The castle was being guarded by two Zoras, carrying spears made from shells and wearing helmets with intricate carvings all over. When Link and Zelda approached, they blocked the entrance.
"What business have you here?" one of them asked.
"We need to see Queen Damay," Link answered.
The Zoras may have been staring at them incredulously, but the helmets blocked their faces.
"We don't let just anyone in to see the Zora Queen," they replied.
"How about the princess of Hyrule?" Zelda asked, stepping forward, though she didn't look so much like a princess. Her hair had been attacked by the humidity. Her dress was dirty, and she needed to wash badly. Still, she stood tall and dignified.
"Princess Zelda?"
"I am not affiliated with the royal family on this visit," Zelda promised. "We just need to speak with your queen."
The guards seemed to consider this.
"You must be unarmed," one of them decided. "Please remove any weapons you may have."
Link and Zelda rummaged around in the supply bag and pulled out their knives, then handed them over to the guards, who confiscated them.
"Right this way," they instructed.
The guards led them through the entrance of the glass castle. On the inside, water flowed alongside the walkways so that the Zoras could either walk or swim to their destination. At the end of the long corridor were two grand doors with golden handles. The guards opened the doors to reveal a circular throneroom. In the center of the room was a clear pool so deep it appeared black. Link and Zelda approached the throne, which was empty.
"Queen Damay," one of the guards spoke up. "The princess of Hyrule is here on personal business."
Link was confused. He didn't see the Zora Queen anywhere. But then he saw a figure rising up from the dark pool, and when it emerged, he was staring at the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Queen Damay could've been a goddess herself. She seemed to shine with her own light. Droplets of water sparkled on her pink skin. She was so much larger, more magnificent, than the rest of the Zoras, not like a mermaid but like a gentle sea monster. Though her size and appearance was frightening, her face was calming, with soft eyes and a sad expression. Link couldn't move or speak, and Zelda seemed to be struck with the same bemusement.
Queen Damay took a seat in her throne, which looked to be made out of tangled tree branches. A few moments later, another Zora rose from the pool, one much smaller and younger than the queen. He had no throne, but he stood next to her, a proud Zora prince.
"Princess Zelda," Queen Damay greeted her. "Welcome. And welcome, young Hillwind."
Zelda gave a polite bow, and Link copied her.
"Your Majesty, we've come to ask you a favor," Zelda began. "We need safe passage through the Ruletan Mountains, so we can visit the Goron Domain."
Queen Damay nodded and smiled. "There is no need to explain," she said. "Goddess Nayru has informed me of your quest. You are a long way from home, Princess Zelda. You will be escorted through the Ladin Pass today, but first you may rest, dine and bathe. I will have two of my servants, Inidra and Kali, come find you when preparations have been made."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," said Zelda.
"How has your journey been, so far?" the queen asked.
Neither Link nor Zelda answered right away.
"It's been difficult," Link said finally.
"Goddess Nayru told me that the afflicted boy was a friend of yours," Queen Damay said, almost whispering.
Link nodded.
"I am sorry," the queen apologized. "And Princess Zelda, I am sorry for your loss as well."
Zelda suddenly looked sick. Link didn't know what the Zora Queen meant, but he kept quiet.
"Thank you," replied Zelda hastily. She grabbed Link's arm, wanting to leave.
"The guards will show you to a room where you can rest," offered Queen Damay.
Obediently, the two guards opened the doors again, and Link and Zelda followed them back down the corridor, and up a spiraling staircase that led to the next floor. At the end of a hallway, the guards opened another door, and allowed Link and Zelda to step inside.
It was the most luxurious room Link had ever stayed in, though he expected it was what Zelda was used to. Two lavishly made beds, tall windows looking out into the magical Zora Domain, and a pool of clear water for bathing. A table was set in the center of the room, laid out with all sorts of food. The floors and walls alike shined, like the room itself was alive.
Zelda thanked the guards, who returned their knives to them. They closed the door and left them alone.
Immediately, Link dropped the supply bag and jumped onto one of the beds. It was like lying on a cloud. He never wanted to get up.
"Shall I bathe first, then?" Zelda asked. She was already starting to take her dress off. "Don't look."
Link mumbled something in reply. He buried his face in one of the many pillows and relaxed for the first time in forever. He heard Zelda get into the bath, wash her hair and body, and stay in for a few minutes, just enjoying it.
