Mipha had just opened her suitcase when a knock sounded on her bedroom door. She turned. "Who is it?" she called.

"It's me." Sidon knocked again. "Can I come in?"

"Of course you may." Mipha readied herself to smile for him. "Come right in, I would love to see you."

Sidon's expression was neutral as he opened the door, but then he scowled when their eyes met. "Don't do that!"

Mipha's face fell. "Don't do what?"

"Smile like that." He crossed his arms in front of his chest, his scowl not budging. "It's so fake! I know when you smile like that that you're unhappy about something."

"... Oh." Mipha sighed. "I suppose I cannot hide anything from you, can I?"

"Nuh uh." Sidon shook his head. "I'm your little brother, you don't get to have secrets from me. Not any!"

"It doesn't appear I do, no." She let out a weak laugh. "Very well then... close the door and then come join me, and we shall talk."

Sidon obediently shut the door, and then walked over to where Mipha sat on the edge of her sleeping pool, her feet in the water. His own legs were still too short for anything but his toes to get wet, but he swung them anyway, making little splashes and ripples. Despite Mipha's statement that they would talk, they remained quiet at first; she slipped her arm around him and held him against her side, Sidon leaning closer as he continued to dip his webbed toes in the pool. Finally, he broke the silence. "You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?"

"Yes." Her voice was barely audible over the splashes he was still making.

"How long are you gonna be gone for?" Sidon turned his head to look up at her. "I forgot again, sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Mipha squeezed his arm. "It will take a day to get there, and then we will spend one or two days at the most, and then we shall head home. So about four days in all. It should not be any longer than that, unless the weather isn't obliging."

"That's so long." Sidon sighed. "I'm really gonna miss you and Dad."

"I know." Mipha bent and kissed the top of his head. "We shall miss you greatly too. And I promise I will buy you things in Goponga."

"Really?" His eyes got huge. "Like what?"

"Well... perhaps I shall get you a mask?" Mipha smiled, a more genuine one this time. "We will be there during the Festival of the Goddesses, when everyone dresses up in masks and costumes, so there will be plenty to choose from. Would you like one?"

"Yes! Yes!" Sidon kicked his feet with renewed enthusiasm. "Please! That sounds so fun, I wish I could go..."

"Someday I will take you, then." She ran her hand over his long tail. "I promise."

"Good!" He let out another sigh. "I wish I could go now, though... are you gonna dress up?"

"I might. Depends on how I feel." Mipha laughed. "If we arrive too late at night, I might stay in."

"Oh no, that's no fun!" Sidon elbowed her. "You have to go out and dress up! Do it for me! Please? Please?"

"Hmm, well..." Mipha pretended to consider it, and sighed in mock resignation when Sidon gave her his best pleading look. "Oh, alright... I suppose I cannot say no to that face." She tickled him under his chin, and he giggled.

"Good! Cause... I want you to at least have some fun there." His expression became serious again. "I know you're not happy about the wedding thing..."

"... No. I don't suppose I am." Mipha's gaze dropped to the water. She could faintly see her own reflection, and Sidon's, now that he'd stopped disturbing the surface with his kicks.

"I guess it's good that we're not gonna go to war, but..." Sidon's voice rose in a whine. "Why do you have to marry some dumb Hylian?"

"Sidon, please, we've talked about this." Mipha rubbed her temple. "Not all of the Hylians are bad, and we don't know anything about who it is I'm going to marry. Not even his name. He could be very kind, for all we know."

"He could also be mean! Or creepy!" Sidon countered. "What if that king picked a bad one?"

"I'm certain King Rhoam chose whomever he thought would be best," she said. "This was his idea, after all, in order to avoid war and strengthen the alliance with Father, so I do not think he would wish to risk it not working out."

"But what if he's wrong?" Sidon persisted. "What if he picked someone he thought would be good, and they turn out to be really bad?"

"Well, I shall find out more in a few days." She squeezed his hand. "If I meet my fiance and do not like him, I will request someone else. It is not as though the marriage will be taking place right then and there."

"But what if the king says no? What if—"

"Enough, Sidon." She spoke gently but firmly. "You are allowing yourself to become overwhelmed with far too many worries, especially for a child. I want you to simply have fun while I am away—play outside, swim, learn from Muzu. Before you know it, I will return."

"But then what happens after you get married?" Sidon's lower lip wobbled. "Where are you going to live? I don't want you to move far away and never see you again..."

"That will not happen." Mipha squeezed his hand again. "I do not know yet where we will live, but even if I do move away from the Domain, I will still see you as often as I can. I am still the princess, so I imagine I will have to spend at least part of my time here. Please don't worry about that either."

Sidon sighed. "I don't like this."

"... I know." She put her arms around him and hugged him. "Neither do I. But it is for the good of both kingdoms, so I must. The safety of our people is more important than my happiness. Someday you will understand that."

"But I want you to be happy!" Sidon pouted. "You're the best sister ever, Mipha! I bet whoever it is falls in love with you right away! And if he doesn't, he's a big dummy!"

