"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Bernadetta asked. "King Rhoam said we're not ready to fight a Lynel."
"That was on the Great Plateau," Caspar said confidently. "Since then, Link has been drilling us, and we've had chances to practice against other monsters."
"I don't know. I think Bernadetta is right," Claude said. "I think we would be better off trying to get the shock arrows from Lizalfos."
"We don't have time," Dimitri reminded him. "We need shock arrows now."
"I know, I know," Claude said. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."
"I don't like it either," Sidon admitted. "I just… do not agree with making you solve all of our problems. The lynel is our concern, and not even the most pressing one."
"I thought that you said there was no other way to get shock arrows," Link said.
"There isn't, that I know of. Not in time." Sidon exhaled slowly, shaking his head and pursing his lips. "But it shouldn't be you. Not alone, at least. However, my father has forbidden me from challenging the lynel. He is willing to allow other Zora to face it and die, but he will not risk my life."
"A shame. No noble should order his men into danger he himself is unwilling to face," Ferdinand said.
"Indeed," Lorenz agreed. "It is the duty of a noble to lead his men from the front, assuming he is not too old or infirm."
"Trust me, neither of those adjectives describes King Dorephan," Claude said.
Sidon glanced at the two nobles and smiled, embarrassed. "I'm glad you agree, but there's not much I can do," he said, and they continued down the stairs.
The stairs led onto a wide town square, with the fountain that Link had seen from afar in its center. Now that he was closer to it—and paying attention—he could see that it was more than a simple fountain. It was a statue made in the likeness of a female Zora, holding a trident, point down, with stone carving made to look like splashing water on either side of the trident's point. Water flowed out around the base of the fountain, splashing to join the water that covered the ground.
Link's brows furrowed as he saw the statue, taking note of the slender, feminine body that the Zora possessed, the relaxed way she held the spear, the kindly expression that had been painstakingly carved into its face… He gasped.
"Is that…?" He hurried across the square to stand in front of the statue.
Sidon followed him, stepping up beside him and gazing up at the statue's face. "My sister, Mipha. The Champion."
Absently, Link reached down to his belt and removed his Sheikah Slate. He tapped the screen until he reached a photograph of the Zora woman, standing tall and looking slightly embarrassed. She stood in front of a large mechanical creature in the shape of an elephant, with a long truck, thick body, and four legs. The Divine Beast Vah Ruta.
He compared the photograph with the statue, marveling at the craftsmanship that went into creating the likeness. It was remarkable and a testament to just how much the Zora had revered her.
He heard a gasp beside him and, suddenly, Sidon's face was level with Link's. He was looking at the Sheikah Slate with wide eyes, mouth open.
"That is… amazing. I haven't…I have not seen my sister like that in one hundred years," Sidon said, voice heavy with emotion. "In truth, I do not even remember her very well anymore—I had not even reached my twentieth year when she was taken, after all. I remember only specific memories, for the most part. I remember, for example, when she carried me up the Veiled Falls. Your princess was there, I recall."
Link didn't answer. He was too fixated on the statue. He could almost remember...
He and Mipha sat on the trunk of Vah Ruta. He had been injured in battle, and she was healing him.
"I was thinking," she mused, "this reminds me of the time we first met. You were such a reckless child, always getting yourself hurt at every turn."
Despite himself, he smiled at that. It was true enough.
"Every time, I would heal you," she continued. "Just as I'm doing now."
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"I thought it was funny how, being a Hylian, you looked grown-up so much faster than I did," Mipha said distantly. "I was...I was always willing to heal your wounds. Even back then."
The wound on his arm faded and disappeared. He thanked her once more.
"So if this Calamity Ganon does return, what can we really do?" Mipha asked. "We just don't seem to know much about what we'll be up against."
"Princess Zelda thinks the Divine Beasts's weapons are designed to weaken Calamity Ganon," Link said. "But we don't know how."
"No, we don't," Mipha admitted, a little sadly. Why was she sad? "But know that no matter how difficult this battle might get, if you...if anyone tries to do you harm, then I will heal you. No matter when, or how bad the wound. I hope you know that I will always protect you."
Protect him? He was supposed to be the protector.
"Once this is all over, maybe things can go back to the way the used to be when we were young," Mipha suggested. "You know. Perhaps we could spend some time together.
"What is the matter, Link? Are you unwell?" Sidon asked.
"I remembered something," Link said. "A moment I spent with Mipha."
Muzu glared all the harder at him.
Sidon looked at Link, and came to a conclusion. "The Veiled Falls. I remember that Mipha… She told me that I would need to protect our home and that she…" Sidon trailed off for several seconds. Finally, he spoke again, voice hardening with resolve. "I will go with you, when you go to face the lynel."
Link stared at the Zora, considering the possible consequences of this action. He had the sense that the king would likely refuse to let Sidon go. In any case, he certainly did not want to be responsible for the death of another of King Dorephan's children. However, he also recognized it meant too much to Sidon for him to refuse this request. He nodded.
Sidon grinned toothily and stood up taller. "Yes, we shall slay the beast together, just as you once did with my sister one hundred years ago. And then, together, we shall tame the Divine Beast and save the land. It will be glorious!"
Link wished he could feel so confident. With a sinking feeling, he was aware that he had just agreed to place another royal child into mortal danger. He had no way of knowing what they would be facing in the Divine Beast. Could they even tame it? If Mipha had been unable to do so…
"Come!" Sidon said, slapping Link on the back and turning. He began walking towards the inn. "If we are to slay a lynel tomorrow, then we must get some rest."