Chapter 19 - Raypha's Realization
Summary: Raypha's conversation with her Grandfather, King Dorephan, unintentionally reveals Link's limited lifespan.
It was evening in Zora's Domain as Mipha and Link held hands and climbed the steps to the throne room to retrieve their two children. Raypha and Tidon had spent the day with their Grandfather and Uncle Sidon, and it was time to bring them home.
"Ah, your parents are here," said King Dorephan upon seeing them.
"I hope they were no trouble, Father," said Mipha.
"No, just the opposite, dear," said King Dorephan. "The day went by too fast for both your brother and me. As always, you are very welcome to leave them with me anytime."
"Yes, we had a great time, Sis," said Sidon.
Raypha was standing near her Grandfather, but Tidon was sitting quietly, and King Dorephan explained.
"Tidon and his uncle played the hardest," said King Dorephan. "They went up the falls here so often I thought the water flow would reverse. I think Tidon is exhausted."
"Mipha and I are pretty exhausted from activity together as well," said Link, prompting a look from Mipha, which fortunately nobody but Link seemed to notice.
"Thank you, Father, for taking care of them, and it is definitely time for them to sleep," said Mipha.
"Here, I think Tidon is still not too big for me to carry," said Link quickly as he reached for Tidon, who clasped him around the neck and rested his head on Link's shoulder.
"Thanks for being such a good uncle," said Mipha to her brother as she kissed him on the forehead, and Sidon gave her a big grin with a flash of teeth.
Everyone exchanged goodnight's, and then Mipha took Raypha's hand while Link carried Tidon, and they made their way back home.
"You're very quiet, sweetheart," said Mipha to Raypha as they walked together. "Are you as tired out as your brother?"
"No, Mom, I didn't play in the water as much as Ti did," said Raypha.
Raypha didn't elaborate, and it was late for their sleep time anyway, so the family walked the rest of the way in silence. Sunset Fireflies glowed near their home, and the buzz of insects along with the occasional hoot of a night bird competed with the sound of the splashing waterfall.
They first brought Tidon to his room, kissed him goodnight, and Link gently lowered him into his slumber pool.
"Good night, everybody," sighed Tidon with his eyes closed.
They left Tidon's room and then brought Raypha to her room.
"Time to tuck you in, too," said Link as he kissed Raypha on the forehead.
"Happy dreams, sweetheart!" said Mipha as she kissed her as well.
"Love you," said Raypha after climbing into the water.
"Love you, too," said Link and Mipha together.
Then Mipha and Link left for their room to retire for the night.
As Raypha floated in her slumber pool, she kept thinking about the day. Her Hylian Dad called it "tucking her in" for some reason, but her Mom would call it "sleep pooling," which made more sense. Her Dad was different, of course, and that had always been part of her life. For example, her Dad had hair, big ears, couldn't breathe underwater, ate his fish cooked, and looked at the world differently, which was the source of his many funny expressions. Her Mom had said it was just something you accept, that there were different races in Hyrule, but they were all equal and unique in their way. But today, she had learned her Dad was unlike Zoras in another way as well, something she had never realized before, and it bothered her.
The day had mainly been fun. Her brother Tidon had spent most of the day swimming with Uncle Sidon and was so exhausted by the end she wasn't surprised he would drift off to sleep at once. She had played a good deal as well, but not quite as much as her brother. That was because she also enjoyed listening to her Grandfather's stories of days gone by. She liked to sit with him and hear him talk about what her grandmother was like, about her Mom as a young child, and even what he knew about her Dad before he married Mom.
But something Grandfather had mentioned in passing today had surprised her, and it was still bothering her. She recalled the conversation now.
"Are you sure you like listening to my boring stories, sweetheart?" King Dorephan asked. "Your brother and Uncle are still having fun playing."
"They're not boring stories, Grandfather," said Raypha. "I like to learn about my family. It's also fun to hear what Mom and Dad were like when they were younger."
"Well, as to that, you should ask them, and especially your Mom, sweetheart. Your father and I often spoke when he visited, but then he and your mother would go off to spend time alone with each other as you would expect. So I can't tell you much beyond that."
"I do ask them sometimes, Grandfather, but they prefer to talk about their big journey across Hyrule together when they battled evil," said Raypha. "But you can remember the time when Mom was small, and it's fun to learn about it. I only wish I knew more about my young Dad too. Dad said he doesn't have any family besides us. So, I guess there's nobody who knows what he was like as a little boy."
"Yes, sadly, it's true that your father has no other living family that we know of. But the best person to ask about your young Dad is your Mom, sweetheart," said King Dorephan. "She was like a big sister to him at one point and took care of him when he was just a little boy. She even said once she felt like she had two little brothers."
