Chapter Eighteen

Scio me Nihil Scire
"I know that I know nothing"

Colin stood outside of Coro's hut, talking with the man that sold lantern oil. They hadn't really been discussing much, as it was more of an awkward silence between the two that was intermittently broken by an occasional question regarding simple matters. Nothing serious was brought up, and Colin was glad about that. After everything he had gone through in the recent past and the fact that Link was in the middle of something deep within the woods as he and Coro waited only made the boy's fears grow. He couldn't relax until he knew Link was safe and back to normal again.

The messenger spun around when the merchant's gaze drifted over the young Ordonian's shoulder, and his jaw dropped. The group that had ventured into a secret portion of the forest approached, cloaked once more. Colin let out a little gasp, followed by a smile, upon noticing that all three figures were walking sturdily. Seeing that made his fears instantly disappear.

Link was well again.

The Ordonian that served as messenger didn't know how, but figured there would be no point in asking anyway, as he still hadn't managed to understand everything that he was told at the pub in Castle Town. He quickly approached the three, but his demeanor became solemn upon the silence that they gave him.

"Is everything all right?" Colin asked, brow furrowing in concern. He was glad to see that Link appeared to be well now, but something about the air around the group made it difficult for him to be cheerful.

"Yes, everything is fine. I'm much better Colin," Link spoke monotone; face carefully still hidden beneath the hood of the cloak he wore once more. The boy knew that wasn't entirely true. He glanced at Coro for a moment, who in return waved at the group. Colin then turned back to the three figures before him, not knowing exactly what would be appropriate to say at this time.

"What will you do now? Do you want to stay in Ordon?" he asked, mind full of other questions but unable to pick just one of the more serious topics to bring to the table.

Link was silent for a short while, thinking over what it would mean if the group stayed the night there before venturing back to the heart of Hyrule. After everything he had gone through, he didn't want to face the villagers at this time, knowing that it would only make things more complicated, and he couldn't have Midna's strange appearance risk being revealed without a lengthy and exhausting explanation. Leaving without even a goodbye… Link squeezed his eyes shut, but knew no one could see the action hidden beneath the hood. A moment later he opened them sorrowfully. Maybe it was for the best to simply go without a word. Link knew that at some point Midna would return to the Twilight Realm, and he would join her just as he had before. Hopefully then he could tell the Princess everything. He had to begin somewhere though, and Link knew he would soon.

"I… I'm sorry Colin, but we have to head back to Hyrule Castle," Link eventually replied, knowing Zelda needed to return to her duty as ruler and subconsciously falling back on that notion as an excuse in his mind. Midna and Link would come along with the Hylian Princess. He understood that it would take time for the Fused Shadows to regain their power and allow the two of them to go back to the other world, but it would be best to stay at the castle in the meantime. Midna would be safe from prying eyes there, and Link knew that if they went to Ordon no one would give them a moments rest, constantly asking questions of what happened and why he was gone for so long.

"Oh…" the boy replied somewhat sorrowfully, mouth hanging open and letting his gaze drift as the idea completely took hold.

"I am sorry Colin. I know you want Link to return to the village, even if it is for a short time, but I must go back, and they have their reasons for returning with me," Zelda spoke, interpreting Link's meaning behind why he denied Colin's offer. She glanced to the one who had saved her kingdom, then to the Ordonian that took his place as messenger.

"I understand. You have your duties…" the boy drifted, blinking a few times to focus his eyes and looking to his feet, not wanting the others to see the sadness in his face.

"Colin, can you go tell Telma that we're done here?" Link asked, knowing what he must do now. At his words the boy's head snapped up and the one that had served as a role model and brotherly figure was glad a hood hung over his head so the Ordonian couldn't see the sadness displayed on his face, even though the one before him was filled with sorrow. "While you're there… tell them – tell everyone… that I'm safe…"

The messenger slowly nodded in reply, fully realizing that this was goodbye.

