Mipha: A Champion Rises

Chapter 1 - Prologue: The Day Before

It was mid-day at the Royal Ancient Tech Lab just west of Hyrule Castle, and Dr. Robbie was meeting with three of the Sheikah scientists, Trella, Darin, and Dolan, on his staff.

"Do you have any questions? You understand what to do and ask?" said Robbie.

"Yes, Dr. Robbie," said Trella. "Lady Mipha has agreed to meet with us late tomorrow at East Reservoir Lake and explain in detail how she controls Ruta. She said she had to meet the Princess and the other Champions at Lanayru Road first, but hoped to be back by late afternoon or early evening."

"Excellent!" said Robbie. "After we learn more details about each Divine Beast, I am confident that will serve to further our research efforts and improve our understanding of Guardians, and ancient technology generally."

"We should go, Dr. Robbie," said Darin. "We have a long journey, and we plan to spend the night at Kakariko Village. We'll continue to Zora's Domain tomorrow."

"Yes, of course," said Robbie. "Farewell, then, and safe travels."

The three Sheikah left the lab, mounted their horses, and began their journey.

Meanwhile, in Zora's Domain, Mipha was meeting with her father.

"You are off again to train with Ruta?" said King Dorephan.

"Yes, Father," said Mipha. "I feel very confident already, but still, it never hurts to be sure. I want to be ready to help Link all I can when the time comes. Are Seggin and Muzu still upset? They seem to be avoiding me."

"You know how dear you are to them," said King Dorephan shaking his head. "They love you like their own daughter and are very much against you piloting Ruta. It pains them that you are doing this anyway. And I worry even more than they do and wish there were some other way. But I sense your determination and understand your reasons."

"I feel I should do all I can to help defend Hyrule and aid the hero in his quest, Father," said Mipha. "My heart tells me I must do this."

King Dorephan smiled.

"Unlike the others, I know your motivation, sweetheart, that your heart belongs to Link. You have not had a chance to offer him the armor?" said King Dorephan.

Not yet, Father," said Mipha blushing slightly. "The time has not felt right. Link is so intent on his duty these days, and that is all he thinks about. We spoke on Ruta the last time he visited me, and we agreed to spend more time together when all this is over. Link is on the shy side and doesn't speak of his feelings, but I sense he loves me. He is just so overwhelmed right now that he holds himself in."

"I understand, and I am sure you are right about Link's feelings, sweetheart. You know Link longer and better than anyone. And I pray all this will be over soon as well, so you two can get on with your lives," said King Dorephan.

"I should go now, Father," said Mipha.

"Yes, of course," said King Dorephan. "Be safe, my darling."

They embraced, and then Mipha set out for East Reservoir Lake. After swimming out to Ruta, she boarded and began to resume her training. As she prepared to raise Ruta's trunk, Ruta proceeded to do so on her own.

"Ruta, you are so clever now," said Mipha as she gently patted her. "You know what I need you to do before I even ask. You can read my mind."

Ruta bellowed softly, and Mipha laughed.

"You really can read my mind, can't you? Yes, I do think of Link a great deal," said Mipha. "We have been friends for some time now, almost fourteen years. And, well, he means a great deal more to me than a friend now."

Ruta bellowed again.

"No, he's not family as Father and my dear little brother are," said Mipha. "But I hope he will be someday. I will see him tomorrow at Lanayru Road, but with all the others there and him so busy attending to the Princess, I doubt we will be able to talk. But now I really should concentrate on my training."

Ruta bellowed twice.

"You're terrible, Ruta!" laughed Mipha. "Yes, I can too think of two things at the same time."

Meanwhile, it was late afternoon as Princess Zelda and Link made their way on horseback to Sanidin Park, a popular rest area along the road through Hyrule Ridge. Link rode in silence as Zelda discussed her horse and the royal gear she outfitted him with. When they arrived at the park, they dismounted and left their horses to graze and drink from the fountain. It was a beautiful calm day, the sun just starting to sink in the west. Zelda stared out across the railing at the scenic landscape to the east, as there was a magnificent view of Hyrule from Safula Hill. Then she pointed out Mount Lanayru and discussed her plan to journey there tomorrow.

"I've prayed at the Spring of Courage, and at the Spring of Power, yet neither awoke anything inside me," said Zelda. "But maybe up there... Perhaps the Spring of Wisdom, the final of the three, will be the one. To be honest, I have no real reason to think that will be the case. But there's always the chance that the next moment will change everything. Tomorrow is my seventeenth birthday. So then I shall go...and make my way up the mountain."

They lingered a while longer to rest their horses, and then it was time to go as the sun sank further in the western sky.

Who knew it would be the Kingdom of Hyrule's last sunset?