Summary: Life goes on as the Hyrule Royal Family has some good news and renegade Sheikah explore some ancient Zonai structures.

It was a sunny early afternoon in Zora's Domain as Tila, and her husband Link ate lunch at the house by Mikau Lake they shared with the rest of the family. Mipha and Link had taken their granddaughter Tara swimming at Veiled Falls earlier that morning, and they had still not returned, so Tara's parents were alone together.

"If you think your sister spoils Tara, my parents are even worse," said Link as he took his last bite of broiled fish, then cleaned up and returned, putting his arm around Tila.

"A little spoiling is fine for her," said Tila. "Your parents are wonderful people, and they know about raising children. You turned out okay, more or less."

"More or less?" Link laughed. "What's the less part? For that matter, what's the more part? Maybe I should hear the good news first."

"You know I'm teasing you, sweetheart," said Tila as she kissed him gently on the cheek. "I wouldn't change a thing about you."

Just then, Midon returned.

"Hey, guys!" Midon said as he sat down. "Tila, did I hear you say you wouldn't change a thing about Linky here? Well, they do say love is blind."

"Very funny, Mido," said Link. "And what would you change? '

"I'm joking, of course, since Mila isn't here to scold me for my ill sense of humor," laughed Midon. "Maybe you could have been a little less shy growing up. Laff was always taking you under her fin. But I can understand why she did that, especially when you two played in the water with friends. Anyway, everything turned out fine, Linky. As I said, I was joking."

"I can see your point, though," said Link. "Laff did help me develop more self-confidence. But Tila helped me the most. Speaking of Mila, where is she?"

"Off with Kendal again today," said Midon. "They're making up for the lost time while he was on double guard duty. Mila teaches again tomorrow, though."

"Why aren't you with Larena today, Midon?" asked Tila. "Are you working?"

"No, I'm off today. But Larena went with her younger sister Karena to Castle Town," said Midon. "Karena is thinking of working on technology there. Can you believe Karena graduated already? I remember helping Larena baby swim Karena at East Reservoir Lake. Karena used to get all excited about the big elephant there. Gee, everyone's growing up!"

"Everyone except you, Mila would say," laughed Linky.

"True," laughed Midon.

Meanwhile, it was warm and sunny as Tara, Mipha, and Link sat together under a tree by Veiled Falls. Tara yawned and reached out for Mipha, who picked her up and put her on her lap.

"Are you tired, sweetheart?" said Mipha. "You've been a busy Bass this morning, swimming so much. Here, rest your head on my shoulder."

Tara did as Mipha suggested, wrapping her arms around Mipha's neck and closing her eyes. Mipha patted her gently as she hummed a soft Zora lullaby, and after a few minutes, Tara was fast asleep. Mipha looked over at Link and smiled, and he smiled back. Then Link yawned. They had spent most of the morning swimming with Tara at Veiled Falls, including some waterfall races.

"You look like you could use a nap too," said Mipha quietly.

"Can I have your other shoulder?"

"It wouldn't be the first time, would it?" Mipha smiled as Link kissed her on the cheek then rested his head on her shoulder.

"Mmm, that feels so comfortable," sighed Link. "You have such soft skin, sweetheart! How could I forget that our romance began with me falling asleep on your shoulder."

"I wonder if you would have ever found the courage to express your feelings if I didn't have such a comfortable shoulder," laughed Mipha.

"I guess we'll never know," Link teased. "But somehow, in my heart, I know it would have happened anyway. It was meant to be."

Link closed his eyes then and drifted off to sleep as Mipha cradled his head with her right hand while holding Tara with her left.

After about half an hour, Tara woke up first, and Mipha smiled at her and signaled her to be quiet, pointing at Link. Tara giggled, then Mipha quietly let her down, and she ran to the water, dove in, and started chasing fish.

Link woke up about a half-hour later and blinked his eyes.

