Chapter 5: Lord Jabu Jabu's Belly

Title page shows Link relaxing, leaning back against a tree in Hyrule field, with the Kokiri Emerald.

Hyrule Castle is burning, and a Hylian woman on a horse, carrying something, is silhouetted in front of it.

Link (thinking): The castle.. it's burning..

Hyrule Castle is.. different

Where.. am I?

There's a picture of the baby, wrapped up, that the woman is carrying. Then the woman's face, but it's in shadow.

Link: (thinking): Who.. is this person?

A view of the Deku tree, upside down and from below, is shown, as if you were lying on your back under it with your head next to its trunk.

"Link. Link. Link..."

Link suddenly wakes up, under a full moon.

Link: Great Deku Tree! ...it was a dream?

Link looks at the Goron Ruby in his hand.

Link: The Kokiri Emerald, the Goron Ruby.. there's only one left. But I have no idea of the whereabouts of this "Spiritual Stone of Water" ...

Navi: The Great Deku Tree would have known..

Link remembers, smiling.

Deku Tree: Link.. I believe in you.

Link starts out again across Hyrule Field.

Link: Let's go, Navi! We'll do our best!

Navi: Yeah.

A little music note floats past Link's ear.

Navi: What is it, Link?

Link: I can hear a song. But who would that be, at midnight?

They reach a big sign with a fenced off area, and a couple of buildings in the background. Lon Lon ranch.

Link: It's here.

Navi: A ranch? But no-one's here...

Navi (in wobbly text bubbles, looking as worried as a circle with wings can look :p): It must be a ghost.. hurry up, let's leave!!

Link: How scary could a ghost that hangs around a ranch be?

Suddenly, there's a loud noise.. 'za-DONN!!' Link finds himself lying on

the ground, Epona standing over him and sniffing his face. Navi is frantically flying around in circles -

Navi: It's coming!! Aaaaah!! I don't like this!! ...huh?

Link starts patting Epona.

Link: It's you! From that time! You're a horse from here?

Suddenly, a voice comes from behind Link..

"Hey, who's that?!"

A young girl is sitting on the fence (Malon ;)). Link looks up at her.

Malon: Wow, you must be a visitor from a long way away!

She jumps down from the fence.

Malon: Welcome, to Lon Lon Ranch! Where did you come from? Hmm... a Fairy Boy from the forest? (cool!)

She's taken Link's hand, and is pulling him along.

Link: No, we didn't come to sightsee...

Malon leads him to a barn where Talon is asleep, and Ingo feeds hay to the other horses.

Malon: Everyone in this house stays up late.. except my dad!

Navi flies over to Talon

Navi: Hey, this is that guy who gave you the milk, Link!

Malon walks over to Talon, and starts yelling at him, which surprises Link a bit.

Malon: Dad, are you still asleep here?! We have a guest! DAD!!

Talon: Huh?! I'm awaaake...

Ingo looks more than just a bit annoyed.

Ingo: Hmph! It's even become night time now, and master Talon is still taking a nap!! ALL the jobs around this ranch are done by me!!

Malon tries in vain to calm him down

Malon: Ah, Mr. Ingo, ^_^' everyone in this house is indebted to you.

Ingo (swinging his pitchfork around, looking very angry, with sharp teeth and everything) You should change the name to Ingo Ranch!!

Link turns to Malon.

Link: Um, well. I'm in a hurry. The Spiritual Stone of Water..

Malon: Right. Here you go.

She hands Link a jar of Milk, smiling at him. Link looks uncertain.

Link: ...thanks. I'll drink this.

Outside, Link, Malon and Epona are by the fence of the ranch.

Malon: I'm Malon.

She puts her arms around Epona's neck.

Malon: Epona loves songs, and music.

Navi: So that's why she came when you played your Ocarina, Link...

Link sits on the fence, playing, and Malon stands near him and sings.

Malon: This is Epona's song...

Malon jumps up onto the fence near Link.

