Midna kissed Link softly as he lay in the infirmary bed. His energy was sapped from the battle, but he still managed a small smile as Midna pulled away, her eyes overflowing with tears and a smile spread from her lips.

"I'm so happy to have you back," she whispered.

Link smiled, "I'm glad to be back." A couple of nurses from the castle's infirmary came to tend to him and Midna returned to her quarters to consider her next step.

There was still the matter of her kingdom and the death of Prince Aeron. She knew his death meant war was imminent, and she could not turn her back on her people. Yet she could not bear the thought of having to send Link back to the world of Light for his safety as well as his recovery. The thought of losing him again tore at her heart.

"Your Highness?" Chijin's raspy voice sounded behind her. He cleared his throat and spoke clearly as he met her threatening glare, "Princess, Prince Aeron's people are returning with his body to their kingdom. What are we to do if they declare war? We hardly even have the forces to deter such an attack."

Midna sighed and turned away from him to hide the fear in her eyes. "We will do what we must," she told him, her voice cracking. "For now, we keep calm as we gather our forces in preparation."

"What of the boy? Surely you will not have him stay here in his condition. He would most certainly be killed."

Midna smirked, "He's a strong one. As for him staying here that is for me to consider; I will tell you of my decision later." She dismissed Chijin with a flick of her wrist. As the doors to her chamber pulled to Midna gazed out of her window to the dark twilight above. "Goddesses, what must I do?"

…

Midna snuck out of her chambers when the Twilight was darkest again. She hadn't slept since Link's arrival and it was beginning to show in her face. However, she couldn't bring herself to rest with everything that was happening. Her love for Link and her duty to her people hung in the balance. She knew she would only be able to choose one. The castle was quiet and she was glad that no one had seen her escape. She stole away to the forest again, towards the clearing Link had first appeared in the haze of light. The pool that used to be there was the closest thing the Twili had as a connection to the Goddesses; Midna felt it would be the best place to meditate quietly on her problems.

Once she came upon the clearing, she knelt in the soft, mossy ground. "Farore, Nayru, and Din, Sister Goddesses and creators of our lands, please lend me your strength," she began praying with hushed tones. She closed her eyes folded her hands in her lap, concentrating on being calm and still. Images of Link and the battle that had ensued after his arrival to the world of Twilight flickered in her mind. She was happy he had lived through the ordeal, but now she was afraid for their lives and the mortality of her people.

"Young Princess, you know deep within the answer you seek," a voice echoed around her. Midna opened her eyes, but there was no one there. "Look within yourself and ask what you most desire." Midna's heart sank; she didn't know what she most desired. True, her love for Link was undeniable, but her loyalty to her people came before all else.

"So, I am not meant to be with Link, then?" she said sadly.

"His love for you led him to your world, and led him to defeat the one who threatened your people. Your paths have crossed before and have done such again, and your destinies will always and forever be intertwined,"another voice told her. "Look again upon this matter in another light. The Hero cannot survive in your realm, but there is still a way for you and him to be together forever. You must search within yourself, ponder the past and you fill find your answer."

Midna's heart fluttered at the Goddess' notion. What could the Goddess mean? Knowing she would have to meditate on the matter, she bowed before the presence of the Goddesses. "Thank you for your wisdom," she said. Midna stood and walked back towards her home.