"Oh, ho! A visitor! How rare! But you have found me, the wisest of the wisest of the wise! You what? You want to enter the temple you can see in the lake? They call that place the Temple of Droplets."
-a Forest Minish
Chapter Fifteen: Of Shrines and Ice
14 Fado, bridge overlooking the Frozen Lake Hylia, early morning…
A young man with odd silver and black-hued messy hair stood at the southern fields near the Hylian Bridge checkpoint. He, covered in a white, sleeveless shirt that exposed blue, linear tattoos on his arms and black leather pants and boots, wasn't cold at all despite the winds from the frozen lake whipping about. From his position, he saw an ancient shrine with snake statues around it, a massive stone road that led from the shrine to a lookout tower and another road from there led into the somewhat warm desert. To his right was another checkpoint that looked more like a house. To his left was the Hylian Bridge checkpoint where guards were stationed in front of a steel gate.
He didn't see the need to head for the bridge but something told him to head for the lake. He started for it and heard horses clopping coming from behind him. Turning around, the medium build, midsize-in-stature youth saw a horse-drawn carriage heading for him. The appearance of that Clydesdale horse brought familiarity to him and a faint image of him having a grey horse crossed his mind. Following the wagon were four horses, each with their own packs and riders.
"Hey, ya sure he went this way?" one of them, a Gerudo in navy blue and olive green, asked while riding a black horse that looked like a cross between a Gerudo Stallion and a Hylian Clydesdale.
The other, a pale-skinned, raven-haired man in black and driving the wagon, nodded and told him, "That's what that Sheik girl said. And Fi and Midna."
"Well, all they said was they had info that he headed south and the forests in the south are petrified," another, a young girl in white said, riding on a brown horse similar to the one pulling the wagon.
They rode towards the crossroads, where the odd young man stood, confused as to why the group seemed familiar. The driver noticed him and said, "Hey man! Have you seen a blonde kid run this way?"
"Blonde…kid?" he asked.
"Yeah, a Hylian kid with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a really, really bad stutter," the girl said.
The youth was confused and the Gerudo said, "Uh, Aryll, I don't think he knows anything."
"Yeah, we should head over there at that checkpoint," the raven-haired one said.
"I think you're right, Oni. Let's go Groose," Aryll said.
The young man watched as the group left. Something told him to follow and he did.
The wagon went towards the road leading east and those on horseback followed. After showing their credentials to the guards, they were allowed passage to the lake road. The thoroughfare was a downward sloping bridge, with turns to keep the bridge from being too steep climbing up and going down as well as high barriers to prevent people from falling towards the icy lake below. The bridge was also slippery from the constant frost and the cold winds whipped about, making the area feel colder than Snowpeak, despite the desert being close by.
After about an hour, the group made it to the lake, stopping at a bridge next to a frozen waterfall. Aryll gasped at the sight of the sheer amount of ice that covered it. The ice sheet that layered it looked to be at least several feet thick and was clear as glass. From what she could see, there was still running water underneath it, and wondered how it hadn't completely frozen over. Passed the bridge and on shore was a small township with snow-covered huts and more stone bridges.
In the distance was an ancient shrine, surrounded by many snake statues. Beyond that were old wood bridges, reinforced by iron and connected to various land masses that led to the desert road. The Bridge of Hylia was above them and visible at every part of the lake, as well as the towering spires of the Northern Palace.
Pipit convinced the caravan to stop off at the nearby town so they could rest up and resupply. No one objected as everyone was tired and the youth tailed them, wondering why the group was so familiar to him. He couldn't remember anything, save for waking up outside of Hylia City and being compelled to head towards the frozen Lake Hylia.
The youths spotted a sign and saw the name of the town: Lakeview.
The town of Lakeview was similar in appearance to Aboda Village, with ten wood and stone-made huts, the largest being in the center of town. Torches, instead of gas lamps, were at each of the huts, a pair at each home. Wagons, fishing equipment, and pickaxes were near each home and seemed to have been recently used.
There was nothing that suggested the town had shops or an inn. So, Karane suggested that the group head to the largest hut in town. She spotted off in the distance the youth from earlier, wandering around. He went unnoticed by the others and Karane thought to keep it that way as Agitha was a suspicious sort.
The town, however, was quiet. Too quiet. It was like all life had left the area or that something was keeping the townsfolk inside.
From the corner of her eye, Karane saw the youth wandering out, his legs taking him across the stone bridges and to the snake statues' shrine. Wondering why he was following, Karane told the group, "I'll be right back."
"Hey! Aren't we supposed to stay together?" Groose asked.
"I said I'll be right back. It's not like I'm headed back to the city or anything," Karane said, walking off.
Heading for the stone shrine, Karane could the snow-covered lake looked no worse for the wear. It almost felt like time had stopped for the lake and it was stuck in its snow- and ice-covered state. As if cursed. She stopped, spotting the youth, and heard him mutter, "Was I here before?"
