The castle was buzzing with activity and chatter as guests began to make their way into the opulently decorated ballroom. Servants dashed around, yelling to one other above the noise and performing last minute inspections. Soldiers stationed near large wainscot doors verified each guest's identity and ushered them into the large event. Elegantly dressed men with doublets and slickly groomed hair accompanied women adorned with evening gowns and a horde of jewelry. As the regally dressed guests took their seat, they admired the location Ambi had chosen for the evening's celebration.
The space itself was massive; a large dance floor situated in the middle of the room looked big enough to engulf several small houses. Long tables with white tablecloths set up along the perimeter of the ballroom floor welcomed the guests. Vases of colorful flowers were on display between every other guest; their naturally endowed scent was comparable to even the best noblewoman's perfume. Silver forks, knives, spoons, and goblets were placed at each chair. Busy servants dashed from goblet to goblet pouring wine for guests as they waited for the celebration to begin.
Several guests gawked at the height of the ceiling, straining their necks to see the bronze chandeliers swinging passively above them. Looking onto the ceiling itself, a large fresco bathed the entire ceiling and upper walls with brilliant splashes of color. Admirers gazed in particular at the creative individual's interpretation of the Goddesses' creation of the world. At the center of the ceiling stood three golden figures, their radiant hands stretched amidst the blackness surrounding them. As the fascinated observers looked towards the ceiling's edges, the scene grew brighter until the lighter hues formed a combination of shapes and colors to create a beautiful scene depicting the world's birth, complete with lush vegetation, sparkling rivers, a clear sky, and a plethora of animal life. Looking further down onto the high part of the walls, the more intelligent beings began to appear: Gorons, Zora, and Hylian. As the fresco progressed down the wall, it tracked the gradual progression and development of these races, including the discovery of music and poetry, the construction of cities, and the founding of nations.
Tucked in the corner, the musicians warmed up their instruments and played a mellow background tune. The sounds of the tambourine, harp, lute, viol, gamba, and cornett blended to form a collage of music that delighted the guests as they took their seats and sipped at their wine. The steady chatter and laughter in the room grew louder as more nobles and dignitaries filed in.
Midna had been to many such events during her reign as Twilight Princess. As she observed the guests flocking in from her seat at the head table, she couldn't help comparing this to the previous dances she had held at her own palace. For one, the music was slower and mellower than what she was used to in the Twilight Realm. Second, everyone seemed to be waiting for the food. She was used to having a buffet table immediately available with every guest handling their own plate upon arrival. The decorations were much different too; not quite the beautiful colors of twilight she enjoyed so much.
And, of course, there was one other aspect that stuck out: her appearance.
Her dress was the only thing that seemed to blend with the other guests. The blasted thing was horribly uncomfortable and warm though, restricting the movement of her legs and rubbing against her shoulders. To make matters worse, the color had to be pink. Of all the colors, why something so bright and cheery? Unfortunately, it was the only dress they had that would fit her.
This brought her to another issue that seemed to distinguish her from the other party goers. Ignoring her flaming red hair, colorful eyes, and abnormally pale skin for a moment, she couldn't get over how short everyone was. She had thought Link was lacking in that department, but most of the guests here barely reached her neck. This only fueled the heat of awkwardness that seemed to steam from her presence. The only other guest that matched her height was a large, foreboding man with receding red hair and too much armor sitting at one of the tables across the dance floor. As she stared at him, his glowering yellow eyes looked in her direction. She had no intention of associating with him, so she quickly looked away. For the moment, she was content cursing her abnormally tall height and staying at her seat where she was less noticeable.
She had only come at Link's persistent nagging. Now, as she sat awkwardly and out of place in the large hall, one of the only things that kept her there was the enticement of a home-cooked meal. That and the more appealing opportunity to see Link and Kari stumble their way through the evening.
Speaking of which, neither they nor Zelda had arrived yet. All the other members of their party had taken their seats at the main table. Colin and Ilia laughed together at the opposite end, with Tifa sitting just to their right and Tatl hovering on the edge of the chair. The Kokiri girl sported a small green dress obviously meant for a child; her eager eyes soaked in all of the sights and smells as if it were a carnival. Midna's own seat was one over from her side of the table, both seats adjacent to her awaited occupants. Finally, there was one last empty chair in the direct center of the table two to her right. It was decorated more elaborately than the rest; she assumed Ambi would eventually take her seat there.
"Hope we're not too late," Link said as he and Kari finally shuffled their way behind the table. He pulled the chair out to her right while Kari sat to her left.
It was strange not to see the hero in his outfit of choice. Instead of his usual green tunic, he wore a maroon doublet over a white cotton undershirt with black pants. A brown leather belt held the outfit together. His normally unkempt hair was combed to the sides with a part down the middle. She had to admit—he looked quite dashing.
"Glad you actually decided to show up for a change," Midna said with a smirk. "What kept you?"
Link cast an annoyed glance to the Sheikah. "Kari refused to wear what Ambi set out for him. I spent a long time trying to persuade him in vain."
She turned to the wind tamer. Just as Link said, he was in his normal, everyday attire.
"What?" Kari asked when he noticed the two staring at him. "I refuse to wear Hylian clothing. If I am the last of the Sheikah, I have the right to dress like one." His face glowered. "I do not even wish to be here."
The hero shrugged his shoulders. "Take that up with Ambi. I tried my best." As he looked at Midna, he began to snicker when he noticed what she was wearing. He quickly cupped his mouth with his hand to suppress it.
Midna raised a brow. "Something funny?"
He tried to control himself. "It's nothing. I just never imagined pink to be your color." His snickering slowly regained momentum.
Midna folded her arms and grunted confidently. "Laugh all you want. I'm not the one who has to go dance in front of all these people tonight."
The wolf man's face turned white like a bone. His laughter quickly stopped. "You had to remind me, didn't you?"
This time it was Midna's turn to chuckle. "Of course I did. That's why I'm here. To watch you make a fool of yourself."
His hand instinctively reached for the fork in front of him. He spun it absentmindedly between his fingers. "Glad to know you're so supportive." He looked up at the ceiling. "Why is everyone so eager to see me fail? Tatl said the same thing."
