Hello! I'm so sorry for the long delay, I hope you're still with me! The next part shouldn't take anywhere near as long. This is a much a longer chapter though, just under 4500 words, so I hope that makes up for the wait! As always, feedback is appreciated. :)

xxx

Rivan was silent for a long moment, his expression neutral, which unsettled Medilia more than she cared to admit. What was he thinking? What would he say? In her mind, she was already packing her bags to leave the domain.

She bit back the stab of anger she had been keeping at bay since Link was born. It was pointless and changed nothing, she knew that. Yet, sometimes, it flared up without warning and she had to force it down.

It was the unfairness of the situation that usually got to her more than anything. All she'd done was have a child before it was deemed fitting. And who deemed it? She'd never heard anything about the Goddess saying it had to be that way. So who had decided? And what would it mean for the rest of her life?

"Rivan?" The ongoing silence was too much for her to bear as her mind threw up a million possibilities. Oh Hylia, let the Zora be more understanding. Let *him* be more understanding. She'd never had as true a friend as Rivan before; the thought that she might lose him terrified her.

He looked up at last, confusion written on his face. "I don't really know what to say," he admitted. "It's not something that really happens amongst the Zora. I've never encountered it before."

"It's not?" Medilia was surprised enough to be shaken out of her fear. She'd been expecting either acceptance or judgement, had not even considered that it might not be understood. "Surely the Zora are not so virtuous that none slip up before marriage?"

Rivan let out a hearty laugh. "Oh! Oh no, not at all, we are far from that! No, it because our children hatch from eggs - if an egg is laid before marriage it can be left and not hatched, or incubation can be postponed, allowing the couple to make their arrangements. That happens quite frequently I dare say."

"Oh." Despite the amount of time she'd been amongst the Zora, that had never occurred to her. It was, she found, a lot to take in. To have such a choice over childbearing was something she could barely comprehend. And she could not say what she would have done if it had been hers to make. She would not have been cast out - but neither would she have Link. Despite how she worried about him, about his health and happiness, she would not be without him. Though had she not had him - she would not have known that. The concept gave her a headache. "That is... strange to me."

Rivan smiled. "As your lack of choice is to me. As such I do not think I can judge either way. I think you may wish to keep it quiet from the elders, but I would imagine many would take my view as well." He shrugged, causing his fins to flap around his shoulders. "It does not change anything as far as I am concerned."

Medilia let out a long breath. "Thank you. That is a huge relief - I don't know what I would do if we had to leave. I suppose we will have to one day, just not yet, with Link so young."

"Well I don't see any reason you should need to leave," he replied. "Not if you are both happy here."

"It depends on Link," she explained. "If his desire to be a knight remains or if it changes as he gets older. Who knows, there would be no shame in joining the Zora guard rather than the Hylian."

Rivan smiled. I would love to see that, I believe it is Dunma's goal as well. They could train together." There was the issue of Hylians ageing much faster of course, but they could cross that bridge when they came to it.

"That would be wonderful." Even though she doubted Link's ambitions would change, he was still a child and anything was possible. "I like it here, far more than anywhere else I've lived." She looked over to where the Domain's glowing structures could be seen against the skyline. "I see that and it feels like home."

"I'm glad. It cannot have been easy to fit in, but you have." Rivan reached over and touched her hand.

She smiled. "The people here made it easy, I have never been so welcomed. And I know I've not always been open, but it was all to protect Link."

"I understand. I'd do the same for Dunma if I had to." He wondered how he'd have felt in her place, if he'd had to leave all he'd known to carve out a new life. "I think you are incredibly strong and Link is lucky to have you."

"Thank you," Medilia blushed, looking down at the grass and feeling tired. "I do my best."

"It's more than enough." He noticed how she sagged and felt sorry for her, all the more so for causing it. "Come on, why don't we take the west path and head back. We'll forage on the way and come again another day for more."

Too emotionally drained to argue, Medilia agreed. Rivan packed up what remained of their meal and led her down the new path. It was lined with tall trees and was damp year-round. It made her feet soggy, but the shrooms grew plentifully in such conditions and, while not the most valuable, filled her basket and would fill their stomachs.