Malon: haa... every day it's work, work... I'm tired.

Link looks over at her.

Link: Malon, what about your mother..?

she looks up at the starry sky.

Malon: She died when I was small. But, don't worry. To resist, I sing to myself at night, and it makes me feel really happy.

Link: Hmm... well, I have this Ocarina.

Malon: On the far side of the moon, there's a Prince just for me, who will come down, dancing.. what's your dream, Fairy Boy?

Link looks down

Link: Dream... well...

He remembers the Great Deku Tree again.

Link (thinking): To learn about the world.. to grow up, get big..

He looks back at Malon.

Link: My dream is... I want to see many different 'worlds'.

A dark shape in front of the moon flies towards them. It's a huge bird, Kaepora Gaebora, and he lands on the fence. Malon and Link jump back in surprise.

Kaepora Gaebora: Hoo, hoo.. you have become very strong, Link.

Link looks defiant as the huge bird towers over them. Malon hides behind him.

Link: What are you?!

Kaepora Gaebora turns his head upside down, and then back again.

Kaepora Gaebora: (you're a little rude..) My name is Kaepora Gaebora.

(pronounciation of that is 'kepora gebora', btw.)

Kaepora Gaebora: I have known you since the time you were an infant. I am an old friend of the Deku Tree.

Link: The Greak Deku Tree?!

Kaepora Gaebora looks down at him with fierce, but also almost kind eyes.

Kaepora Gaebora: Link, the Spiritual Stone of Water is in Zora Village.

Link: !

Kaepora Gaebora flutters his wings.

Kaepora Gaebora: I see the change in the colour of your eyes.. while you lend your ears to my words, hold on to my foot. I will carry you.

Link: ... Right. I'll hold on tight!

Kaepora Gaebora lifts off, Link holding onto his feet.

Malon: Fairy Boy! You're leaving?

Link: I'll come back and play later, Malon!

Malon cups her hands around her mouth to yell out to him.

Malon: You make sure! Make sure you come back again!

They fly off, silhouetted against the moon.

Kaepora Gaebora: Of course you will return, won't you. Hoo, hoo.. you will be cordially received. (all three of them are beautiful young girls..)

(Kaepora Gaebora actually says "thou" there, but it doesn't work in English.)

Link: Hey, shut up! ^_^'

Meanwhile, they're flying high in the air, Hyrule Field tiny below them.

Kaepora Gaebora: What do you think of this "world"?

Link looks down, amazed and a little worried.

Link: It's.. it's sooo huge!! Everything on the ground looks like bugs. We are very small, aren't we..

Kaepora Gaebora: This small you has the power to change the world. Link, you think that you left the forest by your own wishes.. but it was decided by fate a long time ago.

Link looks up at Kaepora Gaebora.

Link: Huh?!

Suddenly, Kaepora Gaebora releases his grip on Link's arms.

Link: Waaaaaaaaaaahh!!

As Link falls a long, long way down to a river far below, Kaepora Gaebora flies off into the clouds.

Kaepora Gaebora: Soon, you will learn the meaning of this truth...

Link awakens to the sound of water.

Link: unh... where... is this?

Suddenly, a giant Zora face is right in front of him.

Link: Waah!!

King Zora is right in front of Link, with a young male Zora guard.

Zora guard: Don't be rude! You are in the presence of King Zora!!

King Zora: Hey. What sort of person is this?

Link gets up, and kneels before the King.

Link: Is this the Zora's Village?

Navi: (pretty!!)

Link: I am Link. Great King of the Zora, could you please tell me where the Spiritual Stone of Water is? I heard from Princess Zelda the legend passed down by the Royal Family, and...

King Zora: A messenger of Hyrule's Royal Family? Sorry, but I don't care about that place (zora). My cute little Princess Ruto has been swallowed by Lord Jabu Jabu (zora).

The Zora guard folds his arms, and Link looks a bit annoyed.

