Chapter Two
Zelda paced the main courtyard of the castle anxiously. The sun was setting, but Link was nowhere to be found. She had to stay calm. It would take the messenger she sent a while to get to Link, and then it would take a while for Link to come. But that would only be if he could come the moment he received the letter. She shouldn't worry. Link would come, and her mysterious visitor would explain why she was here.

She sighed and decided to take a walk through the town. Maybe that would calm her nerves some. She started off, nodding to the guards who stood at attention when they saw her. She stopped by the fountain in the center of town. The sun had set, but the town was still bustling. People were returning home, going through the streets like they always had.

Now what? she thought, looking up at the Triforce symbol above the fountain. Will peace be shattered? This fragile peace that's lasted a meager two years? She sighed, looking into the glowing waters of the fountain. Normally she would be optimistic, but today's events were just not proving the peace would last much longer. Hyrule would be flooded with turmoil once again, and she would have to watch her kingdom suffer, while Link, like a one-man army, did his best to restore hope and peace. But this time, she vowed, she would help. She would not be a helpless damsel in need of rescue. Not like last time.

She sat down on the edge of the fountain, trailing her fingers through the water. Oh, what will come of my kingdom?

She sat there, letting the sound of the fountain calm her nerves. Everything was going to be fine, right?

She didn't know how long she sat there, but clopping hoof beats brought her attention elsewhere. She looked up and saw Link leading Epona toward her. Zelda stood.

"I came as soon as I can. What happened?" Link asked with worry in his voice.

"Come," Zelda said. She led Link back to the castle, Link made sure Epona was taken care of by one of the many stable hands in the castle before following Zelda inside, winding through the many hallways. "You might be surprised," Zelda said.

"Exactly what is this about, Princess?" Link asked. Zelda stopped, her hand on the handle of a door. She looked at him with her dark blue eyes, telling him to wait. She motioned for him to be quiet and opened the door.

The room was lightly furnished. A four poster bed sat in one corner opposite a few windows. There was a fireplace, and mantel. Above the fireplace was the seal of the Royal Family of Hyrule. There were a few chairs. That was it.

On the bed lay a Twili, wounded badly. But this wasn't just any Twili. This was Midna. Bandages were wrapped around her middle, and she seemed to be in a lot of pain. Her eyes were closed. Zelda walked over to her. "Midna? Are you awake?"

Midna nodded. "Did you find him?" she asked in a weak voice, her eyes still closed.

"Yes. He's here." Zelda turned and motioned for Link to come closer. Link did so as Midna opened her eyes some. She smiled when she saw Link and slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position.

"Hey there, Hero," she said.

"How'd you get here?" Link asked, pulling up a chair to sit by the bed.

Midna gave him a wry smile. "What kind of greeting is that? I see you for the first time in two years and all you can do is ask how I got here?"

"Fine," Link said, smiling. "Hello, Midna. It's nice to see you."

"Better, Hero." She sighed. "Now I'll tell you why I'm here."

"I asked how, not why?"

"But that was going to be your next question, wasn't it?"

"Perhaps."

Midna waved an impatient hand. "Do you want to hear it or not?" Despite the teasing tone in her voice, the Twilight Princess' question seemed almost desperate.

Link nodded. "Sorry. Go ahead."

Midna studied him for a moment. Then she took a deep, shaking breath. "I came, because I need your help, Link. These past two years have not been as peaceful as I had hoped. I had to deal with Zant's followers. Somehow, a group of Twili got into their heads that Zant was the real ruler of the Twili, which is ridiculous!" The Twilight Princess paused. "Anyway, I fought by the side of those Twili loyal to me, and we managed to get the rebellion down. But they never gave up. Every so often, they'd spark up more fighting, recruiting monsters several times. I wanted to give up, they just didn't seem to get the message. But I didn't. I thought of you, Link, and knew I could stand strong.

"Then yesterday, somehow, he came back. Zant came back, bringing his shadow beasts with him. He attacked me and sent me out of the palace again, telling me I had two days to run before he would hunt me down and...and kill me."

"So Zant is the one who injured you?" Zelda asked.

"Yes. This is his handiwork." Midna gestured to the bandages.

"What did you do after Zant said that?" Link asked.

"I did the first thing that came to mind. I came back here by the Mirror."

"But...the Mirror's broken."

"Link, you know only a true ruler of the Twili can break the Mirror of Twilight completely." Link nodded. Midna had explained that to him when they were looking for the Mirror shards. "The same is true for the reverse," Midna continued. "Only a true ruler of the Twili can fix it. And that's what I did. I fixed it and returned here. But it took a lot out of me. I couldn't leave the Mirror Chamber until this morning. I went to Ordon first, thinking that you would be there. But I only saw that girl, Ilia, and she didn't do much but stare at me and then leave."

"She was going to get me," Link said. "You should have stayed there."

"I didn't know." Midna gave him a mock glare. "But anyway, I warped to Castle Town, and then Zelda found me." The Twilight Princess seemed close to tears now, and Link was shocked. He had never seen her like this. "Link, you have to help," Midna said. "You're the only one who can. He's coming to find me. I left the Mirror together and he'll know I've come here. I...I don't know where else to turn."

"Hey," Link said, interrupting her. "Listen. I'll help you out, okay? I'll make sure Zant doesn't get you."

Midna nodded, wiping the tears from her eyes. Link hesitated, wanting to embrace his friend, to hold her close and make sure she knew she was not alone in this.

