"Thank you, Master Dento."
"You are welcome, Lady Mipha," the old Zora artisan replied. Dento returned his attention to the forge he was running.
Mipha eyed the bangle over, amazed at how quickly it had been recreated. Even though he was one of the most skilled blacksmiths in the kingdom, she had still assumed it would take him several more days at least to finish the new attachment. "As always, Dento, your work is most impressive."
"Hmm?" he asked absently as he picked up a sword he had been working on just before she arrived. "I appreciate the compliment, Lady Mipha, but it was nothing more than a simple repair. It held up quite well considering from how far it fell."
"I am sorry?"
"Your Hylian friend," the old Zora answered as he ran an eye over the blade. "He brought it to me not long after you commissioned a replacement." He stopped, eyeing her thoughtfully. "Aside from a few dents, the only real damage was to the turquoise stone embedded within. But he brought a replacement for that as well."
"O-oh." Mipha was shocked, to say the least. Why had he gone to such trouble in order to replace a piece of jewelry? "I had no idea."
"He's such a strange young man, even for a Hylian."
The Zora Princess bristled slightly at his words, though she hid the true extent of her irritation. Dento had a habit of being blunt; however, it wasn't meant maliciously. And, if she were to be honest, he did have a point. Link was incredibly adaptable, willing to try anything once, and rose to every challenge that came his way. He was, after all, the reason Shatterback Point had earned its name.
He was lucky that Mipha had caught wind of his plans and had been waiting for him in the reservoir below. He was also lucky that her healing powers were more effective than they had been a few years prior. It has still taken him a few weeks to completely recover, much to his irritation.
"Though, I will admit I understand why most speak well of him," the artisan continued as he sat, taking a whetstone and running it along the blade's edge.
"Oh?"
"He seems to be of the mind that he has to earn what he wants. When he brought the bangle to me, he immediately offered to help gather materials for me to pay for it." The master craftsman was silent for a moment. "He seems rather fond of you."
"No more than the rest of his friends, I'm sure," Mipha said a bit more quickly than she had intended. In recent years, Link's visits had become rarer as his duties kept him away from home for long periods of time. Still, she was conflicted about how he had chosen to spend his most recent visit. It was so very kind of him to spend what little time he had to rest restoring something she treasured; however, she would have much rather spent that time with him.
Dento looked up at her, studying her intently. She found that many of the elders had been watching her more of late, as though trying to see into her mind. She thought it may have been out of concern for her welfare until Muzu had made a comment concerning how little time was left before her white-scale was to come in. Then she understood what the true purpose of the looks was.
She said nothing, fighting to keep a perfectly composed expression.
"It's a shame." Dento returned his eyes to the blade, inspecting the edge with a sharp eye. "He was so insistent on having your tiara repaired that I was unable to put the finishing touches on the blade Sergeant Seggin commissioned for him before his departure."
"..."
"Then again, he'll have to travel on foot to the nearest stable," Dento mused as he took a wrap and began polishing the weapon. "I suppose I could have the sword finished here soon and have someone deliver it for me. Of course, if that someone were rather fond of the boy, they might be able to make a case before the king to allow for a little more time. Who knows, they may even be able to see Castle Town itself." Finished with the polishing, Dento gathered a few extra turquoise stones on his workbench. "Of course, such an individual would have to act fast, as I intend to send this off as soon as I've finished."
Mipha's mind was racing, searching for whatever excuse she could bring before her father that might buy her the most time.
"You'll have to forgive me, Lady Mipha," Dento said. "I did not mean to distract you from your obligations for so long."
"It is quite all right," Mipha said, not really following the conversation anymore. "If you will excuse me, Master Dento, there are a few matters I must bring before my father. Thank you again."
"You are most welcome."
Mipha had already left, making her way quickly to the throne room. If her very quick math was correct, she might be able to wiggle in a few extra hours with the Hylian Knight.
