Theme 14 – Smile
TP
I admit it. Ganondorf was a jerk. Not only did he destroy Hyrule Castle, he nearly killed Link and then me. But instead, something pulled me from the fight when the Fused Shadows gave out. I found myself face down in a cloudy land, the same place Link had gone to train with Hero's Shade.
He was there – Hero's Shade, I mean – and he nodded to me before kneeling down, waving his hand over the cloudy ground. And then I could see the fight on horse back going on, ending when Ganondorf's horse was brought down, only to initiate a one-on-one duel, Link versus Ganondorf.
I watched them fighting. I watched my friend fall, but get back up to fight again. I watched as much as I could, cheering him on, though he could not hear me. I saw my friend knock his enemy to the ground and leap, his sword pointing downwards.
After that, I didn't seen anymore.
Because, with that final strike, my curse was broken. I went from an unsightly imp back to my tall, elegant self. I was me again. But I remained in this mystical world until the four spirits of light – Ordona, Faron, Eldin, and Lanayru – swirled around me, bringing me from that weird shimmering world back out to Hyrule Field.
I barely noticed, though. I was so happy. The curse that had restrained my true form was lifted for good when Link ended that fight. I felt the setting sun, breaking through the clouds, beating down gently on my face. I felt the power I had long missed return to my limbs – the true power of the Twilight Princess.
Oh, it was fantastic! Such a wonderful feeling to have! To be able to have my true body back!
Then I realized I was on Hyrule Field. The light spirits floated around me, turning to look at some other thing in the distance. Then they faded into the twilit sky of Hyrule. I sighed, admiring my hands, as if they made up my entire body. I was still kneeling on the grassy ground. I felt tears of happiness roll down my cheeks.
I was normal again!
My ears caught the sound of running footsteps. Someone was fast approaching. I brushed the tears from my face as I heard him stop, breathing hard. I knew who it was. It couldn't be anyone other than Link. He was standing behind me.
He probably didn't recognize me. He probably thought I was someone else completely different. Well, there was no point in making him suffer.
I pushed myself to my feet, drawing myself up to my tallest height, and turned to look at him, and I couldn't help but think how short he looked now that I was normal once more. I smiled softly at him.
And Link gasped. He didn't speak. He just...stared. Oh, well, that's Link for you!
After a moment of this silence, I spoke up. "What?" I asked. "Say something!"
Recognition crossed his face as I spoke. He knew not only my voice, which had dropped the shrillness it had when I was an imp, but also the teasing tone as well.
I continued, getting ready to stun him with my next words. "Am I so beautiful that you've no words left?"
This last bit was meant to be teasing, to get him out of the one-sided staring contest he seemed to be having. And it worked. He knew who I was now in all my tall, graceful beauty.
And he smiled.