When Link finally heard Zelda step out, he lifted his head from the pillow, still keeping his eyes averted.
"Zelda?" he asked. "What did she mean when she said you'd lost someone?"
He got no answer at first, and it was clear that the Zora Queen had revealed something that Zelda did not want revealed.
"My maidservant," replied Zelda.
"She died?"
"Back home, she helped me cross the Lionian Barrier. She was supposed to come with me. But she was killed on the way to Alfos."
Link sat up and looked over at Zelda, who had dressed herself in the new green dress, since it was cleaner.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
Zelda shrugged and sighed. "It would have gotten in the way. I didn't want to worry about it. I can focus better if I'm not worrying about it."
"What was her name?" Link asked.
"Impa."
Link reached out and took her hand. "I'm sorry, Zelda."
"It's fine." Zelda pulled her hand back. "Your turn."
Link took his bath in the hot water while Zelda stared out the window, waiting for her hair to dry. Afterwards, they sat at the table and ate a meal of fish, meats, fruits and mushrooms. Link felt bad for dining so finely while the rest of the fugitives huddled around a fire or inside a thin tent.
Later that afternoon, there was a knock at the door. When Link answered, he found two Zoras, an older male and a younger female. They were not clad in armor nor did they carry weapons.
"Hello," said the older. "I am Kali, and this is Inidra. We will be escorting you through the Ladin Pass. But first, Queen Damay would like to see you again."
Zelda rushed over to Link's side. "What for?"
"She has some gifts for you," said Kali.
"Then we can be on our way," added Inidra.
"If I may ask, how long will the trip through the mountains take?" Zelda asked.
"We will start out on canoe, and then continue on foot once we reach the Eldin region. We should be there by tomorrow morning," answered Kali. "Are you ready to depart?"
Link and Zelda gathered their things and followed Kali and Inidra back to the throne room. Queen Damay was waiting for them, but the young Zora prince was nowhere to be seen. Servants had set out offerings, including food and water for the journey.
"You will be setting out soon," Queen Damay announced. "But first, I wish to give you something that may be of use to you."
She motioned to one of the servants who brought forth a small, ordinary-looking pouch. Queen Damay held it out to Link.
"This is an enchanted pouch that will shrink anything you put inside it. It will make travelling much more convenient. I will also replenish your food and water supply, and offer you as many rupees as you need to purchase your tools."
Link took the pouch from the Zora Queen. To test it out, he unpacked their supply bag and tried to fit all the contents inside. Each item shrank in size, fitting the entirety of the supply bag in a pocket-size container.
"Thank you," Link breathed.
"Thank you," Queen Damay corrected. "You are the ones who are saving the kingdom from evil. You have had to overcome all the hardships. You are the heroes. I wish you good luck on your quest, both of you. What you are doing is very noble. I am honored to help in whatever way possible."
Link wanted to smile, but he also wanted to cry at the same time. The Zora Queen had so much faith in him, and that faith rested in his ability to kill his best friend. He knew he couldn't do it.
"Are you ready?" Inidra asked them.
"A canoe has been prepared outside," said Kali.
00000
In the early afternoon, the Zora Domain sparkled with light on the water. Trees towering above swayed softly, aglow with the mysterious insects.
A much more lavish canoe had been set out for them. Link tucked the enchanted bag safely inside, packed with their supplies, food, and water.
Kali handed a wooden oar to Link.
"Here," he said. "You will need this."
Link took the oar, confused. "I don't even know which way to go."
"Do not worry," Inidra assured him. "Just follow us."
"Ready, Zelda?" Link asked.
Zelda wasn't paying attention. She seemed to be staring intently at something among the trees.
"What is it?"
She didn't answer him. Without a word, she took off into the thick, ancient forest, splashing in the canals.
"Zelda!"
Link ran after her, leaving the oar behind.
When he found her, he saw that she had stumbled upon a grand stone altar, much like the one he and Athol had discovered back in the Faron Woods, though this altar was much more well-kept. If it had crumbled through the years, it had been rebuilt. Moss and lichen had been cleared away, proudly presenting a temple to a goddess.
"Is this Nayru's temple?" Link asked, awestruck.
"I don't know why I came here," Zelda replied. "I just had to."
Before Link could question her, the entire grove began to glow with a blinding white light. Link blocked the light from his eyes, stumbling back a bit. He reached out for Zelda.
