The Ceremony Continued
November 3, 2025 at 7:48 PM
“I don’t like her,” Rebecca said. “I don’t think she should talk to you like that, Trevor.”
Trevor shrugged. “She’s just really thankful. I think. At least she’s nice to us now.”
A peculiar moment happened right after Trevor spoke. Sheila’s eyes widened, accompanied by a sharp gasp. Her body didn’t convulse like the other times she had visions. Instead, she simply froze in place as an image flashed before her mind’s eye, taking form, showing color, having a life of its own.
The vision–like all the others–disappeared as quickly as it arrived. As the group started heading towards the Domain’s square and Sheila knew she had to speak up.
“Um...Trevor?”
Trevor looked over his shoulder at Sheila. “Yeah?”
Sheila looked sheepish, like she was shrinking on the spot. “Um...you shouldn’t take the Spiritual Stone from Ruto.”
Trevor narrowed his eyes. “If we don’t get the sapphire, we don’t go back to Oak Shire and Link can’t save the world. Nobody wins, except Ganondorf. I’m taking the Spiritual Stone.”
“But you shouldn’t–”
“Sheila, am I going to die if I take that stone?”
“Er–no, but you’re not going to like it. And Rebecca–”
“Then I’m taking the stone in this ceremony thing.” Trevor threw up his arms. “If a princess wants to make it all fancy, she can do that. Just give me my wayhome.We’re running behind, come on…”
Sheila shook her head, looking very guilty. Trevor didn’t seem to notice or care.
The children proceeded to the domain’s lower level, standing on a shore where their boat to Castletown was harbored. A crowd of Zoras surrounded their path to King Zora XVI, Commander Claudius and Princess Ruto. Everyone beamed at the children, waving flags and tossing ribbons towards the children while offering praise.
The group was both shy and uplifted. They weren’t used to such fanfare, even after their triumphs on Death Mountain. Trevor fixed his eyes on the glimmering Zora sapphire, as did Link.
Jerome and Rebecca focused on the crowd and Sheila was exasperated, wondering if she should have just been specific about her vision.
The children stood before Ruto in a straight line spanning from side-to-side. Ruto stood at the end of a red carpet leading to her father’s throne, holding the sapphire in her palms. She held it up as her shy smile formed into a grin. King Zora XVI remained seated on a large brass throne that had been carried by over a dozen Zora Sentries to the Domain’s lower shore.
“These brave souls,” said King Zora. “Ventured into Lord Jabu-Jabu’s belly, freeing him from a terrible curse. They rescued my beloved daughter from peril and returned her to us, safe and sound!”
The crowd cheered as if they just heard this for the first time, though praises of the forest boy, the water warrior and everyone else in the group had echoed through the domain’s halls a thousand times over. Something glimmered in King Zora’s purple eyes as he continued watching over the crowd.
“Yes,” he continued. “It is only right. Many cheers for the five warriors and their fairy! Because of these six brave souls, the domain is at peace once more. Because of them, we have a new legend to tell. And thus, there is a boon we offered in exchange for their valor and courage. May it be used to prosper Hyrule. May the King of Hyrule see the value you add to this land the same way we do. Your efforts will live on in our history for ages and ages. Remember us as we will remember you.”
Ruto stepped forward at the end of her father’s speech. She strode to Trevor, offering the sapphire right to him. Her eyes didn’t waver from staring into his.
“Trevor Berenson of Oak Shire, Illinois,” she said with a tender tone. “Do you accept the Zora’s Sapphire from me, Princess Ruto of the River Zora, daughter of King Zora XVI and the belated Queen Poseida?”
Excitement built up in Trevor’s spirit. His heart drummed as the triumph became all the more real–the Zora’s Sapphire, right in front him. Home, just a wish away. The trip to Hyrule Castle couldn’t come soon enough.
“I’d love to!” Trevor chirped. “Yes please.”
Ruto’s eyes glistened. “You...you accept it?”
“Why wouldn’t I? This is exactly what I needed.”
“Wonderful…” Ruto almost leapt from the red carpet. “Wonderful! I knew you would say yes!”
The crowd cheered even louder. People hugged each other while women wept.
Trevor looked around, confused at the extra amount of joy surrounding him. Zoras must have liked giving gifts a lot. He didn’t think much of it as he took the sapphire.
What made his heart jump was the way Ruto hugged him tightly before planting a kiss on his cheek, catching him off guard.
“Get off him,” Rebecca hissed, though no one heard over the crowd’s cheering.
“You’re more than worthy, my boy!” King Zora XVI. “I couldn’t have asked for a better suitor for my daughter!”
Trevor raised an eyebrow. Suitor? He thought. Why did that word sound so familiar…?
Ruto squeezed Trevor tightly, pressing her cheek to his. “I can’t wait for you and I to marry!”
Trevor’s jaw dropped. “...Huh?”
“La mataré y la freiré al fuego!” Rebecca hissed through gritted teeth. Again, the cheers blocked her out and no one wanted to know what her phrase meant in English.
Ruto’s face looked as if she flew over the moon. “We’ll rule the river together as husband and wife! Everything will change, you’ll see!”
“Man,” Trevor said while fighting his body’s need to cringe. “That’s...that’s great...so awesome.”
“It will be soooo wonderful!”
“Fantastic.”
“We’ll have beautiful children.”
“I’m sure we will...”
Trevor looked back at his friends for help. Jerome clamped a hand over his mouth–but his body tremored with hidden laughter.
Sheila’s face matched the color of the Goron ruby. “I...I tried to tell you,” she stammered.
Link was stunned.
Navi already flew away. Her voice–shrill, high-pitched and very cruel laughter–echoed somewhere around the corner as she kept herself out of sight.
Rebecca was the definition of steamed heat. She clenched her fists andglared holesinto Ruto, who didn’t seem to care.
The Zora Princess was overcome with joy. She locked her arm with Trevor, turned towards the crowd and waved enthusiastically. Ruto didn’t seem keen on letting him go.
Trevor now knew he’d like the trip to the castle more than any other part of his journey…
After the fanfare died down (and after Trevorfinallypried himself away from Ruto’s grip), the group proceeded to board the boat. The Zora citizens saw them off, walking closer to the river’s water, waving at the children as they settled into the vessel.
Claudius offered Trevor a hand. The two shook, sharing a smile of mutual respect.
“Thank you again,” said Claudius. “Your growth was tremendous. You are truly worthy, my boy. It is fitting that this first journey led to you being our king-in-waiting.”
Trevor fought the urge to cringe at the thought. “I’m...glad Ruto is back and Jabu-Jabu didn’t die.”
Claudius chuckled. “Do not waste your potential, young Trevor Berenson. ‘Tis my only advice. Your gifts foster change, so go out and make the difference that this world needs.”
With that, Claudius let go. King Zora said “Farewell, fine heroes!” and the Zoras removed the ship’s anchor. The ship floated off and Zora’s domain was left behind. Link looked back at the Zora people until they were a blip. The way they said good goodbye reminded him of the Kokiri. His heart yearned to be back home, to be back where he belonged...and soon, all his troubles would fade away once the Triforce reached the right hands.
