"Ah... This is nice," Celessa moaned. She had just collapsed onto her recently purchased water bed, which now soothingly jiggled under her body. "I've never laid on a water bed before. I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back to a normal bed..."
"The water beds here in Zora's Domain are considered some of the most blissful beds in Hyrule," the red-scaled innkeeper, Kodah, said. "It'd be considered a crime if you didn't try one."
"A–a crime?" Paya asked fearfully, sitting up in the regular bed she had chosen. Kodah giggled.
"Not a true crime," she said. "You have nothing to fear. If a regular bed suits your tastes, then that's perfectly fine."
"Oh... alright," Paya responded, still sounding a little nervous. With a small, cheerful bow, the Zora innkeeper left for the inn's front desk, leaving the trio alone to enjoy their beds.
"You're missing out, you know," Celessa spoke up, now lying on her backside as she let the waves of the bed gently bounce her up and down. "It's like swimming, but without having to move your arms. You're missing out too, Zelda."
"I'm fine with my choice," Zelda said from her regular bed. "As comfortable as you look, I need to get up early tomorrow to meet with Muzu. My sleeping habits aren't as fine-tuned as they were before having lived with Link, so I'm sure if I took a water bed, I'd oversleep."
"I could see that happening on a bed like this," Celessa managed to sigh out from her relaxed state as Paya's cheeks flushed at the thought of Zelda and Link living together. "So... You're getting up early to meet with Muzu?"
"That's right," Zelda said with a nod, still sitting upright in her bed. "He's going to teach me about the Champion's Festival they throw here in honor of Lady Mipha, the Zora Champion. I've told you a lot about her already."
"Do you think we'll need to be there for that lesson?" Celessa asked.
"That's a surprise," Zelda said, truly shocked by her friend's words. "I thought you'd be excited to get a lesson on something that's so rooted in their history from a century ago."
"I am, but it's actually for history that I want to skip out," Celessa said, rolling on her side before propping herself up on her elbow. "I want to read and see these stone monuments I heard about today."
"The Zora Stone Monuments?" Zelda repeated. "I remember those. Link and I were given the task of finding all of them a few months back for the historian, Jaihto, to decipher. I'm sure he still has all of them deciphered if you just ask him."
"I will, but I still wanna see those monuments for myself," Celessa said, laying back down on her backside with her hands behind her head. "Experiencing it is always better than just hearing about it. If I can, I'd like to go see things for myself."
"Like the springs?" Zelda asked with a smile. Celessa nodded as she closed her eyes.
"Link the springs," she said. "Whenever I went to the Spring of Courage or Power, I felt somewhat closer to you. If I go see the monuments, maybe I'll feel what it was like to be in Zora's Domain back then too."
"It hasn't changed much in the last century, but I understand the feeling," Zelda said. "Will you be going too, Paya?"
"H–huh? O–oh..." Paya stammered thoughtfully. "U–um... If I'm not needed, then I'd like to, if that's okay...?"
"I don't mind you coming along at all," Celessa chirped. Paya nodded in gratitude.
"Thank you," she said, before turning back to Zelda. "I–I'm sorry. I was brought along to be useful, but it doesn't seem like there's much I can do for you here..."
"It's alright, I understand," Zelda said kindly. "I believe Impa brought you along to convince those who didn't believe I was the princess from a hundred years ago, but the Zora know exactly who I am. If you wish to explore a bit, don't feel bad. It is your first time out in the wild, after all."
"Hm. Thank you," Paya said quietly. From her bedside, Celessa gave the Sheikah a blank look before closing her eyes.
"Is talking to Councilman Muzu the only thing you have planned for tomorrow, Princess?" she asked.
"It is, but knowing Muzu, that means I'll be occupied for quite a while," Zelda said. "There won't be any need to rush back, if that's why you're asking."
"Just making sure," Celessa said with a yawn. "Looks like I'll have a fun exploration day tomorrow. It's been a while since I've really been out there on the road."
"I guess we haven't been much on the actual road, have we?" Zelda asked out loud.
"It's kinda hard to be when we have such a useful device," Celessa said. "Still, it's nice being on the road. If we weren't so pressed for time, I'd say we should travel on foot more often."
"I'm sure we'll be able to in the future," Zelda said, beginning to yawn herself. She looked out of the inn's open walls to view the sun lowering behind the mountains of Zorana."I do miss walking through Hyrule's fields. Maybe we can—?"
"It looks like she's already fallen asleep, Princess," Paya said in a voice quieter than her usual one. Looking over, Zelda saw the pilgrim's breathing had become slow and deep.
"It looks as though she has," she said before turning her attention to Paya. "Are you enjoying your trip?"
"H-huh?" Paya asked. "M–me?"
"Yes, you," Zelda giggled quietly. "It's been about a week since we left Kakariko Village. You were so nervous before we left, but you seem to be doing better. Are you enjoying the trip so far?"
"I... I am," Paya said with a slow nod. "We've only been to two places, but I feel like I've already seen the world... As silly as that is, knowing we have more places to go. I still wish I could do more to be helpful right now though..."
"Don't worry about that now," Zelda said. "I told you, I'll need your help a little later. I'm glad you're enjoying the trip."
"Thank you, Princess..." Paya said. Zelda smiled in return.
"Well, I believe we best follow in Celessa's footsteps and get some rest, wouldn't you agree?" she asked, lowering herself into her bed.
"Right... U–Um... Princess?" Paya suddenly asked. Pausing, propped up on her elbow as she was covering herself with a blanket, Zelda looked up at the call of her title. She waited momentarily as the Sheikah tried to find the words, but nothing came out.
"Paya?" she asked, but after another few moments, Paya shook her head.
"N–never mind. Good night, Princess," she said, before lowering herself into the bed.
Though curious, Zelda covered herself with the sheet and rested her head on her pillow before quickly dozing off. Unlike the other two, Paya lay awake, thinking to herself about Celessa's words earlier that day before eventually drifting off to sleep.
You're in love with Link, aren't you? Jeez... I dunno how to explain this to you in a good way then...
...
Once again, the three stood at the domain's entrance, where the Zora's home was connected to the Great Zora Bridge. With her usual large backpack on (something that had been resting in the slate since they left Hateno Village), Celessa stretched before looking out into the morning sun.
"A sunny day... That's a first in a while for this area," she said with a relaxed sigh. "That's a sign that spring is on its way."
"It's true. The weather is starting to become warmer, even if slightly," Paya said, standing next to her new companion. With a nod, Celessa turned to face the princess who was seeing them off.
"You two be safe," Zelda said. "Link and I traveled up this road a few months back, so the monsters here should have been cleared out, but be wary just in case. I was struck by a Wizzrobe last time because we let our guard down."
"A–a Wizzrobe?" Paya stammered nervously, but Celessa smiled confidently.
"Don't worry, Paya. I may not be Link, but I've been on the road for quite a long time. I'll be able to take care of us," she said, placing a hand on the hilt of the traveler's sword she had strapped on her belt behind her lower back. "You're in safe hands."
"R–right. I–I trust you," the Sheikah answered, sounding a bit less worried than before.
"When do you think you'll return?" Zelda asked.
"Hm... There are ten monuments in total," Celessa said thoughtfully. "I dunno if we'll be able to get to them all, but we can sure try. I'd say the latest would be around this evening."
"Then I'll eagerly await your return," Zelda said with a smile before turning to Paya. "Are you sure you'll be alright? This will be your first time truly on the road, even if it's not far."
"I believe I will. Celessa did say I'm in safe hands," Paya said. Zelda nodded.
"Great. Well, I'd better be off. Only the three goddesses know how frustrated Muzu would be if I were late, seeing as I'm the one who asked for his help," she said. "I'll be waiting to hear about your adventure this evening."
"You got it, Princess!" Celessa said cheerfully. With a wave, Zelda disappeared back into the domain, as Paya and Celessa began their journey across the massive bridge.
The two walked for hours, traveling across the multiple bridges that connected the snowy mountains of Lanayru, passing over the large rushing icy rivers that roared below them. Both were amazed by the landscape's beauty. It was different from most of Hyrule. The grass was so tall, it could be seen sticking out of the snow, and it was still lush and green, while the shrubs and large bushes were a glistening opal, something Paya found to be marvelous. Before long, Celessa stopped in her tracks on one of the natural stone bridges and called out to the Sheikah before pointing down at one of the mountain bases. Curious, Paya looked down to see two illuminated dots near the base and the river.
