Chapter 4 – A heroes duty
It was early in the morning as the first few rays of sunlight started to shine across the little campsite. You could hear the first few birds beginning their happy chirping in the distance as they welcomed a new day.
Mipha had stayed up the whole night keeping guard like she promised Link. Nothing interesting had happened so she was able to enjoy the look of him peacefully sleeping in her lap.
She had missed it so much to see her dear Link in such a peaceful slumber. A smile played across her lips as she stroke some hair out of his face. He looked just like in the old times, happily snoozing on her lap. And she wanted to bring those times back as good as she could.
Link stirred slightly in his sleep as the sun began to tickle his cheeks. He woke up shortly after that and realized two things.
First was that he must have fallen asleep and slept till morning because he could hear the birds already singing.
And the second thing he realised was that his head was laying on something very soft and smooth, he couldn't quite identify. It felt somewhat familiar but he could not quite put his finger on it.
Thinking wouldn't bring him anywhere so he opened his eyes to see on what he was resting and was quite surprised to see two red and white coloured legs.
He wasn't sure to whom they belonged as the memory's of the last day flooded his mind. He had defeated Calamity Ganon, freed Zelda from her imprisonment and most important Link had been blessed by the Godess and was reunited with Mipha.
With that in mind he slowly turned his head around to face the beautifulest person he has ever met. She noticed that Link had stirred in her lap and looked down only to be greeted by the one of the happiest smiles she had ever seen.
"Good morning my dear." Mipha gently whispered as she planted a kiss on his forehead.
"I hope you have slept well."
"Yes I have, although you used unfair methods to get me to sleep. You know how great your lullaby's work on me."
"I know, that's why I used it on you. Because of your thick skull you wouldn't have rested and probably snoozed of during your guard duty.
Link wanted to argue with her but before he could bring anything out he heard a yawning from behind Mipha and a mumbled "Good Morning" as Zelda emerged from the little cave she had rested in, still rubbing her eyes as they adjusted to the sunlight.
"Good Morning" they both answered while Link got up from Miphas lap and started cooking a small breakfast.
"I hope you have slept as well as I did Mipha."
"I actually took on Link's guard, so I haven't slept this night."
Zelda raised an eye brow
"How comes? Did you actually convince him to take a nap?"
At this point Link spoke up from the campfire watching over a few mushrooms skewers.
"No, she sung me a lullaby and I fell asleep in an instant."
Zelda looked a bit startled while Mipha chuckled in her fist.
"You sung him a lullaby and he fell asleep?"
Mipha nodded as she continued chuckling.
"Can you teach me that?"
"I am sorry Zelda but that technique is secret to the princesses of the Zora royal family." Mipha answered while she still chuckled.
"You know that I am to nice to let anyone of you walk while I ride the horse." Link said as he handed a skewer to Zelda and an hylian bass to Mipha while he ate a skewer himself.
At this point Zelda to started chuckling and they continued their breakfast in a lightly mood.
As they were finished they started to pack up the camp and began the ascend of the Sahasra Slope.
It took them around two hours to climb it. As reached the top they followed the little road that led them directly into the village.
When they entered the village they were greeted by two guards who brought the three directly to Impas house. Link knocked on the door and opened as soon he heard Impas voice.
Impa sat on her usual spot as she watched the three enter.
"Welcome back Link. So it is true what we thought. Two days ago we all were woken in the middle of the night by terrible screams echoing from Hyrule Castle, and suddenly a golden light shining over the entire sky. So I assume you have completed your mission?"
"Yes I have Impa, and I like to reintroduce you two of our beloved princesses. Princess Zelda of Hyrule and Princess Mipha of Zoras Domain"
Impas eyes wandered around her three guests.
"You three have a lot to explain. But sit down first. I will get us some tea."
They spent the entire rest of the morning and a good part of the midday explaining to Impa what they had done and what they were planning to do.
Zelda would remain here in Kakariko and start organizing the restoration of the Kingdom of Hyrule.
Link and Mipha would make there way to Zoras Domain. This was for two reasons.
Obviously Link wanted to share the news that Mipha is alive again with her people and her family. And also they would ask King Dorephan to assist Zelda in the restoration.
Link filled up his stocks before he and Mipha made their way to where they left the horse. Zelda accompanied them on this part.
"Link. I want to thank you again. You have done so much for me and for Hyrule. I hope I can trust on you for helping me again if I need you."
"Of course you can Zelda. I think I speak for Mipha and me if I say that you can always count on our help if you need us."
"He is right Zelda. You can always count on us."
"Thank you. You both."
Zelda hugged both of them.
"Have a good journey you too."
