Summary: Link's daughter Mila visits the Hyrule Castle Library to conduct some research. Zelda visits Zora's Domain after her trip to the Akkala Citadel, then makes some plans with Mipha and Link. Everyone does some reminiscing.

It was a rainy early morning in Zora's Domain as Link's older daughter Mila prepared to depart for the Hyrule Castle Library.

"Have a safe trip, sweetheart," said Mipha as she hugged Mila goodbye. "And please concentrate on your own work. Our interest in the former Hylian hero is just curiosity."

"I will, Mom, but I'll still stir up what I can about him," said Mila. "You know me. I'm always eager to learn. Now I should go if I don't want to miss the ferry."

Mila made her way to the ferry stop and boarded the ferry to Hyrule Castle, as did two other Zoras, who nodded hello. She took a window seat and watched as the ferry pulled away from the pier and the shore glided by. The river ferries traveled more slowly than the fast sea-going craft, and it gave you a chance to enjoy the view if you liked. She could have swum to Hyrule Castle, of course, as it wasn't a bad swim, and the water was clear and refreshing. But the ferry was relaxing and a natural alternative to travel by road for non-Zoras.

Mila was prone to reminiscing, and she thought back to when she used to travel this route as a child with her family and the races she and Midon would have along the way. She often won to Midon's utter annoyance. Then, as the ferry passed the tall Lanayru Sheikah Tower, it brought back another memory that made her smile. She recalled the day that Dr. Purah's team finally activated those towers. It set off Tila's Tab in class, a backlog of North Hyrule messages finally making their presence known with a loud alarm. Tila was so embarrassed over interrupting the lecture, but everyone else was curious about her device. She, Tila, and Midon were all in the same class at school back then when Tila spent a month visiting the Domain. That was when she and Tila first became friends, though not right away. She had been a little jealous of Tila at first. Anyway, Tila's visit back then caused a wave of envy throughout the Domain, and not just from Tila's many admirers. Everyone wished they could have a Tab like hers to chat with friends, listen to music, and so on. Now everyone did.

The ferry continued north, and the road along the eastern riverbank was empty on this rainy early morning, the scenery unspoiled. The land along the western shore was even less developed and covered in green moss. Near the water's edge at one spot stood the remains of an old Bokoblin dwelling, a broken skull-shaped rock outcropping. Mila was glad Queen Zelda had insisted on preserving some of these ancient remains. It was important not to forget the past.

The ferry followed the river north, going under the Helmhead Bridge and past the Rauru Settlement on the east and Hyrule Forest Park on the west. Again, there was no activity to be seen at either location on this wet early morning. The ferry would usually stop next at the Woodland Service Area. But this morning, nobody was boarding or exiting there, so the ferry continued onward into the Castle moat, finally stopping at the docks at the north end of Hyrule Castle. The next stop would be the Ancient Tech Lab, but this was a convenient stop for Mila, and she left the ferry there. A short flight of steps from the docks led straight to the library, where a Hylian woman named Alana who worked there was expecting her.

"Welcome, Princess Mila," said Alana. "I know you are eager to start work, so let me show you where we store the materials that you said you are interested in."

Mila had been eager to begin work on the latest Hyrule invasion history and wanted some background information. Her mother had also asked her to look up what she could learn about a past Hyrule hero chronicled under the subject "Oracle of Ages" and "Link's Awakening."

"Thank you for showing me where to find the material, Alana," said Mila after Alana had pointed out all the relevant locations. "I've been here before, but the library is quite extensive."

"Yes, it is, and we are very proud of our collection," said Alana with a smile. "We will eventually have the library stored in a form you can access from your Tab, but it's a massive undertaking, and we are still far from finished. By the way, I read your history of North Hyrule, and it was excellent, Princess Mila. It shed light on much that we never knew."

"Thank you," said Mila. "I enjoyed working on it. It was a land completely unknown to us not so long ago, and now my little brother has married into the royal family there."

"Shh!" said an annoyed Gerudo woman who looked up from a book she was turning pages through and gave them both an angry stare.

"We should lower our voices," whispered Alana. "It is a library, after all."

