Chapter 6 - Home and Family
Summary: Mipha and Link return to Zora's Domain after a month's absence and resume their family life.
"Aargh!" Link exclaimed as he jerked awake to the smell and feel of a fresh fish on his face. He opened his eyes to see Mipha and Sidon looking down at him, with Mipha unable to control her laughter.
"Now be a good brother, Link, and thank Sidon for catching your breakfast," laughed Mipha.
"Thank you, Bro," laughed Link recovering his composure and exchanging a fist bump with Sidon with one hand as he grabbed the Hyrule Bass from his face with his other. "Fish in the face or not, it's good to be home. Did I sleep that late?"
Mipha and Link had returned from Hyrule Castle very late the prior evening and had fallen asleep almost instantly.
"Not very late," said Mipha. "But I should tell you that the price of our acceptance back into Sidon's family is five adventures with him, including one after lunch today. Father said our little prince was quite sad over our month-long absence."
Link got up, reached out, and hugged Sidon.
"Oh, I'm sorry, little brother," said Link, sadly. "I missed you too."
"Hello Leenk," said Sidon smiling at him.
"Wow! You're speaking now, Sidon?" said Link.
"Father says he's still timid about it, but he's speaking more now," said Mipha. "So, we need to encourage him. Pretty soon he'll be speaking more than you."
"Very funny," said Link. "I guess you'll never let me forget that I was too quiet and not the best company. But with a little encouragement from you, I did manage to squeeze out the most important words in my life when I told you I love you. And I do love you."
"Just a little encouragement?" laughed Mipha. "But yes, those were the words I wished to hear from you, and I love you too. Now you had better get dressed and have breakfast. Father wants to welcome you home, and we need to drop Sidon off for his lessons this morning."
Link got up, put on his Zora armor, then went to the small kitchen and cooked his fish as the other two waited at the table. Then he sat down to eat.
"I gather you two already ate?" said Link.
"First thing this morning," said Mipha. "I knew Sidon would be excited that we were back, and I missed him. I missed him very, very much."
Mipha leaned over and kissed Sidon on the forehead, and Sidon smiled at her.
"Where are we having our adventure?" said Link between bites of fish.
"Someplace nearby, like Veiled Falls," said Mipha. "We can take Sidon there for lunch and play afterward. I want to visit Ruta right after we drop Sidon off and before Ruta gets too upset at me."
Link nodded as he chewed another bite of fish. He had long since come to accept Ruta as a member of the family as far as Mipha was concerned. And Mipha had told him he needed to be on good behavior to earn Ruta's acceptance. Sometimes it almost seemed like Ruta was jealous of him, but Mipha said it was nothing like that. Ruta was only looking out for her, wanting her to be happy.
"And, Sidon, what kind of enemy do you want to battle today?" said Link.
"A Lynel," said Sidon grinning and flashing his teeth.
"Wow! A Lynel!" said Link. "Are you sure you're ready for that? They're pretty powerful enemies. I think you might need your sister's advice on how to defeat a Lynel."
Sidon looked over at Mipha, and she smiled and nodded her head.
"I can help you," said Mipha. "But it is a difficult enemy, Sidon, so you'll need to be brave. I know you can do it, though!" said Mipha. "Are you finished now, Link? Father wants to see you."
"Yes, I'm ready now," said Link as he cleaned up and then they left for the throne room.
They each held one of Sidon's hands as they strolled down the path from Mikau Lake.
"It does feel good to be back home," sighed Mipha. "I love it here."
"I love it here too," said Link. "It's the most beautiful city in all of Hyrule. I might have married you just for the chance to live here."
"Oh, really, darling?" said Mipha as she squeezed his hand. "You forgot already how sweet you were when I asked you if that's why you came here so often, to enjoy the sights, and you said it was to see me? But I'm glad you're in such a light-hearted mood today. I can't wait to have some fun with you in the water."
