Summary: After solving a problem for Lapha, Tila is invited to join Dr. Purah's staff and help with mathematics instruction, but overextends herself at first. Urbosa's illness makes a thirtieth victory celebration reunion unlikely.

It was a chilly but sunny late morning as Tila strolled about Castle Town looking at the shops. Link was unable to meet her for lunch today, so she was on her own. On her own except for a pair of Royal Guard soldiers who followed her a short distance away. Princess Zelda had instructed the Commander of the Guards to make sure Tila was well protected. Zelda did not want any chance of a repeat occurrence of the unpleasant incident that had resulted in Link sending three guards who insulted Tila to the infirmary. As a result, Faray had agreed to no longer provide Zora guards for Tila. As Tila approached the central square, she noticed Lapha sitting alone by the fountain busy using a stylus with her Tab, apparently working on something. Tila approached her, waited for Lapha to look up, and when she finally did so, Tila greeted her.

"Hello, Lapha," said Tila. "It's a nice surprise to see you. I hope you're well."

"Oh! Tila, hello," said Lapha standing up. "Yes, I'm fine, and I hope you are too. Are you enjoying living here?"

"Yes, it's fun," said Tila. "I'm pretty familiar with Castle Town from all my weekend visits. I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"No, not at all," said Lapha. "I was just going over my notes. It's lunchtime anyway. Would you care to join me for lunch? Or do you have other plans?"

"No, I would be delighted," said Tila. "I usually meet Link for lunch, but he's busy today with some Royal Guard meetings. Do you have a place you prefer?"

"I'm partial to the Crab Castle if that's okay with you?" said Lapha.

"I love crabs!" said Tila. "Crab Castle it is!"

They walked the short distance to the Crab Castle, were seated at once, and placed a large order of two types of crabs to share.

"Lapha, I've been friends with Mila for a long time, but I would like to get to know you and the rest of Link's family better," said Tila. "I know you and Link were quite close growing up, and he often speaks of how much you helped him. I hope we can be as sisters to each other."

"That's very kind of you, Tila, and yes, you're right," said Lapha. "We should get to know each other better. I'm sorry I haven't been as sociable as I should have been with you, but I promise to do better. You are family now, and I know my brother is thrilled to be with you. I can read it in his eyes."

"I'm glad," said Tila as she smiled at her. "And I will do my best as well. We hope to visit your domain next weekend."

The waiter served the crabs, and they began to eat.

"Very tasty!" said Tila as she bit into one of the crabs.

After swallowing, Tila spoke up again.

"Lapha, may I ask what the issue was that put me under suspicion?" said Tila.

After swallowing a bite of crab herself, Lapha answered her.

"I don't mind telling you now," said Lapha. "Someone used the Shrine of Transformation, but the log file was corrupted. Once we determined the event occurred during the month you spent in our Domain with Mila, we knew you weren't involved. I hope you weren't offended by what happened."

"No, I understand," said Tila. "It never bothered me because I knew I was innocent of any wrongdoing. But that is very strange, I agree. That must have occurred when Sopha was our queen. I'm sorry, but I was not in a position to know about such matters back then, and Sopha tended to be very private. I don't know what could have happened. Have you asked Faray?"

"No, she was also under suspicion, "said Lapha. "Anyway, the matter is closed for now. We cannot uncover any more about it."

They each helped themselves to another crab.

"May I ask why you are so interested in the Shrine of Transformation?" said Tila. "Until recently it was seldom if ever used."

"I'm hoping I can adapt the process to help cure diseases," said Lapha. "If we can better understand the process, we can use it to replace sick cells with healthy ones."

"That would be a fantastic result. Is there something, in particular, you are having difficulty with?" said Tila as she helped herself to another crab.

"Several things actually," said Lapha. "One is how the Ancient Energy materialization field itself operates. Another is how the cellular transformation process works. And there are several other more technical matters, mostly biological. It will take some time to figure all this out."

"I see," said Tila. "Well, I can't help you with the biology issues. But I can show you the equation for the Ancient Energy field. Would that help you?"