"That person looks vaguely familiar to me," whispered Mila.

"Her name is Tanya, and she runs the jewelry store in Castle Town," whispered Alana. "She sometimes comes here early in the morning before opening her shop to look at historical Hyrule drawings to get ideas for new jewelry designs. Perhaps you ran into her in Castle Town?"

"Yes, that I did, shopping with my father once," Mila whispered with a smile. "She is something else!"

"Oh, speaking of your father, I have to say it's a pleasure to be meeting and helping one of his children. I knew your father before he married when he served as a knight in the Royal Guards here. Then years later, I ran into your father and mother in Gatepost Town having lunch. That must be over ten years ago now! Your father looked almost the same as I remembered him, and I recognized him at once. His wife was a Hylian at the time, and Link played dumb about that and who she really was. He later spoke with me to apologize, saying your mother's transformation to a Hylian was a secret. But he explained his memory loss was genuine, and he truly didn't remember me. I gather your mother is long since back to being a Zora now?"

"Yes, it was only a short-term conversion to help rescue some Gerudo," whispered Mila. "My grandfather was on bubbles until she transformed back, nervous that she would drown or something."

"I see. And that answered the mystery of the princess your father used to speak of with me," laughed Alana, then glanced at Tanya but saw no reaction. "We were both adolescents back then, and we used to tease each other about me finding my handsome prince and him finding his beautiful princess. I thought we were both joking, but he was serious! I think that was also news to your mother."

"I'm sure she was happy to hear it," whispered Mila. "From what I know about their early lives, they were good friends for years but shy about sharing their feelings."

"Your father was definitely on the quiet side, but he has had quite the amazing life, hasn't he?"

"Yes, that he has, and you don't know the half of it," said Mila quietly. "But I never knew my Dad frequented the library that much. I imagine him as dedicated to his combat training, more the outdoor type."

"Oh, I'm sure that combat training and such occupied most of your father's time and effort," whispered Alana. "He used to come here to research recipes he said could aid him in his combat ability and survival skills in the wild. And sometimes, he wished to learn more about past heroes and their circumstances, how they prevailed over the great evil of their day. But please say hello to him for me when you return home. We had many fun conversations."

"I will, Alana, and thank you again," said Mila as Alana left and Mila settled down to begin work.

It was about an hour later when Mila sensed movement and looked up to see Tanya.

"Forgive the interruption and my earlier rudeness, Princess," said Tanya. "Your royal tiara is lovely and very well crafted. My name is Tanya, and I work at the local branch of the Starlight Memories jewelry store. I recognize the bracelets you are wearing as one of our designs, and I wondered if you were happy with them."

"Yes, they're beautiful, and I love them," said Mila. "My name is Mila, and they were a gift from my sister."

"Oh, yes, I remember now," said Tanya. "Then you really are Link's daughter? Please say hello to him for me and that I have a special discount ready for him given our past misunderstandings. For that matter, anyone in your family is welcome, and I will offer the same discount. Now I must leave to open the shop. Please stop by later if you need anything for yourself or as a gift."

"I will tell my father and thanks," said Mila.

Mila smiled and shook her head after Tanya left. She remembered when she visited Tanya's shop with her father, and Tanya remembered Link but refused to believe she was his daughter because of their small age difference back then. And she, in turn, wondered who her Dad was buying jewelry for. But the explanations were all innocent in the end. She also wondered how many more people she would meet today who would want her to say hello to her Dad for them. Then she resumed work.

Meanwhile, in Zora's Domain, Link awoke to find himself alone in their slumber pool. The sound of the steady rain against the window must have helped him sleep, and he was tempted to fall back. But then he heard Mipha's voice coming from the dining room and thought perhaps he should get up. After dressing, he made his way down to find Mipha sitting at the table alone.

"Good morning, sweetheart," said Link, as he and Mipha kissed.

"Good morning. There's a fresh Hyrule Bass in the kitchen ready for cooking," said Mipha. "Did you check your Tab, by the way? Zelda would like to visit this afternoon and stay the night. I just spoke to her and told her it's fine. She's traveling here from the Akkala Citadel."

