Disclaimer: I do not own this stuff
Chapter 7: See You Later
Throughout the countryside, the great wolf and the mighty horse ran side-by-side. Amazingly, Link was keeping up with Epona, who was probably the fastest horse around. Link's mane blew about freely as he ran.
The two cut across the countryside; traffic was increasing on the main roads as people gradually began trickling back into Castle Town. Link's beast form was completely at home amongst the untamed grass and the trees; it felt so natural to him.
Atop the runners' backs, their riders were comfortably situated. Zelda's hair was moving about as Midna took in deep breaths. Every now and then, she would gently stroke Link's mane and pat his broad shoulders. Midna couldn't shake the pleasant feeling between her legs that was the result of her mount's constant motion beneath her. Link threw a quick glance over his shoulder at her when she shifted around, then his gaze flew back forward.
Nearby, Zelda was sifting through the memories of the last time she was on this horse; at that time, she and Link were embroiled in the fight of their lives. It was refreshing to once again be riding a horse, though this time someone wasn't trying to kill her. Sometimes, she would glace at Link and Midna. The two went so well together; the majestic wolf and his elegant rider. Compared to Epona, Link's rapid footfalls were silent, and his blue eyes were narrowed in concentration. Zelda noticed the said gaze that Midna carried; Link did not notice it boring into the back of his head.
She still hasn't told him, has she? Zelda mused to herself as her gaze returned to watching the area in front of them.
As he was running, Link realized with a pang that this would likely be the last time he would be sprinting around the countryside with a familiar moving weight on his back. With a wolfish chuckle, he recalled just how clumsy he was the first time he had become a wolf.
"Come on!" Midna chirped from atop his back, "Get moving! Stupid beast…"
Link turned his head and growled at the unwanted weight on his back as he awkwardly tried moving his new body. The imp giggled as he slowly shuffled forward, and floated off his back howling with laughter when he tripped over his front paws again.
"This is the one I was searching for?" she taunted, lounging in midair, "All I see is a weak, worthless dog!"
Link turned his head at the imp again, and released an inward sigh that he could not form a retort, as wolves cannot talk. At this point, he was still unable to communicate with anyone. Link bowed his muzzled head and whined pitifully.
"Aw, is the widdle puppy going to cry?" the imp mocked, floating close to his face, putting a hand to his chin and forcing it upward, "Pathetic!" she spat as she released him and started floating away, "You know what, I think I changed my mind, you can just stay here!"
Link shot a hateful gaze her way as she drifted away. Unsteadily forcing himself to his feet, one single thought came to his canine brain: attack that puny imp. The imp glanced his way and smirked at his struggle as the wolf gazed hatefully at her.
Okay…one foot in front of the other… Link started slowly walking towards her. Gradually, he was going faster, and faster, then he finally broke into a run. He ran towards the only thing in mind: that chastising little imp. Midna crossed her arms and stared at him as he rapidly drew nearer. What she didn't expect was for the wolf to leap at her and pin her to the ground, to find a maw full of razor sharp teeth mere inches from her face.
Link's feral instinct said 'bite', but he hesitated. Why? He found himself strongly disliking this imp, but she didn't do anything more than be a condescending wretch.
Regaining her breath, Midna spoke, "Well, looks like you can handle yourself after all, good boy!" she said with false cheer as she dissolved into particles. Link glanced around quickly and gasped slightly as the weight reappeared on his back. He glanced around to stare at her sneering face, "Now… Get. Going." She ordered, kicking his sides.
Begrudgingly, Link obeyed the command and began his role as Midna's mount.
'Arrogant little…let's see how you would like it if you were suddenly unable to walk on two legs. Stupid freaking imp…'
"Link?" Midna's voice spoke up in the present.
Shaking out of his reverie, Link glanced at her, "Huh? What?"
Midna pointed forward to see Epona a considerable distance ahead of them, "Getting slow or something?"
"No, just…reminiscing…" he replied, breaking into a sprint to keep up with the horse. From atop his back, Midna made a startled cry at the sudden acceleration, and she threw herself forward to grab Link's mane for stability.
Had she really changed so much? Link thought, I used to hate her, but now… he formed a picture of the beautiful woman who was currently riding him (no, not in that way, if you know what I mean). I feel like…she is a part of me… She was once so selfish, so unconcerned about everything other than her goals, but see had become something much better.
Link glanced at Epona and Zelda once he had caught up to them again. Link snorted once, since Zelda and Midna were sharing a body, I wonder if their personalities rubbed off on each other?
