Summary: Mipha as a Hylian prepares to accompany Link to Goron City.

Mipha and Link made their way to the throne room at Zora's Domain to see King Dorephan. Mipha had transformed into a Hylian to rescue a squad of Gerudo soldiers and had just returned to the Domain late the previous evening. Mipha's father had not yet had a chance to see her in person since her change.

"Good morning, Father," said Mipha as they entered the throne room.

King Dorephan looked at her, and he did not seem especially pleased by what he saw. Link had expected that. It was a lot to expect anything else. Finally, King Dorephan spoke.

"Welcome home," said King Dorephan. "I and all of us here are very proud of the heroic deed you did, Mipha. It was quite a noble sacrifice. May I ask what your plans are now?"

"I promised Link I would take this opportunity to see some parts of Hyrule we Zoras cannot travel to," said Mipha.

"I see," said King Dorephan. "Well, I will not try to stop you or even less forbid it. I know this must mean a great deal to Link here, and he certainly deserves our consideration. But, Mipha, you are a Princess of the Zora and heir to our kingdom's throne. Please remember your responsibility to our people and do not take too long."

"I understand, Father," said Mipha. "And thank you."

Mipha and Link left the throne room.

"That wasn't too bad," said Mipha. "Father at least tolerated things."

"We Zoras again?" said Link. "I think that I embraced becoming a Zora much more fully than you are taking this. But I guess I can understand that. Being a Zora opened up a whole new underwater world to me. Being a Hylian probably doesn't offer as much of a new experience for you. Anyway, I am going to stop at the inn to see if they can get us a bed for our home. I don't want you to have to sleep on the floor."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," said Mipha as she took his hand. "Let me try harder. I know it's only fair and I owe you that. I'll stop complaining, accept the experience for what it is and take things as they come. If you don't need me now, I'll meet you later at home."

They kissed, and then Mipha headed home while Link went to the inn. When he arrived, he found Kodah there alone.

"Hi, Linny," said Kodah. "What brings you here? Did you have a fight and Lady Mipha banished you from home?"

"No, nothing like that, Kodah," laughed Link. "How is Kayden?"

"Fine," said Kodah. "He's out with some friends at the moment. We're not too busy at this time of day. Is there something I can do?"

"Yes," said Link. "I need to get a bed for our room and thought you would know the best way to find one. You heard that Mipha is temporarily a Hylian, right? And she can't sleep in the water now, so, well, you know."

"Yes, of course," said Kodah. "I did hear about that and can't imagine what that must be like. It's very noble of her to make such a huge sacrifice. No offense, of course."

"No offense," laughed Link. "I know it was a lot to ask of her. But in the meantime, I'd like her to be comfortable."

"Yes, of course, back to your question," said Kodah. "We keep some new beds in storage to be ready in case we need to replace one here. I assume you only need the bed temporarily. So I can rent you a new bed. Shall I have it delivered to your house? I can have it there today."

"That would be wonderful, Kodah," said Link. "Thank you. Let me leave a deposit for the first week."

Link left the plaza and returned home. Mipha was sorting out the clothes she had ordered, which had just been delivered by the shop.

"I won't say a word," said Mipha as she looked over at Link.

"Your new clothes came already?" said Link. "That was fast! So, since Father is so anxious for you to return to normal, we'll be all set by tomorrow to get started for Goron City. And the inn will deliver a new bed today, so you, I mean we, can sleep comfortably. At dinner tonight we can let the children know. I feel bad not being able to spend more time with them. We've been away so long!"

"Yes," said Mipha. "I had thought at first we could spend a few days at home to catch up with things, but I don't want to try Father's patience. So I agree. We should leave tomorrow."

Link left to get some things for their trip. A short time later Mila came home while Mipha was trying on the new clothes she had ordered.

"Mom, are you home?" shouted Mila.

"Yes, I'm here in the bedroom, Mila," said Mipha.

When Mila entered the room, she stopped, stunned.

"Um, Mom, don't you think that skirt might be a little too short?" said Mila.

"What do you mean?" said Mipha. "It feels comfortable."

"Where did you get these clothes?" said Mila.

"This trendy looking shop in Gatepost Town," said Mipha. "I ordered by catalog."

"I think they probably cater to younger...," said Mila. "Um, not that you're old or it looks bad on you, Mom. It just looks more like something um, well, something Princess Tila might wear if she were a Hylian. Do you like how it looks?"

"I can't really tell how it looks," said Mipha. "The Gerudo helped me with clothes while I was in Gerudo Town, but I haven't had time to research Hylian clothing. I thought skimpier would be better for ease of movement and being closer to what I'm used to."

