Life in Zora's Domain

Chapter 75 - Goron City Holiday - Part 2

Summary: Mipha and Link journey to Goron City and spend some time with Daruk. But Mipha's father's concern cuts short her intended time as a Hylian.

Mipha and Link awoke early, and after a light breakfast made their way to the end of the Great Zora Bridge and prepared to board their motorized cycle for the trip to Goron City. Mipha was wearing a riding outfit not too dissimilar from the one Princess Zelda used to wear.

"That's a very sensible traveling outfit," said Link. "It looks good on you."

"Mila picked it," said Mipha. "I didn't know what I was doing when it came to Hylian clothing. The new clothes arrived early this morning."

"Are you ready to leave?" said Link.

But Mipha had her own idea.

"Yes, but I'll drive," said Mipha.

"Do you even know how?" said Link.

Mipha gave him a look.

"All right, fine," said Link. "But the roads around the Domain have a good deal of twists and turns, so you need to take it slowly. I'm going to be holding on to you as tightly as you were holding on to me."

"I don't mind at all," laughed Mipha. "And don't worry. I won't mistake it for affection."

"It is affection." laughed Link. "Affection for you and for our lives. But I'm sure you'll do fine."

Mipha sat down on the cycle, Link sat down behind her, and they were on their way. Mipha handled the cycle pretty well, Link thought. She was keeping to a sensible speed as they negotiated the turns along the road up to, around and down Ruto Mountain. The weather was fair and the ride comfortable. But all the twists in the road made for slow going.

"This is more fun than I thought," said Mipha as she raced down a hill. "I think we should get a watercraft as Linky asked. That should be fun, too."

It was about two hours before they reached Luto's Crossing and another two hours before they reached Oren Bridge. They took the road under the stone arches past the Bank of Wishes, and it was past midday by the time they reached the Inogo Bridge. There Mipha could increase the pace as the road curved sharply to the North, and an hour later she took the left fork at the Ternio Trail. It was just under another hour and late afternoon when they finally arrived at Foothill Stable.

"You drove quite well," said Link as he hopped off the cycle. "But it feels good to get up and walk around."

"I watched how you drove. And I need to walk, too," said Mipha. She parked the cycle by the stable in one of the designated parking spots.

Stables had more places for cycles than horses now. In fact, the younger generation of stable masters had only limited experience taking care of horses at all.

"By the way, are you comfortable breathing through your nose yet?" said Link.

"Not really," said Mipha. "And I'm not sure I should get too comfortable. You know ..."

"I know, we Zoras," laughed Link interrupting her. "I understand."

They walked to the stable entrance.

"We should spend the night here," said Link. "We need to buy some elixirs, and I want to look in on Epona. She's gotten too old to ride now. But the days of riding horses for travel are pretty much over anyway. Now, most people ride horses only for pleasure. Everything is becoming motorized."

"I think you feel for Epona what I feel for Ruta," said Mipha. "They both mean more to us than what they actually are. They're like friends. So, I understand your affection for her. The last time you came by here you were a Zora and didn't want to confuse Epona. But now you should definitely stop to see her."