The morning mist shrouded the landscape in a surreal atmosphere. Link, as he did most mornings, was training feverishly with his sword. The rushing of the water beside calmed him as he slowly and meticulously carried out a series of intricate moves, fine tuning his form to near perfection. Breathing calm and evenly, his sweat was the only thing that betrayed his exertion. The fog only added to the perspiration, leaving his clothing drenched.
A faint splash in the water interrupted the steady burbling of the stream, and, not breaking his motions, he looked back. Looking forward, he jumped in surprise as Mipha stood expectantly in front of him.
"Did I frighten you?" she asked with a grin.
Link gave a sheepish grin, and Mipha laughed, a pleasant giggle that made Link's cheeks burn.
"Sorry I interrupted you; you just looked so…" she trailed off, embarrassed.
Link took his turn smiling at the other's embarrassment. "Well," he replied, "I can get over you interrupting, but it'll cost you."
Mipha's posture tensed, and Link jumped her, tickling her to the ground. She begged him to stop, but when he refused to relent, she kicked out and rolled the two of them into the water. Link came to the surface, looking around expectantly. Mipha popped up in front of him and began tickling him back. He recoiled from the touch, and the creek drew them back to the edge. Grabbing her arms tight to his, he pulled her close. She smiled at him, baring her pointed teeth.
Link woke with a start. Wiping his face, he noticed he had a copious amount of tears running down his cheeks. "Was that," he thought, "just a dream, or was it a memory?"
Looking around, he noticed Zelda was sitting, messing with the smoldering remains of last night's fire. She looked over and saw that he was awake, and asked him, "Are you okay?"
"I think so," he replied.
Zelda sighed. She looked crestfallen, and Link wondered if he was talking in his sleep. Finally, she said, "You're beginning to remember her better then, hmm?"
Silence, then, "Yes."
Zelda sighed again. Dropping her stick into the embers, causing a small amount of flames to rise as the stick burned, she maneuvered over to Link and sat down next to him, her legs crossed and her hands in her lap. "Is there any way I can make this easier on you?"
Link stared off, contemplating his response. Finally, he asked, "Were we together? Like, more than just friends?"
"Us?" Zelda asked incredulously.
"No, Mipha and I."
She paused, recognition flashing across her face, then, "I was so absorbed in my preparation for Ganon, I never considered…" she trailed off.
Looking down at the grass, she picked a blade, then said, "You and Mipha were closer than any of us. I am not certain, but for all I knew, you could have been lovers. Like I said, I wasn't particularly observant when it came to the personal relationships of the team. That said, she made you that armor. If I know my Zoran culture like I think I do, that is the symbol of an engagement."
Link blushed at the thought of Mipha and him being close enough to be engaged. The thought had crossed his mind before when Prince Sidon mentioned the meaning behind the clothing, but he had been so preoccupied with Ganon and, to a lesser extent, Vah Ruta. Now, however, the implications ran through his mind, torturing him with lost opportunities and the ever present reminder that still he didn't know who he was.
Zelda, seeing him deep in thought, gave him a hug, and said, "Perhaps when we get to Lanayru, some of the interactions will jog your memories."
She smiled a sad smile, then got up. Getting into her tent, she said, "I'm changing clothes, seeing as we are much closer to Lanayru and won't be traveling much longer. Are you going to change?"
Link thought about it, and decided to change as well. By the time Zelda walked out of her tent, Link had changed. When she noticed that he was wearing the Zora Armor, she paused, and started again saying, "Mipha really knew you well. It fits you perfectly."
Link smiled, and then offered to break down camp for her. Zelda refused, and said, "You do enough, Link, I'll break down my own tent. Would you mind covering the coals though?"
Link shoveled up the loose dirt they had dug out the night before and spread it over the embers. A sizzle came from the pit as some of the wetness from the dirt was heated and evaporated away. Rubbing his eyes, he told Zelda that he needed to wash his face, and asked if she would like him to bring some water back so she could do likewise. She said yes, so he carried a bucket, as well as their water skins, and walked down to the bank of the creek nearby.
The air was still as a fog lingered in the pre-dawn light. The landscape was beginning to wake up as songbirds began to croon their wistful songs. A fox, spotting him from afar, scurried off as he approached. The sky overhead was beginning to betray the coming sunrise, clouds turning red and purple as the light of the sun hit them at wider angles.
Link reached into the river with cupped hands, splashing the cold water across his face. Filling the water skins, then the bucket, he stopped for a moment. The stillness of the early morning was peaceful and serene.
Getting back to Zelda, she took the water to wash her arms and face. She then dumped the water on the dirt covering embers, emitting hissing noises where the embers had not yet gone out. Link gathered up the pack he carried the supplies in, and then they set out.