As they walked back, her feet squelching in her boots, Rivan sighed.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly.

She looked over, surprised and confused. "For what? You have done nothing wrong!"

"I shouldn't have pressed you about your past. I should have respected your privacy."

Medilia stopped and reached for his hand, as he had done to her not long ago. 'Rivan, no. You were only trying to be a good friend. I... appreciate that. It's just difficult for me to open up. I'm not upset, I'm glad you care. You've done nothing *but* care since we came here and I should have known I could trust you. It is I who was wrong."

"Ah, I understand why you were guarded." He smiled. "Shall we just move on from here? Or we will spend until the winter apologising to each other!"

Chuckling, Medilia nodded. "I think that is an excellent idea."

Xxx

Later that evening, her smile had turned to a frown as Link picked listlessly at the bowl of mushroom soup in front of him. It wasn't like him to be off his food and even the chuck of bread lay untouched.

"Link, is something wrong?" She pulled a chair round to sit beside him. "You've hardly touched your food."

He shook his head, but she persisted. "Are you sure?" She pressed her hand to his forehead, checking for a temperature. "You don't seem unwell."

He pulled back, shaking his head. [I'm fine] he signed, taking a large spoonful of soup as though to prove his point. There was no second spoonful though and he returned to stirring it listlessly, blue eyes watching the liquid move without any real interest.

Then why aren't you eating? Please tell me what's wrong." She frowned again as she heard his stomach rumble, indicating that he was certainly hungry.

He scowled, knowing he was caught and shoved the bowl away, nearly spilling it as he did so.

"Link! Be careful!" His mother chided him, jumping up and just grabbing the bowl before it went over. "What is the matter with you today?"

[Mushroom soup!] He gave the bowl a filthy look as he signed. [Again! I hate it.]

That wasn't strictly true, she knew, he liked it well enough - but it was the fourth time that week. Guilt nagged at her - if she hadn't let her emotions get the better of her earlier, she might have found more interesting ingredients to cook with, or things to sell.

"I'm sorry, Link, this was all I could find today and they don't trade well. I know it's dull, but at least you have food to fill your belly. I'll try again tomorrow, but for tonight, there's nothing else." She held back her frustration as best she could, but the sight of precious wasted food bothered her and mingled with her guilt over not doing better. "If you don't want it you may go to bed."

To her surprise he jumped down, running into the bedroom and slamming the door. She stared after him and then at the abandoned bowl of soup.

"Damnit," she whispered under her breath as she realised he wasn't coming back out. Sitting back down, she put her head in her hands and discovered that she wasn't hungry any more either.

Xxx

The following morning Link was still in a sour mood. He ate the bread and cheese he was given but made sure to keep his hands occupied so he didn't have to talk. Medilia sighed. He was due to have lessons, but she couldn't let him go in such a mood. Leaning down she scooped him up, suddenly keenly aware of how much he had grown.

"I know it's hard. I do. I know you tire of soup and bread and the same foods every day. I am doing my best, but we have precious little money and I cannot ask for any more from our friends - they have done enough. I will work something out, but I need you to help me and just... eat the soup. Please Link. It will get better, I promise. I just need time."

He was as silent as ever, but at last she felt him sigh and relax in her arms and she bent and dropped a kiss to the top of his head. "How about I ask Rivan if you can eat with them tonight?" That would at least give him a break and a change in foods, while giving her more time to ask around and look for any work or things she could sell.

That produced a smile and a nod and she felt the tiniest bit of relief. "I'll see to it then. You should go now though, you'll be late. You know how Seggin hates that."

Link huffed, but slid off her lap and padded over to get his things. Still, he ran back for one last hug before she left, a hug that only strengthened her resolve to make things right.

Xxx

Despite her resolve, she was no closer to a solution several days later.

The Zora were kind, but there was simply no work for a hylian. The few positions she could have managed were already filled and given the long lives of the Zora, none were likely to retire any time soon.

She wanted to avoid going to Rivan or Mipha, but after more than a week with no luck, and Link getting increasingly upset with the bland, repetitive food, she found she was out of options. "Tomorrow," she told herself with resignation. She'd speak to Mipha as soon as Link left for his lessons the next morning. It was too late now - he'd be home soon.

