The town square was dark and empty. The only sound to be heard was the sound of Link’s own footsteps on the cool cobblestone. It was eerie.

The castle spires loomed far overhead, distinctly outlined against the silver moon. They seemed to only add to the ominous atmosphere; it certainly wasn’t helping Link to feel any less uneasy.

The castle gates were just beyond the town square, and Link headed for them. However, a light tap on his shoulder caused him to stop and turn back. The ‘twilight princess’ as she called herself, shook her head.

“Bothersome guards in the way. Doggy must take a shortcut.”

“Shortcut?” Link echoed.

The twilight princess pointed upward to one of the towers.

“The princess already waits for us in her tower. Doggy must take my advice and use a shortcut.”

“There are no shortcuts!” Link protested, “What am I supposed to do? Climb up there? That’s a good way to get killed!”

The woman frowned.

“Tsk tsk,” she muttered, “Tsk tsk. Doggy has no manners. Doggy does not think to ask for help.”

Link caught on almost immediately: she wanted him to ask her for help. He struggled to keep a straight face; what was this so-called princess playing at?

“Can you get me to the top of that tower?” he asked.

The woman broke into a huge grin, “If I must.”

She snapped her fingers, and without warning, she disappeared.

“What the—” Link started.

Then everything went black. When he opened his eyes a split second later, he stood in a large room with two windows that didn’t let in very much moonlight. The room was otherwise unlit and smelled a bit musty. The stone floor was cracked and in much need of repair. A cot stood in the far right corner of the room and a velvet-seated chair that looked very out-of-place sat near one of the windows. A figure stood at the opposite window, looking out. She had long brown hair and wore an elegant dress.

Link stared, unable to comprehend what had just happened. A voice sounded at his side, causing him to nearly jump out of his skin.

“Princess,” the voice said, sounding smug.

Link turned to see the speaker, as did the figure at the window. The twilight princess emerged from the shadows, her eyes burning like embers of fire in the near-darkness.

“Ah, Midna. You’ve returned. Is this the knight of which you spoke?”

Link focused his attention back on the figure at the window. He almost didn’t recognize her in the semi-darkness, but there was no mistaking her decorous clothing and dignified bearing. It was probably the closest Link had ever stood to the Princess. He dropped to his knees in an instant, causing the twilight woman on his right make an annoyed utterance.

“It seems doggy has finally remembered how one is supposed to acknowledge royalty. He did not give me such recognition.”

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

“Oh, Midna, I’m sure he was only confused.” Zelda turned her deep blue eyes on Link. “Rise, knight.”

Link stood, feeling a sudden obligation to explain himself.

“Forgive me, Princess,” he apologized, “I did not at first realize who you were. I confess I did not expect to find someone of royalty in—” He hesitated, avoiding Zelda’s gaze. “—such—” He struggled to find the words. “—accommodations,” he finished, painfully aware that his face was starting to turn red.

Zelda laughed softly, “I’m afraid this rather musty tower was best suited to our purposes. Our meeting had to be secret.”

“Oh,” Link said stupidly, resisting the urge to kick himself.

“What is your name, knight?”

Link opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by the twilight ‘princess’ before he could utter a syllable.

“Doggy,” the crimson-eyed woman said, looking pleased with herself.

Zelda sighed, “Midna, please do not call him such. This is a serious matter.”

Midna swept a curtsy, “Of course, Princess, and I seriously meant him as such. After all, what is he to us but a dog.” She paused to give Link a meaningful look, and the knight had to fight to suppress his anger as she continued, “A dog goes where they’re told and does what they’re told. And he is going to do just that.”

“Midna!” Zelda said sharply, “You will not speak so.” Midna graciously dipped her head, surprising Link with her quick submission. The Hyrulean Princess sighed deeply, “I need you on my side, Midna.”

“I am on your side, Princess,” Midna insisted, her burning eyes taking on a serious light, “Remember, Zant took much more away from me than he did from you.”

Another sigh escaped Zelda, “I know.” She cleared her throat before turning back to Link. “Forgive me, you were telling me your name.”

“Link, your Highness.”

“Link. Ah, yes, I do believe I remember you. You keep guard in the Throne Room on occasion, but I do not believe we’ve ever formally spoken. Do you understand why it is you are here, Sir Link?”

Link glanced briefly at Midna before answering, “Some sort of prophecy about blue eyes, a man named Zant, and—” He took a deep breath. “—a solution to our problems. A way to dispel the shadows spreading across the land.”

“Ah,” Zelda said slowly, clasping her hands in front of her and looking somewhat uncomfortable, “That’s a rather…indelicate way to put it. Allow me to lay everything out clearly for you. I’ll start with Midna’s story. As I am sure you know, wherever light exists, there is always darkness; they go hand in hand. So it is with our world. Parallel to ours is a realm that endures perpetual twilight and harbours a race known a Twili. Midna was their princess, until her throne was stolen from her by a usurper and she was driven out into our world. This usurper, Zant, is the one responsible for plaguing our land with shadows.”

“Beings of light cannot thrive in our lovely twilight,” Midna interjected, “So they become ghosts who wander endlessly in the darkness, unable to find their way back to the light they crave.”

“So…” Link stared in shock. “So everyone’s still alive? They’re safe?”

“But trapped,” Zelda finished. “There was a prophecy that circulated among Midna’s people, a prophecy of a blue-eyed warrior that would free both the light realm and twilight realm from their captivity.”

“But, your Highness,” Link said, “Isn’t that rather vague? Many of your knights have blue eyes.”

“Midna assured me she would be able to find the true warrior.”

“But what if she’s wrong?”

There was a silence.

Link hastily backtracked, “No, forgive me, it was not my place to say such a thing.”

“No, Sir Link, your question is a valid one. But I trust Midna’s judgement.”

“Then you are also trusting her with your people’s lives,” Link said slowly.

“Yes, I am,” Zelda said, an almost sad look in her eyes, “Hers…and yours.”

Link’s mouth went dry, “I—”

He didn’t quite know what to say. He could not refuse his Princess, yet he couldn’t help but question her decision to trust the strange creature called Midna.

Or her prophecy for that matter.

But by far the most puzzling question was…why him? He was just another soldier, a nameless face sworn to protect the kingdom of Hyrule.

There was nothing special about him.

He inhaled deeply, letting his gaze fall to the floor before returning it to the Princess’ face.

Yes, it was true…there was nothing special about him.

But if she chose to see things differently, he was honoured to rise to the challenge.

“Princess. Whatever you require of me, rest assured that I will do my best to carry it out. I am your humble servant.”

Midna giggled, drawing Link’s attention. Her red eyes gleamed brightly, an eerie smile etched on her beautiful lips.

“Good doggy,” she cooed, tilting her head to one side, “I’m sure we’ll be such good friends.”