The light began to fade suddenly, revealing the amphibious Goddess Nayru herself. Link beheld her breathtaking blue aura, her pale pallor, and her scaly fins that fluttered in the breeze. She seemed to embody an ocean come to life, glittering waves, an angel of the sea.
Zelda dropped to her knees, and not wanting to seem rude, Link copied her.
"There is no need for that," Nayru declared. She motioned for them to rise. "You have come far on your quest, Link and Zelda. But before you continue any further, there is something I must tell you."
"What is it?" Zelda asked, her voice quivering slightly.
"The truth."
Link and Zelda shared an anxious look.
"The two of you are on your way to the Goron Domain to purchase silver arrows so that you may defeat Ganondorf. . ."
Link winced at the name.
". . .But these arrows will not be sufficient."
"Are you joking?" Zelda exclaimed. "We've come all this way."
Nayru silenced her. "Once you obtain the silver arrows from the Gorons, they will need to be infused with the light of the three Goddesses. Then they will become light arrows, and therefore will seal away evil. If all three Goddesses would cooperate, this would be an easy process."
"I'm guessing Din isn't cooperating?" Link asked hopefully.
"As Goddesses, all three of us agree that it is our job to do what is best for Hyrule. However, not all of us agree on the method. Farore and I have done our best to aid you, and will continue to do what we can, including the infusion of the silver arrows. Din, unfortunately, has refused to do her part," Nayru said sadly.
Zelda scoffed. "Of course she has. So what's the good news?"
"The good news is your lineage," replied Nayru.
"I can't see how. My lineage has never come in handy," Zelda said mirthlessly.
"You are aware that you are a descendant of the Goddess Hylia?" Nayru asked her.
"I mean, it was mentioned a few times throughout my childhood, but my family never considered it very important."
"You have divine blood in your veins, Princess Zelda. And with that divinity, you can take the place of Goddess Dinn and infuse the arrows with Hylia's light."
Zelda looked uncomfortable. "I'm no Goddess. I'm barely a princess."
Goddess Nayru gave Zelda a reassuring smile, and placed a webbed, china-pale hand on her shoulder. "You have more power in you than you think, Zelda. There are vast amounts of wisdom inside you, incomparable amounts. For that is why you possess the Triforce of Wisdom."
"What are you talking about?" Zelda asked, confused.
"Long ago, when the Triforce was split apart in the Faron Region, the shard of Power remained, and the other two shards would appear inside two individuals, chosen by the will of Farore, Din, and myself. Princess Zelda, we have chosen you to possess the Triforce of Wisdom."
She turned suddenly to Link, with a twinkling in her eye. "And you, great hero, have been chosen to possess the Triforce of Courage."
Link shook his head in disbelief. "Then. . .then how are we supposed to keep the shards away from Daegal, if Zelda and I are the shards? You want us to seal him away, to kill him, but what good will that do if he's got all three Triforce shards right in front of him?"
Goddess Nayru remained calm, even in Link's anger. "The light of the Goddesses will be enough to seal Ganondorf away."
"Stop calling him that!" Link shouted.
"Link," Zelda hissed, embarrassed by his fury.
With infinite patience, Goddess Nayru went on. "You were chosen to possess the Triforce of Courage, because this entire quest has gone against everything you have ever known, and yet look how far you've come. You will always do things for the greater good, which is exactly what makes you a hero, Link."
"I don't want to be a hero," Link spat. "I want my friend back."
He could almost feel Zelda rolling her eyes, and it infuriated him. He didn't want to pretend to go along with her plan anymore. It exhausted him, to have to seem willing enough to kill Daegal.
"What's done is done," Nayru stated. "Nothing can be done to change these events, Link. The only thing to do now is finish what has been started, and follow through until the end."
Zelda stepped in before Nayru could go too far. "I don't even know how to infuse the arrows."
"When you find yourself in need of the Goddesses' light, it will come," Nayru promised. "First, you must go to the Goron Domain and purchase your tools. Never forget who you are, Princess Zelda. Blood does not lie. You were born to play a role in the conservation of this sacred kingdom. As were you, Link. Now, your guides are waiting for you. Go safely through the Ladin Pass. I wish you good luck on your journey."
Before Link or Zelda could reply or protest, there came a flash of bright light, and Goddess Nayru vanished before their eyes. The forest was calm again. The flowing of the canals was the only noise they could hear.