Chapter 47 - Loose Ends
Summary: Link returns to Zora's Domain. The Yiga Clan leader pledges loyalty to Queen Zelda. Mipha reminisces a bit. Hyrule looks forward to an era of peace.
It was mid-morning in Zora's Domain, and Mipha's face had lit up with excitement after her call with Link ended.
"Great news!" she exclaimed to her children, Raypha and Tidon. "Your father is on his way home, and he's safe and sound. Moreover, thanks to his efforts, all of Hyrule is safe, and the danger is over."
"Oh, wow!" Raypha exclaimed. "That's amazing, Mom! Dad is such a hero!"
"And that means we can play with our friends now without you and Dad watching us, right?" Tidon asked eagerly.
"Yes, I must have misjudged the importance of matters," Mipha laughed. "You can play freely with your friends now, and Hyrule is out of danger. Sound better?"
"Sometimes you have the sense of a snail, Tidon!" Raypha teased as she stuck her tongue out at him. "But we promised to do something special for Dad when he returns. We don't have much time left."
"There's still time to prepare a nice meal," Mipha suggested. "That always gets him excited."
"Let's go get the ingredients from the Coral Reef," Raypha said determinedly. "Then I'll cook Dad a gourmet meal like a Trout Risotto."
"Seriously, Ray? You think you know how to cook Hylian food?" Tidon asked skeptically.
"I've watched Dad do it and cooked plain fish. I also saw a recipe posted on the wall when we stayed overnight at one of the stables," Raypha replied confidently. "I think it was during our visit to Rito Village when you kept smacking me with your tail fin all night."
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. I said sorry. I wasn't used to sleeping in a bed, and I guess I tend to move around a lot when I sleep. But can't you remember any of the good things I do?" Tidon grumbled.
"I would if I could think of any," Raypha teased.
"Shouldn't you two be getting things ready for your Dad's return?" Mipha interrupted as she shook her head in amusement.
"Yes, let's go, Ti. You can help carry the rice," Raypha directed.
"I'll come with you. I want to share the good news with your grandfather," said Mipha. "And I'd like to watch for your father's return."
As they left the house, Mipha explained the situation to the two guards on duty outside their front door.
"Lady Mipha, this is fantastic news!" exclaimed Treble, one of the guards. "However, we are obligated to offer our protection until we receive official orders from our captain."
"That's fine, Treble," replied Mipha. "I'll be okay on my own, but please keep an eye on my two children and protect them from each other. They're picking up things from the Coral Reef and returning home."
"Very well, we will ensure they stay safe," laughed Treble.
Meanwhile, as he rode on a horse borrowed from the royal guard, Link reflected on everything that had happened in Tanagar Canyon. The fact that he had laid hands on the fabled Triforce still left him in awe. He had heard stories about it as part of ancient Hyrule lore, but it was now considered more of a myth than an actual object. Yet, there it was, gleaming gold in the sunlight for all to see. And it had the power to change the course of history far into the future. It was no surprise that it needed to be protected at all costs, and only those deemed worthy by passing the Goddess Trial would be permitted to touch it.
Another thing that caught him off guard was the presence of Fi. His sword's spirit could apparently materialize when necessary, but she had never appeared for him. She had mentioned the Link he encountered was her first master. Maybe as the first to wield the sword, that other Link needed more guidance from her. Or perhaps she was still getting used to dealing with Hylians. From what little he saw of Fi, she seemed extremely practical and only intervened when needed. So he concluded that her neglect of him wasn't personal; maybe he didn't need her help and was skilled enough with the legendary blade.
He urged his horse forward to a steady gallop until they finally crossed the Inogo Bridge. Then he dismounted and walked his horse where the trail broke northwest of the Tabahl Woods. The riverbank was safe now, the water filled with fish battling the strong current of the Zora River that flowed down from the domain. There were no longer any vicious Lizalfos lurking nearby, waiting to prey on innocent travelers. Nor were there any Water Octoroks eager to spit a hefty stone at them.
