The time had finally come; today was the day Her Grace, Hylia and the Hero were to go back to Skyloft and speak to the people. After a generally nice rest, Link woke up early, waking up Zelda not too long after.

Chapter 16: The End of Skyloft (Part 1): Getting Ready

Link was fully dressed and prepared, almost ready to leave. He gently nudged Zelda who was still in bed.

Hylia: "Hmm? Is it time to get up already?"

Link: "Yes, it's time. I got ready before waking you."

Hylia: "Hmn, I see…" she was still a little groggy but eager to get up. She could see his hair was damp.

Link: "Yes, I'm about to head up to quickly overview the situation; see if all is ready like it should be. I'm not bringing you up until I know it is. I won't be long but we're not supposed to be there till the afternoon anyways and it's still early."

"Yes, very early…" she almost complained. She sat up combing her hair with her fingers: "I might freshen up myself. After all I have yet to try this bath of yours."

"Mmm" he nodded, "You'll enjoy it… I hope."

She began collecting some things as if getting ready to bathe. He watched her.

Link: "…Do you know what you're going to say?"

Hylia: "Mmm," she sounded calm, "I have some good ideas but I could use some time to myself to prepare a little first anyways. So take your time... Yes," she took a breath, "A nice bath to gather my thoughts would be nice…"

Link: "Very well. Go ahead and take your time 'goddess-ing yourself up' then –I'll be back soon."

He went to leave but she stopped him momentarily to give him a kiss on the cheek first. He gave her one back but made sure to get a real kiss too…which started to go on a little too long… She gripped his tunic tighter.

Hylia: "Hmmn…?"

He chuckled a bit finally pushing himself away from her.

Link: "…Alright then. I'll be back."

-o-

A few hours later Link reentered the house: "Zelda?"

She came from the other room, quickly wrapping her arms around him in an embrace.

She let go to see him: "Is everything in order then?"

He finally got a good look at her – she had indeed 'goddess-ed herself up.' She was dressed in a new white gown with a golden, regal trim above the breast leaving a very visible open neck; a hemmed slit exposed her shoulders, and flowing sleeves hung down her side held strong to her arm by a deep pink ring attachment on her middle fingers. The front of her hair was tied down low with crisscrossing deep blue ribbons that hung over her shoulders covering much of her exposed neck (her hair was longer now but not as long as it could be); there was also the beautiful headdress upon her forehead on top of long bangs practically over her eyes now. She too had new white sandals instead of the pink ones. She looked very goddess-like and majestic but soft and approachable; she smelt very nice too…like flowers…

He responded slowly as he looked her over in some amazement: "I…spoke to… Everything seems fine and…all is as it's supposed to be. -Wow. Hey, I haven't seen this dress before. Is it new?"

She became a little self aware for a moment shyly enjoying the attention from him: "Ah, yes, it is. It was made to resemble what Hylia used to wear during fertility and purity rites. I suppose that's why it looks similar to the one Impa had given me…" She began to sound embarrassed, particularly concerned with what he was thinking of it as he stood there looking at her, touching his chin. "But I thought it suiting, considering…I am hoping to touch the purities in the people's hearts and…create a new surface-world, after all."

Link: "Ah, yes, and cultivate a new race, Hylia's race –I get it. -Well not a new race per say but sort of a rebirth of it, sure. Hmm… Where did you get it?" He was curious; Zelda couldn't have forged the metal parts herself after all.

She turned her head up mischievously and smiled delicately as if it was a secret: "From a friend."

Link: "A friend?"

She smiled at him kindly: "Do you like it?"

It caught him off guard a little: "-Ah," she really did look divine. It was as if being asked made him have to stop and take a breath: "Yes, of course. Its looks great, love –Err…I mean…" he suddenly thought it inappropriate to call her that –he suddenly felt like he was overly aligning himself with a goddess. "Ah… Yea." But I guess that is what heroes do on some level, don' they? He decided to take full pride in the fact now.

She suddenly looked concerned: "Is it too much?"

He chuckled: "No, it's perfect." He looked at her again feeling smitten: "You look perfect…and…those ribbons look good, your hair and…" He began to look away.

Hylia: "And what?" She was curious, worried something wasn't perfect. Things had to be perfect today of all days.

