AN: So here we are. At long last, the final chapter. I can't quite believe we're finally here. Whew, it's been quite the undertaking. I was supposed to upload this yesterday but... as you might have noticed, that didn't happen. But, anyway, first off I'd like to thank silverheartlugia2000 and Um I lost my name for their reviews, as well as those who followed/favourited this story. And then I'd like to give the biggest thanks to everyone who's reviewed over the months, especially those of you who've reviewed most or even all of the chapters, your support means so much. It's honestly the only reason I've reached this point. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Just a quick reminder, there's a poll on my profile for the next story(ies) I write, so if you'd like to weigh in on that, please do!
And now, the final chapter. Enjoy.

32- And the Aftermath

Zelda hadn't been lying when she'd said her reasons for summoning Link weren't pleasant. She was still keeping him in the dark about two of them, but the first, as she folded herself back into the seat behind the desk, was one he had been expecting, if dreading somewhat.

'I believe we should first discuss the issue of your past,' she said, fixing him with stern eyes. 'The Wolf was, and is, a wanted criminal, for crimes against Hyrule. Treason is most often punished by death, but-' she held up a gloved hand when Midna opened her mouth, anger in her orange eyes. '-Given your services to Hyrule over the past weeks, and ultimately bringing the entire coup to a halt, a more lenient sentence may be arranged.'

'Wait, you're still going to punish him?' Midna seemed outraged on his behalf, though Link himself wasn't sure what to feel. It would appear he was going to avoid the death penalty, but to be quite honest he had no real desire to perform any more services for Hyrule. Depending on what Zelda decided he might end up the country's slave for the rest of his life, which honestly seemed almost worse than death. He was used to being free after defeating Ganondorf, whatever free really meant, and the thought of having to do more for Hyrule after everything made him feel sick.

But it didn't matter how he felt. When did it ever? Whatever Zelda decided, it was his own fault. He had made his decisions, and he would accept their consequences. He'd known the risks.

'It is law, Midna,' Zelda said, despite sounding somewhat reluctant. Before Midna could reply Link cut in, telling them both that it was fine. That was a lie, but he'd always known that there would be some kind of punishment should the whole rebellion fail, so now it was up to Zelda to decide his fate.

Zelda regarded him in silence for a long moment, measuring. 'You saw the lines of criminals being escorted to the dungeons on your way here, I presume?' she asked as she sat back, eyes never leaving Link. He nodded. 'They are only a fraction of Ganondorf's followers. Many have fled, or are trying to hide. For your crimes against Hyrule, I task you, Link, with finding and capturing as many of your former allies as you are able. You will carry out this task for the next five years, and if by then my people and I are satisfied with your work your sentence will end, and you will free to do as you please.'

Five years. Five years? Link mulled that over quietly, striving to keep his face as neutral as Zelda's. It was a cruel punishment, one that forced him to betray people he had worked with, befriended even, for the best part of seven years. It wasn't enough that he had killed their leader, but now he had to hunt them down too?

He supposed he couldn't complain, though. It was his own fault, in the end, and it wasn't like he really had any choice in the matter. Zelda had decided, and he would obey.

Well, he could, but he could also run. If he wanted to. It wasn't really in his nature to do so, but it would undoubtedly be easy to slip away while out traversing the lands near and far for Hyrule's escaped traitors. If he really wanted to. Who would stop him? Who would be able to stop him?

No one, except himself. Or maybe Zelda. Possibly Midna, too.

Link thought for a moment longer before meeting Zelda's gaze, where he got the distinct impression she could see or somehow knew every thought running through his head right then. Was he really so transparent? No, that was just Zelda.

So he nodded slightly, accepting his fate- something that was in his nature, at this point –placing it in Zelda's hands entirely. She nodded back, folding her hands atop her ornate desk slowly, all at once seeming almost hesitant. As Link watched something like pain flashed across her face, almost imperceptible, before she visibly steeled herself.