"It's hard to tell from here, but do you see how shiny that stone is near those lights?" Celessa asked loudly over the rushing waters below them, to which Paya nodded. "That's gotta be one of the monuments. If we cross that bridge and go a little off the road, we can make our way down and check it out. Are you up for it?"
"Y–yes!" Paya said as loudly as she could.
With a nod, Celessa guided them across a few more bridges before arriving at the other side of the river. Going off the normal road the pilgrim and Sheikah traveled down the winding natural path down the mountainside before stopping at the base near the river.
"Be careful not to slip," Celessa said as she carefully inspected their surroundings. "This place is already naturally slippery with all the rivers and rainfall. With how thick the grass is, it captures more water than you're probably used to, and that's not considering the snow on the ground. I wouldn't wanna fall in the river, especially with how icy it is."
"R–right..." Paya said nervously, taking a step back from the edge of the rushing river.
"Now then..." Celessa said excitedly.
Placing her hands on her hips, she turned and looked at the monument that was carved into the mountain's wall. It was a beautiful wall of stone, smoothed so well that its blue color glistened in the sun. It was much larger than it looked from so far away. In fact, it was possibly taller than that of the houses in Hateno Village Celessa had grown used to seeing during her time in the mountains. Chiseled into its surface were words, all just as elegant as the carvings in Zora's Domain were, a sign that it was made by the Zora's themselves.
"The History of the Zora, Part Three: Miracle of the White Scale," Celessa read out loud. "As told by King Dorephan... King Dorephan? That's the current king of the Zora, isn't it? Wow... I knew the Zora lived for a long time, but to have seen such a distant past..."
"Do the Zora live for that long?" Paya asked, carefully stepping to stand next to Celessa. The pilgrim nodded.
"They can live for hundreds of years," she said excitedly as her eyes continued to trace the chiseled words. "Prince Sidon is over a hundred years old, and he's still considered pretty young. I'm sure some of those children you saw are older than you, actually."
"Older than me? B–but, I'm eighteen..." Paya exclaimed.
"Yeah, the Zora are interesting like that," Celessa giggled. "Wow, this is fascinating... It tells of a war and a love between an old Zora king and his queen. That's so sweet."
"Love between a queen and a king?" Paya repeated, now looking up at the monument herself. Celessa nodded.
"Speaking of love... Are you holding up alright?" she asked. The Sheikah's cheeks suddenly began to burn.
"U–Um... I–I'm fine..." she said, but Celessa continued.
"You were gonna try and ask Zelda about Link last night, weren't you?" she asked. Unable to deny it, Paya nodded. "What stopped you?"
"It... doesn't feel like my place to ask such things," she said quietly. "She's a princess, a proper one again now that she's going by her title, and even beyond that... she's Master Link's lover. I feel I shouldn't step in, despite wanting to ease my own heart."
"Hm... I see," Clessa said thoughtfully. She glanced at Paya for a moment, who was now staring down at the Hylian boots Zelda had given her a day prior, before looking back up at the monument in front of her. "Link almost died to a Yiga assassin a little bit ago."
"Wha– what?" Paya said fearfully, turning to face Celessa. The pilgrim nodded.
"We all almost did," she continued. "None of us believed he was around, despite what Link had been claiming."
"E–even Princess Zelda didn't believe him?' Paya asked.
"She didn't..." Celessa answered. "While a princess, she's just a person like the rest of us. Link had gone through a lot, and he wasn't acting like himself, so... all of us thought he was just being paranoid. It almost cost us our lives."
"B–but... Why wouldn't the princess believe him?" Paya asked, almost desperately. "Master Link... he's got the most experience; he's done so much! Why wouldn't she trust him?"
"It was... a complicated time," Celessa said. "All of us were to blame, even Link, really. That's why we needed the Great Fairy's help that day. That's why Link is so injured right now."
Paya stood quietly for a moment, trying to contemplate all she had been told. Eventually, she turned away from Celessa and placed her hands on her chest.
"W–why are you telling me this?" she asked. "Even though I couldn't bring myself to ask the princess herself... why?"
"Because I know you want to have faith in her," Celessa said. "You didn't ask because you wanted to trust she knew what she was doing, even though you've been nonstop worried about Link since you heard about his wounds. I'm telling you can trust Zelda is doing her best, and loves him dearly, without that question mulling in the back of your head."
"Why... didn't she heal Link with the fairies she got from the Great Fairy?" Paya asked quietly after a pause. "Why is he still so hurt?"
"He rejected them, despite the princess saying he should take them," Celessa answered truthfully. "He said he wanted to learn from his actions, to not take the easy way out. She accepted that, and let him choose his own healing process."
"So he's doing this all on his own?" Paya asked in a shaky voice, but Celessa looked at the Sheikah's backside and shook her head.
"Not at all," she said. "I know the reason the princess is telling people is that she's planning this festival to rebuild Hyrule, which is true, but... Her main goal is to help Link heal. His wounds... they're a lot deeper than just his physical ones. She went about helping him the wrong way before, but now she's trying again, with a plan I think will actually help him more than even she realizes. You need to trust her."
Paya stood quietly for some time, refusing to face the pilgrim behind her. A light breeze blew between the two, causing the Sheikah's silver hair to dance at the ends. Finally, she softly spoke.
"I... I do trust her," she said. "I can tell how much she cares about this festival, and if that's the reason why... then I can't help but not trust her. I–I just..."
Over the breeze and light winds, Celessa swore she heard a sniffle.
"I can't help but wish I was the one at his side... helping him through whatever pain he's experiencing," she continued. "I knew they were together, and I could see their bond forming from the few times they've visited since the princess first arrived, but..."
Her shoulders began to slightly shake.
"N–now that I see how much s–she cares about him... E–especially after she ran after him on the bridge yesterday..." she managed to stammer out. "It's hitting me that... that he belongs to her. He's taken... and out of my league. Master Link... belongs to Princess Zelda... and always has, no matter what."
Slowly, Paya turned around, revealing a sad and teary-eyed face. She clutched her hands even tighter as they rested on her chest while her whole body continued shaking.
"It... really hurts," she said sadly. "I... I'm happy for them, I really am... but it's still bad that I feel this way, isn't it? It feels wrong to have so much pain from this..."
Watching as the Sheikah's tears fell, Celessa gave her an understanding smile. Stepping forward, she wrapped her arms around Paya's shoulders, allowing her face to rest between her neck and shoulder.
"It's not wrong. It's perfectly normal to feel this way," she cooed, brushing Paya's long silver hair. "I have a drinking buddy who feels the exact same way you do... though, maybe she was a little spiteful in the beginning. She and Zelda are actually pretty good friends now."
"They are?" Paya asked in a muffled voice. Celessa nodded.
"I think. They did save each other's life," she said, hugging Paya even tighter. "It's okay to be sad, it's okay to be hurt, and it's okay to still care about both Link and the princess."
"I... I really look up to the princess," Paya said in a muffled voice. "Sh–she had faith in me and brought me along on this trip, as n–nervous as she knew I was. We just started, and she's shown me so much. She's s–so strong, and yet here I am. I feel so guilty for being so j–jealous of her..."
"And that is okay," Celessa whispered gently. "You care about the princess, right?"
Paya nodded.
"Then it'll all work out," Celessa insisted. "I promise."
As tears continued to fall down Paya's cheeks, she buried her face deeper into Celessa's neck as the pilgrim continued to hold her.
...
"Feeling better?" Celessa asked a few hours later as they walked down more mountain paths.
With the Sheikah's insistence, the two had continued looking for more monuments once she had—for the most part—collected herself. Though she was still a bit puffy-eyed, Paya nodded with a tiny smile.
"Y–yes, I am," she said with a nod. "I'm r–really sorry you had to see that side of me."
"Ah, don't worry about it. That's what I'm here for, yeah?" Celessa answered, to which Paya gave her a curious look.