He should be a little happier tonight at least. She'd found two radishes and a truffle quite by luck that morning and though they were small, she was excited to cook them for him.

He was late, she realised before long. She refused to worry - it was only a short walk from the classroom to home and he was probably out playing with Dunma. Although a little annoyed he hadn't asked first, the girl was almost a sister to him now and it probably hadn't occured to him.

Still, as dinner time approached, she decided he'd been gone long enough and headed out to find him. She saw Dunma soon enough, playing by the fountain with another girl - but not Link.

"Hello Dunma!" She smiled. "Where's Link, Are you playing hide and seek?" It was a game Link was worryingly good at. She'd failed to find him more than once.

Dunma frowned, her fins creasing as she rushed over. "I haven't seen him since classes finished. He said he couldn't play with me today."

"What?" Link was popular enough amongst his classmates, however he preferred his close friends and was unlikely to wander off with someone else. "Where did he go?"

"I don't know..." She looked up at Medilia with round eyes. "He's been grumpy the last few days. Today he asked me to share my lunch then ran off."

Worry began to pool in Medilia's stomach. Was this over food or had she said too much to him about the difficulties they faced? And where could he possibly have gone? "Dunma, please stay here. If you see him, tell him to wait at home. I'm going to look."

She looked everywhere, all his favourite places and many he had only mentioned. The barracks, the lower falls, the shop and the diving spots. No one had even seen him that day and, after more than an hour, she was starting to suspect that he had somehow left the Domain.

Turning on her heel, she ran to find Rivan. She knew he was on duty, but a missing child was certainly something he could be called away for.

She still looked as she ran, hoping to see that shock of blonde hair that always made Link stand out here. Yet there were only Zora, who looked oddly at her as she passed.

Rivan was guarding the far end of the bridge, his spear held firmly in his hand as he watched for any intruders, yet he turned as the sound of running grew nearer.

"Medilia?" His grip on his spear tightened even more as he saw the expression on her face. "What's happened, what's wrong?"

Gasping for breath, she gripped his arm. "I can't find Link. No one has seen him since lessons ended. He told Dunma he couldn't play and she didn't see where he went. It's going to be dark soon..." her voice wavered and she fought to keep herself calm. "I've looked everywhere. I think he has left the Domain."

Rivan looked up to where another guard stood on the level above him and gestured to him to come down. "Try not to panic. We'll find him, I promise." Stepping away, he spoke to the guard. "The Hylian child is missing. We need a search party immediately and... I require relief for my post."

"Yes sir!" The warrior sped off, heading to the barracks to alert the others.

"Do you have any idea where he might have gone?" Rivan asked, turning back to Medilia. "Anything he might have said or done that might indicate what he was thinking?"

"I don't know. He's been in a bad mood lately because I haven't been able to offer him much more than mushrooms but... that's surely not enough to make him run away?" She chewed her lip, trying to think.

"Mushrooms?" Rivan frowned. "Never mind, tell me later. Let's just focus on finding him." He could see a warrior approaching at speed to relieve him and others were dashing by, no doubt to join the search party.

The warrior stopped in front of him. "Here to relieve you, Rivan. Lady Mipha is gathering the others by the fountain."

Her name came as a relief to Medilia, the princess's leadership and healing skills were both exceptional, knowing Mipha was heading the search gave her a glimmer of hope.

"Thank you." Rivan took Medilia by the arm, feeling how she was trembling and trying to hide it. "Let's go." He smiled at her, trying to offer reassurance, even though he was deeply concerned for Link's whereabouts.

The courtyard was full, with hastily gathered warriors and volunteers milling around the fountain. In the centre Mipha was already giving out orders, directing the warriors to cover all areas surrounding the Domain and volunteers to ask around for anyone that might have seen him. With there only being one Hylian child living amongst them, there was at least no chance of a mistaken identity.

Seeing Medilia and Rivan arrive, Mipha stepped down and came over. She smiled kindly, taking Medilia's hands in her own. "We will find him. He's only small, he can't have gone too far. I have everyone I can spare out looking. You should go home, in case he comes back."

