Chapter 45 - Bonding and Memories
Summary: In North Hyrule, Linky works to bond with his one-year-old son and recalls a few memories. His twelve-year-old daughter starts noticing her mother's and father's aging rate difference. Tiray's relatives seek to help her recover her lost memory, finally turning to a Sheikah doctor for dramatic help.
It was a midday weekend in North Hyrule as one-year-old Lanka giggled in delight from his father's tickles while they floated together in a cozy bedroom slumber pool. The sound could be heard by Linky's wife, Tila, and their twelve-year-old daughter, Tara, as they sat in the kitchen having lunch.
"Whatever is Dad doing in there?" laughed Tara after swallowing a bite of fish.
"Good question, sweetheart," laughed Tila. "He's supposed to be putting Lanka to sleep for his midday nap. But I don't mind if they have a little playtime together first. Don't you remember Dad putting you to sleep?"
"I do, though mostly when I was a bit older, and he entertained me with stories," said Tara as she and her mother resumed eating lunch.
When Linky's family was staying in North Hyrule, which was most of the time now, Tila, Linky, Tara, and Lanka lived in one of the houses just north of the North Hyrule Domain. Those houses had been built soon after North Hyrule's reunification with Hyrule to accommodate tourists and overflow guests from the inn. For the convenience of Zora visitors, the bedrooms were fitted with saltwater slumber pools refreshed with water circulated from the nearby Jabu Lagoon.
Linky noticed Lanka's eyes getting heavy and thought it was finally time for him to nap.
"Okay, I had better let you get some sleep, or your mommy will yell at me," said Linky to Lanka.
And as if on cue, with a contented sigh, Lanka closed his eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep. Linky smiled and gently kissed Lanka's forehead. He reveled in the simple pleasure of playing with his son and lulling him to sleep and was determined to strengthen their father-son bond. Their time together was precious to him, and not only because he loved Lanka. He sometimes worried about how his Zora son would come to feel about him as a Hylian parent.
Of course, Tila kept reassuring him and telling him not to worry. He recalled the first time the subject came up concerning Lanka.
He and Tila were watching their newly hatched son swim while Tara played outside. Lanka was quite active and, most importantly, healthy: something else Linky had worried about as a non-Zora father before Lanka hatched.
"Isn't he cute?" Tila exclaimed. "He's already a strong swimmer, and I love his blue eyes! I think they're the same shade as yours, a bit brighter than Tara's, though it's hard to tell looking through the tank and its water."
"He is adorable!" said Link. "Thank you, sweetheart, for bringing even more joy into my life.
"Same back at you!" laughed Tila. "It was most definitely a joint effort, dearest."
They both laughed, kissed, and paused for several more minutes to watch Lanka swim and gobble up some food they had provided. Then, finally, Linky spoke up.
"I, um, I think I know what you will say, but I just hope Lanka can look beyond my differences and grow up to accept me as his father."
"Of course he will, sweetheart!" said Tila as she squeezed his hand. "We had this same conversation just after Tara hatched, and Tara loves you very much as her father, doesn't she? And didn't your three Zora siblings all love your father when he was a Hylian? So I think the weight of evidence is all on my side, and you're needlessly worried, dear.
"You're probably right, sweetheart," said Linky. "Still, it's comforting to hear you say it."
"I'll certainly help you two grow close and try to allay your concerns," said Tila. "But remember, the current flows both ways. Lanka needs to know you love him, too. Because he will also realize he's different from you and wants to be accepted as your son."
And, as usual, everything Tila said made sense. His experiences growing up with his three Zora siblings and his time spent with his daughter strongly suggested that Zora children were quite open-hearted and accepting of mixed marriages. But still, each child was unique. And just because Tara accepted him didn't mean Lanka would, too.
As for needless worrying, well, for better or worse, that was part of his nature. He had inherited or learned his father's cautious instincts. Like him, he had honed the ability to anticipate danger—a valuable skill for a soldier or adventurer where survival was paramount. However, he realized this trait led him to worry about future events that never transpired.
