"What do you mean the Princess is dead?" Sidon whisper-yelled to his father as to not let any eavesdropper hear.

"I mean Princess Zelda died heroically just after she and her knight defeated the Calamity." King Dorephan sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"How?! I just, I can't believe this has happened. After so many years she's dead? How?"

"Yes Sidon. After a century of battle is seems she has perished and has left Link to be the only remaining member of heroes from long ago."

"But how?! She couldn't of just...collapsed. Could she? What did Link say?"

"He said nothing. I was not going to push such information out of him." The King turned to his distressed son. A sudden, and small, wave of sadness washed over him as he studied Sidon's face. Clearly he was upset that Link was upset even if he didn't fully understand why Link was upset. Dorephan had only told Sidon so much about Link's situation. "Clearly the boy is heartbroken over this whole thing. He couldn't look at me properly and he seemed to be speaking in a more formal tone than what I'm used to. Even when he woke up from the Shrine of Resurrection and had no memory or knowledge of me other than the fact that I'm a King he spoke more casually. Now he speaks as if he were programmed. It's a shame really. This is taking a toll on him."

"Yes, clearly." Sidon sighed and paced the area in front of his father. "Does Muzu know? I do hope he doesn't turn the Princesses death into such a deal as he did with Mipha's." Sidon groaned at the thought of the Zora elder acting as childish as he did when Link first arrived. Surely Muzu had to know that if he did behave in such a way in this situation it could embarrass the whole Zora's Domain and the royal family, right?

"Muzu is not aware yet and I am certain he won't act that way. The death of our dear Mipha affected him more because of his bond with her. Zelda's death will upset him but he has learned from his previous actions and will act like an adult."

"But how can you be so sure father?" Sidon stopped his pacing and looked up at the King. "Perhaps I should have a word with him. I should warn him of the consequences if he were to even think that way."

"Sidon," King Dorephan spoke in a gentle tone, "I understand. You and Link had a friendship when you were a child. You looked up to him and you still do."

"Well yes but I don't see what this has to do with anything." Sidon interrupted in a bit of a huffy tone.

"Allow me to finish, son. You care for Link the way you cared for Mipha. Both held and will forever hold a piece of your heart. When they were both deemed dead one hundred years ago those pieces of you were lost as if thrown into the Great Hyrule Forest. And now that one of those pieces has returned you feel the great need to protect him however way you can. That is what you're doing right now, you're trying to protect Link in whatever way you can whether it be offering moral support or harassing your elders." Sidon stood there, mouth slightly agape. He wanted to respond with a snooty no I'm not but he was doing exactly that and he knew it.

"Now how do you know this?" Sidon asked. His voice quiet though it still hold the attitude from before.

"Because I am your father. It is not only my sole duty to manage the Zoras but understand my own child's feelings and help him. And my own mother was a very compassionate woman and a very gentle soul. As the Queen she used that compassion to rule the kingdom. As did your mother." King Dorephan chuckled lightly, the memory of his wife bringing happy memories back. "Your mother was a very kind Queen indeed. Showed me how to see the signs of distress or anything really on ones face."

"Now then," The Zora King spoke, changing the subject, "I believe that if you so wish to help Link with his own feelings you must do nothing to rash. In fact, perhaps not mentioning this to him at all would be best. Now before you interrupt, let me explain. If you were to remind him of what has happened while he is still trying to process all this it will only make him want to spend more time in isolation thus causing you to worry for his well-being even more." Sidon nodded slowly. "If you were, to say, leave the topic alone for a while it may help him come to terms with certain things and then he will be more than willing talk to you about all the different things going on in his mind."

"Now I'm not saying to never talk about it either," The King explained to his son, "Just don't try to push the topic and if others do push the subject then perhaps if you're around you can do him the favor of swaying the conversation to a different direction. You see my boy, it's all about making him feel comfortable enough to talk. At least that is what my mother and my wife would say."

"But how will I know he's ready to talk?" King Dorephan smiled and leaned down, patting his son's shoulder with one gigantic hand.

"I'm sure you will know when. Now, if I remember correctly I sent our Hylian friend to Shatterback Point so he can calm his nerves. The view there is quite relaxing. And I'm more than certain he has slain every monster there in a fit of confused emotions so you should be safe if you happen to decide to venture up there alone. Although if you do go alone please be sure to take a weapon of sorts for added protection." Sidon nodded and turned around, jogging out the throne room. "Oh, and son could you please let Muzu know that I would like to host an emergency meeting with the elders immediately. Thank you, my boy."

