Omne solum forti patria (Any soil is fatherland to the brave)

- Ovid


Link snatched some grass whistle, blowing a simple yet happy tune.

Kibou quietly chimed along. "E-po-na's Sonnng, E-po-na's Sonnng... E-po-na's Sonnng-nng-nnng..."

A distant neigh echoed across Kokiri Forest—a reddish mare leapt from the clifftops, hooves thudding against the earth as she eagerly ran across the village.

Majora's eyes twinkled as she clasped her hands. "Ohhh, wwowwww...beautiful."

As the mare neared, she noticed her childhood friend and sharply turned towards him, movement throwing off her two riders. Sheik and Princess Zelda rolled along the ground. Coughing, they sat up. As the dust settled, they noticed their mom standing with crossed arms.

The princess blinked once, twice. "Oh, shit."

Mom's eyebrows raised as she slowly nodded. Her kids stood, nervously brushing themselves off. Queen Zelda sighed. "But...I'm glad you two are safe. I heard that something strange happened to Hyrule Castle during my absence."

Sheik uncomfortably smiled. "The kingdom can't last five minutes without you, Mum. We had to find you."

"That was the adult thing to do, Sheik. I am proud of my children. Sometimes, we must break rules to find a way." She relaxed, then made a small smile. The queen turned her head, Link stroking Epona's muzzle, Majora trying to do the same though Epona didn't want her to.

Princess Zelda watched Link attentively. Hands clasped, she scuttled to him, he noticing. "Hello, Link. I am very pleased to meet you. Why don't you tell me more about your beautiful steed? I had some difficulty riding her."

Link smiled. "Yeah, sure!"

Majora's facial spikes tilted upwards, Princess Zelda stealing Link's attention as he talked about Epona and how to manage her.

Meanwhile, Sheik rubbed the back of his head. "Thanks for not being mad at us, Mom. You're a great mom, y'know? Dad would be only proud for us all. I really appreciate everything you do for us, even if Sis doesn't admit it."

Queen Zelda softened. It was rare to hear such kind, mature words from little ones. All she could do was gently smile.

Sheik turned his head. "Luna!?"

She looked around. "Hunh?"

Sheik ran over, wrapping the albino in a tight hug. Luna felt his heartbeat against hers, peaceful comfort rushing throughout even her skeleton. Slowly, she closed her eyes and returned the hug, appreciating the closeness.

Sheik whispered, "Luna, I'm so sorry... After you fell, we couldn't control Epona. When we finally did and came back, you weren't there."

"It's OK, Sheik. We'll get through this."

Queen Zelda had her hands together. "What are you two little lovebirds doing?" she teased.

Kibou let off a tremolo whine, wings tilting back.

Majora's facial spikes wilted. "Aww, so cute..."

"Wow, whatever," Princess Zelda complained, crossing her arms and looking away.

Link's attention went from Epona's saddle to the grumpy princess. "Hm?"

"Luna!?" another voice cried.

She and Sheik broke their hug, wondering who called.

A fat boy darted towards her, teardrops rolling out his eyes. "Y-y-you're b-back!?" Panting, he slid to a stop, wiping his eyes. "You're back... I never told anyone, like you said...and you're back!"

"I think he thinks you're back, Luna," a transparent fairy teased.

Luna pushed her fingers through her hair. "I think you're right, Bubbles."

"Who's this?" Sheik asked.

"Elmo. A friend I...kinda rejected too harshly I think," Luna admitted.

"Oh, I'd reject him, too," Princess Zelda commented, her Mom shooting her a glare.

The boy sniffled. "Oh, it's OK, Luna. You were just stressed. As long as you're back that's all that matters." He wiped his eyes. "Even if it means the Great Deku Tree is gone..."

Luna's shoulders and spirits drooped. "It's only a matter of time before Kokiri Forest isn't safe anymore..." She gasped. "Wait, where's... Where's Vera?"

