Summary: Princess Zelda gives birth to Prince Horwell. Mipha and Link share a quiet afternoon and evening on Ruta. Someone is collecting Luminous Stones, but to what end?

Luminous Stone (noun): a mysterious mineral that gives off a pale blue glow in the dark, which some believe to be the souls of the dead. - The Royal Hylian Dictionary.

"Would you like to hold him again, Mother?" said Princess Zelda.

"I'd love to, sweetheart," said Queen Zelda as she gently took the baby boy from her daughter and cradled him in her arms.

"He's so adorable! He has your eyes, Zelda!" said Queen Zelda as she looked at him, and the baby stared back at her. "I'm so happy for you both. And Horwell is a nice dignified name for a future King of Hyrule. Are you feeling all right, sweetheart?"

"Yes, Mother, the Royal Physician has been an enormous help," said Princess Zelda.

"I'm so excited, and I feel like my life has a whole new purpose now," said Randall.

"Your little boy will fill your life and keep you both busy," said Queen Zelda as she gazed down at him in her arms. "But let me know whenever you need help."

"He's so small!" said Astra as she peeked at him. "But he's adorable, Zel, really cute!"

"Thank you, sweetheart," said Zelda. "We're counting on you to be a wonderful aunt to him."

"Wow! I never thought of that, Sis," said Astra. "I always think of aunts as old."

"To little Horwell, you will seem old," laughed Princess Zelda.

"Here, I think our little Prince needs his mother back now," said Queen Zelda.

The baby had started to fuss, and Queen Zelda handed him back to Zelda.

"I think he's getting hungry again," said Princess Zelda.

"A good appetite is a healthy sign, sweetheart. Come, Astra. We'll leave you in peace then," said Queen Zelda. "But seriously, let me know if I can help."

"We will, Mother, and thank you," said Princess Zelda.

Astra and Zelda began walking back to their part of the residence wing.

"What are your plans on your day off, sweetheart?"

"My friends Rayna and Fiona are coming over for lunch and to play in the park," said Astra. "I already arranged it with the Royal Guards."

"All right, that's fine," said Queen Zelda. "It's a beautiful day, so have fun with your friends. But stay out of trouble, okay?"

"Of course, Mom," said Astra.

They hugged and kissed, then Astra ran off to meet her friends and the two Royal Guards who would keep an eye on all of them.

Queen Zelda returned to her office, took out her Tab, and looked at her schedule. She had a meeting with the Minister of Transportation in an hour. It would have been her daughter's meeting, but she was handling all the meetings again while Zelda recovered. She didn't mind, as she liked keeping busy. And she was interested to learn how much progress they had made on air travel.

After the meeting with the minister, she had her weekly Tab call with the five ambassadors. She enjoyed the ambassador meetings as it was a chance to learn what was happening in the far corners of her kingdom. She scanned her messages next, and aside from a host of congratulatory messages about the birth of her grandson, there were only a few of any importance. She dashed off responses to those, then waited for the Transportation Minister to arrive.

Meanwhile, in Zora's Domain, Link was meeting with Prince Sidon.

"Hey, bro!" Sidon said as he fist-bumped Link. He used to do that as a child, and they continued the habit for fun as he grew older.

"Hey! I have a favor to ask. Do you mind filling in for me on the ambassador call with Queen Zelda today? I'll Tab you the information. I have nothing special to report, just the usual water quality and such. If you're okay with it, I'll let Zelda know."

"All right, sure," said Sidon. "Is there any special reason?"

"I just want to care for another princess while she's here," said Link. "You can tell Zelda that if she asks."

"Fine, enjoy Tara then," laughed Sidon. "Oh, sorry Link, I have another meeting now. See you later."

Link left and said hello to chief architect Keyla as she passed him on her way to meet with Sidon.

"You wished to see me, Prince Sidon?" Said Keyla.

"Yes, Keyla," said Sidon. "I noticed your architecture department has been running over its budget of late. Is there an explanation?"

"Yes, Prince Sidon," said Keyla. "It's the cost of Luminous Stones. As you know, we use them extensively for Domain construction and repair, and they've gotten more expensive lately. We've reached out to learn why, but all we've learned so far is that Luminous Stones are in bigger demand, and we're competing with other buyers."

"Is it unusual for their price to change so much, up or down?" Sidon asked.

