Zelda's POV
"Come on, Link! We found your loftwing and now its time for you to go and join the race!" I drag Link's arm towards the south of Skyloft, his loftwing flying in the same direction above our heads. We stop by the tower and I can see my father and the instructors standing by all of the loftwings. Link's loftwing lands right beside my father, his expression joyful as he sees all of the contestants finally there, ready to start the race.
"Thanks again for helping me find my loftwing," says Link. I look up at him to see him smiling down at me.
I return the smile before continuing to walk towards my father. "It's no problem. Now you need to go and win this race, Link!" I pat the side of his shoulder and see him run off, turning around to wave as he heads towards his crimson loftwing.
Thoughts of Link keep running through my head, both positive and negative. I hope Link wins this race.
…..
I run towards the edge of Skyloft with all the speed I have, ready to leap off the island and onto my loftwing. Link had just won the race and I couldn't wait to congratulate him. As soon as I am about to leap off though, I see Link flying towards the Island.
"Hey Link!" I yell, trying to get his attention. I see his head snap towards my direction, his grin widening. "Catch me!"
I run towards the edge of Skyloft, leaping off at a quick pace, and before I know it, I am being caught by Link's loftwing, landing on the soft, feathery back. I lift myself slightly and sit up, wrapping my arms around Link's back.
"I told you I would do okay," he says, turning his head slightly so he's facing me.
"I'm happy you won," is all I reply with.
"Want to fly around for a little more before we go finish the ceremony?" He asks.
I nod my head in response. "They can wait."
He smiles, turning his face back forwards, patting his loftwing on the head. His loftwing soars upwards to a higher altitude, and I look down to gaze at the beautiful sight that is Skyloft from this distance.
"You can see everything from up here, isn't it great?" I say. Link smiles in response, turning his head to look down at Skyloft.
I see all the places that Link and I always hang out at. The town centre in the middle, the pumpkin patches, and the academy stand out the most, the bright colours being illuminated by the golden rays from the setting sun.
"There's your dad waving to us," begins Link, "we should probably head back and continue the ceremony."
With that, Link lowers his grip on his loftwing, making us tilt downwards towards Skyloft.
…..
"I can't believe you pushed me off the ledge!" yelled Link. All I did was laugh in response, focused on my loftwing beneath me. The ceremony had ended, and during, I had given Link the shawl that was chosen gift, letting him now descend from his loftwing without landing whenever he wants to. We had decided to go for another ride around Skyloft, this time with no one waiting up for us; we had all the time in the world.
"I mean, what else did you think I was going to do?" I ask, amused.
I see Link smile from the corner of my eye, and I wonder what thoughts are going through his head. I think over what I did and I now realise, what if he thought I was going to kiss him? I turn to see him looking at me, and all I can do is smile in return, turning my gaze forward again.
We fly next to each other, silent, for the next minute.
"Hey Zelda," begins Link.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for pushing me to practice. I know it seems like I was annoyed when you did, but trust me, I really appreciate it."
"It's really nothing, Link, I wanted to make sure that you would win." His smile widens at that. I really want to tell Link that one of the reasons I wanted him to win is because I like him, but I don't know how to phrase it.
"Hey Link?" I begin, hoping for some confidence for my next words.
"Yeah?"
I take a deep breath, readying myself for what his reaction might be. "There's something that I want to tell you."
"What is– Zelda! Watch out!" I turn and look behind me and see a huge tornado, heading straight towards us. I am tossed off my loftwing, the last audible thing being Link yelling my name as I fall into oblivion.
…..
"Zelda?" I turn around and see Impa looking at me, one eyebrow raised in question.
"Oh, sorry, I was just lost in thought," I reply. I look around at my surroundings. In my thoughts I was back in Skyloft, with Link, with my loftwing, and with my father. But, my reality is in the Lanayru desert, away from all of the things I love in my life.
"Zelda, we're very close to being able to use this to travel back in time, you need to be able to focus once we can." I nod my head in response. I turn my head and see my harp laying on the ground. I decide to pick it up and play it a little. I start strumming the strings, a quiet melody being created.
Impa turns her dead towards me, stopping her work for a few seconds. "That's a nice song, where did you learn it?"
"My father always played it to me when I was a child. He called it Zelda's Lullaby," I say. Impa lowers her head and closes her eyes for a few moments.
"You must miss him very much," she opens her eyes and smiles at me, "but do not worry, you will be able to see him, hopefully sometime soon."
"I hope so too, Impa."
"Anyways, this thing should be good to use, we should be able to travel back in time smoothly with no problem." Impa walks down the steps towards me and takes my hand in hers. "Are you ready?"
I think about the fact that maybe if we stayed here longer, Link might catch up to us, but I nod my head regardless. "Yes."
"Good, let's go then."
I start to follow Impa, but as soon as I am about to take one step up the stairs, I hear a voice, a very familiar voice calling my name.
"Zelda!" I turn around and see Link, standing on the opposite side of the gap that is too large to bring us together.
"Link!" I yell back, "you made it!"
"I did!" He says. He moves closer to the gap between us, and I follow, moving closer as well.
"I'm so happy that I finally–." I am not able to finish my sentence, as the gap in between us explodes, sending shards of rock everywhere. I am thrown backwards, hitting the steps. I hear Impa call out my name before I open my eyes and see her standing beside me.
"Are you alright, Zelda?" She asks.
All I can do is nod my head as she brings me to my feet. I cough from the amount of dust around me, and attempt to see through the huge cloud.
"Trying to escape, Princess?" I look up and see Ghirahim, floating above the large cloud of dust. I instantly try to back up but am stopped by the steps behind me.
"You can't stop us, Ghirahim, not now. The portal is working, and soon you won't be able to get to us," replies Impa.
"Oh, isn't that cute? You think I won't be able to get to you," he says mockingly. He floats down closer towards me. "Princess, anywhere Link goes, I will go too."
He hits the ground, and walks up towards me, Impa protectively moves in between me and him. "Which means, there's no stopping me."
"So far I've stopped you plenty of times, Ghirahim," yells Link. I try to look past Ghirahim, and see that the cloud of dust has dissipated, and Link stands unharmed on the other end.
Ghirahim turns his head around to face Link. "I want to hear you say that once the final battle comes. You're just a human, you can't get any stronger than you are now."
"I can get plenty stronger, you're underestimating my ability," replies Link.
Ghirahim fully turns his body towards Link, smirking at his remark.
With Ghirahim no longer having his attention on me, now facing Link, I toss my harp into the air towards Link, hoping it would reach him. "Link! Catch!" I yell.
Ghirahim turns his head for a split second before he notices the harp, trying to catch it himself, leaping from the ground. With my attention on Link, I feel a tug on my arm.
"Zelda! We must escape!" I am pulled towards the portal by Impa, and right before I am pulled through, I see Link holding the harp, but Ghirahim approaching him angrily.
All I can do is hope my harp brings him some help.
