Author's Note: Welcome to The Legend of Midna! This was a story I finished several years ago on this very site. I debated quite a bit about doing this. It's been years since I've actually been able to write anything, and honestly, I feel a bit rusty. But I'm a bit older, wiser, and hopefully better at writing and characterization than I used to be... so I decided to revisit this story and both revise and expand it. There were a lot of scenes/chapters in the original I've never been happy with, and things I skipped over entirely, which I want to go back and cover. I can't promise regular updates, but I can promise to update whenever I'm able.
To all the old readers: Thanks for reading, and I appreciate your continued support. I'm leaving the original story up as reference, if you want to go back to check the differences. For the most part, the major plot points will be the same.
To all the new readers: Welcome, and I hope you enjoy the story. :) Don't read the old version if you don't want to be spoiled, though!
One-time Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda or any of the associated characters. All of those belong to Nintendo. I do, however, own my own characters. Cover image belongs to Genzoman of deviantART.
The Legend of Midna
Act 1: To Enter the Twilight
Prologue
"Why?" Sapphire eyes once full of determination and courage had dulled, shimmering with unshed tears as Link stared at the space that had once housed a portal to the Twilight Realm – the place that Midna had been standing only seconds before. The last of the mirror shards settled into the sand as Midna's last words rang in his ears over and over.
Link… I… See you later.
But there would be no later – Midna had made sure of that. Link fell to his knees, shutting his eyes in an effort to stop the tears from falling. Only a few feet away, Princess Zelda watched in silence.
Oh, Midna, do you even know what you've done to him? she wondered, even as words designed to comfort and explain the Twili's actions came unbidden to her mind. Having been a part of her counterpart in shadow's spirit for most of Link's journey had attuned her to Midna's feelings towards the young hero in green. And without Midna here to explain her actions, the duty fell to her.
"Link, Midna did not mean to hurt you at all; by breaking the Mirror of Twilight, she did what she thought was best for both worlds..." The princess rested one gloved hand on his shoulder. "And also, I think, for you."
The Hero of Twilight remained silent, waiting for her to explain.
"I believe Midna wanted you to be happy. Had the mirror been intact, you would have been torn between both realms, between your friends and Midna." Zelda hesitated. Would knowing Midna's feelings toward him make her decision harder or easier to bear? Once more, a bevy of words flooded her consciousness, warning her not to continue her train of thought. The princess cleared her throat as the faint glow of the mark on her right hand dissipated. "We have not known each other long, Link, but… all of Hyrule is in your debt. If there is anything, anything at all –"
"She should have asked me."
Zelda bit her lip at the thick, subdued tone in his voice. Had her words helped at all? She watched as Link bent down to pick up a small shining object off the floor of the chamber.
"I would have gone with her." As he turned to go, the princess got a glimpse of the object that rested in his palm and gasped.
It was Midna's tear.
"Link… I…" Though the barriers that kept the Twilight Realm separate from Hyrule were safely between her and Link, Midna was still at a loss for words. Alone at the edge of the Palace of Twilight, she turned and watched the last of the portal between the realms disintegrate into nothing. She reached out with one hand, as if trying to grasp the fading trails of light, then let it drop. Twilight wrapped itself around her in a warm, comforting embrace, but already the realm seemed dull to her. The serene grace that Midna had once found in it was absent, replaced by the empty longing in her heart.
It was almost ironic, in a way. She'd detested the Light Realm for so long and had stopped at nothing to regain her true form and her rightful place as Queen of the Twilight, and yet…
And yet now, there was almost nothing she would give to be back in Hyrule, hidden in Link's shadow, trading witty remarks as they crossed the fields that graced his realm.
Stop it, she told herself. You did what you did for Link and the good of Hyrule. You can't stand around like that lovestruck Ilia, there's work to be done!
Yet no matter how hard she tried to shake him from her mind, he remained. Midna almost laughed. "Loyal to the end, you are," she said aloud. Thoughts of Link weighing on her mind, she meandered down the familiar path to her home.
