Held Onto By A Thread

Chapter Four

Since she would not be attending her father's meeting and King Rhoam would be in town for a few days, Mipha offered to show Link around the domain. Something about the boy made Mipha curiously drawn to him and wanted to know more. Throughout the days the two ventured out, visiting the domain's many attractions. Not only did they share stories about each other's life but laughs and games too. Mipha had hardly noticed the sun already setting as the little Hylian and her sat near the edge of the reservoir. Link was having trouble staying awake, worn out from their previous game of tag. While her gaze was locked onto the shade of orange that vividly painted the sky, she abruptly felt something heavy rest upon her arm. She squeaked, turning her head to see Link sleeping soundly, the expression on his face looked so innocent and... how would she put it? Adorable. It was the first time Mipha had ever felt so at peace. Warmth spread all over her body. Was this how it felt to have a companion.? A friend? "I will forever treasure these last few days", she whispered her voice becoming heavy with exhaustion and then she too fell asleep. When she awoke Mipha found herself back in her own bedroom, the sound of birds chirped noisily outside. "Have I really slept till morning already?", she questioned hazily. She rose out of her slumber pool and prepared to start the day, when suddenly memories of yesterday rushed into her head. Wasn't I at the pier? Surely, I wasn't dreaming all of this. Where was Link? Mipha made her way to the throne room and was warmly embraced by her father. "Good morning my daughter, have you slept well?", he asked with a gentle smile. "I did indeed father." She hesitated to ask if he had seen Link, would it be strange for a princess to casually ask where a boy that was not even from here was?  The words poured out of her mouth. "By...by any chance have you seen a small Hylian boy around here?", she said fiddling with her fingers. 'Mipha seems oddly nervous... anxious even.', Dorephan noted. There was a pause in their already dying conversation until he responded,

"Ah yes the boy is back under the care of Rhoam's royal guards no need to worry."

"Do you know perhaps where they might be now?", asked a hopeful Mipha.

"I'm afraid they are down at the inn getting ready to depart back to Hyrule Castle."

As Mipha was about to take her leave she thanked her father but was stopped by his voice revibrating the room.

"That reminds me.. a guard of ours the other day had found you two sleeping on the pier, anything you want to tell me?", Dorephan said a smirk creeping up his face.

What he was hinting at was embarrassingly obvious... An unusual feeling, one she had never felt before took over and her cheeks pinked.

"It-it is not like that father! I've made a new friend is all!" she shouted. The large Zora let out a chuckle as he smiled yet again, this time much wider.

"Settle down now Mipha, I'm delighted to hear so." With that, she raced down the staircase toward the inn.