Chapter 11 – The Plan
The Sun shun above the rim of the blue rocks surrounding the Domain as Mipha opened her eyes, a yawn escaping her mouth. The memories of the last night came into her mind as she found the sleeping Hylian still closely cuddled next to her. She could feel his warm breath on her skin. A smile played across her face.
Normally he was the first one to awake in the morning and the last one to fall asleep in the evening, so she did not often get the opportunity to watch him sleep. He looked so innocent and happy. As if nothing in the world could concern him. Mipha came closer and gave him a kiss on the forehead. She could see how his lips curved slightly upwards while he stirred in his sleep, turning on his back. Mipha didn't want to lose the comfortable warmth of his body, so she crawled on top of Link and laid down on his chest. He was so big in comparison to her. She had no problem fitting on him at all as she drew the blanket over them and rested her head on his breast.
She could hear his heart beating in his chest and felt his lungs rising with every breath he took. It was so calming for her to get moments like these. That she can finally be together with him. It still feels like a dream to her.
Another movement of him drew her attention to his face. His eyes fluttered a bit as he opened them, adjusting to the sunlight which came through the window. Mipha brought one of her hands to his face and removed a few strains of hair. As Links eyes had adjusted to the light he looked down his chest to be met with the smiling Zora laying on top of him.
"Good Morning Link"
"Good Morning Mipha. Have I been comfortable?"
She chuckled a bit as she put her head down again on his chest before she answered.
"Pretty much."
A smile came up on the Hylians face as he put his arms around the back of Mipha, pulling her ever so close to him. They remained in this position enjoying the peaceful silence until they were interrupted by the growling of Links stomach. They both began laughing as Mipha climbed down from Link so he could stand up and begin with his morning workout.
Mipha meanwhile stretched a bit before she threw a random glance at Link. Seeing his bare muscles in action always made her heart race.
With all the willpower she could bring up she averted her eyes and went into her closet where she hid her bright red face behind her hands and squealed slightly in excitement. This went on for about a minute before Mipha got most of her composure back and began dressing. Link had been done with his workout and got dressed himself. They both met at the little table after a Zora had brought them their breakfast. Link had gotten more and more accustomed to the taste of fish. He hadn't disliked it to begin with but now he liked it even more. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that a master chef makes the food he and Mipha eat.
After they were finished they left the room, walking through the many different hallways of the palace leading to the main entrance. There they kissed each other goodbye before Mipha went towards the throne room and Link towards the barracks.
In his mind Link was already occupied with the amounts of paperwork he would have to deal with. Since he began working as Captain the paperwork had become significantly lesser. He still had a lot to catch up on though. As he walked down the hallway he could hear footsteps from behind. As he turned around he was greeted by a friendly Sidon waving at him.
"Good Morning Link. I am sorry to disturb you, but do you have a moment?" he asked Link as he reached him.
"I have always time for you. What's the matter." he replied.
Sidon took a deep breath before he began. "You remember as you first came here to Zoras Domain to free Vah Ruta? Me and my farther knew you would free her, but we also knew that you needed assistance. That's why we gave you the armor my sister made." He started.
"Yes I remember that."
"I assume you also know the meaning of such a gift by now, do you?"
As Sidon said that it suddenly clicked for Link. His face was filled with shock as he realised the problem. "I still have the armor in my bag... and Mipha does not know that I have it."
"Exactly. Now don't worry, we have a plan." Sidon said reassuring as he put both of his massive hands on Links shoulders. Link stretched his neck to look into the Zoras eyes before Sidon continued.
"Just distract her. You two have a free day tomorrow. Bring her out f the palace somehow and I will put the armor back where it was. Keep her busy for the entire day and then return and everything will be fine, trust me." Sidon said with a grin on his face.
Link was still a bit shocked that he didn't think of this, but knew Sidon was right and so he agreed to his plan. A grin spread across Sidons face as he patted Link on the back, nearly throwing him over.
Link could regain his balance in the last moment. He was still a bit unsure about the plan but nevertheless returned the grin to the big Zoran prince. After that they both said their goodbyes and went on their ways. As Link turned around a glimpse of red behind one of the pillars caught his attention. He stood still and turned towards that pillar, but found nothing there. Link shrugged it off and turned towards the barracks.
The day went on with Link sitting in his office trying to fight the feared papertower. But to his surprise the tower had neither grown over night, nor over the time he was working on it. And because of that Link managed to do the unthinkable and finished his paperwork.
For the first time since he worked as Captain of the Guard he could actually do something else then paperwork. He got up from his seat and stretched his sore muscles. He glanced out the window onto the courtyard looking for something to do with his new won time.
It was a sunny day outside and a many Zoras were visible on the training field or walking towards the barracks. In the far corner he could make out a group of new recruits who where being instructed by Zelas. Another group was being led by Talis who observed a few sparring matches. And on the side of the field he could see Nahru standing on the edge of the platform seemingly looking down in the water. Link was wondering what she was doing there. She didn't seem like the kind of person who would daydream. Especially not during her duty. So he decided to go over to her.
He left his office and made his way through the crowd. He got greeted by the guards he was passing bye. A troop of them just left the courtyard for the shift rotation. He greeted everyone back politely while he walked over to the side of the yard. Link stopped a meter away from her before he greeted her.
"Hello Nahru."
The Zoran women spun around in surprise as she heard his voice and made haste to bring out a reply and a salute.
