"Beauty and the Blue Eyed Beast"

by Mase992 (-chan)

(A/N): First off, even if the title is misleading, this story isn't based on Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It's not the typical fanfic where the characters are placed as the ones from the movie and follow the same plot with a few twists (not that there are any problems with those fics, actually I love them to death). This story is different in many ways and it's far from following the happy Disney storyline. Also, I'm basing myself on Twilight Princess's version of Hyrule wii-wise.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from "The Legend of Zelda", Shigeru Miyamoto does and also Nintendo.

Chapter 2:

"Coin"

"Yawn..." Just as expected the meeting was boring her out of her mind. She had never deemed possible that something could drive her to poking her eyes twice as much than her lessons with Professor Rilas. But apparently, she was wrong. This situation made her wish she could scratch herself or blink, at least do some kind of movement. The continuous blabbering was driving her nuts, and frankly the words had blended into one a long while ago. Now she could only hear foreign words following the same monotonous tone.

"Don't you think so, Princess?"

"Uh...?" she snapped lazily from her spacing and noticed all eyes were set upon her. Their gazes were so steady she believed that they would pierce holes through her body. She shifted uncomfortably on her seat and out of nervous costume, swirled a finger between her hair. "Oh yeah—Yes!" She could hear the politicians clearing their throats, making her groan and slap herself mentally. That was not quite the answer they were expecting, right? She adjusted herself on the cushion once more and glanced quickly at the people sharing the room with her and studied the many males that looked at her. Her eyes met with those of many Hylians, most blond, as it was common, and long-eared. Following was a row of Twilis, all with the same stern and expectant expressions as the Hylians. Her eyes rested on one Twili in particular though. Frowning she noticed that he too seemed bored beyond belief since his expression was distant. Then, their eyes met and as soon as his orbs rested on her form, Midna's stomach churned with displeasure as she averted looking at his dreadful yellow eyes. There just seemed something wrong about them... She could still feel his sight looming over her body and shivers creeped over her shoulders. Another chairman cleared his thought, still expecting for an answer was not able to give and she turned to the oldest member inside the Council. His mustage, long and powdered by age shifted as he breathed. His stare was as dreadful as the latter Twili. Well what else do you want me to say you old goat? "Princess?" He said sternly. More like a question it seemed like an order urging her to continue an unplanned speech.

"I... I..." she sighed upon noticing the elderly man frowning. "What were we talking about, again?"

At her comment wave of sighs and whispers reached her ears as she tried to remain calm. The strange Twili smiled though. What was wrong with that guy? "Princess, we know that there are other matters that have your mind right now but this is important. At least, for your future." She straightened herself with a serious shadow overcast on her ruby eyes. Showing any more weaknesses to those guys would certainly help them take advantages of her stirring feelings. She wouldn't allow that. "How so?"

"As I was saying earlier, this matter concerns your royal title, Princess. In due your coronation ceremony will be taken place so you will start your governing duties soon."

She nodded. "I know that well enough for you to tell me, sir and I believe I've been well taught to know how to handle a kingdom." Her reply caused the Hylians and Twilis to glance over at the oldest man, waiting to see his reaction. He remained calm. "Or do this mean you will hand over to me my duties and place the responsibility on some noble family like in years past?" If that was the case, well then she would gladly hand over her role as Queen of Hirulia. She would rather remain a princess without voice whatsoever than sit all day listening to those men and their politics. That was far more pointless than her current condition. Studying with Rilas was way more interesting since she actually learned something (even if it was tedious of course). Of course she would not tell them that.

The old man just smiled and shook his head. "Nay, Princess. It's time you take over your role as ruler for it is your rightful destiny."

"You mean that—"

"It means that we are going to hand over you complete power over this Council and the country of Hirulia."

Oh no. That was what she had been dreading. "But, that means the current ruling family will lose its position, right?" The old man nodded slowly. "Indeed. There is no more need for their services and they clearly understand that their role is over. Right Zant?"

Everyone turned to the Twili Midna had spotted earlier and she found herself looking at him too. Ah, so that's why she hadn't seen him before. She now could tell that he was a member, and an important one, of that noble family that had been ruling the kingdom in her stead to come and represent them. But now that she had come of age, there would be no more need for their services. She could see a few Hylians smirking at the Twili. One of them who seemed overjoyed by the news was named Denivar as Midna recalled his name. She wondered why the Council seemed so much at ease to get rid of that man.

