If he were being honest with himself, Link had been a bit worried about fighting in his hometown. It would be distracting, to be surrounded by such familiar settings, might pull his attention away at a crucial moment. He realized quickly that wasn't the case, however. Things did grab his attention, yes, but only for the briefest of moments, in the background of the fighting. It did more to increase his anger and determination than to distract him. The sight of the lovingly built shelves, carelessly plundered, the cat bed trampled in a corner… they served only to increase his fire and strength.

Zelda stayed mostly at his back, as there wasn't exactly a lot of room to move about anyways. From the look of things, a lot of the soldiers outside had withdrawn into the building as the Zoras rose up in response to his wolfsong, because they seemed to just keep pouring from the stairs leading up to Sera and Hanch's apartment. He hoped that Ganondorf and Midna were having better luck than they were.

.oOo.

Link and Zelda had better hurry up with that general, Midna thought to herself, as she used a massive glowing fist to knock a group of soldiers into Ordon's main river. Right here, Hylian forces were doing fine, with the fresh Zora contingent demolishing anyone who got near the riverbanks. All she and the Ordonan hunters in the trees has to do was harry the Holodrum soldiers enough to make them flee towards the water. However, that wasn't the case everywhere. Ordona's sense of the surrounding region was invaluable, but a bit depressing in this particular case.

The streams were still going strong, even water a few inches deep was enough to rejuvenate the Zoras. They had debated briefly with infusing the streams with light magic as the spring was, but decided the boon to their opponents would be more detrimental than any help for their own small number of fighters. Unfortunately, the streams were the only place where their people were consistently winning. More often than not, Hylian forces were forced to withdraw to the streams, or dying where they fought.

Ganondorf's contingent of mostly Gerudo warriors was doing well, she noted. Unfortunately, Ganon was too large to be truly effective in the forest, but even Ganondorf's eight foot, armor clad self was a behemoth most warriors did anything to avoid fighting directly. They were carving a steady, if slow path through the forest, dividing the Holodrum army and leaving archers with occasional Twili mage support to keep them that way. Still… by no exaggeration could they be said to be winning. Midna's thoughts were grim as she darted forwards, bodily picking up a soldier who was getting too close to little Colin, and threw him into the river.

The boy was doing well, eerily well. He reminded her much of Link as he moved, a small shield strapped to one arm, the Master Sword gleaming in his grasp. She worried some, at such a young child dealing such death, but she suspected the Sword was shielding his mind somewhat. There was something in his face, an old, strangely calm presence that was entirely unlike the cheerful, gentle child who had helped her nurse Link back to health. And she had to face the facts- she certainly needed every warrior she could get.

.oOo.

"Link, get down, cover your eyes." The words were whispered in his ear, light enough that he wasn't entirely sure he'd heard them. That didn't stop him from dropping to his knees instantly, shield raised up over his head as he squeezed his eyes shut. He felt the flare of magic, tingling and pure against his skin, and the resulting flash of light bright enough to be seen even through closed eyelids. Screams and shouts erupted around them, and the moment the light dimmed away, Link sprang to his feet to resume fighting.

Zelda stood to his side, swaying slightly but with colour already returning to her feet. Around them, nearly every soldier was reeling, clutching at eyes burned and blinded by whatever Zelda had just done. He lunged to take advantage of their disorientation, cutting through them now with effortless ease. He heard the princess start to move moments later, screams and gurgles erupting as her slender blade made quick work of the stunned soldiers. He was finally at the stairs, working his way up with Zelda guarding him from behind as the occasional solder fought his way past the horses outside into the building.

Finally, he reached the top of the landing, and realized how quiet it was becoming outside. There was the occasional scream or clash of weapons, but a glance out the window proved that the Zoras had cleared out most of the village. Heart lifting, he turned into the main room, Zelda nudging him to go check the sleeping chambers for any would-be ambushers. He heard her clear voice, rather colder than usual, ring out.

"As Queen of Hyrule, I herby inform you that you are trespassing on Hylian lands. You can surrender or die." He didn't hear the immediate response, being too busy with a pair of soldiers that sprang on him as he entered the room, but the clash of steel was answer enough. He dispatched the two of them with no more than a graze to one shin, and re-entered the room just in time to see Zelda loosing an arrow. The general had ran as his bodyguard kept Zelda busy, but her arrow punched through his backplate, and the tip protruded bloody from his chestplate as he toppled down the stairs. "Coward," she spat, stalking after him to make sure he was down.

"Nice shot," Link commented as he followed her down the staircase, wondering in the back of his mind how they were ever going to get the store cleaned out again, or if they would just tear it down and build again.

"Idiot cared more about gilded armor than decent ironwork," she said dryly. She'd only had time to half-draw, and hadn't expected to do more than trip him up going down the stairs. Shaking her hair back, she concentrated, glowing slightly as she set the spell. When she spoke next, her voice reverberated oddly, and by leaning out the window, Link could hear it echoing across the forest.

"Attention Holodrum forces! Your general is dead. Surrender, and captives will be treated fairly. Continue to fight, and you'll be killed." He waited until the glow had faded, and then walked back towards her, fingers lightly caressing her cheek. "And now we wait," she said, leaning softly against his hand.

