Chapter 22 - Gerudo Desert Trip - Part One
Summary: Mipha and Link prepare for their next family trip, a visit to the Gerudo Desert. Mipha seeks to overcome her father's reluctance to allow Sidon to accompany them.
It was a rainy evening in Zora's Domain, and Mipha, Link, Raypha, and Tidon were returning home after several swims up and down the falls by Mikau Lake.
"You should learn to control your descent down the falls better, Ti," said Raypha. "You look all wobbly and might as well just dive."
"Maybe," said Tidon. "I just get this urge to go faster and lose my balance."
"It just takes more practice," said Mipha. "You both swim very well."
They entered the house, and then Link finally spoke up.
"That was fun … and a good … after-dinner workout," said Link between deep breaths. "But I'm a … bit winded."
"Winded?" Raypha asked. "Is that a Hylian expression?"
"Yes, sweetheart," said Mipha. "It means they need to take strong, rapid breaths of air, exhaling them like the wind, after some energetic physical exertion."
"Oh, like fast filling your gills," said Raypha.
"Close enough," said Mipha. "Anyway, it's late, and I need to go. We stayed out longer than usual, and I want to wish your Uncle Sidon goodnight before he floats asleep."
"Wish him goodnight from us, too," said Tidon.
"I will. And it's already past both of your sleep times. Goodnight, Raypha. Goodnight, Tidon," said Mipha as she gave each of them a hug and a kiss.
"Goodnight, Mom," said Raypha and Tidon.
"Now, both of you, be good for your father while I'm gone."
"Don't worry, Mom," said Tidon. "When he catches up to his breath, Dad's going to tell us a sleep time story about one of his adventures, right Dad?"
"I can, but are you two sure you still want to hear a sleep time story? You're not too big, are you?" said Link, now breathing normally.
"Not at all, Dad," said Raypha as she shook her head. "We still love hearing them, right Ti?"
"Right, Ray. Your stories about the old days are exciting, Dad," said Tidon.
"The old days?" said Link.
"Maybe you could tell us about something that happened to you in the Gerudo Desert area since we're going there soon," said Raypha.
"That's a great idea, Raypha! If I'm not mistaken, your Dad and I had some adventures together in Gerudo Town before we married. Maybe he can talk about them. Or am I confusing you with my dear friend Linka, sweetheart?" said Mipha as she gave Link a cute smile.
"You must be confusing me with Linka, dearest," said Link as he made a face at Mipha. "Don't you remember they don't let Voe like me into town? So, I'll have to think of a different story."
She and Link both laughed, then Mipha spoke up.
"Well, I need to go. I'll leave you three to settle your discussion."
"Dad's in charge with you gone, right Mom?" said Raypha, who couldn't help but giggle after saying it.
"Are we back to that conversation again, Raypha?" laughed Link. "You're getting to be as big a tease as your mother."
"You're just too easy to tease, sweetheart," laughed Mipha. "But now I really must go before Sidon's asleep."
She and Link embraced and then kissed.
"Try not to put yourself to sleep with your own story, sweetheart," said Mipha after their kiss ended.
"This feels like pick on poor me night!" laughed Link. "Try not to linger in the rain too long and hurry home. I know how much you love being out in the rain."
"Hm, competing desires, you or the rain," sighed Mipha, pretending to consider the situation. "But you're still my deepest desire, sweetheart, and always will be."
Mipha and Link smiled at each other as Mipha briefly caressed his cheek. Then Link watched her open the door, step outside, and close the door behind her.
"We tease you because we love you, Dad," said Raypha, calling Link's attention back to the moment. "Now, about that story?"
As Mipha left the house, she basked in the gently falling rain, turning her head and letting it wash over her. It was the kind of steady rain that every Zora enjoyed, as it made you feel you were still in the water you loved so much. The rain would make the walk even more pleasant, Mipha thought, as she turned to her right and headed down the path toward the central part of Zora's Domain.
Mipha was paying her customary goodnight visit to her brother, Sidon. She had started doing that years ago now, ever since their Mother had passed. First, when Sidon was very small, she sang traditional Zora lullabies to him. And later, when he was a bit older, she told him sleep time stories. She did it out of love for her brother, of course. But it also helped take some of the burden from her father as he coped with the loss of his wife while still serving as Zora King. Now, Sidon was older, and he didn't need a sleep time story anymore: a simple goodnight hug and kiss sufficed. But especially since Mipha had her own children, she did not want Sidon to feel neglected or abandoned by her. So, she made a point of visiting him to say goodnight whenever possible.
However, tonight, when she arrived at Sidon's slumber pool, she was surprised to find him sobbing.
"Sidon! What's wrong? Are you hurt?"
"No, not hurt, but can you talk to Father for me?" sobbed Sidon, his eyes full of tears. "I know he'll listen to you."
