A Tale of Two Princesses

Chapter 18 - Home Is Where the Heart Is

Chapter 18 - Home Is Where the Heart Is

Summary: Having completed their journey with Princess Zelda, Mipha and Link return to Zora's Domain.

It was a warm, sunny morning in Kakariko Village. Cuccos strutted about, farmers tended their fields, and people went about their business. The four torch flames behind the small shrine of Hylia in the village center flickered in the light breeze. Like most days here, it was peaceful, and the quiet mood reflected the spiritual nature of the Sheikah, who called this their home. But if you thought the Sheikah were all only simple farmers, you would be very mistaken. Many Sheikah were highly skilled in both stealth and combat. Their tribe had a long history of loyal, and often clandestine, service to the Hyrule Royal Family. And that tradition of service was continuing now as the only person that remained of the Hyrule Royal Family had taken up her residence in Kakariko Village until Hyrule Castle was habitable again.

Mipha and Link had just said their goodbyes at Impa's residence, including an emotional farewell between the Princess of Hyrule and her devoted appointed knight. Link had needed a few minutes afterward to compose himself. Princess Zelda was a very dear person to him, and they had grown close. They had a unique relationship, for their lives were bound together as the princess with the blood of the Goddess and the hero with the sword that seals the darkness, both of them vital to the destruction of the evil that had recently attacked Hyrule.

But now it was time for another person to take center stage in Link's life. It was someone also very dear to him and had been so for as long as he could remember. And it was someone he had fallen in love with during the many years he had known her. The realization that she was in love with him too was one of the more startling and beautiful moments of his recent life. Now he and Mipha prepared to return to Zora's Domain.

"The quickest route to the domain is by way of Telta Lake and the Rutela River," said Link. "It's time for me to make use of your marvelous gift again."

Link went behind one of the shops, removed his Champion tunic and Hylian trousers, put on the Zora Armor, Zora Helm, and Zora Greaves, and then returned to where Mipha was waiting.

"Very nice!" said Mipha as she examined the fit. "I can't get over how skillful I was. And I made sure it matched your other Zora gear."

"Yes, it's such a perfect fit and feels so comfortable when I move in it," said Link. "I remember I got the helm after we defeated that Lynel. And I picked up the greaves at the armor shop some time ago. When I asked the armor shop owner about how to get Zora body armor, he broke out into a big smile and told me that the royal family restricted that item, and I should study some Zora history if I wanted to know more. I forgot all about it with everything else going on. And by the way, the Zora Royal Guards already figured out you made this armor for me."

"I'm not surprised," said Mipha. "It's hard to keep things secret in the domain because we're so communal. And speaking of Zora history, you're going to have to learn it as well as Zora customs."

"Happy to," said Link. "I don't want to embarrass you."

"Maybe I can teach you some of the customs on the way home," said Mipha.

They took the northern path out of the village that led to the Kakariko graveyard. When they reached the cemetery, they both stopped to say a short prayer for all those who rested there. Then they made their way to the edge of the cliff and looked down.

"You can put your para-gliding skills to the test now," said Link. "At least if anything goes wrong, you'll land safely in the lake, albeit with a big splash."

"I think I can manage it," said Mipha. "I've watched you, and it doesn't look that hard. Oh, but it's a Zora custom that lovers kiss when they begin a journey together."