Dorephan sat back against his throne and watched his son pace back and forth in front of him. He had never seen Prince Sidon in such a state. Sidon, like his older sister, was governed primarily by his heart. It made it difficult for the young Prince to think rationally at times, especially when others were in need. Even so, Dorephan hated to admit that he was surprised that his normally optimistic son was this angry. Though, even he felt a simmering anger when he thought of his daughter who still slept in her room.

"How could they keep this from us!" Sidon burst out. "They let us believe she was dead for all these years."

Of the many responses that came to mind, he chose silence as his son continued to pace at his feet. He had learned not long after taking the throne that silence could be just as powerful as a commanding voice when used properly.

"Did you know?" Sidon asked as he rounded on him. His eyes stared up at Dorephan trying to pierce through him.

He was grateful that Muzu had chosen to remain with Mipha as she slept. The old Zora had been especially hard on the Prince since Mipha's loss. Had the Elder been there to hear the tone of the young Prince's voice, he surely would have started lecturing him.

"I had my suspicions, but I was certain of nothing."

"How long did you have these suspicions?"

"Do you remember what happened not long after the Great Calamity?"

"Do you mean the rogue Guardian that nearly attacked us? Why didn't you- " the Prince stopped as Dorephan held up a webbed hand. He said nothing as he allowed his attention to be drawn to the silvery sheen that filled the tranquil waters of the domain. The soft light took him back to his younger days. He had always had a special love of Night. The way the Moon glinted off the Domain's intricate, metallic surfaces held a beauty that the Sun could not hope to match. He let the calmness of the night wash over him before he answered Sidon.

"The Guardian didn't find its way here by accident. No, it was following a Hylian Knight who had come to deliver a message. I found him after I disposed of the Guardian. I believe his name was Owen." He paused, taking time to remember the Hylian that had brought him the barest glimmer of hope. He could sense his son's impatience.

"He told me that your sister had fallen on the field of battle and that the Hylian Champion carried her off the field himself. The Knight then told me that he had personally seen her to a place called the Shrine of Resurrection. He was uncertain as to whether or not she would survive, however, he seemed to think that she at least had a chance."

"He also gave me this," Dorephan continued as he opened a chest that lay beside him. From it, he pulled a beautiful trident.

"The Lightscale Trident," Sidon gasped. "But how? We sent it drifting down the river." The King smiled as he heard a tinge of the usual excitement in the Prince's voice.

"A part of me believed that she may still be alive," Dorephan murmured as his finger traced a wave-like appendage on one of the prongs. Even as an addition for mere aesthetics, it was quite sharp. "I had Dento forge a copy before the ceremony. That was what we sent down the river." He set the trident down gingerly, worried that he may damage it.

"I'm sorry," Sidon said suddenly.

"Whatever for?"

"I was insensitive when I asked you that. I should have taken time to think about how hard this must have been for you." Sidon sighed as he rubbed his forehead.

"You have every right to be upset with me," Dorephan replied firmly. "I was not as forthright with you as I should have been. She is as dear to you as she is to me."

The Prince nodded but seemed no less bothered.

"You aren't just upset with me, are you? You are angry at her as well, are you not?"

"You must be ashamed to have a son as petty as I am."

"I would be concerned if you were not upset with her. Mipha would never willingly abandon you but she has been gone for a long time. How you are feeling is a part of the grieving process."

He smiled gently as his son nodded.

"Now then, why don't you go wait by Mipha's side. She may be overwhelmed when she is awakened. I think your presence will help her."

"Just leave it to me," Sidon replied as he assumed his usual pose. His smile was not quite as wide as normal. He spun around and began jogging out of the room.

"One more thing," Dorephan called out. Sidon stopped and turned around. "You were wrong. I could not be more proud to call you my son."

Sidon closed his eyes and bowed his head. Even from his height, Dorephan could see the grimace that painted his son's face.

"Thank you," he finally replied. He turned back around and made his way out of the throne room.

Dorephan watched as Sidon's back retreated from view.

He gazed around the throne room. His size made it difficult for him to move much. The throne and the room that it was situated in was the only area that was designed to truly handle his size. As result, he chose to remain seated on his throne most of the time. They had built a pool at the foot of his throne after they had rebuilt it. It was made to keep him in good health but he had another use for it.