But he knew he couldn't. She was from the Twilight Realm, he was from Hyrule. She was a princess, he was just a lowly goat-herder.

After a moment and some deep breaths, Midna calmed down. "I'm sorry...I just..."

"Don't worry," Zelda said. "We'll take care of it. Right, Link?"

Link nodded. "Yeah. You just take it easy and recover from what Zant did to you."

Midna smiled her thanks and Link stood. "Wait," Midna said. She gave Link a grin. "Happy birthday, Hero," she said.

Link grinned. "Thanks, Midna," he said. He and Zelda left to room so the Twilight Princess could rest.


"Isn't the rain peaceful?" Midna asked, looking out the window of one of the more private sitting rooms in the castle. The Twilight Princess had gotten bored as soon as morning came, so Zelda told her that she could use the nearby sitting room.

"Not when you have to watch the goats," Link replied from his place next to Midna at the window.

"Sure it is."

"I'm serious. You get all wet and cold and the rain makes the goats smell so bad you can barely breathe."

"Ah, the tough life of a goat-herder," Midna teased, laughing.

Link rolled his eyes. "That's why I chose the even tougher life of the Hero."

"Last time I checked, you didn't choose to be the Hero, someone else did for you."

"Well, I did have a life before I met you." Link grinned. "Maybe I was already a Hero."

Midna glanced at him, a teasing look in her orange eyes. "Yeah: a hero of the stinky goats."

Link glared teasingly at the Twilight Princess, but she merely laughed, turning back to the window. Link watched her, worried. "Should you be standing so long?" he asked. Midna rolled her eyes.

"Link, I'm fine," she said, giving him a soft smile. Link nodded, returning his gaze back out the window. They were silent, enjoying each other's company.

It seemed like a long while before Zelda burst into the room, looking worried. "Zant's marching toward the castle," she said. "He's got his whole army of shadow beasts with him."

"I knew he would find me," Midna said, that strange tone of despair appearing in her voice. "I've put you all in danger."

"I laugh in the face of danger," Link stated boldly. "Stay here. We'll keep him out of the castle."

Midna nodded. Link and Zelda dashed out of the room, hurrying to the main courtyard where, already, Zant's shadow beasts were charging at some brave soldiers guarding the entrance to the castle. Link drew his sword and stepped out to join the soldiers in the drizzling rain. Zelda stood under the protection of what could be called the castle's covered porch with a few other archers, who all fired arrows at any exposed monster.

Within a minute, the monster's forces were thinning. The soldiers and Link all fought harder, seeing the scales tipping in their favor. But suddenly, the monsters stopped fighting, backing off. Link motioned for the rest of the soldiers to stand their ground. His blond hair was plastered to his forehead, his tunic soaked through.

The shadow beasts parted, letting a tall, thin figure through. Link gripped his sword tighter. He hadn't believed it until now. But it was true. Zant really was back. He and the soldiers moved to Zelda's side, drenched from their fight in the rain. He studied his enemy. Zant looked the same: he had the same helmet-mask combo, and the same strange black, gray, and green outfit and metal shoes. He held two curved daggers, one in each hand.

"What do you want, Zant?" Zelda asked, her strong voice carrying across the courtyard. The evil Twili stopped, supposedly glaring through his creepy mask, but it was hard to tell.

"You know perfectly well what I want, Zelda of Hyrule," Zant replied. His voice had a metallic resonance to it from the helmet, but the tone in his voice let all know the villain was still insane...and proud of it.

Link raised his sword, ready to defend the Princess if the villain attacked. "What, you want the kingdom?" he asked. "Sorry, but that's off limits."

"Silence, whelp!" Zant shouted, storming forward. Link pointed his sword at him and he stopped. The pinging of the rain of Zant's mask and the soldiers' armor emphasized the silence. "Just tell me what I want and I will leave your pathetic kingdom alone."

"And what might that be?" Zelda asked, using a mockingly diplomatic tone. She knew the answer already, however, but feigned ignorance.

"Where is the Twilight Princess?"

"Do you honestly believe we would betray our friend?" Link demanded.

Zant gave a hollow laugh. "If you do not tell me, I will make sure your kingdom burns to the ground."

"Over my dead body," Link retorted, charging forward. He swung is sword but Zant blocked with one of his daggers. The two pushed against each other for a moment. Then Zant brought his other dagger forward. Link backed away, blocking the blow on his shield.

Zelda wasn't sure how it happened, but Link suddenly dropped to his knees, his shape changing before her very eyes. Soon, he was a wolf. He staggered and fell. Zelda pulled her bow back, pointing a light arrow at Zant, who only gave a vile laugh. "Now, Zelda," he said. "Where is the Twilight Princess?"

"If I knew, I wouldn't tell you anyway," Zelda replied, keeping the arrow pointed at Zant. The tip glowed with light.

"I will give you twenty-four hours to hand over the Twilight Princess," Zant said harshly. He glanced at Link, who was staggering to his wolfy paws. "Choose, wisely, Zelda, or you will never see your Hero again."

Link realized too late what this meant. The Hero jumped at the Twili with a ferocious bark. Zant raised his hand and warped Link away mid-jump. He gave Zelda a pointed look and warped away himself, leaving the Princess of Hyrule and her soldiers in the drenching rain.


Author's note: I'm going to settle into a routine with updating this story since I'm nearly done with writing it. I'll be updating it every Monday and Friday. Also, thanks to RheaTheWingedWhiteWolf and Lovingyourillusion for the great reveiws for the previous chapter. Thanks for reading!