Chapter Seventeen

Vincere est Vivere
"To Conquer is to Live"

Midna and Zelda sat next to Link's frozen body, an expression of hollow indifference on his face. They knew not of what he was going through and for that very reason, feared deeply for him. The tense and foreboding pressure in the air was almost unbearable. The Twilight Princess was afraid that he would never wake up, and instead of bringing the Hero to his salvation and rebirth; she had brought Link to his final resting place, the Master Sword his tombstone.

The Twili bit her lip. No, she wouldn't let this be the end for them and she knew Link wouldn't either; after everything he had already gone through. Even if he didn't know how much she cared for him, the Hero at least wouldn't willingly leave the Princess behind. Midna knew that from when he followed her into the Twilight Realm. Link said he needed someplace new – someplace to be by her side. She felt for him in a deep way, but she knew he wanted to be with her from the friendship they had shared on their journey and because Hyrule no longer held any mystery or unknown thanks to the fact that the two of them explored every centimeter of the land, water, and sky of that world. Midna saw all this as the truth from the way he acted towards her: just as he had always done before. His lack of response in any way to her surprise kiss was proof of how he felt. Or rather, lack of feeling towards her.

Going back to how it was without him… she couldn't bear the thought, even though the Twili originally intended to leave the Hero behind. Midna wondered the slightest bit if the reason he didn't want to see her go was because of a slim chance of something more between them. No, he hadn't shown anything like that towards her. True that upon first entering the Twilight Realm a year past, Link had told the royal that she was his family, but just that: family. Nothing more and nothing less. Not family out of love, but out of friendship from all they had experienced. Yet for some reason Midna couldn't help but feel as if there was a possibility that would one day lead to a family in the romantic sense and not just that of the platonic form.

The Princess hoped that at some point he would be her King, and she, his Queen.

Right now, by his side and eagerly waiting for him to return gave Midna time to think on this more so than she ever had before. After that night in the Twilight Realm, she hadn't had a chance to sit back and contemplate everything and just how much he meant to her. Only once he had begun to suffer did she realize that Link was so precious and irreplaceable. When he was free of his pain and of his struggles, then the Twili would finally tell him. After this, Midna couldn't bear the thought of Link not knowing what she felt, even if she was fearful of the possibility that her confession might distance them more. She had run far too great a risk already by waiting this long, but at the same time she had to first make sure he was well once more. The Twili didn't want to ail him again, just as she originally feared her affectionate actions towards the Hero had.

The Twilight Princess sighed and drew her gaze from Link's still form, looking up to the Hylian in the guise of a Sheikah. Zelda's sight was on the Hero, but she seemed to be looking deeper somehow. Almost as if her intense stare would allow her to see what he was going through at this very moment. Midna's eyes traveled from the Light Princess and crossed those of the Skull Kid's.

After witnessing the events from a distance for what seemed like forever, the spirit walked up to the body of the Hero and stood by his side in silence for a moment before placing his hand on Link's forehead. Midna and Zelda watched his actions without question as the spirit's eyes drifted closed. From his demeanor, he seemed to be in deep thought. A moment or two of stillness that felt as if it lasted an eternity passed, and finally the creature spoke in a neutral voice.

"I know that you are worried, but your friend is safe as of now. My Hero is watching over him from afar at this very moment, but the darkness…" the forest dweller drifted, opening his eyes and pulling back as he gazed to the form of the current wielder of Courage, concerned expression on the face of the deeply mature child.

"What do you mean darkness?" Midna asked nervously, brow knit in concern. The fears from her earlier thoughts of losing the one she loved took their painful hold of her once more. The Skull Kid simply shook his head at the words of the Twili, looking to the ground. Furious about the lack of response, Midna lunged forward, grabbing the tiny body of the spirit by the shoulders and shaking him viciously. "Tell me! Is Link going to be okay?!"

"Midna!" Zelda exclaimed, shocked by the sudden aggressive actions of the other royal. The Light ruler quickly reached out, strongly gripping the arms of the Twilight Princess and forcing her to stop with her violent movements. Once Midna's limbs had been stilled, the two rulers could see the Skull Kid's eyes spin as his head lulled. After a moment he shook in the grip of the Twili and angrily looked to Midna. She reluctantly let go of the creature with a scowl, letting him fall to the ground. Zelda released the other Princess and the eyes of the two royals met, face of the Twili becoming serious and troubled once again.