"Oh, good day Captain. What are you doing out here, if I may ask?"
"That was exactly what I wanted to ask you. I finally caught up with the paperwork and decided to look around the place a bit as I saw you standing here on the rim looking down." Link replied.
Nahru looked a bit puzzled as she pointed with one finger towards the water as she began talking. "I am observing the swimming training. Even though we are Zoras we still need to be in top form in every aspect. That also includes swimming."
Link followed her outstretched finger. As he looked down into the water he could see a squad of Zoras, seemingly recruits making all kinds of swimming exercises or followed a parcour consisting of rings mounted to the the floor of the lake. He had thought about the fact that Zoras also may need to exercise in swimming but it never actually came to his mind.
"It just looked a bit strange from my office. Unfortunately that is one of the few parts where I cannot help you organise the training. Your swimming skills are on a whole different level than mine."
"That may be the fact but I think you are still better than a normal Hylian. Also because you have been trained by a Zora to swim, am I right?"
"Yeah that is true." Link said as he fell in his thoughts. The memories of his swimming lessons with Mipha unfortunately were extremely blurry. He still hasn't recovered a good part of his memories. As he was thinking the voice of Nahru came in his mind as he quickly snapped out of his thoughts.
"...so you could ask Lady Mipha."
Link just replied with a simple yes, not completely sure what she had been talking about as the thought crossed his mind. This would kill three birds with one stone.
"Nahru you're a genius." He simply said as he turned around and walked back towards the crowd. Nahru gave him the perfect idea. He had to wait to the evening so he wanted to have a look at what the other captains were doing. A bit perplexed Nahru just answered with a "Ehm, thank you?" before she slowly turned her attention back to the recruits in the lake.
The rest of the day went over without anything meaningful happening. Link closed the door to his office in the evening. He greeted the night shift as he began walking towards the entry hall of the palace. The luminous stones embedded in the walls where shining their blue light across his path. He glanced out a window as he passed it and saw the beautiful night sky with its silver shining stars above. It reminded him of the silver jewelry Mipha was wearing while a smile played across his lips.
After a few minutes he reached the entry hall where he and Mipha parted each morning and would meet up again in the evening. The room in itself consisted out of the great door leading towards the domain and the one leading to the throne room. Hallways and doors dotted the floor level. A few staircases winded their way up the walls ending in galleries with even more doors and hallways leading to the different parts of the palace. And then their was the path leading towards the throne room, which was decorated with all kinds of spires,statues and fountains. As all the other parts in the domain this hall sends out an aura of serenity, Link thought as he stood next to one of the pillars carrying the galleria above.
It wasn't as busy as during the day but in addition to the usual guards a few Zoras still walked through the hall, following their duties. Some of them greeted him as they passed him. Links gaze wandered across the scenery as he waited. It didn't take long until he could her soft footsteps approaching him, as he had just looked towards the entrance. He turned around towards the throne room and saw Mipha coming towards him. She looked a bit exhausted as she came towards him. They met in the middle of the hall and both wrapped their arms around each other before they shared a soft kiss. Mipha was the one who broke it first before she leaned her head against his torso.
"You look tired." was all Link brought out.
An agreeing "Mhm" came from the Zora princess as she remained with her face cuddled to his torso.
"Then come on, lets go to bed early today." he whispered in her ear.
Mipha took her head of his torso and grabbed his hand while the two made their way towards the bedroom. On the way Mipha told Link the reason of her exhaustion. Basically a lot of tedious work concerning the re establishment of the Kingdom of Hyrule and many other organisation matters had been brought up today in countless meetings. Her farther had to end the matter and move it to the next day or otherwise she would still be sitting in the throne room.
Link listened patently while he was walking. As they reached the room the smell of fresh fish filled their noses. The two sat down to eat a bit before they changed for the night. Mipha came out of her dressing room and plummed head first into her pillow. She turned on her back as a bit of pain shot through her arm and she began rubbing her shoulder.
"Are your shoulders stiff?" Link asked her as he changed into a simple shirt and short pants for the night.
"A bit. I sat nearly the entire day cramped in between mountains of papers." she replied as she put her hands back to her side.
"I can help you with that if you want." Link said as he sat down on the bed. "Just turn on your stomach."
Mipha did as he told her and turned on her stomach. She could feel the waves in the waterbed as Link kneeled over her, his knees right beside her, and began massaging her stiff shoulders and her back.
Mipha was in bliss. His hands worked wonders on her stiff shoulders and she basically melted into his hands. Her back felt so warm as she moaned into her pillow. Her face turned red, but Link couldn't see it from his position. He continued going down her back and up again to her shoulders.
"You are really good at this..." Mipha stammered into her pillow as Link took his hands from her and laid next to her.
"Thank you." he simply said as he pulled the blanket over them.
Miphas face was still red from embarrassment. She laid with her back towards Link as he drew the blanket over them. Mipha could feel his arm as he put it around her waist. She snuggled herself closer to him before she closed her eyes.
"Good night."
"Good night."
Yes I am still living, your eyes do not deceive you. I just suffered a bit from writers block. Originally this chapter should be a bit longer but before I leave you waiting any longer I will split it. I also noticed a big number of new favourites, followers and views so for whoever is new your welcome. As usual if you want to give me feedback write a review. If you want me to answer it you shouldn't write an anonymus one. So thats it. Thank you for still sticking with this story and see you in the next chapter. Good by :D