.oOo.

The announcement was loud and clear across all of Ordon. Hylian forces breathed a sigh of relief, and in places, pockets of Holodrum soldiers did indeed throw down their weapons. Twili transported them all away to Twilight holding areas, but it was almost immediately apparent that they weren't standing down. And Midna couldn't blame them. One didn't have to see the entire battlefield to know how badly outnumbered they were. Even without their ranking general, they still had an excellent chance of demolishing not only Hyrule's fighting force, but all three of their regents as well.

Even Ganondorf was struggling, out of Ordonan farmers to back up their charge. He and the Gerudo had been forced to dig in, mostly surrounded. They weren't in immediate danger, but they were hardly going anywhere either. Midna sent a nudge to Zelda, showing her where Ganondorf was pinned down. The two of them ought to be able to break his group free.

She sent similar nudges throughout the forest, pushing a Zora contingent here, prompting a withdrawal of archers there.

.oOo.

Epona followed Svartur through the forest, overjoyed to have Link clinging to her back again. Even without a saddle, he felt right, perched lightly on her back. She was tired, far more tired than she wanted to admit, and her chest had started to ache again where the bone and flesh had been shattered by a sword strike. That wasn't going to stop her though, she was determined. Although faintly confused by Zelda riding on that stallion, and Link's awkward explanation that they were going to SAVE Ganondorf rather than kill him, she was as willing as ever to help him in whatever he was doing.

Link bent low over her neck as she pushed through a thick patch of willow, peering ahead at Zelda. He saw her straighten up and fire an arrow, and then they were leaping over a gully, right into a group of soldiers. Clinging tight with his knees and shield hand, Link drew his sword, slicing a soldier as Epona sideswiped him.

As Svartur pranced protectively in front of the knot of Gerudo, lashing out with lethal accuracy at anyone who came close, Zelda slid to the ground. Two of the women on the ground were beyond help, but a touch of her magic had Shikoru up on her feet, and what she suspected might be the last two living Hylian Knights. Naboru sprang up to take her place, kneeing Svartur into the melee, curving in the opposite direction of Link and Epona.

"I take it they decided not to bother surrendering?" Zelda called out, kneeling behind a rotting log as she nocked an arrow to her bow.

"Why would they? They know we're outnumbered," Ganondorf growled in return, the glowing white blade slashing in a vicious arc. "With you, Link, and the horses, we'll be able to mop up this group… but I doubt most of our forces are doing so well."

.oOo.

His words echoed in Midna's mind, and she saw with a sinking stomach that he was right. Hylian forces were outnumbered in most places, and reinforcements weren't going to get to most of them before being overwhelmed. It was a pity Ordona wasn't a more active force…

Oh.

Everything seemed to stand still for Midna as an idea blossomed in her mind, half of her mind, half of Ordona's. The spirit seemed regretful, although she sensed it was for her sake rather than his own. You would no longer be mortal.

That is no bad thing.

Mortals always say that, Princess of Twilight. They do not realize what true immortality means.

She sensed what he meant, more feelings and images than words. No body. Tethered to Ordon even more than she already was. Connected to life in the farming province, yes, but in a vast, general way. It meant giving up Link, although she knew that would happen now anyway.

My people?

Unaffected. Decide, Princess of Twilight. Much life hovers on the edge of extinguishment.

Yes.

.oOo.

Throughout the forest, time slowed. Swords seemed to be moving through treacle, gravity seemed to let go. Everything seemed to pull for a moment, towards the healing spring for those who knew where it was. And then, all at once, the forest was bright as high noon, although the angle was all wrong.

Link looked up, and could faintly see stars in the night sky, but the forest itself was aglow with light that seemed more spirit than sun. Epona quivered under him, too courageous and exhausted to bolt, but disturbed by the eeriness of it. The sound of strange hoofbeats echoed through the trees, coming closer, and he turned to look behind him.

Midna was streaking through the trees… at least his first glance said it was Midna. She had surpassed even her own alien grace, though, legs elongated and strange, a crest of horns rising and trailing behind her. The hoofbeats were coming from her, strange because of two legs rather than four, and echoing deafeningly through the forest.

While Link might not know what he was looking at, Zelda knew exactly what had happened. The near-god rushing through the trees was Midna, yes, but equal parts Ordona. She reached out with a slender, glowing hand, translucent fingers brushing across the face of a Holodrum soldier. He staggered and fell, crumpling into rich earth and rusted armor, and Midna moved on. Zelda could feel this was happening everywhere, Ordona's omnipresence truly combined with Midna's drive, and she was demolishing the Holodrum armies.

Within seconds, the screaming started, and within a minute, the forest was silent again, the light fading to a more natural pre-dawn glow. The Hylian forces seemed stunned, understandably so. "What… what just happened?" Naboru asked, a cut above one eye streaking blood down her cheek.

"Midna just won the battle," Zelda said quietly, her voice loud in the silence of the forest. "It's over."

