Chapter One: The End and the Beginning
Princess Zelda watched as Ganondorf stumbled after Link's final blow. She could feel the staccato rhythm of her heart pounding in her chest as he made his final threat: claiming that this was not the end, and that the history of light and shadow would be written in blood. Then the power of the Triforce failed him. His eyes rolled back in his head and his body faded away into the ether. She let out a sigh of relief. It was finally over.
She heard a sound behind her and turned to see the four light spirits converge near a small figure on top of a nearby hill. She drew in a breath and smiled as she watched the transformation. Link was already running.
The princess sighed softly as she watched the reunion of the two companions from a distance. She stretched out her arms, breathing slowly to loosen the tension she had held in her body during that fight. She decided to leave them to their reunion, and walked toward Castle Town after conjuring and donning her cloak. She was not ready to face her people, not as their Princess. But she was also hungry, and needed rest.
It was dark by the time she slipped in Telma's door. The smell of beer and hearty food greeted her, but she felt strangely at home in the simple environment. This had been a place the Hero had stopped many a time during his journey, and she was accustomed to it through Midna.
Telma greeted her warmly, and the princess ordered two rooms as well as food and drink for three. She had removed her gloves and jewelry so she wasn't as obviously royalty, but she thought Telma might have an idea of who she was anyway. The tavern owner didn't say anything and Zelda smiled in gratitude. She got a tray for herself to take up, for she was exhausted and had no desire to remain in the common room longer than necessary. She also explained that her two friends would be arriving soon.
She knew they were fairly close because she could feel Midna's spirit still, and the Twilight Princess was searching her out. She had a connection with both of them, for he bore part of the golden relic too. However, Midna was easier to feel because a part of their souls would always bleed together.
She paid much more than the cost, and Telma knew that she was also being paid for her silence. She treated the young woman just like all the rest of the lost lambs she took in, mothering her as she did the hero. She could tell that Zelda was grateful, even though the young woman didn't say so in words.
The Princess of Light was careful to eat slowly. It had been a long time since she had a proper meal, and she didn't want to be sick on top of everything else. She was sipping the last cup of her tea when she heard footsteps on the stairs, and she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was her two companions.
She heard them sit down in the adjoining room, and found the low murmur of their conversation comforting. It was much like her life had been for the past weeks as her spirit resided with Midna. She listened to the two of them, and enjoyed being near but never part of their discussion. She could have resented being on the outside, but she knew Midna didn't view her as an outsider. She was also comforted by the knowledge that she had chosen the best possible path, and that the two of them were happy to relax and enjoy each other.
She was surprised, however, when a few hours later Midna came into her room. Blue-violet eyes blinked at the Twilight Princess as the tall, dark-skinned sister of Zelda's soul closed the door ever so carefully behind her and locked it. The princess of light drew in a breath but didn't have words.
Midna shot her a frown, "Don't look at me like that, Zelda. You'll make it worse." She glided over to the bed on her long legs and plopped down beside the startled princess of Hyrule. "I know you gave us the space. You know what I hide in my heart. I want to be with him, but it would only make things worse to indulge tonight. I have to go back to the Twilight, and Link cannot come with me."
Zelda's eyes began to water at the sorrow and injustice of it all. Her friend was being strong and not crying, but she couldn't stop the tears from slipping down her pale cheeks. Bearer of wisdom or not, she didn't have any wise words of counsel. So she just wrapped her arms around her friend.
Midna exhaled and curled into the other princess, resting her head on her friend's shoulder. "Are you crying the tears I cannot, Zelda?" She asked with a breathy laugh, brushing some of the water from pale light-dweller cheeks.
"Maybe I am." Zelda sighed, "Or maybe I'm crying for all of us. We've won the battle, but the world will never be the same, and we can't go back unchanged. It will be a different kind of fight, to reclaim our kingdoms from this disaster. And to reclaim our hearts as well."
"Always wise my sweet princess of light. What will I do without your counsel? I will miss Link – so much! – but I will also miss you, my soul sister. I've become accustomed to hearing your wisdom and taking comfort in your spirit." Midna wrapped her arms around the other girl's thin frame. "It's weird even now, not having my spirit be woven with yours."