"That sounds a little ominous," said Link. "Will I have fun too?"
"Oh, yes, I promise you'll enjoy it so much you won't stop laughing," said Mipha.
By now, they had reached the throne room.
"Welcome home, Link!" said King Dorephan. "I'm glad your time away is finally over. I'm sure Mipha has already told you how much Sidon missed the both of you."
"Thank you, Father," said Link. "It's good to be back home with my family. And yes, I gather I will be having some adventures with Sidon to atone for our long absence. By the way, it's wonderful to hear him speak."
"Yes," said King Dorephan. "He just started talking all of a sudden, though the lessons he's taking must have helped. But you are doing very well, Sidon, and we're all proud of you."
Sidon flashed a smile.
"I wrote to Queen Zelda to congratulate her and pledge our domain's loyalty and support, as well as to offer her any advice should she wish it. Mipha tells me she was very thankful for all your help," said King Dorephan.
"Yes, she needed us, and should have asked us to come sooner," said Link. "But Zelda is like her old self now, and every bit the Queen of Hyrule the people need her to be. I think she will be fine, though Mipha and I agreed on the way home last night that it would be good to visit her at least once a month to make sure."
"I'm glad to hear she's doing well," said King Dorephan. "She has had such a difficult life and is so very young to have the burden of ruler thrust upon her. As our ambassador, it's appropriate that you meet regularly. But now it's time for Sidon's lessons. He will be free by lunchtime if that suits your plans."
"That would be perfect," said Mipha.
Then Mipha turned to Sidon.
"Now, do well in your lessons, and Link and I will have a picnic with you afterward," said Mipha. She bent down to kiss him.
"And I'll be ready for our adventure," said Link as he reached down and they fist bumped again.
"And you two enjoy the morning together," said King Dorephan. "I heard from the guards you returned here quite late last night."
"Thank you, Father," said Mipha. "We're off to visit Ruta first."
They made their way across the eastern bridge to East Reservoir Lake, and Ruta bellowed once when they reached the pier.
"I know, Ruta, and I'm coming," said Mipha. "And don't be angry at Link for sleeping late and keeping me away longer."
"What? Oh, come on, Mipha! How does Ruta know I slept late?" said Link.
"Quiet!" whispered Mipha. "You always manage to hurt her feelings the way you talk. Now let's go. Normally I'd race you there, but I want you to save your energy."
"Okay," laughed Link. "I can never win a water race with you anyway."
They dove into the lake together and swam to Ruta, as Mipha lowered the platform to the entrance on the way. They stepped on the platform and Mipha raised it again, then they stepped inside Ruta as she bellowed what Link took to be a welcome, at least to Mipha if not to him.
"I missed you too, Ruta," said Mipha. "But we had to help our new Queen, as I told you before we left. I'm back now and happy we're together again."
Mipha stopped and turned to Link with an expectant look.
"What?" said Link. "What's the matter?"
"Tell Ruta how you feel about her!" whispered Mipha. "Don't you have any manners?"
"Oh!" said Link. "Ruta, I missed you too, and I'm happy to be back with you," Link added in a loud voice.
Ruta bellowed, then launched a spray of water high into the air. Mipha laughed.
"She's beginning to like you a little more," said Mipha. "Try not to do or say anything to ruin it."
"I'll be careful," said Link. "She's fussier than … never mind."
Mipha took a brief look around and then checked the main control unit. After seeing that all was well, they prepared to leave.
"We can go now," said Mipha as she gently stroked her hand across Ruta. "I told Ruta we would stay here in the lake this morning so she won't be left alone."
Mipha lowered the platform, and they dove in the water together, then she raised it again.
"Let's swim close to the northwest pier," said Mipha.
They swam to just short of the pier when Mipha stopped and grabbed Link by the hand.
"Now it's our turn to have some fun," said Mipha.