"No," Medilia replied. "No, I can't just sit and wait. I have to be out there. I'm sure someone else can can stay behind."

"I can wait." A small voice came from below her. "I want to help too."

Looking down she saw Dunma, her large eyes full of tears. In an instant, she was in her father's arms, Rivan holding the scared girl close. "I think you should go home," he said gently. "We may be a while."

"No, please... let me help! I should have asked him where he was going!" She pleaded, tugging on Rivan's fins. "Please."

Rivan sighed. "Dunma, this is not your fault, do not ever think that. However if you really want to, you may wait at Link's house." He hugged her tightly before putting her down. "But you must stay there until I come for you."

"I promise," she sniffed, hugging her father's leg. "Thank you." She wiped her eyes and smiled bravely before running off.

"She's a good girl," Medilia said quietly.

"That she is. And she needs her best friend back, so let's get moving." It was well into evening now and torches were being lit as they made their way out. Rivan gave one to Medilia and they headed towards the Great Zora Bridge, not even knowing if it was the right way.

X

The night dragged on with no sign of Link. Medilia was becoming increasingly frantic, though refused to stop looking, despite both Mipha and Rivan pleading with her to let them take over. In the end all they could do was stay with her and make sure she stayed safe.

Rivan couldn't blame her. If it was Dunma who was missing... he shivered. It was his worst nightmare. He wouldn't stop either.

Clouds were hiding the moon, hindering those search. The torches only helped so much and there was a lot of ground to cover. He called out again, hoping Link would hear.

"What's the point of calling?!" Medilia's usually measured voice was high pitched from distress. "He can't respond!"

"He'll find a way," Rivan insisted. "He's resourceful. And if he hears us, he at least knows we're coming." He didn't believe for a moment that Link didn't want to be found.

"He's all I have, Rivan." Her head dropped and she could no longer hold back tears. "I can't lose him."

"You won't. We just need to keep looking."

Medilia's head snapped up, eyes flashing with anger born of fear. "You can't promise me that."

"I'm sorry," Rivan apologised. "You're right, I can't. But I can and do believe it. I'm certain we'll find him safe and well." The Zora warrior bent to look her in the eyes. "Try and believe it too."

Closing her eyes, she rested her head against Rivan's shoulder for a moment. "I want to."

"Good enough." He took her arm and pulled her gently along. "Let's head south and join those searching that area. There are several paths near there he might have taken."

It was then that a whistle sounded.

"Rivan! What was that, have they found him?!" Medilia demanded.

"It's a message. Maybe some news at least." Rivan raced towards the sound with Medilia running closely behind him.

A warrior was approaching with a tall green Zora by his side. Rivan recognised him as a newly appointed stonemason. Ledo, if his memory served.

"Sir..." the warrior ushered the other Zora forward. "We may have some news on where the boy went."

Ledo nodded. "Yesterday he and some friends were playing near where I was working and they came over to watch. They were asking about the stones." He sighed. "I told them how hard they were to find and that sometimes I traded a diamond for just ten pieces. I thought he was just being curious when he asked where to find the stones, but now I wonder..."

"Oh, Hylia." It made perfect sense. Link had seen an opportunity to get some money for them and had gone out to do just that in secret.

"Do you think that's where he's gone?" Rivan asked.

Medilia nodded. Oh, it was all her fault. If she'd just admitted to Rivan or Mipha or anyone how they were struggling, they wouldn't be here now. Her stupid, stubborn pride had landed them in this mess. "Yes. I'm sure." If anything happened to him, she knew she'd never forgive herself. Pride was a curse.

"Where did you tell him they could be found?" Rivan asked Ledo.

Ledo turned and pointed westwards and up. "Up there, West of Toto Lake."

Medilia's heart sank. Those were some of the highest, steepest cliffs that were often slick from rain. Anything could have happened to a small child alone up there. "Oh, Link..." she turned to Rivan. "We have to get there."

"The falls will be the quickest." Rivan's eyes narrowed. "I think I can take you, but you may not like it."

Her eyes narrowed. "I don't care. Just get me there, please."

