(A/N): I hope you all are enjoying the story so far! Many ideas flow through my head on what to do with this fic that sometimes I just need to step back to see what piece of a puzzle fits where, lol. It is definitely a process to get all the lore in place while at the same time focusing on the other aspects, and I hope it hasn't been a drag!
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Retracing their steps, the duo was right back at the Domain, immediately heading to the throne room to make their report on the rumors the two were investigating.
Bowing before the king, Sidon went to speak.
"Father, we have some news to share about the task you have given us." He began, before raising his head to look at the king.
"The rumors we have heard, the reports.... They are all true. While at a bridge, we saw the strange Zora with our own two eyes. They appear to have abilities even we do not have. The one we spotted referred to us as "Surface Zora", and then disappeared into a whirlpool." He reported, which caused quite the uproar among the council, one King Dorephan silenced with a raise of his hand.
"I see... So there are others out there. They do not sound like the Zora from the other Domain, not at all..." He hummed, as he then eyed Muzu, who looked alarmed at the news. "Muzu, do you know anything about a potential other group of Zora?"
After a moment of silence, the older Zora cleared his throat, and nodded slowly. "I am afraid so.... But I thought it was just a bedtime story told to little minnows so they did not swim far from the Domain..." He then turned to everyone.
"Since the Imprisoning War... Some Zora defected from the Domain and its Royal Family, same with the Kingdom of Hyrule and it's Royal Family, for all the grief that was caused from the war at the time. It has been said that they headed to the deepest trenches of the ocean... But it was so long ago, that the tale was thought to be a myth!"
"But I thought you said no Zora could live in the ocean." Sidon looked at Muzu in confusion.
"No regular Zora could... There is a legend that the longer a Zora turns its back against the Kingdom... the more of a monster they become. But if that is the case... Then why would they show up now, back to Hyrule?..." He questioned.
(Y/n) felt a chill go down her spine. "You... You don't think they are back for revenge?..." She murmured softly to Sidon, who frowned. "I hope not, for what happened was long ago... Very long ago!"
The prince then looked at his father, who was taking all this information in. "What should we do, father?"
King Dorephan hummed, before closing his eyes, seeming deep in thought.
"You two have just came back... Take some time to rest up, while I discuss this matter with the rest of the council. This is a... Very important discovery." He told them, as Sidon bowed his head once more, before glancing at (Y/n), and heading out with her out of the throne room.
"I can not believe it... a different group of Zora, one that come from the ocean!" Sidon shook his head in disbelief.
"Me either. I have been near the ocean all my life, and never have I heard any such tale of people dwelling in the depths..." (Y/n) frowned, before recalling the female voice from before.
It warned her... To beware of the Depths.
Could this mean that this sect of Zora were really coming back to the Kingdom in bad faith? That they were a threat?
Based on what they were told thus far, it would seem like that was the likely story... Which she did not want to believe, because this just sounded like they were about to head into another big war, when they just got out from the grief that was inflicted on the kingdom from The Great Calamity!
Sidon turned his attention to (Y/n). "If that's so... Then at least where they dwell is a good distance from Hyrule... When we spotted that Zora, as different from us as they had appeared... They appeared more... curious of us, than anything, when they saw who we really were. I know I am just going with my gut on this one, but... Do you think that after all this time, these Zora would want to reunite with us? Perhaps, mend what happened in the past?" He guessed.
"That would be the optimistic way of viewing this predicament, and I hope you're right..." (Y/n) sighed, the two heading to the public kitchen to have some lunch. Perhaps some grub will help ease their minds.
After they finished eating, Captain Bazz spotted the two, and went to run up to them, before bowing his head. "His majesty has informed me to give you your compensation for being the prince's guide during your investigation. He also thanks you for your help." He smiled at (Y/n) before he was handing her a sight she had never seen before, one that made her gasp in awe.
What now stood in her hands was a shining, golden, rupee.
Though she was pretty sure this wasn't the brightest light either, it sure did make her happy. Her first gold rupee!
Sidon chuckled softly at her reaction. "You act like you have never seen such a rupee before." He gave her a gentle, teasing smile, one that showed off his bright, sharp teeth, which earned him a pout from the female Zora beside him, which made him laugh even more.
"Of course I haven't! Not everyone has this many rupees to spend when they come to my shop!"
Sidon looked quizzically at her. "Really? I thought surely your wares would be around that range!"
"They could be, but then I wouldn't have as many customers buying from me! If I priced say a fancy mask of mine for like a thousand rupees, it would be collecting dust on my shelves since only the most richest of Hyruleans would be able to afford it." (Y/n) explained, as Sidon merely nodded at her with a soft smile. He would take her word for it.
"Now that we have gotten news of a new group of Zora, I am going to triple my range of surveillance, just in case!" Captain Bazz saluted with a cheery grin, before bidding the two adieu.