He was still looking away.

Hylia: "What's wrong with it? Is it my hair?" She sounded troubled, adjusting herself.

He looked back a little flustered: "No -It looks great! –Really."

She stepped closer: "Is the color ribbon no good? I thought it looked better then the pink I have, like…blue and white in the sky. –Oh!" she grew embarrassed, fiddling with the bundle, "Is that justtoo corny? Maybe I should redo them."

He felt a little bad for making her feel self-conscious for no reason: "No, that's not it. That's actually a really nice idea, fine symbolism." He took the bundle of her tied hair from her. "The color is good though; I think so because it matches your eyes and brings out their beauty. –Ah, but" he suddenly got self-conscious himself "also the whole clouds and sky thing."

She blushed at the rather personal complement.

He continued playing with the bundle without realizing it out of nervousness and likeness for it "-But, no, it's good, it's perfect like I said" he let go if it: "–I wouldn't lie to you –I'm not trying to patronize you here."

She was looking down at her fingers as she tapped them together bashfully yet serenely, still taken by his comment: "I know…" It was adorable.

She was realizing how suddenly nervous or smitten he was. He seemed fixed on her again. Their gaze caught each other once more.

The moment suddenly felt awkward in a sexual way. They both knew it.

He had to look away again to keep himself composed –this was just not the time for this.

As if she finally was about to uncover another secret or weakness in him, she put her hands on his face to have him look into her eyes again and came in closer to him. Her engaging scent grew stronger.

Hylia: "What else is it you're not telling me?" she so gently asked.

He tried to look away and play it off but was clearly starting to blush: "What else is what?"

Hylia: "That you notice? Hmm?" she sounded so sweet.

He didn't answer but he did look back at her and those blue eyes of hers. He gave into her. He half-grinned and his eyes looked softly back at her as if he couldn't hide the fact he was smitten with her. They looked at each other for awhile. Suddenly she was then the one trying to look away, embarrassed and smitten herself to see him look at her that way. She was only starting to get used to it. He put his gauntlet clad hands on her face just and she held hers to his to keep her gaze on him this time.

Link: "What is it?" he got out kindly, reversing the trick on her now.

She looked back, starting to look a little more vulnerable. His hands moved to her shoulders.

Link: "Well?"

Hylia: "Yes, well I…" She took back her hands and placed them near his stomach as she stood in front of him "It's just…I…" She looked down as if it was hard for her to say while looking at him like that. "I like your eyes too. I just feel safe and like all is well when you look at me like that. And…I like how you were looking at me earlier…" She blushed.

"You like it when I look at you?" he inquired with interest.

Hylia: "I guess so…" She kept blushing, too nervous to say it bluntly.

He got the hint and smirked to himself. He chuckled and as he did to lighten the mood.

He took her hands and put his forehead to hers lightly, considering the charms there: "Don't worry; I'll be keeping an eye on you today. You'll be fine."

She looked up at him: "I know." She smiled. She put her arms over his shoulders and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her back.

He felt relaxed –too relaxed, that very nice smell so strong in her hair by his nose now. He shut his eyes and took a nice whiff of it.

Link: "…You smell nice."

So that's it, huh? – She would need to remember he liked that. She pulled away to see him again; she smiled: "Its chamomile and a little lavender. I used them in my bath –which was very nice by the way. But, we're all out of most of them now… I'll need to collect some more."

Link: "You used all those flowers? We had a huge jar of them."

She looked down coyly.

He walked over to check the large jar out of curiosity. It was empty. He chuckled, taking a seat finally: "-So you pretty much just bathed in a big cup of hot tea. You realize that right?" He chuckled again not too bothered by it –he found it a funny idea.

She followed him over: "Well, I suppose you could say that… It was very soothing though. I had a lot of time to think…" She stood next to him; her tone of voice began to change: "And thinking about it…there is just enough room for two people in there…so you'll have to join me next time. I will just have to show you how good it feels." She leaned down closer to him.

Link: "Oh? Not that I want to smell like chamomile but I don't think I could deny that. At least we'll have something tasty to drink while we're in there -That chamomile tea you make is pretty good." He chuckled.