"Oh, Sidon!" She couldn't help but dissolve into fresh giggles. "What a charmer you are... I suspect you will have no trouble finding a bride of your own when the time comes!"

"Ew!" He made a face, causing her to laugh harder. "I'm way too young for that!"

"Yes, you are," Mipha agreed. "However, you are not too young to be playing with your friends, which is what you should be doing right now." She elbowed him. "Go on, go play, and I shall see you at dinner. I need to finish packing before tomorrow, and I must rise early."

"Awww, no fun..." But he got up anyway, and gave her a hug before heading back out the door.

Mipha buried her face in her hands once his footsteps disappeared down the hall. Bad enough to be constantly entertaining these worries in the back of her own mind every minute she was awake, even keeping her up later at night than she wanted to be, but to have Sidon voicing them? To have to reassure him of things she was anything but certain of herself? Oh, how taxing this all was. There was still so much she didn't know about the situation she was about to fully step into, and it only made her feel worse to be trying to assuage fears that she herself held, with the knowledge that she might be made a liar of very soon. All too soon.

She paced around the room, meticulously checking each shelf and drawer to be sure she hadn't missed anything she'd need for the trip to Goponga. Tomorrow. She really was leaving tomorrow. And the day after that, she would be meeting her fiance for the first time. Until now there had been moments when this hadn't seemed real, but with it nearly upon her she no longer had the luxury of pretending it wasn't happening.

I hate to admit it, but Sidon is more right than he knows about who my husband will be. It may well be someone unpleasant. Someone who only wants to marry me for the boost in status, and will care little about me as a person. It is bad enough that I will have to struggle not to resent him, whoever he is, merely for not being Link, but if he is a loathsome person, that will make it worse. And there is no guarantee I will be able to tell such at our first meeting, for many are capable of hiding their true selves in public until it is too late. Oh, how I wish this was not necessary!

Wringing her hands, Mipha sank down beside the sleeping pool again. So very many uncertainties. Not only the identity and disposition of her husband to be, and what their marriage would be like, but where they would live and what would be expected of them. Either way, though, it weighed heavily on her that she could very well be doomed to a loveless union, to someone who was repulsed by her Zora features and anatomy. Hylian beauty standards were very different from those of her people, as different as their bodies were. If her fiance was marrying her only for money and status, then it painted quite the dismal picture of her chances for a loving, intimate relationship. Not to mention how well she was likely to be treated in general.

It would be different with Link. I know it. If he hadn't forgotten me, if he'd been able to stay and we'd wed... oh yes, things would be different. He was always so kind, so interested in everything to do with Zora culture, and never put off by the ways in which we are physically different. He always treated me with so much respect and warmth, and I cannot imagine him growing up to be otherwise. If only I could have married him... but there is no point in dwelling on that now. It can never be, after all. Time to let go of it once and for all.

She stood. Her eyes were stinging, so she wiped at them and went back to her suitcase. A third check of the contents revealed that she had everything she needed for the trip to Goponga. Sashes, jewelry, perfume and other toiletries, things to keep herself entertained on the long trip down the river... it was all there. All she lacked was the strength of heart to face it all.

But strong or not, it was coming. So face it she would.

Twilight cast its violet glow over Goponga, shrouding it in a shimmering, starlit cloak. The twinkling lights above competed with the lamps and lanterns steadily flickering on all over the city as Mipha watched from the window of her inn room. The distant sound of revelry reached her ears from the streets below, a steady stream of masked tourists and natives alike passing by. And even further away, could that be the strains of music? It had to be. Every part of this place, it seemed, was alight with celebration of the Golden Goddesses.

Goponga had been chosen as the grounds for tomorrow's meeting because of its neutrality; it existed as an independent city-state in between Hyrule Kingdom and Zora's Domain, and was populated by both Hylians and Zora alike. As such, it made for a less fraught place to discuss the coming political marriage that would more firmly unite the two lands. The governor had graciously agreed to host it at his mansion, and so they would convene there in the morning to hammer out the details and introduce her to her fiance.

This, then, would be her last true night of freedom.

Mipha sighed and looked down at the mask in her hands. The inn had been courteous enough to provide complimentary masks, and it was ever so tempting to put this one on and go out into the city as—thanks to a long nap in her cabin—to not mind the idea of staying out late. And she did so want to enjoy her final evening of being truly unfettered by an unwanted engagement.

Not to mention that it was such a pretty thing, this mask, which had clearly been designed with the shape of a Zora's head and face in mind. Unsurprising, given that the inn was itself run by Zoras, and the people in charge were aware of her identity. It was only a half-mask, which meant it wouldn't conceal very much, but that was just fine. Shimmering white ribbons trailed from the little thing, which itself was also white, made of lace with teardrop-shaped pearls on thin silver chains dangling from it. By sheer serendipity it matched a sash she'd brought with her, a frothy confection of silk and lace shot through with seed pearls and silver thread. She'd considered wearing it to the meeting tomorrow, but couldn't resist donning it now to go with the mask. There were plenty of other suitable garments in her suitcase, after all, so it didn't really matter.

