Half an hour later was when Link and Mipha were able to get their first breather. The crowd was only starting to disperse as people went into their individual conversation even though they were guaranteed to still be gossiping about the new royal couple. Link felt more confident than usual, especially with Mipha at his side. Sidon stuck close with him and Mipha the entire time; he didn't want to lose them again.
It wasn't long after the crowd thinned and the initial excitement boiled down. That was when Zelda and the other Champions were able to get through. They sat on the deserted glass and shined metal benches across from Link and Mipha. No one had wanted to sit so close to the princess and her Champion in fear of embarrassing themselves or the couple. But people still looked over and gossiped, and some still lingered around to watch. Lura stayed close at hand as always and was ready for any request Mipha might have. Sidon sat on the table, asking questions that neither of them knew the answer to.
Link had his hand entwined with Mipha's as the champions sat on either side of the table with bright smiles. Link didn't want to let go as he seldom spoke yet alone having to be swarmed by so many people at once. He was glad he didn't have to do it alone though. He looked up at Zelda as she sat down last in-between Daruk and Urbosa. They sat opposite of the couple and looked directly over at them.
It was silence for some time. No one knew what to say but they were all just thinking. It was Zelda who spoke first saying, "so..." she drifted off, forgetting what she was to say. Link took a deep breath and looked at his friends.
"So." He replied casually.
Urbosa was the one who broke the deadlock by leaning forward with her hands on the table. "I had my suspicions but I honestly didn't see this coming." She gestured towards the apparel on Link and his closeness with Mipha.
Mipha smiled and blushed again saying, "All we needed was a moment." Mipha looked directly at Zelda when she said that. Link didn't realize what she meant by it and assumed she was just speaking in general. But Zelda smiled and nodded her head once to Mipha.
Daruk chuckled and said, "Oh how I'd kill to be young again. Young love is the most precious thing."
Urbosa chipped back in saying, "it really. It's something that is able to blossom in any kind of environment. I'd actually worried about this last celebration being bland after all the others, but it actually turned out to be the most eventful of them all." Mipha blushed more and pressed closer onto Link's shoulder.
Zelda looked up at the constant downpour and said solemnly, "if only the rain hadn't made the mood mellower."
Mipha blinked questioningly at her comment, "what do you mean?" Zelda raised an eyebrow at the comment. She shrugged and just gestured up to the sky blankly. Mipha looked up and realization dawned on her. She spoke soothingly saying, "Rain isn't a bad sign for Zora's. It is actually a blessing for us, a good omen for the future." She looked up at Link as she said that and he met her gaze softly.
Zelda cleared her throat apologetically and said, "Well, in that case tonight couldn't have turned out better."
Urbosa gazed behind Link and Mipha at Revali saying, "It could have for him."
Revali was by himself sitting at one of the railings. He felt happy for the couple, but was envious at his own failure for any relationships. He was also seasick—but he would never admit it to anyone. He shook his feathers to try and dry himself even just a little bit, but to no avail.
Link glanced back at Rito and said, "We should probably leave him alone for now, he doesn't look too good at the moment." Mipha agreed because she was worried that Revali might speak ill of Link, even if it was by accident. She didn't want that to happen as she often could not control herself at snapping back at him for the disrespect.
A long silence grew again as everyone began to feel awkward again, so Sidon decided to ask his beloved sister a question, "so what now?"
Mipha looked down slightly as Sidon sat up looking at her with a tilted head. She cleared her throat but stopped as she thought for a moment. She didn't quite know what was next. She got an idea and took an intake of breath to explain it. However before she could speak, Link opened his thoughts up to Sidon.
"Well now, I will obviously be spending a lot more time around here. I am the princess's Champion now, which is a big role in Zoran society. I think I speak for everyone when I saw it trumps the role of the Hylian princess's personal guard, or the head of Hyrule Castle security."
Zelda opened her mouth to respond but realized that he was right. She would be seeing a lot less of Link from now on as he would be in Zora's domain more often.
Mipha decided to let Link continue to Sidon. The little Zora sat back down politely and listened intently. Sidon decided to ask one of the millions of questions he had, "so you'll be moving into Zora's Domain?"
Link pursed his lips and said, "I think that's a great idea. Of course I will return to Hyrule tomorrow on my last escort mission with princess Zelda. I'll gather my things and come back here to spend time with you and Mipha, learning more about the customs of Zora's and what role I take on in society."