As he quietly climbed out of the pool and dried off, he noticed a book on a shelf and smiled. His sister, Mila's award-winning "History of North Hyrule," was kept there for reference. After the book was published, each home was provided with a copy in case any tourist was interested, for the land of North Hyrule had been unknown to Hyrule for many years and was still somewhat mysterious. Linky smiled because he remembered a conversation about it some time ago.
Linky was having lunch with his parents and siblings in their house by Mikau Lake.
"Oh, more good news! I just learned that Queen Faray ordered copies of my history of North Hyrule book for each guest house and their inn. She thought it might be helpful for tourists who want to learn more about their land," said Mila.
"That's wonderful, Mila," said Mipha. "It's another indication of how excellent a job you did."
"Yes, sweetheart, that's great," said her father, Link. "You should feel proud."
"You really should feel proud, Mi," said Midon. "Your healing ability has reached new depths. The guests there must have had trouble falling asleep, and I'm sure your book will be the cure."
"Oh, clam up, Mido! They could already easily put themselves to sleep by using one of your boring Tab apps," said Mila.
"That wasn't very nice, Midon," said Lapha."
"Just kidding," said Midon. "Can't anyone take a joke?
Mila and Midon enjoyed teasing each other but knew they loved each other too.
Linky tiptoed from the room, carefully closing the door behind him. Tila and Tara were still sitting together in the kitchen, having just finished eating their fish.
"He's asleep," Linky whispered. "All that playing must have tired him out."
"Naps are good for him," Tila quietly agreed. "I'm glad you two finally stopped playing long enough for him to drift off. I heard quite a bit of giggling."
"He has such a cute laugh!" whispered Linky. "Both our children are amazing!"
"They are! Anyway, you took so long playing with Lanka that I couldn't wait for you to join me for lunch. But at least I prepared your fish for cooking. I must leave now for Fa's party," said Tila.
Tila's older sister, Queen Faray, had organized a small get-together of people her cousin Tiray knew. It was intended to welcome Tiray home and perhaps stir up some of Tiray's lost memories.
"Oh, great. Thanks, sweetheart. Say hi to Faray."
"I will. And you enjoy your time with the children," Tila said, kissing him before departing. "Tara, come outside with me for a moment. I need a quick word and don't want to awaken your little brother."
"Sure, Mom," Tara replied, following her mother out the door and closing it behind her.
The sky above was a cloudy grey as Tila glanced up. "It looks like rain."
Tara looked up and nodded. "We studied those clouds in school. They usually bring rain without lightning, which is good for us."
Tila smiled at her daughter's knowledge, then continued, "I just wanted to remind you to help Dad with Lanka if he takes him swimming. Lanka has a habit of playing at the lagoon's bottom and swimming away when someone approaches him. So your Dad worries he won't be able to catch him to bring him home."
"Don't worry, Mom. I can easily catch Lanka," Tara grinned. "But why isn't Dad attending Aunt Faray's party with you? I'm old enough to watch Lanka alone while you two are gone."
"I know, dear, and that has nothing to do with it," Tila reassured her. "It's because, as I told you, Cousin Tiray lost her memory after her accident, and the party is intended to help her. We're hoping that seeing some familiar faces will aid her recovery. Mixing in other people, she didn't know back then might confuse her."
"Oh, I can understand that," said Tara. "But why didn't Dad know Cousin Tiray back then?"
"Tiray's accident occurred when your dad was still a child," Tila explained. "He was not quite ten years old when it happened."
"Oh, wow! Even younger than me! But you were older then, right, Mom?"
"Yes, I was in my mid-twenties at the time of Tiray's injury. But we can discuss all this another time, sweetheart. I must leave now, or I'll be late," Tila said, kissing Tara goodbye.
As Tila began walking toward the central area of their Domain, she realized Tara was starting to pick up on the different aging rates of Hylians and Zoras. She should speak with Mipha about how Mipha and her husband addressed those concerns in conversations with their children.
