The next morning we all decided we should visit Zora's domain to drop off Sidon and Mipha. They wanted to talk with their father, and they have delicious fish that Daruk was interested in. The rain had stopped and our steps echoed on the hard polished marble floor. Prince Sidon tentatively stepped inside King Dorephan's chamber.
"Um, excuse me, father…"
"NO! How could you leave me like this? In our greatest time of need with Ganon rising to full power-" He bellowed angrily at Sidon until Mipha stepped inside. Sidon piped up.
"Father, Mipha is alive. And calamity Ganon has ended. Master Link has killed him." King Dorephan began crying.
"Son, you have disobeyed our kingdom by feeding me lies and delusions. How could you do this to me? You are going to your chambers and staying there for three days with no food or water." Sidon began to protest until Zelda stepped inside. He started to believe us. Link and I left them to explain everything.
"Chu Chu! I have the perfect spot to show you!" He ran to the backside of the King's chambers and gestured to the wall. He started climbing, using the intricate designs as handholds and footholds.
"Oh my goodness. You can't possibly-" I started to talk but he interrupted me.
"Yes I can. I'll throw you something when I get to the top." I snorted. By the time the rope came down, I had already cleared the top. He gazed up at me in astonishment as he reached the top as well.
"Looks like I'm a better climber, Link." I laughed and he scowled, but his face melted into a grin when he stepped forward. I turned around and found that we were standing at the very top of Zora's Domain, on the large fish statue overlooking the city. The sun was setting and orangish light glinted off the oceans surrounding us. It took my breath away. "Link, this is beautiful!" I sat with my legs dangling off the edge.
"I'm glad you like it!" He said, sitting next to me. "I thought that we haven't had time to relax in a while because of Ganon, so…"
"Shh." I said, putting my finger to his lips. A faint melody of some sort blew to us on the warm summer breeze. I smiled and he did too. "Thank you. It's just what I needed." I moved my hand and put mine in his. I looked into his eyes, and I thought I saw a glimmer of something, that something I had seen in myself before. He leaned forward and before I knew what was happening, he kissed me. The warm salty air enveloped us, and there was no calamity, no monsters, just him and me. He slid his hand around my back and pulled me closer, tingles running up and down my arms. Something exploded in my heart, and I knew then that this was what I wanted. I was in love with Link for real, and I didn't want this to end. But then he broke apart from me, his face ashamed.
"Chiya, I'm so so sorry, I didn't mean-" His eyes glistened. "I love you, Chiya."
I put my hands on Link's chest.
"I think I'm in love with you too, Link. Don't be ashamed." I smiled at him. Link reached down and he pulled something out of his pocket. It was shaped like a teardrop.
"I forgot to give you this on Hyrule Field. It's an ocarina." It was beautiful, a strange shade of blue that glinted silver when the light hit it. "You blow into it like this," He blew into it and put his fingers on the holes. A clear note rang out.
"Okay, looks easy enough," I took it from him and blew as hard as I could. A loud bellowing squonk erupted from the small instrument. "Maybe not… But thank you so much! I'll definitely practice!" I smiled and put it in my pocket. Suddenly I thought of something. "I didn't know we were supposed to have gifts!" I cried, and put my head in my hands. He shook his head.
"No way. I'm so disappointed in you, Chu chu." He contorted his face into mock disappointment. I fished around in my other pocket for something. I pulled out a small dried flower.
"Wait! I do have something! It's not much, but…" I took the flower and put it in his hands. "Do you remember this?" I asked him. "It's the same one you gave me in Hyrule field." He didn't say anything, just looked at the flower in his hands. I gazed out at the horizon, thinking about how right this felt.
I landed on the ground with a soft thud, Link in my arms. He had fallen asleep, and I took the liberty of carrying him down. My arms were burning, and I spotted Daruk.
"Daruk! Could you help…" I almost dropped Link, but Daruk scooped him up. "Thank you!" I said, and breathed a heavy sigh of relief.
"Anything for the hero of Hyrule." He winked and took him over to the inn. Link looked so peaceful when he was asleep. I suddenly felt a cold hand on my shoulder that pulled me away, behind another wall.
