A/N Wow, this is pretty fast work for me - I churned this out in less than an hour as a favor for a friend before she left for camp. Don't expectupdates all that regularly from me - I work pretty much at random, I'll go for days without anything then have an hour-long fit of creativity where I blaze through a chapter. Anyway, on with the story.

Chapter Four
Reflections of a Twilight Princess

Midna woke quietly but suddenly, watching her companion sleep for a moment before she wriggled out of his embrace, careful not to disturb him, hovering up through the skylight into the nighttime landscape. The stars shone brightly, the moon illuminating the sands with a silver glow. She shivered a little, the chill air sending a pleasant prickle through her skin. Hovering as she was, the sand worms were no threat, unable to find her, and she lounged back in the air, watching the night sky quietly. She felt like she had to get out, even if only for a little bit.

What's going on with me..? she asked herself. Sheltered as she had been back home in Twilight, she had no prior experience to place the emotions and sensations she was feeling. She supposed that was why she liked the adventure she'd been inadvertently thrown on - it was a sharp contrast to the stifling feeling of home. Honestly, I can take care of myself...

Except you can't. Not without him. Not for the first time over their journey, she glanced back to where Link slept, hidden under the sand and stone. If she listened carefully, she could just make out his even breathing. The sound comforted her.

I suppose... The rational side of her conceded the point. But he needs me just as much. Look at how much he wouldn't be able to do if he didn't have my help?

This isn't just about help, The voice in the back of her head countered. She hadn't a clue where it had come from, but it spoke in her voice and she knew instinctively it didn't lie. This is as much about how you feel about him as how useful you are to each other.

How I feel? She asked herself, almost sputtering aloud at the sudden thought. He's a Light Dweller! Feelings can't come into it.

Can't? Or shouldn't? She fell silent for a few moments, pondering the counter-argument she'd just presented to herself. Yes, she shouldn't care anything for a Light-Dweller. Yes, the Twilit Council at home, her parents, her people would be shocked and ashamed of her. Yes, just caring for him would jeopardize everything...

But at the same time, none of that seemed to stop her. Ok, fair point... But still... He has his world, I have mine, our friendship is over once this is through. The thought of that was... oddly disappointing. She sighed, realizing how far under her skin he'd already got. Heh... Pathetic. I'm sad that a stupid beast won't be able to carry me once I free my people. She hmphed softly to herself, rolling over in mid-air and studying the sand intently, trying to blot out further thought, at least for a time. She watched a beetle crawl through the shifting sands, the moon highlighting its path as it scuttled, pausing and opening its green shell to air filmy wings, before flitting off into the night. She watched after it, sighing wistfully, laying on the air as if on plush cushions.

You're not upset because you're losing his friendship... The sudden thought from her subconcious puzzled her. So why am I upset then? No response. She chuckled bitterly to herself. Great, now I'm talking to myself... But why does my stomach do that flippy thing when I'm around him? Inexperienced, she took the nearest example she could think of. She recalled a time, back when she was little more than a child, where her mother had tripped, falling down a set of stairs. The young Twilight Princess remembered her gut wrenching as she pattered down after her mother, seeing her laying still and unmoving. After a moment, though, she stirred, groaning and rubbing her head a little. Midna remembered her heart skipping a beat, as she saw her mother smile faintly at her, scooping her up affectionately and cuddling her as she picked herself up. She'd bumped her head a little - Twili could levitate, but it was hardly an instinctive thing - but besides that, she was fine. Midna remembered the feeling of relief flooding through her; as young as she was, the staircase seemed a monstrous fall.

So, I'm worried about him? No, that doesn't fit, it's been happening without anything worrying going on... A faint groan from the cave she'd made drew her out of her pondering. Link? She pushed herself back up off her cushions of air, swooping gracefully back into the chamber under the sand.

Link lay shivering, brow beading with sweat in a nightmare. His face clenched in a grimace, and Midna felt her stomach twist. Poor thing... She reached out tenderly, stroking his bangs away from his face. The shivers subsided, although he still rippled with a shudder every now and then. As Midna drew back, he started shivering again. The Twilight Princess sighed. Big baby. You'd think the Chosen Hero could deal with a nightmare. Still, she settled down, sitting with him till finally, the Ordonian's nightmare faded. She smiled softly as he returned to peace, settling down as she watched the moon. She yawned - the sun would rise soon, and she hadn't slept for that long. Curling up facing her hero, she let herself drift into a light slumber, eyes sliding shut slowly as comforting darkness enveloped her.