A/N: See? Lipha brain rot.
Link walked down the stairs leading outside of Dorephan's throne room, uncertain of how to feel about the discussion he had just had. On one hand, it was… displeasing to have the Zora King give him a stern lecture about pushing himself too hard. As wise as Dorephan was, he was the first to admit that there were limits to his knowledge and his ability to empathize with the plights of others. So, how could he understand? How could he understand the pressures that came with wielding the sword on his back? Of protecting a princess whose life was vital to the success of their endeavor? Of representing not one but two royal families? Certainly, he could understand each of those in some small way that would do very little to mirror the actual experience.
However, he also understood and appreciated that the King did have a vested interest in him. Not only had he and Dorephan known each other for years but the Hylian had also been good friends with his children. The oldest of which had also been named a Champion. While he knew that the Zora King had reservations about allowing his daughter to fight in the coming war, Mipha had made a few stray comments that made him wonder if Dorephan had the same reservations in regard to him. Sometimes, he wondered if the king viewed him as one of his own. It would make sense, considering that the Zora collectively behaved as individuals or couples in a larger family unit. It wasn't unusual for their people to refer to those they had no blood connection to as kin. Granted, he had not been born to them but he had still grown up and been integrated into their culture. It would not have surprised him if the king, as well as a few other of the fish-folk, had come to see him as one of their own.
If he were to be honest, the conversation had felt much like what he had imagined a father chastising his child to be.
And of course, there was a tinge of guilt as well. The Zora King had not hidden the fact that Mipha was the one that had told him about Link's intense training regime and how much it worried her. The fact that Dorephan had not only summoned him out of the blue but also spoke so sternly to him meant that Mipha was concerned.
Perhaps he should have listened yesterday when she asked him to take a break. He couldn't see too much benefit in it for himself; however, it may have at least given her some peace of mind.
"Link?"
The Hylian Champion looked up, seeing Mipha waiting for him at the bottom of the steps. Link felt his heart rate spike, his breath hitching slightly. He wasn't sure why that had started but it had been happening for quite some time. Every time he looked at her in fact; however, the problem was so much worse at night in the Domain. The way that light from luminous stones bounced off her scales accentuated her natural beauty. It wasn't something he could put into words, not that he would have even if he could.
Even before he had chosen silence, he had never been very good with words, much to her delight. He was the reason that she understood Hylian expressions about having one's foot in his mouth.
Regaining his composure, he nodded to his childhood friend and fellow Champion.
"I wanted to apologize," she murmured as he reached the bottom of the steps. "I know that you have so much resting on your shoulders and that you feel the need to train so you are prepared for whatever may come." She took a deep breath, appearing conflicted as to how to phrase what she meant to say. "I understand that but I still worry for your safety. I was a bit… put off by your response yesterday and father knew that something was wrong while I was attending him. I had not meant for him to speak to you about it though." She bowed her head, "I am sorry."
"Don't." Mipha's head jerked back up quickly as she looked at him. Link rubbed the back of his sheepishly as he considered how he had brushed off her concerns the day before. "I'm sorry." She had been looking after him for as long as he could remember, and she had cared enough to give voice to her concerns. He should have had more respect for her and the feelings she had on the matter.
"No, I am the one who -" She stopped as Link frowned at her.
He allowed his face to soften as she remained quiet. Unlike most others, she knew when he had something he wished to say. Only Urbosa could rival the Zora Princess's ability to read him and the Gerudo Champion still spoke too soon at times. Mipha, however, said nothing as Link set his pride and fear of what lay on the horizon aside. "Thanks."
Seeing Mipha relax was enough to lift his mood. A small smile graced her face as she sent a brief glance around before stepping forward to give him a tight hug which he returned.
When had that started again? He couldn't remember her caring who saw her embracing him until not long after the incident with the Lynel.
The Zora Princess stepped back, looking mildly flustered about something. "I-I should let you get back to your training."
Link frowned thoughtfully as his gaze shifted toward the ground below.
"Is something wrong?"
Link's eyes flicked back up to her, considering her for a long moment. "Not tonight." While he may not agree with Mipha or Dorephan's opinion on his regime, he was willing to acknowledge that both had wisdom that he did not. Dorephan had lived for quite some time while Mipha had used her abilities to heal her people for years. They witnessed things that had yet to even cross his mind.
Besides, it was so very rare for him to get to visit home.
"Not tonight."
"You don't intend to train tonight?"
He shook his head. Though he felt a bit guilty about it, he had to admit that the thought of taking it easy for a day was growing more appealing. "You?"
"I…" Again, she grew surprisingly flustered. "Well, I started a new personal project and I need to collect some materials for it."
Link tilted his head interest which, to his surprise, only increased her nervousness.
"It's nothing too important!" Mipha stopped, taking a few deep breaths. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap." Another deep breath. "Both Sidon and my father have been asking me questions about it for quite some time, even though I explained that it is personal."
Link made a placating gesture, trying to let her know that she didn't need to continue nor did she owe him any explanation.
"Thank you," she murmured. She watched him uncertainly for a moment as though unsure of whether or not she should say what was on her mind. "We have not had much time together these past few days… would you like to join me?"
"Sure," Link replied with a small smile. While he was curious about her project he could push it aside. If she wanted him to know, she would let him on the secret no matter how much it embarrassed her.
As she led him through the Domain and outside the city to begin the mundane task of collecting the few dragon scales they could find, it occurred to Link that maybe this was more important than he thought. He had thrown himself into his duties and training with such intensity that he had nearly forgotten how much he enjoyed spending time with loved ones. Unintentionally, the Hylian Champion had almost forgotten one of the primary reasons he was working so hard to begin with.
As he and Mipha exchanged stories, laughed at the misadventures of Bazz Brigade, and reminisced about their childhood, Link came to understand just how severe his spiritual exhaustion had become. With every moment spent with his friend, he could feel the exhaustion recede as his spirit was rejuvenated.
Keeping silent on the matter and reflecting on it in the solitude of his own mind, the Hylian Champion made a mental note to find more time to return home and spend more time with his loved ones. Otherwise, why was he even fighting?