- - -

The wet Zora armor stuck to Link's skin, making him uncomfortable and cold. However it didn't matter much. King Dorephan was right, the view definitely helped ease his nerves...as did defeating the Lynel that has been tormenting this part of Polymus Mountain. The rain from earlier (which thankfully was natural and not caused by Divine Beast Vah Ruta) was actually a great way for Link to get into the fighting spirit. Not that he needed much in the first place.

Vah Ruta had moved from her spot on a rock near the Domain back to the East Reservoir Lake. The sun was setting and it seemed like she was settling under the water. Earlier the Divine Beast had been walking around in circles, a loud trumpet coming from her every so often. No one really knew if this was normal behavior but they didn't think much of it. The Divine Beast was no longer under Ganon's control so there was no need to worry.

Link sighed and closed his eyes, letting his mind wander. He recalled the time when he first awoke from the Shrine of Resurrection and when he met the last King of Hyrule who told him of his fate. At the time he had no clue what it his fate was meant to be, even if the King clearly explained, but now he here was. Divine Beasts and guardians taken back and the Kingdom back to its previous state of peace. He had to admit, he was kind of proud of himself. He went from looking at an apple and thinking "What in Hylia's name is this?" to having a mental image of what all of Hyrule looked like and where the areas where the most monsters camped out. It really was quite the accomplishment, in his eyes at least.

A loud and low rumbling resonated throughout the Domain but Link kept his eyes closed. It was probably just Vah Ruta roaring out from underneath the blanket of water. However the rumbling only grew louder and louder until suddenly Vah Ruta broke the surface of the Lake. A loud and clear trumpet resonated from the mechanical elephant now making Link open his eyes. The little sun light that was left illuminated the already slightly glowing beast giving her a bit of an eerie look. It didn't help that Vah Ruta was staring directly at Link. The Hylian Champion raised an eyebrow and stared right back at the Divine Beast. Not a moment passed and she raised her trunk, letting out another trumpet, and turned around.

Link stood up immediately once he saw the Divine Beast on the move again. Confusion flooded his mind, why was she moving? She couldn't of been under Ganon's control. Link just defeated him. He squatted down just a bit, calling upon Revali's Gale to gather the wind under his feet to create a powerful updraft.

"Link!" Sidon called out from behind him. The Prince made the journey up the mountain for the sake of his friend but it seems his plans were to be pushed to another day. "Link, wait!" Link jumped up into the air and away on the parasail. He floated after the Divine Beast as she sank down under water once more but the air bubbles gave away her path.

Sidon was breathing heavily, he wasn't accustomed to running up steep hills. But that couldn't distract him now. He quickly gathered his breath and energy before running to the edge of the cliff and jumping off. Sidon being, well, Sidon, he landed perfectly into the water with no injury. As he poked his head out of water he could barely make out the small dot that was Link in the air far ahead of him. He spent all of one second gathering every ounce of energy from himself before he swam at top speed to the dock that connected to a bridge which connected to Zora's Domain.

The residents of Zora's Domain were all already causing a bit of a panic. As Sidon ran up the stairs to the throne room questions were launched at him about what was happening. The prince ignored every single one.

"Father!" Sidon yelled as he slid into the throne room. The meeting with the elders was still going on, or at least it was until Sidon interrupted. "Divine Beast Vah Ruta! She is on the move! Link is currently on her tail!" The elders in the room all looked to King Dorephan for instruction which he had almost instantaneously.

"Gather as many Zora Guards as possible and have them locate Link. They will follow our Hylian ally and protect him if needed. And-"

"May I go as well?!" Sidon interrupted once more although it didn't seem to bother the King at all.

"I was about to say, Sidon you may lead them. It's high time you learn to lead your people in a fight. Now this may not necessarily be one but it is good practice. And if all goes downhill Link will be there to give instructions as well." Sidon smiled, thanking his father in a rush before running out the throne room and commanding that every available guard meet him in the rivers that lead to up to their Domain. Within minutes Sidon was leading the formation of Zora Guards down the river. Vah Ruta was now making her way onto land and Link was still floating close behind her.