"It… stopped," whispered Midna.
"It stopped! It stopped!" screamed a Twili.
Both Midna and Foralin looked up at the sky. It was peaceful and clear, in its own way. Slowly their eyes met, realization dawning on their faces. They werel alive. Their laughs of relief made the others realize as well that they were still in one piece and joined the cries of joy.
After the short euphoria, Midna got up, cleaned her cloak a bit and went outside of what was left of the palace. There was a part of her that still wanted to make sure everything was fine. Foralin followed her steps and put his hands on her shoulder.
"Looks like your Hero saved us after all," he smiled.
"Yes, he did…" she agreed, eyes closed.
The ground suddenly began to shake again which made the queen lose her balance. Foralin grabbed her arm, preventing her from falling. The Twilis, stayed behind, started to panic yet again.
"Were we wrong Foralin? Are we just within the eye of the storm?" panicked Midna.
"No, look…" he said, passing his hand in front of him to indicate everywhere.
Midna's eyes suddenly doubled in size. Before her, the land was expanding. The ground seemed to be created by a magical force and it was heading towards the other floating lands. The land spread rapidly and soon even these minor tremors were over.
"What do you think it's supposed to mean Foralin?" asked Midna.
"I… don't know. Let's wait and find out," he answered.
-----------------------------
Zelda turned to see who had just spoken to her. "The cloaked woman..." she thought. "So much power… so much energy coming from that one being. Who in Hyrule could she be?" puzzled the princess.
"What help can you provide me with?" asked Zelda.
"I can bring Link back," revealed the strange woman.
"How can I be sure you're not lying?" demanded the princess again, on her guard.
"Many ways but I think this one should do…"
The woman opened her cloak slightly and a strange light illuminated Zelda's visage revealing a look of utter dumbfoundedness.
"Is this… real? How can it even be possible!" said Zelda who couldn't believe her eyes.
"Don't trouble yourself with what can and cannot be. Merely what is," advised the stranger.
The princess remained reticent yet wary. She just couldn't let Link in the care of someone she barely knew, even after seeing where the colossal power was coming from. She was someone that helped them before, yes, but that could also be a deception. Zelda shook her head.
"I'm sorry but I can't let Link go with you," she said.
"I don't need to bring Link with me. I need to bring the lantern," she explained.
"Nonetheless, I cannot entrust a weapon of this power to a stranger," declared the princess.
"Then you leave me no choice. If I want to save Link, I must show you my true identity. However, you must promise to keep it a secret from everyone, forever,"
Zelda nodded solemnly after thinking that knowing who the woman was would definitely help. However she couldn't help but feel the excitement of the knowledge to come. The former stranger pulled her hood down. Zelda gasped.
"Why you are…!"
"Shhh" the woman said, raising a finger to the princess's lips. "The walls might have ears," added the young woman.
"Then I have only one question left before I give you the lantern. What will you do with it?" asked the princess.
"For Link to truly exist again, the lantern must cease to exist," she declared.
"And how will the lantern cease to exist?" persisted the bearer of the wisdom Triforce.
The woman, now only known by Zelda, smiled faintly and touched the lantern. Her body transformed into a fog that went within the soul-seizer Zelda looked at the process, quite surprised. But what made her even more stunned was the fact that the lantern disappeared right after. Zelda kept looking at the exact spot where the weapon had vanished, kind of hoping it would reappear. But another thing caught her attention. "Zelda?" said a very familiar voice. The princess's head snapped around in shock.
"Link? You're awake! I can't believe it! Oh my goodness, this is a miracle!" said Zelda with a smile of relief.
"Where am I? Why am I awake?" asked Link, lost.
"You're in my castle, my room, and you are awake because the lantern ceased to exist," explained the princess.
"Ceased to exist… I can only say it's a good thing…" said Link, looking down.
"You don't seem too happy about it," said Zelda, somewhat surprised.
"It IS a good thing, I know. But… I'd have liked to cease my existence too! This pain, this heartache I live with everyday. You can't possibly imagine how it feels to be so alone! She's not even a friend I can visit every now and then! I can't deal with that for the rest of my life. I just can't!" shouted Link.
"Calm down Link. Tell me, you only sacrificed yourself so you could be away from your loss?" asked the princess.
"To save everyone also but yes, mostly for that," revealed Link.
"You are different Link. What happened to you?" questioned Zelda.
"I'm not different! I'm just being normal, like anyone who has feelings! I'm sick of playing the goody-goody Hero that everyone expects me to be. I wanted a life after my saving Hyrule. A life with Midna. But she destroyed the Mirror so I tried to find another way to the Twilight Realm. Distasteful way, I highly agree, but a way nonetheless. It failed and then you know what happened. In the end, I wanted to be freed," stated Link.