'Now, onto the second matter I called you here for.' She paused, sharing a brief look with Midna who shrugged a shoulder slightly. Link glanced between them, confused, apprehensive. 'This will, I think, be particularly unpleasant for you Link, but it is something Midna and I both believe to be necessary.'

Not sure what to make of that Link turned to Midna for answers, watching in confusion as she reached out to put what seemed to be a comforting hand on his arm, her brow furrowing momentarily. 'We're going to have a burial for Ganondorf, Link,' she explained, simple, to the point. It took Link a moment to process what she'd said.

And then he just stared, first and foremost utterly bewildered.

What?

'Given what you have told me of our history with him,' Zelda continued when Link didn't respond, 'I felt it may be a better method than sealing him away somewhere, as you told me our previous incarnations were rather wont to do.'

'The Twili give all their dead proper burials, friends and enemies alike, to prevent wrathful spirits from being created, and to ward off grudges or curses,' Midna chipped in, when Link still didn't say anything. 'Even Zant will get one, assuming he hasn't already.'

Glancing between them again Link just stared, not sure what to say. He would never have expected these two women, the princesses of the two kingdoms Ganondorf had plagued and ultimately tried to destroy, to ever, ever, even think to give their enemy a proper send off. Why would they? Why should they? Link couldn't quite believe it. Especially not when their people probably desired Ganondorf's head on a stick, as proof of his being vanquished.

It was, in truth, more than Link would have ever dared hope for. He had been trying to resign himself, over the last three days, to facing his closest friend receiving nothing but hatred and slander now that he was gone. Well, that might still be the case, but at least the two people whose opinions mattered most would show respect for the dead.

'It will be a quiet affair,' Zelda said after a moment. 'And the citizens of Hyrule will not be pleased, but Midna and I believe it to be the right thing to do.'

'For him and you,' Midna added. 'You were friends, after all. You should be able to say goodbye properly.'

Softly, Link corrected her that they had been brothers, and though he was tempted to add that they had made an oath to die together he knew it wouldn't accomplish anything. It would just hurt them all, he was sure.

So he stood looking at his feet for a moment, trying to quell the pain in his chest, swallow past the sudden lump in his throat. This was not what he had expected to be doing when he had set out for the castle that morning.

To be honest, he didn't want to be doing it, either. He didn't want to say goodbye, he didn't want to move on. He'd have been quite happy to just remain inside his cocoon at Kakariko, surrounded by the friendly faces of those who knew nothing of his struggles, of his past, of his pain.

But, like Zelda had said, it was necessary. In all honesty Link had been expecting her to just let Ganondorf rot, and this was undoubtedly a better outcome.

No easier, though.

So he nodded quietly again, dread twisting in his stomach as Zelda rose, heading for the door. She beckoned them briefly before stepping out, and with no other option Link followed when Midna did, finding himself being led through the castle once again.

They walked in silence, earning glances from most of the people they passed along the way, but Link ignored them all. He tried to keep his gaze fixed mostly on the floor, on the end of Zelda's dress where she walked ahead of him, while Midna walked at his side, her bare feet making barely any noise on the stone flags. She was, Link noticed, the one drawing the most looks, which wasn't much of a surprise. With her strange appearance and general lack of clothing it was to be expected, really.

It was so weird that she was taller than him now. Link was vaguely surprised whenever he looked at her. Which was often, because it was just so strange. She was familiar, but at the same time she was so very unfamiliar. He didn't think he would ever get used to it.

'Is there something on my face?' she asked after a few corridors of hesitant glances, humour in her eyes. Link shook his head, a little embarrassed to have been caught staring, but Midna just laughed softly.

'It's weird for me too,' she said as they rounded a corner, trailing along behind Zelda. 'It's great to be back to normal again, but I got so used to my cursed form that sometimes my own reflection startles me.' Lifting her hands she brushed her fingers against her cheeks lightly, expression thoughtful. 'It'll take some getting used to, that's for sure.'