The sun was well into its descent when the group came within seeing distance of the Great Bridge of Hylia. For now, it was time to dismount, as Epona would be unable to follow them.
*Thanks for giving Zelda a lift, Epona…*
The large horse glanced at him with dark eyes *No problem, Link…*
Link nodded his large head once, dismissing the animal, *I'll see you soon…*
As Epona was leaving, Link shifted back into his Hylian form, and joined the princesses.
"To get down…we have to go to that…weird guy with the cuccos…right?" Mida asked.
Link nodded and jerked his head in the general direction of the building, "Yeah," he confirmed, then crossed his arms, "Come to think of it, this would actually be your first time doing this wouldn't it? All the other times you were just riding my shadow…"
Almost on cue, Midna turned black and transparent and slipped back into Link's shadow.
"Midna…" Link whined.
"Just because I'm back to normal doesn't mean I can't ride your shadow anymore…" Midna taunted from beneath him.
Link snorted, "Well, you're no fun…" he mused, already lamenting the fact that she would probably wimp out on getting launched from the cannon as well.
"Look on the bright side, now you will only have to pay for two people!" Midna said cheerfully.
"She…does have a point," Zelda added.
Link groaned, "Not you too, princess…" Link raised his hands in surrender, "Fine, Midna, we'll do it your way, hide in my shadow you big baby…"
"Two for the oasis cruise, please," Link asked the oddly-dressed Fyer, with Zelda close behind and Midna still riding his shadow.
Zelda watched as Link and the weirdo exchanged rupees, and Fyer opened the door to the cannon, its innards ominously beckoning to Link and Zelda.
Link turns to her and gestures to the entrance, "Well, ladies first!"
Zelda rolled her eyes and unceremoniously shoved Link into the cannon, a brief look of surprise etched on his features as the door automatically shut.
Zelda giggled at Link's muffled yell through the cannon as the mechanism began loading him into the cannon, and soon, Link was a green streak flying towards the desert.
Now, it was her turn. The door opened a second time, once again its depths calling to the princess.
Well, here goes nothing…
Slowly, Zelda made her way inside the cannon. Honestly, she was nervous. After having her very body stolen from her, and having a lovely encounter with Ganondorf, getting launched from a cannon would be easy, right?
Oh, who am I kidding, I don't have the Triforce of Courage!
Zelda jumped as the door closed so hard that it caused the whole cannon to lurch one way, and she was trembling as the platform beneath her was feeding her into the cannon above. Her world became one of grinding cogs, and a faint light at the end of a short tunnel.
BLAM!
With a horrible lurch, the next thing she knew, she was currently being hurled skyward at high velocity, the lake was rapidly shrinking beneath her, and the desert sand soon sprawled beneath her. The wind was whistling in her ears as her hair flew wildly about. To be honest, she found it exhilarating; flying through the air made her feel…so free. Her opinion soon changed as gravity began to take its toll and she was hit with vertigo as the ground rapidly approached her. Zelda gritted her teeth, awaiting the inevitable impact.
She skidded across the hot sand, and was soon rolling uncontrollably. Zelda's mind spiraled out of control as dizziness set in and sand infiltrated her clothing. With a loud thud, she finally came to a stop.
Groaning and pressing her hands to her face, she blearily opened her eyes to be blinded briefly by the bright sunlight. Shakily, she tried to rise to her feet, but failed when she lost balance in her dazed state. She fell face down in the sand.
Her eyes reopened when she felt something nudging her shoulder. She glanced over to find a figure in green standing over her with a smirk on his face, a figure in dark clothing right behind.
"It is very rude to shove, princess," said Link.
"Hee hee! You should have seen the look on your face, Link," said Midna.
Link turned away from Zelda and glared at Midna, "Oh, shut up you."
Zelda rolled over and cupped her head to her forehead, "Ohhh…Link? Midna?"
Midna clapped once and smirked, "Very good princess! I thought wolfy here was the forgetful one!"
Link snorted once and crouched down by Zelda, "Can you stand? We should get moving."
"Link…how…how can you stand that? I mean…seriously!" Zelda moaned, failing to stand again.
Link shrugged, "I got used to it," he offered her a hand, "Here, I'll help you up."
"Ever the gentleman, wolf boy…" said Midna.
Link rolled his eyes as Zelda took his hand and he gave her a hearty tug, and the dazed princess managed to get footing with Link's help. Zelda coughed once and spit out some sand, followed by a vigorous self pat-down, trying to get some of the sand off her clothes.