After a brief walk, he mounted his horse again, passing familiar landmarks like the Bank of Wishes and Oren Bridge. It had been some time since he traveled this way alone. Years ago, he did so when he visited Mipha before they married. Back then, there were enemies to be wary of throughout the journey, which he usually made on foot. At first, he tended to sneak by them. But later, after he drew the sword that seals the darkness and grew in confidence, he would seek them out to destroy them so they could not harm the people he had grown to love. Destroying evil and protecting others became an obsession with him.
"And I guess it's still my driving force, isn't it Fi?" He voiced aloud.
But there was no response. Fi probably knew he didn't need one.
Meanwhile, after paying the merchant at the Coral Reef general store for the necessary ingredients, Mipha entrusted her two children to the care of the guards so they could be seen safely home. Then she ascended to the domain level just below the throne room, pausing to offer a prayer of thanks at the statue of Hylia. As she did so, she couldn't help but overhear Muzu's angry voice from the throne room.
"Forgive me, My Liege, but I fear that Lady Mipha's marriage to that Hylian boy, making him part of your family, has clouded your judgment," said Muzu.
"His name is Link, as you know very well. And you also know that I would never put our people's safety before loyalty to my family," replied King Dorephan calmly.
"My apologies for interrupting," interjected Mipha as she entered. "But I bring good news. My Hylian husband, Link, has successfully eliminated the threat to both Hyrule and our domain. We can finally enjoy peace."
"That is wonderful news indeed!" said King Dorephan. "Wouldn't you agree, Muzu?"
"I am pleased that the Hylians have taken care of their own mess," grumbled Muzu as he prepared to leave. "I hope they learn from their mistakes and avoid creating another one."
"I'm glad you arrived when you did, my dear," said King Dorephan after Muzu left. "I could only handle so much of his rants. But I understand where he's coming from. You know how he feels about Hylians and your love for Link. He never trusted Hylians. And he believed you deserved a Zora husband more capable of helping you when it's time for you to rule our domain. So, be patient with him; he cares deeply for your well-being."
"I know, Father, and I will keep that in mind," replied Mipha. "He was an excellent tutor, and I learned much from him. I'm sure Zelda will send you and the other rulers a formal message, but I wanted to share the good news immediately."
"The family must have dinner together tonight and Link can tell us all about this incredible turn of events," declared King Dorephan.
"I would like that too," agreed Mipha. "Link was vague about how he accomplished his mission. I'll watch for his return; he should be here soon."
"Just like old times then, sweetheart?" chuckled King Dorephan. "You were always thrilled when you found out Link was coming to visit, eager to see him cross our magnificent bridge."
"And I still am, Father," laughed Mipha. "We'll see you tonight for dinner. Raypha is cooking lunch for Link, so he may be quite hungry by dinnertime if it doesn't work out."
Mipha then returned down one level and looked out over the vast Great Zora Bridge. It had been some time since she last waited here for Link to arrive for a visit. Of course, she didn't do that every time. Sometimes, he would show up without warning, giving her a pleasant surprise. At other times, she had duties to attend to, such as caring for Sidon or attending lessons. But other times, when he told her when he planned to visit, she would look for him from here. She couldn't help but smile at the fond memories she had, trying to playfully probe his feelings. She recalled one visit in particular.
Link had told her he would visit that day, and she recalled her father teasing her earlier that morning.
"Enjoy your visit with Link today, sweetheart," said King Dorephan.
"Oh! Did he also tell you that he was coming, Father?" Mipha asked in some surprise.
"No, my dear, you told me," King Dorephan chuckled. "Not directly, but your nervous demeanor gave it away."
"Is it that obvious?" Mipha blushed.
"It is to your father," King Dorephan replied affectionately. "But don't worry, you two have a great time together. And, of course, Link is welcome to join us for dinner if you'd like."
"Thank you, Father. I'll ask Link how he feels about it," Mipha said gratefully. "He mentioned that he enjoys talking to you but sometimes feels intimidated. I keep telling him he needs more courage."
