You
Are all I can remember
After all that we've been through
Forever in my heart


Now I'm through
And June feels like November
So cant believe its true
Too long we've been apart



  Hues of a multitude of colors streaked the forget-me-not sky, indigo seeped along the edges of this wondrous canvass, awaiting to claim the world for the darkness of night.  A golden ball of flame sank beneath the horizon beneath the intimidating peaks not far yonder, topaz light shining from out and around them, illuminating them in a fashion that was strangely beautiful.  Lazy clouds drifted across the heavens, turned polychromatic from the shades of color that had been caused by the setting of the sun.  The moon began to arise from its slumber upon the opposite side, a mere sliver of silver crescent -  yet enough to illuminate these never-ending plains of sand.

  Long before this time, enemies had been chased out.  Forced to leave this place due to their inability to leave a man alone that would kill them if they dared to try and hurt him or another.  Was it is wish to slay these creatures?  Of course not.  Yet this duty was forced upon him - as it had since the moment he had had the mantle of ‘Hero’ thrust upon him.  Though it had changed him drastically, perhaps for the better... perhaps not...  He did regret some things about it, but never the fact it had been he who was chosen.  If he had not, the woman sitting across from him would have forever remained unknown to him.

  The flickering of the fire, crackling and casting shadows all around was what had kept the Twili and Hylian’s attention since they had decided to make camp here for the night.  The steed that had brought them there, Epona, was standing not far away, half dozing where she was.  A slightly uncomfortable silence had descended upon them...  And neither seemed all that willing to break it.  

  For it had been mere hours before that Link, the blonde who was most at ease with not holding a conversation, had found out that the imp who had stuck with him throughout his entire adventure was actually drop-dead gorgeous.  Not to mention she was also the Princess of the Twilight (which he had found out earlier, of course).  Yet it was so bizarre to look at her now, and realize that all this time, she had either been bugging him to death, sitting on his shoulder, in his shadow or riding on his back.  It was hard for him to get his mind around.  

  A soft snort from behind got his attention, and one of his ears twitched, gaze flicking over to the mare.  Epona, who had recently woken herself up, plodded over to her master, hooves sinking into the tawny sand.  She bent her head down when she was behind him, and gently nudged his shoulder, snorting again - wanting attention.  The faintest of smiles came to his face, and he absentmindedly stroked her nose, before once more turning his attention to the flames before him.

  The woman across from him, Midna, was now watching him instead of faking interest in the fire.  If anything, she looked somewhat jealous.  Link, who was able to show affection for just about anyone and everyone, had never really done much for her, now had he?  Well, she shouldn’t exactly expect all that much.  She had been so much of a jerk to him in the past...  But he could at least act like he cared once in awhile.

  Wincing mentally, she instantly berated herself.  Link had been nothing but kind to her once they had gotten used to one another’s company.  She was merely being petty about the whole thing.  Though she could not deny that she was wickedly jealous of that horse.  Epona could come right up to her master and ask for attention, and she’d get it.  Now, if Midna ever got anywhere near Link, he seemed insanely awkward and edgy.  Right now, the Twili would’ve given anything to be that horse.  Just to be close to him would be enough.  But... that didn’t look like it would ever happen.

  Though she loved him (far more than she should, come to think of it), she knew that her place was not here.  She had to return to the Twilight.  Everyone there was probably somewhat out of their minds.  Link had freed them from Zant’s evil work, and now it was the duty of the Princess to return, was it not?  What a pity.  She really did love this world.  The Light, which she had once shunned, was now something that she longed to stay in forever.  Just to feel the warmth of a summer’s day, or even just the cold air of winter.  

  A melancholy sigh escaped her, and she tore her eyes away from Link and the horse, now gazing blankly up at the sky.  The colors were darkening, the lighter ones now disappearing as the sun sank completely beneath the mountains.  Even from where she was, she was quite sure she could see the very tip of Snowpeak and all its glorious, frigid beauty.  Everything about this place was gorgeous.  Perhaps not the Goddess-forsaken desert itself (in the day, at least), but just about everything else.