"Feeling better?" Link said with a smirk.
"Still shaken but…I'll be fine…" she cleared her throat once and stood up straight, "Thanks, Link."
"If you two are done, could we get a move on?" Midna interjected, standing a short distance away, tapping her foot impatiently, "This sand is hot, and I have bare feet, hurry up and carry me, Link!"
Link chuckled, "As you wish, master," and once again he shifted into the Sacred Beast. Midna wasted no time scaling his back.
Link's blue eyes swept onto the other princess, "Come on, get on Zelda…"
Zelda slowly approached him, "Can you carry two people?"
Link made a wolfish chuckle, "Of course, princess."
"I've…never ridden a wolf before," she stammered.
"Aw, it's not so bad! It's like riding a horse…except in this case the horse is a natural-born predator who may decide to have you for lunch on a bad day," Midna quipped from her position on Link's back, "Now quit your whining and get on!"
Zelda recoiled slightly, not used to being addressed in such a crass manner, and she climbed atop Link's muscular back, situated just behind Midna. She squeezed Link's sides with her legs slightly, then wrapped her arms around Midna's waist for stability. The other princess briefly glanced at her.
"I need something to hold on to," said Zelda.
Midna shrugged, "I didn't say anything."
"If you're settled in back there, I'll get going."
Midna faced forward again and patted Link's shoulders, "Giddyup, wolfy!"
Link snorted once, and then he was off, bounding across the barren desert with two princesses on his back.
It was well past sundown when they stopped at an oasis for the night. Immediately after his riders had dismounted, the first thing the great wolf did was noisily lap up large quantities of water while the princesses stood a short distance away.
Zelda leaned over and whispered in Midna's ear, "You still haven't told him, have you…"
Midna's already pale face blanched, "No."
"Told me what?" Link's head perked up.
"Uh, nothing Link!" said Midna.
Link tilted his head once, and then resumed his drinking. He was parched. Running a long distance across a barren sun-baked wasteland has the nasty tendency to dehydrate a person, especially since he had passengers. But now something else was on Link's mind; were the princesses hiding something from him? His keen ears tried to pick up any more snippets of conversation, but the two were silent.
Zelda shivered as the cold desert night was taking its toll on her. She crossed her arms and pulled them tightly to her body as Midna glanced her way.
"You cold?" said Midna.
"Obviously," Zelda retorted.
Link glanced their way again and slowly padded over to them as he realized what he was going to have to do.
"Don't worry princess," she placed a hand on Zelda's shoulder and pointed towards the approaching wolf, "Amazingly, this furball is good for more than just killing things," she was silent for a second, "Or causing headaches, or spreading fleas, or scaring the pants off of any unfortunate schmuck that heads our way…"
Yup, Link so knew that this was coming, "Mid-na…"
"Did you hear that? I thought I heard something whining…" Midna's head turned from side to side. Link growled quietly; Midna smirked and looked at him, "Oh there you are wolfy! We were just talking about you!" Midna wore her trademark wicked grin and gestured at herself and Zelda, "You have to honor of serving as our heat source and pillow this fine evening!"
"Didn't you say something about fleas?" said Zelda.
"Nah, I was just saying that to annoy him," Midna quipped.
Link rolled his eyes and gently set his bulk down, exposing his warm belly for the princesses to rest upon. Midna quickly set herself up close to Link's head, positioned just behind where his muscular front legs met his massive body. Zelda apprehensively approached and slid herself beside Midna. In an almost mechanical fashion, Link curled up, surrounding the princesses in his warm fur.
Zelda sighed with relief as the wolf's body heat was seeping through her clothing and warming herself. Midna was right; Link did made a good pillow. With a yawn, Zelda leaned into the wolf's side, her eyelids becoming heavy as she drifted closer and closer to sleep. Any attempts to stay awake were futile, as her eyes finally closed for the night.
Zelda's steady breathing alerted her living pillow that she had fallen asleep. His head was resting on the ground, and he could see his two companions. Midna's eyes were shut, but he didn't think she was asleep. Resting right now seemed like a really good idea. He had just run from Castle Town to this point all in a single day, and his feet were in need of reprieve. Though the pads on his feet had hardened, granting them protected for the hot sand, the sheer distance did him in. Link then thought of his current predicament; the fact that he was currently curled up with two attractive women. Just the thought of such an occasion would seem tantalizing to many a man, but something disturbed him: What hasn't Midna told him? His gaze shifted over to the Twilight Princess, but his eyes were growing heavy from the day's physical exertions. With a sigh, his eyes closed and another person slipped off to dreamland.
