Ruto was slightly taken aback, the sensation of suddenly being whisked away as a cloud of sparkling blue motes very jarring. For a moment, she felt like nothing, bringing her a sense of dread, for it was far too similar to the sensation she felt when this portion of her being was separated from the rest of her soul. Luckily, it didn't last long, as far as she could tell, and she soon felt herself become whole again.
Opening her eyes, the first thing she beheld was a crystal blue sky, a stark contrast to the misty overhanging of The Lost Woods. It was obvious that they weren't there anymore. The fact didn't unsettle her, for she now realized that Link had initiated the Ocarina of Time's warping capabilities. As a Sage Ruto was well aware of the mystical instrument's functions and abilities, though this was the first time she had had the privilege of experiencing the unique magic in person.
"Hey?" Said Link worriedly to his beloved as she stared up at the sky, having long since become accustomed to the teleportation power of the ocarina himself. "You okay Ruto?"
"I'm fine, Link," Ruto reassured, looking down from the sky. "The Ocarina of Time is indeed a powerful relic for it to be capable of doing this."
Link agreed, looking down at the object in question as he stowed it away once more.
"So where are we?" Ruto asked, looking around at their new surroundings.
She required no explanation, however, for she immediately recognized their location, she was almost as intimately familiar with this place as she was Zora's Domain after all.
"Lake Hylia…" she said in wonderment as she beheld the tranquil body of water that currently surrounded them…the very location of her people's place of worship, The Water Temple.
At first she grew slightly uneasy at the fact that she was here again, so close to the very sanctum that drove her and Link apart, but quickly composed herself once she remembered that she was no longer bound to that destiny. And she needn't question his reasoning either, for if there was any place in Hyrule where one might find fresh fish, it was here. Again, her mouth watered at the thought of freshly caught fish.
Link stepped off the platform engraved with the symbol of the Triforce, walking past the lone tree of Lake Hylia as he made his way towards the edge of the small island he now stood upon. As they passed Ruto noted the trio of large claw marks scratched into the bark of the tree from his arms. They had been there for as long as she could remember, ever since the days her mom would bring her here to teach her how to swim and to get her acquainted with The Water Temple, her people's place of worship, unaware of how she would be intertwined with that place some day back then.
But back to the claw marks, Ruto had often wondered what kind of creature would be capable of gouging them into such a tough material as wood, and in such a large size too. She wasn't even aware of anything up to scale in conjunction with the marks either. Wolfos weren't big enough, even the fabled dragon of legend, Volvagia, wasn't big enough to leave such marks.
"Hey, Link?" Ruto inquired, Link pausing and giving her his undivided attention. "Have you ever noticed those marks on the tree there?"
Link looked upon the said tree, his brow creasing as he examined the huge indentations. "I have, actually. Since my first visit to this place."
It was true, he had noticed those marks long ago, and they unnerved him greatly.
"Ever wonder what could have made them?" Ruto asked curiosily.
"Yes," Link answered truthfully, not bothering to hide the unease in his voice. "Whatever did it had to have been massive. Even Ganon wasn't that big." He brought his attention back to Ruto. "Don't you know? Aren't Zoras supposed to be the stewards of this place?"
Ruto shook her head. "I asked my mom about them once. She told me those claw marks predate when Zora even inhabited Hyrule."
"That so?" Said Link intriguingly, looking at the marks again. "Well, let's hope that, at the very least, that means whatever made those marks has to be long gone by now."
Ruto agreed, having no desire to come across whatever could have scratched the tree so long ago herself.
Another rumble from Ruto's stomach reminded both her and Link of the reason why they were here and so drew their attention from the claw marks and proceeded to the water, never noticing the brief spark of electricity that emanated from them for a split second.
Having finally arrived at the water's edge, Link gently lowered Ruto into the calm surface of Lake Hylia, the baby Zora almost bristling as she was submerged in the clean, pure liquid. It was almost like coming home after being gone for several years for Ruto, for the waters of Lake Hylia had been a source of great comfort throughout her upbringing, serving as a basis for several fond memories growing up. And now she was back.
And positively famished.
This place had even served as her first hunting grounds in her infant years (her original infant years), having weaned on the fish here the moment her parents felt it necessary for her to fish on her own.
"Wait for me here, Link," Ruto requested, bobbing up and down in the water as she floated before him, wagging her flipper's to keep herself steady. "I'll be back as soon as I catch something."
As piscivores, their diet consisted of mostly fish, so Zoras had the capability and instinct to fish, even at a young age.It came as no surprise to Link that Ruto was perfectly capable of catching fish for herself, even in her current state. Besides, Ruto herself didn't see how Link could assist in any way. Not only could he not breathe water, but Hylians weren't exactly known for being swift swimmers either.
