Author's note I ask that you give me some leeway on Zora lifespans I am unsure if King Dorephan would be approaching for lack of a better term his dotage 80 years after Breath of the Wild. Since it is not clear how old he was when he had the Zora heirs just pretend he had kids late in life if it bothers you.
Disclaimer I do not own any characters, places, or even scenarios from Legend of Zelda the actual owners are Nintendo, and I am in no way affiliated with that company. This is an unlicensed work and is meant to be enjoyed by those who played the masterful game/s that inspired it.
Gigantic Optimism Chapter II The Missing Piece
Sidon and the guard arrived at the domain together the Prince dismissing her as soon as he saw his father from behind as they arrived in Zora's domain the multi-tiered, luminescent city of the Zora. The King was an imposing sight the ruler had been as long as Sidon could remember. The Zora monarch towered above Sidon the dark blue coloring that neither of his two offspring shared distinguishing him from the vibrant red of their mother. It was now dusk, and the newcomer observed the king by the platform light. The prince had hoped to pass his father after his growth spurt but it was not to be. Dorephan leaned on the platform that supported the statue of Mipha that was even larger than the two royal Zora who were themselves, the largest in the domain. Mipha's statue was not to scale it instead represented the respect the people gave such a strong supernaturally gifted healer and kind presence she had not even been fully grown when she passed. Her brother thought the size helped show her toughness and strength he sometimes wondered if his dual wielding style would have broken through her impenetrable trident defense. Sidon doubted it would have been successful the statue's stone rendering of the trident was thrust into the water but not aggressively defensively as those who loved the princess remembered. Time was frozen for Mipha's brother he was staring intently at the statue something was missing if anyone would notice a change in the statue it would be Sidon. He had visited it every night for over a hundred years.
"It is not the eyes or the fins" mused the frequent visitor her "jewelry?" he queried absently. No all of her accruements were in place. Sidon kept listing possible faults looking for the culprit without saying a word. Mipha herself was fine nothing was amiss, so he looked at the ground and spotted the broken piece. A small jewel lay slightly to the left of his father who had not noticed its absence, due to his lack of familiarity with the piece and its similarity to the luminous stones the platform was chiseled from. The concern vanished from the red Zora's face he knew the piece as the jewel on Mipha's light scale trident located on the central tine of her signature weapon. Such a small piece could easily be repaired.
His Majesty still rested with bowed head his fins clutching something to his chest it was wrapped, and the concerned son wondered what could cause the proud warrior king such pain. "Father must have been reminded of Mipha" was the first explanation Sidon thought of. The Prince was only partially incorrect in his guess. "Father you wanted to see me" the gentle probe reached Dorephan's ear holes, titles going unobserved between the last members of the Zora royal family. Dorephan turned his voice barely audible for such a large man he was so gentle it was no wonder both of his children were kind and loving. "My son there has been grave news." As this was uttered by Dorephan he raised an appendage to stifle the question sure to come from his enthusiastic son. The current Zora champion and strongest warrior of their race rapidly checked his impulsive question regarding possible Lynels his brain supplying the toughest monster he knew was native to the area. "Hyrule castle has informed me" started the king while the prince substituted Queen Zelda for Hyrule Castle subconsciously in his head who was the daughter of the Zelda his sister had traveled with so long ago. His Father continued he had become slower gasping more often, recently his muscle had begun turning to fat "No bulk Father will never be fat" Sidon corrected again before giving the king his undivided attention. "That Link has died" There was another gasp this one issued from the younger Zora in surprise.
It had been that long time had finally taken the last non-Zora who remembered Mipha. (Sidon is not correct on this point having forgotten the scientist Purah a lab experiment extending her life unnaturally, he would remember her after this sting of grief.) Link was at least 97 a long life for a Hylian. the great warrior who had cleared VahRuta of monsters during a crisis the one who had defeated Gannon twice and entrusted Sidon with the task of tending to the Divine Beast. Sidon felt a tear come as these and other thoughts flashed through his mind. A firm yet weak fin rested upon Sidon's head "Now you know why I am here and have been since I sent the messenger." They both fell silent lost in thoughts but not alone keeping the physical contact going. After several minutes and many tears Sidon looked at the package which was quite long yet dwarfed by Dorephan's massive fins. Dorephan began to open it. The crying man who felt like a boy stopped him "did you notice the statue broke today?" "No!" exclaimed the king. He was shocked nothing had ever gone wrong with the statue it had been crafted by the best zora craftsmen and been guaranteed for as long as the Domain lasted.
Sidon explains picking up the piece of rock and showing it to the grieving monarch "I know it fell off this morning I visited her last night when did he die? Dorephan collects his thoughts before replying "I got the document in the afternoon the postal service had relayed the message from stable to stable for faster delivery he died today in his house in Hateno village it would have been this morning." Realization changed the features of the King and his second born they excitedly spoke "The statue must remain as it is." The royals asserted simultaneously while, very different men in demeanor they always agreed where their beloved Mipha was concerned.
They gave one last look at the statue and headed for the throne room to dine the younger starving after his unintended fast as his stomach growled and knotted "I am glad I forgot to eat this morning a dawn to dusk fast is an appropriate tribute to a Hero." Remarked Sidon his comment passing unheeded by the weary king. Despite going unheard the idea of a fast put a stopper on the red one's tears he had done something for the missing or at least retroactively believed he had. Maybe he could convince the Zora priests to adopt an optional one on this day if so, he would leave them the particulars to see too. After all he had always opted for this statue instead of the shrine. They had reached the large throne room looking over the seafood repast set before them consisting of raw fish heaped on a table like a fisherman from southern Hyrule had opened his nets on the round stone surface. The audience with the king continued after the meal. For until then the package lay beside them unopened.
Author's note 2 I was originally going to change the name of the story but than I realized the acronym for is G.O. which is perfect for a Sidon story.