-Prelude IV-

In a vision of the past I was like the wind, blowing over ocean waves, the taste of salt water pungent on my tongue. Through the raging waves and crashes of the trepid waters I sped through the air from the east till I was broken against the rocks of the shore, but I did not stop there. No, for there was a little village before me, whose lights waxed and waned with each passing breath of the sea, and by then it was my turn to pass through the alleyways and streets of the little village of Hateno. A cold front had come with the winds, only adding to the bitter bite of winter that hurried the inhabitants of Hateno along their ways, clutching at scarfs and coats to shut out the wind.

Snow came too, though it was a hard and icy snow, there was certainly nothing pleasant about it, but that was on the forefront of my mind for but a moment. In the blink of an eye I moved on through the streets of Hateno until I came upon the open door of a small village inn and pressed in with a gale. Tablecloths flapped, and candles flickered till the door was closed, but none paid much mind. They were to busy drinking, laughing, and eating their fill to notice a simple thing like wind. Especially when they sat in the warmth of a large fireplace.

Which was exactly where I saw a woman of a familiar character. Her hair was a little thinner than I remembered, sadly, but it was just as soft and richly colored as before; a light almost silvery blonde with a hint of gold. She was still beautiful too, that Helen of Hateno, but remarkably worn out it seemed, and her eyes, for all their prettiness, were discontent and tired. She was arguing with a tall fellow, a brutish man with shoulders as broad as an ox and a face as mean as a bull, but they spoke in hushed tones.

"This was not the price we agreed to," Helen said with a huff, rubbing the heel of her shoe on the grainy floor. "If you expect the service you asked for, I expect the proper payment. Now unless you have something to offer I will be on my way―"

"Curse it all, woman," the bullish man spat, digging into his coat pocket, producing a small leather pouch, a knotting glare developing on that bullish face of his. "Here's your damn money, you rupee pinching wench. Go on up with you, I'm getting a drink. Go on!" As testament to his frustration he shoved the woman up the inn stairs, grumbling about this and that.

"You would do well to mind your manners," Helen barked. It was clearly not her first rough customer.

"And you would do well to do as your told," the bullish man barked back, sauntering over to the bar to down what must have been his eighth drink already. "Ungrateful wench," he mumbled.

Helen ignored that last part as she stomped her way up the stairs, grumbling to herself as she did so. "One more day," she said, gritting her teeth. "One more day of this and I will… I will, have my home back." Helen paused at the top of the stairs, a rush of emotion bearing down on her heart. Would this really be her last day of this misery, she thought? After so many years could she really settle her debts and buy back her home? So many years she had spent in service to the whims and fancies of these… pigs, saving up every single ounce she could. Could it really be nearing the end?

It had to be. She couldn't take it anymore. The light of her world had been sent away years ago. This had to be her new beginning, her new hope. Even if that hope was but a failing candle light in a dark room, it was the only light she had left; home. She yearned for it, and it yearned for her. She had to take hold of it, feel its warmth, even if for a little while.

"Even for a little while," she whispered to herself hoarsely, leaning against the wall for support. A fit of coughs overtook her then, and she covered her mouth to catch the drop of blood that came with it, but she wasn't alarmed by it. It was nothing new, just a winter-brought sickness. Even for a little while. That is all she could think. It was the last of her hope. Even as she doubled over racked with coughs, it was all that she could think of.

Chapter Ten

A Change of Course

"Pst, Link. C'mon."

Link stirred from what seemed to be deep thought, suddenly aware of the Zora King's slowly emptying courtroom. He easily grew bored during those long sessions of formality between his father and the government of Zora's Domain, but as the future Ward Protector of the Hamish family he was required to attend and oversee security. Of course, in such a secluded and safe area, his presence was little more than a conventional appearance. Seggin, the Captain of the Guard, did all the real heavy lifting.

"Already, my lady?" he asked. Arin's eyebrow peaked impishly.

"Mipha already slipped by, she says we better hurry before we're locked in for the night with entertaining King Dorephan."

