I know, I know, it's been almost two weeks. I'm so sorry. I was away on mission, and then when I came back... guys, I've had such an awful block, it's not even funny. Thank you for being patient. I that've every intention to get back on schedule with my chapters.


REVISITED

Link stood silently at Epona's side. She seemed to be the only one who could understand him— at least right now, when his mind was teetering on the edge of complete insanity.

You're anxious, he heard through her whinny.

"You could call it that," he responded aloud and stroked her mane.

She nudged his head. You're confused about something.

"I'm confused about a lot of things, Epona."

What's wrong, Link? You are my master. I am only trying to help.

"What's wrong? I'm talking to a horse for goddess sake! Maybe that's what is wrong with me!"

Epona neighed loudly and pushed him with her snout. He stumbled sideways, barely catching himself. "Okay, okay, Epona. Calm down, girl," he murmured as he offered her a small apple he'd put in her saddle earlier. "You're the most obnoxious horse ever," he chuckled as she took the entire apple in her mouth.

"Link?" someone called. Link sighed and patted Epona's side one last time before turning to the source of the voice. Zelda was slowly walking his way, somehow still managing to move in what was almost a dance. "Link, it's pitch black outside. What are you doing out here?"

"I... needed some air," he mumbled.

Zelda sighed. "Sure." She reached over and petted Epona lightly. "How are you, girl?" Epona neighed happily, then returned to her apple. Zelda then met Link's gaze. "You've been avoiding me. What's wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong, Zel," he tried again.

"Link, stop it. I'm not that stupid," Zelda responded forcefully. "Don't play games with me."

Link sighed, then turned back to his loyal horse. "It... that beast... still raging inside of me..." He spoke with a certain sort of distance to his voice, as if the words were not his own. "It... wanted... out."

To Link's surprise, Zelda merely moved to his side and rubbed Epona's back. "You're very strong, Link, to suppress the rage the way you do," she mused. "Your courage... it's something I have never seen, Link, especially in someone so young as you are. But, Link..." She hesitated. "Link, what keeps you going?" Link's head shot up; Zelda rushed to correct herself. "No, Link, hear me out. You said it yourself. You feel lost. What convinces you to keep going?"

Link turned back to his horse and thought for a long moment. "I guess... it's just the goddesses' promise. Their hope."

But what was it, really? Link himself began to wonder that as he lay in bed later. Was it what the goddesses' left for Hyrule? ...no, as reverent as he was toward his guardian deities, he couldn't truthfully say that they were what kept him moving forward. Zelda was right— he was lost. He was so very lost, especially now that he knew Zelda was to be crowned as Hyrule's queen within the next four days.

Link sighed and turned over on his side— why couldn't he just sleep?


Something was shining down on him. What it was, Link had no clue, but it was blinding, even with his eyes shut. Only as the light began to ebb away did Link dare open his eyes, and once he did, he didn't plan on shutting them again.

Because there in front of him was Midna.

He didn't speak. Not that he felt he could— he was struck with shock at the moment— but he was angry with her, and the only act of defiance available to him at the moment was childish ignorance. He crossed his arms, staring at her intently.

"I know, I know, Link," Midna rambled. "That was really rude of me, and I'm sorry."

"Rude?" he scoffed. "You didn't even say goodbye."

"I couldn't, okay, Link?" she shouted. "Don't you think it hurt me to leave, too?" He simply continued to glare at her.

"How do I even know you're really... here?" he questioned.

She rushed right to his side and grabbed his hands, staring deep into his eyes. "This is real, Link. This isn't a dream. My magic has only grown more powerful in my true form, and though it has taken much, I have found a way to speak with out, if only once."

"Midna," he whispered.

"Link, there's not much time left, and I need to say something while I still have the chance. The mirror has been shattered, but there's another way in and out of the Twilight, and Zant's former subjects have found it. It requires a magic more powerful than any of us have ever wielded, Link... but it's the magic that Zelda has wielded in the past. One that she is capable of be holding even now."

"So you mean they're coming after her."

"I mean that they're going to be sometime soon," she confirmed. "I'm so sorry that I have to ask you to continue to fight, even after your journey as Hero has ended... but Link, you have to protect the Princess."

"She's not Princess anymore," he grumbled. "At least, she won't be, very soon."

"Link, now's not the time to be bitter," Midna retorted, though something portrayed a hint of desperation to Link. "Please, Link... just be careful. Don't let anything happen to Hyrule. You've done it once. You can do it again."

"Yeah, but I had help," he said, sounding hurt.

"Link, I want so badly to be back with you," she responded with exasperation. "I miss you so desperately. But I can't do that, Link. I have my kingdom to take care of, and you have Hyrule to protect. You're the Hero." She hesitated. "And even if that weren't the case, the power it would take to reconnect our worlds would kill me."

A shot of light burst through their silent sanctum. Link's eyes shot upward, then turned back to Midna. She smiled sadly. "You're awakening, Link. I have to go now." Link's eyes widened; he reached out for her, but she stepped back, holding out her hand. "No, Link," she whispered. The light began to break through all around them, and inside, Link began to panic.

"Midna?" he shouted. "Midna!"

Tears streamed down from her eyes as she began to fade away. "Goodbye, Link. See you later."


Link jumped up in bed, gasping for air. Light was streaming through his windows, indicating early morning. He fell back onto his pillows, exasperated and irate. How could she come to him and then leave just like that? She was finally back.

Link glanced at his shut door. That's funny— he hadn't closed the door when he came to lay down. Zelda must have shut it on her way in. Link rubbed his eyes and rolled off the side of his bed, then perched on the edge of the bed to slip his boots on, but halfway through, he stopped. Should he tell her about this?...no, probably not. Zelda was already stressed as it was, what with her coronation and all. She didn't need to tell her that she was potentially the final link to the world of Twilight and was possibly being sought out as it was.

She doesn't deserve that.