Link agreed quietly, seeing as he did something close off in her expression, just slightly, before she laughed and shook her head, nudging him lightly. He smiled, glad to see her so carefree, but couldn't quite shake the feeling of dread, or maybe foreboding, that crept through him as he did.

What was Zelda's third order of business? Given what the first two had been, Link had to wonder if it was somehow going to be worse than them.

He was distracted by the thought, however, as Zelda veered left, all at once leading them out into a courtyard. No, not a courtyard, the cemetery. Link recognised it immediately, having had to run around it for a good half an hour not too long ago. This time, though, he didn't plough straight on through. Instead he stopped, suddenly feeling sick as he looked out over the headstones both old and new, the silence of the place all at once overwhelming.

Both princesses slowed as well, waiting for him to collect himself. He could feel their eyes on him and wondered how they could be so calm, so composed.

Of course, it probably had something to do with this just being a formality for both of them. They were burying a traitor, an enemy. Link was burying his brother.

It still felt strange to describe Ganondorf as such. Memories of lifetimes hating him warred with Link's own lifetime's memories, and though he tried to distance himself from the former they still lingered, serving to do nothing but make him feel very confused. Confused and conflicted.

Taking a deep breath Link forced himself forward, gesturing for Zelda to lead the way. She did so, escorting them to the far back corner of the cemetery, beneath the dark branches of an old, dying tree. The air was full of the smell of damp earth as she halted beside a deep hole in the ground, standing beside it with her hands folded. A grave. The grave.

Again Link stopped, a good few metres from said grave, still trying to process what was happening. He couldn't believe they were burying Ganondorf. It seemed so final. More so than casting him into another realm, though Link supposed that, in the end, this was the first time Ganondorf had actually died. Link had only ever, as far as he could recall, mortally wounded the man. He had always been sealed away before he could die for good.

And it was so unreal, to think that Link and Zelda were the ones burying him. Link would never have expected it. Never even thought it possible.

But here they were.

'He has already been interred,' Zelda said softly as Link continued to hover, unable to bring himself to move closer. 'Though you may open the casket if you so desire. I cast a small preservation spell, in the event that you should wish to.'

Link was very, very tempted to just bolt. To leave and never look back. Screw his punishment, screw redemption. In that moment he wanted to be as far away as possible, never to return.

Of course, he didn't. Instead he stepped up to the edge of the hole, steeling himself before peering down into its shadowy depths. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting, other than the plain coffin he found himself looking at. An empty hole, maybe? Or maybe a rotting corpse? Somehow he still found himself trying to ignore the sudden mix of surprise and relief swirling inside him.

Maybe if he didn't open it, he could pretend it wasn't Ganondorf. He could pretend everything had been a bad dream. That it had all just been one long, unending nightmare. One that spanned lifetimes.

But it wasn't, and he couldn't, so he glanced at Zelda, who seemed to understand what he was asking. With a wave of her hand the coffin slid opened quietly, revealing the body within, and then Link was staring at the remains of the one he had hated, loved, killed.

Link let out a long breath without really meaning to, feeling a little like someone had just punched him in the stomach. All at once it was hard to breathe, his throat tight as he tried to swallow. His mouth had gone dry. When he glanced down at them his hands were quivering ever so slightly. This had been a mistake. He should have just asked Zelda to tip over the pile of dirt stood nearby and fill the grave.

Someone, probably Zelda, had tidied Ganondorf up. All the blood, dust, and sweat from the battle was gone, completely. The hole Link's sword should have left had been patched up, or maybe fixed with magic, leaving the dark fabric of the shirt unblemished. Ganondorf's hands were folded over the handle of his sword, which still glowed softly with its ethereal light, and his face was calm, eyes shut. Link could see the faint amber glow of Zelda's preservation spell hanging over the dark skin, rippling gently. Of course she would know how to cast spells like that. How many times had she been sealed up in magical crystals?

For a long moment Link just stared, taking deep breaths through his nose, willing himself to stay calm. It would have been so easy to break down, to let out the grief he was trying so hard to quell, but he didn't want to cry in front of the princesses. Or, to be more precise, in front of Zelda. He could feel her eyes on him, and he had no desire to bare his soul to her.

