The Origin of a Champion

Chapter 8- A New Big Sister

The small procession finally reached the outside of Zora's Domain. The carriage holding the Royal Hylian Family stopped outside of the main long bridge that led to the Domain itself. They got out and walked in with a warm welcome. The Zora were expecting them and greeted them kindly and guided them to King Dorephan. Alvar and Zarya had to follow them along with three of the six soldiers, while the other three guards stayed to guard the carriage.

Before Zarya left she turned around to Link one last time, "Stay out of trouble, and stay safe. You may explore the domain and swim, but make sure someone goes with you. No swimming alone. Don't go exploring outside the Domain by yourself, and good luck making some new friends! But don't talk to suspicious people either. If you want to go exploring and swimming with a new friend, let me know and meet your friend first. Okay?"

"Yes mother."

With that she walked off, leaving Link by himself. He stood planted and stared. The home of the Zora's was beautiful. He had never seen so much blue in one place. He stared with his mouth gaping open as he took it all in. The architecture was unlike anything he had ever seen. The way the clean, sparkling water radiated off the blue stairs and pillars was breathtaking. He looked at the many surrounding waterfalls and listened to the roaring waters. He smiled when he saw the distinct shape of fish that seemed to top the domain. He observed the Zora people themselves. He watched as some young Zora's swam in the domain, and admired as some even dared to swim up the waterfalls surrounding the domain. He saw some Zora children playing tag and laughing in the Domain square.

"Fish Hylians," he mumbled to himself grinning.

"Well what are you waiting for kid?" one of the guards called out to him. Link simply shrugged.

"What I would give to go swimming right about now," another guard sighed. He leaned against the carriage lazily. He was elbowed by another guard to stand up straight. Link decided that it couldn't be that bad. Swimming sounded like a great idea, he just needed to find someone to go with him, and that meant making friends. The idea made him feel nervous and shy. He walked into the Domain and wondered what to do first. Several Zora walked past him, and he spotted some Hylian travelers as well. He felt a light breeze as some Zora children ran past him playing some game. He could smell food being cooked, and it smelled like cooking fish.

"That would make sense with all the good fishing nearby, but wouldn't the fish people be offended? Kinda like the way you're not allowed to eat eggs in front of a Rito in case you offend them?" Link pondered. 

He kept walking around and explored a bit. He saw inns, shops that had food and clothing, and even small forms of weaponry. He walked up to the highest level and saw two tall Zora guards standing outside a large room. He reasoned it was the Zora throne room.

"How boring it must be to attend those meetings when you could be swimming outside," Link thought to himself. And he wasn't the only one to be thinking that either. He hadn't noticed the red-colored Zora maiden leaning against the pillar fumbling with her trident.

Mipha hated meetings and managed to sneak out of this one. She would much rather swim or train outside. But when she got out of attending, she forgot that she had made no plans with any of her friends who were preoccupied with activities arranged assuming she was at the royal meeting like she technically should have been. The Zora Princess simply decided she would go swimming by herself.

"Ouch! Stupid slippery floors!"

Mipha was snapped out of her daydreaming to look behind her at the source of the sudden exclamation. The source was a six-year-old Hylian boy who had slipped and was sprawled out on the floor. She giggled at his clumsiness and grabbed her trident then ran to help him. Link was laughing at himself on the floor and appreciating the way the cool water felt on his back.