"I understand your worry for him, as I fear for Link as well. You two have a deep bond, and that is understandable from all that you have endured together. I am intertwined with him spiritually by the will of the Goddesses, and in past lives we have been bound more tightly, yet in this one, fate sought to give him a chance in something new… To test his soul." Zelda's gaze drifted from that of Midna's and back to Link. His face was still unreadable. "I can see that you share something intimate with him in this life…"

Midna inhaled sharply, heart racing for a moment or so until she calmed herself with a deep breath, proceeding to look to the Hero and then draw her gaze towards Zelda once more before speaking.

"How do you…" the Twili drifted. With her face partially hidden behind the scarf, it was difficult to read Hylian's true intentions behind the words, but Midna felt as if the other royal had known the feelings of the Princess for at least some time, Zelda being wise as she was.

"Your concern for him is more than just that of a very close friend… and the guard that escorted you to your chambers in my castle told me of your requests," Zelda replied. Something in the tone of her voice made the Twilight Princess feel as if the ruler of Light was smiling beneath the veil that she hid behind. The pale blue skin of Midna's face reddened. It was bad enough that she worried Link had picked up on what she said, taking it in the wrong way. Luckily though it seemed he was much too exhausted to notice, but of course Zelda had seen the unintentional meaning.

"B-But with him ill like that… and after… what…" she didn't finish one thought before the next, too flustered over Zelda's words.

"I am well aware of the fact, and know that you two aren't the type to do so. Your love transcends that, being pure and true. Nevertheless, I see that I am right regarding your feelings."

"You mean it was all a test?" Midna asked, letting out a breath in disbelief. She'd fallen for it.

"Yes, and it appears that you have passed."

The Twili sighed, taking a few moments to compose herself once more. She should have known that considering it was Zelda she was speaking to. Midna glanced back at Link, then to the other Princess yet again. Zelda's sight was on the Hero, intense thought obvious from her strong gaze.

"You really do deserve to be blessed. No one in Hyrule could have said it wiser than you, but…"

The Hylian ruler drew her sight away from Link and towards that of the Princess of Twilight. By now the Skull Kid had stepped back to where he was before approaching the group, out of reach of the Twili's long arms but still within hearing distance.

"I haven't told him everything…" Midna said somewhat sorrowfully, biting the edge of her lip and not looking Zelda directly in the eyes.

"I see," the Hylian spoke cryptically. She was concerned about her misjudgment and what that could mean for the two. "I am sorry I seemed to have misunderstood where your relationship with him currently is. Midna, there is a time where you must explain the full truth. Link cares for you deeply, but he is not the type to take initiative in these matters as of now. He hopes that he has gained your approval, but keep in mind of your status. He does not want to overstep his bounds and is fearful of hurting you."

The Twilight Princess was shocked, eyes snapping up to look at the gaze of the other royal. Did Zelda see Link's actions towards the Twili in that way? Or was this yet another test of hers? After a moment Midna took a deep breath, bringing her sight back to the subject of their conversation. In her heart she had hoped Link held the same emotions and now that she thought on it, Midna knew that whatever he felt – friendship or love – Link didn't want to hurt her just as Zelda had said. It was why he tried to keep his pain and suffering a secret. It was also the same reason he hid his past even after he learned of it from his parents' letter. Just like why she had kept her identity a secret during their previous journey in Hyrule.

The Twili was in turmoil. She wasn't entirely sure what to do when it came to advancing their relationship at this point. More than ever she wanted Link to know, but at the same time understood it would be stressful with everything he was currently going through. To calm herself Midna closed her eyes for a moment, breathing deeply. After her mind had settled and her frenzied thoughts put aside for the moment, the Twili reached out, pulling aside the Sheikah cloak and setting her hand on the back of Link's, in the process covering the Triforce of Courage with her palm. The Princess gently squeezed his hand and the skin of the Hero was cold to her warm touch.

"He's… going to be okay, right?" she asked nervously, worried eyes not leaving his face. Zelda was silent for a few moments.

