Link snorted and tried to keep the snow away from his nose. He had run without stopping and by now he wasn't sure how long it had been. Back when Midna had been with him she would help him keep track of... stuff. Time, the mission, that he was first and foremost a Hylian.
It was liberating, becoming a wolf. The change wasn't all that pleasant, but the way he felt afterwards... freeing. Scary, too, because he had to remind himself that he had something to do, that he had a name, and that he had to go back to his original form...
Which was...?
A Hylian, yes, a Hylian.
It was easier to remember when he had the Master Sword with him. As if the sword protected his mind as well as his body. It was easier when the Twilight surrounded him, because for sure something was wrong if the sky turned black all of a sudden.
A squirrel moved near him and the wolf stopped and followed its movements. Food.
No. No, no, no. He was searching. Magic. He was searching for magic.
He was searching for magic to help Zelda.
Princess Zelda Euginia Harkinian Hyrule.
His Princess.
His Zelda.
The squirrel could wait.
It was really hard to search for the trail of magic in here, though. Hyrule Field was vast but clear, Snowpeak was harsh and cold and filled with snow that stuck to his nose.
Link turned around and focused his senses, he had lost the trail of magic a few meters back and he couldn't for the love of Hylia find it again. It didn't make sense for it to be gone and it was driving him mad.
Link backtracked and found the scent of magic again. He snuck his nose close to the ground and concentrated in not losing the trail. He focused on it and walked till its end, which was a wall.
Link wagged his tail in annoyance. The wall was tall and was born out of a hill nearby that looked too big for Link's liking.
He could have circled the hill, but there was an urgency in the back of his mind he heeded first. His paws started to dig from where the trail disappeared and the only thing that filled his mind was 'faster, faster'.
Link felt rewarded when his paws fell through the snow. He landed on his stomach and he was sure he looked surprised enough. The wind moved faster than him and the small cave howled at him. Link howled back.
The inside of the newfound cave was warmer than outside and he could see his breathing. The smell of magic was pungent and he made a face. He had found the place, at least.
Now he had to find the crack, the monster, whatever origin it had. The cave was dark and the wind was making a ruckus inside and Link was craving a dry, warm resting place.
It felt like a pulse. Link was sure the ground under his paws moved to a beat. The obvious sign was the telltale twilight cracks surrounding the hole, but the way the hole didn't make his insides turn made Link walk with caution. As soon as his paw touched the symbols on the ground Link felt a pang in his head.
"It wasn't like I was expecting anybody else, but a wolf, Link?"
Link growled at the voice, though he already knew who it belonged to.
"Keep that to yourself, hop in the hole and let's fix this."
Link straightened but wavered as he walked to the hole.
"You don't really believe I did that to Zelda, do you?"
Link felt a sting in his chest. Of course he didn't...
"Because I've been trying to fix this for a while now, but somehow, everytime someone else would be affected by the Mirror. Where you so eager to talk to me that you clung one to your body?"
Link scoffed as he stared into the hole.
"She's fine, Link," the voice reassured, "debilitated but all right, you think she would go away without a fight?"
Link let himself fall through the hole, though it felt like he was going up, and his stomach felt like a balloon suspended in time.
"To come as a wolf," the voice sounded closer, "you must have been desperate, huh?"
Link opened his eyes and saw a black skirt in front of him.
The voice gasped, "and without the Master Sword. You know, with you the line gets real thin, don't you agree?, dumb or brave?" Link heard the clicking of heels and then the voice kneeled, "I personally believe it's both, in the best way possible," Link could see their face now, "and also the worst. Do you know how long you've been wandering Snowpeak?"
Link whimpered, he closed his eyes as the need to puke grew bigger.
"Fourteen days. Ashei is torn between having your head when you come back or chain you to her so you don't run away anymore. What would you have done if you really got lost there, huh?"
Link groaned.
"No use asking you, really, your answers never were my thing."
Link tried to stand but his legs trembled.
"You know, I didn't know how much I missed these moments. Me, talking and nagging, and you, silent and wagging your tail."
Link got strenght out of spite after that. His legs were going to have to cooperate.
"Yeah, that used to work, too. And yes, I know you're not exactly wagging your tail now, but you get my point."
Link swayed on his feet.
"Impressive, Link, really. Now breathe."
Link barely had time to do as he was told before he felt the air leaving him, as if he had just put his head under water. Unprepared and already regretting his decision he was ready to complain when he opened his eyes and fell on his two very hylian legs.
"I guess you don't need this anymore."
Link eyed the Shadow Crystal and huffed out. He felt relief and apprehension all at once and as soon as he called on to her, "Midna..."
He was cut, "Now, don't make me regret turning you back into a Hylian."