Rated T because it features some pretty heavy themes but it's honestly not that bad. I loved writing this story so I hope you enjoy it. Twilight princess was always one of my favourite Zelda games. As upsetting as the ending was, I appreciate it for what it was which is why this story is not about Link and Midna reuniting.
This is just a short story. I think there are only eight chapters (15,000 ish words) and I plan to update often so this should be complete in no time. I will let you know my schedule when I add the next chapter.
Link endured many temples, endless battles, mighty rain, mountains, seas and snowy peaks. He travelled through earth and sky, light and twilight. He faced any force of evil that came near but none of that made him feel weaker than he now felt.
Because even though he suffered many things no human should ever have to suffer, he never suffered them alone.
He didn't like her at first. She was irritating and cruel, taunting him and jabbing at him with sarcastic comments. She didn't seem to care at all about what was happening to Hyrule.
Link wasn't sure when it happened but, eventually, he was able to see through all of that. He realised how kind and noble she could be. There was warmth in her jabs. In the end, she had proven how much she cared.
If he still saw her as he did the first day they met, he would have believed her title unsuitable. But, now he knew; she was truly the twilight princess.
Somewhere in all of the pain and fear and loss that was his adventure, he came to understand who she really was.
Somewhere in all that, friendship sparked.
Somewhere in all that, romance sparked.
Now their adventure was finally winding down. Ganondorf was dead, the battle won. It was time for Midna to return home.
Link hated to see her go but he knew he couldn't keep her in Hyrule even if he tried. Midna was too noble, too caring to abandon her people. She had to return to them, to repair the damage Zant and Ganondorf had caused. Link understood that but the idea still stung his heart.
"Well... I guess this is farewell, huh?" Midna said sadly. "Light and shadow can't mix, as we all know. But... never forget that there's another world bound to this one."
Link's throat was sore. He told himself over and over that they'd meet again, that this was not the end but he couldn't seem to let it comfort him.
"Shadow and light are two sides of the same coin," Zelda said. "One cannot exist without the other. 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. Yes... that is what I believe."
Midna gave a weak smile. "Zelda... your words are kind and your heart is true. If all in Hyrule are like you... Then maybe you'll do alright." Midna stepped toward the Mirror of Twilight, preparing to return to her world.
Link's heart knew what was coming next, even before his brain did. A feeling of unease swept over him, the urge to grab her and to never let her go.
He stood his ground. He had to let her leave.
"Thank you... Well, the princess spoke truly: as long as that mirror's around, we could meet again..." A single tear formed. The air was thick, sensing the grief to come.
"Link... I..." The tear slid off her cheek, gliding into the air. The light caught it, causing it to glow. "See you later..."
Those were the last words she would ever say to Link; a lie. Her tear floated over to the mirror and created a series of hairline cracks. The air filled with the crunching of breaking glass.
Zelda and Link turned quickly, each letting out a gasp.
Link stood there, torn at what to do. He couldn't let it happen, yet he couldn't let himself stop it either.
Midna turned around one last time, bearing a smile. Not an apologetic smile, not a weak, supportive smile. A smile that seemed to be content with the moment. She wasn't lamenting the idea of never seeing them again; she was enjoying the opportunity to have met them.
Midna met Link's eyes, a determined look on her face as she disapparated into the twilight realm. As soon as she was through, the mirror shattered, causing glittering shards to rain down. The air was still.
Numbly, Link heard the sages' words echo in his head, "Only the true leader of the Twili can utterly destroy the Mirror of Twilight."
Midna was gone and could never some back.
Link stumbled to his knees. His heart was lead.
He looked down at his shaking hands. He felt so powerless. Often on his adventure he would sink down in despair, thinking everything was hopeless and that he should just give up. A feeling that no matter what he did, nothing would change. In those moments, she'd be there. She'd put a hand on his shoulder without a word and somehow, her presence gave him strength.
But she was gone now. There was no hand on his shoulder.
"I love you," he mumbled inaudibly. Why did I never tell her that? he thought, now I'll never get the chance.
Footsteps sounded behind him, soft, muted. It was then that Link remembered Zelda was also there. He awaited the typical, 'don't worry, it'll get better' speech.
It never came.
Instead, she simply said, "Take as much time as you need," before walking out the door.
Link was glad. He didn't want to be half-heartedly comforted.
How could she leave me? Why hadn't I stopped her?
He could feel the pounding of his heart in his ears, hear the rush of blood. He clenched his fist. His thoughts whipped around like a cyclone.
He felt utterly betrayed. This was all her fault. He hoped she was in the Twilight realm, feeling the same pain he felt.
It's scary the things anger can drive you to think.
Link was nervous to return to Ordon but he knew he couldn't stay on the floor of the mirror chamber forever.
His anger was over and now he just felt sad and empty. He was painfully aware at every moment how alone he was. As he rose to his feet, he instinctively checked his shadow, wondering if she was there.
She wasn't.
Link stumbled out of the mirror chamber, still weak from the battle against Ganondorf. It had all seemed ages ago but in reality it had been mere hours.
Link was glad to see Epona but she only reminded him of his adventure. He stroked her fur softly, examining the many scratches and wounds that had appeared on her pelt.
