Rejoice
Prince Sidon waited with his father King Dorephan in the throne room. Meryl stood by the square, looking at Princess Mipha's statue. Frankly, she was glad Sidon didn't go in there with Link inside Vah Ruta and possibly end up like his sister or his father and subjects would have made a statue of him next to hers.
"His Highness really believes in Link… Well, he didn't come back from 'the dead' and lose his memories for his life to end now. Fate isn't that cruel."
As she meditated, she noticed how the raindrops were slowing down and how quiet the sky sounded. She blinked, looking up and seeing the perpetual storm clouds starting to clear, sunlight peeking through.
She smiled at the first sight of blue sky she had seen since coming here. She was feeling happier when the Zoras also witnessed the better change in weather in the long, long weeks for what felt like years for them.
They weren't just overjoyed that the sun had returned, but that their home and all Hyrule were safe from drowning. That also meant Link had been victorious and Ruta had been freed!
"Miss Meryl!" She turned to the left to see the Zora girl Finley she had befriended running up with her face glowing from the sunlight and joy. "Miss Meryl, look, the sun has come back to us!"
"Yes, little one, it certainly has, thanks to Sir Link's aid," Meryl averred, gently picking up the child as they admired the glorious sky.
Finley stared so hard, Meryl asked why. "I haven't seen the sun and sky for so long, I want to remember how they look before they're taken from us again."
"I understand, but don't live in fear of the future. Enjoy the present because it is a precious thing, never to go unappreciated."
"Words to live by," said a familiar, regal voice. The girls looked to see the smiling Prince Sidon stepping down to join them.
"Prince Sidon, look! The rain is finally going away," Finley enounced mirthfully.
"Yes, Finley," the royal grinned kindly, holding the girl, "and we all have Link to thank. You see, Miss Meryl?"
"Yes, Sir Link is indeed as Your Highness say he is."
Everyone in the domain looked to see the mountain-sized automaton animal perch itself between Zodobon Highlands and Ruto Mountain before emitting a very, very long red light to where must be… where Hyrule Castle once stood.
Link returned alive, meeting with the very grateful royal Zora family and most of their subjects in the throne room. Meryl waited at the square, though she grinned in gratitude that his miraculous return had brought smiles and relief to people.
She was able to hear his talk with Prince Sidon above the square below the throne room, the royal thanking him greatly. She smiled hearing him call the warrior his friend for all time fervently.
Meryl was slightly jealous of Sir Link because, even though she had no enemies, she really didn't have a friend at all since her travels kept her from stopping in one place to make any.
She remembered the Zora prince calling her friend once which brought consolation.
The good swordsman offered to stay longer to help other Zoras with their problems to Meryl's pride as a fellow Hylian. She saw Laflat still looking troubled, which was obvious the Shatterback Point problem had still not been solved.
The red-haired woman sighed, just as concerned for the Zoras who may be pushed into pulling a stunt even if they didn't end up falling victims to the Lynel.
Meryl was shocked to be spoken to by the hero of the hour Link who asked her if she was all right.
Her astonishment was replaced with gratitude before she explained Laflat's dilemma regarding the use of a sketch of a Lynel.
Link remembered something before holding up a most amazing device, the Sheikah Slate he had been carrying since waking up. He informed her it can create true-to-life images of anything, animals, plants and even monsters he had been collecting images of.
Meryl's was most fascinated and asked if he happened to have taken one of the Lynel he encountered for its shock arrows.
He nodded, agreeing to show Laflat who was horrified by the sight in the Slate, but very grateful to have seen something so atrocious so she can describe to her people how dangerous it was so they would never venture up there and jump from Shatterback Point.
Meryl sighed in relief this time before thanking Link herself who acknowledged both ladies were welcome before tending to other quests after accepting Laflat's gift of Zora greaves.
The Hylian woman thought now that things seem to be settling some and Hyrule's help was here and on the job, then there was no need for her to stick around.
She slipped her pack on, ready to go. First, she wanted to say good-bye to Prince Sidon and the children. She found him standing before his sister's statue.
She stood away to let him have a moment alone to think. Obviously, it was regards to her that her partner Ruta was at long last free and on the right side. Only then after Ganon was thwarted would she rest in peace.
He turned around and saw Meryl standing some steps away and waving at him. He smiled before greeting her.
"Miss Meryl, were you standing long?"
"Not very long. I wanted to give you time over there."
She told him that it was now time for her to bid farewell to the domain and head out to the Gerudo region as planned.
The prince remembered she mentioned that yesterday. "Ah, yes, of course…"
"What's wrong, sire?"
"Nothing, you have matters to attend and can't stay. Will you…perhaps return one day?"
"Sure, I'm not leaving forever."
"I should warn you; the other Divine Beasts have yet been liberated."
"I know, but I'll be careful. Please take care, Highness. I'll have you and the children in my thoughts."
Prince Sidon smiled in appreciation, but inwardly he was not happy to say good-bye since Link also would leave soon enough.
His attention was needed elsewhere, so he gave a farewell wave before quietly going on his way.
Meryl watched him leave, wishing he had given her that shining smile and pose as the last thing for her to see before leaving.
She sighed, starting to go on her way, but she heard one of the Zora children, a boy named Tumbo who was worried about his mother going missing during the terrible rainfall.
"His mother?"
She blinked, not liking what this all might have meant… She shivered at him hearing his mother may have been harmed or something, but what was she to do?
Still, hearing this kept her feet from moving. She heard the Zora chat how his father Fronk was very concerned about his wife whose name was Mei.
Link had come back after helping an elderly Zora named Trello recover a Ceremonial Trident. Meryl gripped her right hand before walking up to the Hylian champion to whom she conveyed Tumbo and Fronk's problem with their mother and wife who went missing during the Ruta attacks.
