A/N:hello everyone and Happy Valentine's day
Link looked at the happily cheering people. They were chanting his name. But he couldn't join in, he saw the bloodshed that was left in the wake of the battle on the hill. The demons had stopped sparing the lives of the Hylians and Sheikah that opposed them. The cold bodies on the hill were evidence enough that the course of the war had change and Link wasn't sure if he was willing to follow the path.
"Link, I sense that you are grieving," Fi's monotone voice said as she floated in front of him. "Is it about the woman, Karane?"
Link thought back to Karane and how they found her on the hill. "That's just one of the many deaths on my hands," he answered.
"Link, I may not have regained all my emotions, but I do understand your grief. When my sister died, I felt responsible for her death. I was the one who went to Hylia. I thought if I didn't offer my soul for Her Grace's blade then she would have lived," the sword maiden said. Link watched the spirit and almost see tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "But I understand now that Hylia was right. The demons are heartless beings and needed to be separated from the rest of us."
Link pulled the sword spirit to him in a hug. "Thank you, Fi, for your support."
"It is my pleasure, Link," Fi answered as the hero released her. The sword spirit looked back to observe the dancing Hyrulians.
The hero thought of what Fi had said, but wondered briefly if she was right. She said that the demons were heartless beings, but Link distinctly remembered the way they treated him. The two servants gave him a wide berth, but they didn't harm or mock him in any way. They accepted his presence, just like they accepted Rahzel's. This led Link to remember the way that Ghirahim held the woman so gently. If they were truly heartless, the noble wouldn't have cared that the woman had nearly died. Of course, this was the noble that laughed at other's pain. Honestly, all of them confused him.
"Link, we should head back to Castle Town and refortify our walls," Groose said interrupting the hero's thoughts. The hero and king nodded and followed the taller Skyloftian.
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Midna watched Rahzel walk past her. "Hey, no hello. I just led an army and took another city and I get the silent treatment," Midna shouted as she followed the Hylian.
Rahzel turned to face the Twili, "Sorry, Midna. There's a lot on my mind." The woman gave the Twili a fake smile, "I should be getting ready for that ball Ghirahim planned, so I'll talk to you later." The Hylian took off before Midna could say another word.
The young Twili pouted. "Fine, I'll see you later," she shouted. She huffed to herself.
"Are you feeling well, Lady Midna?" Ghirahim's voice asked. The Twili fought the urge to gag at the sight of him.
"I was feeling perfectly fine until you showed up," Midna said putting her hands on her hips. "What did you do to Rahzel?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," the noble said lowering his head. "I'm concerned for her. She went into shock at the battle and has been acting weird since."
Midna sighed, these two and their issues. "Well, why don't you ask her. And don't take no for an answer."
Ghirahim looked over the Twili, "she doesn't talk to me like she talks to you. I think she is avoiding me."
Midna groaned in frustration, "I was going to let Rahzel tell you, but apparently she's spineless." Ghirahim glared at the comment. "She loves you, you idiot. She just wants what she thinks is best for you. So you should set her straight. Sheeesh." Ghirahim stood with a confused look on his face as if trying to take it in. "You can't tell me that you didn't know that? She made it obvious enough. Why else would she do all that she did for you? She could have left you to die on the Surface, I would have." Midna shook her head.
"I'll speak with you later Midna," Ghirahim said nearly running over the Twili as he ran down the hall.
The Twili rolled her eyes, "You're welcome." She gave the empty hallway a smile before continuing her business.
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Ghirahim was absolutely nervous. His plan could very well backfire on him. He looked at his subject's as they were either eating the refreshments or dancing on the floor. The door opened to reveal both Midna and Rahzel. Midna was in a lovely blue beaded gown while Rahzel wore a red gown. The pair walked over to the noble and gave him a curtsey.
"Hello Rahzel and Midna," Ghirahim greeted with a bow of his head. "Rahzel before you run off again, may I have a dance?"
She rose her eyebrows, "You may." The woman held out her hand and Ghirahim led her to the dance floor. They went into the proper dance posture easily.
"We are doing very well in this war," Ghirahim started knowing that the woman would rather speak about something impersonal.
"I suppose we are," She answered as Ghirahim spun her.
"Midna, Zant, and the other generals seem to think that the Hylians would surrender soon. We have defeated them on many battlefields," Ghirahim continued.
"Could we speak of something else," Rahzel said with a cringe, "We've talked about this war for the longest time."
Ghirahim nodded and thought of what to speak about, "Have you ever been to a ball before?"
"We had a dance every year at the academy," Rahzel started, "But I normally didn't dance. I went to enjoy the music."
"I know you didn't dance. I was obvious enough when I was trying to teach you," Ghirahim said and instantly regretted it. While the woman normally would just tease him back, she was currently very depressed.
"So that's what you were trying to teach me. I wouldn't call that dancing," Rahzel said a sneaky grin pulling at the corners of her mouth. "So how about you? I never heard anything about how you grew up."
"That's because I don't remember much of my life before I came to live with Demise," Ghirahim answered with a shrug before spinning the woman again. "And now in hindsight, my life with Demise wasn't the greatest."
Rahzel lowered her gaze, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up." She grew silent for a moment and Ghirahim thought he lost every chance of conversation. "When I was very young, I used to fly as close to the Cloud Barrier as Pearl, my loftwing, would go. I always wanted to see what was beneath it."
Ghirahim smiled at her change of topic, "Do you like what you saw?"
Rahzel smiled, a true smile, "Yes. I wouldn't change my life for anything." Ghirahim watched as whatever darkness that clung to the woman evaporated. The song ended and Ghirahim spun the woman away before lifting the woman's hand to his lips. He let them linger for a moment before he lifted his gaze to Rahzel's. The noble released his hold.
He looked around the room and took a deep breath. It is now or never. "If I may have your attention," Ghirahim called out and watched as a hundred pairs of eyes turned to him. "I have an important message to share with everyone. As you know, I have had the opportunity to see many different suitors." All the audience seemed to listen more intently. "I have come to a decision," Ghirahim said with a lift of his head. The noble turned to Rahzel before getting on one knee. A simple velvet box appeared in his outstretched hand. "Rahzel, would you give me the honor of having your hand in marriage?" Ghirahim looked up at the woman who looked as if she was going to go back into shock.
Everything seem to freeze as he searched the woman's face for any sign. The woman nodded, her head bobbing uncertainly. She placed her hands over her mouth, but her wide smile could still be seen. Tears were welling up in her eyes. Ghirahim opened the box so the diamond embedded band could be seen. He reached out for her hand and she gave it to him. Ghirahim slipped the ring onto the woman's slender finger. He got back onto his feet. With a smile he grabbed her jaw and pulled her face to his.
It was a chaste kiss, but they remained close afterwards. "Why did you do that?" she asked without any malice, "I was trying to separate myself from you." Tears continued to stream down her face. "Are you sure of this?" she asked softly.
"More than anything else I've done," Ghirahim answered.