King Dorephan sat silently, tapping his fingers on the arm of his chair as he stared at the Hylian Princess. He wasn't angry with Princess Zelda, as she would be directly involved in the same danger that she was expecting his own daughter to take part in. There was also the matter of her taking part in the battle to defend the Zora city directly rather than hiding within the confines of the city. No, she wasn't at fault and should not experience the smoldering anger he felt. That would be reserved for her father. Her father, who had not had the decency to come and request Mipha's aid himself. Dorephan could have had some respect for how the selection process had turned out had the Hylian King come himself. But to send his daughter with the request…
For once, he had considered sending Muzu to the Castle and allowing his adviser to speak his mind.
Of course, it was not meant to be so simple. As the battle for the Domain had escalated, with numerous Moblins and Lynels advancing toward the Domain, Vah Ruta had appeared overhead. The Divine Beast had charged into battle, bombarding the enemy with shards of ice and beams of light, making quick work of the enemy. And at its helm had been his daughter.
Why the Goddess had seen to it that one of his children would play a role in the coming war was beyond him; however, if that was how it was meant to be, then there was little he could do. Loathe as he was to put his daughter in such peril, he knew that more harm would follow if he were to deny her call. Unfortunately, he didn't have the resources to send many, if any, of his guard to ensure her safety during the coming conflict.
But he was simply not content to allow his daughter to wander into danger unattended.
The Zora King continued his musings as the tension within the room built by the second. He ignored it as his eyes drifted toward the Hylian knight standing beside his daughter. Link had proven himself to be a more than capable knight, even gaining the respect of the Demon Sergeant. Though he had intended to keep Link in the Domain to help bolster his people's defense, perhaps there was a better use of his skills and position.
As though sensing something was coming, the Hylian looked over his shoulder, meeting Dorephan's eyes.
"Mipha, Link… attend."
"Yes, father."
The two came around to stand before him, craning their heads back to meet his eyes.
"Mipha, you will pilot the Divine Beast and aid Princess Zelda in her efforts to defeat the Calamity. And Link…" he turned his eyes toward the Silent Knight, "you will stay by her side and ensure her safety."
"Yes father," she replied while Link nodded. The look exchanged between the two did not go unnoticed. Clearly, his daughter was more excited about the arrangement than Link, though, he could only make assumptions as to why that might be. From what he remembered, the Hylian had a habit of following Mipha around as much as he was able while living in the Domain, so it couldn't be dissatisfaction with Mipha herself. Perhaps he was simply more aware of the difficulties and danger that she would be faced with. Of course, trying to get an explanation out of him would be next to impossible.
"King Dorephan?"
"Yes?" the Zora King asked as he eyed the Princess of Hyrule. He wanted nothing more than to be done with the whole affair. Within the next day at most, his daughter would be leaving the relatively safe waters of her home and journeying out beyond where his protection could reach. As such, he intended to waste as little time in idle or political pleasantries and spend as much time with her as he could.
He also knew his youngest child would need time with her as well.
"I… All of Hy… Thank you," was all Princess Zelda could say.
Though his anger still burned beneath the surface, his heart was moved toward compassion for the Hylian child before him. She bore the same weight, if not a greater one still than Mipha did. It would be unwise to forget that…
And contrary to his very nature.
"Your father will thank me by ensuring my daughter returns home safely." It would be unfair to make the girl responsible for more than she already was, especially when King Rhoam should have been there personally to request Mipha's assistance.
The troubled frown on her face told him all he needed to know.
"I will send a letter to the King to inform him of my decision."
"… Yes, he would like to hear from you personally."
He favored the girl with a small smile as her relief made itself known. "It has been a long day. I suggest you and your forces take this time to rest before returning to the city. Sergeant Seggin and Master Dento will help see you resupplied before your departure." He then dismissed the Princess and her entourage, nearly waving off her last expression of gratitude. His patience was at its limit and he was in no mood to trade words with the Princess of Hyrule anymore.
Once the Hylians, save Link, were gone, Dorephan excused his council next. Thankfully, they had understood the King's intent by then and left as quickly as they could, leaving only his daughter and her knight. The Zora King said nothing as he simply gazed down at his daughter. Link, who must have understood the true nature at the heart of his and Mipha's silence, excused himself wordlessly. Dorephan watched as the Hylian stood at the door of the throne room, his back to them as he ensured that the two would have some time alone. He only studied the Hylian Knight briefly as he considered exacting a promise from the young man that he would do whatever it took to protect his daughter; however, he knew it to be unnecessary. From what he had already seen (and heard of the earlier battle), he knew that Link would defend her with his very life.
Resting easy in the knowledge that his child would have a friend whose concern was her safety, he devoted his attention to Princess before him.
"… You must promise me something, my dear."
She looked up at him and he could see it in her frown that she saw his unshed tears. "If it is within my power," she answered.
"Promise me that you will come home."
"I…" it was quite a lot to ask. Though he had full faith in Vah Ruta and her cherished friend, he wasn't foolish enough to believe that they could protect her from all harm. There were so many uncertainties, and the fact that the Hylian Princess had yet to access her powers did not bode well. Granted, he knew all too well that one's innate magic could be a fickle thing; however, this was not so simple as healing a loved one's severe injury. The fate of Hyrule was at stake. "I promise that I will do my best." Tears were welling up in her eyes.
