Well, hello. I don't have much to say.
Hope those of you that are sticking with me continue to enjoy the story. Those of you that are Mipha fans will enjoy these next couple of chapters. As always, leave some reviews! :D
To Karaya 2: Thank you! "The Heroes of Hyrule" is definitely a different realm for me, because typically when I write it's with extensive description – and I'm talking EXTENSIVE…like paragraphs worth of imagery and exposition – so, very often I'm writing especially lengthy chapters, but I felt that, with this particular fanfiction story, I needed to approach with shorter segments to ensure that I can continue posting amidst a busy schedule. Anyway, I droned on way too long about that…thanks for the feedback!
In my best KoЯn voice: "Are you READY!?"
I am sorry for those of you who listen to shitty music and didn't get that reference.
Just kidding; you're all beautiful people :3
Here we go!
– Vengeful Cam
Chapter VIII
The procession began the trek across the silver-blue bridge that spanned from the grassy cliffside all the way to the midst of Zora's Domain, held up by immense pillars and sturdy plinths. Illuminated arches sprouted up along the railing at distinct intervals, carved with inviting designs and supported by attractively sculpted buttresses. It really was quite an exceptional sight. Link glanced over the side of the bridge and noticed shimmering scales amongst the churning waters below. Could those be the Zora beneath him?
As the young knight peered over the edge of the bridge, trying to get a better look at whatever swam within the shadowy waters, he was suddenly aware that someone had fallen in line alongside him. Link grew tense, and, shifting his focus from the beauty below, he glanced up to see the interim captain, Amity, adjusting her chain mail.
"How are you feeling, Link?" she asked. Though her voice was gravelly, Link could hear the motherly tone the knight used as she spoke. He glanced up at her, catching her gaze for a moment before glancing back down at his muddied boots. He wished she had let him be.
"I am well," he answered in an icy voice.
If Amity noticed the harsh response, she didn't show it.
"You're a brave kid. Most of us thought you'd turn back after – after what happened."
Link just nodded solemnly.
"All I'm saying is now I see why you're the one who pulled the sword. Calvin would be proud of you."
With that, she quickened her pace, moving ahead and leaving Link to his thoughts. Link didn't think Calvin would be proud of him. After all, he had killed but one Bokoblin before breaking down on the mountainside; he hadn't helped the Royal Guard. Hylia, if he had only climbed down instead of crying like the tit-sucking babe he was, his aid might have saved the captain.
It's my fault he died.
As soon as he thought it, Link knew it had to be true. It was his fault Calvin was dead.
Link did not have much time to cogitate before the company came to a halt. Glancing past the two guards in front of him, Link saw that an entourage of Zora approached, meeting the Royal Guard just before the walls of the domain. Leading the Zora was the princess of the domain, Mipha. Her scales were smooth and red, shimmering with the golden light of the rising sun. She wore no clothes to hide herself; fins were the only overlays to conceal her posterior and genital region. Ornate silver jewelry wound about her waist, wrists, ankles, and neck, and a sort of crown, bright with blue gemstones, was draped over her head, adding a garnishing flare to the tail and fins there. Brilliantly colored fins sprung from her forearms in greeting as Princess Zelda approached.
The two princesses spoke quietly with one another, and Link could not hear what words were being exchanged. Most like they recited only formal greetings.
After a short while, Mipha grasped Princess Zelda's hand in hers, giving the Hylian a sweet smile. Princess Zelda returned the expression, cold though her smile was. The Zoran princess turned, her entourage following close behind, and plodded lightly back towards the domain. Princess Zelda beckoned for her guard to follow the Zora people. Link followed ahead in a dazed state, his thoughts wandering back to Calvin. So ensnared with his thoughts was he, that he didn't notice that the princess of Hyrule had fallen in line alongside him.
"I did not think you would come," she spoke, regarding the young knight with analytical eyes.
Link wondered why the princess had come to speak with him. Surely, not to applaud his bravery.
He tried to formulate a response, but nothing came to mind; he didn't want to speak anyway. So the young knight just nodded slightly, keeping his eyes on his boots so as to not betray any sort of emotions he might be feeling towards the princess.
I don't have any feelings for the princess, he told himself. As if to prove this, he met her gaze, trying his best to stifle the heat that rose to his face when he looked at her.
