Author's Notes: Thanks to all my reviewers and all the people who favorited or are watching this story. My new laptop has a writing program finally, but fanfiction doesn't accept documents from the program. And I found this out after I completely typed this chapter up. And my old computer's writing program won't accept things from the new writing program, so I had to retype it. This took some times and I couldn't get my ideas out right. Sorry for the long wait, but here is the next chapter!

Disclamer: I don't own any Zelda characters, places, etc. Nintendo does.

Chapter 4: Painful Memories

Midna opened her eyes, a bit saddened by the memories. Is this what Galathron meant by unite? To come together by marriage and then use the mirror to get into the Light World? Well he'll soon find out the mirror is shattered… I wish Link was here…

A knock on the door interupted Midna's silent thinking. She didn't even look at the door, guessing that it was either Galathron or a guard with food. The knock came again. Sighing Midna looked over at them,

"If it's Galathron, go away! If it's a guard bringing food, you might as well leave since I'm not eating," shouted Midna.

"What if it's me?" A quiet voice said.

Midna turned around. Her eyes narrowed into slits. In front of the door stood the Twili she now hated almost as much as Galathron and Zant.

"Go away!" The princess said in a harsh voice. She knew it was no time to be polite and cover her feelings.

Griff looked at Midna with slightly hurt eyes, but he stood his ground,

"I'm sorry Your Majesty… I'll explain everything later, but right now I have a plan to help you."

Midna stared at Griff, not knowing whether to trust him, or think he was a deciever. Her mind settled on the latter. She wasn't about to trust someone who had been evil moments before. Even if his markings were green again.

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Link rode into Ordon on his horse, Epona. None of the happiness with homecoming was in him. He was still saddened by Midna's departure. I should pretend to be happy… Unless I want people to ask…Link forced a smile on to his face.

"Hey everybody! Link's back!" Talo shouted in joy.

The kids came running up immediately. They hadn't changed much. Talo, Beth, and Malo crowded around him. Ilia and Colin soon came as well as all the adults of Ordon. All of them were smiling and laughing.

"Show us more of your swordfighting tricks, Link!" Talo shouted.

"Probably hasn't learned anything new," muttered Malo.

Link ignored Malo as he looked over the village he had missed while adventuring. He had always expected coming home would bring him laughter and joy. It seemed like everyone, but him was in a good mood. The adults were already rushing to prepare a feast while Ilia was examing Epona. Colin was staring at Link as if he knew something was amiss with him.

Link climbed off Epona and let Ilia take the reins. Ilia leaned over to him and whispered in his ear.

"Come to the spring when you're done with the kids."

Link nodded his head before turning to the kids. Talo and Beth were looking at him with admiration though Link noticed Beth holding Colin's hand now.

"Please. Show us one move." Talo begged. "Come on Link. Just one. You can use it on that old scarecrow." He pointed at the old scarecrow, which hadn't changed much.

"Alright, alright." Link held his hands up in defeat before drawing his sword. "I'll show you… Back slice."

Link focused on the scarecrow, pretending it was one of many enemies he had encountered. He jumped left twice before rolling on to the ground. His sword came up to slash at the scarecrow, leaving a cut in the already beaten scarecrow.

"Awesome!" Talo shouted.

"Eh… It was alright I guess," Malo shrugged despite the admiration that filled him at that moment.

Beth grinned as well and clapped,

"Great job Link!"

Link smiled though pools of sadness filled his eyes. No one noticed. That is, no one, but Colin. The little boy looked carefully at Link, noting to make sure to talk with him sometime.

"Show us another. Show us another." All the kids, but Colin continued chanting.

Link shook his head.

"Maybe after I talk with Ilia… If you all be good," Link grinned.

"Linkie has himself a girlfriend," teased Malo.

Link's eyes narrowed for a second before going back to normal. I only wish the girl I love was here… Or that I was with her..

"Ilia isn't my girlfriend… I'll be back." Link strode off, not caring if Malo continued teasing or not. Link doubted he would though since it wouldn't be as fun with Link gone.

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Ilia was running a brush down Epona's thigh when she heard the sound of twigs breaking. The girl turned around and smiled as Link came closer.

"So you finally got away from those kids?" Ilia was talking in a quiet voice as she went back to grooming Epona.

"Yeah, but I said I'd be back. To show them more of the tricks I know." Link was talking in a calm voice, trying to keep his sadness of Midna's departure away from his mind.

Ilia nodded her head before looking closely at Epona's thigh. A cut was running down the horse's thigh. She looked over at Link and pointed at the cut.

"How did this happen?" She said in an angered voice.