He reached into its depths and pulled out another chest. From it, he removed a finely crafted set of armor. It was tradition among the Royal Family for their Princesses to hand make such armor for the man they intended to marry. He traced the silvery bracers that Mipha had carefully set on the forearms. She had designed them to look nearly identical to the bracelets that she herself had worn.

He smiled as he looked over the piece. The man she'd chosen had always complained about how armor limited his mobility and slowed him down. She had kept that in mind while making it. The bracers and pauldrons were the only parts made of metal and even then, it was a lightweight metal. The chest was covered by tough, dark blue scales while the back and underarms were made of softer, black scales.

He folded the engagement gift up gently but did not return it to the chest, choosing instead to set it gingerly in his lap. The young man she had chosen had been known widely for his courage. Dorephan knew him for his stubbornness. If any Hylian could have survived alongside her, it would be him. He was just too headstrong to die.

And so, he sat waiting for a familiar mop of blonde hair to come bobbing up to his throne.

"All you have to do is write a letter and send it down the river."

"But isn't this supposed to help Zora girls find spouses? I'm not looking for a husband."

"It's called the Bank of Wishes dear," Nera chided a young Mipha. "You just have to wish for a friend, and it will help you find one."

Mipha looked down at the banks uncertainly. She looked back to her mother.

"Are you sure?"

"I am indeed. I won't be around forever. There will come a time when you need to be able to rely on those around you."

Muzu had come for her in the middle of the night. He was so busy rushing the young Zora to the infirmary to explain to her what was going on. No matter how fast she and Muzu made their way forward, she was unable to escape the pit of dread that was overtaking her. Queen Nera, her mother, had been in the infirmary for weeks. Despite the intensive care she received, the Queen's health had continued to deteriorate rapidly.

The young Princess had attempted to heal her mother using her own magic, but she hadn't mastered the power she had been blessed with. When she could access it, the power was weak and could only heal the smallest injuries. Her mother's ailments were far beyond what she was capable of treating. Mipha could only sit by her mother's side, her heart aching as she watched her once-vibrant mother wither away.

Muzu dragged her into the infirmary. She continued to follow him, not really seeing anything in her surroundings. She had passed the rows of beds enough times that she could find her way to her mother's bedside without the aid of sight. She barely registered her father, who stood close by with a sleeping Sidon in his arms.

"Hello, my dear." Queen Nera barely had the energy to lift herself up anymore. Often, despite how much the Queen hated it, she had to have assistance when eating. Even so, she still graced her eldest child with a loving smile as she reached out to Mipha weakly. The young Zora took her mother's hand gingerly and held it close.

"I-I'm sorry." It took all Mipha had to not break down. The crushing guilt she felt was only compounded as her mother's smile didn't falter.

"This isn't your fault," Nera murmured.

"But I- "

"Don't be foolish, child. None of us can defy the will of the goddess. You were blessed with miraculous powers, but they were not meant for me. One day though, you will understand why you were given them."

"I'm sorry, mother."

"Oh Mipha," Nera chided as she brought her hand up to her daughter's face, cupping Mipha's cheek as she continued, "always apologizing when you have no reason to."

Even before she had finished speaking, the Queen's breathing had become more labored.

"Mother?"

"I need you to promise me something dear."

"Anything."

"I need you to promise me that you will look after Sidon and yourself," she gasped out.

"Myself?"

"Yes. Don't you have a promise to keep?" Mipha felt panic taking over her as her mother's breathing became even more strained by the second. It seemed that she could barely force her words out.

Mipha nodded quickly. She had never sent a letter down the Bank of Wishes as Nera had urged her to.

"Good." Nera's hand slipped from where it had been resting. Mipha quickly grabbed onto it, some small part of her hoping that the action would keep her mother close by. "My one regret," she murmured quietly as the light in her eyes began to fade, "is that I won't be there to hold you as you grow."

"Mother?" Mipha asked quickly. Her heart seized as the Queen's hand went limp.

"Mother!" Despite Muzu's protests she climbed up onto her mother's bed and put a hand on her mother's forehead. She felt a familiar, surge of power and for a moment she smiled, thinking her mother would be okay. All too soon, the energy dissipated and Nera still lay motionless.

"Mother!" she cried out again. She tried again to summon her powers but there was nothing. She felt someone grab onto her and attempt to pull her off. She stubbornly held onto her mother, refusing to accept that she was well and truly gone.