"Two little brothers?" was all Raypha could say, as this was a complete shock to her.
She had thought her mother and father were about the same age if she thought about the matter at all. That's what it seemed like to her. But if what Grandfather had said was true, her mother was older than her father. And he told her that her father was a little boy while Uncle Sidon was too. Yet she always knew her father as Uncle Sidon's big brother and big by a good deal. Something didn't make sense. But then fatigue finally overcame her, and she drifted off to sleep.
It was early the next morning as Link stared out the kitchen window, watching a heavy rain. He was cooking his breakfast fish, and you could see the Mikau Lake water bubble from the steady pelter of raindrops. If you looked closely, you could even see the occasional ripples from a Hot Footed frog as it swam in search of food or to evade hungry Blue-Winged Herons. It was the kind of rain Zoras loved, a steady downpour with no hint of lightning. After he cooked the fish to his liking, Link joined Mipha at the table. Their two children were still in their rooms.
"Thanks for catching breakfast this morning," said Link. "But you're done eating already?"
"Yes, sorry, I couldn't wait for you, dear. There is a council meeting this morning, and Father wants to discuss some matters with me before the meeting begins. He seems ever more eager to consult my opinion these days."
"Well, two heads are better than one," said Link.
"Honestly, some of your Hylian expressions are grotesque," laughed Mipha. "What creature has two heads?"
"I meant two people thinking about things can be better than one person because they bring a different perspective," laughed Link. "The heads are on separate people."
"I see. Well, I'll be off now, sweetheart," said Mipha as she rose and leaned over the table for a kiss. "That means you're in charge here."
"I thought we ruled jointly at home," Link laughed.
"Of course we do, dear," Mipha smiled at him. "And with me away, that leaves you solely in charge."
"Oh, I see what you mean. I took it another way like I was your subordinate taking over in your absence. Anyway, say hello to Father for me."
"I will," said Mipha. "Remember there's fresh fish in the kitchen for the children when they get up."
Then Mipha waved goodbye and left, and Link resumed eating the last few bites on his plate. After a few moments, Raypha arrived.
"Good morning, Dad!" said Raypha as she hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "Lovely day!"
"Good morning, sweetheart," said Link as he hugged her back and kissed her on the forehead. "Mom left a fish for you in the kitchen."
Raypha retrieved the fish and then sat down to eat.
"Mmm, tasty!"
"You slept well?"
"Yes, not long after you and Mom tucked me in," said Raypha. "What does that expression mean, Dad? It sounds like you're putting me inside something."
"Yes, just a habit of mine. As you know, Hylians sleep in beds, and tucking someone in means getting them settled into bed and covering them with a blanket," said Link. "It's usually used to refer to putting children to bed."
"I see," said Raypha after swallowing a bite of fish. "By the way, would you grade my essay when it's ready, Dad, the one Tidon and I are writing about our trip?"
Raypha looked at him with her soft golden eyes.
"I thought Mom wanted to grade the essays."
"Well, she did say that Dad, but she's not here right now, and that leaves you in charge, right?" Raypha said with a big smile.
"Were you listening to our conversation, sweetheart, and waiting for Mom to leave?" Link said, laughing. "I was wondering why you didn't ask where Mom was."
"You know how busy Mom is, Dad," said Raypha as she gazed unblinking straight into Link's eyes. "She has a lot of responsibilities and meetings to attend. If you grade my essay, it will be one less thing for Mom to worry about. I'm sure you want to do your best to help Mom, don't you?"
"There's something fishy about this," laughed Link.
"Something fishy? That doesn't sound bad. What does it mean?"
"I mean, you must think that somehow I will be easier on you than Mom would be," said Link. "But fine. I'll be happy to grade your essay."
"Sweet! But I'm just kidding with you, Dad," laughed Raypha. "I'm hoping both you and Mom will read it and let me know what you think. I just wondered what you would say if I asked."
"You know, I'm seeing a lot of Mom in you," laughed Link as he reached out and gently caressed the side of her face. "Nobody teases me more than her, but I guess I'll have to watch out for you too, now."
"It's funny you say that because Grandfather called me Mipha once yesterday," said Raypha. "He was embarrassed and apologized, but I told him I didn't mind at all."
"That was nice of you. What did you and your brother do all day?"
"Mostly played and got a lot of hugs from Grandfather," said Raypha. "We had some delicious meals too."
"I know your Grandfather missed his family a great deal while we were away, and I'm glad you spent time with him," said Link. "And I'm sure you do remind him of Mom at that age."