When it was time to expect Link's arrival, she stood looking out across the bridge for him. Her heart fluttered when she finally saw him, looking as brave and handsome as ever, his blonde hair ruffled by the breeze. And he wasn't limping like last time when he said he got careless and an Octorok stone caught him in the knee. He saw her as he drew closer, and they waved to each other.
Then, as usual, she found herself soul-searching, pondering her relationship with Link. Did he understand how much she cared for him and looked forward to his visits? He was always friendly and polite with her but never seemed to go beyond that. Was he deliberately avoiding leading her on, not wanting to encourage feelings he couldn't reciprocate? Or was he simply oblivious to her love for him? What did he truly feel about her? Was he also in love with her but too afraid to express it? if so, why? Did he fear her rejection? Or did he feel unworthy because of her royal position? Then again, maybe he still only saw her as a childhood friend, nothing more. The fact that he made an effort to visit whenever possible gave her hope. But was that just out of habit, a memory from childhood? Should she gather the courage to directly ask about his feelings for her? Or was the uncertainty of their relationship preferable … at least for now? Maybe it was better to keep her hopes alive than to face a rejection that would shatter her dreams and break her heart.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Link finally reached her. She greeted him with a smile.
"I'm so glad you're back, Link! Are you injured or hungry?"
"I'm just starving. No injuries this time," Link chuckled. "I came straight here after being dismissed from our company. And it's great to see you, too."
"Let me get you some fresh fish, and you can cook it in the inn's pot. Are you sure you have no injuries?"
"Yes, I was more careful this time," replied Link as they made their way to Marot Mart.
Mipha bought him some rice and freshly caught fish, and they headed to the cooking pot, where Link prepared his meal. A few minutes later, they sat on a gazebo overlooking the plaza, with Link enjoying his plate of Seafood Rice Balls.
"This fish is amazing," he commented after taking a bite.
"Is that why you love coming here?" Mipha teased. "I know how important meals are to you."
"No, it's to see you, of …, " Link replied. "Oh … you're teasing me."
"It's nice to know I'm missed," she laughed.
"I think of you often," said Link sincerely. "And I am forever grateful for everything you do for me."
The flashback ended there, and Mipha returned to watching for Link's arrival.
Meanwhile, at Hyrule Castle, Queen Zelda sat on the throne her father once occupied, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the leader of the notorious Yiga Clan. Tension hung heavy in the air as she braced herself for the meeting. The powerful weapons they had stolen from her kingdom were returned, locked tightly within a chest. Yet, despite this gesture of goodwill, a contingent of guards remained by Zelda's side in the Sanctum, their gazes sharp and watchful. She could not help but hold onto a longstanding distrust of her enemy.
As the Yiga leader approached, he bowed deeply before her, his head nearly touching the ground. "Your Majesty," he humbly greeted.
Zelda nodded coolly, gesturing for him to rise. "You have come to accept my offer of clemency?" she asked, getting straight to the point.
"Yes, Your Majesty," replied the Yiga leader. "We have seen the error of our ways and wish to work together with you in the future."
"I am glad to hear it," said Zelda guardedly. "But may I ask how you explain this sudden change of heart?"
The Yiga leader looked genuinely perplexed as he shook his head. "We cannot fully understand it ourselves," he admitted. "It just came to us like magic. We all suddenly realized the wisdom in ending our long-standing grievance against the Hyrule Royal Family."
"Well, no matter how it happened, I will honor our agreement and offer clemency to your clan members. They will have a chance to prove their loyalty and become full citizens of our kingdom once more. However, I must know the names of any spies who worked for you. They will not face harsh punishment, but I cannot tolerate disloyalty from those we trusted."
"Of course, Your Majesty," agreed the Yiga leader with a grave nod. "There is one spy who was stationed at the Forgotten Temple. But he is one of us. He disguised himself as a worker named Landon. It was only through threats against Landon's widowed sister and young nephew that he agreed to cooperate with us."
"That was cruel but typical," said Zelda. "Go on."
Zelda took a deep breath, fearing what may come next. Would one of their spies turn out to be someone close to her? Her stomach clenched at the thought, even considering the possibility of it being Royce, the one she loved.