"Talk to him about what?"
"Father said it's too dangerous for me to go with you to the Gerudo Desert. But I really want to go! I had so much fun with you and the family on our last trip to Rito Village."
"Oh, I see. Here, let me join you," said Mipha as she slid into the slumber pool and then put her arm around Sidon to console him. "I can certainly speak to Father, but I don't know if I will be able to change his mind. You know how much he worries about us, especially when both of us are away at the same time."
"But Father let me go with you the last time, and everything was fine."
"I know, but Father may feel a trip to the Gerudo Desert is more treacherous for us than our Rito Village visit. And he's right, Sidon. For one thing, the climate and lack of water are challenging for Zoras. Also, there may still be some monsters lurking about, hiding under the sand to avoid detection until they spring out. And the evil Yiga Clan, followers of Ganon, had their hideout in the Gerudo Desert region, and some may still be around."
"If it's so dangerous, why are you and your family going?"
"Because Link and I don't believe it is quite as dangerous as Father probably fears," said Mipha. "But you have to understand Father's feelings, Sidon. He has had a hard life. Losing our Mother was a terrible shock he could never fully recover from. So, naturally, he worries about losing us too."
Sidon was quiet, his eyes downcast.
"But I promise I will speak with Father after we say goodnight," said Mipha as she gently caressed his cheek. "Now go to sleep, and perhaps there will be some good news when you awake tomorrow."
"Thanks, Sis, and goodnight," said Sidon as he hugged her back, then closed his eyes and settled into the water.
"Watery dreams," said Mipha as she kissed him on the forehead.
Then Mipha rose from the pool and headed off at once to see their father. She had an idea that might help to sway him, but she knew she was swimming against the current. Father was understandably very protective of both of them. She recalled that it was with only the greatest reluctance that her father finally agreed to let her pilot Divine Beast Vah Ruta, so worried was he about her safety. And his worry had proven justified by subsequent events, which only served to convince him that he had been right to oppose her involvement all along. She even thought the fact Link was so capable of protecting her helped ease any resistance he might have had to her falling in love with a Hylian.
"You're alone, sweetheart?" said King Dorephan when Mipha arrived.
"Yes, Father, Link is with the children, telling Raypha and Tidon one of his adventure stories before they sleep," said Mipha. "They like him to do that when I'm not home, and it's possible I will find all three of them asleep when I return there."
"I'm happy Link is such a fine father, sweetheart, and I hope he is a fine husband too."
"He is, Father," said Mipha. "We love each other with all our hearts, and I couldn't be happier."
"That's all a parent could wish for."
"But speaking of being a parent, I wanted to discuss the possibility of Sidon accompanying us on our trip to the Gerudo Desert. I just came from saying goodnight to him, and he dearly wants to go, Father. I think it would be educational for him."
"I know, dear, and I certainly don't wish to deprive Sidon of an opportunity to see more of Hyrule," sighed King Dorephan. "But you know how I feel about both of you being away from the domain together. It's a long journey to the Gerudo Desert, and the desert is a harsh environment, especially for us Zoras. I seem to recall there can be deadly electric monsters there. And I understand the Yiga Clan had their hideout there. So it seems rather unsafe to me, sweetheart."
"But…."
"Now I know what you will say, that Link is an excellent fighter and protector, trusted by King Rhoam to guard his own daughter when monsters were everywhere. But as masterful as he is, Link cannot guard everyone at once. Nor can both you and he together. You and Link are obvious targets of the Yiga Clan's wrath for your roles in defeating their master. If any are still active, they could ambush you and your family along the way. To be honest, I wish none of you were going."
"All that you say is true, Father, but I have an idea about that," said Mipha. "I haven't discussed this with Link yet, but I don't think he would object. We could travel to the Gerudo Desert by water."
"That seems rather contradictory, sweetheart," said King Dorephan.
"I mean, we can begin our journey at Lanayru Bay, then travel south and west by way of the Lanayru, Necluda, and Faron Seas. That would be perfect for all of us except for Link, but we can help him manage. We can swim and catch fish as we go, and travel will be perfectly safe. There will be some climbing across the Gerudo Mesa toward the end, but that should not be too difficult. Then Gerudo guards can meet us with Sand Seals when we reach the desert, and we can quickly ride them to Gerudo Town and the Kara Kara Oasis. I can vouch that Sand Seal travel is safe and quite rapid."
"Well, I must admit I didn't think of that," said King Dorephan after a pause. "Your travel plan certainly sounds safer and more comfortable. Even so, if I allow Sidon to go, I would still want a pair of guards to go with you."
"And that's fine. But I think the trip will be a great experience, and both Sidon and I will stay safe, Father. Besides that, allowing Sidon to go with us will relieve you of the burden of having an unhappy child on your fins for the entire time that I'm gone."