"Oh, that's great," said Link as he went to cook the fish. "I like it when we are all informal."

While the fish cooked, Link consulted his Tab for Zelda's message.

Zelda_Q_H:TO: Mipha_ZD & Link_ZD:: I would like to visit early this afternoon on the way back from the Akkala Citadel and stay the night. Please let me know if it's okay. I hope to see you both soon!

Link returned to the table after cooking his fish and began eating.

"Where's everyone else?" Link asked after swallowing a bite.

"Mila is at the Hyrule Castle Library. Lapha and Midon went with Linky and his family to North Hyrule. I think they all plan to visit the seacoast."

"Oh, I see," said Link. "No wonder the house feels so quiet."

Link finished eating and then spoke up again after thinking a bit.

"You know, speaking of Zelda, she may be feeling a bit sad and looking for company," said Link. "I remember many times when I visited Hyrule Castle, I would learn that her husband Rudin was away inspecting the Citadel. Now she's doing that again herself, and I'm sure it brings back memories."

"Recounting our recent adventure may help take her mind off things," said Mipha. "And of course, she is welcome to stay as long as she likes. Now I need to meet with Father. Will you be okay on your own for a while, sweetheart?"

"Of course, I'll be fine," said Link. "I'll just wander around the Domain until Zelda arrives."

"In the rain?" said Mipha. "That's very Zora of you!"

"Very funny," said Link. "Do you need company on the way to the meeting?"

"No, it's fine. Sidon is waiting for me by the slumber pools and wants to discuss what to say first."

Link walked Mipha to the door. They kissed once, and then Link watched her as she walked down the path toward the walkway that led to the slumber pool level. She turned around once to smile and wave at him before she disappeared from view. He smiled and waved back, wondering how Mipha knew he would watch her. I guess she just knew him that well by now and how much he loved her.

It was still raining hard, but rather than stay inside, Link decided to walk over to East Reservoir Lake. A pair of Wood Pigeons flapped their wings and took to the air as Link made the short walk from Mikau Lake to the covered stairway that led to the massive reservoir. He ran up the two long flights of steps at full speed to prove he still could, then made his way to the bed on the northwest pier and sat down to catch his breath. Water dripped down the side of the overhead canopy, and raindrops splattered against the smooth stony blue floor beyond it. Besides the rain, you could hear the wind as it blew through the arches and the gentle lapping of the reservoir water against the pier.

Link sat and stared out at the pier and the water. The lake was peaceful and almost empty now, the only signs of life a pair of ducks enjoying a swim in the rain. Ruta was sitting quietly in the middle of the lake, its trunk raised in the air, and its bright blue markings were glowing with Ancient Energy. It almost felt like Ruta was watching him. Maybe she was, Link thought, and he half expected her to bellow at him. But Ruta was quiet without her pilot present, and the rain simply poured off of her as well.

Ruta was their ally and protector now, and that was all everyone else alive here knew. That was how he wanted it, after all. He was the only one in Hyrule who carried the memory of a similar rainy day when Ruta glowed with purple malice repelling any who approached and threatened to flood the reservoir to bursting. Back then, an eager adult Sidon waited anxiously for him and his Shock Arrows at the tip of this very pier, ready to aid him in appeasing Ruta. And Sidon had indeed helped him to navigate past Ruta's defenses and shut off its prodigious rain and water production, the sky finally clearing. But after that, he was on his own, alone like now, alone to learn the dear friend he had only just remembered was gone, a spirit now. What a horrible day that had been! Link shook his head to clear his thoughts, reminding himself not to dwell on things that no longer happened.

As he looked out at the water, Link tried to clear his mind by thinking back to the many times he had come here with Mipha. He could only recall a few times before they married, but many more times afterward. Link didn't remember it, but Mipha said she had taught him to swim here to be a better playmate with Bazz and his other Zora friends. And it was here he felt the first glimmer of hope the past could be undone when he was reunited with Mipha using a TimeShift stone. Wow, was that an emotional meeting for him! Anyway, there were a lot of happy memories of time spent with Mipha here, playing in the water, kissing in the water, making love in the water. And that made him miss her company now, her soft touch, sweet smile, and playful sense of humor. He stared out at the lake and watched the rain continue to fall.

