The Legend of Zelda: Return to the Wild: Chap. 19

In Zora’s Domain, all Zoras celebrated Mipha’s birthday and her return along with Sidon’s achievement to be the new Zora’s Champion with his sister.

“CHEERS!”  Everyone said as they drank.

Most Zoras sat down and ate their food while others talked.  In the center of the party was their Zora King sitting at a large table with his two children, the two Hylians, Oceà and Paya.  On his right hand side was Zelda, Link and Paya and on his left side was Mipha, Sidon and Oceà sitting as they ate their food.

Zelda was dressed in her traveling clothes, Link was dressed in his Champion tunic and Paya was dressed in her Sheikah Armor.

“You certainly know how to throw a party, King Dorephan”,  Zelda said to him.

“Thank you Princess”,  Dorephan replied.  “But every year at the Champion Festival it was mostly sad to celebrate our lost Princess”,  Zelda looked down in shame.  The Zora King noticed her face.  “Now, now Princess.  We have Mipha returned to us.  I would never blame you for her death.”

“I still want to make it up to everyone from what happened 100 years ago”,  Zelda said.  “Even if it involves painful memories, I think I can manage with some help.”

“I’ll be more than happy to help where possible when needed Princess”,  The Zora King said with a smile.  “All you have to do is ask me.”

“Thank you Father”,  The Zora Princess said.  “But it would be too dangerous to let some Zoras go to Hyrule Castle.”

“Is it because Calamity Ganon is coming back?”  Zelda and others were shocked when Dorephan knew about the monster returning.  He chuckled.  “It’s alright, I already sensed his presence from the Castle.  Don’t worry I won’t tell the Zoras during the party.  This party is about you and my children.  I’ll tell them later.”

Zelda and the others felt relieved that Dorephan wouldn’t say a word about Ganon’s returning until later.  The last thing they wanted was to worry everyone.  A thought came to Zelda.  “Those powers the Divine Beasts can do”,  She said as she turned to Link and Paya.  “Do you think they saved Urbosa, Revali and Daruk.”

“I don’t know”,  Link said.  “But Lady Ruta did say they are related to each other.”

“Yeah”,  Paya agreed.  “I still want to know more about my ancestors and learn why they made the Divine Beasts and how to hear their calls.  I want to know more about the other Champions too.  There are only three people I know who can teach me more about my ancestors and tell me about the Champions.  But my grandmother, Auntie Purah and Uncle Robbie and all should be in Tarry Town by now.”

“Oh yes, Lady Impa and the others are there safe and sound”,  A voice said.  Paya and the others were surprised by the voice.  They turned to see who it was and saw Theo.  “Hi, long time no see.”

“Theo?”  Zelda, Link and Paya said.

“You know him?”  Sidon asked.

“He’s the leader of some Sheikah warriors”,  Paya explained.  She looked back at the Sheikah warrior.  “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to let you know your Grandmother and the others made it to Tarry Town safe and sound”,  Theo answered.  He looked at Mipha.  “Hey you look a lot like the Zora statue.  I think it was the Zora Champion, Mipha was her name was it?”

Link came up to him.  “Uh Theo”,  He said.  “That is Mipha the Champion of the Zoras.”

Theo looked at Mipha’s statue, then looked at the real Mipha.  He looked back and forth a few times.  Till it came to him, the real Mipha from 100 years ago is back from the dead.  “You really are Lady Mipha?”  Mipha nodded.  “The Zora Champion from 100 years ago?”  She nodded again.  “But you died from the Great Calamity!  How did you come back?!”  Everyone told Theo what happened and he finally understood.

“Hey Theo”,  Paya called to him.  “What do you know about our ancestors?”

Theo looked at her.  “Come with me.  It’s only shared amongst the Sheikahs.  No offense everyone”,  He said to the others.

“None taken”,  They replied.

Theo and Paya walked away from the table to talk alone.  Once they were gone everyone went back to eating their food.  Just then Link heard music he knew all too well.  It sounded like someone was playing an accordion.  Link excused himself from the others and followed the music.  Once he saw a familiar blue bird man, he walked up to him.  “Kass?”  He called the bird.

Kass turned around and saw Link.  “Oh fancy meeting you here”,  He said.  “Must be destiny to keep running into each other all the time.”

