A/N: Chapter Four finally here! Sorry I haven't updated, it's been busy all week. I will try to have Chapter Five up tonight as well, otherwise it be up tomorrow. Hope you like it!
Link felt as if his heart was ready to explode. Who knew it was possible to feel intense anger, burning passion, carefree love and sweet relief all at the same time. His heart lifted drastically as he watched Midna literally fall from the sky and into the spring. As she dropped, so did the walls that Link had built around himself, and he knew that nothing could replace the warmth in his heart, or the feeling of having the girl he was in love with by his side again.
Even if the mirror's sudden mysterious repair was just a coincidence and had nothing to do with the fact that Midna wanted to return or not, either way Link didn't care. He would do anything in the world to have Midna fall in love with him.
Link still couldn't believe the way he snapped on her though, letting his bitter words seep through. If he was planning on making Midna love him, he had to work more on his self-control, remembering this wasn't last year. He knew his words hurt Midna by the look on her face.
Link stole another glance at Midna, drinking in her unusual beauty. Her soft looking skin, the same blue shade that it was a year ago. Her slim body was still dripping with beads of water, and her wet black dress clung to her beautiful frame. Midna's damp hair, still the brightest orange Link had ever seen. Finally, he gazed straight at her suprisingly warm eyes. As if sensing Link's gaze, Midna stared back into Link's blue eyes, blushing slightly. There was a look in them that he had never seen before. A hard determination mixed with a softness of regret. Was the regret coming from breaking the mirror, or ending up in the light world again? Link couldn't tell, as Midna had ripped her gaze away from his hastily.
He caught Zelda surveying their situation with a smug grin on her face.
"So, what are we supposed to do now?" Link frowned, annoyed with her growing smirk.
Zelda turned serious, thanks to Link's rude tone.
"Link, I suggest you return to Ordon with Midna and tie your loose ends, then you two can join me in Hyrule tomorrow and we can begin our research," she directed.
Link looked at her silently questioning her. Zelda stared back innocently, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Is there any reason why you and I can't return tonight together, and get a head start, Zelda?" Midna asked, desperately.
Link felt as if he had been punched right in his heart.
"You need to familiarize yourself with the light world again, Midna," Zelda explained, "And considering you spent most of your time with Link last time, you'll probably remember things better when you're with him anyways," she raised a blond eyebrow, as if searching for something in Midna's now defeated glare.
"Fine," Midna said coldly.
Zelda turned on her heel, and threw her hood back over her long hair in one swift motion. "See you two in the morning," she called over her shoulder, before disappearing with her horse into the woods.
"Let's go then," Midna slightly stomped to Epona before pulling to a stop.
Link saw her sigh, clearly annoyed.
"I suppose you know how to ride one of these better than I do," Midna turned back to him, an eyebrow raised.
Link couldn't help the smirk that took place on his face. Of course Midna was always angry when someone knew more than her.
"Well?" she asked, crossing her arms, "Are we riding a horse or not?"
The mound of black fabric that was in the middle of the water caught Link's eye. Why not annoy her just a little longer?
He sloshed through the spring dramatically before picking up her robe and sloshing right back to her. Link rung the drenched fabric out, dripping on her slightly as he did so. Midna rolled her eyes.
"I think you dropped this," Link smirked cockily as he dropped the soaking fabric onto her crossed arms.
"Thanks," she answered sarcastically.
"Have you ever mounted a horse?" Link changed the subject.
"Clearly not, or I would be on it already," Midna continued with the sarcasm, but let a slight smile slip, probably laughing at her own joke.
"Alright, Princess, hold on," Link grabbed each side of her slender waist, and hoisted her onto Epona's back.
"Never call me that," Midna's voice hardened.
"What? It's your title, is it not?" Link asked innocently, mounting Epona.
"Only my subjects get to call me that," Epona picked up speed, and Midna wrapped her arms around Link's waist involuntarily. "You're a Hylian, not a Twili, so my name is Midna to you, as it always has been." Midna finished.
"I forget you actually get talkative when you want to prove a point," Link chuckled.
He felt Midna's head brush his back, so he looked behind him.
Sensing his gaze, she lifted her head again, and Link saw her normally blue cheeks blushing like a beautiful rose. Midna quickly ducked her head again, staring down at Epona's back.
"Um, aren't we here?" she asked quietly.
Link hadn't noticed their surroundings had changed, and was surprised to see his treetop house waiting in front of them. He pulled Epona to a stop, and hopped off of her, holding his hand out to Midna.
She looked at it for a moment before taking it. Link could feel the shock of electricity course through his veins where their skin made contact. To further the feeling, Link took hold of Midna's slender waist with his other hand and pulled her down gently, letting his hands linger on her for a moment longer than necessary.
Midna dropped her hand from Link's and cleared her throat.
"We should..." she trailed off, glancing at his house.
"Yeah, let's go," he blushed.
Link led Midna up the ladder to his wooden house, and opened the door, guiding her inside.
"I think you've seen in here before," Link said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yeah, I remember it," Midna said distantly, gazing around.
Link watched her tour his house before speaking.
"I should probably head into town. Tie my loose ends," Link quoted, "Tell everyone I'm leaving."
"Okay," Midna nodded.
"You can come if you want," he added.
Midna shook her head, "No, it would be easier if I didn't," she insisted and gestured to her whole profile, "This would be a lot to explain anyways."
"Alright," he agreed warily.
"I'm sure I can entertain myself here," she raised an eyebrow at his expression.
Link nodded as he left the house, and mounted Epona, trotting into the village. He scoped the range for Bo, Ordon's mayor, and Link's father figure.
The village was so small that finding one person in particular was an easy task.
Link spotted Bo's large tunic-clad figure and Ilia's significantly smaller one on their front porch. He slowed Epona to a stop in front of them.
"Link!" Ilia exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"
"I just came to talk to your father," Link explained, nodding at Bo. "Excuse us for a minute."
He jumped off Epona and led Bo out of Ilia's hearing distance before speaking.
"Bo, I have to leave Ordon again-" Link started before Bo cut him off.
"But Link! It feels as if you just got back!" Bo exclaimed, "You know how Ilia will react to this," he scolded.
"I know," Link sighed, "But I'll only be gone for a month, maybe even less."
"Can I ask where you're headed?" Bo questioned.
"Hyrule. Princess Zelda has business she needs help taken care of." That business being the love of my life, Link thought.
"Very well," Bo nodded understandingly, "Take as much time as you need."
"LINK!" Ilia screeched, causing them both to jump and rush back to her.
Ilia was bent over Epona's back haunch, examining it intently.
"Not again," Link groaned internally.
"Her leg is cut, Link!" she scolded. "I'll take her to the spring. Again," Ilia frowned, leading Epona cautiously in the other direction.
"I'm sorry about her, Link," Bo sighed, "You know how she gets around you and Epona."
"It's alright," Link sighed back, and started trudging in Ilia and Epona's direction.