Sidon held his head in his hands in an attempt to stop the world from spinning. Even the sound of incessant rainfall seemed to needle the calm in which he tried to wrap himself. Noticing even that much burst his dam of concentration and released a new flood of thought.
The rain. Rain produced by the great machine his dear sister had piloted - before it consumed her well before her life had run its course. It was Mipha who should be first in line for the throne. She should have lived long enough to rule, to love, to marry.
That last thought brought Sidon's frenzied attention back to the present. Link. How could he have been so blind? Even now, with his eyes shutting out the world, he could see the same young man he had so admired as a calf. In those days, every young Zora had all but revered the Hylian Champion. Because of Mipha, Sidon had seen him more than most. How could he have not recognized the man himself?
You know why, Sidon thought bitterly. We kept Mipha's memory alive. All that surrounded her? Ruta, Link, Hyrule as it was… we let those things die. It was easier that way. Now the only ones who remember are those who keep the hate of their loss kindled. Perhaps, in their own way, those embittered Zora knew what truly mattered better than Father or I.
And what now? Could he present the embodiment of his people's tragic past as the Zora's best hope for their future? Would they accept Link's help again?
Will I?
Sidon lifted his face from his hands, willing himself to look at the Hylian who stirred such vicious division among his people. His father had always been fond of Link. Bravery, skill, and honor were highly regarded by the Zora king. The elders, even those usually opposed to Hylians, had felt the same way about Link before the Calamity turned their esteem to hatred. His sister had, of course, been more than fond of him.
And I? What do I feel for him now?
When he was a calf, Sidon's childlike admiration of Link had waged a constant war with jealousy. Mipha was his only sibling, and his want for her attention had been fierce indeed.
But those were the feelings of a child, which he had still been when Ruta took Mipha away. Now, with Link before him, Sidon felt the true sting of his sister's loss.
That sting's venom, however, did not touch him. How could it, with his own grief mirrored before him? Even now, Link's eyes matched the sorrow that had broken his voice and wet his eyes during the telling of his tale. In Link, Sidon saw not his sister's killer, but a fellow mourner.
Decided, the Zora prince rose to his feet.
"Forgive me for gathering my thoughts, Link," Sidon said graciously. "It is much to absorb, especially for me."
"I understand, Sidon," Link humbly returned, and the Zora felt the weight of that understanding in his voice. "I will also understand if you would rather another take my place on your people's behalf."
Then Link stood, and Sidon saw understanding replaced by hard resolve.
"But I tell you now that if you choose to do so, that will not stop me from trying to board Vah Ruta," the Hylian said firmly. "I do this not only for Mipha, but for all of Hyrule, which I cannot hope to save without all four Divine Beasts. If I must try without your help, I will."
My, but what marvelous courage this Hylian has! Sidon thought admiringly. A century's sleep has not rusted this man's valor!
"I appreciate your honesty Link," Sidon began as he knelt down to meet his companion at eye level. "But you will not fight Ruta alone. Though my heart is heavy, it is not blind. I do not blame you for my sister's death, though I sense you may yet store some blame for yourself."
Link's eyes shifted downward at this. What would I feel, Sidon wondered, were I in his place?
"You are not wrong, Sidon," Link said finally. "I do set aside blame for myself. Perhaps too much, but it will not be eased until I set aright that which the Calamity made wrong."
"Then let us begin together, my friend!" Sidon cried. More than ever, he felt a bond with this duty-bound Hylian. "I, too, long to see the Hyrule of old restored!"
A relieved smile broke the Hylian's serious countenance, made soft what his sufferings had hardened. Sidon hoped the coming days would bring many more such moments for Link. Rising to his feet, the Zora prince motioned for his friend to join him.
"Come, Link!" Sidon beckoned heartily. "If we press, we shall arrive at the Domain by nightfall!"
As prince and Champion resumed their journey to Zora's Domain, Sidon gave Link no small amount of credit. His own strides were more than double those of the Hylian, but Link made his own gait match the Zora's without complaint.