Zelda waved them of as they rode out of Kakariko. They waved back until they disappeared behind the next curve.
"Are you happy to return home again?"
"Yes, but I am more eager to see my father and brother again. How do you think will they react?"
"They will be more than thrilled to have you back. They think about you each day and miss you. Don't worry , it will be fine."
Link noticed how Mipha tightened her grip around his waist as she pressed herself closer to his back.
Without someone walking next to them they could be much faster on horseback and made a good distance as they rode through the Lanayru Wetlands. Link had noticed that the Lizalfos and Bokoblins here all were gone. Maybe the Zoras attacked them after he defeated Ganon he thought. Shortly before they reached Inogo Bridge Link stopped the horse and turned around.
"Mipha, I know you are thrilled to seeing your family but we have to stop here shortly."
"Okay, but why?"
Link got down from the horse and searched in on of the bags until he took out an hylian clothing set.
"Could you please disguise yourself until we met your father and brother? The Zoras will definitely recognize you and I don't want to cause any trouble on the way there.
Mipha looked a bit skeptical but still took the clothes from Link and put them on. It was just a basic hylian outfit with a hylian hood to conceal her tailfin.
"You look perfect. Now we can continue."
Mipha looked a bit shy as she climbed onto the horse behind him and again grabbed on tight on his waist. With that they continued and shortly after reached Inogo Bridge.
Just as they were going to pass they heard a voice from one of the towers.
"LINK!"
They both looked up to a giant red Zora who waived to them. He jumped down from the platform and landed with a elegant twist.
"I have been waiting for days here in the hope of meeting you. We saw Vah Ruta activating and heard massive screams from the castle. Those that mean that you finally got him?"
"Yes I did, Sidon. Ganon is no more."
As Link mentioned the name Sidon he heard a little yelp from behind him and noticed how Mipha drew herself even closer to his back.
"Haha! I knew it, I just knew it that you would defeat that thing. That is a reason to celebrate. You finally avenged my sister. By the way, who is that you are bringing with you?"
"About that Sidon, I can't explain it now. I need to talk with you and your father about this as soon as possible. Trust me this person will bring you no harm."
"Okay if you trust them I will to. I will go and arrange that meeting as soon as you enter Zoras Domain. We have cleared they way from the Lizalfos after we thought Ganon was eliminated so they will do you no harm. See you later then."
With that words Sidon jumped high into the air and dove into the water below the bridge and made his way up the river.
Link started riding across the bridge as Mipha spoke up, her voice shaking from excitement
"That was Sidon ? That was my little brother ?"
"Yes that was your brother. I thought we might meet him here .That is why I told you to put on those clothes so early."
"He has become so big. He was so little as I last saw him..."
"Don't worry. You can still have a lot of fun now and get back to those old times. He will love to see you again. I promise."
Again Mipha cuddled closer to his back.
The rest of the ride remained uneventful. The Zoras have cleared a lot of the way so they had no problems riding up to the Great Zora Bridge. Link left his horse in the hands of a few Zoras who had build a little stable for visitors and crossed the bridge together with Mipha, who hid behind his back.
As soon as they met the first Zoras link was greeted warmly and congratulated for his defeat of Calamity Ganon.
More and more Zoras gathered around him and congratulated him as Link and Mipha made their way up a set of stairs where they stood before the statue of Mipha that was erected in memorial of her by her father the king.
Mipha stayed there and looked at the statue.
"They really missed me, haven't they?"
"Yes they have. Your brother and farther have visited this statue every day to remember you. Just imagine their reaction when they find out that you are alive. Are you ready for that?"
"I don't think I will ever be so just get it done."
With that they climbed the last steps to the throne room were they were greeted by King Dorephan and his son Prince Sidon.
"Ah Link, I am happy to great you once more. My son has already told me what happened. Congratulations on your defeat of Calamity Ganon. With that Hyrule is finally free again."
"Thank you, your majesty. I come in official mission from princess Zelda and shall ask you if you can support her in the giant burden which is the restoration of hyrule."
"Of course I will. Princess Zelda has done so much for us, this is the least I can offer in return. I will send a few of my best Zoras as soon as I can.
Now that that is settled my son also told me that you wanted to speak to us in private about that visitor you brought with you."
"Yes your majesty. It would be to complicated and would probably take to long to explain it so I will leave it to my good friend here to introduce herself."
With that Link took a step to the side and Mipha stepped forward. Sidon and King Dorephan both looked at her , curious for who that visitor might be. She stood there for a good minute until she brought up the courage and lifted her hood.
Both Sidon and King Dorephans eyes widened as their mouths seemingly dropped to the floor as Mipha revealed herself.
"Hello farther, hello brother."
