Chapter 9 - The Master Sword

Summary: Link and Mipha travel to the Lost Woods to retrieve the sword that seals the darkness. As Link thinks of parting company with her the following day, he reflects on the end of their time together and how life will soon pull them apart. Mipha feels it is finally time to share their feelings when they return to Zora's Domain the following day.

Mipha woke up first early next morning at Gerudo Canyon Stable and immediately went off to soak in the small pool of water behind the nearby shrine, leaving word with the stable master so Link could find her. It was a typical sunny morning by the desert and promised to be a hot, cloudless day. The pool of water was still cold from the night before and quite refreshing. She relaxed as she sunk into the water and let her thoughts wander.

She wondered how her family was doing, and she missed them. She had never been so far away from them and for so long a time. But her father understood how she felt and supported what she was doing and why. Little Sidon would be angry at her at first for neglecting him for so long, probably sulk a little upon her return to show his displeasure. But he would get over it once they started playing together again.

Traveling with Link had been a wonderful experience, and they still had a bit more traveling ahead of them before they parted ways. Besides all they had accomplished, she sensed some barriers were falling, and Link was coming to terms with his feelings, growing more aware of both hers and his own. Soon Link would reclaim his sword, and she would return to Ruta to give him and the Princess her support. Then they could finally finish what they had hoped to accomplish that fateful afternoon at East Lanayru Road. That seemed so long ago now, yet it had been only weeks.

When their task was done Princess Zelda, now really Queen Zelda, would return and begin to rule Hyrule. She wondered what Link's reaction to that would be, what his feelings for Zelda would be upon her return? Should she have her talk with Link before or after that? Or should it make any difference? It should definitely be before and the sooner the better. Perhaps tonight would be a good time, but no later than tomorrow.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Link arrived at the pool.

"You look very comfortable!" said Link with a smile.

"Yes, I am," said Mipha. "I wanted to get enough water time in before we left. Are we leaving now?"

"Only if you're ready," said Link. "I'll make you an omelet."

"I'm ready," said Mipha. "How could I pass up one of your famous omelets? I'll come down with you."

Link made two omelets, and they ate their light breakfast at the stable pot. Then Link checked out Epona, and the horse Mipha had been riding and began the ride back east along the Gerudo Canyon to the Regencia River.

"Are you excited?" said Mipha. "To get your sword back I mean?"

"Very much so," said Link. "I hope it's ready. Will you come with me to get it? I'd like your company, and it's not too much out of your way."

"If you like, I would be happy to," said Mipha. "Am I permitted to go with you? I thought its location was secret."

"It is, but I know how to find it," said Link. "And I don't think it needs to be secret from you."

The ride was uneventful until the reached the end of the Gerudo Canyon and the Digdogg Suspension Bridge. Mipha saw some fish in the water below, and dove in. She came back with two Staminoka Bass and a Hearty Bass.

"Lunch!" said Mipha. Link built a fire and cooked the Hearty Bass for himself while Mipha ate the rest. While they were finishing lunch, Mipha had a suggestion.

"Why don't we leave the horses at Outskirt Stable and travel on water the rest of the way?" said Mipha. "I think the route is more direct. We can follow the water north of Hyrule Castle and then we can proceed to the Lost Woods from there. And I can help you in the water."

Link hadn't considered that, but it made sense. There was no direct path from where they were to the Lost Woods. Any land route would involve traveling along a variety of roads through Central Hyrule, an area which was patrolled by Guardians and unsafe.

"All right," said Link. "That makes sense and should shorten the journey."

They rode their horses north to Outskirt Stable, then Link gave Epona an affectionate pat goodbye and left them in the care of the stable. They walked to the banks of the Regencia River near the Gleeok Bridge, and found an abandoned raft there with a sail. The wind was in their favor, and they both boarded the raft. Mipha said she could always help move the raft along if the wind died down.

They followed the Regencia River northward past the ruins that represented all that remained of the Sage Temple. Link saw a Lizalfos hunting for food by the riverbank, but it ignored them. They then passed the Carok Bridge and hugged the Eastern shore of North Hyrule Plain. There were some flying Guardians evident to their east circling the area near Hyrule Castle. He would have to get by those things soon. As Link stared at Hyrule Castle, it brought back memories of Princess Zelda.

"It's terrible to think of what Princess Zelda must be going through inside the castle," said Link as he stared at it. "I owe her so much! It makes me eager to rescue her as soon as possible. Can you see her study over there? It was just outside there that she had her last talk with her father. I say talk, but it was more her father scolding her for her interest in Sheikah Technology. I wonder what would have happened if he had encouraged her to study it? Perhaps we would have all been better off. But we'll never know now. And that was the last time they saw each other. It's just one more sadness amidst all the rest."

"Yes," said Mipha. "There has been plenty of sadness to go around. But you are doing the best you can. It won't be much longer now."

