Author's note: I've been rather busy lately (school, homework, moving onto campus, work, ect), so I haven't gotten the time to sit down and write this chapter up. So, for a long wait, here's a long chapter!

Chapter Nine
Beth stared out the window of her bedroom. It was early dawn, and normally she would be asleep. But not this morning. Her worries had kept her up most of the night, and now, after just a couple hours of sleep, she knew she wouldn't be able to doze off again. She was worried for Colin, and for the others on the mission to stop Dredloc as well, but mostly Colin was her concern. She knew her husband fought well – he had been trained by his father, Rusl, in the ways of the sword – but that didn't mean she didn't worry about him, especially when facing such an opponent as Dredloc. She had heard stories about him from Link and, occasionally, Midna, how this Twili was dangerous, yet he had made a costly mistake the first time Link encountered him, resulting in Dredloc's defeat and imprisonment.

Beth sighed and sat up, dangling her bare feet over the edge of the bed. She decided to go for a walk. Walks had always calmed her nerves. She had discovered this when she was just eleven, back during the Time of Twilight. She would walk from one side of Kakariko Village to the other, around the Spirit Spring, and even up a shady path she had watched Link discover with a well-placed bomb. She stood and dressed quickly, heading to the door.

The morning was incredibly beautiful. It was cool, but comfortably so. The sun was just beginning to shine over the horizon, setting the top of the castle glinting and glowing. The morning mist that hung around in the town until mid-morning was beginning to rise from Lake Hylia, shimmering as if it held some exciting secret that it couldn't wait to reveal. The Cuccos were beginning to crow. Beth walked along, breathing in the mist and the cool air, and her thoughts turned once again to Colin. But she didn't focus on her worry for him. Rather, she reminisced all their time together.

She, like Malo and Talo, had never payed much attention to Colin before the Time of Twilight. He was a rule-follower, though he sometimes told on the others if they had done something particularly dangerous. He was a farmer's boy, not really strong or brave. Beth had often joined the others in teasing Colin, though not as harshly as Talo or Malo. Instead she dreamed her dreams of one day getting out of the small, remote Ordon Village and living life in the big city.

But then she had taken to liking Colin more like a true friend, as had Talo, when Colin had done the unthinkable and sacrificed himself to save Beth. He had been hurt, obviously, but Beth had realized that perhaps Colin was braver than she thought. And their friendship grew from that day, eventually blossoming into love.

Several years after Link had married Midna, Colin and Beth had truly fallen in love. But they had been patient. Colin had been in training to be a knight, and his visits to Ordon had not been very frequent. Beth, too, had made the effort to see him, traveling to Castle Town. When they were apart, they missed each other terribly. Finally, Colin had gotten the nerve to propose. And that was that.

Beth recalled that feeling of longing to see him from those days, which, in truth, hadn't been that long ago. It was so similar to what she was feeling right now, magnified by her worry.

No, she reminded herself. I won't think of that now. I can't. She cut off the thought as she entered the mostly-empty center square, still shadowed by the building rising around it. Standing next to the fountain was none other than Midna, still as a statue, looking up a the Seal of the Royal Family of Hyrule portrayed beautifully over the glittering water.

Beth stopped in her tracks when she noticed several shining tears slip down the Twilight Queen's cheeks. Slowly, Beth walked up to her. "Are you alright?" she asked.

Midna looked at her, slightly startled out of her thoughts before she nodded. She wiped away her tears, saying, "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

Midna nodded once more and sat down at the edge of the fountain, motioning for Beth to join her. The Ordonian complied and sat next to the Twilight Queen. For several moments, they sat silently. Beth trailed her fingers through the glowing water of the fountain before looking up at Midna. "Are you sure you're ok?" she asked once more as Midna rubbed away more tears.

"I'm just worried for Link."

"But he's a Hero," Beth said. "He's good at fighting, at ridding the land of evil."

"There are some things that not even a Hero can survive..." She paused, thinking on what she had just said. "I mean," she continued, "it's not that I don't have faith in Link's skills and all that – I've seen him do incredible things before – but it doesn't stop me from worrying."

Neither spoke for a while. Midna sniffled every now and then, tears still streaming down her face. Then she gave a wry grin. "Here I am, a queen, and I'm crying."