"Zant, is it?" His unearthly eyes looked up at her and she felt uneasy once more as strange feelings purged from him and into her. Keeping eye contact this time, she noticed the frown clearly draping his features. Standing rudely, Zant pointed at her and his eyes shimmered with a strange emotion Midna soon realized it was pure detestation.

"That's preposterous! You cannot just substitute me for that pathetic excuse of a princess!" He spat in a high pitched voice, eyeing her like scum. Midna felt small on her chair. That man's gaze on her was truly repulsive as she found herself feeling exposed under his eyes. He scared her.

"W-What...?" she stuttered, perplexed at his reaction while the rest of the Council seemed abnormally calm.

"You can't do that!" he hissed and stomped his fist on the table. Midna's heart raced at its limit fearing he would try anything against her. "You can't do that, you can't!" He hit the table mercilessly and she feared that he would pound his way through the wood. He wailed with fury as his eyes grew of a darker tint, reflecting purest greed and loathing. "It is my duty to succeed the title of as king and you won't be taking this opportunity from me! It's in my right!"

"As it is the Princess's rightful place to take over you, Zant!" Boomed the sagely politician's voice. Now he was losing his temper. Zant growled at the man, matching his piercing eyes with his own unearthly orbs. He turned to look at Midna who stiffened in her place, waiting for a blow. He stretched his limb at her whilst his index finger shook with fury, "You mark my words... Princess..." He practically spit the word. "I am to reclaim the throne you have stolen from me. You are unworthy of that title..." Midna's breathes quickened. She felt as if someone was binding her throat and was slowly taking the air away from her lungs. The sudden feeling of apprehension overtook her body whilst beads of sweat formed on her forehead. Zant's lips continued moving but she couldn't make out the words any more. The room started spin as she stammered and gasped for air. Clenching her teeth she cast a hateful look at the Twili as her red eyes ventured into his tawny orbs.

"S-stop...!"

"He's casting a binding spell on her!" She heard the voice distant.

A dreadful smirk curved his purple lips, shadowing his features and revealing his maniac facade. Then everything was plunged into darkness and Midna felt her body turn lighter by the second. Zant...! The sound surrounding her grew fainter until she could only understand some faded meanings.

"Guards!"

"Your filthy blood in unworthy..." Came his voice. She couldn't handle it anymore.

---

Unearthly whispers taunted the maiden's ears whilst she ventured among the mystique pillars of marble under the shade of the moon. The breeze humming under an unheard tune whilst the nightly winds grew subtle as she walked, white robes dragging behind her figure. Like waves of the yearning sea, her body was washed over by the whispers of the air and the spirits of the blackness. The silent flowers of the Courtyard were colored by the turquoise hues of the heavens as the celestial bodies shimmered openly above. Wheat locks stroked the pale shoulder of the lady as she enjoyed of the magic of the castle's gardens. The cone shaped trees did not shift as her silhouette passed by them and they ushered a quiet plead for her shadow, they wished for her to cast it over them always, even if it meant asking for their death. They were hushed though, by the new form that surged from behind the trees. Equally beautiful as the first one, a second maiden whose hair was draped with the tints and ever-changing hues of twilight. Her scarlet eyes intertwined with the first's indigo orbs. The first lady's lips curved into a polite smile whilst the second looked suspiciously at her, non-the-less returned the curtsy with a short bow.

"Back again?" She whispered.

"I had to." Replied the second.

The first woman nodded as her hair cascaded down her exposed back and tingled under the melody of the wind. She could easily feel the uneasiness that surrounded the other female's thoughts and simply brought her hands together like she was praying.

"Is it not it nice to talk with someone equal for once?"

"For starters, it's not as if we were the same." The second lady pressed, as her eyes narrowed. Hurt by the latter's comment, the blonde faced away from the other. Then she lifted her eyes melting the fire with the ocean of emotions reflecting in her own orbs. "Naught of what I've said is a lie, Midna..."

"Don't call me by my name...!" she choked looking away from the other woman. "I can't stand it...!"

