The Flow of TIme

Chapter 28- Acceptance

Link teleported the two of them to the castle and Colin was immediately besieged by a group of servants who had designs to either eat him or make him presentable as the groom. The hero had smiled as the young man begrudging said farewell and was dragged out of sight.

Link was still staggering after all the revelations. Zelda and Ilia were both married? Colin was all grown up, a regular warrior and rancher? He and Beth were going to be saying “I do” today?

And Midna. What had changed in her life? Colin seemed to have some sort of friendship with Princess, er, Queen Zelda, but he didn’t know very much about the Twili. Link wasn’t sure how he would react to seeing her again.

He had changed so much. He was still the hero, still the young shepherd from Ordona, but he felt like he had aged a lifetime during those ten years. No one should feel this old.

Farore had told him it was because of the struggle he waged against the Triforce and she was certain those feelings would pass in time. However, that wasn’t the only change. He wasn’t sure about his relationship with the goddess, but it was definitely approaching the point where his head and his heart were filled with emerald-green.

Link straightened out the outfit Farore had made for him. He had told the guards at the gate who he was and had ordered them not to reveal his presence. After dropping off Colin, he had stepped out onto a balcony. The wedding was being held in the formal throne room at the top of the castle. For the first time, Link actually didn’t have trouble thinking of it as an audience chamber rather than a battlefield.

He didn’t want to make an entrance, but he knew that sooner or later, somebody would hear a whisper that the hero was back. He wanted to surprise his friends before that happened. According to Colin, everyone should already be assembled in the throne room, waiting for the young man to get back and the bride to finish her preparations.

So, the hero called on the power of the Triforce and lifted into the air. He sped up into the sky and landed on the open balcony at the bottom of the stairs that led up into the audience chamber. Two noblewomen were airing themselves and stared up in shock at the glowing figure.

“Sorry ladies. Traffic on the stairs was rough, so I made my own way.” When they didn’t respond, he bowed and said, “The name’s Link. You might know me as the Hero chosen by the goddesses.”

“Uh, uh, uh,” one of the women stuttered. The other only pointed.

“Nice to chat with you. Be seeing you.”

He stepped down to the stone floor and all but ran up the stairs. His friends were just a few steps away! He took a moment to stop and let go of the energies of the Triforce. No sense running in all shiny like.

He collected himself, and walked in with an easy gait. There was a myriad of chairs set up in the throne room and he recognized many of the people within. In fact, he knew the majority of them, even some of the nobles, the ones that hadn’t allowed their position to corrupt them.

The first to notice him was Zelda, naturally. His hand had started glowing brightly the instant he had started into the room. He even felt an old tickle at the back of his spine. He nearly smiled; pain was like an old friend now. He gave it a little wave as the agony passed him by without doing any real harm.

Zelda’s gasp of joy and obvious staring caused others in the room to notice Link. There were shouts as many of his friends saw the hero standing in the entranceway. A crowd immediately formed around him and Link was nearly pulverized by people trying to hug him or slap him on the back.

Eventually, he was able to find the first couple he wanted to speak to. Rusl and Uli were waiting with a young girl at their side. They seemed content to let all the more exuberant individuals have the floor. Link extricated himself from the crowd and grabbed Rusl in a big bear hug.

The warrior seemed surprised at first, but he returned the gesture heartily. Then Link gave his wife a warm squeeze, smiling brightly at her. Finally, he ruffled the hair of Colin’s little sister, Tara. All the while, they spoke in excited tones, talking about what had been going on in Ordon, while Link promised that he’d tell his tale in full once he had time to give it to everyone at the same time.

Standing near Rusl and Uli was the second pair Link wanted to find. His childhood friend was standing very close to a man about Link’s age, well, if Link had aged, who was dressed in the formal garb of a Hylian officer. Ilia was telling him something in hushed tones, but she quieted as Link approached.

Before she could say anything, he wrapped her in a warm hug. “Heya,” he said softly. “Been awhile, huh?”