"Chiya." Her voice hissed, ice cold. "What did he tell you up there?" I turned, flicking off the hand. Zelda's cold eyes pressed into mine.
"He told me about nunya." She looked very confused.
"Who is this nunya?"
"Nunya buisness." I laughed and she scowled.
"This is serious, what did he tell you?"
"Nothing you need to know," And with that, I walked away, leaving her bright red.
"Really, Link, please tell me what Zelda said to you that day on Hyrule Field!" I said, trying to keep up with his fast pace.
"No! It's not for you to know." He shrugged my hand off of his shoulder.
"Come on, pleeeeease?" I pleaded.
"No. It's not like it was about you," He said, and his face reddened. "Oops."
"Hah! Now I know it was about me! Than I really do deserve to hear." I smiled, knowing I would get my way now.
"Fine. She told me that she has somewhere she wants to take me, but you're not allowed to come. Man, she does not like you!" He said, laughing. "Anyways, I don't know the details. But we just got into a fight, it's not a big deal." He whitened. "But you heard that, didn't you," I sheepishly smiled.
"Maybe…." He shook his head.
"Whatever we had together, it's gone. I used to feel a spark, but now, it's only with…" He looked at the floor, embarassed.
"Me!" I shouted, twirling and laughing. He ran to catch up with me. We were heading out into the open fields to catch horses. We came out into a large clearing, and I spotted some horses and deer grazing out in the open meadow. "I know which one I want!" I whispered to him.
"Me too." He said quietly, face shining with happiness. I crept over to the herd of deer instead of the horses, and with one swift motion, I launched myself onto the back of a large buck. It tried to kick me off, but I stroked it's neck until it calmed down.
"It's okay, buddy. You're gonna like my friend, Raven." I smiled and rode him over to Link. He smiled at my unique choice. He had mounted a strong brown mare with a cream-colored mane. He looked so happy, and it made me want to cry.
"This is why I wanted to go to this field, Chiya!" He looked back down at the horse. "Just so I could be reunited with you," He stroked her neck. I was confused, but didn't say anything. I urged my buck to go faster so we could get back to the stable before lunch.
"What is the meaning of this? You expect to ruin my fine reputation with this… disgusting… I don't even have a word to describe it." The stable manager huffed. I looked at him with pleading eyes.
"Please sir? I'll pay extra for a custom saddle!" I cried. Link emerged from behind me.
"Excuse me-" Link started to speak but the manager cut him off.
"It's the hero of Hyrule! He's come to our meager stable!" He cried, and everyone inside rushed outside to meet Link.
"Sir, what I was trying to say was-"
"Can I thank you for saving us again? Thank you so much, I can't even begin to describe how wonderful this is!" Link cleared his throat and the manager looked bashful. "I'm sorry sir, go on please."
"Thank you. Would you please give my girlfriend," He turned and winked at me, which caused tingles to surge down my arms. "A custom saddle?" The manager nodded and rushed inside to see what he could find.
"Girlfriend?" I said, shaking my head. His face fell.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"You know, for the hero of Hyrule, you sure are dumb." I smiled and he did too, looking relieved. The manager rushed back out.
"Miss, here you go." He passed me a blue and silver saddle with gold lining. I gasped.
"Thank you so much!" I hopped off the buck and gently tied it around him, fastening the silver buckles.
"Would you like to take him out for a ride or leave him here with us? Also, what would you like to name him?" I thought for a moment.
"I'll keep him here, please. And I'll name him…" I looked at Link's eyes, noticing the bright blue, yet again. "Sky." The manager turned to Link.
"And for you, sir?"
"Could I please get a saddle? Nothing special, please. Just the regular."
"O-Okay…" He shook and walked back in. We heard lots of clanging and banging inside, and Link looked at me and sighed. That made me giggle. The manager returned with a shiny golden saddle.
"Um-" I gestured putting my hand to my throat in a slicing motion and then pointed at him. "Thank you so much. This saddle is very regular. Thanks again!" Link fastened the saddle on his own horse, and it glinted in the afternoon sun.
"And the name, sir?" Link smiled to himself.
"Epona."