"Don't be silly, young Lady. Your mother is- " She heard Muzu's voice break as he tried to hold back his own tears. She felt tears collect in her own eyes as she realized what that meant. Muzu had always conducted himself with the pride befitting a Zora. If he was struggling to not show weakness, then that meant there was no hope.

Her little body shook as she sobbed into her mother's chest. She felt the large, strong arm of her father wrap her up gently and pulled her away. She went willingly, curling up like her sleeping brother as her father held her close. She wanted so badly for that to be enough, but the tears just wouldn't stop.

She was so distraught that she didn't even notice as the King knelt next to his deceased wife and gently placed his forehead against hers. She didn't notice as he returned to his feet when he had finished his goodbye. She didn't notice as her baby brother was handed to Muzu, nor did she notice as her father took her to her room and sat next to her as she cried herself to sleep.

The only thing she noticed, the only thing that registered, was the large void that had wormed its way into her chest.

She lay on her back, staring at her ceiling dully. The young Zora had spent a couple of days believing, hoping that her mother's death was just a bad dream. She had spent those days in her room waiting for her mother to enter quietly as she always did. The late Queen never did come.

Muzu would come visit her daily. At first, the Elder had been understanding and unusually gentle. As time went on, he became angry with the Princess as she refused to accept her mother's death even after they had sent her body drifting down the Zora River. He would lecture on about how she needed to come to terms with the loss. Each passing day found Mipha's own ire increasing as Muzu continued to prod her. One day, she finally snapped at her mentor. He had walked away, angrier than she had ever seen him. He hadn't come back after that, at least for a time.

Though Muzu had left, the anger remained with her. No matter what she did it remained at her side as though, through some twisted logic, it was supposed to be her friend. It burned her insides, made her want to scream and shout the worst kinds of things at people, especially her mother. Part of her wished that Muzu would come back so that she could flay him with her words. She hated it, how it made her feel, but most of all, she hated how she couldn't get away from it.

One day she sat facing her wall with the overbearing anger coursing when she heard someone enter her room. She whirled around, ready to snap at Muzu only to come face to face with her father. She stared at him, unsure that it really was him that she was seeing. He had greeted her quietly, but she didn't extend the same courtesy.

His sad gaze did nothing to prevent her from lashing out bitterly at him when he tried to speak. She had finally gotten the outlet she had been hoping for. Every awful thing that she had wanted to say finally escaped her lips. Dorephan's sad yet patient expression never faltered. This only made it worse for Mipha. She wanted him to be just as angry as she was. She wanted him to fight back. She wanted to feel that her anger was justified.

Dorephan wrapped her up in a delicate embrace after she had finally lost the energy to continue. She had been too surprised to resist him. He held her as the anger finally left her. Her relief was short lived though as something come to replace the burning. Tears flowed freely as the King continued to hold her, rubbing her back gently. Neither said anything, letting actions and silence say the things they couldn't speak.

Upon waking, she felt a subdued sense of surprise. As she had looked around her room it looked as though the color had bled out of the world around. All that was left was a listless Grey. Even her once bright red scales took on a colorless appearance. Mipha couldn't be too bothered by the disturbing change. Everything that she felt or sensed seemed to come from somewhere far away. Everything around her seemed to lose their meaning. The young Zora had lost the energy to seek the meaning around her. All she could do was lay there, unaware of the passage of time, staring hollowly at her ceiling.

Muzu had come back after her father's visit. He had tried to speak to her but his words came out unintelligible to her. Eventually, the Elder gave up and instead settled for holding her hand. She could just barely feel his hand clasping hers but it didn't comfort her. A small part of her found some dark humor in the actions. Muzu didn't realize that his efforts were in vain. There was nothing to comfort, nothing that could be helped. She was empty, just a shell of a girl that used to be.

During one of his visits, she suddenly grew sick of the emptiness. She didn't hate it, she felt disdain for it and herself. It sickened her, the way she didn't feel, the way the world had lost its beauty, the way that she lay there lethargically. Mipha had no inkling of how long she had locked herself away but she decided one day that it had been for far too long.

After Muzu left, she forced herself to sit up and look around. She cringed slightly as she saw a tray of food sitting forgotten on her desk. She had no idea where it had come from. She felt a moment of self-loathing as she realized how much she had lost track of the world around her.

Despite the hunger pangs she felt, Mipha felt no desire to ear. She stumbled over to her desk and began to eat anyway. The food was flavorless but that didn't matter to her. The Queen had died but she had wanted her daughter to live, had made Mipha promise that she would take care of herself.