Kari looked at the fork in Link's hand and then to the silverware in front of him. "These things again? Why do they insist that I use them? How am I supposed to eat like this?" He groaned, shrugged his shoulders, and joined in on the conversation. "I fail to see why you are so worried, Link. Dancing is just rhythm and footwork. Just like combat."
Midna eyed him curiously. "Do you dance?"
Kari nodded. "A long time ago. Only for training purposes. It builds strength, increases flexibility, and improves balance."
Link smirked. "Then you can take my place."
Kari grunted. "I'd rather be dead."
The hero chuckled to himself. He fondly recalled the last time Kari had used those words. It seemed like ages ago.
Suddenly, the musicians ceased their melody and the crowd's loud chatter hushed to whispered murmurs.
"Looks like it's about to start," Link whispered to his two companions. They nodded in agreement.
The band picked up its rhythm, this time playing a melody with more fanfare. The cornett and viol picked up the tempo, while the gamba resonated lower notes for dramatic emphasis. Everyone's attention turned behind the head table, where two large wainscot doors creaked to life as soldiers pushed them open. Everyone instinctively stood up, including Link and his companions, as they saw Queen Ambi approaching through a narrow corridor leading to the ballroom.
The Queen of Labrynna was ablaze with energy and vitality as she saw the large number of guests in attendance. Wearing her royal dress, she waved at her loyal subjects as they cheered and hollered in her honor. When she reached her seat, she motioned for the room to be silent with a wave of her hand. The crowd quickly obeyed.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the court, esteemed dignitaries and honored guests, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all here tonight. I apologize for arranging this event on such short notice, but it pleases me to see most, if not all of you able to be here on this lovely evening."
The crowd murmured its approval.
Ambi took a drink from her goblet and continued. "As some of you have no doubt heard, we have a very special guest in attendance tonight. She is a very special woman and a personal friend of mine. She has guided her fair nation, our ally, through many trials and has proven adept at handling the challenges of governing a country. Her wisdom is renowned throughout the continent, and her kindness is second to none. Without further ado, it is my pleasure to present to you, Queen Zelda Harkinian Hyrule."
The crowd offered its applause as Zelda strode down the corridor and emerged into the ballroom wearing a full-length velvet gown with golden trim and golden side buttons. The thin sleeves ended at the elbow with a long fabric of velvet flowing down from the cusp and resting at the sides of the gown. The neck was rounded and ended fairly close to the shoulders, accentuated by the stylish trim around it. Two small auburn braids rested against her cheeks and a long ponytail flowed down her back, sitting beneath the golden Royal Crown she had protected this entire journey. She only wore a little makeup; most of it was concentrated around her cheeks to hide the recent bruises she had received at Link's hand.
The monarch paused in the doorway, waving and smiling to the party goers as they welcomed her presence. The garnet-colored gown seemed to enhance her already graceful appearance as she approached her chair and stood next to her old friend. They shared a quick smile before Zelda turned to face the crowd. She swallowed as she looked at the numerous people awaiting her words. They all looked expectantly at her in silence. She quickly cleared her throat and took a deep breath. After mentally preparing, she knew the rest would come naturally.
"Friends, it is a pleasure to be in your company this fine evening." She paused for a moment, turning her head slowly to look at everyone in the room. "I would like to personally thank Queen Ambi for being such a wonderful host to my companions and me. The collaboration between our two nations, along with Holodrum, has been a true blessing from the Goddesses. Labrynna has always stood by Hyrule in the past, and I look forward to an even brighter future." She paused, raising her goblet in the air for a toast. "Men and women of the court, I wish I could honor all of you the way you have honored me tonight. So let us eat, dance, and laugh to our heart's content as we celebrate the wonderful relationship between our two nations."
Both monarchs took their seats as the guests raised their glasses and applauded in agreement. Ambi leaned in close to her childhood friend so they could converse easier.
"That was so eloquent. You have such a talent for words," the hostess complimented.
Zelda smiled. "Thanks, Ambi. I always used to read books and poetry when I was younger, so I guess it paid off." She sighed. "Life was so simple in those days. I wish I still had time to indulge in such simple pleasures."
Ambi frowned. "Zelda, I thought we talked about this. Tonight, your job is to have fun."
The bearer of Wisdom chuckled. "I know. I know. But I can't help it. My thoughts always inevitably drift to my kingdom."
The Queen of Labrynna nodded. "I know. You are practically betrothed to it." She patted her on the shoulder. "Trust me, Zelda, I know how stressful being Queen can be. But I also know that sometimes you just need some time to unwind."
Zelda sighed. "I know."
Ambi directed the monarch's gaze to the large hall. "You can worry about Hyrule tomorrow. Enjoy tonight for what it is." She elbowed her playfully in the side and cupped her hand to Zelda's ear. "After all, it isn't every day you get to dance with a dashing gentleman like Link. He is quite a catch."
Zelda looked over her shoulder to see Link engaged in debate with Kari and Midna. She nodded. "I do admit he his handsome." She shook her head. "What am I saying?" She glared at Ambi. "This is your fault. Stop teasing me like this."
Ambi held up her hands defensively. "At least I placed your mind onto something besides Hyrule." She winked quickly. "With how beautiful you look, all you have to do is pour on the charm and he is yours."
The Hylian monarch folded her hands on the table. "Can we please talk about something else?"
The hostess looked to the doors leading to the kitchen and saw them swing open. "Perhaps your desire will be granted. It seems the feast is about to begin."
On cue, a dozen or so servants marched out of the kitchen wheeling carts full of food. The guests quickly sat down and set napkins on their laps as the silver platters full of meats, breads, potatoes, fruits, herbs, and other delectable commodities were placed on the table.
"This is great!" Colin whooped as his eyes eagerly dwelt on the food placed before him. His tongue hung out of his mouth like a dog awaiting a bone. "There has to be enough food here to feed every goat in Ordon!"
Ilia jabbed him lightly in the ribs. "That doesn't mean you go eatin' like one. Remember, we're guests here."
The swordsman shrugged her remark off and leaned over the table. "Hey Link!" he hollered. "What should I eat first?"
The wolf man already had a large steak steaming on his plate. "Don't know about you but I'm going for the meat. Better get it quick before there's none left."
