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"I take it you'll be setting off through Akkala next?"
Link lifted his blue eyes up to meet the kind gaze of the Zora Princess beside him and nodded solemnly. Mipha hummed thoughtfully as she fiddled with her hands in her lap and kicked her short legs back and forth against the ridge of Vah Ruta that they were perched on.
Even though she was a spirit, Link was still in awe at how alive she seemed.
His heart ached to reach out and touch her, but he held back as knew his hand would phase right through her spiritual energy. He had already done so numerous times in the past few days out of habit, and it pierced his soul with agony every time.
"I'm sad you'll be leaving, but I know how anxious you are to get back to Zelda."
Link looked back down toward the Domain and furrowed his brows. Was his worry that obvious?
He supposed it always would be to Mipha, who held a natural gift of being able to see beneath his stoic facade.
"She's been having quite the time with Sidon, though. I bet he'll be sad to see her go."
Link raised a skeptical eyebrow at this, and Mipha's laughter at his confused expression caused a light blush to rise to his cheeks.
"Really! They have actually been inseparable since your departure. I'm surprised that get along as well as they do, considering you're not there to mediate between them."
Link pursed his lips and held his chin in his hand as he considered this development. Sidon was a good man, but he could be a bit overwhelming with the contrast between his intimidating appearance and happy-go-lucky attitude. Zelda was generally a serious girl who often preferred to keep to herself and focus on her studies.
Link couldn't imagine them having much in common.
As if reading his thoughts, Mipha mused out loud, "As heirs, they face many of the same hardships and insecurities regarding their future. I can tell it's been cathartic for them to interact with someone of similar standing and background."
Link studied Mipha's glowing spiritual profile as he regarded her words. He could just make out the tinge of sadness in her eyes as she smiled to herself.
Mipha used to be that person to fill that spot in Zelda's life, but now Sidon held that torch.
Sidon had told Link he and the Zora had visited Vah Ruta before, but never had been able to see Mipha. Link had a feeling that only those who harbored power from the Goddess were able to see the departed Champions. He had put them to rest, but a part of their soul would always be tied to their beasts.
Mipha had described how she could leave and watch over the Domain and beyond, but no matter how far she traveled, she would always wind up back at Vah Ruta eventually.
Mipha's soft voice drew his attention back to her. Link tilted his head as he listened to her speak of her brother, "I've been watching him grow up, you know? He is a kind soul who works hard to please everyone, even at his own expense. Sidon was a good child, and he has grown into an admirable man. I want him to have a good life."
Link pushed his dirty blonde locks back away from his face, as he slouched forward to better look at Mipha's face. She stared down at the Domain, seemingly lost in thought.
"These few days with Zelda have been the happiest I've seen him in years. I can tell his presence is having a positive effect on her as well. I know Zelda has had a hard time, and while I don't see her getting over the Calamity anytime soon, I can see that she's starting to heal. Seeing them interact and help one another...it reminds me of how we used to be."
Mipha turned to Link with glistening amber eyes full of adoration.
Link's fingers moved on their own accord to touch her face, but they fell right through her translucent blue aura. In return, Mipha reached out to his face, though her hand disappeared as it touched his skin.
A cold, tingling sensation ached his cheek where she tried to caress him.
Mipha smiled sadly as she let out a small chuckle, "It's okay. Thank you, Link."
They both withdrew their hands. Link swallowed the lump in his throat that choked him every time he realized he couldn't physically touch or hold her like he used to before the Calamity.
"I'm glad we had this time to spend together, and I hope you'll come back to visit with Zelda next time."
Link nodded and cleared his dry throat, "We'll be back after we get everything up and running."
Mipha beamed at his promise. She closed her eyes and lifted her head up to bask in the setting sunlight.
Link watched quietly, unsure whether or not she could actually feel the warmth of the sun. Regardless, he felt at ease in her familiar presence, and was thankful Zelda pushed for him to visit with Mipha alone this time.
"Is there anything else you'd like to do?" Mipha quietly asked.
"No, just this is perfect."
She laughed at his blunt reply, and Link sheepishly smiled back.
He scooted closer to her side, and cupped his hand over the area where her hand was resting on the stone. The iciness of her aura seeped into his skin, but Link ignored it as he deeply breathed in the mountain air.
They sat in peaceful silence atop Vah Rutah and watched the sun of their last day together set over the horizon.
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A/N: Sorry for the lack of updates as of late! I had to go out of town for a family trip, then we had company stay with us for a few days. My computer is in the guest room they stayed in, so I didn't have a chance to use it D:
This chapter was not one I had in my original draft of this story, but mrobbins3 had asked about Link a couple times and I thought "You know what? I should check in on Link!" I hope you enjoyed it ;)
Admittedly Link was more of a plot device to get Zelda to the Domain, as I wanted to focus 99% of the story of Sidon/Zelda, but I can't do my boy dirty like that haha! So here's a little chapter dedicated to him and Mipha (though they do talk about Sidon and Zelda...but hey, this is primarily a Sidon/Zelda fic). I could probably go farther with this chapter, but it just felt right to keep it short and sweet :)
Feel free to let me know your thoughts ^^
xx Cafalla