Hello everyone! Echo here with my first story to come out of pre-production. I decided to write a Twilight Princess fic because of a certain pairing being way to precious for me to even handle (and of course I mean Midlink :P). Yet, for better or worse, this story will not solely revolve around that pairing and more of the arising conflict (buuuuut maybe a couple of hints of midlink here and there, sorry!). Anyway, I do hope you enjoy this first chapter. Please read and review!
Chapter 1: Memories
It was early morning in the Twilight Realm. The twin Sols that hung in the atmosphere casted their serene light upon the Twilight Palace. Their artificial rays pierced through the clouds that listed in the air, coloring them with an orange hue.
Upon a balcony, high above the palace grounds, a lone figure stood with her hands clasped together near her chest. The figure was a female Twili of blue grey skin, with teal runes covering her arms and legs. She had deep orange hair which flowed down to her chest, and held together by a stone clasp. An adorned headpiece covered her forehead and down to the bridge of her nose. The Twili wore an exposing robe which barely covered her arms, while the rest of her upper body was visible. On her lower half she wore a detailed black sarong that generously revealed her right leg. Skin tight shadows clung to portions of her exposed areas and covered her left leg. The shadows obscured anything that would have been deemed to inappropriate for public. But what stood out the most of this Twili was her striking red eyes. Any Light Dweller who would have seen her might have claimed her eyes to be as beautiful as the setting sun.
The Twili stared out to the Sols situated high in the Twilight sky. After a moment, she let out a long sigh.
"It's been four months already, huh wolf boy?" she stated. The Twili could hardly believe that so much time has past since then. A journey with a Light Dweller, clad in green, and blessed by the goddesses. Both of them fought so hard to save both his realm and hers. The imp and the wolf, side by side. To her, it seemed like yesterday. She still fondly remembered the days spent fighting monsters and crawling dungeons. Or the nights when she'd lay her head next to his as they both stared up at the stars. She could even still recall his face with every perfect detail. Those piercing blue eyes that seemed to glow with both ferocity and kindness. The…
Just then, there was a knock on the door behind the Twili, shattering the image that was forming within her mind.
"Your Highness? The council is awaiting your arrival."
Midna, the Twilight Princess, turned to the door, eyebrows furrowing at having her thoughts interrupted.
"I'll be right there Avond." Midna said, a hint irritation in her voice. She was not happy. Why did those fools have to call a meeting today of all days? This day was too personal for Midna to be dragged into politics. After all, it was the anniversary of when she shattered the Twilight Mirror. On this day, four months ago, Midna had made the hardest decision of her life, and lost a dear friend because of it. She wanted to spend this day to herself, but apparently the council thought otherwise.
Gathering her composure, Midna made her way to the door and pulled it open more forcefully than she normally would. Standing in front of her was a male Twili of blue and grey skin, similar to hers. He wore black plated armor, gilded in a light teal, which covered his entire body. He wore no helmet upon his head. Midna could glimpse his void black eyes and blue grey hair tied back into a small ponytail. A vicious looking scar ran from under his right eye down to lower right cheek.
Green runes were engraved in the sides of the breastplate and leg-plate as well as the fingers of his right gauntlet. Five steel swords sheathed in dark brown leather scabbards hug from his back. The pommels of these swords were also engraved with similar runes as those on his right gauntlet.
Avond stared at Midna briefly as the door banged against the stone wall. He knew that the princess was extra sensitive today, but this seemed a little too much. Avond had thought that a day like today would have given joy to princess, being the anniversary of Zant's defeat, and the restoration of Twili people. Yet just like the last three months, Midna kept to herself and seemingly slipped into sadness. Avond wondered what Midna had left behind in the Light Realm that caused her to become so upset. The princess did relay the story of her adventures with Sacred Beast and their efforts to save both realms. Yet something told Avond that Midna had left some parts out.
Before Avond could even give Midna a salute, she briskly walked out into the hallway and right past him. Avond quickly fell in behind her, not wanting be left behind.
"So the councilors send the commander of my army to fetch me then? Are they so soft skinned that they cannot complete the task themselves?" Midna asked, her voice dripping in venom.
"Your highness, I wish you would not speak of the council so harshly. They sent me because the council felt that you would not listen to them, nor anyone else."
Midna quickly turned on her heel to face Avond, easily towering over him. The Twilight Princess was after all the tallest Twili in the realm. Avond himself was a modest five feet and ten inches in height, but that still could not measure up to Midna, who was six feet and four inches.
Midna glared down at Avond. "I distinctly remember telling you and the rest of the council that I wished to not be disturbed today." Midna said abruptly.
The Twili commander was taken aback to be spoken to so suddenly. He took a short breath and chose his next words carefully. "Forgive me for saying this, but the meeting is rather important. And you were notified about it earlier."