They both stared in awe at her not believing what they saw. Mipha started nervously playing with her tailfin as King Dorephan moved from his throne. He nearly fell to the ground as he almost ran towards his daughter.
"Mipha my dear. Is that really you?"
"Yes father. I am back."
With those words Kind Dorephan grabbed her and pulled her in a bear like hug as he kneeled before her.
"I have missed you so much. I thought about you every day. Every day single day since you left for that divine beast. I never thought that I would get a chance like this. How is this even possible?"
"You have to ask Link for that. He knows the full story."
King Dorephan continued to hug her for a good time until he slowly released her from his giant grip.
Miphas gaze wandered to her left where her brother moved ever so slowly towards her as he started running and almost tackled her to the ground as he also took her in a big hug.
"I have missed you sister. So much" Sidon cried in her shoulder.
"I know it must have been hard for you. But I am back now so everything is going to be okay." Mipha whispered as she gently stroke his tailfin to calm him down.
This also continued for a few minutes until Sidons subs succeeded and he got up from his sister, which he had pinned to the ground by his sheer size and sat down. Mipha got up from the ground and sat next to him as King Dorephan once again spoke up.
"So Link, how exactly is this possible?"
All eyes turned to Link who had been silently standing near the entrance during the whole time. He got nearer and sat himself beside Mipha as he started to explain.
"As I defeated the Calamity a spirit that lives in the Mastersword spoke up. It said it was a direct servant to the Godess Hylia and wanted to convey a message. Apparently the Godess has granted every hero a wish from the bottom of his heart when they have defeated the evil they were summoned for.
So she wanted to do the same for me. The spirit said for some heroes it had been hard even for the Godess to decide directly what they wished for, but for me it seemed crystal to her for what I wanted.
The spirit returned to the sword and as I observed the surroundings I noticed a red spot in the middle of the grass. I ran towards it and found Mipha sleeping there. That's it."
Kind Dorephan and Sidon listened carefully as Link explained his story. After that King Dorephan once again spoke up.
"So the fact that my beautiful daughter is reunited with as is thanks for your great service in defeating Ganon?"
"Well to be exactly the Godess had mercy with me and granted me a wish but..."
"The Godess would have never granted you that if you would have not defeated the calamity. Link you are responsible that my beloved daughter is again living and breathing and I don't know how I can every repay you for that." Kind Dorephan answered as he grabbed Link and pulled him into a big bear hug.
"Thank you, Link"
"No problem" he mumbled as Dorephan pressed the air out of his lungs.
He sat Link down shortly after that.
"We need to announce that to everyone. Common."
King Dorephan stood up, as did Sidon and Mipha as they all went to the top of the stairs leading to the throne room, while King Dorephan started speaking to the whole Domain which had gathered at the foot of the stairs.
"People of Zoras Domain. Today is a great day. A day worthy of a becoming a holiday. Not only did our hero Link return victorious from Hyrule Castle, where he vanquished the Calamity that scourged our lands for years but he also reunited us with someone we all thought would be lost forever.
The Hero has reunited us with our beloved princess Mipha!"
With that words the crowd erupted into screaming and applauding. They all couldn't believe what had happened. Even the old ones danced around in celebration.
"This is a day of happiness and celebration, so bring out the foods and music. From this day forward this shall be the Holiday of the Hero!" the King shouted as the crowd followed his words.
Link stood next to the king and observed the whole scene as Mipha stepped before him.
"This is a great day Link. Thank you. I can finally be together with the ones I love."
"You don't need to thank me. Either way I was going to reunite you with your family."
Mipha looked a bit angry at him after he finished.
"What? Have I said something dumb?"
"I said I am happy to be reunited with the ones I love. That does include my family but overall it includes you my dear !" she said as she pouted at him.
Link realizing what he said was a bit surprised but played with it.
"Okay, so how can I compensate you for my harsh words?"
"A dance or two would be nice. But first close your eyes."
Link did as asked and Mipha used that opportunity to shove him into a little basin of water next to where he stood.
He was pretty surprised as he landed in the water and heard Mipha giggling. As she wanted to help him up Link took her hand and pulled her into the basin with him. They both couldn't stop laughing. They were still childs in their hearts.
Link finally got up and pulled Mipha to her feet and in his arms.
"I love you Mipha."
"I love you too, Link"
And with that they kissed. They went down to the party hand in hand as both of them glowed from happiness from finally being reunited with their soulmate.
And with that the party started and went long into the rest of the day and the early night.
Im sorry that it took so long but as expected my laptop didn't work and also I catched a pretty severe cold and just couldn't write anything. I hope this chapter makes up for the long wait and as always I am eager to hear your opinion on my little story. Goodbye :D