"You... You m–mean, to help the princess?" she asked. "I g–guess making sure I wouldn't doubt her would be a good reason, but I–I told you I care and want to support—"
"No, not because of that," Celessa cut in. "I care about you. I wanted to make sure you'd be alright."
"You... You comforted me just because you... you cared about me?" Paya asked. Confused, Celessa came to a stop and looked back at her.
"Why do you sound so surprised about that?" she asked. "Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?"
"I... Um... I just... I'm not sure..." Paya murmured. "I–I just thought that... Well, I know how c–close you and the princess are, and I t–thought I was just brought along simply because my grandmother made me..."
"What?" Celessa asked, still trying to understand Paya's thought process. "Come on, we've known each other for some time now. We always spoke when I went to see Lady Impa and heard her stories, and we've been traveling together for a week now!"
"Y–yes... Right, but..." Paya stammered again, but Celessa reached out and put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'd like to think after everything, we'd be more than just acquaintances," she said with a smile. "Sure, we may not have experienced life-threatening situations like a few people I know, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you. I've got your back, the same way I do the princess's."
Paya stood stricken as her dark eyes stared into Celessa's unwavering bright eyes. After a pause, she nodded.
"Thank you... Celessa," she said. "I... I really hope I can be l–like you when it comes to helping the princess."
"You're here, aren't you?" Celessa asked. "That means you already are. And hey, if that guilt of yours still bothers you, why not talk to the princess about it?"
"D–do you really think that's a good idea?" Paya asked. Celessa laughed nervously.
"I mean, she's known to get pretty jealous herself at times," she said as she placed her hands on her hips, something that made Paya's face go white. "But... She's really learned. She may even appreciate you telling her. But, even if you don't tell her how you feel, maybe just growing closer to her will ease your heart."
"M–maybe..." Paya said thoughtfully. Celessa nodded.
"Now then, we have a few more monuments to find, that are within reach at least—" Celessa began, but suddenly stopped. Her pointed ears twitched before her head darted toward the opal bushes, with her arm out in front of Paya in defense.
"Wh–what is it?" Paya asked in a shaky voice, growing nervous as Celessa began looking around their surroundings.
Suddenly, she noticed the bushes the pilgrim was shielding her from shaking, and her eyes filled with fear. Crawling out from behind the branches was a lizard, one just as big as Paya was. Its armored body was covered in scales, ones different from the Zora, which were shades of rich blues and purples. Its nose was long, with a curved horn sitting near its front that was pointed toward them. The reptile's tiny dots for eyes darted around randomly before locking themselves onto the two women. Pulling a spear off its back, the reptilian beast pushed itself up onto its hind legs and began jumping from side to side as it shrieked, preparing to charge at them.
Paya could only take a single step back before her legs gave out. She fell to the ground with watery eyes. She had never seen such a beast, having always lived inside the safety of her mountainous home, but hearing about them wasn't the same as being confronted by one. Her body shook as the lizard gurgled, swinging its tongue around as it continued to jump around. Paya was stuck in the snow, unable to make her body respond. The only reason she was able to tear her gaze away from the monstrosity for a moment was when Celessa rested her large backpack on the ground in front of her.
"C–C–Ce–" Paya stuttered out, but Celessa simply stood ready with her arm still outstretched.
"Hey, I told you I'd take care of us, didn't I? You're in safe hands," she said without looking back. As to not make any sudden movements, her free hand slowly went down to the sword resting behind her lower back. "A blue Lizalfos, huh? If it were a black one or stronger, then we'd be in trouble. But..."
Suddenly, she pulled the sword out from behind her and reached down to grab the traveler's shield that hung off the backpack in the snow. Twirling the sword in her hand and readying her shield, she grinned.
"I can handle this."
Just as Celessa was prepared, the lizard jumped surprisingly high in the air. In response, the pilgrim spread her legs a bit wider and raised her shield, allowing the jagged spear tip to slam into the wood as the reptilian beast landed in front of her. With a grunt, she pushed the spear away before swinging her sword, aiming for the beast's scaly neck, but before the edge of her blade could cut, it jumped back. Landing a little ways away, it returned to jumping side to side before lowering itself. With its stomach almost touching the ground, it brought its spear close to its chest before darting forward, zigging and zagging as it hurried closer.
To Paya's terror, the Lizalfos came right to Celessa's abdomen and jabbed the spear right for it, but confidently, the pilgrim stepped aside. Using her shielded arm, she released the holding strap on the shield, allowing it to hang by its other strap on her forearm, and grabbed the spear by its handle. Before the lizard could pull the spear back, she quickly aimed her sword down and thrust the tip toward its skull, but to her surprise, it released the spear and jumped to the side. With a shriek, the Lizalfos jumped in the air again, now unarmed, aiming its curved horn down at Celessa's chest.
Dropping the spear, Celessa quickly took the handle back into her hand and brought her shield back up, barely deflecting the lizard's horn. Unfazed but angered by the blow to the horn, the lizard screeched. The pilgrim barely saw it pick up its spear as it began jumping around her, refusing to give her space to swing.
As the beast and Hylian continued to battle, Paya watched in fear from her spot in the snow. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage. Every time their weapons clashed, her eyes winced as her ears rang, but she couldn't pull her eyes away, fearful that if she did, something would happen to her companion.
"Man, I thought this would be fun, but this is getting awfully annoying!" Celessa shouted, unable to get a proper swing as she danced along with the lizard that jumped around her. Just then, an idea popped into her mind. "I haven't done it before, but it's worth a shot! If you're gonna travel in the wild, then you need to adapt!"
Gripping her sword a little tighter than before, she brought the blade around her and spun, knocking the lizard away. Regaining her balance, she sighed in relief as she readied herself again.
"Whew! That is not easy to do," she said to herself as the lizard began jumping left and right again a little ways away, clearly aggravated by her attack. "If I hadn't seen Link do that before when he saved me those few times, I wouldn't have been able to pull that off. He can do it with such ease... He really is unmatched."
Suddenly, the lizard stopped jumping around. Celessa stiffened her stance, ready for it to charge again, but instead of leaning down, it straightened itself up. Its chest began to expand as its cheeks puffed out. Realizing its intentions, Celessa gritted her teeth before moving in front of Paya again with her shield ready. Opening its mouth, the Lizalfos fired a barrage of water-made cannonballs toward the two women.
Water splashed against Celessa's circular shield with so much force her feet slid back on the snow a bit, but she held her stance. The moment the barrage was over, she began to lower her shield, only to panic when something wrapped around her neck. Gasping for air, she looked down to see a long slimy tongue coiled around her, stretched out from the lizard's mouth. With tremendous strength, the reptilian beast yanked her toward itself, something Paya screamed at.
This is... so gross! Celessa thought as she flew through the air.
Keeping as calm as she could, she raised her sword and swiped at the tongue, slicing through it with little resistance. The lizard's head snapped back as its now bleeding tongue recoiled, slapping it in its face. Still flying through the air, Celessa brought her shield up and slammed into the monster's chest, knocking not only the wind out of it but off its jumpy feet as well. The lizard fell onto its back with the pilgrim on top, and before the beast could recover, Celessa raised her sword in the air, aiming its sharp tip toward the neck. Bringing it down, the blade pierced the blue and purple scales, and after a little bit of struggling, the lizard's body became lifeless.
Paya watched in shock as Celessa pushed herself up and off the now-dead Lizalfos. Pulling the remains of the tongue that had been wrapped around her neck off, she swung her sword toward the ground, throwing whatever monster blood that had been on its blade off before sheathing it behind her back. And then, to Paya's horror, she fell back into the snow.
"Ce–Celessa? Celessa?" she called out in fear, only to hear Celessa tiredly laughing.
"Ah, man! It's been a few months since I've had to fight a monster!" she laughed with her arms outstretched in the snow. "A blue Lizalfos... I thought it'd be easy after traveling for so long, but they're still a challenge."
The moment feeling returned to Paya's legs, she hurried over and fell back to the ground by Celessa's side.
"A–a–are you hurt?" she asked, but Celessa shook her head.
"Just tired," she answered with a smile. "I spent all winter with a drink in my hands, laughing and goofing off with Jules, Prima, and the princess. I'm just a little out of shape, is all."