But Link had no intention of staying on shore while Ruto fished. It had occurred to him that, while he had no problem with nuts, berries, and other produce, this was his opportunity to savor something other than forest fare himself. Unlike the Kokiri, He wasn't above eating meat, having done so on several occasions.
He wasn't a true Kokiri after all.
"Actually, I intend to join you Ruto," Link said, rummaging through his belongings. "Fish actually sounds good at the moment."
Ruto blinked curiously, wondering what Link meant by that. "You got a fishing pole?"
Ruto was well aware of the tool's often utilized by non-Zora's to catch fish, as well as understood their necessity. Most people lacked the nimble dexterity of a Zora. But that apparently wasn't the case here, for Link withdrew from his person, not a fishing pole, but a mask in the likeness of a Zora's face.
She eyed the article as Link held it in his hands skeptically, having seen Link wearing something similar before, way back when they had first met. She speculated that Link intended to don the mask and swim with her, and, if that was the case, she wondered whether he was serious or not. She may have found it amusing when he wore such a mask in her youth, actually finding it flattering that he was trying to emulate being a Zora, but now was hardly the time to play pretend.
"Link, while that little stunt was amusing before, now is hardly the time," Ruto said with displeasure.
Link looked at her with confusion. "Stunt? What stunt?"
"That shenanigan you pulled back in Zora's Domain when we were kids." Ruto thought about their current predicament. "Well, when we were first kids, at least. Remember, you went around wearing a mask that looked like a Zora? It was entertaining then, but like I said, now is hardly the time for such childish antics. Putting on a mask doesn't make you a Zora."
Link blinked, now understanding Ruto's meaning. She was referring to the time he had borrowed that cheap Zora Mask from the Happy Mask Shop and then paraded around the Domain, much to the ire of the real Zora's there, apart from Ruto, who only saw it as a sign that he was ready to marry her. He hadn't thought about that scenario for some time actually; he really could be unruly as a child, couldn't he?
However, the Zora Mask Link wore back then was little more than a party favour, quite unlike the mask he now held, despite their similarities in appearance.
"Don't be so sure about that, Ruto," said Link portentously, and, with a knowing smile, placing the mask to his face.
Ruto arched an eyebrow at his words, pondering their meaning, when Link suddenly began swaying on his feet, then gripped his forehead, grunting in apparent discomfort.
"Link, what's wrong?" Asked Ruto concernedly.
Suddenly, Link looked up, giving a slight cry of pain. Ruto reared back in shock, and not just from her lover's sudden outburst. The mask he had put on had somehow become animated, the lips opening in conjunction with Link's pained howl, revealing a realistic mouth full of sharp teeth, very similar to an actual Zora's. But it was the eyes that disturbed Ruto the most. They had shifted from realistic depictions of an actual Zora's eyes to menacing black pools with black veins extruding from the rims. At first, Ruto was totally terrified, overwhelming concern for Link's wellbeing at the forefront of her mind, when she was suddenly overcome by a flash of blinding light that swept forth from Link and encompassed the area. Ruto was forced to shut her eyes to keep from being blinded. The light faded a second later however, allowing Ruto to see again as she opened her eyes.
What she saw now left her completely stunned.
A full blown Zora now stood where Link had been. He had the typical appearance of a Zora, tall and slender, skin colored like seafoam, the only apparent differences being that his highlights were green rather than blue, and the appendage on his head tapered to a slender point rather than a fishtail like fin. For a moment Ruto could only stare up at the Zora that seemed to have come out of nowhere, a cacophony of emotions running through her being, mostly surprise and alarm. In the meantime all he did was stare back at her, the expression on his face of gentle support and reassurance.
Then he suddenly stepped off the island and dove into the water with her, Ruto reflexively sinking below the surface to keep him in her line of sight as he submerged, paddling in the waters of Lake Hylia, his smile never leaving his lips.
"L…Li…Link?" Stammered Ruto, her flabbergasted voice audible in the water thanks to the inherent ability of her species. "Link, is that you?"
Link continued to smile, if only to try to reassure Ruto and put her mind at ease. He hadn't intended to blindside her with such a revelation like this, but saw little choice, given the circumstances. Maybe if Ruto wasn't so famished and in need of food right now, he could have gradually explained the properties of this mask to her in a less than jarring way, along with the rest of the details pertaining to his endeavors in Termina, but, then again, it was doubtful anything would soften the blow for someone who was seeing the effects of these masks for the first time.
"Don't worry, Ruto," said Link reassuringly, his voice deeper in pitch now and carrying obvious traits of what a typical male Zora's voice sounds like. "It's still me."