She dove under the water, and the next thing Link knew he was laughing uncontrollably as he felt wave after wave of pulses tickling him. After a minute they ceased, and Mipha surfaced.
"I didn't know you could do that!" said Link catching his breath and recovering from laughing too hard.
"It's echolocation. We use it where it's dark in deep water or at night," said Mipha. "We can find or stun fish with it, but it has other uses as well. Was that fun?"
"I'll agree I couldn't stop laughing," said Link.
"Now tell me again why you like living here in the domain so much," said Mipha with a smile. "And think before you answer."
"You know very well why," said Link. "I love many things about the domain, but the most important one is you. My heart is wherever you are."
Mipha reached out, and they embraced, then kissed. She gave him that seductive smile she sometimes used and her eyes shone.
"Is this what I saved my energy for?" said Link.
"For someone so quiet … stop talking and kiss me," said Mipha.
They kissed again as they held each other, then Mipha broke away and pulled him to the pier. They climbed onto the dock, Link pulled off his armor, and Mipha jumped into his arms. She gently ran her nails across his back as they held each other and kissed over and over until they collapsed onto the bed in each other's arms and made love.
Afterward, they lay next to each other and watched the clouds drift across the sky. Mipha gently brushed Link's hair back from his forehead. After a few moments, Link spoke up.
"What are you thinking, sweetheart?" said Link.
"How happy I am to be here with you," said Mipha as she turned to him and smiled. "What about you?"
"That I'm hungry," said Link as he smiled back at her.
Mipha reached down and tickled him in the ribs as Link burst out laughing.
"I can tickle you on land too, you know," said Mipha.
"I'm joking. I'm joking," laughed Link as Mipha finally stopped. "You're not the only one who can do some teasing. But I was thinking the same as you, how wonderful it is to be together now, how much I love you, and how happy you've made me."
They were both quiet for a moment.
"Roll over on your stomach, sweetheart," said Mipha. "I want to look if I left any scratches on your back and how your scars are healing."
Link did as she asked and Mipha traced her finger gently along one of the scars on his back from wounds he received on the day of the Great Calamity.
"No scratches and I'm sorry I couldn't completely heal these scars," said Mipha as she touched another scar. "But the wounds were so many and so deep I did the best I could. Do they hurt?"
"No, they're just sensitive to the touch," said Link. "But I can live with them. You did a marvelous job saving me, and some scars are a small price to pay."
"You were in terrible condition," said Mipha. "My heart was in my throat the whole time I was healing you, and I felt so desperate. I never worked harder."
Link rolled on his back again. Then Mipha leaned over, and they kissed once, then they both lay back and gazed at the clouds. It was a beautiful morning, very peaceful, the only sound the waves and an occasional duck cry. And after a few minutes, they fell asleep.
They both awoke to Ruta bellowing. Link sat up and looked at the sun's position.
"We both fell asleep," said Link. "It looks like it's midday and time to meet Sidon."
"Oh! Yes!" said Mipha. "Thank you, Ruta, for reminding us. A quick swim to freshen up and then we need to go."
They both dove into the lake swam for a few minutes, then Link dressed, and they headed down the steps and toward the throne room to pick up Sidon.
"We had better hurry back, or it will cost me another adventure," laughed Link. "Not that I mind having them. He's so cute and takes them so seriously."
When they arrived, Sidon was waiting with King Dorephan.
"Sorry, we both fell asleep," said Mipha. "We must have been exhausted getting back so late last night."
"But now I'm fully rested and ready for our adventure," added Link quickly as he saw Sidon pouting.
"You're not that late," laughed King Dorephan. "I had a picnic basket made up for you to save time. Now you had better be off."
"Yes, thank you, Father," said Mipha taking Sidon by the hand as Link picked up the basket. "We're off to Veiled Falls."
"A very romantic spot for you two, I'm told," said King Dorephan as he smiled at Mipha. "Enjoy yourselves!"