"Well, not having a sulking and unhappy child around is certainly another important consideration," laughed King Dorephan. "You remind me of your dear Mother. She, too, was very persistent with me, especially when it came to raising you and helping you gain experience. 'We need to help her grow to be strong and wise, dear, not coddle her like a hatchling,' she would say to me before taking you swimming or for lessons when I thought you were still too young. She was right, of course, and I believe it's partly thanks to the good start she gave you that you turned out to be the strong and wise person you are. She would be so very proud of you now, sweetheart. I miss her in so many ways, including her wisdom."
"I miss her too, Father," said Mipha. "She was firm, yet loving, a perfect role model."
"I'm happy to hear you say so. Anyway, let me sleep on this matter, dear, and I will give you and Sidon my decision tomorrow," said King Dorephan.
"Thank you, Father, and goodnight," said Mipha as she kissed him on the cheek, then left.
As she reached the foot of the stairs, a guard greeted her.
"Good evening, Highness. This gentle rain is very refreshing, is it not?" said the guard.
"Yes, it feels delightful, Keela," said Mipha as she lifted her head to let the rain wash over her face again. "I hope it makes guard duty more pleasant for you. How are you and the family?"
"All of us are doing well. Thank you for asking, Highness," said Keela. "My husband, Freer, has the day shift at the moment and is taking care of our little boy, Frello. Frello will be nine months old next week and swims beautifully!"
"That's wonderful, Keela," said Mipha. "I look forward to seeing Frello when he's old enough. And I hope you don't mind being on duty at night."
"Not at all, Highness, just the opposite," said Keela with a smile. "It's generally quiet at night, and I get to be off during the day when our darling Frello is most active. Freer can't wait for us to switch guard duty times next month."
"I'm glad that's working out," said Mipha. "Give my good wishes to Freer, and goodnight Keela."
"Goodnight, Highness."
Mipha continued on her way to Mikau Lake, and when she arrived home, she was slightly surprised to find Link still awake.
"Hi, sweetheart," said Link as they kissed hello, then Mipha pulled his head to hers and followed it with a longer, more romantic kiss.
"You're in a great mood," said Link after their kiss ended. "Did the rain do that to you? Or was it my charm?"
"Let me go back outside in the rain and check," said Mipha.
"Don't you dare," laughed Link as he pulled her close for another kiss.
"Just be careful with your tongue, sweetheart. My teeth are pretty sharp, and you remember what happened that one time."
"I remember, but I feel courageous right now," laughed Link. "And I can always count on your healing magic."
They kissed again for another few moments, and then Mipha spoke up.
"By the way, I'm surprised you're not asleep along with the children."
"I guess my story tonight wasn't boring enough," laughed Link. "And they're both older now. I think they only ask for a story when you're away just to stay up longer. Not that I mind, of course. I love the time I can spend with them and the good questions they ask. Anyway, they're both asleep now."
"That's perfect. But now, before we resume what we were doing, I'd like to discuss our upcoming trip to the Gerudo Desert with you, sweetheart," said Mipha.
"Of course."
"Father is reluctant to let Sidon go with us out of fear for his safety, and I can understand that. I know we thought it would be more educational to travel across Hyrule by land and give the children a chance to see more locations along the way. But I think Father will only agree to let Sidon go if we travel by sea for as long as we can and take along a pair of guards to accompany us as before. Would you mind doing that instead? I would dearly like Sidon to go with us and not feel left out. Otherwise, he will be bitterly disappointed and miss a good experience. And besides, our children enjoy having their uncle with them."
"Can we get a boat or raft that I can sail?"
"Yes, of course. Father can arrange for it just as he did for our vacation."
"Then it's fine as far as I'm concerned," said Link. "I would like Sidon to go as well, and I don't mind sailing. As you know, I'm actually pretty good at it. And with all of you Zoras along, there will be plenty of help available to push the boat if the wind fails. So I can lean back and relax for that part of the journey."
"Or you could join us in the water and get some exercise. Anyway, we won't know Father's decision until tomorrow."
"That's fine," said Link. "We still have some preparations to make. For one thing, I need to contact Gerudo Chief Ryla and let her know our plans."
"Yes, but that makes me happy, sweetheart," said Mipha as she smiled and took Link's hand. "And you didn't even need any convincing."
"Oh, was I too easy? Would you have been sweeter to me if I had put up some fight?"
"Now that's an interesting question, dear," said Mipha as she gently ran the tips of her nails up and down Link's forearm. "But am I not already sweet enough for you?"
"Well…," Link gulped after taking a deep breath.
"Sorry? No clever reply, dear?"
"The problem is you're too cute, and you don't play fair!" laughed Link as he grasped Mipha's hand to stop her from caressing his forearm.
"Who said I have to play fair?"
Then they both laughed and held hands as they made their way to their room.