Meanwhile, Linky finished cooking his fish and sat down to eat while Tara joined him at the table. They sat at the far end, furthest from the room where Lanka was napping.
"Everything okay? Did Mom have anything special to say to you?" Linky asked as his food cooled.
"Yes, everything is fine. She only reminded me to help you with Lanka in the water in case he gets difficult," Tara said, smiling.
"And I can certainly use your help when he does! Even at one year old, I get the sense he's being mischievous."
"Do you get frightened in the water, Dad? Because you can't breathe?"
"No, not frightened. But I respect my limitations, like how long I can hold my breath and how deep I can dive. I'm pretty comfortable in the water, though, and used to swimming, given where I grew up and my family."
"I wish you could swim longer underwater like the rest of us," said Tara. "But it's okay, I guess."
As Linky took a bite of fish, the first raindrops began to patter softly against the windows.
"Just rain with no lightning - exactly as I told Mom," said Tara with a smile.
"Good prediction. I know how much you enjoy that kind of rain," said Link. "When Lanka finishes his nap, we can all go to the lagoon if you like. If you're done with your homework, that is."
"I'm caught up with all my work, Dad," said Tara. "I always do it the first chance I get."
"I know you're an excellent student. Any favorite subjects yet?"
"I still like everything so far, like math, science, history," said Tara. "All the Sheikah teachers are excellent and make their subject interesting. But speaking of history, how did you and Mom first meet?"
Linky burst out laughing and almost choked on a piece of fish he had in his mouth. Then, after swallowing and recovering his composure, he spoke up.
"Are Mom and I historical figures now? I'd hope you would think of us as more of a current event, no water pun intended. And I think your transition was a bit abrupt, sweetheart."
"I guess you're right, Dad," laughed Tara. "We say my conversation turned on a riptide. But seriously, I'd still like to know. That is if you don't mind telling me."
"Of course, I don't mind," said Link. "I remember it very well. I was only nine, and my family had just met your Mom. She was visiting Hyrule with her oldest sister, Aunt Sopha, and stayed with us after she and Aunt Sopha first visited Hyrule Castle. After dinner, my brother, sisters, and I went with your Mom to East Reservoir Lake to swim and hang out with friends. Aunt Lapha stayed with me because she used to look after me when we played water games. Your Mom introduced herself to Aunt Lapha and me as we stood on the pier. I can almost relive the moment as I tell you.
"Hello, Lapha and Link; I am happy to meet both of you," said Tila. "Link, you are the second Hylian child I have met, Princess Zelda, being the first. Do you enjoy playing with Zoras?"
"Yes, I enjoy it. My sister here helps me with water games, or I wouldn't stand a chance," said Linky. "But I understand you are a princess from another Domain like ours?"
"Yes, that's right, but our Domain is quite far from here," said Tila. "And yours is more beautiful. If your sister wants to play with her friends, I could keep you company. I want to learn what it feels like to be a Hylian living among Zoras."
"Is that okay, Linky?" said Lapha. "I'll be in the water right over there, but anytime you want me, just call or dive in the water, and I'll come to you."
"That's fine, Laff," said Linky. "You go ahead. I'll stay here with Princess Tila for now."
Lapha dove into the water and joined the others.
"So, Link, how do you like living here?" said Tila. "And please just call me Tila."
"Well, I've hardly lived elsewhere except for a short stay at Hyrule Castle. But my family is great, and I made some friends here," said Link. "I know I don't completely fit in, but almost everyone is nice and tries to make me feel welcome. Of course, I suppose it doesn't hurt that my Mom is royalty, but I'd like to think there was more to people's friendship than that."
"I'm sure there is," said Tila. "What do you think of the school here?"
"It's fine," said Linky. "The teachers are good. I had a chance to study at Hyrule Castle with Princess Zelda, but I would have missed my family too much. I'm glad my parents decided to let me stay here. My Mom said she can always hire a special tutor if needed, but so far, there hasn't been a need for one."
