Author's Notes: The very last chapter of this story. I've had a really good time writing this story; well I'll save all that stuff for the very end. Now let's see what's going to happen here in the epilogue. I'm not going to tell you what to expect. This takes place about a day after the battle. By the way, italics are flashbacks, but I'm sure you already knew that. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Zelda, never will either. Nintendo holds the glory of owning it. However, I own Celestria, Galathron, Griff, and all that.
--
Epilogue: Final Respects
Midna pulled the black cloak over herself. Her entire attire was a gloomy black, meriting the death of her personal guard and good friend. Grey lines similar to Twili markings adorned the back of the cloak. She found it hard to keep from tears clouding her vision despite a day having passed. It was still hard to believe. Everything that had happened had been almost unbelievable. Well not everything.
Galathron was gone. That was completely believable and Midna was quite happy about that. Galathron didn't deserve to live. It was a cruel thing to say, but Midna couldn't feel anything other than hatred towards the dead king of Celestria. There was nothing else to say about him. Especially since he had been so intent on causing death and misery to others.
Devincha was gone. Midna felt a flare of resentment towards the ancient spirit. She knew it wasn't right to be angry at Devincha, but Midna couldn't help it. Part of her still believed that Devincha could've helped Griff despite Griff having said that nothing would help him. Midna glanced over at where the amulet that held Devincha lay. It was innocent-looking, nothing about it betraying the power within. Midna sighed as the events after Griff's death flooded back to her.
--
The fat healer bustled out of the room to leave Link, Midna, and Devincha in peace. It would be her job to spread the news. By morning, everyone in the palace would know of the events that had come to pass in the throne room. By evening, a funeral would be prepared. However, at the moment, mourning wasn't on Midna's mind.
"What does Griff mean? What do you need to tell me?" Midna growled as she turned to glare at Devincha. For now, her curiosity of the spirit outweighed her grief. Mourning could come later when all was done.
Devincha had her hands folded behind her back. Her head was lowered towards the ground and she sighed. "You can't use the amulet again. Ever." The statement was simple and blunt.
Midna stared at her ancestor. "Why?" She asked, rage bubbling within her. What if they required the amulet once again? How would Link get back home? Not that Midna wanted Link to leave, but he couldn't be denied his place in the land of the sun.
"Just promise me you won't use it." As Devincha spoke, her body began fading. White trails pulled off her, tugging the spirit towards the amulet around Midna's neck. "The reason you can't ever use it is because-"
Devincha had not been fast enough to tell them. The amulet glowed once before falling into a dormant state. Midna tore the amulet off her and stared at the purple gem in its center. The gem stared back, but made no gleams to betray the soul that rested inside of it. Devincha was gone with no explanations. Midna wanted to use it, but she didn't. The graveness of Devincha's voice kept her from using the amulet.
--
Link was here. He was still in the Twilight Realm. It was about the only good thing that had come from all this. How long he would stay… Well forever would be the answer Midna wished for. That was the only choice as they weren't allowed the use the amulet again. Link was stranded here whether he wanted to be or not.
The two of them had told each other what had happened the past few days when they had been separated. They now knew the full stories of those days. Midna had explained Galathron's purpose of coming here and Link had told his story about life not being worth much. Link had said he wouldn't go back to the Light Realm even if he had the choice. Midna wasn't sure that Link would be completely happy in the Twilight Realm with no sun to warm his skin. Still, he persisted in telling her he was content with being with her.
--
Link pulled Midna into a comforting hug. Griff was dead, Devincha was back in the amulet before offering up an explanation. Link was stranded in the Twilight Realm. It seemed as if everything in the world wasn't right. Midna was sobbing into his shoulder now that the two of them were alone. Link barely contained the tears from flowing out of his own eyes.
"Shhhh… Griff wouldn't want you to break down like this," said Link in a quiet voice. Comforting people wasn't his specialty. However, he would do anything to help Midna feel better.
"Griff didn't want to be blood bound to Galathron. Griff didn't want to die." Midna said, choking over the words. Her body shaked in Link's arms as she continued sobbing. "But all that still happened."
Link thought over what he could say. There was little to be said. The Hylian searched desperately through his mind, hoping to find a solution for this. What could he say? His mind remained a blank slate on that subject. Link sighed.
"Midna, it's okay to mourn his death. Just don't let it consume you. I don't want you to be depressed for the rest of your life. Neither would Griff. Please tell me you'll get better."Link said. He pulled Midna a little away from him to look her in the face. His blue eyes pierced into Midna's red eyes.
"I'll be strong…" said Midna in a quiet whisper. The sobs had stopped as she rested. The battle had definitely taken its toll on her and the breakdown of tears wasn't helping much either.
"Good…" Link stated, keeping his voice soft and firm. "Midna… I promise I'll stay here and help you get better." Midna smiled weakly, happy that Link was willing to stay before letting out a shaky laugh.
"Who's going to help you get better? Won't you miss your friends back in Ordon?" Midna questioned. Her body still shook as she spoke.
"Well I'll get through it… Really life isn't much without you. Even when you're bossing me around as I slave away through temples." Link grinned at Midna. Midna punched him lightly on the arm.
"You know, you talk too much sometimes."
With that, Midna leaned up and brought her lips to Link's. Link could taste the salt from her tears and he kissed her back. Her heart soared in happiness, happiness that she hadn't felt for quite some time. Yes, life would be nice once the mourning for Griff was over with. After all, Griff would be unhappy if she let depression take over.