She used her wash basin next. She had no idea how long it had been since she had last bathed but she needed it. She had forgotten how wonderful it felt to be clean. She reveled in the feeling for as long as she could. After she had finished, she put her jewelry on for the first time since her mother's passing.

The Zora Princess sat down at her desk and pulled a piece of parchment towards herself.

To Whoever finds this letter,

She gave the words a dissatisfied frown. They struck her as impersonal, but she didn't know what else to say. She had never had a friend to write to.

She sat back and stared at the beginnings of a letter. The young Zora thought back to what her mother would have said. The late Queen would have told her to write something heartfelt. Mipha wasn't sure what lay in her heart anymore. However, as she gently placed the tip of her coral pen to the page, she traced lines and curves that became words and those words became sentences.

The letter's contents were a mystery to her when she had finished. It didn't concern her though. While she had written the letter to help her make a friend, her real motive was to keep her promise to her mother. She rolled up the letter and placed into a small clay jar that she had never found a use for. The young Zora then set off for the bank that her mother had shown her a lifetime ago.

Many of the denizens of the Domain stopped and stared at her as she passed them. Mipha gave each a quiet greeting and a small smile but never slowed down. She left the beautiful metal structures that made up her home and began the precarious journey towards the Bank of Wishes.

A small voice in the back of her head reminded her that she was more than capable of swimming there. It would be faster and safer. She quieted the voice, reminding herself that speed wasn't what she wanted. Mipha and her mother had hiked the first time they had traveled to the Bank of Wishes together. The Princess decided it would be a fitting way to honor her mother's memory.

It was late afternoon by the time she finally reached her destination. She took in the scenery around her, allowing it to whisk her back to her first visit with her mother. It had been a happier time but those times were gone now. It was time to finally make peace with the world.

The young Zora waded out into the water and placed the jar carrying her letter into the peaceful river. Mipha watched solemnly as the little jar bobbed away. A part of her felt sorrow as her letter left her view. It seemed to her that she was truly sending her mother off.

Another part of her felt that maybe, just maybe, there was hope for a brighter future.

She stood in the shallows of the river long after the little clay container had floated away. It was the only way she knew to say goodbye.

"Why are you so booorring," Sidon whined. "You finally came out of your room and all you do is study and train with Seggin. When you aren't doing that, you're walking. You don't even go anywhere, you just walk."

"Sidon- "

"I know, I know," Sidon pouted with crossed arms, "you have responsibilities, blah, blah, blah." He sighed and hung his head low. "You won't play with me anymore."

"I will play with you tomorrow."

"That's what you said last time…"

Mipha clutched her hands in front of her as the other Zora children stared at her as though she was a fabled monster. She tried to find a diplomatic answer that her younger brother could understand but those stares were the reason she didn't play with them. Every time she had tried to play with Sidon and his friends, they treated her as an outsider. Without fail, she would wind up a bystander, watching from the edge as they played. Then one day, Muzu had found her trying to play with them. He had become so angry with her and the children that he had gone on a tirade about how to properly conduct herself. If she had been an outsider before, she was now a threat to their fun.

She tried to avoid the children. Being alienated by her generation tore at her. The older generations loved her but they didn't know her. They only held an idea of her. Her father was her only hope of companionship but he had become busy in recent weeks. There was no one else. It was a lonely existence.

She was too distracted to notice the small form sneaking up on her.

"I'm sorry Sidon bu- "

"Tag!" She stumbled slightly as she felt someone crash into her from behind. She looked over her shoulder quickly to find a young Hylian boy grinning at her.

"What?"

"I was it and I tagged you," he replied with a large grin.

"Linny," gasped one of the Zora girls, "that's Lady Mipha. You can't- "

"Mipha?" he asked. The Princess wondered about the recognition she heard in his voice.

"Yes. And you are?"

"Link," the Hylian boy replied proudly.

"It's very nice to meet you," Mipha said as she extended a hand out to him.

"I'm not falling for that one!" he cried as he danced away from her.

"What?"

"You're still it. I don't wanna be it again."

"I see," the Princess responded uncertainly. She wasn't sure why but she had a strange nervous energy overtake her. Before she thought better of it she lashed out to grab the Hylian. He was faster and sprinted away from her.

"Too slow!"

A part of her thought it was inappropriate for her to be any more involved with the game than she already was. For once she chose to ignore the voice.

