Chapter 22 - Together

Summary: Mipha and Link enjoy their first day together as husband and wife, bringing this story to a close.

It was early morning in Zora's Domain when Mipha awoke. She looked over at Link lying next to her on their bed, and he was still fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady. She wanted to reach out and touch him, brush his hair back, rest her head on his chest, and feel his heartbeat. But it would be a shame to wake him, he looked so peaceful and his sleep so tranquil. So, instead, she watched him and thought back to all that had happened.

They had traveled across much of Hyrule together as they worked on finishing their tasks, and that time had brought them close and moved them to finally express their love for each other. And now they were married with the chance to have a life together. It was her love that had made it all possible, her decision to follow her heart that tragic day at Lanayru Road. She had wanted to keep her promise to care for Link, to help Zelda gain her power, and by helping them both, to save Hyrule. In the end, she had saved herself.

When Link finally opened his eyes, he saw Mipha lying next to him and smiling. She ran her hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face.

"Welcome to the first day of our life together," said Mipha.

Then she leaned toward him, and they kissed. Link reached out and gently stroked her tail fin as he smiled back at her.

"And the first day of my dream come true," said Link. "I'll start it by saying I love you. Did I ever tell you what beautiful smooth skin you have?"

"The better to swim with, sweetheart," laughed Mipha. "Speaking of which, it would be good for me to get in some water time. Join me?"

They made their way from the bed to the built-in slumber pool in their room and entered the water together. Mipha let out a sigh and closed her eyes.

"I can try to sleep in the pool with you from now on," said Link. "Floating with just my head above water feels very relaxing."

"Rest your head on me and close your eyes," said Mipha. "It's still too early to get up, and we had a long night."

Link leaned his head against her. After a few moments, Mipha's breathing stopped as her gills took over, and the only sounds were Link's breathing and the soothing splash of the waterfall outside their house. He yawned, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep again.

Later that morning, when Link awoke, he found Mipha still asleep. His head was leaning on her, and he didn't want to move. For one thing, she felt too soft and cozy. The extra sleep had been very refreshing, and he felt comfortable in the water. It was essential for her to get enough water time, and evening rest was the most natural time to do that. He could handle sleeping with her there from now on.

After a half-hour or so, Mipha stirred. Then she felt Link's head resting on her, and she caressed his cheek.

"It's a nice surprise to wake up with you by my side," said Mipha. "Shall we get up now? I can catch some fish, and you can cook yours the way you like it."

"Let me come with you," said Link. "I don't want to spend a moment apart from you on our first day together."

"Just try not to scare the fish," laughed Mipha taking his hand.

"We should inspect the house," said Mipha later, after they had finished breakfast. "We were too busy last night."

"Yes, last night didn't seem quite the right time for a house tour," laughed Link.

They had already seen their bedroom and the combination kitchen/dining room. There were two other slightly smaller bedrooms on the first level, each with a slumber pool and a dresser for storing things. They made their way upstairs, and the room that you first entered was a large living room with a couch, three armchairs, and a small table. Adjoining the living room was a study with a desk, a desk chair, a bookcase, and two armchairs for reading.

"We must thank Father for being so thoughtful," said Link. "I couldn't imagine a more comfortable home. And I know he must have urged the builders to have it done in time for us."

"Come, let's take a walk now that we've seen the house," said Mipha.

They headed down the path to the east bridge that led into the domain. A guard on duty greeted them warmly.

"I was at the ceremony but did not get a chance to congratulate you yesterday, Lady Mipha and Master Link," said Danlon. "But please accept my best wishes. It was a beautiful wedding."

"Thank you, Danlon," said Mipha. "I hope you enjoyed yourself at the reception."

"I certainly did, Lady Mipha," said Danlon. "The food and the music and the dancing were all wonderful. My wife and I haven't had so much fun in quite some time."

"Let's just stop and say hello to Father," said Mipha as they walked further on.

King Dorephan was not busy, and they went immediately up to the throne room.

"Good morning!" said King Dorephan. "Seeing you together is such a joy. I hope you found everything to your satisfaction in your new home."

"More than to our satisfaction, Father," said Link. "The house is perfect. It was very thoughtful and generous of you."

"I was delighted to do it," said King Dorephan. "Sidon is off playing now in the care of one of the guards, but I am sure he will be eager to have both of you back when he returns this afternoon. He acted as grown up as you can expect, Mipha, but he did miss you last night. Sidon is very used to his older sister seeing him off to sleep, Link. I told him an extra sleep time story to make up for it, and he was fine after that."

"I understand, Father, and we will take care of him this afternoon when he returns," said Mipha. "In the meantime, Link and I would like to spend this morning together."

"Of course," said King Dorephan. "Now, go and enjoy your first day as newlyweds."

They left the throne room, and as they walked hand-in-hand, Mipha suggested they head west and return to Veiled Falls, then later visit Ruta. People they passed on the way smiled at them and offered brief congratulations. The weather was warm and sunny this morning, with no chance of rain.

"I know it's real, sweetheart," said Link as he put his arm around her. "It hasn't fully sunk in yet. But it's starting to."

"I know what you mean," said Mipha. "When dreams come true, you hesitate to believe at first for fear you're still dreaming."

They reached Veiled Falls and sat down on the rock together.

"I love you," said Mipha.

"And I love you," said Link.

Then they kissed.