He let go of her, and she gave him a surprised expression. “Hi, Link.” She hesitated. “I’m glad you’re okay, that nothing bad happened to you.”

Link patted himself down. “Well, I think I’m all still here.”

Ilia frowned at him. “Link, stop kidding around.” She sighed. “I need to apologize for, for what I said to you.”

Link waved a hand in front of him. “Ilia, there’s nothing to apologize about. What I did might have been the right thing to do at the end of the day, but it was still selfish of me to be in that position in the first place. I’m sorry I hurt you.” He smiled. “I just hope I still have my childhood friend.”

It was as if an enormous weight fell off Ilia’s shoulders. The petite woman stood up straighter and her bright green eyes shimmered with tears. “Link, I…”

Link gently hushed her. “It’s okay. Everything’s alright now.” He looked over at the soldier, obviously the Miaxas Colin had told him about. The warrior had waited in respectful silence during the reunion, and Link was impressed already. Some men would have expressed jealousy over how close Link and Ilia seemed to still be. “So, are you gonna introduce me or do I have to tease it out of you?”

Ilia blushed. “No, that’s fine.” She turned to the soldier and smiled at him. “This is former captain of the Hylian army, Miaxas, my husband.”

The former captain nodded. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Hero.”

“You can call me Link, Captain.”

“And you may call Miaxas.”

“I hear you’re pretty handy with a sword. Sounds like Hyrule owes you a bit of debt for your efforts to save the people during Zant’s attack.”

Miaxas gave a faint grin. “I did what I could. Sounds like you followed the same philosophy.” He nodded at Ilia. “Or so she says.”

Link laughed. “Something like that.”

The hero talked to them for a bit longer and then moved on. He would get a chance to be with everyone on a more intimate basis later. For now, he wanted to get to as many people as possible. And there were a couple of royals that he definitely needed to find.

Next, he found the Queen of the land, Zelda. He gave a perfect bow in front of her, to which she answered with an incline of the head. Laelran, decked out in robes of royal scarlet, stood to one side of her and did not acknowledge the hero right away.

Zelda seemed to almost squirm, and Link gave an interior smile. She must be dying to run over and hug him. There were old friends, by now. Custom, however, demanded that she act in a manner befitting her lofty position. Once upon a time, Link might have let things stay that way.

But not now, not today; Link crossed the gap between them and wrapped her in a tight embrace. Zelda immediately followed his lead, an act that caused Laelran to speak, in an indignant tone, “Milady, protocol demands…” He sputtered off into silence when the hero gave him a glare that would have frozen Death itself in mid-stride.

Returning his attention to his friend, Link whispered, “How have you been holding up? Colin told me what the idiots did.”

“Link, my council is not full of…” she trailed off with a quiet smile as she realized he hadn’t said anything about her council.

The Hero gave her a knowing grin. “See? Again I didn’t have to say a word.”

Zelda sighed. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’m sorry I had to leave like I did.”

The queen shook her head. “I understand why. Don’t worry. I’m a big girl.”

“But look what the idiots did while I was gone.” Link gave a sideways glance at Laelran. “You know, I could…”

Zelda shushed him by putting up a hand. “Don’t. Midna already offered.” A tiny smiled accompanied this comment. “It’s tempting, but I have to take the long view. As much as he is loathed, I don’t think my people would appreciate having their king murdered by the two heroes that saved them from Ganondorf.”

“Hey, it’s not my fault if he accidentally gets mauled by a wolf.”

Zelda stared at him. “We are not having this conversation.” She looked down at her hand. “Though, that comment must mean you’ve gained mastery over the Triforce.”

Link nodded. The golden power within him was throbbing, since he was in such proximity to Zelda, but he barely even noticed. “I had some help, but yes.”

“Help?”

Link blushed. “Er, well, the goddess Farore sorta gave me some pointers.”

The queen tilted her head, as though gauging this response. Blue eyes stared at him inquisitively. “She certainly seems fond of you. You must have really done a good job fulfilling your role as the Hero chosen by the goddesses.”