'Link, do you have anything to… I don't know, say? Anything you want to do?' Midna's voice drew his eyes from the grave, to find her watching him with sympathy scrawled across her face. It was strange to see how much she had changed since the curse had been broken, since her burdens had been lifted. Not just in appearance. She was softer, somehow.

When he actually processed her question he shook his head, not sure he'd actually be able to speak past the tightness in his throat even if he wanted to.

'All right, I'll say a few words.' She offered him an understanding smile, before fixing her gaze on Ganondorf. She was silent for a moment before she took a deep breath. 'Today, we gather to say farewell to Ganondorf. A friend, a brother, an enemy. His deeds in life may not have been good, and have caused unspeakable pain to many, but he also knew love, and brotherhood. Despite his crimes he should, as all living creatures should, be respected in death.'

Midna paused, glancing at Link who offered her a weak smile, all at once wondering what she thought of him, grieving the one who had caused her so much pain. Who had given Zant the power he'd needed to dethrone her and corrupt her people.

But then she reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently, and some of his sudden worries abated. Just a little.

'I ask that the goddesses of this land,' Midna continued, eyes moving back to the grave, 'Din, Nayru, and Farore, grant him some small measure of peace, so that his spirit may rest until it is called upon again. Farewell, Ganondorf, I pray your next life will go differently, and that you may be freed from your evil fate.'

Link looked away then, shading his eyes with his free hand as a few tears slipped free, biting his lower lip forcefully to stop its trembling. How dearly he wished they could all be freed from this damned cycle. He dearly he wished that one day they might actually find peace, and not have to worry about destiny, or fate. When he glanced at Zelda he thought he saw something similar in her expression; a kind of resigned bleakness, a flicker of dying hope.

'Anything to say, you two?' Midna asked, glancing between them, but they both shook their heads.

He didn't have anything to say but, on impulse, Link tugged the hat from his head, scrunching the green fabric between his fingers briefly before letting it fall onto Ganondorf's clasped hands. It was both a statement of farewell and an act of rebellion, in a way. Just imagine, the terrible King of Evil, being buried with something so integral to the Hero's identity. Maybe it would stay there, beneath the earth, and he wouldn't have to wear it next time.

'All right.' Midna's voice was soft as, with a flick of her wrist, she slid the coffin shut once more before toppling the nearby pile of earth. It slid onto the coffin lid with dull, muffled thumps which rang with a kind of finality that Link almost couldn't bear. There was a long silence as they all stared at the uneven earth, each lost in their own thoughts.

'We will leave you now, Link. Take your time.' Zelda finally stepped away from the grave, tone as impersonal as it always was. 'When you are ready, please return to my study so that we may attend to the final piece of business I called you here for.'

When she started walking away Midna hesitated for a moment, squeezing Link's hand one last time before chasing after Zelda. Link listened to their footsteps recede, and once he could no longer hear them he folded himself onto the ground, crossing his legs as he stared at the overturned dirt, now the only sign that anything was amiss.

He sat for a long time, or what felt like a long time, just staring, occasionally brushing stray tears from his eyelashes, thinking things through. The wind picked up a little, cold as it brushed against his hair in a way that felt almost unfamiliar. He'd been wearing that stupid hat for so long.

Eventually, though, he had to get up. He legs started to cramp, and he had run out of things to say to the dark earth, run out of things to think. He was tired, he felt almost numb. It was time to say goodbye, no matter how much he didn't want to. That was just the way things worked. He should have been used to people leaving, in one form or another. The world turned on, and he just had to move with it. He couldn't spend forever dwelling, stranded in the past.

At least this time he had a purpose, one way or another. He wouldn't be left to just exist, listless, haunted by things no one even knew had happened.

So he stood, brushed himself down, and turned away. Because what else was he supposed to do?

It took him a little while to find Zelda and Midna again, given that he didn't have Reid to guide him this time, but after ten minutes and three conflicting sets of directions he found himself outside a familiar plain door, which he knocked on lightly.

