Thank you for all the support already!
Just to clarify somethings. ATM Lynk is 16, Mipha is 17, Sidon is roughly 7 or so, as he looks to be that age in the memories.
I've added yuri into the summary for obvious reason, and while sexuality isn't going to play a large role, it is included, especially in regards to Lynk.
I'm also planning to create my own cover, the one I have now—Link in snow gear—isn't mine and I wanted to portray Lynk how I see her.
Reply:
GriffinMan: The first chapter for me always tends to vary in length, but I normally write chapters to be roughly between 3-4k (but not always, sometimes I just can't extend it enough to reach that goal). Unfortunately, much longer is a bit out of my range at the moment ^^'
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Chapter 2: Zora's Domain
Two Months Later
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"You haven't been able to come visit nearly as often in recent months." Mipha mourned quietly, breaking the peaceful silence between them.
Lynk turned her gaze from the stunning sight of the Zora's Domain below onto Mipha, her brows furrowed softly but she smiled softly, explaining: "Things are getting quite hectic, monster have been getting bolder recently. Papa's been having me help out even more with the Trainees."
Mipha exhaled softly and ducked her lower face into the water to hide her pout, it worked but mostly because Lynk had turned her gaze back onto the Domain.
"Is… is everything already, Lyn?" Mipha asked hesitantly when she noticed the way Lynk had clasped her hands together tightly, her brows pinched. The aquatic woman searched the Hylian's face, her skin tone was off—it looked far too grey for Mipha's liking. The Zora grasped the rock of the riverbank and pulled herself up onto the stone.
Lynk gave a forced smile. "Why do you ask, Mipha?"
Mipha reached forward, grasping Lynk's tightly clasped hands and raised them. "It's okay, Lyn." Mipha smiled. "You can tell me, that's what friends are for after all."
Lynk's mask cracked, revealing an expression of exhaustion. The blonde's shoulders slumped. "I…I haven't been sleeping very well recently is all."
"In what way?" Mipha questioned.
"I just…" Lynk sighed heavily, tilting to the side to lay her forehead against Mipha's shoulder. "I keep have these…nightmares."
Mipha released Lynk's hands and instead wrapped hers around Lynk's shoulders, resting her cheek against blonde hair. "Have you tried any sleep elixirs? Maybe one of them will help."
Lynk sighed again. "Yes, but no matter what I try, I always have the same dream and the worst part is that I can't even remember the damn thing when I wake up!"
Lynk wanted to cry out in frustration, her eyes burned with the tears, but she refused to let them fall. Mipha tightened her grip, the Zora opened her mouth to add—suggest—something when another voice called after them.
"Sister! Lynk!"
The two females parted and turned their gazes onto the familiar form of Sidon, who was stood on the bank opposite them waving.
The duo waved back at him in greeting.
"Let's head on over." Lynk slipped into the water, kicking off the bank and swimming towards the child Zora. Mipha shook her head in disbelief at Lynk's sudden change, but it was also expected. Lynk wasn't one to broadcast her worries to others—instead preferred to bundle them up until she worked them out herself or she just couldn't take it anymore.
Somethings would never change, Mipha mused fondly as she slipped back into the water and followed after the Hylian, pondering on ways to help Lynk with her nightmares. She hated to see the person she loved so much under the weather like this.
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"It's great to see you, Lynk!" Bazz cheered, hands on his hips as he grinned widely. He pointed his sword at her. "Now spar with me!"
Lynk chuckled—she couldn't help it really—and a real smile spread across her face. "Of course!"
With an audience of Mipha, Sidon, Rivan and Gaddison, the Zora and Hylian duo began to spar. Lynk occasionally noticing improvements for Bazz to make, most notably his footwork which seemed to be his only major weakness.
The sparing and laughter let Lynk forget about her nightmares, even if it was for only a small amount of time but she grasped the opportunity and used it to her full extent.
When Bazz was knocked from his feet for the fifth time, he gave a dramatic groan and pouted, wallowing in his quote-unquote self-pity. "I'm never gonna be as good as you, Lynk!"
Gaddison giggled and Bazz flushed at the sounds, he may or may not have a crush on the lilac Zora, but you wouldn't hear that from him!
"Don't worry, Bazz!" Rivan grinned as he turned his gaze onto the only Hylian member of their club. "You will get there eventually, Lynk can take on an adult and win after all!"
Lynk felt her cheeks warm at the compliment. "Thanks, Rivan, and Bazz you're getting better and better every time I see you." She offered a hand to pull him up. He took it, allowing Lynk to pull him to his feet. "It's really just your footwork that needs improvement. It being off, just that bit, can leave you open to an attack which will knock you off your feet, like I just did. That and practice, mastery takes years after all."