"And you get along with your brother and sisters?" said Tila.
"Oh, yes!" said Linky. "First of all, Lapha and I are very close. As I said, she takes care of me in the water. And Midon always looks out for me as a big brother, even sticking up for me when I got bullied at school. Mila looks out for me too in her special way and heals me if I get hurt - um, on those occasions that I would rather my Mom didn't know how it happened."
"Funny! You have a very nice family," said Tila. "Well, I don't want you to miss all the fun talking with me. So let's join everyone in the water."
They both walked to the water's edge and dove in. Lapha swam over to Linky, and they stuck with each other while Tila joined Mila, Midon, and the others.
"Anyway, that was our first meeting. After that, your Mom became friends with Aunt Mila and used to visit us for concerts and dances. She mostly hung out with Mila, but she always took time to talk with me on her visits and find out how I was doing."
"That was nice of her," said Tara. "Please go on - like, how did things turn romantic?"
"You really are curious, aren't you?" laughed Linky, blushing slightly.
"If you're embarrassed, Dad, I understand."
"No, it's fine. Well, as I said, your Mom used to come to our Domain for dances and concerts. After I was older, your Mom and I danced. I felt fortunate because a whole line of boys always wanted to dance with her. Anyway, I felt very attracted to her and hoped it was mutual. Then one time, when we were dancing, we looked into each other's eyes, and the moment felt right. I kissed her. And she kissed me back. We fell in love, and I never felt so happy!"
"Sweet," said Tara.
"So we became boyfriend and girlfriend. Eventually, we married, and that was about nine years after we first met."
"Nice!" said Tara, who seemed to be working something out in her head.
"And now we're both thrilled and even happier to be blessed with the chance to raise our two wonderful children," said Linky.
"Did you ever wish you had a Hylian child instead of Lanka or me, Dad?"
"No, never!" said Linky. "Why would you even ask such a thing, Tara?"
"I just wondered."
"Well, please don't. I love Mom, you, and Lanka more than anything. I was thrilled to marry your Mom and overjoyed when you and Lanka hatched. My life is as happy as it could be, just the way it is. You need to wash any idea otherwise right out of your head."
"I will, and I'm glad," said Tara. "I'm happy you're my Dad. It makes me feel special."
"You are special, sweetheart," said Linky, and then he kissed her on the forehead, wondering what prompted Tara's sudden concerns.
Meanwhile, Tila arrived at the throne area where Faray, Laray, Tiray, and four other cousins were in attendance.
"Ah, Tila, you're finally here," said Faray. "We were just re-introducing Tiray to some of her relatives she spent time with growing up."
Tila came over and hugged Tiray and Laray.
"I hope my being here can help you, Ti Ti," said Tila.
"We're all here for you, Tiray," said Faray. "We want you to know you're loved, and we will do all we can."
"I'm very grateful," said Tiray.
"Now, perhaps we could each take a turn and share a memory we have of time we spent with Tiray," said Faray.
Each person relayed a story, and then Tiray would ask questions, allowing the narrator to expand upon what they had said. When they all finally finished, Tiray spoke up.
"I'm sorry that I could not remember any of the events each of you described," said Tiray. "But I will remember everything you told me today and at least begin to build up some memories from there. And even more so, I will remember the kindness each of you showed me. I am blessed to be part of such a loving family."
The party disbanded with hugs and well wishes, but Faray asked Tiray, Laray, and Tila to remain. Then, after everyone else had gone, Faray spoke up.
"I'm hopeful that time and care will eventually help you recover, Tiray," said Faray. "But I would be remiss if I didn't mention one more approach you can try. Doctor Fanda is available and willing to use a technique that can help your mind recover lost memories. He can be here in a few minutes if you wish to try it. But if you prefer to try slowly recovering memories on your own, with our help, that course of action would be fine as well. It's up to you."
Tiray turned to her sister, Laray.
"What do you think, sister?"
"I … I don't know, Ti," said Laray, looking concerned. "You're still not fully recovered from your ordeal, and this procedure might shock you too much. So unless you think you feel strong enough, perhaps we should take things slowly."
