Chapter Text
Your sister has gone to aid the Hero in his fight and fulfill her duty as Champion. You will cheer for her, won’t you? Let us pray that she returns safely to us, my son."
Sidon had readily nodded his head and told his father ‘yes’ with a smile even though he didn’t fully understand everything. But he knew his sister needed him, and how important it was to cheer her on.
It had been almost four days now.
The first night before bed, Seggin and most of the royal guard had gathered up, leaving in a hurry. The young prince didn’t know what was happening. Seggin didn’t have an answer for him when he asked. They didn’t know either, but were leaving to help Mipha just in case.
The next day, there was still no news. Nor the day after that. No one knew anything when he asked. Not about Mipha. Or the guards.
So here he was, making another prayer to the goddess statue.
“ ...And thank you, Miss Hylia, for all the times you bring her home safe. Please do it again so I can give my sister big warm hugs. “ Sidon clapped his hands, bowing his head to the statue as he finished his prayer.
The prince’s head snapped up at the sound of his name being called in the distance, recognizing it as Muzu’s. He shook his head, knowing it was time for bed. Sidon ran on his little legs away from the voice, making himself scarce. He knew the guards would tell where he went but he wasn’t ready for bed. Not yet. He just wanted to stay up and wait for Mipha a little longer, that’s all!
Sidon ran down towards the central plaza, hiding behind the fountain as he watched Muzu begin down the stairs when one of the guard called for him. The prince watched nervously as they spoke before the two hurried back the way they came, likely called away for other business. He gave a sigh of relief. It would be easier avoiding whoever Muzu sent after him instead.
“ Prince Sidon? “
Sidon squeaked surprise, falling on his bottom. The toddler prince looked up from where he sat, a young black zora standing over him.
“ I’m sorry! Are you okay? “ He said helping him up.
“ Bazz? “ He said, recognizing him as two more older kids came up beside him.
“Yeah, and the Big Bad Bazz Brigade! “ He said smiling before tilting his head. “ So what are you doing out here? “
“ Shouldn’t he be at the palace or something…? “ Rivan asked.
“ He snuck out like the rest of us, obviously.“ Gaddison said, Sidon quickly ducking his head.
“ Are...are you gonna tell...? “
Gaddison and Rivan looked to Bazz who scratched his head, weighing the situation in his mind.
“ He’s even smaller than us, just a toddler. For Hylia’s sake he’s the Prince! If something were to happen to him...I’m not sure the King would be so kind. We could get in really big trouble for not saying anything. “ Rivan said wearily, sharp teeth worrying his bottom lip.
“ Yeaaahh….” Bazz let out, much to a startled Sidon’s dismay. “ But...you’re waiting for Lady Mipha to come back, aren’t you? Just like me and Rivan are waiting for our folks…”
The prince hopefully bobbed his head. “ Please don’t tell...? Just a little longer, please? “
“ Okay, just a little bit…” He conceded. “ Stay with us, okay? “
Gaddison gave a shushing noise, gaining the group’s attention. She pointed towards the group of zora who started running down the staircase. Bazz nudged Rivan, the two quickly standing to hide the prince from view.
“ Please hurry! Many of them are in terrible shape, some will not survive the night without proper treatment! “ Said the guard leading them.
“ We’ll see what can be done for them, just keep moving! “
The young group watched as the adults rushed through the plaza, heading in the direction of the Domain’s entrance.
“ They didn’t even notice us, they were running so fast...Are they back? “ Sidon asked, peeking past Bazz’s leg.
“ I think so...That was Lady Finia just now with her med kit, as well as the other palace doctors. Most of them anyways. Father is always visiting their med ward, with all the cuts and bruises he gets from training so much. “ Bazz said. “ Come on, let’s follow them! I bet Lady Mipha’s there too. Bazz Brigade, march! “
Sidon kept up as best he could on his shorter legs, Bazz holding his hand to make sure they didn’t lose him to the groups of zora that started to become more and more frequent towards the entrance of the Domain. The extended run began to make his feet ache and slow, despite himself. He inevitably stumbled, the three stopping to make sure he was alright. Gaddison scooped him up into his arms before the others could attempt to.
“ You sure? I don’t mind carrying him. I’m the leader, after all. Actually, it should be me.“ The taller of the black zora said.
