Zelda stuff

[amethyst73]

The boss of the Lakebed Temple wasn't really all that bad.  (Or maybe I'm getting better at staying cool.)  After defeating it and grabbing the third and final piece of Fused Shadow and exiting the dungeon, we got to see Zant (=Ganondorf), the King of Darkness.  (Or Evil, or something.)  He sneered at Midna attempting to use 'old magic' to defeat him, knocking away the pieces of shadow.  No more pieces of shadow!  Sad sad! 

Sadder, is that he somehow used the lake spirit to injure Midna rather badly.  (He also turned Link back into a wolf - hrmph.)  At Midna's request, went to see Zelda.  I'm not certain what she did: might have given up her own life force; the huz thinks she transferred the Triforce to Midna to save Midna's life.  Anyway, no more Zelda at the moment.  And the castle now strongly resembles the Glass Pyramid at the Louvre.  I expect to see art on the walls when I get inside.

I am pleased and astonished again at how good the writing is.  Midna was obviously really affected by Zelda's sacrifice, and talked about how she hadn't asked for and hadn't wanted the gift Zelda gave.  Midna is a great deal quieter and more introverted than she used to be, and chatters to herself less when we're running around together.  She also seems less energetic, though that could be from having been so close to death.

I've found the Sacred Grove.  Now that I know where it is, I'm going to take care of a few things as a wolf before entering.  I disposed of the twilight spirits on the bridge beyond Kakariko Village, and activated the Howling Stone near the fishing hole.   I plan to go poe-hunting (I know where several poes are) and talk to the bird at Lake Hylia who's too snooty to talk to humans.  Then it'll be off to the Master Sword!