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Karane asked.
The youth jumped and asked, "Are you following me?"
"I was going to ask you that. You followed us all the way from the bridge, didn't you?" the teenage girl in green said.
The youth looked back at the statues that surrounded the cave shrine. He nodded and Karane asked, "Why?"
"I…I don't know. I felt compelled to follow," the youth told her.
"So, you followed us to this lake because you felt 'compelled'?" Karane asked.
Another nod and Karane wondered if the youth had seen Link. He escaped the city and the only other place nearby was Lakeview. Before she could ask, he said, "The person you're looking for. His name is Link, correct?"
Karane nodded and the youth said, "I haven't seen anyone like that. Nor do I think I will ever. But...I won't be surprised if he's close."
"I hope so. Everyone wants to make sure he's okay. And when I mean everyone, that means everyone except Agitha," Karane thought aloud.
The youth gave her a confused expression and she caught herself. With an innocent look, Karane said, "Oh. Um, never mind what I said…Uh, Karane."
"What?" the youth asked.
"My name. My name is Karane. And you?" Karane said.
The youth looked lost in thought and minutes passed before he answered with, "Raven."
'Raven? Wait, wasn't that the name of…?' Karane thought.
"Who are you guys?"
The pair saw an odd sight walk out of the shrine. It was a short, humanoid, fish-like creature wearing a red cloak and deep blue robe. Its slight, hourglass, feminine shape indicated that the rose-colored creature was female. She stared at the two with turquoise eyes and Karane spotted a small, blue charm on a golden necklace around her neck. On her arms were bracelets with blue scales attached to them. The creature was also armed, holding a too-large-for-her-height silver staff encrusted with sapphires. She pulsated with magic and Karane could've sworn she saw a vibrant blue aura coming from her.
"Who are you? Why are you here? This shrine belongs to us Zoras! Go away!" the "fish girl", or Zora, yelled.
The Zora girl glared at them and held up her staff in an attack posture. Raven thought it would be best to leave, seeing the aura around her dramatically increase. Karane also went into a battle stance, readying her bow.
"Ruto! What are you doing?"
Another Zora, also female and in a near exact appearance to Ruto, came out of the shrine, armed with a large spear, also encrusted in sapphires. She also wore a blue robe but with a white cape and the symbol of Nayru on the back. Like Ruto, she had bracelets with scales connected to them by a silver chain. Around her neck was a pendant in the shape of Nayru's Sigil. Just like Ruto, she pulsated with magic, but it wasn't as intense as her counterpart's.
"Mipha, these strangers were about to waltz into the shrine and do whatever to poor Lanayru! She's already suffered enough!" Ruto said.
The second young Zora, Mipha, sighed and said, "Anyone can go in there, Ruto, to worship the snake incarnation…or what's left of her."
"Well, they shouldn't because they're the reason why the lake's under ice!" Ruto said.
Mipha sighed again and said, "For the last time, humans aren't the reason why the lake's frozen."
"Then what is? I don't see anything else that could've caused it," Ruto said, sounding a bit bitter.
Her counterpart released another sigh and shook her head. She then said, "I'm sorry for my twin's behavior. She and other Zoras haven't been trusting of humans since the lake froze over…800 years ago. But I'm with her in asking this. Who are you two? And what are humans doing all the way here?"
Raven looked at Karane and she said, "We're here because we were trying to rest after looking for my friend. He has blonde hair and blue eyes, likes wearing green like me, and has this stutter. My friends and I are trying to find him so we can return him to the capital to get him treatment as he needs medical attention."
"A blonde guy wearing green? Haven't seen anybody like that," Mipha answered.
"Yeah, so you guys go back to wherever you came from! Or so help me!" Ruto declared, holding her staff in the air.
Karane looked at Raven, who looked at Mipha. The Zora groaned and grabbed her sister by the arm. She then led the two back to Lakeview with Ruto pulling away at her grasp.
Lakeview, elder's hut…
The sparse stone and wooden hut looked more like an inn than a home. On the main floor was a circle of chairs, pillows, and stools that surrounded a small fire that heated the entire level. A door on the right led to a guest room with eight beds. While the door on the left was a room filled with dressers, barrels, and other storage containers.
On a large stool sat a rather obese, older Zora in a red cape and robe. His scaly skin was red in color and a pair of smaller fins served as a mustache on his face. He looked over the rest of the group, sitting around in the circle of furniture. Behind him were three blue-scaled Zoras, all masculine in appearance and armed with spears. The others in the caravan were also in attendance and sat either on the stools or on the floor.
"So, you're looking for a Hylian boy? Well, we haven't seen any here," the old Zora told them.
"Are you sure?" Aryll asked.
The obese Zora nodded and Ruto introduced Karane and Raven to him.
"This our father, Lord Sidon De Bon VI, brother to King Zora De Bon XXIV," she said.
