Chapter 7 – A golden afternoon

Link crawled through the high grass as he neared himself the Lizalfos outpost they were attacking. Three of them stood guard on their watchtowers while at least eight more of them were in their main camp. Link and the Zoras had stayed silent while they eliminated the other scouts on the way. This was the last camp they would have to clear. They wanted to avoid being detected by the Lizalfos so they would try to stay silent for the rest of their mission.

He crawled forward until he was in a suitable position from where Link could see all three watchtowers. They would have to take them out at the same time to avoid being detected. Link grabbed his bow and loaded it with an arrow while he waited for the signal to attack. The sun stood high in the sky which made it harder for the group to stay undetected, but was also much safer then rain if they would be detected for the Lizalfos usage of electric arrows.

He and the other Zoras all listened closely. Apart from the wind rushing though the grass he was hiding in, and the grunts from the Lizalfos nothing much could be heard. Link was prepared to attack any time and just waited for the whistle hat was their signal. He immediately sprung up from the grass as he heard it and fired his arrow at the Lizalfos on the left tower. The same was done by the Zoras around him who also hid in the high grass. The Lizalfos were quickly dispatched.

The corpses fell down onto the ground and were hid in the tall grass. Since the calamity had been defeated, Ganons Minions also no longer vanish into purple smoke anymore. After the bodies had been hid the team began crawling forwards as long as the grass concealed them. After that they used the surrounding trees and rocks as cover while they slowly got closer to the campsite. Link had been able to overpower a careless guard who came to close to his position which leaves seven Lizalfos in the camp. As he looked onto the other side of the path ,they had been avoiding, he saw one of the Zoras take out another one. That leaves six. The group came closer and closer to the campsite. If they wouldn't be detected now they could overpower the remaining Lizalfos with ease. But it didn't go so easy as Link suddenly heard a scream from behind. Two Lizalfos, who had hid somewhere out of the groups sight, had attacked on of the Zora Guards. The scream alerted the remaining Lizalfos. At this point their stealth approach was over and Link sprang up and drew his sword while giving orders to the guards. He immediately took of towards the attacked Zora.

He came just in time to block a hit with his shield that would have stabbed her in the back. He parried another hit as the two Lizalfos danced around in some kind of intimidation attempt. Link used this to sprint attack the one and cut him down. Before the other one even realised what had happened he was impaled by a Zoran spear thrown by the guard Link had protected. He made sure the two were dead as he sprinted towards the main camp were the other ones had already began the fight. Altough there stealth approach didn't quite work they eliminated the Lizalfos with ease. Link and the Zora Guards were to close for them to effectively use their electric arrows and so the last Lizalfos camp in the area was wiped out.

It was around midday as the last meeting ended. The counselors left the throne room one by one leaving the king with his two children.

"So , what is your opinion on this? Have we sent the right Zoras to support Princess Zelda?" King Dorephan asked shifting in his throne to a more comfortable position.

"I agree with you Farther. Our Architects are the best in all of hyrule and will definitely be of help to Princess Zelda." Sidon said as he looked through a few papers he was holding. They had just commissioned the the troop which would help princess Zelda in rebuilding the kingdom of Hyrule.

Dorephan let out a sound of agreement. His son had always been more accepting of his fathers decisions as king. That wasn't a bad thing and Dorephan still held him in high regards. But he was also interested in what his long lost daughter had to say to the matter at hand.

"And what do you think, Mipha?"

Mipha looked up from the ground to meet her farther's gaze before she answered.

"Like Sidon I mostly agree with you farther. Our architects are the best in hyrule but in my opinion we should have send more masons. Most of the bricks inside Hyrule Castle are heavily damaged. They simply cannot be used anymore, so we need to get new blocks." She answered.

"I would also try to establish a way of fast communication with Kakariko, to clear out any problems that might occure in the future." Mipha added.

Dorephan stroke his chin as he thought about what his daughter had said. Altough she wasn't quite back into the politics of this time she already had been a great help this day. Ultimately he trusted her word as much as he trusted Sidons.

"I agree with you Mipha. Could you finish up the required paperwork and send the masons you think fit the job best towards Kakariko Village and establish a direct courier service?"

"Yes of course farther." She answered as she once again lowered her glance.

The event from last night was still chewing on her. She tried her best to hide it but it seems as her farther had already picked up that something wasn't right with her as he spoke once again to her.

