Chapter 8: Disease of Zora's Domain

"Link you don't need to act like it was nothing. You screamed and it wasn't a quiet scream either. Obviously something happened in the dream," Faith said pulling a chair next to Link's bed and sat down in it.

"You're just a little too curious sometimes Faith," Link said glaring at her.

"I'm just trying to help. Maybe if you talked to someone about it..."

"Faith I'm fine. You really shouldn't worry so much about me. I know things have changed but I have done this once before so don't worry." Link said.

"Look even if you don't want to tell me at least you can tell Queen Ruto about it or even just Navi. Don't hide what is in dreams because it s the dreams that you don't want to come true that do when left untold," Faith said getting up and waking toward the door. 'I can't believe he doesn't trust me,' she thought to herself.

"Just don't worry Faith," Link said watching her.

"If I don't who will?" she said as she opened the door. Without letting him answer she left the room.

"I don't get what it is with her," Link said confused.

"She's just worried Link. Maybe you should tell her or Ruto about the dream," Navi said.

"What if I just told you about it and made you swear not to tell anyone else?" Link said laying back down.

"You don't get the point do you Link?" Navi asked sarcastically as she floated back to her pillow on the dresser.

"I'll never understand girls."

---

Unlike Link, Faith couldn't fall back asleep. She had decided that she would walk around Zora's Domain to calm her thoughts. However, it wasn't working very well. "Why wouldn't Link tell me what happened in his dream? And what could make him scream like that? Does he not trust me or was the dream just something to personal? I wish he would just tell me something!" Faith thought to herself. Faith sighed and looked around. She had been walking but not paying attention to where she was going. She didn't recognize anything around her. "This is what I get for walking with a full mind." Before Faith could decide what to do she heard a Zoran Woman yell.

"Thief! Someone please stop that thief!" The Zoran woman ran out of a doorway that Faith hadn't seen before. Faith also saw a child running away from the woman and toward her. Faith grabbed the child's arm as she passed her.

"Please let me go. My mother needs this medicine to get better but we don't have the money to pay for it. Please!" the child pleaded.

"Thank you for stopping that girl. She stole medicine from my shop. I thought the children here knew better considering the fact that we have the last sage as our queen. I guess I was wrong," the woman said as she walked up to Faith and the child.

"How much is the medicine?" Faith asked still holding the child's arm.

"It's fifty rupees. Why do you ask?" the woman asked.

"I'll pay for the medicine. Faith let go of the child and grabbed her wallet. From it she pulled out one purple rupee. "This should cover it." The woman was stunned and so was the child. "You said your mother needed the medicine so take me to her," Faith said to the child.

---

Link had only been able to sleep another fifteen minutes. His mind kept wandering back to the dream. "Who was that guy in the black armor? Why was he after her? The last time I had a dream like this I didn't keep thinking about it. Last time I didn't know anyone in the dream when I had it though. Maybe faith is right, maybe I should tell Ruto about it," Link thought to himself. He sighed and rolled out of his bed. "Alright I'll tell Ruto about it." Link left his room and went to find Queen Ruto.

---

"Mom I'm back and I brought medicine for you," the zora girl said as her and Faith entered one of the many rooms that were used as homes.

"Maria, I hope you didn't do anything irrational to get it," a tired voice answered. Faith then saw a very sick and skinny looking zora woman lying on a thin mattress.

"It's paid for Mom, don't worry," Maria, the zora girl, answered. Maria sounded like she was close to crying.

"That wasn't exactly what I meant Maria dear," the woman answered coughing slightly.

"Just take some of it mother!" Maria cried.

"Don't worry ma'am I paid for it," Faith softly said.

"Who's this Maria?"

"My name is Faith. I'm staying in Zora's Domain with a friend of a friend."

"Zora's Domain has not had many visitors lately. Might your friend be the legendary Hero of Time?" Maria's mother asked as a hopeful smile spread across her face.

Faith was shocked that the woman had even thought of that, but she answered truthfully. "Yes ma'am he is. The Hero of Time has returned to Hyrule."

"That's good to hear. However I doubt I will be able to see him save Hyrule. Even with the medicine it is too late for me. Please help to keep my daughter safe."

"Mom don't talk like that you'll be fine! Please just take the medicine!" Maria cried.

"I understand ma'am. I'll take care of her." Faith closed her eyes and bowed her head.

"Thank you." The woman's words could barely be heard. She raised her hand to Maria's face. "I love you my child, take care." Her hand went limp and dropped to her side.

"No Mom…" Maria's eyes filled with tears as she buried her head in her hands.

"I'm sorry Maria." Faith placed her hand on Maria's shoulder.

"Go away and Leave me alone!"

"I'll come back later, Maria" Faith walked out of the room quietly letting the child be with her mother.

"Do you think she'll be ok?" Rosa asked in a whisper.

"She'll be just fine."

---

"Queen Ruto, may I have a few words with you?" Link said standing on the platform facing Queen Ruto.

"Of course Link, I enjoy talking with you," Ruto answered. She smiled at Link. "Please go ahead and sit."

"I have something I need to talk to you about." Link told Ruto about his dream. He didn't once lift his eye to Ruto's once.

"I'm glad you told me about this Link. However, I don't know what to make of it," Ruto answered after he finished his tale. She looked to see if he was looking at her or if he was still looking down.

"I see. I'm sorry I bothered you with this."

"No Link it's not a bother at all, I already said…" Queen Ruto started coughing. The coughs were loud and harsh.

Link was startled by this coughing fit. "Queen Ruto are you ok?"

"It's just a little cough." Ruto smiled at Link. "I'll be fine. You go find Faith and we'll discuss the plan to take down Dogan."

"Yes ma'am." Link turned to leave as Queen Ruto starting coughing. Link looked back just as Queen Ruto passed out. "Ruto!"

Note: I know kind of an odd chapter. You know if I get enough reviews I might start giving responses to reviews, an idea of saukme's. Tell me what you think of the idea in a review. Until next time Zelda fans!