"I–I see. Thank goodness..." Paya said, placing a hand on her chest in relief. Once calmed, she looked over at the Lizalfos lying lifelessly in the snow. "T-that was a monster..."
"It sure was," Celessa said, now looking up into the sky as the clouds passed by. "And it was one of the weaker ones, honestly."
"A–a–a weaker one?" Paya asked. "This is what Master Link has been fighting against?"
"Heh, this is nothing for him," Celessa said with a grin. "There are far more dangerous monsters out there. Bigger, stronger, faster... Some can do pretty crazy things like breathe fire and ice... There are few who even have the power of lightning."
"L–lightning?" Paya asked. Celessa chuckled.
"Lightning."
"B–but... The princess sealed the Great Calamity, didn't she? Why are the monsters still here?" Paya asked.
"No idea," Celessa answered. "That's what Link and the princess are trying to figure out."
Nervously, Paya swallowed.
"C–can we really rebuild with—?"
"Link can take on armies of them alone," Celessa suddenly said. "He's a pretty incredible guy."
Looking away from the monster, Paya looked down at the pilgrim still lying in the snow, whose face had become blank as she watched the clouds.
"Hyrule is dangerous," she said. "Link has been fighting all of this the entire time, able to best anything that's thrown his way. Some of those monsters are unimaginably strong... and he's able to take them out. He's able to protect people... including the princess. But us? Heh... We're just normal people, so normal a Lizalfos can do us in."
With a deep breath, Celessa looked over at Paya with a smile.
"You're not the only one nervous. You're in a new world... The princess has to rebuild despite all these monsters... And I have to take Link's place and protect you guys while he's gone," she said. "But, the princess believes if we unite and stick together, then we can rebuild. I have complete faith in her. That's why, even as nervous as I am, I'll stand by her side and help her however I can while Link is gone. I hope you'll do the same."
Paya looked back at the monster with a nervous look, but after a few moments, she nodded.
"I'll do whatever I can to help Master Link... and Princess Zelda."
Celessa grinned even wider.
"That's the spirit."
...
"So, in summary, the Champion's Festival was established to honor Lady Mipha. It's held every year, usually with food prepared, and is held near the statue of her in the courtyard. A ritual is performed with a trident called the Ceremonial Trident along with a song sung by the Zora's young. Along with this, the festivities continue, which mainly consist of prayer, offerings, and blessings to her statue. Does that sum it up nicely?"
"I can't help but admit it does," Muzu admitted to Zelda as the two slowly walked through the domain.
Zelda, who had finally found the journal section of the Sheikah Slate, had been typing furiously as the councilmen spoke, taking in every word of information before lowering the device. Curiously, the stingray looked down at the device in her hands.
"And you say the reason you kept your eyes on that relic there is because you can, take notes?" he asked. Zelda nodded.
"Link would take notes in this during his journey," Zelda said, looking down at the screen again. "They're all logged in there, with all his thoughts and accomplishments. I never really asked him how to use it, but now that I've figured it out, these notes will come in handy when planning for the festival, instead of simply trying to remember it all."
"Hm... I guess your claims in the throne room yesterday were correct," Muzu said. "Your mind has a knack for learning."
This made Zelda smile.
"Thank you, Muzu," she said with a slight bow. "That adds a boost to my confidence, one I can't help but admit I needed."
"Hmpf. That doesn't mean you've proven yourself yet," the stingray grunted. "These teachings are about a festival, and while important to us Zora, it's nowhere near as complex as running a community, much less one as small as our little domain in comparison to all of Hyrule. Don't get comfortable with this level of praise."
"Right. I understand that completely," Zelda said with a nod. It wasn't as though he was wrong; reconstruction and running a newly established kingdom wouldn't exactly be easy, and she knew that. "If I may ask, when was the last Ceremony held? With winter coming to an end, it must've been earlier this year."
"Actually, we didn't get to hold the Ceremony this year," Muzu said. "We had plans, but with Vah Ruta's rampage in the earlier months, and hearing Lady Mipha's spirit was still in the beast, it didn't seem right."
"Oh, I see... That's unfortunate," Zelda said as the two began walking into the courtyard. Her eyes traveled to the large statue in the center, glowing bright against the afternoon sun, as any icicles that hung from it sparkled. "Muzu... This is just a thought, but, why not have the festival now?"
"Now?" Muzu asked curiously. "Do you mean having it when you have your festival in Lurelin? That seems a bit counteractive toward your plans, wouldn't you say?"
"No, now as in today," Zelda said, coming to a stop in front of the statue. The old councilman gave her a look.
"I don't see how that's possible," he said gruffly. "I'm sure you can tell from what I just taught you about it, but the festival is a large event for us Zora. To prepare it in not even a day, let alone have it is absurd."
"Not if it's a smaller version of it," Zelda debated. "It wouldn't be anywhere near as grand, that I understand, but if it's been an annual event for a hundred years, you might as well have one this year, regardless of its size, wouldn't you agree?"
"So you're saying we should water down our precious ceremony just so we can continue to say we've had it every year consecutively since the Calamity?" Muzu asked with thinning eyes. "I'd say that sounds mighty insensitive coming from one that isn't a Zora."
"I'm not saying you should have it for the sake of it being annual," Zelda said, doing her best to keep the Zora calm. "I'm saying you should have it because of how important it is to the Zora. I know it wouldn't be as grand, but... It's the thought that counts, isn't it?"
Seemingly unconvinced, the stingray glared at her before looking up into the statue's luminous stone eyes.
"Mipha's spirit only truly left this world a few months ago," Zelda continued, deciding to push just a bit harder against Muzu's rejection. "I know we said goodbye to her then, but, I do believe the Zora would appreciate throwing the ceremony for her, even if it's more modest than usual. I can't see Mipha thinking any less of it."
Muzu didn't answer, but the princess pushed with one last point up her sleeve.
"You also said the domain was going through a rough time right now because of the Hinox, right?" she said. "Sure, I promised you'd get fish from the ocean waters in Lurelin, but that's not for a few more weeks. To keep morale high, don't you think having a nice event would keep the people happy?"
At this, Muzu blew air through his thin nostrils.
"You simply want to see the festival in action in order to take notes for your own, don't you?" he asked.
"I won't say that's something I wouldn't do, not that I'd use the journal in the Sheikah Slate," Zelda said honestly, "but, I still can't shake the guilt that Vah Ruta's rampage from then was my fault. My power was weakening, which caused the Calamity's influence to regain control. It would be nice if I could rectify that mistake, even if just a little, and now seems like a better time than any to have a little fun and bring some smiles to the Zora people."
"Hmmm. Hmmmm..." Muzu hummed in frustration. He pursed his already thin lips before grumbling. "You're a bold girl, bringing up the Calamity, the reason we have this festival in the first place, the reason we need to honor our lost princess as such."
"But...?" Zelda pressured hopefully. Muzu sighed.
"But... you make some frustratingly valid points," the stingray admitted, still looking up at the statue. "I don't like the idea of watering down our festival, but the benefits of having it can't be overlooked. Besides... it did feel wrong not to have this year, at least it did in my heart."
"I don't believe you'll regret your decision, Muzu," Zelda said with a nod. "Where do you believe we should begin setting up?"
"I'll inform King Dorephan and have the word spread by our chief secretary, Laflat," Muzu said. "The rest will be up to you."
"Up to me?" Zelda asked.
"You're the one who suggested we have this small version of our festival," Muzu lectured, pulling his gaze away from the statue. "You also sat here listening to me babble for hours about how we run our festivals, so why not make this a test? It's up to you to ensure this heartwarming, smaller festival doesn't become a disgrace to what is usually held. Unless you believe this task is out of your league?"
"Not at all," Zelda said quickly, realizing what Muzu was doing. "If I remember correctly, it's Trello who's currently responsible for organizing the festival, so I'll go talk to him regarding the next few steps."
"Smart girl," Muzu complimented with a nod of his wide head. "I look forward to seeing what you come up with. I'll be on my way."
"Right," Zelda said as the stingray began walking away. "Thank you."
With that, Muzu disappeared. Leaving Zelda in front of the statue alone. With a hum in thought, she brought the slate back up and tapped on the screen, revealing the notes she had taken.
