I know this chapter is basically filler, but I have not been in the mood to do this story. I would much rather have a computer and I have yet to get my hands on one. So I apologize because the updates will be far apart and short.

Chapter 2: Goodbye

"Raena, it is a pleasure to see your smiling face once more." My mother knew this zora. Why had she never told me?

"The pleasure is all mine." She bowed, low and graceful, before righting herself. Mouth set in a grim line. Fins moving in a panicky motion. "It has been long since I have seen you. I suspect something has happened at the village."

"I cannot come to see the zoran princess that used to cling to my leg." Impaz chuckled, but I could tell it was forced.

"As much as I wish we could go back to those times, we are unable. I have grown as have you, just as the world has changed." Her fins flicked and the princess motioned for us to follow. "Please come. We will talk in private."

I always thought the zoras didn't have a nack for architecture, but I was wrong. We walked behind the throne to an archway. The whole thing looked like a school of fish, all different kinds and colors made of various materials, it was quite amazing. The walls of the hall were smooth and slightly damp. Inscriptions in the Zora native tongue covered quite a bit of the area, while pictures were painted or etched where there were none. Beautiful was the only thing to come to mind and I could only imagine what it all said.

Doorways lined the corridor ranging in size. Coral, seashells, and jewels hung down in each, acting as curtains. Many had the 'doors' pulled back and I took the chance to peek into every room I could. Something that looked like a kitchen, many colorful bedrooms, a giant pool. Never did I think the Zora would build such things. In the stories I read they were so simplistic.

We came to the end and here was a door. It was massive and looked like the very waters of Hyrule had been carved into it. A golden handle graced the door and two guards pushed it open for us. Once inside it was shut, leaving us alone.

"The village was attacked." I was dumbfounded. Impaz must really trust this woman.

"Shadow walkers?" I had no idea what she meant, but it seemed Impaz did.

"Yes. They broke through the barrier. Even the cats could not keep them at bay." Even though we were alone, Impaz's voice was hushed as if saying such things was a bad omen. And perhaps it was.

"I see." The beautiful zora's face distorted, pain and disgust evident. Her shoulders had fallen, eyes weary as she turned to me. "My apologies. I am Raena, princess of the people of the water. The proud Zora tribe." As she spoke to me, she rose back up, pride returning.

"Sheik. It is an honor to have met you, your majesty." I bowed, till I heard a giggle. It was light as air and smooth like a flowing stream.

"He is very polite. I never would have thought you could raise him. It seems I was proven wrong." I saw the look my mother sent the princess. It was one of warning, but of what.

"I believe we should discuss what to do. It will not be safe with the tunnel open as it is. They will follow us." Impaz looked aged as she spoke. I was unsure what exactly was going on, but it was taking a toll on her.

"My soldiers will take care of the beast." Impaz shook her head.

"It would not be wise. Decades have past since the last attack and your people could not hold their own then. The whole domain was frozen because of it." I watched anger rise in the princess, her face taking on a redish hue.

"That was different. Ganondorf himself had provided the power for such a thing to take place. If it is simply a pack of beast, my men can defeat them." The tension in the room was practically tangible at this point.

"We are not facing the Dark Lord this time. He is dead and gone. That much happened long ago. No, this is a dangerous power. Relentless and born in the very age of the goddesses themselves." I couldn't take it anymore. I needed details.

"What is going on? How could the cats protect the village? Who is Ganondorf? And what is a shadow walker?" There was a loud silence, if that makes sense, then screaming. A crash could be heard, followed by the high pitched hiss of a cat.

Raena and Impaz were out the door quickly, headed towards whatever had come. I sprinted after them.

"Princess, please go into the inner chambers! It is unsafe here!" A rather tall zoran male was herding Raena back down the hall, but she pushed past him.

"What good am I in hiding." The male went to speak, buf she cut him off. "My safety is not important if my kingdom is in trouble."

I was astonished when we reached the throne room. A massive brown and white cat was chasing down a black mass. The feline burst through the stone lattice right into the creature. Before the thing could regain its barings and escape the water, it was being crushed in the cat's mouth. A burst of light, squealing, then a puff of smoke. The mass was gone.

"Venra, here boy." Impaz surprisingly could comand the cat and it swam over to us. The cat, Venra, climbed from the pool and knelt down before my mother. Now that he was still, I could put two and two together. We had a cat named Venra. Impaz said he was the leader of the cats, but I had laughed and told her she was silly. Yet here before me was the very same one, just much larger.

"How?" I coudn't think of anything more to say. Nothing was making sense.

"I'm sure you have wondered why we always had so many, huh. They protect us as Venra here did. The transformation only occurs when we are in great danger." I reached forward and scratched Venra between the eyes, right where he liked me to. "I will close the tunnel."

"Impaz, you can't be serious! You will be killed if you go back. I won't allow it." The princess stood proud and defiant.

"You are decades too young to tell me what to do." Impaz turned to leave, but stopped as the zora spoke once more.

"What about Sheik?" My mother's face was sullen as she once more turned away.

"He is to know the truth soon." Her voice was worn, but accepting. She knew she was to die. "I have left your present in the princess's chambers. I love you, son."

I could do nothing as she walked to the tunnel that it seemed we had only just come through. How could she not turn back? I wanted to scream out, but my voice was lost. I wished to run after her, but my legs wouldn't listen. So I stood there, eyes unable to leave her form as my mother left me.

Be prepared for a long wait. Sorry, but I don't have a lot of motivation for this. Everything is planned out, I just need filler. I write better when it just comes alng as I write. Having a plotline and all the events planned makes me less motivated.

Reviews might help. I love to please.

'Til we cross paths again.

~Annoying