At first, Ruto just stood there, suspended in the water, her only movement being to paddle her flipper's to keep herself buoyant, as well as blinking her eyes in bewilderment. Eventually, she managed to rein in enough forethought to swim closer to Link until she was practically touching his nose with her own. The first thing she did was to inhale deeply, taking in a generous amount of Link's scent. Unlike Hylians and other humanoid races, Zoras, being of a more beastly nature, have a highly developed sense of smell, comparable to how sharks are able to detect errant amounts of blood in the water. The scent of Zora was obvious to Ruto, but intermingled with it was the familiar scent of Link, an aroma she had become well accustomed to back when he had carried her in Lord Jabu Jabu's belly, growing even more accustomed to it now, with how much time she spent coiled around his shoulders.
"How…how is this possible?" she asked, staring into Link's eyes, pitch black like drops of tar, same as most other Zoras .
"I'll explain later," he said, reaching up and stroking Ruto affectionately and supportively. "First, we need to get you something to eat."
At that moment a school of large, silver-colored fish swam by, Ruto's eyes widening in hunger as she saw them pass, her stomach growling loudly again. She had to agree with Link at that point. Sating her curiosity could wait until she sated her appetite.
Her ravenous hunger blotting out every other thought Ruto took off after the fish, the piscivorous instincts of a Zora taking full hold within her, her powerful tail effortlessly propelling her hydrodynamic body at such a speed she appeared as nothing more than a blue and white blur. Link took off after her, front flipping in the water a few times before jetting forward, his powerful newly-acquired fins allowing him to catch up with Ruto and keep pace with her, both Zora's swimming side by side in pursuit of the fish. The docile sea creatures scattered at the approach of such capable predators, Link and Ruto separate, both picking different quarries.
In truth, Link had never utilized the Zora Mask like this, having been concerned with other, more important matters at the time. Slaying Gyorg for one. Now, using the mystical relic formed from the healed soul of Zora guitarist Mikau for something so mundane, Link was feeling a slight sense of liberation. There was no major crisis to worry about at the moment, just the self-imposed task of catching some fish, with the added thrill of the chase.
And Link had to admit this was indeed more satisfying than sitting alone on the shore for an extended period of time with a fishing pole. More exhilarating as well.
"Gotcha!" Link heard Ruto holler triumphantly.
Link turned, though he didn't expect what he saw. Ruto had indeed caught a fish, but she didn't merely subdue it by body slamming into or using her tail as a weapon, like he had speculated when she first demonstrated that she was capable of fending for herself earlier that morning. No, currently Ruto had a struggling fish clamped in her very jaws, sinking her needle sharp teeth into the flesh beneath its head, jerking and flailing around to inflict even more damage to her prey, resulting in a tiny crimson cloud wafting through the water around Ruto. Eventually, the fish went limp, having lost too much of its life's blood to continue struggling, Ruto's eyes flashing a look of triumph and anticipation as she floated in place with her prize.
Link just blinked in surprise and shock. As said before, he hadn't exactly known what to expect from her when she explained the hunting capabilities Zora's had even from birth, but he would never have imagined Ruto capable of such a savagery. To think, the demure, headstrong, slightly shy princess of the Zora people was capable of such brutality, especially when she possessed such an innocuous form. Not that Link held it against her, everything needs to eat after all, regardless of their methods, but he did realize that he still has a lot to learn, about Ruto personally and Zoras as a whole.
Ruto swam to the bottom of Lake Hylia, pinning her kill to the portion of lakebed where four square pillars bearing the crest of the Zora's had been erected all the way through the surface of the water (the same place where Link found her message in a bottle, if he remembered correctly) where she began to ravenously tear into the carcass with her teeth.
"Um, wouldn't you rather have it cooked first, Ruto?" asked Link, trying not to wince at the gorey display.
Ruto swallowed her current mouthful of fish meat and looked up Link as he floated above, smiling at his consideration, as well as the tranquil feeling of getting to swim with him, just like that time in Zora's Fountain, when they left Lord Jabu Jabu's belly.
"Don't worry Link, we Zora's aren't as picky eater's as you Hylians are," she calmly explained. "I personally like my fish raw actually."
Link nodded in understanding and acceptance, not being the kind of person to begrudge someone for something so trivial as their eating habits. Especially not Ruto, the person whom he cared the most about. Deciding to leave his girlfriend to her feeding, Link took off in pursuit of the remaining fish, gracefully trailing behind them through the water with a grace only a Zora is capable of.
But, even though he had adopted the form of a Zora for the moment, Link had no intention of following Ruto's example, opting to instead subdue his catches with the fin blades attached to his forearms, swiftly delivering blows that either incapacitated or killed. After a while Link had accumulated quite the bountiful catch, the numberous fish held securely in his arms. Once he felt he had gathered enough he made his way back to where he had seen Ruto last. He found her right where he had left her, settled on the lakebed, nothing remaining of her meal but picked clean fishbone's that were now drifting away lightly in the current.
Link looked down upon her as she lay on her back, her stomach bulging, eyes closed contently. He found the scene really adorable actually, now that the gorey part was over .
"Feeling better, Ruto?" Link asked, settling on his feet to walk along the lakebed towards where she lay the ability to walk underwater being another inherent trait of the Zora.