"A smaller version of the Champion's Festival..." she thought, beginning to slowly walk through the domain again. "We'll have to be set up by at least evening, and if done correctly... This is most certainly doable."
With a confident grin, she lowered the slate and put a pep in her step, hurrying off to find the Zora, Trello. She hurried through the domain, up ramps and staircases, before finding the Zora on one of the large bridges that connected the domain to the mountains, where she began to explain her plan.
"A miniature version of the Champion's Festival, you say?" Trello asked. He was a dark-scaled Zora, an older one who had sat on the council the day before. Confidently, Zelda nodded. "And how would we go about that? A festival like that takes time, even if on a smaller scale–"
"Not if we take only the important assets," Zelda explained. "We take the bare minimum and make it special in their own right. We don't need the decor or the food, for those aren't what make the festival important or meaningful. It's meaningful because it's about honoring Princess Mipha, so in this case, we use the song, the ceremonial dance, and the prayers. None of those require set up, only organization, right?"
"Ah... When you put it that way, then it is possible," Trello said thoughtfully, "but, that in itself does give us quite a problem."
"Hm? What would that be?" Zelda asked.
"The Ceremonial Trident," Trello began to explain. "It's a replica of Lady Mipha's Lightscale trident, a fake but one that's used for the ceremony itself. Because we didn't have the festival this year, Prince Sidon has been using it as his preferred weapon, which wouldn't usually be a problem, but the trident has been in poor shape ever since he used it alongside Link to take down the Hinox of Ralis Pond."
"It hasn't been fixed?" Zelda asked, to which Trello shook his head.
"It's only been a few days since then," he said. "Dento hasn't had the time, and even if he did it would take a good while to fix such damage. We can't have a trident dented, dull, or stained in blood for such a ceremony. It would be dishonorable."
"But, the trident is important for the ceremony. That's not just something we can simply go without..." Zelda said thoughtfully, bringing a finger to her chin. "What if... What if we didn't use a fake?"
"As in we use the original?" Trello clarified. "Well, that would certainly make this festival stand out. The original has never been used in the ceremony in case something happened to it. We've had a few cases of dropping the ceremonial trident into the waters below, unfortunately, and Young Sidon was a bit too young to use the trident properly. But, now that he's older, if he were to perform now, I don't see anything wrong with using the original Lightscale Trident. It would actually be quite fitting. The thing is, the trident was given to Link when he saved us from Vah Ruta's rampage. Seeing as he's not here to give it to us, I'm not sure how we'd get ahold of it in a timely manner."
"I can get the trident," Zelda said. "I can have it here as quickly as we need it to be without a problem."
"As quickly as we need it, you say? Well, we need it now, so I have a hard time believing—" Trello began to say, but he glanced over and met Zelda's unwavering eyes. After a quick pause, he said, "you're completely serious, aren't you?"
"I am," Zelda nodded. "If you need it now, then I'll leave and bring it back in a timely manner, just as you said we'd need it."
"If that's something you can do, then that's what I'd like to ask of you," Trello said. "I'll go fetch Prince Sidon and let him know the trident is on its way. I'll also spread the word and let the little fry know that they'll get to sing their song this year after all."
"Great, that sounds wonderful. Then I'll leave now," Zelda said with a slight bow. "Thank you for the help, Trello. I really appreciate it."
"If anything, we should be thanking you," Trello said, placing his hands behind his back. "We Zora will be delighted to hold our Champion's Festival this year, having thought we wouldn't because of this year's earlier events. I'll be taking my leave. I hope to see Lady Mipha's trident soon."
With a nod from Zelda, the elderly Zora began walking down the bridge toward the domain to look for his prince. After taking a moment to watch him walk away, Zelda took the slate off her hip and tapped its surface to illuminate the screen once more. After a few more taps of its icons, she began to glow blue before vanishing in a string of blue lights.
...
Reforming in a flash of blue, Zelda shivered the moment she was able to move. Wrapping her arms around herself she looked around to see the familiar buildings and chimneys she had grown to love having lived around them for months. Though the mountain winter air froze her bones, she couldn't help but feel a warmth in her heart at the sight of Hateno Village.
Stepping off the shrine's platform, she walked through the snowy village, where a few familiar faces waved to her and stopped to ask if she was staying. While saddened, they understood when she told them she was only here for a quick visit. After a brief catching up with those out and about, she forced herself to pull away from the conversations and continued down the road toward the fork in the road. Once she passed the boxy display houses and crossed the bridge, she arrived at the lone cliffside house on the other side.
She stopped in front of the house and stared at it to take in the sight. Considerably, they hadn't been gone for very long, and yet, she couldn't help but feel as though it had been forever. She missed coming home from work to find Link waiting for her, with food prepared and ready to listen to her day, but most of all, she missed that warm welcoming smile of his. Realizing she needed to get a move on, she again forced herself forward and moved to open the front door. To her surprise though, the door began to open itself.
"Oh my! Zelda!" a friendly voice called out to her in shock. Zelda jolted in surprise, only to find the thin but friendly eyes of the mayor's wife greeting her.
"Clavia!" Zelda said, placing a hand on her chest to calm her racing heart. "You startled me! What are you doing in there?"
"Did Link not tell you?" Clavia asked, loosening the grip she had tightened in fear around her broom. "Reede asked me to keep the house dusted and swept for you while you two were gone, so that's what I've been doing."
"Link did not mention that, no," Zelda said with a sigh. "You've kept it clean this past week?"
"I sure have. I actually just finished up for the day," Clavia said proudly. "Why don't you take a look?"
The mayor's wife moved aside to reveal the interior of the little house. Stepping past her and inside, Zelda looked around the house to find it in perfect condition. In fact, all the ceramic dishes and vases that decorated the place had been replaced and put back just the way they were. The wall shelf that had been full of wine bottles had been completely restocked and dusted, and the barrels that had been destroyed had been replaced as well. Some things had even looked to have been added, like more wall shelves and other small furniture sets.
"It looks amazing," Zelda said in awe. "Clavia... Thank you. It's better than before everything had happened!"
"I figured you'd appreciate it, the place looked pretty barebones from the last time I saw it," Clavia said. "So I asked Reede if I could make a few renovations."
"It's perfect," Zelda said. "In fact, I've been meaning to make some decorative changes to the place for a while. I'll have to come to you for assistance when I make the rest of the changes."
"I'll be ready at any time!" Clavia said happily. "Well, I best head back home. It's starting to get late and I'm sure little Karin is starting to get hungry. Will you be in town for some time? I'm sure Prima would love to see you at the inn."
"I... I wish I could," Zelda said earnestly, "but I'm somewhat on a time crunch at the moment. I'll have to pass... unfortunately."
"Ah, I understand, and I'm sure she will as well," Clavia said kindly. "I'll let her know you said hello."
"Thank you, I'd really like that," Zelda said. With a nod, Clavia began to head out of the house, but before she could step outside, she paused and turned back.
"I heard you were planning on rebuilding our lost kingdom," she said, something that took Zelda slightly aback. The lady giggled. "Link told Reede, and of course, he told me. There was something in that old forge back there, an old outfit and hat. They look kind of like the fancy clothes you're wearing now. I cleaned and folded them before putting them on the dresser upstairs, in case they're needed for your reconstruction."
"Thank you. I'll go give it a look," Zelda said, though internally she was trying to figure out what outfit Clavia was referring to.
Nodding, the mayor's wife stepped outside, closing the door behind her, and leaving Zelda alone in the house. With a relaxed breath, she looked around her home before her eyes landed on the weapons that lined the house's walls. With a smile, she stepped around the table and placed her hand on the glistening golden-hilted scimitar.
She kept them clean, she said with a smile.
After taking the curved sword in for a moment, she looked over at the trident she had come for. Its silver metal was shining just as brightly as the sword, with its elegant jewels hanging peacefully from the bottom of the trident's points. Reaching out, she took the trident by the handle and pulled it off the wall.
"Perfect," she said, and after taking the Sheikah Slate off her hip and tapping its screen, the trident disappeared into its inventory. "There we go. Mission accomplished. Now then—"
She made to leave, knowing that Trello wanted the trident as soon as possible, but before she could reach the door, she paused and looked at the staircase. Unable to contain herself, she went up and stepped onto the loft. The sight of the writing desk and bed that sat cleaned and organized brought another wave of warmth to her heart. As she walked across, she dragged her fingers across the desk where she would do her hair and prepare for bed, before reaching the bed where Link would watch her and listen to her talk about her day at the inn.