"Thank you Colin. I'm glad I got to see you again… and take good care of Epona. I know you two work well together," Link spoke, voice on the verge of shaking as he offered a sorrowful smile from beneath his veil, not knowing if Colin could see it or not cloaked in shadow from the hood. Saying farewell to the boy face-to-face was much harder than just leaving behind Hyrule like Link had done the day the Mirror shattered. He didn't know if he would ever see Colin again, just as he didn't then. But unlike that time, Link had a chance to confront him, not make a split second decision that had ended up causing so much trouble for everyone dear to him. He understood the longer he made this, the more painful it would be and was glad that Colin seemed to understand that based on his reaction.

"Thank you Link," the boy said, trying his best to not show emotion, face displaying pain and sadness anyway as he attempted to hold back tears while he slowly turned away from the group and approached Epona, not giving his savior even a hug farewell, as he was too fearful that would hurt him. Colin didn't want Link to know he was shaking and almost felt as if the royals and savior could see that he was, as the messenger climbed atop the mare then looked sorrowfully to the three he had escorted. The boy thought of happier things to not look so hurt as he slowly drew his gaze away from them and silently set off towards Ordon.

"Poor kid," Midna spoke solemnly after he had disappeared and the sound of hooves faded. She wanted to say something to change the mood, but the Twili was still trying to come up with a way to break the ice between herself and Link once more. As much as she wanted to console the boy before he left, she couldn't spare the effort to do so, too concentrated on trying to figure out the one she thought she knew. He seemed like a completely different person now. That didn't matter though. The Princess still cared for him, and possibly even more so than ever thanks to how concerned she was for Link regarding the unknown that he had endured. The Twili could tell that mentally he wasn't yet fully healed, even if physically he was doing better. Midna didn't know what hurt more: seeing his body pained, or knowing that emotionally he was still suffering.

They stood in silence for a time and while they waited, Link was realizing more and more how he was glad he didn't return to Ordon. Not just because of bringing Zelda back to her castle and keeping Midna hidden, but because he knew it would be so much harder on himself. Link already had much burdening him, and even if it was selfish, he didn't want more. As if reading his thoughts, Zelda spoke, interrupting the quiet birdsong of Faron Woods.

"What you are doing is right. I am sorry about you not returning to Ordon, Link, but it would complicate matters more so than they need to be."

He nodded silently in reply as he stifled the tears that threatened to fall. Link had far too much on his mind and Zelda had known that, reinforcing his notion and making him feel better about the fact so it wouldn't hurt him. Link let the subject drop from his consciousness and focused on more sensitive ones at the moment as he looked to the ground. His thoughts were momentarily broken by the door to Coro's hut closing. The merchant had gone inside, leaving the group alone.

They continued to wait for Telma in the silence, and after a time the Twili spoke, breaking the almost awkward quiet they shared.

"So," Midna began but didn't continue. She'd only said a few words since Link had awoken. The Princess was full of questions, but unable to ask any for fear of making things more difficult. She had been thinking over everything and what to say to start figuring out what Link had gone through and why he suddenly seemed so distant from her. She suspected that the choice he faced had hurt him in some way, and that had hurt her, to see the one she loved like that.

Midna wondered why he had chosen to be a Sheikah. The Princess knew that was what Link was now upon seeing his eyes. She had understood that because of Zelda's words prior to Link's decision, as well as his current condition, what had happened in the Sacred Grove had to do with what he was. He couldn't go on suffering as he had been, and Zelda said right before he began the ordeal that Link would choose a path and what wasn't wanted would be cast out. He had abandoned his Hylian self and taken up being one of the Shadow Folk. Was it because he felt he owed his parents something in order to mend the bond between the Hylians and their guardians? There were so few of the tribe left, so did he think that by becoming one there was a greater chance of somehow fixing the broken past that plagued him?

Midna looked up from her feet as she shook free the many questions that crawled around in her mind, noticing that Zelda and Link now seemed to be staring at her from beneath their veils. The Princess had forgotten she had begun to speak, and embarrassment from her unfinished actions took hold of her.

"Never mind… It's nothing. At least not right now," the Twili mumbled.