Ruto opened one eye, the closest to Link, gazing up at him with an expression of gratitude. "Much better, Link. That was very satisfying, thanks."
"Hmhmhmhm?" Link chuckled lightly. "Don't know what you're thanking me for. You caught the fish yourself after all."
"That might be true," commented Ruto, flipping over and swimming up to him, apparently having become accustomed enough to her full belly to be able to move again. "But I wouldn't have had the opportunity if you hadn't brought us here."
Link had to admit she had a point there, but he did it strictly for her wellbeing, not her gratitude, not that he wouldn't graciously accept it.
"I need to go prepare these," Link explained offhandedly, indicating the fresh catches in his arms. "I need you to stay here for the moment. I'll be right back."
"What, where are you going?" asked Ruto frantically, springing up to face Link, her eyes wide with terror. She was reluctant to part with Link for any reason, having only just been reunited with him, as well as having learned that he returns her affection.
"I need to go see Dr. Mizumi's," reassured Link, halting his departure for the moment as he stared at Ruto reassuringly, wishing he could at least bring up a hand to stroke her comfortingly, but was unable to due to his load. "I need to prepare these for the journey. To do that, I will have to visit Dr. Mizumi's laboratory for supplies that I can use to preserve the meat."
It was at this point that Ruto fully noticed the quantities of fish Link had gathered and it did seem like quite a lot for a single meal. So he didn't just bring them here just to get her something to eat, he was gathering supplies they would need for the journey ahead. She felt slightly foolish for not having thought of that herself, she was a well educated Zora princess after all.
Still, she didn't see the logic in him leaving her here.
"I could just come with you. We Zora and that scientist have always had a good relationship," she said, looking over to the towered building situated on the shores of Lake Hylia from beneath the water. Housed within was a scientist who spent all his time studying the unique properties of Lake Hylia's waters. Brilliant, if slightly eccentric, the Zora's that live around here had always had at least a casual relationship with him, for as long as he does nothing to harm the lake, and therefore, The Water Temple, the Zora's had no objection to his presence.
But Link had his reasons to suspect bringing Ruto anywhere near Dr. Mizumi wouldn't end well, what with how he acted back at Great Bay around baby Zoras. It may seem a bit presumptuous, after all, that Dr. Mizumi was Termina's parallel version to the one that works in that laboratory above, but any differentiation Link saw in any of the citizens of Hyrule's counterparts in Termina were minimal at the most. Link had no doubt that if he were to enter that laboratory with Ruto, Dr. Mizumi would like nothing more than to experiment on her.
"Trust me when I tell you, Ruto, you're better off not encountering him in your current state," explained Link, giving her a look assuring what he said is true. "I have learned through personal experience that that man has, or could have, a certain scientific fascination with baby Zoras."
Ruto blinked in slight terror, having no need for any more explanation than that. As said before, she knew this scientist's reputation. Maybe staying in Lake Hylia wasn't such a bad idea after all?
"Just wait for me over the island, around the shore nearest the tree. I promise I'll be back as soon as I get what I need." With that Link swam up to the island housing the platform engraved with the symbol of the Triforce, putting extra effort into kicking his legs to build up momentum as he prepared to breach the surface. The ledges of the island were too steep to climb so Link's only option was leap from the water with enough force to scale them. With a mighty splash Link flew from the water, his booted feet landing gracefully on the soft grass, his damp scales glistening in the sun.
Not wasting a second, Link took off, sprinting down the network of rope bridges that connected the small scattering of Islands to Lake Hylia's shores.
Ruto complied with Link's suggestion, staying in the water beneath the shade of the tree that dominated the small island, the very island that had The Water Temple built into its base. She tried not to look, not wanting to be reminded of the shackles of destiny she once wore, but couldn't help but steal a glance at the submerged portcullis that led to her people's sacred place of worship, contemplating. Even now she could recall the torn feelings she had struggled against regarding this place.
Back then she was The Sage of Water, the diligent guardian of her people's most coveted sanctum, tasked with protecting the sacred magic within that kept the water's of Lake Hylia pure from any malevolent forces. It was a honorary title anyone else would carry with pride, and, even Ruto would admit, she shouldered the burden willingly. For a time, at least. But her longing for Link had never lessened, and, despite her best attempts, not even her essential task as a Sage could dissuade her from what her heart desires most.
Which eventually led up to this point, with a baby Zora forming from the romantic feelings of The Sage of Water after being cast off from the majority of her soul, swimming before the Water Temple itself once again.
But Link was right, she wasn't bound to this place anymore. Where at some point looking upon the Water Temple would instill a sense of duty she couldn't overcome, now all she saw was her people's place of worship. She recognized the temple's significance and role in her society, but she no longer felt as if she had to stay here indefinitely.
