The Queen had servants show them their rooms after their meeting with the council was over, telling them she won't be joining them as she has to finish her royal duties, but that she would like to invite them for dinner once she was done. Though Twilight doesn't join them as he lets Midna cajole him into an appointment with the court physicians. They're not able to do much for him though. Apparently they're not too familiar with hylian physiology, or light dweller physiology generally, and their twilit magic doesn't lend itself well to healing. It's not all for naught however, they're able to assess Twilight is recovering well and say the damage won't be lasting. They had already assumed that to be the case, but it's nice to hear anyways. Not importantly however, they also stocked him up with basic medical supplies. Grimly, Legend thinks they'll need it
There's been something else on his mind though. Namely: this "Twilight Queen', Midna if he's not mistaken. Legend would bet his left hand that she's the woman Twilight confided with him about when Legend had shared his own grief with the man. Legend had thought they were alike since then, with how Twilight had spoken of her like she was dead. But she is clearly around and doing well. It's not like Legend wished his circumstances upon anyone else. Legend was happy for Twilight, really, but now Legend didn't know what to think of Twilight's words. He couldn't possibly have thought a simple rejection was equivalent to the loss of a loved one. Had Twilight been lying to him? Did he say those words out of pity? Intellectually, Legend knows there has to be a good explanation for this and so the whole day he aches to simply ask Twilight, but he never gets the chance. Once Twilight finally returns from his appointment, a servant comes in not long after announcing their dinner with the queen will be ready soon and if they would please come with.
The dinner itself ends up quite dull. The foreign food is decent. There's something off about it though, it's mostly visual. It's not like the dish is a grey mesh, but all the ingredients lack a certain brightness. The feeling translates a bit to the taste too, in that there's no particular strong flavour in any of the dishes. It's not quite dull either though, in fact there's something to be said about the way the soft flavours mix together.
Legend doesn't think it's something most of the others would appreciate though. Then again it seems none of them are complaining either. Guess they're all used to getting by on their own gruel too, even if Wild did introduce them all to more flavour.
The conversation centres mostly around Midna and Twilight recounting parts of their adventure together, but there's little that Twilight hasn't told them before. That is, aside from how much Midna had taken part in it. Sure he'd vague alluded to having had a companion before and a few days ago he mentioned how the princess of Twilight had aided him in his quest, but nothing of this magnitude. It's clear there's more they're not telling though. What with the way their smiles don't quite reach their full height and their conversation is stilted ever so slightly. Viscerally, Legend recognizes the pain they're both hiding behind their eyes. It honestly hurts a little to look at.
"Excuse me miss, um, the Queen, but why did you dump ole' rancher over here?"
The world goes still. Legend blinks. They're all in shock. Wild damn near spits out his drink, Four does, on Sky, Hyrule looks like a deer caught in firelight and Legend suddenly understands where the elk-form comes from, Twilight looks more mortified now than he did on his deathbed, while Legend doesn't think his dignity will survive looking Midna in the eye, not while he can feel Time's disappointment rolling off of him.
"Kid!" admonishes Warriors, finally breaking the spell.
"What?" Exasperated, Wind looks around. "It's obvious she's the girl that broke his heart like it was glass, or whatever. I mean, look at her! She's gorgeous!" And even Wind himself gets a little red-faced at that. Good, he should be suffering with them.
"I'm just saying what everyone is thinki-Ouch!"
"Enough." Time doesn't shout, but the sound reverberates throughout the room anyways. It stops Wind from looking angrily at Four and finally conjure the decency to look a little ashamed.
Standing up, Time continues: "Whatever happened between the rancher and the queen is their business." Wind grumbles something in response, while Time turns to Midna with a sheepish expression that does not fit his face. "Please forgive the young one's outburst. Circumstances prevented him from learning etiquette." Four and Hyrule both have to hold down Wind to stop him from clapping back at that.
"It's alright, I suppose you are due an explanation: you see me and Link haven't seen each other for some time." She pauses, looking towards Twilight. Legend doesn't know what she's looking for, but apparently she finds it. "The truth is that the trouble started when Ganondorf was cast into this realm which let him take it over through a usurper, after which he had the light realm invaded as well. So to prevent a disaster like this from reoccurring, I destroyed the mirror that connected both realms." She looks down, before adding in a smaller voice: "We haven't been able to meet since then."
She sighs. "But Link," she continues, her watery eyes looking straight into Twilight's. "I hope you know. I never meant to break your heart too."
"I know. I-"
"I'm sorry," she says, cutting him off. She stands up, "this reunion has been a lot. If you'll excuse me."
It's all she manages before she all but runs away.
"Midna, wait!" Twilight pleads, reaching for her.
She keeps going, Twilight stands up to move after her, but the door already closed.
A beat passed where Twilight just stared at the door, before he turned back towards them. He bore a scowl that gave Time's a run for their money. It is unnerving to watch a drop of pure hatred bleeding through. Before he turns back and leaves as well.
A more long-lived silence settles over the room now. Legend looks back at his plate, his appetite now thoroughly spoiled.
Talk about careful what you wish for.
A door creaks open.
"Midna?" Luckily, it a voice she recognizes. Midna wouldn't know what she would do if someone else saw her like this.
