Chapter Twenty-Five

Gaudium in Veritate
"Joy in Truth"

For the first time since it all began, they entered the Twilight Realm peacefully and at ease. No tumbling, no shouting, no stress – almost no stress that is. They still had plenty to do now in this world; letting its residents know of the existence and connection with that of Hyrule.

The Twilight Princess and Sheikah stood where the Mirror once deposited travelers that crossed from one realm to another, looking out over the grounds before the palace. At a glance they didn't see anyone in the open as of now, the time being that of evening in the Twilight Realm - even if the light never changed in this world.

Midna turned to Link, eyes widening as she scanned him. The Sheikah was shocked at her expression and looked over himself, still in the knights' tunic from Hyrule. The painfully dark lines on his skin – that had slowly faded to lighter streaks in the world of Light after his trial – now looked vastly different from anything they had before. In the Twilight they faintly glowed like Midna's markings, a touch of teal blue on Link's otherwise lightly tanned skin. The designs had become almost nonexistent in the Light realm, but something about the shine of Hyrule's counterpart world made the lines no longer painful or sorrowful, but instead beautiful and actually quite elegant. They almost looked like the symbols that adorned the Twili, albeit the geometric designs on the Sheikah were a touch different.

"Link! Midna!" A small voice shouted, causing the two to turn their gazes in the direction of the cry. They spun about to see Aralie rushing up to them. The little Twili threw herself towards the ones who had left the world of Twilight to what them seemed like only short weeks ago, even if they were filled with many events. Both the ruler of the realm and the Sheikah who accompanied her reached out to catch child. She began to sob in the arms that held her. "You left so suddenly. I was worried. I didn't want to be alone again!"

"Shh… It's okay. We're back, and we won't go again without letting you know first, okay?" Midna comforted the girl, setting the child on her own feet once more. After a few moments Aralie pulled away, wiping her tears as she looked to the ruler of her kingdom that squatted at the child's level.

"Thank you Midna. And…" the girl drifted, getting a good chance to finally look over Link for the first time since their arrival. "What happened?" her voice had the slightest bit of worry but her expression one of curiosity, not fear. Link smiled to her sadly and squatted down to be on eye level of the young Twili. Her own eyes widened when she saw Link's.

"Aralie, I'm well. I might look different, but I'm still me, okay?"

In response Aralie smiled. "You just look kinda funny. More like a Twili, but not really."

"I… guess I do," Link replied. He thought back to Midna's tale of how the Sheikah slowly changed over time, few features becoming more like the Twili he knew and less like the Sheikah they were. With that thought came another. Everything wasn't quite over yet.

"I've gotten much better with the slingshot this time, I promise! And I even carry around some rocks so I don't have to look for them!" the girl said, suddenly showing off the items she spoke of and snapping Link out of his thoughts.

"I'm sorry Aralie, but we have a lot to do. Could we play later?" Midna spoke as she drew to her full height once more. The Twili child gazed up, smile slipping from her face.

"Okay, but promise you'll play later?" she asked with understanding reluctance.

"Maybe tomorrow," Link responded, smiling to the child. "Get more rocks in the meantime. You don't want to run out when you do end up showing us."

"Yeah!" the girl was enthusiastic once more, turning around and running back the way she had came. Link stood next to the Princess, meeting her eyes with a smile for the briefest moment before shifting his gaze towards the direction the girl sped off in. It seemed some Twili had entered the open with the shouts of the child from shortly before. Upon seeing Midna and Link, they rushed to their sides, bombarding the two with questions.

The excitement from their return had died down for the moment and now Midna and Link stood before the heads of the various houses. Another impromptu meeting of sorts similar to what had come to pass right before their departure was currently being held.

"So you say that there is now a permanent connection to the world of Light once more?" Senja asked after Midna finished her explanation of what had come to pass in Hyrule, and what Link had now fully become.

"Yes, and it is known of in Hyrule as I have explained. In time and with approval here, all in both realms will know of the other's existence. I understand that this is much information at the moment, but we – I – have formed a pact with Zelda and have created an alliance. I… apologize for doing this without your consent," Midna said sorrowfully, gaze dropping. She knew it was for the best, but still feared it may not sit well with her people.

"No, we understand. You have done it to mend relations. No one could blame you. This does put more work on us, but we do not mind, Princess," Amurg spoke to consolidate the Twilight ruler.

"Yes. If you think it is for the best, then it is. You have much more experience with the Light Realm than we do. The people will be glad to know you have secured relations with those on the other side of this new gateway," Solpor followed up with. In response, a soft smile crept along Midna's face.