"If we can, we should visit here on our anniversary each year and take time to remember," said Mipha. "You made this a special place for me, a place of happiness because it was where my dreams came true. I did have to coax you a bit, but you finally found it in you to declare your love for me, and that was all I needed and wanted to hear."

"I can still recall the thrill of hearing you say you loved me," said Link. "I feel bad I was so blind I couldn't sense your feelings for me sooner. We were both in love with each other for some time, but neither of us could express it."

They sat listening to the sound of the waterfall and watched two ducks swim near the spray.

"When I was making the armor for you, I liked to think about what life with you would be like," said Mipha. "I imagined us spending time here, doing things together, being both lovers and friends. It was a wonderful dream."

"I hope I live up to it," said Link. "I guess my dream of being with you never went quite so far because I thought it so impossible."

They kissed again and sat for another moment.

"I know we will be happy here," said Mipha. "I always knew we could, if given a chance. You got moody toward the end, but before that, I have so many memories of us playing together, laughing together, taking long walks, and swimming. You were a happy person and used to smile so often. I grew worried after you became so grim. But I realize you were still the same person inside, and it was just all the pressure you felt."

"I know we will be happy, too," said Link. "I always liked to visit here. The domain was my haven, a safe place I knew well and felt at home. And I wanted to spend whatever free time I had with you. But I know the pressures of my responsibility got to me, and I was poor company for a time. Thanks for putting up with me back then."

They sat in silence for a few more minutes. The ducks took this moment to fly away.

Let's go visit Ruta," said Mipha finally.

They made their way back through the domain and across the east bridge, then climbed the long stairway up to East Reservoir Lake. Ruta looked majestic, sitting quietly in the middle of the lake, a soft blue glow emanating from various places on its body.

"Come, I'll pull you," said Mipha. They dove in the water together, and as they reached the entrance, Ruta bellowed, moved its trunk, and deluged them both with a spray of water. They both burst out laughing.

"Ruta is congratulating us in the only way she knows how," laughed Mipha.

"Thank you, dear Ruta," said Mipha as they entered. "That was very sweet of you."

The water from Ruta's trunk stopped.

"You know, if Ruta weren't a 'she,' I think I would feel a little jealous," said Link. "And Ruta somehow knows we just got married?"

"I think I mentioned it to her beforehand that it would happen yesterday," said Mipha. "Let's go inside and check everything. And don't be too loud. She can hear you."

"Are you serious?" said Link.

Mipha just smiled at him. Then they walked back to the main control unit, and Mipha checked things were all in order.

"I know we likely won't need Ruta's help again with Ganon," said Mipha. "But it is my duty as her pilot to make sure she is well. Is that not so, dear Ruta?"

Ruta let out a bellow.

"See, I told you she listens," said Mipha with a smile.

"I know she listens to you," laughed Link.

"Come, let's start heading back," said Mipha.

Mipha gently patted Ruta, and then they made their way to the entrance, and Mipha helped pull Link back to the northwest pier. By the time they reached the throne room, Sidon was back. Mipha rushed to him and gave him a hug and a kiss, and Link did the same.

"I missed you, Sidon," said Mipha. "But now we can play this afternoon."

"I took the liberty of having a picnic basket made for you," said King Dorephan. "Perhaps you can take Sidon to see your new house. I think he would like that."

"Of course, Father," said Mipha. "And we can have some fun at the waterfalls there. Come, Sidon."

Mipha and Link each took one of Sidon's hands, and they headed toward Mikau Lake and their house. Sidon looked quite happy.

"So, Sidon, I still owe you some stories," said Link. "I think we better act out another one."

Sidon tried out each of the slumber pools at their house. Then it was time for a picnic lunch by the water, and once they finished lunch, it was time to act out a story.

"Are you ready for another adventure?" asked Link, and Sidon nodded enthusiastically.

"Remember I told you the story about the Hinox your sister and I battled on the bridge?" said Link. "This time, I will be the Hinox, and you and your sister will have to defeat me. Are you ready?"

Mipha helped Sidon enact a battle with the terrible Link Hinox using sticks as arrows and a spear. After a severe struggle, Link collapsed on the ground, to Sidon's complete delight.

"It will almost be a shame to see him grow up," said Link after getting up. "He's so much fun to play with."

"By then, you may have others to play with, sweetheart," said Mipha. "You may have your hands very full."

"Somehow, I think that will be more fun than I can imagine," said Link.

They played in the water for the rest of the afternoon, then ate the remaining food for dinner. As the sun was setting, they walked Sidon home and said goodnight.

"Now you agreed you would be fine if I stayed with Link again after all the playtime, right?" said Mipha to Sidon.

Sidon nodded agreement. Then Mipha and Link both kissed Sidon goodnight, and then King Dorephan.

"Goodnight, Father," said Link.

"We will see you tomorrow, Father," said Mipha.

Then they both strolled home, holding hands. It was too early yet, so they sat together leaning against the pine tree they had both fallen asleep on the day after they arrived 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 them.

"It feels so at peace here now," said Mipha.

"Yes," said Link. "We do 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 are 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 need to be reckoned with someday before we can 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. 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, know what makes each other happy. And after some time for ourselves, 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.

"I'll fall asleep in the slumber pool tonight," said Link.

"Only when I'm ready, sweetheart," said Mipha as she smiled at him.

The End