Link laughed at his joke.  “Very funny Kass.  What brings you here to Zora’s Domain?”  He asked.

“I’m here to know about the Champion Festival”,  Kass answered.  “To learn more about their late Champion Mipha.  Also I keep hearing rumors the Zoras are going to have a new Champion.  Did you hear anything about this?”

“They have a new Champion!”  Link answered.  “Come on I’ll introduce you to him.”

Link and Kass walked back to the table where the Royal Zora family sat.  Zelda was the first to notice Link and Kass coming.  She got out of her seat and walked up to them.

“Oh hello there”,  Kass said to her.  “I don’t believe we’ve met.  I’m Kass from the Rito Tribe.”

“Please to meet you Kass”,  Zelda replied.  “I’m Zelda.”

“That’s funny I thought you say your name was ‘Zelda’”,  Kass laughed.

Zelda just smiled at him.  “I did.”

Kass kept staring at Zelda for a few minutes.  He finally realized this is the Princess of Hyrule from 100 years ago!  “Oh my!”  Kass shouted as he kneeled down to her.  “Princess it’s wonderful to have you back!”

Zelda and Link looked at each other then looked back at Kass.  “How did you know I was the Princess?”  Zelda asked him.

Kass got back on his feet.  “My teacher never stops talking about you Princess.  But that’s a story for another time.  Why I’m here is to give something to the Royal Zora family.”

“What is it?”  Zelda and Link asked.

“You’ll know when you see it”,  Kass answered.

They walked to the table and when they arrived Sidon and Dorephan were the first to recognize Kass.

“Ah Kass!”  Dorephan said.  “It’s good to see you again!  Especially at the Champion Festival!”

“Thank you Your Majesty”,  Kass replied.  “It’s good to see you and your son again as well.”

Mipha was a little confused.  “If I may”,  She called Kass.  “I don’t believe we’ve met?”

Kass looked at Mipha.  “Oh no my apologies Miss”,  He said.  “I am Kass from the R-”  He stopped himself when he realized who this Zora was.  Lady Mipha!  The Champion of the Zoras!  Here and alive!  “I can’t believe this!  You are Lady Mipha!  The Zora Champion!”

“How did you know?”  Mipha asked.

“Well from your statue and my teacher tells me stories about you, the Princess and the other Champions”,  Kass answered.  “How are you alive and well?”

“It's a long story, I’ll tell you later”,  Link said to him.

“I see now”,  Kass nodded in understanding.  “What’s most important is the here and now”,  He looked at the Zora King.  “I heard you have a new Champion, is that true Your Majesty?”

“Oh yes, it’s true!”  The Zora King answered.  “It is my son Sidon.”

Kass looked at Sidon with shock on his face.  “Prince Sidon?!  You?!”

Sidon nodded as he did his pose.  “Yes and with my sister back, no enemies will stand a chance!”

Kass smiled at that.  “By the way I wrote a song for Lady Mipha after what your father and brother told me about you while I was starting to get to know you and the Champions.  I wanted to sing this to you and the Zoras after losing your daughter 100 years ago.  But now with her back, let me sing this to her as a welcome back present.  Would you all like to hear?”

“I would love to hear it Kass!”  Mipha said.

“Excellent!  Without further ado…”  He cleared his voice and started playing his accordion.  “~Recall the Champion of Ruta’s wrath, before she walked her chosen path.  Mipha's kindness was known to all, which is why the princess came to call.~”

After the Rito finished his song, tears came out of Mipha’s eyes.  “It’s beautiful!”  She said as she ran up to Kass and hugged him.  “Thank you so much!”

Kass was surprised by her hug, but he hugged her back.  “You are welcome Princess.”

“Hey Kass?”  Sidon called him.  “You said you have a gift for us, right?”

“Oh yes!”  Kass realized.  He let go of Mipha and took out a treasure chest.  Everyone looked at the treasure chest.

“What’s in it?”  Link asked.

“I don’t know”,  Kass answered.  “I’ve never looked.  My teacher gave it to me and told me to give it to the Royal Zora family when the Calamity is gone.  I would like this to be a congratulations present for Sidon and a welcome back present for Mipha.”

Mipha and Sidon looked at each other, then looked at Kass.  “Thank you”,  They said to him.  The two Zoras looked at the treasure chest.  They took a deep breath and opened it together.  Once they opened it, Mipha gasped and the others grew concerned.