The pale female's gaze was fixed on her form and feelings of awkwardness rushed through her, limb by limb and somehow urging tears to well in her eyes.

"Shadow and light are two sides of the same coin... One cannot exist without the other..."

The tears finally raced freely down her face as she clenched her fist. "I know that! I know! I... I..."

Her legs grew weaker as she couldn't stand her own weight and fell on her knees sobbing. "I..." The blonde smiled and approached the weeping lady, then she hugged her and allowed her to cry freely on her robes. She lulled her with a sweet song, comforting her with each note.

"I... I just don't know who I am..."

The blonde nodded knowingly. "You will learn soon, Midna..."

---

Her eyes weakly opened again and were suddenly blinded by the pouring light that illuminated her bedroom. She groaned and rolled on her side feeling the soft cushion sustaining her body. Midna then noticed the drapes of blankets over her body and also a heated vapor reached her cheeks from the side she was facing. Finally opening her one more time, she lazily examined the source of the warmth and noticed a golden bowl filled with hot water that rested on her reading table by the bed. Slowly, she emerged from the white mountains of sheets and looked around, taking in the familiar surroundings of her room. She found herself in a spacious berth, to her right were a pair of ivy-ornamented golden windows that reached the marble floor. To her left were a set of closets filling her garments, and two doors that lead to the bathroom and the hallways. And in front of her bed stood a desk whose drawers were filled with jewels, makeup, and perfumes. A beautiful mirror rested on top of the polished oak furniture. It was quiet outside of her room, at least people were refrained from coming inside her quarters in her current state to leave her in peace. That was important for her healing it seemed. Light snoring reached her ears and the princess turned and noticed Mirian asleep on a chair next to her bed. Smiling, Midna tried leaving her bed when a great surge of weariness rushed through her legs and arms. Falling back to the pillows and shaking, she took a few breaths and then tried once again to get up. She felt lousy. The last thing she could remember was hearing about her passing of power and Zant's curse. Placing a hand over her eyes, Midna overcame the dizziness and sat on the matress, exhaling. She had expected the Council to hand her the right of becoming Queen of Hirulia but she certainly had no idea about Zant. She seriously did not expect a reaction like that. The bastard had hurt her, bad, and now all she could do was worry about the Coronation ceremony due next week. She hoped that she wouldn't have to encounter Zant again and that the other politicians would appease his and probably his family's anger. She found herself sulking while her reflection on the window caught her eyes. The sound of a few birds chirping outside tickled her eardrums and the mild illumination of the room made her aware of the time. How long had she slept throughout the day? The meeting had been after meal so, judging by the orange shadows that were casted on the walls and the ethereal pink on the floor she had slept for at least four or five hours. Forcing her body up with fewer struggles, Midna walked toward the window and rested her palm on the glass admiring the scenery that unfurled before her window. She smiled as her heart beat at a steady pace, refreshed at the sight of the current hour. The beauty of twilight had always baffled her. How the many colours churned and blended endlessly among the clouds covering all in a glowing blanket of light. She released a relieved sigh. Having her silhouette and hair bathed with enough sunlight, Midna turned to head back to her bead when she caught sight of a shadow from the corner of her eye. Veering her head once again to the glass she saw an odd body surging from behind the fountain in the Courtyard. She frowned as images from her dreams flashed past her mind, reminding her of the lady she met on the Courtyard and talked to. She felt confused knowing that those were naught but dreams and that maiden was just a fraction of her imagination. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass trying to get a better look of the thing. The shade slowly changed forms entangling its many appendages with the other. After a curious pattern of changes she finally could make out a set of paws and a strange canine body. The creature seemed to turn its head and their eyes met briefly. Ruby met with a sharp hue of cobalt and Midna could feel the cold overtaking her as a sudden loneliness took over her. It was as if the mere gaze of that form had cast a spell on her, one much more powerful than Zant's for this one made her heart shrink and ache. She gasped and the shadow turned and mingled with the beams of light that the setting sun cast upon it and just as soon as dusk was replaced by the cold lament of nightfall, it dissolved.

(A/N): I have edited Chapter 1: "Hirulia" with more characters and important hints of information about Midna that will be important for you to learn in the future. So please, I'd have to ask you to reread it. Thanks, hope you continue liking this piece, and see you until the next chapter!