Okay for those who missed it and were wondering about Saria, I explained in an earlier chapter that all the sages except Ruto died. As for going "out of order" Even in the game you can go to some temple in different orders. And with how the story was going I felt like doing the Water Temple first.

Chapter 16: Ice and Fire

When Faith saw the inside of Zora's Domain she understood exactly what it was she had felt. Zora's Domain was completely frozen.

"Damn it, it happened again!" Link cursed. "It shouldn't have happened! We weren't even that far away! How in the world did it freeze while we were in the temple?" Link's hands were curled into fists.

"Link, maybe there are still a few people here, maybe we should check it out some more," Faith said placing her hand on his shoulder.

Link turned to Faith. He knew she couldn't feel the same way he did but he felt that she at least felt some of his pain. "You're right come on." Link took off running toward Queen Ruto's throne room.

---

Link didn't pay attention to what he passed but Faith did. She took not of every single thing that was or wasn't there. She saw no Zoras, no laughing children; no life at all remained in the frozen corridors. It hurt to think that even though they had been so close they had still been too far to prevent the ice that was now the only thing to be seen. She had a feeling she knew where Link was headed and why. He was headed to see if anyone was left in Ruto's Throne room, including her. Faith had a feeling that Ruto had probably died. She hoped that Maria had made it out okay.

Link reached the throne room in record time. When he say the mound of pink ice in the hall that lead to the main waterfall he walked over to it as he pulled out a bottle of blue fire. "I think I found someone Faith," Link said turning to check if Faith was behind him.

"How are we going to get them out of the ice?" Faith walked up behind Link and the giant mound of pink ice.

"With a bottle of blue fire, it's some pretty rare stuff but it works wonders on this kind of ice." Link pulled the lid off of the bottle and poured the fire onto the ice. Within seconds the ice had melted to reveal the chief of Zora's Security.

"What-what happened?" The chief said looking around.

"I was hoping you could tell us that. When we got here we found the whole place covered in ice," Link said putting the bottle back in his bag.

"If everything was under ice then how am I able to move?" The chief asked.

"Magic fire," Faith said pointing to Link.

"MAGIC! Magic isn't supposed to be used! How could you let him use magic?"

"The item was magic not what he did with it so I don't think it really counts. Plus I didn't know what he was going to do."

"It doesn't matter right now, do you know what happened to Ruto or if anyone got out?" Link asked.

"Zora's Domain is covered in ice and you ask what happened to Ruto. Do you really think anything could have happened to us if she were alive?"

"I was hoping that the last sage of my time hadn't died. Now do you know if anyone got out?" Link snarled.

"I thought I saw a young girl escape through the tunnel to Lake Hylia but I'm not sure why she'd go there."

"Perhaps to try to stop anyone from taking the temple," Link said thinking aloud.

"I have a feeling I know who it was too. I'm guessing the tunnel has frozen over so we're going to have to cross Hyrule Field to get to it," Faith said looking at Link. "We're going to have to be really careful.

"You're going to cross the field without a shield?" The chief asked.

"Well considering I don't currently have a way of getting one yes. Besides, a shield wouldn't help much with what's in that field."

"For saving me from the ice let me give you a few things, a shield and proper tunic for the water temple to start."

"Thank you, I'm sorry we could have helped to prevent this place from being frozen in the first place," Link said.

"Life should not be spent on what ifs hero of time, merely on what nows." The chief bowed his head at Link. Link returned the action.

"Well, then let's get ready to get across Hyrule Field. It's not going to be an easy journey either. And no matter when we leave the monsters will all be tough." Faith said hoping to get on the road as soon as possible.

"Perhaps we should just warp," Link mused.

"NO MAGIC!" Faith yelled. "Even if we would be able to get into the temple within seconds we can't use magic! There would be more dangers waiting for us when we got out of there than if we were to cross the field!"

"She's right. Things are not at all like they used to be. Magic is not safe to use unless in very hidden places," the chief replied.

"Then let us prepare."

---

The Zora Chief escorted Link and Faith to the end of Zora's river. Faith now had a shield and a Zora's Tunic in her belongings, and Link had received a few things as well. Mostly they were healing potions but there were also a few other small things added to his supply bag. Link turned to the chief. "Thank you for your generosity."

"Thank you heroes for saving me form the ice. Now, be careful on your journey to the Water Temple."

"Good bye sir," Faith added. She nodded to Link. He nodded in return and they set off across Hyrule Field for Lake Hylia and the Water Temple.

Yet again another really odd chapter. The next one should be better. There should be more fighting and less talking. Talking is harder than some people think. Anyways, hope you all enjoyed the chapter despite the massive amount of chit chat.