Mipha stood to greet Queen Hylia as she approached.
"Queen Hylia…" she said. "It is an honour to meet you."
"I assure you, the honor is all mine." Queen Hylia responded. As she reached Mipha, she took her wrinkled hand in hers and knelt slightly to kiss it. Mipha accepted the gesture: she could not help but feel the warmth radiating from Queen Hylia, as if she were the goddess herself.
Queen Hylia went to take a seat beside Mipha, as she sat back down.
"Please allow me to be the first to say just how humbled I am that you have come here, to Hyrule Castle." Queen Hylia said. "You are the last surviving Champion. An everlasting symbol of peace among the people of Hyrule. The fact that you have emerged after all these years, when Hyrule faces its greatest threat: the significance of this is not lost on me or my people"
The two, sat side by side, was exactly how Mipha and Princess Zelda had sat all those years ago. When she studied her face, Mipha could see traces of her old friend within Queen Hylia. They had the same radiant hair, even though Queen Hylia was a little grayer.
"Queen Hylia," Mipha started. "It's such a shame that our first meeting has taken place under such dire circumstances. I've just come from Zora's Domain myself...I know well the problems that we are all facing. It is...a dire situation indeed."
"I'm sorry, Lady Mipha," Queen Hylia sighed. "I cannot imagine how painful it is to know that your own people are the key aggressors in this rapidly escalating conflict. Had the shoe been on the other foot…"
Mipha could feel the weight and the gravity of the situation weighing down on them, thickening the very air that they breathed. She knew she had to choose her words carefully. She did not represent the Zora in any official capacity, but she did represent peace. "Queen Hylia, any pain that I feel right now when I think that my people could be responsible for a new Calamity, one wrought upon ourselves...it is pain that easily fades away in the face of the responsibility and the task I have ahead of me." she spoke, looking to the spot where the butterflies used to dance. "I have always fought for peace in our time. And though my own time is running short, as long as there is life in this aged, near broken body of mine, then I will continue to fight for peace. I will fight, and fight, and fight...until there is nothing left, Queen Hylia."
"Lady Mipha…" Queen Hylia said quietly. "...We must come to understand the facts before us, then. From there we can decide on a suitable course of action. Can you walk?"
With a little effort, Mipha stood up again, resting on her ornate cane for balance.
Queen Hylia stood, and offered her arm to Mipha. She was much taller than Mipha when standing, and as Mipha accepted the offer, she rested her weight on a strong and sturdy arm: one that beneath the silk robe seemed to hint at a battle-trained arm.
Arm in arm, they slowly strolled around the garden.
"So you were at Zora's Domain recently then, is that correct?" Queen Hylia asked. Mipha nodded. "I take it you will have a better grip on the issues than myself. Please, furnish me with the latest information."
"It is a two-fold problem as I understand it, Queen Hylia" Mipha started. "Vah Ruta is one of them. Repherhan has been gripped by this... mania: a form of poisoned pride that has places the Zora above all others. To that effect, he has banned all non-Zora from entering Vah Ruta. I can't think of any logistical reason as to why he would do this. He offered me none. But the second and more pressing problem facing the domain are the Lynels. They have returned to Ploymus Mountain, and are terrorising Zora's Domain. I…"
The image ran through her head like a bolt of lightning. The dead Zora. The shattered breastplate. The blood. The sickening, shocked expression plastered upon the corpses face…
"Are you okay, Lady Mipha?" Queen Hylia asked. Mipha gulped. Have strength, she thought.
"Yes, I'm okay…" she said. "I have seen the damage the Lynels have caused first hand. To date they have claimed the lives of many Zora. It is no exaggeration. They are truly in grave danger."
"I see…" Queen Hylia hummed.
"Queen Hylia...Repherhan remarked that the Zora have petitioned for aid many times to assist with defeating the Lynels. Is...is this true?" Mipha asked.
"It is, sadly," Queen Hylia confirmed. "We must continue to have access to the Divine Beasts. They were pivotal in preventing the Calamity all those years ago, and we must always remain vigilant for any new threats that could come out of the woodwork. Please understand Lady Mipha: we had to show that being blocked from Vah Ruta is a sleight that we cannot just take. Having said that...I also didn't know that the situation with the Lynels was so grave. How much longer do you think they can hold out?"