And then, though he still felt like the hero he still was, Link realized how much he had changed over the years. He had been content at one time to be a loner, willing to wander all over Hyrule, his horse Epona, his only companion. How many times had he camped out by himself or slept alone at a distant stable? He wouldn't even dare try to count. But now, he missed Mipha and his family whenever he was away from them. The wind blew a splash of rain under the canopy and across his face, and he laughed, then stared out at Ruta once more as if she had caused it.

"Maybe we both miss her right now," said Link, but Ruta stayed stubbornly silent.

"Miss who?" said a familiar voice as Mipha came over to join him. "One of the guards told me he saw you walk over here. Don't you ever check your Tab? I messaged you twice."

Link jumped up, grabbed her in his arms and kissed her before answering. Mipha could sense his emotions and held him close.

"It's okay, I'm here, sweetheart," said Mipha as she caressed his back, and he continued to hold her.

They held each other quietly for a few moments, and then Link spoke up.

"Sorry, I must still have my Tab on mute," said Link, after wiping his eyes and pulling out his Tab to look at the messages. "I'm really happy you're here, sweetheart. I've been thinking about us and the times we spent together here, and I missed you–a lot."

Mipha smiled, and they sat down together. They kissed once again, a longer romantic one, and then put their arms around each other and turned to look out at the lake.

"I missed you too, and I'm glad Father's meeting ended early," said Mipha. "Did coming here make you sentimental?"

"I guess so," said Link. "We certainly came here often over the years. And I had some false memories of things that no longer happened."

"Yes, we came here often. It's a nice, secluded spot when guards aren't checking on it," said Mipha.

They held each other close and kissed now and then as they watched the rain pour down.

"Has life with me been what you expected?" Link asked finally.

"What do you mean?" Mipha asked, turning to him.

"Maybe I didn't express myself well," said Link. "I mean, has your life with me lived up to what you hoped for when we married?"

"I could ask the same question of you, you know," said Mipha as she smiled at him. "But since you asked first, I will answer. Life with you has been the happiest time ever for me. I never tried to guess what the future would hold for us, and I realized there would be an ebb and flow in our lives, as there is for everyone. I just knew I was in love with you and wanted to spend my life with you, no matter what. To me, anything else, like our wonderful family, has been a bonus. Does that answer your question?"

"Yes, it does," said Link, and he smiled at her. "And I feel the same way, though you put it more eloquently than I would have."

They kissed again, then continued to sit, their arms around each other.

"What made you ask me that now?" Mipha asked. "I would think you already knew the answer."

"I don't know. Maybe it just helped me to hear you say it. I don't have nightmares often anymore, but some memories still haunt me occasionally, especially when I'm alone and near where something terrible happened. Being with you drives away those ghosts."

"I'm glad I can do that," said Mipha. "Chasing ghosts is not my normal healing ability."

"I think that treatment is unique to me," laughed Link.

They sat quietly for another moment, and then Mipha spoke up.

"I think it was waking up to a mostly empty house that affected your mood," said Mipha. "You've grown very used to being with your family."

"I was kind of thinking the same thing," said Link. "But it's you I need to be with most of all, sweetheart."

They smiled at each other and kissed once more, then sat watching the rain until Link finally checked his Tab for the time.

"I guess we should go greet Her Majesty," said Link as they kissed once last time and then rose to leave. "She should be here any minute now."

"Since everyone but Mila is away, we should invite Zelda to stay at our house," said Mipha. "Linky's room has a bed. I think she would be more comfortable there than at the inn."

"Yes, good idea," said Link. "I hadn't thought of that."

It was about a half-hour later when Zelda and her two guards arrived by way of the Great Zora Bridge, and after thanking and dismissing the guards, for now, Zelda came forward and hugged Mipha and Link.

"Welcome to the Domain," said Mipha as they embraced.

"Welcome Zelda, it's great to see you again," said Link as they embraced.

"Thank you both, and this is certainly Zora weather," laughed Zelda.