Chapter 10 - Together

Link sat down at the table and began writing. It was time to finish these notes. He had written them to preserve his memories of the events that had happened in the timeline in which he wrote them. He was writing this last part for completeness in telling the story.

The wedding day finally came. The Champions all attended as did Princess Zelda. Kapson, the Zora priest, was to perform the ceremony. Link thought it a happy irony that the wedding service was taking place where Mipha's memorial statue had stood in his former timeline. The plaza was quite crowded: a royal wedding didn't happen very often. Zelda and the other Champions stood near the front. Link wore the full Zora armor, and his beautiful princess fiancée wore her Zora headdress.

Zora wedding customs were somewhat similar to Hylian, but not quite so formal. There was no exchange of rings, and there was no wedding party. Zoras loved music, so there would be some of that, and of course, there were marriage vows.

Link stood in the plaza before Kapson awaiting Mipha's entrance. The Zora musicians played a song which Link took to be their equivalent of a wedding march, and Mipha and her father, King Dorephan, advanced across the plaza. As they walked past the audience, the Zoras bowed their head in respect for the King. Zoras did not typically kneel except in certain formal situations. Eventually, King Dorephan walked Mipha to Link and then stepped aside.

Link glanced over at Mipha, and she looked back and gave him a quick smile. If he thought she looked beautiful before, she looked radiant now. Kapson asked the crowd for silence, then began the ceremony.

"It is my great honor and pleasure to perform this ceremony that will seal before Nayru the marriage of Lady Mipha and Link. I ask all of you in the audience to remain silent while I ask Link and Lady Mipha to repeat the marriage oath," said Kapson.

Link went first.

"I, Link, do swear before Nayru and all those present to take Mipha to be my wife and to be a faithful and loving husband to her as long as we both shall live."

Next, it was Mipha's turn.

"I, Mipha, do swear before Nayru and all those present to take Link to be my husband and to be a faithful and loving wife to him as long as we both shall live."

"By the authority granted to me as Zora priest, I now pronounce Lady Mipha and Link to be married before Nayru and the Zora Kingdom," said Kapson.

Link reached over and kissed Mipha while the crowd erupted in applause.

"Mipha, I have never been happier than this moment. I love you so much," said Link.

"I'm glad you found some words," laughed Mipha. "But I am the happiest I have ever been too, and I love you with all my heart."

They kissed again. Soon everyone was congratulating them. Sidon came over to Link and hugged him.

"I just got a big brother," said Sidon.

"You sure did, Sidon," said Link hugging him back. "And I just got a little brother. I hope we can have a lot of fun playing together."

"Welcome to the family," said King Dorephan. "You have made my daughter very happy and me as well."

"I am honored, Your Majesty," said Link. "Your daughter has made me the happiest I have ever been."

It was time for the reception, which would be held right in the same plaza. There was plenty of food and dancing. Link was not a good dancer, but he did his best. It was the first time he danced with Mipha.

"So we finally get to dance together," said Link. "I apologize for not being very good at it."

"No problem," said Mipha. "Just follow my lead. We Zoras love music so much Royal Family names follow musical scales. But relax and listen to the music. This is one of my all time favorite songs. It's called 'Waves of Love,' and I used to think of you every time I heard it. Now I can finally enjoy it with you as husband and wife."

"It is a beautiful piece of music. And I think the speeches start after our dance," said Link. "That's another great reason to keep dancing."

The dance finally ended, and each Champion gave a short speech. Revali went first, and given their history Link was not sure what to expect.

I am sure I don't need to introduce myself since everyone knows me as the famous Rito Champion Revali. I am happy to see Mipha and Link married. Mipha has always been a kind and caring person, but I have also admired her ability to excel as a Champion. I have to admit she mastered her Divine Beast before even I could. Link and I have had our differences in the past since neither of us wants to be number two. But I have to say Link has done well for himself and I respect his accomplishments. He and Mipha will always be welcome at Rito Village, and I wish them a long and happy life together.

It was Daruk's turn next.

I am not very good at speeches. I have always liked Mipha and thought of Link as my "little guy" friend. They make a great couple, and I'm thrilled they're married now. May they be happy together. And, Mipha and Link, if you ever have time to visit me in Goron City, you would be very welcome. Oh, remember to bring a lot of elixirs.

Urbosa was next.

Vasaaq everyone! And congratulations to the newlyweds! I have suspected Mipha had feelings for Link for some time now, and I am so happy to see Link finally came to return her love and recognize how lucky he is to have such a beautiful, caring and loving a person as his wife. Most of you don't realize Link traveled a harder road then you know to get here, but I am sure he is happy now that he did. They are both wonderful people and very deserving of each other. I know Zoras can't visit the desert, so I don't expect the newlyweds to visit me. But I offer them my sincerest best wishes for the happiest of lives together.

Finally, it was Princess Zelda's turn. Of all the guests, she was the person Link felt closest to.

