Note: Be sure to watch Mipha's cutscene from the Champions Ballad DLC before reading this chapter.

Again, I am making a slight addition to this chapter as compared to the original cutscene. Nothing to big, but I thought it would make it fit a little better with what I've written so far.

Enjoy!

Chapter Seven

The Princess of the Waters

It had been quite the surprise when Zelda learned that Link had visited Zora's Domain barely a week prior to her arrival. Naturally, the circumstantial coincidence made those ever-spinning gears in her head turned even faster, and a list of endless questions began to gnaw away at her consciousness. Were Link and Mipha childhood friends or was he merely the servant and fellow student of the Zora Princesses' old instructor, Sir Hamish? She certainly spoke of Link with familiarity, in an oddly bashful way; although Zelda dismissed that as merely Mipha being her usual shy-natured self.

But that did not answer the question she was cautious to ask… did Mipha truly know Link?

She must have, considering he had visited the Domain for seemingly no other reason than to see her and her father, to pay his respects or otherwise. But perhaps he had other friends within the realm of the Zora? Perhaps he merely wanted to brag among his old classmates about freeing the Master Sword from its pedestal? After all, King Dorephan himself praised the young swordsman for his skills in the blade, holding his abilities well above his own daughter, or any Zora that found tutelage under Sir Hamish for that matter…

But none of that answered the questions that burned on the forefront of her mind. The one she was strangely anxious to ask.

Perhaps it was because she was scared of what the answer could be. Perhaps she was terrified to hear that Mipha did know Link remarkably well, and that she―like her father―held him in a light of awe for his capabilities. Perhaps she was worried that Mipha was yet another soul that looked up to the simple village boy who was chosen by the Master Sword itself, raising him to a status heard of only in the Legends of Old, leaving the young inept Hylian princess in the dust of his achievement.

Zelda was scared to find yet another reason to admit her continued failure in unlocking her birthright, while another achieved his destiny with inarguable success.

"So, Princess… may I ask who the other Champion's are?" The question caught Zelda off guard, stirring her from her darkening musings. She had to center herself in the present before forming an answer.

"Goron vigilance Daruk," she said with a pause. "Rito confidence, Revali. Gerudo Spirit, Urbosa…" And. She hadn't thought about it till then, though the idea didn't exactly bring any warm feelings. "And also… the Hylian with the Sword that Seals the Darkness. Link." Another thought occurred to her then. If Link was her fifth Champion, then that meant she would need to craft a garment of the same blue she had or was going to make for the others. That idea didn't bring any warm feelings either. But she supposed, like many things, it just had to be done, regardless of her feelings.

"Oh…" Mipha tightened her grip on the tall trident in her possession. An odd response, but Zelda did not question it.

The Zora princess seemed willing to change the subject then, for reasons Zelda assumed was Mipha detecting the irritability of the closed-off nature of her current relations with Sir Link―rumors had been spreading like wild fire, after all―and thought it better to speak of other things. Mipha was a very keen observer to say the least, and incredibly receptive to the nuances of body language.

"You know, for many years, heights terrified me beyond belief," the Zora suddenly said, leaning over the precipice of the observation deck they stood on, towering above the lake below. The object of her interest was her young brother, Sidon, who for all his rambunctiousness was a rather timid child at times. He floated in the gentle pool of the waterfall, gazing up to his sister with wide amber eyes that silently pleaded to be with them.

Even after he had expressly told not follow them, and to stay with his nanny, the young Zora prince couldn't help himself in wanting to follow his sister where ever she went. He idolized her, even when he was just a small fry, and would swim just about anywhere his little fins could take him. However, the massive waterfall that loomed before him was the first major obstacle impeding his success.

"I would freeze up just looking over the edge, to great detriment," Mipha continued, with a note of solemnness. "But after Sidon's birth I took it upon myself to conquer that fear…" She glanced over to Zelda, and a small but warm smile broke across her thin lips. "I just couldn't stand the idea of not being brave enough for my dear little brother… he needs someone to look up to, you see. Someone to show him the way of the world, to teach him courage and forbearance. And if his sister is frightened by something so trivial, then I have failed my duty as the first born." Shouting down to the small childing wading in the pool below, Mipha called out and said, "Sidon. Hurry and swim up here!"

