Author's note: I apologize for the shortness of the chapter, but I think you'll like it. Major fluff here, readers! As always, thanks to those who the previous chapter with great reviews: Topaz Skye, RheaTheWingedWhiteWolf, and Etoile of the twilight. Keep the reviews up, 'cause I'm eager to know what you guys think! Also, if you like this, please, check out my 100 Theme One-Shot Challenge. It's new but it'll have a lot of Zelda stuff in it! Thanks for reading and enjoy Chapter Nine! ~TwiliRupee

Chapter Nine
Marietta sighed, bored. Twelve days had passed since Midna, Link, and Zelda had left on their journey. Twelve long days of Zant threatening to destroy the village or enslave the Twili there. She tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table in her kitchen. Normally, she would be out at this time of day, enjoying the changing of the colors of the sky as light Twilight came upon them. But not now... not with all the dangers of the usurper king on the throne, it wasn't as safe as before.

But she couldn't take it. She stood and made her way out of the house, where two guards stood ready. They bowed their heads.

"I'm taking a walk," Marietta said. "Would one of you accompany me?"

"Of course, my lady," one of the guards said. He moved to Marietta's side and the two walked off through the streets. Several of her friends in the village greeted her, but one in particular came up to her, a grin on his face.

"Madam, three hestur fulgar have been spotted in the west," he said. "I believe your daughter has returned."

"Thank you, Hikaro," Marietta said. She and the guard hurried to the west entrance of the village. By the time they reached it, the Twilight Princess and her friend had arrived, dismounting from their rides. Midna smiled when she saw her mother.

"I'm so glad you're back safe and sound," Marietta said, embracing her daughter quickly. "I want to hear the whole story. Did you succeed? What were the temples like?"

"Don't worry," Midna said. "We'll tell you everything. But first, I think Link needs to get some sleep." She turned to the Hero who rolled his eyes. Marietta had to agree with her daughter. Link looked exhausted. She nodded and led the group back to her house.

"Link, go to bed," Midna ordered once they reached the cozy kitchen of Marietta's house.

"Midna..." Link protested.

"She's right, Link," Zelda added. "You were up all dark Twilight. You should get some rest."

Link sighed, but he didn't complain. He went up to the room Marietta had given him last time. He kicked off his boots and took off his sword belt before flopping down on the bed. He was asleep within seconds.

The wind and rain beat down on Link and Midna. Link pushed against the wind, looking around. He was tiring. His non-stop journey to get Midna to Zelda on top of whatever Zant did to him to keep him in wolf form was exhausting. But he couldn't stop. He could feel Midna's breathing getting shallower, her grip on his fur loosening. But he was almost there.

He jumped down from a ruined tower to the roof of the castle, his paws scrambling to grip the slippery tiles. He pulled himself up, loping as fast as he could toward the window into Zelda's tower.

There was a squawk, and a kargaroc dove at him with its sharp beak. Link jumped at it, biting into its throat, the black blood staining his muzzle. The bird went down, and Link shook himself gently enough so Midna wouldn't fall from his back, but he still strong enough to get the blood off. He continued on, clambering into the window and jumping down to the spiral stairs. He ran up them, bursting into the room where Zelda had been last time.

His heart fell. She wasn't there by the window.

A thud beside him made him turn around. Midna had lost all strength. She lay on the stone floor of the room, shivering. Link looked at her. She was barely breathing.

He felt like crying. She was going to die...

"LINK!"

The voice shook Link from his dream. He opened his eyes and saw Midna standing over him, looking worried. He realized that he had been sobbing for real. He sat up, putting his hands to his face.

Midna sat down next to him, wrapping her arms around him. "Hey," she said in a soft and soothing voice. "They're just dreams."

"But they happened," Link replied, his voice shaking hard as he fought back the sobs.

"I know that. But it's in the past. I'm fine. True, I wasn't then, but now I am. There's nothing to worry about."

Link looked at her. "It's still heartbreaking," he said. "Because...I guess I fell in love with you then."

"Even though I was an unsightly imp with an attitude?"

"Even then. And now, when I revisit that time, I see how close you were to dying and how much I really cared for you...and how much I care for you now."