I wish to extend my congratulations as well as that of my father, King Rhoam, to Mipha and Link on this special day in their lives. We both wish them well and want them to know they are always welcome at Hyrule Castle. I consider both Mipha and Link to be good friends. I have not known Link as long as Mipha has known him since they were childhood friends. And what a rare treat it is to see childhood friends grow up to be sweethearts and eventually marry. But I have known Link for a long time and under unique circumstances. When I was 16, my father assigned him as my knight to protect me throughout my travels across Hyrule. We have spent many days together and traveled far, often in dangerous situations. In that time together, I have come to know Link and respect him as a selfless champion. Lady Urbosa spoke of how lucky Link was to marry someone as wonderful and caring and loving as Mipha, and indeed he is fortunate. But I want to say that Mipha is also lucky to have as a husband someone I can attest with all my heart is loyal and selfless in the face of overwhelming danger. Link has put his life on the line for me countless times without any concern for his safety. And he has never, ever, let me down amidst all the perils we faced. I want you to know, Mipha, you have married someone who will always be there for you when you need him and will do whatever he can to care for and protect you. My best wishes for a long and happy life together. To Mipha and Link!

The crowd cheered. After the speeches, there was some more dancing, and the party went on into the night. Link saw Zelda talking with Urbosa, then Urbosa left to get some refreshment. He walked over to Zelda.

"Your Highness," said Link. "May I have the honor of the next dance with you?"

"Of course, Link," Zelda laughed. "How could I pass up a dance with you on this special day!"

Link took Zelda's hand, and they walked to the dance floor in the center of the plaza. The music began, and it was a slow dance. They held each other.

"That was a beautiful speech," said Link. "Thank you so much for coming. It means a lot to me."

"I meant every word of it," said Zelda. "And I'm happy to be here. I hope you know how special you are to me. The experiences we shared are once in a lifetime, or maybe twice in your case, but they are something I will never forget. What we did together was extraordinary! Together with our Champion friends, we saved Hyrule. The last time that happened was over ten thousand years ago."

They continued to hold each other as they danced.

"Yes, what we did we will never do again," said Link. "You're very special to me as well. I miss the talks we used to have during our travels. It's too bad you're so far away and so busy. Talking again sometimes would be nice."

"You and Mipha are always welcome, and I am never too busy for you," said Zelda. "And I don't mind visiting Zora's Domain. It's beautiful here. And they do know how to party!"

The music was ending. Link had a feeling he couldn't put into words that something in his life he didn't quite understand was also coming to an end. Not that the rest of his life wouldn't be happy. And it wasn't about romance. He loved Mipha dearly. But what he and Zelda shared would never happen again, and their relationship was unique.

"Thank you, Zelda, for the dance and everything," said Link. "I do miss you."

"And I you," said Zelda. "But enjoy your life with Mipha now. We shall meet again."

The party was starting to wind down. The oldest and youngest guests had already left. Mipha and Link went around together, thanked everyone for coming, and wished them goodnight. They were planning to travel overland to Lanayru Bay tomorrow morning and then take a boat to Lurelin Village where they would spend five days relaxing. At Lurelin Village the seacoast and weather were beautiful, there was plenty of fresh fruit and fish, and they could enjoy swimming together. It was a favorite honeymoon spot.

After saying goodnight to the remaining guests, Mipha and Link headed back to where they could sleep, holding hands.

"I cannot believe this day is finally here," said Link.

"I cannot believe it either," said Mipha. "Once I fell in love with you, I always hoped this day would come but feared it never would. We spent many happy days together growing up and grew very close. But I was never sure, with you being a Hylian, you would ever return my feelings. I missed you so much when you were gone and was thrilled every time you returned here. After you became a Champion and Zelda's knight I feared you would be injured in your travels and I would not be there to help you, or you would develop feelings for someone else while we were apart. But then you finally told me you loved me on that special day together at Veiled Falls when we kissed for the first time. In the end, you stayed true to your heart as I stayed true to mine, and now, we can be together."

"I'm glad I did stay true to my heart. But you don't know how hard I worked to get here in the other timeline! The loneliness of waking up with no memories and no friends, and the few people who recognized me blaming me for my failure. The many Sheikah Shrines I had to work through, the endless Guardian, Lynel and other monster battles, the long journeys alone through scorching hot and freezing cold deserts, snowy mountains, burning lava fields, and deep forests, and all the time with monsters hiding, ready to attack on sight. Sleeping alone at remote stables or camping out alone in the wilderness with the rain or snow blowing around me and finding new weapons to replace the broken ones and searching for food and armor. And, worst of all, freeing the four Divine Beasts from the malignant creatures Ganon spawned and finding out my Champion friends had all perished a hundred years before. It was the most horrible life I could imagine!" said Link.

"Was it all worth it? Would you do it again?" asked Mipha.

"In a heartbeat," said Link, leaning over to kiss her.

"Oh, by the way, what is your favorite flower?" said Link.

"Blue Nightshade," said Mipha. "Why?"

"It's something I've been meaning to ask you for a very long time and keep forgetting," said Link. "That's a beautiful flower. I like it too."