Turning tail and running was the last thing Midna expected from the demon. While she longed to summon a trident and impale Dark Link from behind, she was forced to content herself with simply imagining it, given the company. After doing so, she turned around and walked back toward the fountain. “That was unfortunate. I am grateful that the demon fled and no-one else is hurt.” Her voice had lost its steely, tranquil fury, and she seemed to be at ease once more. Her confidence helped the remaining people to overcome their trepidation. With the intruder gone, a few of the skittish townsfolk returned from the fringes of the plaza. Along with them came a new arrival to the scene, a massive, swarthy man that struck Midna as a true warrior. Rather than floating up into the air once more, Midna -figuring that the Hylians had enough of magical displays for the time- lounged casually on the fountains edge. “Let us hope there are no more such surprises.”

That, however, didn't seem to be the case. Before the Twilight Princess could continue to speak, a tunic-clad figure rounded the corner of a nearby general shop and came barreling into the square. For a moment Midna was alarmed, but the leaf-green of the young man's clothes made her reconsider. After a moment she realized that she stood before the real deal, even more perfect than the myths described. Her lips parted slightly, and she was at a loss for words. Swiftly, though, her mind caught up with her. As much as she wanted to talk to Link, she knew she would have waited until later even if the encounter with his doppelganger hadn't left a bad taste in her mouth.

Somehow, it didn't surprise her when he, too, questioned her motivations. It seemed oddly appropriate, come to think of it; in all the legends, the hero of time had defended Zelda. Though opposition by combat and opposition politically were very different, Midna supposed it was the same case here. [i]Does that make me...his enemy?[/i] She watched him sharply. [i]He is shorter than I expected. Shorter than I.[/i]

A new voice, resonating with masculine baritone, swept away her reply. The 'true warrior' she had marked only moments before now spoke. Her yellow eyes narrowed to behold his visage. Something about him seemed oddly familiar, though not out of prior association. In fact, she felt as if she had seen him somewhere before. It came as a surprise to hear this man openly and unabashedly declare his support for her. Her mind raced to come up with words appropriate for such an unexpected circumstance.

“And I, uh, warmly thank you. Sir! You need not bow before me...just yet, at least. Allow me to make myself no longer a stranger to you.” While she sounded elated, she subtly failed to return to him any gesture of respect. Her voice rose as she began to explain.

“I hail from a land called the Twilight Realm. Sound familiar? No? Well, if you were to look east, west, south, and north, for all your years, you would not find it. It lies on another world, one perpetually shrouded in the half-light of dusk and dawn. It is a beautiful land, in its own way, but it is a lonely place without the life and variety of Hyrule. My father is King Mizorant, but his kingship is one quite different from the one imposed on this land. You see, my father is the proud leader of a system of government called an Elective Monarchy. Every few years, the Twili -my people- gather. Competitors to the throne, from all walks of life, appear to challenge his position. How do these competitors do battle? With words and deeds. Each strives to prove that he or she is more worthy of ruling than the next, and to their favored competitor each Twili gives a voice. The one with the most voices becomes the new ruler. As such, to stay in power, the ruler must make certain that they maintain the favor of the people. The boundary between noble and commoner shrinks, and the Twili and their King share the same will. That is what is called Elective Monarchy. My proposition is this: I give to you, and every citizen of Hyrule, a voice. I will strive to win your hearts, and if you deem me worthy of ruling, I shall strive to be the greatest ruler Hyrule has known. And should you choose Zelda? She is yours, and the consequences of her rule, yours also. Questions, please!”