My Immortal Link

Link sighed. He had tried everything to forget about Midna, but the more he tried to forget, the more he remembered, and the more he remembered, the sadder he became. Ilia stared at him across the ranch field, then started towards him.
"Link," she began as she approached. She sat down beside him. "Please tell me what's bothering you. I don't know if I can fix it, but I can try."
Link turned away. "No, you can't."
"I can help." She put her hand on his arm, but he pushed it off.
"Nothing can help me now," he replied coldly.
"Come now," Ilia protested, "there's gotta be something. We can do."
Link gripped the sides of his head as it began to throb. He felt tears come to his eyes. "I have to go!" he cried as he ran off.
Ilia stared after him with sad eyes.

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Link ran through town, past the annoyingly friendly villagers and past his house. Tears began to spill and he fought for breath, his sides heaving. He ran into the Ordon Spring and collapsed. He let out a wail of loss and sadness.
"Midna!" he cried, sobbing.
He gripped the sand underwater and felt it sink inbetween his fingers. It had only been a week since Midna left, but it seemed like a torturous eternity. His dropping tears caused ripples in the pool, which caused him to feel worse. He felt weak; it wasn't like him to break down.
"I can't help it," he told himself.
He flopped on his back, causing waves. He hit the water with his fists, only to have waves engulf his head. He sputtered, spitting out water.
'At least no one will notice I've been crying,' he thought.
He eventually got up and went back to his house, shoulders sagging. The children awaited him, but he ignored them.
When he reached the top of the ladder, he saw Colin waiting for him.
"Link, what's the matter?" he asked.
"I don't wanna talk about it."
"You sure?"
Link was getting annoyed.
"Yes, Colin! I'm sure!" he snapped.
Colin looked down. "Oh. Sorry."
Link felt a stab of regret. He knelt down beside Colin and put his hand on his shoulder. "I'll tell you when I go inside."
Colin nodded calmly and followed Link inside.
"Hey, how come Colin gets attention?!" called Talo.
Link winced. "I have something teach him," he said, without looking back.
"That's no fair," Talo mumbled, but he didn't protest.
Link sat down heavily on the couch. Colin sat in the chair opposite, looking at Link expectantly.
Link let out a heavy sigh. "I met a girl named Midna on my journey," he began. "When I first met her, she was a feisty imp. I knew she was different from other girls; she was special. I was going to fall in love with her, I just didn't know it yet."

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"Wow," Colin breathed as Link finished his story. "That was an amazing story. So THAT'S why you've been acting strange lately." Colin shoulders sank. "I can't imagine losing someone that important to me."
"Neither could I, until I met Midna. She was truly lovely in her true form. It was love, not lust."
"Ilia really likes you, you know," Colin ventured.
Link let out a long sigh. "I know. I could never love her back, but she doesn't know it."
"That's too bad," Colin sighed too.
"You don't blame me, do you?" Link's blue eyes glittered with concern.
"Of course not. You love who you love. Why can't you get her back?"
"Because she's trapped in an alternate dimension with no way of getting back," Link explained.
"Oh."
"I have all these reminders of her..." Link felt himself begin to tear up again. "But..." He paused to sniffle. "But I can't help missing her. I know you're supposed to go on but I can't!" he sobbed. "You have no idea what it's like; being reminded of someone everywhere you go! We went everywhere together! Now, I can't let her go. I could never! I can't even go to Hyrule Field anymore..."
"Why not?"
"Her Fused Shadow is there."
Colin could barely take his hero being in so much pain. He felt it in his heart, and he began to cry too. He was deeply moved.
"L.. Link," Colin whimpered. "You can't go anywhere without reminders of her. Where all did you go together?"
"All across Hyrule." Link sniffled again. "We had wonderful adventures."
"You've even been here with her?" Colin asked.
"Yes, even to Ordon."
"You really did go everywhere together."
Link nodded. Colin noticed for the first time the hollow look in Link's eyes. There was a splash of hunger, and pools of loss and sadness. Without thinking, Colin hugged Link around the waist, burying his face in Link's clothes.
Link jumped at first but then wrapped his arms around Colin as he sobbed. He could feel the small boy shaking with the effort, but he refused to let go. Then he looked up, tears still rolling down his face.
"We go to Hyrule Field tomorrow."
"Why?" Link asked.
"I need to see the remnants of the one who is causing you so much pain."
"I refuse to let you go."
"Fine, then I'll go alone!"
"Colin!"
"I will!"
Link saw from the burning determination in Colin's eyes that he meant it.
Link sighed in defeat. "Alright. I'll take you."

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Link swept Colin up onto Epona, then began to ride out. His horse's hooves clopped against the wood of the bridge in a realzing rhythm, which soothed Link's nerves a bit. Colin clung tightly to Link's back as he kicked Epona for a temporary boost of speed. The scenery flew by as they went. Soon, they reached the Hyrule field outside Kakariko Village. Link slowed Epona down as they searched for the Fused Shadow.
Link got off Epona and helped Colin. They surveyed the field, then paused a moment.
"You go that way, and I'll go this way." Link pointed in opposite directions. "Holler if you need anything."
"Okay, Link."
After looking for a while, Link heard Colin cry out.
"Link, over here!"
Link led Epona over with him to where Colin was standing.
"What is it?"
"Look. Is that it?"
Colin pointed to something that appeared to be made of stone. Link gripped his head and fought tears as memories came flooding back to him.
"That's it, isn't it?"
Link nodded.
Colin approached it slowly and cautiously, not moving very fast. He stroked the shattered pieces.
"Where are you now, Midna?" he whispered.