"What am I doing?" she asked herself as she lightly plopped herself onto the bed. "This is silly; me getting nostalgic when I was just here a week ago."
Despite her self-scolding, she laid herself down on the bed and closed her eyes. Sure, she had been in other beds in Kakariko, Lurelin, and Zora's Domain, but nothing would ever come close to the comfort she felt when in this one, the one she shared with Link.
Link...
Opening her eyes, she looked over at the nightstand that sat next to the bed. Pushing herself up, she reached over and opened the drawer to find both her and Link's clothing folded neatly inside. She shifted through before finally finding a tunic of Link's, one of his Hylian ones. Bringing it to her chest, she hugged it and laid back down on the bed.
It smells like him... she thought to herself, closing her eyes as she allowed his scent to soothe her. To think I'm doing something such as this... I'm glad he isn't here to catch me. He'd tease me with no end.
She lay there for a few minutes, simply holding the tunic close to her chest. After some time, knowing well she had somewhere to be, she finally picked herself up and stood from the bed, though not without storing the tunic she had taken into the slate. With a nod, she made to leave again, only for something else to distract her. Sitting on the dresser, cleaned and neatly folded, was the nice clothing and hat Clavia had mentioned earlier.
"Oh, these were Link's fathers," Zelda said, picking up the hat. Curious, she picked up the navy and red clothes. They were large, at least twice her size. "My... Link's father was quite a large man. I wonder if Link got his height from his mother, seeing as he's not much taller than I am, if at all."
Folding the clothing back to the way she found it, she placed them back on the dresser, but the hat remained in her hands. After staring at it for a second, she took the slate off her hip and stored that in the inventory as well.
Maybe I can use this in the festival to honor his family somehow, she said. I think that would help heal his heart. Alright, it really would be best if I left now. I'm taking far longer than I expected too.
She took one look around the house, taking in its familiar aura one last time before tapping the screen one last time, turning into a flash of blue before vanishing.
...
"Princess!" the Zora children cheered as Zelda stepped out of the room the shrine in Zora's Domain was in. "Princess! Princess! We get to sing! We get to sing soon!"
"I'm guessing Trello already told you then?" Zelda asked, crouching down to their level. The children bobbled their large heads.
"We're doing a mini Champion's Festival, and that means we get to sing our song!" Laruta cheered. "I was practicing before, but I never actually got to sing it during the festival! Now we get to!"
"You sure will, and I'm happy for you," Zelda said. "I can't wait to hear it."
"Do you want to hear it now? We're practicing!" Laruta said, gesturing to the other Zora children behind her. There were the usual blue-scaled children, Tumbo and Keye, but there were a few other children as well, waiting excitedly behind her.
"I can't listen right now, unfortunately," Zelda said, which made the children whine. "I'm sorry, but I'm doing work right now in order to make the festival happen, but I can't wait to hear it later this evening. Make sure you practice hard, alright?"
"We can do that!" one of the other children said from behind. "Come on! Let's go practice!"
With a cheer from the kids, they all ran away on their stubby legs, to stand in front of the courtyard statue. With a smile, Zelda watched as they lined themselves up to practice before turning and heading toward one of the staircases that lead to the upper levels of the domain. She made her way up the ramps and steps before arriving on the balcony just before the staircase that led to the throneroom, where she found the prince of the Zora waiting for her.
"Sidon! I thought I'd find you in the throne room," she said, stopping before the large red-scaled Zora.
"How could I sit in the throne room after hearing about your plans?" Sidon said excitedly. "A small version of the Champion's Festival? That's a wonderful idea! I'd expect nothing less from the princess of Hyrule."
"I don't think it was that special of an idea, truthfully," Zelda said as she took the Sheikah Slate off her hip. "I just wanted to bond more with the Zora, and... It was slightly my fault you all didn't get to have your festival this year—"
"Nonsense!" Sidon said quickly. "Set your guilt aside, my dear friend. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have had any festivals, or any days at all, given the Calamity would've run rampant all those years ago."
Zelda paused, taken aback by Sidon's stern words, before smiling.
"Thank you, Sidon," she said. "You always know what to say."
"I speak nothing but the truth," the prince said with a sparkling smile of his own. "Now then, I believe you have something to give me, yes?"
"I do, and it's right here," Zelda said, tapping on the slate's screen. In a flash of blue, the elegant trident appeared in her hands. Lifting it up, she held it out to the Zora prince. "The Lightscale Trident, just as I promised Trello I'd bring you."
"He had his doubts, but I had none at all! I knew you'd bring it quickly," Sidon said, taking the trident from Zelda's hands. At the sight of the beautiful weapon, his smile faltered, changing from one of enthusiasm to one of bittersweetness. "My sister's trident... It's been quite some time since I last held it. I do hope it's been able to serve Link well."
"It's served all of us well," Zelda said. "It was used during Link's travels, along with a friend of mine using it to defend us from the Yiga when he chose to strike. If it wasn't there, I'm not sure what would have happened."
"Then that makes me feel even better," Sidon said as he closed his eyes and brought the trident to his chest. "This'll be the first time I'll have used my sister's trident in the ceremony. I'll make sure it's the best performance I've ever given, that I can promise you."
"I look forward to seeing it," Zelda replied. "Do you happen to know where Trello went by chance? I'd like to see if there's anything else I need to do before the festival begins."
"I believe he's walking around with Laflat now, helping inform those in the domain of the festival's occurrence later this evening," Sidon said before looking up at the sky. "It can't be more than a few hours away, judging by the time."
"Then I'd better be off to look for him," Zelda said with a slight bow. "Thank you for all your help, Sidon. You've been so supportive of me since I arrived, not just yesterday, but since I was freed from the Calamity. Truly, I thank you."
"If I can, I'll be your second biggest supporter," Sidon said eagerly, "only because I know who your first is."
Zelda giggled.
"I can't say you're incorrect about that," she said. "He really is my number one."
"As he should be," Sidon nodded. "Well then, I best get a little practice in before we begin! I'll see you during the festival, Princess!"
"Right! I can't wait," Zelda said, and with that, the two went their separate ways, preparing for the evening ahead.
...
The sun began to drench the mountains of Lanayru in twilight as it began to set, allowing the icicles and slow to glisten an orange glow. As the waters continued to rush, a Hylian and Sheikah crossed over them using the masterfully carved bridges that led back to Zora's Domain.
"Whew! That was one heck of a day!" Celessa said, stretching out her arms. "I'm gonna have to wash these clothes later. I didn't think I'd get this dirty..."
"W–well, you did go and climb a good number of rocks in order to get to the monuments in... challenging places," Paya said. "I'm just glad you're alright. We did stay out pretty late though. I hope the princess isn't too worried about us..."
"Hm... She is known to worry," Celessa said thoughtfully as they stepped onto the Great Zora Bridge. "Still, she looked pretty confident that we'd be alright. Hopefully, she was kept busy by Muzu's teachings. Usually, I'd like to hear stories of the past too, but that stingray looks a little too mean for me."
"Th–that seems a little mean..." Paya said quietly, to which Celessa chuckled.
"I guess you're right. Maybe I'll ask him next time I see him," she said. "For now, we better find the princess and let her know we're alright."
"Hm. right," Paya said with a nod.
The two finished their trek across the bridge, reaching the end before greeting the guard who stood at the domain's entrance.
"Oh! You guys made it back just in time!" Rivan, the guard, said. The two women gave him a curious look.
"I'm sorry, but... what are we back in time for?" Celessa asked, glancing over at Paya for clarity, who simply shook her head. The guard smiled brightly.
"Just head inside and you'll see! It's not every day Hylian's get to join us for such an occasion," Rivan said. "Please, enjoy yourselves."
"Alright... Thank you," Celessa said, thoroughly confused by what the guard had said.
With a nod, the guard allowed them access to the staircase that led to the domain's courtyard. Together, the two began heading up the stairs.
"Wh–what do you think he meant by that?" Paya asked nervously, but Celessa shrugged.