Before Colin could respond, Ilia grabbed the back of his tunic and yanked him back into his chair. "What are ya doin? Are ya tryin' to bring attention to yourself?" She whispered fiercely in his ear.
Link chuckled to himself, especially when he saw the horrified look on Ambi's face.
The hero eagerly cut away a large portion of his steak and brought it to his mouth. As his teeth sank into the tender meat and the natural juices flowed around his tongue, he felt his heart begin to race. He hadn't had meat this tender or delicious since his last hunt as a wolf. As the luscious sirloin went down his throat, he felt his animalistic instincts forcefully resurging.
Goddesses! Not now of all times!
He put down his fork and felt the sweat in his palms and forehead accumulate. His breathing came shorter and more sporadic. He felt a large pain in his chest, as if the wolf was pushing against his ribs, just waiting to burst out. His tongue began to salivate at the prospect of fresh game; as he tried to suppress it, the desire only grew stronger. He picked up his goblet of wine, hoping that a drink might make him feel better. As he looked at the crimson liquid, he was only reminded of the warm blood from a fresh kill. He quickly placed his cup down as his mind began to get hazy. He shut his eyes tightly and concentrated.
No! Not here! I will not allow myself to be overtaken by this beast!
The chaos of the battlefield flashed through his mind. The dead Sheikah. A beaten and bruised Zelda. All because he had let his wild and savage nature have its way. The flaming wolf from the fireplace seemed to laugh in his mind at his futile attempts to suppress its influence over his body.
I said no! Farore, get this thing out of my head!
And just like that, the feral instincts dissolved as quickly as they had come. He felt his mind clear like a brush of sunlight peeking through the clouds after a summer storm. He wiped the sweat off his forehead and slowly lowered his hands to his sides. The wolf inside his mind retreated into the shadows, snarling and bearing its teeth to make it clear that it would return.
Zelda leaned towards Link. "Are you okay? You don't look so well." She thought she heard Ambi giggle from behind, but she paid her no mind.
The hero quickly flashed a sheepish smile. "I guess it's just nerves. That's all."
Zelda placed a comforting hand on his arm. She made sure the table hid her gesture so as to avoid providing fodder for the gossipmongers carefully watching them. "You don't have to dance if you don't feel comfortable. Trust me, I would be perfectly fine with that."
Midna pretended to groan. "You would rob me of my entertainment for the evening? That's just cruel."
Link poked the twilight princess playfully with his elbow. "Well, nothing's stopping you from dancing with me. I'm sure that would be entertainment."
Midna hesitated for a moment. Was he flirting with her? Or was her heart just leading her astray? She decided it was safer not to jump to conclusions. "Let me see how much you stumble on the dance floor before I commit to anything. I want my toes intact."
Kari looked at the food plopped on his plate and pushed it away. He folded his arms and shook his head. "What is cruel is that they make me use these useless utensils to gain nourishment." He paused. "And how you take a sadistic pleasure in watching his failure, Midna."
The Twilight princess crossed her eyes at the Sheikah. "Really, Kari? Do you think I want Link to actually fail?"
The wind tamer's eyes brightened. "Aha! This time I can detect the sarcasm in your voice. You do want him to fail."
Midna sighed and shook her head. "You're gullible even when I'm not trying to trick you." She took a large sip from her goblet, spitefully rubbing off the wine from her lips with as much of the pink sleeve as she could manage. Much to her satisfaction, it formed a nice little stain that complimented the color of the dress. "That was actually a legitimate question. And the answer is I don't want to see him fail. I just enjoy making him nervous beforehand because he acts like a little boy."
Link scowled at her. "You don't have to put it that way."
She smirked. "Well, if you were a man, my remarks wouldn't affect you."
The hero opened his mouth to respond, but he couldn't find a witty retort to reply with. He quickly gave up.
"Tifa! Great Ordona! What are you drinking?" Ilia's exasperated voice carried across the table.
The whole table turned to see the Kokiri girl guzzling the last of the liquid in her goblet. She licked her lips and held it out for more. "This juice tastes kinda weird. But I like it."
Tatl nearly had a heart attack when she realized what it was. "Tifa! That's not juice! That's wine!"
The innocent forest sage tilted her head in confusion. "But why would I drink tears?"
Ilia quickly snatched the goblet from her hand and shooed the servant away that was about to refill it. She looked in astonishment at the forest girl. "Never mind that. How many did you have?"
Tifa began to count her fingers. "Umm…it was really good but I think only three."
Tatl rested on her shoulder. "Three sips?"
The forest sage shook her head. "No, silly. Three cups."
Colin placed his hand on his goblet. "Well if Tifa can have it, then so can I. Mama will never know."
Ilia turned around. "Wait Colin!" She paused as he took one sip but quickly spit it out. "Never mind. I guess I don't have to worry about you."
The swordsman nodded, quickly grabbing another bite of food to absorb the bitter taste. "Yeah. This stuff is disgusting. I regret putting it on my tongue now."
Ambi leaned forward, looking at the two Ordonians. "Is something wrong with the wine? I can have the servants fetch you something else if you'd like."
Ilia nodded. "Just some fresh water would be good. One for Tifa as well."
"And one for me," Colin added.
Ambi nodded and relayed the task to a servant. When she had done so, she turned to Zelda with a hidden look of exasperation. "Your companions are something else. If they weren't friends of yours, I would have thrown them all out by now." She paused. "Except for Link, of course."
Zelda smiled as she took a sip from her own goblet. "Now you know what I deal with on a daily basis." She turned her attention to listen as she heard Kari's mumbling; she wondered what he was grumbling about this time.
The Sheikah crossed his arms and pushed his plate away. "Give me water over wine any day."
Midna smirked. "What's the matter? Can't hold it down?" She brought the goblet to her lips for another sip. Once again, she wiped the excess dripping liquid with the dress she loathed so much.
The Sheikah shook his head. "It is bad for a warrior. What if the enemy poisoned it while you were feasting? You would be completely helpless. That is why my people refrained from such excessive indulgences." He paused. "Besides, it impairs judgment and fine movement." He turned to the hero. "Right, Link?"
