Summary: Lieutenant Randall proposes to Princess Zelda. Lapha discusses a brief conversation she had with missing scientist Grendon. Tara's lungs develop enough to spend more time out of water. A body is found in the Eldin Region.

"That was magnificent!" said Princess Zelda as she and Lieutenant Randall stood with the rest of the audience and applauded at the end of the concert. After the cheers and applause ended, they made their way out of the concert hall.

"Do you have time for a short walk, Zelda?" asked Randall as he reached out to take her hand.

"Of course, I'd love to," said Zelda as she smiled and gently squeezed his hand. "It feels good to walk after sitting for so long."

It was a mild summer evening as they walked together toward the park, holding hands.

"I hope you enjoyed the concert as much as I did," said Randall.

"The music was beautiful and quite moving in places," said Zelda. "Thank you for taking me."

"I'm just happy you had time for me," said Randall. "It seems you're always so busy these days, and when you're not busy, it seems I am."

"Duty calls for both of us, I guess," sighed Zelda. "I do need to help my parents, especially my mother. But I'm glad you're back from your extended patrol in the Hebra region. I missed you when you were so far away."

"I missed you too," said Randall.

They continued to walk silently through the park.

"It's a beautiful night, not a cloud in the sky," said Zelda looking up at the moon and stars.

"Yes, it is," said Randall.

A mild breeze shook the leaves and ruffled Zelda's soft blonde hair slightly as they continued their walk. Sunset Fireflies glowed near the trees on their left, and a pair of squirrels chased each other up a nearby tree. The three-quarter moon illuminated the path making it easy to see their way.

Zelda looked over at Randall, and he was looking down at the ground and seemed lost in thought. He had been quieter than usual for most of the evening, and it was clear to her that something must be bothering him.

"What's on your mind, Randall? You've been so quiet all evening, and not your usual cheerful self."

"Oh, is it that obvious?" said Randall.

"It is to me!" laughed Zelda. "We're not exactly strangers, are we? But it's fine if you don't want to talk about it. It's getting late anyway. We should turn around and start heading back before the Royal Guard sends out a search party for me."

"Yes, all right," said Randall. "I need to return, as well. We are supposed to be back in the officer's quarters by eleven o'clock, and I don't want to set a bad example or use you as an excuse for getting special treatment."

They turned around and began walking back toward the Castle, finally reaching the entrance that led to Zelda's room.

"Well, here is where I go in, and we need to say goodnight," said Zelda. "I think it's too late for my sister to be spying on us. Her bedroom window is just over there, and she's probably asleep by now. Goodnight, Randall, and thank you."

They embraced and held a long and passionate kiss, then kissed several more times. Finally, Randall pulled back and took a deep breath.

"Um, Zelda," said Randall nervously, taking her hand. "Can you please give me a moment before you go in? I've wanted to ask you something."

Randall's hand felt cold and clammy and shook slightly.

"You're shaking, sweetheart! Are you cold?"

"No, no, it's not that," said Randall. "I don't know how to do this as it happens in stories, though I wanted this moment to be special. So, I will just come out and say it."

Then Randall knelt on one knee as he held her hand.

"Princess Zelda, I love you with all my heart. I think of you during the day, and I dream of you at night. I miss you every moment we're apart. I want to spend my life with you if you will have me. What I'm trying to say, Princess, is will you marry me?"

Zelda caught her breath.

"Oh! Is that why you've been so quiet and nervous?" said Zelda as she broke into a smile. "You didn't need to be, sweetheart. Yes, Lieutenant Randall, I'll happily marry you! I love you with all my heart too!"

"Oh, Hylia! Will you? You will?" said Randall bursting into a big smile and standing up.

Then they reached out and held each other tightly as they shared another long kiss.

"Yes, I will, sweetheart," laughed Zelda finally. "Did you expect me to say no?"

"I didn't know what to expect, sweetheart, whether you would say no or maybe say you weren't ready yet, or something like that," said Randall. "I'm so relieved and so delighted. I don't know what else to say now other than that I love you and I promise I'll be the best husband to you."

"I'm counting on that, sweetheart!" laughed Zelda. "I'm so happy I don't know what to say either. And don't worry, you made the moment special for me. I know we'll be happy together, and I'm so excited now I won't be able to sleep. I can't wait to tell my family!"