"Considering what he has gone through to make sure you have been kept safe, I do believe so. Link does not wish for you to be hurt," the Hylian royal responded, reinforcing Midna's thoughts from before. "He is going through much currently. I think that letting him know you are by his side and watching over him will help greatly."

Midna bit her lip again. She understood, fearing the feeling of being left behind or alone. When the Hero had first begun to change, she was so scared he would leave her, and knowing that they had to return to Hyrule to save him, she couldn't – and wouldn't – let Link go on his own. It was not just because he was ill, but also because she was afraid they would never again see one another, even if leaving the Twilight Realm meant she had to selfishly abandon her world for who knows how long. The Princess knew that after he was safe and sound, then they would find a way back, and Midna desperately hoped he wouldn't stay behind. Just as she had tried to force him to do the day she shattered the Mirror.

So no matter what his decision would end up being, Midna had to let him know.

The Princess of Twilight leaned over the Hero, her hair that was bound in a ponytail threatened to fall over her shoulder, so she held it in place as she slowly brought her face near to that of his.

"Link… I…" she whispered with an expression that was a mix of sorrow and nervousness, voice drifting as she glanced up at Zelda. The other Princess nodded and Midna looked back to the Hero before her. This shouldn't be so difficult… to tell him what she really felt. After everything they'd gone through and Zelda's wise words, the Princess wanted to expose the truth so badly, but also knew that this wouldn't be the right time to do so, even if her words would end up falling on deaf ears at this moment.

Yet if Midna didn't tell him one day, he would never hear her. So the group continued to wait in the tense silence of the Grove, the Twili's concerned face sadly hovering above that of the one she loved.

Link abruptly sat upright and violently cracked his forehead against that of Midna's. He immediately fell to his back once more, expression contorted in pain as his eyes were squeezed shut while the Princess of Twilight held her hands to her head she swore was bleeding but really wasn't, trying her best to focus her now wandering and blurred eyes on the Hero. The royal was glad she left her crown in the other realm or the injury could have been much more severe.

"Link!" Zelda shouted in surprise, glancing to Midna then to the one who had saved two realms before her who moaned in pain, forehead already beginning to bruise from where his skull made contact with that of the Twili's. The foreign Princess grimaced from the headache caused by the unforeseen action, but quickly suppressed the pain and focused on Link. After a moment or two his eyes snapped open and the two royals gasped at the irises that gazed back up at them.

They were a solid red; just as the night he first underwent the change.

Quickly they shut again in response to the light. After being the void, Link wasn't expecting the brightness of Hyrule, even though he knew that's where he would be, his physical form having resided there the entire time his soul underwent the ordeal.

That's right. He made a choice and came out a different person than the one that had entered the struggle. He wasn't a Hero anymore. He wasn't what everyone thought him to be.

Link was a Sheikah.

His eyes opened once more, this time slower, as he brought his hand above his face to block out the light, but that wasn't necessary with the two royals leaning over him. Link let his arm fall aside, looking up to the Princesses with a weak smile on his face as their expressions displayed concern.

"I'm feeling better," he told them as to not worry the two. Link hadn't immediately noticed, having first felt the connection of his forehead with that of the Twili's, but he really was physically less pained. The exhaustion that plagued him seemed to be gone, and his senses suddenly much more alert. Link had forgotten what it was like to feel normal, but he didn't truly know what normal was like anymore. This feeling of himself… something about him was different. The way he was right now was almost indescribable, having never been a true Sheikah. In the vaguest sense he felt the slightest bit like a wolf, an alertness of senses under the calm of what he was used to.

He slowly pushed himself up while the two moved aside in silence to give him room to do so. The Skull Kid watched eagerly from where he stood, but didn't approach Link. The spirit felt something was different about the Hero he had known; that this wasn't the same one that had saved him so long ago, and simultaneously was and wasn't the one that he led through the woods in two forms.

Even before seeing his eyes, somehow Zelda knew that this would be the decision Link would make. She was glad he chose this option considering how much he and Midna cared for one another, but at the same time she was concerned. The Hylian Princess knew it would plague the one previously known as a Hero to follow this path. His physical discomfort was gone for the time being, but he still had emotional turmoil to put up with and overcome in time. All of which would be harder than the Light Princess originally thought thanks to her misinterpretation of Midna and Link's relationship. Zelda hoped that Link wouldn't break under the pain of what he was now, especially after he had come so far already.