"There is another spy among your Royal Guard, Captain Clepton," stated the leader. "He was motivated by a perceived slight - being passed over for promotion to Major. He accepted payment for his spying services."
"So Clepton was the one who broke into the Ancient Tech Lab and reviewed Dr. Robbie's notes?" Zelda clarified, relieved to hear that Clepton was the only inside source. She had seen his name on some reports but did not know him personally.
"Yes, as part of his role in security, he had access to confidential information, including how and when to sneak into the lab."
"Are there any others involved?"
"No, that was all," confirmed the leader.
"Clepton will be dismissed from service immediately," declared Zelda. "But his punishment will not go beyond that. The Gerudo have requested full access to every room in your hideout. Will this be an issue?"
"Not at all, Your Majesty. One hidden room has no windows or doors, but we can arrange for them to enter."
"Is there anything else we need to discuss?"
"That covers everything from our end, Your Majesty," replied the leader.
"In that case, our meeting is concluded. I trust you will fulfill your agreement."
"We will keep our promise," assured the leader. "We feel somehow compelled to do so."
The leader bowed and departed while Zelda called upon the head of her Royal Guards to order the dishonorable discharge of Captain Clepton. With that taken care of, it was time to relax and see Royce.
Meanwhile, as the minutes ticked by, Mipha's heart fluttered with anticipation until she finally caught a glimpse of Link. He was sprinting down the length of the Great Zora Bridge, his hair flying wildly in the wind, showing off that he was still as young and spry as ever. And then he saw her, and their eyes locked in a moment of pure joy and recognition. He waved to her, just liked the old times she had remembered. But unlike the old times, there was no uncertainty about each other's feelings. When they finally met, they embraced fiercely, their lips meeting in a flurry of passionate kisses.
As their lips parted, Mipha whispered, "I love you more than words can express. I'm so glad you're back safe and sound."
Link smiled and replied, "And I love you just as much. And I'm equally glad to be home again with you and our family."
"We're having dinner with Father tonight, so perhaps you can share the details of what happened then and avoid repeating it twice," said Mipha.
"That's fine," said Link. "It will give me more time to organize my thoughts about what to say."
Mipha took his hand and led him towards their home. "I hope you're hungry," she said.
"Famished!" Link responded with a grin as they made their way to Mikau Lake.
The scent of freshly cooked fish greeted them as they entered their house. Their children, Rapyha and Tidon, rushed over to welcome Link home with hugs.
"Now sit down, Dad. Your Trout Risotto is almost ready," said Rapyha proudly.
Link was impressed. "Wow! A gourmet meal! Thank you, Raypha, it smells incredible."
"Tidon caught fresh fish for the rest of us," said Raypha. "But I thought I would try cooking something special."
Soon enough, the dish was served, and Link closed his eyes to savor every bite.
"You spoiled me, sweetheart," he chuckled. "It's delicious. Thank you."
Mipha turned towards Raypha and Tidon, a smile on her face. "After we finish eating, the whole family can go for a swim together. And then, at dinner, your father can share with us all about his adventure along with your grandfather and Uncle Sidon."
Tidon's eyes lit up with excitement. "Can we invite some of our friends swimming too?"
Mipha chuckled and nodded, looking over at Link. "Of course, you can invite friends."
After lunch, the family and two of Raypha's and Tidon's friends spent the afternoon swimming and playing in all the levels of Mikau Lake, including some waterfall races and games of tag. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and splashing water. When it was time for dinner and their friends left, everyone was ready for another delicious meal.
After a day filled with fun and relaxation, it was time for Link to share his story with King Dorephan, Sidon, and his own family. They all gathered in the throne room, and while they ate, Link began from the beginning, recounting everything that had happened in Tanagar Canyon.
He told them about the mysterious Gate of Time and how he had passed through it, ending up in a different world where he found another Zelda and Link. He had to pass a trial to prove himself worthy of laying his hand on the legendary Triforce and then make a wish. He explained how he wished for the Yiga Clan to renounce their evil ways and was amazed to find that it was exactly what happened when he returned.