"Good. At some point in the near future I need to relate all this to Zelda and finalize everything. When that time comes Link and I will go to Hyrule once more, confirming with the Princess about our agreement. From there we can secure trade and more. From here on out Link will serve as ambassador, do you approve of this?"

The others looked to one another then back to the Twili and Sheikah, nodding in silent agreement. Link was in silent shock for a moment, but somehow knew the Princess would come to that decision. After all, he knew most about Hyrule out of all that lived in the Twilight Realm.

"Thank you everyone," Midna said with a sigh. "I feel terrible for all my actions… to all of you," she glanced at Link for a moment before returning her sight to the others.

"Do not, please. That is in the past. It seems you have learned from it too," Senja spoke. Midna smiled weakly.

"I suppose I have…" the Twilight Princess drifted, gaze meeting that of Link's. "I suppose we all do."

Link and Midna walked the halls of the palace in silence after the meeting; the two thinking on how things would be different now and what they did to make that a reality. They hadn't said anything to one another since the more formal words that had been spoken with the heads of the houses. After a short while though, the Sheikah broke the quiet, addressing a topic the Twili didn't see coming.

"I… I don't know what you faced when we were making the portal," he began quietly. Midna looked to him, recalling Link's face the moment his ordeal was over. She suddenly became concerned and he quickly continued, looking where he walked. "You don't need to tell me now if you don't want to, but… What I went through when facing my trial in the Sacred Grove… It was something like what I had encountered while we were creating the portal - at least what I encountered. I don't know what you or Zelda went through. Anyway, it was blackness, then a challenge of sorts. I had to find and follow the right light there. I… think I made the correct choices, though I still feel like something is wrong in a way," Link explained, not looking to Midna. "I'm… sorry I didn't tell you about it all before we created the portal again."

The Twili stopped walking, Link taking a few steps further than her before noticing the Princess had come to a halt. The Sheikah paused as well, turning to face her nervously. Suddenly fear gripped him over the worry that he had said something wrong; that there wouldn't be the rewarding feeling of happiness with truth just as he had learned and instead fear and pain would take its tight hold.

Eventually, Midna shattered the stillness of the halls in which they stood, turquoise glow of the markings on the black stone illuminating her genuinely understanding and caring face.

"No, it's alright. I… if it felt like I was forcing you to tell me, or being pushy about it, I'm sorry. It's true that it might have been easier if you did… but that's in the past. We can't do anything about it now except learn, but I suppose we already know that, don't we?" Midna smiled a bit weakly, struggles still fresh in her mind. Not a moment later she shoved the thoughts aside, taking up a more lighthearted tone. "Anyway, there's still plenty to be done even though it's getting late. I need to give some sort of address to my people to let them know all is well. I'll elaborate on everything later, but I can't keep them completely in the dark," she spoke, once more falling into step and making her way down the passage, smiling at Link as she passed him. The Sheikah matched her pace, he yawning as the two continued, darkened thoughts dissolving with each stride.

"Yeah, and I'm tired," Link spoke as he finished his yawn.

"Get some rest then, okay?"

"But you said –" Link began, snapping his head to the side to meet her gaze as he spoke, but she cut him off.

"Yes, I know. You're tired though and we both know that will only make things harder. Get some rest. There isn't much to do anyway."

He stared at her for a few moments then sighed. He was glad they were like this, more open in a way even if they held a secret or two more.

"Yeah. See you later," he mumbled, walking away with the knowledge of what remained on his mind.

Midna was exhausted once her people finally let the Princess depart, having bombarded her with even more questions than their initial arrival after she finished the vague address to her subjects. She tiredly made her way to her chambers, letting personal thoughts roam her mind now that she did all she could at the time with regards to her country. All she had left to think on now had to do with Link. She figured tomorrow might be best to address that though, he obviously tired from earlier - as was she.

With a sigh she set her hand on her door; the stone sliding aside and letting the Twili enter. The Princess groggily made her way through her room, trying to prevent her eyes from completely shutting before she could flop onto her bed. Just as she was about to fall forward, the Princess caught herself at an unexpected sight.

Curled up at the foot of her bed like a dog - no, a wolf - laid Link.

The Twili was in shock for a moment, not expecting him to be here. Though even with exhaustion it didn't take Midna long to realize that her room was the closest destination from when they departed earlier. In addition to that, the Sheikah hadn't slept in his own chambers for quite some time. He was probably too tired to notice where he'd ended up, not even bothering to change back into his Twili robes and still wearing the knight's tunic from Hyrule.

Exhaustion taking hold of her, Midna couldn't stand for much longer. She didn't want to disturb Link's obvious contentment, so she let herself slide to the floor, resting her arms on her bed with her head atop them as she looked to the Sheikah. The Princess could have sworn his ear twitched the slightest, but that might have been her tired mind.