She was indeed free, free to be with the boy she loves.
"Ruto!" Ruto heard Link's Zora voice call from above, perfectly able to perceive it due to her people's kinship with water. "Ruto! I'm back!"
Needing no better excuse to cease her musings, Ruto honed in on the voice and leaped from the water with all her might, not even bothering to fully get a look at where she was going. She propelled herself through the air, sailing gracefully, and into the waiting arms of Link, still in the guise of a Zora, who wasted no time in catching her and holding her close. Although they were officially lovers at this point to an outsider they would appear as a Zora parent and child.
It reminded Link of a certain dilemma that occurred in Clock Town recently.
Link held his love tightly. He may not have been separated from her for very long whilst visiting Lake Hylia's Laboratory but now that he was reunited with her he felt uneasy being apart from her for any period of time. He still wasn't used to the idea that he was fully permitted to be with her now. He also wasn't sure how well she could fend for herself if she were to ever encounter danger. Being able to take down a fish is one thing, but Link strongly doubted that Ruto would survive if she ever came across a serious threat like a Like Like or a Dodongo. She would stand very little chance of surviving on her own. He silently vowed at that moment to minimize their time apart as much as possible.
Hopefully, he could get supplies from a source that would be more trustworthy around a baby Zora from now on.
After calming down Link became aware of a slight trembling from Ruto and grew concerned.
"Hey?" he inquired, holding her out before him to look her in the face. "Are you okay, Ruto? What's wrong?"
"Nothing you need to worry about, Link," reassured Ruto, "We're just…really close to The Water Temple, that's all."
Link did a double take at that, staring into the water's of Lake Hylia in horror. He had been so focused on getting Ruto to a place where she could acquire the fish she needs he hadn't even considered he would be bringing her so close to that accursed place. How could he be so stupid? This is the last place Ruto would want to be, so near the supposed sanctuary of the Zora's, a place that had once indefinitely separated them.
"I'm sorry, Ruto, I didn't even think about that," Link apologized profusely. "Hang on, we'll leave the area immediately."
"No no, Link," insisted Ruto, noticing the fish laid out on the stone Triforce platform nearby, along with several small bottles, no doubt the preservatives Link had recently acquired from the laboratory. "I'm fine, really. Just stay close to me and I will be fine. You need to prepare the fish."
Link knew she was right, the fish wouldn't do them any good if it spoiled whilst they traveled. It wasn't unheard of. Eyeball Frogs spoil quickly too, after all. Hopefully the preservatives he had managed to barter from Dr. Mizumi would be more reliable than the World's Finest Eye Drops.
With the necessity of using both hands, Link had no choice but to set Ruto down, setting out to search the small island for a place where she would be relatively comfortable, as well as where they can see each other. As he did so Ruto became fully aware that Link was still a Zora and pondered on the reason why. They had enough fish and were out of the water, so why hadn't he changed back?
He…could change back, right?
"Hey Link?" She inquired, Link pausing for a moment to give her his undivided attention. "That mask that turned you into a Zora? It does come off, right?"
Link gave her a bemused look. "Yes, of course it does, Ruto."
"Then why are you still wearing it?" Ruto asked.
"For several reasons. First, I didn't want Dr. Mizumi to recognize me, and thankfully he didn't. And…" Link paused in his explanation. Something had occurred to him after he had first donned the Zora Mask and now was the time to bring it to light. "Ruto?"
Ruto blinked in surprise, detecting great contemplation in Link's voice suddenly. "Yes, Link?"
Link gave Ruto a serious look. "Would you prefer it if I always looked like this? If I kept the Zora Mask on indefinitely I could pose as an actual Zora- a proper suitor that you deserve."
Ruto was taken aback by Link's offer, realizing that he was practically offering to change his identity for her. By never taking off that mask he would remain a Zora forever, and he would do it for her. She was flattered, of course. How could such a sacrifice not be seen as anything short of valiant?
"No," was her simple reply, apart from a brief shake of her head.
"What?" Link said, slightly taken off guard by her refusal. "But Ruto, I…"
He was abruptly silenced when Ruto placed her tail fin to his lips.
"Link, it's not that I don't appreciate it," she explained, removing her tail from Link's mouth. "And I won't lie, this form is indeed handsome, but there's one problem."
"What is it?" Asked Link eagerly.
"This isn't who you are," she said, gesturing to all of him with her fins. "This isn't the Link I love. The Link I love is a handsome Hylian boy. Courageous, daring, and compassionate. He's who I want to be with, no one else.
"Not even another Zora, even if that Zora is Link in another form?"
Link could have argued his point, that being a Zora would be easier for them in the long run. But he withheld. He too was touched by Ruto's sensitive words. She wanted him the way he was when they fell in love, nothing more. And he had heard her request.