"Surely there is a better time for this," Link tried to argue quietly but Arin kept insisting he follow, pressing a silent finger to her lips to shush him. So, without further complaint he worked his way through the crowd of Zora courtiers that were exiting the room with keen thoughts of a hearty dinner waiting for them at the banquet hall. That was always the tradition of the first day of summer, the Hylians would arrive, they would hold a session to discuss relational politics, and then feast to their hearts content as a celebration of Zora Hylian unity.

"Lady Arin, I really do think you should consider holding off this little adventure till tomorrow, your father will be expecting you and your brother to be at the banquet."

"Mipha promised me you were more adventurous than this, Link," Arin pointed out jestingly, but kept on walking with a purposeful gait. "Father won't mind―or he'll get over it I'm sure. Besides, I've been dying to see the view ever since we arrived, Link. Oh, it's so beautiful here compared to our little swampy home in Lanayru. Yes, I simply can't wait. And I've managed to ditch my maid just in time too, come on this is the perfect opportunity!"

Link said nothing in reply, not even a grunt of disapproval, but when her back was facing him, he wore a sour almost indignant look that certainly didn't go away easily.

Pressing on, Link and Arin met up with Mipha at the south bridge that led to the Reservoir Lake entry stairs and together they climbed up to the cascading waterfalls that overlooked the Domain. All the while Arin skipped about excitedly, often pausing on their climb to get a look at the world below, airlessly gasping at the view. She admired the green grass, the siren songs of cranes flying overhead, and the gentle breeze sifting through the tall pine trees, all with a look of wonder fitting of a child on their first snow day. When they reached the lake, Mipha took the opportunity to wet her gills and dove in, sighing with great relief. She was quite graceful in the water, that Princess of the Zora, dashing to and fro, her bright red scales catching and refracting the dim light of the setting sun, making her seem to glow with a radiant beauty.

Our Hero seemed almost entranced for a moment, watching the way the princess effortlessly danced in the clear waters, but he stirred himself with a shake and sat down on the gravel shore.

"Its beautiful up here, Mipha," Arin sighed, clasping her hands against her breasts as she looked out on the blue ridged mountains and the monolithic pillars of the Domain. It truly was a sight to behold. "I wish I could see this view every day."

"That can be arranged," Mipha laughed. "Link and I used to come here every day after training to cool of and relax. I taught him how to swim in this pool. He was quite horrible you know?"

"Horrible you say? So there is a skill Mister Link wasn't immediately good at, huh?" Arin jabbed at him with a roguish grin. Link refrained from commenting on it, but he did smile infinitesimally while scratching his nape. "That's really a surprise, father always said he had a knack for learning things quickly. How long did it take to teach him?"

"Nearly two summers," Mipha answered amusedly, splashing water at his booted feet. "But he's quite the natural now. I'd say that if he grew fins, he would be as fine a swimmer as any Zora."

"I'm really only good at diving," Link said with a shrug. Kicking his boots off, he inched his feet in the water, and sighed as the cold washed over his toes. "Anything other than that… is just the Princess being too kind."

"Are you calling me a liar Mister Link?" Mipha protested, rising from the water with her arms crossed defiantly. She tried to look tough, but underneath the show of bravado she was holding back a timid smirk. "Talk like that and you'll need to prove me wrong. Come along, Mister Link! Hop in and prove us wrong."

"Its really not necessary―"

He never got a chance to finish that sentence before he was doused in a wave of water as someone jumped into the river with a loud cheer of, 'CANNON BALL!' Link shook the water out of his hair before he realized what had happened. While they were talking it seemed that the Lady Arin had kicked off her boots and jacket and jumped in wearing little more than a thin blouse and her riding pants, her long hair let loose to fly freely.

Shock turned to laughter, and then just as quickly into horror when he realized the implications of such action.

"You're going to get us both in trouble, Lady Arin," Link chided, stomping into the lake up to his knees, ready to grab Arin by the arm to drag her back out. "Your father will wring my neck till death if he hears about this. It's not proper for a Lady to swim, much less so wearing that!"

