Tears of His Kingdom

How to open the heart of a Zora.

Mipha jolted to a waking state and shot up in her bed, tears streaming down her face. She rolled to the side, and wooden floor came rushing to meet her. A yelp escaped her lips and she cradled a painful knee. Her breath felt weighted in her chest. She heaved. 

"Link! Li-"

A cold, pale hand scooped her up and pulled her into his arms. She clung to him with such fervor that her nails tore his tunic and drew blood from his back. Her breathing was still wheezy and fast, yet her body softened and her hands let go of his flesh. 

"L-"

"Shh. Don't speak. Just breathe."

Mipha felt her tears when they began to run down her face and into Link's shoulder. Her breathing began to slow down, the wheeze ever present. Her tail fin tucked itself under her and for the second time in two days she sunk into her hero's arms. Link's arms cradled her. He rocked her like a baby, and she was glad. If she had to be anything else in that moment it would've been too much.

"Link...where are we?"

Link smiled and sat her up to face him, "This is my house. Zelda and I live here."

Mipha had to suppress a scowl. 

"Let's just go get you something to eat," Link whispered, an air of softness about his words. He took Mipha by the shoulders and led her down a flight of stairs to the lower floor of his house. He let her go and rushed outside, muttering something about catching a fish. Mipha was not opposed to some carp.

She came upon a table with two chairs and a kitchen unit. Large stands hung the weapons of the Champions she loved so dear. She had seen a glimpse of them last night when Link carried her here, but now she could look upon them in much greater detail. Her Lightscale Trident was the centerpiece, glimmering and beautiful, its prongs sharp as ever. Oh how she loved saying its name to herself when she was bored. Urbosa's Scimitar of the Seven and the Daybreaker shield were hung to its left, the golden hilt shining so brightly it hurt the poor Zora's eyes. The shield seemed to have accrued a lot of use, as it was chipped in some places. Daruk's Boulder Breaker was hung to the right, its blunt yet smooth design helping to let it blend into the frame more, but even then it stood out as the largest of the lot: the edges were worn and its hilt was rusty. Revali's Great Eagle Bow was on a separate wall to the side, but it looked much more weathered than the others. Perhaps Link had been using it in his travels?

Link hurried back inside with his hands full of cooked carp. Mipha turned her head sideways, spotting the broadsword with Dinraal's horn on it before Link kicked the door shut.

"Take a seat. Let's eat."

Mipha patted her stomach and sighed in content.

"What kid of fish was that? It was delicious!"

Link chuckled.

"A new fish I found on the Sky Islands- it's called Arowana."

Mipha hummed in acknowledgement and slid off her chair. She walked up behind Link, who was at the sink washing their dishes.

"Link...do you have my armour? The one I made for you?"

Link froze and dropped the plate he was holding back into the murky water. Tense would be the best word to describe him.

"I..I do," said Link, his shoulders rising and falling in slow, controlled motions. Mipha gently placed a hand on his right shoulder, and he jumped in alarm, then settled. The Zora princess pressed herself closer to him.

"Do you know what this means for us?" Mipha asked. Link nodded, took off his gloves and turned to face her.

"I took it without thinking. After all, before last month I never thought you'd return to my life."

Mipha's hurt expression compelled Link to try another approach.

"Let's take this as it goes. I've spent so long without you that I think you might need to get to know me again," Link softly spoke, taking Mipha's hands in his as he said so. They stayed silent for a moment longer, their eyes lingering on each other, studying one another. Mipha finally took notice of the fact that Link's right arm was now blackened flesh and copper.

"Holy Nayru- Link! What in Hylia did you do to your arm?" Mipha fretted, pouncing on him and pulling away his Champion's Leathers and holding it up for her to get a look.

"It's a long story," Link sighed, "Let's just say that Ganon wasn't quite done with our kingdom. And neither was I."

Link could feel tears hit the flesh between the metal shapes that encase his arm, but for her sake and his he said nothing about it. His hands moved to Mipha's waist, then her back, and they were hugging. As their moment drew to a close- and they let go of each other- Link reached into his back pocket and drew out a small blue handkerchief. Mipha gratefully took it from him and quietly blew her nose.

"Tell me everything, but not now. There's someone I want to see," Mipha whispered.

"I'm guessing his name is Sidon?"

Link grimaced as Mipha happily talked to the Zora patrol en route to the Domain. They stood upon the newly constructed Hero's Bridge- a project undertaken by the King after the Demon King was defeated. Link looked down to his favourite boots: they were soaked in water.

"Oh it has been a pleasure to see how much you two have grown since I last saw you!" Mipha exclaimed, who was standing on her toes to reach their faces and pinch them.

"Mipha, honey, we'd best be going," Link said, shaking water from the boots he'd just removed from his feet,"I'm kinda getting all my clothes wet."

Mipha and the guards turned. Mipha chuckled, and turned back to them and said her farewells. The duo continued on. Soon they had reached the front entrance of the Domain and Link gave up on his poor boots. Mipha's eyes widened in awe at a new statue that lay before her.

"Is that you?" she quizzed. Link nodded, and watched her run up to it. He chuckled.

"Who's the Zora you're riding?" Mipha asked, coking her head as if it would be easier to discern his identity.

"You'll meet him in just a moment." Link spoke, and a light twinge graced the corner of his lips, resembling the infancy of a smile.

Sidon barreled around one of the semicircular staircases leading down to the statue and skidded to a stop in front of Link, his face slick with tears and a smile so wide plastered on his face that Link was very sure that would hurt after a while.

"Oh! You look...happy to see me?" Mipha quizzed, cocking her head, "You must be the Zora from the statue-"

Sidon cut her off with a crushing hug and some sniveling, followed by, "Sister...I'm surprised you don't recognise me! Have I really grown that much?"

Link sported a grin for the first time since he was four.