The Twili looked over the one who had abruptly awoken. Other than his eyes that matched the color of hers, he hadn't changed physically from before. The markings on his skin were still present, albeit possibly the slightest bit more navy bluish and less black, but that just might be her vision from the collision her head had undergone moments ago.

"Link… your eyes…" Midna drifted. She was expecting them to be the familiar and calming blue, not the red of her own, and so the Twili was confused by what she saw. She felt left in the dark somehow. The Twilight Princess knew that Zelda understood what had happened to him, and Link undoubtedly knew as well from whatever he experienced, but the Twili felt that there was still a secret being kept from her, something hidden in the shadows.

Link smiled sorrowfully at Midna, drawing his gaze from her shocked one a moment later. He didn't want to see her like that and knew from her reaction that his choice pained the Princess, even if she didn't fully understand it. Link was beginning to fear his decision but knew he couldn't go back on it now. He had to make it work, and he would.

"I'm sorry I worried you… I really am better now." He looked to his lap, gripping the fabric of the Zelda's cloak that had covered his form as he was enduring his test. The Sheikah eye on it reminded him of what he had now fully become.

"What did you have to go through?" Midna asked concerned, dropping her previous question for the moment.

Link winced the slightest at her words. So much had happened to him, he didn't know where to begin. He wasn't sure what to tell Midna, as he feared of lying to her in a way, not knowing what he had learned during his struggle to be true and what was false. All he knew was his own emotions, and the choice he made. He needed to tell her that, and he would. Just… not now. Not seeing her pained like this. He took the words of the Hero's Shade to heart, knowing he had to be careful with how he explained everything he knew, uncovering what was hidden to him and what he kept from others. The truth behind it all could hurt so much more than not knowing. Link knew that from how he felt regarding what Midna had told him of the Interloper War. After learning about the history, he wanted to forget – to not carry the knowledge. But at the same time, as much as it hurt, he had to understand that without the past that Midna had told him of, he probably wouldn't have made it out of this alive.

"Link," Zelda broke his thoughts. He didn't realize that he'd been staring off into nothing, contemplating what he was now and what that meant.

"I…" he drifted, almost beginning to explain something – anything – he had encountered in his ordeal to satisfy a portion of any of the many queries he was bound to be asked, but Link needed time to think on it all. Somehow he had the feeling that Zelda understood much, her wisdom easily letting her deduce the truth – or at least part of the truth – simply from his eyes. He didn't need to see his own reflection to know that Midna meant they were red. He knew that by her previous statement and the look on the face of the Twilight Princess when she said it.

Link pulled the cloak that had covered him like a blanket off of his form, handing it to Zelda. She grasped it without a word as he stood, the others silently following his action. It was at this moment the Skull Kid took a step towards Link, the eyes of the two met, and a second or so later the creature spoke.

"I see you have awoken and made your choice…" the voice of the spirit drifted and he looked to the sword briefly before his gaze settled on Link once more. "I will accept it, but you're not the same person I knew long ago."

Link inhaled sharply, understanding whom the spirit spoke of.

"Your soul is still the same though, even if what you are now is the antithesis of what you have been before. You chose to follow another path in this life. You have moved on from your duty just as he, but unlike him, you know better, don't you? Even if you do still carry some darkness within, it is there for a purpose, just as all things are. I hope you can see that."

The words relieved Link and he nodded subtly. He hadn't fully abandoned what he was. Deep down he was still the same as before, in a vague way. He understood what he had to do, not questioning how the spirit seemed to know, if it indeed understood exactly what Link needed to face. Either way, the creature was right: he still had some darkness in him, some secrets that shunned the light but one day must face it.

Midna was completely lost, more so than ever. She wanted to know the truth. At the same time, she knew that she wouldn't understand it all – at least for a while – just as he didn't understand everything about her. The Twili had kept secrets of who she was on their journey to save the lands. The Twilight Princess knew he was still keeping so much from her, and now wondered after Zelda's earlier words if something Link hadn't yet told the Twili regarded Midna. If he didn't say anything soon, she would need to take action herself. She didn't want to keep preventing the truth from coming out. Midna needed to stop more pain between them, but couldn't say anything at this moment. It was too soon after whatever he faced. She could see that in his eyes and the sorrow they held when she spoke to him. She needed to find the right moment, and she needed to do so soon, fearing that if she waited much longer things would only get worse in a way.

