Zelda lowered her telescope with a worried look on her face, crossing her arms to compliment her buried head as she stood in thought, shaking her head in confusion, "How could that be the case? How is it so drastic?"

"We were hoping you'd have an answer," Link sighed, glancing out along the landscape toward the mercury vein Zelda had been glaring at in confirmation.

The princess took hold of her almanac again, flipping through its pages, desperate for some form of explanation, "It just- It's unheard of. And there's no indication of it even coming to a stop."

Her brow furrowed, "...and the Yuletide preparations!"

Sighing, Link massaged the sides of his nose with thumb and forefinger, "Look, it's of trivial significance to the Zora; they may just need to sleep through this freezing spell, but for us" he waved a finger between himself and Zelda, "this is a big deal. Bigger than your Yuletide thing."

"But," Zelda furtively offered, but paused upon relinquishing her wants for her needs, groaning quietly, "Okay, so what do you suggest? We have cover from the wind in Mipha's quarters with her tapestry walls. What, do we just sit in there for the duration of this cold spell?"

Link curled his lips, thinking logically, "Probably so. The Zora should retreat to the waters of the basin for protection, themselves. With this weather, predators will be out to find food for their own hibernation, or to simply warm themselves with a meal; a sluggish Zora might not be a match for a bear or, goddess forbid, a lynel."

With a deep sigh, Zelda frowned for a brief moment before nodding, "I hate to say it, but-"

"You don't have to; it's implied that you know I'm right," Link smirked, ducking to avoid a playful swipe from his Hylian counterpart, "Now, I need to head out to stock up on whatever food we might need. I've already spoken with Seggin and Trello about accompanying Mipha and myself, so Daruk should remain available for you to help complete whatever you two can with your festivities."

Zelda smirked, tucking her chin into her chest while peering up at Link as though a thieving child caught in the act, "You know, you're so much like my father. So forceful about the things I ought to do, but unable to resist acquiescing on that most important to me."

"Well, as my future queen, it's that or face beheading."

Another swipe as Link dipped away to ready his outfit for the bitter chill, allowing Zelda a moment to run over her preparations quietly aloud, "I suppose with this time crunch, I could strike the sparkle cotton candy. and the river run through candy cane arches…"

"You really thought of everything," Link muttered wryly as he slid on a pair of woolen gloves.

Zelda took another moment before nodding to herself and stepping out from Mipha's quarters, the frigid chill burning her face before she could pull her scarf up. She trailed along the rivet walkways down toward the main landing of the Domain, happy to see the lines of multicolored lights now strewn along many of the arches and railings that made up much of the Domain's architecture.

"Oh, goddess, it's wonderful!" she exclaimed, rousing Jiahto from his pensive stance, "And how are you, fellow historian?"

"Rather entranced, I must admit," the Zora man concluded aloud, "Your customs are quite fascinating. They're not practical in the slightest; do your people follow these traditions simply for the delight of your senses?"

Zelda thought for a moment, "I suppose I haven't often viewed them through the lens of practicality before, but I'd say you're more or less correct. When I think of Yuletide, I quite often think of the smells of cinnamon and pine needles, the sight of lights and trees decorated with ornaments, and even the sounds of a bustling market and carollers singing songs. Just the thought makes me feel warm inside!"

"Hmm," murmured Jiahto thoughtfully, "Zora customs often involve an ultimate goal it purpose due to our people at large, so the thought of an event so devoid of intrinsic value- Ahem," he cleared his throat upon noticing his thoughtlessness, "Not to say they are devoid of meaning altogether."

Zelda smiled, "No offense taken. Since my previous visit here, I've learned so much about your Zora customs, and practicality does appear to be a highlight, and something that ought to be admired and emulated in many senses of the word."

Grumbling to himself, almost in penance, Jiahto nevertheless went on easily enough, "Even entertainment holds some intrinsic value, I do suppose. Many would argue my caring so much for Zoran histories to be lacking in much meaning."

He nodded with the humbled, aged air of a parent meeting the toy of their wide-eyed child, "And if it means acquainting myself with such intriguing sorcery, I cannot complain! Your colored lights are absolutely mesmerizing!"

"Aren't they though?" Zelda proudly chuckled, "It's nothing too difficult: some wiring to act as a reagent for electric magic and we've managed some astounding displays back home!"

Jiahto frowned, "Ah, yes, we discovered the lightning magic in short order. I fear, without Daruk's supervision, the others were befuddled by the constant shocks that plagued us."

