Fan Fiction Friday: Mipha’s Song – Part 4

The next few weeks passed by in a blur. My time was split between Hyrule Castle and Zora’s Domain. It was also split between being among the other champions and my family. Any second that I had outside of those commitments was spent within the walls of the Divine Beast, Vah Ruta. My family had become so understanding of my absence and were supportive of my duties as Champion. The other champions and Princess Zelda had become almost a pseudo-family for me. I had begun to cherish the times I would be among the others but deep down in my heart, I knew it was because it was more time spent with Link. I still needed to find the time to give him the gift I had made. I knew that he would be visiting the Domain soon and I had it all planned out! I only needed the courage to go forward.

Upon leaving Hyrule Castle for the first time, Zelda left me with a field journal filled with notes about Ruta. Its current location, notes from the Sheikah tribe, and so many other gems of knowledge that she had gathered. The princess was quite the scholar and I had come to admire her determination. I had also come to admire the leather bound journal she left me. Her looping script that detailed her notes, drawings of the inner workings of Ruta, and the great asset that the journal itself had become to me. I knew that it would be the key to my survival alongside Ruta.

I remember approaching the Divine Beast for the first time. It was an intimidating experience but exhilarating too. Vah Ruta towered in height over me and stood mightily in the waters of the East Reservoir Lake. I swam swiftly toward the mammoth like creature; holding on to all of my courage. Ruta sounded excitedly as I approached and I ducked under the rippling water in fear of its mighty roar. I popped up quickly to see a platform descending into the water, welcoming me. I stepped aboard the ancient beast alone, with my trident in one hand and Zelda’s journal in the other.   

The inside of Vah Ruta was just as ancient and spectacular as the outside. The walls and floor were decorated in ancient Sheikah patterns. I opened the journal gingerly. It had gotten a little wet in the swim over, but nothing appeared to be damaged. Among the pages was a drawn miniature map of the inside and a note that simply said –

The heart. 

I supposed that I must find the heart first to better understand Zelda’s notes, and so I walked further inside and looked around curiously at all the details surrounding me. Small pools of water made up the first room along with a slope leading down to a smaller room. I looked at the map and saw a small heart noted inside this room too. Once inside I stood in another shallow pool of water and came face to face with a large, mechanical heart. I glanced at Zelda’s instructions again –

Champion, place your hand on the central terminal and the beast will respond.

I looked at my hand and then to the round plate against the heart. Without any more fear, I placed my palm to the terminal and felt a warmth run through me. The heart lit up a bright orange and blue and filled the small room with light. The water at my feet rippled as Ruta let out a tremor and roared with excitement. The warmth of Ruta’s heart filled me. The two of us created a bond that would not be easily broken. Through this bond Ruta communicated to me of its former champion, its memories, and its appreciation of me.

I watched as the light danced through the room and flowed through the belly of Vah Ruta. The mechanical gears began to turn, water flowed freely from Ruta’s long trunk, and the heart glowed in rhythmic beats. I looked around at this divine symphony in awe.

“Ruta, we must aid Link at all costs,” I said aloud, tightening my new, blue sash around me.

Ruta did not respond in a roar, but through our bond instead. In those moments we both knew what our quest was.

“Ruta, I hope that you understand that our destinies are intertwined. I shall fight alongside you. I shall do my best to protect the ones that I love.”

---

“I am so very happy to hear that you are managing Vah Ruta so well,” Princess Zelda said with a smile.

Zelda seemed to be in higher spirits during this visit to the castle and my heart swelled at her appreciation of my success. Our meeting together was taking place in the grounds of the castle, under one of the many gazebos. The waterfalls around us rushed, birds flitted in the air, and a gentle breeze blew through Zelda’s long golden hair.

“Thank you, Princess,” I replied, trying to hide the excited tone in my voice. “If I may ask, how are the other champions faring?”