When muted whimpers and growls passed through Link's muzzle, Midna's eyes cracked open and her gaze settled on the wolf's large head. Following a slight struggle, she managed to free an arm from its furry prison without waking Link. Slowly, she gently stroked Link's mane, the slender blue fingers streaking through the warm grey fur. She had slept in such a position, curled up with her wolf so many times now, it tore at her heart that she realized that this was going to likely be the last. She sighed sadly as she continued her gentle massage, running her hand over old scars as she glanced skyward towards the cloudless sky, towards the stars and the moon. She wouldn't be seeing those anymore either. They were so strange to her the first time she came to the World of Light, she was fascinated by how they seemed to stretch on forever and ever; many times she and Link had been laying on their backs stargazing before turning in for the night.
Me…and Link… she thought sadly as she glanced earthward towards her transfigured lupine companion. Another thing she would be losing. Tonight was a night of so many 'last times' and finalities. Midna's vision blurred as tears came to her eyes. She made no effort to wipe away the tears as they came, and she closed her eyes while stroking Link.
"I…I am so sorry Link…" sad Midna quietly. "Sorry for…sorry for everything. Sorry how I mistreated you, sorry how I exploited you, sorry how…" her voice caught in her throat, "I…I wish that things could be different, that we could be together…but I guess it just can't be…I…I love you Link. I love you with all my heart…and all my soul…but still…I…" she trailed off, stifling a sob, "I never wanted to hurt you…I just want you to be happy…" she leaned over and planted a kiss atop Link's head, between his ears. She lacked the courage to tell him while he was awake. She then broke down sobbing.
Link found himself sitting in a distorted void, similar to where he had come across the Hero's Shade. However, something was off; rather than the white clouds that usually lined the place, they were tinted a golden color, like the sky of the Twilight Realm.
He was wearing his hero's tunic, like always, but sitting nearby in a relaxed position was himself in beast form, though something was different about him. He was even larger; the unique pattern on the beast's forehead was glowing with a soft sky-blue light, contrasting sharply with the clouds, and on his limbs were more luminescent markings, similar to the marks that most Twili bore.
The Hylian and beast's gazes met, though neither of their gazes held any malice towards the other. It was a very strange feeling, as if Link was looking into a mirror, except…this was real. They regarded each other's presence for a while longer before they broke eye contact.
It was then that Link realized that there was another presence. Link wouldn't have noticed him if the wolf hadn't seen it first, and ambled over to the dark shape some distance away.
There was an air of…foreboding surrounding the unknown figure. Link and his bestial counterpart grew nervous as they approached it. Their gazes became quizzical as they could make out some of the thing's features.
It appeared to be a large man, sitting in a meditative position, and shrouded by shadow, and he was looking down.
Link reached up to touch the figure, when the thing's head snapped up to meet Link's gaze. Link recoiled slightly at the sight. Features, seemingly masked by what appeared to be smoke looked nearly identical to his own, fringed by colorless hair. Blue and red war-paint was on the man's pale features, giving him a frightening appearance. But what struck Link the most were the eyes. Unlike Link's piercing blue eyes, this figure's eyes were glowing with a ghastly white light. It has long been said that the eyes are windows to the soul, and the eyes Link was looking at were…unnerving.
Link stumbled backwards as a sort of primal fear gripped at his heart. Link backed into his beast-counterpart and collided violently with him, sending them both sprawling to the 'ground'.
Link shot one last look at the enigmatic figure, whose gaze was still locked with his own. Link shut his eyes tightly to break the gaze, and a chilling voice rang in his head.
"Won't be long now…"
Link opened his eyes to find himself in a black void, though this time he was the beast, complete with the new markings on his paws.
Link's heart seemed to drop as he saw the figure again. He was still in that cross-legged position, though this time, he was towering over him, leering at the wolf below. Link's mind was becoming lost in that gaze as he hastily shut his eyes once more.
"You can't escape it…"
Link was sucked from his dreams and his eyes shot open. His gaze flicked back and forth, and he only found the starry night sky. He let loose a sigh of relief as he regained his composure and tried to relax again. Though his ears perked up and picked up the sound of sobbing. He lifted his massive head from the ground and his blue eyes shot over to his companions and widened in surprise when he saw Midna with her head buried into his shoulder, crying, leaving a damp spot on his fur.
"Midna?" said Link. "Midna? What's wrong?"