She could tell that Link was far too quick for her. The others were also likely out of her reach as they had backed away from her nervously, waiting for her to once again ruin their game. All except Sidon, who sat on the ground still pouting.

"There, there Sidon," she said with a playful smile. She reached down and patted him gently on the head.

"No, it isn't."

"I'm sure it will be." She edged away from him carefully.

"How?"

"Well for starters, you are it." She dashed away from her younger brother quickly.

"Huh…"

She looked over her shoulder. She laughed to herself as she watched understanding dawned on his face.

"Hey, no fair! Mipha!" the Prince shouted after her. He jumped to his feet and started after her.

She smiled joyfully as all the other children laughed. They closed in on the two siblings as some came into taunt Sidon. Finally, the Prince got ahold of a young girl.

"Aww," she complained. "Linny, I'm coming for you!"

"Just try and catch me Kodah!" Link shouted back.

And on and on the game went. Mipha lost track of the time as she became fully immersed with the others. She was able to call out to each of them by name now and they seemed to have forgotten that she was a Princess. Even in the midst of the chaotic game, Mipha was careful to treat the others gently. No matter how hard she herself was shoved or grabbed, she made sure to just barely make contact. She refused to ruin the fun by hurting someone.

Link gave her a mischievous grin. Gaddison had just barely managed to tap his heel. He had instantly rounded on the Zora Princess as soon as he had become the predator. His body jolted towards her but his lunge was a feint. She tried to leap to safety but stumbled. Link's grin widened as he launched towards her with hand outstretched.

"Lady Mipha! Prince Sidon! What do you think you are doing?!"

Mipha's heart fell as she recognized Muzu's voice. She straightened herself and turned to face the irate elder.

"Here comes grumpy gills to ruin everything." She suppressed the urge to shake her head at Sidon's sour tone.

"I asked what you are doing," Muzu repeated tersely.

"We were having fun til you showed up," Sidon replied sullenly.

"That is no way to speak to an elder, Sidon," Mipha cut in before Muzu could retort. Normally, the old Zora would have given her a slight nod of approval. This time he turned his glare on her.

"You two will come with me."

Neither of the two argued. They knew that tone all too well. It meant that they would be dragged before their father, where they would be forced to listen as Muzu ranted about their shortcomings.

As they made their way to the throne room, Mipha thought back over her experience. She found that even though it had ended on a sour note, she didn't regret it in the slightest. It had been so long since she had worn such a genuine smile. She held her head high as she followed Muzu to her place before the King of the Domain.

"What is it this time, Muzu." As always, her father sounded of tireless patience.

"I caught these two roughhousing, with a Hylian no less!"

Dorephan raised a brow.

"They were running and rolling around in the muck. They had little regard for- "

"And what precisely have they done wrong?"

"They have shown a complete disregard for decorum," Muzu sputtered.

"Have either of them fallen behind in their studies?"

"That is neither here nor there."

"So they have not?"

"No…"

"What game were they playing?" her father asked as he leaned forward suddenly.

"My lord, that is irrelevant!"

"We were playing tag!" Sidon jumped in excitedly.

The King regarded Sidon carefully. Then he turned to Mipha. Sitting in her father's gaze was oddly comforting to her. He seemed to always be able to see straight through her. It was as though he understood what she to convey without the need for words.

His eyes searched through her far longer than they had Sidon. Finally, he leaned back and returned his gaze to Muzu.

"I see no problems with them playing with the other children. As you have said, neither is allowing such excursions to affect their studies and Seggin has assured me that Mipha is making remarkable progress in her combat training. There is no reason that they should not be enjoying some free time."

"But my lord- "

Muzu stopped short as Dorephan took to his feet without warning. The towering King stepped up to the Elder. Setting a hand on Muzu's shoulder, Dorephan leaned until his head was level with his advisor's. He murmured something, then straightened and motioned for his children to follow.

Mipha had to suppress a giggle as she followed behind. She had chanced a glance over her shoulder to see Muzu wearing the most flabbergasted look she had ever seen. The Elder opened and closed his mouth, apparently unaware that even had he spoken, no one would be there to hear.

She sped up so that she matched her father's pace.

"If I may father, what did you say to Muzu?"

The King slowed and looked at her over his shoulder. She hadn't been able to see it before but a large smile was splitting his face.

"You're it," he replied.

The laughter of the two siblings was drowned out by their father's own.

Later that same night, Mipha was returning from one of her walks when she heard Muzu arguing with King Dorephan. She had intended to keep going but she heard her name mentioned.