--
Griff. Just the thought of the Twili brought tears to Midna's eyes. She had doubted his trust over the last few days, but she knew he was nothing but loyal. He was just unfortunate. Midna quickly dabbed away at some escaping tears. Why did he have to die? The boy hadn't even lived a long life, or fallen in love. It was so hard to keep a straight face. Fortunately, being emotionless wasn't expected of the Twilight Princess. No, she had never hid any of her emotions from her people.
"Midna." The voice startled Midna out of her reminiscing on the previous day. She took a deep breath to compose herself and took a final dab at the tears. "You don't want to be late."
"I would never be late," replied Midna. She turned away from the mirror she had been staring at and opened the door. Link's grim expression watched the occasion perfectly. Link had donned a black tunic in mourning for Griff. He hadn't been able to find a black hat to wear, so his sandy hair was messy and revealed on his head.
"Let's go."
Link led Midna through the halls of the Twilight Palace. Midna paid little attention to her surroundings as she thought of her fallen friend. Before she knew it, the cold air outside nipped at her pale skin.
She blinked to take in her surroundings. They were in a graveyard, the royal graveyard. The entrance to the tome of the royal family stood in the very back. The entrance was foreboding with black stones and two horns seeming to stick out. Twili markings ran through the stone. Gravestones, some bigger and some smaller, littered the ground before the tome. Most were in fine condition as the grave keeper made sure all the gravestones remained presentable. Midna sighed as the smell of recently dug earth reached her nose.
She turned and saw the grave where Griff rested. The gravestone sat, innocent and almost mocking. A gaping hole lay in front of the gravestone. The pile of earth stood nearby, waiting to be placed in its proper spot once more. In front of the hole, a black coffin lay on the dusty ground. The coffin was open for all that had known Griff to pay their respects. A crowd of Twili surrounded the coffin to honor the guard and friend.
Midna joined the crowd who parted like water as she strode past. Link paused on the outskirts of the crowd to allow those who knew Griff better to be closer to him. Her head was bowed as she approached the coffin. A mail shirt was pulled over Griff, hiding the three slashes and the mark of his blood bond. So far, Midna had yet to tell her people about the mark. However, honesty would be the best thing and Midna had never lied to her people.
"Twili and light dweller," began Midna in a grief-riddled voice. "We have gathered here for the funeral of our beloved guard, Griff. He was a friend to many Twili and all of you remember the pranks he pulled when Zant usurped the throne." A few chuckles at the memory rose from the crowd, but other than that, no other sounds were made. "He was my personal guard and he took his duty seriously."
"He died nobly, a sacrifice to get rid of the evil Galathron." Confused looks met her gaze. "Hidden beneath the mail shirt he always wore was the mark that signified his blood bond to Galathron. He had never wanted to be blood bound to the wicked king, but he was forced into it. Griff didn't hesitate to strike Galathron despite the pain it brought him. Finally, Griff fell when a brutal blow was done on to Galathron. When Galathron finally died, Griff had minutes to live. He allowed death to take him, so that Galathron could die." The confused looks faded away with pained expressions.
"His sacrifice was great. He could've kept Galathron safe to keep himself free from death's clutches. But he didn't. We will always remember Griff." With that parting note, Midna bowed her head. The rest of the Twili and Link bowed their head along with the princess.
Midna shuffled over to Griff's coffin and looked down at his face. She lightly kissed his forehead and murmured, "Good-bye Griff. I hope you have a better life now in the hands of the Twili goddess." Midna moved to the side to allow the other Twili to pay their last respects to Griff.
The quiet murmurings of good-bye rang in her ears and finally her eyes let go of the tears they held. The tears fell down her face quickly, leaving streaks across her face. She didn't bother wiping the tears away. More would replace them anyway.
Once all respects were paid, Midna surrounded the coffin with Twili energy. The coffin was lowered gently into the hungry grave, hungry for the coffin it would hold for the rest of eternity until natural processes decayed the wood. The sounds of dirt being moved didn't reach Midna's ears. Arms wrapped around her didn't register in her mind. No, she was too busy staring at the ornate lettering on the gravestone;
Griff,
September 15 1200-August 14 1216
Loyal Guard
Beloved Friend
We Hope You Rest Well.
The End
--
Author's Notes: What is wrong with me?! I end this story with the engravings on a gravestone… Whatever, I'll go and see someone about it… YAY! My first completed chapter story… I'm so happy, ecstatic!
And I have good news before I begin the thanks! I will be writing a SEQUEL to this story! I'll start it soon, that I promise. What can you expect? Well, you can expect… More romance, more on the Twi Blade, and a visit to Celestria! Most of the story will happen in Celestria. The main characters will be Midna and Link (duh) as well as some OCs. Do you want a summary? Hmm… Should I? pitchforks and torches began marching towards me Okay, okay… Here's a short summary:
A month has passed since the fight with Galathron and the mourning has stopped. Life is good, better than ever. However, when messengers from Celestria come, they bring news. News that requires Midna along with Link to journey to the land of Celestria. What new challenges will they find there? And who's the real evil that lies within the land?
That's all I'm saying… I won't tell you what the message from the messengers was. Don't worry. It should be in the first chapter of the story, which I have decided to entitle "Blood of the Moon." Why? Maybe you'll find out once I post the story.
Now to the part of the author's notes, where I thank all of you. I thank all the people who reviewed, faved, watched, and red this fanfiction. Really, I appreciate it! Double thanks to you all for waiting patiently as I typed this story for the next update!
Now for the last time in this story,
Twilight Phantom Dragon