Like an arrow loosed from its bow, Mipha soared into the air above Veiled Falls, twisting her body mid-flight so she landed nimbly on her feet. She took a moment to catch her breath, and then walked to the lip of the waterfall and peered down at the tiny figure she could see bobbing in the pool below.

"Sidon!" she called. "It is your turn now!"

"I can't!" came a plaintive voice, barely audible over the rushing water.

"Yes, you can! I believe in you!"

"I don't!" A hint of a whine entered her little brother's voice. "I'm too little! Mipha, please..."

"Oh, very well..." Mipha sighed. "But next time you must do it on your own, or you'll never learn." She winced, glad he couldn't see her expression. Was that the third time she'd told him something like that? Hard to remember. Either way, she was at her wit's end trying to encourage him to be braver, to learn a vital Zora skill.

But perhaps he is too young, she conceded to herself as she descended the falls, her webbed feet gliding over the surface. I think I was about his age when Mother taught me, but... all children grow differently. I must try to remember that and not be too strict with him.

Sidon gave her a mighty pout as she swam over to him. "I knoooooow, Mipha, you always say that, but I don't feel ready... I'm sorry..."

"Don't be sorry." Mipha shook her head and reached out to pat his. "If anyone should apologize, it's me. Perhaps I am pushing you too hard. You shall have to learn at your own pace, not mine, and I should be more patient. I am sorry."

"But..." His lower lip wobbled. "I want you to be proud of me, Mipha..."

"I am always proud of you." Mipha slipped her arms around him and hugged him. "Never forget that." She pulled back and smiled; Sidon smiled back. "Now, are you ready for me to take you up, or do you need a few more minutes?"

"Let's go now!" His amber eyes, so like her own, sparkled in the midday sunlight. "And then can we eat lunch? Please? I'm starving!"

Mipha laughed. "Yes, yes, of course... now just hold on a moment." She moved back, and pulled her spear out of the sheath on her back. Turning to face the falls, she positioned the weapon at her backside, her arms straight. "Whenever you are ready."

Splashes ensued as Sidon swam up to her, and then she felt his small fingers clasp the spear's shaft near her hands. "Ready!"

And so she went hurtling up the waterfall again, this time bearing the extra weight of her younger brother. Mipha was more than used to it by now, though, so it didn't slow her down as much as it used to. Instead she did her best to make it as fun for him as possible, and was rewarded with loud shrieks and whoops of delight. It warmed her heart, and also sent pinpricks of guilt into it. She wouldn't be able to enjoy these things with him forever; why rush that day along? Suddenly she understood why her father had always lamented how fast she'd grown.

Her mother had voiced similar sentiments. And if she were here to see Sidon would surely say them again for her second child.

All too soon she was once more twisting in the air, ensuring a safe landing for them both. Their wet feet slapped against the stonework at the top of the falls, and Sidon nearly tripped over his own tail as he jumped up and down. "Yay! That was so fun! Thank you, Mipha!"

"You are very welcome." She knelt before him, and smiled as she cupped his face. "We can do that as often as you like until you are ready to try it on your own. Do not feel the need to rush—it is perfectly fine to go slowly."

The wobble was back. "But... what if I get made fun of?"

"If anyone dares to make fun of the prince, then remind them that I will be most displeased." For whatever reason, all the children in the Domain looked up to and admired her, and Mipha wasn't above using that as a weapon to get them to mind when needed. Or to protect her beloved brother. "That should nip any trouble in the bud."

"I hope so." Sidon sighed. "So... can we eat now?"

"Of course." Mipha smiled. "Let us descend again."

She held him close in one arm, Sidon's smaller ones wrapped tight around her neck, and carried her spear in the other as she went back down the waterfall again. Sidon swam back to the shore ahead of her, while Mipha darted below the surface and caught two staminoka bass that were lazily swimming about. One she handed to Sidon, the other she kept for herself as she sat on the grass beside him.