“ It’s fine, he’s cute. “ Gaddison said, emphasizing her point by tickling the young Prince’s belly, the sweet laughter from him warming all of their panicked hearts. Despite how red flushed along his cheeks, making the little one all shy. “ Besides, neither of my parents are in the guard. I can look after him while you two find your dads. “
“ Okay, but I’m next if you get tired. That’s an order. “ Bazz said and Gaddison couldn’t help but smile.
“ Sir, yes sir. “
The prince clung to Gaddison’s lavender frame as they began their trek again in earnest. Going much faster than before, he watched curiously at the other zora that went by, not even trying to hide the fear painted on their faces. His heart raced when they finally drew near the Domain’s entrance. The soldiers who had left were back, now battered and weary. Struggling to carry their wounded. Bystanders rushed to their aid, lending their shoulders or backs to those unable to walk.
And then there were the wagons, the pale almost gray lavender of Finia seen climbing down one of the carts.
“ I need an extra pair of hands! And bring me some extra linens! We don’t have near enough as it is! “ She barked out, one of the physicians hopping off another cart to assist. They were moving too fast for comfort. Too fast to not be afraid. Too fast.
But where was Mipha?
Sidon tugged at Gaddison’s head fins to be put down, finding himself, for the first (and far from last time), at a loss for words. Tugging down Gaddison’s hand he squeezed it in a death grip, what was happening?
His attention was stolen from the racing medics to Bazz as he pointed towards the dark blue soldier approaching the royal family’s physician.
“ Rivan, look! It’s your father, Trello! “ He shouted, Rivan’s shoulders sagging as he sighed in relief.
Sidon looked towards the various cliffs surrounding the Domain, looking for the familiar silhouette of his sister’s Divine Beast. “ …I-I don’t see Ruta anywhere close. Did my sister not come back with them…? “
Bazz hummed as he eyes scanned the soldiers “ I don’t see my father either…”
“ Come on, let’s go ask my dad! He probably knows where they are! “ Rivan said bouncing in place before finally running ahead of them, Bazz trailing after him with Sidon and Gaddison in tow.
Sidon watched the surprised expressions of the nearby adults as they saw them, turning their heads. Their eyes only widened in shock when they saw him unescorted with the other children. Trello nearly fell over when Rivan ran into him, hugging him for all he was worth. “ Rivan…!? “
“ Father! Welcome back! I’m so glad you’re alright, I-I was so worried that— “ He couldn’t even finish as he choked back tears, eyes shining as he looked at his beloved father.
“ Listen to me, my son...I’m happy to see you as well but you all need to go home now, alright? “ He said, kneeling down to his height to regard him and his friends. “ You all need to…Prince Sidon…? “
The young prince immediately obscured himself behind Gaddison as Trello stared, Finia frowning as her gaze fell on him.
“ Trello! Now is not the time to lose focus. Few enough are keeping together as it is! “ She scolded as the dark blue soldier’s grip tightened on his son’s shoulders.
Sidon didn’t quite understand what she meant, only that when he looked around, he noticed many starting to cry and hide their faces.
“...Y-you should not have brought him here…” Trello let out, failing to keep his voice even as he stared right through them.
Rivan’s expression quickly fell, shrinking in place. “...Papa…? “
“ W-wait, it’s not his fault, sir! Please don’t be angry! It was my idea! “
He broke from his trance on Sidon, instead looking to Bazz as though for the first time. A haunting expression taking over his features.
“ Bazz…” Trello quickly straightened, only for his name to be called by the zora soldiers behind him.
“ We need help getting Seggin in the wagon! “ One of them shouted, the struggle to keep it together clear as their voice cracked.
Finia cursed. It was too late.
“ Father…? “
Bazz’s expression quickly turned frantic as he saw the state of his father while they carried him, ice impaled into his skin at grotesque angles, bandages dyed a deep, saturated red. Gaddison managed to shove the Prince behind her in time, blocking the view before he too beheld his injuries, her own gaze one of shock.
