Chapter 17 - Home Again
Summary: Mipha, Link, and family arrive home in Zora's Domain and resume life there.
It was a clear early evening in Zora's Domain as King Dorephan paced back and forth in the throne room, now and then looking southwest across the Great Zora Bridge. His family was due back tonight, and he couldn't wait for them to be home! And so, his gaze kept returning to Lake Ruto below the Great Zora Bridge, where he hoped to catch the first glimpse of their return.
His family's absence had been difficult for him, even more so than he first imagined. He knew it would be hard since Mipha and Sidon had never both been away from home at the same time like this. But his children were growing up, he realized, even little Sidon, and he had to accept that. Indeed, Mipha was already a mother herself. He realized it was not fair to deny Sidon the chance to see Hyrule, so he agreed to their journey.
He had put his feelings out of his mind during the day by keeping busy, meeting with the council of elders, the royal secretary, and others. It was after the day was over that he had difficulty. During these quiet moments in the evening, he grew lonely and felt a wave of melancholy wash over him.
He wished his dear wife could have been with him now. He always missed her, of course, but especially so at moments like this. It would have thrilled her to see how well their children had grown and for the chance to spend time with their adorable grandchildren. And of course, they would have each other for companionship to enjoy those moments together.
But was it really that long ago already? If he closed his eyes, he could still see his dear wife standing beside him after she finished playing with little Mipha in Mikau Lake, teaching her to swim up waterfalls.
"Isn't she the most adorable?" his wife had said as they stood with their arms around each other, watching Mipha chase fish. "I think my skin color suits her, don't you?"
"You and she look so much alike, dear. And that's one reason she is so adorable, like you," said King Dorephan as he hugged his wife.
"But I can see she has your quickness and strength," said his wife with a smile. "She's very active and learns quickly. I think she will make a fine ruler someday. And I love the name we chose."
"It is a beautiful name," said King Dorephan. "But it's kind of you to say 'we.' It was mostly your idea, dear."
King Dorephan shook his head. Now Sidon was already bigger than Mipha was in that memory.
But Mipha had indeed been such a blessing! After his dear wife passed, Mipha had understood everything. Without being asked, and while they were both still grieving, she had offered to help ease his burden of caring for Sidon. Maybe that was Mipha's way of keeping busy, too, helping her cope with their terrible loss. Mipha was ever the thoughtful one, seeking ways to help others. And that's what helped her become acquainted with a little four-year-old Hylian boy that would grow up to change so many lives.
King Dorephan turned and glanced up once again, then grew excited. Did his eyes just deceive him, or did he see people swimming towards the domain?
In Ruto Lake's calm waters, three ducks scattered as six Zoras and a Hylian swam toward the waterfall below the Great Zora Bridge.
"Race you!" shouted Tidon, and he, Raypha, and Sidon swam full speed ahead and then up the waterfall.
"They still have so much energy before sleep time!" Link laughed, shaking his head.
"I knew that would happen when we ate Staminoka Bass for dinner," laughed Mipha. "But the sight of home curls my fins. Thank you, Gaddison and Rivan, for all you did to make our trip safe and enjoyable."
"Yes, thanks, both of my fellow Bazz Brigade members," said Link. "You made the trip more fun. And, of course, we're grateful for the added protection."
"It was our pleasure to be of service and for the opportunity to see more of Hyrule with you," said Gaddison. "It is good to be home, though, isn't it?"
"We will go on ahead now and catch up to the children, then report to our Captain," said Rivan as he and Gaddison swam away, leaving Mipha and Link alone at the foot of the waterfall.
"A kiss to close our journey, sweetheart?" Link asked, turning to Mipha.
"It's amazing how well some Zora customs have sunk in with you," smiled Mipha. "But yes, a kiss to close our wonderful journey would be sweet."
Then she threw her arms around him, and they held a long romantic kiss as they floated in the water together.
"I love you," said Link finally. "Our trip reminded me of so many places we spent time together. I can't wait to be home with you and spend even more time, though."