Zelda sighed and took a small sip of her tea. “As I mentioned earlier, you are doing the best of the four. Urbosa has been doing well, but Naboris seems to be the most laborious of the Divine Beasts. Revali informed me that he’s having no problems at all, but that was before I could even ask him so I can only assume. Daruk has been having some troubles, so Link and I traveled to Goron City recently to aid him. Overall things are going well and it could be worse…” Zelda ran her slender finger along the rim up the tea cup before taking another sip. She looked worried despite her earlier joyous appearance.

“Princess, are you all right?” I asked, curiously. Having healed many people over the years, I had learned to tell when someone was worried. I felt like I had a connection with people that not many had.

“I recently returned from the Spring of Power with no avail. The threat of Calamity Ganon looms ever closer and I fear that I will be ill prepared to aid the champions,” Zelda replied, gazing at me with her sad eyes.

I reached out and patted her hand, “I know nothing of the Hylian princesses of old, but I do know that there is power within you. I only pray that the Goddess blesses you in due time…”

Zelda smiled again, “Thank you, Mipha. Your company is very encouraging to me. Link speaks very highly of you, I might add.”

Link spoke of me… I tried very hard to hide my blushing face in front of the princess, “I have known Link for quite a long time. I consider him my oldest friend.”

“I didn’t know that! Please forgive me, I am trying to take time to get to know everyone but it has been rather difficult with all of my duties. I’m also trying to complete more research too,” Zelda said, gazing out wistfully towards Castle Town. “I’m sure you can imagine the difficulty, being a princess yourself. I mustn’t keep you though. I need to be making more preparations for my visit to the Spring of Wisdom. I know that I shall be seeing you soon.”

“Of course. Thank you for the tea,” I replied, scooting out of my chair as gracefully as I could.

Zelda smiled and departed with her guard that was standing close by. I stood in the empty gazebo alone, trying to put myself in Princess Zelda’s shoes. She must have felt alone quite often; the pressure must be awful. I leaned against the post of the gazebo and gazed up at the castle. The towers and spires were beautiful but Zora’s Domain would always be home.

Quick footsteps woke me from my dreamlike gazing. I turned quickly and had to catch my breath — Link! He looked around quickly before noticing me.

“Hello Link…” I suddenly felt awkward standing alone. I assumed that he was looking for Zelda and not for me, but I continued speaking anyway. “Um, it’s a beautiful day.”

I looked up at the blue skies and then back to Link. His posture was always so stiff and his face expressionless. There were so many times when I longed for the days of old.

Link nodded and looked to the sky as well. A smile drifted across his face and his posture relaxed. I wondered what he was thinking about.

“I hope I will get to see you in Zora’s Domain soon. You still plan to visit after we travel with Zelda to Mount Lanayru, right?”

“Of course.”

His verbal reply sent my heart into a frenzy. He seldom spoke to anyone and it was a gift to hear his voice.

“Good. I shall be seeing you soon then. I’m about to depart for Zora’s Domain once again,” I tugged on the edge of my sash and hoped to hear his voice one last time.

“Be safe,” was all he said, and that was enough for me. We parted ways with simple smiles knowing that it wouldn’t be long until we would meet again.

---

Many days later, I woke in my family’s pool. The water was familiar and cool and I longed to sleep a little longer. My recent dreams had been plagued with nightmares of the Calamity. I swam over to Sidon and held him close. I wanted to spend as much time with my family as I could before leaving to be with the champions again.

“Mipha?” Sidon yawned, stretching out in my arms.

“Good morning. I hope you slept well.” I said with a smile.

The young prince nodded and wrapped his arms around me. “Father told me that today is an important day.”

“Indeed it is, and like all the other times, I will return home safe and sound,” I said, flicking his nose.

Sidon splashed me, “Promise?”

“Promise.”

Little did I know that these would be the last moments that I would ever spend time with my dear brother.

 

Heather Beard is a writer for Zelda Dungeon. She’s a (crazy) cat lady with a passion for Zelda lore, and really cheesy pizza. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and Twitter!

Featured image artwork is by the author, Heather Beard.