She screamed. The feelings she's had, the dreams, all too real. She couldn't move, only to drop the basket, with fruits now bouncing everywhere . She was too shocked in the moment to do anything. Even if Ghirahim certainly knew what he was doing.
"Remember me?" He said too fond of himself. "Of course you do. Who wouldn`t?"
"No…no. No!" She screamed. He allowed the Kikwis he hid behind him to run away.
"Yes, yes. It`s me. I know, you're so excited. You can't contain it, but you must. I don't need a squirmy passenger." He lifted his hand, in control of her. She lifted in sync with his hand, and came into his arms.
"NO! LET ME GO!" She wiggled in his grasp, punching him with her elbows.
"Ow! Stupid kid!" He snapped his fingers, and the two escaped to the pit of the Sealed Grounds.
"LINK! I NEED YOU!" Screaming, Ghirahim put her back on the ground.
"Shush, child. I need you for this." She looked at him in disbelief as he placed his hand on her lips.
"What do you mean? There is nothing you can do! Your 'master' isn't here anymore. How did you even get out?" She murmured.
"I had my ways…it wasn't easy. That's all you need to know. I don't need my Master anymore. He was weak, and spineless, but I need you."
"What do you mean?! I'm not doing anything with you! Please stop! Let me go!" He looked in her eyes, shocked.
"Why do you think I'm going to free you? I just want what my Master did. I want…"
"No! You're not going to get it." She interrupted, and backed away slowly. He started to get frustrated and walked near her, trying to get her to calm herself. Right before he could catch her, she began to run. She didn't know if she was going to get there, but she ran back to the house, to Link. Inside of the Temple was the first place she went, and right up the stairs outside of it. Link bumped into her on the way, and the two stumbled to the ground. Rubbing his head, Link asked, "Was it you who screamed? You scared me! What happened?"
"Ghirahim…he's back. He…he got me."
"What?!" Link panicked, not liking what he was hearing. Behind him, Ghirahim transported with a smirk on his face.
"Oh look who's here. The more the merrier. Your Highness, why'd you run off like that? Bad girl." He shunned her, and she hid behind Link, who was glad to defend her.
"Get away, Ghirahim. Now." He demanded, and raised his small wooden sword.
"For now, I guess. But I have plans; none of which include failing." He snapped his fingers, warping elsewhere. Link looked around, and turned to Zelda. She grabbed him.
"Are you okay? D-did he…um… do anything?" He asked, worried, scratching the back of his head.
"No, I'm fine. You came in time. …That was…really strange. I don't…understand."
"I think we need to check on the Master Sword." She nodded in agreement, and they slowly walked in the Sealed Temple together. Zelda was in a rush when she last came by here so she didn't notice if everything was as it should be. They arrived inside it and saw the Sword still in its place.
"Wh-What?" Everything was so confusing all of a sudden and she was exhausted. She felt sick again, and was going to faint.
"Z-Zelda. Are you okay? You're turning pale." He warned, and Zelda noticed he was looking at her.
"Not really…I'm scared."
"Me too." They stayed quiet for a second before Link sighed. He looked kind of upset, and she felt nervous all of a sudden.
"What are you thinking…?" She asked fearfully.
"I don't know what's going on here, to be honest. I really don't wan- I don't know but I…I think it's best if you go back to Skyloft."
"What? What about Ghirahim? We can't leave him here alone! Who knows what he would do when we–!"
"No, Zelda. You don't have to worry about that. I'll stay here, and figure out what's happening. You'll be a lot safer up there then you are here." He interrupted.
"Link! No! I'm not leaving you alone! It's way too dangerous for you!" She insisted.
"But if I let you stay here, he might take you. The world needs you safe. We can't risk that." She didn't know how to respond to that. She couldn't risk anything…was she really going to leave Link alone?
"But Link…" Her eyes began to water, and she couldn't hold back the tears. "What if he gets to you?"
"I'll be fine." Warm tears started to roll down his cheek also, at sight of her crying. "I promise."
She pulled him in for a hug, as he put his arms tightly against her hair, and she reached up to his shoulders. "I guess this is good-bye …for now." They didn't let go because neither really wanted to.
"I'll be back. Don't worry about me." He said, finally pulling away. She had to get back as soon as possible.
"I…I'm sorry, Link. Come back soon, okay?"
"I know, but don't be sorry. No part of this is your fault."
She nodded, and he walked her outside.
The bird blew the wind in their faces, and their hairs brushed aside. She looked back and gestured to the seat.