Mipha sighed. The two had reached the corner of the garden, and Mipha was studying the small bonsai tree that was growing there. It was still, and reminded her of a simplicity that used to be her past life.
"It is not a question of whether the Zora can hold out, Queen Hylia." Mipha spoke sorrowfully. "It is Repherhan's patience I truly question. You may not know this...but he has issued a summons to all remaining Zora to return to the domain. In two weeks...he attacks."
Even arm in arm, Mipha could feel Queen Hylia stiffening on the spot. "Two weeks…" she uttered. "Lady Mipha...you mean to say had we not found you here and now, then…"
"Please listen to me, Queen Hylia," Mipha said, turning to face her. "We must avoid what is coming at all costs. It is clear that the Lynels are the main threat here: disputes over Vah Ruta can be saved if we can bring Repherhan to the negotiating table. I know what I am about to ask is very bold, but…"
She took a deep breath. This was the moment, she thought, that would either avoid war, or bring it ever closer.
"The Lynels must be defeated. Can the Hylians do this?"
Queen Hylia remained silent, her gaze also on the bonsai tree. The two were no longer linked arm in arm, and stood silently. A gentle wind blew through the air, rustling the garden to life ever so briefly.
"I…do have to consider how this will appear to the layfolk," Queen Hylia hummed. "It is no secret that they know of the Zora's hostility towards us. We must retain public faith in our actions, and yet by reaching out an arm to those who have shut themselves away from us so transparently…hmm…"
Mipha felt that she needed to say something, but came across the same obstacle. She wasn't a true representative of her people anymore. Not like before.
"...What if Repherhan refuses?" Queen Hylia asked suddenly.
"I will speak with him," Mipha replied. "If the Lynels can be purged, there will no doubt be joy in the domain. If Repherhan is so blind as not to see that, then...perhaps he is not fit to rule."
"If that comes to pass…" Queen Hylia spoke solemnly. "...then war will happen. It is inevitable." Queen Hylia closed her eyes and signed. "I suppose it wouldn't matter how our actions would look to the layfolk then. I feel that anything is better than war, especially with those whom we used to be so close to."
"I have seen with my own eyes the destruction the Lynels bring to the Zoras" Mipha said, onve again recalling the corpse of the murdered Zora. "Each death is a sorrowful and mournful occasion, tinged with a sense that it could have all been avoided. If they were to refuse to cooperate, even after the Lynels are defeated...then perhaps they are no longer the Zora I once knew and loved."
Mipha felt Queen Hylia's bejewelled hand rest gently on her shoulder. As she looked up, she saw the once again gentle expression on Queen Hylia's face.
"I understand," Queen Hylia said. "Lady Mipha: grave as our situation is, I believe we can find a peaceful resolution. However, I have a request…"
"A request?" Mipha asked.
"Yes. I will be honest with you: we can absolutely prepare a force and attack the Lynels within two weeks. Our Sheikah researchers have made excellent strides in recent times in keeping our army at the forefront of technology. We can prepare a strike force of our most advanced and capable troops, and teleport them directly to Ploymus Mountain to engage the Lynels head on." she explained. "But we cannot move ahead just yet. Though I do have total authority...I cannot move forward without knowing that the rest of Hyrule follows in my stead. As such...I must convene a meeting of the Royal Council tomorrow morning, and ask you to prepare a speech."
"A...speech?" Mipha asked, slightly incredulous.
"I know it is a bit strange," Queen Hylia explained. "But you are one of the original Champions. A denier of the Calamity. And a true representative of the Zora's plight. If you were able to speak with the Royal Council tomorrow morning, and convince them that this is the right course of action...then we can move as a nation united. Please understand that Hyrule rests in a precarious position right now. Acting rashly could serve to make our position even more precarious"
A true representative, Mipha thought. Could it really be that Queen Hylia saw her as such, despite having not been among her own people for so many years?
"I understand…" Mipha hummed. " A speech to unify Hyrule once again…"
Queen Hylia smiled warmly, knelt down to Mipha's height and looked into her wise eyes.
"You have seen things that none of us could even imagine," she said. "I have every confidence that you will know what to say."
.
.
.