"What!?" said Lapha. "You know something about that?"

"Give me a moment," said Tila examining her Tab. After a few moments, she announced she had found it.

"Here, I'll Tab the equation to you," said Tila. "The Ancient Energy transformation, dematerializing and materializing, is essentially a three-dimensional geometric process and can be described using a fourth-order non-linear partial differential equation. There is no analytic solution, but you can approximate it numerically."

Lapha examined the equation Tila had sent her while Tila helped herself to another crab.

"I studied under the Sheikah, remember?" said Tila after swallowing. "They are very knowledgeable. You should have asked."

"Indeed I should have," said Lapha. "I will share this at once with Dr. Purah."

Lapha forwarded the equation to Dr. Purah.

"Um, Tila," said Lapha. "Forgive me. I fear I have greatly underestimated your technical prowess."

"Not at all, and I wouldn't blame you if you did," laughed Tila. "You only saw me socially at dances and concerts. I am not that well versed in Sheikah Technology itself, only some of its mathematical foundations. I can't help you at all on the other items you are working on."

"Still, I need to discuss this with Dr. Purah," said Lapha. "If she is agreeable, would you be willing to join our research team? Also, you could certainly help with the advanced mathematics instruction of our technology students. Would any of that be of interest to you?"

"If it doesn't take me away from my duty to support my sister Faray, I could work something out," said Tila. "Let me know how Dr. Purah feels. Now you need to catch up on the crabs. I've eaten two more than you."

After lunch, they said goodbye. When Lapha returned to the lab, Purah asked to speak with her at once.

"Princess Tila gave you that Ancient Energy field equation, just like that?" said Purah. "That is most impressive."

"Yes, she looked it up on her Tab," said Lapha. "She wondered why we simply hadn't asked for it."

"I did ask about it once," said Purah. "But that was a long time ago, perhaps before the North Hyrule Sheikah trusted us as well as they do now. They told me it was unavailable. They must have meant unavailable to me at the time."

"I hope you don't mind, but I discussed the possibility of Tila joining our research team and helping with mathematics instruction," said Lapha. "She seemed willing to consider it if it didn't interfere with her duty to her sister, Faray. How do you feel, Dr. Purah?"

Purah stopped to think for a moment.

"That's an idea," said Purah finally. "Yes, she could be a big help. Perhaps the three of us could meet as soon as she is available."

The result was, after discussing with Link and Faray, Tila agreed to join Purah's team in the afternoons, leaving mornings free for Faray's meetings. Tila's days suddenly became quite busy! During one of her lunches with Link, they discussed the situation.

"So, how are the math classes you're teaching working out?" said Link between bites of fish.

"Fine," said Tila. "Dr. Purah said enrollment in my math classes is way up, quite a bit higher than before. Purah is quite pleased by the heightened interest in mathematics."

"I hope all these students are truly enrolling because of mathematical interest," said Link sarcastically.

"Oh! Is my cute Hylian hubby jealous?" laughed Tila as she reached out and took his hand, then playfully stroked it with the point of her nail. "Don't be jealous, sweetheart. My heart is one hundred percent yours and always will be. Whatever the reason they enrolled, I am pretty strict about class conduct and work. Nobody gets through the class by daydreaming or flirting with me."

"I'm certainly glad to hear it," said Link. "And please stop what you're doing with my hand or I won't be responsible for my actions! You know that touch of yours drives me crazy!"

"I'll save it for later then," laughed Tila. "How is the Princess these days?"

"The same," said Link. "We meet each day to go over her planned activities and such. Then she likes to talk a bit. Unless she is traveling, I don't think she needs me. But it's clear she finds it easier to talk with me than others, so I think that plays a big role. We're pretty close."

"If you weren't cousins, it would be my turn to get jealous," said Tila.

"And I would tell you the same thing," laughed Link. "My heart is all yours. There will never be anyone else. Oh, look at the time! I need to get back for another meeting now! I'll see you after work, sweetheart. Love you!"

"Nice! Leave me to pay the bill," laughed Tila. "See you tonight, sweetheart. Love you too!"

