A Love Too Strong ( MiphLink fanfic)

Chapter 22: Sting of Winter

Link and Mipha had finally reached the bottom of the cliffs leading down into the Naydra Snowfield. They took a bit of time to get their bearings. The snow had picked up and the wind was whistling through the tall pines that dotted the landscape. The distant howls of winter wolves looking for their next meal could be heard in the distance. 

"Visibility isn't good." Link said with one hand placed over his eyes looking out in the distance. "We shouldn't be more than a 5 minute walk from the encampment but I can't see it through all of this snow."

Mipha was busy drawing the shape of a fish into the snow at her feet with the shaft of her brand new knights halberd. It was reminiscent of the ancient carvings her people had done on the cliff faces surrounding Zora's Domain. She missed her home greatly and it was becoming apparent to Link as well.

"We will get your home back as soon as we can." Link stated empathetically. "It is high on my priority list." He walked toward her and wrapped her up in a tight hug.

"I hope not too much of our history was damaged or destroyed." She muttered in a shaky, worrisome tone.

Another wolf howl could be heard a bit closer.

"I think we should get moving before that thing thinks we are dinner." Link said releasing his grip on the Zora Princess.

They began to slowly trod through the deep snow, periodically stopping to check the Sheikah slate to make sure they were still headed North. The wind was blowing so hard, Link was quite certain it had forced them into a different direction a few times. Before long they stumbled accross an exceptionally tall pine tree and at it's base grew three clusters of chillshrooms. Link wasted no time in gathering them up for later use.

"Chillshrooms, they taste good and they protect against intense heat when cooked into a dish." Link said as he dematerialized them.

Mipha's attention was however drawn to a sort of wooden, chime sound coming from above them.

"Link, that sound... what is it?" she questioned.

"I'm not sure... sounds like the wooden wind chimes my grandmother in Goponga Village used to have hanging from the tree outside." He answered as he reached both arms around the trunk.

"Climbing again?" Mipha chuckled. "Please don't fall."

Link was an adept tree climber. Always had been since he was young. He expertly pulled himself up the trunk and into the branches. Once he ascended to the top he saw nothing but what appeared to be magical confetti and glitter particles around the tip of the tree. In an instant a poof of energy popped out in all directions, nearly startling him enough to fall.

"Yahaha!" A small brown Korok with a dark green leaf mask exclaimed. "You found me."

"Gah!" Link let out a wail as his grip nearly released.

"Hee hee." The korok chuckled. "Have a seed, thank you for playing our game!"

The korok popped the small hardened, golden droplet into Links hand.

"Uh.. thanks." Link responded, still not entirely sure what they were for or what the point of this "game" was.

Link released his grip from the tree and gracefully glided to the bottom where Mipha was laughing.

"The koroks really like you Link." Mipha said between giggles. "Another seed perhaps?"

"Yeah..." Link thought a moment. "What the hell are they for anyway?"