She tried to climb on, but he came up from behind and pushed her up softly. She turned to him, and smiled. "Thanks." He came up next, and rode behind her. She steered with his arms around her waist. He has never done that before when riding a loftwing, even if wouldn't admit she liked it. The feeling of riding was the same, although all she could think about was never seeing him again. She knew he'd be safe. He was too strong to be defeated, but she was afraid of him never coming back to Skyloft. What if he thought it would be dangerous for him to ever leave or her to never come to the surface? Never seeing her best friend felt like something was tearing her apart. All she could do was trust his promise.
They stopped at the top of the Knight Academy, and Link hopped off first. He reached his hand out, to match with Zelda's and safely jump off. She gave him that 'thank you' look of hers, and he smiled in return. He rushed in front, and pulled the door open for her to come inside. "Thanks again!" She laughed, trying to be happy. Inside, her heart was breaking, at thought of them being apart again. At thought of her leaving him, in danger. She knew she had too, without much of an option. Before her, her father came up the stairs, with delight of her visit. "Father!" She ran over to him, and squished him with her hug. "I've missed you so much!"
"Oh Zelda. I've missed you much as well. What brings you back to Skyloft? I imagine everything's at its best, no?" With a grin from ear to ear, he still looked concern towards his daughter, and her friend's safety.
She grunted quietly, looking at the ground in disappointment. "No, father, it's not. I'm…I'm coming back to Skyloft."
"But dear, that's great news!" He shouted, shocked, with his arms in the air.
"Yes, I guess…if Link were staying too." She said quietly.
"What? Why can't he stay with us? Is everything alright on the Surface?"
"Uh…no. There has been a very terrible thing that's happened. A very bad man has come back and his plans aren't…good. I guess I don't know how to explain it well. Anyways, the point is, Link has to stay down there and protect the land. I can't stay in case they'll take me for what I am, or was." She frowned.
"I think I understand. It's okay darling, Link is a very strong lad. He will be back before we know it." He tried to convince her.
"I know…it's just that…"
"You wish he didn't have to. I know." He finished.
Link was talking to Pipit, explaining the situation to his fellow curious knight. Zelda's father called out to him, and Link went over to him in a hurry.
"Yes sir?" He asked politely.
"My daughter is very upset over you leaving again." Link looked over at her. She lightly blushed, but he smiled. "I know you're in a rush to go back, but would you mind to stay for one last night? It would make her a lot more comfortable, and you would be well rested and fed for your journey tomorrow."
Link didn't know if he should, considering it wasn't a thing to take your time with. Although, if it made her feel better, he felt like he needed to, considering he'd be gone for a while. "Of course." He replied in satisfaction.
"Thank you. You can head out whenever you feel like." He went back to his room, and Zelda and Link were left alone.
"I'm sorry." He apologized to her.
"Why? It's my fault."
"No it's not. I'm forcing you to come back. I need to, to make sure you're safe."
"I…I know."
The silence between them lasted a minute or so, before broken by the dinner bell. "C'mon, let's go eat." He reached out his hand, and she layered hers above it, walking to the kitchen together. Groose, his buddies, Fledge, Pipit and Karane were all there.
"Whoa! Hey, you two." Groose noticed first. He ran up and hugged the two of them tightly.
"Haha! Ow!" Link complained, playfully.
"Oh sorry, I'm just excited to see you two! How's it been?"
"It…it's okay. I'm coming back to Skyloft…!" She tried to sound excited, but Link noticed the pain in her eyes.
"No way! That's great!" Karane squealed.
"How about you, Link?" Groose asked. Pipit gestured to him, not to say anything, but it was too late.
"Uh…no. I'm gonna…I'm gonna stay on the surface for a while longer. I'll be back though."
The plates arrived, and everyone went back to their seats, with a wave of murmur around the students. Their bowls were filled pumpkin stew, with bread on the side. Zelda really didn't feel like talking, and Link didn't make her. He would still look at her sometimes, to see if she was okay. Dinner finished quickly, and Zelda went back to her room, ignoring everybody. Link ran after her, following her inside her room.
"Ze…" She was lying on her bed, softly crying into her flower pillow. "Zelda…" He kneeled next to head, peeking above the bed at her. "Come on."
"No." She whimpered.
He brushed the blonde hair away from her face, and leaned in closer to her. "I'm still here. We're still together, remember?"
"Not for long." She turned her head to the wall.
"I'll be back. I'll be fine, I'll make sure."
She sniffled a little, and turned to face him. "Promise?"
"I promise. Don't worry."
His light fingertips brushed against her clear face. She positioned her head further into his palms, soothingly.
"I…I'll miss you." She said.
"I'll miss you too." She stood up, and came next to him on the floor.
She wrapped her arms around him again, and he lied on her fuzzy carpet. She went on his chest, closing her eyes. He pulled her head underneath his. "I can't believe we won't be together, again."
He rubbed her face with his rugged brown gloves. "Me neither."
