Author's Note I only know Send it from television and I wanted to use it in the text itself but, I try to avoid modern slang though I am sure it slips in. Instead of foregoing slang the author uses it.

Chapter XXIII Send it! Sidon: The Proposal

As Karlovaa runs down in her winter attire she sees Sidon looking incredibly uncomfortable on the largest mount she had ever seen. "I did not know some horses were part Lynel by the sands no I think it could eat a Lynel! While Sidon explains the story to Karlovaa it behooves us to hear it from the only eye witness of the event.

The night before

Baz is back at a Baz Brigade meeting swearing in their newest member, with his new found duties his time for fraternizing with his friends is all too precious. It was a successful party and the new member was picking up the tab, it was in her honor after all. Reypha was still unsure how she had become close enough to the big bad Brigadier to join his old buddies. If she had given it a moment's thought she would know it was precisely because she had taken to calling him the "the Big Bad Brigadier" as a joke. This party was hardly the place for cool deliberate introspection and no such act had taken place since they had filled the table. Gaddison, and Razz had been somewhat quiet not out of shyness, but they love to hear their leader when he was full of steam and enjoying himself. Feeling as giddy as a playful dolphin Baz had went into storyteller mode and if he had been playing music he could easily be mistaken for a skilled bard.

His last story of the night is the horse tale. "After trying to buy a suitable horse at each stable to no avail, I had to catch this gigantic chestnut horse the thing was twice my size and would not leave it's filly no matter what I did. So guess what I did?" Bellowing Baz entreats his audience to answer his question. "You caught the mare" collectively shouts the rowdy table. Waving his fins in a settle down now gesture Baz disagrees with aplomb "No I gave up after several hours and whistled a marching tune on my way back, I turn around for one last look and the, scamp is following me docile as a goldfish." "What happened to the horse? I do not see him is this a catch and release story?" Reypha giggles sweetly at her prodding question. "I wish I had let him go The folks at the stable had such a good laugh about it following me they waved the charge for ferrying the horse to Hebron. This was the story of how Sidon got his horse that will carry him on this date.

Now that the horse mystery was explained Karlovaa gazes at her lover taking in his gray died snowbird tunic the cut fit him well, it accentuated his arms and tapered along his tree trunk waistline the boots cradling his calves. Strapped to his back are three weapons two of his fishing harpoons and a royal shield. "You may as well hear how I got the shield the commander of the Royal guard tried to bribe me with it after I took out his squad he was horrified when he learned they pestered me into a fight for as, he said 'no good reason!' "Really! I just assumed Link gave you one a lot of your other weapons are from him. Now Sidon my prince, where are we going, the suspense is too much." Laying her hand on his knee she tries to needle the plan out of the poor zora prince, clearing his throat Sidon objects. "Now, my sweet Vishka. That would ruin the surprise. And more importantly it would spoil the adventure" Since the Gerudo tongue is complicated it would be helpful to explain that 'Vishka' was the Gerudo word for 'dear' it was one of the only Gerudo words Sidon had insisted Karlovaa teach him. When the vai did she had unknowingly allowed the prince to craft his own pet name for her. It was sweet of him to try to use her first language as a term of endearment. Giving in she walks around to find a palomino horse that she could ride hidden beside Sidon's sizeable stallion. As she mounts the horse Sidon admires the easy bearing she has in the saddle and the light her eyes emit from the promise of adventure. He leads on hoping he can see that light more often.

Sidon had to take an unorthodox precaution against the cold it was a charm crafted by the zora priesthood. Based on ancient magic this charm was crafted via a special rite honoring the minor goddess Din the charm could summon a huge ball of fire to harm enemies but untapped it provided a decent amount of heat capable of counteracting the frigid temperatures. Sidon was not even given the incantation a fail-proof measure against the Zora diplomat burning down the new settlement he had been visiting. Skirting the main roads, the pair make their way up through the forest they stop as they crest a hill admiring an arctic fox sniffing, a nearby tree. The animal scampers off Sidon moves to follow it but Karlovaa calls him back. " We cannot get lost Sidon we do have to head back today so I can return to work." Back on task Sidon resumes his former course always uphill, chatting to Karlovaa as he does so. "Link told me of our destination when he visited me after we averted the second calamity, it has reportedly changed a lot since then. He was always trying to convince me to travel with him." Sighing at yet another thing changing around the implacable zora he wistfully begins a new thought. " The main attraction of the spot remains unchanged." "If something is truly remarkable no one seeks to change it." Sidon could feel her intense stare he knows exactly what she means then they come around a bend and her stare is redirected to the beautiful rambunctious scene before her.

Meanwhile back in Akala….

Shalsis is watching her two favorite Sandseals sitting next to each other, Batma and the rookie ranch hand, have been slowly separating the animals into breeding pairs they have just finished Isolating Dorn and Beatrice hoping the new environment did not impact Sandseal mating patterns so the boss can return from her trip in time. For now the couple are just getting used to being in the same enclosure alone, rather than being deliberately paired together. Now that the two are taking a respite Shalsis sees an opportunity to try again. "When we finish can I help you exercise the sandseals?" By exercise she means sandseal driving the poor zora has been looking at the two gerudo's outings in the evening for months and has wanted to join in or at least try. "Sorry kid but, you do not want me to teach you that, I have never taught anyone how and I am only passable at best. The boss can have you winning the Rally in no time. Bah! If you want to help me, get to work on the report for Purah my calligraphy is not pretty use that Tarrey town education." Barging away in a huff, the consultant leaves Shalsis wondering why Batma is upset today. She resolves to ask the disgruntled vai after her report.