They followed the winding path through the Zobodon Highlands, with Sidon answering a stream of questions from his new friend. Or is he an old friend? he thought humorously. The knowledge he sought, however, only made Sidon feel more sympathy for the Hylian. There was so much he had forgotten, never mind what had transpired in the century since his fall to the Calamity. Many of Link's questions were about the Zora or Hyrule at large, but every now and then one would touch on his old life. Sidon longed to feed his friend's malnourished soul, but there was only so much he could remember from his early childhood.
"I am sorry, Link," Sidon confessed at one point. "What little I remember of you is scattered at best."
The Hylian took it all in stride, clearly resigned to the lot Hylia had left him. Sidon could only admire such quiet courage, and he tried to reward it with what memories he did have.
"I remember when Princess Zelda asked my sister to become the Zora Champion," Sidon offered as they crossed the Oren Bridge to reach the river's northern bank. "She met Mipha and me at Veiled Falls - a waterfall just outside the Domain. I was playing in the catch pool while they spoke at the top. When they were done, my sister came down to carry me up falls. I had yet to learn the feat myself, at the time."
Sidon felt himself smile at the recollection of his tiny, limited self. "I was so amazed when she leaped from the waterfall's crest - with me in tow! She performed a perfect mid-air twist before both of us landed on our feet. She was considered gifted even among our own people, and that is saying something, my friend."
The Zora prince looked down, expecting to see an expression of warmth or gratitude on his friend's face. Instead, Link's mouth hung open.
"Zora can swim up waterfalls?" he asked in amazement.
Sidon's hearty laugh echoed off the mountain walls.
"Forgive me, Link!" the prince roared good-humoredly. "I forget how much you have forgotten! Your fascination is a refreshing reminder, however. I recall you used to watch the Zora warriors with as much jealousy as I when we were young!"
"It is a gift worth desiring," Link confessed good-naturedly. "Truly, the Zora are the masters of Hyrule's waters."
Sidon allowed his friend to dwell on his people's wonders for a moment. The conversation had sparked another memory to life, but it was not one he felt should be shared. Not yet, anyway.
The pair arrived at the path's second bridge across the river-forged canyon. Like the Oren, Luto's Crossing was the work of Zora masons. The silver-blue bridge spanned the river far below, but its width and solidity left no doubt that those who crossed did so in complete safety. A pair of Zora light posts marked each side of the bridge, which would glow at night should a traveler need to press on after sunset.
"Another of your people's gifts, and one I will never grow weary of seeing," Link offered generously.
"You do us credit, my friend, but I do not think Hylia will find me wrong to say it is but a hint of what my home offers," Sidon returned with a grin.
"Speaking of your home," Link began as they traversed Luto's Crossing, "what will happen when we get there?"
"You will be introduced to my father and the Council of Elders," Sidon replied seriously. "Frankly, I fear this will be as great a challenge as Ruta herself."
"Would your father oppose my coming?" Link asked, and Sidon could tell he was troubled at the thought. "I would not drive a wedge between a king and his son, especially since the latter is my friend."
"You need not concern yourself about that, Link," Sidon reassured him. The path was now winding around the base of Ruto Mountain, a spike of stone rearing up from the highlands. "My father is not swallowed by the grief that has taken many of the elders. It is they who will resist your help, and some vehemently at that."
That reminded Sidon of something.
"Fronk told me Bazz was less than warm toward you despite your having helped Mei," Sidon recalled. "Is that true?"
"Yes," Link confirmed, his face drawn in concern. "I did not know why."
"His father, Seggin, is an elder," Sidon explained. "More importantly, it was he who instituted the annual Champion Festival. It was originally meant," he added wryly, "to commemorate the bravery of all the Champions. It has taken on a more selfish meaning for those who especially grieve Mipha's loss. Seggin is one such Zora. He will no doubt have passed on his dislike for you and Hylians in general to his son."
"And many more feel this way?" Link asked with alarm. "What happens when they realize I am the same Link they despise? Is there a way to meet your father first? Or would it be wiser to simply confront Ruta without their leave?"
"Calm yourself, my friend!" Sidon encouraged him with a friendly hand on the much shorter Hylian's shoulder. "I admit the situation is far from simple, but we have nothing to gain by adding deception to it. Do not underestimate my father - or some of the other elders, for that matter. Not everyone will oppose your help."