Trello quickly moved, catching Bazz’s arm before he could get near. Trying to ignore how this child’s shouts and cries for his father tore at his soul. This could have been Rivan, had the hell they had went through had not paid in Trello’s favor. Fruitlessly clutching to the world of living whilst the entirety of The Domain pays witness. Trello can’t look away as Finia assists getting the limp zora onto the wagon. Bazz pulls with all that strength he likes to brag so much about as they unchocked the wheels and readied the horses. Trello holds on tighter, letting a tear fall into the dirt.
“ Finia, wait! Please, take me with you! Please! He needs me! I-I need to be with him! He’s all I have! “ He pleaded, taking Trello with him as he falls to his knees as the sight and implications finally settle heavy in his heart.
“ Listen to me, Bazz. There’s no room in the wagon for you, it’s cramped enough as it is. I NEED everyone that isn’t hurt, to save your father. Do you understand? I’ve done what I can but I need to take him to the palace now.“ The doctor told him before climbing back onto the wagon. “ Trello, have someone walk these children home and escort the Prince safely back to the palace. Take Bazz with you, I’ll have someone take him to the medical ward once you arrive. Be strong, they need you! “
Trello swallowed and blinked back his tears, grip tightening on Bazz as the horses took off, the wagon in tow. The young boy watched helplessly as Finia shouted at the zora ahead to clear a path, quickly departing from view.
“ What h-happened? He’s gonna be okay, right? “ He asked when he was finally let go. Unable to break his gaze from the path.
“...Finia is the best doctor there is, Bazz...He couldn’t be in better hands. “ Trello managed to get out, perhaps saying the words more for himself than the boy.
“ ...A-and Lady Mipha? Sh-she’d never leave him like that…” Bazz said, making him flinch. “ She’ll be here soon, a-and when she comes she’ll heal him...She’ll heal everyone, like she always does, right? “
Trello didn’t meet his eyes, sucking in air. “...We should not tarry here. Come along...I think I saw Kapson around. Rivan, you and Gaddison will go with him while I take...take Prince Sidon back to the palace. “
His son nodded his head quietly and that was that. Trello left to find the priest, thanking him for his help before departing with the Prince and a distraught Bazz in tow. The trip back to the palace was entirely silent, save for Bazz’s quiet sniffles. Carried in his arms, Sidon could feel just how unhappy Trello was. The prince wanted to ask for his sister, but was afraid he might become angry and yell at him. He knew already he was in trouble, he didn’t want to make it worse.
At least he thought he was in trouble. No one said anything when they arrived, one of the handmaidens simply took him and brought him to his room to sleep.
Not that he could, the young boy sitting up in his water berth as soon as the doors had closed. Hearing voices outside his room, he climbed back out and snuck over to the door. He pressed his ear to its surface, trying to make out what the servants were saying.
Unfortunately, the voices were too quiet, he could only make out that they weren’t happy. It was too soon for him to try and sneak out, so he went back to the water berth to wait.
Despite difficulty sleeping, he eventually dozed off for a time. It was a shallow sleep. One that was broken by the sound of crying. Sidon rubbed his eyes, water dripping everywhere as he hurried off his bed again. He dared a peek outside his room, spying the guard posted at his door trying to console one of the servants.
“ Come now...y-you mustn’t be so loud, the Prince will hear. “ the guard said in a broken tone.
As the prince looked closer, he saw that the guard was also crying. As he led the other zora away, Sidon took the chance to escape his room. Shutting the door quietly, he disappeared down the opposite side.
It was only a few corridors later that he was spotted, squeaking at the sound of his name. The guard that spotted him only stared some moments before coming to kneel beside him.
“...Your father is in the throne room, I’m-...I’m sure he wants to see you…” the smile she forced getting lost in her hiccuping sobs. “ G-go on...the guards won’t stop you…”
Sidon hesitated at first, watching her for a couple steps before turning around and sprinting on his little legs. True to her word, the guard didn’t come after him. Neither did the others when they saw him. Sidon couldn’t feel glad of it. Not when he kept seeing people crying and sad everywhere he went. It only confused and worried him.
Reaching the outside staircases to the throne room, it only seemed to get worse as he listened to the voices inside.
“ —Thieves! Wretches! Curse them...Curse them all! Curse HIM ! She would have never accepted if it weren’t for that hylian! “ He heard as he reached the top of the left staircase, keeping out of view as he saw Muzu and his father.