A sudden temptation to pull out the Shadow Crystal and transform Link into his other shape briefly overtook her, but Midna surprised the urge. Although he looked like a wolf from how he rested, he wasn't one, no matter how much she wanted to give him a scratch or two on his sleeping head. She could do that in this form, even if it did irritate him.

A small smile slid across her lips as her eyes drifted closed, and before she knew it, Midna was asleep.

Link blinked his eyes open, seeing Midna sitting asleep on the floor, head resting on the edge of the bed. Suddenly, the Sheikah realized where he was, silently scolding himself for taking a nap in Midna's room and not his own; making the Princess sleep on the ground even though previously he promised he never could do that.

Although he was upset at himself, he couldn't stay that way for long. It almost seemed as if she was smiling in her sleep, and in response Link couldn't help but have the same expression adorn his own features. He watched her in peace for a while, not realizing just how much time had passed, or what hour of the day it was. He felt he might have slept the whole night, exhaustion from earlier events and discussions having been relieved from his rest. Reluctantly, he decided to leave her, knowing that it wasn't right to stay here now that he was well. The Sheikah reached out, wanting to brush aside a strand of her fiery hair that had fallen in front of her face, but he stopped, drawing his hand away a moment later. He didn't want to wake her, but knew he needed to talk with the Princess at some point soon. Link thought that would be best to do when she had awoken of her own accord.

Carefully as to not disturb her, the Sheikah got up and silently walked to the door, giving one last over his shoulder at the Princess before leaving and making his way down the hall towards his own room. He wondered what the future would hold for him now that he no longer was bound to something in the past. Link wasn't entirely sure what he would do from here on out, but he knew one thing for sure - that was he wanted to see Midna happy.

…Even if that meant he may never know if he could give her happiness.

With a sigh, Link sat at his desk once he arrived in his own room, letting the soft glow of the walls illuminate a blank piece of paper he stared at. Just the sight of the parchment made him recall his parent's letter, word for word. For the most part, everything was over. The Sheikah – now Twili – and Hylians once more connected. He and Midna sharing the knowledge that they care deeply for one another, but…

"Link…"

He shot a glance over his shoulder at the call of his name from the Twilight Princess, she somehow having opened his door and standing in the threshold without him hearing. Link didn't understand how that was possible with his heightened senses, but maybe he was too wrapped up in his thoughts to even register her presence.

"Are you okay?" she asked with genuine concern. The Sheikah let out a breath, standing from his seat as she approached, he too taking a step towards her.

"I'm fine," he replied with a smile. "You just started me."

"I thought I couldn't do that anymore," she grinned back, but the expression slipped from her face a moment or two later. "Hey, Link… I actually want to talk to you about something."

He was frozen for a moment or so, concerned about her sudden seriousness. The Sheikah hoped that she didn't notice, and Link acted as if nothing bothered him, sitting on the edge of his nearby bed. Midna walked up to him in silence, standing next to him for a second before coming to rest by the side of the Sheikah. She met his red eyes, he returning the gaze.

They were silent for a time. Matching irises simply looking into those of the other, ones that had witnessed more than anyone should have to endure. They had been through so much: Midna, usurped from her throne and cast from her kingdom; the two of them cursed to walk the worlds they once knew in bodies foreign to them; and Link, past threatening to prevent a future. The two had to suffer far longer than they deserved, but now they were ready to embrace a time of peace they had craved for far too long. Midna finally began to speak.

"I'm sorry for everything I've done and everything you've had to go through because of me. I know I've said that already, but I am."

"Midna –"

"Link, listen." She reached for his hand, taking it in hers. Link's eyes darted to where she kindly held before greeting the sight of the Princess once again. "It's… I also faced a choice when we were creating the gateway. It… had to do with the Fused Shadows and my ancestry. You might have noticed after we finished making the portal that the dark magic of my tribe was gone… and it is - well, sort of. I guess you can say it's the portal now, magic of the Light Spirits and magic of the Twili. Light and Shadow combined to not make darkness, but knowledge. That is, if we know what to do with it, and now we do…" her voice drifted and Midna looked to their hands, letting go unexpectedly. "Anyway, that's a secret that I feel you should know. Even though we've been in the presence of the other, it seems like we've been keeping a lot of things hidden for quite a while. I'm just… glad I got to let you know that, and have you listen," she finished, looking to his hand again and contemplating if she wanted to hold it once more, yet the Princess feared of making the Sheikah feel uncomfortable. Nonetheless, it truly felt good to get that out in the open and she hoped he wasn't worried by it. To reassure him she continued.