They ate quietly for a while, enjoying the food and the warmth of the sun. A bright-chested duck that had been scared off by their activity in the pool flew back over, and Sidon watched with interest as it dipped its head below the surface in search of food of its own, giggling at the sight of its rear end sticking straight up from the water.

After a while he got bored with watching the duck, and a thoughtful expression grew on his face. Abruptly he turned to her. "Mipha? Is there gonna be a war?"

"What?" She frowned. "No, I—why would you think that?"

"I heard some grown-ups talking." Worry filled his eyes. "They were saying we might be going to war with the Hylians. Is that true?"

"It is idle talk, by people with nothing better to do," she said firmly. "And certainly nothing for a child to be worrying about."

"But is it true?" he persisted. "I don't want you, or Dad, or Mr. Bazz or, or anyone to go off and fight people..."

"It is not true." Mipha reached over and took his hand. "Our kingdom does not always get along that well with Hyrule Kingdom, no, but that doesn't mean there will be war. We always manage to come to an agreement on whatever trouble arises."

"Not always, there was a war a long time ago!" Sidon shook his head. "I know Dad wouldn't be mean enough to start fighting people, but what if the Hylian king attacks us?"

"I don't think he will." Mipha squeezed his hand. "Father is wise, and he will do whatever is necessary to avoid such a thing happening. You do not need to worry. Simply focus on your studies and on having fun."

"You think so?"

"I know so." She smiled, praying it looked convincing. "I trust Father. So should you."

"I do, I do." Sidon yawned. "I just don't trust the Hylians."

Mipha's heart sank. "Now, Sidon, I know there are many of them who are unkind, but they are not all like that. When I was your age I had a friend who was a Hylian, and he was one of the sweetest people I have ever known."

"Really?" He yawned again. His eyes were falling, and Mipha privately thought it was adorable."What happened to him? Are you not..." A third yawn. "Friends anymore?" Sidon laid his head on her lap.

"No—I mean, I don't—" She cleared her throat. "What I mean to say is, I haven't seen him since before you were born, because he had to leave here to become a knight in the Hyrulean capital."

"Oh... I..."

Mipha waited for him to continue, but after a minute or so she realized that his breathing was the deep and even cadence of sleep. She couldn't help but smile. Feasts at the Domain always ended like this, and so did many regular meals if Sidon had been particularly active that day. Which, for a growing Zora boy of six, was pretty much every day as long as there wasn't a thunderstorm. Only moping and maybe a few lessons with Muzu tended to get done on those days.

She let him slumber for a little while, softly stroking his long tail, and then carefully lifted him into her arms and rose. Sidon stirred slightly and mumbled something, but his eyes didn't open as she braced him against her chest, his head resting on her shoulder. Once he was secure Mipha started to leave, but then stopped and looked back.

Eight years. It had been eight years since she and Link stood here and pledged to marry each other when they were adults and he'd achieved knighthood. How time did slip by.

For the first two years his father had been kind enough to relay messages from him to her, and vice versa. But then he'd gotten transferred to Fort Hateno when Hyrule Kingdom changed ambassadors, and since then there'd been only silence.

In that time she'd gained a brother and lost a mother, a pain that still weighed heavily on her heart. Mipha adored Sidon, there was no question about that, and she was doing her best to help raise him. But the knowledge that she should not have to sat bitter in her mouth. Sidon deserved to know a true mother, not a poor substitute like her, to make memories with the woman who had conceived him, just as she herself had. And her father deserved better than to lose the love of his life, and have to grieve in private for the sake of his subjects. Nothing, in Mipha's opinion, nothing about this was fair or right. The fates had been cruel to her family, there could be no doubt in that.

And where, oh where was Link? It was like waiting for him here all over again. Except this time she was genuinely beginning to fear he wouldn't come. Her heart wanted to believe in her dear friend, in the vow he'd made to her, but her mind had begun to roil with anxieties that could not be silenced. He's forgotten you, the whispers said in her moments of weakness. He doesn't care about you anymore. He isn't going to keep his promise. He's found someone else, a Hylian noblewoman, to be sweet on. You were nothing more than a childish crush that couldn't last. Give up on him. That's what he's done to you—given you up.