  This silence was doing absolutely nothing for her.  It was making her edgy and shifty, her sitting position constantly changing.  She wanted to get up and actually do something, or at least talk.  Midna was far too awake to even consider sleeping.  Besides, her own sadness that this would be the last time she saw him was residing heavily on her mind.  I don’t want to go, she thought, yet in her heart, she knew she must.

  At last the darkness won out, and indigo expanded its wings and took over the sky, pinpricks of silver stars sparkling overhead.  The moon was rising up as well, casting a somewhat eery whitish light down unto the sands below.  Unlike the heat of the sun, mercilessly beating down upon the desert - the moon brought a slight chill to the night air.  Much more refreshing then that ridiculous heat of earlier.

  “Cold?”  Link asked her suddenly, and Midna blinked, unaware that she had shivered.  She slowly let her gaze drift to Link’s, and it was then and there that she locked eyes with him for the first time in awhile.  The flames of the fire were oddly reflected in his sapphire eyes, a strangely entrancing sight.  He seemed to have lost interest in his horse for the moment, who still had her head bent down over his shoulder.  

  Midna shook her head, a faint smile on her face.  She wasn’t aware that almost every time she looked at him, she smiled.  The Twili just couldn’t help it.  She was in love with him after all.  Besides that, she was quite sure that no matter how much distance was between them, she would always remember him.  Even after she had left tomorrow, forever Link would remain on her mind.

  Another sigh escaped her, this one much more depressed than the last as she turned her head slightly and looked over her shoulder.  Arbiter’s Grounds...  It wasn’t that far away.  If things turned out like she believed, Link and herself should arrive there nearing dusk tomorrow.  That is, if the Princess of Hyrule showed up like she had told them she would.  No, she was not traveling with them at the moment.  But she had told them she’d catch up before Midna was to depart.

  “You miss it,” Link said out of the blue, once more catching Midna’s attention, yet she stubbornly refused to turn her head.  It had always bothered her sometimes that Link was so understanding and so perceptive.  That he could see what others refused to see.  Help out when there was no hope left.  Yet those qualities just made her love him more - even though he was an idiot on occasion.  

  “Of course,” Midna said softly, a hint of a lyrical accent much more pronounced in her voice now that she as in her true form opposed to being that tiny imp.  “It was my home, and still is.  I worry about my people...  Zant’s attack was probably the worst tragedy in the history of the Twilight.  Hopefully we can rebuild...”

  Midna was still refusing to look at him, though Link seemed incapable of tearing his gaze away.  “’Hopefully’?”  He repeated, cocking a brow.  “You seem unsure that the other Twili can do anything to rebuild their home.  What if I went with you to help out?”  He could tell from her tone earlier that swaying her decision to stay behind would be futile.  Perhaps he could convince her to allow him to go with her...?

  “My people are strong, but at the moment, they have suffered a blow that would have been irreversible without you, Link.  And you’ve already done too much for us already.  I’m sorry, but I don’t think you coming with me would really do much.”  She finally looked at him, giving him a faintly apologetic smile.  “The few that saw you in the Twilight only saw you as a wolf.  They all remain wary of the people of the Light.  Anything I say or you do wouldn’t erase the years of unjust prejudice that they have.”

  “Why?”  Link asked, challenging her statement, eyes narrowing slightly.  He was stubborn, as was Midna.  This was what usually caused an argument between them...  But at this point, both were secretly glad for a reprieve from the accursed quiet that had befallen them mere moments ago.

  “Why?”  Midna repeated, and it was now her turn to raise a brow.  “Link, honestly - two people can’t make a difference.  What do you think we could both accomplish by making the other Twili see the truth?”

  “You contradict yourself,” he said, sounding smug, and Midna realized that she had just walked straight into a trap.  “What about us?  Sure, we had a little help along the way - but the both of us ended up saving my world and yours.  Don’t be stupid and say that two people can’t make a difference.  You know for a fact that that isn’t true.”  

  Midna cursed silently in her own tongue, regretting that Link had somehow managed to obtain some form of intelligence over these past months.  “Okay, fine - I will admit that that is true,” she admitted reluctantly, which made the Hylian smirk in satisfaction.  “However, the fact remains that if you came, then it would only cause unnecessary complications.”  She gave a vague wave of her hand, shaking her head.  