That evening, in her specially prepared quarters, Mipha lay within a bathtub brimming with warm water, beside a window that overlooked the majesty of Hyrule Field. Despite it all, she felt calm. I have every confidence that you will know what to say.
As she gazed out to the field, she saw a farm from the corner of her vision. It was a farm that Mipha knew very well, and as she closed her eyes, she allowed one of her sweetest and happiest memories to come to her...
.
.
.
The ranch was bustling. The centre of the ranch had been cleared out, and a solid wooden panel had been laid out on the floor just for dancing. Surrounding from all sides were tall torches, lighting the evening sky, and just outside the inner ranch gates beside the barns were long tables where the feast was laid. Colourful bunting was hung from all possible places, showering the ranch in a jubilation of colours.
The place was packed with attendees from all four corners of Hyrule. The Gorons, the Rito, the Gerudo, the Zoras and the Hylians: all together in one great melting pot, all sharing the same feeling of complete and utter happiness. The Calamity had been defeated, and it was time to celebrate.
The feast itself was a showcase of Hyrule's finest. Cuisines from all over the land were showcased on the long, wooden table: even Death Mountain's finest rocks were on display, which pleased Daruk to no end. Not to mention the food was plentiful: plate after plate was produced from the adjacent building by Hyrule's finest cooks, filling the bellies of all who were there. They had a little trouble cooking the rocks, but the Gorons didn't seem to notice.
And then there was the dancing. A folk band had been assembled just for the evening, and all through the afternoon and deep into the night, they played song after song, ditty after ditty, which got everyone at one stage or another up into the wooden floor to show off their stuff. The Gerudo, with Urbosa in the lead, demonstrated a traditional dance which wowed the audience. Revali, not one to be outdone himself and somewhat under the influence of the beverages being served, got up and performed a solo dance of his own. Fair play, he tried: the effort did not go unappreciated.
As a sunset-kissed evening transitioned into night, Mipha silently worked up the courage to speak with Link. Her stomach was a pit, and she had hardly finished her plate when her father, King Dorephan, spoke quietly to her.
"Mipha," he said. "Are you okay? You've not touched your rock roast."
"I'm okay, Father," Mipha said in a tone that clearly stated the opposite. King Dorephan noticed that her gaze was firmly fixed on one man in the dancefloor: Link. At that moment, he was busy being flung around by Daruk, who had indulged in numerous casks of Hyrule's finest ales and was now in the mood to dance. Even as he resembled a rag in a hurricane, Mipha still thought Link was beautiful.
"Perhaps you should ask him for a dance when he is next free." King Dorephan said. Mipha quickly spun around to face her father, cheeks flushed red.
"F-father!" She scolded. "Not so loud…"
The song had ended, and as Mipha turned back to look at the dancefloor, she was given a fright. Link had spotted her in the crowd, and was gesturing to her to come and join him.
Oh the gods, she thought. Is this it? She felt her heart freezing up, and her vision got blurry. Slowly, she summoned the energy to stand up, but her nerves were so frayed that even this proved impossible.
Suddenly, Link started to walk towards her. This is it, she thought. We're going to dance together…
"Link!"
Mipha heard the voice faintly through the crowd, but recognised it at once. Just as she felt she was lifting into another state of being, she came crashing down straight away.
It was Zelda.
Link, noticing her voice, stopped in his tracks and turned to the source of the voice. From the crowd of dancers, Zelda emerged, wearing her royal evening wear, though her skirt was pinned up to ensure she didn't trip on the uneven ground. Even Mipha had to admit she looked radiant.
But the chance had gone. Within seconds, Link and Zelda had vanished into the crowd of dancers once again. And to make matters worse, it was a slow dance.
Mipha never forgot the pain of that moment. Watching the two of them linking hands, his hand resting on the nape of her back. Her head slowly came to rest against his shoulder. The two of them, swaying there, like trees in the wind. It was clear to see the two had a deep connection, given all they had been through. Mostly together, Mipha hastened to add. And despite knowing that she and Link had shared moments of their own through the worst of the Calamity, battling side by side with him, she couldn't help as if she had been betrayed somehow.
Meanwhile, Link seemed to close his eyes, and the two appeared to be lost with each other, and lost to her too.
