Link was a bundle of nerves while he cleaned his Zora Armor and put it back on. He wasn't excited about pomp and circumstance, or being the center of attention in front of so many strangers. Prince Sidon had visited them in the Royal Suites that morning and told them King Dorephan was requesting their presence, and to be prepared for a large crowd.

"It will be fine, Link. Just be yourself," Zelda told him and kissed his cheek. She was dressed in her best outfit, a fancy dress she had thought to grab from her old room in case the occasion warranted it. It was a long, elegant royal blue dress adorned with gold embellishments. She was grateful she remembered to pack it; the look on Link's face when he saw her was worth the extra weight in her travel bag, and then some.

With Prince Sidon leading them, they made their way through the sea of Zora gathered in the town square and once again up the stairs leading to the throne, where King Dorephan was smiling widely at them. He raised a hand to quiet the crowd.

"Sir Link! My lady! We all have been awaiting your return. It appears you have both survived! You have done well." A few shouts escaped the crowd as King Dorephan continued speaking. "Thanks to your efforts, the violent downpour from Vah Ruta and from the skies has ceased. There is no longer any danger of a great flood laying waste to Hyrule. You have appeased Vah Ruta, making her our ally once again, and you have thus saved Zora's Domain!"

A great cheer erupted from the crowd of Zora behind them. Once they were quiet, the King spoke. "As the rest of us, the whole time you were thinking of Hyrule and Lady Mipha's well-being. Perhaps the older generation of Zora misunderstood Hylians after all. We are all truly grateful for you both, and we humbly fold our fins in gratitude. "

Zelda glanced over at Muzu who gave her a wink and a nod.

The King went on. "I would be honored if you could find it in your heart to forgive us."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Link said with a smile. The crowd cheered again and was quickly hushed by the king.

"Excellent! Now then. I must reward your efforts! Champion Link, I implore you to collect the treasure inside that chest over there." It was next to Muzu, who nodded and smiled at him. The king explained, "It was cherished by Mipha. I would like you to have it as a token of our friendship. Even though it is unbreakable, please take good care of it."

Link's curiosity was greater than his fear of crowds, so he eagerly stepped forward and bent down to the closed chest at Muzu's feet. He slowly opened the lid. It was a Lightscale Trident, the powerful spear Champion Mipha herself had once wielded. He held the majestic silver spear in his hands and stood up, facing the crowd as the roar of their cheers echoed throughout the town. Zelda teared up as she remembered Mipha using that exact same weapon.

King Dorephan raised a fin. "And, for you." He was looking straight at Zelda as he reached for a second treasure chest that was next to him. "Our master blacksmith has managed to create a near-perfect replica of Mipha's Lightscale Trident. I present you…with this." He opened the lid of the chest facing toward her, and another Lightscale Trident was inside. Her heart pounded as she stepped forward and took the weapon carefully into her hands. She couldn't speak but could only look up at the Zora king in gratitude and wonder as the thundering Zora crowd went wild behind her.

"And you, my son," King Dorephan continued, "I am very proud of you for fighting alongside Champion Link and Lady Ari. You will be a worthy heir to the throne of Zora's Domain when the time comes."

"Father…I…thank you!" The crowd applauded again, and Prince Sidon stepped toward Link and Zelda, gently placing their Lightscale Tridents aside. As the crowd quieted he dropped to one knee in front of them, clasping one of each of their hands in his. "Sir Link. Pr-Lady Ari. Thank you both, so very much. Truly, I could never thank you enough for what you have done. You helped save our home from vanishing away. With all of my heart, I thank you both, not only for what you have done here but for our forever friendship." He stood to his feet and took a graceful bow in front of them, to the elation of the crowd.

The King raised a fin once more. "On behalf of all of us here in Zora's Domain, we humbly and sincerely thank you for your bravery and your service."

Link and Zelda turned around together to a rush of falling confetti and a sea of Zora faces smiling, cheering, and crying as they made their way down the aisle, with Prince Sidon following and carrying their Lightscale Tridents.

After their last-minute preparations and packing, Link and Zelda left the Champion's Quarters and headed back to the town square of Zora's Domain to say goodbye. Almost the whole village was again there to greet them, including the King and Muzu, and they sent them off in another shower of confetti and loud cheers. Prince Sidon escorted them to the village's East Gate.

"It seems even those in our village who used to despise Hylians because of the events of a hundred years ago have had a change of heart. I don't know how to ever thank both of you. Ari, it was so wonderful to see you again and spend time with you. And Master Link, it's been my complete pleasure and honor to work alongside a Champion. Thank you both for saving our village and for saving all of Hyrule."

Zelda threw her arms around Sidon as he lifted her up for a tight embrace, and Link hugged his side. She was crying; she was really going to miss her friend.

Sidon gently put her back down on the ground and kneeled before her, looking into her eyes. "Hey now. Don't cry. After all of this is over, come back and see me anytime. You'll always have a place here in Zora's Domain." He hugged her again, and Link and Zelda walked away. Prince Sidon watched them disappear over the mountains heading north to the Akkala region.

..

Author's Note: Thank you all for reading, if you made it this far :) I have much of the later parts of the story written, and I'm about 2/3 of the way done with the entire thing. The updates won't come as often as they have been, so please be patient with me. I hope you all enjoyed the first part of my story! I appreciate all reviews and comments. I'll post new chapters as often as I can, and I will respond to reviews. Thank you again, and may the light shine upon you :D