Okay, so, I'm uploading both chapters 7 and 8 at the same time for a number of reasons. Both chapters are quite short (1200-1500 words) and I wanted to give you more than that. Also, chapter 7 ends on a huge cliffhanger and you know how I feel about those. So you're welcome.


"Where on earth have you been? I thought you only went to the coronation but you've been gone for over a week!" Ilia said.

"I've been staying at the castle," Link replied without thinking. He knew she was going to ask why he was staying at the castle and he wasn't sure how to tell her without offending her.

Surprisingly, she did not ask but he could see she was still a little hurt. "Well, you could have at least written."

Link dropped his gaze. "I know…"

Link sat there feeling awkward and alienated from her. He remembered sitting with her just like this a few years ago. They laughed and talked and just got to know each other. Back then, he loved her. He was sure one day they'd get married.

Things sure have changed. He couldn't even exchange a few words with her.

Since coming to Ordon, he had a lot of time to think. He could fully see the consequences of his grief on everyone else. They all cared for him and it hurt them to see him so distressed. He couldn't do anything anymore without making someone worry about him.

He knew that he had been a little obsessive in the library but at least then he was doing something. It was his fault that everyone was so worried and as far as he could tell the only way to stop that was to find Midna. He had to now, not just for his own sake but for everyone else's.

Link spent a lot of his childhood dreaming and wanting to do more with his future than just herd sheep. And he did. He saved the world from Ganondorf and Zant but doing so, he completed his purpose. He was useless now.

It wasn't just about Midna anymore. This grief he felt in his spirit was mourning the loss of who he used to be. He had everything he could ever have dreamed of; he was a hero, a legend. But the old Link was gone and he'd never be the same.

Being in Ordon reminded him even more of that fact. Being with the people he used to love, in the place he used to feel at home, doing things he used to enjoy, only made him feel odd and out of place. He couldn't reconnect with anyone or anything.

Maybe reuniting with Midna wouldn't solve all his problems but at times like this, she was the only one who could truly make him feel better, the only one who could make him believe that things would get better.

He knew he had to get back to the library but he'd promised Zelda he'd spend at least a couple of days in Ordon and he intended to keep that promise.

They were quite possibly the longest two days. Every minute he felt he didn't belong there anymore. Everyone seemed to silently agree that leaving him alone would be best so no one asked him for help like they used to. Everyone just went about their lives perfectly fine without him.

When the two days finally passed, Link was eager to return to the castle.

He arrived to find Zelda chatting away with Virion.

"It actually didn't take me very long to find a new business partner. Her name is Flora and she's a wonderful potter," Virion said.

Zelda laughed. "That is excellent news. I have some news for you as well. While the law states that the assassin, Grantus, must be executed, Rosenbloom will only serve jail time. It turns out she was involved but knew very little about what Grantus was actually up to. She is responding well and may even get an early release for good behaviour."

Virion chewed on this information for a while. "That is excellent news."

Zelda made eye contact with him for the first time. "Link? How long have you been standing there? You must announce yourself next time."

Virion stood up and gave Link a pat on the back. "Good to see you back, kid. I just arrived myself. How was Ordon?"

Link felt uncomfortable. "It was good."

No one believed him but no one commented.

Zelda put a hand on his shoulder. "It's good to see you, Link."

"It's good to see you too," he replied.

"...I suppose you would like to go to the castle library," Zelda said.

Link nodded. He knew Zelda did not want him to go there. He knew that after not seeing her for a few days that he should spend more time with her first.

But he had to find her. He had to make people stop worrying about him.

"I think I'll go visit Rosenbloom. I'll see you two at dinner," Virion said with a slight wave.

"Of course, see you soon!" Zelda replied.

Virion left and Zelda turned back to Link.

"There is something I want to tell you about those books," Zelda began. She had to tell him. She had to tell him.

Link looked disappointed as she said those words. He seemed to know what she was about to say. She couldn't bear breaking his heart even now. "...The ones left are quite old. You are not allergic to dust, are you?"

Link shook his head.

"Oh good. You should have no problem then." Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Why can't you just tell him?

Link only had five books left. He immediately opened one of them up and began reading. But, this time he made sure to include breaks so he wouldn't worry Zelda too much.

A heaviness weighed on him as he did so. He felt like he was a burden on everyone. He felt like he was a burden on Zelda.

Zelda stayed the whole time with him, reading her own book. Hers of course was a novel. She didn't really read a whole lot of it, though, out of worry for Link.

When he was almost through the second book, Zelda put a hand on his shoulder and asked if he wanted lunch. He accepted.

She left the room to go collect some lunch and Link continued to read.

A few moments passed. Suddenly, Link froze. His eyes were glued to the page, his mouth hung open in a silent gasp.

He found it. He had finally found something that could lead him to Midna. He stared at the paragraph, reading it over and over in his mind. It replayed, each time pulling Link farther into a trance.

He stood up, abandoning the book on the floor. His face was solemn.

He left the room, running into Zelda in the hall.

"You know, I think I've had enough reading for awhile. Let's go do something else," Link lied.

She was shocked but relieved. "Of course. Let's have a proper lunch, then."

Link nodded and followed her into the dining room.

He, of course, had not forgotten what he had read but he needed the time to truly reflect on his decision before he did it. Besides, after all the worry he had caused her, he figured she deserved one last afternoon.


That evening, he left the castle and grabbed Epona. She seemed to sense something no one else could. She whinnied and bucked as he tried to grab her.

"Oh come on girl, don't be like that. We're going to go find Midna."

Epona was reluctant, but Link managed to climb on top of her and ride out of castle town on her back. With every hoof hitting the ground he was closer to Midna. With every dirt cloud that formed as Epona's feet pushed off the ground. With every thump.

Back at the castle, a book laid open on the floor, just where Link had left it. The paragraph that began Link's impulsive adventure read clearly:

I truly believe there is no other path to the mysterious Twilight realm in Hyrule. The mirror of Twilight is the only link between the two places in this life. However, the two places may be connected by another path in the spirit world.


Okay, you see this huge cliffhanger here? This is why I uploaded chapter 8 at the same time.

So you can go ahead and read chapter 8 right now if you wish!

I really only separated chapters 7 and 8 because that's what I'd do if I were writing a novel instead of a fanfiction. It's just what I'm used to doing. But, if this were actually a novel, you could read the next chapter immediately instead of waiting 3-4 days in suspense so I'm just uploading them both at the same time.

Enjoy!