The Legend of Midna: Clockwork Darkness

Chapter Four

"Well damn," said Link. "I guess I won't be staying in Ordon after all."

"Why not?" Midna had no desire to stay there herself, but she knew it had been important to Link.

"Someone bought my old house," he said. He knew it had seemed silly, and that it made perfect sense for his house to be put up for sale, but he had always imagined that the people of Ordon had left it alone as like a memorial for the great hero from Ordon.

"I'm sorry, Link," said Midna, placing her hand on his shoulder, "but it makes sense. I mean, you haven't lived here for -"

"Fifteen year," he finished. "I know." He looked back up at the house. "I wonder who bought it…"

His musing was soon answered. Up the road from the village came a blond haired man who bore a striking resemblance to Link. He even carried the wooden sword that Link used to entertain the children with.

"Hello?" he said. "Who are you, and what are you doing at my house?"

"I am the King of Twilight," said Link. "I used to live here. I assume you are the new owner?"

The man stopped dead in his tracks and stared at Link for a moment. Then slowly, he made his way toward him. He eyed Link for a moment before he said, "Link?"

Link looked taken aback. "What? You know me?"

"Yes, of course," he said. "It's me, Colin."

"Co…Colin?" Link couldn't believe his eyes. "Colin, you're…grown!"

"It stands to reason," he said. "Fifteen years will do that a man. I must say, I didn't recognize you at first either. Sporting a beard now, I see."

"Not for long," chimed in Midna. "As soon as we get home, it's going."

"Sounds like she's the real power behind the throne," said Colin as he gave Link a peculiar look.

"Well," he said, "she is a woman. I guess they get the final say, right?"

"Can't argue with that," said Colin. "Well, hopefully my wife will be here pretty soon. Then we can leave the women here together while we go do manly stuff."

"You have a wife too?" Link was amazed at how much he could miss out on in fifteen years.

"I sure do," said Colin, sticking out his chest. "You remember Luda? Well, she and I got pretty close in the time that we spent in Kakariko Village. One thing led to another and, well, here we are."

"Damn," said Link. "It's hard to believe how much I can miss out on."

"Time has a way about it," Colin said. "Oh, there she is." Up the road came Luda, who was clearly extremely pregnant.

"You're a father, too?"

"Well, technically not yet," said Colin. "Should be just a couple more weeks."

"Wow," said Link. "That's great!"

"You know Link is a father, too," said Midna, not to be outdone by these light-dwellers.

"Really?" said Colin. "I didn't know that. Did you bring them with you, your children I mean."

"Yes," said Link. "This is Siobhán, and Eoghan…" He looked around. "Where is he?"

"Well," said Midna loudly, "I certainly hope he isn't hiding in anyone's shadow, because if he is, I swear to the god of everyone, he will be in so much trouble!"

Eoghan quickly came out of Siobhán's shadow. "No," he said. "I'm right here. I was behind sis."

"Uh huh," said Midna. "Well, I can't prove you were shadowjumping, so consider yourself lucky this time."

"Link," said Colin, "what does she mean 'shadowjumping'?"

"It's hard to explain," said Link. "I told him not to do it while were here, and this is partly why, but I can trust you two to keep it a secret. It's sort of like…because where he's half Twili, he can travel in and out of shadows. Like, he could go into my shadow and come out of yours, for instance. Siobhán should be able to also, but she hasn't quite mastered it yet."

"That's crazy," said Colin. "Well, if it's alright with you two," he addressed Midna and Luda, "I'd like to go spend some time catching up with Link."

"It's fine with me," said Midna.

"Sure," agreed Luda.

"Can I come?" Eoghan piped up.

"Colin?" Link gestured to him.

"Only if your dad says it's alright," said Colin.

Link considered it for a moment. "I think you should stay here. Make sure your sister doesn't get into too much trouble."

"Link," said Colin as they sat by the water's edge. "I have to be honest with you. I really wanted to talk to you about something that I think would really upset Midna. That's why I wanted it to just be us."

"Ok…" Link wasn't sure what to say. "What is it?"

"When you still lived here, did you ever get a strange feeling of sadness at twilight?"

"I did," said Link with a nod. "In fact, I remember having a conversation similar to this with your dad. It was in this same spot, in fact. He said it's because that's when the worlds of the living and the dead are closest."

"Yeah, he did say that," said Colin, "but honestly, I think there's a different reason."

"What do you think, then?"

"I think it's because it's when this world is most like the Twilight Realm. You had said before that light and dark are two sides of the same coin. Well, the sides of a coin don't touch. I don't think they're supposed to."

"What are you suggesting?" Link was getting the slightest bit aggravated.

"I just…I don't think our world and the Twilight Realm were meant to mix. I'm sorry, Link, but I've wanted to tell that to someone for a long time, just no one seems to want to listen. Not even Ilia."

