Chapter 21 - Mila and Midon Surprises

After the children turned four years old, Mipha and Link realized there was more to Mila and Midon than met the eye.

Mila's surprise came first.

The children were starting school soon, and Mipha wanted them to be able to swim up waterfalls while they still had extra free time to learn. She was starting them off with the gentle waterfalls that flow from the ring of water surrounding King Dorephan's throne area down to the lower level of the Domain. Mipha had given both of them a few lessons before, and today's weather was pleasant with plenty of free time. They should be big enough to learn this now, Mipha thought.

"I am going to give each of you a ride up with me twice to see how I do it," said Mipha. "Then you can try it on your own."

She gave each child two rides to the top as they held on.

"Now, each of you take turns," said Mipha.

Mila and Midon each took turns trying to swim to the top. When they failed, Mipha would point out what they were doing wrong and encourage them to try again.

After a few more attempts, Midon was the first to make it all the way to the top.

"Well done, Midon!" said Mipha. "I'm so proud of you!"

"Thank you, Mommy," said Midon with a big smile.

"Now swim over to the waterfall next to this one while Daddy watches you practice a few more times," said Mipha. "I need to spend more time with Mila."

Mipha turned to Mila when she suddenly started fussing and pointing at Midon.

"Mido made a face at me," she cried.

Mipha turned to Midon. "Midon, I've told you before, don't tease your sister. Now do as your told," said Mipha.

Link and Midon went over to the adjacent waterfall, and Link watched Midon practice. Midon didn't succeed every time but was starting to get the hang of it. Meanwhile, Mipha concentrated on teaching Mila.

"Mila, watch how I do this again," said Mipha. "We've gone up together a couple of times, and you just need to concentrate."

"Why can't Daddy teach me?" asked Mila.

"Because Daddy doesn't swim the same way we do," said Mipha. "Now, don't give up, Mila. I know you can do this if you concentrate. Now watch me one more time."

Mipha swam up the waterfall, then dove back down next to Mila.

"Did you watch how I did it?" said Mipha. "It's just like I explained to you when we went up together. Now copy what you saw me do and try again."

Mila tried again, and she got almost to the top but ended up falling back into the water.

"Mila, that was an excellent try," said Mipha. "You almost did it. Don't give up. Let's try again."

Mila got in position, then started swimming up. It looked at first like she would fail again, but she gave an extra push at the end and successfully reached the top."

"Hooray, you did it, Mila!" shouted Mipha. "That's wonderful! I knew you could do it. Now let's practice a couple more times to be sure you have the feel of it."

Mila dove back down to the base of the falls, and again she was able to swim all the way to the top.

"Excellent, Mila," said Mipha. "One more time, and we're done for today."

Mila dove back down to the base of the waterfall, and then after positioning herself, started swimming up the waterfall even faster than last time. But she hadn't anticipated flying so far past the top, and so she came down a little too close to the back wall and bumped her leg on it. She started to cry.

"Mila, are you alright?" said Mipha. "I'll be right there."

Mipha raced up the waterfall and landed gently beside Mila, preparing to heal her injury. But she wasn't prepared for what she saw. Mila was still sobbing, but she was also waving her hand over the bruise, and a soft blue light emanated from it. She had inherited Mipha's healing power.

"Link, hurry and come up here," said Mipha. "You have to see this."

Link was wearing his Zora armor, so he was able to swim up the waterfall next to theirs and rushed over. He saw Mila healing her bruise.

"She has your healing power!" said Link. "I wonder how she learned it?"

"Mila, when did you learn to do that?" asked Mipha.

"When I bumped my elbow one day," said Mila. "I was rubbing the hurt spot to make it feel better, and my hand started glowing. Soon the bump was all better."

"Mila, this is a wonderful and precious gift you have," said Mipha. "Of all the Zoras in the kingdom, only you and I have this power. We must use it to help those who are hurt."

"Even Mido?" said Mila. "He teases me."

"Especially Midon," said Mipha. "Boys sometimes play differently than girls, but he is your brother, and you should both love each other."

Midon's surprise came a short time later.

Link had promised Sidon they could have a three against one battle adventure when Mila and Midon were old enough. They had decided to picnic at Lulu Lake, and Mila, Midon, and Sidon were preparing to have their battle. Since it was three against one, Link said, he needed to be a stronger enemy. So, he was going to be a Lynel this time. Sidon, Mila, and Midon armed themselves with soft sticks to act as a sword or, in Mila's case, a trident. Link armed himself as well.

"You should check with Mommy on how to fight a Lynel," Link told them. The three children gathered around Mipha while Link waited.

"Now remember," said Mipha, "a Lynel is a mighty enemy. When it charges at you, you must avoid getting hit. You have to dodge its attack. Then try to strike it as it passes by you or from behind. If you're very quick, you can sometimes climb on its back for a few extra hits. Now good luck."

The battle commenced. Link pretended to be a Lynel by running bent over. He charged them twice, and Sidon and the children would dodge aside, then try to strike him with the soft sticks they carried. On Link's third charge, Sidon was able to jump on Link's back briefly for a couple of extra hits. Link shook Sidon off, then ran off and prepared to charge again. As he charged for the fourth time, Midon jumped aside at the last minute and began to strike Link. But his arm was a blur, and he hit Link eight times before Link could even counter his strike. Midon had performed a Flurry Rush.

"Time out!" called Link, stopping the game. "Mipha, did you see that? Midon just performed a Flurry Rush on me."

"I missed it," said Mipha.

"Midon, try to do what you just did," said Link. "Jump aside as I charge just as I get close to you."

The next time Link charged, Midon was unable to do it.

"Let's try again," said Link.

The second time it worked. Midon jumped aside at the last minute, and his attack was a blur.

