Chapter 4

Mourning Colors

Midna woke to the silver sound of a chime beside her bed. Her hand drifted automatically to the little obsidian clock and gave it a tap to silence it. A few more moments of peace, and the deep, distant bell of the city time tower forbade her to drift back to sleep. It was the sixth hour of morning. Not nearly enough sleep to be prepared for what the day would hold. She forced her eyes open and slipped out of bed with barely a rustle of silk. A glance back told her Link was still soundly asleep. Good. At least one of us will feel refreshed.

She pulled a thin shirt over her shoulders and soundlessly opened an indistinguishable sliding door. A short climb up the hidden spiral staircase and through another, thicker door, and she emerged onto her private veranda. Set perfectly into the tower itself, the ledge was hidden from the view of those below, affording complete solitude to observe the spectacle of the city, the sky, and the realm beyond. Several rich cushions were situated around a low, round table; Midna settled herself onto one and folded her bare legs beneath her. She closed her eyes and let the warm breeze wash over her.

Perhaps she slept. She wasn't certain. But a presence beside her brought her back to awareness.

"Good morning, Princess."

Oh, how I wish you would simply use my name. She looked over into the icy blue eyes, bigger and less wild than Link's. Kiri set a tray upon the table: a teapot and two cups, all of the same black cast iron, were arranged tastefully along with a plate of little cakes filled with mola – an exquisite, sunset-orange jam fermented from the fruit of a rare vine.

"I've brought your favorite."

"Kiri…" Midna felt shamefully spoiled, but her mouth watered all the same. "I shouldn't indulge so at a time like this."

"Indulge? Have you eaten at all since you returned?"

"I… No." She had not even entertained the thought of food before now.

"Neglecting yourself will help no one," said Kiri gently. "And it isn't as though you asked for them. Think of them as a welcome-home gift from me."

"Thank you," Midna said. "You must have had to smuggle them past the cooks. I know how they hoard their delicacies for all the foolish state dinners." She winced then. "I did not even ask – what has become of the palace staff? I saw so few last night…"

"Master Sareth ensured the excitement of your arrival did not follow you into the palace," Kiri replied. "He allowed anyone to remain in their quarters whose duties were not imperative. Most of us were fortunate after the reawakening; there was little suffering here. But… a few are no longer with us." She blinked quickly. "Umi…"

"No!" Midna's heart sank. Kiri could not count many as true friends. Sweet as she was, her close relationship with Midna and subsequent ascension from common servant girl to the princess' handmaiden had fostered undue hostility from those who decried her illegitimate birth. Precious were the ones who had not turned their backs on her. "Why didn't you tell me last night? Link could have waited if I knew you needed someone."

Kiri wiped her eyes futilely. "It was late, and you needed your rest, and I would never try to demand you attend to me before the Hero. Matron Nebiyen already says I have too many childish emotions to serve you properly…"

"Serve me properly? What nonsense." Midna gathered Kiri against her and spoke softly as the younger girl cried. "You are no servant and no child. We are like family, no matter what anyone may say – especially Matron Nebiyen. You know my opinion of her." She felt Kiri hiccup through her tears, remembering the nights together in Midna's room talking and laughing and escaping reality. "I will always have time for you when you need me. Do not worry about offending Link. He is noble. Reckless at times, but with a greater sense of chivalry than many of our own people. He by no means expects my undivided attention." She let a few moments pass between them as Kiri slowly calmed. "I am sorry for Umi. I would give anything to bring her back to us, along with all the others who have died so senselessly."

"I know you would," Kiri whispered. "I will miss her terribly, but... it eases the hurt to know I still have you."

"You will always have me, little sister."

They sat together in silence for a while, watching clouds drift easily across the fiery sky. A bird wheeled in the distance, its melancholy cry floating to them on the wind.

"I would still very much like to hear of your journey."

"Very well." Midna leaned forward and set the plate of mola cakes between them. They could both use the indulgence.

Telling the tale was easier with Kiri as the only audience. Gone were the pressures of Zelda transcribing every word and of Sareth's needling questions. As the quest wove through the fields, lakes, and clouds of Hyrule, Midna came to fully appreciate how fortunate she and Link were to be alive. She had not quite taken notice before of exactly how many times she'd thought This is the end. This is where I die. "And yet here I am."

"You've lived a legend," breathed a wide-eyed Kiri. "It doesn't seem real. You spoke with the Shadow Spirits. You were in their presence! Your reign will be the greatest our realm has ever known!"

Midna scoffed. "I hardly think so. But thank you for the faith."

"I mean it! Before long, we will all see the Light realm just as you have."

"A lot must fall into place before then. Zelda's people must agree; our people must agree – our people, who trust me far less than the Light-dwellers trust Zelda; I must avoid fumbling the treaty that must be drafted…"

"You will succeed; I know it. I can feel it!"

"You are certainly enthusiastic. I haven't seen you so excited in a long time."

"Of course I am excited. Your name will be immortal!"

"Yes, but in fame or infamy?"

"I wish you would not doubt yourself so. You're wonderful, my Lady."

"Kiri, how many times must I tell you? You need not address me so formally."

"Oh. I'm sorry. It is only force of habit."

"Habit reinforced by everyone else, I know." She sighed and prepared to finish the story with the night at Telma's tavern, but was interrupted by the time tower tolling the ninth hour. She could not ignore duty any longer. "Thank you for this morning. I needed it more than you know."

