Chapter II: Reunited

Link awoke, forcing himself to get up and start the day. In reality, he wanted nothing more than to sleep through the day, but he had other responsibilities that far outweighed his emotional turmoil. He got dressed in his tunic and climbed down the ladder that led to the rest of Ordon Village. Time to get to work…he thought.

The Twilight Princess meanwhile was practicing her own duties, mostly involving the much needed reconstruction of the realm. She looked out the window, sighing. It had only been a week since her departure from the realm of light, but she was now facing her deepest regret. If only I had thought this through thought Midna as she began to reminisce about her past adventures…

With a swift stab, Link had brought down Argorok. The giant bird had exploded into a dissipating cloud of twilit particles. Where it once stood, the final Mirror Shard appeared. Midna came out of Link's shadow and floated over to it. She then magically stored it into the place where Link's entire inventory was kept and turned to face the hero. Link waited for some witty phrase, but he was surprised to see Midna applauding. She then said "Well done, hero. Well done indeed!"

Link then replied "Thanks." Midna thought it was cute how he replied with short answers instead of replying with long, unnecessary monologues. He then said slowly "Guess this means that we have all we need to vanquish Zant."

Midna nodded her head in confirmation. She was about to turn around to start the portal back to Hyrule when she looked into Link's eyes; she saw fear and doubt. She wrapped her arm around his neck and asked "Why the long face, hero?"

Link looked up and softly spoke "What if I'm not good enough to stop him, Midna? What if I end up letting you down?"

Midna thought over her response very carefully, mulling over what words would give him the confidence he needed to charge in and take down Zant. She then spoke "Hero, you've taken down every enemy we've faced, solved every puzzle every dungeon has presented us, and knocked down every obstacle that was in our way. I admit that when we first met I didn't think you had much skill, but after seeing you overcome all that you have, I have absolute faith in your skills!"

Link smiled and replied "Thanks Midna."

Midna grinned and said "Good. Now let's get going!" She then created the portal and hid in Link's shadow. As he walked in the portal, Midna thought to herself I only hope you can forgive me for what will happen after this crisis is over.

Midna smiled sadly, and then went back to her paperwork.

Link walked to the spring near Ordon Village, trying to relax after work. He sat on the grass looking up to the sky; it was twilight, a painful reminder of his past. He stood up and turned to go home when he saw a dark, purple portal open right in front of him. Link's blue eyes widened at the sight of it; it seemed to be a portal to the Twilight Realm itself. Curiosity overcoming reason, he walked into the portal. He felt his body being dissolved into particles preparing to go through the portal, but rather than resist it he embraced it, letting the portal carry him to the Twilight Realm like a river carries water.

Once he had reformed, he slowly walked forward getting a good look at his surroundings. Instead of seeing the Ordon spring, he saw a twilit sky and a large black palace. He then began to make his way to the palace, hoping for all his life was worth that Midna was in there.

Finished with her paperwork for the day, Midna walked to her room, exhausted from all the work the day gave her. She sat on her bed, trying to relax when a soft voice murmured "I found you".

Midna's eyes widened at the all-too familiar voice and she looked up to see Link standing by the entrance, his eyes soft and caring, looking at her. She stood up and walked over to him, disbelief fresh in her mind. She laid her hand on his cheek, as if to see if he was real. Once she was certain he was real, she threw her arms around him, and he in turn stroked her orange hair. They then looked at each other with different questions running through their minds. It seemed they had much to talk about.