The broken pieces of the mirror lay before them. Two worlds brought together, now once again separated. Shock was etched on the faces of Hyrule's ruler and her hero.

The lips of the princess slowly pursed themselves into a grim line. Understanding slowly taking hold in her mind.

"I wish did not have to end that way," she said softly. Link turned to her, the shock still evident on his worn and beaten face.

"I wish she hadn't of, but I understand why. Link, the mirror was the only connection between our worlds that we know of. Now that it is destroyed the threat of this happening again is all but gone."

Link simply nodded at her and looked back down at the fragments that lay around his feet. It made sense. But the princess didn't realize what he had just lost. What did he lose? Midna had become more than just a companion on their long and arduous journey. They shared each other's brightest and darkest moments. But it wasn't just a trusted friend that was now missing. His brow furrowed as he tried to find the word for it, but it eluded him.

"Link?" He looked up to meet Zelda's gaze. Her worry was obvious. She approached him, and he flinched as pieces of the mirror broke under her feet. A comforting hand rested on his shoulder.

"Link... I know she meant a lot to you. I understand how painful it must be to lose her, but she did it for the good of all of us." She spoke gently, as if she was worried he would break just like the mirror.

Instead, his eyes widened. That was it. That was what he lost. Understanding. Midna had been his shadow, there every step of the way. But it wasn't just her friendship, it wasn't just her company that was taken away forever. It was true understanding. No one else knew everything. No one else knew just how much the journey had taken from him. No one else had been there when he nearly drowned under the lake... when he faced his demons in the desert... when his best friend forgot him. And now no one ever would.

He gave Zelda a half-hearted smile and turned towards the steps. "We should go."

Zelda looked after him as he slowly made his way down the steps. She was beginning to worry for his well-being. Losing Midna right as things were going to get better seemed to have struck him very deeply. Not to mention the fact that he had just completed the single most terrifying fight she was sure anyone would see in their lifetime. The final duel with Ganondorf had gone on for hours and Link still hadn't rested since. His once forest green tunic was mostly a dark brown mixture of blood and dirt. The red potion Zelda gave him had done what it needed to do, but he would need more permanent medical attention or his condition would deteriorate. His chainmail hung on his frame uselessly. The unnatural sword Ganon wielded seemed to think of it as not much more than butter. Zelda was not looking forward to the painful healing process that was to come for the hero. The only skin not wrapped already or covered was his face, and she hoped the rest of him didn't match it. Link's hair was disheveled, chunks off the right side missing after several close calls. His nose was probably broken, and he would most likely have a scar running from the top of his nose to midway through his left cheek. But of all the physical ailments and wounds he tried to hide, the most worrisome of them to the princess was his eyes. The deep and fierce blue pools that were once filled with defiance now looked worn. Zelda was worried for his spirit.

As they made their way out of the mirror chamber Zelda told herself she would do whatever she could for him. He had given everything for Hyrule, maybe even more than she knew. But she also knew she would need him in the months to come, and he was going to be one of the few people she could trust. She needed him. Hyrule still needed him.

The question was... did he have anything left to give?

XXXXX

AN: There you have it! My updates on this story will probably be fairly sporadic because of college and other responsibilities, but let me know what you all think. I am very fascinated with what happens after the games end because there is so much room for interpretation. I also prefer a more mature and dark view on the series which is why I liked TP so much. I'm very excited for this story and hope you all will read along and give some feedback. Cheers!