Mipha stood, her plate in hand. "I'll be back, father…" she said sullenly. She then walked, deposited her plate by the table, and despite a few curious onlookers, left the party.
She just wanted to be alone.
There was a small stone platform not far from the ranch, which held up one of the town's flags. It rested on an incline compared to the ranch, allowing anyone who went there to be given a full view of the ranch and all that occurred within it.
The surrounding town was deserted. Mipha decided to walk to the stone platform. Her heart felt heavy and burdened. Sitting down, with the music and the bustle from the ranch still clear enough to hear, she felt hot tears stinging her eyes.
"I'm such a fool," she told herself. "I don't deserve him. This is supposed to be a celebration, and here I am...feeling like this…"
Not once during the battle against the Calamity did she cry, but on this night, she allowed the tears to flow freely.
Time passed. Mipha couldn't face going back to the ranch. It would be clear that she was missing after a while. "Come on Mipha...you must be present for the Zora. No matter how difficult it is…"
"There you are, Mipha!"
Mipha nearly jumped out of her skin. The voice came from behind her, and as she turned, she saw him standing there by the flagpole.
It was Link.
"Link?" Mipha said, quickly rubbing her eyes.
"Mipha... you've been crying." Link noted. To hear him speaking again was so refreshing, considering he'd been near silent during the Calamity. The weight of responsibility had finally melted from his shoulders, and he seemed so much happier for it. Though he was still wearing his old champion's tunic, he seemed like a new man.
"Oh, I'm s-sorry!" she stammered. "It's... it's just such a happy occasion, and I'm easily overwhelmed. Please, bear me no-"
"Hey, listen," Link said calmly, with a smile. "You don't have to explain it. It's been a really tough time. Sometimes you just have to let it out, right?"
Mipha looked to her knees. She noticed Link taking a seat next to her on the edge of the platform, but she still felt sad. She saw what she saw. It was unequivocal: she had lost, and Zelda had won.
"Why are you out here?" Mipha asked, if only to cut the silence.
"Well, between Daruk flinging me around and being forced into dance battles with Revali, I figured I needed a time out. This party isn't going to stop any time soon, so I need to save my energy!"
As Link chuckled, Mipha couldn't help but chuckle too. He had an infectious laugh, and she loved it so. She started to calm a little: even Link's presence was enough to fill her with happiness. She wiped a tear from her eyes and looked up to him.
"I'm still amazed that we're at this point, where all has been said and done," Mipha reflected. "There were so many times when our battles against the Calamity were on a knife edge. I'll be honest...I was prepared for defeat."
"Me too," Link agreed. "It got scary. But I'm trying not to think too much about it now. After all, we've crossed that bridge, and the future's ahead of us."
"The future...how do you plan to spend it?" Mipha asked. Link shrugged.
"Not sure." he said. "I mean, as a knight I'll always be in service to Zelda. There's going to be a lot of repair work going on to get Hyrule back to a state before the war destroyed a lot of it. I imagine I might be playing some part in that, with Zelda at the helm and all. And...how about you?"
"I suppose I'll be preparing to ascend to the throne of Zora's Domain before long," Mipha mused. "I mean, my father isn't close to death, but the passing of the crown often requires a lot of preparation beforehand. Passions can inflame quite easily among the Zora when certain traditions are not adhered to."
"I get it…" Link hummed. "Are you excited?"
"Excited?" Mipha asked.
"Yeah, excited!" Link doubled down. "I mean…you'll be Queen Mipha before long, right? Queen of all the Zoras? Every single last one of them?"
Mipha giggled a little. Hearing Link call her a queen; she failed to hide her blushes.
"Oh Link, stop teasing," she mumbled, smiling at last. "You make it sound like being a monarch is a burden."
"Well excuuuuse me, princess!" Link retorted playfully. The two shared a hearty laugh together, and despite what she had seen earlier, Mipha felt the warmth bubbling back within her. But how she longed to speak her mind…
A short silence followed between the two of them. Mipha desperately wanted to tell Link how she felt, but she couldn't deny what she had seen down at the ranch. Saying something now would only complicate things for Link, she thought. He has made his choice, and I must play my part too.
Sometimes, she thought, when you truly loved someone, you had to let them go.