Her decision made, Mipha tied the mask on and walked over to the vanity so she could see herself in the mirror and make adjustments. Despite everything, it was hard not to smile back at her own reflection. The sash and mask, especially when paired with her jewelry, looked so lovely together, and made her feel prettier for it. The uncertainty of her coming marriage made it so easy to feel insecure, but at least tonight she could dress up and let go of that for a short while.

The pearls on the mask swung against her chin as she hurried out of her room and down the stairs, and then through the inn's front doors. It was a pleasantly warm evening, the air brimming with lights and sounds and delicious smells. A cool breeze from the canals ruffled her sash, and Mipha breathed deeply. Adventure was calling, and every nerve in her body tingled with the urge to answer. She only needed one glance back at the inn before she did, taking off at a near run across the cobblestone streets of Goponga.

She slowed her pace soon enough, not just to avoid taxing herself, but to better take in the multitude of sights and sounds around her. In truth Mipha had always wanted to visit Goponga, particularly at this time of year; despite the less-than-ideal circumstances, it was hard not to feel excited about being here at last. There was so much to see and do, and she barely knew where to begin.

To her delight, no one seemed to take much notice of her aside from a passing glance here and there at her costume. She was so used to being known everywhere she went in Zora's Domain, and garnering attention for it, that it was refreshing to be an anonymous stranger. The deeper she went into the city, the more she relaxed, her spirits rising as the weight of the next day's events lifted from her mind. Everything she had to deal with then—and all her days after that—would still be there on the morrow. Tonight she would cut loose and have fun, forget all her responsibilities, her status, everything she could.

Yet I do think it would be fun to share it with someone, she found herself thinking wistfully. Her father had already retired to his rooms for the night, uninterested in going out in the crowds, and poor Sidon was both stuck back at home, and too young to be out late in such a throng anyway. If only Link were here... he loved all our holidays and festivals and didn't miss a single one, begging me to tell him everything I could about it and glued to my side during them. We had such fun together... oh, I miss him so much! If I could just see him once more... ah, but I shouldn't dwell on that.

Shaking off that gloomy thought, Mipha turned down another street. This one was narrower, and thankfully less crowded. Eventually she emerged in a larger square, with a curious sight at its center: an arch, one that looked like it had once been part of a larger wall, standing quite alone. From its apex hung a heart made of what looked like brick. Curious, Mipha advanced towards it. The urge to touch it rose up in her, a childish impulse she hadn't had in years. As she was determined not to deny herself any fun tonight, she quickened her pace and stretched her hand up.

And promptly bumped into a man who'd been coming towards her from the other side of the arch, who'd had his head turned at just the wrong moment. Her own gaze had been so fixed on the heart above her that Mipha didn't notice him until they collided, right at the very second that her fingers brushed the brick sculpture.

Their eyes met, and she stumbled back a step, startled. "Oh! I am so sorry! Forgive me, I did not see you..."

He was only a little taller than she was, clad in a more elaborate costume—an ornately embellished and embroidered suit of rich blue and gold silk, trimmed with lace at the cuffs, and partially hidden by the midnight blue cloak he wore over it all. The cloak itself hid his hair completely, held in place by a matching hat, and his hands were covered in gloves of the same shade. His mask, too, obscured nearly every part of his face; it'd been painted to look like a golden half-mask being worn, with the lips painted gold as well, and concealed all but his eyes. Even they were in shadow, their color further indiscernible in the gloom of dusk, but she could still see them widen as he took her in.

The moment stretched on in silence as he stared at her; finally, just when she was beginning to suspect he was mute, he spoke. "No, I... I should've been watching where I was going." The lack of a slit in the mask's mouth muffled and distorted his voice, but she could still understand his words. "I'm the one who should be sorry."

"It is fine." Mipha smiled. "In a festival such as this, it is so easy to become distracted. I have had many such close calls tonight." She stepped closer. "Is this your first time here?"

"No." He shook his head. "I've been to this city once before, though not at this particular time. You?"

"It is my first time, at this festival as well as in Goponga." Mipha studied his costume and mask a little before letting her gaze drift up to the brick heart. "What a curious thing to have here..."

"Did you touch it?"

"Yes." Her gaze darted back to his face, her cheeks burning; she couldn't detect any amusement in his tone, but she felt mortified all the same. "I suppose it sounds terribly juvenile, but I could not resist."

"Not at all." He moved to stand beside her, looking up at the brick heart himself. His fingers brushed its edge. "I take it you don't know the story behind this heart?"

"I did not even know there was one." She laughed. "I presume you do?"