"Mipha my dear. I can sense that something isn't right with you today. Let the meetings wait for now. What is wrong?" he said in a soft voice addressing his first born daughter.

Mipha knew she had been caught and fiddled with her tail fin as she thought about what to say. Sidon by now had looked up from his papers and glanced over to his sister who was seemingly nervous. It took her a bit until she started talking.

"Last night hasn't really been pleasant." Mipha said while she continued fiddling with her fin. It took her quite some courage to talk about it. Dorephan and Sidon listened closely as she moved on.

"I was awoken in the middle of the night by a terrible scream which turned out to be Link. He sat in the middle of our slumber pool just screaming and crying. I went over to him and tried to calm him down. He was completely lost and screaming in fear. I have never saw him like this. It was pure fear I could see in his eyes." she explained. At this point Mipha had stopped fiddling with her fin and just pulled it against her like a pillow.

"It turned out he had a very realistic nightmare of how I found my end inside of Vah Ruta a hundred years ago. His description was so detailed, it was as if he had been really there. He was forced to watch the whole scene unfold. I can't even imagine what he was feeling in that moment..." Her voice turned more into a mumble as her gaze went towards the ground. Sidon and Dorephan were both a bit shocked. They have never seen Link scared but hearing that he was literally screaming in fear made them both uneasy. Sidon went over to his sister and comforted her.

"I am sorry to hear that Mipha. If you need anyone to talk with you always know where you can find me." Dorephan said as he apologized to Mipha. A look of sadness covering his face.

"The same is for me sister. I am always happy to help both of you if you need me." Sidon added.

Mipha had been touched by their reaction and felt more on ease with the situation, knowing that she could always count on her family to support her and Link.

"Thank you. Both of you." She mumbled.

"No need to thank us. I would gladly help both of you after what you experienced. But I must admit that it is pretty strange for Link to have such a detailed dream about such a specific event..." Dorephan was lost in thoughts as the royal guard announced the next meeting.

"Well no time to dwell on that now. Your okay with that Mipha.?"

"Yes, of course farther." Mipha answered, relieved that her family was willing to help her. Sidon went back to his place and the guards let in the next counselors.

They had spent most of the afternoon clearing the remains of the camps and removing the blockades the Lizalfos had put up. Now that they would not return anymore one could finally put an end to this mess. Link was happy to lend a hand, even tough he was the one assigned as captain. He tried to integrate himself and helped where he could.

During that he also learned a lot about the people he was working with. They very much appreciated his work and respected him very much. Link couldn't shake of the feeling that some even admired him. After all he was the chosen carrier of the mastersword, defeated Ganon, and brought their long lost princess back.

They all were thrilled to work with him from now on. During their work many asked him various questions about his journey. He answered them truthfully but like one knows from him shortly. It was around dawn as they decided to leave it for today. They would complete the rest of the road in the following days and headed back towards the Domain.

Link waved of most of the Zoras as they sprang into the water and swam the rest of the way, while he and two guards walked the way back. He stayed to himself, as they wandered up the slopes and curves towards the domain. Now that the Lizalfos were no threat anymore the roads could be repaired. It would ease the way of travelling to the domain on foot and will probably bring more trade and tourists.

He enjoyed walking on such a nice sunny day where the temperature was just right and the wind soft. Maybe he could go on a little walk with Mipha, he thought. That would probably be a nice way to spend the evening. After the last night he wanted her to relax a bit. He felt guilty about the worry he had caused her and wanted to apologize. He had a few ideas on how he would manage that.

For the rest of the way Link was lost in thoughts. Not that it would change something in his talkativity. After around half an hour they reached the Great Zora Bridge where Link parted ways with the guards who escorted him back and made his way over to the domain on his own.

Mipha had loaded of the papers, she was given, at their home and walked over towards the entry of the domain. Link should soon bee returning and she wanted him to get a warm welcome. Many Zoras greeted Mipha as she walked past them. Altough being quite shy she had adjusted to that by now and greeted them back. It was a nice feeling seeing all those people so enthusiastic. It made her smile. But more so was Link.

She had settled in one of the gazebos near the entrance from where she could overlook the entire bridge. It was still a bit early so maybe he would need a while, she thought as she layed her head on the railing and kept watching. Some birds were chirping in the distance and the wind blow gently across the lake beneath her.