She turned to him, her eyes still filled with unshed tears. "Oh Link…" she whimpered.
"Hey…shh…" he gently nuzzled her tear-stained cheek, "Everything is going to be okay…now tell me, what's wrong?"
Midna's beautiful red eyes met his pristine blue ones, "I was just thinking…I…" come on, just say it! "Before this…other than my family…though Zant probably murdered them all…" she muttered bitterly, "I've never really cared for anyone else and…well…" she swallowed once, okay…say it! "I…you…are my closest friend, I'm going to miss you so much…and…" she mentally kicked herself, wussed out again. "This will be the last time we can watch to stars together…"
Link was puzzled, "You say that as if we will never see each other again."
Panic gripped Midna's stomach, "I…well…figure of speech, wolfy. What I meant was…nevermind," Midna, you are such a coward… she seethed to herself.
Link moved his head in close and licked Midna's cheek, wiping away her tears. "Yeech! Back off, drool-face!" she quipped, wiping away the offending drool.
Link smiled inwardly at the returning spunk. "If you ever get usurped again, don't be afraid to give me a shout."
Midna smiled sadly, "I'll take it into consideration."
Link rested his head on Midna's lap, as if to both protect her and to warm her, while Midna reflexively starting stroking it, "You mentioned stargazing?" his gaze flicked up to her face.
"Yeah?"
Link made the wolfish equivalent of a smile, "Well, let's make the most of the time we have, shall we?"
Midna glanced downward and smiled at her beloved wolf, and she and Link's gazes drifted skyward, their consciousnesses falling away into the heavens as they drifted off together.
It was about noon the following day when they finally reached their destination: the mirror chamber.
Midna shifted about uncomfortably on her feet, with Link and Midna close by. She had still not told Link of her feelings, or her plans.
"Well, I guess this is it then?" she said nonchalantly, "Light and shadow can't mix, as we all know. But...Never forget that there's another world bound to this one," she avoided meeting Link's gaze, hoping that he couldn't see the hesitation and sorrow in her eyes.
Midna blinked as Zelda spoke carefully. "Shadow and light are two sides of the same coin...One cannot exist without the other," she said, continuing, "I know now the reason the goddesses left the Mirror of Twilight in this world...They left it because it was their design that we should meet. Yes... That is what I believe," Zelda sighed inwardly; she knew Midna still hadn't told him.
Midna glanced at Zelda, "Zelda...Your words are kind, and your heart is true. If all in Hyrule are like you...Then maybe you'll do all right," she turned away from them and climbed the stairs to the pedestal on which the mirror resided. With much hesitation, she turned to Link, her reds meeting his blues. "Thank you... Well, the princess spoke truly: as long as that mirror's around, we could meet again..."
Time seemed to stop for Midna as she looking into Link's deep blue eyes. Every memory she had of him seemed to be running through her mind. Her eyes slowly closed.
"Link…" a single golden tear slipped out and hovered in front of her face, "I…" with a gentle shove, she sent it towards the mirror.
Link and Zelda watched the tear as it solidified into a crystal, and went sailing right towards the center of the cursed mirror. They didn't think too much of it until they heard the sound of cracking glass, and gleaming white lines were dancing across the surface.
"See you later…"
Link's gaze shot between the mirror and Midna as his jaw dropped in disbelief. Quickly, Midna climbed the spectral stairs to the portal as Link was racked with confusion. Snapping from his stupor, Link tried running after her, panic heavy in his heart. Midna looked back at him with sorrow in her eyes. Just as Link was reaching the base of the ghostly stares, Midna held his feet in place with a simple spell as their gazes met.
"Midna!" Link screamed, his voice racked with hurt, betrayal and despair as he struggled against his restraints.
"I'm sorry Link," said Midna, "I'm so sorry…"
"Why?" Link shouted, "Why did you…"
Midna closed her eyes, "It had to be done…"
Link was speechless as Midna dissolved into millions of brilliant white particles and disappeared into the portal. Where she was standing mere moments ago, was nothing.
"No!" Link screamed in anguish, as the spell holding his feet disappeared, "Midna!"
The sound of glass cracking grew louder as the portal disappeared. Link turned on his heel, disbelief still etched into his features and his gaze met the doomed mirror. Realizing what was about to happen, Link raised his arms to protect his face.
The mirror shattered.
(A/N) There you go, review pretty please!
So it finally happened eh? Time to get to…different stuff!
Random writing gripe: When writing dialogue, use a line break when someone else starts speaking!