'Enter,' the muffled voice replied, and he did. Midna and Zelda were in the same places before; Zelda sat at the desk, Midna leaning beside her. They both watched as Link stepped through the door, their expressions freezing him where he stood. Midna looked almost forlorn, definite pain in her eyes, while even Zelda seemed troubled, her brow furrowed ever so slightly.

Why were they looking at him like that?

'Are you all right, Link?' Midna asked after a moment, not moving from her position behind the desk. He nodded slowly, worried.

Seriously, why were they looking at him like that?

'Okay.' Sighing softly Midna glanced at Zelda, who rose slowly to her feet. 'Now, onto our third and final order of business. I… have to go back to the desert, back to my realm, to make sure nothing like this can ever happen again. But I'd like you two to accompany me… will you?' Midna looked at Link imploringly, and he managed to nod even as his stomach twisted, dread seeping into his veins.

Of course this would happen. It was always going to happen. She was a princess, a queen to be, she couldn't exactly stay in Hyrule. Link had known that, of course he had, but still it seemed uncomfortably abrupt. Too sudden. Too soon.

But at least she wouldn't be lost to him for good. It wasn't like she was leaving outright. Hyrule and the Twili would need to stay in touch, to make sure things didn't repeat, surely? It was goodbye, but not forever. Link felt like he could handle that. Or, he hoped he could.

In response to his nod a familiar grin broke out across Midna's face, though it didn't seem quite as bright as he was used to. Maybe it was just her new face. Whatever it was, Link wasn't sure what was causing it, even as she held out her hands to both him and Zelda. Stepping closer they both accepted the offer, and a moment of darkness later they were submerged in the oppressive heat of the desert, squinting against the brightness of the sand and stone around them.

Beside Link Zelda took a few deep breaths, looking suddenly a little pale. Apparently she wasn't used to Midna's preferred form of transportation, if the way she wobbled was any indication.

'Are you all right, Zelda?' Midna asked, still gripping both of their hands maybe a little too tightly. It kind of hurt. Zelda nodded, swallowing before she straightened, letting out a breath as she regained her composure.

Looking away from the pair Link let his gaze fall on the mirror, on the gently humming portal behind it. The afternoon light was tinged orange, making everything glow with a warm kind of glow, the sun beginning to droop slightly. The air was as stifling as ever, and Link breathed it in slowly, suddenly almost missing his hat as the sun beat down on his exposed head. He didn't regret burying it, though. It was better than sweating and itching, after all.

'Here we are, then.' Relinquishing her grip Midna moved away, climbing the first few steps leading up to the mirror. Exchanging a glance with Zelda Link followed, coming to a halt next to the mirror as Midna summoned the strange, translucent steps to the portal. There she spun to face them, sudden melancholy on her face.

'Well, I guess this is farewell,' she said after a moment, glancing away at the portal. 'Light and shadow… really can't mix. We've all seen as much.'

'They are two sides of the same coin, Midna,' Zelda said softly, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Unnaturally tightly, Link thought. 'One cannot exist without the other.'

'But they aren't supposed to interact,' Midna replied, looking between Link and Zelda slowly. 'When they do, people get hurt. Shadow covets the light, light covets the shadows. When one gets their hands on the other bad things ensue.'

All at once her words sounded horribly final to Link, who at this point was more experienced in painful goodbyes that he'd like to be, and he shook his head adamantly, sudden fear making it hard to breathe. Still, he managed to protest, pointing out that nothing bad had happened from Midna coming to Hyrule. There was no denying that his and Ganondorf's going to the Twilight Realm had had horrible results, though.

But even so, bad people did bad things, but that was no reason to assume said bad things would always happen.

'I know, Link,' Midna said with a smile, stepping forward to clasp his face in her hands, kissing his forehead softly. The gesture surprised him, and he blinked at her in silence when she pulled away again. 'I've seen the kindness of you Hylians, and experienced it first-hand. I just think it's better to keep our two realms separate.'