"As did I. I feel so much more at peace."

"I'm glad. I hoped you would." Midna rose slowly. "Let us see if the great Hero has managed to escape from sleep."

Sliding the wall panel silently open and stepping back into her shadowy room, Midna glimpsed Link sitting confusedly on the bed. "Well. Good morning."

He turned and stood up. "Good morning! Hello, Kiritsana." (Kiri blushed at the use of her full name.) Link looked down at his rumpled appearance. "I'm sorry I slept so late. Or is it late? I do not understand the symbols on the clock."

"I'll have to teach you. The day is getting on a bit, but I understand. There was no dawn to wake you, nor one of those awful, warbling birds. What were they called?"

"Cuccos?"

"Yes, those. I do not miss them. At any rate, it's all right. It allowed us time to talk." Midna shared a glance with Kiri. "Unfortunately, it is soon time to face the day." She inspected him. "You need new clothes."

"I will fetch some," Kiri offered, avoiding Link's eyes.

"Thank you," said Midna. "If it isn't too much trouble."

"Not at all. I will pass the laundry on my way back from returning this." She shifted the tea tray in her hands. "Perhaps they will have something to spare. I will be only a few minutes."

"There is no rush." When the door closed behind Kiri, Midna glided to Link and, before he could speak, kissed him deeply. "Now I've wished you a proper good morning." He looked surprised as the first time he'd seen her after the breaking of the curse. Her eyes glinted mischievously. "I love leaving you speechless."

"It's very easy for you."

"I get that impression." She teased his bangs. "Come on. You must look presentable too. You can use my bath for now." She led him into the smaller room and showed him what to do with the various pearlescent dials that she assumed would also be alien to him. Confident he would not cause a flood, she left him alone and went to her wardrobe, rifling through clothing with her mind miles elsewhere: who must be seen today, whose demands placated, who directed… ministers and governors of surrounding cities and villages summoned… visiting the hospital… She shuddered. The hospital.

The door opened and shut and Kiri was by her side. "Will these be all right?" She held up pants and a tunic, the simple black of typical servants' dress. But the cloak over her other arm was clearly that of a nobleman.

"Where did you find this?"

"The attendant said it had been lying around forever, so I brought it along."

"Everything is quite all right for now; thank you," said Midna. "What would I do without you?"

Kiri went to lay the clothes on the bed. She heard running water and realized with embarrassment where Link must be. When Midna came up beside her Kiri cleared her throat tentatively. "Princess… if I may be shamefully bold…"

"Yes?"

"You are so open with the Hero. You've shared a bed, and now a bath. Some husbands and wives are not even as close. It is not my place to ask, but… what is the nature of your relationship?"

"Ah. I meant to explain before." She sat and told Kiri of the first spoken admission of love between Link and herself, and of the night at the inn.

Kiri looked afraid. "Forgive me, Princess. I do not mean to cast judgment. I only… only because…"

"I know the consequences should this be discovered. I am grateful for your concern. But I assure you, I would bed no one for whom I felt nothing; and for Link, I feel everything." She smiled slightly. "As soon as times are less turbulent, we will be married."

Seeing that Midna was unoffended, excitement spread across Kiri's face. "You mean it? Wonderful! Oh, how extraordinary to marry one of the Light! Have you begun planning? When will you make the announcement?"

"Not for some time; relax," Midna chuckled. "There are more important matters right now. You are only the second to know. Sareth forced it out of me."

Kiri blanched. "Does he also know…?"

"No, and I pray he never does." The tongue-lashing would be historic.

"Was he supportive of the engagement?"

"He was reserved as always." Midna knew her face would reveal the truth. No. Sareth had been quite opposed to the idea.

"Well, I am happy for you." Kiri hugged her quickly. "This is splendid news! Perhaps you should not wait long. A royal wedding could restore joy and hope to those who have lost it."

"Thank you, little sister. I will consider what you've said. You may be right. You often are."

When Kiri left, Midna stood alone for several minutes with her thoughts. The fact that she had arranged her own engagement was already unorthodox; and despite Link's favorable reception and role in Twili legend, he was still of the Light. Sareth's vehement disapproval made Midna fear that others would be of the same mind. Perhaps many would be. The duel with Zant seemed a million years in the past, but Midna remembered clearly what had been said.

"But you do love him. And you would surrender your throne and forsake your

entire realm to be with him."

"See for yourself, if you are so proud of your powers."

"Admit or deny it! He means more to you than your duties to your own people."

"He does."

"Then you do not deserve to rule."

The enormity of the choice fell onto Midna. Once made public, this could not be taken back. Kiri was right; her name would be immortal. But in fame or infamy? she thought again to herself. The next few months would decide.

Wishing suddenly for Zelda's wisdom, or for her father's indestructible popularity – or both – Midna got up quickly and returned to the open wardrobe. She shed her shirt and nightgown in exchange for a robe and cloak she'd only worn a handful of times. Thin, red patterns stood out starkly against pure white. When she'd settled the cloak on her shoulders, she fetched Link and waited for him to dress and emerge from the bath, wearing the clothes Kiri had brought. He looked very different – more striking, she thought. "I like the change."

He grinned and observed her robes. "I like yours as well."

She shook her head. "Thank you, but you are not supposed to. To us, these are mourning colors."

"Mourning?" He pulled on his boots and buckled his sword belt. "For those lost?"

Midna nodded slowly, getting up and leading him to the door. "For everything."