Chapter 4 - Mipha
Summary: Link uses a Timeshift Stone to travel back 103 years and spend a day with Mipha at East Reservoir Lake. Mipha senses something is wrong but elects to overlook it and enjoy the unexpected visit.
In his excitement, the journey back to Zora's Domain seemed to take forever, and he had to control himself from rushing it to the point of exhaustion. He decided to take a lesser-traveled route from Hateno Village across Nirvata Lake, Lanayru Bay, the Rutala River, and then up the Rutala Dam into East Reservoir Lake.
As he passed the area by Purifier Lake and just beyond, he looked to the west and could make out where the East Gate of Lanayru Road lay. He hadn't been back there in a long time, and he purposely avoided it on his journeys. It was the last place he had seen Mipha. He had been so preoccupied with Zelda that day, going up and down Mount Lanayru, that he didn't even have a chance to speak with Mipha before everyone ran off to battle. He hastened onward to Lanayru Bay.
When he reached East Reservoir Lake, he made his way to the northwest pier. That offered the most shelter and would be a logical place for him to arrive if he was coming to visit. The lake and reservoir were quiet now, Ruta having moved to a mountain peak. No one else was around. Link removed the Timeshift Stone from his satchel and set it down behind some pots near the end of the pier, where the stone would be out of sight. He also hoped his sudden appearance there would likely be unseen. He didn't want to appear out of thin air and needed to pretend this was simply an unexpected visit.
He realized he was almost three years older now than he should have been at that time and hoped Mipha wouldn't notice or chalk it up to stress guarding Zelda. He also had the presence of mind not to wear his Zora Armor since, at that point in the past, he didn't have it. He only knew he had received it many years later from King Dorephan. He had worn his Champion's tunic instead, which was what he would typically have worn back then. He wondered if the Timeshift stone's range would expand to include Ruta out on the lake. If not, he might have a problem getting close enough to get Mipha's attention. Well, he would worry about that if it happened. He took a deep breath, said a brief prayer to Hylia, and struck the stone.
The effect was instantaneous. The surrounding area changed all around him. It was earlier in the day, and the sun was shining in a cloudless sky. Mipha could be seen in the distance atop Ruta's trunk. He was indeed over one hundred years in the past. He moved away from the stone toward the middle of the pier, and then his emotions got the better of him. His eyes filled with tears.
Mipha didn't see him at once, as she was looking the other way. But after a few minutes, she noticed him standing on the pier. She shouted and waved to him, then she lowered Ruta's trunk, dove gracefully into the water, and quickly swam over to him. Then she did an elegant jump from the water, landing on her feet, ran over to him, and put her arms out to hug him. He awkwardly responded, hugging her back, then she pulled back.
"That wasn't the most affectionate greeting, but this is a delightful surprise!" laughed Mipha. "I didn't expect to see you for another week, and I thought you were still busy guarding the Princess. I guess you couldn't keep away after last week, and I'm so glad!"
He realized now he should have better prepared himself for this moment. For Mipha, it was a surprise visit from someone she was used to seeing. But for him, it was the culmination of a three-year-long dream come true, something he had prayed for, but something he thought might never happen. And so, when the opportunity arose, he had been way too eager to be with her and hadn't prepared himself mentally or emotionally.
But there was something else. Mipha looked surprised when he didn't react to her comment about last week. He wasn't behaving the way she expected, and he wasn't sure why. He realized now he hadn't thought things through enough and should have considered more carefully when he was.
But now, she noticed the tears in his eyes.
"Link, are you alright? Why are you crying? Are you hurt?" Mipha asked.
"No, no, I'm fine, Mipha," said Link, quickly wiping his eyes. "It's just that I missed you. I missed you very much."
Her beauty in person was even better than his memory of her, and the old, faded picture on his wall didn't do her justice, either. Her soft bright amber eyes, smooth red skin, and gentle expression were irresistible, and he felt a longing he hadn't in years. After three years of loneliness, thinking more and more about her, the moment was too much for him. But he needed to get himself under control.