Her emerald eyes were watching him with a sad sort of kindness. He supposed it was sympathy. But the look was quickly replaced with a scowl.
Link glanced back down, adjusting his hat irritably.
I suppose I looked too long – not very respectful of me.
He swallowed hard, trying to say something – anything – to avoid this strained silence between them when she grabbed his hand. He felt his breath catch in his throat, and his heart beat so violently he was sure she could hear it. She raised the bandaged mitt and viewed it suspiciously.
"I'm sorry," she spoke. Her scowl was still present, but her voice cracked with genuine sympathy.
Link forgot how much he liked her voice – her real voice – not the one she used during ceremonial occasions.
"I'm alright," Link quickly assured her. He didn't want her to be sad for him – he was alright, truly.
She let the knight's arm fall to his side.
"My father says that we will have to work together often. I supposed we ought to get to know each other," she stated simply.
Link noticed she had donned her mask – much like he did when he felt afraid. It was clearly displayed in her blank face that scowled onward, and he could hear it in her voice – the one he did not care much for.
Link simply nodded in response. He had no clue what to say.
"What was it like–" she began, her real voice creeping back through the facade, but it was then that they had passed under the main archway of Zora's Domain. The bridge had vanished behind them, and a large expanse of viaducts, shelves, and spires – all lit with the strange blue light – extended about them.
Princess Zelda gasped, "Oh, it's beautiful!"
Link agreed. He took it all in, the salty smell of the sea below, the sounds of splashing waters and squealing Zoran children, and the touch of soft winds that soared down from the mountain tops nearby.
Mipha noticed that her guests had paused, all of them awestruck, and she giggled.
"Come, friends," she spoke in a soft tone that carried across the stone shelf that divided the people. "My father would like to welcome you."
With that, she began to skip up the largest flight of stairs present. It rose upward to the greatest tower in the domain. This tower – much like an enormous fish it appeared – reared up, decorated with plates like armor; then, at the pinnacle of it all, it fanned out like a tail. At the base of the tower, its mouth was agape, serving as the entrance to the throne room.
The company followed Mipha up the stairs towards the giant stone fish.
With each step, Link found himself growing wearier. It seemed as if his grief and exhaustion he had fought off for some days finally overcame him, weighing down like The Master Sword on his back. He stumbled as they climbed the stairs but caught himself before he could topple over – thank Hylia Princess Zelda had moved on.
He glanced up at the shelf above where the stairs ended. Mipha stood atop it, watching Link with kind, amber eyes.
Link glanced back down at his feet, so she had seen – wonderful.
Mipha stood attentively at the top of the stairs, welcoming knights with kind smiles and guiding them to the entrance at the fish's mouth. Link made it to the top by some miracle, and she sidled alongside him.
"Link, is it?" she asked in a soft voice.
Link nodded, trying to march forward, but the floor seemed to spin beneath him, and his feet kept missing their mark.
The Zoran princess linked her arm in his, trying to offer some support. Link could see that he was worrying her. She reached up and placed a clawed hand against the young knight's face, careful not to scratch him.
Her hand was smooth and cool to the touch. Link found himself leaning into it. A warm sensation tickled against his cheek, spreading outward and enveloping him like a comforting blanket. Link sighed as she lowered her hand. Mipha gave him a quick smile then returned to the stairs to welcome the last of the knights.
Link found that he could walk straight once again, and the weighty encumbrance that had pulled down on him could no longer be felt.
Link entered the throne room with a small smile playing on his lips. For the first time since the Bokoblin skirmish, he felt good. A lighthearted, giddy feeling tickled at his nerves. He felt confident, too, like he could rush up to Princess Zelda and embrace her tightly.
No, don't do that, he reprimanded himself.
He stood attentive, trying his best not to smile so visibly, as the rest of the Knights filed in to be greeted by King Dorephan, the ruler of the Zora. He sat in a throne that was elegantly designed with attractive sculpting and winding golden molds. His scales were purple like the sea, but his underside, broad with muscular form, was white. A spiked crown sat atop his head, embedded with sea-green jewels, and a red sash wound bout his neck.
King Dorephan stood, and Link now saw that the ruler was at least ten feet tall with short stocky legs and a long torso. His arms were well-toned much like his upper body, and his tail reached from his head down to the small of his back. He wore jewelry similar to Mipha's but in gold rather than silver. Once the ruler had risen to his feet, all bowed, even Princess Zelda.