The giant pillars that had housed the Guardians intended for the defense of Hyrule were evident now, the land broken by their rise. They followed the river south of the Irch Plain. It was at Irch Plain that Zelda had enjoyed taking pictures of the various flowers that grew in abundance there. Then they passed directly north of Hyrule Castle, and as they reached Helmhead Bridge, they could make out a wandering Guardian stalking the area south of the bridge. It could be the very Guardian Mipha first saw as she circled Crenel Hills the day of Ganon's attack. Mipha and Link kept to the North and passed by undetected. It was getting dark as they neared the Minshi Woods, and Sunset Fireflies could be seen glowing on the hillside. By staying in the water, they had not encountered any enemies other than the Guardians in the distance, and the occasional Water Oktrorok which was quickly eliminated with an arrow. But now it was time to come ashore. They docked their raft at the small pier on the shore and made their way up the hill to Woodland Stable where they would spend the night. There was a small pond nearby, Pico Pond, where Mipha could get in whatever water time she needed if any.

"We're getting close," said Link as he huddled by the fire cooking some meat. Mipha had already eaten two fish from the river and sat next to him.

"It's about a half day's walk from here to the Korok Forest," said Link.

"I am glad I will be able to share this special moment with you," said Mipha. "I know how much the sword means to you, and I consider it an honor to visit where it rests and see you draw it."

"I'm glad you're with me, too" said Link as he smiled at her. "The last time I drew the sword from that pedestal was over five years ago now, but I'll never forget it."

"I remember how excited you were to tell me about it," said Mipha. "I was so proud of you! But I could sense the change it brought in you, the responsibility you felt. You couldn't relax as well as you used to. I am hoping when all this is over you will be able to be more like you were."

"I hope that, too," said Link. "I know I was terrible company back then. Maybe I still am! I felt the weight of Hyrule's survival on my shoulders. But I am more confident in my skills now than I was back then. And I hope that has helped."

"It has," said Mipha. "I can tell."

"Well," said Link. "It's been a long day. We had better get some rest."

They said goodnight and both slept soundly.

Next morning after breakfast they took the road north from the stable, and then the western fork. It was a wooded area and deer could be seen scampering among the trees along with the occasional fox. A small pack of wolves appeared at one point but did not approach them. After about three hours of hiking, they reached the entrance to the Lost Woods.

The area was dense with formidable looking dark trees and a perpetual fog. The woods were considered magical and under the protection of a great Forest Spirit. Wise travelers avoided it. Any who tried to traverse it would quickly get lost in the impenetrable fog and invariably find themselves back where they started.

"Stay close to me," said Link. "I know the secret of penetrating these woods."

Link followed the lit lanterns. Crows flew into the air, cawing as they approached. After a little less than an hour, they reached two lamps and a torch. Link lit the torch and followed the direction the shifting wind blew the glowing embers. It was slow going as he frequently stopped to check the wind's direction. As if the dense fog was not enough to deter a would be traveler, the trees looked quite threatening, almost hungry, as if their mouths were eager to grab onto anyone foolish enough to draw too close. Some trees had open mouths, but others had their mouths sealed tightly closed as if they had already swallowed something. Mipha shuddered. But after about two hours the fog finally gave way.

"This is the entrance to the Korok Forest," said Link as he extinguished the torch. "We're out of the Lost Woods now."

"Thank Hylia for that," said Mipha. "I didn't want to distract you, but that was one of the creepier places I have ever been."

The road sloped down into the forest, and here the trees were a healthy bright green. After another half hour walk, they could see the sword and the pedestal ahead.

Mipha stopped as Link ascended the pedestal. The sword glowed in the sunlight that filtered through the leaves of the nearby trees and looked in perfect condition. Just then they heard a deep voice coming from an ancient tree in front of the pedestal.

"Ah, you have returned, Link," said the Deku Tree. "And Princess Mipha of the Zora, welcome. Link, the sword of the Goddess has restored itself to how it was as it always does. It is ready. Chosen one, it is time now to take back the sword that seals the darkness and fulfill your destiny."

Link bowed his head then stood before the sword. He took a deep breath. Then he grasped the sword's hilt and began pulling it upward from the pedestal. Slowly but surely the blade slid from the stone's grip until he finally pulled it clear of the pedestal. Link heard a brief chirp as the spirit within the sword welcomed back its master.

Since the days long, long ago when the Goddess herself took Hylian form, and her people lived in the sky, the spirit of the sword had formed a bond with the one chosen to wield it. She would never forget her first master, that eager young student she had guided so carefully and whose company she had recorded as happiness. But this master had needed her aid too, though in a different way. When he had fallen in battle, she had spoken to Her Grace's offspring whose love for her master had finally awoken the power within her. Why were they ever so slow to realize it was love that mattered most? She had told Her Grace's descendant that all was not lost, that her master could still be saved. And now he was here again, and she recorded that data as happy, too.