"Alright Link. I guess it's all our own choice if we decide to move on or not and I'll respect yours. I still wish you can find peace," said Zelda.
Link bowed to the princess and was about to take his leave when three lights appeared in front of his eyes. Three glowing lights that Zelda recognized almost instantly. She closed her eyes and sighed through a lob sided grin.
"We meet again," said the princess.
"Yes. But this time we are here for Link. Your time here is nearly over Hero. You will have to come with us," said the three lights.
"Come with you? Who are you anyway?" asked Link, quite lost.
"They are the Goddesses Link," answered Zelda.
"We came here to take you to the other world," continued the Goddesses.
"The other world? You don't mean… the Twilight Realm?" asked Link, hopeful. "But why?"
"Yes, the Twilight Realm, because we are banishing you," divulged the three lights.
This time, both Link and Zelda's jaw bounced off the floor. Zelda advanced forward to protest.
"But… it's Link! The Hero!" said Zelda.
"Zelda, don't say a thing! If I must be banished for what I've done then banished I'll be!" said Link, trying to hide his joy with great difficulty.
"In the end, no matter what you two say, Link will be banished. Do you wish to do something before you go? We will allow you that since you're the Hero," offered the lights.
Link thought for a moment. He remembered how Rusl was ashamed of him for what he had done. He thought of the kids but mostly Colin. He felt sad about leaving him. And Ilia… she would probably cry her soul out like he did when he lost Midna. But she was a strong girl. She'd get over it. Besides, she'd get to take care of Epona from now on. "That'll cheer her up!" thought Link. Still, he wanted them to remember the simple Ordonian he was once.
"Yes there's one thing I'd like to do before I go. I want to visit my village one last time," decided Link.
"Very well. When you're ready, just say it. But remember, if you waste the time given to you, you will be sent there right away," finished the Goddesses.
The three lights disappeared. Link couldn't believe it. He was going to see her after all! However, a little voice inside him told him that something was wrong. But Link didn't listen to it. He was going to see Midna again and that was all he cared about.
"Well Link, I guess this is farewell uh? In a way I'm happy you're going there. My wish for you to find peace came true. But I'm sad for the fact that we'll never meet again,"
"I know. It's a mix of joy and sadness. And who knows, we might meet again someday. I mean, I'm going to see Midna when I thought I'd never see her again and there I am. Anyway, I must not waste time so I'll be taking my leave now. Thank you for everything, really, I wouldn't be going there without you," nodded Link, grateful.
"The one you should be thanking is the cloaked woman. She brought you back. But yes, don't waste anytime. Go to your love," smiled the princess. "Oh before you live, I must tell you, your horse is here. She got injured in the battle and I took care of her woods. Don't worry, she's safe and sound in the stables,"
"Thank you Zelda. I'm glad she's all right!" grinned Link.
The Hero gave the princess her first and last hug from him then left. He went to the place Zelda mentioned to him. He was thrilled to see Epona. "That'll be the last time I ride her," he thought. When he reached the stables, Epona lifted her head and as soon as she saw her master, she whinnied in happiness. "How are you doing Epona? Looks like Zelda took good care of you!" said Link. He mounted his horse and left the castle.
As Link was riding through Hyrule field, he looked at the landscape very emotionally to remember every bit of it. He had to admit it, he was very attached to his world. But the thought of being with Midna again made it a lot easier to swallow.
Link arrived at the Ordon village soon enough. The view of their friend being back made everybody stops whatever they were doing. They all rushed toward him and started to bombard him with questions. All but Rusl. Link was happy to see their faces but couldn't help to keep looking at his old friend. He dismounted Epona and made a sign for the others to be silent. "I have an announcement to make," began Link. The happy faces slowly faded away as they saw the serious and somewhat sad look Link had.
"I'm leaving for a while. Do not ask me where because I do not know myself," lied Link.
"Why are you leaving in the first place?" asked Malo.
"To find something I lost," answered Link.
Malo raised a questioning eyebrow. He was obviously not buying it but if Link didn't want to tell the truth, fine. "Suit yourself," said the little smart-aleck as he left the group. "Well as long as you promise me to come back to teach me how to ride a horse, Link, I won't be sad," smiled Colin. The Hero's heart twisted. Why did he have to promise something he couldn't? Leaving them was hard enough already! But the love he had for Midna was greater than everything. Link knelt down to be at Colin's eye level, almost.
"I'm leaving for a long time Colin. I don't think I will be able to teach you. So to make it up to you, I'm leaving Epona in your care. When you'll be old enough, you will be her new master," offered the bearer of the Courage Triforce.