"Something must be wrong," said Mipha, shaking her head. "I'm happy to hear you missed me, but you've never been like this before. Has Princess Zelda done or said something to you? And why aren't you with her?"
"Zelda is fine, and so am I. I can't explain to you why I'm so emotional this time," said Link. "But I want you to know how much I love you and want so much to be with you."
Mipha looked at him for a moment, and he found it hard to return her gaze.
"You are keeping something secret from me, I can tell," said Mipha. "I know you too well. But I won't press you on it. I'm too happy to see you. And you know I love you too, and I feel the same way."
"Do you mind putting off your work on Ruta so we can spend today together? I will need to leave when you return home. And I'm afraid we need to stay around the reservoir if that's okay," said Link.
"Of course, I don't mind! And by the way, don't you think it's more than about time you kissed me, sweetheart? Or have you forgotten how, after only a week?" said Mipha.
With that, Mipha reached over, and they embraced and kissed, and then kissed some more. He hadn't kissed anyone in over a hundred years, but that's something you never forget.
"I suppose we can break for lunch," Mipha said finally. "I have some fish you can cook here. I wasn't expecting company, and knowing your appetite, there probably isn't enough. Should I catch some more?"
"No, no, whatever you have is fine. I have some food as well we can share," said Link.
Link cooked some fish, and they ate lunch together.
"How are you getting on with your knightly duties? Are you and Zelda getting along better now?" asked Mipha.
Link remembered those days with Zelda and knew enough to answer.
"We're doing fine, much better than at the beginning. Zelda can be difficult at times. She's still very frustrated she can't master her Sheikah Slate to open shrines and depressed she can't access her sealing power. But I do my duty and stay with her when I'm needed. She's in good hands today, and I'm just happy I could get away and spend time with you," said Link.
Mipha leaned forward and kissed him. Then she playfully gave him a small nip on his shoulder.
"Ouch!" Link exclaimed.
"Just something to remember me by when you return to your Hylian Princess," Mipha teased. "And I'm not going to heal that either!"
She cuddled against him again.
"You have certainly changed since last we met. I know you love me. You even finally told me so, but you were always so reserved and unemotional until then. I'm so happy you're more open about your feelings now. Is it because we're engaged?"
"I really can't explain it," said Link. "But I am so happy to be with you today."
"Well, let's enjoy the afternoon. You said we had to stay near the reservoir, but I assume we can swim? Let's swim out to Ruta," Mipha said.
"Um, okay. Just not beyond it. That would be nice," Link said.
He could see the Timeshift Stone range included all of Ruta since it wasn't there in his present time.
They held hands and walked to the water's edge. Link removed his tunic and trousers, and then she playfully pushed him into the water. Link remembered he enjoyed swimming with her, though of course, what he called swimming was pitiful by Zora standards. She loved to swim loops around him while he struggled to swim forward. Before they reached Ruta, she swam over to him and held him in her arms while they floated together. He wrapped his arms around her. She looked into his eyes and smiled.
"Are you feeling better, happy now?" Mipha said. "I know I am."
"Happier than you can ever imagine," he said. "When you look at me like that and smile, you're so beautiful and irresistible. I love you so much. I want to spend every minute with you."
"You shall. We will always be together, and you will always have my heart," said Mipha.
Then they kissed again.
"Water brings out the best in me," laughed Mipha. "But I know you like land. Let's finish swimming out to Ruta."
They reached Ruta, entered it, and made their way onto the trunk. Then she raised the trunk high above the lake. The view was breathtaking, with the early afternoon sun reflecting off the shiny ice blue cliffs. They sat together, their arms around each other, and enjoyed the view. He needed to remember not to say anything that didn't make sense for the period he was in, so he said little. Mipha was quiet as well, content to enjoy the time together. Now and then, they would kiss and smile at each other. Her smile was so beautiful! But soon, it was getting late.
"There's a bed on the shore near the pier. Would you like to spend the night here? Or are you worried about returning to your Hylian Princess?" she teased, smiling.
"Nothing would make me happier than staying here with you," Link said. "I wish I could stay here forever."
"Father won't worry about me. I told him I would stay overnight here with Ruta," said Mipha.