Link raised the sword skyward, and it shone a brilliant white, its glow illuminating the nearby forest like the beacon of hope it was, resplendent in its full power just as before. He remembered the trials he had needed to accomplish years earlier to prove himself worthy. Then Link lowered the blade and held it before him. He closed his eyes and kissed it, offering a prayer to Hylia that he would ever be her faithful servant and asking her to aid him in his quest. And then he placed the sword in the sheath on his back, having earlier removed the sword he had been carrying.

"Now you and the Goddess sword are one again," said the Deku Tree. "Go, and bring peace to Hyrule."

Link bowed. Then it was indeed time to go. Link led Mipha quietly back out of the Lost Woods.

"That was very moving, Link," said Mipha as they emerged onto the path leading to Woodland Stable. "I am happy and honored to have been there with you."

"I wanted you to be there with me," said Link. "It meant something special to me to share it with you."

It was evening by the time they returned to Woodland Stable where they would again spend the night, their last night together before Mipha returned to the domain. They had dinner and then sat by the fire.

"I know you are eager to complete your quest," said Mipha as they sat together near the fire. "I can return to the domain tomorrow on my own from here. I'll swim down the Hylia River to the Zora River and then on into Ruto Lake and home."

"I would like to come with you and make sure you reach home safely," said Link. "It will only add a day perhaps to what I need to do, and I would feel much better. I can arrange for the stable staff here to fetch Epona and bring her to Wetland Stable. Then I can pick her up on the way to Hyrule Castle."

They were both quiet for a few minutes. Link glanced over at Mipha, but she was staring at the fire. He realized their time together was drawing to a close. Maybe she did, too.

He had enjoyed traveling with Mipha, no, more like cherished it. It had reminded him of how much he missed those days they had spent wandering the domain together. They would take walks, talk, swim, but what he thought of most now was how much they would laugh, just being happy in each other's company. It had felt so natural all his life to be with her whenever he could.

But soon she would be gone, at least for him. Once their quest was over and her duty as Champion fulfilled, she would go back to be with her people. She would return to her family, help her father to raise Sidon and begin to fulfill her royal Zora duties. And someday, perhaps someday soon, she would meet that special someone to spend her life with and raise her own family. She would no longer have time to idle the afternoon away with a visiting Hylian knight.

And what of him? The King was gone. He would be in the service of Her Majesty, Queen Zelda now. He was sure she would expect him to aid her in restoring Hyrule. He would have his hands full as well, with no time for journeys to the domain except perhaps on rare occasions to see how his dear friend was doing. And time and distance and all the things in their lives would slowly draw Mipha and him apart. Their closeness, their togetherness would end. If they saw each other at all, it would be to exchange only a 'hello' and a 'how are you.' He wished it could be otherwise. Was that what his life was going to be like when all this was over?

Mipha looked over at Link, and he seemed lost in thought, troubled even.

"Link, the other night you spoke of your concern for what life held for you after all this was over," said Mipha. "Then you said you felt better about it. Have you given it any more thought?"

"I think you can read my mind," laughed Link as he looked up at her in surprise.

"I know you very well," said Mipha. "And you can talk to me. You were always able to do that. Though I do recall I did most of the talking."

"Yes, you did," laughed Link. "I did feel better about it then because I realized I should not feel sorry for myself and needed to be responsible for what happens next. But when I begin to think of specifically what must happen, what will be, I feel sad again."

"What it is that bothers you so much?" said Mipha.

Link paused for a moment.

"I was just thinking that now that I have the sword and the Divine Beasts are back on our side, we are coming to the end of our great mission. And don't misunderstand me. That is something I greatly desire, something I have spent the last five years of my life preparing for. I can't wait to pay Ganon back in some small measure for all the hurt it has caused. I'm just not sure I will like what must happen afterward. It's like parents being happy to see their child grow up well and healthy, but what parent doesn't miss the time they spent sharing their child's life? It is the way of life, I know, the way things must be, but that makes it no easier."

"But what exactly is it in life you feel you will miss so much, like the parent in your story?" said Mipha.

Link looked up at her, and she was looking into his eyes now. She looked so kind and loving and beautiful. How could he not just tell her? He didn't know what else to say.

"You," said Link. "But I'm sorry, I'm too tired to talk anymore, and I may have already said too much. We still have tomorrow together and can say goodbye at the domain. I'll spend tomorrow night at the inn there. And I promise I will return to see you when this is all over, and we can celebrate our victory together."

"I sincerely hope so," said Mipha. "But now get some rest and try not to be troubled about the future. It may hold more for you than you think. And tomorrow I want us to continue our talk when we reach the domain. You haven't said too much, and what you have said makes me very happy."

They said goodnight and retired for the evening. Mipha thought about all Link had said. He was thinking about his future in terms of how it would affect the two of them. He seemed so close to expressing how he felt. She thought the next day when they had time alone together would be the time to share their feelings for each other. And she would share hers whether Link shared his or not. She fell asleep.