What was she saying? It sounded like she didn't plan on coming back. How much more separate could they get?

Link reached out to her, trying to say something, but the words fell short as she danced away, up the glowing steps to stand before the portal.

'Thank you, both of you,' she said, and the smile she smiled wobbled just slightly. 'Link, Zelda…' she trailed off, looking away as a single tear slipped down her cheek, catching the light and sparkling too brightly. 'I- I'll see you later.'

Her farewell was almost drowned out by a sudden, splintering crack, which rang out into the quiet of the desert, startling Link. His eyes jumped from Midna onto the mirror, where he saw with a sickening jolt that a spider web of thin cracks were now spreading out across its surface. Something like that couldn't be fixed.

No, no she couldn't do this. Not now, not after everything.

She couldn't. She just couldn't.

He turned back to Midna, yells and curses and pleads all dancing on the tip of his tongue, never to be said. It was too late. The mirror was breaking, shattering, and if she didn't go now she'd be trapped in Hyrule for the rest of her life. And that couldn't happen.

Pressing his lips together tightly Link forced himself to stay where he was, the world around him blurring and swaying as tears began to burn in his eyes, his nose. A glance at Zelda told him she had known this was going to happen, though she looked no happier about it.

There was nothing they could do. It was too late.

'Goodbye,' Midna said, sounding as choked up as Link felt as her form began to shimmer, her realm calling her home. Link managed a weak, trembling smile, even as his heart felt like it was being pulled out, holding her gaze until she was gone. Until she turned to shimmering dust, vanishing into the portal just seconds before the mirror gave out, bursting into hundreds of tiny shards with a last, explosive ripple of power.

The silence that followed was filled with only the quiet sounds of shards of stone hitting the sand, and Link joined them on the ground not too long after, his legs giving up on him.

Why did everyone always leave? Why did he always let them? Why was he always left alone in the end? Was it his fault? Did he drive them away, somehow?

Why did he always end up on his own?

Putting his head in his hands Link sat, wishing the world could just disappear. Why, why, why?

It wasn't fair. It just… wasn't fair.

A soft sniff to his left prompted him to lift his head a little, where he found Zelda turned away just slightly, brushing gloved fingers against her eyes. Her shoulders shook once before she tipped her head back, breathing deeply. Link watched her until she turned to him, at which point he looked away, hearing rather than seeing her fold herself onto the stone beside him.

She might not remember things like he did, but they were the same, in the end. The survivors, the ones left behind. The ones who had to continue with their lives as if everything was all right, as if they weren't trapped in a never-ending cycle of grief and pain, bound by an endless, loathsome fate.

They sat for a long time, or at least what felt like a long time, before Link slowly climbed to his feet. Holding out a hand he helped Zelda upright, and for a moment they just stared at each other, hands still entwined.

Maybe he wasn't entirely alone. Zelda shared his burdens, in one way or another, and he had friends in the Resistance. How long that would last if they found out about his past he wasn't sure, but for now at least he supposed he had their support. He had friends, too, in Kakariko, in Ordon, in every far corner of Hyrule. They'd never understand, not entirely, not like Ganondorf, or Zelda, or Midna, but did they need to? As long as they were there, did it matter?

It wouldn't be easy, moving on from this. It never was, but maybe it wasn't all bad. He had friends, he had a job to do, he had his whole life ahead of him now. No more hero business, no more being the Goddesses' puppet. At least for a few years.

As he let Zelda's hand drop Link felt the faintest stirrings of resolve in his chest, beneath the pain and the grief and the guilt. He could do this. He could survive this. He could step forward, out of the darkness, into the light, and build a better life for himself.

He just needed to have the courage to do so.

So here we are at the end. I'm not sure quite how happy I am with it, so let me know what you thought! I'd like to say, again, thank you so much to everyone who's read, reviewed, favourited, or followed this story, it means the world. And now I'm out of things to say, so... Bookworm out, and maybe I'll see you during my next project.