"In my ordeal, I learned for a fact just how hard you have struggled to do everything you can, even if you don't always succeed." Midna recalled what her ancestor had said regarding his lack of aid in the battle with the Interlopers. He couldn't do anything then. "Nothing in the past is your fault. Just know that, okay?"

The Sheikah continued to simply look at Midna, his mind thinking over every possible thing he could say to thank her for telling him, to speak words of comfort in return to her comforting him with the simple action of talking freely. Before he could say anything though, the Twilight Princess started to speak once more. She took a deep breath before beginning.

"Link… now that everything is over and the past is in the past, we're back in the Twilight Realm here and now. Things are going to be getting better, I know. So…" Midna paused and Link tentatively reached his hand out to hers, this time holding the Twili's in his own. In response she smiled the slightest, continuing where she left off.

"What will you do now? I mean, it's all over for the most part, really."

Link stared at her in silence, wondering the same. He loved her, so of course he would stay by Midna's side, thankful that he now had the opportunity to venture to Hyrule whenever he wished. The Sheikah didn't know how to put into words his thoughts, knowing that even though the two loved one another, they likely couldn't be together - he only serving in her court and acting as ambassador while she found someone else to carry on her line.

Midna bit her lip after a short time; worry building as each second passed. She wondered what could be taking him so long to think over an answer. Eventually, the Sheikah spoke.

"I'm going to stay here, with you, providing support because, well, you supported me through all this. I'll continue with my role you gave me of working with the houses, and now also act as ambassador. I'll go to Hyrule to visit for both diplomatic reasons and hopefully personal ones – if you'll let me take some time to do so. Otherwise, I'll be here, in the Twilight Realm… by your side," he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and Midna smiled, letting out a breath she wasn't aware of holding. The Princess was nervous at what his response to her next words would be, but she wouldn't back out now. She simultaneously wanted to wait some time before asking, but also wished to do so at this very moment. Taking a short pause to calm herself, the Twili prepared to present the most important question she ever would.

"Thank you, Link. I was hoping you would say that, because…" she drifted for a moment. She was tempted to say the next words in her lighthearted and sarcastic manner, but knowing what had happened last time she brought up something so important, she decided against it and instead approached the topic seriously, just as she had been speaking before. The Princess took another deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart as she spoke. Midna hoped Link couldn't hear it pounding in her chest as he looked to her with confusion and concern.

"If you want, you… can be the King of Twilight. Not the Usurper, a true King… my King… So, Link, do you accept my proposal?"

She didn't realize how good it would feel to say that, asking for him to share her rule. It was even better than telling the Sheikah her true feelings, and finally all weights had been lifted from the Twili. The Princess nervously waited for his answer, heart racing almost faster than before as the seconds ticked by, taking what seemed like forever.

Link stared wide-eyed, baffled by her words. He was in shock, and the Sheikah was holding his breath without realizing it. As soon as he could form coherent thoughts, Link's mind instantly went back to the night she kissed him, realizing her nervousness and unfinished statement there could have related to this question. She very well might have been holding it in since then, her feelings for him going back for much longer than he thought, he realized, if she was truly prepared to ask about something as serious as marriage.

The Sheikah let out the air in his lungs as he slid his hand from hers, eyes drifting to the ground before him. Midna was tempted to speak, but held her tongue out of fear of saying the wrong thing. She recalled Zelda's warning about the risk of taking a step forward with him, and only after voicing her thoughts aloud did she realize this was far too soon to ask a question such as the one she brought up.

Before he could say anything directly addressing her query, Link knew he needed to tell the Princess something even he hadn't been able to fully understand. The Sheikah didn't want there to be problems later on, no matter his answer and no matter the fear he had to face in this moment. Even if getting the words out might be painful, he was sure that at least some happiness would follow – some reassurance that no matter what, she would still love him. That's all he cared for, nothing else.

He took a breath, summoning the courage he was blessed with before speaking.

"King… Midna, I…" the Sheikah drifted, voice shaking from surprise and awe. From what the Interloper had told him in the trial, he knew he had to face the fact that she was a royal Twili and he was not, and how their differences would hurt their relationship and all those connected to them in any way. Link took a deep breath before continuing, eyes not meeting hers. "The magic of the Twilight Realm changed the Sheikah… As far as I know… I can't… We…" Link drifted. He wasn't sure how to say this, not only the subject being a bit awkward for him, but afraid of what she would think of him for it.

His face contorted with the pain of sadness. "If the two of us are together… your kingdom…" the Sheikah drifted, taking a few breaths to compose himself. Link could no longer keep secrets, and he knew that. Distancing himself from the woman he loved, and who loved him in return, only made things so much more painful. He desperately hoped this wouldn't wound her more, it already agonizingly painful to him.