And even if enough of them do oppose it, Sidon thought to himself, they will learn my sister would not.
The trees thinned as the pair cleared Ruto Mountain, allowing an easy view of the path's sharp curve ahead. The light posts were beginning to glow as cloud-covered sunlight faded into dusk. Despite the uncertainty of the coming hours, Sidon allowed himself a broad smile at what his friend was about to see.
"Sir Link, chosen knight and Champion of Hyrule," the prince announced with a grand gesture as they turned with the path, "welcome to Zora's Domain."
Link came to a complete halt to behold in awe the wonder before him. Zora's Domain rose in unequaled splendor on the other side of a great bridge that served as its introduction. The entirety of the Zora's home was constructed of the same combination of silver and luminous stone that made up the bridges Link had already seen. As Sidon had said, those had been only hints to their grand culmination.
Enormous pillars that shone with a soothing blue-green light rose from a great basin fed by several surrounding waterfalls. They supported the Domain itself, a series of three platforms surrounded by a magnificently elevated boulevard. Small waterfalls cascaded from each platform's edge, a feature Link now understood to be as functional as it was fanciful for the gifted Zora.
As he and Sidon made their way into the Domain - "This is the Great Zora Bridge," the prince proudly informed him - Link saw that every effort had been made to embellish this place with soothing beauty. The pair walked through a series of glowing archways made of sleekly carved stone. They and the rails along the bridge itself sported tastefully cut opals in their design, all flawless despite the constant wear of time and weather.
Yet Link's eyes kept returning to the crowning piece of Zora's Domain: an enormous fish with its tail fanned skyward. Symmetrical patterns made of pure luminous stone glowed brightly from the great carapace, adding an air of magic to its overwhelming presence.
The bridge ended with a small flight of steps that served as the entryway to the Domain itself. The silver-blue of Zora lights illuminated it entirely. To each side, gracefully curved bridges led away from the main concourse that fed into the heart of the Zora home. Link was momentarily surprised to see that water covered the surface of these smaller walkways before realizing they must help feed the platform's cataracts.
"Even could I remember all of Hylia's wonders," Link finally whispered just loudly enough for Sidon to hear, "none would surpass this."
Sidon's great chest swelled with pride once more.
"You honor us yet again, Link," the prince gratefully returned. "I would normally bask under such a compliment, but we have not the time. There are guards ahead. I must ask you to remove your hood. The one on the right is roughly my age. He may recognize you from times such as those you described at the riverbank. Worry not and leave the talking to me for now, my friend."
Link nodded only too readily. When he had woken on the plateau, he had been desperate to find those who might know of him. Now he feared that moment, even as he knew it must come soon enough.
The guard Sidon had referenced stood to the right, his ebony skin and silver armor slick with rain water. He was indeed looking at Link intently, far more so than the younger female guard to the left.
"Prince Sidon," the purple-skinned Zora hailed with a deep incline of her fish-crowned head. "May the waters of Hylia welcome you home. Word of your coming has, of course, preceded you."
"Thank you, Dunma," Sidon replied warmly. "And greetings to you as well, Rivan. Rivan?"
The male Zora guard had been peering so pointedly at Link that he did not immediately respond to Sidon's salutation. Now caught in his preoccupation, Rivan looked slightly abashed. Even as he addressed his prince, however, Link could see him trying to get another glance at the Hylian newcomer.
"Greetings, Prince Sidon," Rivan said distractedly. "May the waters of Hylia welcome you home. And greetings to you, Hylian. I must ask, have you ever journeyed to Zora's Domain before…?"
"Forgive me, Rivan, but the king and Council await us," Sidon interrupted smoothly. "You will know all that needs knowing afterward, my friend. Dunma, will you notify His Highness and Elder Muzu that we have arrived? Once they have convened, please notify me. We will be waiting in the nursery."
Still bemused by Link's appearance, Rivan stammered a passable reply before the prince swept Link onward. Dunma, meanwhile, saluted quickly before darting off on her assignment.
