Two princesses

Best Friend

The sky was turning orange as the sun sank in the west, and King Rhoam anxiously looked out from his balcony to the road below. He liked his daughter Zelda to be home before it got dark. And even though four Royal Guards accompanied her on her trip to Zora's Domain, he still worried for her safety. He was concerned about her as both father and king. Of course, he dearly loved his daughter and wanted nothing but the best for her. But he also knew his daughter's sealing power would be needed to save Hyrule if the prophecy foretelling Ganon's return came true. After several more minutes, the king breathed a sigh of relief as he saw the five riders come into view. He at once went downstairs to greet them.

"Thank Hylia, you're safely home, dear," said King Rhoam as he helped Zelda dismount from her horse, and then they embraced.

The guards took away the horses, and the king and his daughter made their way into the castle.

"You returned just in time for dinner," said King Rhoam. "How was your pilgrimage to the Shrine of Power?"

Zelda looked down as she knew her father would be unhappy, then turned to him.

"I'm sorry, I felt nothing, Father, though I prayed as hard as I could," said Zelda.

The king pursed his lips in disappointment, but it was not time to panic yet.

"But, Father, I met someone at Zora's Domain who has magical power, and perhaps I can learn from her," said Zelda.

"Who is that, dear?"

"Princess Mipha," said Zelda. "She's kind and beautiful, and we got along very well, just like friends. She has the power to heal wounds. Can I please have her visit me here? You know I have hardly any playmates."

King Rhoam thought for a moment and realized Zelda was right. Living as a princess in the castle, she had hardly anyone to play with, and it was even harder on her since her mother died. She was still a young girl after all and deserved to have fun.

"Very well, dear," said King Rhoam. "I would be happy for you to have some playmates. Please feel free to invite her."

"Oh! Thank you, Father!" said Zelda, and she gave her father a big hug.

That night before bed, Zelda composed a letter to Mipha inviting her to visit.

Dear Mipha,

Thank you and please thank your father for a wonderful visit to your beautiful home! I enjoyed every minute of it and had the most fun with you. As we said when we parted, I hope we can be friends.

I would like to invite you to visit me here whenever you can. I already miss the fun of being with you!

Hoping to see you soon,

Zelda

She asked a palace guard to post the letter for her, and she thought it should get there by tomorrow morning. Then Zelda closed her eyes and fell asleep, thinking of what she and Mipha could do.

The following day a Zora guard delivered the letter to Mipha, and after reading it, she rushed to see her father, King Dorephan.

"Father, Princess Zelda has invited me to visit with her at Hyrule Castle," said Mipha. "I would love to go and hope you will permit me."

"Hmm," said King Dorephan. "You had fun with her, dear?"

"Yes, she's very nice, and we both had a great time together," said Mipha.

"Well, I agree it would be a good experience for you," said King Dorephan. "Very well. You have my permission to visit Princess Zelda any day you wish. But I insist on having two guards travel with you. You can swim together down the Zora River and then onward to the castle moat and dock area. Traveling by water will be safer and quicker for you."

"Thank you, Father. I will write back at once that I can visit her tomorrow!" said Mipha excitedly.

Mipha composed a note saying she would love to visit tomorrow, and the next day she and two Zora guards began the swim to Hyrule Castle. It was lunchtime by the time they arrived, and Mipha saw Zelda waiting for her by the pier with a basket beside her. Zelda rushed to Mipha when she saw her, and they hugged.

"I'm so happy you could come, Mipha!" exclaimed Zelda. "I took the liberty of making a picnic basket for us, and we can have lunch in the park and then hike a bit. But maybe you would prefer to just catch your own fish?"

"No, I don't mind trying some Hylian food," laughed Mipha. "Let's go!"

It was a sunny day and a pleasant walk to Hyrule Forest Park. They found a comfortable spot under a tree along the banks of the Hylia River and then sat down and ate their lunch. Mipha found the Hylian food tolerable though she still preferred fish. When lunch was over, Zelda suggested they hike to Crenel Hills.

"There is a beautiful view from there," said Zelda. "And we can chat as we walk."

Zelda took Mipha's hand, and they chatted happily as they walked up the hill together. Zelda pointed out the kinds of flowers that grew along the path. And when they reached the top of the hill, they stopped to enjoy the view.

"You can see so much from here!" said Zelda. "There is fiery Death Mountain to the northeast. And that is snowy Mount Lanayru to the south."

"It is a beautiful view," said Mipha.

"Come, let's walk a bit further," said Zelda.

They continued walking and were so busy chatting that neither noticed they were getting closer to a large figure standing near the edge of the trees. Then they both jumped as they heard a loud roar, and a Lynel rushed out toward them.

"Oh! A Lynel!" Zelda screamed. "Run!"

Zelda and Mipha grabbed each other's hands and ran as fast as they could toward the edge of the hill as the Lynel rushed after them. When they reached the edge of the cliff, they had no choice but to jump down and slide all the way to the bottom, scraping their skin on the way. The Lynel did not attempt to follow them but fired some arrows that fortunately missed them and landed nearby. When Mipha and Zelda reached the bottom of the hill, they were both bruised and breathing hard.

"I'm so sorry, Mipha!" said Zelda between deep breaths. "I had no idea a Lynel was lurking here."

"It's alright," said Mipha. "Here, let me heal your bruises, then I will heal my own."

Mipha used her healing magic on them both, and after several minutes they were both as good as new.

"I hope you won't let this stop us from getting together in the future," said Zelda.

"No, of course not. But perhaps we should not mention it unless asked," said Mipha. "I think it would only make our fathers worry more."

"True," said Zelda. "I can mention the Lynel is here but not our close call."

"We should start heading back," said Mipha. "My father wants me safely home by evening."

"Of course," said Zelda.

They held hands as they began walking back to the castle where the Zora guards were waiting for Mipha.

"Mipha, I feel like you're a sister to me," said Zelda. "I hope that doesn't offend you."

"Not at all, Zelda," said Mipha as she smiled at her. "I think of you as a sister too."

They happily hugged each other then resumed walking.

"We should plan to visit each other often," said Zelda. "Perhaps next time, you can share how your healing magic works. I am searching for how to unlock my power."

"Yes, of course, Zelda," said Mipha. "It comes so naturally to me now that I need to think about how to explain it."

They hugged goodbye when they reached the castle, and Mipha began the swim home while Zelda returned to her room. She wrote in her diary how much fun she had and how much she looked forward to spending more time with Mipha in the future.