The hero looked around awkwardly. "Yeah, I guess. I'm just not in the mood for any." He purposely neglected to mention his struggle with his inner beast only minutes before.
At that moment, Ambi stood up from her chair and rung her goblet like a bell with a nearby spoon. She waited several minutes before the room quieted to her liking.
When she was sure she had everyone's attention, she spoke. "Gentlemen and ladies of the court, at this time, we will have the first dance. This honor will go to our guest, Queen Zelda, and a gentleman of her choosing."
Zelda slowly rose from her chair, feeling the gaze of every eye cast upon her. She quickly covered any reaction with her perfected mask of etiquette as she walked over to Link's chair. She could see the tension in the hero's shoulders as she approached. She almost didn't have the heart to ask him. She knew Ambi was probably urging her on from behind, but she paid it no mind. Instead, she focused on what her own feelings told her.
As much as she felt the pressure from Ambi, the guests, and social protocol as a whole to go through with this, she began to realize a small part of her wanted to try it as well. To her, it was a testing of the waters without diving in, or looking into a cave without entering its depths. She still did not entirely understand her recent feelings for the hero, nor did she entirely give them credibility. Yet, at the same time, she had a strange desire to explore them. To see what it was like to care for someone on a personal level rather than a political one. This might be her only chance to see what it might be like, and if anything could ever happen between them.
Much to the monarch's surprise, the hero rose from his chair on his own and offered his hand to her. Of course, they had practiced this all day yesterday, so the fact he knew proper protocol didn't surprise her. What did surprise her was the initiative he was taking. Yesterday, she had to lead him through all the steps, but here, he was taking charge. She gently accepted his hand and allowed him to escort her to the center of the dance floor. As his strong hand enclosed her own, she felt a strange sense of security and wonder, an unusual feeling considering her natural independence.
As the musicians began a slow, soothing melody, Link raised her hand up with his to shoulder level. She pushed against his hand so he could easily lead her and placed her other arm on his muscular shoulder. He placed his other hand on the small of her back, lifting his arm to support her own. As the music picked up, he pushed against her hand and lead with his left foot. She quickly stepped back with her right, and the two began the waltz they had practiced the previous day.
Zelda heard the laughter of Midna and Tatl from the table and had to chuckle to herself. The hero's face was solemn and serious, his eyes constantly looking over her shoulder like he was preparing for combat or facing a monster. Despite his best appearance to look stolid, she could see the red forming on his face and the sweat dripping down his brow. His movements were stiff and jerky, not graceful and fluid like the dance was supposed to be. Still, she gave him credit for trying.
"You're doing well for just learning, Link," she comforted. She moved her hand a little further down his shoulder. "But relax a bit. You're stiffer than a block of wood."
"Am I?" Link asked, somewhat distracted. His gaze continued to reach past her, as if to another world. He smiled a bit. "I guess that's to be expected."
They continued to dance in a circle to the music's sweeping melody. Zelda smiled. "Don't worry. It's only for one song. Then you can retreat back to your chair."
Link didn't respond for several seconds. He continued to glance at her, back over her shoulder, and then at her, and then back over her shoulder. His movements were still jerky, which was sad, because he had been more graceful during practice. "No, don't get the wrong idea. I enjoy dancing with you," he said at last when he realized what she had implied.
She just smiled and said nothing, following his lead to the song and trying to figure out what was going through his mind. At first, she had thought it was nerves, but these were not the mannerisms of one paralyzed by fear. Every time they spun around, she would look to see where his gaze lingered, but she would only see Ambi's subtle winks and their friends quiet snickering. No matter where she looked, she just couldn't find what seemed to be drawing most of his attention.
And then it hit her. Like a catapult to the chest.
It wasn't something that caught his attention. It was someone. Someone who had already captured his heart long before. Someone who knew this man much better than she did. Someone, she feared, who might not even feel the same way based on her past actions. The lingering in his gaze was not one of fear or uncertainty, but one of longing.
The realization hurt more than the monarch thought it would. Somehow, these fantasies of attachment had become more entangled in her heart than she realized. The grim reality that the one man she admired so much was already out of reach created a sharp sense of pain and loss. The more she thought about it, the more she realized how impossible the fantasy had been in the first place. She could not tame this feral warrior, half-wolf and half-man, nor would he be happy in a life constrained by her world of petty social customs and etiquette. He belonged in the wild, free to roam where he pleased and satisfy his endless thirst for adventure. She realized, although grudgingly, that she already belonged to her kingdom, and that any personal fantasies she might have had would have to remain that, destined to hibernate in the bottom of her heart as sacrifices for her people.
Zelda swallowed hard. If her fantasies couldn't come true, then the least she could do was encourage his. Besides, they were only halfway through the song, and she didn't want him to dance awkwardly for the rest of it. She needed to ease his tension somehow.
"Hey Link, I have a proposition," she whispered as they continued to dance in rhythm to the musicians' instruments.
"What might that be?" he whispered back.
She waited until he finished spinning her before continuing. "Let's have a little contest, shall we?"
The hero nodded. "I'm listening. What would we have to do?"
She smirked playfully. "Simple really. My challenge is to get Kari to dance with me, and your challenge is to make Midna dance with you. Whoever completes their challenge first wins some sort of prize."
She was relieved to see that childish grin return to his face. "That's going to be nearly impossible. But I'm in. What's the prize?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "We can decide later. We have until the end of the evening."
Link nodded. "I accept your challenge. Good luck with Kari. I'll have Midna up here in no time."
The monarch smirked. "We will see about that. You're awfully confident."
The hero just laughed it off and said nothing more. As he loosened up, Zelda noticed his movements were a bit more graceful. Well…for a beginner. They continued to waltz around the ballroom, the crowd murmuring its opinions and gossip to one another in the process. As the music came to its rousing end, the two stepped out of the dancing position and bowed to one another. As Link escorted her off the dance floor, Ambi rose from her chair.
The Queen of Labrynna cleared her throat. "What a beautiful waltz." She paused as the crowd clapped their agreement. She continued. "With that, let's throw this celebration into full throttle. Everyone on the dance floor!"
