Summary: Dr. Purah does some high-tech work within a low-tech lab. Mipha insists on visiting Zora's Domain with paradoxical consequences. Mipha and Link place their faith in Hylia and take a chance on an uncertain future.

"We just traveled slightly over eighty-three years into the past," said Purah.

"What!" said Link. "Can you undo it?"

"I can but not right now. This type of rune needs to be specially prepared and, once prepared, can only be used once," said Purah.

Everyone was still, thinking of the implications of what Purah had just said.

"So, it's now forty-five years or so before I was born," said Link.

"None of us is born yet," said Mipha. "You are sure you can you fix this, Dr. Purah?"

"I can fix it. I just need to get an updated rune onto this Sheikah Slate. For that, I need to access the Hyrule Ancient Lab near Hyrule Castle. But we need to be very careful in the meantime. Changing something here can affect the future, including the time we want to return to. We need to limit interactions as much as possible, especially with anyone we suspect had something to do with our ancestors or us."

But Mipha wasn't paying any attention. She was staring off into the distance in the direction of Zora's Domain.

"My father and mother," said Mipha quietly. "They must be young adults now. I would love to see them."

Purah overheard her.

"Seeing them would cause no harm," said Purah. "Having much to do with them would be extremely risky."

"Can you explain why?" said Mipha.

"Because when we return to our time, we want the world to be just as we left it, don't we? I am going to return us to a moment after we traveled here. But if we tamper with events now, it will change the world we return to. It could be better or worse from our perspective, but the outcome can be unpredictable. So, I would urge all of us to be very careful."

"Be honest, Dr. Purah," said Link. "How confident are you of being able to return us to our time?"

"I'm always honest! I'm a scientist! Getting this Sheikah Slate to work with the technology of one hundred years earlier will be challenging. But don't forget I learned a good deal from my future self when you, Link, brought back my notes from 104 years after your Great Calamity. And I've been studying technology from my Sheikah colleagues in North Hyrule. Plus, I'm pretty resourceful. I know I can do it. Now, please give me your Tabs. I may need to use them for parts."

"So, do we all accompany you to the castle now?" said Link.

"No, I need to go alone," said Purah. "The less interaction, the better, remember? I am confident I can get my work done in three days, and we should meet back here then. In the meantime, I can't stress enough how important it is to be careful if we want to return successfully to our own time with as few changes as possible."

"Understood," said Link. "Good luck!"

After collecting their Tabs, Purah headed off toward Hyrule Castle.

"Should we just camp out here and keep to ourselves for three days?" said Link. "I would recommend that to have as little contact with people as possible."

"I would like to see the Domain," said Mipha still looking off into the distance. "I'll be careful. Let me remove my royal headdress and aiguillette before I forget. There, I look like any other Zora now."

"I don't really like this idea, Mipha. What about what I'm wearing, the Zora armor?" said Link. "Should I just tell people I'm on excellent terms with a Zora princess?"

"Very funny. Yes, we had better do something about the armor," said Mipha. "We'll stop at a shop and pick up some clothes for you. I hope our rupees are still good."

The nearest town with any shop was Gatepost Town. They had very few stores but did have one with some suitable clothing. Link entered the store, and the proprietor greeted him.

"Good day, sir, how may I help you?"

"I'd like to purchase a set of those clothes I see over there if you have my size," said Link.

"I'm sure we do, you size looks pretty average. Let me see, here, these should fit."

The owner took down a simple Hylian outfit.

"Do you want to try them on?"

"No, they look fine. How much?" said Link. The price was very reasonable, and Link paid. He guessed prices were lower eighty years earlier.

"I don't suppose you would be interested in selling the armor you're currently wearing? I could offer you an excellent price. In fact, you could name your price, within reason of course."

"No, I'm sorry," said Link. "This armor has sentimental value to me. But thank you and good day."

Link returned to where Mipha was waiting for him as he carried the Hylian outfit.

"Success?" said Mipha.

