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“And finally, with the power vested in me by the Goddess Hylia, I proclaim my final decree as sovereign.” King Bosphoramus stands center stage as he addresses the massive crowd before him. Representatives from all the races of Hyrule are packed into Temple of Time’s nave as they look towards the giant statue of the goddess. Colorful beams of light fall on the Temple’s occupants as light filters through the stained-glass windows lining the sides of the great building.
In the front row, the Champions are seated as guests of honor. The blue of their Champion’s fabrics are prominently on display. Revali and Mipha sit side-by-side on one end of the pew. The Rito keeps sliding into Mipha on the slightly askew seating, but neither wants to mention that fact to Daruk, who sits near the aisle. His stony weight compressing the wood past its limit and creating an unstable pew. Urbosa and Link are stuck in the middle as everyone continuously needs to reposition themselves from sliding downwards into Daruk.
Yet, the precarious seating arrangement is pushed towards the back of the Champions’ minds as the moment they have been waiting for has finally arrived. King Bosphoramus lifts the crown from his head. Light reflects off the metallic surface as he repositions himself to stand behind the throne. Dwarfed by the sheer size of the throne, Zelda sits in the place her father has occupied for so long. Though Zelda’s face portrays her as the living embodiment of confidence, the other Champions can recognize the slight nervous twitch of her fingers.
“I hereby abdicate my position as the sovereign ruler of the Kingdom of Hyrule and pronounce the ascension of a new monarch to the throne.” Bosphoramus carefully places the crown on his daughter’s head. He briefly whispers something in her ear before once more turning his attention back towards the congregation. His voice booms through the hall, “Long live the reign of Queen Zelda!”
Shouts of joy erupt loudest from the Hylians in the room. The members of the other races present offer applause. King Dorephan, with an out-of-place Sidon seated on his head, gives a gentle applause as the Zora prince makes silly faces at the Rito delegation behind him. The Rito elder returns his own share of humorous expressions to the little Zora, not to be outdone in this goof-off. With the massive Zora king blocking his view anyhow, the Rito elder supposes he might as well find other entertainment. With the Hylian capital and castle still undergoing repairs from the destruction of Ganon’s return, the Temple of Time was the only other suitable place for a coronation.
The Champions seated in the front row all send beaming looks to Zelda as she takes a glance at them. Daruk and Urbosa offer her cheering praises while Revali and Mipha are more reserved. Link signs something off with his hands to the new monarch from his position.
Sounds of trumpets blare as Zelda rises from the throne. In a large escort, Zelda begins to filter down the aisle towards the exit. The colorful lights bouncing off of her crown. The other Champions let out noises of shock as the other end of the pew hits the tiled-floor hard. Daruk hears the noise from his now standing position. He looks at Link in confusion. “What was the noise, goro?” Link gives the Goron a shrug in response as a nervous smile overcomes him.
The crowd in the temple begin to slowly filter into the aisle and out after Zelda. A log-jam of people forms as people wait for the throng of people to move forward. Revali sends an exasperated sigh to Mipha. “Looks like we will be stuck here awhile.” The Rito spots the elder still making faces at Sidon as Dorephan sets him on the floor. “I should probably go see the elder before I lose him in the crowds.”
Mipha spots Dorephan sending her a look from over Revali’s shoulders. He motions his head to a spot closer to the throne. Mipha grabs the Rito’s wing. “I need to speak with my father about something. See you at celebration later, Vali.” She gives the Rito a small hug. “Try and prevent Sidon from getting in too much trouble, if you would please.”
Revali lets out a soft chuckle. “That may already be a lost cause,” Revali begins to step away, “See you soon Miphs.”
She watches him parse his way through the crowds of people to the elder. Sidon lets out a large gasp as he shouts, “REVALI!” The little Zora rushes to the Rito and pulls him into a hug. Revali returns the hug. Her brother throws question after question at the avian. A contentedness falls over the Zora as she observes the pair interact. Mipha takes in the scene for a few moments before heading to her father.
Her father is admiring the large statue of the goddess. It almost seems as if the light is being purposely manipulated to shine on the statue. Though Mipha’s footsteps are almost inaudible to the normal ear, Dorephan recognizes his daughter’s presence immediately. His lumbering form towers over the small stature of his daughter; his blue scales, though dulled and blunted with age, still manage to give off some luster. He raises his arms open for a hug, which Mipha gives without hesitation.
“Mipha.” Dorephan releases her from the hug. He directs his gaze back up at the statue before letting his gaze fall to throne. A melancholic tone overcomes him as a small smile graces his face. “I’m getting old, aren’t I? I’ve seen way too many coronations in my lifetime to count; I practically can repeat the whole ceremony by heart. I have trouble enough ensuring an amicable relationship with each Hylian monarch, let alone trying to keep track of all the changing leaders of each race.”