Mipha placed a hand on the side of Link's chest asking, "Do you really have to leave so soon?"
A deep voice rose up behind them saying, "Of course! He is still Hylian by nature and not yet released from his duties!" The word yet was stressed heavily in the familiar voice behind Link and Mipha.
Zelda sat up straighter exclaiming, "Dad!" King Rhoame came forward and sat beside Mipha. She noticed that he jiggled a little all over as he slumped downwards. Rhoame noticed the worried look on Link's face and immediately reprimanded his previous statement. "Aw don't worry about that, you'll be honourably relieved of duty and be free to go wherever you wish, Link. As for you, Mipha," the King looked down at her proudly, "take care of our swordsman. There aren't any odds he won't go against to protect others, even if it means endangering himself."
He looked proudly upon Link; he had always felt more or less like a father to Link after his real father had passed away in combat.
The King smiled at Link, "not quite the strong, silent type anymore are we?" Link smiled at the remark but didn't respond. Rhoame chuckled saying, "a man of necessity he is, which is why I believe you wish to stay here. Well I'm proud of you, the both of you. It's not very often you see a couple so infused, so drawn together naturally." Rhoame leaned back and took a deep breath of the salty air around them. "Yes, you'll accompany us back to Hyrule where you can say your goodbyes and gather your things." Link nodded to Rhoame as knot a soldier would to his King. Link jumped as the suddenly demure Zora spoke loudly.
He looked down suddenly as Mipha asked, "May I join you? It's been a long time since I've been inside of Hyrule castle."
The Hylian King glanced down at the small princess and raised an eyebrow. Now that he thought about it; she'd only entered the premises when they were crowned Champions or during the celebrations. Rhoame frowned now realizing that it hadn't been long at all since Mipha has been at Hyrule castle. He glanced down at her and how she had her arms delicately around Link. He grinned as he saw her true reasoning.
He pursed his lips, wondering if they had enough protection for a king and two princesses. He glanced up at Link and decided that he did.
Rhoame paused for dramatic effect and then said, "I think that's a great idea! Zelda leaned forward ecstatically saying, "We'd be honoured to have you, Mipha."
Urbosa suddenly realized how silent herself and Daruk had been during the entire conversation. She spoke after Zelda finished saying, "I'll have to take up a similar offer of some kind in the future. But I guess tomorrow is where we will split into our paths; at least for most of us." She glanced with a smile at Link and Mipha as she said the last part.
She stood up saying, "it's been a lovely celebration, but I think it's time that we all got some rest." Daruk stood up to take his leave but grunted in frustration as the bench wanted to follow him. He looked down and moved slowly, having to carefully slide his legs out from the benches that are made for the small Zora's.
After freeing himself, Daruk gave a clumsy salute and said, "in case we don't see each other tomorrow morning, I'm proud of you two, for defeating Ganon, and finding your own happiness. Travel safely, and beat any of Ganon's creatures into oblivion with him!" He laughed to himself as he walked off into the crowds of Zora's.
It was just Zelda and her father still with the couple. She yawned suddenly for a couple of seconds. She waved her hand over her mouth and shook her head slight afterwards. She didn't know why but her eyes always watered a little bit after a yawn.
Link saw the large yawn from Zelda. He had to fight off his own yawn a couple seconds later. He frowned and hated how contagious those things are.
He blinked lazily saying, "I agree with Daruk. Lets all get some rest before we head off tomorr... Link drifted off from the conversation as he saw a flicker of movement on one of the mountain sides. He swore that he could have made out the body of someone up there, he was sure it wasn't a wild boar, but someone wearing all black. He saw two lights that were ever so faint that he didn't know if he was just seeing things or not. But it was odd to be seeing a pair of ref lights darting amongst trees—even for his imagination.
Link snapped back to reality as Mipha tugged on his arm. He shook his head and looked down at her questioningly. She tilted her head towards Zelda and Link looked over apologetically. Link hadn't even realized that Zelda had said anything while he was staring at the mountain.
Zelda repeated her question asking, "Are you already set to move out tomorrow or do you need another wake up call?" Link tilted his head with an annoyed expression at her. He stayed silent as Zelda smiled knowing he hated being prodded about his mistakes. He had slept in the day before when they had left the Goron's village and had to hurriedly pack and get ready to leave-delaying everyone else along with him.