Zelda simply stood, watching the exchange and actions of the ones before her in silence. Hidden beneath the disguise her ancestor wore, the Princess knew that they couldn't see her own fears and struggles for them. It would be difficult for the bond between the two to fully be known by each. In addition to that, the Hylian knew they couldn't stay in Hyrule forever, having to return to the Twilight Realm at some point. With Midna being royalty, she couldn't very well abandon her people, and knew that the Twili wanted to go home as soon as possible. Zelda had noticed that she never directly addressed how to get back to the Twilight Realm, and feared that the magic of the Fused Shadows was severely weakened from their arrival. The Hylian was the slightest bit frightened, knowing what must be done eventually, but was confident that it would come to pass well. Link had made it through the ordeal he faced mere minutes ago. If the two truly were meant in this life, they would overcome what still lay ahead of them.

"That is all I have to say on the matter," the Skull Kid spoke, bringing everyone's attention back to the moment and out of their minds. "I will guide you out whenever you are ready to depart. Next time though, you must pay for passage through this place by playing a game with me. I do not like serious matters such as these," the spirit said in a tone that contradicted his words.

Link nodded subtly, knowing the creature didn't mean him in this life, as the one that was until recently the Hero would never have the need to return to the Sacred Grove now that this struggle of his was finally over and another took its place. He turned to the Master Sword, looking at the blade as well as the hat that lay folded atop the cloak he had worn on their journey to the holy place. The green fabric of the cap held so many memories for him… but Link knew he couldn't – and wouldn't – ever go back to that way of life now.

He was no longer the Hero in this era.

But was he finally free?

Link knew he wasn't. He still had much to do, more questions to answer. Before he began the ordeal, he hoped that upon completing it, it would have been the end of it all. That he could be at peace with Midna, finally telling her what he felt.

But now more than ever Link sensed that he couldn't, at least not in this moment. The once Hero of Twilight would tell her the truth, he knew that. He just needed to do it when it wouldn't hurt her… when it wouldn't hurt himself. He needed to find the ideal time, which would be after he had begun to expose other more immediate truths – his new identity and reasoning behind choosing it, for one.

Without a word he leaned down, picking up the clothing and tossing the cloak over his shoulders. Link looked at the hat in his hands, clenching the fabric and quickly putting it on his head. It felt a bit odd to be wearing the cap once more after all he had gone through.

With a sigh, the once great Hero placed his palm on the pommel of the sword, knowing that he wasn't worthy of taking up the blade again after his actions and choice of who to be in this life. He stood there in silence for a few moments, his internal conflict still not completely solved, and the meaning of the words his past self spoke regarding his duty to his parents remained a mystery to him. He still had so much to do.

"Link…" the voice of Midna broke his thoughts and a weak smile crept onto his face, the cry of a distant wolf just barely audible following the sound of his name that the Twilight Princess spoke.

Thank you. He thought to the call, then took a deep breath and turned to the royals. He nodded towards the two, expression serious, and they left the Grove in silence, not once looking back.

A/N: Random, and I don't know why, but for some reason I burst into laughter when writing the part where Midna grabs Skull Kid. xD
Anyway, ehhh… not satisfied with this chapter, especially the latter half. :/ Between touching up a Legend of Zelda cosplay of mine for Halloween (the character is a secret to everybody), organizing an international Legend of Zelda event, Tri Force Heroes, my most labor-intensive Zelda fanart project to date, a bunch of one-shots that have just come to me, and non-Zelda aspects of life (yes, I am a normal human being who only writes fanfiction in my spare time); I feel this story is starting to take a dip in quality, and I'm sorry about that. :( The chapter after next is something I really want to make good, so I'm going to be putting most of my effort towards this fic as of now into that. Next week's chapter will probably be really "meh" because of those reasons. I'm sorry! D:
Also, it's still Sunday in my time zone, so this chapter isn't by any means late. (You're just used to the fact that I've been updating it so early in the day over these past months. :P)