As he spoke, everyone listened intently, amazed by Link's tale. Mipha held his hand tightly as she listened, feeling proud and grateful for her husband's safe return.
"Oh, and this will make more sense now, sweetheart," said Link as he retrieved one of the lilac bracelets and turned to Mipha. "This is a farewell gift from the Zelda of that time. She gave me one for you and one for Queen Zelda."
"This is quite unique and beautiful," said Mipha as she admired it and then slipped it over her wrist.
Dinner went late with all the storytelling and questions, so it was evening before they returned home. After all the afternoon activities, their two children promptly went to sleep.
Mipha and Link then sat outside their house by the tranquil shore of Mikau Lake. The steady rush of the waterfall provided a soothing background noise, accompanied by the distant hoots of night birds and the faint rustling of leaves in the trees.
"Oh, while you were telling your tale, Zelda sent us a message inviting us to visit next weekend so she can hear the story directly from your lips," remarked Mipha.
"Wonderful," replied Link with a smile. "I can give her the other bracelet then, too. While we're there I'd like to delve into the castle library to learn more about the time I traveled to. There was something mysterious about the version of Zelda I met there, a secret she refused to share with me."
"I'm beginning to feel a bit jealous of all these Zelda's in your life," Mipha teased.
"I can understand that," Link nodded. "I seem to be a magnet for Zelda's."
"So modest," laughed Mipha as she tickled him in the ribs, and he squirmed while he laughed.
"But that Zelda had her own Link, sweetheart, and our Zelda has Royce, so you're stuck with me," laughed Link.
As they sat hand in hand, Mipha began to reminisce about their early days as husband and wife.
"Do you remember our first full day together after we married?" she asked with a smile.
Link furrowed his brow, trying to recall.
"In a vague way," he replied. "It was almost twenty years ago, sweetheart. I know your sense of time is different, but was there something specific you had in mind?"
"I distinctly remember it," she said playfully. "In fact, I can still hear your words in my mind. In case you forgot, it went like this."
We both strolled home, holding hands. It was too early to retire, so we sat together, leaning against the pine tree we had both fallen asleep under the day after arriving from Kakariko Village. It was just getting dark, and Sunset Fireflies were starting to glow nearby. The sky was clear, and the stars shone clearly above us.
"It feels so at peace here now," said Mipha.
"Yes," said Link. "We have peace for now, and the domain is very safe. But I need to keep my skills sharp. We still have enemies, Mipha. The Yiga Clan is out there, and they hate Zelda and me like no other. They are in hiding now, smarting after the defeat of their lord. But they must be reckoned with someday before we declare Hyrule truly safe."
"I know," said Mipha. "It's not yet time to retire that darkness-sealing sword you carry, nor my Lightscale Trident. But someday, we will rid Hyrule of them, and then we will truly have peace."
The moon had risen now, and it was getting late. But neither wanted this special day to end. There could only be one first day of their married life together, and this was it.
"I know we are both thinking the same thing," said Mipha as she gently stroked his cheek. "We don't want this day to end. But it must end to make room for all the wonderful days to come. We will grow closer as a married couple, learn each other's feelings, and know what makes each other happy. After some time, we can raise a family. I know you will make a wonderful father, Link. We have all those happy things ahead of us. So, let's always remember the past, but we need to look forward now. I think our best days are still ahead of us."
"I know they are, sweetheart," said Link. "I know they are."
They kissed one more time under the moonlight. Then, it was time to retire for the night.
"What a fantastic memory!" exclaimed Link as he put his arm around her and squeezed her close. "But now that you mention it, I do remember that. And here we are now, having fulfilled everything you predicted. The Yiga Clan is no longer an enemy; we're raising a wonderful family and know what makes each other happy. I'm as thrilled as ever to be your husband. So, you were right about everything. It has all come true."
"Yes, and don't forget the part about our best days being ahead of us," said Mipha. "Because I think they still are."
"I think you're right," laughed Link. "Here's to the future and our wonderful life together in beautiful Zora's Domain."
They kissed and held each other close as the moon rose over Mikau Lake. There was no hurry to rush inside.