"It is not her place to be rolling around with the riff-raff."

"Tell me Muzu, what has the boy done to deserve your scorn?"

"He is a nuisance! Since he has come along, he has been a negative influence on our youth. Now he is trying to corrupt your children. He should be thrown out before he can do any more damage than has already been done."

"What damage is this?"

"As I was saying earlier," Muzu replied tightly, "I have never seen such poor conduct from Mipha and Sidon."

Her father was quiet for a long time. She was worried that he was truly considering sending Link away. She had learned that his home had been destroyed in a raid. This was the only place he could come to.

"Has it perhaps occurred to you, my old friend, that you are wrong in this instance. My daughter has never had a strong bond with her peers. If what you say is true, then he has done more to help her build those bonds then either of us has."

"But he is- "

"Enough!" Mipha flinched as her father snapped at Muzu. She had never heard him speak in such a manner. "What is it you desire Muzu? That my children conduct themselves 'properly?' Then perhaps you should attend to your behavior first. How often do I allow you to overstep your bounds, advisor?"

Mipha heard Muzu attempt to formulate response but was unsuccessful. Eventually, Dorephan sighed tiredly.

"I am sorry, old friend, but you must realize that your way will only make it harder for the poor girl. She needs to earn the love of her peers now before she becomes unreachable on the throne."

"My Lord, I just-"

"Do you wish for her to become bitter and resentful?"

"That is not at all my intent," she heard Muzu reply quickly.

"Then let her be a child while she still can."

"As you wish," Muzu replied, his voice full of sorrow.

She hid quickly as the Elder exited the throne room. The normally proud Zora no longer bore a proud posture. He slouched as we walked down the steps leading to the Domain's square slowly. Her heart went out her mentor as he stepped out of view.

"While I am glad that you are behaving your age, I am not entirely sure that I like all of these new habits." Her insides froze as her father's voice emanated from the throne room. She stepped into the large room nervously. Her heart seized even further as she saw an unusually stern expression on the King's face. "I don't think eavesdropping is particularly appropriate for anyone, young lady."

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to intrude."

"How much did you hear?"

"More than I should have."

"I see. Well try not to make a habit of it," Dorephan chuckled. His face softened as he continued, "it has been too long since the two of us could speak as father and daughter. How are you, my dear?"

"I am well, thank you."

"Good." Dorephan leaned forward and gave her a searching look. "How are you really?"

"I… don't know," Mipha replied as she wrapped her arms around herself.

Her father said nothing nor did he need to. She knew that he would wait as long as needed for her to finish.

"I am well enough mostly but there are still days when I struggle to get up in the morning," she admitted.

Dorephan closed his eyes as she continued.

"There are times when I wonder if I will ever truly move on…"

Quiet reigned as both father and daughter said nothing. Eventually, the King sat back and opened his eyes. He stared above her, lost in thoughts.

"Everyone that we meet," he started slowly as he refocused his attention on her, "everyone that we allow into our lives are all so very different. As such, each one will create a space in our hearts that is so uniquely their own," Dorephan sighed.

"When we lose that person, a hole is created. We often try to fill those holes with other people or things, however, nothing is able to fill that hole quite like that person."

Mipha nodded. She knew him well enough to know that he wasn't done speaking yet. Dorephan continued gathering his thoughts.

"The true struggle of loss is not learning to fill that void, it's learning to live with it."

"So I will always feel this pain?"

"You will always feel it to some extent. Maybe not as much as you feel it now but nobody will ever be able to take her place in your heart."

"Do you miss her?"

"Every day," Dorephan murmured.

"Did she know that she was going to die?" she asked carefully. There were doubts and questions that she had held inside for so long. She hoped to finally get some answers.

"I think she knew long before the sickness took hold," Dorephan replied solemnly. "Not long after your brother was born, she began to act differently, almost like she was preparing for something inevitable."

"Was she scared?" Mipha's voice cracked slightly as she asked.

"I think her only worry was for you and Sidon," her father murmured. "Her peaceful manner never left her, even when she thought no one was watching her." He chuckled suddenly, "she used to joke about how, at the rate I am 'growing,'" he said as he patted his stomach, "that I would be joining her soon."

Mipha winced slightly. Her father may have found it funny. Such jokes weren't to her liking. Her father gave her an apologetic smile.

"Is there anything else you wished to ask me?"