“I can’t believe this!”  Mipha said in shock.  “Your teacher had this the whole time?!  I thought it was destroyed during the Great Calamity!”

Zelda came up to them and saw what’s inside the treasure chest.  She immediately recognized it.  “Oh I remember”,  She said.  “This happened when you and Sidon came back to Zora’s Domain from Divine Beast Vah Ruta with the other Champions.”

*FLASHBACK*

Outside of Zora’s Domain from 100 years ago, Mipha and her friends were just coming back from Divine Beast Vah Ruta.  Along with her was Urbosa the Champion of the Gerudo, Revali the Champion of the Rito and Daruk the Champion of the Gorons.  On the Goron’s head was Mipha’s little brother Young Sidon.  Near the end of the Great Zora Bridge, Mipha was the first to see Zelda and Link at the entrance of Zora’s Domain.

“Hello there Princess!”  The Zora shouted to them.  “I have exciting news to tell you!”

Zelda and Link saw the Champions coming to the entrance.  The two Hylians walked up to them.  “Hello everyone!”  The Princess said.  She looked at Daruk and noticed Young Sidon was on his head.  “Nice hat Daruk.”

“HA!  Very funny Tiny Princess”,  The Goron said.

Zelda laughed at his joke.  She looked at Mipha.  “What’s your news on Divine Beast Vah Ruta?”

“I’ve learned how to control it”,  Mipha answered.

“That’s wonderful Mipha!”  Zelda said with excitement.  “Once the Divine Beasts are ready for battle, they-”

“What are all you doing here?!”  A voice asked in anger.  Everyone turned to see the King of Hyrule, Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule.  Along with him was the Zora King Dorephan.

“Uh-oh”,  Daruk said as he put Young Sidon down.  “Fun time is over little Fish.  Go to your sister”,  He whispered to the young Prince.  Young Sidon nodded in understanding and went to hide behind his big sister.

Everyone knelt down to their King, except Zelda.  Zelda stood her ground to her father.  “We were just getting reports from Mipha about the Divine Beast here”,  She answered.  “And she just learned how to control it.”

Rhoam looked at Mipha who was still kneeling down to him.  “Mipha, rise”,  He said to the Zora Champion.  Mipha got up and looked at the King of Hyrule.  “Well done for controlling the Divine Beast.”

Mipha gave him a shy smile.  “Thank you Your Majesty.”

“Father”,  Zelda said to him.  “The other Champions still do not know how to control the Divine Beasts.  Mipha will help them to learn how to do it.”

Rhoam was about to discuss Zelda’s plans, but Dorephan stopped him by touching his shoulder.  “It might help them as well”,  He said to the King of Hyrule.  “Also they can get to know each other while learning how to control the Divine Beasts.”

Rhoam looked at Dorephan for a few moments, till he realized the Zora King was right.  “Very well then”,  He agreed.  He looked at the Champions.  “But once you’re done learning how to control the Divine Beasts, I expect you all to stay near them when that monster Ganon has come.  Understand?”

All four Champions looked straight at their King.  “Understood Your Majesty!”

“Very good”,  The King said.  He looked at Dorephan.  “I need to talk to you about something in the throne room Dorephan.”

“I’ll be there Rhoam”,  The Zora King replied.  Dorephan looked at his children, the Princess and the rest of the Champions.  “You are welcome to spend the night here before you go back to your duties”,  Everyone nodded their heads for their thanks.  He looked back at Rhoam.  ”I just need to talk to Mipha for a few minutes.”

Rhoam nodded his head and said.  “Very well, don’t take too long”,  He finished as he walked to the throne room.

Dorephan sighed.  He looked at his daughter.  “Mipha, I’m very proud of you”,  He said to her.  He put his hand on her shoulder.  “I know you will be very helpful to everyone once the Divine Beast is ready.  Your mother would be happy to hear this.”

Mipha smiled sadly.  “I miss her.”

The Zora King just smiled at her.  “I know, I miss her too”,  He said.  “But she is here”,  Dorephan placed his hand on Mipha’s chest where her heart is.  “And she will always be in there, now and forever.”

Dorephan felt a little tug from his other hand, he looked down and saw Young Sidon.  “Papa, can I spend more time with Big Sis before she leaves home?”  He asked his father.