"I'll be dried off in no time, Link," Arin insisted as she lackadaisically floated on her back, effortlessly treading water with slow kicks. "Really, are you going to be such a bore? Is it a crime against Hyrule to go swimming? No? Good! Then come on, father won't know a thing. Join us."

"I―join you? But―"

"Link, what's gotten into you?" Mipha asked sheepishly, a growing concern in her eyes. "You never used to get this worked up over a little fun."

"He's just growing up, Mipha," Arin explained idly, not a care in the world as she backpaddled in circles. "Men gets so boring when they grow up, no room for adventure or any kind of fun. Byron is the same way now, as you can tell by his absence. Link, do us a favor and ease up, we're already here and soaking wet. You might as well have some fun."

Standing up to his knees in water, Link silently mulled it over in his head, his thoughts as readable as a stone buried on a hill, and stayed like that for a number of minutes until at last he made up his mind and peeled off his over tunic and tossed it ashore.

"Spare a prayer for me when your father strangles me tonight, Lady Arin?" I couldn't say at to whether or not that was a joke.

"It won't be necessary," Arin snickered, "but if it makes you feel better, I will pray as devoutly as the Princess of Hyrule till Hylia herself comes down from the heavens to seal my lips shut with irritation." With that said, Link dove head first into the water. The tight muscles in his face and shoulders visibly loosened and a smile crept across his lips. Mipha giggled giddily at the sight, and swam beside him, relishing in the nostalgic emotions of childhood being reborn anew.

This was how things were supposed to be, she thought contentedly.

For an hour they swam and splashed around in that little lake above the falls, and with each passing minute Link began to fall back into old habits from childhood; laughing, playing, and adventuring. Arin was a remarkable addition to that too, imputing quite the respectable amount of playfulness as she pounced on Link's back and shoved his head underwater, laughing like a maniacal madwoman. She was quickly overthrown though, when Link gripped her by the ankles and flipped her end over head. Arin came up coughing and laughing, hands raised high as she surrendered the fight as quickly as it had started.

"I'm glad I'm not Byron," she wheezed, wading out to the rocky waterfall outcrop, pulling her wet hair behind her ears to get it out of her eyes. "I'd hate fighting you every day, you nasty Bokoblin! Mipha, you're much better at this fighting stuff than I am, finish him for me, will you?"

"That's not a very fair fight," Link argued as he joined Arin on the rocks. "She can practically beat me on dry land, how could I hope to win in her territory?"

"I'm afraid he has a point, Arin," Mipha agreed slyly. "Hylians just weren't made to master aquatic combat, though they do an admirable job, I must say. Especially Link." Mipha's cheeks grew warm when Link silently looked at her appraisingly, clearly pleased with the compliment, though she could not say why. It only lasted a moment, however. "Oh! Do be careful up their Arin, it's a long fall to the bottom."

"Is this where you like to jump off, Link?" Arin asked.

"Not usually," he answered, leaning over the edge fearlessly. "There are to many hidden rocks beneath the haze, far too dangerous for any one, and the currents there are too strong for even most Zora to swim. I usually jump a little further from the east bank, over there." He pointed to a precipice a few hundred yards to their right. "It's deeper on that end, more than enough to account for the long fall, and the currents are gentle."

"I'd like to try someday―oh hush, Link! I already know what you're going to say, you old geezer. 'Oh, its far to dangerous for a lady, Arin, blah blah. You'll get hurt, Arin.' And don't look at me like that either!" She stabbed his chest with a slender finger. "All I said is that I would like to try is some day."

"Just as long as you don't―"

"What is the meaning of this!?" A deep voice boomed across the lake and in an instant Link and Arin jumped in place, far familiar with the bearer of that harsh tone. Sir Hamish stood on the water's edge, arms crossed and a dangerous look in his eyes that warranted no excuses, argument. All he had to do was point to the ground with one finger to make Arin tuck tail and slink away shamefacedly. Mipha was quite certain she was going to burst into tears on the spot. Not that she could blame her. Sir Hamish was possibly the most intimidating Hylian she had ever met.

