Chapter Two

Pax…
"Peace…"


Midna was surprised at how quickly Link had adjusted to the ways of her people. It's almost as if he was born one of their kind, the customs of the Twili coming naturally to the Hero.

Two months had passed since she shattered the Mirror. Occasionally the Princess wondered how Zelda and her kingdom were doing, but dismissed the thought knowing there was no way she could contact her Light counterpart as of now. Much had happened in the short time after Ganondorf's defeat and the moment that she and the Hero had tumbled into the Twilight realm. Midna thought back to the day she had essentially died at Ganondorf's hands and been reborn with the power of the Light Spirits. The Goddesses of Hyrule must still care for her people even though they had been banished to the other realm long ago.

She shook the thought of her tribe's history from her mind, vividly recalling the few hours between the transformation to her true form and that of her the departure from Hyrule…


"What? Say something! Am I so beautiful you've no words left?" She tried her best not to laugh in response to Link's shocked face, and was barely able to pull off a composed expression upon seeing the Hero's dumbfounded look. Of course he hadn't expected Midna to look like she did. The Princess of Twilight had never told him what her true form resembled, and was quite glad that she didn't. The face he displayed once he laid eyes on her was priceless. She giggled and since he truly was at a loss for words he stayed silent while simply smiling in response. Midna hadn't remembered the last time she saw that smile. Ever since Zant had sapped her powers, Link was more serious than usual throughout their journey, but now that it was over…

Sadness struck her, but the Twili didn't let it show. Midna would enjoy what little time she still had in the world of Light. Zelda approached, guiding Epona towards the two; the sound of hooves from the great horse snapping the Princess of another realm out of her thoughts and bringing her to the moment at hand. The Hylian leader gave the reigns to Link and then met the gaze of the other Princess. For a moment the three were silent, contemplating what was to be done now that the crisis was finally over.

"The Fused Shadows…" the ruler of the Light realm broke the quiet, voice drifting as her gaze went to where Ganondorf had entered the battlefield, relic crushed in his giant fists and falling to the dirt in pieces.

Midna pushed past the two blessed by the Goddesses, making her way to where the artifact had been abandoned at the moment of the Evil King's arrival to the field. The others watched her walk away in silence. After a moment they followed, Link stopping to pull the Blade of Evil's Bane from the corpse of the Gerudo man in the process. He wiped the blood clean and expertly slid it into the sheath on his back, turning to the rulers once more.

The Twili crouched over her ancestor's powerful dark magic, looking sadly to object partially buried in the dirt.

For a time it had been her crown.

The Princess picked up the remains of the stone mask that once adorned her cursed impish head. "Their power has been weakened greatly. Over time they will gain it once more, but for now they don't hold very much." She stood with her words, turning to face the two Light dwellers. Zelda's gaze went past that of Midna, looking towards the castle in the distance. No doubt she was concerned for her people, and the remaining three pieces of Fused Shadow were somewhere in the rubble.

Without a word the Twilight Princess snapped her fingers and the three disappeared into Twilight.

Her mind sped over the next events, as they held little importance to her in the whole of things: they materialized in the throne room, in truth, the damage to the castle from the explosion was far less severe than it had seemed from Hyrule Field, and the remaining Fused Shadows were lying on the ground around Zelda's throne, the cracked and crumbling crest of the Goddesses looking down at them from above.

The Princess shook her head. Her hair that was now bound in a ponytail just as it was when she inhabited her impish form bounced with the movement. No. None of that was important. Memories formed again as the swinging of her fiery locks came to a stop.

They stood in the Mirror Chamber. She prepared to enter her realm once more and the Princess of Hyrule and Hero unaware of what the Twilight ruler had in store. The light of the evening cast long shadows. This time was known as the hour of twilight, named after her world. Or was her world named after it? Midna's pondering was broken when she heard the howl of a wolf somewhere far off in the distance. She noticed Link's pointed ears twitch with the familiar call, but dismissed the action, for there were more important matters.

The single tear felt warm against her skin as it softly slipped down her cheek.

"Link… I…" Midna couldn't say it, no matter how much she wished to even after all they had gone through. The Twilight Princess simply lacked the courage needed to tell the Hero that she—

"Midna…" A familiar voice echoed and she snapped back to the present, for her thoughts had seemed so real she almost forgot it was all merely a memory. "Are you okay? You looked a bit distressed for a moment."

"Don't be concerned Link. It was nothing," the ruler spoke sadly. The Hero's troubled expression changed to a soft smile at her words as he walked towards where the Princess rested on her throne. The waving of his new Twili robes summoned yet another memory from not long after they entered her kingdom…


Link thought it was a waste, letting such a beautiful cloak go to ruin. He had asked Midna if he could borrow a needle and thread to mend the torn fabric.

"You can sew?" she asked incredulously from her perch on the first step in the western wing of the palace as the Hero inspected the mantle she had handed him. Midna had been about to discard the article, but Link stopped her. She sat and watched as he shook the fabric, laying it flat on the ground to examine the extent of the damage. His ability to mend clothing was probably the last thing the Princess expected of him considering Link was more of an active and less passive person.

