Link shook his head, his hands resting on the backs of his hips. "Zelda, I'm fine. You needn't worry anymore. We have to go out, find Delian, and stop him."

"He let me go!" Zelda protested. "He gave me his dagger. He let you live!" Zelda sighed, trying not to think about how weak and vulnerable she had been. Delian stood, only feet away from Link. She gave him the ability to only drive Apollo's dagger deeper into Link's shoulder. All she did was stand still, begging him to leave Link alone.

"He's still a threat, Zelda," Link said, his voice low. "Apollo put on that nice-guy act. Delian could be doing the same."

Before Zelda could protest any further, Link shook his head, as if thinking twice. He began to walk away from the young queen, out of the inn. She watched him take short strides, down into the center of Zora's Domain. She wanted to follow him; to ask him to consider her plea more. As if her feet were glued to the glass floor, she stood still, unable to go after him.

This was the first time Zelda had felt so alone in a few days.

~~~

The two waited at the entrance of Zora's Domain, looking out for Revali and Mipha. Zelda grew anxious and afraid, hoping her friends were able to escape the beasts that surrounded her horse by Rito Village. Her left hand clutched her right forearm as she stood awkwardly beside Link. The two of them hadn't talked since their conversation about Delian about half an hour ago.

After standing for what seemed like hours, Zelda fell to her knees, sliding them out from under her body, sitting down.

She sighed, breaking the silence. "I trust any decision you make."

Link simply looked down at Zelda.

She shrugged her shoulders. "You wish to do whatever it is to protect my kingdom and I. I trust your judgement."

Link turned back toward the entrance of Zora's Domain. "Thank you."

Zelda held back another sigh. She was only trying to make conversation.

The sound of quick flapping wings startled the two. Revali landed in front of them, placing his wings on his hips dramatically. "Your horse has been saved and returned to Hyrule Castle."

Zelda smiled. "Revali I don't know how I could ever repay you-"

"How did you make it to Hyrule Castle without getting caught by Philip's henchmen?" Link crossed his arms over his chest, stepping closer to Revali.

"I see pretty boy is finally awake," Revali rolled his eyes. Zelda noticed that, although Revali had seemed to be very worried about Link's injuries a while ago, now was back to being cold toward him. "We returned it to the stable without anyone noticing. Mipha will be back with her Zora knights soon."

"How did you get her back?" Zelda asked, before Link could say anything else.

"I invited a few of my best Rito warriors along for the quick journey," he said. "We took out the beasts, just barely making it away from the Lynel. We were unable to kill that monster."

"I could have killed it," Link mumbled.

Zelda clenched her teeth, not in the mood for Link's retorts. "I don't want to hear it. You're still hurt."

Before Link said anything else, Revali held up his wing proudly. "Your horse is safe, that is all that matters right now." Revali turned his head slightly, looking behind him. "Mipha should be back soon."

The three waited for Mipha by the entrance of Zora's Domain. They ultimately decided to have a meal at the inn, cooking up a few ingredients from the nearby Zora trading post. Zelda was able to whip up a few cooked hearty radishes, her absolute favorite. They were so full of flavor. She then simmered some fruit and sautéed different kinds of nuts for the boys to eat. It wasn't much, but it was all they had. Zelda's carriage was back at the stable by Rito Village.

"Our next plan is to take back the castle," Revali said. "Who knows what that creep has going on over there. He could have already taken everyone over for all we know!"

Zelda winced at the thought, instantly losing her appetite. She thought of all of the children she plays with regularly; the children from Castle Town. They were all so sweet, and full of love and compassion. She feared for them and their families. The young queen knew she had to take back what was rightfully hers, in order to save the people she cared about most.

Link looked over at Zelda, hesitating to put his hand on her back. "It's going to be okay. We'll gather up as many people as we can to fight back against Philip. I promise, we will save your people, Zel."

Hearing her nickname made Zelda's heart beat a little faster. She nodded her head. "I need to save everyone."

"And we're here to help," Revali said, reassuring Zelda.

Link stood up suddenly, dropping the fruit he held in his hands. He took off, running in the direction of the entrance to Zora's Domain.

Zelda watched as he ran, standing up herself. "Link! What is it?" She ran after him, hearing Revali stand up and follow behind her.

"Captured!" was all Zelda heard someone cry.

Link stopped in his tracks. Standing before him were two Zora knights. They were bent over, catching their breath.

"What did you say?" Link demanded, his eyes wide.

"Mipha! Lady Mipha!" one Zora knight forced from his throat.

Zelda froze.

Revali scowled. "What do you mean? What happened to her? You all said you would be fine getting back here!"

Zelda's breath hitched in her throat.

"We returned the queen's horse to the stables-"

"I was there for that!" Revali bellowed. His anger erupted from within him. Zelda could feel his belligerence from feet away. "Where is she?"

One knight stood up straight, seeming bewildered and lost. He looked around for a bit, then focused back to Revali. "We were swimming up Rutala River, trying to avoid conflict, when a man appeared from smoke and jumped atop Mipha!"

"They both disappeared! The man was cloaked in a garnet suit with an eye on it!" the other knight said.

"Goddesses," Revali growled. "It sounds like the Yiga Clan."

"Philip must have made a deal with Kogha," Link clenched his teeth. "No doubt about it. I know of no other monster or man that is able to appear from smoke like those of the Yiga clan."

Zelda balled her hands into fists, until her arms fell limp at her sides. "Mipha was our healer and strong ally, and now..." the young queen's face suddenly turned emotionless, as if she had begun to lose hope. "...all because of me..."

Link shook his head, placing a hand upon Zelda's shoulder. "Zel, this is not your fault. It's Philip's."

"How did he even know about the Yiga Clan?" Zelda wondered aloud. "He has never been to Hyrule before."

Link shrugged his shoulders gently. "I don't know. But we can't just sit and wonder anymore." He leaned in closer to Zelda, getting her attention and locking eyes. "We're all going to rescue her, okay?"

Zelda nodded.

"This isn't your fault," Link said softly, yet his words were almost being drowned out, as if Zelda was slowly sinking underwater.

Zelda held her hands over her ears, feeling the cold surround her body. The pressure became so immense, that she began to shake. Her heart pounded in her chest.

Mipha is in danger because I decided to test fate with my father.

The roar of pressure and water became louder and louder, like a monster crying out while hunting its prey.

What have I done...?

Zelda's eyes widened.

What have I done?!

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