Waiting

Chapter 3

Link reached Hyrule castle at sun rise, cold, miserable and uncertain of himself. As Link approached the castle two guards step forward, blocking his path. A stubby guard raised a hand and demanded identification. Link answered them with a deathly stare and raised his hand to show the insignia of the triforce on the back of his palm. The guards, now realizing who it was they had stopped, rush him onward, and lowered his head to avoid Link's dark gaze.

Link slowly made his way through the courtyard and was directed by a guard to Zelda's private garden. Link stepped through the large door, and into a small grove. The garden was verdant and filled with lush flora. Trees surrounded the wall of the area hiding them from view, Along with the flower's aroma, it gave made Link feel he was in a forest, completely isolated from the world. The garden reminded him of Ordon, before he left on his journey. Days spent on the shore of Ordon spring, with Ilia…

Link noticed Zelda seated on a smooth marble bench in the centre of the garden, gazing at a beautiful world around here

"You wished to see me?" Link said in a dark tone.

The Princess turned to face him gracefully

"Is that any way to greet an old friend?" Zelda replied, her soft, gentle voice adding serenity to the garden around them.

"I didn't come here to play games," Link snapped "now tell me why you summoned me!"

Link's demand was met by silence. "Coming here was a waste of my time." He added before turning back towards the large door.

"Where is it that you plan to go?" Zelda said calmly.

Link stopped. The truth suddenly dawning on him, he had nowhere else to go. He had abandoned his village in his vain attempt to search Hyrule, and for what? To try to tame the growing fear inside of him, the fear that he had lost Midna.

He felt a soft hand on his shoulder and turned once again to face the princess.

"Link," Zelda began "The goddesses created the realms of light and darkness to keep balance. But when the two collide, it causes it makes a great disturbance in the world." Zelda lifted her hand from his shoulder, and reached into her pocket. "And in you" she said as she produced a small item wrapped in a fine cloth.

Zelda started to slowly unwrap the cloth, Link's eyes widening as he saw the contents. In the cloth lay the Shadow Crystal, its dark shape humming with the energy of Twilight.

"This is the fragment of twilight that Zant embedded in you, and is quite possibly the last embodiment of twilight in our realm. And with this, it is possible for us to enter the twilight realm once more."

The two where silent once again for several minutes, the only sound was the slight breeze gently blowing through the trees around them.

"How could you keep this from me?" Link whispered After all I did for you, for Hyrule!," Link's rage began to build "how could you keep from the one thing that would make me happy!?!" Link fell to his knees.

"Midna won't make you happy," Zelda said, her voice losing its calm as she too was filled with frustration. "What will make you happy is right here in Hyrule, I know that, Midna knows that and deep down I think you know it as well." Zelda gracefully crossed the garden and placed a hand on Link's shoulder. "But I see now that Midna is the only one who can give you clarity." Zelda placed her hand under Link's chin and slowly lifted his head, only to find his dull blue eyes blurred with tears.

"T-thank you" Link whispered, still struggling to maintain his emotions.

Zelda turned and walked to the centre of the garden once more.

"By combining my own powers with those of the four Light Spirits, it is possible for us to expand the twilight energy in this fragment and create a "pocket" of twilight and you will be able to communicate with the people of the Twilight realm. Because this twilight is made by the Light Sprits, you will be able to maintain your human form. But be can only afford to keep this twilight open for a short time until it collapses in on itself and takes the Shadow Crystal with it. And once the shard has been destroyed it will be impossible for our two realms to communicate again. Are you ready?" Zelda asked

The afternoon sun shone through the high oak trees surrounding Ordon Spring, heating the sand to the perfect temperature. It felt good on Ilia's back as she lay down by the waters edge. She had come to the spring to relax but the more she tried, the more the painful memories returned to her. And the spring was full of those memories. The crystal waters that she and Link had played in as children, the small beach they lay on as they watched the clouds together as they dried off, and the time she twisted her ankle and Link carried her back to the village. All they did was reinforce her ever growing fear…that he might not come home. Tears began to roll down her cheek as her sorrow started to spread. She quickly moved to the waters edge to have a drink and calm herself down. As she cupped her hands together she glanced at the face looking back at her, a pale girl with her eyes puffy and red, and her tear streaked face.

"Why would he come back to you?" whispered a little voice in her head "all you've ever done is cause him trouble!" the voice continued to mock her "all your good for is looking after his horse!" the voice began to hiss "he hates you, and he always has!"

Ilia's father found her curled up on the beach, softly crying. Bo hoisted her into his arms and started back home. Ilia said nothing the entire time, only whimpering Link's name in between her sobs

The dull orange glow of Twilight engulfed the garden, blotting out the sun and leaving Link standing among the shadowy trees and flowers. Link thought it strange how at home he felt in this realm, how welcoming it made him feel. A feeling he hadn't felt in a long time.

A hand came to rest on Link's shoulder, as he turned quickly to see the newcomer his heart skipped a beat. There he was staring into the deep red eyes of the Twili ruler.

The two embraced each other in their arms, Midna's long red hair draping over Link's shoulder.

"I missed you." Her soothing voice whispered into his ear

"I missed you two." Link whispered back, trying to holding back his tears.

After several minutes the two parted slightly to gaze into each others eyes once more.

"What are you doing here?" Midna asked, wiping her own eyes of any stray tears.

"I-I realized that there was something missing in my life. And…" Link looked away struggling to find the right words. "I want you to come back with me."

"You know that's not possible."

"Then I'll stay here with you." Link persisted turning to face her once again "I can-"

"Stop," Midna said abruptly "you know that can't happen. We have roles of our own, in our own worlds."

"But it's what I want"

"No it's not," Her voice soft "do you remember when me first met?"

"In Hyrule Castle. What does this have to do with…?"

"And do you remember why you agreed to help me?" Midna interrupted

Link was silent

"It was for her Link, don't you see? All of it was for her."

"But I need you to."

Midna placed a soft hand on his cheek.

"Not as much as you need her, or she needs you." She replied

As she said this, a light began to glow around them.

"Go home Link." Midna said sweetly as her form started to fade

Link's tears started flowing once more.

"Good bye Midna." Link's voice cracked

Midna was now only a silhouette against a dazzling backdrop.

"See you later." came her fading voice.