"Well, you do look good in it, Mom," said Mila. "But kind of too good if you know what I mean. I'm sure Dad will love seeing you in it. Perhaps I could help you pick out some other clothes? We can do it all by Tab, and they can be here by tomorrow."

"Alright, if you think it's necessary," said Mipha. "I guess we can donate all of them when I'm done. But how do you know so much about these things, sweetheart?"

"Learning about Hylian culture was part of my studies," said Mila. "That included things like clothing."

Mila helped Mipha pick out some more practical clothing from a different store which promised delivery by tomorrow morning since they had standard sizes in stock.

"I mean, keep the other clothes for going to a party or something," said Mila. "And if you don't mind turning heads a little."

"They're that bad?" said Mipha.

"No, they're actually quite cute," said Mila. "They're just not a good choice for travel. But if you want to have some fun, leave this outfit on when Dad comes home."

"You think he'll like it?" said Mipha.

"Unless he's turned into a Talus," said Mila.

It was shortly before dinner when Link returned home with the items he wanted for their journey. Mila was near the entrance, and they hugged.

"Hi sweetheart," said Link. "Did you have a good day?"

"Hi Dad," said Mila. "Yes, just swam with some friends."

"Is Mom home, do you know?" said Link.

"I think she's in the bedroom trying on her new clothes," said Mila. "How do you feel about Mom as a Hylian? It's just the two of us, Dad, and we've always been so close. You can tell me."

Mila looked into his eyes with that penetrating gaze of hers.

"Do I even have to answer?" laughed Link. "You seem able to read my mind, sweetheart. But seriously, I think she's wonderful either way. I asked myself, would I have fallen in love with her if she had always been the way she is now? And the answer is 'without a doubt.' As I keep saying, she's the same person. But I guess I would have needed more courage. I would have to be the one to ask her to marry me first."

"And knowing you, Dad, I'm glad we didn't leave that in your hands," laughed Mila. "Mom said you were very shy back then."

"Yes, I was," laughed Link. "I'd like to think I would have gotten over it for something so important, though. And I did finally express my feelings for her first. But let me see how she's doing."

Link walked to their bedroom and knocked.

"Do you mind if I come in?" said Link. "Mila said you were trying on clothes."

"No, come on in," said Mipha.

Link opened the door, entered their room and then stopped with his mouth open. Mipha was dressed in a short red skirt and a blouse that seemed to show more skin than it covered. He felt like he did the time he first saw her in the Kara Kara Bazaar. She looked incredible!

"Do you like this outfit?" said Mipha.

"You look great, really great," said Link. "It brings out some of your natural beauty. It makes me want to kiss you this instant, you look so ...."

"I know it's not suitable for traveling and Mila helped me pick out some other clothes for that," said Mipha. "They will arrive by tomorrow. But I find this whole female Hylian clothing experience strange and inefficient. It seems I am supposed to wear certain types of clothing only to create a desire in you to remove them. Does that make sense to you? We Zoras, oh, never mind. I forgot."

"Yes, I guess that's true," said Link. "And I can attest to the fact it works. It's just how Hylians do things. Speaking of which, do you need some help now?"

At dinner that evening they explained the situation, that they were planning trips to Goron City and then Rito Village. Then things would be back to normal for a while.

"I'm sorry we don't have more time together now," said Mipha. "I've missed you all so much! And I want to hear all about what you did while I was away. But your grandfather is anxious for things to return to normal, and I understand how he feels."

"I'm sure we all understand too, Mom," said Midon. "We can tell you all about us when you're back home. And you can do the same. But Tab us in the meantime. I'm interested in the Goron area, and none of us, except Linky, will probably ever be able to see it."

"We will," said Link.

"And think about that motorized watercraft," said Linky. "They're great fun and practical for traveling in water for us Hylians."

"We will think about it," said Mipha."But we need to make sure the council is okay with it. They may want to set some rules, so it doesn't interfere with the Zora people's use of the water here."

Mipha looked over at Link to make sure he heard how she said it.

"I can understand that," said Linky.

They said their goodbyes after dinner since Mipha and Link planned to leave early and the children still had the day off. Then they retired to their bedroom to get a good night's rest. The bed supplied by the inn had already been delivered and set up.

Mipha was already yawning as they got ready for bed and lay down.

"We haven't slept in a bed together in the Domain since right after we were married," said Link. "We're talking twenty-four years ago. I'd be in my mid-forties if it weren't for Purah's rune."

But Mipha didn't answer. She was already fast asleep. Link smiled and gently pulled the blanket over her shoulders, then he quietly lay down next to her. Soon he was fast asleep as well.