King Dorephan chuckled, "Rise, my friends." He approached the Princess of Hyrule, and, bowing low, he took her hand in his and kissed it lightly.
"Your beauty is a welcoming sight in these dark times, Princess Zelda," he spoke in a deep voice.
"Thank you, your grace," she responded, the barriers of her facade raised once again.
"My daughter tells me that your journey was not a pleasant one, and I am so very sorry to hear of your troubles," the king sympathized, his golden eyes moist with sorrow. "Please, do not let me keep you. We can save our obligations for the morrow. Today, you will all rest. My people will show you all the Zoran hospitality I can muster."
Though the day had barely begun, Link could not wait to sleep. Though he felt a sort of ease passing through, it was fading fast, and weariness was creeping up on his sense once again.
"My entourage will show you around," King Dorephan spoke again, motioning with his hand for the Zora company that had escorted them here to come forth. Then, the king took Princess Zelda's arm in his strong one and began to walk with her, back out the way they came. She spoke to him animatedly, and he responded with kind smiles and the occasional chuckle.
The other knights began to wander off – most to find a bar – until Link found himself alone in the throne room with Princess Mipha.
"Is there anywhere you would like me to take you, Sir Link?" she asked pleasantly, her hands folded before her.
"I would very much like to rest my eyes," Link responded groggily, his mind whirling about with the confused thoughts of fatigue.
"Yes, of course," the red princess responded. She looped her arm in his and helped him down the stairs. As they made their way down the stairs, Mipha spoke yet again.
"Are you alright, Sir Link? It seemed you could barely walk just a few moments ago."
Link scratched the back of his neck, ashamed of himself, "I'm just tired is all."
He didn't want to explain more than that.
"What did you do earlier?" the young knight asked of the Zora Princess. "When you touched my face, I felt alive."
Mipha giggled, and Link nearly threw himself down the stairs; what a stupid thing to say.
He attempted to resolve the awkward feeling in the pit of his stomach, "Sorry, I didn't mean–"
"No, it's okay," Mipha interrupted with a kind laugh. "When I saw you struggling, well, I just wanted to help. I can heal people with a touch; it's just something I can do."
"I wasn't injured."
"Maybe not outwardly so, but you were hurting."
"Can all Zora do that?"
"No, it's just me. I suppose it's a sign of the times to come."
Link frowned, "What do you mean by that?"
"Well, I don't know very much – I don't think anybody does – but my father says that something evil is coming for these lands. The signs are clear, he says. You pulled the sword, and I have the power of a god."
"I don't understand."
"Neither do I, Sir Link – not completely."
The two, during their conversation, had made their way down the flight of stairs and behind it to a lantern-lit space. There was a fountain in the center of the room, and in every direction, arches led to open rooms.
"Well," Mipha sighed. "we are here. Any of these rooms you can choose."
Link approached the nearest archway, peering past to see a lush mattress covered in vibrant pillows and dark, fur blankets.
"Wait, Mipha," the young knight stalled as the princess turned away, "you said evil is coming. What evil?"
The princess shivered, "I really don't wish to talk about it."
She began to fiddle with her fingers, looking down at her feet.
"I've had a dream," she began with a shuddering breath. "In my dream, I was being torn apart by malice. He was purple and angry, and he tore at my limbs – at my eyes."
Mipha put her hands to her face and let out a cry. Link rushed forward without a thought and wrapped his arms around the trembling Zora.
"Hey, it's okay, Mipha," the knight soothed. "It was just a dream."
"I – I know. It just felt so very real and strange. It didn't feel like a normal dream. Do you know what I mean?"
Of course, he knew what she meant. He had himself experienced a similar dream that left him feeling very much the same.
"Evil is coming for these lands," she'd said. Ganon. Ganon was coming for these lands, Link just knew it.
A sudden, shrill scream was emitted, echoing about the large space. It came from one of the rooms on the other side of the fountain, and Link knew who the voice belonged to. It was Princess Zelda.
He stepped back from Mipha and let The Master Sword free from his back as he sprinted past the fountain towards the room he'd heard the scream erupt from. There was no doubt in his mind that the princess was in trouble.