Bazz nodded, determination flickering across his face as he clenched his fists. "Footwork, got it!"
Mipha smiled, amused by her fellow kin, and glanced toward the darkening sky, noticing how late it was getting and she frowned. "It would be best if we start to head back now."
Everyone else turned their gazes to the sky also, partly in disbelief at how late it had gotten—time sure did pass quickly when you have fun.
"You're right." Gaddison nodded, worry flickered onto her face in a sheepish manner. "My mum will begin to wonder where I have gone off too if I'm not back home soon."
"And it is also dinner time too!" Sidon chimed which got grins from all around, Sidon often thought with his stomach. It was always too funny to not be amused at the young Zora princes when he let his thoughts wander to food.
Lynk sheathed her sword and nodded in agreement, she didn't want to linger out after dark too long. Monsters were increasing in numbers after all. "Let get a move on then."
They chatted mostly, discussing random topics that popped into mind as they began to make their trek back towards the dam, of which it was in the near but far distance. The lights that decorated the blue and silver grand structure illuminated brightly during the night. An easy beacon if one was to get lost around here.
Lynk stopped abruptly when she heard something, an odd noise that she could place if she just heard it again. She frowned, tilting her head.
"Lynk?" Mipha questioned having noticed her stop, a look of concern and confusion forming.
Lynk brought a finger to her lips to signal them to be quiet, however. The Big Bad Bazz Brigade club members came to a standstill, watching Lynk listen to their surroundings in a tense and uneasy silence. Her cerulean blue eyes darted to the right where there was a number of tall bushes and trees—enough for someone or something to hide in. Her eyes flashed back to the others, face portraying exactly what was wrong.
Bazz stepped in front of the others as both he and Lynk unsheathed their swords, dropping into a defensive stance. Mipha tugged Sidon back a safe distance, Gaddison and Rivan followed her example as none of them had any weapons on their person. It was best not to get in the way of those that did.
The noise got closer and everyone tensed. Bazz bit his lip and took a step only to have his foot hit a twig and—SNAP.
Bazz froze like he'd been hit with an ice arrow, eyes wide in horror as the rustling suddenly picked up, then a blue Moblin burst through the foliage. Lynk's eyes widened momentarily in surprise, not having expected the larger monster—she'd anticipated a Bokoblin, not a Moblin!
"Move!" Lynk barked as she rushed to the right and Bazz went to his left.
The Moblin seemed to think Bazz would be the better target out of the two—no doubt his brightly coloured scales was the reason for the Moblin's attention. But that also gave Lynk the chance to rush from behind, using a small outcrop of rock to launch herself onto the back of the Moblin, bringing her sword down on it.
The Moblin screeched as her blade pierced it's hide. It arched backwards as she slid down, bring the sword with her, slicing a deep and fatal wound. Lynk gasped as the Moblin fell forward abruptly, hitting the ground and ultimately got her covered in its purple blood.
Lynk scrambled off the now dead Moblin's back and stumbled, Mipha caught her before she tripped. Lynk nodded in appreciation.
"Lynk!" Sidon clutched the front of her shirt. "Are you okay?"
Lynk nodded but gently pushed Sidon off her. "Best not hug me, I'm covered in Moblin blood, Sidon."
The young Prince grimaced and took a large step back and away from Lynk in disgust. "Ew."
"Are you okay, Bazz?" Gaddison questioned as he stepped up beside her, her brows furrowed with concern.
"Completely fine, Gaddy! It didn't even get a chance to swipe at me cause of how fast Lynk acted!" Bazz grinned over at the Hylian. "You're seriously amazing Lynk!"
Lynk flushed and murmured a quiet thank you.
"Perhaps we should head back before anymore appear?" Rivan questioned, eyeing the surroundings nervously.
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"I'm gonna smell...ugh…of Moblin blood for a while." Lynk groaned, her shampoo was not strong enough to get rid of it. She grimaced, glaring down at the useless yellow bar she'd decided to bring to save rupees.
Mipha giggled, biting back a grin. She found the glare adorable with the way Lynk's cheeks were flushed red from the warm bathwater. She pushed the thought aside and asked: "Want to use some of mine? It's very fragranced, though it wasn't designed for hair."
Lynk sighed. "Yes please, Miph."
Mipha swam to the edge of the bath to fetch the soap. "Hey, Lyn?" Mipha flushed and clutched the bar in her hands as she approached her best friend again.
"Yeah?"
"Could…could I wash your hair?" Mipha blurted and the blush darkened, Lynk's own cheeks tinted.
The Hylian nodded, swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat. "Of course!"
Mipha beamed and didn't waste a second with swimming behind Lynk, brushing her fingers through her mildly tamed hair—it was always better behaved when wet after all. It was that moment Mipha realised Lynk's hair was a lot shorter than the previous time she'd seen her.
