Chapter 2

Sareth

"Did you see the pain in their eyes?" It was the first Midna had spoken since she and Link had left public scrutiny.

"I saw."

The pair now sat in the cool darkness of the Council chamber. Midna felt mocked by fate. Nothing that mattered most to her would ever be the same. Everything tactically important to a ruler – infrastructure, buildings, fortifications; all were intact except for minute, superficial scars. But the hearts and spirit of her people had been broken. In the overcrowded hospital she had aided what healing she could, but quickly discovered that even her deep magic was not capable of miracles; the extent of injuries was horrific, and the emotional devastation even worse.

"They expected me to wave my hand and set everything right."

"You aren't a goddess. That's impossible."

"Not in my eyes. I thought I was omnipotent."

"You did everything you could. No one can ask anything more from you."

"That's not true," she said edgily. "They can. They will hold me responsible once they know how this all came to be."

"They cannot blame you for Ganondorf's evildoing."

"I could have undone the curse," she snarled, more to herself than to him. "But instead I slew him and ripped it apart."

"You killed him quickly to protect me, and to protect Princess Zelda," he countered. "You did what you had to do. Each of us could have done a hundred things differently."

"It is not that simple," she snapped. "Look at the chaos wrought from my lack of judgment! I could have saved you easily without killing him outright, but I did it anyway."

"If you'd hesitated, he might have escaped."

"Stop speculating!" She slammed her fist on the table and her eyes burned into him. "You have no idea what they are feeling. You've never known the agony of losing a family! You never had one to lose!"

"Ahem..." A shadow detached itself from the arched doorway and Sareth stepped into the room. "I hope I am not interrupting..."

"No, not at all." Midna made a minimal effort to compose herself. "Thank you for coming. I know you must be swamped with making up for my absence."

"Not to worry. All is in order - or at least, as best as one could hope for in the current climate." He settled into the chair opposite Midna. "Word travels quickly, Princess. I have heard you possess a much greater magic than when this all began."

"It is true," she replied heavily.

"Wherever did you acquire it?"

"I didn't acquire it. I inherited it." She stood slowly and stretched her hand over the table. Her golden spear lanced from nothingness, filling the chamber with its otherworldly light. It cast all their faces in sharp relief.

A moment of awed silence passed before Sareth breathed in awe, "At long last…" His eyes fixed on the weapon. "You have come into your throne."

"At long last." She let the spear melt into the shadows and sank back into her chair. "Though I cannot understand why the Spirits continue to put faith in me."

"Never mind that." The councilor leaned forward, fingers splayed on the table. "Start at the beginning. Tell me everything."

By the end of the retelling, Midna was exhausted. Sareth was a meditative listener, savoring every detail, and the expression he now wore was all too familiar to the princess. It said: I now have a thousand carefully crafted questions for you to answer before you may go to bed.

"Five days," he murmured. "The end of our exile is but five days away."

"That is the arrangement I made with Zelda, yes."

"How can you be certain it is not a trap?"

"I would trust Zelda with my life." Midna had expected him to be leery. "Her soul has lived within me; I have seen and felt her heart. She would die before she betrayed me."

"Hm. You'll forgive me, but I cannot be so sure. Even if this Princess Zelda is not hostile to you, do not assume all her subjects will follow suit."

"Not all, of course not. But the vast majority will."

"What say you, Hero?"

The question caught Link off guard. He had been silent throughout most of the tale, and wasn't prepared to suddenly comment on Zelda's merits. "Princess Zelda is renowned for her wisdom and kindness," he said. "I've never met anyone in my land who does not trust her completely. She shares Midna's desire for our realms to meet. Her wishes will be followed."

"The two of you are of one mind, I see," Sareth said thoughtfully. "Tell me, Hero: what do you plan to do now?"

"What do I… plan to do?"

"Yes!" Sareth spread his hands and smiled. "Your quest is complete! Whatever will you do with your time and fame?"

Link felt his face grow hot and looked at Midna, not daring to give the true answer himself.

"That is perhaps the most momentous news I have for you," Midna filled in. "Upon establishing a more formal treaty, the bond between Light and Shadow must be solidified. In that interest… the Hero and I shall be married."

Sareth blinked, and the atmosphere in the Council chamber immediately and tangibly chilled. "It is my opinion," he said after a long pause, "that you have not considered this carefully enough, Princess."

"It is my opinion that I have. Marriage across borders is ancient custom in both realms. No one else is more worthy. And after all this…" She glanced at Link. "…I've even come to like him a bit."

Another few tense beats passed. "Of course, you have weighed the benefits. With all your heart." He smiled mechanically and stood. "It is exciting news indeed. For the moment, however, I can see we are all growing tired. I have already taken more of your time than necessary by demanding to hear of your journey. Let us retire so we may all begin fresh tomorrow."

She conceded. "That would be best for everyone. I appreciate it, Sareth."

He nodded to Link and bowed. "Goodnight, Princess."
"Goodnight."

The doors closed behind the councilor and Midna was alone with Link. She looked over to find him already watching her. "I apologize for my outburst earlier," she murmured.

"It's all right. I understand. You're right, I've never had a real family. But I've lost people I cared for, back in Ordon. And I know how it felt to believe I'd lost you."

Her lips parted, but she didn't speak right away. She had not considered that at all. "Remember those moments I warned you of, when I would say things I didn't mean?"

"Was this one?"

"Unfortunately." She could tell from his eyes that he wasn't angry with her. "Thank you for sitting through the meeting with me. I am glad you are here."

"Did you think I would leave you alone?" He smiled. "Though I have the impression that is what Sareth wishes I would do."

Midna smirked. "Do not worry about him. He takes his time warming up to people, and does not trust freely. That's really the reason I, not Zant, succeeded him.

"Why did you say he was 'essentially' king?"

"He was regent, in place of my father. I suppose I did promise to explain all this, didn't I?" She rose and stepped closer to him, offering her hand. "Come. I will show you my room. We can talk more privately there." She envisioned her boudoir, and in a rush of magic they left the Council chamber silent and empty.