Midna grew more and more fearful about whatever he had to say with each passing moment of tension. She'd never seen Link this worked up over something. Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Princess was truly terrified, wishing she could somehow rewind time and retract her statement as to not see him hurt like this.

"I-I… more than anything I just want to be by your side, to see you happy, but… I'm probably useless for the role you want me to take up. Because of me, because of who I am in comparison with you… It's likely you won't be able to pass on the crown. You… need to find someone else for, well, that," Link finished, still not meeting her gaze and his face the slightest bit red, even with the turquoise glow of the walls illuminating it.

Midna grit her teeth at his words, fearing this whole time that he would deny love with the idea of commitment; instead he had some other absurd notion she couldn't even begin to comprehend. The Princess had never wanted to slap some sense into someone as hard as she did right now.

"You idiot!" She screamed; Link's head snapped up and his eyes widened in shock, not expecting the sudden outburst. "Is that really the reason why you acted so strange? Even after everything we've gone through? We've been side-by-side for so long and you're only telling me this now? Thank the Goddesses you didn't have the Triforce of Wisdom or I think we all would have been doomed!" she threw up her hands. Link scooted away from her, fearing she might inadvertently – or intentionally – strike him but knowing subconsciously that she would never do that. His instinctual reflexes got the better of him – at least for a moment – and he shifted out of her arm's reach, only to fall onto the floor and land on his back upon reaching the end of his seat. Although he expected some sort of disagreement or anger from Midna, he didn't predict this of all things.

"I-I didn't want to hurt you. I only found this out in the Sacred Grove," he explained nervously as he grasped for words, voice shaking as he pushed himself to a sitting position.

"Not being yourself is what hurt most!" she exclaimed. Link knew that from what had occurred over the recent past, it only concretely making sense in his conscious mind when she spoke, confirming it all. "And when it comes to my kingdom, I don't care about it! I only care about us!"

After the words left her lips Midna realized just how self-centered she sounded. Link continued to stare at her in shock, mouth hanging open. She rapidly continued. "Of course I care for the wellbeing of my realm, but Link, I care for you too." Midna had calmed herself some, looking to the Sheikah sorrowfully. "If you think you aren't worthy for some stupid reason such as that, you're wrong."

"But your lineage… If... we... who's going to carry on the powers bestowed to the ruler of the Twili?" he replied haphazardly, still on the ground.

"The only special powers the ruler of the Twili possessed were the ability to utterly shatter the Mirror of Twilight and to use the Fused Shadows to their full potential. With the Mirror gone and the Fused Shadows now turned into a portal, the bloodline is really the least of our worries."

"But we can't be selfish. Someone will have to rule after—" Link was cut off as Midna interrupted him.

"We'll adopt Aralie."

"What?" he wasn't quite sure if he heard that right. Midna's face softened and she reached her hand out. He took it almost tentatively and she pulled him up, letting the Sheikah sit next to her before the Princess continued seriously.

"Link, she needs a family. Her house provided one without hesitation, but she's very close to you… and although she's quite young, the girl possesses knowledge about how the Twilight Realm works thanks to her mother having been a house leader."

The words Midna spoke immediately relieved the Sheikah, knowing that the Twili child would have a family once more. Something he never fully gained after his father died. No, it was something he had only obtained within the past year, with Midna. A harsher thought took hold once more.

"I'm sorry. That I might never be able to give you… a child of our own," he remembered back to what the Hero's Shade had shown him. The happy and carefree love between the Princess and Hero of old; the infant and the affection on the mother's face when her eyes rested on her baby.

"None of that matters to me, and it doesn't mean I still can't love you," she spoke, sorrowful smile on her face. "I'm hoping that also means that you'll still love me. Link, after all we've gone through, our love is so much deeper. All I need for my happiness is yours. I love you for who you are, not what you are or what you can give me. Wolf, Hylian, Hero, Sheikah – none of that matters. The only thing I cared for on our journey was someone named Link. Someone I had shared my struggles with. That is whom I continue to love, and will forevermore. Even if our curses were never broken, you would still be Link, and I would still be Midna. I would want to stay by your side no matter what we would face, and I regret trying to prevent that from happening."

Link could relate, and finally understood both her and himself. The Sheikah had also loved the Princess as the cursed tiny imp with a pointed tooth. He occasionally even missed that small and almost cuddly form of hers.

"Besides… the Twili that became the royal family still retained much of what they were like prior to their banishment when they were still Sheikah. Our differences are not like Gorons, Zoras or anything else. It's not like we're a different species or anything. Wherever you got that ridiculous idea, it's a lie."