“You don’t look that old, father.” Mipha says as Dorephan lets out a laugh.
“Oh please! Worrying about Sidon and you probably aged me by a century at least.” Dorephan sends Mipha a look of pride. “But I’d say its been worth it. You’ve grown into such a fine young Zora. I know your mother would be proud of you.”
The Zora king watches as Sidon hangs off Revali’s back—his little arms playing with the Champion’s braids. The Rito converses with the elder by his side as they shuffle their way in the crowd towards the entrance. Dorephan observes the Champion as he takes care of Sidon. “And I know she would approve of your choice too,” Mipha’s father reveals.
“Really?” Mipha clutches the Champion’s fabric draped over her.
Dorephan nods. “Not that you needed our approval in the first place, but I’m certain she would be on-board. We all are. I know every Zora in the Domain is rooting for you two. Count me in with everyone else. I can’t thank him enough for returning you to me.” Sidon’s laughs faintly can be heard over the general din of conversation. “And I’m not going to be the one to tell Sidon he can’t see Revali anymore.”
“Scared of his puppy-eyed look, are you now?” Mipha jokes back.
“My resolve against such methods is not what it used to be.” The hall grows quieter as the throng of people is cleared up. A few other stragglers remain behind, but the two Zora are alone off by the statue. Music reverberates lightly into the room from the celebration outside. The pair begins to walk down the aisle.
“Is tonight the night?” Dorephan sends his daughter an inquisitive look. Mipha bites her lip as her amber eyes gaze at the piece of jade nestled in her jewelry. She moves her hand up to gently clasp it.
“Yes, I have the piece of armor ready to go in my room,” Mipha says nervously. She jumps a little as Dorephan lays his hand on her shoulder. Mipha’s stomach is turning as she anticipates what she will do later; anticipating what his response will be.
Dorephan sees part of himself in Mipha at that moment. A living flashback to his own proposal so long ago. “You can do it, Mipha. I promise you, it’s worth it.”
She gives her father a shaky nod of the head. She closes her eyes and takes a few deep breaths. “You’re right. I almost let him slip through my fins once. I won’t allow it to happen again.”
Dorephan pats her shoulder once more before the two continue to the entrance. The two proceed out onto the landing at the top of a set of stone stairs. Spread out below the temple are dozens of tents. People traverse all throughout the area below as food begins to be served. A band composed of members of all of Hyrule’s races gets into the swing of creating music. Zelda sits at the head of a table with Link seated right next to her. Urbosa appears to be mixing some kind of concoction behind one of tents—Mipha notes that the Gerudo is starting earlier than usual. Daruk is chowing down on some rock with other Gorons.
Revali is instantly spotted by the Zora thanks to Sidon still hanging onto him. With the Rito elder with them, the three stand off on their own in the gardens surrounding the temple complex. Sidon performs exaggerated movements as he tells a story, the other two listen intently along.
Mipha spots a group of people, with Zora making up a large contingent of the group’s makeup, anxiously glancing at the three. Mipha smiles as she realizes that they are waiting for a moment to talk with Revali. Ever since Revali saved Mipha on Vah Ruta, almost all the Zora have been wanting to express their gratitude to the Rito. And Mipha knows as well that Zelda has been open to everyone about Revali’s advice being key to helping her wake the sealing power. It seems everyone is suddenly keeping track of the Rito Champion’s presence.
Dorephan notices Mipha looking off to the three. He lets out a huff. “If I knew Sidon worked that well as a people-repellant before, then I would have kept him glued to my side. Hylia, how much did I spend to import that liquor from Urbosa…”
Mipha looks up at her father in surprise. “You know about Urbosa’s concoctions?”
“Just be thankful I didn’t take you to the snob fests Hylian nobles threw when you were younger,” Dorephan lets out a groan, “At least Urbosa and Zelda’s mother were there to make it bearable.”
“What did you three do!?” Mipha asks. “I’ve never heard about this before!”
Dorephan raises his hands in surrender as a smirk forms on his face. “Sorry, but I’m sworn to secrecy. Don’t ask Urbosa about it either, or else I will tell Revali stories about when you were a baby.”
Mipha blushes in embarrassment as certain stories flash through her mind. “W-well I better go see Revali now! I-I’ll see you later,” Mipha stammers out as she hurries to move down the stairs.
“Mipha,” Dorephan calls out to her. Mipha looks over her shoulder at him. The Zora king gives her a smile and a thumbs up. “Good luck!”