A young Rito courier had arrived just the morning before with a second letter from Link, informing them that it would be another day before he and the queen could visit- the queen and Link had apparently realized somewhat belatedly that they should put out word to their own people that the Hyrulean queen was alive and well, before visiting the other leaders in the kingdom. Sidon understood, of course. The queen was now the only one who could shoulder the back breaking burden of resurrecting a kingdom from ashes and ruins a hundred years old, and Link was the only person in existence who could hope to help her. And, as ever, his duty was to his own queen first. Queen Zelda was Link's queen and his friend, and had just walked away from a terrible and tiring fight. It was only right that he stay with her and follow her lead in the rebuilding effort.
But, Sidon was disappointed all the same. He knew that it was a bit selfish to wish that Link would step away, just for a few hours, to come visit his friends there at the Domain. Hyrule was a kingdom that would not rebuild itself, after all, and the job may truly be neverending. It didn't stop him from being disappointed.
The view of the Domain from atop the East Reservoir Lake was awe-inspiring, and most other days, comforting. But not that day, and not the day before, either. Or the day before that. But it was quiet, and he was left to his thoughts, so though he did not neglect his duties to his people, Sidon spent most of his time up there. Some part of him felt that his sister's comfort was there, though she herself was not. Perhaps it was a leftover impression from a memory long forgotten, but it felt to him that up there was where his sister's words of comfort could be heard.
That afternoon was hardly different from the previous few days, the Domain quiet, though not peaceful. Ruta sat idle atop the mountain where it made its final stand. And the world lacked the warmth of his sister's heart.
...
No, that wasn't quite right. Somehow, Sidon could hear it again. Could feel that presence. It was faint, not quite the same, almost more of an echo than his sister's true voice. But it was there suddenly, and a moment of searching led Sidon to believe that it came from the Domain itself.
Realism told him that he was imaginging things, wishing too hard. But he still could not shake that feeling. Rather than second guess himself, Sidon dove from atop the dam, down into the river below, and made his way into the Domain itself.
It came as no surprise that the strange feeling led him right to Link, who was wandering the central plaza of the Domain with the Slate held up in the air, doing what, Sidon couldn't guess. He barely acknowledged Dunma and Rivan as he passed by them, watching Link circle around to stand in front of Mipha's statue, still holding the Slate. Whatever he was doing, however, seemed to be forgotten, as he lowered the Slate and held his head up to look at the lost Zora princess.
Sidon couldn't help the smile on his face, dimmed though it may have been. Whatever had brought Link to the Domain earlier than his stated time, and alone, it appeared, it was set aside for that quiet moment. Sidon was almost loathe to interrupt it; it seemed like it ought to be private.
But that somewhat selfish desire to speak to his friend overrode that sense of propriety, and he walked up closer to Link. "I notice that you have arrived alone," he said quietly. "Unless the queen is up with my father in the throne room?"