Now," He clasped his hands together, a short clapping sound coming from the motion. "Who do you have in mind to be your Queen?"

The very blunt question caught me off guard once more. I never really thought about who was going to be my queen. Yes, I was attracted to many women in my short time as an adult, but those affections came to pass. I wanted more than beauty. I wanted more than grace. Goddess, I don't think I wanted a woman with nobility perfection- it would get boring after a short time.

Dura must have noticed I couldn't think of anyone, so he started to throw out some names.

"Kaila?" He offered

"No, she is too high maintenance." I answered bluntly, remembering the in-depth conversation she had once with Joulee about her daily routine. I also remembered Joulee replying with how she usually forgot to comb her hair in the mornings.

"Pattel?"

"No, she is far too shy." I replied, remembering how Darbus came to the Domain to speak to me and the Zora fled to the lake's depths at the sight of him and his friends. I then remembered how Joulee embraced the large Goron and her laugh when he hugged her back, lifting her small form from the ground.

"Swift?"

"No, far too pompous." I shook my head, recalling the time she literally spat in the face of a Hylian child that got the Zora's feet dirty. I also remembered how Joulee gave that woman a verbal beating for it, and then helped the child get cleaned up.

Dura could sense something that I myself didn't.

"… Mire?" He inquired.

"No, she is…" I had to think of what to say. Mire was a good Zora, kind hearted and sweet. But something about her just didn't make me want her to be my queen. "Too tame." I finally finished, finding the right word for it. She would do whatever someone asked her. I remembered how defiant Joulee was when a Noble told her to carry his wife's bags and the snide comment about how the woman wouldn't last in the real world.

Dura continued to throw out names, and for each I would come up with something that turned me off from them. 'Too tall', 'Too pale', 'Too squat', 'Too quiet', 'Too old', Etcetera. After a while, I think my mind started to come up with fake reasons and for each name I remembered something that Joulee did that was the exact opposite. I didn't even fully realize it until Dura said one name.

"Joulee?"

"Yes." I said without hesitation or thought, almost cutting him off as soon as I heard the first syllable. Dura glared at me and it was then I realized what I just said. I inhaled gently, and then looked to the floor. Every fiber of my being was yelling at me, telling me that I was right to answer yes. That hers was the only name I would ever say yes to for as long as I lived. "By the grace of the Goddesses, yes." I whispered to myself, just soft enough so that Dura couldn't hear.

An aggravated sigh escaped the older man, his fingers now pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Your Majesty, she is gone. She has been gone for almost a year now and might even be dead." Those last words were filled with a tone of hope that sickened me. I looked up to him, that look that screamed that he was better than his own people on his features. "The Gerudo left without even telling anyone. She obviously didn't care about people."

I knew that by people, he meant me. I nagging voice in the back of my mind agreed with him. It was now my turn to sigh and I slowly nodded.

"You are right, Dura. I guess that she won't come ba-" I was cut off by a loud knock on the door. Turning to the large stone entrance as it opened slightly, I saw the very familiar reddish cap and flag of the postman. It seemed he was waiting for permission to enter and I nodded.

"Prince Ralis, I-"

"King Ralis." Lord Dura harshly corrected, glaring to the Hylian. The postman blinked and I nodded for him to continue.

"King Ralis, I have a letter from Telma for you." He spoke again, speaking the corrected title for Lord Dura's sake more than mine. Walking up to me, he held it out to me. I gratefully took it. "It is a 'read now' letter." The strange man in shorts added before he left the meeting room.

Looking over the letter, I quickly opened it before Dura could get back to scolding me.

Ralis,

She is here

I cannot hold her in the bar for much longer, she isn't a child anymore and I cannot hold an adult against their will (unless drunk). I convinced her to stay for a while and get some proper rest, but if she learns that I set a letter to you to come and see her, she might use gentle force to leave.

It seems that she doesn't want to see you. Yet, it also seems like she does. Did something happen between you?

Never mind, tell me when you get here.

Be quick,

Telma.

A look of shock came to my features as I reread the letter over and over again, not fully comprehending what Telma just told me. A swarm of different feelings crammed itself into my chest as I finally put the letter on the table.

I shot Dura an almost childish look to counter his own look of confusion.

"She is back." I said before I quickly walked to the door to leave.

With the speed I thought wouldn't come with his age and status, Dura stood in front of the door with his arms crossed.

"Don't do it your majesty." He glared.

"Move Lord Dura." I spoke, trying to move by him and failed.

"She is a Gerudo, a woman who would rather kill you then embrace you." He growled.

"I said move, Dura." My voice got stern and I was on the verge to actually order him. A brief look of shock came to Dura's face, but was soon replaced with a scowl. He moved out of the way and I opened the door as fast as I could. Just as I passed him, I paused for the slightest moment and looked him in the eyes. "And you are wrong. Oh so wrong." Before he could answer, I had closed the door behind me and was now quickly walking to the falls.

"Prince Ralis, where…?" A guard followed after me, confused.