“ That is not true, Muzu. She loved Ruta the moment she laid eyes on him. Moreover, it was not just for him. It was for our people, she did it as her duty to protect them... “ King Dorephan spoke quietly, his gaze to the floor.
Muzu’s tears ran full stream, hands clenching as he shouted. “ And he was supposed to protect her! He and Hyrule’s princess! Instead they failed us! HE failed us! He could not even fulfill the destiny he was chosen for! At least Princess Zelda was able to repent her failure in the end by trapping that beast! ....Though it both her and the kings fault for even—“
King Dorephan’s claws scraped his throne as he stood, voice raised loud in lost composure. “ I will hear no more from you, Muzu! Hyrule Kingdom lays burning and in ruins! How many families and their loved ones lay dead on the ground!? How many are still fighting for their lives while they flee to safety...?! They have lost everything while we have lost...I have lost... “
The King's advisor became contrite under as the king’s gaze turned to pain. “ …My king, I…Forgive me...Forgive me, I...”
“ Do you not think I feel the same…? I feel all that and a thousand times more…” Sidon watched his father hide his face under a hand, sinking back down on his throne. “ Please leave, Muzu...I...I need some time to myself right now…”
Muzu grimaced, wiping his own eyes as he bowed in earnest. “ …Yes, your majesty…”
Sidon watched him drag his feet, head and shoulders hung low as he left through the opposite staircase. The little prince kept hidden until he reached the bottom, then peeking back into the throne room.
“...My beloved wife, please forgive me...I should never have let this happen…” He heard as his father quietly shed tears.
A hollow pit began to form in Sidon’s stomach as he came out of hiding, walking into the throne room. “ Papa? “
His father immediately stilled, looking to meet his eyes. “ ...Sidon…You’re still up…”
“ Papa, why are you sad? I don’t like it. I don’t like you to be sad. “ He said as softly padded up to him. “......Papa, where is Mipha? Why isn’t she back yet? “
“ Oh, Sidon...Come here. Come here, my son. Come here…”
King Dorephan leant forward and picked him up, his large hands making the Prince appear far smaller than he was. His Father held him closely, pressing his face against him while his tiny arms tried to wrap around his neck. The kings form began to tremble, Sidon feeling every little tremor sync with his own.
Sidon didn’t like it.
He didn’t like seeing his father this way one bit. “ Papa…? Papa, what’s wrong? Please tell me…! “
“ Your sister…She’s not coming back this time...” King Dorephan let out, breath hitching. “ ...I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Sidon…”
“ But Papa...I don’t get it. Why not? Mipha always comes back…She promised. ” He said looking up at his father.
“ ...Mipha is gone, Sidon...She’s with your mother now…” His father choked out, regretting every word the moment they left his mouth, the shock falling on his son—his only child’s face more than he could bear.
Mipha is gone.
The words wrapped around Sidon’s heart and began to squeeze. They continued to dig in until a piece of him chipped and fell away, forming a hole within.
“...But why? Why did she leave too…? I cheered really hard this time...A-and I prayed lots. “ His eyes began to water. “ Did….Did I do something wrong…?
King Dorephan immediately hugged him tighter to himself, even as his tears fell onto Sidon.
“ No, Sidon! None of this is your fault…It’s no one’s fault. You did everything right. But sometimes....Sometimes bad things still happen. “ He told him with a broken sigh. “ We just have to keep doing our best, yes…? That’s all we can do...Please, please, do not blame yourself, alright…? “
The Prince sniffled, his lips quivering as he nodded his head. “...O-okay…”
A quiet sob finally escaped his father as he rocks his Son back and forth. “ Oh, my boy...My sweet sweet boy, I-I’m so glad you’re here…! I am. I’m so grateful you’re here...I’m sorry for you to see me l-like this...I promise to be strong for you...Just let me hold you like this a w-while longer...”
Sidon hated it. Hated his father’s grief, the sobs he kept trying to hold back. Hated his own tears, the pain growing inside him, the pain around the palace and the domain.
Mipha is gone.
He clutched his father and hugged as hard as he could, trying to console him as well as himself.
Mipha is gone.
The young prince’s sobs ripped out of him, joining with his father’s.
Mipha is gone.
They overpowered his father’s, filling the throne room and echoed into the air outside. A chime that would continue to ring for the next one hundred years.