THE COURSE OF WATER

PART I

1

Like each morning, a mouthwatering array of fresh aliments is displayed on the buffet. The cooks really outdo themselves, even for this informal meal. Usually, I'm the first one in the bright room of the Castle where we have breakfast together, often even beating the sun's first rays. But today, the towering crimson figure of my friend is already hovering over the steamed fish. I hoist the sleepy toddler resting on my hip a bit higher, his platinum blond head wobbling on my shoulder, as I reach for a plate on the counter.

"Good morning, Sidon." I greet him, one-handedly placing some fruits on my plate.

He turns his massive head towards us and a pointy-teethed grin stretches on his face.

"Ha! My favorite friend, and my beloved godson!" Sidon exclaims softly as his hands reach for the small boy.

The tall Zora smoothly snatches the child in his strong arms; the latter stirs subtly and rests his tired head against my friend's chest, closing his blue eyes.

"Thanks." I yawn, stretching my sore arm.

I complete my plate with some eggs and bread, and sit at the overly long table where Sidon waits for me. The toddler is peacefully leaning on his torso while his godfather offers him small bites of his breakfast.

"Fish for breakfast? Don't try and turn him into a Zora now." I tease my friend.

"Unfortunately for him, I do not think that is how it works." Sidon replies, a hint of real regret in his voice.

I shrug and wolf down my food before I lose the use of my two arms again.

"Will Zelda be joining us soon?" I ask Sidon between two mouthfuls.

He looks through the sunbathed windows for a moment then slowly replies: "I daresay she will."

I observe him a few seconds then turn back to my dish. Sure enough, the queen soon enters the lively room. The ten years that have come to past since we defeated the Calamity have turned her into a fully-grown woman whose beauty truly has no equal. She is more regal looking than she ever was, her long golden hair half tied up in an elegant fashion. I send her a warm smile, but her gaze his turned towards Sidon. She wordlessly fills her plate with fruits and bread, and sits on the other side of the table, facing us.

"Good morning Zelda." I slightly nod her way.

"Good morning Link." She replies, buttering her bread without raising her head. "Doesn't Paya want to eat this morning?"

"Oh, I let her sleep in. This one has been quite irritable this night." I playfully gesture at the baby boy on Sidon's lap. "It's fine, I'll bring her some food back."

She barely shows that she heard me, her eyes not leaving her plate, which is quite frankly more my way of conversing than hers. She always had a strong temper, but I have not become any better at guessing what causes her occasional distant attitude. To be perfectly honest, most of the time, I don't even notice it. Only the soft babbles of my little boy and the eager replies Sidon whispers at him break the silence as Zelda eats her meager breakfast.

"Sidon and I have a lot of things to attend to in Castle Town today." She eventually utters, laying her utensils in her empty plate in a refined manner. "The Bolson Company has asked for yet another real estate development permit." She sighs, shooting an understood glance at Sidon. "Tell me Link, how is the training of our new recruits going?"

Her green eyes are expectantly staring at me.

"They're doing very well. Babi is fairly demanding, but she is a great trainer." I report, grateful to the Gerudos for sending us such a skilled warrior.

"Excellent." Her tone is businesslike. "I'll be waiting for you at the castle's entrance." She tells Sidon before standing from her seat.

She caresses my son's cheek, a tender look in her eyes, and leaves the room.

"You heard the lady," Sidon winks at me after a short silence, "important business awaits."

He walks up to me and puts his smiling godson back into my arms. He gently presses a large finger on the toddler's nose.

"Behave, little man." He grins. "Have a good day, Link."

Author's note: Finally! As I have promised, this whole story is already written down (expect about thirty chapters). I will be reworking it based on your comments, so please review profusely! I am really aiming to improve my writing. This was just a short introduction to set the story - I will be posting regularly, trying to give you 3 to 4 chapters a week (since chapters are pretty variable in length).