Chapter Text
Mipha's POV
Princess Zelda and Link are visiting the Domain today! I am quite excited to see them. Princess Zelda mentioned that she wanted to ask me something. I wonder what she has to say? In her letter, she mentioned that it was something of great importance. Whatever her wish may be, I will aim to follow it in whatever way I can. But with this sense of responsibility also comes a wisp of child-like joy. After all these years, I finally get to see Link again! I wonder how much he has changed since I last saw him? Will he be taller? Would his voice be lower? Has his hair grown longer? One thing I am sure about is that he will still be as cute and handsome as before; maybe even more than before, in fact.
I stood on the balcony in front of the throne room, my trident at my side. I could see the horses and Hylian knights not too far from the entrance. Among those knights was Link. He was riding close behind Zelda. I couldn't contain my excitement upon seeing him ride closer and closer to the Domain. I ran down the left staircase all the way to the end of the Great Zora Bridge. The party soon met me, and many of the knights bowed to me. I bowed my head in return. Link and Zelda slid down their horses. She gave a formal curtsy, while Link fully bowed to his knees. His action surprised me. He had never been so formal with me before. "Thank you for accepting my letter, Mipha," Zelda said.
"It is an honor to have the Princess of Hyrule's presence in Zora’s Domain," I declared. Link rose upon the end of my declaration, and he stood tall at Zelda’s side, his expression mute and distant. Some of my previous predictions were already answered. He was taller, even a few inches taller than me. His hair did grow longer, and it was tucked in a ponytail. He also was still cute and handsome, even more than last time. However, even though it has been several years since I’ve last seen Link, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about him. I remembered him always being bubbly and outgoing, but now he seemed to be the complete opposite. His body language, even though looked confident, seemed shy and closed off. His eyes didn’t have the warmth they once did. They were cold as ice. But maybe I was overthinking it all. After all, he has had a lot of time to mature. And with being Zelda’s appointed knight, I’m sure that he is focused beyond measure. Even back when he was younger, he took every single job as a knight seriously.
"Mipha, may we speak in private?" Zelda asked.
"O-Of course," I stuttered, part of me assuming that there would be some leeway of time before Zelda asked to speak with me. All I wanted to do was talk with Link, but the princess in me overcame my youthful desires.
To avoid anyone from eavesdropping on the conversation, I suggested to Zelda that she and I head to the top of Veiled Falls. At that location, there would be little chance of anyone trying to sneak in on the conversation. As I led Zelda towards the top of the beautiful waterfall, I couldn’t help but feel butterflies rise in my stomach. For some reason, the possibilities of what Zelda could ask of me made me nervous. And if it was something that had to be talked about in person, there was no telling how important her question could be.
Zelda approached the edge of the waterfall, but not too close. Her eyes scanned across the scenery that all of the Domain overlooked. She let out an amazed sigh, “Mipha, your home is beautiful.”
“Thank you, Zelda.” I gripped my trident close to my chest. “It is something that I take pride in. I’m glad that those outside of it can understand its comforts and beauty. You mentioned that you wanted to speak with me about something.”
She seemed to let out a hesitant-–yet hopeful-–breath. "Yes. We must prepare all we can before the Calamity, as I’m sure you know. That is why I wanted to ask you, Mipha, to accept the duty of becoming the Zora Champion and piloting Divine Beast Vah Ruta.”
My heart skipped a beat. I tightened my hold on my trident. “You want me as the Zora Champion?”
“I do. Mipha, your talents in battle are beyond any Zora of this time. You are quick to make difficult decisions, and you are a trustworthy leader. Additionally, I feel that your healing abilities will be essential during our battle with Calamity Ganon. You are the perfect candidate, I know it.”
This was an important question-more important than I ever imagined. Part of me felt honored that I was seen as the best choice for such an important role, yet at the same time I felt a sense of dread. My life would change forever if I accepted Zelda’s calling. I would be given more duties than I already hold. There would be a burden deep down inside me, knowing that if I failed my duty as a Champion, I would let the whole world down. Yet I am the Princess of the Zora, the firstborn to King Dorephan. Someday, I wish to lead my people in peace and prosperity, and an opposition like Calamity Ganon would hinder that dream. I must do all I can. I cannot let the fear hold me back. So I breathed in an air of confidence. "I accept your request, princess. I will do all that I can to help prepare Hyrule for the Calamity."
Zelda seemed to relax upon my acceptance. “Oh, thank you, Mipha! Hyrule will be truly indebted to you! Now that I’ve gathered all the Champions, we can finally move forward with our battle plans.”
“May I ask who the other Champions are?"
"Yes. The Champions are Daruk, the Boss of the Gorons, full of vigilance; Revali, a Rito warrior, full of confidence; Urbosa, the Chief of the Gerudo, full of spirit…” She then lowered her gaze towards the waterfall, and her voice grew less passionate, “And also...the Hylian with the sword that seals the darkness...Link."
“L-Link?” I gasped. I never noticed that he had the Master Sword when he arrived. Although, I am not surprised that the sword chose him. After all, he was a true and courageous knight through and through.
“Yes… He’s a natural.”
Amidst the roar of the waterfall, I heard high-pitched grunts rise from the water below. The sound influenced me to peer down the waterfall, and I saw my dear little brother being pushed away by the fall’s strong current. He noticed me looking down at him, and I cupped my hands around my mouth and called, “Sidon! Hurry and swim up here!"
"Mipha," Zelda said with worry in her voice, "perhaps he is still too young to swim up this big waterfall."
Sidon was young, that was true. However, now that I have taken on a new role as the Champion of the Zora, I will be entering into a battle that isn’t against a simple group of monsters. I will be aiding in the fight against the King of Monsters; the most evil of all. As great of a warrior as everyone says I am, I have never fought against an opposition this big and fatal. I glanced back at Zelda. "One day, princess, I must leave him...to face my fate with Ruta."
I jumped down the waterfall and skidded along its surface. Upon nearing the end of the waterfall, I gracefully dove down into the lake below. When I came up out of the water, Sidon’s eyes brightened. He splashed his hands in the water. “Mipha, what are you doing?”
“I was talking to Zelda. Why don’t you join me? Swim up the waterfall.”
He looked down shyly. “I’m still not good at it.”
“That’s alright! Let’s go together so that you get a good feel for it.”
He quickly nodded and clung onto my back. “To the skies!”
“Hold on tight!” I swam closer to the waterfall and then darted up it. As I rushed quickly against the waterfall’s downpour, I noticed Sidon’s eyes widened--almost with fear. Yet as the seconds went by, I could see that his fear washed away, and he began to laugh. When we finally got to the peak, I jumped out of the waterfall and flipped through the air, gently landing back on the ground. Sidon let go of me and gave me a big smile. His smile was the greatest gift of his, but thinking about that fact brought on a sudden wave of sadness. He was still too young to understand the state of the world. He had no idea that he may not see me for much longer-–if Calamity Ganon prevailed. I knelt down and set my hand under his chin. "Sweet Sidon, should fate ever part us... I'm counting on you to protect our beloved home from harm whenever I am not here. Understood?"
While he seemed a bit confused as to why I told him that, he nodded and gave his signature smile. “No one’s gonna get past me!”
Both Zelda and I giggled at his declaration. I set my hand on his shoulder. “Thank you, Sidon. Now, should we go up the waterfall one more time? I’m sure you can do it by yourself. I believe in you!”