"Well," said Link, "I'm sorry you feel that way. However, I do applaud your honesty, to the point that you would tell a king something he doesn't want to hear."

"With all due respect," said Colin, "you are not my king."

"I wonder what they're doing," Midna mused. "They've been gone for so long."

"Probably out fishing," said Luda. She wasn't too thrilled about being left alone with a Twili, but didn't want to be off-putting. "Colin likes to do that from time to time."

"I thought he might," said Midna. "You know he made Link his first fishing pole."

"I didn't know that," said Luda. "That was nice of him."

"I thought so," said Midna. "So, you're having Colin's baby, huh? That's exciting."

"Oh, I know," said Luda, feeling much more comfortable around Midna now that they were talking about her. "I am so ready to have this baby."

"How far along are you?"

"Just two or three weeks, now," she said. "I just hope I'm a good mother."

"Trust me," said Midna, "you'll do fine. I'll be honest," she looked around to make sure Siobhán and Eoghan weren't around, "I didn't want kids when I was younger, and ours have turned out alright. You don't have anything to worry about."

"Thanks," said Luda. "You know, you Twili aren't so bad."

"What's that's supposed to mean?" Midna looked affronted.

"Nothing bad," said Luda. "It's just that your people don't have the best reputation in this world. People here equate light with good, and your world has no light, therefore you must be evil. I never thought that, and neither has my dad, but we're more open-minded, I guess."

"You know, I used to feel that way about this world," said Midna. "I used to look down on this world, and all I cared about was getting my throne back and taking revenge on my usurper. Link was just a tool for me to use in order to do that." She paused for a moment. "But Zant exposed me to the Light Spirit Lanayru, and it would've killed me had Link not risked his life to get me help. That's when I realized that this world isn't so bad. It's not home, but it's alright."

"I guess both our worlds have a lot to learn," said Luda.

"Well, Link is trying to push communication between the worlds, but the high council just drags their feet on everything and argues and never gets anything done."

"Perhaps it should change, then," said Luda thoughtfully. "Are you and Link monarchs or aren't you?"

"You know," Midna said with the look of realization, "you're right. It needs to change. The only problem is finding suitable replacements."

"Well, I'd join the council if I were on my own," said Luda.

"A light dweller on the council?" Midna considered it for a moment. "Well, that's actually not too bad of an idea. Actually, we have a light dweller as king, so why not? Luda, you're a genius."

"Thanks," she said sheepishly. "I get good ideas sometimes."

Midna noticed movement outside. "Hey, there's Link and Colin."

Link entered the house. "Midna, get the kids. We're going."

"Why, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, just…we have to go. Luda, it was good to see you but I'm afraid we have overstayed our welcome."

"Bring me that astronomer," said Zagros from his throne, "and tell those Gorons to get a move on. This castle was supposed to be finished by now."

"Yes, captain," said Elena. "Right away."

"Have I not told you, it's 'Your Highness'?"

"Oh, right, sorry cap – er, Your Highness," said Elena, kneeling before him. "It's just hard to get used to, after all this time of hearing 'captain'."

"No, I understand," he said. "Just be more mindful in the future."

After a wait that seemed like forever, the astronomer shuffled into the room, his stooped frame causing his robe to drag the ground.

"Master," he said, attempting to bow in spite of the pain in his joints.

"Hello again," said Zagros. "It's been a while since we last met."

"It has," said the astronomer. "You wanted to see me, master."

"Yes, I did," said Zagros. "Tell me, how long have you lived and worked in the astral observatory?"

"All my life, master," he said, "as did my father, and his father, and his father. Enough generations to span a hundred years, at least."

"I see," said Zagros. "So then, you will be well versed in the workings of technology, then?"

"Well," said the astronomer, "I don't claim to be an expert in all things. I study the stars, and the planets. That is my field of expertise."

"I like to think I am well versed in the workings of technology myself," said Zagros, "but I can't be sure. You see, the world I come from is not as technologically advanced as this one. In my world, we used magic. This world needs more magic, don't you think?"

"Permission to speak freely, master, but I think this world has had enough magic to last it, since the skull kid incident."

"Ah, yes, I have heard about that," said Zagros. "That happened somewhere around a hundred and so many odd years ago, didn't it? And the hero that saved this world, what was his name?"

"Link, I believe, master," said the astronomer, shaking with fear.

"Link…." Zagros froze for a moment. "Surely not the same…no, it couldn't be, that wouldn't make sense…but the spirit, and the goddesses…"

"I'm sorry, master? Are you speaking to me?"

"No, no…" Zagros waved a hand. "You are free to go."

The astronomer wasted no time in leaving the room, lest Zagros change his mind.

"Link…" Zagros sat in silence while the name repeated itself over and over in his brain. "Well then, I have no choice. I would have been content to rule this world and let that be that, but…well, there's nothing that can be done now. I have no choice."

"Tick tock," he said to himself as the minute wheel turned.