"Your hair…? How'd I not notice sooner?" Mipha questioned as she began to add the soap.
Lynk sighed. "There was an ex-Trainee that was causing some problems. I confronted him and he… didn't take being beaten by a girl very well. I managed to avoid the blade, but he caught my hair." Lynk pouted. "And I'd finally gotten a nice length!"
Mipha giggled. "Well no matter the hair length, you'll always be beautiful."
Lynk was very much thankful for the fact her back was facing Mipha at that moment. Lynk didn't really understand why Mipha could get her so flustered—it started happening when she'd turned thirteen.
Lynk couldn't deny Mipha was very beautiful, she didn't think anyone she'd ever meet could compare to the Zora princess.
Lynk tilted her head, eyes closing as Mipha scrubbed the soap into her hair. It hit Lynk momentarily that she might have the tiniest crush upon her best friend; Lynk was pretty ignorant in regards to general sexuality and her desires—she'd never really had any before!
Well, that wasn't all that true now that she realised that she might be attracted to Mipha.
Oof.
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After their fill of dinner, Mipha and Lynk made for the Princess's bedroom, where a large mound of pillows was waiting, calling their names. It had become an almost tradition for the girls now. Since they'd first become friends at age five and six, they'd had many sleepovers in Mipha's bedroom but since Zora slept in water, the Princess had collected as many pillows possible for Lynk to use as a bed.
Lynk could remember laughing her five-year-old heart out as Mipha had flushed in embarrassment when the Hylian told her she'd gone overboard with the pillows.
Didn't stop Lynk from using them all though, they were ever so comfortable to sleep on. Honestly how Mipha could find so many had Lynk wondering for years since Zora didn't exactly use them.
The duo perched on the mountain of pillows and Lynk filled Mipha in more about the happenings within the castle and Mipha responded with telling her about the happenings within Zora's Domain.
They talked for what could have been hours, the girls slowly succumbing to their tiredness. Mipha was almost asleep when she remembered something, she sat up and splashed some water which startled Lynk enough to lift her head up in confusion.
"Miph-ah?" Lynk slurred. "Ws'wrong?"
Mipha climbed from her waterbed and approached the drawers, pulling something from the top one. She returned to Lynk's side. "Well, your seventeenth birthday is next month, and I know you won't be able to return here for another four at least. So, I wanted to give you part of your present now."
Lynk pushed herself upright, rubbing her tired eyes. She looked to Mipha in amusement. "And you wanted to give me it now, just as we're going to sleep?"
"Well, after you told me about your trouble sleeping." Mipha held out a black leather neckless with an amethyst hanging from it. The purple rock shimmered in the dim light of the bedroom. "Amethyst are meant to aid people with falling to sleep and having a peaceful night. It's also supposed to help with dream recalling."
Lynk blinked, fighting the soft burn that hit her eyes. "Thank you." She breathed, ducking her head to allow Mipha to place the necklace over her head and tighten the strap.
"I know it isn't much." Mipha clasped her hands together, a soft smile gracing her lips. "But knowing you are suffering when there is a possibility that I could help wasn't something I'm going to miss."
Lynk threw herself at Mipha, who gave a startled gasp but her features softened as she listened to Lynk's muffled sniffles. "Thank you, Mipha. I'm thankful that I can call you my friend."
Mipha flushed but deep down the words left her feeling disappointed. Mipha pushed the feeling aside and returned the hug tightly. "And I you, Lyn, and I you."
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"It was a pleasure as always to have you here, Lynk." King Dorephan smiled down at the sixteen-year-old Hylian.
"And it's always great to be here, your highness." Lynk chimed in return, setting Sidon, who'd been in her arms, down. The Princes pouted, upset at her departure.
"Are you sure you need to go already? You haven't even been here a week!" Sidon sniffled, tugging at her sleeve.
"And I'll be back before you know it." Lynk tapped him in the area a nose would have been on a Hylian.
Sidon grinned, eyes twinkling. "Then I'll count the days until then!"
Lynk chuckled, turning to Mipha who stood beside her. "I'll try and send a letter if I get the chance."
"You better." Mipha chided playfully, hands clasped together in front of her. "It's going to be long four months otherwise."
Lynk smile widely. "Won't want that, now would we?"
Mipha giggled and Lyke climbed onto her stallion's back, feet slipping into the stirrups.
"Tell your father I said hello, yes?" King Dorephan asked.
Lynk smiled up at him. "Of course."
She gently nudged Myth, her grey stallion, into a walk. Lynk threw a wave over her shoulder as a final parting.
It would be longer than four months before Lynk would see Mipha again.