All at once, the room filled with the sound of sliding chairs as men and women jumped to their feet and scurried to the dance floor. Each found a dancing partner of their choosing and began a jolly dance as the musicians whipped up a joyful, festive tune. Laughter and merriment filled the ballroom as the dancing headed into full swing.
Link was all too glad to reach his chair and sit down. With a loud heavy sigh, he released all of the anxiety that had accumulated throughout the entire dance.
Midna chuckled to herself. "You were great out there. You really gave us a show."
Link looked at her skeptically. "Really?"
The Twilight Princess smirked. "Yeah. You had me dying of laughter the whole time. It was the best entertainment I could've asked for."
The hero shook his head but smiled anyways. "How did I know that was coming?"
She smirked at him. "You should've seen yourself…you were stiffer than a scarecrow made of brick."
Zelda laid a hand on his shoulder. "You did fine." She paused and smiled playfully. "Well, for a beginner."
Link nodded. "Thanks Zelda. I think." He turned to Midna. "I'd like to see you do better."
The Twili scoffed. "We only need one of us to make a fool of ourselves tonight, and you already volunteered."
The hero pleaded. "Come on, just one dance. With me?"
The Twili folded her arms. She was going to test him and play hard to get. "No thanks. I don't like my feet being stepped on."
"Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiink." A young girl called from behind him. The hero turned around to see Tifa looking at him with big eyes. "Will you dance with me now? You promised."
Midna smirked. "See? You already have a dance partner. You don't need me."
Link patted Tifa on the head. "A promise is a promise." As he took her hand, he glanced back at the Twili. His eyes lingered for a moment. "I will be back after this. I won't take no for an answer."
She rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe by that time I'll have changed my mind." She waved him off. "Now get going. You shouldn't keep your partner waiting."
Zelda had to laugh as the Kokiri girl practically dragged Link back onto the dance floor.
Tatl sighed in relief. "Finally, someone to watch her for a while." She flew around the table. "Now's my chance to look for something I can actually eat." The fairy flew up and over the crowd in search of edible delights.
Meanwhile, a certain blonde swordsman remained in his chair, twiddling his thumbs as he looked between the ranch girl sitting next to him and the crowd out front. Ilia, with her elbows on the table, leaned forward and watched in mild fascination at the people twirling and moving to the musicians' beat. She blew a lock of hair away from her nose and sighed.
"I wonder how long it took them all to learn to dance like that. They're all moving at the same time. It's really sumthin' to watch." She said to no one in particular.
Colin nodded. "Yeah. They definitely seemed to have practiced a lot."
He looked at the pink flower in her hair, the green gown she wore, the hint of makeup splashed on her eyelids and cheeks. She looked completely different from her normal self, but he was completely mesmerized. He felt like he had swallowed a rock; there was something he wanted to ask her, but the words just wouldn't come to his tongue.
Ilia laughed. "Imagine if we had great parties like this back in Ordon. It'd be crazy."
Colin listened to the music of her laughter and smiled. "Yeah, it definitely would."
He felt his head getting hot as he twiddled his thumbs even faster. Perhaps if he just blurted it out, it would be better. The more he thought, the harder it came. Funny, especially considering how he had braved encounters with monsters and traveled through difficult terrain in the past. How come the simplest things in life were the hardest? As much as Link had taught him about courage, this was one area his mentor could not give assistance.
Ilia leaned onto her other hand. "Wish I could go out there and join them. Wouldn't know what I was doing, but it could still be fun. The way the guys are leading the girls through the steps. It's sorta romantic in a way."
Colin's heart skipped a beat. This was his opportunity; either now or never. He felt his forehead sweating and his chest pounding, but he plowed through anyways. "Say Ilia," he began, "would you…want to…you know….maybe dance with me…out there…on the…you know…dance floor?"
There…he had said it. The rest was in her court now.
Ilia quickly straightened up. "Colin, are you asking me to dance?"
The swordsman nodded sheepishly. His cheeks looked like someone had squished tomatoes on them.
She grinned from ear to ear. "Of course! I'd love to!" She immediately stood up and looked to the crowd. "It sounds like this song just finished. If we hurry, we can catch the next one."
Colin jumped out of his chair. "Let's go then." He took her hand in his and they raced out onto the dance floor. He hadn't expected that to go so well or so easy.
Zelda couldn't help but smile when she saw the two Ordonians race out onto the dance floor. She glanced around the table to see who remained. Aside from the four on the dance floor, Ambi had gotten up from her chair to converse with some of the other party goers. Only Midna and Kari remained at the table. The Twilight Princess showed no signs of moving anytime soon, so the monarch decided to try her luck with getting Kari to dance with her. After all, if there was a prize, she wanted to be on the receiving rather than the giving end.
The Sheikah had his head resting on the palm of his hand, staring miserably out at the crowd in utter boredom as she approached him.
"Kari, are you feeling okay? You look…well…dissatisfied," she ventured.
He glanced up for only a second to see who spoke to him before returning to his previous position. "I am wasting valuable time stuck here when I could be training. I cannot eat or drink anything served here. This place stinks of artificial flowers. The people look like dancing peacocks. What is there to like?"
She offered her hand. "Well, would you like to dance with me? It would give you something to do."
He didn't move. "I do not dance."
The monarch tilted her head in curiosity. "But I thought you said…"
"I said only for training purposes."
She smirked. "Well, think of it as a way to increase your flexibility and reaction time."
Kari pushed his chair out and stood to his feet. He looked at the monarch. "Forgive me, Zelda, but dodging a large amount of pompous turkeys is not my idea of training. I mean you no disrespect, but I have to decline your offer." He cracked his neck and looked towards the exit. "I am leaving. I cannot tolerate this atmosphere any longer."
Zelda continued to stare at his chair dumbfounded as the Sheikah brushed past her and headed for the exit. When she finally turned around to respond, he was already lost in the crowd.
So much for that. At this rate, neither of us will win.
Midna chuckled to herself, having overheard the entire conversation, as Zelda sat down, clearly defeated. No sooner had she touched the chair when she saw Link coming off the dance floor already. As he came closer, she saw the forest sage passed out in his arms. He laid her gently in an empty chair at the table and sat down himself.
"What happened?" Zelda asked.
