Link watched as Ganondorf spit out his last words before letting out his final breath, death overcoming him. Link sighed with exhaustion. Never had a battle worn him out nearly as much as this long fight with this monster had. A bright light behind him made him turn around. On a small incline, he saw silhouette against the setting sun. The silhouette was surrounded by the goddesses of light. Link gasped as he realized the shape was Midna, he could tell by the mask she always wore. The same as the one Ganondorf had crushed, making Link believe she was dead. But she wasn't. The thought sent so much happiness through his heart. He took a hesitant step towards her, then another, and another, until he was running to the Twilight Princess. He lost sight of her for a moment while he was running up the incline, but now he had a full view of her. He stopped short. There was a figure huddled where Midna had been, but this was not Midna. She stood slowly and turned around to face him.
Link's eyes widened. She was breathtakingly beautiful. She had fiery orange hair that was pulled back with two sections that came town and were held together at the bottom with a clip. She had a lovely headpiece that came down to rest on her forehead. Her eyes were slim and narrow and were sparkling ruby red. They were accompanied with deep black eyeliner and skillfully done purple eye shadow that reached to her eyebrows, standing out elegantly against her bluish gray skin. Her lips were a softer shade of purple. Her clothing was just as impressive, she had cloth that covered her chest but didn't quite meet in the middle. It came over to her back, leaving her taut stomach exposed. The long sleeves that peeked out of her mid sleeved robe were covered in Twili tattoos. Her long skirt was ankle length and had a slit in it that came all the way up to her waist. Her exposed leg had a ankle bracelet on it and more Twili tattoos on her thigh. She was barefoot.
She spoke, and she had Midna's voice. "Well say something! What? Am I so beautiful that you have no word's left?" Her light, teasing voice that was so very familiar reminded Link just who she was. Midna was now freed from her imp form, and stood as she had before Link met her, before she was cursed by Zant. He smiled. She truly looked like a princess now.
She smiled broader and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "It's over." She whispered. "Link, it's over. We did it." She squeezed him tighter and he sighed as the weight of the words impacted him. Zelda made her way up the hill too, and Midna held out her arm so that the princess could join them in the embrace.
After the war, named the Twilight War, everyone set to work repairing the damage done. Lord Bullbo and his warriors left the land of Hyrule, realizing their reputation was just too bad from the war to be redeemed. They understood that they couldn't live in harmony with the Hylians, so they left in search of their own land to call home. While they wouldn't attack them any time soon, Link knew that if they were to come across a stronger power, they would follow them. They just weren't able to think too independently. Link sent a letter out to Telma, explaining they had won the war and asked her to lend her cart to Rusl so that he might take the children in Kakariko home. He suspected that she was all to willing to accompany Rusl to Kakariko.
The Gorons took up their sumo wrestling, sending Link a letter asking him to come to a sparring match sometime. The soldiers celebrated their "victory" in Telma's bar, bragging to one another of their tales of bravery. The citizens of Castle Town rejoiced, for not only was their war over, but their princess was freed. Colin walked the whole way home, with his very own sword and shield to defend his friends. They timid young boy was quickly growing into a brave young man.
The Zora tribe welcomed their Prince Ralis home with great happiness, and all quietly mourned the loss of his beloved mother. None grieved more than the Prince . Sometimes, he was certain he could feel her right there, watching over him and their people.
Izma sent Link a letter telling him that her younger brother Coro came to pay he and Hena a visit twice a month. The three went rafting and fishing often, although Coro seemed to appreciate rafting much more.
Link assumed that Yeti couple he had met were still just as happy as in the letter Yeta had sent him when she thanked him for his help with the mirror fiasco and told him they went sledding often now.
Shad dragged Ashei and Auru around everywhere around Hyrule after Rusl departed from the group to go back to Ordon. To everyone's great surprise Ashei continued to indulge Shad's constant expeditions even after Auru gave up on the lad. Link wondered if the two would ever become more than friends. He felt like Shad could easily smooth Ashei's rough edges with his personality.
The children finally made their way home, and brave, brave Uli was waiting for her family with the newest edition two their family, a baby girl, that she brought into the world all on her own.
During all this time Midna, Link, and Zelda consulted with one another to repair the horrific damage done to the castle. Midna stayed to see that everything was put in order, but decided that it was time for her to return to her people, who were most certainly suffering as well. Midna took them with her when she teleported to the mirror chamber to say goodbye.
Link looked at her with sad, pained eyes. "Don't give me that puppy dog look Link." She teased. "There's a lot we both have to do and for now, there isn't any way that our worlds can coexist together." She sighed and looked at Zelda, the princess that she had spent much time with in a tower, so long ago, when she was cast out of her world, before she met Link. She recalled the visits she paid to her, and felt shame for the way she treated the kindhearted royal.