Midna's angered expression softened instantly as she felt a pang of regret for bursting out at Avond. He certainly did not deserve bearing her frustration.
"Yes I know, but that does not mean I have to like it." Midna muttered.
Midna turned back around and continued down the hallway, with Avond following closely behind her. She needed to bottle up her anger, at least till the end of the council meeting. If only Link was here...
No, she will not not think about him right now. It would only cause more pain.
The two of them made their way down a flight of stairs to the second level of the palace. As they passed through the halls, a number of Twili servants bowed their heads in respect before going about their business. The servants were still hard at work refurbishing the palace, even after four months. The damage caused by Zant's coup was still in slow recovery.
The rest of their walk continued in silence until they reached a set of large twilit tree doors. Midna rested her right hand on the door for a few moments before turning her head to Avond.
"You will be attending?" Midna asked, the question sounded more of a command.
"Of course your highness" Avond stated matter of factly. "I do believe the councilors wish for me to partake in today's discussion. I also happen to posses some information on the matter at hand. So as much as I want to leave and resume training my troops, my hands are tied." Avond let out a soft chuckle. "Not that you would let me bail out and leave you at the mercy of the councilors anyway."
For the first time today, Midna smirked. Well, at least she wasn't the only who thought they had more important things to do. "Let's get this over with then." she groaned.
Midna took a deep breath as she pushed to doors open. The two of them entered a large room with a long, rectangle twilit tree table situated in the middle. Around this table sat the councilors of the Twilight Realm. The councilors, eight in all, each represented the different provinces that encompassed the Twili Kingdom. They were a mix of both men and women, each were appointed by their own province's people. Midna personally felt that a few of the councilors were spineless windbags who only cared about their own interest, rather than their province's. Any craven given enough power will always desire more.
Each of the councilors rose from their seats as Midna entered the room, their eyes trained on her. Midna held up a hand in response. She waved her hand, motioning for them to sit back down.
Avond positioned himself by the door next to another Twili dressed in similar armor. He nodded to his fellow brother in arms before turning his attention back to the councilors.
As Midna moved towards her own seat at the head of the table, she noticed that the Twilight Archmage, Nychta, was present as well. To Midna, Nychta was a close friend. The two relatively grew up together, both of them studying the arts of Shadow Magic under the same master back when they were children.
Midna noted that if both Nychta and Avond were here, there must be something sinister was brewing. Usually the gathering of the three branches of the Twili government meant that entire Twilight Realm was in danger. Only one other meeting of similar circumstances had occurred, and that was four months ago.
Just then, a disgusting thought crept into Midna's mind. Zant was the previous archmage before the Twilight Invasion. Apparently for Zant, being the Twilight Archmage was not enough, and was only satisfied when the entire kingdom was under his control.
Zant had taken the advantage of calling an emergency council session to curse Midna, Avond, and the rest of the councilors. With the major political and military leaders out of the way, it did no take Zant long to bring the whole Twilight Realm under his control.
Not wanting to upset herself even further, Midna did her best to push the dark memories to the back of her mind. She let out a silent sigh as she sat down in her seat, retraining her focus on the councilors in front of her.
To Midna's right, Councilor Jorbus stood up from his place at the table. The councilor was a Twili of his late fifties, with long greying hair and a crooked nose. Jorbus was one of Midna's favorite councilors. The Twili was always willing to listen to reason and tended to put the well being of the kingdom before his own.
Jorbus gave a short cough as he cleared his throat. "Now that the princess is here, let this emergency meeting of the Twilight Council officially be in session." the councilor stated. He nodded his head to Midna.
"Princess. I know this day is...rather delicate for you," a couple of the other councilors rolled their eyes to which Midna ignored, "but recent events have called this emergency session into order."
"Very well. Would anyone like to enlighten me on the issue?" Midna asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
Midna could here a few murmurs, which she could only assume to be covered responses of annoyance towards her remark.
Jorbus looked around the table to the rest of the councilors. They were all avoiding Midna's gaze, not wanting to be the one to bear the bad news. Jorbus sighed before clearing his throat once again.
"Well, your highness. It seems we have crucial issue within the Duskcrest province, out near the Burned Wood."
There was a slight pause, with not a word spoken.
Finally Midna folded her arms and glared at Jorbus. "Yes? What is it then?"
Jorbus felt a bead of sweat drip down the back of his neck. Why did it have to be him, out of all the councilors, to tell her this?
"Well, yes. The other councilors, Commander Avond and myself believe that an old enemy has reared its head once again. You see..."
Minda eyes widened as Jorbus' next words left his lips. A knot formed in in her chest, one of both pain and anger. How could this have happened?