With one hand, Link removed the Zora Mask, reverting back to his regular Hylian form in a flash of light. Ruto practically teared up at the sight of the familiar blonde hair, burying herself into Link's chest, feeling like she hadn't seen him in a while. Truly seen him. Link stowed away the Zora Mask and held her with both hands, making a mental note to remind himself to never propose such a thing to Ruto again. She was attached to this form alone and she wanted him no other way.
Unfortunately, Link could not hold Ruto for as long as he would have liked. He needed to prepare their supplies for travel. Removing his hat, Link bundled Ruto in it and lay her in the shade of the tree, heading over to the fish he had laid out to begin the preservation process.
Ruto didn't mind, snuggling into the soft Kokiri fabric, the soothing magic permeating her being again as she watched Link clean the carcasses. It was messy, but nothing she wasn't unaccustomed to. He should probably keep the livers though, they were always the preferred part for her.
"Hey, Link? Where did you get that mask anyway?" Ruto asked Link, who looked up to give her his undivided attention.
Given that he was only occupied with a mundane task at the moment now was the perfect opportunity to fill Ruto in on what happened to him in Termina.
He started out by explaining to Ruto that shortly after Ganondorf was defeated and he had returned to this point in time, closing the Door of Time behind him, his fairy companion, Navi, had vanished. Upon hearing this Ruto finally took note of the absence of the little winged ball of light that had always fluttered about around Link, having not noticed that Navi was missing until now. Upon learning of this Ruto could only feel pity for how Link must have felt when Navi disappeared, knowing first-hand the pain of being separated from those whom you care about too. Link then explained how he had decided to venture out from Hyrule to the land's beyond in search of Navi, combing every forested area he came across for any sign of her. It was in one of these forest's that Link encountered Skull Kid and his fairy henchmen, Tael and Tatl, who ambushed him and stole the Ocarina of Time.
This news greatly unsettled Ruto, for not only was it a shock that Link had at one point been deprived of the divine instrument, she couldn't comprehend how something as inoffensive as a Skull Kid could possibly get the drop on Link. Notorious pranksters they may be, but they were not known to be malicious.
"This was no ordinary Skull Kid," Link explained once Ruto voiced her doubts. "He had in his possession an extremely powerful magic relic."
That simple explanation provided Ruto with more clarity. After all, magic was abundant in the world, a lot of it extremely potent and housed within physical vessels. Like the Master Sword. If something as mischievous as a Skull Kid got his hands on something powerful there was no telling what havoc he could wreak.
It was understandable now, ultimate power corrupts after all.
From then Link explained about how Skull Kid had also swiped Epona and rode off deeper into the forest, with Link in pursuit, the boy having eventually fallen through a hollow tree that was identical to what they fell through and winding up in a land called Termina. He then explained how he learned that Skull Kid, utilizing the sinister power of his artifact, was going to make the moon crash into the earth and how he Link had taken it upon himself to stop him, with the snippy fairy Tatl as a reluctant companion.
Ruto's eyes sparkled with awe as Link recounted his epic adventure, his unwavering dedication to save everyone in Termina only increasing her reverence for him. He had already accomplished so much in Hyrule, now he had saved another world entirely. His conviction never ceased to remind her of why she loved him, as well as reminding her to be grateful that he not only returned her affection, but now they could be together, despite all previous odds.
However, the heroism wasn't the only part of the tale that piqued Ruto's interest.
Apparently, in this other realm, Link had acquired several enchanted masks, not just the Zora Mask, each one obtained after Link had healed the soul of a suffering individual in some form or another. Upon learning this, and with the conclusion of Link's tale, she had requested to see them. Link had complied, and now all the masks he had acquired in Termina lay spread out before Ruto for her examination.
While Link continued to work on the fish Ruto inspected each the masks, contemplating their functions. While most were mundane, granting heightened senses and mobility, or in the case of one mask, granting someone the ability to dance, four of them weren't quite as simple. The Zora Mask wasn't the only one with shapeshifting abilities. There was the Deku Mask, the remains of a curse Skull Kid put on Link as a joke. That actually instilled a bit of wrath within Ruto. If she ever came across that Skull Kid she would be sure to get back at him for doing that to her man. The Goron Mask, containing the spirit of the deceased Goron hero Darmani III, which granted the wearer the ability to become a Goron. The Zora Mask itself was apparently formed from the spirit of a Zora by the name of Mikau, the lead guitarist of the Zora band The Indigo-Go's and was also a Zoran hero.
She was slightly nervous to learn about this Zora called Lulu, fearing Link might have had a thing for her, being she was a Zora maiden not bound to a sacred temple at the time, but Link had assured her that she was the only girl for him.
The final mask greatly unsettled Ruto. The visage of a Hylian face with white hair and war paint almost seemed to be staring at her with those empty eyes. From this Fierce Deity Mask, Ruto could sense great power was contained within. It had apparently come from the evil entity that was apparently within the relic Skull Kid was running amok with, who was also the true culprit behind the descent of the moon in Termina. Ruto didn't know how wise it was for Link to have utilized it, given its origins, but from what he described of its power. It was a good thing he had it.
