The Legend of Zelda: The Missing Link

Chapter 15: So Be It

Midna came crashing through the front doors of the mansion, carrying Zelda bridal-style. She kicked the doors shut behind her and then gingerly set Zelda down on the steps leading up to the estate. Midna took a seat beside her. Zelda lay motionless for about 10 seconds, then roused from her shock-induced coma with a groan. She put her hand to her forehead as she blinked several times, coming to her senses; she looked up Midna beside her.

"Is she really gone?" Zelda whispered. Midna looked solemnly over at the queen, who's face was a mixture of confusion and anguish. 

"Yeah," Midna responded quietly. She cleared her throat and said a little louder, "she's gone." She didn't bother to ask who that was or how Zelda knew her. She turned her gaze to the ground in front of her and listened to Zelda's soft sniffles. She couldn't bear to confirm what she already knew and see the tears in her eyes. 

After sitting in silence for about a minute, Zelda spoke abruptly, her voice cracking slightly. "Her name was Ashei. She was part of the Resistance." She wiped her nose with the sleeve of her cloak, a very un-ladylike thing to do. "She was very kind and helpful, and very friendly as well. Her and I were simply acquaintances, but I cared for her all the same. I care immensely for every person in my land of Hyrule." The emotion started to pour out of the queen's words as she stared out at the horizon, watching the sun start to disappear behind it. "When one person dies, I weep. When many die and even the hero of legend's life is threatened, I must take action. I must keep my land safe and prospering no matter the cost--if it is my life, then so be it."

Midna sat and digested what Zelda said for a few moments. "I understand. I haven't told you why I'm here yet, have I? My entire realm was being wrecked by disastrous earthquakes. Our land started to fill with light--which, as you know, means death for our people. I knew there was something wrong with the light world, that evil had started to take over again. I was overwhelmed with worry, but I didn't know what to do about it. Then, one day, shadow beasts ravaged my palace. My soldiers tried to fight them off, but the beasts were just too strong. I was forced from my throne yet again." Midna paused, enveloped in the memory. She took a deep breath and continued. "I managed to restore the Mirror of Twilight."

"But you shattered it when you left." Zelda said, her voice light and soft, like feathers. "You are the Princess of Twilight, the true ruler of the Twili. You are the only one that can eradicate it permanately."

"Yeah, I did." Midna chuckled. "I truly thought that I had destroyed it once and for all. But I was mistaken. So that means that either the myth was wrong and that no one can really destroy it, or..." She swallowed. "I'm not the true ruler of the Twilight Realm."

"Midna, that cannot be true. You are the most pure, faithful princess I have ever met. As the holder of the Triforce of Wisdom, I can say with certainty, there is no one better suited to the throne than you."

Midna turned her gaze back to Zelda, looking into her deep cerulean eyes. She slowly reached over, hesitating with her hands between them, then took Zelda's face in her hands.

"Midna..." Zelda whispered, meeting the princess's eyes.

Midna carefully put her lips to Zelda's forehead as she closed her eyes, waititng there for a few seconds before pulling back. She felt her face flush and she quickly stood.

"Now, uh, where did you want to go next?"

Zelda thought for a moment. "Kakariko Village."

"Gotcha." Midna took Zelda's hand, helped her up to her feet, and the two collapsed into Twilight matter and were sucked into the portal above.