Beth shrugged. "Rulers are people, too. They can cry if they must," she said.

"True. But, you'd be surprised at how many people forget that. They believe that we'll solve any and every problem. But we can't. We try, though."

They sat once more in silence. Midna now was making an effort not to shed anymore tears. Then, she looked up toward the eastern entrance to Castle Town, just as the first people were beginning to emerge from their houses. The Twilight Queen stood, almost expectantly, trying to figure out what she was hearing.

"Hoof beats," Beth said softly.

She was right, of course. The sound of horse hooves beating the pavement at a steady trot steadily got louder and louder.

Midna was the first to see them, recognizing instantly the riders as they trotted around the bend. Beth, who had also been curious about the incoming horses, rose to her feet.

They were back!

Link was the first one to see the two women waiting by the square. Before his horse had even stopped, he leaped off, embracing Midna. For Beth, time slowed as she watched the two kiss passionately, Midna – who was taller than Link – dipping her head to kiss her husband. Then Beth was swept up in Colin's embrace. All around them, the few people who had started their daily routines, paused, slight smiles on some faces, glancing at the reunion in the middle of the square.

Matthew merely grinned and began, with the help of a soldier, leading the horses to the Royal stables.

Malo squirmed in the grip of the two soldiers who were marching him down one of the many corridors to the throne room, where Malo knew his punishment was to be decided. He knew Dredloc had lost the battle and had been killed. Link, Matthew, and, surprisingly, Colin, had returned early that morning. And now, Malo stood alone, defiant against those who he knew would have no mercy on him.

He and the guards entered the throne room through a side door and stood, waiting to the right of the thrones, about three fourths away from them down the hall. Malo glanced around, his eye landing on the thrones that were beneath a replica of the goddesses surrounding the Triforce. Aside from the three of them, the room was empty. The silence was so thick, it sounded odd when another side door opened. Malo peered around the two guards and saw Malver being escorted into the room by a single guard. The pair stopped next to Malo and his guards. Malo noticed with annoyance that his former employee didn't even bother to look in his direction.

Silence once again filled the room, but only for a few moments until the main doors to the throne room, which had been closed, opened with a rather loud bang. Two soldiers pushed the doors open. Zelda, Matthew, Link, Midna, and ten nobles entered the room. Matthew and Zelda took to the thrones beneath the Triforce symbol and the goddesses; Midna and Link sat in two just as elegant chairs reserved for visiting monarchs; and the nobles stood in a neat line opposite Malo. Together with the nobles, Zelda and Matthew made up what was called the Royal Court, where crimes of great offense or crimes against the Royal Family were discussed and put to an end with as just a punishment as possible.

"Malver of Castle Town: come forward." Zelda's clear voice rang through the hall, signaling the start of the trial. Malver, shaking, was escorted forward by the guard to stand in front of the thrones.

The noble closest to the thrones began reading from an official-looking scroll. "Malver of Castle Town, you are here before their Majesties and this Royal Court for treason against the Crown of Hyrule, crimes against our esteemed allies the Twili – both of which you were forced to commit and therefore will not be held responsible – and also for kidnapping, for which you will be held responsible."

The noble finished and stood quietly. Silence filled the room and Malver was visibly shaking. Then Matthew spoke up. "What price, Malver, do you think you should pay for what you have done?"

Malver bowed his head. "More than just for kidnapping, your Majesty," the shopkeeper replied. "I was apart of the plan, so I deserve to pay the full price: for the kidnapping, the crimes against the Twili," he paused to glance in Midna's direction. "And for the treason."

"It is understood that you were under a blood oath," Zelda said. "Had you not been, what would you have done?"

"Your Majesty, my loyalty has always been and always will be to you and your esteemed husband – to the Royal Family of Hyrule. I want nothing more than to be a loyal subject. Had I not been forced to betray you, your Majesty, by certain people and forbidden to discuss said treason, I would have immediately reported it, and stopped the horrors from happening before they even started."

"A gracious speech, no doubt. But is it a true speech as well?"

"It is, your Majesty."

Zelda smiled softly. "Your heart is in the right place, Malver. You value truth and loyalty over deceit and treason. Therefore," she paused. Malver held his breath, hoping for the best. "We shall be lenient. You shall serve six months of service to the community of Castle Town. You shall be returned to your status at the end of the six months if your actions remain within the law. Does the Royal Court agree?"