They swam back together to the edge of the reservoir, Mipha helping by pulling him along. Link re-lit a fire, and he cooked what food remained for a light supper. Then they sat together at the edge of the pier, their legs dangling in the water and holding hands, watching the stars circle overhead.
"It's beautiful here," said Link. "I remember… I mean, I love coming to the domain. It's joyful, energetic, and yet somehow tranquil at the same time. And even though I'm a Hylian, I feel so comfortable and at home here."
"Soon, it will be your real home, sweetheart," said Mipha as she squeezed his hand. "Our home. I know you'll be happy here. We both will."
"I'll be happy wherever you are, sweetheart," said Link. "And I can't be happy anywhere else."
He leaned over and kissed her. She smiled, that beautiful smile he loved so much.
"You've become so romantic!" laughed Mipha. "I never knew you had it in you. Even after knowing you for so long, you still surprise me. But it's a pleasant surprise. I've longed to hear you say you loved me. You can never say it too much."
"I do love you," said Link "And I've grown to realize how much I love you. It just took me much longer than it should have."
They sat in silence for a few more minutes, but they were both getting tired.
"I wish you could sleep in the water," said Mipha. "It's so much more comfortable. Water is soothing, and you float so peacefully."
"I'll try to learn," laughed Link. "I'm sure I can figure out how to rest with my head above water. You know I'll do anything to make you happy. Shall I try tonight?"
"No," laughed Mipha. "After we're married is time enough. I can tolerate sleeping on land tonight. I want to hold you, feel you in my arms. That's more important to me right now."
They walked to the bed, settled down in each other's arms, kissed once, and then quickly fell asleep. They awoke to another sunlit morning.
"It looks like another beautiful day," said Mipha as she stroked Link's hair. "You slept well. I think you're getting comfortable being my fiancé."
"Comfortable is not the word that comes to mind," laughed Link. "More thrilled and happy."
"How about a short swim?" said Mipha.
They swam around the lake for a bit, and then they returned to the pier. Link dried himself off and got dressed. Then Mipha came over and held him in her arms.
"I do need to get back home now. I guess you can't come with me?" said Mipha.
"No, unfortunately," Link said.
The Timeshift Stone wouldn't reach that far, and he was under Purah's orders to avoid unnecessary interaction with people.
"Well, thank you and her highness for this unexpected visit, mysterious though it is. But for now, be well, and I will see you at Lanayru Road in a week. By the way, where will you be going now?" Mipha said.
And now, as he said goodbye, he had to hold himself together. Who knew if he would ever see Mipha again? Would Purah ever get the Temple of Time to work? And even if she did, would he be allowed to use it? He wanted so much to tell Mipha what was going to happen and spare her the pain and suffering of dying in Ruta. But Purah had warned him it was dangerous to tamper with events like that, and outcomes were too unpredictable. Things could turn out worse. She could be killed in battle some other way, and so could he. And he had promised not to tell her. He needed to keep his word and trust in Purah. How could he expect Goddess of Time Hylia to hear his prayers if he was false to his word?
"I need to journey back to Hateno Village first. I'll be fine. I love you!" Link said.
With that, they kissed one more time.
"I love you too," Mipha said.
She waved once to him on her way back home, then watching her recede, she suddenly disappeared from view. She had reached the limit of the Timeshift Stone, which meant nothing to her in the past but removed her time from his sight.
He went back to the Timeshift Stone, checked no one was around, struck it once, and with a flash, everything returned to his present. It was late in the day, however, so he decided to remain in Zora's Domain and stay at the inn. He felt more joy than he had in years and that his life had a purpose once again.
He stopped by the Hylia shrine and thanked the Goddess in his prayers for letting him have time with Mipha once again. He just hoped his past self wouldn't mess things up as he rubbed some tender teeth marks on his shoulder.
And he had forgotten to ask what her favorite flower was. He always left a Blue Nightshade flower under her statue whenever he visited Zora's Domain but wondered if it was the flower she liked best. He had asked Sidon and her father about it, but they didn't know. Sidon had been too young when he lost her, and her father had likely forgotten after all these years, if he ever knew.