A/N: This actually comes from one of the original plans for Era, in which, after clearing a Divine Beast, Link would receive coordinates that led to a Shrine of Resurrection tied directly to each Champion's respective DB. I still kind of want to explore that idea at some point.


The house had been a warzone that morning, with books, cooking utensils, used plates, sharpening stones, towels, and even shavings from a few hours spent wood carving littered everywhere. It would have taken nothing less than Hyrule's finest waging total war on the mess to have any hope of a clean home before his guest arrived.

Luckily, Link was among Hyrule's finest.

And he was all about total war… at least where monsters were concerned.

His enemy named and the stage set, the Hylian Champion had done what he was best at. With broom, mops, suds, and cloths as his weapon, he attacked the problem as he would a Hinox. No holds, strikes, or techniques were barred; however, as the hours passed, Link became aware that he wasn't fighting a Hinox. His enemy was really a Lynel in disguise.

Changing strategies, the now veteran warrior lashed out with a renewed vigor, wondering the whole time what had happened. Though memories of life before the Calamity were sparse, he remembered always keeping his space clean during his time among the knights. Granted, that had more to do with not wanting to have his regiment punished for his lapse in cleanliness but it should have been a habit by now, right?

Now, he seemed to be reverting back to his childhood spent in Zora's Domain, where he had been known for many things. Keeping a neat and orderly abode was not one of those things.

Of course, he just rationalized it as an overcorrection now that he was no longer sworn to the Hylian Royal Family. Even with that rationalization, he'd rather Mipha didn't see his house in such a state. He remembered her worrying after him enough as it was.

Sweeping the last bit of dirt into his dustpan, Link stepped back to admire his work. He gave a pleased nod as he sighed in satisfaction. He had completed his objective, as harrowing as it was, and all before his childhood friend had arrived.

Dumping the dustpan into the trash he turned to hang up his broom and came face to face with his visitor.

Link's heart stopped as Mipha smiled at him weakly. "H-hello Link."

The Hylian Champion stared at her, completely stupified by her sudden appearance. He wasn't exactly bothered that she had entered unannounced. Rather, it was that he had no inkling of how long she had been there or how much she had seen.

"I'm sorry!" she explained as he continued staring. "I knocked but you didn't answer. And there was so much crashing and scraping that I was worried you may have been -" Placing her hands on her chest, Mipha took a few deep breaths, closing her eyes for good measure. After a few moments, she opened them again, much more under control. "I truly am sorry."

"It's okay."

Mipha frowned lightly but said nothing concerning his choice of words. "Were you cleaning for me?"

Link nodded, knowing it would do no good to lie. Even though he had no way of knowing whether her memory was intact or not, he knew she was quick to catch on when others were lying to her. Though she was too sweet to call others out on it most of the time.

Her face lit up with a smile that diffused the awkward tension that had been hanging over them.

Feeling himself relax, Link attempted to take her travel bag for her; however, she refused, asking to keep it close at hand for the time being. So, he instead ushered her further into his home, pulling out a chair for her at his table. "How long?" Hopefully, enough of her memories had been regained for her to remember how to fill in the gaps. Though he was becoming more comfortable with speaking, he still wasn't sure where they stood. Considering that he had left her with very little knowledge of her people, her family, her role, him, and anything that may have resided between them, he may have been speaking to a complete stranger.

"About two hours," she answered with a slight grimace as she looked down at her lap.

Link stared at her blankly.

"You were… quite focused."

"Sorry."

"It is quite all right. It is rather nice to know that you think so highly of me." Always so kind and graceful, just as he remembered. "I remember when you were younger. Your room was always a… what's the expression? "Pigsty?'"

Link nodded thoughtfully. Yes, he'd always kept a messy room when he was a child. He could remember a few times when Mipha had lightly lectured him on it. Suddenly, the Hylian's eyes widened as he refocused on her. Did that mean she remembered as well?

"Yes, I remember," Mipha confirmed as she gestured for him to take a seat across from her. Link obliged, carefully observing her mannerisms. When she had first awoken in the shrine at the bottom of Lake Hylia, she had been as pure and sweet as ever, only really lacking in timidity. Now though, the timidity had returned. It crossed his mind quietly that it was a bit of shame but it was something he understood well. "That is why I came."

Link nodded, agreeing with the pragmatism of the statement. He probably would have done the same in her shoes, though it did sting a bit that she may not have wanted to see him as badly as he did her.

"That and to see a dear friend," she corrected with a shy smile. "But, before anything else, there is one thing we must discuss."

Link felt his heartrate slowly escalate as the Zora took another series of deep breaths. Reaching into the bag she had brought, she removed a very familiar piece of armor. A century ago, she had made it for him. Upon returning to the Domain, with his memory in shambles, he had donned it in the hopes of calming Ruta without knowing its true meaning. After discovering that meaning and finding her once again, deprived of any memories, he had removed it and gave it back to the King. He simply couldn't wear it then.

"I… I know you gave this back to father and I -" Link hated the way her voice cracked "- I have not come to try and change your mind. I just," she paused for a moment, visibly summoning every ounce of courage she had, "I just wanted to ask why."

Link remained silent as he gazed down at the armor. He had never thought he would see it again.

"And I hope you know that, whatever the answer, that I will always and forever be your friend… if that's what you want."

The Hylian Champion's eyes flicked up to her, watching every glint, every movement she made. "You remember?"

"I do."

Without another word, Link climbed to his feet and stripped off his tunic. Dropping it on the freshly cleaned floor, he took the Zora armor and donned it without a second thought. Once it was secured, he walked around the table and pulled the Zora Princess into a tight embrace. "I couldn't wear it until you remembered. Until you gave it to me yourself."

"Does that mean?"

He smiled fondly as he heard the hopeful tones in her voice. "I accept."