Dear Readers,

I cannot thank you all enough for your support, reviews, and favorites. This has been an extraordinary journey; there were times when I was at a loss how to continue, but knowing so many awaited updates made the hours and the challenge worthwhile. Yet all things must come to an end. I take this time to announce I have no plans for a 'threequel,' nor any separate foray into the Legend of Zelda universe. Life is accelerating and demanding more and more of my time, and I feel I can no longer produce work of the quality standard I have set for myself. Thus I hope this final installment gives satisfactory closure to the loose ends. Perhaps after further study of the craft of writing, and if I am so inspired, I will return with a new project. In the meantime I will continue to monitor, appreciate, and reply to feedback. You have all been wonderful comrades, and I wish you the greatest success.

Until then.

~FidesNemo

Epilogue

"Quick! Get out here! I heard her calling us."

The two children crouched behind the enormous fronds of a fern. The palace gardens seemed to them to be endless, and they hoped they would be missed among the thick vegetation.

"Is she gone?"
"Shh! I think so." Their eyes were glued to the doorway.

In a rush of magic that made them scream with the delight of hide-and-seek, their mother appeared behind them and scooped them into her arms.

"How do you do that every time?" cried the girl.

Midna chuckled. "I always know where to find my little ones."

"I'm not little anymore," protested her son, puffing out his chest. "I'm almost seven!"

"Well pardon me, Your Majesty. And where did you get all that?" She pointed to the bag of pastries they'd dropped in their hiding place. "I've told you about spoiling your lunch."

"We already ate with Aunt Kiri. She gave them to us."

"Oh, I see." She laughed. "I suppose I can't argue with Aunt Kiri, can I?" She kissed them each and set them back on their feet to run off in search of more mischief. Caro and Iris. The fearless prince and princess of Twilight. Even at seven and five it was clear they would grow to be quite handsome and beautiful. They were striking blends of Light and Shadow, the first of their kind. At least Midna thought so. She did not know if Areanna had borne children yet; she had been largely out of contact since she'd left the realm to marry her Hylian soldier. Her mother had had plenty of slander to spread about the matter, but the day Areanna departed for good she'd come to see Midna a last time. That meeting remained the only time she had ever seen the silver-haired girl genuinely smile, and she truly hoped the new beginning continued to bring Areanna happiness.

Feeling in a pensive mood, she lingered in the gardens among the impeccable horticulture. Life yielded few quiet moments anymore. There was always something left undone, something new to address. Kiri did her best to help, but now had an infant daughter of her own to care for. That still did not stop her and her husband from pathologically spoiling their niece and nephew, but in perspective it did not matter. Caro and Iris had in their father a shining role model of honor, and even after eight years Midna could hardly justify being upset with Kiri for anything. Someday she would tell the children why. Someday they would need to understand. But not today.

At last she stood and stretched. Link would be back soon for them to share a light lunch before she was expected in a Council meeting. The responsibilities of a queen were endless, but she could not complain. With the horrors of the past behind them her people had come together closer than she ever hoped for, restoring the bond between the realms and securing a bright future for generations to come.

Link was waiting for her on the balcony with a basket in his lap when she warped up to meet him. "There you are. I was worried it might have been a bad day."

"No. I'm sorry. I was just taking some quiet time in the gardens." She was always touched by his concern. There were days when the damage done by Sareth's magic reared its head, days when even gliding down a flight of stairs brought on debilitating migraines that only sleep could assuage. Each year, though, such days grew fewer and further between.

She sat with him and they unpacked the small spread. "Where are the kids?" he asked.

"Probably following Kiri around hoping for more handouts and a chance to hold the baby."

He laughed. "Sounds right."

They talked idly as they ate, about anything but business. When lunch was finished she leaned against him and relaxed, watching clouds tack slowly across the sky.

"Sometimes it is still unreal to me."

"Mm?"

"All this. Our lives. Our family. No one could ask for better."

"It's remarkable to look back now," he agreed.

"And there is still so much ahead."

Life had to be measured in moments like these; a child's laughter, a warm breeze, a lover's caress. Glimpses of pure bliss. She kissed him softly and closed her eyes, pretending this one would never end.