They made their way back to the plaza and then over the western bridge and up to Veiled Falls. The weather was beautiful, a light breeze and partly cloudy. They chose a place to sit, and Link opened the picnic basket and took out the blanket and food. They were soon sitting together, enjoying lunch. Link was pretty hungry by now, but there was plenty of food to go around.
"Did you learn anything new in your lessons today?" said Mipha.
"Yes, about frogs," said Sidon between bites. "Hot-Footed and Tireless."
"Oh, you learned about frogs?" said Mipha. "That's wonderful. Maybe you can try to catch one later. Sometimes they can be found here."
"Remember we used to chase frogs together, sweetheart," said Link.
"Yes," laughed Mipha. "You liked to chase anything, to prove you could catch it. Darners, crickets, butterflies, you chased all of them. But what I liked was how kind and gentle you were when you caught one. You would look at whatever you caught, then carefully let it go. You were an energetic child but a kind one, and I'm happy you never lost those traits."
Link smiled at her, thinking back to times he remembered chasing bugs with her. It was amazing that the person he married, who was about the equivalent of his age now, had also been the person to care for him as a child and see him grow up. It was a unique relationship, the only one of its kind in all of Hyrule. He was indeed blessed.
They finished lunch, and it was time for the adventure.
"I'll wait over there," said Link. "Then you and your sister can discuss strategy. But be prepared! This is going to be a tough battle."
Sidon grinned, while Link got up and made his way to the area to the southwest.
"Now you need to be careful," said Mipha. "Lynels are quick and strong. When they attack you need to jump aside, then stab them from the back with your spear. Then quickly back away and repeat. Do you understand?"
Sidon nodded.
"Let's find you a spear," said Mipha as she looked for a tree branch. Link had already collected a branch to use as his weapon.
When Sidon was ready, he made his way toward Link, who ignored him at first, then stared at him like Lynels were prone to do when approached. Then the battle was on.
Link charged at Sidon, wielding his tree branch, but not so fast Sidon couldn't jump aside and then poke at Link with his "spear." Link jumped, turned around and charged again. This time Sidon got scared and ran toward the water. But Mipha waved to him and said not to give up. So, Sidon returned to the battle and Link repeated the moves three more times. Finally, he let Sidon get in several quick pokes with the branch and collapsed on the ground. Sidon shouted and ran over to Mipha for congratulations.
"Well done!" said Mipha. "That was a terrific battle. Now we had better let the Lynel get up and catch its breath."
Link got up, walked back to the picnic blanket, and congratulated Sidon.
"Now, why don't you go play in the water while Link rests for a bit," said Mipha stroking Sidon gently on the head. "See if you can find a frog."
Sidon ran off, and Link sat down next to Mipha. They put their arms around each other.
"You're still breathing hard," said Mipha. "Are you out of shape?"
"You have the nerve to ask me that after this morning?" laughed Link. "I tried to make the battle interesting and not too easy for Sidon, so I ran around more than I usually would."
"Well, relax here with me for a while," said Mipha. "Afterward, we can all play in the water together."
They sat together and watched Sidon splashing and then unsuccessfully chase something. Link was quiet.
"What are you thinking now?" said Mipha as Link stared after Sidon playing in the water.
"About us," said Link. "About having a family. Is it time to start thinking about it? I know you're still a very young Zora, and I'm still young too. But something tells me it might be good not to wait too long."
Mipha gently stroked his arm and smiled at him.
"I know what you mean, and it's sweet you're thinking about it," said Mipha. "I have been too. I want us to have some time for ourselves as a couple before we take on the responsibility of a family. And I am still helping Father with raising Sidon. But I also know the time will go faster for you than me, and I want you to be a father to our children for as long as possible. So, that makes me think we should start a family sooner rather than later. I don't know what's best."
"Well, we can leave it to nature to decide," said Link. "Which means it will probably be sooner rather than later given how often …"
"I caught a Hot Footed frog!" yelled Sidon excitedly running back from the water to show them the frog in his hands.