"Yes." His eyes lingered on her for a moment before traveling up to the heart again. "Legend has it that long ago, a fisherman lived here. One day, he caught not a fish in his net, but a beautiful mermaid named Martha." He looked back at her; she shivered, though she wasn't sure why. "The two fell in love, and promised to marry, but there was a catch: she'd been cursed to become a giant snake one night a week. Their marriage would break the curse, and she would gain legs in place of her tail, but while they were still engaged she made him promise not to see her on that night, for fear that he would reject her if he knew of the curse."

Mipha's eyes widened. "Did he break his promise, then?"

"No." The man shook his head. "The man loved her dearly, and was loathe to be parted from her for even a single night, but his love for her was such that he kept his word without complaint. And so their wedding day arrived without a hitch."

What a lovely way of telling a story you have, she wanted to say, but shyness and a lack of desire to interrupt him held her back. Instead, she simply gazed into his shadowed eyes as he continued to speak.

"They married and had three children, but after a few years Martha fell ill and died. Her husband was so heartbroken that if not for their children he would have thrown himself into the water to join her in death."

Mipha's hand crept up to cover her mouth at the sad turn the tale had taken, and the man seemed to lean closer out of sympathy.

"He at first was overwhelmed by the prospect of caring for them while also providing for them, for his profession took him out of the house for long hours. However, a strange thing began to happen—when he would return from work, he found the house tidied up, with the children unaware of who had done it." He cleared his throat. "It continued like that for a while, until one day he returned home early and found a large snake inside the house. Without thinking, he killed it."

Mipha couldn't hold back a gasp. "Oh no..."

"I'm afraid so." The man nodded. "The housework stopped being done, for the snake was indeed Martha, returned from beyond the grave to care for her husband and children in the only way she could. And now he had lost her a second time, by his own hands." He glanced up at the heart. "It's said that this is where their house stood, and that this heart was placed here to mark the site and immortalize their love."

"If it is true, I hope they are at peace together," Mipha whispered, wiping at her eyes.

"So do I." He turned his head to look at her again. "And so it's also said that if you touch the heart and wish to find love, your wish will come true within a year. So don't feel foolish for being drawn to touch it—your instincts must've guided you."

Her eyes widened. "Truly?" He nodded. "Well, that is a lovely thought... but I do not think it would work for me all the same." For my chance to be loved has already been stolen from me.

"I can't imagine why not. Your beauty outshines the stars, and something tells me you have a heart to match." He took her hand and lifted it to the mask's painted mouth, miming a kiss. "I doubt you'll have trouble finding someone to cherish you."

"Oh... I..." Warmth flooded her face. "What a flatterer you are..."

"No." He shook his head. "No flattery. Only truth." Something in those half-hidden eyes took her breath away. "I'm afraid you've utterly captivated me."

"So soon?" she asked teasingly, the lightness of her voice a stark contrast with her racing pulse. "Why, we have only just met a few minutes ago."

"You don't give yourself enough credit." His head tilted slightly. "A single look into your eyes would be enough to bewitch anyone, unless they're blind." A quiet laugh. "Which I'm not."

Mipha laughed too, though hers had a note of bitterness. "Many Hylians would say you are, to compliment a Zora so."

"And they would be wrong." There was a softness, a warmth to his voice that struck her heart. "You are nothing short of enchanting. Anyone who can't see that is a fool."

"How kind you are," Mipha managed, a lump growing in her throat. Oh, why can I not wed someone so sweet as this?

The look in his eyes seemed to change. "Did I say something to upset you? I'm sorry."

"No!" She shook her head. "Not at all, please don't worry about that. I am merely moved by your kind words—I have heard little of them from Hylians such as yourself, so it is a bit of a shock to be treated so. But not in a bad way," she hastened to add. "Simply surprising, and touching. Thank you."

"My pleasure." He bowed. "Now then, I will leave you be so you can enjoy your evening."

Letting go of her, he started to turn away, but Mipha caught his hand and tugged on it. "Wait, no—do not go so soon!"

Surprise seemed to flicker in his eyes as he turned back to look at her. "Why?"

"Well, I..." Mipha took a deep breath. "You have been here before, correct? So would you be willing to show me around?"

"It was only once, a few years ago." He laughed. "I'd be a pretty poor guide."

"A companion, then." She tightened her fingers around his hand, feeling something dig into her palm. "Unless your company is spoken for already?"

"It isn't. But..." He regarded her for a moment, his eyes unreadable. "What about you? I find it hard to believe there isn't someone you're tied to for the evening. You'd want the company of a stranger?"

"Yes, I am quite alone." Mipha moved closer. "And while I suppose I could continue on that way, I think I would enjoy myself much more with a charming stranger at my side." She smiled, and at their proximity was able to hear the faint sound of him drawing his breath in sharply. "It is a night for revelry and casting inhibitions to the wind, is it not? So I wish to do just that for once." She paused. "Unless you don't want to, of course."

There was another long moment during which he simply stared at her. Then he nodded. "I would be more than happy to accompany you." His voice was barely audible.

"Thank you!" Mipha started to let go of his hand, but then lifted it so she could better see what she'd felt against her palm. Her lips parted in surprise and admiration—it was a silver filigree brooch with a heart-shaped blue opal at its center, pinned onto his glove. "What a beautiful piece this is." She glanced up at him. "Was it a gift?"