"Yes," said Link. "And the owner even offered to buy my Zora Armor. If I didn't need it for swimming on our trip, I was thinking that selling it would give us some funds to help Purah with her work. Then you could always offer me a new set of Zora Armor when we get back."

Link was good at teasing her sometimes, but not this time. She could see the twinkle in his eye, and she loved to tease him back.

"But what makes you think I would make the same mistake twice?" said Mipha. Then she laughed. "Glad to see our predicament is not hurting your sense of humor. Now, let's get going."

"Alright, what's next?" laughed Link.

"We head to Lake Hylia, then north on the Hylia River to the upper part of Nabi Lake then across the sandbar and the cluster of islands there and onward to the Zora River," said Mipha. "So, keep your Zora armor on for now until we get close to the Domain. I'm very excited about this!"

Meanwhile, Purah had made her way to the Ancient Lab, a place she was familiar with since it was where she did all her research. She approached the entrance, knocked, and the door was answered by a Sheikah.

"Yes, can I help you?" said the Sheikah who answered the door.

"Perhaps," said Purah. "But I can help you more."

"What do you mean?"

"I can solve whatever it is you're working on," said Purah.

"What arrogance! I am Lanah, the director of this lab, and I find that very hard to believe."

"Well, shall we discuss it in the doorway or can I come in? What are you working on now?" said Purah.

"Alright, come in," said Lanah. "But please don't touch anything. His Majesty has asked me to develop something to predict the weather. I have been measuring various atmospheric conditions but am unable to use these measurements to achieve any degree of accuracy in my forecasts. His Majesty has been quite displeased with my progress and even poked fun at me when I predicted a sunny day, and he ended up drenched with rain. Now, are you telling me you can do something about that?"

Purah thought for a minute. They obviously did not have Sheikah Tower signals here. But there were enough sensors in the Tabs to derive local weather conditions, and there was already a rune on most Tabs to predict the local weather. But she also had to be careful not to leave anything too advanced behind, or she would be guilty of significantly changing the future herself.

"Yes, but only under some conditions," said Purah. "I want that closed room over there to do my work. I will provide you with something useful in three days. But you cannot ask me any questions or look at my work or interrupt me. I want access to anything in the lab. And I want meals brought in so I can continue to work without having to leave."

"Who are you? How do I know that you are even a scientist?" said Lanah.

"Ask me something technical," said Purah, ignoring the first question.

"What is the chemical composition of sugar?" said Lanah.

"Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen," said Purah.

"What does adiabatic mean?" said Lanah.

"No heat exchanged," said Purah. "Now can we stop playing games and let me get to work?"

"Alright," said Lanah. "I may be crazy to agree to your terms, but I'm desperate at the moment. You can have that room there to yourself, and I'll arrange for meals. I'll check with you in three days. But if you have nothing to show for it I am going to turn you in as a fraud."

Purah collected the tools and equipment she would need and brought them to the room. Then she closed the door and locked it. She removed the three Tabs and the Sheikah Slate from her pack. She would use the parts from the three Tabs to craft a rune and two backup runes for the Sheikah Slate to activate the Temple. She could use the rest of the third Tab to craft a weather prediction device. But the Temple of Time work came first. She would work day and night, sleeping only when she must. And she would have meals left outside the room. She didn't want anyone looking through the open door.

Meanwhile, Mipha and Link were continuing the long journey to Zora's Domain. Link swam with her and Mipha helped pull him along when he got tired. Eventually, they reached an area just outside the Great Zora Bridge.They hadn't encountered any monsters on the way.

"Time to change out of the Zora Armor," said Mipha. Link swapped the Zora armor for the set of Hylian clothes, and then they made their way on foot together across the bridge until they were stopped by one of the two guards on duty there.

"Good evening, we are visitors," said Mipha.

"Welcome to the Domain," said the guard to Mipha. "Your Hylian companion may enter with you, but you are responsible for him. He cannot stay in the Domain without you."

"I understand," said Mipha. "He will be my responsibility."

"Enjoy your time here," said the guard as he let them pass.

"Now what are our plans?" said Link as they walked toward the plaza.