"But… won't you need Epona to take you wherever that thing you lost is? It'll be faster too!" said the boy, trying to help his mentor.
"It would be but no. I can't deprive Epona of a good home. She already did a lot for me. Besides, if I have to go out to sea, I couldn't possibly bring her with me," explained Link.
Colin nodded as an indication that he understood. Link saw well that he was saddened but what could he do? Telling the truth was out of the question! But to make the little boy feel a little better, he whispered something in his ear that brought a big grin of laughter to the child's face. Reassured, Link got up and noticed Rusl behind his son. He signaled him to come over from a sign of his finger. Link sighed within himself. Was this going to be good or bad? The green clothed young man followed Rusl to his house.
"You're not coming back, are you Link?" stated the veteran warrior once they got inside his wooden home.
"… No,"
"I thought so. That's why I took you aside. To tell you something that only you can hear. I wanted to tell you that I'm not disappointed with you anymore. I know you never meant wrong. I know you suffered a lot from all that happened to you. And I would have never forgiven myself for not telling you this before you left. I always considered you like a son, Link. I just hope you'll be happy in that place you're going," Rusl said in revelation.
Link blinked his eyes several times in a row. He couldn't believe his pointy ears. Tears started to trace a river on the Hero's cheeks without him being able to control the tide of his eyes. Rusl smiled heartily and opened his arm to greet the Hero in need of confirmation.
"I… Rusl… I'm so sorry! I'm sorry for what I did and for leaving you all!" cried Link.
"Shhh, there, there, Link. As I said before, I'm sure you never meant wrong," consoled Rusl, gently patting Link's shoulders.
"But how could I do something to people I consider my family!" persisted the Hero.
"Link, we all consider you as a member of our family as well. But now it's time for you to go start your own," encouraged the middle-aged man.
"Thank you Rusl. I'll never forget any of you. Oh! That reminds me… I had something for everyone but since I'm not coming back… I think only you should have it. Wait here," he asked.
Rusl looked questioningly at Link going up the ladder of his tree house. The young Hero searched through his messy drawers until a "Got it!" was heard from the tree. He also added, much quieter "Just 5 more minutes, Goddesses, I still have to go say goodbye to one more person." Link was sure the divine beings heard him and hoped they would give him those 5 more minutes. He went back outside and climbed down the ladder practically jumping all the way.
"Wow slow down Link, you're going to hurt yourself," worried Rusl.
"I'm a bit in a hurry right now but anyway, here's the thing I wanted to give you," said Link, handing a letter to his new found father.
"What it is?" questioned Colin's father.
"It's an invitation. I'll let you read it on your own. I must go tell goodbye to Ilia. Please, say goodbye to your son for me," finished Link.
Rusl nodded and waited for Link to be gone before opening it. The happy young man rushed to Ilia's house but no one was to be found. It's then that it hit him. "Where is my horse?" said Link, looking around. "I think I know where to find Ilia now…" he sighed within himself. Indeed he knew. "What a shameless girl, seriously! Taking my horse when I'm about to leave! I guess she must have heard that I was going away for a very long time and that I was leaving Epona here. Still, I might not see my horse ever again!" shouted Link, out loud this time and not realizing he had entered the spring.
"What?"
"Uh? Oh nothing. I just had some bad thoughts but I know I shouldn't be having them," replied Link.
"So, you're really leaving huh? And you don't know when you're come back. No! Don't say a thing please, Link. The quicker we tell each other goodbye, the easier it'll be," stated Ilia.
Link nodded. "That'll make things easier," he thought. He walked close to Ilia and smiled.
"Well this is it. I hope you live happy even if I'm not there to ride Epona into the ground," jested Link.
Becoming serious once more, Link added: "I'll always be right there," patting her chest.
"Thank you Link. I hope you find that special… thing you lost," she sniffled.
Link felt like she knew more than she was telling. But there was no time to discuss that matter. The young green clothed man wrapped his arms around his friend. However, Link's body was already transparent and was being taken away up into the sky. Ilia followed him with her eyes now filled with waterfalls. She saw the same silver dust Link saw when Midna returned to her world.
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The palace of Twilight and all its surroundings had been restored. The land was larger and every building was now connected with firm ground, making the levitating platforms little more than aids for the invalid or the lazy. Midna was happy about that. But mostly happy that her Hero saved her. That's what she liked to believe. Foralin, too, liked to believe that though he preferred to imagine the Hero as a divine beast.