"Yes?" She answers, as Link closes the door behind him.
"Can we- can we talk?"
"Of course, I- How'd you find me?"
There's surprise on his face, followed by a sheepish grin. "I- uh..."
"You turned into a wolf, didn't you?" She realizes, not quite keeping the fondness out of her tone. "You followed my scent?"
He has the decency to at least be ashamed at the breach in decorum. "I'm guilty, yes, i was hoping you wouldn't mind."
More like he didn't think twice about it . Truthfully she doesn't though, it is comforting to know his peasant-manners still cling to him. His behaviour at court had been so unlike her it unnerved, doubling as a painful reminder of how much time has passed since she last saw him, like she needed any more of those.
"I'm more conflicted about whether or not I should be delighted or appalled that you even remembered for that long."
"The former i hope, in my defence: there hasn't been much like it, since well..."
"Since I broke the mirror? Look Link, I am sorry I broke your heart. It was cowardly of me not to tell you. I hope you can forgive me."
"I never blamed you. I just didn't understand why you felt like light and shadow shouldn't mix, when we had worked so well together. When everywhere people aided us."
"You say that like you don't know why. Like I didn't watch you hide your wolf-form from even those you considered family! Like I couldn't hear how you never dared mention me."
"Zelda knew."
"Because I told her! Are you telling me you wouldn't have hidden it all from her as well if you could?"
He remains silent at that, which is telling enough, so she presses on.
"Those people only meant to save their own realm, they dread twilight. Even your Light Spirits called my people's magic cursed and those worthless sages were happy to use my realm as a prison."
"They don't fear you, you know, not anymore."
"What?"
"I've told them about you. How you saved me. How together we managed to save both of our realms. They told me they would have liked to thank you."
"What changed?"
"They wanted to know why i was so sad after we won. I didn't want to tell them at first. I was scared they would judge me. You were right about that, but it was also just painful to reminisce."
"Link-"
"But they were more stubborn than i was, i guess. So i told them all, about the wolf thing too."
Midna let herself smile at that. "There are people more stubborn than you are?"
"Hey i had to get it from somewhere."
They both laughed a bit. It's nice how fast the mood changes, Midna wouldn't want to remember what is likely to be their last time together crying and yelling at each other.
Midna looks at him. "So you told the girl? And-"
"I told Ilia, yeah, and Rusl, the man that is like a father to me, his wife too, Uli."
"Right. I take it your new companions know too?"
"Yeah, not like everything, but they got the gist of it. I only really started telling them once we came here though. There was no sense in hiding it anymore."
"Well at least you're honest about it... Your predecessor, is he-"
"Among them? Yes. He's the eldest. The one with one eye?"
"Does he, well, know? Not about us I mean, but you always said he had a lot of regrets."
Link's face falls. "He doesn't, Midna, i don't know how to tell him. He, he has a wife, he has a happy life back home. I don't want to ruin that for him by making him worry about something like that. Not when i don't know if anything could even be done about it."
Midna sighs. "I don't know if it's my place to say anything about this, but-"
"Please do." He pleads and Midna can't help but smile at the bare earnestness. She had missed that here.
"But I think you'll be happier if you tell him now, or soon anyways."
"This isn't about what's easier for me though."
"I know, it's never about that with you, but think about it: Wouldn't you have preferred it if you told you earlier too?"
"I would've just found a way to convince you."
"I knew, that's what I was afraid of."
"Midna-" "And this way, Link, he'll have more time to prepare too. For whatever may come."
"But what if it's like a self-fulfilling prophecy? Like me telling him will be exactly what causes it?"
"Then tell him that too. You used to look up to him, right? Have some confidence in your mentor."
"I still do, but maybe you're right. Thanks Midna."
"You're welcome, but when am I not?"
"I can think of one example." Link counters, but there's no teeth to it. "But how about we call a truce on that." He says, opening his arms. She takes the hug. "Yes." She croaks, as suddenly tears flow again. "That would be nice." She pauses. "Link, I'm so sorry about all this."
"Please don't be, you just did what you thought was best."
"But this was supposed to keep us safe."
"And. And it didn't. My realm is under attack by an outsider and you- You're hurt Link, i can tell from the way you flinched just now."
"I'm fine, really. Your doctors-"
"Yeah you're recovering alright now sure, but it was bad wasn't it? They wouldn't have mentioned it otherwise. Tell me Link."
"I... i don't think i've ever been so close to death before. I'm sorry Midna."
Midna pushes him at arm's length and looks him in the eyes. "Don't apologize for that! I'm the one who should be sorry. You could have been dead and I wouldn't have even known."
Stupid tears. She tries to brush them away before continuing: "I wouldn't have even known to mourn you Link."
Her cheeks are still wet, but when she looks at him again she sees his is similarly stained by tears.
"Tell ya what." He says, gently holding her elbows. "How about, after we defeat that monster tomorrow and i go home: when i find a way to return to this place, you won't mind if i do?"
The statement reeks of flagrant overconfidence. On anyone else she would have dismissed it, but Link's courage had never let her astray before, not in the long run at least. Midna lowers her hands to meet his. "Yes," she answers, "I'd like that."