Link shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "Guess the excitement was too much for her. She fell asleep after the song ended. I literally had to carry her back."
Midna rolled her eyes. "Well, the girl did have three glasses of wine."
Zelda looked in amazement as the forest girl slept soundly through all the noise and ruckus of the celebration. "You don't think she passed out, do you? What should we do with her?"
At that moment, Tatl returned from her quest for food. Unfortunately, she had done so empty handed. As she caught Zelda's last line and looked at the forest sage asleep on the chair, she quickly pieced the situation together.
"She's just asleep. Let Ilia take her back to the room. Tifa's had enough fun for one night," the fairy suggested.
They all looked to the dance floor to where Colin and Ilia danced in a corner by themselves. Of course, they were horribly out of rhythm compared to the other party goers, but they didn't care. They laughed and joked as they danced to their own beat and created their own dance moves.
"Looks like they're having a good time out there." Zelda said. "I say we let them be." She looked to her other companions. "You two can do your own thing if you'd like. I'll stay with her until Ilia comes back."
Link looked around. "What about Kari? Where did he go?"
Zelda shrugged her shoulders. "He had enough of the festivities and left."
The hero chuckled to himself. "That sounds like something he'd do." He looked to Midna. "So have you changed your mind about dancing? I'll keep asking you until you agree."
The Twili rolled her eyes and mockingly groaned. "Well, if you're going to be so persistent, what choice do I have?" She paused. "I'll agree on one condition."
Link held his breath. "What's that?"
She pointed to the exit. "We get out of this place. I don't want hundreds of people watching us. I feel enough like a fish out of water as it is."
Zelda placed a thoughtful hand on her chin. "You two could go to the garden. I doubt anyone would be there at this time. The moon is full too, so there should be plenty of light."
Midna nodded. "That could work. Anywhere away from all these people is good with me."
Link smirked. "Agreed. I've already danced in front of everyone once. I'm not too eager to do it again." He looked to her. "Well, shall we go?"
The twilight princess looked questioningly at his hand. "Aren't you going to escort me? You did it for everyone else." Her hands went to her hips. "Unless I'm not good enough?"
Link made a show of bowing and accepting her offered hand. "Well, mi' lady, I can't afford to offend you, now can I?" He took her hand in his as the two continued their playful bickering down the hallway.
The monarch chuckled to herself. Even though it hurt to let some things go, she knew it was for the best. She honestly hoped Link could find a little bit of happiness. He had done so much for Hyrule and for her already; he deserved it.
As she turned back to the ballroom, she stretched out her arms and let out a yawn. She suddenly felt tired, even sleepy. Perhaps this whole night and all the physical and emotional preparation that came with it had been more exhausting than she gave it credit. She smiled as she looked at the forest sage sleeping soundly in the chair beside her. Much longer and she might be in the same state.
As Midna and Link entered the castle garden, they found the outdoor sanctuary undisturbed by visitors as Zelda had predicted. As the pair walked the stone walkways through the vegetation-filled sanctuary, the atmosphere was different from the crowded room they had just come from. Crickets played their nightly serenade from the bushes, an owl expressed his loneliness from a nearby branch, and further away, the rushing of water from the fountain offered its consistent melody to the night time air. All of the flowers had closed their petals for the night; the blush of silver moonlight peaking from the star-covered sky bathed the plant life in an otherworldly luminescence. As the two found a stone bench to sit on in the moonlight, they basked in the cool evening breeze carrying the pleasant aroma of the garden's late blooming flowers.
"It's beautiful out here," Link commented as he rolled up the sleeves of his undershirt. He closed his eyes and listened to the crickets' chirping, allowing the breeze to caress his exposed arms.
Midna nodded, folding her hands on her lap and looking up at the moon to admire its radiance. "I prefer the beauty of the Twilight myself, but your Light World has a surreal quality to it as well."
The hero nodded in agreement. "Now that I've seen it with my own eyes, I do agree the Twilight isn't so bad. There's still no place like home though."
The Twili folded her arms and looked at him. He seemed totally at peace with his eyes closed and his ears listening. "What you saw was a fraction of its former glory. And you only saw the palace. I wish I had the chance to show you its beauty before Zant took over."
Link opened his eyes and looked up at the moon. The pale celestial body called to his inner wolf, beckoning him to howl all his troubles away. "I imagine life changed quite a bit when he took over. Did you used to have dances and feasts in your palace before all that happened?"
A small smile formed on Midna's lips as she recalled fond memories of her childhood. She looked down at her hands resting in her lap. "Of course. Our land is not all that different from the Realm of Light." She paused and smirked. "Our food is better and our music is livelier. And conversations are not restricted by table like they seem to be here."
The bearer of courage nodded. His hands now rested on his thighs, curled up into loose fists as he grabbed and released the fabric of his pants subconsciously. "Yeah, there were a lot of people there tonight, but nobody we knew. Honestly, I couldn't wait to leave. I felt so out of place."
Midna folded her arms and looked at the hero. "Now imagine how I felt. You have no idea how many people glared at me throughout the night. You'd think they'd never seen a Twili before."
Link laughed and looked back at her. "Well, throwing a pink dress on you didn't exactly disguise you very well." He smirked. "Look at the bright side: you didn't have to talk to any of them. Or dance in front of them."
Midna chuckled. "Should I be envious of you?"
He shrugged. "Maybe not envious. But I certainly would have taken a substitute."
She nodded in concession. "You should've bribed Kari somehow."
Link snickered to himself. "I don't think he would've fallen for it. I had a hard enough time dragging him there."
The Twilight Princess shrugged her shoulders. "Yeah, you're probably right."
As the conversation died down, the chirping of crickets once again filled the air. They watched the clouds slowly pass in the sky above. The night was quiet and peaceful; only a bat dashing above the garden disturbed the hypnotic power of the twinkling stars. Fireflies gradually emerged from their hiding places among the brush and lit up the garden like flying candles. The pair watched in reverence, Link occasionally clearing his throat or Midna adjusting the sleeves of her dress, but neither spoke a word. Compared to the constant bustling and activity of the ball, they were content to enjoy the tranquility that the evening garden afforded them.