  “So is that all I am, then - a complication?”  Link asked, smirk fading.  

  “No, that’s not what I meant,” Midna said hastily, hating the fact that Link was doing this to her right now.  “I just-...  I meant-...  Look - I don’t even really know what I meant by that, all right?  But the fact remains that my race is one of deceit.  You know that well enough by how I was when we first met.  If you come to the Twilight, then though they may act like they accept you, they’ll end up dragging your name through the mud behind your back.  Regardless of how much I hear.  They may even say it directly to your face.  I don’t want that to happen.  Besides... the plights of my world are not your burdens to bear.”

  “Says who?”  Link demanded with renewed determination.  “I’ve shouldered the burdens of that realm ever since I first got dragged into the Twilight.  And I really don’t give a crap about what they’d say behind my back.  They’re only words - so what does it matter?

  “It matters,” Midna almost hissed, “because I would most likely hear it.  I care about you, all right?  You’re a friend to me, and I don’t think I’d be able to hold my temper if someone started saying cruel things about you.  I know its hard to believe, but underneath this very kind and caring attitude, I have a short temper.”

  Ignoring the sarcasm, Link decided to go into a different matter altogether.  In reality, what he had first started saying would only end up circling back to the main point he had been bothering her with since the moment they had first started riding out here.  “If you care about me, then why do you plan on leaving me behind?”  He asked, a much different way of phrasing it than before.

  Midna, unfortunately, was stumped.  She really hadn’t expected him to find such a horrible way to ask that.  “I...”  She started to say, but her words died on her lips, and she dropped her eyes to the fire once more, biting her lip.  What was she to say?  That she didn’t believe he could possibly love her?  That she didn’t want to suffer rejection?  That the heartache she would go through after she broke the mirror would only intensify if she heard it straight out that he did not return her feelings?

  Since Link had found out what she really looked like, and they had headed off to the desert, he had been asking her to stay.  Why?  Because they were friends?  Because he didn’t want anything bad happening to her?  If he hadn’t acted this way with just about everyone else he considered a companion, then Midna might’ve considered staying behind.  Yet Link was the kind of caring soul that would risk his life for anyone - not just her.  She didn’t believe his affections were any more deep rooted than that.

  Throughout their morning ride, with Midna sitting in front of Link and his arm lightly around her waist to prevent her from falling off, she had seriously considered staying.  Especially when the sheer heat of the sun made her lean back against him and doze off.  It had been a time that she would’ve given anything to stretch out into eternity.  Just to be there in his arms, the gentle rhythmic swaying of Epona beneath them.  Yet life was cruel, and in almost no time at all, she had awoken once more - only to find that the dream would soon be over.  That she would soon have to leave... and make sure that there would be no lasting way to return here from the Twilight.  

  Now that she thought about it, she had never questioned Link as to why he had wanted her to stay.  So wrapped up in trying to give him a legitimate reason other than her fears, she had only sputtered and babbled and tried to change the subject.  Very unlike her, and much more of a reason for Link to keep bothering her.  Now it would be her turn to get some answers.  Link had questioned her long enough.

  “What does it matter to you?”  She now asked, eyes snapping up to meet his.  “Why do you want me to stay or you to go with me?”

  Link looked faintly taken aback, and for but a moment, he was completely off guard.  And that one moment of weakness was enough for him to almost reveal the truth - yet somehow he managed to hide it.  How could he confess to her that he loved her?  He didn’t think being able to endure rejection would be too easy...  And he really wasn’t all that willing to find out.  Awkwardly he rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous habit of his as he averted his eyes.  He hadn’t anticipated her asking that question.

  A smirk came to Midna’s lips, relishing in the fact that she had clearly stunned him into silence.  At least it had stopped the two of them from this pointless little argument.  Yet at the same time, she was cursing herself like there was no tomorrow.  She enjoyed talking to him, even if they didn’t always see eye to eye.  Though now she had effectively shut him up, and now wanted for this quiet to be vanquished instead of only having the faint crackling of the fire between them.