"Well… I was fighting Ganondorf. He's a dark lord and his sword must have missed me and cut Epona. I'm really-" Link was talking in a fast voice before Illia stopped him.

"I'll let you off this one time. Only because it was a battle. Next time though." She looked at him sternly.

Link sighed in relief before forcing a small smile,

"It wouldn't be you without lecturing on the importance of treating horses right. Or making sure they didn't get injured." Link said, making sure to cover all sadness and act like himself.

"Despite saving Hyrule, you haven't changed much have you." Ilia looked over Link, "Well at least in the inside."

"No. I suppose I haven't changed." Link shrugged though his mind thought differently. I felt love… Love for a girl in the way I wanted to marry her… That's something I hadn't felt before.

Ilia smiled before looking at Link with a serious expression.

"Don't leave again. Life is better when everyone is where they are supposed to be, isn't it?"

Link paused. Does that mean me and Midna could never be together even if the mirror hadn't broken? Because we belong in different places? Her as the ruler of the Twilight and me here in Ordon… Sadness reached his eyes before he forced a cheerful face on.

"I won't leave. Unless the world is in danger. Again…" Link said.

"Good," Ilia put a hand on Link's shoulder. "I'm going to go help the adults with the feast. Want to come with me?"

"I'll stay here a bit." Link said before looking at Epona. "You can take Epona with you if you want."

"Alright," Ilia gripped Epona's reins and walked off.

Link watched her leave before looking at the spring. The place where his quest had started. Everything was quiet and nothing betrayed the fact that a light spirit lived in the spring. Link sighed.

Midna… Why did you break the mirror? I thought when this quest was done we could still see each other… But you shattered the mirror. Just to keep our worlds safe from each other. Why did you say we would see each other again one day if we can't without the mirror?

The sound of footsteps broke Link's thoughts. He turned around, ready to draw his sword in case of danger. Link relaxed as he saw that it was only Colin. He quickly forced a smile on to his face. Colin was frowning a bit.

"What's wrong Colin?" Link cocked his head a bit. "Are the other kids starting to tease you again?" Link doubted they would since Colin had saved Beth, but Malo and Talo might not care.

"No. Everything's fine with me… Link. What's troubling you? You're more silent and sad than before. Did something happen on your quest?" Colin looked at Link with concerned eyes and his voice was full of worry.

"Nothing happened… Well except me going into a lot of different places and fighting a bunch of evil things." Link shrugged, his forced smile not faltering.

"Link… I can tell something is bothering you. Why won't you tell?" Colin said in a soft tone.

Link knew Colin wouldn't go away without an answer, so his mind searched for something to say. He knew that Colin wouldn't take any lie since he knew Link well.

"I can't tell you." Link decided he didn't have to smile right now, so he frowned a little. His eyes clouded with sadness.

"Link… I can help you if you tell me what's wrong." Colin looked closely at Link before asking, "Is it about a girl?"

Link flinched a little on how Colin was guessing exactly why he was upset. No one can help me… Unless I can be back with Midna… Link remained silent.

"Link. Please tell me what's wrong.. I can help you. Trust me." Colin walked over to stand before Link. The kid was smaller than Link and didn't even reach Link's shoulder, but he stood as tall as he could with a straight back.

"No… Just go away." Link tried to keep the anger that he felt locked up. He didn't want to scream at Colin like he had at Zelda.

"I'll leave, but it's bad to keep your sadness and feelings inside. Just tell me what's wrong if you ever decide that your life will go nowhere dwelling on the past." Colin looked at Link with concerned eyes. "Are you sure?" Colin wasn't sure if he should've added that, but it slipped out of his mouth before he could stop it.

"Go away! Leave!" All the anger in Link exploded out as he shouted at Colin. Link's eyes had narrowed as he began glaring at Colin.

"Okay…" Colin's eyes had tears in the back as he turned around and ran away from Link.

Link sighed in anger and kicked the closest tree. Why did I do that?! Why did Midna have to break the stupid mirror?! Doesn't she love me? …I should find Colin and apologize, but I can't right now…. I might shout out again…

Link walked away from the spring. He walked to his house and watched from the window. Villagers were walking around, preparing for the feast. They were unaware of the events that had happened in the spring. Or Link's inner feelings. They were just glad that Link was back. Back where I belong… Away from my only love…

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Author's Notes: I didn't leave a cliffie in the end like most people do. Instead I decided to leave one around the beginning. Maybe next chapter I'll put the happenings in the Twilight Realm in the end. I'm just kidding… I won't be that evil. I hope you enjoyed this chapter despite the long wait for it. Please review and I'll try to write the next chapter in less time!

Lillayy: I overuse that phrase as well. I'm glad you liked the flashbacks.

Twilight Phantom Dragon