"In my experience, their price has always been fairly stable," said Keyla.

"I see," said Sidon. "All right, Keyla, thank you, and I'll see if I can learn anything. If I do, I'll let you know."

Keyla bowed and left.

Meanwhile, in Hyrule Castle, when the time arrived for the ambassador call, everyone joined the meeting by Tab.

"If everyone is ready, we can begin," said Queen Zelda. "And thank you for your congratulatory messages. Zelda and the baby are doing fine, and we're all thrilled, of course. Now let's proceed to business. I think this week, we go in reverse alphabetical order, so that means the Zora Ambassador goes first. And I understand, Prince Sidon, that you are filling in for Ambassador Link today?"

"Yes, that's correct, Your Majesty," said Sidon.

"Is Link all right?"

"He said to tell you he is busy caring for another Princess," said Sidon. "But he filled me in on all he wished to discuss."

"That's fine then," laughed Zelda. "I suspect the other princess's name begins with a 'T.' But I don't blame him. Let's proceed then, Prince Sidon."

"Very well. You all have our water quality reports by Tab," said Sidon. "Everything is fine in that regard, and I will move on unless there are questions."

Sidon paused for a moment, but hearing no questions, he continued.

"We've noticed an increase in tourists to the Domain lately, which we are pleased about. The only unusual item we've noticed is an increase in the cost of Luminous Stones. I was wondering if anyone on this call had an explanation."

"That's interesting," said Zelda. "Has anyone else noticed this?"

No one had.

"Well, Zora's Domain is the biggest user of Luminous Stones, so it makes sense that you would notice something like that first. We should all keep it in mind, however, and see if any further information surfaces. I recall the increase in gem sales awhile back was the first inkling that something unusual was happening, and it turned out it was to fund Grendon's research. Is there anything else, Prince Sidon?"

"No, that's all, Your Majesty," said Sidon.

"Very well," said Zelda. "Ambassador Rayna of the Rito is next."

"We continue to periodically fly over the Thyphlo Ruins as you requested, Your Majesty," said Rayna. "But there has been no noticeable change in anything there. The black fog remains as impenetrable as it always has. Master Revali wanted me to ask if you wished him to investigate anything personally."

"No, not at this time, but thank Master Revali for me," said Zelda. "I will let you know if we need further action."

The rest of the meeting proceeded with nothing unusual being mentioned until the Gerudo ambassador's turn.

"Ambassador Raynia of the Gerudo?" said Zelda.

"Our usual reports on commerce and such are available on your Tabs," said Raynia. "But we also have something unusual to report. Our guards caught an individual snooping about the South Lomei Labyrinth. When they confronted him and tried to question him about his activity, he jumped to his death. He appeared to be a Sheikah."

"That's exceedingly strange," said Zelda. "It sounds like something a Yiga Clan member would do. I wonder what's so interesting at the South Lomei Labyrinth? Has it not been thoroughly explored?"

"We wonder too," said Raynia. "The Labyrinth has been explored. But it's difficult for us to patrol that area. Ambassador Rayna, would the Rito perhaps be willing to patrol it from the air, keeping a lookout for strangers?"

"I'll refer your request to our Elder and get back to you, Ambassador Raynia," said Rayna.

"Perhaps it would be wise to patrol all three Labyrinths," said Zelda. "Though I'm not sure how much can be seen from the air."

"It would surprise you how much we can see," said Rayna. "We can make out footprints and other signs of activity. But we cannot see below the ground. I will check with our Elder."

Soon afterward, the meeting adjourned. Zelda put down her Tab and thought about the discussion. Why would anyone want Luminous Stones? And what was the interest in the Lomei Labyrinths?

Meanwhile, in Zora's Domain, Mipha, Link, Tila, Young Link, and Tara were all playing tag at East Reservoir Lake.

"You're it, Mommy!" squealed Tara as she tagged Tila then swam quickly away, giggling.

The game of tag was popular with Zora and helped children improve their swimming agility. But for games of tag with Link's family, they had put in place some special rules for the benefit of the Hylian players. First, you had to come to the surface to announce who was 'it' and surface once a minute. You couldn't stay entirely underwater. And second, a Hylian could not be 'it' twice in a row. Otherwise, they would always be 'it.'

