It took longer to reach the zora domain on horseback, also counting that Epona had aged, Link passed the travel caressing her and letting the mare go at her own pace although she seemed to want to show him that she could still run or trot as she used to do before.
He thought about the dispute he had with Revali at the library, right now he just wanted to have punched him in his presumptuous beak, but at the same time ...
He took out the emerald bead that the rito gave him so many years ago and now he used as a necklace, Link looked around hoping not to run into anyone or anything, he even turned to the sky to make sure about his loneliness; Then he brought the small object to his lips kissing it gently.
That stupid rito, he wanted to hit him, kiss him, he wanted his attention all the time, with that thought, his cheeks turned red hot; He shook his head, he couldn't fall in love with memories from half a decade ago, besides, he had to help Zelda and Mipha.
When the knight finally arrived, he left Epona in a stable near the beginning of the path to the domain that was owned for by a kind old man, he paid extra to the mare to be fed and her mane brushed in his absence which could be days of care; With gentleness, Link stroked the mare -I'll be back soon ... I promise- he whispered, Epona licked his face in response.
Link stopped for a few moments checking what he was wearing, the royal guard outfit; He felt that it was the most appropriate thing to wear, if he needed to change there were more clothes inside his pouch, carried it on his back and leave.
Upon reaching the domain, the guards bowed their heads to Link -It's a pleasure to have you back to our domain, hero- one greeted, Link nodded in response and went to the throne room, Sidon who was sitting on one side of the throne with his father jumped up and ran towards him.
-Link! What a pleasure to have you back! ¿How have you been on your journey? - asked the king while the prince who did not seem to change in all those years due to the slow aging of that race hugged him by one leg and smiled widely; Link nodded again in greeting as he stroked the little boy's head -I came ... To see ... Mipha -he said.
-I'm afraid that's impossible young knight, the princess is very busy attending her royal duties- Muzu interrupted, arriving with a frown on his face, looking at him as if he had done something wrong, despite this he remained firm -It does not matter ... I'll wait- he replied -You'll wait for nothing boy- said the old zora before leaving.
Dorephan seemed serious at the conversation while Sidon only looked confused at his father -What happened ... Between her ... And Zelda? - he asked, the Zora king clung to one of the armrest of the throne while closing his eyes -I suppose that you already know what happened between them, right? - he asked, Link nodded.
It was then that Dorephan offered Link a seat next to the throne, he approached with Sidon and sat down while placing the young prince on his lap.
Sidon took Link's beret to put it on his own head -Mipha has always heard of the legends of Hyrule, while the Rito or Hylians collect their stories through songs, we and the Gerudo tribe have made stone engravings with poems or riddles to transmit our history to future generations; In all the stories, there is always the topic of the princess engendering new life so that the power of Nayru could flow through an uninterrupted royal Hylian blood, the pillar of our kingdom - Dorephan narrated.
Link was listening attentively even with Sidon between his legs who made gestures towards his father to make him see the beret on his head, Dorephan adored his son's playfulness but it was not the time
-So ... Mipha ... Loves her? - the knight asked and Dorephan sighed -Yes, but she grew up with the belief that the princess or queen of Hyrule is basically Hylia, and that the family line has been uninterrupted since the beginning of the kingdom- he explained -When the dinner took place, she believed that Zelda was using her to evade the her "royal responsibility", she's actually afraid of committing a sin against the Goddess by reciprocating-
-But ... The Familiar ... Line blood ... was... interrupted ... More than once ... - Link said, his throat began to hurt, he cleared it to start gesturing, with his constant visits, Sidon knew that the throat clearing sounds meant something, after all, Link often visited to help him train with the zora spear, he looked for the knight's pouch to find the fairy potion and gave it to the blond.
Link thanked the little prince with a nod and took the liquid before storing it back, but he continued with his gesticulation.
During the great flood, the royal family was lost until the appearance of a pirate that called herself "Tetra" who was the daughter of a pirate who descended from the many branches of Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule's blood.
He explained until out of the corner of his eye he saw the small figure of Mipha hidden behind one of the pillars, she hid more when perceived Link's gaze -My dear daughter ... I know you are there, Sidon, bring her, we want to talk- said the king while Sidon made a hylian greeting, placing his hand on his forehead, still wearing Link's beret, he went to get his sister.