"I saw it this time," said Mipha. "This is wonderful! Each child has inherited one of our abilities."

"Can we finish the game now?" asked Sidon.

"Yes, of course," said Link.

The game resumed. Link charged and gently tapped anyone he could reach with the soft stick he carried. He noticed Mila was not doing anything to attack him. Eventually, he collapsed on the ground in defeat.

"You three are just too strong for me," said Link.

"I like that game," said Midon.

Mila ran over to Link and reached out for him to pick her up. Link picked her up and held her.

"Are you hurt, Daddy? Can I heal you?" she asked, looking into his eyes.

"No, Mila, I'm fine. It was just a game. I used to play it with Uncle Sidon too," said Link.

"Your little princess doesn't like to see you attacked, even in fun," laughed Mipha.

Link spoke to Midon on the way home.

"Now Midon, that ability you have of striking someone very quickly is a special gift," said Link. "But that gift should not be used to hurt anyone, especially other children. You are to use it only if you are training or, which I hope never happens, are in a real battle with enemies. Remember that," said Link.

"I will, Daddy," said Midon.

They were approaching the east bridge into Zora's Domain.

"You know, Mipha, I must have developed that Flurry Rush ability at around the same age as Midon," said Link. "I don't recall it personally because of my memory loss, but your diary mentions that I was defeating adults in sword fights at the age of four, and I must have used the Flurry Rush to be able to do that."

"You're probably right," said Mipha. "But thank you for reminding me about my diary."

Uh oh, Link thought. Why was he so stupid as to mention that?

"The last time we spoke about my diary," said Mipha, "you were quoting it to convince the Champions you were from the future. And, after that, we were all getting ready for Ganon's return. Then we were busy with so many other things that I forgot. I wanted to discuss it with you."

"Well, you know," said Link, "as you sometimes point out, with the timeline split, my reading of your diary never actually happened anymore. So, you can't be upset at me for something that never happened."

"Nice try," said Mipha. "But my diary up to that point was the same in both timelines, and you clearly remember it."

That didn't work, he thought. But he had another idea.

"Alright, but reading those diaries enabled me to convince everyone my story was true. It was important for the success of my mission," said Link.

"Oh, so you read my diary only for the success of your mission?" said Mipha.

"Well, I ..." said Link. But Mipha cut him off before he could finish.

"Did you have to read my whole diary for the success of your mission? Wouldn't reading one or two pages have been enough? I'm pretty sure you knew I wouldn't want you to read it," said Mipha. "And I was embarrassed in front of Zelda and the other Champions with some of the parts you quoted. I still turn red when I think about it."

Yes, he knew she didn't want him to read it. He remembered her spirit's comment after one of his virtual reality practice battles with Waterblight Ganon: "Don't you dare read it!"

"Okay, I'm sorry," said Link. "I apologize. I shouldn't have read all of it. I admit I was nosy. But I missed you. Can you please forgive me?"

"Mommy, are you mad at Daddy?" Mila asked Mipha.

She was looking up at Mipha with a pouting expression. Mipha had been holding Mila's hand walking home while Link held Midon's.

Mila's expression looked so cute Mipha had to laugh.

"No, I'm not mad at him," said Mipha. "He just made me remember something."

"So, we're good?" asked Link quickly.

"We're good," said Mipha laughing. "I think Daddy's little princess just came to your rescue."

By this time, they had arrived home, and Mipha and Link started preparing dinner. The children could eat almost anything now, so Mipha prepared a raw fish dish while Link cooked some fish for himself and whatever portions Mipha would like.

After dinner, Mipha said, "You two can play with Uncle Sidon until bedtime." Mila and Midon both knew the short walk to where Sidon stayed, and Link watched them until Sidon came out and took their hands, walking them to one of the pools to splash around a bit.

"It's nice to have a family babysitter," said Link.

"Yes," said Mipha. "And it's good for Sidon to bond with them too."

When bedtime rolled around, Link went to get them and was soon returning home, holding hands with each child.

"Okay," said Mipha. "You both had a busy day, and now it's bedtime."

"Can we hear a story?" asked Midon.

"Alright, I'll tell you both a story," said Mipha.

"Why doesn't Daddy tell us stories?" asked Midon.

"Mommy knows all the good stories," said Link. "I didn't learn them growing up."

Since it was important both children grew up learning traditional Zora stories, the parents agreed that Mipha should tell them stories while they were still young. At some point, when they were a bit older, Link could start telling them stories. Mipha's stories were based on famous Zora legends, the tales that all Zora children learned growing up. Link listened to them too since he felt he should know them now. When the story was over, both parents kissed them goodnight. They were soon fast asleep.

"Another interesting day," said Link. "I'll have to remind Midon now and then that he should not use his ability against his playmates."

"Yes, we don't want him to get in trouble," said Mipha. "But I think he understands that. On the other hand, Mila will be in big demand anytime a playmate gets a scratch."

"Does your contact at Hyrule Castle have any news about Princess Zelda? Is she dating anyone, do you know?" asked Link.

"No news," said Mipha. "It must be hard for her to have a relationship. How do you date a princess like that?"

"I don't know," said Link. "But I agree with you that dating a princess is a pain: they're so demanding!"

"Very funny," said Mipha. "You're lucky I'm not more demanding. Since you became a citizen and swore an oath of loyalty to the Zora Royal Family, technically, you're a subject of mine now."

"Of course, Lady Mipha," said Link bowing his head and laughing. "Is there anything this loyal subject can do for Your Royal Highness?"

"There is," said Mipha. "You can carry me to bed and give me a good night kiss. But I don't need a story."

"It will be my pleasure," said Link.

"It will," said Mipha. "And mine, too, I hope."