At last, it was Link who finally broke the silence. He stared straight ahead at the flowers on the opposite side of the path. "Something tells me you don't actually want to dance."
Midna rolled her eyes and smirked. "Perceptive as always. How did you ever need my help traveling around Hyrule?"
Link smiled and scratched his hair. Whatever they had put in it caused his scalp to itch. For now, he tried his best to ignore it. "Give me a break. I solved most of those puzzles on my own. There were only a few times I needed your help."
She grinned wickedly. "Like when you stood outside Zora's domain for two hours trying to figure out how to break the ice? Or when you had no idea how to catch that Reekfish? Or how you spent forever getting lost in the City in the Sky?"
"Okay, I get your point," Link grumbled in defeat. He tapped his fingers against his leg and let out a soft sigh. "So if you didn't want to dance, why did you want to come out here?"
Midna hesitated for a moment. She looked around at the garden, purposely avoiding Link's gaze." The answer to that question is difficult to explain." She looked at him. "I guess there are multiple reasons. One, I want to make sure you're doing okay. You haven't been acting yourself lately."
Link recoiled like a frightened animal. She could see his shoulders tense. "Really? What have you noticed?" he asked defensively.
Midna began counting off her fingers. "Well, you've been skipping meals. Going out into the woods by yourself an awful lot." She paused, looking at him with concern-filled eyes. "You always seem distracted; it feels like something else is always on your mind."
The hero's gaze dropped to the ground. "Well, I do have a lot of things going on in my mind." He looked up and faked a smile. "But don't worry. I'll sort them out soon enough."
The Twili leaned towards him. "What kinds of things? Perhaps talking through them will help."
He shook his head as the smile faded. "I'd rather not." He paused. "You wouldn't understand anyways. These are things I just have to work through on my own."
Midna forced Link to look at her with a gentle push of her hand. He shivered as her fingers made contact with his skin. "Link, give me some credit. We've been through a lot together. Just tell me what's going on so I can help you."
The feral warrior shook his head and jerked away. "I said I'm fine. I don't need anyone's help," he said sharply. He paused. "Especially from someone who just leaves when she feels like it."
The Twili bit her lip hard. She tried to maintain her composure, but there was little doubt that last remark was aimed at her. "Link? Where did that come from all of a sudden?" she asked.
He laughed cynically. "Where indeed?" He got up and began to pick aimlessly at one of the nearby flowers. "You've asked for more than you can handle." He looked up to the sky and began to speak to no one in particular. "After all, how does one help a hero? How does one help the poor fool chosen by the Goddesses to save everyone else?"
Midna scowled. "I helped you just fine in the past. Or have you forgotten?"
Link just scoffed. "Oh, I haven't forgotten." He turned around to face her. His arms were crossed and his face was impassive. "But that was seven years ago. Like you said, that's in the past."
The Twilight Princess was speechless. She suddenly realized what Link was getting at.
He paused and his eyes dropped. "You know what, Midna, I really don't want to talk about this right now. It's just too difficult and nothing good can come of it."
She swallowed hard. "This is about me, isn't it? About what I did all those years ago?"
The hero shrugged. "It doesn't matter. It's in the past. Let's just move on." He turned around. "I'm going back to my room."
Midna jumped up from the bench and caught him by the shoulder before he could take a step. He froze like a statue as her hand rested on his collar bone. "No, Link. I think we do need to talk about it. Actually, that's another reason I brought you out here. Because I can see you haven't moved on." She paused, taking a deep breath. "And to be honest, neither have I."
The Twili brought her hand back to her side as the hero slowly turned around. There they stood; close enough their noses could touch.
"What do you mean?" he said at last. His arms dropped to his sides as the defensive wall slowly started to melt from his face.
She let out a large sigh. "Well…this isn't exactly easy to say." She closed her eyes and looked to the side. "That decision I made wasn't my best one. In fact, I've regretted it for a long time now."
Slowly, she could see the pain her words inflicted. She could only imagine the memories swirling through the hero's mind and the hurt they dragged along. He folded his arms again; the defenses had been remounted. "I suppose that's a start, but regrets won't take back the pain or loneliness I suffered. It won't give me back my lost time." He paused. "And it definitely won't reassure me that you've changed."
The bitterness in his words stunned her, though she understood why he had said them. She felt her own emotions beginning to swell. "Well, Link, what do you want me to say?" Her voice rose. "I did it because I was scared! Scared of the feelings I had inside of me! Scared of what would happen if that connection between our worlds was left intact! Scared of what would happen if I let you get too close!" She placed a frustrated hand against her forehead. "It was a mistake! I wish I could take it back but I can't." The hero couldn't believe his ears. "That's it? You walked out of my life because you were afraid of what we might become?" He threw his hands up in frustration and turned his back to her. "I don't believe this! And here I thought you had some noble reason for doing what you did, but you were really acting like a scared little girl!"
Midna pointed an accusatory finger at him. "Right. And of course, you're innocent in all this. Never mind that back in Holodrum, I tried to make things right again." She placed a finger on her chin and pretended to think. "But who was the one who said he was happy to let things be and let me go? Oh right. That was you! How do you think that made me feel? I certainly wasn't jumping for joy!"
The hero's fist curled in anger. He stomped to some flowers and kicked them with his boot. "It can't be worse than struggling with loneliness and abandonment for seven years." He picked up a small pebble and chucked it across the garden. "Do you know how hard that was to watch you leave, knowing I could never follow? I spent all that time searching for a way to reach you again." He picked up another pebble and rolled it between his fingers. "Eventually, I was forced to admit there was nothing I could do, that I was helpless. I just had to cope with the pain and loss." He dropped the small stone and crushed it with his foot. "And when that didn't work, I was forced to bury it."
Midna looked towards him with combative eyes. "It's always about you, isn't it? Well, I have news for you, Mr. Hero; you weren't the only one who suffered during that time." She sat down on the bench and looked up at the sky. "Even after I returned to my kingdom, I wasn't the same. I kept living in the past, wondering what could have happened if I had done things differently. The guilt and regret gnawed at me, and I almost went insane because of it. The only thing that kept me going was the determination not to make the same mistake twice." She scowled at him. "So don't you dare belittle my pain while complaining about yours!"