"Do you intend to send Link away?"

"Are you already on a first name basis with him? Perhaps I should seeing as things are moving rather fast between you two," he replied with a raised brow.

The King's laughter boomed through the room as Mipha threw her hands and up shook her head quickly.

"No, I do not intend to send him away. Besides," Dorephan said sadly, "we would have nowhere to send him from what I hear."

"T-thank you," Mipha stuttered.

"Before you take your leave, there is one thing I must ask of you. Please try to keep your 'escapades' with the other children away from Muzu. We all have enough stress without him feeling the need to correct this as well."

"Has something happened, father?"

"Nothing you need worry about my dear. Now, will you do as I have asked?"

Mipha nodded.

"Thank you. Sleep well, child."

"I hope you do as well."

"Link, are you sure you are okay? Mipha asked worriedly.

"Yeah," Link sighed, "Kodah and I got into a big fight."

"If you would like, we could postpone until you are feeling better."

"Are you kidding!" Link exclaimed enthusiastically, "I've been waiting to see Naydra since you told me about her!"

"Then we should be on our way."

Link followed her out of the Domain towards the Veiled Falls. Mipha couldn't help but notice that Link's step was lacking its usual spring.

"Link?"

"Hmm?"

"May I ask what you and Kodah were fighting about?"

"Oh… that." The boy sighed as he ran a hand through his unruly hair. "Kodah was snooping through my stuff and she found a personal letter of mine."

"Why would be upset about a letter of yours?"

"She thinks it's a love letter. She made me… she made me choose between her and the person who sent it." With those words, the Princess understood the problem. Kodah had a blatant crush on Link, which the Hylian seemed completely oblivious to.

"May I ask who you chose?" Mipha asked timidly. She had no desire to upset him by asking too personal a question and the further she pried, the more uncomfortable he became.

"I told her that I didn't have those kinds of feelings for either of them," Link replied as he started rubbing the back of his head. "But she told me I had to choose one. I… didn't choose her. She didn't take it very well," he sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"Not your fault. Besides, I finally get to see a dragon!"

Mipha giggled as he shifted from a sullen mood to his usual excitable self. She shook her head as he flexed an arm and grinned. Sidon had taken a liking to the stance and had started using it himself. Trouble seemed to hound the Hylian and Zora Prince when they made that stance.

"So what makes this spot so cool?" Link asked as they climbed the steep incline that led to the top of the falls.

"My mother used to bring me here to watch Naydra. I suppose it is no different from any other spot."

"Your mother?"

"Yes…"

"Are you sure she would be okay with you bringing me?" Link asked somberly.

"I think she would be thrilled to know that I trusted someone enough to bring them here. Are you alright?" Link had slowed down noticeably. She had trouble making out his face in the dusk that lay over the hills that surrounded Zora's Domain but she was sure he was wearing a pained expression.

"I just really miss my mother and my friends."

"I'm so sorry to have made you think of them."

Link shrugged.

"Would you tell me about them?"

"I had a couple of friends but my favorite was Owen. He was like Sidon, always getting into trouble but you couldn't ever really be mad at him. One day we made a brother's pact. After that, we both got in trouble a lot more."

"A brother's pack?"

"Yeah," Link grinned, "sounds cool, doesn't it. A Goron came to visit us one time, I think his name was Daruk," Link said thoughtfully. "Anyway, he told us about it. He thought it was really funny how we got ourselves into trouble and tried to get out of it. He told us it's when two people swear that no matter what happens, they'll have each other's back."

"Owen must have meant a lot to you."

"Yeah…"

"What about your mother?"

"..."

"If you don't want to- "

"She always used to talk about how I had my father's eyes. Something about how they sparkled like his. When Owen and I would get in trouble, she always used to sit me down and tell me why I shouldn't go and do stupid things, then she would sigh and say 'what am I to do with you?'" He stopped but even so, Mipha didn't speak. She felt that maybe there was more he wanted to say.

"Whenever I would get scared, she would hug me and tell me that everything would be alright. That my father was watching over me and would help protect me. I just wish he had protected her too. I guess even he couldn't keep everyone safe."

"Link…"

Their hike continued in silence as Mipha regretted asking about her friend's past. They finally reached the tops of the hills and the Zora wordlessly began leading the Hylian towards a pond that fed into a small waterfall.

"Thanks, Mipha," Link said quietly.

"For what?" Mipha was genuinely confused about why the Hylian would be thanking her.

