6.
[Link's POV]
The defeat of the other day was soul-crushing on my pride. Not only could I not handle Zant on my own, but I failed to protect Impa and the princess was forced to retreat. Way to go hero. Then we had a bit of luck. Lana had figured out a way to call everyone back to our time line. Midna, Agitha, Fi, Darunia and Ruto were all back. With this many allies there was no way we would lose in another battle, even if those three power-house baddies ganged up on us again. Of course we'd gotten the castle back pretty quickly, so our friends headed off to their respective places. It was almost easy to feel sorry for Ganondork, knowing there was no way he could win now. At least I thought so at first. Then later something crazy stupid happened.
[Zelda's POV]
I was sitting at my desk going through the usual documents when Impa marched into my room looking flustered. "Your highness… we need you down in the great hall. Something has come up." Impa declared. There was the strangest look on her face; something between an annoyed twitching with an amused smile. It gave me no indication of what the problem was. I headed downstairs with her, trying to get her to elaborate but she wasn't speaking.
Soon enough we made it to the top of the stairs and I stared down completely confused by the sight that greeted me. There was Lana standing in between Link and Ghirahim. The sorceress was blocking Link from hitting the demon for what appeared to be the third or fourth time judging by the bruises on him. I was still hopelessly confused. I looked to Impa, who finally explained. "Princess, this demon showed up here requesting a formal truce with you. He… wants to join us, apparently." She was chuckling, so it was hard to tell if this was serious. From below Lana shot me a look that just screamed 'help me', so it was about time I went down myself.
Lana pushed a scowling Link off to the side as I walked up to Ghirahim. The man surprised me by bowing as I came closer. He spoke first in the most formal tone I've ever heard from him, "Your highness if I may, I humbly ask for a ceasefire and possibly service within your faction."
I stared dumbfounded at first. So this was really serious? I cleared my throat and began, "Ghirahim allow me some clarity. Are you not still within Ganondorf's faction? It would be impossible to permit an enemy into our midst." The demon placed a hand on his chest offering a bright smile, "Your highness I have seen the error of my ways. I want nothing more than to put my magic at your disposal in the fight against Ganondorf. I see now that he is a tyrant and must be brought down, so I have terminated my allegiance to him. Now I have nowhere else to turn, precisely why I am begging in your court."
His tone sounded sincere enough, but there was no way I could fully trust that. At the same time, in the off chance he WAS being serious I could never turn down someone in need. This was quite a predicament. Eventually I sighed, "Very well Ghirahim. You understand that I cannot trust your word alone however. I will allow you some training with Link, and he will assess if you are serious or not. With his report back to me I will personally decide if it would be wise to permit you in our army." I heard an outraged "WHAT!?" from the same green clad warrior and more scuffling as Lana was struggling to hold him back again.
Ghirahim smiled again and bowed a second time. "Thank you your grace. I shall not disappoint you."
[Link's POV]
Whoa whoa whoa wait a minute… she said what? Link will do what now? There is no way I heard that right. He is the bad guy, a demon, and one of Ganondorf's minions! Why in the name of Hylia would he ever want to join us?! Apparently my irritation showed on my face. Lana nervously placed a hand on my chest to stop me running over there to punch the pest again. "Link calm down. The princess knows what she's doing."
"There is no way Ghirahim is serious about this. It's probably just a scheme to kidnap Zelda, or you, or any of our friends. I'm not letting that happen."
"There is no one better to watch him than you, and you don't have to grant him permission to join us. She left it up to you."
"Then he's out of here. I don't give a flying roc's feather if he says he's reformed, I'm not buying it."
"Link, please just give it a trial run for now. It will be okay if you are the one in charge of the situation. Zelda knows that, and so do I." I stopped my huffing and looked down at Lana. She was grinning at me, probably knowing she had won the argument. Ugh these girls will be the death of me. I breathed a sigh of defeat and offered a weak smile of my own. "If you think so, then I'll give it a shot. I don't have any hope for this though."
Once Zelda had given the demon-sword more instruction and sent him off, she was walking back up the stairs looking worn out and worried. I met up with her and walked down the red carpeted hall with her. Originally I had planned an argument against letting the freak in here, or putting him in my jurisdiction… but once I got up here with her I couldn't actually say any of it. Darn that love struck awkwardness of mine. It really made being angry difficult.
It was Zelda that broke the silence, "I'm sorry Link… I know I put you into a bit of a bind on this one. But there isn't much else I could do in that situation."
"I know Zelda. I don't blame you for it." I managed. She beamed up at me. I was probably imagining it, but I thought I saw her cheeks turn a bit red too.