"When you grow up in a village of a little over a dozen people, you have to master every skill you can learn. Wrangler, seamster, it didn't matter to me as long as I could help out in some way," he replied with a shrug, bringing his gaze from that of the damaged cloak to her.

Midna understood. It was part of his nature, helping others. Link had assumed the role of the Hero willingly, even though it had come as quite a shock, and he risked his life for strangers without hesitation. She called for a Twili to fetch his requested items and the aide soon returned to their side. The Hero thanked the Twili, taking the materials and grabbing the cloak off the floor.

"Can I sit?" Link asked, gesturing to the empty place next to where the Princess rested. She smiled.

"I don't know. You were able to ask. I'd think you'd be capable of sitting. I wouldn't exactly classify one action as being harder than the other. Feel free to prove me wrong though."

Link shook his head with a smile, plopping down next to her.

"There. See? I'm speaking and sitting. It's not that hard."

"I don't know about that… If you were a wolf I think it may be a bit more difficult."

"I could always howl," he replied, threading the needle with practiced ease.

Midna shrugged. He'd bested her this time.

The Princess watched Link in silence as he mended the mantle, her head resting on her knees. She didn't know how long had passed before he finished his little project, but she simply enjoyed being in his presence in the meantime. Relaxing like this was a luxury they didn't have when saving the two realms.

Using his slighter sharper than normal canine, which was something that had been left over from his bestial form, Link bit the thread, in effect cutting it free of the cloth. "There," the Hero spoke, spitting the loose string from his mouth. "It's the best I could do. I'm sorry it's not perfect."

He had fixed what he could of the mantle. Link handed the finished piece to her, letting the Princess inspect it. She stood up, shaking the fabric loose and laying it across the ground. In truth it was far better than she had anticipated. He was being too modest. Link didn't give himself enough credit for the skills he possessed. Midna walked around the cloak, inspecting it from all angles.

"Did I miss a spot?" He asked as she reached down, grabbing it from the floor and shaking any dirt free. She bundled the fabric and looked at it, then him, and finally back to the cloth she held. Midna smiled, meeting his gaze.

"You wear it. It's customary for Twili men to make and wear their own robes as part of a coming of age ceremony. Though I suppose you've already proved your worth with saving a couple of kingdoms," She was lying about the whole ceremony thing, but wondered what he would look like in the garb of her people. Midna extended her hand that held the cloth, offering it to Link. The Hero stared at the fabric, slowly reaching out to grab it after a moment of hesitation.

"…Okay. I'll get changed then," he spoke tentatively, taking the garment from her and meeting the eyes of the smiling Princess.

Although some of the fabric had been lost due to the tumble upon entering the Twilight and the piece Midna tore off to use as a bandage, which was still wrapped about his arm, there was plenty left to cover Link's small frame. The Twili was pleased at the result. He wore her old cloak like a toga. Even then it was still a bit big, he having to use the already to large belt of his to keep it secure around the waist. Link had told her that the way he wore the cloth slightly reminded him of his native Ordonian attire: one arm mostly covered while the other was left exposed.

The arm he had hurt when they first came into the Twilight Realm was on his right side where the toga didn't cover. The wound on his elbow had scared. The reason being Link refused to take off the bandage she had wrapped about it. Childish, yes, but the Princess understood. It was the first thing she had ever given him. In the past Midna had always tricked Link into obtaining his own items, such as the sword and shield from Ordon Village.

Although he didn't let her touch it, the Twili still snuck into his room every night, removing the bandage and cleaning it then replacing the cloth on his arm once more as he slept. It was just as she had done countless times before to his various wounds throughout their journey.

Ever since he first put on the fixed cloak Link hadn't worn the green garb of the Hero. She liked his new clothes better than those old dusty ones of his anyway. Though the Princess feared the reason he didn't wear the tunic any longer was that it reminded him of his time in Hyrule. Midna was worried, but enough with the memories – she had to stop reminiscing and live in the present: with Link.

The royal stood from her throne as he walked up the steps towards her. With the cloak now in the possession of the Hero, she simply wore her sarong about her waist. Of course the crown of the Princess was still present, and her hair had been tied up in a ponytail with the shackle that had previously bound her fiery locks across her front. The new way she wore it was far more comfortable anyway.

Link looked up to her and smiled, proceeding to gently wrap his arms around her in a friendly hug. Midna still wasn't used to the change in height between her and the Hero, for she had always looked up to him or hovered at eye level when the two wandered in search of the Fused Shadows and later Mirror Shards.

"Thank you Link. I'm sorry if I worried you," she spoke with his action and he drew back a moment later.

"I'm glad to know you are well, but please, if anything bothers you, let me know," Link gazed up to her sorrowfully. "You've already had to endure enough suffering. You don't need to struggle through more."

She smiled widely at his words; teeth showing as she playfully ruffled the Hero's hair. Now that he no longer wore the hat, the action was something the Princess could do to mildly irritate him, though Link knew it was merely a jest and never let it get on his nerves. Midna pulled her hand away, letting the Hero straighten his bangs as she spoke.