"Link grunted in disgust. "Then what in Din's name was that garbage about coming to the Light World against your will? You know, what you told me in Ordon? When you returned, I thought that might have been our chance." He grabbed a nearby flower and ripped it from the stem. Slowly, he crumpled the petals between his fingers. "But then you told me that and pushed me away again. I had no choice but to bury the hurt for a second time." He threw the petals to the ground and turned to her. "What's the matter? Do you enjoy toying with me? Or are you just that indecisive about your own feelings?"
Midna jumped to her feet. "What was I supposed to say? It's been seven years! As far as I knew, you had moved on! I was no longer a part of your life like I once was!" She drew her arms close to her chest and her voice softened. Her eyes were drawn towards several fireflies fluttering over a nearby bush. "And from what you told me in Holodrum, I guess I was right."
Link wiped a hand through his sweaty hair. After releasing the frustration and pain he had bottled up for so long, he was beginning to feel better. As Midna's words circled through his mind, he felt reality's sobering grip push away his anger and bitterness. Finally, he was beginning to understand how wrong his assumptions about her had been. He already regretted his earlier words.
He kicked at the ground absently with his shoes. "Life can be cruel sometimes. I thought you had moved on, so I tried to do the same." He hung his head. "And as for Holodrum, that was a blatant lie. Although I tried to let you go, I couldn't come to terms with it. The only thing I've managed to do is put the pain away for a while, only to have it resurface when I least expect it." He let out a cynical grunt. "I guess you just experienced a brunt of it."A tiny smile came to the Twili's lips. "I guess we both need to work on our communication skills."
Link chuckled quietly as he walked back towards the bench and sat down. "Yeah, I guess we do."
Their words hung heavy in the air like clothes dipped in the ocean. Neither looked at each other for a while. A slow breeze picked up speed and rustled against the leaves of the garden. Further away, an owl hooted his lonely song.
"Link?" Midna spoke.
The hero looked up to her. His blue eyes were a storm of confusion and uncertainty.
She let out a heavy sigh. "I can't apologize enough for the pain and sorrow I caused you. I've made a lot of terrible decisions. I just hope you can forgive me."
Link smiled warmly at her. He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "Midna, I'm not going to lie. What you did hurt me deeper than either of us really know. That's going to be hard for me to forget." Her face cringed but the hero continued. "However, I want you to know that I forgave you a long time ago. As I said before, that's all in the past." He paused, looking away quickly. "But where does that leave us now?"
She sat beside him. She cursed inwardly at how awkward the dress felt, covering her entire legs and making it difficult to sit.
"Well, I was hoping for a fresh start, now that we've hopefully cleared up most of the confusion." She paused and took a deep breath. "I'll be honest. Kari is entertaining and Zelda is kind, but you're the only one I can really turn to. You're the only reason I'm still on this crazy journey around the world in the first place."
Link blinked a few times as he thought about the significance of her statement. It was like starting with a new canvas after the old one had been stained with mistakes and unfinished ideas. "Start from scratch? Wipe away our past mistakes?" He slowly thought on it. "Can we really do that? After everything that's already happened?"
Midna looked away. "I'm sorry. It was a pretty stupid idea."
Link smiled warmly. "Actually, it's what I've been hoping for all this time. It just seems too good to be true." He looked to her. "You understand me better than anyone. There's no other person I'd rather be with." He became serious for an instant. "But you realize the scars are still there, and we each have issues we still need to work through."
She scooted closer to him. "I do. But I think we can work through those together."
Link pressed his shoulder against hers. "I'd really like that." He paused for a moment. "But you have to promise to stay away from mirrors."
Midna smirked. "I've already had my seven years of bad luck. I think I've learned my lesson."
Laughter quickly broke Link's solemn face as he wrapped his arm around her, resting his head against the top of her shoulder. Feeling out of place, he looked at her. "I keep forgetting how tall you are."
She placed an affectionate hand on his cheek. "Like I need you to remind me."
He ran his hand through her fiery red hair and gazed into her eyes. The soft locks against his fingers felt like the soft fur of a wolf. "Maybe I should stop talking then."
She smiled and gently brought his head closer to hers. "I agree."
"To a fresh start?" he asked.
"To a fresh start," she replied.
Link's heart raced as he rested his forehead against hers. He thought this moment would never come. For years, he thought he had lost her. After two months locked away in the past, he had nearly forgotten the sound of her voice and the warmness her smile brought him. But now they were both here. As he saw Midna's eyes gazing affectionately into his own, he knew she felt the same way. His hand gently caressed the soft skin of her cheek and pushed back a small strand of her hair. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nudged him closer with a soft tug. Their lips pressed gently against one another and pulled back. A wave of euphoria rushed through the both of them, and they finally understood just how much they meant to each other. As lips locked again, they shared a passionate kiss beneath the blush of the silver moon.
Link didn't know how long they had stayed there together in the garden. Hours must've passed as they sat in the midst of the garden's beauty opening up to each other, discussing their hopes, fears, and concerns for the future. Night still dominated the sky as he looked up to the moon, and the party was probably over by now. Midna's head lay passed out on his leg, breathing contently to the rhythm of her exhaustion. Adrenaline from the night's events still pumped through his body, leaving the hero wide-eyed and alert. He looked down again at the Twilight Princess and heaved a sigh of contentment.
For the first time in a long time, things were finally going right.
A/N- Well, I guess this is really the first chapter I've written for this story that had a strong element of romance of any sort to it. To be honest, I debated for a long time about what pairings I wanted to have, if any. I seriously considered almost every pairing at one time (okay…maybe not Tingle and Link…that's just too creepy :shudders: ). After a lot of thought, I guess its kinda obvious what pairings I've decided on. Hopefully, most of you approve, and for those who prefer other pairings, I completely understand. I believe romance is only one part of what makes a great story, so I hope you will find other things that continue to hold your interest chapter after chapter. That being said, if you thought the scene between Link and Midna came off as overdramatic, choppy, or anything like that, let me know and I'll probably continue to play around with it. I'm not very good with these kinds of scenes, so feedback is always appreciated. Well, hope this update was quick enough for you, and see you all next chapter!