The trip to the Mirror of Twilight was short. Unbearably short.

Link had convinced Midna to let him take her to the temple on horseback. The longer it took the better. He would have had to say goodbye mere seconds after the battle if she had warped them there. So they had ridden on Epona, Link at the reins and Midna sitting side saddle behind him. He was grateful for the excuse to be close to her, after all, he was never going to see her again.

Zelda came with them as they took the day's journey to the temple, riding either farther ahead or behind, giving the two companions time to talk in privacy. They didn't talk about things that really mattered, that would hurt too much. So instead Link told the ruler of the Twilight Realm more about his home in Ordon Village, and Midna opened up a little more about hers. She told Link about the serene beauty the Twilight Realm had, how calm it was, how peaceful.

"I know you don't see it that way, Link," she muttered in his ear. He didn't deny that.

"You aren't fond of my world either," he reminded her. He glanced over his shoulder to see her shrug indifferently.

"The creatures of your realm allowed themselves to be divided," she stated. "You fight against yourselves, thinking that because you are either a creature of the day or of the night you do not belong to the same world. My people do not fight each other, even though many are good and many are not as good."

She gazed up at him with her startling eyes. He stared back. He blinked a few seconds later at which Midna grinned and whispered cheekily, "I win."

Link couldn't help but smile. "You always win staring contests!" he complained jokingly.

"It's because I'm naturally awesome," she explained with a smile and a flip of her orange hair.

Link turned his attention back to the path ahead, guiding Epona around large rocks that scattered the open plain.

"But of course, your Majesty, how could I forget?"

"Oh shut up, Link!" he heard from behind. Following that was a playful shove. He really was going to miss the Princess when she left.

It was late afternoon when they reached the Mirror. The company had started their journey late last night; none of them felt like sleeping after the near death experiences that had been encountered. The trip had been surprisingly uneventful. Link had expected goblins or at least bats to trouble them, but none came. Maybe the Spirits were being considerate towards the group after their ordeal. He knew they deserved it.

For the past year he had traveled from place to place, learning to fight, learning to be quick on his feet, learning to deal with the fact he had to kill or be killed. Link had seen monsters and sights he never wanted to remember. In fact, the only reason the warrior had slept at all in the past 12 months was out of sheer and utter exhaustion. Midna had been de-throned and forced to take the form of an imp. Link had a hard enough time with the odd moments he was a wolf, he couldn't fathom being stuck in his unnatural form for such a length of time. She was always brave about it, but Link knew Midna had a hard time sleeping as well. The Princess had almost died twice, that wasn't something a person could just brush off easily. For the last year Zelda had-well Link didn't know much about what had happened to her. She had sacrificed some of her energy to save Midna, which Link would be eternally grateful for; she had been Ganondorf's puppet at the final battle; but other than that he had no idea what the young woman had gone through.

As the trio walked in silence to the Mirror, Link glanced at Zelda. She looked exhausted and older than she probably was. Her eyes held a heavy sadness in them, making the blonde haired boy almost ask her what she had endured. But he didn't, now was not the time. So instead the tired warrior looked at the reason they were there.

The Mirror of Twilight was a large circle of engraved stone. Suspended in a golden frame on a raised platform it stood solemnly in the middle of the wide, open room. The actual portal was a perfectly smooth slab of ebony coloured rock opposite the Mirror. When activated, the huge sheet of rock danced with white symbols that spiralled in circles. The circles would shrink as they made a long tunnel that would take you into the Twilight Realm. Only once before had Link seen the Mirror of Twilight activated, and that was when he and Midna had gone to battle Zant.

Now Link would see it open a second, and last time, and it would take away Midna. It was slowly sinking in; Midna would be gone. Forever.

"Well here we are." Midna spoke quietly, seemingly unsure what emotions she should have.

Link knew how she felt, but could only reply lamely, "Yup."

Catching movement from the corner of his eye he turned to face Midna. Her red eyes roamed over his face, like she couldn't memorize him enough. A piece of her vibrant hair slid across her cheek as she tilted her head, mouth opening to say something. After a moment nothing came out.

"Midna?"

She sighed and pursed her lips. Slender eyebrows scrunched together as the normally confident ruler looked down with a slight blush on her cheeks. Link knew that look, the Princess was gathering her courage.