"Hylia smiles on us," Sidon muttered. "Dunma is not prone to nonsense. Quickly, this way."
Link strode quickly to keep up with the prince, who had started toward one of the twin staircases that circled up and around the central plaza. As they ascended, Link looked over the rail examine a statue carved into an extremely familiar likeness.
"Sidon, is that-?"
"Not now, Link," Sidon cut him off with a shake of his shark-crowned head. "We must get you comfortably out of sight until the Council is fully gathered. I will not risk one or more of them seeing you before then and refusing to give you audience."
Link did not argue. Stumbling across Bazz or his father before he was ready was the last thing he wanted, especially now that he was so close to truly beginning what he had set out to do.
The second level was just as impressive as the first. The top-most level supplied water to its channels while serving as a blue-green roof toward the back. It was there that Sidon took Link, who saw at once that this place served as the nursery his friend had mentioned. Small pools dotted the smooth floor, all separated by a trio of footbridges that merged at their center. No fewer than two dozen extremely young calves were there, either swimming in one of the pools or toddling about on small adventures under the adults' careful supervision. The view out of the back was partially concealed by supporting pillars, but Link could still see the massive mountain waterfalls that fed the great lake basin.
Link had but a moment to appreciate the view, for Sidon was already pulling him very close behind the front stairway that led to the top level.
"The throne room is directly above us," Sidon quietly informed him. "When enough time has passed to allow the Council to convene, we will go up."
Link's insides writhed as he mutely nodded. He felt waiting here for fear of being seen might be worse than facing a raging Divine Beast. Hopefully, I'll know that for myself soon enough, he thought humorlessly.
The Zora calves had noticed the odd pair enter the nursery. Nearly all of them eagerly approached the well-known prince, who immediately knelt to converse with his tiny admirers.
One small, blue-skinned Zora approached Link. The dorsal fin at the back of his head was extremely short, while his crown and arms bore several spots much lighter in color than the rest of him. Bright yellow eyes stared openly at the strange newcomer.
"You have a funny face!" the calf squeaked with disarming honesty before turning to the prince. "Prince Sidon, what is he?"
"His face is just fine, Tumbo," Sidon laughed good-naturedly. "His name is Link, and he looks different because he's a Hylian."
Tumbo scrunched up his face in concentration.
"Hi-lee-on?" the youngster slowly repeated. "Never met one of those before! Are they nice?"
Sidon looked up at Link and grinned before answering the curious calf.
"He's one of the nicest people I've ever met, Tumbo," the prince reassured him. "More importantly, he is very brave. He saved our water sister, Mei, from lizalfos! Go on and tell your friends that you know him!"
Immediately convinced that he had just met someone of extreme importance, the little Zora raced away to do as Sidon suggested. Link raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Sewing seeds of goodwill among your youth, I see," he observed wryly. Sidon shrugged in reply without the slightest bit of shame.
"There are worse things than their parents hearing kinder tales of the Hylian hero from their children," he laughed.
The friends' laughter was cut short by the arrival of Dunma.
"Your Highness," the Zora guard informed with a bow of her head, "King Dorephan and the Council await you."
The prince rose from playing with the calves to formally address the female Zora in a manner Link could not help but admire. "Thank you, Dunma," Sidon replied gravely. "We will present ourselves straightaway."
With that, Link followed Sidon around the stairway and up its wide course. Now that the moment was at hand, the writhing mass of snakes in his stomach seemed to have gone to sleep and left only their oppressive weight behind. He tried to swallow, but Link's throat did not seem to want to work correctly. He barely noticed the pair of guards at the top of the stairs, both of whom were doing their best to avoid studying him openly. Sidon said something to one of them, who left to briefly enter the throne room.
"Prince Sidon and his Hylian guest are ready to present themselves before the King and Council," the guard announced.
Sidon is smart, Link thought. Better they learn my name on our terms rather than theirs. But how long until they realize I am the same Link they still despise?
The guard returned to interrupt these dark thoughts.
"The King and Council will see you now," he notified them.
"Courage, Link," Sidon whispered bracingly. "Courage and hope."
Together, the Zora prince and Hylian Champion entered the throne room.