Chapter 1 - Zora's Domain

This story is from a journal Link kept of his experiences.

Link stirred in his sleep, then opened his eyes. It was morning in Zora's Domain, and Mipha was lying next to him, already awake, and looking over at him. She smiled and rubbed her hand through his hair. He slid closer to her and put his arm around her. She was so beautiful with her soft golden eyes and gentle smile. He said another silent thank-you to Hylia, something he did quite often. He was so thoroughly happy now, happier than he had ever been in his entire life. And it was all thanks to the love he found with Mipha.

"Good morning, sweetheart," he said. "Or am I still dreaming? If so, it's a beautiful one."

"So sweet!" said Mipha as she gently rubbed his cheek. "You've become so romantic since we married. And if this is a dream, then I am sharing it."

"Did you sleep well?" said Link.

"I slept very well," said Mipha. "And it looks like you did, too."

He gently stroked her red tail fin which flowed from the top of her head to her back.

"I did. But tonight, it's our turn to sleep in the water, so I know you'll sleep even better," said Link.

It was only a couple of weeks ago Link had married Princess Mipha in Zora's Domain, then left for a week's holiday together in Lurelin Village. Mipha was the older of King Dorephan's two children, the younger one being her brother Prince Sidon. King Dorephan was the current Zora ruler. Mipha served as Zora Champion in the battle against Calamity Ganon, piloting the Divine Beast Vah Ruta. She was known to be kind and caring by temperament and possessed the ability to heal wounds. But she had also studied combat and was skilled in the use of a trident.

Mipha, like all Zoras, was aquatic with both gills and lungs and was most comfortable sleeping in the water. Link, being a Hylian, was used to sleeping on land, in a conventional bed if possible. So, to ease into living together, they had agreed to take turns sleeping in a traditional bed and in a pool of water. Link was getting more comfortable resting in the pool of water, and he knew Mipha was much more comfortable there, so he wanted to make sleeping in water permanent. He would do anything he could to make her happier. Maybe they could get rid of the conventional bed soon. The place they slept together was small as it was.

Link's memory was still lacking after the hundred-year sleep in the Shrine Of Resurrection. And having created a new timeline, the memories he did have were sometimes false ones now. For example, he had to remind himself that he no longer owned a little house in Hateno Village: that was in the timeline that no longer existed.

"We should get up now," said Mipha as she stroked his cheek one last time. "We have a meeting with Father this morning."

It had been a little over a week since they returned from their honeymoon, and it was time to start moving forward with life. The meeting with King Dorephan was to begin discussing Link's role within the Zora community.

They ate a light breakfast of cooked fish and rice. Mipha's favorite food was fish, and she could eat it raw or cooked, preferring it raw. However, out of deference to their sensitivities, she always ate her fish cooked when among Hylians. But Link had told her several times he didn't mind if she ate her fish raw. He was fine as long as he didn't have to eat it raw as well!

There was time for a short walk around Zora's Domain before their meeting, and they held hands as they strolled across the plaza. Link had fallen in love with Zora's Domain from the first time he saw it. Well, at least the first time he remembered he saw it. He knew from conversations that he had visited the Domain numerous times in the past, but his memory of those visits was still lost to him. But the first time he saw the Domain after his memory loss, it still had a strong attraction for him. Maybe it was the effect of hidden memories, or perhaps it was just how beautiful the Domain looked.

The architecture was impressive in its scale and a soothing deep blue. The sound of splashing water from the many waterfalls throughout the structure was restful and gave it a sense of tranquility. The structure had four primary levels. The lower one was flush with Ruto Lake, a large body of fresh water named that connected to other main rivers throughout Hyrule and was named after the legendary Zora princess The second level was the busiest one. It contained a central plaza which included a general store and an inn for travelers to sleep. The store stocked salt, fresh fish and Hylian rice as well as miscellaneous other items like arrows. At the rear of the store was a metal works area where things such as jewelry or weaponry could be built or repaired. The third level contained a small plaza with a statue of the Goddess Hylia, and toward the back were several pools of water where Zoras could rest or sleep overnight. The upper level was King Dorephan's throne room which contained his throne of course as well as some benches for council meetings. Above the throne room was a massive fish sculpture visible from a distance and announcing to travelers the Domain's location.

"That was a beautiful honeymoon," said Link. "I'm so glad you got to enjoy the swimming and the fresh seafood there. I could see how much you loved the porgies and crabs! And I felt so happy finally being with you as husband and wife. I even enjoyed the quiet moments together, like when we climbed Tuft Mountain and sat together at Lover's Pond, our feet dangling in the water. We had time to talk and laugh, with all our worries behind us. I was finally able to relax and enjoy time with the one I loved so much."

"It was happy for me, too," said Mipha. "And not just the swimming and eating, sweetheart. I have wanted to be with you for a long time."

Finally, it was time for the meeting. Mipha and Link walked to King Dorephan's throne room. The king greeted them warmly.

"How are my favorite newlyweds doing today?" said King Dorephan with a laugh.

"Very well, Father," said Mipha. "I couldn't be happier."

"Nor could I," said Link. "And thank you again for the household arrangements. I will get used to sleeping in the water soon, I hope."

King Dorephan chuckled.

"We'll make a real Zora out of you yet! Well, today we should start discussing what role you can play in the Domain, Link. I have an idea or two but would like your thoughts as well," said the King.

"Well, first of all, I want to do everything I can to help your daughter fulfill her responsibilities. But I recognize I am a Hylian, not a Zora, and don't want to do anything that could cause resentment among your people. So, as to how exactly I can make myself useful, that is something we should discuss."

"Father, perhaps Link could help with combat training," said Mipha.

"Yes, he certainly could do that. And being recognized as the Hylian Champion, I imagine anyone here would be honored to study under him. But shouldn't he also have a position in the Zora government?" said King Dorephan.

"Yes, I think he should. As a first step I would like to see him become a member of the council of elders," said Mipha. "I think he could bring a fresh perspective and viewpoint to them."

The council of elders was the committee charged with handling the affairs of the Zora government. Their meetings were chaired by King Dorephan.

"I would be greatly honored, of course," said Link. "But if you think it might be difficult for the Zora people to accept me in that role, then I am happy to do whatever I can for you without honor or position."

Link realized that in this timeline Mipha had not fallen victim to Waterblight Ganon but had survived. That was one of the objectives, actually his primary objective, of his time travel and the changing of events. Thus, there was no Zora resentment of him for her death as there was in his original timeline. But on the other hand, he was not the hero who had freed Vah Ruta and Mipha's spirit either. The Zora community respected Link for his role in Ganon's final defeat, but the local hero was very much their Zora Champion, Mipha herself.

"If this is something you both agree to, then as a first step, Link, you will need to renounce your Hylian citizenship and become a Zora citizen. Do you know how to do that?" said King Dorephan.

"I'm not sure. I need to check with someone in Hyrule. Since I am still under the service of His Majesty, King Rhoam, out of respect and courtesy and obligation I think I need to discuss this first with Princess Zelda," said Link. "King Rhoam did give me leave to no longer be Zelda's bodyguard, but technically I am still a knight in the King's service. Let me schedule a meeting with Princess Zelda."

Mipha and Link left the meeting and walked back to the central square.

"I thought our meeting went well. How do you think your meeting with Zelda will go? Do you want me to come with you?" asked Mipha.

"If you have time, I would love you to accompany me on the trip so we can be together. Now that I'm finally with you, I want to be with you all I can! But it might be better if I met with Zelda privately on this matter," said Link. "I have no idea how the meeting will go. But we get along well, and I hope there won't be a problem."