"Well done!" said Link. "Those frogs are slippery and can hop fast."
"Yes, well done," said Mipha. "Now, put it back. We don't want to hurt what we don't eat."
Sidon ran back and returned the frog to the pond.
"I'd like us to have a year to ourselves before we start a family," said Mipha. "A year won't matter much, and we deserve the time together. How does that sound to you?"
"It sounds fine to me," said Link. "We should do it only when you're feeling ready. But you can control it?"
"I think you should read up on Zora biology," laughed Mipha. "It wouldn't hurt."
"I guess I should," said Link. "But I haven't done badly so far, have I?"
"No, you've done very well," laughed Mipha as she leaned over and they kissed.
"I caught another one!" yelled Sidon excitedly.
"Time for some water games," said Mipha taking Link by the hand as they stood up and began walking to the water.
"Let's play tag," said Mipha as they reached the water. "And you're allowed to go up and down the waterfall."
"Leenk is it," squealed Sidon as he raced away out of reach.
"Aren't I always," laughed Link as he dove into the water and tried to catch one of them.
They played in the water all afternoon, then had a light dinner from the picnic food left over. It was getting dark by the time they walked Sidon back home and kissed him goodnight.
"Oh! Out playing all afternoon?" laughed King Dorephan. "You must all be exhausted."
"It was fun," said Mipha. "We both missed Sidon."
"Did you have fun, Sidon?" said Link.
"Yes," said Sidon.
Then Sidon reached out to Link, and he picked him up and hugged him.
"Goodnight little brother," said Link as he kissed him. "I love you."
"I love you Leenk," said Sidon as he hugged Link back. Then Link put him down, and Mipha picked him up and hugged and kissed him.
"It's good to be home with you," said Mipha. "I love you, dear brother."
"I love you, Meepha," said Sidon as he smiled at her.
"It's so wonderful hearing you talk," said Mipha. "And you say the nicest things. Goodnight."
"And goodnight, Father," said Mipha and Link.
They held hands as they strolled along the path toward their house by Mikau Lake, but decided to sit outside for a while before going in. Stars were already visible overhead, and the call of night birds and the sound of chirping insects filled the air.
"This is nice, sitting here with you, relaxing," said Link as he put his arm around her and she nestled into him.
"Yes, some quiet time is good," said Mipha as she rested her head on his shoulder. They were both quiet for a few moments. Then Mipha spoke up.
"Sweetheart, I would like you to learn more about Zora culture and history," said Mipha. "Would you be willing to do that? It would make me happy."
"If it would make you happy then, of course, I'll do it," said Link. "I probably should anyway now that I live here. And, of course, there are our children to consider. I should know as much as they will."
Mipha laughed.
"One thing at a time, sweetheart," laughed Mipha as she squeezed him. "But you're right. And you don't mind, do you?"
"No, I don't," said Link. "I'm not just saying it. I should know more about the people I live with and the community I'm part of."
"That will make me very happy," said Mipha as she leaned over and kissed him. "And it won't be so bad. I can help you and answer your questions."
"I wasn't a great student, but I did okay in school," said Link. "Knowing it makes you happy will motivate me to do my best."
"Or, I could just tickle you every time you give a wrong answer," laughed Mipha.
"You are so cute!" said Link as he squeezed. "I've never been as happy as I am with you."
"You followed your heart, as I did mine," said Mipha. "It's good advice."
"Yes, it is," said Link as he looked over at her.
And as he looked at her, he saw the person he had been with for so much of his life and would be for the rest of it. She was beautiful and loving and more than he ever dared hope for in life. And as she gazed back into his eyes, she seemed to read his thoughts and smiled back at him.
"We were meant for each other, sweetheart," said Mipha as she stroked his cheek. "Let's go in and rest in the water. Be nice, and I promise I won't tickle you."