Fan Fiction Friday: Crossing Sapphire Waves – Chapter 3

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As soon as the door latches behind her, Aryll slips off her sandals. “Grandma, I’m home, and I have something to tell you-” she calls as she steps into the kitchen and is stopped short. Expecting to find Grandma sewing or in the kitchen, Aryll finds her sitting next to the window, back to her as she gazes out at the ocean. It’s been a long time since she’s seen her like this.

When her brother first left and the loneliness was at its most intense, Aryll would curl up in her grandmother’s lap, and together they would gaze longingly out at the sea. They rarely spoke, and just listened to the sound of the waves crashing against the cliffside and the palm trees rustling in the wind.

“Grandma,” Aryll’s voice is suddenly tiny and soft. “Can we talk? I have something to tell you.”

“Of course, dear. What’s wrong?” Grandma takes a moment to turn back towards her. Her wrinkled hands pull the blanket over her and she rests her hands on her lap. 

“I think…I think big brother may be in trouble,” Aryll says carefully as she pulls out the letter and hands it to her. 

Grandma doesn’t unfold the parchment and instead replies softly, “You’re going to look for him, aren’t you?”

“How did you know?”

“I always knew you would, one day,” she smiles sadly.

Aryll gives her a hug and says, “I’ll bring him home, I promise.”

She feels Grandma gently pat her back, but not say anything. She wonders how she can be so calm, but before she can think about it anymore, a knock at the door surprises her. Rushing to the door and practically swinging it open, she’s surprised to see Orca. He’s holding a box in his hands, his long, wispy beard resting on the lid. His trident tattoo is faded and contorts against his stretched, wrinkled skin. Aryll has always admired Orca’s continued strength and craftsmanship despite his elderly age. He gives her a curt nod.

“Oh, hi Orca,” Aryll smiles and waves him in.

Orca’s feet barely make a sound on the planks as he enters. He replies, “Thank you for your hospitality, as always, but I won’t be here long.”

“Okay,” Aryll says. She eyes the box again, “What’s that?” 

“For you,” Orca says, gently patting the top.

“Me?” Aryll gapes. 

He hands it to her and adds, “I’ve been holding onto these for some time. I’m glad I can pass them along to you.”

Aryll cocks her head and blows the dust off the top of the lid. Setting the box on the floor, she rests on her knees and yanks the lid off of it. Inside the box is a telescope and a bottle with a strange, pulsating glow. Aryll picks up the telescope and inspects it closely, her heart skipping a beat. It’s not the same telescope she gave to her brother years ago on his birthday, but it’s very similar. It has the same vibrant red paint and delicately painted seagulls in flight. She notes the detail and precision of each seagull’s wings and eyes as Sue-Belle’s work. 

A purple bandana with a white pattern is wrapped around the narrow end of the telescope. She unties the knot and inspects it more closely. The pattern throughout the bandana is small white skulls, and she recognizes it immediately. That dress was one of my favorites, Aryll smiles fondly.  

“We were going to save it for your birthday,” Orca’s beard curls up and she can tell he’s smiling.

“Thank you,” Aryll says, gingerly setting the telescope aside. She carefully picks up the bottle and inspects the source of the glow. It gently pulsates and swirls with vibrant reds, cool blues, and deep greens. She’s never seen anything like it. 

“What is this? It doesn’t look like a fairy,” Aryll squints.

“Your brother called it a Forest Firefly. Before he left, your brother entrusted me with that bottle and told me to give it to you when the time was right.”

“What does it do?” Aryll asks.

Orca shakes his head, “I don’t know. All he told me was that it has special properties. You should keep it with you, just in case.”

“Sort of like a good luck charm?” Aryll asks. “But what did you mean ‘when the time was right?’” 

Orca elaborates, “When you were ready to go on an adventure of your own one day. That day has come, and now it’s yours.”

“Wait,” Aryll says. “How did you know?”

“Nothing escapes Sturgeon’s eyes,” Orca laughs lightly. “When we saw the Rito prince arrive, we suspected something was amiss.”

“Oh,” Aryll says flatly, realizing the flaw of her plan as she stands back up. “I’m sorry for not saying anything before. I didn’t want to worry you all. It’s just…Brother is in trouble, and I’m going to find him.”  