The twins took their place at their father's side and Lord Sidon said, "Yes, I am he. And you're probably wondering why we're here in such a cold place."
"Yeah. I thought you all took to warmer waters, like how all the textbooks said," Agitha said.
Mipha nodded and said, "We did, but…"
"But my family returned to Hyrule proper because we need to investigate the sudden drop in water temperature in the oceans and the drop in ocean levels," Lord Sidon said.
"AND…!" Ruto yelled.
"And we're here to find out why Lake Hylia and the river froze over so long ago," Lord Sidon added.
Ruto seemed pleased and Mipha asked, "And you all are here to look for your friend?"
"Yeah. Their brother and our friend," Pipit said, pointing at Aryll and Agitha.
"Oh. Well, we haven't seen any Hylian boys here, save for you two," a guard said, looking at Groose and Pipit.
"And there haven't been too many Hylians coming around here, save for you all," Mipha added.
Aryll sighed and Karane asked, "So, is it possible to stay here a while? We've been traveling for a few days and were caught in that snowstorm."
"Sure, sure! Just don't make a ruckus and you'll be fine," Lord Sidon said.
"And don't go in the shrine south of here!" Ruto warned.
"Aryll, don't go in Link's room right now," Lydia warned.
Aryll, age nine, heard a loud thud and she said, "Is…Is it happening again?"
Before she could get a reply, Granny Matilde pushed past her. She held a vial of purple potion and, moments later, Lydia and Elder Sahasrahla rushed into Link's room. Aryll covered her ears, hearing Link's pained cries and a few snarls.
"Please…please…Please cure him. Please…Don't let him be like this forever," Aryll prayed.
A crash and the girl jumped. Another violent yell and Aryll approached the room. Link started whimpering and she heard Elder Sahasrahla say, "He can't keep going like this. He needs help. Better help than what we can provide here."
"But! I can't…!" Lydia said.
"Lydia, you have to think of the good of him right now. I know it's been hard since Sigmund died. But Link needs help. There's a hospital in Hylia City that takes care of those who…" Elder Sahasrahla said.
"No! I won't have my family separated!" Lydia shouted.
"Lydia…Please, if…if worse comes to worst, we must think about the safety of the girls…and the other villagers. I do not know why the treatments aren't working. But it's only so much we can do by our power," Granny Matilde said.
'Link? Link's going away?' Aryll thought.
"Please…Don't make me choose…" Lydia said.
"I'm afraid soon we won't have a choice," Elder Sahashrahla told her.
Aryll woke up to the sounds of feet shuffling and sat up in bed. She saw the newcomer, Raven, stumble out of the hut and he didn't look well. A feeling of worry gripped her and she looked around to see the others still asleep. The guys were on one side of the room while the ladies were near the door.
She was about to call out to wake up someone as she thought to follow Raven. She didn't have to as Oni was the first one to wake up, as if sensing something was amiss. He looked at her and asked, "Where's the new guy? He left already?"
"Um, I saw him stumbling out of the hut. He didn't look well and he shouldn't be leaving at this time of night. It's freezing out there…" Aryll whispered.
Getting up quietly, as he was near Aryll's bed, Oni crept to the door. The two then left the sleeping quarters. Picking up their weapons lying near the hut's entrance, the duo left, making very sure to keep quiet.
Lake Hylia, Southern Shrine, midnight…
"Okay, this place looks kinda familiar," Oni said.
Aryll and he looked at the massive lakeside shrine and the girl noted the many statues of snakes. Icicles hung from the higher statues and snow covered some of the lower ones. It looked creepy and figured that was the reason why Ruto warned them not to go.
The only reason why they did so was that the two saw Raven head in that direction. He went inside and Oni was about to follow when he stopped and noticed how familiar the area looked. Aryll debated within herself on going in as the exterior was haunting and she felt a weird presence coming from inside the shrine.
"Hey! Did I say not to come here?"
"Oh no…." Oni muttered.
Ruto and Mipha found them and Ruto had a scowl on her face. Mipha shook her head and asked, "What are you two doing here?"
"Uh, we saw Raven come in here," Aryll answered.
"Raven's that man with the black and white hair?" Mipha asked.
Oni nodded and said, "Well, we gotta get in there and get him out. So…"
"No! No humans allowed!" Ruto yelled.
"Why not?" Oni asked her.
Ruto folded her arms and shook her head, saying, "Because humans started the permafrost!"
"You've no proof of that," Oni told her.
"So? It's a proven fact that humans always ruin what they come in contact with!" Ruto said.
The Zora sounded so much like Agitha when she was enraged and Aryll yelled, "Stop it! Just let us in and get Raven out of there!"
Ruto shook her head again and Mipha nudged her. She looked at her twin and said, "If they stick with us, it'll be fine."
"Okay! Alright! But if anything goes wrong, I'm blaming them," Ruto told her.
And here's the newly revamped chapter 15. And those that have read the original draft know who Raven actually is.
-miano53