The water in the gazebo had a pleasant temperature and Mipha enjoyed the view even more as a single figure, dressed in a blue tunic with a bag over its shoulder, came across the stood up from her position as Link came closer and waved at him. He noticed her and waved back while he walked towards her. Mipha sat down and waited at him.

Link came up the ramp shortly after and was greeted by a wonderful smile.

"Welcome back my dear." Mipha said before she pulled him in a loving hug.

"I didn't expect you to bee here. I hope you haven't waited long." Link answered as he sat down next to her.

"Not at all. The meetings with farther ended around half an hour ago. I have dropped some paperwork at home and after that went here."

Link relaxed more after hearing that. He put one arm around her as he laid back in the gazebo and closed his eyes to relax in the golden rays of sunlight. A few seconds after this he suddenly noticed how Mipha had pulled up his tunic.

"Might I ask what you are doing there?" He said in a surprised tone.

"Looking for injuries." Mipha answered as she examined his chest. All looked normal. The only things she could see where his many scars. No fresh wounds to be seen. She let his tunic down again, relieved to not have found any life threatening injuries.

"Do you have any injuries you want me to take care of?" she asked starring him deeply into his eyes.

"No I don't." he answered, while he returned her gaze.

Mipha continued starring at him with her amber coloured eyes before she asked him once more.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." he answered again.

With that Mipha ended her exam...for now. She didn't fully trust him on the injury matter and would look at him again when they go to sleep. But for now she was relieved that nothing serious happened to him.

"Well if you have finished your exam would you be up for a little walk?" Link asked her.

"Of course. The weather is just perfect for that. But we should first drop your stinking armor at home." she said sheepishly.

"That rubber material just keeps everything in. And it smells horrible when wet." he defended himself.

"Alright I got it. Lets keep that for later. Its not really romantic talking about your smelling armor." Mipha laughed as she accepted Links hand, who pulled her to her feet.

The couple dropped of Links stinking bag at their house and walked over in the direction of East Reservoir Lake. They hadn't much choice where to walk since King Dorephan restricted Mipha from leaving Zoras Domain. They went past a few guards who greeted them and enjoyed their walk and the company of the other while they talked about their day.

Link talked down his fight with the Lizalfos, but Mipha saw through his trick. She knew in what danger he had been and was just happy he was, as far as she knew by now, unharmed. He told her of the clearing of the road and the work that he and the guards would complete in the following days.

Mipha for her part told Link about the delegation of Zora workers they had sent off to support Princess Zelda and of the other meetings she attended as counselor to her farther. However she hid the fact that she told her brother and farther about Links nightmare. She didn't want Link to feel vulnerable around them. She knew he didn't like others to know from his emotional outbreaks. He still tried to hide them from her. So Mipha kept quiet on that and Link didn't seem to notice it.

After a short walk they reached the staircase leading up to East Reservoir Lake. Thats when Link shortly stopped. And asked her something.

"Mipha, could you do me a favour and close your eyes?" he said to her with a little grin on his face.

Mipha knew he had planned something but wasn't quite sure what it was so she agreed to him. Shortly after she had closed her eyes she felt something kicking her legs away before she landed in Links arms and opened her eyes again, only to be met with a childishly grinning Link.

"I will get you back for that, I promise you." she said to him as they both started laughing.

Link continued grinning like a child as he carried his princess up the stairs. On top of them he turned around and they both had an amazing view at Zoras Domain, shimmering in the late afternoon sun. Even from up here the Zora architecture looked stunningly beautiful, and it would look so even more once the luminous stones started shining in the night.

Mipha looked up from her comfy position to see Links fascinated look of the scenery before him. He looked so stunned and at the same time so gorgeous she thought. She simply couldn't believe her luck as she reached out with one hand and stroke his cheek to reassure her this wasn't a dream. He looked down to her and was met with a loving smile of his dear lover. Miphas heart started beating more and more as Link himself gave her a beautiful smile. One full of love. He too still couldn't believe with what a luck he had been blessed.

Link starred deep into her amber eyes to find a gaze of pure love looking back up into his sky-blue coloured eyes, before he leaned in to kiss her. Mipha eagerly returned the kiss as a warm feeling spread through her entire body. They both were truly blessed. Blessed by a Godess.

So I changed my strategy in writing this chapter a bit. I hope it looks better when I actually have a plan what I am doing. I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, and if you did please let me now via a review. I appreciate all the feedback I have become for this story and I am very happy to continue writing it.