"I'm not entirely sure. I didn't hear anything about any occasion happening today..." she said. "Maybe the Princess will know when we get insi—"
Her voice abruptly stopped the moment she and Paya stepped into the courtyard. It was practically empty when they had left it in the morning with only the statue occupying it's space, but now, a crowd of Zora, spanning a rainbow of different colored- scales, stood in a crowd around that very same statue.
"What is going on?" Celessa asked, now trying to see through those standing in front of them. "The Zora are so tall! I can't see what's happening..."
"D–d–do you think something bad happened?" Paya asked, who seemed far more anxious than her pilgrim friend.
"Everyone looks a bit too happy for that to be the case," Celessa said, now on her toes trying to see past the lofty Zora. Suddenly, a fishtail the size of her torso smacked her in the head.
"Celessa! Are you alright?" Paya asked as Celessa stumbled back.
"I'm fine! I'm fine, but now I'm even more curious as to what's going on," Celessa said eagerly, rubbing where she had been knocked, though it didn't seem to bother her much at all. "Here, take my hand."
"H–huh? A–alright— Ah!"
With a tug of her hand, Celessa slightly bent down, guiding and pulling Paya through the crowd of Zora. While the Zora didn't seem to mind at all— if they had noticed the two at all— Paya tried her best, unsuccessfully, not to bump into anyone as Celessa weaved them through past the fish people's surprisingly stumpy legs.
"I–I'm sorry... I a–apologize... E–excuse me... I–I'm sorry—" she said to anyone who just might have heard her small voice, trying to make herself as small as possible as she allowed herself to be pulled along.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of crouching and squeezing, the two finally made their way to the front to find the area surrounding the center statue was completely cleared.
"Is everyone watching the statue? What are we waiting for?" Celessa asked, still holding Paya's hand while she tried to mentally recover from their Zora-legged adventure. The pilgrim looked around before spotting a glint of golden hair. "There! Princess!"
Tugging Paya along again, the two hurried along the edge of the crowd, careful not to step into the open area, before finding themselves at Zelda's side.
"There you two are," Zelda said as they stopped next to her. "I didn't think you'd be gone that long. Celessa, are you alright? You're far dirtier than I expected you to be— Oh my, Paya! You look pale!"
"I'm perfectly fine, I just had some trouble getting to some of the monuments is all," Celessa said excitedly.
"A... and I'm... okay..." Paya managed to wheeze out. "I–I've just... never been around... so many... people..."
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" Zelda asked, only to receive a nod from Sheikah in return.
"Princess, what's going on here?" Celessa asked. "Why is everyone crowded around the statue of the Zora princess?"
"Well, you see—" Zelda began, only to be interrupted by the clank of a few guardsmen's spears against the luminous stone floor.
The courtyard's murmuring became low, almost silent, as Muzu the Councilman stepped out into the open area. She waddled out with his hands behind his back and stopped in front of the statue. He looked up into its beautifully carved face one last time before turning to the crowd. Bringing a hand up, he cleared his throat before speaking.
"As you all are aware," he began. "This year, the Champion's Festival, held in honor of the late Lady Mipha, Princess of the Zora, was postponed due to Vah Ruta's rampage earlier in the year, and then canceled upon learning Lady Mipha's spirit was still among us, confined to the divine beast as she and it prepared to defend this land against the Calamity Ganon one last time. Of course, after that, we all know what transpired: Lady Mipha's spirit came to visit us one last time to say goodbye, before properly exiting this world having given us her final parting words."
Closing his eyes, the councilman lowered his wide head, followed by the Zora that stood crowded around him. Looking around to see that not only the Zora, but Zelda had lowered her head in silence as well, Celessa did the same, only for Paya to catch on last second through her anxiety.
"With Lady Mipha's spirit having properly passed, we've decided to reinstate the Champion's Festival this year, as late as it may seem," Muzu continued after a moment. "While it's not its usual size, we believe it's not the food or the gifts that matter, but the blessings and prayers of thanks to the princess that gave her all, representing the Zora people against the ancient foe all of us worked together to fend against."
He glanced over to the prince of the Zora, who stood a little ways away from the crowd and smiled at the recognition of the other races.
"Before we begin," Muzu said as he looked back toward the crowd. "There is someone I'd like to thank for making this all possible. Princess Zelda Daphnes Hyrule, daughter of Queen Zelda Nohansen Hyrule and Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule, if you would please step forward."
Celessa and Paya (as excitedly as she could make herself seem) both looked over at Zelda, who simply stood in surprise having not expected to have been called. Gently, Celessa reached out and patted the princess's lower back.
"That's you," she whispered when Zelda looked at her. "Go on. Go."
After looking between Celessa and Muzu, Zelda slowly stepped out into the open area, choosing to stop just in front of the stingray.
"I didn't believe a festival was worth downsizing, nor did I believe it could be pulled off in such a small timeframe," the councilman continued. "I thought it would disgrace the festival we've come to hold so dear to our hearts, but... It seems as though the princess has proved me wrong, especially when I see the look of love and enthusiasm on each one of your faces. It's because of the Hylian Princess this was possible. While she claims she has much to learn from us Zora, I believe— at least I myself— could learn a thing or two about being a bit more open-minded from this here princess. I hope that even just a bit of your charisma can rub off on this old stingray, Princess Zelda."
"Muzu... I..." Zelda tried to respond, though her loss of words prevailed. After a moment, she clasped her hands in front of her and nodded. "Thank you."
Receiving a nod in return, Zelda stepped back into the crowd, returning to Celessa and Paya's side.
"Now then," Muzu called. "I'm sure you all know of the dance the prince usually performs, alongside the song that is sung by our little fry—"
The Zora children cheered excitedly amongst the crowd, only to receive a glare from the stingray. Instantly, they silenced themselves, and with another cough, the councilmen continued.
"That, I'm sure you're aware, will still be performed, but before we begin, Prince Sidon would like to give a few words of his own. If you would—"
He gestured out to Sidon, who nodded and stepped out, swapping places with the stingray.
"Hello, my fellow Zora," Sidon said proudly, which received a cheer from the crowd. "I have been your prince for over a century now, and today will mark the hundredth Champion's Ceremony, which means this will be the hundredth time I have performed this dance for you. I first performed this when I was a young fry, just like those who will sing for us today, right up until now, the Zora I have become, but I have only become this way, thanks to all of you, my people, who have supported me, and my father, every day, since before, and even after, the Calamity Ganon, the beast that took my sister's life. I'd like to thank you all, for sticking together for so long, whether it was through calm or harsh waters, we've made it through it all. I feel this way, and I can promise you my father does as well. He'd say it himself if he was standing among us, but as we know, my father is quite large."
This received a chuckle from the crowd, at least from those who were a Zora.
"I... is that okay to laugh at?" Celessa asked quietly, but Zelda simply shrugged.
"While he's not standing in this very spot," Sidon continued, "he is still here, watching over us all."
He gestured up toward the top of the domain, where the large great whale, the King of the Zora, was seen stepping out of his throne room. While up high, he looked down amongst his people with a smile, raising a large hand in appreciation when the crowd roared at his appearance.
"He will be watching over my dance this evening," Sidon continued once the crowd calmed itself. He lifted his hand over his shoulder and grabbed the handle of the trident that sat on his back. "As it is my hundredth one, and... because for this performance, I will be using not the Ceremonial Trident, the replica usually crafted for this moment, but the original Lightscale Trident, the one used by my sister all those years ago, offered to me by the Princess of Hyrule, and inadvertently, Link, the one we blessed this trident with."
The crowd was awed at the sight of the Lightscale Trident Sidon was now displaying to his audience. A murmur of appreciation waved through the crowd of Zora for the princess that stood among them.
"Now, if our children would step forward from the crowd," Sidon requested. "It's time, my little ones, to give the show our people deserve!"
Excitedly, the Zora children hurried through the crowd, pushing passed the adults, and stepped out, lining themselves up against the border of the crowd, still allowing the open area in front of the statue to be clear. The children murmured between themselves before puffing out their chests, a sign they were ready. The prince smiled before holding up the trident.
"This is for you, my sister..." he whispered to himself, pressing his shark-shaped forehead to the trident's elegantly twisted surface.