"... Yes." He nodded. "From someone very dear to me that I haven't seen in many years."

"Oh." Mipha frowned. "I am sorry—I did not mean to bring up painful memories."

"You didn't." He spoke gently. "Please don't worry about that. My memories of that person are nothing but fond."

"Then I will try not to." Her gaze strayed back to the brooch. "I hope that the two of you will be reunited in the near future, if that is your wish."

"Thank you," he said quietly. "I do wish for that."

It occurred to her to ask if that was what he'd come to the heart for, but Mipha held back this time too—not out of shyness, but respect for his privacy. "I pray it comes true, then." She let go of his hand for real this time, and delicately cleared her throat. "Shall we go?"

Now there was amusement in his eyes. "Shouldn't I be asking that?" He offered her his arm.

"You're right!" Mipha giggled and took his arm. "Silly me!"

"Adorable you," he corrected her as they began to walk away, his voice nearly as warm as the heat that rushed through her at his words.

"Oh, you..." She clasped her free hand to her speeding heart, even as she laughed again. "Do you speak to every girl you meet like this?"

"Not at all." To her surprise, he sounded serious and a bit shy. "As you said yourself, it's a night for casting off inhibitions. I normally have many, but... something about this night, about you, makes me want to speak my thoughts more freely." He glanced down at her. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Not at all," Mipha admitted. "If I thought you were engaging in empty flattery I would roll my eyes, it is true... and yet, despite that I don't know you, I can sense your sincerity. Which makes it quite the unexpected treat."

"You must not be complimented enough, then, if my clumsy attempts are such a treat."

"Oh, stop that." Mipha squeezed his arm, leaning her head against his shoulder. "You have a wonderful way with words. I admit, I was rather captivated myself when you told me that legend."

"I suppose I was trying to." He reached over and touched her hand with his free one. "I wanted to capture your attention the way you'd captured mine."

"And it worked, I assure you." She smiled. I hardly know what's gotten into me, but I am enjoying it. It is so fun and freeing to cast aside normality for the moment.

"Good." They dodged around a knot of people gathered at a stall selling skewered sausages; he paused. "Are you hungry at all?"

"Hmm..." Mipha considered the question. "I did have dinner before I left the inn, but... that was quite some time ago, and I remained there for a while before deciding to leave. Perhaps a little something would taste good."

"What would you like, then?" He looked over at her. "I'd be happy to buy you something."

"Well, I..." She glanced around. There were a few stalls here and there, and more further down the street he'd guided her down. "I don't indulge in sweets very often, but maybe I should now. I wonder if there are any special ones for this festival..."

"Let's find out."

They weaved among the crowds together, searching for something that would strike her fancy. Many of the foods being offered were savory, but others were sweet, and at last something caught Mipha's eye: small plates piled with little balls of fried dough, lavished in honey and sprinkled with chopped nuts. She pointed them out, and with a nod he bought one of them.

He carried it for her as they walked away, wanting to have some space for themselves away from the clusters of people near the stalls. Mipha started to reach for one, but he beat her to it. "Allow me."

"But you are getting your glove all sticky," she protested.

He laughed. "We're in a city of canals, I can wash it off easily. Here."

"Oh, alright..." But instead of merely taking it from him, she leaned forward, opening her mouth and closing her eyes. There was a slight pause, and then he placed it in her mouth. Was it her imagination, or did his fingers tremble as they brushed her lips? Mipha opened her eyes, but his were hidden in shadow. She chewed the little fritter, and let out a sigh as she swallowed it. "Delicious..."

"I'm glad." He handed her the plate. "I'll wash this off now, since you were so worried about it." He winked, and she giggled.

Mipha ate more of her dessert as she watched him walk over to the edge of the canal, kneeling and dipping his gloved hand in the water. From what she could tell he had a slender build, but the arm she'd been holding onto felt quite strong nevertheless. It made her intensely curious to see what he looked like under the mask.

An idea occurred to her as he returned, and she stepped closer to him. "Oh, I've been so rude... would you like one of these?" She offered the plate to him. "Sharing is the least I can do, since you've been so generous as to buy these for me."

"No thanks." He shook his head. "That's kind of you, but I'm not hungry. You enjoy them."

"Oh... alright..." Mipha tried to hide her disappointment. "Thank you, I am."

He cocked his head as he watched her. "Were you... perhaps hoping to unmask me?"

Heat flooded her again, and she smiled guiltily. "And if I was?"

"Then I regret to inform you that it won't be so easy." His eyes glinted in the light. "I'm afraid my face must remain a mystery to you for at least a little longer."

"What a tease you are!" She laughed, and he laughed with her. "Very well, then, I shall try to be patient for as long as I can."

"And it's greatly appreciated." He gazed at her for a moment, and her heart sped up at the admiration she could feel from him. "Just let me know when you're ready, and we'll continue."