Mipha was floating next to Link.

"I wanted to thank you, sweetheart," said Mipha. "I know you didn't just skip Zelda's meeting to play with Tara. You're giving Sidon a chance to play a bigger role outside the Domain, and I appreciate that. It's good for him."

"Yes, I thought it would be valuable experience for him to deal more with others," said Link. "And he seems very capable."

"He is. He just needs to build up his confidence, and experience helps," said Mipha. "Now watch out, or one of us will be 'it' again!"

Tila had apparently tagged Tara back, so Mipha and Link both swam apart as Tara chased after them. In games of tag, Tara would almost always chase after her father or grandfather if she could. After another hour or so of play, it was time for a rest.

"I think we had better take Tara home before she wears us all out," laughed Tila. "And an afternoon nap is still good for her. Thanks for joining our game."

"Thanks for having us," said Link. "It's great fun and gives me a chance to keep my swimming skills in shape, such as they are."

Tara gave Mipha and Link a hug and kiss, then left with her parents.

Not far away in Ruto Lake, Larena and Midon were spiraling underwater, wrapped in each other's arms, and holding a long kiss. Finally, they broke off and surfaced.

"That was nice, sweetheart," said Midon.

"It was," laughed Larena. "And we have the lake to ourselves this afternoon."

"I meant to ask you how your sister likes working at the Royal Ancient Tech Lab," said Midon.

"She loves it," said Larena. "She said your sister Lapha even gave some lectures to the incoming group of trainees. And they told Karena if she completes a year there, she can work from home here in the Domain. That thrilled my Mom and Dad. They miss her. As do I," said Larena.

"If I can help in any way, just let me know," said Midon. "I know the first year can be difficult. And how's your own work?"

"Slow," said Larena. "We're having trouble getting enough building materials. But at least I can still work on plans. Is all you're interested in work? I'm ready for another dive. You?"

"Always!" laughed Midon.

They both plunged under the water again.

Meanwhile, Mipha and Link had stayed behind at East Reservoir Lake, after the rest of the family had left.

"Let's pay Ruta a visit," said Mipha. "We haven't gone there together in a while."

They swam out to Ruta, and Mipha lowered the entrance, then they entered.

"Hello, Ruta," said Mipha. "I hope you enjoyed seeing the family play. Link and I will relax on your trunk for a bit."

Ruta bellowed once. Link wasn't sure how Ruta could see anything, but he had learned not to question anything Mipha said about Ruta. They swam up the small inside waterfall to reach the next level, then made their way to the tip of the trunk after Mipha leveled it by adjusting it to the third position from the bottom.

"Come, let's sit," said Mipha as she patted the space next to her, and they sat down together, holding hands.

It was a sunny early afternoon, and the view from their vantage point high above the lake was breathtaking. Ruta was facing toward the Domain at the moment. But if you stood up and looked, you could see as far as the Lanayru Sea to the east and snowy Mount Lanayru to the southeast. The tip of Death Mountain peeked over the top of the tall Upland Zorana cliffs to the northwest. Hyrule Castle was directly west, and the red sandstone cliffs of the Gerudo Canyon walls could be seen to the southwest.

"I love coming here," said Mipha. "You can see so much of Hyrule, and it's a quiet and private place."

"Yes, I remember coming here many times with you," said Link. "Being here with you was actually my first recovered memory of you, but I probably told you that already."

Mipha looked over at him and smiled. Then they embraced and kissed.

"I should have kissed you the minute I first came here with you," said Link.

"It would have made things easier for me," laughed Mipha. "But the next day was fine too."

They sat quietly for a moment, enjoying the view, their arms around each other.

"So, it's been almost a year now, and we still don't know what enemy we may be up against," said Mipha.

"No," said Link. "But it means whoever our enemy is must not be ready yet. And that's good. It gives us more time to learn and prepare. Besides, Zelda's daughter has her hands full at the moment with the newborn. If anything were to happen now, the burden would fall entirely on Queen Zelda."

"Very true," said Mipha. "Speaking of the Hyrule Royal Family, I gather Astra has been progressing nicely in her training?"

"Yes, from what Purah tells me, she's already quite skilled," said Link. "But I want Purah to keep pushing her. I don't want her to get complacent. The simulations may be good, but they're not the same as when you know your life is really on the line. I want her behavior in combat to be pure instinct."