You'll never see him again.

The worst part was that she was starting to believe it. Six years of silence was such a long time. They'd both grown so much since their parting, and there was no guarantee he would've clung to their childhood promise the way she had. Mipha often wondered if she was a fool to do so. Surely now that he was back among his own people, having spent more time there than he had in the Domain, he'd decide he preferred Hylian girls to a Zora like her? His desires would have matured along with the rest of him, and she couldn't see a reason why they would still include her. No, it was best she let go of this foolish dream.

If only she could forget him as easily as he'd forgotten her.

Sighing, Mipha turned and began the walk home. Once she got there she figured she'd take Sidon to his room and lower him into his sleeping pool, and then go find some way to occupy herself before dinner. Perhaps some practice with her spear or a bit of reading, or some swimming on her own. Or maybe she'd find Kodah and Gaddison and spend a little time with her friends. Talking with them might be what she needed, they always found a way to cheer her up. Without them she didn't know how she would've gotten through the period immediately after her mother's death.

A cloud passed over the sun as she walked, which seemed almost too fitting to her mood, as if the weather itself was mocking her. Mipha sighed again. Part of her gloom stemmed from the fact that she'd lied—somewhat—to Sidon. She did trust their father, that part was true, but it was also an undeniable fact that tensions had worsened between Hyrule Kingdom and Zora's Domain over the past few years, and the rumblings of conflict were beginning to worry her. The future seemed more uncertain than ever, leaving her with a knot of stress deep within that couldn't really be banished, no matter what she tried. Regardless, though, she didn't want Sidon to be afraid when nothing had happened yet. And she prayed to Nayru and Lord Jabu-Jabu every night that nothing would. Her brother was too young to have his innocence ripped from him by a war, and her people didn't deserve the suffering and death that it would bring.

As she reached the bridge leading into the city, a group of Hylians in dress uniform on their way out passed her by; Mipha paid them little mind. Most likely guests of the Hyrulean ambassador. This current one was more fond of entertaining than the last one had been, so such people were a fairly common sight in the Domain nowadays. As long as he wasn't stirring up trouble, she could afford to be largely indifferent to the man.

To her relief, Sidon remained asleep despite the noises of the city, barely stirring when the palace guards opened the massive doors for her. Mipha allowed herself another little sigh. Her legs had just started aching a little, so it would be a blessing to put Sidon in his sleeping pool and rest a bit before seeking entertainment.

Before she could get much further, however, she was spotted by Muzu, who immediately hurried over. "Ah, Princess Mipha... there you are..."

Mipha frowned. "Am I needed for something, Muzu? My father was aware that I took Sidon out for swimming practice."

"Indeed, His Majesty told me to relay the message to you as soon as you returned." He reached out and gently took Sidon from her. "I will take the young prince to his room, never fear. Go and see your father."

Her pulse quickened. "Muzu... what is this about?"

Muzu shook his head. "Speak with the king. He will tell you everything."

"But..." Mipha's voice trailed off, her heart sinking as she watched Muzu leave with Sidon. There had been something deeply unhappy in his eyes, almost pitying in a way. Her mind flew back to the Hylians she'd seen on her way in. Perhaps they hadn't been mere guests of the ambassador? If so, then what? Why had Muzu looked so miserable?

The soreness in her legs forgotten, Mipha took off at a run for the throne room. A thousand thoughts swirled in her head, none of them good. And chief among them was that war really was upon them, making a true liar of her. Fear twisted her stomach, threatening to make the fish she'd eaten come right back up.

What in Nayru's name has happened?

The throne room was empty of all save her father when she arrived; Dorephan's eyes found hers, and he sighed heavily. "There you are, Mipha..."