Tiray thought for a moment while everyone else waited. Then she finally spoke.
"I understand your concern, sister," said Tiray. "But I'm worried taking things slowly might mean never recovering. So I think I want to try."
"You don't have to decide yet. I'll Tab Doctor Fanda, and he can explain the procedure first," said Faray, which she proceeded to do.
"Ti Ti, don't feel pressured to do this," said Tila.
"I don't, Tila," said Tiray. "But you can't imagine what it feels like to have such an empty mind."
When Doctor Fanda arrived, he described the procedure as putting the patient into a state akin to sleep but relaxed yet able to concentrate.
"We're concerned the procedure may be too great a shock, Doctor," said Faray.
"If I detect it is getting too stressful, I can terminate it immediately," said Doctor Fanda.
"I'd like to try it," said Tiray.
"That's consistent with the Tiray I know," said Laray. "You heard our cousins' stories, and they show how you were always the risk-taker, the adventurous one."
"Very well, let us proceed then," said Fanda. "We've found the procedure works best for Zoras if they are in the water."
"Tiray can use the slumber pool here," said Faray.
Tiray entered the pool and floated vertically with her head above water. After making sure everyone else stood back, Doctor Fanda began speaking to Tiray in a low, slow, and soothing voice with repetition and pauses that are omitted here.
"Let what I say wash over you and relax," said Fanda. "Everything is safe and peaceful here. Your eyes may begin to feel heavy and want to close. Let them. You're floating peacefully in calm, safe water. Whenever you're ready, let your gills do your breathing. Feel the life-giving water flowing in and through you and out. Relax your feet and toes, then your legs, then your arms, shoulders, and neck. My voice makes you feel more secure as you sink deeper into an enjoyable trance. All is calm, safe, and peaceful. Relax."
Tiray followed Doctor Fanda's suggestions and eventually fell into what seemed like a deep sleep.
"Now, can you tell me your oldest happy memory?"
"I don't know…I'm trying to think…"
"Relax, there is no harm if you can't remember," said Fanda.
"Wait… I do remember something… I am swimming with my mother, father, and sister. The water is clear, and the sunlight is shining through it. My family is taking me to a coral reef for the first time. It's so beautiful with pretty colored fish I never knew existed!"
"That's a wonderful memory," said Fanda. "Keep imagining you are swimming around the reef and enjoying the scenery with your loving family."
Then Doctor Fanda turned to the rest of the group and spoke softly.
"This is an excellent sign that Mistress Tiray's mind is not erased, so to speak, but that a traumatic experience has caused her to repress or block her memories," said Doctor Fanda.
"Then that evil witch did not erase her mind?" said Faray.
"Apparently not, which makes sense. I have studied what we know about the Vera incident. When Vera was using Tiray as her host, preserving Tiray's memories would be vital for her to act naturally and remain undetected. Recall Vera was still trying to keep her existence a secret back then. And when Vera abandoned Tiray as her host on the boat to take over the Gerudo tourist, Vera believed Tiray would be killed, so she did not need to erase her mind."
"Then what do you recommend we do, Doctor?" asked Laray, returning the conversation to Tiray's treatment.
"Research suggests we ask your sister to relive the traumatic experience blocking her memory as the first step in getting over it."
"Won't that hurt her?" said Laray. "I don't want her to suffer."
"It's like removing a thorn from a wound," said Fanda. "It may hurt for a moment, but the wound will never heal until it's done."
Laray paused for a moment to consider, then replied.
"I suppose that is what my sister wanted when she agreed to do this, so go ahead, Doctor," said Laray.
Doctor Fanda returned to Tiray.
"Now, let us move forward in time," said Fanda. "Do you remember going to school?"
"Um, yes," said Tiray. "I had friends there I played with. But I had to study hard to follow in the wake of my sister La La. Everyone said La La was a good student."
