Work Text:
Mipha carefully stitched the last scale onto the armour. It had been a long, tiresome process, especially because she had to balance it with the rest of her life. Her life was a chaotic one, each day filled with endless tasks.
Training in combat with the other champions was a weekly duty, and it took a lot of energy, both physical and emotional. She had to deal with Revali’s snide comments without hitting him with a brick. Her father had raised her to be polite, but at what point did politeness become unintended cruelty? At what point did her tolerance toward Revali become harmful to Link? It was a difficult balance to walk, and she was unsure she was doing it correctly.
A less exhausting but more frequent duty was training in combat with the Zora guards. Mipha was nimble, agile, and quick. With a spear, she was a force to be reckoned with. But she needed to improve. She could barely keep up with the other champions. She wanted to be better. She needed to be better. To improve her skills, she trained with the Zora guards thrice a week. She began training with her trident as a child, but hadn’t needed to use her skills until the monsters began to swarm the Domain.
Her father didn’t like that she joined the battles against the monsters, but as always, he was supportive of her endeavours and proud of her. She was grateful for his support. She was grateful for the whole Domain’s support. She hoped she deserved it. She hoped that when Calamity Ganon did arise, she could prove herself worthy of their pride.
A daily to-do was healing the injured. All the soldiers who were wounded in battle, all the children who had scraped their knees, and all those who had a cold or a case of fish-flu. It was exhausting to heal so many people every day, but she needed her healing to be perfect, in case… in case the unthinkable happened when Calamity Ganon came.
An additional frequent activity was spending time with her family. With all the violence in Hyrule, she feared her family would be taken from her, or her from them. She wanted to savour every moment with them, just in case.
A daily task, one she looked forward to, was deepening her bond with Vah Ruta. It was easy, like talking to an old friend, but it was time-consuming. It took at least two hours a day, but Mipha made the most of that time. She ate her lunch with Ruta, talked to her about her successes and troubles, and listened to anything Ruta had to say. She spoke in hums that no one else could understand. Mipha wasn’t sure how she herself could understand, but she was glad she could. Ruta was an excellent companion.
Mipha leaned back and sighed, looking out at the Domain from Ruta’s top.
“I finished making the armour,” she told her. “I feel it is perfect. I’m surprised it turned out so well.”
Despite your success, you sound… sad, Ruta hummed inside Mipha’s mind. Tell me why.
She hesitated, but Ruta was patient. She had been buried for ten-thousand years. This surely felt like an instant to her.
Mipha wondered how she was going to tell Muzu about her relationship with Link. He was like a parent to her. She felt a great sadness in her heart whenever he mentioned his dislike of Link, yet she had never found it in herself to stand up for him.
“I wish I was braver. And stronger. I wish I hadn’t made this armour in secret. If I was as brave as Link, or Daruk, or Zelda, or Urbosa, or Revali, perhaps I would have it in me to tell Muzu long ago.”
Your bravery and strength are not reflected by your fears. Your strength lies elsewhere. Mipha, my friend, you can do anything you wish. Muzu may not understand, but his love for you surpasses his prejudice.
Mipha nodded. “You truly think so?”
I do.
They sat in silence for several minutes before Ruta spoke again. However. I feel as if danger will soon approach. I do not know when, for time is not the same for you and I. You are strong and you are brave. I believe you will win this war. But I also believe you should give Link this gift before the danger arrives.
“Oh. Oh, my! Does this mean…?” she trailed off.
Ruta knew what she was asking. Yes, she answered simply.
Mipha took a deep breath. She didn’t feel ready. She needed to be better. She needed to improve her fighting, her healing, and any strength that would help her in the fight. But if what Ruta said was right, she didn’t have time. “Alright. Thank you for telling me. I shall alert my father at once. Then, I shall speak with Muzu. And then, I shall meet with Link. And I shall give him his gift, and ask him to marry me.”
Ruta gave a hum of approval. I am proud of you.
Tomorrow was Princess Zelda’s birthday, and Mipha was meeting her and the other champions at the beginning of the road to Mount Lanayru. Afterward, Mipha planned to ask Link if he would like to have dinner with her on his next day off. That would give her time to plan any last-moment details. It would give her time to speak to Muzu.
“Thank you, Ruta. We shall face this together. And together, we will prevail.”