They kissed, then Link ran off while Tila settled the bill and returned to the section of the lab reserved for classes.

Meanwhile, Mila and Kendal were swimming together at East Reservoir Lake.

"Are you almost done with your book, sweetheart?" said Kendal. "It seems all your spare time goes into working on it."

"Almost done," said Mila. "I keep finding things I want to change. But until recently you didn't have any time to spend with me anyway."

"But now I do!" said Kendal. "How's your little brother doing? His wedding made quite the splash with everyone, having the Cross Currents perform. We couldn't believe it!"

"I haven't heard much from him," said Mila. "But I'm sure he and Tila are fine. I know Tila couldn't be more thrilled and my brother is happy too. It's a perfect match as far as I can tell."

"How about the rest of the family, how are they doing?" said Kendal.

"My parents are coping with the situation reasonably well. I know my Mom gets sentimental sometimes, but that's understandable. Link was her baby, and she spent more time with him than with the rest of us. You know how dependent baby Hylians are, not like us. She and Link were very close. But if there is one thing I know above all else about my parents, it is that they love each other completely and support each other. As long as they have each other, they can face anything life floats their way."

"You can sense that?" said Kendal.

"Yes," said Mila. "They are just so natural and comfortable together. My Mom likes to tease my Dad a lot, but he knows she's doing it and laughs along with it. My Dad has been through a lot, including some things people don't know about, and I can't discuss. The Hyrule Royal Family insists the full story stay sealed for now. But someday everything he did will become known, and people will realize he was even more of a hero than they realized. If you could read his unpublished journal as I did, you would realize that he did what he did for Hyrule's sake, but also because of his deep love for my Mom. He never gave up on that love, though any ordinary person would have. That's all I can say. But trust me, I know they love each other."

"I guess your Dad's unpublished journal might become a book of yours someday," said Kendal. "Can you even hint at what happened?"

"Yes, I want to publish it eventually," said Mila. "I will never rest until his full story is told. He deserves that. I only hope it happens while he is still alive. As to what happened, it involved Ganon. What do you think happened?"

"The Champions weakened Ganon, and your Dad along with Zelda defeated it," said Kendal. "We learned all that in school."

"Right, that is what we all learned happened, and it did," said Mila. "But something much worse happened first, something my Dad helped spare us from and only he lived through. And that left its scars, both physical and mental. But I've already said more than I should. Come, enough talking, sweetheart. Race you to the southeast pier! Loser has to catch dinner."

"You're on!" shouted Kendal.

Meanwhile, Midon was at home, using his spare time to work on his proximity detection process. He had been testing it at its long-range setting, and could not reproduce any erroneous readings. But then he could not explain what had happened at Lake Hylia. He started over and checked the code one more time.

"Zodont! I can't find anything wrong with the code!" Midon exclaimed to himself.

But if nothing was wrong, then that meant there really was something larger than a fish not far from where he and Larena were relaxing at Lake Hylia. And that something was smart enough to fool a Zora click by staying motionless and blending in with the terrain. Only another Zora could do that. But another Zora tourist would have no reason to hide like that. This was very strange! Or perhaps it was just a coincidence, some loose piece of debris floating down and settling at the bottom of the lake. Anyway, he believed his process worked. Time to clean it up and submit it for approval. And then he suddenly realized it was time to meet Larena. She didn't like him to be late, so he had batter be on his way.

Meanwhile, at Hyrule Castle, things worked well for Tila and Link at first, but after two weeks, Tila's work started taking a toll on their married life.

Link returned to their apartment after work one day to find Tila asleep in their bedroom pool. He quietly undressed and carefully joined her in the water. She didn't awaken, and he looked over at her. She was pushing herself way too hard, he thought. After what must have been an hour, Tila stirred then opened her eyes. Seeing Link, she smiled and put her arms around him.

"I felt tired and thought I would take a short nap," said Tila. "Did I sleep long?"

Link held her in his arms, and they kissed once, then he spoke up.

"You were asleep at least an hour since I came home, Tila," said Link." Sweetheart, you're working yourself too hard. You need to back off. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but it's too much. You're so tired every day. When we go to bed at night, you almost always fall asleep at once."