"Kodah only likes to talk about happy things. Sometimes I need to talk about sad things though."

"You are welcome. I hope you know that you can always talk to me."

"I do," Link replied with a smile.

Mipha returned his smile. She sat down gracefully as Link plopped down next to her. They stared up at the sky expectantly, waiting for the giant snake-like dragon to come.

"Have you gotten into the Bazz Brigade yet?" Mipha asked as they saw no sign of Naydra.

"Yep."

"And how did you manage that?" she asked innocently. Seggin had been scoffing about it all morning during her training.

"By giving Bazz sword lessons," Link muttered. "I actually think he may be hopeless."

"Hmm?"

"I thought maybe he just needed someone who believed in him. Now I think that he just wasn't made to swing a sword," he sighed.

"Well, at least you are trying. Sergeant Seggin gave up a long time ago."

"What does the Demon Sergeant have to do with Bazz?"

"Didn't you know? Bazz is his son."

"What!?" Link cried incredulously. "Bazz is the son of the Demon Sergeant."

"Is that so hard to believe?"

"He nearly cut his foot off at practice this morning!"

"Oh dear," Mipha murmured as she brought up a hand to hide her smile.

Once again the two fell quiet. Nothing happened as they sat there but Mipha didn't mind. She almost wished that the dragon wouldn't show. She could almost believe that if Naydra didn't come then maybe this moment wouldn't have to end.

Link flopped onto his back and stared up at the stars above them.

"One time, my mother told me that the stars were windows into heaven and that the people we lost used them to watch over us… do you think that's true?"

Mipha lay down beside him and looked up to the stars as well. She didn't know what she believed about the afterlife or the goddesses.

"I believe that those who loved us are always with us, even though we can't hear or see them." She turned to find Link with a dissatisfied expression. "Unfortunately, that rarely makes things easier."

Link said nothing as he continued staring at the sky above. Mipha also continued gazing above, somehow wishing that she could ease her friend's pain. Though her healing powers had grown greatly, she couldn't mend a broken heart. She could only offer companionship.

Link's face morphed to grin as a bluish light filled their surroundings.

"Naydra," he breathed excitedly.

Mipha looked up to find Naydra twisting through the air. The giant snake-dragon was covered in iridescent, blue-green scales. Small legs appeared to be swimming through the air as they helped propel Naydra through the night sky.

"Beautiful, is she not?"

"Yeah."

"Naydra has guarded this land since ancient times. Her presence and continued blessings are the reason that we are not overwhelmed by monsters."

"She keeps this land safe?"

"As much as she can, but…" Mipha didn't finish. She only had an inkling that something was wrong with the world. Months ago, when she had spoken with her father about Muzu, he had let slip that something was wrong. After that, she began to notice how busy her father had become. It also did not escape her that all the Elders seemed on edge about something. Jihato, the Zora historian, had been called away several times. The Zora Princess could only hope that she was wrong about the storm she sensed on the horizon.

"But even she can't save everyone," Link finished glumly. "She still looks awesome."

"She is a sight to behold."

"And someday I'll meet her in person," Link said, unwavering determination in his voice.

"Meet her?"

"Yeah!" Link cried as jumped to his feet. "HEAR THAT NAYDRA? I'M GONNA COME MEET YOU ONE DAY!"

Mipha marveled at the young Hylian. No matter how the world tried to beat him down, he was always ready to get back up with a smile on his face. She noticed a scratch on his arm that had escaped her before. She chastised herself internally for not noticing it earlier.

As Link lay back down, she reached out gently placed her hand over the scratch. She let her healing magic flow. She wasn't sure what had caused the improvement of her powers but she was grateful. Now, she could heal most any minor injury that she came across. She began to believe that in time, she would be able to heal anything short of death. The Young Princess' only regret was that it wouldn't be in time to save her mother.

As Mipha drew her hand back, Link grabbed it and held it tightly in his own. Mipha sent him a questioning gaze but he didn't look away from Naydra. She gave his hand a comforting squeeze. He returned it. The young Zora wished that every day could be like this, quietly spent in the company of a dear friend.

The two friends lay side by side as Naydra danced through the sky above them.

A/N: So I was originally going to have Mipha's memory just take up one chapter. Then, I realized "ha, it's going to be around twice as long as it usually is." and I didn't want to do that to myself. So instead it is going to take up two chapters. Fun...

In other news, this didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would so that's a plus.