"It seems there are a lot of secrets that even I do not know about our people... Perhaps there are even some that have been lost to all of us with time." Sidon wondered aloud, while (Y/n) went to tuck the gold rupee she had in hand in a compartment in her personal wagon that she took to the Domain, that now had a tarp over it to protect it from the rather frequent rain the Domain would get.
"So.... Now that we are back in the Domain... Does that mean we are going to resume with our usual schedules?" (Y/n) asked as she turned to the prince, who hummed in thought.
"I... am not sure. Father did tell us to take some time to rest up, and I am surely not in a hurry to have to return back to hearing long reports and the like." Sidon softly pouted, which may not be very princely to do, but he felt he could be informal around (Y/n).
"Say... If you would like, I can show you my favorite sight of the Domain. Think of it as thanks for being my guide and teaching me so much about the rest of Hyrule." Sidon suddenly suggested, having a bright smile on his face. It was also an excuse to spend more time with (Y/n).
"Your favorite sight?... All the other sights I have heard about in the Domain seem to require swimming and climbing up waterfalls, which is something I can't do yet." (Y/n) reminded him in a whisper, as Sidon shook his head, and went to give her a confident fist pump.
"Do not fret, for this time, I will be your guide!" He grinned, before he was excitingly taking her hands. "Come on, let's go!" He chuckled, as his infectious joy rubbed off quickly onto (Y/n). The possibility of rejecting spending more time with the prince never even crossed her mind. Of course she would go... Though she was rather curious how he would manage to get her there.
(Y/n) had assumed that wherever they were going, they were going to simply walk there, just like they did for their short journey.
She was quite shocked to find herself back at Mikau Lake a minute later, with Sidon getting into the water, looking like a scarlet shark, before he turned to look at her, still being all smiles.
"Come on, jump on my back, and hold on! I will take us to the top!"
(Y/n) had to take a moment to register what he had just told her. "W-Wait a minute... Are you thinking to waterfall climb to this area?!" She gawked, though her heart seemed to twist in a strange way at the very thought of having to hold onto Sidon. Not that it was a big deal, of course! He was probably just trying to find the quickest way to get to their destination, though it seemed very scary to her.
She wasn't a real Zora... What if she fell off of him, and missed the water? What would happen to her, then?
"It will get us there faster than walking up on foot. Besides, it's quite a lot of fun, and I want you to experience it!" Sidon said. "I promise you will not fall. I want you to know just how it feels like to be able to climb up a waterfall."
Though it seemed quite scary, (Y/n) trusted the prince, and went to lay her body on his long, strong back, going to wrap her arms tightly around him. He felt quite warm... Not what she was expecting.
"When you're ready, let me know." Sidon told her in a more softer voice, making sure that she was nice and secure on him.
Since their trip was cut short, Sidon could tell that (Y/n) was a bit... disappointed that it came to an end so soon, just like he was.
While they still had time to spare, Sidon wanted to spend every minute of it with (Y/n). It was how he felt about the matter, and he was always the kind to be very true to himself when it regarded his feelings.
After taking a few deep breaths to steady herself, (Y/n) gave him the affirmative to move, and as soon as she did, Sidon began to zip up the waterfall, which made (Y/n) cling even tighter to his body, letting out a scream at feeling the wind hit her face, alongside some splashes of water. It was definitely a foreign experience.
"Try and enjoy the moment, (Y/n)! I promise you won't fall!" Sidon reassured her with a big grin, before he was then leaping up from the waterfall, into the very next pool of water, which also made (Y/n) yelp as she continued to cling to his body for dear life.
"I-It's easier said than done!" She admitted, as they were yet again climbing up another waterfall. When she took just a moment to take his advice, (Y/n) would realize that this was actually kind of fun, like some sort of ride.
It made her imagine Sidon as being some living, breathing boat that zipped through the water, which made her laugh at the mental picture.
He was such a kind gentleman. The more time she spent with him, the more intense her infatuation over the prince became, which just made things even more complicated for her heart.
Upon hearing her laughter, Sidon couldn't help but join in, laughing jubilantly. "That's better! I like hearing your glee rather than your fear!" He called back to her, before speeding up.
"Hold on, I need to make a bigger leap here!" He informed her, before he was then making a massive leap out of the waterfall, and onto the other body of water that was quite a distance away, which made (Y/n) yelp from the thrill of it all. She knew how capable Sidon was with the water, and with her fear subsiding some, she trusted his ability to make it to the water, which he did with a great splash.
"C-Can everyone make a leap like that, or is that just you?" (Y/n) asked as Sidon was yet again climbing another waterfall with her. "I am not sure, I'd imagine some of them could, though it does take a good deal of strength in your upper body to do! You have to just... push yourself forward!" He informed her.