“Oh of course you can Sidon”,  The Zora King answered.  “Just stay close to her at all times.  Understand little one?”

Young Sidon nodded his head as he did his pose.  Dorephan laughed as he picked up his son and tossed him in the air and caught him.  Young Sidon couldn’t stop laughing as his father kept tossing him.  Zelda smiled at the sight, but it faded away as she thought of her father not giving her support from doing her training.

_____TLOZ:RTTW_____

It was evening at East Reservoir Lake.  Zelda, Link, Mipha and young Sidon were at the docks of the lake.  Zelda hadn’t spoken since the four of them left from Zora’s Domain.  Link and Young Sidon were playing by the water.

Mipha noticed Zelda being so quiet she walked up to her.  “Princess are you alright?”  She asked.  “You haven’t said a word since we arrived at the lake.”

Zelda looked at the Zora Champion.  “Oh sorry Mipha”,  She said.  “I was thinking how your father treated you and Sidon today, and I was a little jealous of you.”

Mipha was shocked and confused from what she said.  “You are?  From what?”

“How your father treated you more like he is a father then he is a king, like how my father always is a king to everyone, even me”,  The Princess answered sadly.

Mipha looked at Zelda sadly.  “I’m sorry to hear that Princess”,  The red Zora said.  “But maybe when the fight from Calamity Ganon is over, he might be more of a father to you.  He must be the most worried about the Calamity coming than anyone.”

Zelda looked at Mipha with a smile.  “Thank you Mipha, that might be it”,  She said.  “And you don’t need to call me ‘Princess’ all the time Mipha.  You can call me ‘Zelda’.  We are friends after all.”

Mipha nodded.  “As you wish Pr- I mean Zelda.”

“Big Sis!”  A little voice called to Mipha.  The girls turned to Link and Young Sidon.  Young Sidon was sitting on Link’s shoulders as Link was walking to the girls.  “Look big Sis!  I’m bigger than you!”  Young Sidon said.

Zelda and Mipha laughed.  “Yes you are Sidon”,  Mipha said.  “Maybe once you’re bigger, you might be bigger than Daruk.”

“Really?!”  Young Sidon said as his eyes beamed with hope.  He noticed the Sheikah Slate on Zelda’s hip.  “What’s that Miss Zelda?”  He pointed at the Sheikah Slate.

Everyone looked at the Sheikah Slate.  Zelda looked back at Young Sidon with a smile.  “That is a Sheikah Slate Sidon”,  She answered.  “We don’t know much about it or what it can do.  But all we know it can bring live images.”

“Whoa!”  Young Sidon said excitedly.  A thought came to him.  “Hey Miss Zelda, can we do something with the Sheikah Slate?”

Zelda and Mipha smiled at the little Prince.

_____TLOZ:RTTW_____

“Alright now”,  Zelda said.  “Right there will be fine”,  She was trying to take a picture of the two Zoras.  Mipha was holding Young Sidon.  They were standing in front of the lake where they could see Divine Beast Vah Ruta in the picture.

Mipha noticed Young Sidon was getting a little nervous.  “It’s alright Sidon”,  She said to him.  “When everyone sees this picture, they will know how much we love each other as brother and sister.”

“Ready”,  Zelda said as she was about to take the picture.  “Now!”

In the picture.  Young Sidon was hugging Mipha with his arms around her neck, a big smile with his teeth showing as a spark came out of his teeth.  Mipha held Young Sidon close to her and winked.

*END FLASHBACK*

Mipha and Sidon were holding the very same picture they took 100 years ago!  Sidon completely forgot this picture.  Mipha thought it was destroyed from the Great Calamity, but Kass’ teacher had this the whole time.

Mipha ran up to hug Kass tightly as tears fell down her cheeks.  “Thank you Kass!  Thank you so much!”  She cried on him.

Kass just smiled as he hugged her back.  “Your welcome Princess”,  Was all he could say to her.

Paya and Theo returned to the group from their private conversation.  “So that’s all you know about our ancestors Theo?”  Paya asked him.

“Yes Miss Paya”,  Theo answered.  “That’s all, I’m sorry.”

Before Paya could say something back to Theo.  A voice called to her.  “Paya?!”  She looked to see who called her and saw the Rito.  Her eyes went wide when she saw Kass and everyone was shocked when Paya said.

“Uncle Kass?!”

TO BE CONTINUED…..