"She went out looking for you. Never came back," Mido answered, walking to the scene.

Luna hesitated. "Oh." Where could she be?

"I will still do what I can, and organize the Kokiri to get our defenses ready. We will protect our homes with everything we've got: Archers. Traps. Poison mushrooms. Spears. Swords."

"That's right!" Elmo stated, rolling up his sleeves. "I won't let any monsters into our homes!"

Majora kept looking up, facial spikes sometimes twitching. "I can feel the evil approaching even now."

Link grunted. "And I need to chase after Ira..."

"Don't worry," Queen Zelda assured. "I will protect Kokiri Forest with Majora. Take Epona, bring Luna, and go after him."

Link mounted Epona, stroking her mane.

Luna climbed Epona and sat behind Link, Majora and Princess Zelda staring with some jealousy. "Mido, my Wolfoses will also protect you once they recover. The whole pack should arrive by nightfall."

Mido nodded. "We won't let the evil pass."

"We sure won't!" Majora added.

Luna was unconvinced. "Legion couldn't pass the painting holding them back. Their powers are drastically reduced now, but, Mido...if you cannot protect Kokiri Forest, get everyone to mount the Wolfoses and flee into the Field."

Mido wasn't happy but kept quiet.

"Link, be careful," Queen Zelda said.

Link nodded. "I will go to Zora's Domain first, then Death Mountain afterwards." Epona reared, Link pulling her around. "HEYH!"

The mare galloped off, disappearing into the darkness of the exit. Hooves thudding along the wooden ground, Epona's neigh echoed throughout the Lost Woods as she leapt over the downed bridge.


Hooves thudded as Epona galloped across Hyrule Field, skies gilded by the setting sun.

"It's so strange," Luna commented as Epona's movements rocked her, though she held onto Link's waist easily.

"Hm? What is strange?" Link asked.

"Hyrule Field...looks so peaceful despite such great evil encroaching this realm."

Link chuckled. "Even if the world were to end by some great calamity, Hyrule would still be a beautiful place."

Kibou jingled. "You're totally right."

Up ahead, a river gradually came to view. Luna's bowels churned as sharp memories of the foreigners fighting the Zoras flooded her mind. She shut her eyes tightly, trying to ignore the horrible images.

"You're gripping my tunic really tight," Link said. "Something wrong, Luna?"

"Hm, what? Oh, sorry."

"It's alright. I've been through much, much worse."

She softly sighed.

The mare nickered, eagerly charging towards the riverbank. With mighty force that rippled the waters, Epona jumped over the river. Luna's felt her blood rush up her body as Epona arched over the water, the heavy landing making her gasp.

The mare galloped underneath the geological opening and went upriver. It was not long until Octoroks bobbed, spitting rocks, though Epona swerved around them, sometimes kicking them back at the squirmy things—they were never more than a temporary annoyance.

Epona sharply turned, jumping over the river again. A short ways up, she leapt alongside cliffs where the river ran out the mouth of a tiny gully. The next jump was up a short, narrow arch split at the center. A few Octoroks sprang out the water and spat rocks mid-air, Epona kicking her back legs out to deflect the projectiles.

Luna gasped, gripping Link's shirt tight—whinnying, Epona galloped around the corner then leapt onto a geological platform projecting up from the river. A shorter platform stood nearby, an Octorok springing out out the water just as Epona made her jump, her weight smashing the monster away. The mare landed then hopped down by some logs with big frogs. The next layer of raised earth she easily went upon, then jumped over the river onto the higher section. A few Octoroks bobbed, Link stomping a spat rock down. Epona trotted across a small wooden bridge then the three winding arches came into view. The mare made her next easy jump and walked up the arch, Link sliding off the saddle then carrying Luna off.

Luna looked back—no man in a red suit anywhere.

"Hunh, no more snowflakes, not anywhere?" Link asked himself. While Epona drank from the cliff-side fountain, Link stroked the mare's mane and looked down—no ice blocking the underwater shortcut.