"I love you, too," said Mipha as she caressed his cheek. "And please hold that thought. But now we had better see Father. I know he will have been anxious the whole time we were away."
They swam up the waterfall holding hands, then ran laughing to one of the small water flows from the domain channels and swam up those next. They landed on the level just below the throne room, stopped to say a brief prayer to Hylia at the shrine, then headed up the stairs to the throne room where they could see the rest of the family already gathered. King Dorephan was beaming with pleasure and hugging Sidon, Raypha, and Tidon at the same time.
"Ah, here is the rest of the family," said King Dorephan. "I can finally relax."
Mipha ran to hug her father, and he kissed her on the forehead.
"We missed you, Father," said Mipha. "Did you lose some weight?"
"Perhaps, and I certainly missed all of you," said King Dorephan. "But I know it is getting late and time for the young ones to rest. Tomorrow you can tell me all about your trip."
"Goodnight, Grandfather," said Raypha and Tidon. "And see you later, Uncle Sidon."
Mipha and Link both kissed Sidon goodnight.
"Thanks for coming with us, Bro," said Link. "I know you helped keep an eye out for danger."
"Yes, Sidon, I loved having you with us," said Mipha.
Sidon beamed proudly, hugged and kissed them both, then stood by his father as they all waved goodbye.
"Tomorrow, things return to normal," said Mipha to the two children as they made their way back to the house. "This trip was not just for fun, but educational too. So, I want each of you to pick two places you enjoyed visiting and write about them and why you liked them."
"Aw, Mom," said Tidon. "Do we have to?"
"Yes, you do, and no 'aw' about it," said Mipha. "Your father kept a journal to recall things he did, and I kept a diary. It's a good habit. Someday you may look back on this trip with fond memories, and recording some thoughts about it while they are still fresh in your mind will help. Also, you need to practice your writing skills as part of schooling."
"I don't mind doing it. I like writing," said Raypha, who then stuck her tongue out at Tidon, and he did the same back to her as Link shook his head.
They made their way home, hugged, and kissed the two children goodnight as they each went to their room, then Mipha and Link retired to their room.
"Tomorrow, we can go visit Ruta," said Mipha. "But she can sense all is well."
"I'm curious what each of our children will say they liked best about our trip," said Link as he began undressing. "I would be hard-pressed to do that myself, as I enjoyed so many places. What places would you choose?"
Mipha had already made her way to their slumber pool.
"Come, join me," said Mipha. "It's easier to talk to you without having to look up."
Link finished undressing and joined her in their slumber pool, and then she took his hand.
"I wouldn't like to pick places, sweetheart," said Mipha. "For me, the entire trip was a chance to spend time with those I love while traveling across our beautiful land of Hyrule. But if you say that's cheating, and you force me to answer, I would pick seeing Zelda again and the Great Fairy."
"Good choices," said Link.
Then they looked into each other's eyes for a moment and smiled. For Link, Mipha's eyes had a golden glow that gave him a warm feeling inside and a strong desire not to look away. Hypnotic was the word that came to mind. And for Mipha, she found Link's bright blue eyes utterly charming and his smile even more so. He was so cute!
They leaned forward toward each other, then kissed once gently, their lips just touching. Then they pressed their open lips together, and their tongues caressed each other as they kissed hungrily and finally made love.
Afterward, they held each other close, Mipha running her hand through his hair while he tenderly stroked her tail fin.
"That was fantastic! I loved it," said Link.
"It was great for me too, sweetheart," said Mipha.
They floated quietly for a moment in each other's arms.
"Maybe eating Staminoka Bass for dinner was lucky after all," said Link.
Then he paused.
"Wait! You were the one who caught our fish this afternoon, weren't you?"
"Goodnight, sweetheart," said Mipha. "I do plan sometimes, you know."
Link laughed, then they kissed once more and soon fell asleep to the sound of the waterfall outside. It indeed was good to be home!