Linktober, Day 28: Princess

    Late at next day Link was practicing his sword fighting skills. When he heard a louder splash than fish’s jumping, he dashed to the railing of rock wall. He searched the river for what had caused the sound while bit fearing to see someone having falling into there. Yet, he did hope it was no other than a bird having dived to catch a fish.

    After a moment he noticed a figure at the shore. It took a moment before he understood it to be a Zora. “Mipha!” Link called and waved when he recognized the Champion. Once the Zora Princess had seen him, the Hero already started to make his way down to the shore.

    “Link.” Mipha greeted with a small smile and a nod once he had gotten to her. “I never understood the castle to be this big.” She commented while looking around.

    “If you wish, I can give you a tour around.” Link offered before bit frowning. “Is everything alright with the Zoras?” He inquired while bit worrying over why she had come.

    The Zora princess was bit startled as she had concentrated into looking around. “Oh! Everything’s as good as they can be considering the situation.” She answered before bit hesitating. “In fact, Zelda called me over.” Mipha confessed and looked around while seeming even more lost.

    “I’ll show you the way.” Link told calmly and nodded towards the way he had come from. Mipha smiled and nodded before already following the Hero. She looked around and took in as much as she could of what she was seeing.

    One courtyard, couple of flights of stairs and several corridors later Link stopped at well decorated room. He smiled at Mipha before knocking on the door. “Come on in!” Zelda called and the Hero opened the door. He let the Zora princess enter first before following her in.

    Zelda raised her gaze up from the papers and smiled when her gaze fell into Mipha. “Mipha! I’m glad you managed to come.” She greeted while standing up. Her gaze moved from the Zora into Link. “You may go, Hero. This is between royalty.” She half commanded.

    Link simply bowed and backed out of the room before closing the door. He thought for a moment about staying behind the door to eavesdrop bur decided against it. It wasn’t for his ears and he wouldn’t be honorable with such deed.

    Zelda gestured towards the chair in front of her desk before rounding to the other side. She glanced at the door once before taking a deep breath. Mipha frowned a bit but she didn’t question the actions. “Mipha, princess to princess, I need your advice in something.” The princess of Hyrule started slightly uncertainly.

    “What is it that you wish for my help, Zelda?” Mipha inquired while slightly tipping her head to side. Zelda avoided her gaze for a moment before finally making her decision.

    “How is your father reaction to you being one of the Champions?” The royal Hylian finally asked. “I just mean that…. Well…. I and my father aren’t getting too well along.” She confessed and dropped her gaze down.

    “Well….” Mipha started and thought through her words. “My father approves. To him this is something destined. Yet, he worried for my safety.” She answered before bit sighting. “But, your situation is different, Zelda. You will someday rule over whole Hyrule. Not just part of it as I will.”

    Zelda nodded and slumped down to her chair and raised her gaze into the ceiling. “What do you think I should do, Mipha?” She inquired bit sorrowfully. “I love to research the Guardians and whole Hyrule yet…. My father wishes me to stay at the castle and study how to be a future queen.” The Hylian woman explained and slowly returned her gaze into the Zora princess.

    “I….” Mipha started while feeling bit worried of how to put her words. She didn’t want to hurt Zelda. And yet, she didn’t want to encourage her to do something foolish. “I guess you should try to fulfil both parts. To study how to be a great ruler for Hyrule when you’re at the castle. And to study and learn of Hyrule while you’re out there with Link.” The Zora Champion finally answered.

    Zelda nodded slowly while thinking the given advice through. “I guess…. I guess I could claim the field research to be part of how to be a great ruler.” She half whispered and slowly started to smile widely. “In fact, it isn’t even a lie. I learn a lot out in the wild. The more I learn, the better I can use the knowledge. And not everything can be learned from the books.”

    Mipha smiled and nodded. She did feel bit worried of how things would go when Zelda faces her father. And yet, she couldn’t deny the pointed out truth of the situation. The better the princess of Hyrule would know of the world and its inhabitants, the better ruler she would be.

    Zelda stood up with a wide smile and determination in her eyes. “Thank you, Mipha. You have been of great help.” She told while already rounding around the table. “I knew I could count in your understanding.” The princess continued and hugged the Zora once she had stood up too. “I must see my father now if you don’t mind.” She told with a slight grin and already left the room.

    Mipha blinked after her going before bit sighing. She had no idea of how to get back to the river from that room. Yet, she soon followed the princess of Hyrule, made sure the door locked up behind her and started to roam around the castle’s corridors.