The Legend of Zelda: Light and Shadow

Chapter 13: What Might Have Been

Though Link was still as confused as ever in the moments following Verona's departure, he decided to push his wonderings away for the moment and wake Midna up, mostly so he could ask her why she had not stood by his side during his confrontation with the Queen of Shadows, who could have very well killed him if she had wanted to. However, before the hero could even move to do so, a sudden chill ran up his spine as he began to feel as though he was being watched. He wasn't sure if Verona was still anywhere nearby, but it was very likely, something that put Link even more on edge considering the strange conversation the two of them had just had. However, when the hero quickly spun around, reaching for his sword on instinct even though it had been thrown out of his reach at the ball, the Queen of Shadows was not at all the figure he saw standing several feet behind him in the dark shadows of the trees.

He couldn't make much out about them because of their distance from him and the darkness surrounding them, but what he did see right away were their eyes: completely empty and pure, glowing white as they stared directly at him, almost as if they were peering into his soul. Link knew that he had seen this very same figure before a few nights ago upon the spires of the castle, and as much as he was disturbed by both their presence and their icy stare, he found himself unable to look away once more even though he wanted to. In fact, he had become so caught up in their almost sinister gaze that the hero had not even noticed how shallow his breathing had become, nor did he realize that he had begun to step closer to them until…

"Link?"

The hero let out a startled gasp and blinked, broken out of the apparent trance that he hadn't even known he was in. His eyes left the figure in the woods for just a second, but as he glanced back that way, they were nowhere in sight, much to his confusion. But nonetheless, Link turned around to see that Midna had finally begun to stir on her own accord, though it was clear that she was still somewhat groggy as she lazily rose up to float, letting out a tired groan as she did so. "What are you-" The Twilight Princess let out a sudden gasp as her half-lidded eyes opened wide and she quickly flew in close to her companion, looking him up and down in absolute shock.

"What's wrong, Midna?" Link asked with a slightly amused grin, knowing why she was so surprised.

"Y-you… you… you're human again?!" Midna exclaimed in disbelief, though sure enough it was true. "How did you… Did you go talk to the light spirit without me?!"

The hero shook his head, his smile fading into a serious expression. "No, and I don't think you're going to like what actually happened…" he said, knowing just how bitter the Twilight Princess was towards her cousin, especially after everything that had happened.

"Well, don't leave me in suspense!" the Twilight Princess said in slight exasperation. "Tell me!"

Link hesitated for a moment or two, much to Midna's further aggravation as he tried to figure out how to explain what had occurred, since he didn't really understand it himself. "Well…" he began a bit awkwardly, already anticipating the Twilight Princess's outburst upon hearing this news. "While you were sleeping, Verona showed up and she-"

"What?!" Midna exclaimed, completely aghast as she circled around Link in a panicked hurry, checking to see if he bore any injuries or abnormalities. "Did she hurt you?! Did she cast any sort of other spell on you worse than the last one? Did she threaten you? Try to kill you? Anything?!"

The hero couldn't help but smirk a bit upon hearing this barrage of concerned questions, knowing that even though their situation was serious, he couldn't help but find the Twili imp's worries over him to be somewhat humorous. "Wow, Midna," he said with a small laugh. "I didn't know you cared so much about me."

The Twilight Princess scowled in annoyance as she gave him a deliberate punch in the arm, knowing that he was only trying to joke, but she was in no mood for such nonsense. "Stop avoiding my questions!" she growled, realizing that if he was well enough to play around like he was then he must not be harmed like she had thought. "What did Verona do while she was here?"