-W-W-Wait Sidon! - Mipha pleaded as the little Zora managed to drag her to her father's throne -F-Father- she said -Daughter, you know that we must face this issue sooner or later, you can't hide behind Muzu forever, it has already passed 2 years with the continuous visits of the other champions and you can't ignore them or go out when you see them - Dorphan said, the zora princess lowered her gaze in a hint of sadness -I understand ...-
Link looked at her sadly, Sidon took one of her hands with his in a gesture of concern Mipha carried her brother -You should hate me Link, I broke Zelda's heart, that's why I couldn't even see the others champions or you, I'm horrible, I drowned myself in sadness and hate for myself...- she said as she closed her eyes tightly, her fear caused an horrible depression on the princess and she couldn't handle it until some months ago and Link was the first step to get out.
The knight stood up to hug her -Why ... do you think...That your love...Is ... a sin? - he asked.
Mipha looked him -B-Because i-it has always been like that, all the princesses of Hyrule without exception have to give birth to a baby for Nayru give her power in them- Link denied, he separated from her to return to his explanation.
During my travels, I learned about Hyrule's history; During the great flood or the era of twilight both princesses descended from distant ancestors, it is estimated that the princess who sought the new lands for the new Hyrule came from an adoptive family; Hylia and Nayru are the ones who choose the descendants of their power to rule the kingdom, not the royal family itself.
... But Zelda believed in those rules too, and now her father and her are organizing a tournament where the winner will marry the princess.
He stopped as soon as he saw the expression of horror in Mipha -She's going to get married?! - she exclaimed, her voice trembled, she lowered her brother to bring both hands to her chest, her chest felt cold, very cold; Like when she was about to perish before that Blight Ganon who appeared in Rutah -N-No, I don't want that... No, Link, please don't - she begged taking him by the arms.
Link looked away -She ... is willing ... to do it- he whispered, closing his eyes.
Mipha spent a long time shaking until she forced herself to calm down, took a deep breath and straightened up, clinging to the symbol of Nayru that hung from her neck -Then I will participate in the tournament- she said decisively.
The hero looked at the zora princess who was extremely convinced. -I will no longer feel sorry for myself, I must go and apologize, I will clear things up and win that tournament! - She said in a louder voice, Link smiled -The tournament ... Starts ... In a week ... Although the candidates...are ... arriving... already - he said offering his hand - Are you coming? -.
Depression wasn't going to heal soon, but it was the first of the many steps.
-I want to train before entering the tournament, ¿Will you help me with that?- She asked, Link nodded.
The distance between the zora domain and the castle is a day and a half away, so we have 4 or 5 days to prepare you.
Under those conditions, she nodded -I will do my best, but first, I will notify King Rhoam of my participation -she said confidently.
_____
Mipha's body dashed against the ground and crawled for several meters until her back collided with a rock -Ah! - she let out a groan, hurried to get up and looked for her trident while Link ran directly towards her with the master sword in his hand.
The zora princess ran as fast as she could to grab her trident and block the knight's spin attack, in one swift movement she caught the blade of the weapon between the trident's teeth and sent the master sword flying through the air to land next to them, before Link moved Mipha pressed the blond's chest with her undefeated weapon, she was panting, full of wounds but smiling triumphantly -I'm ready, right?-she asked.
Link nodded with a proud smile.
-Let's go, to ... recover ... Zelda- he said while giving her a pink-hued potion -Thank you, this will come in handy- she said; Link looked away, during those days he noticed that Mipha had trained on her own, but pushed herself to unimaginable limits -I see you at ... the entrance of the ... domain- he said before leaving, it was admirable.
The days already passed and they needed to speed up their pace if they wanted to arrive in time for the tournament; It occurred to him to lend Epona to Mipha.
He could see in the distance the princess who had a bigger pouch around her waist, Link raised his hand in the form of greeting until Muzu got in the way blocking Mipha's path -Princess, I forbid you to take one more step- he said authoritatively.
(THIRTY-FOURTH CHAPTER; Let's understand Muzu, two hylians broke Mipha's heart, he's scared about her baby pupil, the question will not be if they will get to the tournament but how will Zelda react when she sees the zora princess again? I'll make the baby Sidon a fan art wearing the royal guard's beret, i just love tiny Sidon! And so, Mipha wasn't "magically cured" as Revali already mentioned that him and other champions have tried to cheer both up and also they count with loving families)