"Mipha, perhaps he is still too young to swim up the big waterfall." The little fry was just barely three. And even though Zora children experienced explosive growth in their first year or two, it would take a dramatic halt till their pubescence, where they would acquire new height and agility commonly associated with young adolescence. Mipha herself was still not even close to full grown adulthood. In fact, if her father was anything to go by, she could easily grow to be well over six feet someday―though that would take at least a century of development.

"One day Princess, I must leave him," the Zora princess replied, clasping a webbed hand over her left breast. "To face my fate with Ruta." And with that said, she smiled and dove over the edge of the waterfall, riding its rushing currents as surely and as gracefully as any Zora could. It seemed that she had done more than just conquer her fear of heights. She found a new strength within it.

Zelda watched in wide-eyed wonder as Mipha splashed into the swirling pool, sending rippling waves to the shore where her young brother waded. Words passed between them, though she could not hear it, and as quick as she had gone down, the Zora Princess took her brother on her shoulders and leapt back into the roaring falls, every stroke of her fins launching her upwards against all odds―against every pull of gravity―and flew skyward, the water she left in her wake sparklingly like starlight under the bright morning sun.

Just as Zelda had been in awe of Urbosa, Daruk, and Revali for their feats of incredible strength and skill, so too was she in awe of the Zoranic princess as she summersaulted overhead, landing deftly on her feet, young brother in tow. Sidon shook himself with a fearful tremor but faced his sister with his adoring gaze all the same.

"Sweet Sidon," she said, kneeling before him and running a thin finger under his chin affectionately. "Should fate ever part us… I'm counting on you to protect our beloved home from harm." She stroked his cheek, still wide and pink with juvenility and smile. "Understood?"

The Zora prince's only response was a timid nod.

"I believe in you. Now. Shall we try one more time?" To that, the Zora prince smiled brightly, his lips parting widely, showing off his bright white teeth endearingly. There was so much gentility in such a young smile, but it was endearingly becoming of the small prince. Mipha could hardly contain a laugh as she rubbed his head with all the warmth and fondness she had in her bones.

And not for the first time in her life, Zelda wished dearly for something she never had.

Sadly however, she knew that wish would never come true. She was the only daughter of the King of Hyrule. She would have to face her duties as the sole inheritor of the throne alone. There was no contingency, no backup, and more importantly, no sibling to dote on.

Later that day, Sir Alaric reined his horse in beside her with a markedly concerned glint in his squinting eyes. The sun was setting behind the mountain ranges to the west, casting a direct golden light on the gravel road their horses treaded on. It was a breathtaking view, the countryside of Hyrule, but Zelda hardly noticed it now. She had been staring at the horn of her saddle mostly.

"Princess, is everything all right?" Her Appointed Knight asked, hovering a hand in front of his eyes to block out the setting sun. "You haven't said a word since we left the Domain." Stirring herself, Zelda answered with a vulnerable honesty.

"I suppose I'm just worried about the future," she sighed.

"How so?" he asked gently. "I thought you'd be ecstatic now that your Champions have all been chosen."

"I am, really… Its just…" Is it enough? The tales Impa had once told her spoke of a beast that took a whole army of autonomous soldiers and mobile fortresses to combat it with the help of a Hero, and most importantly, a Descendent of Hylia wielding the Sacred Power. And as it stood, even with pilots for the Divine Beasts, and a Hero, there was an unnerving lack of Sacred Power, and an army that could do the job of Hyrule's soldiers without causality.

"I fear that we are too optimistic for our future," she explained. "Things certainly look better, yes, but there is still so much we don't know. What if the Calamity springs its traps tomorrow? What can we hope to do?"

"We can have faith, your majesty," Alaric answered as stalwartly as always. Even in his mature age, Sir Alaric had always been an idealist; a trait that had never left him since his youth. "Hylia has never abandoned us in all the centuries Hyrule has existed. Not once. True, there had come wars, times of great calamity, and times of terror, but there have also been times of peace and prosperity. Not once has this world truly been abandoned or destroyed, not once has our people or any race been completely eradicated by Ganon." Zelda wished it were that simple.

"Have faith, Princess," Sir Alaric reiterated, standing tall and proud in his saddle. "You will unlock your powers somehow, and we'll show that Beast the consequences of threatening our people. You, the Champions, the Hero…" Zelda's muscles tightened. "You'll find a way."