"I will always be here for you on the other side of the Mirror, Midna. Nothing can change that. The bond between us is strong, and we don't have to stop supporting each other because the battle is over."
Midna chuckled again. "I suppose that's true."
Zelda patted her friend's back comfortingly, "This isn't the end of our journey, Midna. We still have our whole lives ahead of us. And I will be glad to have another princess to confide in. We can still visit, and share the burdens of ruling a kingdom as allies and friends."
Midna nodded, "Yeah. I'd like that. I know I haven't always treated you the best, Zelda, but I'm glad we're friends." She pulled away and stretched, "I'm tired but I've no idea how I'll sleep tonight, my thoughts keep tumbling around in my head like a pack of Gorons racing down Death Mountain."
Zelda smiled at the analogy, "Lie down, Midna, and close your eyes." The Twilight Princess gave her a curious look, but listened to the Princess of Light and settled herself comfortably. Then Zelda began to sing a soft and melodic lullaby, and Midna could tell there was some magic in the song. She was relaxed and asleep faster than she would have believed possible.
Zelda smiled and stroked her friend's red hair lovingly. She felt protective over the princess she had almost given her life for. Her thoughts were a bit jumbled tonight as well, but exhaustion soon claimed her. The two princesses slept close together, both adjusting to being individuals again and not bound together in one body.
In the next room Link fell asleep as well, soothed by the sound of Zelda's Lullaby through the wall.
The next day, Midna teleported the trio to the Desert Colossus and the Mirror Chamber. She did not want to linger in the world of Light, despite her desire to remain with her friends. Her people needed their Princess again.
They stood together on the platform that held the Mirror of Twilight. The three of them beneath the wind and sky, drawn together by remarkable circumstances.
Midna turned to Link and Zelda after she activated the doorway to the Twilight Realm, "Well…I guess this is farewell, huh? Light and shadow can't mix, as we all know." She sighed softly, "But…Never forget there's another world bound to this one."
"Light and shadow are two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other," Zelda answered with thoughtful assurance. "I know now the reason the Goddesses left the Mirror of Twilight in this world. They left it because it was their design that we should meet." She nodded and smiled softly, "Yes…That is what I believe."
Midna looked away from the Light Princess' gaze, "Zelda, your words are kind and your heart is true. If all in Hyrule are like you, then maybe you'll do alright." She offered a solemn smile to both her companions. She then turned to stand before the Mirror, the glowing stairs appearing as a desert wind blew through the arena.
The Twilight Princess looked back at them again, her red-eyed gaze meeting Link's, "Thank you…" She trailed off, for there was no way to really express all she wanted in that phrase. "Well, the princess spoke truly: as long as that Mirror is around we could meet again."
She took a deep breath to steady herself and closed her eyes. "Link…I…" A single tear slipped down her cheek and floated in front of her, a white glowing gem of magic. She pushed it toward the Mirror. "See you later…"
The magic tear touched the Mirror of Twilight and cracks spread out from the center where the two met. Link and Zelda gasped in unison as they saw the damaged Mirror and turned back to see Midna standing at the entrance to the Twilight Realm.
Midna smiled sadly at two pairs of blue light-dweller eyes, looking at her with a similar blend of desperation, confusion, and apprehension. She took one last look at Zelda and then focused on Link, memorizing the face of her dear Divine Beast to lock away in her heart for all time. She disappeared in a fall of light, and the Mirror shattered with finality.
Zelda stared in shocked silence looking at where the Twilight Princess had last stood. She was bewildered and grieved, and she could feel similar emotion resonating from the Hero through their bond in the Triforce. Neither of them could grasp that the way was shut forever.
She didn't look over at him, unable to tear her eyes away from the great slab of stone that had once served as part of the entrance to the Twilight Realm, but she reached out and grabbed the material of Link's tunic at his shoulder. She needed something to hold onto or she feared she'd fall over from the sheer overwhelming emotion of it all.
Her touch seemed to unfreeze him, and he turned and pulled her into an embrace. He buried his head in her shoulder as if he couldn't bear to see any more than she could bear to look away.