Zelda waved the joke away saying, "I'll take that as a no. Just make sure Epona is ready early tomorrow, I want to be able to relax on the ride back." Link nodded to her as she stood up. Zelda waved instead of saying her goodbyes and strode of towards one of the many staircases. The Zora's had guest chambers ready for everyone that intended to stay for the night. Although these rooms were meant for the VIP's of the trip; they still accommodated most of the visitors. Zelda was undoubtedly going to her own designated room.
Link spoke just before she got out of earshot, "I'll see you tomorrow morning, on time."
Rhoame grunted from the effort as he stood up. He watched Zelda leave for a moment. He should be getting to his own chambers too. His two personal guards must be falling over trying to stay awake by now. Rhoame looked down at the royal couple that was still seated.
"Try not to stay up too long, Link. Your adventure isn't quite over yet," Rhoame flicked his eyes towards Mipha, "it's only just beginning." Link nodded to him and said his goodbyes as he left towards the same staircase he and Mipha had come down.
It was just Link, Mipha and Sidon at the table now. The food had all been cleared out already which Link was slightly disappointed at. He always seemed to be able to eat, and found himself crazing a skewer of some gourmet meat and vegetables. He shook the thought away, he'd eaten enough today and he realized how exhausted he was from the constant celebrations. He looked down at Mipha who had her eyes closed as she rested her head on his shoulder. The slight rise and fall of her chest denoted the fact that she was asleep.
He looked up at Sidon whose eyelids were drooping as he sat on the table. No wonder he had stopped asking about his never-ending questions. Link looked straight up too see that the moon was already high in the sky and realized how late it really was. He looked down and sighed, he hadn't wanted this day to end but it was inevitable.
Link looked down at Mipha as she continued to rest her head on his shoulder. He shrugged his shoulder with a feather touch and whispered, "Hey, don't fall asleep yet." Her eyes blinked open slowly. They shot open as she frantically tried to remember where she was for a second. Suddenly she remembered the events of the evening and smiled. She glanced up at Link and Sidon lazily saying, "wha... oh right."
Mipha waved Lura over and yawned as she waited. She looked over at Lura as the woman bounced over. Mipha had always been envious of her endless amounts of energy. She asked her servant and dear friend politely, "Would you mind bringing Sidon to his room?"
Lura nodded and curtseyed while saying, "Of course madam." She leaned forward and gently shook Sidon to keep him awake and said, "Let's get up to bed shall we?" She looked back at Link and Mipha as she led Sidon up the stairs that led towards the front stairs of the throne room. They'll make a perfect royal couple. Lura shook her head as she forced the daydreaming to stop before it began.
Mipha slowly tilted lazily towards Link again as she tried to stay awake. It was all of a sudden that everyone felt tired, and much the conversation around the platform had died down as people began to leave. The pouring rain can only keep people awake for so long. Link stood up and heard his hip crack as he did so. He groaned for a second in discomfort. He shook off the feeling of grinding bones and held out his hand for Mipha saying, "I think the princess should be able to get some sleep too."
It was almost a struggle to get up the steps. Link had lived much of his life in the spotlight being the Champion for Hyrule and the princess's personal guard, but being in spotlight for too long just exhausted him. He preferred silence and often came off as mysterious at times because of it. But he was thankful as it kept people out of his business and slightly away from him. Although he doubted his solitary lifestyle would last much longer. He blinked back into reality when the door to Mipha's room came into view.
He opened it and led Mipha inside as she dragged her feet. He noticed how his feet seemed to drag along the floor as he walked also. He shook his head and strode alongside Mipha's water bed. It looked like a small pool, large enough to submerge someone's entire body in. Link knew that Zora's could breathe in the air and in the water so he undoubtedly assumed that Mipha stayed submerged the entire night. Of course he wouldn't be able to sleep in a bed without drowning. He also didn't know what being in water for such long periods could do to a Hylian.
It didn't really matter as Mipha stayed latched onto his arm even though her bed was only a couple of feet away. Link looked down at her and saw her eyes were barely open, he didn't even think she knew she was in her own room yet. She sighed lightly and her grip lessened in his hand and he knew she was gonna fall asleep at any moment. At the protest of his sore muscles, he bent down and swept the back of her knees with his left free arm.