Then Zelda reached out, and they embraced and kissed again.

"It's late, though, and I need to go, or the Royal Guards really will be dragging me inside," said Zelda. "I love you, sweetheart, and I will forever cherish this beautiful moment. Sweet dreams and goodnight."

"Goodnight," said Randall. "I love you, and I don't think I'll be sleeping much either! I've never felt happier!"

They embraced and kissed once again, then Zelda ran back to her room as Randall left to return to the officer's quarters.

Zelda did have trouble sleeping, and when morning came, she rushed to the family breakfast. Before anyone had a chance to say good morning, she blurted out the news.

"Randall proposed to me last night, and I said yes!" exclaimed Zelda out of breath. "We're going to be married!"

Zelda embraced her mother first.

"Oh, that's wonderful, sweetheart, I'm so happy for you!" said Queen Zelda as she hugged her.

"Yes, sweetheart, I'm very happy for you too," said Rudin hugging her next and kissing his daughter on the cheek.

"Finally!" said Astra. "What took you two so long?"

"Now, be nice, Astra," said Queen Zelda. "You can't rush these kinds of things. Both people have to be ready."

"I guess," said Astra. "But congratulations, Zel."

"Thank you," said Princess Zelda. "I'm still giddy and a bit light-headed. I didn't sleep much at all last night."

"I can see that! I'll reschedule my staff meeting this afternoon for tomorrow as it's not that pressing. Then we can begin discussing wedding plans," said Queen Zelda. "Please invite Randall and his parents to join us for afternoon tea if they can."

"Yes, gladly, Mother," said Princess Zelda. "Randall and his parents are a bit intimidated by you and Father, but I will try my best to put them at ease."

"And so will we, sweetheart," said Rudin. "We want them to feel part of the family."

"And I'll put them at ease too, Zel, and tell them all about you," said Astra.

"Astra, remember what I said about sisters," said Zelda. "I expect you to live up to that."

"Don't worry, Sis," said Astra. "I'm just teasing you."

"Now, you need to eat something, sweetheart, and then I want you to go back to your room and take a nap," said Queen Zelda. "You need to rest. Otherwise, I'll have to do all the wedding planning myself, and you may regret it!"

"Of course, Mother," laughed Zelda. "I'm so happy!"

Everyone sat back down to breakfast.

Meanwhile, in Zora's Domain, Lapha was on a Tab call with Sheikah Apprentice Scientist Aldora.

"I'm sorry I didn't contact you sooner, Mistress Lapha," said Aldora. "I only just recently learned in conversation with Dr. Purah that you also had some dealings with our missing scientist, Master Grendon."

"Yes, I understand," said Lapha. "And I only just recently learned Grendon was the scientist who went missing. I've been away from Hyrule Castle for a while, and the details hadn't reached me. How can I assist you, Aldora?"

"I have been collecting whatever information I can about what Master Grendon may have been working on before he disappeared," said Aldora. "Unfortunately, I have little to show for my efforts. Did Master Grendon ever discuss his work with you?"

"Not really," said Lapha. "He and I did meet briefly once when I was visiting your land with my sister. He said he had heard I was seeking a way to cure disease, and he was interested in how far my research had come. So, I explained what I had learned so far, and he agreed with my findings. Then we discussed some obstacles that one would need to overcome."

"I see," said Aldora. "Did you get the impression that curing disease was Master Grendon's current area of research?"

"No, I couldn't go so far as to say that," said Lapha. "We also talked about several other topics that interested him, not all of them scientific."

"Can you give me some examples, Mistress?" said Aldora.

"Well, let me see," said Lapha. "We discussed efforts to control the weather, what Zora's perceived underwater, how did I like working with Dr. Purah and what did I think of her, how did my father become so skilled in combat, what is it like to live in Hyrule."

"That's interesting," said Aldora. "Do you recall if anything he said sounded unusual?"

"Let me think," said Lapha as she paused to reflect. "No, I'm sorry, nothing like that comes to mind."

"Well, thank you, Mistress Lapha," said Aldora. "I appreciate your help, and if you recall anything else, please let me know."