"Of course."

She polished off the rest of them, and then returned the plate to the food vendor for washing before cleaning the honey off her fingers in the canal. After that she took his arm again, and they were off.

They walked for some time, until Mipha's legs began to ache. He asked after her just as she was about to plead for a brief rest, and she confirmed that she did indeed need to stop for a bit. As they were on a little bridge, Mipha sat on the stone railing with her back to the water. He stood beside her, leaning his arms on it and gazing out at the reflection of the full moon in the canal.

"So this is your first time here?" he asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Yes." Mipha braced herself with her palms and leaned back so she could look up at the night sky. There'd been a little rain when they left the Domain early that morning, but the night here in Goponga was as clear as could be, bursting with glittering stars and that bright, full moon. "I had always wanted to visit, to participate in this festival, but until now I'd never gotten the chance."

"And is it everything you hoped it'd be?"

"Well... I..." Mipha's gaze dropped to her lap. "I suppose so, yes... I have greatly enjoyed this evening, at least..."

"... What's wrong?" He stood up straighter. "Have I done something to upset you?"

"No, not at all." Mipha shook her head. "It is just..." She took a deep breath. "Tomorrow will not be so enjoyable, I fear."

"And why is that?"

"I..." She pulled her tail onto her shoulder and began to run her fingers over it. "I am... of noble birth, you see, and it has been arranged that I will marry a stranger, whom I will meet for the first time tomorrow. It troubles me, for I had wished to choose my husband myself, and I fear that my intended will not be someone pleasant. I have hoped to use this night to allow myself to forget my worries for a a few hours."

"That's understandable." He watched her for a moment. "Is there someone else you'd prefer to marry? Someone you had your heart set on?"

An image of Link's face as he promised to marry her someday drifted into her mind, and Mipha had to fight back tears as she nodded. "Yes," she whispered. "But it cannot happen now."

"... I see." He sighed. "I'm sorry, then, for the turn your life has taken."

"Don't be." Mipha turned and laid her hand on his. "It is not your fault. And I should not be burdening you with my problems, anyway." She tried to smile. "Come, let us continue, and forget I said anything. I want the rest of the evening to be a happy one."

"Very well, then." He watched her closely. "If you're up to going on, that is."

"I am." She slid down onto the bridge, and offered him her arm. "Come on now, you are slacking," she said in a teasing voice.

"My apologies, fair lady." He laughed and took her arm.

They continued on, drawn like moths to a flame by the sound of music being played. At last they came to a wide street, where musicians had set up shop in front of a darkened restaurant, and couples of all sorts danced together. There were Hylians, Zora, Sheikah, and even a Rito pair, all making merry. Mipha watched with delight, almost forgetting that she wasn't alone until the man beside her nudged her. "Hmm?" She turned to look at him.

"Will you..." There it was again, that shyness. "Will you dance with me?"

"Oh!" She blinked. "Oh—yes, of course I—forgive me, you simply surprised me," she added.

"Don't be surprised," he said softly. "I've told you already that you've captivated me... it shouldn't be surprising that I'd want to dance with you."

"You're right, of course..." Mipha swallowed as he offered her his hand, feeling suddenly shy herself; she took it, her heart rate spiking. "How silly of me..."

The musicians had switched to a slower piece, so he pulled her closer, his other hand moving to her waist. Mipha put her free one on his shoulder. "No, I understand... I remember what you said earlier about other Hylians being unkind to you. I don't blame you for mistrusting us all."

"I don't, though." Mipha shook her head, allowing him to lead her through the steps. "My best friend growing up was a Hylian and I..." Loved him. "I cared greatly for him. He was never unkind to me. It is simply that in the years since, I have met others who were not so kind, and spoke cruel words to me about my appearance. I am afraid that the man I will marry—himself a Hylian—will be the same."

"A natural fear." He lifted his arm, and she twirled for a moment before returning to their close hold. "I hope for your sake that it'll be unfounded, though."

"I hope so too." She searched his masked face, hoping to discern what color his eyes were. They almost looked blue sometimes, but it was so hard to tell in this lighting. "I want to believe that I will be wed to someone kind, who cares about me, but with so much unknown my mind tends to fret."

And my heart aches. Oh, Link, if only you hadn't forgotten me. It is so selfish, considering that this arrangement will benefit so many, but still I yearn for you. I do not know how I am supposed to set it aside.

"... I wish I could comfort you." He looked past her. "But I don't have anything I can say that will allay your fears."

"That is fine. It is enough to have a friend for one night." Mipha smiled. "In any case, it would be remiss of me not to compliment your dancing. You move with such grace... surely, whoever you marry will be lucky indeed."

Something in his eyes seemed to grow brighter, and when he spoke his voice sounded rougher somehow. "Thank you."

Oh dear... I hope I did not stir up anything too painful. It was on the tip of her tongue to apologize, but it felt oddly like that might make it more awkward for him, so she kept quiet and they finished the dance in silence. A faster song began to play as they stared at each other, and with a nod they took each other's hands and walked away into the night again.

