I watched Ghirahim leave, unable to move. My mind raced at his anger fueled confession. He loved me. So . . . He hadn't done all these things to be cruel, but to convince me to give him a chance? Still, he was trying to cut down the idea of Zelda falling for me when he loved someone equally impossible to persuade. I needed to talk to Zelda, to find out once and for all if my efforts were in vain. But with Ghirahim in such a mood, I'll be unable to get us into our own bodies . . . How can I fix this?

I made my way back to the mansion slowly, wanting both to give Ghirahim his space, but to soon make amends as well. I finally got there and opened the door reluctantly. I still didn't know what I was going to do. Mustering my strength, I went into Ghirahim's room. He was sitting cross-legged on his bed, his back to me.

"I thought that I told you to let me alone." He said, not turning.

"I thought that I would come to apologize." I tried.

He looked at me now. He said nothing, simply met my gaze.

"Um, I'm sorry . . ." I said.

"Yes, I heard you the first time. I suppose it would be childish of me to withhold my forgiveness, so I forgive you." He sighed. "I owe you an apology as well, Link. I was being selfish."

"And I was ignorant. I didn't even pause to see your side of things. I forgive you as well. Friends?" I asked hopefully.

Ghirahim chuckled. "It's a start. Hm, I haven't eaten today, would you like me to make something?"

"I could eat."

He got up and we went to the kitchen. Ghirahim set to work on preparing food, so I sat down at the long table and waited for his return. He came out awhile later, holding a plate of fruit filled crepes. He sat down next to me and picked one up, biting off a piece. I followed his example, finding the fruity dessert to be delicious.

"I didn't tell you last time you cooked for me how great your food is, did I?" I asked.

"No I don't believe you did. I'm glad you like it, sky child."

"Why do you call me that? It would almost be like me calling you surface demon." I told him.

He stuck his tongue out at my words. "That is very unpleasant sounding, isn't it? I'll stop." He said, taking another bite of his crepe.

"Thank you. So . . . How long have you had to deal with Demise anyway? It's had to have been awhile, right?"

"Yes, a few hundred years or so. Why?"

"Well, I just thought that I might get to know you now that we're on better terms. How your life is."

"Oh, alright . . . I suppose the first while wasn't bad. Demise was simply teaching me, preparing for the time when Hylia would lock him away. He knew she would. I was happy then. The surface was fascinating and Demise took me everywhere. And then he was locked away, and I trained myself."

He paused and sighed. "It was lonely . . . And finally, finally, I started chasing the spirit maiden. And you came. I had someone to talk to. Not on good terms, but at least I wasn't alone. To think all of that would bring us here. Amazing how the world works, isn't it, Link?"

I nodded. It was still hard to see the demon lord as anything but my old enemy, but I was still capable of empathy. I couldn't imagine being alone for decades. Any contact must have been incredible, even with an enemy. Come to think of it, there were times when I would grow lonely on my journey, as Fi hardly provided a sense of companionship. She was similar to a machine. Still, I can't say that I was lonely enough to welcome Ghirahim as a person of comfort, but it certainly made seeing Zelda even those brief times, all that much sweeter. I felt sorry for Ghira.

"Yeah . . . Funny how things work. I'm surprised as well. I thought that I had killed you, so ending up living together is just . . . strange. And that you're, um, in love with me . . . That was shocking to say the least. I'm still trying to figure out my view of you . . . I still feel as though you should be my enemy, but then I prefer to be on better terms. I guess getting to know you better may help."
"And I would also like to learn of you, sky-" He broke off abruptly, looking somewhat embarrassed. "My apologies. I'll need to get used to that. But then, the question of what happens when we are in our own bodies remains. Demise will surely urge me to resurrect him. But such a task proves taxing and there will be no reward. I know how he views me. I deserve someone who truly cares for me, don't I, Link? Or is my nature really so despicable that it's impossible?" He sighed. "What is my purpose here? Nothing I have ever accomplished has been useful or appreciated. Perhaps I would be better off never having been created . . ."

Ghirahim held so many surprises. His vulnerability was almost saddening. The cocky, vain, and powerful demon lord was capable of feeling worthless, lonely, and weak. He had been speaking with his head to the side, hidden behind shaggy blonde hair. I bit my lip, deciding to take a risk. I reached out, using my index finger to tilt his head to look at me.

"Ghirahim, of course you deserve someone to care for you. And you are not worthless. I'm sure that people on Skyloft could find a use for you there. We'll figure it out. I won't let Demise hurt you again."

Ghirahim smiled weakly. "Thank you."

I smiled. "So, shall we get back to work?"

"I suppose that would be beneficial." He rose and I followed him to Lake Floria once again.