"I can ask nothing more," Dorephan admitted quietly. He knew that she loved him far too much to lie to him. His dear daughter would do her best to come home, but she would not promise it. "Now, I shall bid you good night, my dear. You have a long few days of traveling ahead and I have a feeling that the Hylians will need your strength nearly as much as we do."
"Thank you father, but… if I may," the king listened attentively, as he always did, "perhaps I could stay and talk a little longer? I am not sure when I will be home again."
"I would love nothing more," he replied with a warm smile.
It was well into the night when Mipha finally bade her father goodnight and ventured out into the great city. Luminous stones glowed, bathing everything in soft, aquamarine light. She had always loved those lights, even if the myths surrounding the stones themselves were unbearably sad.
Without a word, Link took his place beside her. "I'm sorry," she stated as he escorted her toward her quarters. "I got carried away sharing fond memories with father and saying goodbye. I hadn't meant to keep you up this late."
The Hylian knight shook his head, dismissing her apology. Though the response made her wonder whether or not he was taking care of himself, she was grateful that he was understanding. She supposed that he, more than anyone, might understand the need for whatever time was left. Considering how willing he had been to throw himself into danger during the battle earlier that day, she could only assume that he was more aware of how little time they all really had than most. Even when she had lectured both him and Sidon for so brazenly taking on a Lynel, he had never once been shaken by how close they had all come. Rather, he had remained silent and steady for the most part. A rock that she and the knights had needed when they witnessed the young prince attempting to fight the beast on his own.
However, the slight glint of anger she had seen when the Lynel had turned its bow on her had not gone unnoticed. She shouldn't have been so surprised by it, seeing as it had been subtle, so much so that she imagined she was the only one who had even seen it. Regardless, it still shocked her that she had seen a hint of expression with so many others around.
Mipha would have been lying if she had claimed that the thought that she had somehow moved him from stoicism didn't excite her at least a little.
Unfortunately, such thoughts were tainted by the horrors of what had almost happened to her younger brother. A part of her was so very proud to see him holding his ground despite how he shook. The other almost broke down, weeping at the mere thought of what might have happened had they taken any longer than they had.
Her scales tingled slightly, as they always did when she could feel another's eyes on her. Looking over, she noticed that Link was watching her with quite a lot of concern.
"I'm all right," she said in answer to his silent question. "I'm simply thinking about everything that happened today."
"Sidon?"
"Yes…" He knew her well. Though much had happened, her family and her duty to Hyrule were at the forefront of her mind always. "I am glad we were able to reach him in time," she confessed quietly. "I can't help but -"
"Don't."
She paused, surprised that he had interrupted. It was rather uncharacteristic of him to do so. Link wasn't the most well-mannered individual she knew, but he made an effort to be polite with her.
"Don't think about it," he clarified. "Won't do any good."
"You are correct," the Zora sighed. "It will be difficult though."
"…"
Mipha felt a pang of sadness as she listened to his pained silence. Having known him for years, she could tell when his silence was genuine and when it was because he had all but forgotten how to express himself. Even now, after so long since their last reunion, she could feel the charged silence that had come to be his new normal. It was enough to make her mourn simpler times when Link was ever ready with a smile and laugh. When he would rush through the Domain like a whirlwind with his boundless energy. To see him so subdued and stoic…
"Remember how we met?"
"Hmm?" Mipha asked, taken aback by the question. Despite the seeming randomness of the question, she found herself thinking back to their younger years. "As I recall, you nearly bowled me over in a game of tag."
"Not nearly."
"You crashed headlong into me," she argued.
"I did bowl you over."
Mipha hid her mouth behind a hand, giggling quietly as he corrected her. "Oh yes… you did bowl me over. As I recall, Muzu was so offended by your attempt on my life that he nearly had you exiled." She sent him a mischievous grin. "Luckily for you, there was someone on your side during your hearing."
Link's eyes drifted upwards thoughtfully. "Yeah, Sidon did good." For the first time in years, she heard her childhood friend laugh she narrowed her eyes at him playfully. It was music to her ears, a beautiful melody that brought back even more memories of happier times. "Mercy?"
"Very well," Mipha sniffed as she tilted her head upward in mock offense. "I shall forgive your impertinence this once."
"Most gracious."
She couldn't maintain the facade anymore. They exchanged toothy grins as they finally reached the door to Mipha's quarters. "Thank you, Link. For everything."
The Hylian nodded, his smile only fading a little. He stood silently for a moment as though there was something he wanted to say. Seeming to think better of it, he turned away.
"Link." He turned back at the sound of his name. "I…" She trailed off. Why couldn't she say it? It was three simple words. Hadn't she said it often enough in her dreams, both sleeping and waking? And it was Link. Hadn't he been her friend? One who had never judged her for not being the perfect princess everyone believed her to be? It should be so simple to say.
But then the fear of what he might say. The fear that he might simply brush the words off and call her a friend was overwhelming. And Goddess forbid he didn't bat an eye if she were to tell him.
She opened her mouth, making one last effort to say the words, but nothing came out. Her heart sank as her mind defaulted to the years of training that had taught her to hide behind her own walls. "I… am so glad to see you again."
Link tilted his head as he always did when he didn't buy what she said. However, he didn't press her. Instead, he smiled and uttered a quiet "you too," before bidding her goodnight and leaving her where she was. Watching him walk away, she set a hand on her chest, wondering when she might be able to work up the courage to say what should have been three simple words.