Link stares at the starry sky, deep in thought. Midna and Zelda are asleep in their tents, but he can't shake the uneasy feeling that they're being watched, so he stays up to guard the camp. He's tired, but his mind is far too occupied to let him sleep.

The wind howls through the Mirror Chamber, and Link shivers and inches closer to the fire. Suddenly, there is a rustling sound behind him, and Link is on his feet in an instant, the Ordon sword he retrieved from his home drawn and ready.

"Easy, Link!" Midna says, startled. "It's just me!"

"Oh." Link sheaths his sword and lets out a breath, sitting down on the ground again. "Sorry. I'm on edge tonight."

"I can tell," Midna observes, sitting beside him. The way she moves is full of grace and confidence, and Link finds it hard not to look away. Her voice is soft and gentle when she says, "You should really rest. Let me take watch. I can't sleep anyway."

"That makes two of us, then."

Midna rests her chin on her knees and stares at the fire, a sad look in her eyes. Link flops down on his back, folding his arms behind his head and staring at the sky. His eyes drift over to look at her, then quickly dart away when she sees him watching her. It has been two weeks now, but he still can't work up the courage to tell her how he feels. It seems that every time the words are on his tongue, his stubborn lips stay closed, like a ten-year-old village boy crushing on a girl. For some reason, saying three simple words seems harder than facing the Dark Lord.

"Hey, Link?" Midna says softly. "Do you…like Illia?"

Link raises his eyebrows. "Like her? She's my best friend…"

"I mean…" she bites her lips and lowers her eyes, looking beautiful even when she's completely confusing him. "Wouldyoumarryher?" Midna blurts quickly, all in one line.

"Marry her?" Link chokes, then coughs and laughs quietly, keeping his voice down for Zelda's benefit. "No. I don't think so. She's pretty, and I've known her for a long time, but I don't like her in that way. Why?"

"What about Zelda?"

"Zelda? No, I wouldn't marry Zelda. Why are you asking me this?"

Midna giggles as if she's relieved and lies down next to him on her back, their hands only an inch from touching. "I just want to know who you'll get hitched with when I return to the Twilight Realm."

But Link knows her well enough to hear the unevenness in her voice, the trace of sadness lingering underneath her teasing tone. And suddenly, everything seems right, and the words that have been stuck inside him come pouring out. He sits up and grabs her hand, holding it tightly, and she pushes herself up on one arm with a confused sound, a blush spreading across her cheeks.

"Midna, I don't want to be with Zelda or Illia. I don't want to marry a Hylian girl at all. I want the Twili girl who stayed by my side through all of this. The only one I really want…is you."

Midna stares at him, her lips parted slightly. "Link, I…"

"Midna," he whispers. "I love you."