Link breathed an inward sigh of relief. She hadn’t caught on to why he was embarrassed. Besides, Farore had said that, so he wasn’t lying when he answered, “Yes, I believe so.”

There was a cough from Zelda’s right, and they turned to see a fuming Laelran. “Oh, Link how careless of me,” Zelda said, in the tone Link had come to label as her Super Fake But I’m Pretending To Be Happy Voice, “I’d like to introduce my husband, Laelran, King of Hyrule.”

In an insufferably superior tone, the man said, “It is good to finally be given an introduction to the Hero that is so acclaimed by the people.”

Well, it wasn’t entirely an insult. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, King Laelran.”

“The pleasure is all yours, I assure you.”

Oh, this guy was so gonna get a visit by a random monstrous wolf later. Maybe Link wouldn’t kill him. Maybe. He looked over at Zelda and back at Laelran. “Well, I really should keep moving. There are a lot of people that wish to speak with both of us.” Link said this on purpose, though he doubted Laelran caught the subtle dismissal.

Zelda had to hide a chuckle. “It is truly a joyous day, to see our hero returned to us unscathed.”

Link nodded in appreciation. It was time for the next important thing he had to do. He leaned in close to the queen. “Where’s Midna?” he asked, his voice barely even a whisper.

Zelda turned, and there, in the back of the room, was the Twilight Princess. She wasn’t mingling with the crowd or even looking at anything in particular. Her gaze was unfocused and distinctly away from the Hero.

Link felt something stir inside him, an old memory. No, not a memory. It was a feeling, something he thought had been destroyed by time. Lingering in a deep crevice at the bottom of his heart, he realized it was the emotions he had locked away. They were hidden even deeper than the sun-fire that was his affection for Farore.

He frowned inwardly; hadn’t he let go of Midna? If so, why was this longing awakening within him? What did it mean? Suddenly, her ruby gaze locked with his and he saw joy spread across her face. In her eyes, though, there was sorrow lying just beneath the sunlit plains of happiness she tried so hard to display.

He would talk to her; that had always helped in the past when he was having bouts of uncertainty. He could sort out this jumbled mess that his once-confident self had called a heart, if he just heard her voice. It would be enough.

However, before he could cross the room, a meaty hand grabbed his arm. “Link, look!” It was Mayor Bo. “Colin’s coming up the stairs! That means Beth ain’t too far behind. We should go give him a hard time, eh?”

Link was yanked away and he lost track of Midna. He frowned inwardly. It would have to wait, he feared. Besides, this was Colin’s moment now, not his. He would be supportive of his friend. There would be time later to take care of he needed.



The ceremony was presided over by the Queen herself. Colin was decked out in some pretty fancy threads, and his best man Talo even looked pretty good in some formal city outfit he had picked up somewhere. The other participants in the wedding were clothed in the finest garb; no doubt Zelda had pulled out all the stops for this one.

And then Beth entered the room and Link found himself blinking in amazement. She had on a wedding dress that rivaled even Zelda’s royal gowns in beauty. On top of that, the brunette had grown into quite the knockout. And if she was still anything like she used to be, her personality more than matched her looks.

The wedding ceremony was sweet, with Colin and Beth exchanging vows of their own making. Somewhere along the way, Colin had become a poet. That or love was making him tap into these hidden reservoirs of knowledge. Knowledge or insanity, Link joked to himself.

After the wedding, the reception was filled to overflowing with joy. Link congratulated the new couple, made Beth blush with a few jokes the Hero of Time would have approved of, and tried his best not to scarf down on too many of the delectable treats Zelda’s cooks had prepared.

When the dancing started, Colin proved himself in yet one more area. The kid could move. Being a swordsman helped, but Link found that more other than not, the Triforce of Courage was the only thing that helped him survive those parties with Zelda so long ago. Dancing was as much a matter of feeling as it was skill, and he definitely didn’t have the latter.