"Perhaps we should be getting back before they notice we're missing…" Mipha mused.
"Actually, Mipha…"
Mipha looked at Link. He was gazing out towards the ranch, his face now filled with uncertainty. She also noticed he was...blushing?
"I wasn't expecting to find you out here, but now that I have, I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Really?" Mipha asked. "But whatever could it be?"
"I...I-I don't know," Link mumbled nervously. He scratched the back of his head, and so red was his face that Mipha could swear that steam was coming out of his ears. "I wanted to say thanks. To you, personally. For... everything."
"Everything?"
"Y-yeah!" Link stuttered, exasperated all of a sudden. "Everything. I mean, during the Calamity, all those times that I got hurt, you healed me back to health. I probably would have died if it wasn't for you, a hundred times over! I got myself into a lot of scrapes these last few months. You…really did mean what you said on Vah Ruta."
"Link...what I said doesn't change" Mipha said, trying to look into his nervous eyes. "If it was a grievous wound, or if Daruk flings you a little too hard on the dancefloor: I will always heal you."
Link chuckled, and then breathed a sigh. He turned to Mipha, who was smiling also.
"...You know I haven't forgotten what you told me on Vah Ruta."
"Hm?"
"When we were up there, together...you told me that when this was all done, that you wanted us to spend some time together-"
Mipha couldn't hold it in anymore.
"Link, you don't have to humour me," she said quickly, cutting him off. Her heart started to race. "I...I know how you feel...about me. And about Zelda. And i-it's okay, I swear it is...it just hurts right now. I just need time to process it... that's all. I would hate it if I were to get in the way of anything that you and Zelda…hm?"
Mipha trailed off as she heard something that took her by surprise: Link had started to laugh. Her surprise turned to mild annoyance. "What's so funny?"
"Mipha, I think you have the wrong end of the stick here…"
"What?"
"Listen, just let me finish what I was about to say!" Link said, smiling. "Me and Zelda…it's not like that. I mean…she's my best friend, of course. In the whole world. Throughout all of this, me and her have been really close. But it's not like we're…y'know…lovers, or anything. Honestly, she's…kinda more like a sister to me."
"O-oh…" Mipha hummed, noting the sincerity in his voice. "That's…really lovely."
"But that's not what I wanted to say, anyway" Link added. "I…ahem…well…about when you asked if we could spend some time together after this was all done? I wanted to tell you that I think it's a great idea."
Mipha tried to find words to respond, but could only catch at air. Link sensed this, and chuckled a little. He continued: "I know I'm going to be pretty busy for some time to come when it comes to fixing Hyrule. But Zelda's really keen to keep ties with all four corners of Hyrule strong: so that means I'll be coming to Zora's Domain for visits. And when I do…"
He then rested his hand on hers. Mipha's heart leapt.
"Then perhaps we could spend some time together," Link finished. "Like you said."
"Link…" Mipha said, barely managing a whisper. "That...that would be lovely."
Link nodded, but his head remained low as he searched for words. His face started to blush a full red.
"And for what it's worth...I...er…"
Link was clearly struggling, to the point where Mipha started to laugh. Link chuckled awkwardly in response: "What are you giggling about?"
"Oh, nothing Link," Mipha said. "It's just that you're...very cute when you're embarrassed."
Mipha could swear that she could see jets of steam blasting out from Link's ears.
"Listen, Mipha, give me a chance here…" Link said, exasperated. "I'm trying to tell you that...uhmm...I…"
Link gave out a sigh. This won't do, he thought. He took a deep breath, and tried again.
"I...just, thank you, Mipha," Link stammered. "For everything. For being you. And…"
Words failed him, but actions did not. Tenderly, he moved his head towards Mipha and kissed her on the cheek. It felt like a jolt of lighting to Mipha as his lips gently touched the side of her face. Things seemed akin to a fever dream, and she felt her courage soar like the Rito.
As Link pulled away, their faces hovered mere inches from each other.
"I'm sorry, I'm not good with words." Link said, barely able to contain his smile. Mipha, almost feeling high from the elation, placed her hand on the side of Link's face, caressing it.
"Don't worry, Link," she said quietly. "I think I know what you're trying to tell me."
Mipha then drew Link's face towards her, and their lips met in a kiss.