Link rode Epona away from Ordon Village and headed towards Hyrule Field. The land was saved, and Link figured he should enjoy it, despite the feeling that something was missing. Was it the pressing need to do something? No, it couldn't be that. It had to be something else. No, not something. Link was missing someone.

Midna, Link thought solemnly. Why did you have to break the mirror? Link knew that was selfish of him, but it didn't help with his feeling of loss. They had been through so much together. And now he would never see her again. Link stared blankly ahead, not caring about where he was going. He blocked out his surroundings and thought about his journey and the friends he made along the way. Of course, that was mostly Midna.

Link was pulled out of his heartache when he was flung forward from Epona's back. She must've been spooked by something, although that was very unlike her. Unprepared for such an event, Link tried to brace himself for the impact by covering his head with his arms. He slammed into the ground with an unpleasant cracking sound. He felt something wet on his fingers and wondered if it was blood or rain before losing consciousness.

~~~

Link awoke to find himself in front of Hyrule Castle, a light rain falling. He wasn't sure how he got from Hyrule Field to the castle, but here he was. Kargaroks flew around the front courtyard, which confused him because they were all supposed to have been removed after Zelda and the resistance took back the castle. Link felt his sword heavy on his back. He could tell just by the weight that it was the Master Sword. But that couldn't be. He returned it to the Sacred Grove. Something very strange was happening.

It was all too familiar. The rain, the Kargaroks, the Master Sword, everything. Link realized with a sudden jolt that this was the moment before he entered the castle. But how could this happen? Was he dreaming? Did he hit his head on a rock while out riding? Link looked at his palm to see if it was a dream. There was no distortion, so it must be real life. But if he was back before he stopped Ganondorf, then that must mean...

"Where's Princess Zelda? We have to find her and- Link, why are you crying?" Midna gave him an odd look, but Link didn't care. He couldn't stop the flow of tears even if he tried. Link couldn't get a word out over the physical manifestation of his intense emotions.

"Link, what's wrong?!" Now Midna looked concerned. Link wiped his face with his arm. Crying was not very becoming of the hero. He was smiling now, a pained thing but still something he couldn't stop.

"Nothing's wrong. In fact, I'm-I'm... so glad to see you again," Link said. Midna seemed confused.

"We've been together this whole time. Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

Link felt his spirits fall as he knew he needed to ask the most important question in the exchange.

"You said we need to save Princess Zelda, right?" Link asked. Midna nodded vigorously.

"She's in great danger!" Midna's words confirmed Link's suspicions. They hadn't saved anything yet. The hero in him knew what had to be done. Link said the only thing that came to him.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go save Zelda."