"I know, I know, and I'm sorry," said Tila shaking her head. "I guess I want to prove my value here and still support Faray and her work as well. But you're right. It's taking time away from us being together, and that's wrong. I'll speak to Dr. Purah about it, and I'll scale back the number of classes I teach. I know one or two Sheikah who can take over some of that work for me."

"Please do!" said Link. "I miss you so much, sweetheart! It's worse, more frustrating, than when we were apart before our marriage because you are right here with me, but we can't be together."

"Don't worry! I'll speak to Dr. Purah tomorrow," said Tila. "You must be hungry, though, so let's get some dinner. My treat, my choice!"

"Fine," laughed Link. "But I already know what you're going to pick. You can't resist that Akkala Angler, can you darling?"

"Ummm, that Angler is so delicious," said Tila closing her eyes. "And it gives me a lot of energy. You like it too, so don't act like you're doing me a favor. And after the nap I just took, I know we can spend some time later getting acquainted as you put it. Let's go!"

"Thank Hylia!" exclaimed Link as he took her hand and they left for the restaurant.

Mipha and Link were finishing dinner at home. Everyone else was out, so it was just the two of them.

"Have you heard anything about the thirtieth-anniversary victory celebration?" said Mipha. "I'm not sure there will be one. Father told me he heard Urbosa is not feeling well enough to travel anymore."

Oh, I'm very sorry to hear that," said Link. "I didn't know. But we should see this coming. You and I are still pretty young, and Revali isn't that old yet either, but Urbosa and Daruk are getting on in years. I know Zelda likes to have these reunions, but it does get harder for everyone."

"I think our twenty-fifth might have been our last, at least for all of us together," said Mipha. "But people care more about the holiday and celebrating anyway than they do about honoring us. And I completely understand. It's old news now for many people."

"Whatever," said Link. "We all know what we did, and so will history. I hope Urbosa recovers though. Zelda will take her passing very hard when the time comes."

"Yes, I know," said Mipha. "They were very close, like family. It seems that no matter where we turn, something reminds us that time is passing us by, whether it's our children growing up or our friends growing old. It makes it all the more important that we have each other."

"Yes, and we do have each other," said Link. "And when the time comes I'm looking forward to another crack at playing with little ones when our grandchildren arrive. So let's stay young and healthy for that."

Mipha smiled.

"We are still young and healthy," said Mipha. "Just not quite as young anymore. Come, let's go to Ruto Lake. A swim always makes me feel better. And it will make you feel better too."

"It always does when it's with you, sweetheart," said Link as he took her hand. "And it always will."

"Why don't you put on the armor I gave you," said Mipha.

"You really do think it doesn't fit me anymore, don't you?" said Link. "Fine, let me get it."

Link went back to their bedroom and changed into the Zora armor. Then he returned to where Mipha was waiting.

"See," said Link. "It still fits perfectly."

"I knew it would," teased Mipha. "I just like seeing you wear it. Can you believe I gave you that almost thirty years ago, and it still looks good on you? See, I do good work. But I put my whole heart into it."

"And I put my whole heart into accepting it," said Link. "Twice apparently."

"Yes, I had to offer it to you twice, thanks to your memory loss," laughed Mipha. "I'm sure I'm the only Zora princess in history who had to do that!"

"I still thank Hylia you didn't change your mind," laughed Link.

"You know there was no way I could ever do that, sweetheart, don't you?" said Mipha.

"Why? Because of your great love for me?" said Link.

"No, because it was made to fit you," said Mipha. "It would take me forever to find another Hylian your exact size. It was easier to just offer it to you again."

Link burst out laughing.

"Please never lose your sense of humor," laughed Link. "It makes you even more adorable."

"Come, it's time to stay in shape," said Mipha.

Mipha took his hand, and they made their way to Ruto Lake. The water was cold but refreshing as they swam at the base of the first waterfall. After swimming for a while, they came together and held each other.

"I think all of us should pay a visit to Urbosa soon," said Link.