Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Legend of Zelda franchise or its characters.

Authors Note: Story takes place following the events of Twilight Princess. MidnaxLink lightly implied, however romance is not the focus of my story, and I don't intend it to be if I can help it. I'm not entirely sure how this will all play out yet. Please bear with me and my lack of updates.

Summary: Link has vanquished the usurper, Zant, and the Dark Lord, Ganondorf. Midna has returned to the Twilight Realm and destroyed the Mirror of Twilight- the only known connector between the Twilight Realm and Hyrule. But Link is certain that there is another way in, and is determined to find a way to see the Twilight Princess again. With the help of a mysterious member of the Sheikah tribe to guide him, they shall unlock the secrets of the enigmatic Shadow Folk, and uncover a part of Hyrule history thought to have been lost forever. [Sheik is female and her own person]

A strong breeze whipped at the land sending a chill air through the tall grasses of Hyrule Field. Not long ago, these plains had been infested with every sort of monster imaginable. From giant birds, to parasitic plants, explosive bugs, and lanky Bokoblins and Moblins with clubs and fire arrows. Wherever you turned, there was danger, and not a single, sane soul could have been found wandering around these lands. But that all seemed like a far off dream now. No one could imagine that such a calm field had been so dangerous only a short time ago.

For Link, it felt like it had been ages.

He sat on the back of his mare, Epona, hands gripping the reigns loosely. A tired sigh escaped him as the wind threw the tail of his long, green hat over his shoulder. The battle for Hyrule had long been won. He had defeated the false Twili King, Zant. He had slain the incarnate of Power, Ganon. Peace had finally been achieved. Everything was calm. Everything was as should be.

But the hero could not help but feel that something was missing from his life, something very important. It was because of this that he had not returned to being a ranch hand in Ordon. No one expected him to be the same after the ordeal he had faced to attain liberation for the inhabitants of Hyrule. So when finished escorting the children back to Ordon from Kakariko Village, and celebrated with them for three days and nights, he once more donned the ancient green garb of the hero and set out once more on a quest.

A quest that thus far been fruitless… He mused to himself as he gently spurred Epona forwards. I've been at this for nearly three and a half months and still I am no better off than where I started. He unfurled a map from his pack as Epona trotted along. He trusted her enough to take his eyes off the road for a moment so that he could cross out a small gorge he had been exploring just off of Zora's Domain. The rest of the map was littered with charcoal scribbles, indicating places he had looked at previously. The edges of the parchment were tattered and creased from frequent use. The hero let out a slight hiss of frustration as he folded the map once more in defeat. "I didn't expect this to be easy," he admitted aloud to Epona, "But I didn't expect it to be this difficult either."

The roan mare tossed her head with a whistle, as if speaking back. He replied in turn, "Don't you tell me it's 'cause another way doesn't exist! There's got to be. I know there is…" his voice tapered off with a small twinge of doubt. A gloomy expression formed on Link's face as he considered the possibility he refused to believe. If there was not another way in… then he would never be able to see her again.

Her face was still etched into his mind. He could see her curved smile and long, vibrant orange hair. But most of all he could hear her voice. Her high-pitched, girly cackle that used to drive him insane, ebb on his every nerve. He couldn't believe he missed that most of all, second only to her cynical, snarky remarks. And he remembered the last time he ever saw her… Every day he replayed that scene over in his mind. Every day he reminded himself as to why he was out here, searching.

It was hot in the Gerudo Desert that day. The sun was straight overhead, bearing its heat upon them, the sand burning to the touch of flesh. But the heat was the last thing on his mind as he stood on the large alter holding the great Mirror of Twilight. Beside him was Princess Zelda, as composed and professional as ever. Her deep, wise, blue eyes stared intently at the Twili she had spent much time with, in essence. Enough to understand and empathize with her burdens as a ruler on a very intimate level. She mentioned that the once cursed Twili had suffered very deeply in her plight to save her people from Zant.

But Zelda was not the only person to have spent much time with the Twilight Princess. Link had been travelling with her since his first day of that epic journey. Though he admitted she was annoying and bossy at first, they came to also greatly understand one another and respect each other. They trusted each other, saved each other's lives, and the lives of many others, together, as a team. They grew together. She into a caring, more mature leader… and him, a fearless, acclaimed hero. Though he bore the Triforce of Courage, he would not have been able to complete this quest without her strength.