"Wow! I did fall asleep," said Link as he raised his head and looked over at Mipha. Then he leaned forward, and they kissed.

"I love you," said Link.

"I love you too," said Mipha as they kissed once more.

"We better get Tara home, or we'll be accused of not sharing her," laughed Mipha.

"I'll go get her," said Link. "I suspect you've been holding her a long time, and it's my turn."

Without waiting for an answer, Link waded into the water.

"We should go home now, Tara," said Link.

"Can you catch me?" giggled Tara.

"I bet I can. But no going up waterfalls, okay?" said Link.

"Okay," laughed Tara.

Link dove after her, and since the pool of water there was not too large, he tried to drive her to the shallow end. But just as Link thought he could grab her, she did a leap in the air over him and giggled as she landed closer to the waterfall. After a few more tries, Link had to give up.

"You win, I give up," laughed Link. "But I bet I can catch you on land. Race you home? I'll give you a head start."

Tara jumped out of the pool, and Link chased after her, finally catching her before they reached the slumber pool area of the Domain. He scooped her up in his arms.

"You win!" laughed Tara as she hugged him. "But, I'm getting faster."

"Yes, you are, sweetheart," said Link as he kissed her on the cheek.

Then Link put her down, and she took Link's hand. Both were out of breath as they walked past the slumber pools and then up the bridge on the eastern side of the Domain. Mipha caught up with them by then.

"Daddy told me I should make sure you get enough exercise," said Tara. "I think I did."

"Oh, your Daddy said that did he?" laughed Link. "Well, thank you for helping me stay in shape on both water and land, sweetheart."

They reached the house and Tara ran inside to be with her parents.

"You sure you're not ready for another nap?" laughed Mipha.

"Oh, come on," laughed Link. "I feel fine, full of energy."

"Then join me behind the waterfall at Lulu Lake," said Mipha taking his hand.

"Wow! With pleasure," said Link.

"That's the idea," laughed Mipha.

Meanwhile, it was a cloudy day on Hyrule Plain as Princess Astra made her way down the road in Central Hyrule when a Yiga Blademaster appeared out of nowhere. He announced his presence by chuckling ominously then struck the ground unleashing a hot updraft in Astra's direction. Astra jumped aside and launched an arrow at the Yiga, then charged with shield raised. It was hand to hand combat now, and Astra parried and thrust with her sword. Finally, the Blademaster collapsed and disappeared, leaving a clump of Mighty Bananas on the ground. Astra touched the rune on the device she wore, ending the simulation.

"How did I do, Dr. Purah?" said Astra.

"You were victorious and escaped injury, Princess Astra, but I think you need to be more cautious," said Purah. "I know from experience that there comes a time in training like this when the trainee begins to rely on the fact that this is only a simulation. In other words, Princess Astra, you begin taking more risks than you should if your life truly depended on it."

"Can you give me a specific, Dr. Purah?" said Astra.

"Yes, Princess, on this last battle with the Yiga Clan warrior," said Purah. "It would have been wiser to freeze your enemy with an Ice Arrow, then attack with your sword, and repeat if necessary. You gave your enemy more of a chance to harm you by joining in a sword battle. Remember, these enemies are ruthless, and this is not a fair fight tournament. You need to be victorious and remain unharmed any way you can."

"I'll remember that, Dr. Purah," said Astra. "Thank you again."

"But I have to say that on balance you're doing very well, Princess Astra," said Purah. "Just avoid being reckless, which I know was something your uncle Link was also told many times."

Astra waved goodbye and then left to return home for lunch.

"So, the Princess is doing well?" said Robbie after Astra left.

"Yes, quite well," said Purah. "I've sometimes wondered if it wouldn't be more realistic to have these simulations inflict pain when the trainee is injured. I once discussed it with Link, and he said it would be fine to do that with him. He welcomed it as motivational. But when we started having Princess Astra train, he brought it up and said that it was out of the question. He didn't want Princess Astra to be hurt in any way, even in a simulation."