Zelda sighed at Midna's words and the others brought their gazes to her. The Hylian was tired of seeing them like this. She had misinterpreted where their relationship was, thinking that they already knew more about the other. She expected that they would after what they had already gone through: Link chasing after the Twili and leaving his world to be by her side, Midna doing a same in a sense with accompanying him to Hyrule. But where the two really were currently held many risks for them in what was to come, and the Princess of Light was so very thankful that they made it this far already. Though she had to take some action before too much time progressed, distancing them more. The Hylian royal thought over anything she could possibly do to help her friends. A moment passed and she spoke.

"The two of you have internal struggles you must bring forward. Please, see that you are paining one another. You have to start somewhere in mending what you had before. Decide by tonight or I will be forced to intervene," Zelda stated abruptly, not yet knowing what she would do. This caught both Midna and Link off guard. The once-Hero feared that the Hylian somehow knew something about himself that he hadn't yet discovered. She had deduced much from so little and after what he had seen in the test, he understood he was closely bound to Zelda in a past life. Link had a feeling she could tell he loved Midna in this one.

The Twili bit the inside of her lip. She was well aware that Zelda knew exactly where their relationship was and feared that the Light ruler would do something Midna didn't want her to. The Twilight Princess had to take a step soon, desperately wishing for the right moment to appear quickly.

The familiar sound of the carriage broke the thoughts of the ones waiting and they brought their attention to Telma as the cart approached. As she neared, the woman looked over the shrouded three while she spoke.

"Colin told me you're better," she directed to Link, who subtly nodded after a short delay. "So back to the castle then?" the Resistance leader asked, bringing the wagon to a stop in the open area near Coro's hut. Although the horse that drew the cart had stilled, the sound of hooves was still present. From behind the wagon, Colin on Epona came into sight. Link gasped, not expecting to see the boy again.

"I'm sorry Link, but I didn't tell them you're safe when I was there. If I did, they wouldn't have let me leave again without seeing you. I'll let everyone know not to worry about you when I get back," he said before anyone had a chance to speak, explaining his presence as he brought the mare near that of the cart.

"You're coming?" Link questioned, shocked, confused and the slightest bit relieved.

"Yes. I'm going with you back to Castle Town. I need to get a few more supplies, some stuff we lost on the way here when we were attacked, and I at least want to see you on your way…" he didn't say that he might never see Link again but knew that was the most likely possibility. Colin had a feeling his role model would go back to where he had been in the Twilight Realm this past year. He wanted Link to be happy, and Colin had begun to wonder if the Twili and he were more than just friends, as they seemed to show sincere worry towards one another, but that could simply be from Link's condition.

"Thank you…" Link drifted, eyes still not visible but sorrow obvious from the way his voice shook the slightest.

The others began to board the carriage during the conversation between the two, and Link joined them a moment later, still carefully concealing himself beneath the fabric, thinking once more about Zelda's words and those of what he was told in the Sacred Grove.

They rode for some time, Telma explaining what she had done in Ordon and lightening the mood with her small talk, much to everyone's silent thanks. The pub owner didn't ask what had gone on deep within the woods, and knew it wasn't her place to question it. She sensed that something had made the three much more tense, and it was obvious Link and Midna had suddenly become different.

Colin rode nearby to the wagon, keeping a watch out and simultaneously listening in on Telma's tales, occasionally saying a thing or two and explaining some of what had come to pass in the boy's home place over the previous year. At some point the Resistance leader dropped the topic of her stories and spoke to Link.

"We're out of range of anyone from Ordon seeing you. No one will recognize you hun. Feel free to take off your cloak."

"Not now," he replied quietly.

"Is everything okay?" the bartended asked over her shoulder, glancing at Link with a raised eyebrow and a curious yet concerned mind. The royals stared at him in silence.

"I'll… tell you all tonight," Link decided, averting his gaze from those who bore their uncomfortable sight into him, even though he knew they couldn't see his face with the veil hanging over his head.