Navi: Lord Jabu Jabu?

A Zora standing nearby, behind Link, answers her.

Zora: Lord Jabu Jabu, who lives in Zora Fountain, is the Guardian God of the Zora.

Link and Navi turn around, surprised.

Navi: Your Guardian God ate your Princess?!

Zora: Recently, Lord Jabu Jabu has been a bit funny. Ever since that guy called Ganondorf came!

Link turns back to King Zora.

Link: Ganondorf came here, too?! So.. what happened to the Princess?!

King Zora: She's probably.. still inside Lord Jabu Jabu's belly (zora). Tomorrow, she was to choose the best looking young man in the country for her wedding day... Oh, my poor little Princess Ruto!!

King Zora has tears in his eyes. The Zora guard in front of him straightens a little bow tie. Link steps forward, and points to himself.

Link: O-kay! I'll go inside this Lord Jabu Jabu's belly, save Princess Ruto and get out of there! Then, will you promise to give me the Spiritual Stone of Water?

King Zora: Oh! It's a small price to pay (zora)!

Link starts to run out of the throne room.

Link: Did it! Let's go, Navi!

A Zora holds up a hand.

Zora: Wait! Take this weapon (zora).

He holds up the boomerang.

Zora: Passed down by the Do Bon family, this is a weapon that will come

back, no matter what (zora). It's sure to be useful in Lord Jabu Jabu's belly (zora).

Link turns to run off, boomerang in hand. He looks back over his shoulder.

Link: Thank you, King Zora!

(He actually does say 'thank you' in English there, it's written 'sankyuu' in the manga)

Zora's Fountain

Link and Navi stand on the platform in front of Jabu Jabu's huge head. And I mean huge. Link looks a little concerned.

Link: This is Lord Jabu Jabu? (he's huge!!)

Navi: Certainly, just one person can't do this much alone!

Link starts hammering Jabu Jabu's top lip with his sword, making 'kan!' 'kin!' noises as it bounces harmlessly off.

Link: Oy! Lord Jabu Jabu! Give back Princess Ruto!!

Navi: Hey, hey, Link! He's their Guardian God! Give him an offering!

Link bows his head, and holds out a fish

Link: (I see..) Riiight, Lord Jabu Jabu, please take this.

Oneof Jabu Jabu's huge eyes blinks open. Then, he opens his mouth, and sucks in Navi and Link along with the fish.

Link: Waaaaah!! He's really greedy!

Jabu Jabu closes his mouth and swims off.

Trapped behind a huge row of tightly clenched teeth, Link wanders further inside Jabu Jabu, calling out.

Link: Heeeey! Princess Ruto! Spiritual Stone... I mean, Princess Ruuuutooo!!

Suddenly, Link hears a distant scream

Link: This way!

He starts running, Navi getting there ahead of him.

Navi: Link, over here!

Link is in front of Barinade, whose tentacles are getting closer and closer to Ruto, who is lying on the 'ground'. Diving past the Biri and Bari surrounding Barinade, Link grabs Ruto and runs to safety.

Link: Princess Ruto? It's good that you're safe!

Ruto looks stunned for a second, then realises that she is in Link's arms still. She slaps him, hard.

Ruto: How rude!!

Link holds his injured face, and Ruto stands in front of him, hands on hips.

Ruto: I am the Princess of the Zora, Ruto. What sort of person are you?!

Link holds his hands to the sides, palms forward.

Link: The King told me to come here and save you!

Ruto: My father?

Her face becomes expressionless.

Ruto: ... I never asked for such a thing!

Navi: Huh?!

Link: What are you saying?! Everyone is worried about you! So, hurry, let's go back!

Ruto turns and runs away.

Ruto: No way! You go back, quickly!

Link chases after her, jumping forward to slash a Biri that heads for Ruto.

Link: Watch out!

Of course, he gets zapped.

Link: Waaaah!

Navi: It's an electric flying jellyfish! If you cut it with your sword, it'll shock you!

