Everyone seemed to suck in a gasp, including the person that he was currently clinging to. Then all that could be heard for several minutes was birdsong. "Do you remember your name Sky Child?" He shivered. That term, 'Sky Child', sounded familiar as well, though of course he couldn't place it. He breathed heavily again, his breath quickly coming in contact with the mystery man's chest. He didn't understand what was happening or what they were talking about. He got dizzy and lightheaded for a moment but it passed quickly. He realized that he was almost a child, too weak to do things himself and it scared him almost as much as his recent running did.
"I don't remember what name means." He refused to look up, refused to look at the faces of the four other people in the clearing, afraid to see the expressions on their faces. The man he clung to answered him quite quickly, with only a small shake in his voice.
"A name is what other people call you, so that they can differentiate you from other people in conversation. Would you like to know your name?" He shook all over but after a moment or so, he nodded. "Your name is Link." He looked up quickly, noting the blond hair and pale skin.
"You know me?"
"Yes I do, as do your friends that you were running from earlier." The man nodded to them over Link's head. Link briefly considered never letting the man go, ever. Instead, Link let go and turned to the others. They all looked sad.
"Link," said the girl, stepping forward a bit. "I'm Zelda, that's my name. The white haired man is Gaepora, my father. The other one is Groose." Link nodded shakily and he felt lightheaded again because he couldn't breathe, there was no air, and things were spinning… Arms caught him as he fell.
"Remember to breathe Link. You do need to breathe." The arms set him back on his feet quite easily. Zelda's face filled with rage.
"Don't you touch him!" Link was scared again. Why was she yelling? What could he possibly have done? Link flinched.
"You stupid girl, he has amnesia, the least we can do is tolerate each other to help him." The man sounded fairly calm and Link looked at him. The man was barely looking at Zelda now, looking at him instead. He wordlessly handed Link his hat, which Link took in his hands, refusing to put on. "My name is Ghirahim." Link looked between the newly named man and Zelda.
"Are you my friend?"
"Many would call me your enemy actually." Link started. His first instinct upon immediately seeing the man was to hug him. What did that say?
"He is my best friend," said Zelda, continuing to glare at Ghirahim. "I should tell him about himself."
"I'm the only one who knows the trials he faced trying to save you girl, so I'd watch your tongue." Zelda went to open her mouth again but Gaepora laid a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement," he said, but he narrowed his eyes at Ghirahim as well. "Maybe you could help him an hour a day, seems fair for you." This interaction just caused Link to become even more confused.
"Excuse me," said Groose, stepping forward, glaring at everyone who wasn't Link. "I'm fairly certain that this is Link's decision." The red haired man laid a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry buddy, but you'll have to decide for yourself. It's your life and your memory, you got that? No one can take that away." Link nodded, smiling slightly at him. Groose, at least, seemed to be on his side, whatever side that was. Link wanted everything he had, he wanted it all back, and even if that took creating trouble for himself, he was determined to do anything that he could.
"I want all the help I can get." Groose smiled.
"That's the Link I know. I was thinking every other day with people? Then you'll have enough time with each to get their opinions and what they know about you." Ghirahim shrugged in one fluid movement.
"No, I am not okay with that," said Zelda, still looking heatedly at Ghirahim. "He is not allowed to be corrupted by him." She pointed her finger accusingly. Ghirahim opened his mouth to protest but she talked over him until they were both yelling at each other. Link hated it, hated the loudness of it all, the helpless feeling he had. Yelling out, he drew his sword and shield, separating the two that had grown inches apart.
"No more fighting!" Zelda was staring at him in shock, as were Gaepora and Groose, though Ghirahim only seemed slightly surprised. "It's my head! I want to know as much about myself as possible through all means necessary, so back off!" Ghirahim chuckled slightly, causing everyone to stare at him, Link included.
"Still got the fight in you I see." There was a caw and Link's Loftwing landed beside Ghirahim, bumping the man with his bill. "Hello there Scimitar, it is nice to see you as well." The Loftwing continued to bump into him until Ghirahim kept running his fingers through the feathers of his neck. Link smiled reflexively and he had the feeling that he had seen something similar before…
"What are you doing," screeched Zelda, breaking Link's train of thought. "You can't just be friends with Link's Loftwing."
"I am Spirit Maiden and I suggest that you stop yelling quite so loudly or you might confuse our poor friend some more." Zelda glanced quickly at Link, noting his creased eyebrows and searching look. She harrumphed but she backed down.
"We need to get back to Skyloft," said Gaepora, who kept looking at his daughter and then Ghirahim. "It'll be dark soon and then we won't be able to fly." Zelda walked off immediately, barely pausing to shoot Ghirahim one last glare and Gaepora quickly followed her. Groose looked at Link.
"I like it down here," whispered Link, marveling in the wind, and Groose cracked a smile.
"Yeah, it's pretty fantastic. Are you going to stay down here for the night?" He glanced at Ghirahim in an almost meaningful manner that Link didn't understand. "I just want to know if I should wait for your Loftwing or not." Link looked around, marveling in the play of sunlight among leaves.
"I think I might stay here," he whispered again. Groose nodded and left, looking again at Ghirahim as he left. Link sat down at the base of tree from earlier. Ghirahim and the Loftwing rested beside him.
AN: I have a plot! Whoop!