It then occurred to Ruto that she didn't know what this object specifically was, Link had neglected to mention its title, though she wasn't sure if that was directly or indirectly.
"Hey Link, what was this relic that Skull Kid had anyway?" she asked, pulling her attention away from the Fierce Deity Mask to look up at Link as he scaled a fish. "You didn't say."
Link paused, realizing himself he had neglected to mention what Skull Kid had used to cause so much trouble. He tries to think about it as little as possible. It hadn't been a pleasant experience after all.
"Oh, I guess I didn't," admitted Link sheepishly. "It was called Majora's Mask. An ancient evil mask housing a malevolent force. I don't know much about it, there wasn't much information on it. All I know is that the spirit within was very…"
Link paused when he next looked up at Ruto, only to find her mouth open in shock, her eyes wide in terror.
"RUTO!?" he exclaimed worriedly. Dropping his current fish and racing towards her to scoop her up protectively into his arms. "Ruto, are you alright!?"
His concerned tone and gentle grip was enough to snap her out of her bewilderment, but her eyes held no less fear when she looked at him.
"Majora? Link, you faced Majora?" she asked fearfully.
Now it was Link's turn to be bewildered. The way she said that gave the impression that she knew something about Majora's Mask.
"Yes, at least, that's what that mask went by, Majora's Mask," he said, holding Ruto before him, still bundled in his hat. "Ruto, did you know about it beforehand?"
"Partly, though I don't know anything about a mask," Ruto explained honestly. "Rauru warned all of us Sage's of many potential threats to Hyrule, for Ganondorf wasn't the only one. Amongst these warnings he told us about Majora, an evil demon that existed around the time when Hyrule had just been forged by the Goddesses. Even Rauru's knowledge on him was limited, for this was even before his time, way before his time, but what he could tell us is that Majora spread his influence throughout the world using a dark tribe of humans who worshiped him."
She paused to take a breath, both from her lengthy explanation as well as to steady her nerves, for even now what Rauru told her of Majora rattled her.
"Rauru didn't know what exactly became of Majora, for he had ceased being active long before the time the Sage's were founded," Ruto continued, Link holding her close to try and lull her. "But he told us to be wary of him, for if he were to ever rise again he could become an even worse threat than Ganondorf ever was."
Link was completely taken aback by that statement. Despite having faced Majora himself and seen all that he was capable of he couldn't comprehend how he could have been a greater threat than Ganondorf. Link hadn't even been wielding the Master Sword when he had finally faced Majora and had still been victorious.
"How is that possible?" Asked Link, skepticism in his voice.
"Link, you have to understand," explained Ruto, unease in her own voice. "For all the havoc and mayhem Ganondorf caused, he was still just a mortal man. I won't deny he was powerful from the start, but he only managed to conquer Hyrule through the power of the Triforce of Power. Nothing more."
Realization clicked in Link's mind as what Ruto was explaining fell into place.
He had to admit he saw the truth in her words, now that he thought about it. During his quest for the Spiritual Stones, Link had encountered several dire circumstances left in Ganondorf's wake, the result of the Gerudo King's own unsuccessful pursuit of the divine keys. Queen Gohma in the Great Deku Tree, King Dodongo in the Dodongo's Cavern, and Barinade in Lord Jabu Jabu's Belly. Those three monsters, servants of Ganondorf, had been tough adversaries, as well as colossal threats to the Kokiri, Goron, and Zora tribe's alike, but compared to minions like Volvagia and Morpha there was no contest which category of Ganondorf's followers were more dangerous after he obtained the Triforce of Power.
Yes, Ganondorf didn't become a full blown threat to all of Hyrule until after he laid hands on the power of the gods. And when you take into account the fact that Majora could do all that he could without the assistance of a divine relic, he was indeed more powerful than Ganondorf when the Triforce was excluded.
"Link, where is Majora now?" Ruto asked worriedly. "Is he around? Is he still a threat?"
These sudden questions from Ruto reminded Link that, despite the revelation of how potent Majora truly was, it didn't change the outcome of his encounter with him and it brought him solace.
"You needn't worry, Ruto," said Link, setting Ruto down and resuming the task of preparing the fish for their journey." Majora is no longer a threat to anyone. I defeated him."
Ruto's eyes widened in surprise again. "You did?"
Link nodded in confirmation. "After The Four Giants halted the moon, Majora's Mask rejected the Skull Kid and attempted to resume its plan on its own, transforming into a demonic monster. I confronted him, using the Fierce Deity Mask, which Majora had given me because it was supposedly part of the game. In the end, I was able to defeat Majora, and afterwards his essence was wiped from the mask, rendering it powerless."