"Thanks Midna," Link said, relieved to know that no matter what she still cared. The Sheikah looked to his feet with a sigh. "Though I'm not sure how you know it's a lie…" he drifted. The Twili smiled, getting an idea that she hoped would lighten the mood in some way. She reached her hand out, setting her fingers on the underside of Link's chin and directing his face to hers as she began to speak with a look she hadn't ever given the Sheikah before, but hoped would work.

"Then do you want to see who's right? Since you seem so concerned about kids and if we do hope to have a child of our own one day, we have to start at some point, so why not now?"

"Y-you mean…" Link stuttered, voice drifting as he felt his face redden and heart race. Of course he loved Midna and wanted to make her happy, she seeming interested going there as of now, but the Sheikah himself wasn't sure if he was ready for that at this moment. So much had happened in the past few weeks. He felt a bit overwhelmed by everything. Link pulled away and the Twili royal brought her hand back to her side.

"What? Why do you seem so nervous? Are you afraid?" she asked with a slight tilt of her head.

"Th-that's not exactly… I… Maybe not right…" he struggled to find words, swallowing and averting his gaze from hers. Midna's face suddenly became serious.

"Hey. I was just joking, okay? I'm not ready for that either and we've got our whole lives ahead of us now. No need to rush. Right? Let's finally give our relationship a chance to work itself out in due time. Though if that's true, I suppose I shouldn't have shocked you with all this whole discussion I started."

Link looked back at her, breathing out a silent sigh of relief as his expression once more was relaxed. The Twili realized her joke was a bit cruel, especially when she recalled her own flustered reaction to Zelda's words in the Sacred Grove.

The two sat in silence for a few moments. Midna broke the quiet a short while later, realizing she had once again made the air about them awkward instead of happy.

"Anyway, no more secrets, promise?"

"Promise," he replied, smiling mildly.

"Then about earlier…" she drifted, still awaiting his answer – whatever it may be. Link had almost forgotten Midna's initial question and with the thought the smile slipped from his face, eyes widening and jaw hanging open at the realization of what it would all mean.

"I-I… It's such a big change. Not just another duty, but… Am I even qualified?"

The Princess let out a sigh, seeing he still didn't see it in the way she did. Meeting his eyes, the Twili spoke.

"You're really the only person who is. I've never been so close to anyone else in my life, and as the one who saved both my kingdom and Hyrule, I'd be honored. If anything, this will help secure relations with Hyrule because of your actions and origin there. If you can come up with an argument against that, I'd be willing to hear, but after this I doubt you can change my mind about any of it," the Twili smiled victoriously. Link's mouth twitched up in a small grin to match hers.

"And hey, you don't have to answer now if it doesn't make you comfortable," Midna told him, slightly hurt but not wanting to make Link feel any more stressed as of now. "Just… let me know one day. I mean, really the only that would change is your status. I think I've shoved about every duty I can on you at this point with ambassadorship and whatnot."

Link was silent for a few moments; smile broadening on his face. Everything she spoke made sense, and what she had said about the two of them being close… Link doubted he would ever find another person that he could feel the same way towards as he did to Midna. No one else would be able to ever understand all he went through - no one but her.

"Then… yes. All this time I've just wanted you to be happy, and I know that if you were happy, that would make me happy. We've been through so much together already, so Midna… I'll spend my life with you," Link told her, reaching out his still slightly shaking hand and holding the Twili's in his own with a smile that showed his teeth. He was glad the two of them could see this eye to eye. "Thank you… For everything."

Midna almost felt as if she could cry tears of joy, understanding now just what could make someone so happy that they would express it in a way that is normally thought of as sorrowful. After all this time they could finally be at peace.

Once he finished speaking Link felt like an idiot for his actions before agreeing to her question. He shouldn't have been so worked up over what and how Midna would think of him. It didn't matter anyway. They had found a way to be together after all they had gone through, and now the two of them shared something deeper like she herself said.

"Well… I never expected I would end up ruling a kingdom with you, to be honest," Link spoke nervously, eyes leaving hers as he looked to their hands. "I only wanted your happiness. I-I thought that maybe you wouldn't want me if…" he drifted. It was coming out all wrong. Midna smiled at his struggle, knowing she could help his unease with her words, and calm her racing heart from his acceptance to her proposal.

"What? Why wouldn't I want you? Are you using that as an excuse since you're just afraid 'King' is too big of a title?"

The Sheikah looked up to her with the lighthearted and rhetorical questions of the Twili.

"Think you can't handle the job? Link, you've been everything from a seamster to a swordsman. Oh, did I forget to mention Hero? Or how about a member of my court? Anyway, don't worry. You've got me, and as we both know, you can't get anything done without a little help, especially when it comes to emotional stuff," she joked as she playfully punched him in the shoulder, smile turning into a full on grin, a little chuckle escaping her lips. Link couldn't help but let out a small laugh himself with her words.