"Link is very protective of Princess Astra, do you notice?" said Robbie.

"Yes, and that's just as well given what happened to her father, Prince Rudin," said Purah. "Now, are you and Princess Lapha making any progress on researching the lens?"

As Astra walked back to the castle from the lab, she dictated Purah's suggestion to her Tab. She had been keeping notes of her various combat sessions and what she needed to remember, and went over them when time permitted. When Astra reached the castle, it turned out that she and her mother were eating alone together. She hugged her mother, then sat down.

"Hi Mom, where's Zel?" Astra asked.

"She's not been feeling well," said Zelda. "The Royal Physician is examining her right now."

"I hope she's okay," said Astra.

"Given what she told me of her symptoms, I think she will be fine," said Zelda. "But let's wait for the doctor's report."

Zelda had an idea of what her older daughter's problem was, and it might have implications for her own behavior.

"I defeated a Yiga Clan Blademaster today, Mom," said Astra.

"That's very impressive," said Zelda. "And your tutors tell me you are keeping up with your studies. I was frankly worried your excitement about combat training would take your mind off your other work. I mean, you are even doing combat training on the weekends."

"I'm keeping up with both," said Astra. "Is Uncle Link coming next weekend?"

"He said he was," said Zelda. "He couldn't come this weekend because his granddaughter was coming home from North Hyrule."

"That's fine, I understand," said Astra.

"But I have time to spend with you this afternoon," said Zelda. "Perhaps you could show me how you sail?"

"Sure, Mom," said Astra excitedly. "It's fun! I bet you'll like it!"

Meanwhile, the Royal Physician was completing her examination of Princess Zelda. Her husband Randall was with them.

"Mostly, I've been feeling nauseous lately, Doctor," said Princess Zelda. "At first, I thought it was something I ate. But the condition comes and goes no matter what I eat."

"Well, I've concluded, my examination, Princess, and I know exactly what is causing your sickness now," said Doctor Helena.

"Is it a serious condition, Doctor?" Randall asked.

Doctor Helena smiled.

"Very serious indeed! But it is not a matter for fear or concern," said Dr. Helena. "You're pregnant, Princess. Congratulations!"

"Oh, Hylia!" exclaimed Zelda as her hands flew to her mouth. "I am? That's wonderful!"

Randall reached out, and they embraced and kissed.

"I'll leave you two now," said Dr. Helena. "But we will set up regular appointments to monitor things, Princess. Congratulations again to both of you!"

The doctor bowed and left the room.

"Oh! I am so excited!" said Zelda.

"I am too," said Randall. "This is wonderful!"

"I can't wait to tell Mother!" said Zelda.

"I'm sure she'll be thrilled," said Randall as they kissed once more.

"Oh, Hylia, I just can't believe this! Yes, let's share the good news at once," said Zelda taking Randall's hand.

Meanwhile, in an otherwise cold and dark cave, two renegade Sheikah holding torches were slowly making progress. They had been walking for three hours through the underground passageway that ran between the Thyphlo Ruins and the North Lomei Labyrinth.

"Come on, try to keep up, Mendel," said Lieutenant Kenyon. "The sooner we finish, the sooner we can get out of this cave and have lunch."

"Why can't we use Tabs to see?" said Mendel as he inspected the uneven ground with his torch. "I hate it when these torches go out! And those creatures you run into here are creepy! How do spiders and Keese get in here anyway? I'm holding a torch with one hand and my sickle blade in the other."

"So am I," said Kenyon. "But we can't use Tabs because our Tab signals might be detected. These tunnels are a closely guarded secret. Let's keep moving. We have another hour to go."

They continued walking together.

"I never understood these passages, who made them and why," said Mendel.

"If you made officer training, you would have learned a bit more," said Kenyon. "I'm hardly a scholar, but from what I heard, they date from a very long time ago, which is why they're largely forgotten. The Zonai built this tunnel, and it connects the Thyphlo Ruins with the North Lomei Labyrinth. There are supposedly secret passages in the northeast and southwest labyrinths too, but I have never seen them. Watch your step here, Mendel, there are some loose rocks."