Link, a little charred, crouches in front of Ruto, who has decided to sit on the floor.

Link: You... you're not hurt? So, come with me, and...

Ruto just stares at him.

Ruto: ...

She stands up, and points back to Barinade.

Ruto: In that case, pick up that stone first! It's the thing I dropped when I was swallowed by Lord Jabu Jabu.

Link, with an expression that says 'you've gotta be kidding!' looks, and sees that under Barinade's tentacles is a shiny stone (the Zora Sapphire). Ruto folds her arms.

Ruto: When you bring that stone to me, we may leave (zora)!

Link runs towards Barinade.

Link: Right!

Ruto grabs him by the back of his shirt, stopping him in mid air.

Ruto: Hey! Wait!! Do you mean to leave me alone?

Link runs along with Ruto on his back, straining under her weight.

Ruto: It is very honourable of you to carry me. I am very grateful (zora).

Link: But I can't use my hands like this! How am I going to pick up the stone?!

As Ruto opens her mouth to answer, one of Barinade's tentacles grabs her and picks her up from behind.

Link: Ah! Damnit!

A Biri flies towards Ruto, held high in the air by the tentacle.

Ruto: Kyaaaaaa!!

Link draws the boomerang, and prepares to throw it..

Link: Okay... how about... THIS!

The boomerang slices through two Biri, the tentacle that has Ruto ensnared, and picks up the Spiritual Stone in one sweep. Link catches the stone in one hand, the boomerang in the other.

Link: Got it!!

(He literally says "Get!" in the manga)

Link leaps into the air, brandishing his sword.

Link: NOW!!

He brings the sword down on Barinade, who explodes.

Navi: Link, you did it!

Link: Princess Ruto!

He runs over to Ruto, who is sitting on the ground, fuming.

Ruto: What sort of thing is it to leave me alone like that?!

Link: Terrible, terrible.

Link winks, and hands over the Stone.

Link: Well, here you go.

Ruto looks less angry, but still upset.

Ruto: ... I was... a little scared (zora).

Link smiles at her.

Ruto: The truth is.. I wasn't swallowed by Lord Jabu Jabu. I was hiding.

Link: Wh... why!?

Ruto: My father... fixed my wedding for his own convenience. He's always talking about his "cute little Princess, Princess", but.. I have my own feelings.

Ruto yells at Link, with tears in her eyes..

Ruto: I... I'm not my father's doll!!

Link looks a bit surprised. He smiles at her again, scratching his head

Link: I guess there are some hard things about being a princess.

Now it's Ruto's turn to look surprised.

Link: But, I'm envious. I never knew my parents.. and the Great Deku Tree died, so I can't see him anymore. You have a father who worries about you, and is waiting for you, so... let's go back.

Ruto: ...

Looking a little embarassed, she looks at the Zora Sapphire in her hands.

Ruto: Well... is it okay if we're together (zora)?

Link: huh?

Ruto: This is the Spiritual Stone of Water.. the Zora Sapphire. It is the stone I grant to my fianc?. This is the Zora's engagement ring.. I grant this to you!

Link gets the Stone in the typical glowing-and-floating-through-the-air way.

Link: I did it! I have all three Spiritual Stones!!

He runs out of Jabu Jabu's open mouth.

Link: Thanks!

Ruto (blushing): Come back soon, okay? :x

Link (to Navi): By the way, Navi... what's an 'engagement ring'?

Navi: ..... ^_^''

Back at the throne room..

Ruto: I already gave away the Zora Sapphire (zora). ^_^

King Zora: Whaaaat?!

Link sprints across Hyrule Field, Navi in tow.

Link: We've gotta hurry and get back to Princess Zelda's place!!

Link (thinking): Great Deku Tree... I did it!

Suddenly, Link skids to a halt. On the horizon is Hyrule Castle... wreathed in flames.

Link: Hyrule Castle... It's burning!!

~end of chapter 5~

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