Rubbing his wrist, Zelda's brow grew sullen as she noted the blackened swath of scales there, hoping she might could heal the wounds she had inadvertently inflicted. Though, upon noticing her worried glance, Jiahto was quick to hide his wrist behind his opposite hand.

"Wildly enough, our Demon Sargeant appeared rather adept at handling them. "A slight tickle" he described them as; we were all left awestruck!"

Zelda rubbed her chin, "You don't say… And that was Seggin, correct? Perhaps he could- Ah, Link already mentioned him helping to collect some stores for this potential blizzard."

A chiming voice arose from behind the two as Mipha concluded, "That may not be necessary. I just checked our food stores and we have a lot more than I had first recalled. I believe only three of us might be needed to secure the rest."

"Perfect!" Zelda replied with a peppy energy, "We'll need another pair of hands to finish the strings of lights in due time, especially if we need to quicken the festivities."

Jiahto smiled, "I'm sure he would be more than happy to assist. I'll take my leave, then, and request he adjust his plans if Lady Mipha would have it."

"Of course!" Mipha answered brightly, bowing her head as her historian strode away, pulling up a small list clenched in her hand, "Link and I will be heading off soon, then, with Trello at our side. I doubt we'll be gone for long."

Hands clasped, Zelda happily piped up, "Wonderful! If we can finish in time, we might could even begin the Yuletide festival tonight! Once the sun goes down, we'll set these strings alight and have Daruk all ready to pass out the gifts."

"Gifts?!" Mipha inquired somewhat concerned, "I don't-"

Zelda shrugged, "What did you think was in the sack? I had our artisans create a bevy of toys, accouchements, trifling little knick-knacks, whatever came to mind, actually. It's one of the major traditions of the holiday season, actually."

Her crest wiggling in worry, Mipha bit her knuckle, "I just- I wasn't aware, otherwise I-"

"Don't even worry about it. Your hospitality is gift enough," Zelda assured with a smile, taking Mipha's hand into her own and patting it lighting.

Mipha smiled weakly as she watched her hand clasped between Zelda's, noticing how different she felt from Link. Their skin was certainly different, but more than that, Zelda's hands held a gentle sort of ember within them, a listless sort of promising energy about her: the kind that Mipha knew great things were in store despite this Hylian's inability to bestow magic. It was welcoming, inviting; a dainty, dancing flame prepared to leap onto a field and stretch out as far as it could.

"Your kindness is understated, I assure you," Mipha complimented, smiling gently, "I'm sure Link would agree, but…"

Zelda's lips curled inward, as though a sly thought had wiggled into her mind, "Ahh, I see. Well, if you wouldn't miiind… I'll see what I can do while you three are out to find a present you could give him."

"O-Oh no, that would be too much!" Mipha retorted in a panic, "Besides, I- I think the whole spirit of the ritual is predicated on my gift being from my own heart."

With squirming lips, Zelda tutted miserly, "You're not wrong, buuut- Given the circumstances…"

She finally confirmed with a wink, "I'll see what I can do. We traveled miles across this world together, I think I know a thing or two about you and what you might get for the man you love!"

Sighing, recognizing her cohort princess' inability to stop once coming to a conclusion, Mipha offered a weak nod before surrendering, "Alright. But nothing weird or anything. I would hate for him to be as confused as I once he opens it."

"Oh please, I know better than that," Zelda assured, however unconvincingly to Mipha's ear, "You'll be rather pleased by- Oop!"

Her lips zipped shut in an instant as Link approached the two of them with Daruk and Trello both in tow, the mighty Goron still clad in Santa clothes.

"Ahoy!" greeted Daruk, jovially declaring in festive tone, "Lady Mipha, I do wish you safe passage on your hunt. I'll ensure your Domain is wonderfully decorated by the time you return."

She nodded in thanks, relaying, "Thank you, Daruk. A slight change of plans, as Seggin will remain to help assist you."

Link's eyes narrowed in confusion, thinking of the rather large addition of manpower offered by Seggin, but kept quiet, subdued by respect for Mipha's consideration.

Trello nodded, "Understood. All the best, really; Rivan has been beside himself with anxious anticipation for the coming festivities. Nothing of the sort has ever happened here, after all."

He lightly punched Link in the shoulder, the two men knowingly grinning at one another, "I'll get this frosty fighter back in one piece, you have my assurances."

"You have my trust," replied Zelda with a swift bow of her head.

With little else in the way of goodbyes, with the sun just now slowly beginning it's descent, the three made their way along the Great Zora Bridge, leaving Zelda to watch their exit with pensive contemplation. This lasted only a bit however, as she quickly turned her attention back to the festivities, and to a present from a princess to a knight.