Note from the author: Before you read any further, I would like to warn you that this story takes place immediately after the events in Twilight Princess. So for any of you who have yet to finish the game, please be wary of spoilers.


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Desires of Shadows and Light

1

"Here, Zelda. Take my hand." Link gestured down to the princess who was patiently waiting at Epona's side. The sun was setting on the horizon, casting an angelic luminance around the hero's form atop his majestic steed. Battle-worn and weary, Zelda couldn't wait to rest her head on Link's broad shoulders and be taken away to the safety that she knew he would always offer her. Yet, she could not help but to stare at him; his loving eyes fixed with determination, the sweat and dirt from battle prevalent on his forehead and tunic, and the hopeful smile residing on his lips. Zelda knew her heart had belonged to Link from the very moment she first laid eyes upon him. Yet at that moment, after he had dueled with Ganondorf and could have lost his life, she knew that death at any minute could decide to take either one of them from each other.

She took hold of Link's hand, as a tear trickled down her face. There, atop the great Epona, she wrapped her arms around her hero. On his shoulder, she rested her chin and took in the smell of the forest that Link always seemed to carry with him. She sighed, and felt Link lean his head in towards hers; the two of them resting for a moment with support from the other. She tightened her hold around his waist, and he spoke to her.

"Zelda, I'm sorry I couldn't have come to you you sooner."

Zelda smiled. "I knew you were coming for me, Link. I could feel it. You saved me, Link. You truly are a hero. Not only mine, but all of Hyrule's."

His only response was a short yell to Epona to begin their return to the castle. As they rode together, the wind removed the evil presence that had surrounded her all those days she was held prisoner. It rustled through her hair, and into her soul. The freedom she felt then was unlike any other; her love for Hyrule, and her love for Link, coarsed through her veins.

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As Midna traveled through the portal to the Shadow Realm, she was relieved to be alone. Not because she liked to be alone, but because she could finally let her despair form as tears that spilled down her cheeks. She had promised to see him again, yet why at that last minute did she shatter the mirror? "It was for the best", she reminded herself. The journey she had endured came flooding into her thoughts. She had risked her life to save the world of light, and not only that, a Hylian warrior who resided there. All throughout, she had battled against her own emotions. At first, she thought the Hylian was an incapable idiot, but now... now she...

"No!", she argued with herself. "It's impossible." Yet, the bond that had formed between her and Link during their adventure remained in her heart and mind. However for now, as she stepped yet again into her home of the Twilight Realm, she knew her reign as the Twilight Princess would be her next adventure. As the glistening black teardrops fell from the sky, Midna walked with confidence as the transformed Twili looked on with appreciation. Sitting with elegance on her throne, an onyx crown was placed atop her head.

"All hail Midna, the Twilight Princess!" The Twili's shouts for joy echoed throughout the grey, stone-lined room, and torches were lit with black flames who's shadows danced along the walls. Midna stood and bowed, and she thought about the small piece of green fabric that she held in her hand. A piece of a tunic that had belonged to the warrior from a world far away.

Author's Note: I know it was short, but thank you so much for reading.! I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. For those who are interested in reading more, I will try to update soon. Until then!