It was hard to believe they were saying goodbye.

Midna looked at them both with her alien red-orange eyes, a somber air about her. Such a bittersweet moment it was, that the Twilight Princess, who had once wanted nothing to do with the World of Light, grew so close to those who inhabited it, and was now sad to go. She heaved up a great sigh, and in her rich, high voice, proclaimed, "Well… I guess this is farewell. Light and shadow can't mix, as we know." She chuckled a little, the cynical tone he was so familiar with creeping into her words. It lasted only a moment before she continued on a more serious note, "But never forget that there is another world bound to this one."

"Shadow and light are two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other," Zelda stated firmly with the slight shake of her head. There was a light pause before the Hyrule Princess carried on in a more whimsical tone, "I know now the reason the goddesses left the Mirror of Twilight in this world… They left it here because it was their design that we should meet." Zelda smiled softly as she glanced to the ground coyly. "Yes… That is what I believe."

Midna smiled as well, creases forming along her cheeks. "Zelda… Your words are kind and your heart is true. If all in Hyrule are like you… Then maybe you'll do alright." She gazed at the two of them with adoration. Link saw the wetness in her eyes and felt a brick in his chest. He had to bite his tongue from getting too emotional.

The Twili took a step towards Zelda and embraced her softly. "Thank you, Zelda."

The Hyrule princess returned the hug graciously, her white, satin-gloved hand running down Midna's back comfortingly. "I will never forget you, Midna," she said. "Hyrule will never forget you, and what you have done for us."

Link saw Midna's grip tighten a moment in appreciation before she pulled back, clearly choked up. Next, she turned to Link, and he suddenly found it wouldn't be like her to hug him. They had never experienced much contact like that, especially not in this new form of hers. The tension was a bit awkward, but Link smiled fully regardless and opted to hold out his hand in offer of a handshake. They had been partners after all.

She looked at his hand, a bit dazed. Then she slowly slipped her hand into his. The second she did, he squeezed it tight and pulled her against him in a tight hug, arm clapped around her shoulders. "You truly are a wonderful friend," he managed to say. "Thanks for all your help."

She had flustered him when he had first seen her with the curse lifted. He couldn't let her leave without returning the favor.

Midna only laughed, her voice cracking from trying to restrain the tears. Somehow, she managed to worm her way out of Link's hug and paced back onto the insignia that made the magical stairs to the Twilight Realm appear. "Thank you both…" She composed herself with a sniff. "Well… The princess spoke truly: as long as that mirror is around, we could meet again." Her eyes drifted to meet Link's. He saw a single, silver tear slide out of the corner of her eye. It made his heart ache to see her cry. Why must she make this so hard?

"Link… I…" she began to say as the tear magically floated off her face, a shining spec of light. She lifted her hand and pushed it away towards them. She took a deep breath. Link waited to hear what it was she had to say… It seemed like it was going to be important, some final, touching words. But he saw her eyes close and a tiny smile stretch onto her face, and her tone changed into a more familiar one that said even more familiar words.

"See you later."

The tear absorbed into the mirror, causing it to activate and glow. But a second later, a giant crack appeared, much to both Zelda and Link's dismay. It fractured to every degree of the perfectly circular artifact…

Link turned as he heard the rustle of Midna's robes. She had ascended the stairs and now stood on the teleportation platform. She turned once more to look at them, a heartbreaking smile on her face. It was all Link could do but stare in disbelief as his long-time companion dissipated into an array of dust, disappearing into the white portal etched into the slab of black rock in the center of the coliseum. As soon as she was through, the cracks in the mirror grew even more devastating till the entire thing shattered into a billion tiny shards.

The hum of the mirror silenced forever, and the etchings on the stone melted away. She was gone- and had destroyed the only link between the two worlds as the true ruler of the Twili.