As the sound of joy faded Midna looked over the Sheikah before her, wondering just how much the Twilight Realm would change him now that he wouldn't have to suffer the risk of death or agonizingly quick transformation. The glow of the markings that had previously plagued him was already one thing, but she was in a way excited to see what he would come to be. Through all his changes, it didn't matter how much more different Link became, or what he looked like. Midna would still love him, just as he did to her.

The eyes of the Twilight Princess caught the scar on Link's elbow from the moment they tumbled into her realm together. Midna's face saddened at the sight. Although she had tried her best to keep the mood bright, she was hurt at what she saw, memories of the suffering they endured flashed through her mind. The Twili extended her hand, gently setting her fingertips on the remnants of the wound. She bit her lip at the injury and Link's face looked to hers concerned. Midna was worried, all these scars of his that Link would have to carry the rest of his life. His past would never leave him alone.

"Link, I'm so sorry you got hurt because of me. I've made so many mistakes…" she drifted sadly, her face pained. Even though more than anything she wanted to be happy right now – especially because she knew everything would only get better from here on out - Midna couldn't help and think of everything she regretted that the Twili had put Link through. She felt terrible about how she had distanced herself from him over their journey, acting as if she could care less about his safety. In turn he had later put space between them once again. Both did so as not to hurt the other, but unintentionally caused so much more pain and suffering.

Earlier thoughts slipped from the Sheikah's mind when he saw the concern on the Twili's face. His own countenance became serious in response to hers.

"Midna, please just stop blaming yourself. None of this is your fault. You did everything you could, and I did too. Now we made it here together." The Twili drew her gaze from the scar to look at Link's face. For a moment the Sheikah didn't know what to say, but soon a thought came to mind - something he wished to pass on to Midna from what he'd learned. "When it comes to scars, each of them tells a story. I'm never going to forget my past because of these, or any of our ancestry either. That's a good thing. It's something we can learn from to prevent a harsh future just as Zelda said. I think I finally understand the full truth now: secrets aren't meant to stay in the shadows forever. They need to meet a light at some point," he spoke.

Midna smiled sadly at him, and then proceeded to bring her hand back to her side, looking at the markings along her skin that symbolized the Twili. With Link's words she was also able to fully and concretely grasp the lesson regarding the apples that Zelda had attempted to teach her. They each knew about their condition; they knew what would one day happen from what had done so in the past that had in turn brought them into existence. She should have seen not only the cycle during the creation of the portal, but this too - understanding and knowledge. For some reason though, she was unable to come to that conclusion at the time, Link miraculously making it obvious to her right now in the moment the two shared.

The Princess sighed and looked to the Sheikah kindly, no longer concerned.

"Thank you, and Link, you mean so much to me. After everything we've gone through, I don't want to risk losing you again and I'm so happy you feel the same and are willing to be by my side. Yes, I know I've said this before, but I love you," she smiled, teeth showing. Suddenly her expression became serious and the slightest bit disgusted. "Goddesses, that sounds so sappy."

He looked to her happily for a moment in response to her last few words, then his expression changed to sorrow as memories of their struggles surfaced in his mind with her prior statement.

"I understand and… Well, since we aren't going to be keeping secrets anymore…" Link decided to bring something up that even he hadn't wanted to accept in order to show her he really did mean everything – that they would be truthful. "Anyway, before I really knew you, I thought I would live a quiet life after it was all over, but at some point, I found you meant so much more to me than just an accomplice. I'm really not sure when that was to be honest, but on our journey when Zant stole the Fused Shadows and especially during the final battle when…" he drifted, the thought painful. The Sheikah didn't realize his emotions when recalling the past could drag him down so quickly, but he needed to get it out, knowing that he would feel relieved once it was in the open. A moment or so passed before he continued as Midna waited patiently.

"I-I had thought Ganondorf killed you. During that fight," he took a deep breath in an attempt to stop his voice from shaking. "I… was so afraid without your presence. I felt truly alone for the first time since I met you. I didn't know what to do and I wondered if I would die and if it would really matter anyway… but I knew Hyrule and Zelda needed me to be the Hero. I…" Link's eyes were watering. He averted his gaze from hers. The Sheikah had been keeping things like this from her, and felt terrible for it, yet he didn't want to scare the Princess. This was all so much like his first reveal to her regarding the pain he'd endured from his changes. This time though, instead of physical, it was emotional.

Midna knew his words were a struggle. She had no idea exactly how much turmoil his emotions had put Link in.