As the orange of twilight began to glow its brightest, the children began to sing in sync.
"A gift from the sky, a scale of light, splits the feet of a Veiled Falls sight—"
While the children sang in harmony, the Zora Prince began to slowly twirl around the trident, gracefully stepping and moving his body along with it. It was like watching water flow as he danced around the courtyard, twirling the trident faster as he moved to the grace of the song.
"It's beautiful," Paya said, watching as the prince danced. "He moves so smoothly and with such balance..."
"I've been told this was a training regime the princess would do way back when," a voice suddenly spoke to the three Hylians watching. The three turned to see Kodah and Kayden standing behind them.
"A training regime?" Zelda asked.
"Mhm. One that was assigned to her by Councilor Muzu himself," Kayden said. "I remember when I was a fry myself. I would see Princess Mipha doing this same performance, though it was a lot more suited for fighting back then. Still, with how graceful Lady Mipha was, you wouldn't think it was a training regime at all. You'd have thought it was a dance, which is what inspired this little ceremony."
"I see," Zelda said as she watched Sdon dance in front of the statue, listening to the acapella of the Zora children. "It's beautiful. It truly is."
As Sidon continued to dance, soon water appeared from the tips of the Lightscale Trident. Magically, the water surrounded the prince, dancing along with him as it flowed through the air, glistening against the light of the setting sun. The crowd awed again, lost in the prince's elegance.
"That's new," Kodah whispered from behind. "We've never known the prince to have abilities like this..."
"Really?" Celessa asked. The Zora shook her head.
"Only Princess Mipha was known to have some special connection with water," she explained. "I guess the prince has finally found his connection with it as well."
This brought a smile to Zelda's face as she watched her friend dance.
You truly feel connected to your sister now, don't you, Sidon? she asked silently. I'm glad.
The prince continued to dance, right up until the twilight's orange glow transformed into that of the white moonlight of the night.
...
As the moon sat high in the sky, the crowd remained in the courtyard. Though it had slightly thinned out as the hours passed, many still remained, whether they were chatting about the past, or still offering their prayers to the statue in the center. While the Zora continued to enjoy themselves, Zelda watched from the edge of the courtyard, gently leaning her lower back against one of the railings with her hands clasped in front of her. She watched as the Zora laughed and made their prayers, unable to help compare it to the Hylians she had partied with a few weeks back. If it had been a Hylian celebration, they would have started drinking hours ago. The thought of the inn and those drunk inside of it made her giggle.
"That's quite the smile you have there, Princess," the familiar voice of the prince spoke. Zelda turned to see the large Zora walking toward her, smiling down upon her. "Are you enjoying the ceremony?"
"I am," Zelda nodded. "It looks like everything came together well. It's so different from those in Hateno, and yet so similar. It's warming to see."
"It's because of you this was able to happen," Sidon said. "You and Link, thanks to his help defeating the Hinox. It seems, even while separated, you two make a wonderful team."
"That makes me happy. Thank you, Sidon," Zelda said. "I'm just glad I was able to put a smile on the Zora's faces."
"I'd say you've bonded well with us," Sidon said, leaning his back against the railing as he stood next to her. "I know they haven't finalized their decision, but I believe you have nothing to worry about. I think the Zora will happily join your new kingdom."
"That's great, but I still have a lot to learn and do," Zelda said, looking out into the crowd. Her eyes eventually found Celessa and Paya, where it looked as though Celessa was asking Muzu about Lady Mipha, and was excitedly getting the answers she wanted about the past. "I have a lot of expectations to live up to."
"You do," Sidon agreed. "But, if you ever need help, you know just to ask. I will do everything in my power to assist you. You know that."
"I do," Zelda said warmly. "Your performance today was wonderful, by the way. It really seems to have struck a chord with your people, including me."
"You think?" Sidon asked. "I hoped that it would. I wanted to make it special since I was using my sister's trident. Speaking of which—"
The prince reached up and took the trident off his back before handing it back down to Zelda.
"Now that I've done my dance, I believe this is for you to take back."
"What? Sidon, no, I couldn't," Zelda said, holding her hands up in rejection. "That's Mipha's trident. You deserve to have it."
"I appreciate the consideration, but we offered this trident to Link," Sidon said. "It was a gift, to show our community and bond after he saved us. I can't in good consciousness keep it. Maybe if he returns it one day, but as of now, I simply can't accept it back."
"I'm sure he'd want you to have it back though..." Zelda said, reluctantly taking the trident into her hands. "Are you sure you shouldn't have it?"
"If he wants me to have it, then he can give it back to me himself. Until then, that trident is yours," Sidon said with a soft smile. "And I wouldn't mind at all if it remained that way."
"If you insist," Zelda said, hugging the trident close, but she couldn't help but think, it doesn't feel right though...
"Well, I best be getting a move on," Sidon said. "I wish to talk to my father and see if he enjoyed my performance."
"It isn't possible he didn't," Zelda said. "I'd be surprised if proven wrong."
"You may be right, but I'd still like to enjoy his company after the ceremony," Sidon said. "It just feels right. Take care, Princess. I hope to see you in good health tomorrow."
"Hm. You as well, Sidon," Zelda said with a nod. With a nod of his own in return, the prince turned and disappeared up the winding staircases to the throne room.
"Princess," Celessa's voice suddenly called out. Upon the call of her title, Zelda turned to see the Pilgrim and the Sheikah headed for her. "There you are. What are you doing all the way over here?"
"Just enjoying watching over the festivities," Zelda answered, still holding the trident close. "It's really nice to see all of the—"
A yawn escaped her lips, unable to force it back down. Celessa and Paya giggled.
"Looks like you've had a long d–d–da—" Celessa began before giving a yawn herself.
"It looks like we all have," Zelda said tiredly. "Shall we turn in for the night? Has Kodah already returned to the Seabed Inn?"
"I think she has," Celessa said. "I could really use a nap after today. That Lizalfos was no joke—"
"Lizalfos? You fought a monster?" the princess asked, which made Celessa jolt.
"Man, I must really be tired, that wasn't supposed to slip out," she chuckled awkwardly. "Don't worry, I handled it. It was only a blue one."
"Still, that explains why you're so dirty," Zelda said, now looking over her clothes. "Are you sure you're alright? A Lizalfos, even if blue, isn't anything to scoff at."
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Celessa insisted but Zelda gave her a glare. "Okay, I'm a little sore, but that's what happens! I've been lazying around all winter, it's expected of me to be a bit rusty."
"You say that, but that doesn't mean things can't be done about it," Zelda said. "We've done all we really can here in Zora's Domain, so why don't we head to Death Mountain after this and get you into one of those hot springs we were talking about yesterday?"
"The hot springs in Death Mountain, huh?" Celessa asked cheekily. "Could it be you're using this as an excuse to try and catch up to Link?"
"N–no!" Zelda blushed. "But... It would be a nice bonus if we did..."
"Well, if that's the case, then I have no issue heading to Death Mountain tomorrow," Celessa said eagerly. "Besides, even if we don't see Link, those hot springs sound really nice right about now."
"What do you think, Paya?" Zelda asked, turning to the Sheikah.
"H-huh? Oh... I think it's a lovely idea," Paya said as her own cheeks flushed. "It would be nice to... M–maybe see Master L–Link..."
"Then it's decided," Celessa said. "Tomorrow, we venture for Death Mountain!"
The three giggled before heading up the winding staircases of the domain, ready to fall into the inn's comfortable beds.
"Hey, by the way," Celessa asked. "What made you push to have the ceremony today?"
"Well, it's as you said," Zelda said. "Experiencing it is far better than just simply hearing about it."
...
The morning sun beamed down upon the trees of the Great Hyrule Forest. Unfortunately, due to the thick fogs of the woods that surrounded the forest, neither light nor sun was able to be seen. All there happened to be was darkness and mist, one that if a person entered, they would be lost in those woods forever. That was unless they knew the trick. Picking up an old torch, the traveler who had left for the woods earlier that morning lit its top. As a light breeze blew through the forest, the embers showed the way through, the path that led to the forests center. Looking down the foggy pathway, the traveler watched as the embers blew.
I can hear you, he thought to himself. I'm almost there, ready to see what trials await.