Link took the opportunity to dance with both Zelda and Ilia, and so he was able to catch up with them on a more intimate basis. He even got to take the blushing bride for a turn around the floor, and Beth was able to fill him in on some details Colin had neglected. He tried to find Midna during this period, but she had seemingly vanished.

After this, the hero went around the room, talking to some of his closer companions. There was so much for him to learn, and though he certainly couldn’t do it in one day, he wanted to try. He would probably need to spend ten years just getting reacquainted with everyone, he thought with a grin.

Finally, though, he was able to get to Midna. The hero steeled himself for what would be the hardest conversation of the evening. The Princess of Twilight had separated from the others and stood by herself on one balconies outside the throne room.

More than once, he cursed the powers of the Triforce of Courage. Shouldn’t he be able to understand himself better if it was designed to enhance his spirit? He didn’t feel like he had any amazing insights into his own emotions.

And then it hit him. The revelation was so sudden it left him feeling like the wind had been knocked out of his lungs. What had the Goddess of Time said? Her powers did not let her see beyond a certain point, because the point was a choice that someone needed to make. The decision was out of her hands and therefore she was blind as to the outcome.

Link was stunned, just stupefied. The reason his empathy failed him was because he wasn’t dealing with just feelings anymore. It was a choice. He loved Midna. He loved Farore. That was all. He had to decide which one he loved more, which one caused him to feel the way Colin had described in the Sacred Grove.

In the end, all that we are… is a choice.

The thought rose unbidden in his mind. He wasn’t sure why it came to him, but he felt a peace wash over him. All he had to do was make up his mind. Wait, no he didn’t. This was a choice he had already made. He had done so the day he had touched the Triforce of Power, the day he had severed his connection to his previous life.

No, that wasn’t entirely correct. In actuality, the action had been taken a long time ago. He had decided this the same day he had become the Hero. He would do what was right, and he knew that Midna would be better off without him in her life. The Triforce would always keep them separate.

And finally, Farore was the one that filled his waking moments. It was the girl with the green hair, not orange, that was keeping him up at night. Okay, the Triforce of Power was keeping him awake, but still. Farore was the girl he wanted to be with now.

In that sense, his past was irrelevant. He felt complete with Farore, whereas his relationship with Midna was closer to the one he enjoyed with Zelda and Ilia. He loved all of these friends, but not in such a way that it burned inside him. Not like Farore.

Confident in himself again, he didn’t say anything as he stepped outside. Midna gave him a thoughtful look. She studied his sapphire eyes intently and then she smiled slightly. “Hello Link.” Then she turned back to face the sky.

Uh-oh. No teasing or sarcastic comment? No preamble of any kind? That was so unlike her that Link paused, stopping just outside the doorway.

“You know Link, it’s a strange thing.” Midna’s tone was soft, almost a whisper, and Link had to strain to hear. “I hadn’t allowed myself to hope, to believe that I would see you again.”

Link took a deep breath. Of all the people he had left behind, Midna had been the hardest to say goodbye to, because it was the second time they had parted abruptly.

Midna acknowledged his unspoken thought with her next comment. “The strange part is this is not the first time I’ve had to put aside the hope of ever seeing you. I had to do that when I destroyed the Mirror.”

Link waited. He knew she wasn’t done speaking. Apparently, his empathy was starting to kick in again. Or maybe it was simply because it was her. Romance or not, Midna was definitely high up on the list of his closest friends.

“This time, though, was different somehow. This time there was a chance I could see you again and so a part of my heart, the part that had been crushed beneath despair, was allowed to stir. I had tried to ignore the feelings that lay within, once because of my need to make a sacrifice and the other time because of yours.”

Link clenched his fists. He knew what she was talking about. She had hinted at it first in the Arbiter Grounds and later after the fight with the Watcher.

“I loved you.”

Loved? The word implied the feeling was a thing of the past.

She turned to him then and a faint grin lit up her face, “Oh and I know you had similar feelings for me. I’m irresistible.” Her tone was faintly reminiscent of her normal self, but a hint of sadness tainted her customary sass.