“You share his spirit for adventure, as well as his stubbornness. Once you set your mind to something, we know better than to change it.” Orca rests his hand on her shoulder, “Best of luck.”

Aryll bows, “Thank you, Orca. For everything.”

---

Komali, Skett, Akoot, and the sailor Loot return by paddle steamer by mid-afternoon. Aryll had heard from other sailors during trades that paddle steamers were becoming increasingly popular, but she had never seen one before. 

“She’s the latest model! Isn’t she a beaut?” Loot says proudly after they disembark.

“It’s amazing!” Aryll says. “I can’t believe you got one!”

“She cost a pretty Rupee, but she’s worth it!” Loot beams.

The paddle steamer isn’t as large as a trade ship — it only has one level above the deck — but it’s not small, either. The deck is spacious, and the hull, pilothouse, and cabin are painted dark brown with red trim along the bow. The anchor is equipped to the side of the boat, and a cannon is also fashioned to the top. 

Despite Aryll’s eagerness to ask Loot as many questions about the boat as possible, she and the others spend the remainder of the day preparing provisions and rations for the journey. After a restless night of sleep, the sun finally peeks over the waves. Aryll hastily changes out of her nightclothes into a comfortable shirt and trousers. She ties the bandana around her neck and clutches the telescope in one hand, the Forest Firefly bottle cradled in the crook of her opposite arm.

Outside, Grandma leans against the balcony on the deck. 

“I’ll be back soon, I promise,” Aryll says and gives her a tight hug as Loot and Komali approach.

“Be careful,” Grandma croaks in her ear.

“I will,” Aryll whispers.

“We’re ready,” Komali says.

“Ma’am,” Loot addresses Grandma. “You have my word that I will protect these kids with my life! On my honor as a sailor, I’ll bring them home safely.”

“Thank you,” Grandma says softly.

As they board the paddle steamer and everyone gathers at the pier, Aryll can’t help but feel her heart tighten as they wave and leave the berth. Outset Island shrinks from view the further they sail, and before long, Aryll’s home is out of sight. 

---

The water is choppy as they travel into the headwind, but the paddle steamer maintains its current speed. It’s been invaluable to their travel time — what would likely have taken several weeks has been reduced to five days on the water, thanks to the paddle steamer’s stern wheels. 

Their voyage has largely been a quiet one. The monsters that once terrorized islanders and sailors across the sea mostly retreated to the shadows. Most monster appearances are rare without an enemy force to rally behind. Sea creatures like Big Octo have been known to attack ships, but the attacks are few and far in between. The storms that plague the Great Sea still pose a threat to sailors, but luckily for Aryll and her allies, there hasn’t been a single dark cloud in the sky.

Aryll bites into a Hyoi pear while she scans the horizon in search of islands through her telescope. Seagulls fly overhead, gracefully gliding on the wind as they croon.

“Anything yet?” Komali leans against the handrail next to her.

Aryll shakes her head, “Nothing yet.” After a moment, she adds, “Hey, I didn’t ask before, but is it okay for you to be sailing out here with us? What about Dragon Roost Island?”

“Well…not exactly,” Komali says wryly. “My father intends to pass the mantle of Chieftain to me soon.”

“That’s great, Komali!” Aryll says excitedly with a clap. “Everyone on Dragon Roost Island will do so well with you as their leader. Congratulations!”

Komali shakes his head slightly, “Thank you, but I hardly think I’m deserving of praise. I’m…afraid I won’t be a good leader.” He fiddles with a delicate wood-carved bracelet on his wrist. 

“Why not?” Aryll frowns and cocks her head.

Before Komali can reply, Loot shouts from the pilothouse, “Land ho!” 

Straight ahead, still small and far away from their vantage point is a sheer cliffside above the waves. Aryll wonders if Tetra and her crew passed by this island on their voyage. Hopefully, we find some clues here… Aryll furrows her eyebrows as she studies the silhouette of the island through her telescope.

 

Featured art: Michaela El-Ters

Michaela El-Ters is an Associate Editor for Zelda Dungeon. Her first foray into fan fiction, this story was inspired by her love for The Wind Waker and the surprising amount of tragedy that permeates the game’s narrative and characters. When she isn’t writing or blogging, Michaela loves to watch movies and anime, read books, and cuddle her doggo. To read more of her content, check out her blog here.