"Father... I..." Mipha paused, one hand on her chest as she struggled to catch her breath. "I came the instant Muzu told me. Whatever is wrong?"

"My dear Mipha..." He sighed again, and as she drew closer she could more easily see the anguish in his eyes. "I have news that you will not like to hear, but I cannot delay it."

Cold gripped her spine. "Is it war? Does King Rhoam mean to attack us?"

"I will not lie and say that war—or at least a breaking of our two kingdoms' alliance—was not a possibility at some point. Yet King Rhoam does not wish for it any more than I do, and thus he sent messengers to offer up a proposal that he thinks will avert that outcome, and maintain peace. And I have just agreed."

Messengers... so those men, that was what they were. Mipha swallowed hard, her throat suddenly dry. "What sort of proposal?"

Dorephan regarded her silently for a long moment, in which it felt like her heart might leap out of her chest for fear of what he was about to say. "He has proposed a political marriage. One of his foster sons—for his only blood heir is Princess Zelda, you must recall—will be married to you in the near future."

The ground dropped out from beneath her feet. And yet somehow she still stood, albeit on legs that threatened to give out. "Wh... what?" Her hands came up to cover her mouth. "No... you cannot be serious..."

"I am sorry, my dear." Her father's eyes seemed to be glistening with the same tears that were starting to burn in hers. "I know you must have wished to marry for love as your mother and I did, or at least to have the choosing of your husband, rather than wedding a stranger. But if we are to avoid visiting the horrors of war upon our people, then there is little choice."

"I... I understand." Mipha wiped at her eyes, hating how her voice betrayed her when she wished so desperately to be strong for her father in this moment. "If... if it will prevent even a single life from being lost, then of course I will do it..."

"That is all I can ask of you, then." Another sigh. "I do not have the right to ask you to like it, and so I shall not. In truth am no more fond of the idea than you are. But we are bound to serve our people, and so sometimes sacrifices must be made, no matter how painful."

"I know." She bowed her head, afraid that the pained look on her father's face would summon forth more tears. "I cannot—I will not be selfish, not when the lives of all in the Domain are at stake. No matter how unhappy I may be at this turn of events, I accept your decision and will not fight it."

"Thank you, Mipha." Dorephan's voice was so low she could barely hear it. "And once again I say that I am sorry... believe me, I would not ask this of you if there were no other choice."

"I know," she said again, sighing. "So what, then, is the name of my husband to be?"

"That I do not know." He tapped his fingers on his throne. "As he has several foster sons, King Rhoam did not decide before knowing whether or not I would agree. Instead, his final decision will be made when the messengers return home with their news. In two weeks we will convene in Goponga to finalize the details, and you will meet your fiance then."

"I see." She took a deep breath and let it out. "Is... is that all you wished to tell me, then?"

"Yes. We will gain more information at the meeting in Goponga." Dorephan leaned forward. "Go now, if you wish—for I suspect you may need some time alone to process this news and grieve."

"Yes," Mipha whispered, her throat tight. "I do—I—thank you, Father..."

She fled before he could apologize again, unable to bear his kindness in this moment. Heedless of any others in the halls she ran all the way to her room. The doors were swiftly locked once she arrived, and then Mipha stumbled over to where a certain chest still sat next to a shelf.

Mipha sank down beside it, running trembling fingers over the lid. Inside was stored a variety of things she would need for her wedding day and marriage. Some had been inherited from her mother and other Zora royal women before her, others were all new and waiting to be transformed into unique items that she too would one day pass down. All that was missing was an uncut opal that would've been part of her wedding jewelry.

Her eyes blurred and her fingers tightened on the chest, enough to turn her knuckles pink. "Oh, Link, how could you?" Mipha's voice shook. "Whether you've forgotten our promise or are simply taking too long to fulfill it doesn't matter anymore... because now I will be forced to break it... I'm sorry..." She buried her face in her hands as she began to sob.

"I am so, so sorry..."