"Very well. Put your arms around my neck - and hold your breath." Rivan had never done this with an adult before, much less a Hylian, but there was no time for doubts. The moment Medilia's arms locked around his neck, he jumped.

She screamed. Down first, then along and up, the Zora dragged her through the water, slowing down just enough for her to catch her breath before they went under again. Clinging onto him until her arms went numb, she felt as though she would drown before they reached their destination.

It was with immeasurable relief that her feet finally touched land, but it was several moments more before she could remove her arms from around Rivan's neck.

"Are you okay?" He asked. "I'm sorry if I went too fast."

"It's fine..." she coughed up some water, hiding a shiver when the chill night air hit her wet clothes. "We're here, that's what matters. Thank you."

"There's more people coming, I'll go and check in. Wait here, try to dry off." He dashed away to the other warriors, leaving her standing alone.

She found she couldn't stand still. Not only because she was cold and wet, but because she needed to be doing something, being idle at a time like this was impossible. She walked slowly, away from the others, looking up for any sign of her son. The clouds still prevented the luminous stones from shining, which would have made looking for him so much easier. Nothing, it seemed, was ever easy.

She heard Rivan call her name, but couldn't bring herself to go back. There was no one currently searching where she was and she needed to look.

"Link!" She called out, hoping that Rivan was right, that he'd find a way to respond if he heard. He sometimes made small noises, maybe that would be enough.

Further round she walked, eyes searching for the smallest clue. She prayed, begging the goddess to help her, futile as it seemed. "Link!" She stepped back, looking up at the Impossibly high cliff. There were stones up there, but were they the ones he'd gone to?

She stopped for a moment to rub her tired eyes. The long nightmarish night still wasn't over and she felt cold dread at the very thought of going home without him. No. She couldn't. She wouldn't.

Rivan called again but she knew he could catch up easily enough and kept going. She paused by a ridge, seeing a shard of stone. "Link!"

Passing under the ridge, she jumped as something fell on her. Biting back a scream, she tried to stay silent in case it was a bokoblin or worse. Carefully she turned, looking to see what had hit her.

It was a mushroom.

"Link!" It couldn't be a coincidence, he had to be up there. "Link, is that you?"

Another mushroom came tumbling down and she was sure. Without any hesitation she started scrambling up the cliff, paying no heed to her wet, clammy clothes, or the calls in the background. She needed to get to her son and she needed to do it now.

The cliff face was rough and cut into her hands but she ignored the pain as she ascended. Her gaze was fixed firmly on the tiny ridge and all her weariness fell away as she pulled herself up. Link was up there.

Gritting her teeth, her battered hands pulled up her closer and closer towards that ledge. Finally, as she neared it, she heard movement and a small, blonde head appeared.

"Link!" As soon as she saw him it was all she could do to stay strong. Halfway up the cliff she found herself sobbing with relief, hardly daring to believe that she'd found him and that the nightmare was nearly over.

[Mama!] His own hands were red and raw and he'd been crying too, but the shaky sign was a soothing balm to her shattered nerves.

"It's okay... it's okay. I'm nearly there..." she smiled, the first real smile all day. She'd found him, it would be okay now.

Below she heard running and knew that Rivan had caught up. "I found him! He's here!"

Medilia reached up, finally touching Link's knee. "Oh my boy. You scared me so much."

[I'm sorry] he signed, and she saw that he was also wet and cold. [Got stuck.]

"Don't worry now, we'll talk later. Can you get to me? I think it's time we went home." If he could get to her she was sure she could guide him down with the aid of the Zora below.

He nodded, but looked scared as he edged away from the back of the cliff, towards his mother. The rocks were angled and smooth and she could see how easy it was to get stranded.

She moved aside, trying to give him room to climb, her eyes fixed on his every step. They were so close now, she just needed him down safely and then everything would be fine.

Yet it was her foot the rock cracked under. Her foot that slipped, sending her tumbling backwards. Her body that suddenly had nothing to hold on to as she plummeted through the air.

She cried out, but could do nothing. The world seemed to slow down as she fell, falling away from her terrified son. As the ground rushed closer, she noticed that the clouds had cleared.

The sky was red.

Xxxxx