"Well…I guess this is farewell, huh? Light and shadow can't mix, as we all know. But… never forget that there is another world bound to this one."
"Shadow and light are two sides of the same coin. Once 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." Zelda replied.
Midna smiled her eyes on the ground. She looked up and blinked. "Zelda… your words are kind, and your heart is true. If all of Hyrule are like you…then maybe you'll do all right." She meant for the last words to be humorous, but they came out serious and she realized how much she meant them. With a heavy smile she turned and stood on the platform where the stairs of light were created, so that she may walk up them and disappear into her own realm. She looked back at both of them. "Thank you…" She turned her eyes on Link, grief tightening her chest. "Well," she forced her tone to be light. "The princess spoke truly: as long as that mirror's around, we could meet again…"
Link nodded, knowing that he would most definitely make the journey out to her to visit as often as possible.
"Link…" she nearly whispered, a tear trickling down her face. "I…" the words got caught in her throat. The tear floated away from her face and drifted downward. She pushed it towards the mirror. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say anyways. I'm sorry for this? I know it's for the best? I'm going to miss you? No, she couldn't say any of that. She straightened up and said with a thick voice, "See you later…" The tear collided with the mirror and it immediately began to crack.
Both Link and Zelda gasped and looked at the mirror in shock. Link turned his shocked gaze on Midna, who hopped up the steps and turned to look at him, one last time. She smiled, her eyes sad, and then her expression turned grave as she looked into his blue eyes. They said very clearly, "I'm sorry, it's for the best." She tried to smile again as the mirror gave off the light that would teleport her away, but it fell and she looked at her beloved companion, her best friend, and saw the same sadness reflected on his face. She felt herself dissolve into the Twilight Realm. The last thing she heard was the shatter of the mirror.
She gasped and looked around her world that she called home. Memories of what she had done swam in her head and she fell to the ground, clutching her heart as the sobs began to wrack her body. She sat there huddled, crying hot tears in silence, trying not to let her people see her like this. She wiped her tears away, stood up straight, and walked to them, ready to take on all the responsibilities that would come with repairing the Twilight Realm.
Meanwhile Link and Zelda stared at each other in shock, trying to wrap their minds around what had just happened. Link slowly turned to look at the spot where he last saw Midna, and he fell to his knees. He let his head fall into his hands as his face twisted into anguish. He didn't cry, but the sadness coming off of him was just as strong.
"Link," Zelda placed her hand on his shoulder. He whipped his head around, startled. "Midna knew what she was doing. Ultimately, it was always her decision on what to do with this mirror." She pulled him to his feet. She touched his arm, as if uncertain on how to express her sympathy. " I'll miss her too."
She wasn't the only one. The goddesses were definitely a little sadder as they continued about protecting the people, creating more fairies than usual to brighten their spirits. Link gave Zelda a ride back to Castle Town. He told Zelda he needed to go home to help settle the children in, and he really wanted to see everyone again. She smiled at him with understanding. "Yes, I think that would be best for now. I'll write to you." She promised. He promised her he would help with the reconstructing of Hyrule Castle.
"Oh, I have one more thing to say." She smiled. "Thank you so very much. Hyrule will forever be in your debt."She curtsied to him before turning and entering the city. Link watched her go, blinked a few times, before telling Epona to take him home.
On his way home, he paused, and as an afterthought returned the Master Sword to its pedestal in the Sacred Grove. It wasn't his to keep anyway.
He spent several weeks at home, helping everyone in any way that he could. It was a good distraction from the grief that robbed him at night. Ilia came to visit him often, mostly she just talked to Epona though.
One day though Link was sitting on the small cliff that his house rested on while she stroked his horse's mane. "Link, come down here." She said quietly. Link obliged. "Did you love her?" Ilia asked without taking her eyes off of Epona. Link gave a startled gasp. "I mean the girl you mourn for. Is it the princess? Never mind, that doesn't matter. Did you love her?" Link winced, unsure of what to say.
"Mr. Link, waaaaaaaaiiiiit!" The postman arrived with perfect timing. He handed Link a letter. It was from Zelda. Link opened it and began to read.
Link,
I must thank you for all the help you've provided in reconstructing the castle. Without you to take care of all the paperwork that was necessary I know it wouldn't have been completed so quickly. Through this experience I have been able to come closer to the citizens of Castle Town that volunteered to help and I've come to fall in love with my people all over again. However this is not why I've chosen to write to you.
Now that I am once again ruling the kingdom and the castle is done, all my attention can be focused on improving this land to recover from the War. The first thing I wish to take care of is that I am disappointed with the cowardice that is in all the hearts of my remaining soldiers. I wish to offer you a position as captain over them, and I would like you to retrain them to make them brave and fearless, as they should be. Please send your answer to me as soon as possible, I want to make the announcement to them quickly. Thank you for everything.
Princess Zelda