Sidon is huffing on the other side of the lawn at the ski lodge Karlovaa has dragged him right up to the end of the clearing where they now wait in line for admittance into a huge wooden cabin. Their que mates are all lugging shields of various, kinds the favorite model appears to be the traveler's shield though one bold Rito had a pot lid she is muttering something about better air time. Small dog sleds are ferrying all these happy shield-boarders up and down the mountain. Well not the Rito or the Goron who appear to just be rolling over the snow in ball form. Most of the staff were Hylian's in climbing or snow gear and are indistinguishable from the guests; except they always, appear to be mentioning some slight rule, inevitably being broken. Finally, convinced she has seen it all the shield enthusiast Gerudo asks calmly "Sidon how in Hyrule did you find this place? I had no idea others used shields like that."I know a vai, or I know a guy who knows a vai."In fact Dorado wrote to his mom about special locations to visit in Hyrule this was a spot recommended by one of her old travel buddies. I pocketed an advertisement they had at last night's ceremony to keep it a surprise here." He withdraws a piece of parchment from his pocket handing it to his beloved. The pamphlet is for Slope City Chateau, 'The most distinguished Shield Sledding establishment in Hyrule." As she opens the marketing tool Sidon interjects "That sounds better than the only Shield Sledding establishment." "It was only built thirty years ago, after the owner found a hot spring that is incredible!" Sidon begins ushering her inside so he can check their lodgings graciously arranged by Vestus, Sidon is glad she loved the place as much as he thought she would.

Under Karlovaa's urging the pair are back out on the slope ready to hit the beginner's site though confidant in her ability the shrewd racer knows firsthand what can happen on an unfamiliar track and does not want to be separated from Sidon during a special outing. Either by leaving the fledgling racer behind or from his desire to stay safe. She forgoes asking Sidon his preference sure he would accommodate her wishes in the matter and try too much too soon. The modest slope is a short distance away and they get into a sled Sidon unsure about the experience but, positive his vishka will adore the ride and it is an excuse to be in close confines together. The bumpy but exhilarating trip is too short for Karlovaa and the perfect length for the zora prince.

Once on the hill Karlovaa can feel her heart throbbing in her chest she is excited, but she still rides a shield every day why does she feel like a big race is about to start? A muffled clanking sound draws her attention to Sidon "Oh, I better show him how." Calming herself the Gerudo begins to give Sidon the rudimentary instructions on how to steer his sheil/sled. So begins a day of Karlovaa contentedly enjoying seeing someone else try an activity for the first time, just to have fun with her. She does occasionally laugh at his gaffes such as when he bailed to avoid a tree, rather than turning out of the way Sidon laughs along with her and is grateful for the kind the tips she provides for him. They never do go on to the next hill Karlovaa appreciates the new twist on an old past time and Sidon relaxes. The day is much smoother than the last time one of the couple spent a day teaching the other a skill. "Can we hit the hot spring it would be a shame to miss it and my old neck could use the treatment." Rubbing his neck with care Sidon raises an eyebrow and flashes a smile. Karlovaa answers in the affirmative with a quick hot, gentle kiss, "we should eat first neither of us had anything this morning and we need the energy." Picking up the two shields Sidon trails after her loping gait.

The meal is simple fare Karlovaa partakes of a roast pig while Sidon enjoys some porgy still two of their favorite dishes. They eat a sensible distance from a roaring fire the shadows dancing on the table. Once finished Sidon breaks one of those comfortable silences they seldom fall into. "Since it was not in the brochure, I regret to inform you that men and women have separate baths I want to meet you outside the sauna before we are separated. I will see you soon vishka." Patting her hand, he withdraws humming the refrain of Outside Gerudo City. Having no clue what that was about she leaves to prepare thankful to change out of the warm clothes after the fireside meal.

Sidon is waiting outside the hall leading to the hot springs he is sitting calmly except for his tail which is slowly nearly, imperceptibly moving to one side and then the other. Clutched in his hand is the engagement gift a bauble of a ring made of a curious material and shining in two tones. Rather than nerves Sidon feels determined, he had almost erred in giving the torc without a proper explanation and moved to fast this time he would explain leaving no doubt as to his feelings.

Karlovaa is moving down the hall towards Sidon shuffling slowly her head bowed slightly she looks up to see Sidon, her face a plain visage with no smile or frown upon it. There is some sort of tension it calls to Karlovaa urging her to just stop and listen. Sidon steps forward and begins his proposal.

"I h-have been very busy we both have I knew if we could both step away together we needed to just be with each other. When we are together, I feel that anything is worth doing, that everything is better that we believe and support each other. I have been thinking a lot about how we first met, the circumstances were awful you were away from home for the first time I was grieving my best friend yet, we connected I felt seen. You knew me by reputation from what you heard in a setting like this, and you were simply trying to learn and grow. I have gone from not being honest with myself to being honest with someone else. I want us to learn and get better as a couple for a long time. I made you something and if you take it I would like you to be my wife Karlovaa will you marry me?"

Karlovaa looks down at a red and yellow ring, it looked like two scales fused together as it should for that is what it was. It was a scale from Sidon and a Voltfin trout pressed into a sphere set on a coral band it did not glitter it instead gives off a luster similar to a black pearl. Blinking away tears she says yes. Forgetting that she was going to marry a crown prince, one who would be old only after her death, disregarding the historical significance this moment brings Karlovaa accepts the proposal of a loving Voe.

While Sidon and his fiancé had not given it much thought back in the Domain one zora has been tediously searching for what this marriage means for the zora people.

Author's note 2

Next week Dorephan learns about the tricky history of interracial zora couples and their genetic compatibility. Hopefully this engagement works for all of you I know it was a long wait but, I like the romantic arc so far and I am happy to begin moving it towards being more serious.