Mipha swung up easily into his arms, she was lighter than he had imagined. Her eyes pricked open at the sudden movement and she smiled lazily at Link as she crossed her legs.
She whispered as she blinked her eyelids at him, "Am I dreaming?"
Link smiled as he lowered her into the low water whispering, "You will be soon."
Her eyes closed at the cool touch of the water. Link let her sink slowly down into it. He noticed how her smile didn't fade as she rested lightly against the bottom of the foot deep pool.
Link turned towards the chair and slumped down into it. For some reason it felt wrong watch her when she was sleeping, it was like how he felt like laughing. He couldn't think of the word at first but it popped into his head after a couple seconds. It felt like shaking weakness, except in this situation it would feel more like taking advantage of a weakness than actually showing it.
He shook his head and his hands to dry them. He looked over at the bed and could just barely see the floating piece of silk that Mipha wore to symbolize her as the Champion of the Zora's. It was made of silk so that it shouldn't slow down her swimming or weigh her down as it doesn't absorb much water. Link usually wore an overcoat that bore the colour, but it had been ruined on their way to Goron city. He looked down and remembered how drenched he was. He leaned down and took off his boots and laid them neatly beneath the chair. He sighed, getting ready to get up and go to his own room where there was a Hylian bed and comfortable feathered pillows. The thought relaxed him and he blinked to clear the sleep from his eyes.
When Link had begun closing his eyes, it was night. When he reopened them, there was daylight streaming through the windows. It was like a curtain from a dark room to morning sunlight or as if someone had wiped a squeegee over his vision from the night to transition into the morning. Link opened his eyes fully as he realized he must have slept through the entire night by accident.
As soon as he could see clearly though, he saw a pair of razor sharp teeth directly in front of his eyes. His reflexes and fight or flight instincts kicked in right away. He immediately reared back, away from the assumed danger.
He leaned back a little too far and the chair began to tip over backwards. As he felt the panic of falling, he saw the larger picture of Mipha's huge smile as she was waking him up. Her smile faded slightly and concern grew as Link fell in what felt like slow motion. He mentally laughed at his own mistake but the laugh was quickly cut short by his impact with the floor. He slid out of the chair because of his momentum—skidding a foot or two across the floor. He laid there for a second in helplessness. He placed his hands on his chest and casually said, "G'morning."
Mipha helped him up trying not to laugh and apologized for the rude awakening. Link waved it off and started dusting himself off in the mirror.
Mipha wiped some off his back saying, "well at least we're up early."
"Yeah thanks for that. Although maybe you shouldn't stand so close next time. You do have very sharp teeth you know."
"I know. Now come on, I do want to get ready to go." Link nodded, he'd almost forgotten that Mipha was coming with them back to Hyrule.
He smiled saying, "sure just let me get my boots first." Link walked over to the chair and put it back up in its original position. He looked under the desk but his boots were nowhere in sight. All he saw was the shining tiles of the floor. He heard a whistle behind him and he hung his head. He knew exactly what was going on behind him. He slowly turned to see Mipha holding his boots by the laces. She dangled them in front of her face wordlessly.
Link tilted his head and strode over towards her, reaching out to grab the laces. He raised an eyebrow at her as he got close. In a flash of movement, Mipha held her arm out horizontally behind her instead of in front of her. She purposely held the boots just barely out of reach. As she did so, she stepped forward towards Link—pressing against him. He stopped suddenly and looked down at her playful smile.
He exhaled and shook his head at her with a large smile. She tilted her head and raised herself onto the tips of her toes. She used her other hand to pull Link down an inch or so towards her and their lips met each other instantly. Link was surprised for a moment but his eyes fluttered shut after a second. He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her a little closer. Mipha giggled for a second but made her lips stayed locked with his.
It wasn't for a couple minutes that Link broke off and swiftly slid the boots out of Mipha's hand. She turned around, not realizing she'd let her guard down.
She stood in place and struck a pose with a hand on her hip saying, "you could have just asked for those you know."
"And would you have let that play out differently?" Mipha looked at him with a surprised expression. But then she blushed brightly as she turned away—refusing to give an answer. Link took her silence as a no and slipped his boots on.
He stood up and straightened the Zora armour saying, "I think it's about time we got down there." Mipha looked at him and grabbed one of her light-scaled tridents. She nodded and held out her hand for him with a grin as she said, "Then let's get going, Champion."