Eight out of ten of the nobles on the Royal Court raised their hands in agreement. "Majority rules," Matthew stated. "Any further questions?" There were none, so Malver was dismissed. The shopkeeper bowed and stuttered his thanks before being led out of the room.

"Malo of Ordon: come forward," Zelda announced. Her voice was not as merciful sounding as it had been when she was addressing Malver. Malo was brought forward, flanked by the two guards.

"Malo of Ordon, you are brought before their Majesties and this Royal Court for the following: treason against the Crown of Hyrule, crimes against our esteemed allies the Twili, and kidnapping." The noble paused before adding: "The penalty for treason alone is banishment or death."

The last words rang out through the room.

"You want to get rid of me that bad, eh?" Malo asked with a sneer. He shook his head as if the idea was completely absurd.

"I have a question," Link spoke up for the first time. With a nod from Matthew, Link continued. "Why, Malo? Why did you do it all?"

"Wouldn't you like to know, goat-herder?" Malo sneered. Murmuring of the nobles spread through the room.

"Answer the Hero's question, Malo," Zelda said.

Malo sneered even more. "I don't take orders from self-centered, spoiled noble-men's brats like you, Zelda."

These last words sparked shouting from the nobles and from Matthew and Link. The Hero had jumped to his feet, and was just as furious as the others, perhaps even more so. Midna, growing rather tired of the trial, merely glared with narrowed eyes at Malo, who was smirking triumphantly. Zelda, too, glared, but remained silent, her lips pressed together as if she was trying to prevent herself from joining her husband in yelling at the traitor. Finally, she was through listening to the yelling which didn't seem to be stopping at all. "Quiet!" she shouted. The room went silent. "Be seated, Link," she said in a quieter voice. Link complied, still glaring.

"If you must know," Malo said. "I did it all because I knew that I could rule this country better than either of these so-called monarchs."

Angry muttering sprung up once more, stopped only with a signal from Matthew. "If there are no other questions, we shall proceed," the Hylian King said.

No one spoke, so Matthew continued. "Malo of Ordon, a capital offense – like treason – requires a capital punishment." Malo's smirk faded. "As you are a first-time offender, you shall be banished from Hyrule Kingdom. Your shops shall be confiscated – their names changed – and be put under new management."

"And what of my family?" Malo sneered. "Are you going to tell them your kicking me out of the country?"

"I will personally make sure Pergie and Jaggle know of your treason, Malo," Link said. "And let me tell you, they will be very disappointed in how their son turned out."

Malo looked stunned and hung his head.

"Does the Royal Court agree?" Zelda asked a second time, addressing the question to the nobles.

This time, all ten nobles raised their hands in agreement. "Take him back to the dungeons," Matthew said, "for his last night in Hyrule."

The guards escorted Malo out. The nobles, too, excused themselves, bowed, and left, leaving the four monarchs alone.

The next day, Link warped to the Ordon Spring. The ankle-deep water lapped peacefully at the white sands of the spring. Fairies floated above the water, sparking and laughing in their chiming voices. For a moment, Link was lost in his memories. It was here, in this spring, where his first adventure began, where he had met the light spirit Ordona – a glowing goat-like spirit that charged him with the duty to save Hyrule. The fairies, too, had a history with the Hero. He had traversed through a deep cavern filled to the brim with monsters, and earned the freedom for the little orbs of light not only here at this spring but at the three other spirit springs as well. He remembered the days when he and his childhood friend Ilia would wash his faithful steed Epona in those years before the Time of Twilight.

"Link?"

Link turned at the sound of his name and smiled. "Hey, Ilia," he greeted walking through the water to greet his friend.

"Hello," Ilia greeted back, noting the black Twili designs on his green tunic and hat. I see you favor black now."

"Yeah, well, that's what happens when you're king of shadow people."

Ilia laughed. "So tell me: what are you doing here? You don't normally come without Midna and your kids."

Link sighed. "I'm not here for a... happy visit, if that's what you mean."

"Oh." Ilia's face fell as Link led the way out of the spring. The two friends walked side by side through the forest toward Ordon Village. "What happened?"

"It's a long story. And I'd rather finish what I came here for quickly. Then we can talk about it."