"Let's see how the day is going, shall we?"


It was pleasantly warm in the Twilight Realm. The temperature was nice, staying consistent through all hours of the day. It had taken Link a little while to adapt to the lack of obvious change from day to night, as light in the realm was always the same evening-like glow of Hyrule no matter how many hours passed. Now he was getting used to it though, and had developed a regular sleeping pattern.

In truth the kingdom was quite small, only the size of Faron province at most. The population wasn't very large either, totaling somewhere over a hundred but less than two. Many of the subjects lived on other floating clots of land separate from the palace; the only way of which to travel to was by taking one of the countless see-through glowing platforms that traversed the expanse.

A few Twili were enjoying the day in the open area before the palace, simply basking in the glow of Twilight. They stood in respect when the two approached. Midna waved her hand, signaling for her people to relax.

"Link!" A small native said excitedly, running up to the Hero.

"Aralie!" he replied with open arms, scooping up the child and spinning her in the air before drawing her into an embrace. She giggled happily and Link set her on the ground, crouching before her.

"I've gotten better with the slingshot!" She said, pulling out the toy. The children had quickly taken a liking to Link, curious as to how the world of Light was different from their own. He often told them tales of his times in Hyrule, showing off the items he had gathered and loaning the less dangerous ones to the kids.

"Really? Can you show me?" the Hero asked. She nodded eagerly, the hair of hers that had been pulled to the sides of the girl's face and tied in loose pigtails rapidly bobbed with the action. The child immediately ran off to find pebbles for ammunition. Link stood, watching her go and turning to Midna with a smile.

"You're good with children," she told him. Now that the two were alone they could enjoy the day in peace together. Link stayed silent for a moment, averting his gaze from Midna's and looking to Aralie as she ran around frantically searching for small stones.

"Maybe it's because she reminds me a bit of Colin."

"You mean the boy you saved during the fight over Eldin Bridge?" The Princess questioned, although she knew the answer. In truth the Twili child was closer in age to the strange little boy that had opened up the shop in Kakariko, and later Castle Town.

Link nodded, turning back to the one that had accompanied him through all his battles. By now Midna was sitting on the ground and patting the stone surface next to her, signaling for him to join. The Hero went to the side of the Princess, getting comfortable on the hard terrain.

"You went a bit over the top with the theatrics there," she continued after he had settled. They looked out over the realm, the glow of Twilight calming and peaceful. "Raising the Master Sword in victory. Were you waiting for applause or something? Other than that kid, who was unconscious by the way, I was the only one there. You were aware of that, right?"

Link knew. And that's why he did it.

"You know, you can be pretty childish at times. You don't need to show off. It only makes you look ridiculous."

The tips of the Hero's pointed ears felt hot and he spun to look her in the face.

"I'm not childish!" He denied outright.

"You're just reinforcing my point," Midna hummed in response. Link huffed and flopped onto his back, looking at the serene twilight particles drift above them. The two were silent for a while in the company of the other, Aralie running around a little distance away as she still searched for pebbles to show off her skills.

"Link…" Midna drifted. He turned his head to her. The Princess was watching the child; face not visible from the angle at which the Hero was viewing her from. "Do you… miss Hyrule?"

The question took him by surprise. He propped himself up on his elbows, looking at the choice he had made the day the Mirror shattered. Link was silent for a moment or so, organizing his thoughts. Midna turned, her face now fully visible. The Hero smiled, pushing himself fully upright into a sitting position and then scooting closer until their arms brushed as he looked up to her. Midna's head was titled down a little as their eyes, antithesis of one another, kindly looked into those of the other. Just as Link opened his mouth to speak, Aralie began to cry. The moment between them was interrupted as their sights were drawn to the wailing child.

The two stood, but Midna was faster. She ran to Aralie who lay sprawled in the dirt. The ruler had a deep care and connection with her people. Link considered following her, but he didn't want to infringe on the bond Midna had with her subjects, even though he himself was quite close to them as well. The Hero sighed, looking down as he dragged his foot along one of the many geometric lines in the stone. If kids interrupted romantic moments like this, Link thought that he never wanted to have any of his own. Then again, the Hero still hadn't said anything to Midna about his feelings towards her, and really didn't make any obvious indications either, too nervous and not sure how to go about doing so.

After a few moments of silent thought, Link let his eyes wander, glancing at the small crowd of Twili that hovered around Aralie. Midna held the arm of the child, spitting on a wound to clean it just as she did with his injury. Link's lips curved upward in a smile and he let his sight travel once more. Eventually his gaze settled on where the Mirror had once let people cross between realms, memories of the past adventures with Midna surfacing in his mind.

The smile on his face disappeared just as quickly as the blanket of Twilight had settled over Hyrule. Something was bothering Link, and it had been nagging at the back of his mind for the longest time, easily since not long after they came across the Mirror for the first time.

That something had to do with Zant.


A/N: I just love writing Link and Midna's playful dialog. It's so fun! I have to say that these two are probably the most opposite out of any of Link's companions, but that's one thing that makes them work so well together!