"It's getting late," said Mipha. "Let's get dinner then you can rent a bed at the inn, and I'll sleep in the pool. Tomorrow I would like to try to see my parents. I think they must have been married by now."

The stores and inn looked different, but the layout of the Domain was, of course, the same. They bought some fish, and after Link cooked his fish, they took it to one of the structures overlooking the plaza and ate.

"See, there is nothing to worry about," said Mipha. "Everyone leaves us alone. We are not affecting anything."

"I hope you're right," said Link. "How do you propose to see your parents?"

"Well, I can't just go to the throne room as the guards at the foot of the stairs would stop me," said Mipha. "But we can wait here tomorrow and see what happens. Perhaps I will see my father walk by. We have nothing else to do anyway."

"Alright," said Link. "I'll meet you for breakfast. Can I kiss you good night? Or will that change the distant future?"

"Not kissing me will change your immediate future," said Mipha.

Link laughed, and they kissed each other goodnight.

Next morning, they ate breakfast then sat overlooking the plaza. The day dragged on, and no one paid them any attention. They ate lunch and then dinner together and continued waiting. No one familiar passed by, which was not at all surprising. It was shortly before sunset when Mipha nudged Link and pointed.

"That's my father," said Mipha excitedly. "He looks just like I remember him when I was a little girl. But he's alone. My mother isn't with him."

"Where is he going?" said Link.

"He's walking toward the west bridge," said Mipha. "Wait, someone is meeting him. And they just embraced. That must be my mother. They are walking together now, holding hands, toward the west bridge. And there are no guards anywhere. I guess these were safer times. I didn't get a good enough look at my mother, though. I'm going to follow them."

"Are you serious?" said Link "Didn't you hear what Purah told us?"

"I know, but this is my only chance to see them," said Mipha. "You stay here. A single Zora walking around is not going to cause any stir. I have to go now before I lose sight of them. Everything will be fine."

"I pray to Hylia you're right," said Link. "Please be careful."

Mipha made her way back to the plaza and then toward the western bridge. She could see her father and mother in the distance walking together arm in arm, talking and laughing now and then. They appeared to be headed to Veiled Falls. Mipha followed but lost sight of them when the path curved to the left and rose. Shrubs and the landscape obscured her view. She slowed down and walked quietly but normally. Sneaking around would only look suspicious. As the path turned, she passed one of the shrubs and suddenly saw them. They were standing together with their arms around each other, talking as they watched the falling water. She could see her mother clearly now. She wished she could take a picture. But she had done what she wanted, and she would remember what she saw. It was time to go. But as she moved to withdraw some birds resting unseen in a nearby tree sensed her movement, and with a loud squawk, all of them flew into the air. Her father and mother turned and saw her standing there. Her best course of action was to act normally now.

"I am terribly sorry, Your Highness," said Mipha bowing her head. "I did not know anyone was here. I will go now."

"No, please wait," said her father. "You have as much right to be here as we do. But I don't recognize you. May I ask who you are?"

"I am a visitor here, Your Highness," said Mipha. "My name is Mipha."

"Mipha! What a beautiful name!" said her mother.

"This is my wife, Lady Marena, and I am Prince Dorephan," said Dorephan. "We enjoy coming to this place for its beauty and solitude."

"And forgive me for ruining it, Your Highness," said Mipha.

"No, not at all," laughed Dorephan. "Actually, we used to come here when we were younger. But we do it now for sentimental reasons and to have some quiet moments."

"Your Highness, I should be going now and leave you to enjoy this beautiful location," said Mipha.

"Thank you," said Marena. "You must compliment your parents, Mipha, on the choice of such a lovely name. Oh, but please forgive my thoughtlessness. Your parents are still alive I hope?"

"They are still alive, thank you, Lady Marena," said Mipha. "And good night."

Mipha made her way back to the plaza where Link was waiting.

"Well?" said Link. "What happened?"