"You think she may be called upon to use those skills?" Said Mipha.

"Perhaps someday," said Link. "Who can say? I just want to know I've done my best preparing her should that day ever come."

"So, with respect to our enemy, we will just have to wait to learn more," said Mipha.

They sat quietly for a few minutes, enjoying the view.

"Well, let's not speak of enemies anymore," said Mipha. "I'd like to enjoy the rest of the day here with you. We don't get to sit quietly and just enjoy being together as much as we used to."

"You're right, and we should," said Link as he leaned over and they kissed. "Hyrule is so beautiful, isn't it? But not as beautiful as you. You're as gorgeous as ever, sweetheart."

Mipha smiled at him.

"You think I haven't changed?" Said Mipha.

"Aside from being taller, you look the same to me," said Link. "I'm serious."

"And you're as handsome as ever, sweetheart, and as skilled with a blade as the day you cut down the Lynel," said Mipha. "I think a fish diet and all the swimming here has kept you in great shape."

They kissed several more times as they watched the sky turn to gold, and the sun sank lower in the sky toward the Gerudo Highlands. Finally, the sun disappeared, and the sky darkened.

"It was a great idea to come here, sweetheart," said Link. "It is important we make time for each other like this, just the two of us. I missed it, to be honest."

The circles on Ruta's face glowed bright blue with ancient energy as the area darkened, and Death Mountain's red glow stood out even clearer. A half-moon rose over Tal Tal Peak and climbed above Shatterback Point as the night grew late.

Suddenly Mipha's Tab went off.

"It's Mila," said Mipha. "She must be worried about us."

Mipha replied that she and Link were fine and would be home soon. Then they kissed one more time and made their way out of Ruta and back to the lake. Mipha sealed the entrance, then took Link's hand.

"Come, I'll pull you, and you can save your energy," laughed Mipha.

Mipha pulled him to the northwest pier. Then they climbed up the slight incline to the east and then turned north toward Mikau Lake and their home. Mipha glanced across to the east, to a rock outcropping on the side of a cliff at Upland Zorana.

"Wait a moment! I could have sworn there used to be a Luminous Stone over there," said Mipha, pointing.

Just then, Mila opened the door and greeted them. The rest of the family was already asleep.

"Mom, Dad, are you okay?" Said Mila. "I was starting to worry."

"Hi sweetheart," said Mipha as she kissed Mila on the cheek. "Your Dad and I just spent some time together at Ruta. We're fine, and thanks for looking out for us."

"Yes, good night, sweetheart. I love you," whispered Link as he hugged and kissed Mila goodnight.

They retired to their room, and Link took off his Zora armor and joined Mipha in their slumber pool.

"Mila is always so thoughtful," said Link. "But I love the family you gave me so much, sweetheart. And I love you."

Then they kissed, and Mipha pulled him closer as they kissed again.

Meanwhile, somewhere underground in the depths of the Thyphlo Ruins, two soldiers were carrying sacks of Luminous Stones to a small room. A strange-looking individual sat there, huddled over a pot containing a stone, chanting something and stirring the pot occasionally. You could not make out his face, or if he even had a face, since a large purple hood concealed his features. All one could see was a single red eye glaring brightly from under the hood.

In one part of the room stood a small pile of Luminous Stones and, in another corner, a pile of stones that had lost their glow. The creature didn't speak but acknowledged the soldiers by pointing its clawed hand at the pile of Luminous Stones, then pointed at the other stones and made a gesture indicating they should be removed. The soldiers dropped off the Luminous Stones they were carrying, then packed the other stones into their sacks, and were all too happy to leave. Upon leaving and making their way back, one of the soldiers turned to the other.

"I'm not afraid of most evil creatures, but that thing gives me the creeps!" said the first soldier. "When that eye of his looks my way, I feel it wishes I was already a ghost. Do you know what our leader has him doing?"

"I'm not sure, but I was told he's going through Luminous Stones and searching for the spirits of beings our leader wants to acquire," said the second soldier. "Apparently, it's a slow process as he has to do it stone by stone."

"Ugh!" said the first soldier. "Can you imagine something that can capture the spirits of the dead? What kind of thing has that power?"

"Tell me about it! Our Master could restore the dead, though," said the second soldier.