"What do you mean?" Kibou asked.

"Last time I was here...there was this cold wind. Butterflies are still here!" Link chased the butterflies like a five-year-old, Luna covering her mouth and snickering at his childishness.

"What's next? Playing music to frogs?" Kibou teased.

"The domain..." A childlike eagerness brightened Link's eyes. He rushed headlong to the waterfall. "Oh! It's still flowing gently, too! Ha!"

Luna rubbed her head. Because I already played the song a while ago...

Link leapt, body briefly splashing in the waterfall. Luna jumped after him, following him into the dark entrance...


Link's boots slid across frosty stone. He flinched, gasping.

"Who the hell are you!?" a gurgling voice demanded.

Luna leaned around Link. Before them stood a large, muscular, shark-faced Zora, his pointy teeth angrily arranged in perfect rows.

The big fella noticed Luna. "You again?" He somewhat calmed down.

The pale maiden nodded. "Yes, Sharkface, me again."

The Zora gave Luna a weird look. "Sharkface? My name's Bruce..."

With a boyish smile, Link gently gripped the spearhead pointing at him. "At least you're not stuck behind bars or eating explosive barrels! Anyways, I'm here to see an old friend, King Zora De Bon XVI. We go back a long way."

Bruce didn't seem impressed, though he lowered his spear. "Sorry about threatening you like that. We've been having lots of problems lately."

"Oh? What happened?"

"These wildmen from beyond the north keep coming to raid, forcing everyone to stay submerged until they leave. They take whatever they want, usually food and Rupees, but they even stole Poppa's egg."

Link's brow furrowed.

"Why would anyone steal a Zora egg?" Kibou asked.

Bruce shrugged. "I guess they thought it was treasure. We managed to ambush them near the bridge leading to Kakariko Village...but we failed to retrieve Poppa's precious egg. We lost some good people... Benjo and Kizan were killed in action. Fenau and Reiko died of wounds when we returned to the Domain. The Zoras are terrified to leave their home. Most are considering relocating to Lake Hylia and the Water Temple for good."

Luna kept quiet, wondering if anything happened to the Zora hatchling she put in the Market fountain so long ago.

Link sighed. "I'm sorry for your loss. I will find where these wildmen come from and deal with them."

Bruce nodded. "If you do, I'm coming along."

"I definitely need all the help I can get! Did you happen to see a man with white hair come into the Domain?"

Bruce shook his head, cranial tail briefly wagging.

"No worries. I'm just gonna visit the shop, see if the guy recognizes me."

Link and his friends headed down, the shopkeeper gladly awaiting him.

"Link? Ah, you're finally back!" the Zora shopkeeper happily stated. "I'll never forget you thawing my store ten years ago! Although most of my wares were stolen by the wildmen, let me help you out..." He slid a Magic Potion and a bundle of arrows across the counter top. "I can tell you need these."

Link's eyes brightened. "I certainly did. Thanks so much. Did you happen to see an older gentleman with a desert boy around?"

The shopkeeper scratched his head. "Hm, I think I briefly saw a Hylian, yes, but that was a few days ago."

"Alright, thanks," Link remarked, filling his quiver with arrows. "Bye!" Link drank Magic Potion as he left the store. "So Ira isn't here yet...good. As long as I have at least one Spiritual Stone, he'll be forced to communicate with us."

"The Zora's Sapphire?" Bruce mused, following Link and Luna along the wall-side path. "What do you need that for?"

Link blushed. "Well, I go back a long way regarding it...a reminder of my failed wedding."

Bruce chuckled. "And this whole time, I thought that a planned wedding between a human and Ruto was just a rumor."

Luna overlooked the Domain, waters populated by clusters of jittery Zoras. This place is really, really nice! I wish the waterfall and pond in Kokiri Forest could be more like this...