Since much of the day had been spent in the Sacred Grove and woods nearby, or in Telma's case, Ordon, the group only managed to get midway through Hyrule Field before they had to set up camp for the night. They sat around a small fire, just having finished eating as they talked more; lighthearted stories of incidents at Telma's bar had brought everyone to a better mood. Somehow the woman was able to ease the tension they all shared, and Zelda was quite thankful for that, understanding it would make what she told Link and Midna earlier an easier task for them to accomplish.

Link was still cloaked, and Midna looked to him as he sat next to her, staring intently at the fire.

"Hey, you okay?" she asked. The other three were to wrapped up in a conversation of their own to notice Midna's quite question directed at the used to be Hero. Link slowly drew his sight from the mesmerizing flames and weakly smiled at her, the lower half of his face visible from the light of the campfire before them. His eyes remained cloaked in shadow from the hood, but she still saw the redness in them glow the slightest bit, and it wasn't just a reflection of the fire.

"Yeah. Sorry I haven't said much. I just…" Link didn't exactly know where to begin and once more let his gaze be drawn to the reds and oranges of the flickering flames before them. He had promised everyone earlier that he would explain, even if it were only a little, but now he was stalling because… He didn't know why, but Link just felt uneasy for some reason. He tried not letting that show though as he spoke. "I'm feeling pretty good now. Just… I know there is a lot I need to say, but I don't know how to start."

"Link, you know you can tell me. Whatever you had to go through…" her voice drifted while the Twili's brow twisted in worry. "I don't like seeing you this way."

Link inwardly cringed. He knew that because he didn't like to see Midna hiding her own fears, just as she had done not long after they entered the Twilight Realm. He remembered how she had asked if he missed Hyrule and how the thought of him wanting to go back seemed to have hurt her. At that time he couldn't believe he had felt so carefree and close to the Princess. What had happened to separate them like this? Was it because he was afraid of who he was now? How he had become different and the knowledge he carried regarding that?

Questions bombarded his mind yet Link simply wanted to forget it all. He wished to go back to how their relationship was like before the event in the Twilight Realm. Maybe then with the pain undone, he and Midna could start anew. As of now though, that seemed impossible.

"Link…" Zelda's voice drifted. The Twili and he looked up to the Hylian Princess, noticing the others in the group were silent and focused on the two. Link took a deep breath, realizing that it was time. He knew that now he had to tell the truth as he promised – to all of them – expose his secrets just as the Hero's Shade had told him he needed to do. Link understood that this would be a good place to start, as Midna's tension seemed to have waned some from Telma's jokes. Eventually he broke the stillness, pulling back the hood to show his eyes, which stared at the fire that matched his gaze.

"I'm… a Sheikah."

The group looked at him, Midna and Zelda calmer than the others from already knowing, but there was still a tense quiet in the air that could be cut with a knife thanks to Colin and Telma's stiffness and shock.

Until now the realization hadn't quite hit home. Only after saying the words aloud did Link understand that showing the truth felt good in a way, but at the same time, he didn't want to do so. For himself and everyone else to see what he was hiding again, that he abandoned the person everyone thought Link was, running away from his duty as a Hero so he could cling to a sliver of hope that he may be given a lengthy unbroken happiness, just as his father did, or attempted to do. Just as the past Hero did… but Link in this life would be different. At least he hoped, yet he still didn't understand just exactly what he was hoping for.

It seemed that the Interloper had been right and the Hero's Shade wrong. Link would never be able to attain true satisfaction, as he was pained again and again in different ways. The cycle would repeat itself, from one event to the next, because not only did he have the burden of the truth of who he was weighing down on him, there was also the truth of what he felt towards Midna.

Even after all this – especially after all this, he couldn't tell her that just yet. Link was afraid to. He didn't want to hear Midna's response… her words confirming what the Interloper had told him.

"You're nothing but a lost wolf taken in out of pity."

A/N: Sorry if this chapter is unsatisfactory and I hate how inconsistent my writing style is. D: The next one is going to be quite long, and I'm actually pretty excited for it. I can also guarantee you'll like it more than this one. ;)