Ruto let out a sigh of relief upon hearing that. She may not be a Sage anymore but the role carried such responsibility it was impossible for her to fully shake it off. She would most likely always carry a sense of duty towards the protection of Hyrule, as well a wariness towards those that would threaten the kingdom's sanctity. It was good to know there was one less threat to worry about. Thanks to Link.
Still, there was one thing she was curious about.
"I'm relieved to hear that you vanquished Majora Link, but I wonder?" She said, a contemplating expression on her simple, tadpole-like features. "How was it that he wound up confined to a mask?"
"Was he not a mask in the lore Rauru shared with you?" Link asked, using a fire arrow to begin cooking the meat. There wasn't exactly an abundance of firewood in Lake Hylia, what with the only tree being pretty much lifeless and so hard it was almost petrified, so Link was lucky he had an alternative.
"Good heavens no," said Ruto, snuggling into Link's hat. They were pretty much stationary while Link prepared the provisions so they might as well strike up a conversation with each other, and, despite the morbidity of the subject, talking about Majora was something they could both relate to at least. Besides, because of past circumstances Ruto hadn't actually had all that much of a chance to just talk with Link, ever.
Now was the perfect opportunity to just chat with the boy she had feelings for.
"Majora wasn't a mask in Hyrule's lore of him," began Ruto, "He was a demon of immense power and evil. And no self-respecting demon would take on the guise of a mundane object like a mask anyway. He would have had to have been worn by someone to utilize his power, which, apparently, he was, and such a thing would be humiliating for a demon."
"Ha," Link chuckled slightly at her words. "Believe me, Ruto, there was nothing mundane about Majora's Mask, not even its appearance."
From then Link described what Majora's Mask looks like, from the heart shape, the multiple colored spikes, and the eyes that burned like the coals of the underworld.
"Oh my, sounds dreadful," said Ruto, trembling slightly as she imagined the evil object in her mind. "But Majora still wouldn't have taken that form willingly, no matter how foreboding it looked."
"Could someone have imprisoned him within the mask?" Asked Link, preparing another fish.
"Possibly," commented Ruto. "But it would have been no simple task. Besides, if that's the case, how come it took him until now to find a host? Majora had legions of followers, surely one of them would have volunteered to wear the mask long ago."
Link had no more answer to that than Ruto. With Majora gone for good now there was no one else who could shed light on the mystery of how he had lost all his power and was confined to a mask, as well as whatever fate befell his numerous followers. Even the Happy Mask Salesman didn't know very much about it.
Perhaps that era had had its own version of the Hero of Time who went on a perilous quest to vanquish evil, the details of which had been lost to time.
By the time Link was done preparing the fish, it was almost dusk, the sky steadily shifting from blue, then to burnt orange, then to navy. During all this time, Link regaled Ruto with more of his exploits in Termina, from rescuing a Deku Princess, finding a mask that, when paired with another, formed the ultimate symbol of love (a tale that gave Ruto ideas), being taught a dance from beyond the grave, fighting undead spies, and much more. She was particularly fond of the story behind the Gilded Sword.
"Oooh!" She cooed in awe as the weapon in question sat on the grass before her where Link had laid it for her to see, its gleaming golden blade shining brilliantly in the setting sun.
When Ruto first met Link, his main weapon was the miniscule blade called the Kokiri Sword and, with the relinquishment of the Master Sword to the Pedestal of Time, it had been his main weapon again. Now, apparently, with some resources found in the land of Termina, the little simple blade had been crafted into the elegant, yet foreboding weapon before her. She had to admit, Link was worthy of such a weapon, especially considering he could use it in her defense. Ruto wasn't oblivious to her circumstances. Outside of water she was pretty helpless and would be dependent on Link for the foreseeable future. Regardless of the outcome of their journey.
"And done," said Link, bundling up the last of the fish and storing it away, walking over to retrieve his sword and to scoop his girlfriend up, placing his hat back on his head.
One fish remained, cooking on a spot over the fire arrow. Link had intended this one for his supper tonight, so had opted to instead enjoy it while it was fresh and tender. After he was done, he took up a position beneath the skeletal tree that was acceptably comfortable, holding Ruto to his chest, bundled in his hat, rather than under his tunic, per her request, intending to get some sleep. They would have to resume their journey in the morning, partly because they both needed rest after such a trying day, but mostly because it was too dangerous to travel Hyrule at night, what with all the Stalchildren that roamed Hyrule Field during his time.
Ruto, having the body of an infant as well as being well fed, didn't take long to doze off, her brilliant dark eyes lazily closing as she lay against Link as she slipped into a peaceful slumber. Link however, stayed awake to contemplate on where they should head the next day, where they could go from information on what might be able to make Ruto an elegant young Zora again, coming up with only one solution.
If anyone knew of anything that could help Ruto it would be her.
$Proofread by DragonRand100 of AO3.
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