Chapter 03: Midna's rescue

Author's note: Okay, I know I've got a few readers. Please review as soon as the story becomes more exciting. Also, this is just an announcement that my policy will be to update on Friday. However, until I get the story going, I'll be updating nightly. Also, this story, despite hints in this chapter, isn't strictly Midna x Link. I have a little surprise in store for you regarding her!

Link was shocked. Midna was supposedly a beautiful princess in a realm known as 'the twilight realm' who had lived around the same time as the last hero who'd borne the name Link. Could she still be alive?

Unless you stop daydreaming, she won't be for much longer, a voice snapped in his head as she began shivering again. He still wasn't sure what to do, though. As likely as not, she could be part of a trap. After all, there was no way that she could still be alive!

But then, her large, yellow eyes opened again. They met his for a moment, and he saw that they were clearly begging for him to help her. Her hair, now pale like her body, curled around his neck, not in a threatening way, though. As he lifted her closer for a moment, that tiny hand that he'd marveled at the coldness before touched his cheek. It startled him, but he could feel that she was reaching out to her last hope. How could he resist her? She'd die otherwise!

Suddenly, her eyes closed and her hand dropped back to her side. He could feel her breathing was slowing. Alarmed, he realized his first objective was to get her warmer. He opened his shirt slightly and, much as he would do with a kitten, he rested her small form against his chest. Her hair was still around his neck, supporting her, but he put his other arm around her. She wasn't shivering as vigorously when met with his warmth, but he could barely feel her chest moving up and down. He had to get her to Renado, and fast.

He raced up the stairs, met by Anjean, who actually didn't look very surprised.

"Run for her life," she declared. And he did. He raced as fast as his legs could carry him, using one arm to shield her and the other to hold her close. He ran like this until they reached Hyrule castle, where, unsurprisingly, Zelda was waiting for him.

"Good gracious, Link! Why are you running? And who is this?" she asked when seeing Midna.

"No time! I've got to see Renado! Where is he?" he puffed.

"In the library. Can you explain later?" she understood his urgency, but was still curious.

He nodded and rushed to the library. Renado stood up upon seeing him, obviously confused. However, he came forward to examine Midna. No matter how strange the patient, Renado would gladly treat it. He was rumored to be the wisest shaman in all of Hyrule.

But now, there was one problem: she wouldn't let go of Link.

Somehow, her hands found energy to grasp both of his shoulders. When Renado tried to pull her off, she screamed "NOOOO!"

"Midna, I need you to let him pry you off," Link muttered sheepishly.

"NO!"

"Midna, it's for your own good!"

"NO!"

Link looked a little upset. "I know that I rescued you and all, but please let go. You're embarrassing me!"

"No!" her voice was getting weaker, as though she'd spent all her energy on this.

"Okay, somebody get me a crowbar," Link snapped.

"Don't worry, Link," Renado smiled, amused. "I managed to diagnose it. She is from the twilight realm, and thus, she is suffering from the shock of being thrown into ours. All I can prescribe to help her would be lots of warmth and 24/7 care. It seems, Link, that she has selected you."

"Huh?" Link was confused.

"See, when Twili, the race of the twilight realm, go to the light world, they select a single individual to be their guide, or, in extreme cases, their caretaker. Seeing how she has reacted to you, it appears that she selected you."

"Aw, Farore," Link muttered. "So I'll have an injured Twili to take care of for awhile?"

"Yes," Renado said in an apologetic tone.

"I'll visit your house later," Zelda said, also amused. "You'll need help with this Twili."

Link sighed and walked outside Midna still clinging to him like a baby marsupial (though Link had pulled her out of his shirt a while ago), where he was met with a surprise.

Standing there, in typical Ordonian fashion, holding Epona's bridle, was an old, dear friend.

"Hi, Link," smiled Ilia. "Sorry that I missed your graduation battle in the Dojo. Epona's hooves needed polishing."

He smiled in return. There were rumors that Ilia was his girlfriend, but he could never see her that way. They were great friends, though.

"Apology accepted," he replied.

"Who's that?" she asked about Midna.

"Long story," he replied in a flat voice.

"Tell me," she replied cheerfully as the two mounted Epona and started on the way to Ordon.