Love in Zora's Domain

Chapter 48 - Rewarding Moments

As they settled into their seats, Zelda turned to Link once again.

"Honestly, I should be giving a speech and awarding you a medal for your incredible feat. Thanks to your bravery and determination, Hyrule has never been safer."

Link smiled modestly. "I couldn't have done it without your decision to explore the Forgotten Temple and Dr. Robbie's expertise in excavation and ancient languages. And Mipha's wise words were crucial in preventing any rash decisions on my part. It was a team effort, so there is no need for a medal."

Zelda nodded in agreement. "Well then, there's no need for long speeches either because we're all hungry. But I do want to express my deep gratitude to you, Link, for once again proving yourself as the hero of Hyrule. Now, let's all enjoy this delicious feast and each other's company. And afterward, Link can tell us the full story of what happened."

The mouthwatering scents of traditional Hyrule dishes filled the air, including a fresh Hearty Bass for Mipha.

"I think I'll have some cooked fish this time," Link said. "It's good for staying in shape."

"Living with Mipha has certainly refined your appetite," laughed Zelda. "But good for you! I hope you will at least save room for a slice of Royal Fruitcake in honor of the occasion?"

"In the spirit of being a gracious guest, I think I can manage," Link laughed.

"You should already know by now, Zelda, that my husband is the epitome of politeness when it comes to accepting food," teased Mipha, eliciting laughter from everyone in the room.

Once the meal ended and the Royal Fruitcake had been served, Purah couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.

"Now, if it isn't too much to ask, I think we're all dying to hear what happened," said Purah. "My curiosity is absolutely killing me."

"With how you conduct experiments sometimes, we're lucky your curiosity hasn't already killed all of us," Robbie replied, prompting laughter from everyone else but a stern look from Purah.

"Yes, without further ado, let me begin," said Link after sipping his tea and clearing his throat. "And before anyone teases me, let me concede I am hardly a gifted speaker. So please save your questions for the end so I don't lose the flow of events."

Link then recounted every detail of what had happened as he had done earlier to King Dorephan and his family, astonishing everyone except Mipha, who already knew. He then took out the bracelet he had been carrying and presented it to Zelda.

"This is the perfect time to give you the other bracelet that was given to me by the Zelda from that time," said Link. "I hope you will wear it in good health."

"It's lovely," said Zelda as she admired it and then put it on her wrist. "I can sense that there is something special about it, something sacred."

"I hope some research in the castle library may reveal the identity of that Zelda," said Link. "The spirit of the sword addressed her as 'Your Grace,' but she had no royal title as the kingdom of Hyrule was yet to be established."

"Why not just ask this Fi person, the sword spirit, who that Zelda is?" asked Robbie. "She obviously knows."

"She doesn't answer me," said Link. "I suspect over time she has evolved to where she only communicates when something of vital importance we might be unaware of occurs, and then only mentally. She apparently doesn't appear in person anymore. And perhaps Zelda telling me to search for the answer in Hyrule's history is another reason why she will not answer."

"A shame," said Robbie.

Zelda's voice was filled with awe as she spoke, "To me, the most incredible part of your story is that the TriForce truly exists, and you were able to touch it, Link. I learned of it in history classes, of course. But it was considered a myth or a legend, perhaps symbolic of someone's powers, not an actual physical object."