Link made little time hesitating to followed right behind his half-sister, however in the blink of an eye, something happened that would alter the course his life would take… all in an instant.

The rocks that formed that outlook were quite slick, naturally with all the water running about, and in his first step to jump back into the water to return to shore, Link put his foot down on questionable shale that moved under his weight, causing him to lose his footing. Falling limp as his head cracked against the sharp rocks, his body was rushed taken away by the current and over the falls he went, unconscious.

The air in Mipha's lungs seemed to vanish as she watched in captive, horror-stricken shock as Link vanished. She tried to scream his name, but nothing came out, and by the time her muscles seemed capable of moving she rushed forward to the edge.

But she couldn't make herself jump. She was still deathly afraid of heights. "Link!" she cried, gripping on to the edge with terror as everything in her mind told her to jump, but every muscle holding her back. She simply couldn't. She froze, knowing that the odds of Link surviving that fall to the rocks below unconscious was slim to none, at it tore her heart in two.

Hope was not completely lost, however, for from her peripheral vision she saw a figure clad in a gray tunic and overcloak dive over the edge as gracefully as a bird in flight, vanishing into the cloud of mist nearly eighty feet below. It wasn't until Mipha heard Arin scream, 'father!' that she realized who had gone in to rescue him.

Sir Hamish.

Mustering her courage, Mipha swam back to the shore and ran down the mountain as fast as her legs could carry her, a painfully, dreadful beating in her chest as the surreal reality of what was happening struck her like a blow across the head. Link couldn't die, he simply couldn't, nor Sir Hamish. They were her friends, her guests. It was her responsibility as the Princess of the Zora, as a Hylia fearing woman to ensure their safety. She could never deal with the guilt if anything happened to them.

She had to get to the bottom as fast as possible.

Running turned to stumbling and before long she was practically rolling down the hills, catching rocks and branches as she did, but she ignored the pain as she kept on running. Her arms and legs were riddled with cuts and bruises, and her ornate jewelry had been badly damaged, but she kept running until she at last reached the broiling pool of the waterfall.

And there she saw them.

Sir Hamish had the unconscious Link by the collar as he strained to pull both Link and himself out of the deadly currents. Blood gushed from his forehead where he had been struck, and given the dangerous dazed look in his eyes, he wasn't faring well at all. Tugging and pulling, Sir Hamish gave one last shove, leaving Link sagging limply over an upturned log pinned between two boulders before slipping under the water, where he was pulled to his inevitable demise.

"Arin, get help!" Mipha screamed as loud as she could and prayed that Arin had heard her before diving into the pool and swam over to Link. Being within in arms reach, she could sense the flickering lifeforce he gave off, but it was waning fast. His hole head was covered in blood, but she couldn't worry about that now. He was alive, that's all that mattered.

Mipha rushed back into the water, where the current grew stronger. She never was a particularly strong Zora, given her short and thin frame, but she kicked and fought the current as hard as she could as she searched desperately for Sir Hamish. Prayer after prayer, Mipha searched and searched, but by the time she found him it was too late… she barely managed to even gather the strength to resurface, let alone bring his body up with her.

She was too late. But not too late to save Link. She couldn't bear losing him.

By the time Mipha made it back to where Link lay unconscious, his skin had began growing pale and his lifeforce was little more than a candleflame in the dark. "I won't let you die," she cried, summoning every ounce of her strength to call forth the healing power swarming like a storm inside her core. "Hold on, Link! Keep fighting!" Bright light blinded her as she pressed her palm against the mangled mess that was his head, and as tears streamed down her cheeks, Mipha healed him till life jolted back into his wide and fearful blue eyes.

I told you big things were coming Link's way...

Although, I never specified that they would be good things.

Im sorry.

And not sorry. I promise, its all a part of the bigger picture.

-Bold