"I'm going to Telma's. If anyone asks, I'm there- I don't know when I'll be back." I quickly answered. As soon as I got to the falls, I turned to the guard. "I'm going by myself. It will be quicker for me." With a final nod, I turned to the falls and dove in. As soon as I hit the water, I swam as fast as I could to Castle Town.

I have to know why she left. I had to see her, even if she hated me- for I could never hate her.

I was still wet when I entered Telma's bar. My breath was rapid, for as soon as I set foot on land I ran. Zora are meant for swimming, not running.

Telma was at the bar and when she saw me she gave me a warm smile. The years had aged her; a small amount of wrinkles had found themselves onto her face and her red-brown hair had streaks of grey at the temples. Yet her personality kept her young.

"Ralis, I'm glad you got the message." She said, her voice calming me ever so slightly. It always had that affect on me. Seeing my eyes search the bar, she chuckled. "She is in her old room." Telma pointed to two doors to the far end of the bar. "It's the one on the right." She added as I made my way to the door.

My heart raced. I was going to see her. Talk to her and give her the comfort I had saved for her when Auru died. But in my throat wasn't words of comfort, but words of anger.

Anger over her just leaving and not telling anyone. Not telling me. I wanted to give her a piece of my mind and I had the exact words to say as soon as I opened the door.

The words died in my throat once I saw her.

She stood by one of the nightstands, a photo in her hands. What it was of, I couldn't tell, but I also didn't care. She had changed so much since I saw her last, even though it was just under a year ago. Her crimson hair was choppy short, obviously of her own doing and her normally pale skin was bronzed. Joulee had grown a bit taller, though not as much as I had once I was her age. She wore a tan sleeveless shirt and her arms were wrapped up in white cloth. Telma must have wrapped them, for they were clean. Her pants were also tan and thick swatches of fabric were on the knees and butt of the calf length shorts.

She must have heard my breathing, for she turned to face me. Brief shock came to her features and her golden eyes looked over me. I had changed very little in the year that we were apart, but it seemed that she just now noticed how much I've changed since the first day we met.

I now stood at a height of just over six feet and I was no longer the tall, awkward teen I was those years ago. I filled out fairly well, becoming the swimmer muscular that is a known trait to my people. The pants I wore were simple and non-descript, which got me confused with a non-royal Zora. I still wore the many necklaces I always wore and the earrings that gave me my rank. Those were the few things that stayed the same over the years.

A long moment of silence came between us as we just looked at each other, counted all the changes that happened over the years.

"You still have it." Joulee broke the silence. Her voice was the same chiming sound that I loved.

"Huh?" That was the depth of my vocabulary at that moment, still confused and now mesmerized by the voice I hadn't heard in a year.

A small chuckle escaped her full lips as she strode over to me, shortening the space between us with her quick strides. Her hand gently reached out to the one necklace around my neck that wasn't like the others. It was a simple silver chain with a small, blue tinted bottle attached to it like a charm.

"This. I would have thought you would have rid yourself of it." She murmured as she looked it over. My heart quickened. She was so close- I could smell the sand and the sun on her skin and in her hair. My body urged me to hold her in my arms, but I refrained. My eyes became sad as I gazed down at her. She barely made it to my shoulder and her hair covered her coin eyes.

"Why did you leave?" I asked sadly, never taking my eyes off her.

She didn't answer me at first, still rolling the small bottle between her delicate fingers. No, delicate wasn't a word for them anymore- they were callused and her hands were scarred. Some of the scars even looked fresh.

Another pause passed between us before she looked up to me and gave me a meek smile.

"Because I thought that you didn't want to see me anymore…" Her eyes became filled with sadness. "Because I thought you hated me."

I couldn't hold myself back any longer. My hand reached up to her cheek and rested itself there. My thumb brushed away a lone tear that she didn't even know got free.

Those golden eyes drew me in and I gently leaned to her, putting my lips to hers.

They were as soft as I imagined, the extreme sun not affecting them like they would another. Every feeling that I have had for her rolled into one with one name…

I loved her. I loved everything about her.

Then, after moments of pure bliss, I realized what I had done. I pulled away, suddenly nervous. Was she going to yell at me or hit me?

"Joulee, I'm so sor-" Her hand came up to my mouth and silenced me. A small smile came to her features.

"No talking. Not now." Joulee murmured before she stood on her toes and kissed me.

I was shocked, but soon that was overcome by joy. My hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to me as I kissed her deeply. Her arms looped gently around my neck, pulling her even closer to me. We kissed like that for what seemed like forever before we finally stopped.

Yet we didn't let go of one another. We still held on, my face now buried in her hair and hers resting on my shoulder.

We didn't speak, but there was no need. A whole wordless conversation passed between the two of us while we were in each other's arms.

Dfghjkhgfkzl! This chapter took me the longest to write. I knew exactly what I wanted, but when I first wrote it out it ended up being really, really short. I'm not the best at putting filler in things, so I apologize if this is kind of long winded and/or awkward. I do enjoy how I ended this chapter, though I feel like I could have added a bit more. Two questions to you all; do you hate Dura? Was the kissing scene to cliché or unnatural? Just want to know. Please Read and Review/Critique!