Three and a half months he had searched Hyrule for another clue, another scrap of knowledge, another anything that would suggest that another way into the Twilight Realm existed. He had covered every nook and cranny he could find thus far, starting from Ordon, all the way to the Yeti's mansion and the snowy area around it. The entire west side of Hyrule he had excavated to no avail. But he wasn't done yet. He had the Eldin Providence to cover and the City in the Sky to dig through before his map was entirely blotted out with cross marks.

He made a few clucking noises at Epona to get her to trot at a comfortable pace. The silhouette of the currently under-construction Hyrule Castle was visible to his right.

He had told Zelda of his plans to look for another way into the Twilight. In fact, it was she he had consulted first on if there was any other way in. Unfortunately she did not have an answer, and was fairly certain that there was no chance of recovering the bridge between the two worlds. Despite her efforts to talk him out of searching, he did so anyways. He wouldn't give up until he was certain there was nothing out there that could aid him. Besides, what else did he have to do? The world was saved. There was no need for a hero now.

Link pursed his mouth tight, lost in his thoughts. What was Midna going to say to him? Why did she destroy the mirror? He wondered if she knew he was out in the wilderness, desperately seeking a way to see her again.

The hero was about to enter the ravine leading to the Eldin Bridge when all of a sudden a voice called out loudly, "HELLOOOOO!"

Link pulled back on Epona's reigns to get her to halt, twisting in his saddle to see who was coming.

He wasn't surprised at all to see the coo-coo mailman hustling towards him, panting in a way that made an obnoxious sound akin to a clown horn with a hole in the squeezer. Sweat stained his pale clothes in an arc under his neck and dripped down his face. As he caught up and stopped next to Epona, he wheezed, "Mr. Link! I have a letter for you from Princess- excuse me, Queen Zelda herself!" he reached into his bag and pulled out a lovely envelope with the Hyrule family's wax seal on it. "It even has her autograph on it! Boy, aren't you a lucky fella!"

Zelda's coronation had taken place right after Midna had departed. She assumed the throne as Queen and oversaw that all areas demolished by Ganon and his minions be rebuilt to as they were or better than before. Hyrule Castle was obviously destroyed, so instead of hosting the ceremony there, they instead held it in the square, so that all may see their new Queen. There had been a grand festival to commemorate the event, and it was amazing how cheery the citizens were despite having almost been taken over by a great evil. The party lasted nearly an entire week. Link had attended the ceremony, had even been the one to put the crown on her head (he was a representative of the citizens after all), but he had no wish to partake in the festivities. He had spoken to Zelda about an alternative way into the Twilight after the ceremony, then left to start his new journey and had not returned since.

Link took the letter from the mailman, giving him a curt thanks. He waited until the man was well a ways away before deciding to open the envelope. Inside was a piece of white stationary edged with a fancy blue trim. Zelda's elegant handwriting graced the page so smoothly, it looked as though she had written him a poem. But he knew better than to think such. Link peered at her message.

"Dear Link,

It has been nearly four months since I have seen you. We have not spoken since the coronation. I would have wrote to you more, but official royal business has kept me very busy, as you can imagine. I assume you have been busy yourself. I know what you hope to find. I do not think it exists, as you know already. I want you to try and understand why she did it.

As a ruler, it is our responsibility to put the safety of our people before anything else. Midna feared that if our worlds were to stay as they were, history may repeat itself. Destroying the it was the only way to keep both hers, and my people safe. I felt her feelings after I gave my energy to her. I know the pains she has felt. I burden them as well, as the ruler of Hyrule. I do not expect you to grasp those feelings, or understand them. But, please take note of Midna's thoughts before I tell you the next thing…

Since I know you are stubborn and won't stop until you are certain there is no way, I may have found a lead for you to go on. I regret to say that I find that this method faulty, as its sources are twisted and corrupted, but it is all I have to offer. I cannot say much more in fear of someone getting ahold of this information. Please come see me in Castle Town when you can. I will explain everything.

Sincerely,

Zelda

Link gripped the letter fiercely, and reread it twice. There was no way. This had to be some sort of prank. He dared to tear his eyes off the paper and cast his gaze over to the castle in the distance. His heart hammered against his chest so intensely he thought it was going to give out. He stuffed the letter into his pouch before rearing up Epona and steering her into a gallop towards Castle Town.

The winds had finally turned in his favor.