Link listened and understood, but he pointed out one problem: Where would Mei have gone fishing? They asked the guards Rivan and Dunma at the entrance who happened to be Trello's son and granddaughter and asked where their people would usually fish.
They knew some of their people's favorite fishing spots and Rivan mentioned Mei liked the Hylian Island's fish to feed to her family.
"Hylian Island… I know that place," Meryl proclaimed. "I could take you there and help you search."
Link had a slightly different idea. He said he knew a shortcut, but he could use her help with the search. She was confused before she held still as he requested, then she was in for the shock of her life when he used the Sheikah Slate to take them to a Sheikah Tower near the island.
He explained to his astonished companion the Slate could teleport the user from the Towers to the Sheikah Shrines it came into contact with.
Meryl was still rather shocked, though she admitted it was a most miraculous device before they got to work in the search for Mei.
The scouting trip lasted for some minutes before they heard a female singing and saw a Zora woman who was happily swimming through the water.
"Excuse us, miss," Meryl called, "May we ask if you're Mei?"
"Why, of course. Have you come to fish? You've picked the perfect spot. We've got a big haul today!"
"No, ma'am."
They asked if she knew Fronk.
"Hm? Fronk? Yes, he's my darling. My love! Why, is something wrong?"
"Well, we have great news and concerning news," Meryl answered, her left hand rubbing the back of her neck.
Link explained he stopped Ruta, and the rains have stopped, but her husband was worried she may have gotten swept away.
Mei panicked when she remembered. She hastily said she had to get back home right away before she offered them her fish of a total of five Staminoka Bass.
She disappeared to their bewilderment, but Meryl grinned and shrugged. "Okay, we've passed the message. Do we…use that Slate thing to return to make sure she's there?"
Link nodded, Meryl standing close before they teleported to Zora's Domain again.
"How long did it take you to get used to it?" she asked.
"I'm still getting used to it," he admitted, grinning.
She grinned back. "I don't think I would ever get used to it."
They checked and Fronk and Mei embraced each other, the latter apologizing. Meryl sighed in relief before Link offered three of the fish Mei had given them.
"No, Sir Link, you keep it all," she declined gently. "You need it more. You need your strength if you're going to free the other Beasts and save the princess and Hyrule."
Link looked at the bass, still not comfortable taking all the reward since he didn't do the quest alone.
Meryl grinned, "Hey, I'm not a champion, but I've been well enough on my own, so far. I'll be okay. Now, please, keep the fish and go keep helpin' others. The more people who see you, the more hopeful they'll be."
The swordsman grinned, nodding in gratitude before bidding her farewell and continuing his quests here.
Meryl almost left but Tumbo stopped her to hold her right hand to say thanks for helping Link find his mother. The Hylian woman smiled warmly and nodded he was most welcome.
She watched him leave to greet his mother, glad to see her embrace him. Seeing a family back together safe and sound made her riddled with envy since she had no family now herself…
"At least someone like Link was there for Fronk and Tumbo in their time of need."
"Miss Meryl."
She looked to see Prince Sidon walking up to her with enlivened expression.
"I've heard the news: You and Link searched for Mei and returned her to her forlorn family, am I correct?"
"Well, we found her at Hylian Island and informed her Ruta was appeased, and her family wanted her home, yes. Luckily, she wasn't harmed."
"Fronk is very relieved, between the Divine Beast crisis and the monster infestations, the poor man was beside himself. I also heard Laflat solved the problem of preventing children from going to Shatterback Point with you and Link's help."
"Well, Link and that Sheikah device of his are to thank the most. He said he's making a sort of compendium and collecting images of monsters to gain information on them among other things. So, Link already had an image of the Lynel before he even knew of Laflat's request."
"Yes, his journey gained us both the necessary ammunition and the image to keep our people safe."
Meryl was glad to see at least a grin on the Zora prince, making her feel bad she would have to say farewell again…
She was unable to only because of the urgent interruption of a young Zora warrior by the name of Torfeau who came panting toward Sidon.
"Your… Highness… we have a terrible problem."
"Slow down, Torfeau," Sidon instructed patiently, his hands gently on his shoulders. "Catch your breath first." The spearman obeyed before feeling like himself again. "Now, please, what is the matter, my friend?"
"We've spotted a Hinox by Ralis Pond. It made its home there, but we discovered it comes to where we fish. Not only will it be too dangerous for us to fish, but as large as it is, it'll devour our food supply."
"I understand. Gather some troops to prepare for battle and see if you can find Link. He should still be somewhere in the Domain aiding our people."
Torfeau bowed his head before carrying out the order posthaste.
Meryl had heard about the Hinox monsters. Massive, hideous nasty abominations with one eye and the strength of maybe fifty warriors. She rubbed her hands, calling herself mad for thinking of this suggestion in mind before she shyly cleared her throat.
"Prince Sidon… although I'm unaccustomed to encountering Hinox… is there anything I can do to assist?"
"Miss Meryl…" he responded, rather shocked to hear her make a brave offer, but he felt uncomfortable with this. "Thank you ever so much, but I would rather you didn't involve yourself in something as dangerous as a Hinox. They're not as smart as a Lynel, but they are just as dangerous and much bigger."
"I know, sire, but if I can't help you slay it closeup, perhaps I could help from a distance with my bow and arrows? As you said, they're not smart, and my father always taught me brains beat brawn."
"Hmm…" Sidon held his chin as he contemplated on the matter. She honestly expected him to decline since this was not her expertise and she would just be a hindrance. Instead, though, he pronounced, "Very well, I shall take you up on your offer. In fact, I think I know how you can aid us in our quest if you trust me."
"I do."
"Thank you," he grinned, doing the pose she had wanted to see. Frankly, she was feeling braver.