"That's fine. I'll meet you at the spring, then." Link nodded and Ilia left his side, jogging back the way they had come.

As Link entered the village, he noted the changes that had taken place. Once the village had a total of five houses, not counting Link's old house on the outskirts of town. Now, however, that number had tripled. Children had grown up and were starting new families in new homes, and other families had moved into the village. It was a lively little town now with two ranches: one for the goats and one for the tough but gentle Ordon-bred horses. Link walked through the village, waving to his friends and to those who he considered his family. But his destination was solid: he was heading for the larger house across the stream that divided Ordon in two. The house with the water wheel that creaked as it slowly rotated by the stream's movement.

Link crossed the stream and saw Malo's father, Jaggle, in the pumpkin patch, weeding. Holding back a sigh, Link approached the man. "Hello, Jaggle."

The farmer looked up, a grin crossing his face when he saw who it was. "Link, m'boy! How're you?" Jaggle stood, wiping the dirt from his hands.

"Good. And you?"

"Doin' just fine. Just fine, indeed. By the way, you haven't seen Malo up by the castle, have you? Been askin' anyone who's been outside the village recently 'cause the boy's never gone this long without a letter to us."

Link hesitated. At least they knew something was going on. "I've come to tell you about him actually."

Jaggle's expression fell. "He ain't dead, is he?" The man's voice was filled with worry.

"No. Far from it."

"Oh. Well, give me a moment to fetch the wife and you can tell us." Link nodded mutely, watching Jaggle move toward the open door of his house. "Pergie?" he called. "Come out here for a second, will you?"

Malo's mother did so, and, after greeting Link, the three of them sat down at the picnic table that was next to the pumpkin patch. After some hesitation, Link told the story in the shortest version he could, unable to look at Jaggle's and Pergie's shocked expressions the further he got into the story. And when he finished, both Pergie and Jaggle were silent. But only for a moment.

"I thought we raised him better than that!" Pergie said disbelievingly, her voice shaking with tears. She buried her face in her hands, shaking with silent sobs.

"I thought so, too," Jaggle replied. "But he chose this path. It has nothing to do with how we raised him." But Pergie continued to sob. Jaggle sighed sadly, focusing his attention on Link. "We won't take up any more of your time, Link. Thanks for comin' by and tellin' us."

"Of course." Link stood and said a quick goodbye before heading back through the village.

When he arrived at the spirit spring, Ilia looked up at him from where she was sitting on the soft, white sand. Link sat next to her with a sigh.

"Start at the beginning, Link," she said teasingly. "That's always the best place to begin."

"Is this your house, Timothy?" Midna asked the six-year-old Twili in the language of the Twili. She and Link had been escorting the younger and ill Twili children to their homes all afternoon, since they returned from Hyrule. This boy, Timothy, was the last. He had not be hit too hard by the trek in the snow, but he was a very shy child, refusing to speak Hylian – which most of the Palace Village knew fluently – and even barely replied to the Twili language: Soolsetur.

The boy looked around, a small smile lighting up his face. He ran toward the front door of the house they had stopped oat and opened it, calling for his parents. Another reunion was underway.

"There is nothing better than seeing a child reunited with his parents," Link said, smiling as he and Midna began walking back up the street toward the Palace of Twilight.

"Indeed," Midna agreed softly.

"Your Majesties! Wait!"

Link and Midna turned and saw a young woman hurrying toward them from Timothy's house, the six-year-old following her. She bowed, her long, pale-red hair falling in front of her shoulder. "Your Majesties, thank you so much for bringing my son home. I was so worried about him."

Timothy, who had hidden behind his mother's skirts, now emerged, looking up at Midna and Link with a small smile, and in Hylian he spoke two words that brought tears of joy to Midna's eyes: "Thank you."

Even half an hour later, Midna was still thinking on the sweet and sincere expression of the child's face. Intertwining her hand with her husband's, the Twilight Queen spoke. "We did a good thing, Link," she said as they came upon Marietta's house where Nellie and Andrew were waiting with their grandmother.

"Yes," Link replied happily. "We did."

Author's note: So, now what? The children are saved and back home, Malo's got what he deserves and Dredloc's dead. I'll tell you: epilogue time! I've finished writing it up so I'll either post that later today, or tomorrow. Look forward to it!