Theme Two: Dying

"Oh my son, Kage, do not tremble at the dark." Midna cooed. She rocked the little bundle she was holding back and fourth, sitting on her bed. Link's sleeping form lay inches away.

"Is he awake again?" He asked, opening his eyes groggily and sitting up. Midna sighed and nodded tiredly.

"Third time tonight. I wonder what's rousing him." Midna said, slipping under the covers with the baby between the two. Link smiled and rubbed her arm softly.

"Happens sometimes…" He mumbled, leaning over and kissing her passionately on the lips. She smiled and raised an eyebrow.

"Sometimes?" Link rolled his eyes.

"You now what I mean." He mumbled.

"Let's hope it's not every night though… like it has been." Midna replied, closing her eyes. They lay there for a minute, hoping Kage would finally fall asleep. The poor Hero and Princess had hardly gotten any sleep since Kage was born, about a month ago.

He had his mother's hair and his father's eyes. They, also like his father's, were utterly mesmerizing.

Suddenly, there was a loud crash and a ground splitting explosion that vibrated through the entire Twilight Castle. Kage began crying again and Link shot up, eyes darting around. Midna grabbed the baby and threw her covers off.

"Link? What was that?" She asked through the screams. "Shh…" She said to the baby. Link got up and looked out the window, his white hair glowing in the Twilight that complimented blue tinted skin. He gasped and grabbed Midna's free arm.

"We need to get out of here!" He cried, racing for the door. They shot into the hallway, immediately running into Midna's brother, Elrick, who was about to come get them.

"Elrick!" Link said. Midna clutched Kage and looked around. "What's happened?"

"The Castle is under attack! They're looking for you!" He said quickly. Link and Midna looked at each other and frowned.

"Who is it?" Midna asked.

"We don't know. They're all wearing black cloaks. We need to get you and your baby out of here!" At that moment, a hooded figure ran around the corner and threw themselves at the couple and Elrick. They yelped and took off down the hall, Elrick close behind. Kage's crying echoed down the hall, the sound bouncing off the ebon walls.

Dashing outside, Midna and Link immediately turned to the left towards where the Mirror of Twilight used to rest. The cloaked figure was far behind them and they slowed down a bit.

"Midna look!" Link gasped. "The Mirror!" She turned and gazed at it momentarily, her eyes wide.

"Since when… was the… the Mirror fixed?" Elrick panted. Link looked around at the various fights that were occurring.

"They must have come through the mirror!" He said. "AGH!" He cried, reaching for his shoulder. There was an arrow protruding from his back.

"Link!" Midna cried. He shook his head and snapped the shaft, leaving the arrowhead in his flesh.

"Fix it later! Get to the Mirror!" He shouted.

"What? That's suicide!" Elrick cried. Link ignored him and grabbed Midna's arm.

She noticed his movements were becoming sluggish as they neared the portal. "Link?" She asked.

"GO!" He shouted through gritted teeth. Midna grabbed his hand and pulled him the rest of the way, her brother holding Kage.

"They're getting away!" Someone shouted. The Twilight Princess dragged Link through the portal. They landed in the Mirror Chamber, and Link immediately collapsed. Elrick appeared next to them.

"Link!" Midna cried. He groaned and looked at her for a moment. "Link…"

"It's the arrow." Elrick said. "It's poisoned." Midna sucked her breath in.

"Link… don't die on me now! Please…"

"Midna… get… Zelda." He said slowly, his voice barely a whisper.

"I'm already here…" a voice said. Zelda walked into the clearing, her hood over her head. "I heard about what happened."

"Zelda! Help!" Midna cried. She walked over and placed a hand on Link's forehead.

"He's dying, and there's only one way to save him." Midna looked at the Princess of Hyrule and frowned.

"How?"

"Your son, he kept you awake last night?" Midna nodded. "He knew something would happen. Twilian powers are the only thing keeping Link alive. We need to keep him in a deep sleep until the poison is out of his system. If we don't, you'll die too." Midna sustained a gasp and looked at Link.

"Somewhere safe…" She mumbled. "The temple of time? In the Past?" Zelda nodded.

"Teleport us there, and I'll take you to the past."

"W-what about… Kage?" Link asked softly. Zelda closed her eyes.

"Elrick will raise him here."

He widened his eyes and looked at the newborn. "What?" Midna closed her eyes.

"Alright…" a tear slipped down her face. "If it will save my family." Zelda nodded.

Elrick looked around. He didn't know how to raise a child, but…

Link and Midna were dying…