"I hope, Sir Alaric. I hope." That answered seemed satisfactory enough for Sir Alaric to move on.

The following morning, Zelda and her escorts set out bright and early, and by the time the sun hit its midday rise, they rode through the crowded streets of Castle Town. It always was incredibly busy during the day, thanks to the markets, which made it difficult to ride through, but with the help of the town guards, a path was carved through the endless crowds to the very gateway of the castle itself.

The massive Iron doors of the main gate creaked loudly as they were pulled open to permit them entry, and they were swiftly led to the stables where the grooms relieved their horses and gathered their saddlebags. Zelda took a deep breath before committing to the long climbs up the endless staircases of Hyrule Castle, dismissing Sir Alaric and his second man before she did.

Her legs ached for a warm bath―she never was accustomed to riding for extended periods of time―so as soon as she could track down the nearest maidservant, she had a bath drawn and heated, promising to arrive shortly. She had to alert her father of her news first, per his request.

It was an arduous march to his office, the endless corridors and antechambers almost seemed without number, but within the quarter hour she was admitted into the cozy chamber that served as the King's parlor, which connected directly to his office, and there she found a sight she had been hoping to avoid for as long as possible.

Link, who seemed to have returned from adventuring mere hours before her, stood stiffly by the lifeless fireplace opposite of the door, donned in his old traveling garbs. He bowed deeply, greeting her with only silence.

"Ah, Zelda," her father said, rising from his chair, swirling a short glass of brandy in his hand. "I thought that you would be back soon. What news do you bring?"

"Urbosa and Mipha have both accepted our proposal," she answered. "We now have our four Champions."

"Five Champions," the King corrected, nodding ever slightly to the man standing nearby, an untouched glass balanced in his fingers.

"Of course, forgive me." Her father's eyebrow raised admonishingly, apparently her tone was not very conveying of sincerity, but he did not say anything further on the matter. "Five Champions."

"This is good news," her father continued, face forgetting its previously stern look. "That means we will proceed with the ceremony as planned."

"The ceremony?"

"Yes," he said, as if it were a matter of fact. He glanced at Link. "I have decided it would be best―to solidify the bounds that now tie our kingdom to the Champions―would be to hold an official ceremony commemorating their choice to unify under one banner. The people need a good show, Zelda, one that will bring them a sense of hope, and a public declaration like this will do the job just fine."

So knighting Link wasn't enough, she wanted to sigh, but omitted it from her reply. "I suppose that would be best." In truth, it really wasn't a bad idea, she was just tired of all the endless shows and escapades, all for the sake of 'pleasing the people.' "But I will need time to finish my garments I plan to gift to the Champions."

"That is well enough," her father replied. "Besides, we will need time to make preparations at any rate. Two weeks, at the very least. Will that give you sufficient time?"

"Yes, father," she answered. All that she lacked was the skirt for Urbosa, a sash for Mipha, and then for Link… Well. She hadn't thought of what she would make for Link yet. A scarf? A hat maybe? She tried to imagine what it would look like in her mind, but neither options seemed very fitting. However, as if the King could read her thoughts, he suggested that he make Link a new tunic. One that would cement his image as the Hero chosen by the Master Sword.

Not a terrible idea, she thought, but that meant gathering his measurements, tailoring it to fit him just right, multiple times if necessary… and that was a rather intimate affair. But she couldn't think of a better option. So, begrudgingly, she accepted.

"Good. Well then," the King sighed after downing the last of his brandy. "I am sure you're both tired from your respective trips. Go and clean up. I expect to see you at dinner."

"Both of us?" Zelda tried not to sound too urgent, but she failed rather miserably, blurting the question out like a nervous fool. Her father's eyebrows furrowed reprovingly for the second time that day.

"Yes. Both of you." He turned to address Link, though she had a nagging suspicion it was meant for her ears. "You are the Hero chosen by the Sword after all. And a knight to boot. It is only fitting you share in our meals." The King set his empty glass down with a sigh and opened the door to his office. "It would look… undignified otherwise." With that said, his door closed, and only Link and Zelda remained.

Their eyes locked for only a brief moment, but for the life of her, Zelda could not determine what emotion his displayed. He was so… blank. So unreadable. It unsettled her.

What did he think of all this, she wondered?