  Epona, who had been standing there this entire time, seemed to have an almost wicked gleam in her eyes.  Not many realized it, but though she was a mere animal, she was also highly intelligent.  She had seen Midna’s envy in her eyes earlier when she had come to Link for attention.  Perhaps if she did the same thing, it might spur the Twili into doing something.  These two were painfully oblivious, not even realizing how much they loved one another.

  “Er, Link?  Just forg-” Midna started to say, feeling somewhat regretful for what she had asked, yet fell silent when Epona put her head over the blonde’s shoulder again.  Once more, the Hylian stroked her, and the mare flicked her tail almost happily.  Yet it was really when the horse locked eyes with Midna’s, dark brown meeting blood-red crimson that really made the Twili’s blood boil.  It was almost as if the animal was mocking her, almost daring her to try and take her master from her.

  Oh no you don’t, Midna thought savagely, suppressing a scowl, that is my elf. It was somewhat true, actually.  Midna never really had released Link from being her ‘slave’ - so though Epona’s master was Link, Midna remained his master.  What a strange set of circumstances, no?

  “This is my fault, you know.”  Link said with a sigh, still not looking at Midna.  He was just the kind of a guy who took the blame all upon himself - and it did have a tendency to get annoying sometimes...  As Midna had pointed out several times in the past.  “I shouldn’t of brought it up.  We argue a great deal more than we have an actual conversation, don’t we?”  He glanced over to where she sat, and then did a double take.  “Midna?”  He asked, perplexed - for the Twili had vanished.

  A moment later, the woman was right next to him, and he jerked his head around far too fast when he did - probably giving himself whiplash.  “I’ve decided that I am cold,” Midna said abruptly, glaring moodily at the fire and seeming severely mad about something.  “You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Er, no,” Link admitted, blinking at her for a moment before looking once more at the fire and forcing his tightened muscles to relax.  They were so close...  Barely an inch away from one another.  The temptation to reach a hand out and touch her was rather strong.  Keep a hold of yourself, he chastised, refusing to so much as even look at her.

  A flicker of movement caught his eye, and against his will he glanced over.  Midna was currently taking the crown she wore out of her hair - undoing the intricate pattern it was in as she did so.  Like a river of sunset it fell loose around her, framing her face beautifully.  Lowering her black hood, she gave him a faint smile as she caught him looking at her.  “I’m sure this must’ve poked you in the face earlier,” she said with a chuckle, indicating the crown.  “Mind if I put it in saddle bags?”

  “I’ll do-” Link started to offer, but Midna was already leaning over him to the saddle and other assortment of things that the elf had removed from off of Epona.  The Twili was practically laying on his lap at the moment, which made the blonde’s face turn a shade of red that most people wouldn’t expect.  Epona, meanwhile, satisfied that she had finally done something to provoke Midna into making the first move, snorted and trotted off a ways - giving them their privacy.  There would be no backing out now.  The horse was almost sure of it.

  The Twili had a small smirk on her face, eyes glinting mischievously.  She rather liked where she was at the moment...  But...  Well, he must find this incredibly awkward, and she might as well remove herself from this position.  Though as she was rising up, her knee slipped out from under her - and the one hand on the sand on Link’s other side was not enough to support her.  Her other hand grabbed hold of the Hylian’s shoulder, and on instinct, the blonde put an arm around her waist, preventing her from falling.  

  “Careful,” he warned her, in spite of the fact that them being so close at the moment was driving him mad.  Not to mention that she was really hardly wearing anything at all.  

  Now Midna really was sitting on his lap.  Great.  That was just fine by her.  “Link,” she said softly, almost innocently as she pressed herself up against him, making the Hylian’s breath catch for a moment.  “You know how I said to forget what I had asked?”  She brushed his bangs out of his sapphire eyes that were opened far too wide at the moment.  “Well, I lied.”  In an instant, she had him down onto the sand, crouched over him with a smirk on her face.  “I want an answer.  Why do you want me to stay, or why do you want to come with me?  This is obviously more than just a simple ‘friendship’ isn’t it?”