"I certainly will, Aldora," said Lapha. "I wish you success in your efforts."

They ended the call, and Lapha sat thinking for a few moments about her conversation with Grendon, then shook her head and resumed her work.

Meanwhile, just outside the house, Tila and Mipha had taken Tara swimming in Mikau Lake. Tara had been chasing after the fish there but was still not quite agile enough to catch one.

"Her swimming is coming along very nicely, Tila," said Mipha as she watched Tara swim. "Her fins are nice and firm and her strokes smooth. She's not only beautiful but strong and healthy."

"She is, isn't she?" said Tila beaming with pleasure. "But it's no wonder with all she eats! I think she's finally starting to tire, though."

"Yes, it looks that way," said Mipha as Tara was slowing down.

"Here, you can hold her now, Mother, if you like," said Tila as she picked up Tara and handed her to Mipha. "Her lungs are also developing nicely, and she can stay out of the water for some time now."

Tara rested her head on Mipha's shoulder and put her arms around Mipha's neck as Mipha gently stroked Tara's tail fin. Then Tara sighed and nestled her head closer to Mipha's, closing her eyes.

"She is so adorable, Tila," whispered Mipha. "I don't want to ever put her down!"

"Hold her as long as you like," laughed Tila. "She's gotten very close to you with all the time you spend with her. And I'm so grateful how caring the whole family has been with her. She's blessed with so much love, and I can see we made the right decision to raise her here."

"She's fast asleep now," whispered Mipha. "Let me carry her back to your slumber pool. She'll rest comfortably there."

They left the water of the lake and made their way indoors. When they reached Tila and Link's room, Mipha gently placed Tara in the slumber pool. She didn't awaken, and they stayed to wait until Tara's gills automatically took over her breathing. Then they quietly went to the kitchen.

"Has she spoken much yet to you and Link?" said Mipha.

"Just sounds," said Tila. "But we talk to her all we can, and she understands which of us is Momma and Dada. She just needs to form the words."

"That's wonderful," said Mipha. "She's still quite young to be speaking."

"Tara has brought out another side of my husband I never saw," said Tila. "It's so cute watching him play with her. You can tell he just adores her, the way he holds her in his arms and kisses her so affectionately. And he talks to her and plays in the water with her. He's like a child again himself."

"I know what you mean," said Mipha. "My husband was the same way with ours. Mila is still very attached to him."

"Really?" said Tila. "That's amazing. My sister Faray wants to visit again. She keeps pushing for us to take Tara there, and we will when she's a bit older, but still only to visit. I believe Tara will be better off growing up here amidst her family, and that's what's most important to Link and me."

"Whatever you both feel is best," said Mipha. "Now, how about a nice Hyrule Bass for lunch? I have two ready to eat."

"Yummy!" said Tila. "Since living here, I've come to appreciate freshwater fish more."

Meanwhile, Link and his son Link were sitting at Veiled Falls and talking.

"Any words of advice, Dad?" said young Link.

"About being a father?" said Link.

"Yes," said young Link.

"I'm no expert," said Link. "All I know is that I've always tried to do the right thing in life. I pray to the Goddess each day in gratitude for the life I've had and for the well being of all of you. I also pray for Hylia's guidance. I don't think I can teach you anything more. You've already learned all you need to."

"I've tried to live up to that," said young Link. "But you're the proverbial tough act to follow, Dad. At first, I felt bad that I wasn't chosen by the sword that seals the darkness, and thought perhaps you might be disappointed in me. But I've gotten over it now."

"No, no, I'm not disappointed at all!" said Link. "It's not a competition, son, and being chosen by the sword is not something you can control. I never wanted you or any of my children to have the hard kind of life I did. I was happy the sword didn't choose you. The sword requires you to dedicate yourself to it, and it consumes you in a way, takes over your life. The burden of trying to live up to all it expected of me turned me into a different person, solitary and morose. It put a great strain on my relationship with your mother. Be grateful you have a happier life. You've found love with a fine wife and a beautiful daughter now. Live every moment in Hylia's grace and in caring for your family. You need to teach your child the same thing and help them to grow to be the fine person you and Tila are. That goal will guide you as to what you should do. And I couldn't be more proud of you, son. You've done very well and will continue to do so, I'm sure."

