IV

"And I thought Link was bad… am I that beautiful that you've no words left?"

Her tone dripped with sarcasm, as Sheik immediately blushed at the remark. She was definitely attractive, but she presumed that she would have had a suitor back in the Realm of Twilight. Shaking her head, she invited her in, closing the door behind her surprise guest.

"I mean… you're definitely good looking. But… What brings you here? After all, something tells me that you knew I'd be here."

"Only good looking? Oh, how you do wound me so! But you're right. Call it a hunch… or call it a certain green hat wearing hero telling me where you'd be. Take your pick."

Sheik raised a questionable eyebrow, before walking to the stove to pour more water in her teapot. Of course Link would spill the beans if she asked him. She knew that Midna definitely had a… way with words, so to speak, but this was definitely intentional; the Twilight Princess had an ulterior motive. That much, she knew for certain. When Midna knew that she wouldn't get the reaction she wanted out of Sheik, she sighed.

"Alright, alright. You win. I swear, you're way too stoic for your own sake. Look, Princess, Hyrule needs you."

Sheik sighed, putting her teacup down, as she stared firmly at her.

"You know better than to call me that. When I'm here, anyway."

Giving a quick roll of the eyes, she continued.

"Alright. Look, ever since the whole tirade with Zant, Ganon, and everything else possibly bad that could happen, the kingdom misses their princess. Obviously, we managed to fix the mirror of Twilight. Zelda, it's gotten so bad that Link came back through to the Twilight Realm, just to find me, to convince you to come home!"

Midna placed her hands exasperatedly in her lap, as though she'd already given up hope. Just then, the kettle reached its boiling point, so Sheik took both cups, filling both of them up with a reasonable amount of hot water. Midna took a sniff of the cup, before her face noticeably relaxed. Sheik smiled warmly at her.

"It's jasmine herbal tea. Now, just relax."

She sat up in her chair, her gaze at Midna now much more relaxed than before.

"Midna, believe me. I miss Hyrule. It's where I was born. Most, if not all of my life revolves there. It is to me, what the Realm of Twilight is to you. I'd be nothing without it. But the truth is… ever since I've taken the break that I have from ruling over my people, I've never felt more peaceful. I mean, before, my biggest worry was hoping whether or not the castle wall could be repaired. Now, my biggest worry is watering my flowers, or making my own bed. Things that I'm allowed to do, and me alone."

The Twili woman shot her a sad glance, taking a sip of her tea.

"But… what now? After all, there's no heir as far as I know, and Link isn't a royal, so he can't take the throne. Then what, Zelda?"

Sheik merely shrugged, taking her own sip.

"Maybe my time as a princess is over. Maybe it's time I lead a life that someone might call… normal."

"W... What? Zelda, are you hearing yourself right now? You're ludicrous! With no royalty in place, then what? Hmm? What if Ganon comes back again? What if some lunatic stakes his claim for the throne? What if-"

Zelda slammed her cup of tea on her desk, the ceramic smashing into small little shards.

"I don't know, Midna! Do you not see that I haven't bloody thought things through fully yet?! All of my life, I've served for others, as a figurehead… as a prize, as a bonus that comes with my title and family. Well, no more."

She stood up, taking out a small chest from a desk in her drawer. Opening it, she took out what was inside it; her tiara, and crown jewels. Holding them out to her stove, she shook her head.

"I want my life. I want friends. I don't want to just be called Princess Zelda anymore. Hell, I don't even know if I want to be called Zelda anymore! My days as royalty… are finished."

Saying that, she cast her tiara into the fire; it wouldn't burn or melt immediately, but she had no intention of wearing them ever again. Midna was dumbfounded.

"You… you're not the same person I met in Hyrule Castle. I thought you were a decent ruler. Thought maybe your people had a decent future under you. I was wrong.

Zelda was wordless, merely reaching for one of her kunai, holding it to the Twili woman's throat.

"Maybe you were. Because I'm not a ruler anymore. And I'm not Zelda anymore. I am Sheik… of the Sheikah tribe. And with Nayru as my witness, if you don't leave my house right now, I will slit your throat ear to ear."

Midna simply opened the door, before letting a single tear fall from her face.

"Zelda… What happened to you? Who did this-"

Her question was interrupted by a second kunai being thrown at her; thankfully she'd closed the door in time. Sheik's breathing was rapid now, as she dropped the kunai that she held in her hand.

"What's happened to me?"

She laid down on her bed, hugging her knees up to her chest.

"I'm… I'm worthless. I'm no better than the evil I tried so hard to vanquish…"

What had once been a mental nirvana was now anything but that for Sheik. For the very first time in a very long time, she cried, muffling her sobs in the pillow. She felt vulnerable. Alone. Desperate. Hearing another knock at the door, she sighed.

"Midna.. i-is that you?"

"...Yes."

"C-Come in…"

The Twili woman came back inside, shutting the door behind her. Seeing the state that Sheik was in broke her heart. She laid down next to her, kissing her gently on her forehead.

"I'm sorry, Sheik. I was inconsiderate. I was… selfish. Yet, I didn't even realise that that was all you wanted. A little bit of selfishness to do what you wanted to do. I jus-"

She was cut off, with a pair of lips quickly pressed against hers, silencing the two of them, as Sheik held a finger to her lips.

"It's alright… you weren't to know. Can… can you just stay with me tonight?"

"Of course… good night Sheik."

"And you too, Midna…"

They shared one final kiss, before the Twili held the former princess in a tight yet comforting embrace. Maybe life as a commoner wouldn't be so bad after all.

(Author's Note)

So, I might have added a hint of romance to the story. It gives the opportunity for more twists and turns. That, and I just absolutely adore Midna and Sheik together. I won't be going overboard with it, but if it turns some of you away from the story, I understand. This was also definitely my longest chapter by a mile. If you're liking the story so far, follows and reviews are much appreciated!

See you all on the other side.

Viva~