"Look, Link," she started quietly. "I-I'll really miss you. We've been through so much together and I know that I didn't exactly start off nice or friendly but I just wanted you to know that I'm really glad I found you in that cell." She rambled on, her voice becoming more like her usual one; loud and strong. "I was so selfish before I found you, all I had wanted was to save my own poeple, not realizing that the Twilight only exists because of this world, because of the daylight. You showed me what it's like to be able to care about more than just yourself."

That was the closest the former imp had ever come to truly thanking him, despite the fact she had never actually said the words. Knowing that was as good as he would get, he told her, "You're welcome."

She smiled up at him, "You have a unique ability to see beyond outward appearances, and that is why I think the Spirits chose you, Link." Her eyes suddenly got very sad, though her smile remained. "You truly are the Hero of both worlds."

Midna turned and walked towards the Mirror, leaving Link with a heavy heart. For some reason her speech had left the boy feeling like this was more than just a parting, more then just Midna leaving the world of light. Somehow this seemed even more disheartening. Like no matter what, the Princess would never be able to come back. Somehow, this was more final than forever.

He followed his best friend up the steps and stood beside her and Zelda, still brooding on the uneasy feeling in his gut.

The Twili turned to the other princess and said almost shyly, "Well this is farewell, huh?"

"Yes, I suppose it is," the elven Princess replied. She wasn't happy to see Midna go, but she wasn't upset. Yes, the strange creature had grown on her, even earned her respect when she had sacrificed herself to hold Ganondorf at bay, but Zelda knew it was meant to be that the ruler return to her own realm.

"Light and shadow can't mix as we all know," Midna continued softly, "But, never forget there's another world bound to this one."

Zelda was thoughtful for a moment before speaking again. "Shadow and light are two sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other. I know the reason the goddesses left the Mirror of Twilight in this world. They left it because it was their design that we should meet. Do not fear Twilight Princess," she murmured reassuringly. "We will not forget you, your brave deeds, or your realm."

Touched, Midna smiled gently at the Hyrulian, "Your words are kind and your heart is true. If all in Hyrule are like you, then maybe you'll do alright."

With a sad smile, the Twilight Princess turned away from Link and Zelda. Her soft robes swayed back and forth as she walked towards the Mirror. Link's insticnt told him whatever he was unknowinlgy dreading was about to occur. And as Midna reached towards the smooth surface of the black Mirror to activate the portal, something inside his mind clicked and he knew. He knew exactly what was going to happen.

"Midna!" he cried out desperatly, running to her and grabbing her reaching hand. Grasping it tightly he looked into her eyes for what could be the last time. As much as he wanted to beg her to stay, to not do what she was planning, he didn't. Strangly, he understood exactly why she felt she needed to do this.

He laced his fingers through hers and after struggling to find the right words asked in a low voice, "Are you sure?"

Blinking rapidly, his brave friend answered in a calm voice, "I'm sure. And I'm so sorry," her voice broke on the last word.

Link kissed her forehead and whisered sadly, "Don't be," before he backed away and rejoined Zelda.

Midna took a shaky breath and placed her palm in the centre of the polished black metal of the Mirror. From her palm the traditional white enravings glowed brightly and with a short, blinding flash the huge slab of stone opposite started to dance with identical markings.

As Link and Zelda were momentarily blinded by the sudden light, Midna used her finger tip to trace a small tear drop shape in the centre of the Mirror. Looking over at Link, her brave wolf, she shed a single, golden tear.

His blue eyes found her own as the now hovering orb of liquid light touched the metal. The cracks appeared instantly, covering every inch of the Mirror. Zelda looked in shock at the breaking surface, taking a few steps forward. Link stayed where he was, watching the blue skinned beauty run up the opaque stairs that led to the portal that would take her home.

"Link...I..." Midna started calling, but she was running out of time. As the Mirrior shattered out of existance, Link heard the last two words from Midna he would ever hear.

"Thank you," she said sincerely.

And then she was gone.

Well here is chapter 2! Finally! Sorry it took me so long to update, final exams started this week and I've been crazy busy with studying and all that fun stuff.

So let me know what you think about this chapter, sorry if it's a bit intense and that the cannon is a little off, but you'll see why in the next chapter. I'm thinking of doing Midna's POV when she returns to the Twilight Realm, leave a review or PM me with thoughts/opinions/etc. I'm always happy to read those!

And special thanks to Adventuregirl1 for following! I promise to keep updating even if I only ever have one follower!

Thanks a ton,

-Lilly