Link nodded. She was right. As much as he had tried to ignore his heart, it was the truth. Now that he had made his choice, though, those feelings really seemed nothing more than a memory.

“However, I’m sure that your heart was dealt a blow when I broke the Mirror. And Link,” she blinked at him, “Ten years is too long a time for any love to survive without attention.” She held up a hand and looked down at it. “Love requires tender care for it to blossom and grow.”

“You mean to say that you’ve moved on,” he paused, as he realized that the tone of her voice was one of determination, not longing, “and you seem to understand that I have as well.”

“I saw it in your eyes as you walked up. They could never lie to me, not to me.” She sighed. “And yes, I don’t think… I feel that way anymore. When I first saw you, from across the room, a tiny part of me wanted to run over and collapse in your arms. However, something stopped me.” She looked away.

Link gave her a tiny grin. “If this is your way of saying there’s somebody else, it’s not like I got an invitation to Zelda and Ilia’s weddings. You don’t need my approval.”

“No Link. There isn’t anyone else.” She looked back at him. “Love can fade away of its own accord, if there is nothing to feed the flames. It isn’t always a contest, where two individuals are fighting for the prize of having another’s heart.”

Interestingly, he was in full agreement with her. He didn’t know when his feelings for Midna had changed from that of passionate love to friendly affection, but ten years had done the trick. Even now, he realized that what he had felt earlier was a ghost of his former self, not who he was now. “You’re right,” he said quietly.

“What stopped me is that when I saw you, I realized that those feelings were a thing of the past. It didn’t really reflect who I am now.”

Wow. Midna seemed so in tune with his thoughts, it was scary. However, they did know each other well. “I had exactly the same feelings, too.”

“I thought as much. You seemed confused earlier, unlike now.”

“You really do know me, don’t you?” Link smiled slightly at the thought.

Midna didn’t respond to this comment. Instead, she continued her earlier train of thought, “The worst part, though, was that I had to mourn the death of my love for you.” When he started to say something, try to apologize, she held up a hand. “Link, I put the first nail in that coffin by separating us at the Arbiter’s Grounds.”

“But…”

“Link, stop being a hero for one second, kay? You already have the perfect defense, remember? You were going to give up your freedom just to see me again. If that isn’t love, then I don’t know what is.”

“Er, well…”

“Yes, Link. You acted out of love, but sadly, and ironically, that was the final nail in the coffin. All it needed then was for time to do its work.”

The hero looked down at the ground. Hearing her say this was difficult, though she was very precise in her depiction of events. Even without the Triforce of Courage, Midna had cut to the heart of the matter. “I don’t know what to say.”

She raised his face back up with a hand. “Link don’t be sad. I’m not sorry. You made a choice and it was the right decision.” She sighed. “I may not have your love, but can I ask you for one thing?”

“Of course.”

“I missed, more than anything, the times we had together, during those dark days in Hyrule.” She smiled. “Forget about everything else. The memories I have of you are all good ones. I don’t resent you or what we’ve become.”

He smiled slightly, a bit more at ease. He tried his hand at a bit of teasing. “None of those sentences is a question.”

“Link.” Midna used that tone she always had when Link refused to listen to her. It was full of exasperation and annoyance, but with an undercurrent of fondness.

“Okay, okay, being serious now.”

Midna rolled her eyes. “Somehow we’ve changed roles. I should be the one teasing you.”

“Just a bit.”

“Maybe later,” she said with a wink. “What I’m trying to ask is that I want us to be friends again. I don’t want the fact that we’ve grown distant to change what we had.”

“That still isn’t a question.”

“Link!” Midna balled her fists and her ruby eyes flashed.

The hero shrugged. “Well, it isn’t.”

“Fine.” She crossed her arms. “This is childish, you know, making me ask.”

“So?”

“Grr!” Midna sighed and uncrossed her arms. “Link, can I be your friend?” Midna asked pleasantly, clasping her hands in front of her. She even did the whole batting of the eyelashes routine.