Her voice was that of a temptress: "I was more thinking we could have some of that wine you like, and I could set up a few candles so we can see under the moonlight." She walked around to the back of him putting her hands on his shoulders, leaning her face down closer to his. One of her sweet smelling hair bundles hung on him: "I could give you a nice backrub and cleaning…" She licked his ear. He fidgeted a little; she could tell he liked it. "Then maybe we could actually get washed up afterwards…" She giggled seductively by his ear, nuzzling up next to him. Her hands slid down the front of his chest very purposefully.

He fidgeted again, getting worked up now: "Um, well..." He was starting to picture it and the idea sounded too good. "I suppose I could go for that…"

"Hmmm..?" She whispered by his ear and giggled again, licking the back of it once again with more finesse. "Good." He let out a breath starting to blush now – she had just learned that maybe the ear was a soft spot. She giggled again, rubbing and nuzzling up to him more passionately.

He couldn't take it. He stood up, gently coxing her off him.

Ah, damn it, he thought to himself semi-wishing he could take that bath with her right now -or even when they got back from Skyloft -or earlier, anytime earlier they could have! But he wasn't that type of guy, nor was she just a woman. Sounds like it would be worth the wait though…she seemed to have quite a filthy mind and a yearning for him…as tough as a wait that might feel like.

He swallowed hard and wiped his face: "Alright, yea… I know you like to tease me but… This isn't the time for that 'miss purity'."

She didn't look shocked but encouraged: "Don't forget fertility."

Link: "Ugh" he adjusted his collar trying to cool down. "And I've given plenty blood sacrifice, yes. But I need a minute –give me a minute." He leaned his hand against the wall to catch a breath and compose himself.

She giggled at him. Soon enough the blush subsided. She kept giggling though.

He gave her a look, semi not appreciating being laughed at: "…Alright…" But he knew the reasons were good.

He took a fresh breath: "Alright," he looked at her again. "Is there anything else you need to do before we go?"

Hylia: "All has been done."

He gave her that look again: "…Okay…" But he worried he might have forgotten something.

Link: "–And oh, yes, I needed to tell you. Pipit and Karane have taken the high guard apparently to protect you. Meaning, they will be your personal guards' so-to-say. Karane is going to heed air guard and Pipit will maintain ground guard if needed –It will be low key to not draw attention to you but they'll be able to call in support quickly if needed. I didn't get to talk to them but that's what I was told. They are the ones we are to expect to greet us and stay with us when we get there."

She sounded happy: "Really? So that means Karane really made it in the air guard? –That's great! It's been too long since I got to see her..."

Link: "Yea. I thought you might like that -being able to see her before everything happens today. Let her know it's still you under all this goddess," he joked.

She giggled as if with mannerism: "As well as I know it's still her under all that expertise knight-ship of hers I suppose."

Link: "So then nothing at all has changed with either of you?" he joked, but he did know it to be true now.

Hylia: "Probably not. But it's going to be nice to be able to see everyone and Skyloft for one last time." She began to sound reminiscent.

Link: "Hopefully the 'everyone' won't be for one last time though right?"

She looked sad at that realization: "…We will do what we must."

He nodded.

Link: "Then I guess I should get ready."

She watched as he retrieved the last of his gear tucked away in the room closet and brought them out. He put them on, strap by closure. He was now getting equipped with Heroic gear (gold pauldrons with red cape) and all.

Hylia: "You know I still can't get over that gear though; there's something about it…" She looked like she was thinking.

Link: "Huh?" He fashioned the last belt into place, ready to go now. "What about it?"

Hylia: "Just, I… It looks familiar somehow… Hmm…" She couldn't place it though. She waved her hands as if to forget it, "It's no matter. We should get going."

Link: "Right."

They walked outside together looking for a good spot to call their birds.

Link: "You sure you're ready?"

She smiled graciously and calmly looking into the sky: "I am sure."

He nodded.

He readied to call his bird and so did she but he stopped her.

Hylia: "Huh?"

Link: "No, you're coming with me on my bird," he whistled. "I'm not letting you out of my sight or away from my side unless I need to fight… And if I do need to you are to stay with Pipit and Karane. That's what they'll be there for."

She nodded; she understood. She would obey him completely this time.

And soon enough the two of them were in flight on their way back to Skyloft.