They navigated around the rocks and then resumed their walk.

"But what are they for?" said Mendel. "Why not just travel above ground?"

"Legend has it that either the Zonai or the ancient Sheikah hid powerful magic items in underground locations," said Kenyon. "For example, there is a secret room under the Lomei Labyrinth Island in the northeast where a magic item called a Travel Medallion was hidden. If you had a Sheikah Slate, you could install that medallion and use it to transport anywhere you placed it. It's probably based on the same teleport magic we used to be able to use before our master was defeated."

"It would be nice to teleport where we're going now," said Mendel. "And these magic items you speak of are just lying around for the taking?"

"No, I highly doubt it, for the rest have never been found," said Kenyon. "I'm told those secret underground areas were heavily secured, filled with Guardians to protect them. Remember, though our master tried to corrupt them, the ancient Sheikah created Guardians to be our enemy."

The cave turned slightly to the right, and a Keese screeched, flew past them, and vanished down the passageway.

"Did anyone ever retrieve this Travel Medallion you mentioned?" asked Mendel as they resumed their walk.

"Not that I know of, but our leader is not always the most forthcoming with information," said Kenyon. "I was told we steered clear of the northeast labyrinth because it was too close to the North Hyrule Sheikah. You have to watch out for them, Mendel. For the most part, the Sheikah in the south part of Hyrule are pretty primitive and live a simple life. It's the high-tech ones in the north you have to worry about."

They continued making their way along the dark passage.

"How many of these secret locations are there?" said Mendel.

"They say there are three," said Kenyon. "One in each of the Labyrinths. Some say there is also one hidden on Eventide Island, but that may just be a rumor."

They walked a bit further, and Mendel shivered.

"It's freezing here!" said Mendel. "I don't mind the torches so much now."

"Here, hand me your torch for a moment. You'd better stop and drink some elixir," said Kenyon. "We're getting close to the North Tabantha Snowfield."

After a bit less than another hour's walk, they reached a stone wall that had a secret doorway. Kenyon opened the door, which opened inward into the cave, and led into a small alcove in the eastern corner of the North Lomei Labyrinth where three permanently lit lanterns glowed bright yellow. From the labyrinth side, it looked like a dead end. There was a chest here containing a mighty Edge of Duality sword crafted using Sheikah Technology. And with its heightened attacking power, this sword was even slightly more potent than the sword that seals the darkness.

"Be sure to leave the door open, Mendel. It only opens from the passageway side," said Kenyon. "I don't feel like making my way back overland."

"Understood, Sir," said Mendel.

"Okay, we've inspected the passageway, and it's clear, which was our assignment," said Kenyon. "There's an old campsite around the corner I've used before. We can warm up there and have lunch before we head back."

Tucked away under a massive stone column that sheltered it from the falling snow above and near the southeast wall were the remains of a small campsite. There was some wood, a piece of flint, some arrows, and a barrel that contained provisions. There was also a wooden pole with a bit of red cloth secured to the top that fluttered in the breeze from the snowy weather outside. Mendel lit the wood there, and they cooked lunch. Neither was in a hurry since all they had to look forward to was a four-hour walk back to the Thyphlo ruins.

"Where is the secret underground chamber located here?" said Mendel after swallowing a bite.

"You think our leader would trust us with that information?" Kenyon laughed after swallowing a bite of food himself. "Our leader may not even know himself. It's probably somewhere near the shrine, like the one in the northeast labyrinth. Our job is only to report back that the passageway is secure. And you would be wise not to ask too many questions back at headquarters. Curiosity is not encouraged, Mendel. Following orders is."

They both resumed lunch and huddled nearer the fire, for it was bitter cold here at the eastern end of the North Tabantha Snowfield.