"I managed to see them," said Mipha. "They went to Veiled Falls. But I was seen and had to speak with them. They asked me who I was and I told them. Then my mother said how much she loved my name. I suspect she will name her daughter Mipha now."

"Wonderful!" said Link. "We kind of know that already, don't we? You managed to create a causal loop paradox on the first full day we're here. Purah is going to have a fit."

"I was surprised and didn't know what else to say," said Mipha. "Anyway, no harm will come of that. What they will do is what actually happened, so nothing is changed."

"Just thinking about it makes my head spin," said Link.

"It's getting late," said Mipha. "We should rest."

"I still have a bed at the inn," said Link.

"Fine, I'll sleep in one of the pools again," said Mipha. "Let's meet for breakfast, and we can decide what to do next."

They kissed good night. Next morning when Link woke up, Mipha was already awake and waiting for him in the plaza. They got some breakfast and sat together.

"I think we should leave," said Link. "You've accomplished what you wanted. And we need to get back."

"You know, you and Purah view our being here as dangerous, as a threat, the result of the last attempt by that evil creature to succeed," said Mipha. "But maybe it is also an opportunity. A chance the Goddess Hylia is giving us to make things better."

"I wish Purah were here to discuss that with you," said Link. "She obviously knows more than I do. But she said changing things can produce unpredictable outcomes. What if you're never born after you change something? I don't know what will happen then, maybe you just disappear when we leave the Temple after returning to our time. Or who knows what else might change? There are so many random encounters that could turn out differently. What are you trying to make better?"

"My father's death," said Mipha. "I wish I could warn him somehow. It was the saddest day of my life."

"That was over ten years ago, I mean ten years ago from our time," said Link. "A lot has happened since then. You would be risking quite a bit to change that."

"But do you believe in the goodness of the Goddess of Time?" said Mipha. "Would she punish us for trying to save someone we love? You changed time once and took a chance. She didn't punish you."

"I believe in her goodness, of course," said Link. "And what I did was to save all of Hyrule."

"No, it wasn't. I read your memoirs," said Mipha. "It was to save me and save Hyrule in the process, not the other way around. You know that. You wrote as much. Saving Hyrule was the way to sell your idea."

Link had no answer to that. He remembered how much he missed her. Being with her had been the real motivation for all his efforts.

"At least I had Purah's and Zelda's approval for what I did," said Link. "What are you suggesting? Doing something on your own?"

"I want to warn my father in a way that changes as little as possible," said Mipha. "Will you help me, or not?"

"You know Lapha and Link were born after your father's death," said Link. "What if this affects them?"

"Do you trust in the Goddess?" said Mipha. "We were sent here from her Temple, and ever since I believed it was a chance to do good. If you love me, then help me to do this."

"Of course, I love you," said Link. "Why not try to save your mother?"

"Because that's too far back. My mother died before we were together," said Mipha. "I don't want to take a chance we will end up apart."

"Are you going to tell Dr. Purah about this?" said Link.

"Yes, I want to be completely honest," said Mipha.

"Let me think. Your father's death would happen about 72 years from now," said Link. "It's a bit challenging to think of how to warn him and not influence anything before that time."

Link thought for several minutes.

"Alright, if you trust your father to do as we instruct him, this might work. I'll need two envelopes and two pieces of paper," said Link.

"I can get that," said Mipha. She left for the inn and returned with what was needed.

"So, in the inner envelope, we include a message to beware of a Yiga Clan attack. Do not leave the throne room until they are dealt with," said Link. "And the outer envelope contains a message to open the second envelope first thing the morning of the tenth anniversary of Ganon's attack. He will have to trust that such an event will occur. But is there some way to convince him to follow the instructions to the letter, that all this is not just nonsense?"

"Yes," said Mipha. "I will write a little used Zora royal symbol at the bottom. He will know the letter is genuine, though he will obviously not know who it's from."

They finished work on the letters and sealed everything in the outer envelope addressed to Prince Dorephan. Mipha delivered it to one of the guards.

"Now, we had better leave before my father sees the letter and they start looking for the person who gave it to the guard," said Mipha. "Let's go."