She was a little startled, but wrapped her arms around him anyway, the two of them clinging to each other in their shared grief. She had no idea which of them started crying first; they had been through so much already, and then for her to just leave like that…They cried together at the height of the Arbiter's Grounds, and if the Sages were watching with disapproval neither cared.
The twilight hour saw their tears cried out, but further melancholy. They sat and watched the sky together, always touching. Even though they were closer to her than to each other, they still had the bond of shared experience, and neither could bear any more loss tonight. She was feeling uncharacteristically quiet, and he was oddly talkative. So she listened as he told the story of his journey with Midna, how they had first met, and how they had traveled together. She knew part of the tale, but enjoyed hearing his perspective, and listened attentively.
By the time he finished it was late and she was shivering in the cold of the desert night. He realized then that Midna had left him the stone that turned him into a wolf, and he had Zelda help him put it on. He curled around her in a protective ball of fur and she fell asleep with his soft coat as her pillow.
Zelda woke to the feel of a cold nose nudging her ear and looked into Link's blue eyes set in the face of a wolf. She blinked, gathering herself and he barked, amusement in his eyes. She reached out impulsively and scratched behind his ear and his eyes widened in surprise before half-closing in bliss. His tail wagged happily as she petted him and she giggled in delight.
Then the memory of yesterday caught up to her and she buried her face in his coat as fresh tears flowed from her eyes. He whined softly, his head pressing against her shoulder comfortingly. "Oh Link, how will I hold Hyrule together when I can't even hold myself together?" She whispered into his neck.
Gently he nudged her back and took off the wolf-stone, transforming back into a human. The Hero of Twilight took her soft hands in his calloused ones and looked deep into her blue-violet eyes. "We'll continue because we have to, Zelda. Just as we have been. We'll take it one step at a time, and we will be there for each other, because we're the only ones left who understand." He spoke solemnly in a rich baritone. She realized then that she loved the sound of his voice all the more because his words were few.
His confidence warmed her and she nodded, her posture straightening. "You're right of course, Link. We'll manage, that's who we are." She smiled and squeezed his hands. "I'm glad we'll be there for each other."
He nodded, "Me too." Then, he pulled her to her feet. "I need to return the Master Sword to the Sacred Grove, but I'm not sure I can get there without Midna's help."
"It's in the Temple of Time, right? I may know another way…" Link gave the princess a curious look as she pulled out a golden harp that looked as if it were carved with two birds.
"The Twilight Princess is not the only one with teleportation magic, but I've never done this for two people, so please step close, Link." Zelda looked at the Hero.
He moved to stand behind her, and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist. She flushed slightly at his nearness, now that she wasn't as distraught she had time to register that a man was holding her in his arms. A man who happened to be the strongest, handsomest, most noble man she'd ever met…She shook her head to derail that train of thought and concentrated on gathering her magic.
She played a bright melody on the harp, picturing the Temple of Time in her mind. Bright yellow light swirled around the two of them as the notes echoed in the space around them and then in an instant they were standing in the crumbling, ancient temple.
Link patted her shoulder and smiled in thanks, and stepped forward toward the Pedestal of Time. She stood rooted to the spot as he unsheathed the Master Sword for the final time, and with one smooth movement planted the Sword in the Pedestal. She almost expected something to happen when he let go of the hilt, but nothing did, and he walked back to her.
Zelda looked up at him with concern in her eyes, but he shook his head, "That chapter in our lives is closed, Princess. Let's go home."
She nodded, "There is much that remains for us to do; we can still bring our people hope and assist in rebuilding with our Triforce pieces. I have a feeling the people will need both their Hero and their Princess."
He smiled down at her and stood close again, and she played a haunting melody on her harp to get them back to where their country waited for them.
Author's Notes: (because they seem to be in vogue)
A new story from me! After ages...and it's a chaptered fic. Snazzy. Those of you who are amazing and have followed me since forever ago will know that my update schedule can be a bit sporadic, but I have a scene by scene outline for this story from beginning to end, so I think it will progress rather quickly. Those of you who are finding me for the first time, welcome! And to all of you I would love to hear your thoughts. Artists are always wondering what people think, and knowing what people think encourages more creativity. Thanks for reading whether you say anything or not!