Neither spoke for a while as they went on, looking at everything around them that they passed. Mipha noted absently that, fitting for a city that was made primarily of both Hylians and Zora, there were statues of all the gods worshiped by each. There were the three Golden Goddesses, of course, and then the patron deities Hylia and Lord Jabu-Jabu. All were, unsurprisingly, honored here.

Eventually, her companion broke the silence. "I'm sorry that... something you dread awaits you tomorrow," he said hesitantly. "But I hope I've been able to lighten your heart some tonight."

"You have," Mipha assured him. They'd reached another bridge, and she stopped to gaze out at the water. "As I said, it is enough to have a friend for tonight. I will never forget this evening."

"... Neither will I."

"I am glad to hear it." Reaching up behind her head, Mipha untied the ribbons and pulled her mask off. A cool breeze hit her face where it'd been, and in her simple pleasure over that she almost missed the soft gasp from her companion. She turned to see him staring at her. "What is it?"

"Nothing... I..." He continued to stare at her. "I guess I wasn't expecting you to do that, is all."

"I have been wearing it for hours." Mipha extended her arms over her head and stretched. "It feels freeing to take it off at last." She stepped closer to him. "And what of you? You must feel stifled in what you are wearing, it is much more restricting than mine."

"I..." His eyes darted from side to side. "I guess it's a bit warm, but... I don't mind, really."

"Oh, come on." Mipha laughed and took another step. "Didn't you say you were going to unmask eventually tonight anyway?"

"I'm..." He took a step back. "I'm... not sure that's a good idea..."

Mipha frowned. "Why not? I'm sorry, I don't mean to pressure you if you're uncomfortable, you don't have to if you don't want to."

"It's not that, I just..." He hesitated. "I..."

She waited for him to finish his sentence, but before he could the clocks began to sound as the hour changed. Twelve tolls of the bell. Mipha turned in the direction of the noise, blinking. "Oh... I didn't realize it was so late..."

"I have to go." Mipha's head whipped around at the alarm in his voice. "I'm sorry, I—goodnight!"

"What? No, wait—"

She grabbed at his hand, but he wrenched it out of her grasp as he took off running. Mipha started after him, stopping only when something slipped through her fingers and clattered to the ground. The brooch! She retrieved it as swiftly as she could, but by the time she looked up, it was too late—the kind stranger had disappeared into the crowd. Her heart dropped to her stomach, and then fell to her feet as she looked down at the brooch. It was marred now by a thin scratch across the center of the opal, making it look almost like a broken heart.

Tears filled her eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered into the night as she clasped it to herself. "I'm so sorry..."

Link slammed the door behind himself as he got to his room. His legs were burning from the long run back to the inn, his heart pounding out of his chest at the exertion. He sank to the floor, ripping the mask off so he could breathe more easily. Sweat dripped down his face as he gasped for air, and his trembling fingers fumbled with the cloak, tearing it off and tossing across the room. Some of his hair fell in his eyes, and he shoved it aside before tugging at the gloves.

And froze as he felt the tear there, and the utter absence of the brooch, his heart nearly stopping for a moment before racing again. A moment ago he'd been overheated, but now cold horror overtook him. "No... no... oh, fuck..." Link stared down at the ripped glove, at his exposed skin, as if willing the brooch to be there. When it didn't appear, he buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking.

I'm so stupid... I'm so fucking stupid... what the hell possessed me to wear it? I wanted it with me in case I ran into her? Well, I did, but now it's gone. It's gone and I can't give it back to her like I promised. I'm such an idiot...

The glove he'd rinsed off in the canal was still damp, and it almost felt good against his face, but he still wanted them off. Sighing, Link lowered his hands and peeled both gloves off. An improvement, but not a complete one. He let himself sit for a few minutes, head against the door, before shakily pulling himself to his feet and stumbling over to his trunk. It took a few minutes more, but soon he'd stripped off the costume and changed into a pair of loose pants for sleeping in. He climbed onto the bed after that and stared up at the ceiling. Mipha's face drifted into his mind, and he flung an arm over his eyes, his heart speeding up again just when it'd calmed down.

Goddesses. He'd been right about recognizing her. Even with that little half-mask on she was unmistakable. But nothing had prepared him for how beautiful she'd grown up to be. Those eyes, that smile... his brain had shut down completely at his first sight of her in eight years. How he'd managed to keep his composure and play the role he'd set for himself was a mystery even now.

His original thought had been to simply enjoy a night of anonymity in Goponga, with the hope of maybe running into her. He'd known it was a silly thing to wish for, given the size of the city and the vast crowds that lined its streets during the festival. But somehow the fates had aligned to put them in the same place at the same time, and he'd gotten to see her after all. He'd momentarily lost his nerve, and had started to leave her on her own so as not to impose the company of a stranger on her. To his shock, though, she'd invited him to stay with her, to accompany her around the city. And how could he refuse?