Foralin and Midna were busy talking about the new state of their realm and why the changes had happened when a servant came running across the room while screaming: "Your majesties! You won't believe it but someone saw the portal to the Light Realm open! He was pretty much in shock so I think it's worth checking out what's going on!" he hurried. Midna looked at Foralin who was also looking at her. Multiples things could be read on their faces but nothing was said. Instead, they both got up and ran to the entrance.
"Do you think we are being attacked?" asked Midna.
"I don't know. It also may not be the portal. Maybe that Twili mistaken the portal for…" said Foralin however not able to finish his sentence.
"Admit it Foralin, nothing can be mistaken for that portal!" said the queen, rolling her eyes.
"Touché… But what could it be then?" he puzzled, embarrassed.
"We're about to find out," finished Midna as she pushed the huge front door.
Outside, the Twili, who saw the portal open, was still there and still panicking. Foralin took him aside and comforted him a bit. Then he ordered him to go inside the palace. The king then turned his head to Midna who had already taken some steps ahead. "What is it? Or who is it?" she asked to herself. Finally, a silvery dust appeared in the golden circles and transformed into a person as soon as it touched the ground.
From his side, once fully there, Link retained a gasp as he saw the land by far bigger than last time he visited. He began to walk and admired the palace, also bigger. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn't have the time to release it though as an orange hand grabbed him. Link laughed as the hand pulled him back to its owner. Midna also retained a gasp when Link's silhouette began to take form. She released her grip from him and fell on her knees.
"You! How could it be! How…" she tried to articulate.
"Let's just say my wish came true," smiled Link.
"What wish?" asked Midna, getting back up on her feet.
"The one to be with you," he replied.
"Oh Link… I… I'm so sorry!" apologized the queen.
Link thought of saying that he was the one who should be sorry but then she'd wonder why so instead he said:
"Don't be Midna. You just did what you thought was right and… it was,"
"Oh Link, I've missed you so much!" cried Midna, leaning forward to be at Link's level and to hug him.
The queen's hood fell backward, revealing her long flaming red hair, cascading on her shoulders. Link hugged her back with ardour. This smell, this skin… how much he had missed them! The Hero caressed Midna's hair as he took another deep breath of serenity.
Foralin, who had stayed being, watched the scene in awe. He was so happy for her, for them. He knew that Midna's mood could only improve now. The king went back inside to inform the others of this miraculous reunion.
Link ended their long awaited hug and looked at Midna's overflowing eyes. He raised his hand to her face. "Dry your tears Midna. We are together now and we'll always be," smiled Link.
"Oh? You mean you're never going to see the Light Realm again? Why is that?" she asked as she wiped her tears away.
"In part because you shattered the Mirror and also because it was the price I had to pay for my wish to be granted. But as long as my love is with me, everywhere feels like home," he answered. "By the way Midna, we are being watched," said Link with a slight chuckle.
Midna turned her head to the palace. Every Twili was there, watching them. One of them, probably impatient, shouted aloud: "What are you waiting for? Kiss her already!" The lovers smiled at each other and obeyed the eager Twili behind. The sound of clapping hands began to be heard as soon as Link and Midna's lips touched. Their kiss lasted for a long time. Foralin could tell that they really missed each other all those months. Except for Link who had spent 5 years in an underground library but nobody presently there knew that.
The kiss slowly ended and as their lips parted. The lovebirds started to walk toward the palace. When Link arrived in front of the small assembly, Foralin spoke: "Hero, we are honoured to finally meet the one that our queen kept praising," And on those words, the king knelt down, followed by the others.
"Oh, really, I don't think I deserve such an honour," said Link, thinking of what he had done.
"Don't be so modest Link, you're the Hero! Every hero should be honoured," said Midna. "By the way Link, now that I take a better look at you, how did you get those clothes?" she asked.
"Uh?" he wondered, looking at himself.
Link's torso was naked. He had a black cloth draped around his waist and going down to his knees. His boots were also black and his leggings were blue-green. His hat was the same colour as his pants. "Well, don't I look almost like a true Twili now?" laughed Link. Midna joined his laughter and thought that it was not so important what he was wearing but what he was not wearing. She had never seen his bear chest since the sumo wrestling and it made new tears touch lips that they could not see. Midna took Link's hand and led him into the palace...
The following days were those of celebration. But none of them were as happy as the one where Link proposed to Midna after Foralin had renounced his status as king. He preferred to become the new high adviser. At the ceremony, when Link was in front of Midna, listening to the priest pronouncing their vows, he thought of Rusl and the invitation he gave him. Also of the others he had hoped to see at this very moment. In his thoughts, he wished them to have the life they deserved and as happy as the one he was going to have.
FIN
That was the last chapter. Hope you liked it. Just so you know, there'll be a sequel sometime next year.