"Yes, he did say that," said Raypha.
"I guess your brother is sleeping late," said Link.
"Ti tired himself out playing longer with Uncle Sidon while I chatted with Grandfather," said Raypha. "I enjoy listening to Grandfather's stories about the old days."
"The old days?"
"Well, not the old old days, like when he was a boy," said Raypha. "He didn't think I would be interested in that. More stories about the time before you and Mom married when you used to visit here. He thought stories about you and Mom would be more interesting to me."
"And were they?"
"Yes, of course," said Raypha. "But one thing, in particular, makes me want to ask you something, Dad."
She looked quietly at Link for a moment, and Link got a funny feeling about where this conversation might be going.
"Grandfather said you and Mom first met when you were just a little boy," said Raypha. "And Uncle Sidon was little then too. So, I began wondering how you are Uncle Sidon's big brother now."
Link made a wry smile, shook his head, and then reached across the table and took Raypha's hand.
"I wish Grandfather hadn't mentioned that. Mom and I didn't want you to think about that, sweetheart," said Link.
"But what does it mean, Dad? I think I know, but I want you to tell me."
"Well, I'm sure you figured it out, sweetheart. Hylians like me age faster than Zoras. I eventually caught up to Mom in equivalent age and passed your Uncle Sidon."
Raypha was quiet for a moment.
"I guess that was the sensitive subject you and Mom avoided that time I asked how you and Mom first met," said Raypha.
"My dear, dear Raypha, I don't want you to worry," said Link as he squeezed her hand. "I'm still young and plan to be around for a long time. Okay?"
"Okay," said Raypha as she wiped a tear from her eye. "It just took me by surprise, Dad. I never thought of it before."
They each rose then and hugged each other, and Link gently stroked her tail fin.
"It's not something I want you to worry about, sweetheart," said Link. "I believe everything will turn out fine."
They held each other for a moment, and then he kissed her on the cheek.
"Now, please finish your fish," said Link as they both sat back down. "If you were a Hylian, I would say before it gets cold."
Raypha smiled as she had learned to love her Dad's funny expressions.
A moment later, Tidon arrived and wished everyone good morning.
"Mom caught you a fish," said Link after they hugged. "It's in the kitchen."
"Where is Mom?" Tidon asked as he retrieved the fish.
"Council meeting," said Link. "I hope you had fun yesterday."
"Yes, too much fun," said Tidon. "My fins were drooping by the time we got home."
"When you two finish breakfast, perhaps you could help me pick out a few pictures to send to Zelda," said Link. "It shouldn't take long, and it might help remind you of places on our trip and therefore help you decide what to write about. Then maybe you should both start working on your essays. Holidays are over."
They sat down together and picked out some pictures, and then both children returned to their rooms to work on their essay. Link sat lost in thought, and it was lunchtime when Mipha returned home.
"Finally!" said Mipha as she entered the house and then came over to Link for a kiss. "These meetings take longer than they should. I keep telling Father he needs to cut some people short, but he's too polite. All well at home, sweetheart?"
"Not completely," said Link after they kissed, then Link held her in an embrace. "Father unintentionally mentioned to Raypha about when we met, and she put two and two together about my aging. I tried to comfort her, and I did my best. Tidon doesn't know, and both children are working on their essays now."
Mipha shook her head.
"I know Father meant well, and it would come out eventually," said Mipha. "I just wish Raypha was a little older."
"I know," said Link. "But what can you do?"
"One thing you can do is follow up with Dr. Purah and explain how much her research means to you, means to us," said Mipha. "You know her. She always has dozens of research projects going on at the same time. I hope her anti-aging research you mentioned has some priority."
"I will," said Link. "I would like her to make progress too, but I want her to test it thoroughly beforehand. If necessary, I will even speak to Zelda about it, but I prefer not to go that route."
"And I will speak to Raypha later," said Mipha.
Link smiled at her.
"You knew all along I would age faster than you, yet you still wanted to marry me," said Link. "I don't know what to say."
"I love you," said Mipha. "That says it all, doesn't it?"
"Yes, it does," said Link with a smile, then they kissed. "And I do. More than anything."
"We both worked hard to build this life together," said Mipha. "I believe in my heart it's going to last a long time. Now, help me catch lunch. You need to get out of the house more, or are you still too exhausted from yesterday?"
"Very funny," laughed Link as they kissed, then they released their embrace, and Link took her hand. "Let's go, Princess."
They raced out to Mikau Lake laughing and dove in.
Mipha was always the optimist, Link thought, and it helped balance his inclination to dwell on the pessimistic side of things. But this was a life worth fighting for. And he swore to himself that he would.