By the time they reached the trampled Ordon Village, most of the soldiers and farmers had gathered, all seeking answers. Zelda murmured a few words to the Twili standing to the side, and they nodded, disappearing for a moment. Seconds later, the understandably terrified Holodrum prisoners were huddled by the creek, guarded by Zoras on one side, and Twili mages on the other. She noted that the sky was light enough now for them to see her, and she stood up on Epona's haunches for good measure, one hand lightly on Link's shoulder to help her balance.

"What you have just witnessed was Ordona's will made manifest," she called, barely needing magic to project her voice across the hushed village. She could see farmers and soldiers in the trees, coming down into the clearing. "What your leaders failed to inform you of is that the gods favor Hyrule. You survive by my will and theirs." Even the barest murmurs were dead silent now. "You have two choices. You may return to Holodrum and spread news of what has transpired here, or you will be taken as Hylian serfs. After five years of service, you will be granted full rights as citizens of Hyrule."

There were murmurs of dissent behind her, but she quelled them with a glance. Generous, perhaps, but there was no denying they could use the workers. A lot of damage had been done, and there weren't going to be enough people to take in the harvest for winter, let alone rebuild all that had been destroyed.

"Kneel, or walk. And know that Ordona will watch you until you are out of our lands." With perfect timing, Midna's glowing, horned form coalesced on the north side of the village, fifteen feet tall and looking not quite murderous.

As she suspected, most of the soldiers dropped to their knees, only a handful turning and breaking for the south edge of the village. At a gesture from her, the farmers parted sullenly to let them past. She slid down onto her rump, leaning tiredly against Link, who reached back to stroke her thigh encouragingly.

Much to her relief, the Twili and Zoras were taking charge of the prisoners again. The sunlight was just starting to crest on the treetops, and she groaned as she realized there would be no time for sleep yet, not until nightfall at least. Quiet at first, then louder as more people caught on, cheers started, although there was a decided hint of melancholy to them. It might be a victory, and an unexpected one at that, but they had lost so very much obtaining it.

Aware of eyes on her, she looked up to see Midna turning her head and shrinking to a more normal size as she melted through the trees. Ganondorf looked at her as he was walking a tired Svartur towards the prisoners being bound in strings, and waved for her and Link to go. "Come on. We'd better to speak with Midna," she urged him, and he wheeled Epona around to head back into the forest.

The mare was all too glad to enter the healing springs, barely waiting until Link and Zelda dismounted before laying right down in the pleasantly warm water.

Midna was there, and it was disquieting to see how much she'd changed. Link's heart sank as he took in her new appearance. There was no doubt she was one of the Light Spirits now, translucent and glowing like sunlight on water. Ordona's great horns rose in a crest from her head, trailing behind her in a way that would be impossible for a physical neck to support. Her legs were elongated, ending in cloven hooves, and all hints of cloaking shadows or piebald skin were gone, all shimmering light and silhouette now. "Hello, Link." she said, and her voice was still the same as he remembered it.

"Hey, Midna," he said shyly, sinking down to sit against Epona's flank with Zelda beside him.

.oOo.

Midsummer dawned hot and clear, and Castletown was busy at daybreak. Everyone in the city worked early in the morning and late in the evening, to avoid the unseasonably warm temperatures. Link, and every farmer in Hyrule and Ordon, was overjoyed by the baking sun and perfect sprinkles of rain that happened overnight. The remaining farms were looking to have a record-breaking crop, which meant that none of them would be going hungry this winter as had been feared.

The only people who stayed fully active in the baking heat were the Gerudo still in the capital. Ganondorf was overseeing the rebuilding of the Knights of Hyrule, encouraging the training of every man or woman who applied. He was assisted by Shikoru and Naboru, both of whom weren't letting the first signs of pregnancy keep them from running new recruits into the ground with training.

Link spent as much time as possible in the fields surrounding Castletown, helping the farmers there and enduring good-natured teasing about when the Queen was going to get her fertile fields plowed. They had decided against any formal kind of a ceremony, as there wasn't one written for three and Ganondorf refused to be left out. There certainly wasn't any money in the treasury to pay for one if they decided to hold one anyway.

Zelda was possibly the busiest of the three, often taking Svartur out to oversee the integration of Holodrum serfs into Hylian society. There was a lot of ill will, but even two months later, people were relaxing some of the bitterness from the war. Life did go on, after all, and the prisoners were eager to prove themselves.

Link looked forwards to the winter. Not because he was tired of the work, he suspected he'd rather miss the simple, hard labor of farming when Zelda threw him headlong into being a regent. But the fact that she'd be there at his side would make it all worth it.

Author's Note: Too long of a wait, I know. I'd like to say thank you all SO much for your support of this story. It has been an entertaining, frustrating endeavor on my part, developing so far from what it was ever intended to be.

For those of you who don't want it to be over, it is worth noting that I have a collection of side stories titled Endgame Plus over on adultfanfiction. There isn't much plot, which is why it's over there and not here. Want to see what happens if Link and Zelda take Midna up on her offer to kill Ganondorf? Just want some more steamy scenes? Have any other suggestions? Endgame Plus is your deal.

(Remove the spaces.)

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