Only Midna could make a sweet and loving tone come off as completely sarcastic, Link reflected silently. Aloud, he said, “I don’t know. What do I get out of it?”

Midna’s eyes flashed and she curled a hand into a claw as she stepped toward the hero. “I’ll tell you what you won’t get to keep if you don’t stop messing with me,” she said, breathing threat and murder.

He held his hands up in a warding gesture, “Okay, okay, you can be my friend.”

“That’s better,” Midna said. Her harsh demeanor faded immediately and she stepped closer to him.

Link wasn’t sure what to expect, so he was surprised when she wrapped him in a warm hug. “Midna?”

She leaned against his shoulder and whispered, “Thank you for understanding.”

She was thanking him for being understanding? Midna didn’t fully comprehend what she had done. The princess had released him. Link had one last fear, hidden deep within; so far down that most of the time he wasn’t even aware of it.

Apparently it had been hanging out with those other feelings he had been ignoring. Simply, he had been afraid that Midna wouldn’t forgive him, wouldn’t know why he had changed, why their relationship was different now. Now, though, he knew that they were both going to be just fine.

Midna’s words had calmed that quaking in his heart and he could truly be at peace. And he hadn’t lost his friend. She still remained, even if their friendship was a bit worn around the edges. He didn’t deserve a friend that had a heart this strong.

“Midna, you are incredible, do you know that?”

“What?”

“You have suffered through so much, and your heart must weigh heavily with the burdens of rulership, but you are standing. You’re still here, still strong. And you’ve given me more than I could ever deserve. You’ve showed me its okay for us to show acceptance in the face of change.”

Midna was quiet.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that,” his eyes swam with unshed tears, “I’m honored to call you my friend.”

There was a long pause. She finally looked down at him and asked, “Really?”

Link nodded, though he didn’t say anything else. They remained silent for some time. The party was still going on behind them, but they were too focused on each other to notice. A slight breeze broke the stillness of the balcony.

Still in his arms, Midna asked, “So, what about you, Mister Hero? You find someone else, some crazy girl that’s been hiding out in the Sacred Realm all this time or something insane like that? You don’t strike me as the normal relationship kind of guy.” She smiled into his unruly hair as she leaned her head against his. “You were thinking of shacking up with a Twili princess, after all.”

Link frowned. “I’m… not sure.”

“Wait, about the crazy girl hiding in the Sacred Realm, or the part about there being someone new in your life?”

“The second one.”

“Really? What’s to be unsure about? You’ve always been intuitive when it comes to reading other people’s feelings.” She added, “Well, except for mine. But then, my overwhelming personality must have clouded your judgment.”

Link laughed. “I guess so.” He thought. “Well, I don’t think my empathy works on this girl. She only lets you know what she’s feeling if she wants you to know.”

“But there is the thought that something more is there.”

“Yes. Yes, there is. It’s a complicated relationship, though.” He shrugged. “I’ve decided that I should just let things happen the way they will. If it works out, it does. If it doesn’t, I’ll survive.”

“What’s happened to my friend? You used to be act first, ask questions if you absolutely have to later. I’d think you’d be doing all you could to speed things up.”

“I’ve learned to be patient.”

Midna gasped. “Link, patient? Impossible!”

“I’ll figure it out when I need to, I suppose.”

The princess nodded. “You always were good at the whole ‘acting when you need to act’ thing.” She gave him a tiny smile. “Must be a hero trait.”

Link didn’t respond. He noticed that the sun was lowering to the edge of the horizon. He tapped Midna. “Look. The sun is setting.”

The princess stirred in his arms and looked out over the balcony. She didn’t move from his embrace, but she said quietly, “The hour of twilight.”

In the sky, the sun began to dip below the far mountains. Splashes of gold and ruby, amethyst and amber, spread across the sky. The princess and the hero gazed out at the twilit expanse in silence, drinking in the beauty of shadow and light.

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