"Ilia's going to kill me when she sees this," Link said, forcing a laugh. It sounded pathetic, even to him. He could not fool anyone.
Link mounted Epona and put his arms around her neck, engulfing his world with the smell of barn and blood. "I guess it's just the two of us, now," he commented, his words muffled by Epona's thick body.
He wasn't sure how long he stayed in that position; he was stalling. He didn't want anyone to see him this way. That was why he did not want to return to Ordon. He knew he would be unable to hide his misery and he knew it would kill those he cared about.
Link wished he could simply become a wolf for a while. He could live the life of a wolf, completely aloof to silly human problems like heartbreak. But Midna had the shard.
Link rode back to Ordon village in grieved silence. There was only the rush of the wind at his side and the clopping of Epona's hooves on the dirt path.
He had ridden through this stretch many times but now it felt eerie. The world was oddly still. Not a monster appeared, not a cricket hummed.
And not a cutting remark about how useless he was.
It seemed that while he was grieving in the temple of time, the sun had set. Only a cool orange glow still peeked through.
Twilight.
Link never cared for it before. Everything was brighter at noon, the colours crisper. In contrast, twilight just seemed dull.
Midna helped him see the beauty of the night time sky. He remembered her talk about it once, when they had just set up camp for the night.
"Look at that," she said. "Twilight."
Link watched her curiously. She was smiling, staring into the sky.
"It's beautiful, don't you think?"
Link did not reply but did not agree.
"I think twilight is the most beautiful time. When all the world is dark, save the glittering lights in the sky as though everything else mutes itself to let the light shine. When the orange glow still clings the earth like a memory of day... In my world, it looks like this all the time..."
Link shook his head, hoping to force out the memory. There was no point remembering things like that now. All it did was make him lonelier and made his throat sore.
He wished he wasn't so pathetic. He hadn't known her that long. He hadn't even told her how he felt. They were both so different only Nayru knows why he even became friends with her, let alone came to love her. He shouldn't be crying over her. He shouldn't feel this broken now that she's gone.
But he does. And as much as he tries to get his mind off her, he can't.
Ordon village was not as still as Hyrule field. Much to Link's dismay, almost every villager was awake and waiting for him.
They were all beaming, yelling things like, "Welcome home!" or "Good to see ya back, Link."
All except Ilia, of course. She ran towards him, shouting, "Link! What in the sweet name of Farore have you done to Epona?"
Link did his best to smile so no one would know but he concentrated so hard on the smile that he just looked pained.
He felt like his gut had just been hit by a wild boar. It was embarrassing that he cared this much about Midna but he would be unable to keep it from them. Even now, Ilia noticed something was wrong.
Quietly, she asked, "Is everything alright, Link?" she tried to meet his eyes but he was staring at his boots.
He did not want to tell her. He knew he'd have to eventually but he couldn't bring himself to do it then. "I'm just tired," he said.
Ilia did not believe him but dropped the subject. She grabbed Epona's reins from him and said, "You should get some sleep then."
The children rushed over to him. Talo looked particularly excited. "You have to tell us everything! Was it scary? Was it exciting? What happened?"
His mother put a hand on his shoulder and said, "That's enough, Talo. Give Link some space; he's been through a lot lately."
Disappointment flashed over all the children's faces and they backed away, heads hung low.
Link slept well past noon. Even when he did wake up, dread for the day ahead kept him in bed.
It wasn't until about four o'clock when someone finally came to check up on him. It was Ilia. She came in without a word and crouched down near his bed.
"Hey, I know you're not asleep," she said quietly. When he didn't reply, she continued, "Everyone is worried about you, you know?"
She sighed and grabbed his shoulder, rolling him over so he could meet her eyes. "Do you want to tell me what is going on?"
Link knew that he'd have to tell her eventually. He also knew that if he could confide in anyone, he could confide in Ilia. So he told her.
"Oh," she said, digesting it for a moment. "I'm sorry," she said sympathetically. She probably meant it too but to Link it felt more like pity. There was no way she could know what he was going through.
"Well, you can't stay here forever," Ilia said. She pulled off the covers to Link's bed and yanked him upright.
Ilia meant well. Link reminded himself of that over and over. But, despite good intentions, Ilia was not helping.
That day, Link was told countless stories about villagers' heartbreaks, forced to play games or eat foods. Link tried to smile through it all.
"What? You met the princess?" one of the children asked. "What is she like?"
Link shook his head. "I don't really know her."
Rusl came up behind Link, surprising him. "You know tomorrow is her coronation, right? She's going to be Queen Zelda very soon."
Normally, Link wouldn't have considered going but he needed a break from Ordon. As much as they were trying to help, they were all getting on his nerves. He needed an escape.
"I think I might go," Link said aloud, knowing that if he left without warning they would all worry.
Rusl nodded. "I think it'll be good for you. Different air, different scenery."
Link half-heartedly replied, "Yeah, me too."
Thanks for reading my story! Let me know what you think if you wouldn't mind.
This is your friendly reminder to do that thing that you need to do whether it is to go to sleep, use the bathroom, eat, drink, etc. I hope you have a great day/night!