"That's fine, and you did well and graduated from school," said Fanda. "Now, let's skip way ahead to when you were all grown and living with your loving sister. Tell me the last thing you remember before you recently woke up. But it's only a memory. Nothing about it can hurt you now."
"I don't know," said Tiray.
"It's okay," said Fanda. "Just tell me what you do know."
"Wait … I remember swimming in the river to catch fish for my sister and me. Laray likes bass, and I like porgies. Then I heard someone downstream crying out for help."
"That's wonderful," said Fanda. "Please go on."
"I swim downstream and see a Sheikah woman in the water crying for help. She says she has a cramp and is drowning. I swim over to aid her and …."
Tiray was showing signs of stress.
"Remember, nothing can hurt you," said Fanda. "You are safe and only telling what happened."
"I feel a stab of pain in my head for just an instant … and then… the woman goes limp in the water as if dead and …."
Everyone waited. Then they all felt a chill run down their spine as Tiray's voice suddenly changed to an evil-sounding sneer laden with cruelty.
"Hello, dear. You and I will be inseparable for a time."
Then Tiray screamed a horrible-sounding wail of pain and despair that shocked everyone.
"Tiray, all is well now; you're fine," said Doctor Fanda quickly as Laray started crying. "I'm going to count from one to five, and at the count of five, you will feel wide awake, fully alert, and completely refreshed."
Doctor Fanda counted, and when he reached 5, Tiray awoke.
Laray at once joined her in the pool and hugged her.
"Everything is okay, Ti," said Laray. "Relax now."
"Why are you crying?" asked Tiray as she returned Laray's embrace.
"Do you remember the last thing you told us, Mistress Tiray? It's important to know," said Doctor Fanda.
"Yes, the Sheikah woman in the water," said Tiray. "It was horrible!"
"I think the procedure was a success, and your memories will all start to return now, Mistress Tiray," said Doctor Fanda.
"Thank you, Doctor," said Tiray.
"Come, Ti, you've had enough for one day," said Laray. "I'm taking you home."
"I have a royal command first, Ambassador Laray," said Faray.
"Yes, of course, Your Majesty. Forgive me."
"I know your obsessive devotion to duty, Laray. But now I want you to cease any work as an ambassador so you can care for our dear cousin until she has recovered. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," said Laray with a bow and a smile.
Then Tiray and Laray left. It was a short walk to their residence, and when they entered, Tiray grew excited.
"My bracelet! Your gift! I thought I lost it!" exclaimed Tiray as she retrieved the bracelet and put it on.
"Welcome home," said Laray as she hugged Tiray and wiped away a tear.
"Let's get some fish, La La," said Tiray. "I'm starving and have a taste for some fresh porgies."
"I still prefer bass," laughed Laray as she took Tiray's hand, and they made their way to Jabu Lagoon.
Things were much better with Tiray now, thought Laray. Thank you for a miracle, Goddess, and for answering my prayers beyond my wildest dreams.
Meanwhile, back in the throne room, Tila was impressed with what had happened.
"That was very impressive, Doctor Fanda," said Tila.
"Thank you," said Doctor Fanda. "But forgive me. I have an appointment with another patient."
"Of course, Doctor, and thank you for coming on short notice," said Faray.
Doctor Fanda bowed and left, leaving Tila and Faray alone.
"Fa, did you never think of suggesting this treatment for my father-in-law to help with his memory loss?"
"I did, Ti, but it won't work," said Faray.
"How can you know that?"
"Because our dear older sister did a detailed mind scan of both Mipha and Link upon their first visit here, and the records are still available," said Faray. "I shared Link's records with the Sheikah, and they said Link's mind was too damaged for the procedure to work."
"Oh, I see," said Tila.
"I do think of your family too, dear sister," laughed Faray. "Even after you swear at me for trying to keep you safe from visiting your sweetheart in Castle Town."
"You're not such a bad sister after all," said Tila, and then they both stuck out their tongues at each other and laughed. "Just don't try to stand in the way of true love."
"Never, dear sister," laughed Faray.