"Now we are approaching our last one!" He said, before he was yet again making a great leap, which this time made (Y/n) yell in pure joy. This was quite fun, once she got used to it.
With one last climb up the waterfall, Sidon made one last great leap, before he was doing several flips with her, before having a graceful land in the water, which caused a big splash that startled the nearby birds who flew away in a panic.
"Ten points for Sidon!" (Y/n) couldn't help but quip with a giggle, still holding on tightly to Sidon as the two of them shared a laugh.
"We are pretty high up now. Are we almost there to this sight?" (Y/n) asked, as Sidon gave her a grin. "Almost! Still hold onto me, and I will let you know when we finally get there!"
Sidon then went to tuck his arms under her legs, readjusting her grip so it was more of a piggyback ride. He was not as fast a runner as he was a swimmer, but he didn't want to tire (Y/n) after her having to tow a wagon and walk quite a distance already.
He would make sure that next time, they would have a better way of bringing their belongings... Hoping dearly that there would be a next time the two of them could be alone together like that, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the rest of Hyrule.
How Sidon yearned to explore even more of Hyrule with (Y/n) as his guide. If he wanted to know the rest of Hyrule, he wanted to know it with her.
Everything always felt so right with her, no matter if it was just their swimming lessons or walking down the dirt road during their journey of looking into the rumors that turned out to be true. Regardless of the outcome of those rumors, he wanted to be close to (Y/n). She made him so happy, and made him always look forward to when the night fell.
"This is quite the distance. I can't imagine having to walk here on foot." (Y/n) mused, snapping the prince out of his thoughts.
"That is why we Zora opt to swim rather than walk up to this beautiful location, though it wasn't always this way. There used to be a fearsome Lynel that prowled this very mountain, but thanks to the help of my best friend, Link, that Lynel has long been gone and we built this beautiful structure up here." Sidon explained with a fond smile, as (Y/n) checked out the fountain that was right in front of them, before Sidon was walking up the stairs that took them even higher up, being mindful of a few Bright-Eyed crabs and Hot-Footed frogs that were in the way.
When they finally got up the staircase, Sidon casted a glance to (Y/n). "Now we are here." He smiled, as (Y/n) peered around him.
In front of them stood a great, luminous statue of a beautiful female Zora, holding a trident very similar to the one Sidon had in his possession.
"This is my older sister, Mipha, and we built Mipha Court in her honor. Out of all the sights in this Domain, this one would forever be my favorite." Sidon spoke in a soft voice, one very unlike his usual confident, upbeat voice.
(Y/n), having been in the Domain for a bit, have heard talks about the late princess, and how she was very talented and very kind. Kodah told her a few stories from her younger years concerning the princess, and how she actually had a crush on Link, much to (Y/n)'s surprise. Given her fate, however... It seemed it was never meant to be.
"I could understand why. This area is beautiful." (Y/n) complimented, as she was then taking a look around. From way up here, she could see the entirety of Zora's Domain. She could also see Death Mountain, Mount Lanayru, and she could have sworn she saw some kind of castle like structure in the distance. The view from way up here was utterly breathtaking, and a bit chilly.
Placing (Y/n) gently on her feet, Sidon then was approaching the statue, a fond smile as he looked upon it. "I often come up here to talk with Mipha. I like to feel like up here, she could hear me, that she is still here with me." He closed his eyes.
(Y/n) could sense there was sorrow in his voice when he was speaking. She decided to approach him, laying a gentle hand on his back.
"I am sure she is looking down upon you happy of the great person you have become. I know a lot of Zora feel the same, me included." (Y/n) gave him a gentle smile, as he turned to look at her, giving her a tender smile in return.
"Thank you..."
This was a side that very few knew of the prince, and (Y/n) was able to tell right away. He was being so vulnerable right now, and it almost seemed as if he was... scared, in a way.
There was this uncertainty in his gold eyes. Sidon was not standing up as confidently as he usually did. Despite so many years passing since the incident, the pain still seemed quite fresh to the prince.
Being a Hylian, (Y/n) had no scope to how time must have felt for the Zora, since they could live for so long compared to a Hylian. A century would be a lifetime for a Hylian, and that was if they were lucky to last that long.
Feeling as if she needed to say more to him, (Y/n) gave him a firm look.
"When you take on the throne one day, I know you will be a great king, one of legend. Call it intuition if you like, or me being biased since I like you." She laughed softly, trying to lighten up the mood.
Sidon laughed softly. "I appreciate your support." He smiled at her, as she smiled right back at him.
The two would then find themselves having casual conversations in front of the Mipha Statue, the air becoming more lighter the more the two conversed.
Among their talks, the two could feel as if Mipha was truly there with them, smiling down at the two of them.