Once they reached the throne room staircase, Link eagerly ran up. "King Zora? I'm back!" He skipped to the top of the platform—the oversized tadpole was not seated atop the small waterfall.

"Oh, looks like King Zora didn't come back from Zora's Fountain. He's probably waiting to see if Lord Jabu-Jabu awoke from cryptobiosis yet," Bruce explained.

Link turned his head and blinked once, twice. "What's that mean?"

Kibou jingled. "It means that, when the weather gets very cold, Mr. Jabu-Jabu digs himself under the bottom of the lake and enters torpor."

"Oh? I thought Jabu-Jabu died... Didn't see him anywhere during the winter blast." Link headed down the steps, everyone then going up the next path towards Zora's Fountain.

"Most people indeed thought he disappeared," Bruce acknowledged. "Nobody bothered to do a little underwater digging until a few weeks ago. He probably needs more time to wake up, that's all."

Three pairs of feet splashed across shallow waters, the waterside altar waiting for visitors. The soggy boots of Link and Luna pattered upon the altar.

"Hm, I like the inside more," Luna commented.

Link looked around. "He's not here, either? Oh, what's that?"

King Zora bobbed, upside-down, in the water, little legs twitchy, his red cape floated around him. An empty bottle floated on its side nearby.

"Ughh! What the hell is he doing?" Bruce rushed over the ledge, dropping his spear and diving into the water. He and Link rolled King Zora onto the ledge until he sat up, body flowing with water as his googly eyes bounced around.

"Weeg...weeg, weeg!" wheezed the oversized tadpole as he regained himself.

Luna covered hr mouth, giggling. "He looks so stupid..."

"Luna!" Kibou barked. "That's no way to treat a king."

"He has a point, you know," Link remarked.

Hands on his knees, King Zora heaved out a mouthful of bubbles, burping a crown out his mouth—it perfectly landed atop Bruce's head.

"King Zora, are you OK?" asked Link, helping the monarch fix his cloak.

The king needed a few seconds. "Hmmm? Oh, don't be nervous, Link! Is it just me, or are you looking a little green around the gills?"

"Oh, that's just my clothes."

"Ah, I see." King Zora yawned and, at that moment, realized something amiss. "Wait, where's my crown?"

Bruce got out the water, crown falling into his hands. He handed the coronet over. "What were you doing floating headfirst in the water, anyways?"

King Zora plopped his crown atop his bulbous brow. "I patiently awaited Lord Jabu-Jabu's return, even respectfully carrying a bottle containing a Hyrule Loach as an offering. But then, these strange men came, demanding my treasures. I refused to yield, so they attacked me with axes. While their weapons bounced off me, I managed to swallow my crown but...the Zora'a Sapphire, my dear Princess Ruto's heirloom, was stolen!"

Bruce's eyes narrowed.

King Zora looked at his old friend. "Link, you must get it back immediately."

"I will, Your Majesty, I swear it."

"Ohhh, thank you, Link! Let me give you a big kiss!"

Link nearly jumped out of his skin. "I must do something very important!" Link spun out of the way, withdrawing his ocarina. He played a simple piece, four high notes ended by three lower ones...Sonata of Awakening.

Despite the calmness of the sonata, a vast quantity of water erupted from the lake, knocking everyone over, Kibou whizzing around.

As the waves ebbed, everyone sat up, drenched. A stumpy whale, wearing an elongated diadem adorned with sapphires, calmly basked with his chin upon the altar, gawking blankly.

"Lord Jabu-Jabu!?" King Zora exclaimed. He put his crown back on and thrust his little legs, leaping back on his feet with surprising agility despite his spherical frame. He scuttled forth. "You're back alive!"

Lord Jabu-Jabu just silently blinked.

King Zora triumphantly twirled. "Our guardian is back! Everything will return to normal! Zora's Domain shall be protected and prosper! Now, about that big kiss for you..." He spun on his heels—and paused. "Wait...where did everyone go?"