So he'd resolved himself to continue playing the role. To letting go of his inhibitions, as they'd briefly discussed. It'd been shockingly easy. Who needed liquid courage when you had a mask? It was enough to make him almost laugh. Without it, he'd never have been brave enough to behave that way around her. But with his face hidden he'd inhabited the part he'd set for himself almost fully. Mipha had clearly been charmed, something he doubted he could achieve as himself. Maybe it was better he'd lost his nerve—and run out of time—before he could reveal his identity.

Or maybe not. It stung to have been unable to unmask himself to her, even despite his mixed feelings on it by the end. He'd fully intended to reveal himself by the end of the night, and if he hadn't run up against the curfew that damnable Rhoam had set for them all he probably would have, mixed feelings be damned. Mipha deserved to know the truth, after all, about who she'd spent the evening with.

Who she'd danced with. Who she'd flirted with. Link squeezed his eyes shut. He understood, of course, why she would want to cut loose tonight and set aside what normally held her back, but that didn't make him feel any less conflicted about what had passed between them that evening. True, he'd started it by expressing his appreciation of her beauty, and also true, she was seeking a way to forget her anxieties about her coming marriage. A marriage she didn't know would be to him. Another true thing was that a part of him had enjoyed flirting with her in return, had enjoyed her attentions and compliments. But it was hard not to have it dampened by the knowledge that she'd believed him a stranger. That she'd apparently forgotten him, or simply moved on.

Yes, she'd said when he'd asked her if there was someone she'd prefer to marry. But it cannot happen now. His heart had sunk at those words. It wasn't surprising that she would've moved on during the eight years they'd been apart, that she would've found a Zora she wanted instead of him, a mere Hylian, but it still hurt so badly. He'd spent those years longing for her—he still longed for her, more than ever now that he'd seen her again and spent time with her—but she'd broken her end of the promise. Link couldn't blame her, of course, but it didn't make the fissures in his heart any less painful.

Even so, they were still going to be married, just as they'd pledged to be. Guilt washed over him at what he'd done to ensure it, threatening to choke him, but he swallowed it down. No. I'm not forcing her into this, he reminded himself. The political marriage would've gone ahead no matter what, and if he hadn't intervened she would've had to marry Astor instead. The fears she'd expressed to him tonight about her unknown husband to be would've been all too true, and she would've been completely miserable. There was no way he could condemn her to that. He himself wasn't her first choice anymore, and he could've accepted that and let her go if the circumstances weren't what they actually were. If he'd gone back to the Domain and found her engaged to someone else, he would've walked away without a fight and let her be happy. That was what was most important to him, after all: Mipha's happiness.

But that hadn't happened. Her choice had been ripped from her, and if he hadn't stepped in she couldn't have found any sort of happiness. At least with him, Link reasoned, he could try to make her somewhat happy by simply being her friend. He could never be a substitute for whoever it was she really wanted, and he wouldn't try to be, or resent her for her change of her heart. He could, though, be much kinder to her than Astor would've been, which counted for something. Didn't it? He hoped so, for her sake.

I know some of this is selfishness. I know that. And I hate it. But if it keeps her away from Astor, keeps her from being completely miserable, then maybe someday I can forgive myself.

Link rolled over on his side, staring at the window. The curtains were partway open, allowing some of the moonlight to leak into the room. He barely saw it, though, his mind's eye focused on Mipha's face. His fingers itched, yearning to touch her again. His whole body ached with the need to feel her close again.

How did I manage to say anything to her at all? I know the mask made me braver, but still... she's so beautiful that it made it hard to think sometimes. I could barely take my eyes off her. And she... He closed his eyes again. She held onto me. She had me feed her that dessert—even through the glove my hand was shaking, I hope she didn't notice. And dancing with her, holding her close? I don't know how I didn't just rip the mask off and kiss her right then and there. I still want to. I want her.

He buried his face in the pillow, his hand tightening on it as he thought of the other things she'd said to him. He'd had to fight down his true anger and sorrow when she'd confided in him about the other Hylian men who'd insulted her. And it'd been so, so hard. How could anyone look at her and see anything but perfection? Mipha was beyond stunning. That was just... objective fact as far as he was concerned. Her kind, generous, loving heart made her even more so. He'd adored her as a child for a reason. And now that he was an adult, well... it wasn't hard to guess where his feelings would go before long.

If they hadn't already.

I'm doomed. There's no way around it. Link sighed, the noise muffled by the pillow. She won't want it. I know that too. But, maybe... just maybe... I can channel these feelings into some way to help her be more content than she would've been with Astor. I hope so, anyway.

Either way, though, he needed to get some sleep so he'd be well-rested enough to formally meet her again tomorrow. Stifling a groan, Link dragged himself off the bed and over to the window. He shut the curtains completely, leaving himself in darkness. Between the run back, the long night out, and the whirlwind of emotion she'd stirred up in him, it was no wonder he was utterly exhausted.

He was asleep almost as soon as his head touched the pillow again, and all his dreams were of Mipha.