"Thanks, Dad," said Link. "You and Mom have been my role models, and my sisters and brother have been very supportive. I owe whatever I am to my wonderful family."

Young Link paused, and they both sat quietly, listening to the sound of the waterfall and watching its splashing. Then young Link spoke up again.

"How did you feel raising Zora children?" said young Link.

"I never thought of it," said Link. "They were just my children, and I loved them the same as I do you. Their race never entered into my thoughts."

"I feel the same way," said young Link.

They sat quietly for another moment, staring at the waterfall.

"What about Astra? Do you think she will ever learn the truth about you?" said young Link.

Link looked over at his son.

"I don't know," said Link. "And I leave that to Hylia. It was her doing that somehow brought Astra into this world, and Hylia must be looking out for her for some special reason. If it is the wish of the Goddess that she learns who I am, so be it. If not, I'm fine with that as well. I don't feel it is my place to interfere with her family situation."

"No, of course. I understand," said young Link. "But I couldn't help but think of her as my sister after you told us what happened. Anyway, my lips are sealed, as we all promised. Let's get back. I miss Tara."

Link laughed.

"I don't blame you," said Link. "She's adorable, and you and Tila are truly blessed. Let's go."

"I'm glad I'm home again with you and Mom," said young Link as they began walking home. "It just feels right to me, and Tila has been happy as well."

"This is your home and always will be whenever you wish," said Link. "And we love having you, Tila and Tara here with us. It's given Mom and me a lot of pleasure. You know Mom wasn't used to a child leaving home so soon, subconsciously forgetting you're a Hylian. She loves that you're back again. And of course, so do I."

"Thanks, Dad," said young Link smiling.

It was a week later that the formal announcement and wedding invitations arrived, as such things were still communicated by physical mail. There were two separate invitations addressed to Mipha and Link and the other to Tila and Link. The enclosed card announced the upcoming wedding of Lieutenant Randall and Princess Zelda in one month. Aside from the formal announcement, there was also a small note from Queen Zelda in Mipha's letter and Princess Zelda in Tila's.

Dearest Mipha and Link,

Our children are indeed growing up! I hope you will be able to attend, and bring as many of the family as you wish. We have plenty of room, and it should be a great party. We will all be thrilled to have you there. And you owe me another wedding party dance, Link. Will this be our fourth? Don't feel the need to obtain a gift as Zelda and Randall have insisted everyone's presence is gift enough. Hope to see you soon!

Love, Zelda

Dear Tila and Link,

I hope you can both attend my special day. I would love to share it with you as you have been very special to me, especially you, Link. Feel free to bring your lovely daughter, Tara, if you can. Mother has been sharing some pictures your Father sent of her, and she is so beautiful! If she is still too small to travel, I hope you can both attend anyway. Your apartment is available for your use while here, and I dearly hope to see you! And please do not get us a gift. Our gift will be seeing you.

Love, Zelda

Tila and Link felt Tara was still too small to make the trip, but agreed to attend, as did Mipha and Link. The rest of the family would take care of Tara while they were gone.

As the weeks went by, wedding preparations took center stage at Hyrule Castle. Food and drink were ordered, decorations prepared, musicians reserved, accommodations for guests arranged, and so on. The Royal Guard also stepped up their security arrangements, and young Link received several Tab calls seeking his advice. Though he had been reassigned as Zora liaison officer now, he was still consulted on occasion based on his Royal Guard experience.

Finally, the big day came, and everyone arrived at Hyrule Castle. As they entered, one of the guards spoke up, addressing young Link.

"Captain Link, Sir, welcome back!" said Arnold. "We've missed you, Sir. But I understand congratulations are in order on your and Princess Tila's lovely daughter."

"Yes, thank you, Arnold, and I hope all is well with you," said young Link. "You've met Tila, but I don't think you've ever met my mother and father, Princess Mipha and Link."

"I'm very honored, your highness and Captain Link, Sir," said Arnold. "Of course, I know who you both are from studying history. But I must say you look much younger than I expected! Anyway, welcome, and I hope you enjoy the festivities."

Mipha and Link thanked him, then they entered the Castle and were directed to the chapel.