A Zora's Decision

Princess Ruto drummed her fingers upon the arm of a chair in her private quarters. Her eyes were like pieces of obsidian as they gazed off into the distance. On the floor next to her lay a crumpled piece of paper with a broken seal upon it.

"Y-y-your Highness . . . " One of her maids cowered in the doorway. " Your father wishes to know your decision regarding the wedding."

"How could he do this to me!" Ruto exploded out of her chair. " How could he want to marry her!"

"Princess." Her maid said in a mere whisper. "Who . . . ?"

"LINK!" Ruto shouted as she began to pace back and forth. "That's who you inferior brained imbecile!"

"Please, your highness . . . "

"How could he want to marry a simple farm girl over me!" She whirled around on her maid

Her maid fled the room as Ruto let out a scream of rage. Why would he choose that Malon over Royalty! She had to show him he made a mistake! But how? She resumed her pacing as she tried to figure out a solution to her problem.

"Princess." She glanced up, surprised to find one of her father's guard standing in her doorway. "His Majesty, The king of Zora's, Your father, requests your immediate presence."

"Why?" She asked in a chill voice.

"Your maid reported to your father that you were disinclined to attend the wedding of the Hero of Time." The guard seemed unfazed by her tone. "He now wishes to discuss your diplomatic responsibilities at the present."

Ruto glared at the guard and stormed past him. As she swept through the city of the Zoras, many of her subjects saw the look upon her face and got out of her way. When she reached her father's throne room, She marched into it and looked up at him.

"Who said I wasn't inclined to go!" She glared at him as she crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the ground.

"Well, my beloved Ruto " Her father gave her an adoring look. "Your maid said you seemed . . . "

"I am going!" She almost shouted before she remembered who she was speaking with. "If for no other reason than to object to the wedding."

"Now, now, My dear." Her father said in a soothing tone. "You know you don't really mean that."

"Hmpf!" She sniffed.

"Now since you are going," Her father continued, oblivious to her foul mood. "make sure you find a suitable gift to present to the happy couple. The Zoras must not look bad, my dear."

She turned around and stalked out.

"Suitable gift. Ha!" She muttered under her breath. "I'll find a gift so wonderful that he will forget about Malon and marry me instead!"

She paused outside her fathers throne room and wondered where she could obtain such a gift. Then a slow smile began to spread across her face.

'Of course' She thought. 'The old man at lake Hyrule.'

He was usually muttering about his adventures from his younger days in his quest for knowledge. She decided it might be wise to pay him a visit. She turned and headed for the inner lake the Zoras used. Instead of using the ladder, which was used mainly by their hylian visitors, Ruto did a back flip off the edge. She plunged into the cool waters of the lake and sank beneath the blissful water. She angled her body and headed for the tunnel that led to lake Hyrule.

As she swam through the clear waters, She felt her body relax and her spirits lift. A delighted smile spread across her face as her sleek body cut through the waters with ease. The calmness of the water seemed to seep into her through her skin. For the sheer pleasure of it, She did a few flips and rolls before she entered the tunnel.

As the light faded, she followed the tunnel by pure instinct. She swam in darkness for only a brief time. Before long, the tunnel brightened with the light that filtered down through Lake Hyrule. She emerged from the tunnel and headed for the surface. Her head broke through the surface of the still waters. She paused for a moment to get her bearings.

She turned to gaze at the large expanse of Lake Hyrule. She took in the two tiny islands that broke up the surface of the lake. She turned her eyes in the direction of the Old man's house. Her face assumed a look of grim determination.

"You had better be home, old man." She growled as sank back beneath the waters and swan toward his house.