  Link was breathing far too fast, and his heart was drumming so loudly he was sure that Midna could hear it.  His face was still burning crimson - yet thankfully not as dark as Midna’s eyes were.  Pity he didn’t realize Midna was only doing this to get an honest answer out of him.  She knew the Hylian too well.  Startle him like this, and he’ll blurt out an answer.  She’d done it before...  Just never like this.

  “I-”  He started to say, then silenced himself.  He couldn’t tell her.  Dropping his gaze, he tried to find a way out of this situation...  But by looking somewhere else, he also happened to notice he had quite a nice ‘view’ from where he was laying at the moment.  Well, crap.  Which was worse - the sick fantasies in his head or the fact that it seemed they were becoming a reality?  Well, in all honesty, it wasn’t that bad...  Wait - this might be a dream!

  Holding onto that false hope, Link dared to say the three words that would condemn him to an eternity of sorrow.  He knew Midna could not possibly return what he felt.  But if this was just a fantasy as he believed, he could say just about anything, right?  Well, it was worth a shot.

  “I love you.”

  The simple way he said it...  That purest form of truth in those three syllables that had left his lips were enough to shock Midna into confusion.  She merely stared down at him, mouth slightly agape in awe - eyes wide.  Of all things, she had never anticipated that.  How in the world was this possible?  It couldn’t be!  Many a times she had thought of him confessing his undying devotion to her (she had had a lot of time to think when in his shadow, not to mention the rather nice view she had had from there)...  But never like this.  It was so honest that she could hardly dare to believe that this was reality and not some sort of distorted dream brought to her by the Goddesses bent on derailing her sanity and causing her more misery.

  Well, if she was going to suffer - she might as well go the whole nine yards.  Without even thinking about what this might do to Link, she leaned down and kissed him.  She could not think of a way to say anything - so this was all she was able to do.  Her words had lost the ability to make sense.  The entire world no longer had any sense of sanity left anyway.  A man that she had been cruel to loved her, and she was now pinning him  down onto the sand and kissing him.  How did that work?

  Link, who had been expecting her to look down at him in disgust and instantly get off, felt his mind go completely numb when she kissed him.  All he could do for several seconds was lay there, frozen in surprise.  Yet that melted away faster than he could have expected, and soon he was kissing her in return.  None of this was making any sense to him.  Yet as their mouths moved against one another, he could think of nothing else other than that he loved her, and that this quite possibly was Midna’s way of telling him that she returned that feeling wholeheartedly.

  It seemed as if hours had passed before they parted.  Link was completely limp beneath her, eyes still wide and mouth still open slightly, gazing at her wordlessly.  Still his face remained reddish in tinge, but he took no notice of it.  His breathing had come to the point where his chest was rising and falling far too rapidly, and his heart was beating as if he had just run a marathon.  Yet all this aside, he still could not believe it.  This had to be the most strangest yet the most amazing thing that he had ever been through - but he regretted not a moment of it.

  Midna was still looking at him, a small smile on her face.  She was not blushing - not embarrassed even in the slightest by the gall that she had just shown by coming out in the open about her attachment to him.  Breath for breath, they matched in almost perfect harmony by how much their lungs were working in overtime.  Beat for beat, their hearts were in perfect synchronization.  Ah, love.  It was a strange yet beauteous thing.

  “You know-” the Twili finally murmured after she had managed to catch her breath enough to speak.  She couldn’t help but wonder how her arms had supported her over Link this entire time.  Shifting herself slightly so she was mostly keeping herself up with her right hand, she lifted her left and took off his hat.  “-what I think?”  

  “What?”  Link asked, sounding as if he was under the influence of some type of drug.  Perhaps he really was high.  High on love.  

  “That you-” she said, pressing herself against him, “-would look-” she took hold of his arms and wrapped them around her, “-much better-” the Twili put her arms around his neck, and brought her lips to his ear to whisper the last three words hotly into it.

  “-without clothes on.”



One more night I wanna be with you
Where I wanna hold you tight
It feels so right
Tonight
So leave it up to you
And I think the time is right
To stop the fight
                 ~‘One More Night,’ by Cascada