Midna studied him, noting the sincerity in his eyes, coupled with the exhaustion. She thought back to the desperate hour. She realized that it was after Link had brought her to Zelda that fateful night, that she, too, loved him back.

Link sighed, rubbing his face wearily.

"You should sleep, my silly Hero," Midna said, wrapping her arms around him. "Don't worry. I'll be right here."

Link nodded and they laid down. Link closed his eyes. Midna watched him drift off once more, his chest rising and falling with each breath he took. Sleepiness caught up with her as well. She leaned over the Hero and kissed his cheek. She watched his face, which was peaceful for now. She kissed his nose, noting the smile that spread on the Hero's face as she did so, and settled down to sleep, embracing the one she loved.

She didn't seem to be asleep for very long when she sensed someone calling her name. She pulled herself from sleep and opened her eyes, only to see her mother and Zelda standing over the bed where she and Link laid. She sat up suddenly, letting Link go and waking him at the same time. "It's not what it looks like," she said quickly. Link stirred and opened his eyes as well.

"What's going on?" he asked groggily before realizing just what was happening.

"Well, Midna," Marietta said as Zelda laughed by her side. "It looks like you solidified some things over your journey."

Midna ducked her head with embarrassment. "He was having his dreams again," she said. "I was only trying to comfort him." But the expressions on Marietta's face and Zelda's face didn't change. Zelda continued to laugh behind her hand. Midna got up from the bed, glancing back at Link. He grinned at her.

As she passed her mother on her way out of the room, she paused saying, "P'uu ert ekki meouo uppistand, Mamma." The Twilight Princess left the room. Marietta rolled her eyes and smiled at Link before leaving the room as well.

"I'm guessing you had a good night," Zelda said.

"We didn't do anything," Link replied, sitting up "And besides, I was dreaming again before she came in."

"And after?" Zelda sat in a chair that was next to the bed.

"I don't think I dreamed..." Link rubbed the tiredness from his face. "Why?"

"Well, after you went to bed, Midna, Marietta, and I went over the journey. Marietta knows plenty about the barrier, so she is sure the orbs we collected will break through it. Then we discussed how we were going to fix this problem of Zant. He's got to go. We were thinking today."

"Today?"

"Only if you're up to it. If you need more sleep, then we can wait until tomorrow. But the sooner he's gotten rid of, the better."

Link nodded. "Then let's end this today."

"I'll tell Midna. Come down when you're ready: Marietta has breakfast waiting."

There was a faint yellow glow surrounding the Palace of Twilight. It was obvious now that there was a barrier here, but Midna marched right up the the edge of it, reaching out and placing a hand to it. It reacted to her touch, and shocked her. She drew her hand away, her mind flooding with horrid memories of when her loved ones were in the most peril. She took a step back, trying to clear her mind.

"Zant's got new magic," she said. "And it's really powerful."

Link stepped over to her side, as did Zelda. Link pulled the three orbs out of his bottomless bag, handing two of them to the Princesses. Side by side, Midna could tell which one had been held where. The one they had found in the Temple of Shadow had a gray glow to it as she balanced it in one hand. One of the other orbs had a red glow, while the third continued to shine white.

"On three," Midna said. "One...two...three!"

The three friends thrust their orbs forward toward the barrier. Ripples spread from where the orbs made contact. Sparks of lightning flew from where the glowing spheres made contact with the barrier.

Soon, the magic overwhelmed Link, Midna, and Zelda. With a wave of power, the three were sent backwards, landing hard on the ground. Midna jumped to her feet and looked up in fascination. Cracks spread from the orbs across the barrier like it was glass. Then, with a shattering sound, the whole thing broke, pieces flying everywhere. Midna shielded her face, and when she looked again, the Palace of Twilight was free once more.

"Reminds me of what you did to free Hyrule Castle," Link said, getting to his feet and pulling Zelda up as well.

"Yeah," Midna said. "Come on. Zant's waiting."

Midna warped the trio over to the entrance of the building and, without hesitation, Link opened the door and they entered.

Author's Note: Translation of what Midna said to Marietta: "You don't have to make a scene, Mom."

Edit 9/11/12: Updated chapter so everything's much smoother and typo-less now. Hope it's a better read!