"It's okay," she spoke, carefully reaching out an arm and drawing him into a hug from the side. Link let her, leaning into the shoulder of the Princess. "We have each other, here and now. No more sadness and no more pain. We have this happiness we so desperately deserve after what we've gone through, so please… Please just embrace it Link… I don't like this. How we are right now, I mean. I don't want it to be this way any longer. I've had enough of it all. We can be happy. Together. That's all I've ever wanted this whole time, and now I know it's what you've wanted too… and we can finally have that."

He returned her hug, whispering in the ear of the Twili.

"Thank you Midna. Thank you."

They held each other in silence for a while, until Link's breathing was no longer shaky. She pulled back from him and he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, ridding himself of the tears that threatened to fall.

"Know that I love you," she said with a smile. "And nothing can ever prevent that. Even if I were still cursed I would remain by your side knowing you wanted to be there with me."

The Princess reached her hand to his face, setting it on Link's cheek as a small smile curved at the edges of his lips in response to her touch. A brief memory from upon entering Gerudo Desert came to her mind with the action, the Twili recalling the smile on his face after she placed her then tiny palm on the once-Hero's cheek upon revealing a fragment of her people's history. "Though I suppose that should be obvious now, considering what I've already told you," Midna said, referring to her proposal and his acceptance to it. She smiled with the thought, heart fluttering upon knowing that they had come so far from their initial reluctant yet necessary alliance.

Link's face still held the weak smile he showed her with the Twili's words and actions moments ago, but the Princess knew it still wasn't true joy in his expression; his mind probably still plagued by darkened thoughts that clung to it. Midna was tired of all these solemn moments interrupting their happiness, and frankly a bit upset about them as well. She missed the carefree humor they used the share before all this, as well as the jokes they would make.

"Stop being Mr. Mopey," the Twili said, now grinning as she abruptly threw her arm around his neck, using the other hand to ruffle the bangs of the Sheikah. Link let out a little yelp of surprise at her sudden actions, but after a moment he relaxed in her grip, relieved knowing that she was back to her normal self, as was he for the most part.

"Now that the trouble is over and when it's not serious, our relationship is always going to be like this, isn't it?" the Sheikah sighed. Link secretly enjoyed it though.

"What? You don't like being treated this way? How else is it going to be?" she replied with questions, releasing him a moment later. The Sheikah shook his head to straighten his bangs and smiled to Midna – no, his fiancée – as an idea came to mind. The Princess grinned back. Suddenly, Link leaned forward, slipping his hand beneath her hair and resting it at the nape of the Twili's neck as he brought their lips together. The two savored the moment, it somehow different than the night they confessed to one another in Hyrule. Neither could place why, too absorbed in the action itself to process thoughts. Yet before they knew it, the kiss was over, their faces still close after their lips parted. They looked into the eyes of the other with silence surrounding them. A moment or so later, the Link broke the stillness.

"What? Sheikah got your tongue?" he joked with a grin, meaning it partially in the literal sense. He was surprised at his own actions but didn't let it show, even though his heart was racing. From her reaction he was a bit fearful that Midna didn't like it, having never initiated a kiss himself and not knowing whether or not what he did was right. He didn't let his worry show though, instead displaying confidence.

Midna hadn't expected him to make that sudden move, but was pleased with it nevertheless. The Twili slowly brought her hand to her mouth, setting the tips of her fingers to her lips. A smile curved across her face, and a moment later she began to laugh, wide grin displaying on her face as the chortle that accompanied it quickly became louder - all while Link stared in confusion.

"W-why are you laughing so hard?" the Sheikah stuttered, taken aback by her actions as he scooted away from her the slightest, shaking his head in confusion. Link didn't expect that after what they had shared, and frankly didn't know what to expect, never having done anything like he had before. Either way, her response wasn't what he would have anticipated. In a few moments, Midna had managed to calm herself enough to speak.

"You are so childish!"

"I'm not childish!" he denied outright, suddenly recalling memories of their conversations only a few months after entering the realm; their playful dialogue so very similar to what they spoke now, and it was all so very right. Exactly how it should be between them. Exactly how it would be from now on.

"First you can't tell me your feelings, then when you do you're too afraid to face them. Finally, you almost seem much to eager to show me only a taste, but when I had offered something more – although jokingly – you ended up turning it down. You're like an indecisive child!"

Link pouted. He felt a little hurt from her words, but after a short time he couldn't help but join in with her laughter that had now continued - their familiar chortles drifting in the air about them. Now that they were truly free of worry and secrets, the two finally attained the beginning of a long deserved time of peace and happiness.

They had one another, knowing that the other cared deeply - and that is all that had ever mattered.

A/N: Once more, a sappy chapter! I feel like I've tried to cram too much into this (again). I wish I took more time to develop things, but yay... deadlines... -_- Anyway, now all that's left is the epilogue! :3