Ages:

Link- 15

Midna- 16

Pipit and Ghirahim- 17

This would be the last large time jump we have.

Ghirahim sighed dramatically as he swung to the horse's strides. "I hate patrol duty," he groaned to his companion.

The female chuckled, "One nice thing is that it is very quiet."

Ghirahim looked at Rahzel, "It is nice to have some alone time." He leaned closer to her and she playfully pushed him back with that annoyed look that he knew was fake. "How about we stop and eat lunch?" Ghirahim asked.

Rahzel shrugged and dismounted. Ghirahim followed and snapped his fingers. A basket appeared and Ghirahim pulled out a blanket. Rahzel took it from him and spread it on the ground as Ghirahim set out the food that the cooks prepared earlier in the day. Ghirahim sat down and Rahzel lowered herself gracefully.

The two spoke casually which they only did when no one else was around. "Can you believe that my father thinks we should start raising taxes? The normal citizen can barely make ends meet now." Ghirahim complained as he normally did about his father.

"That may be, but soldiers must be paid and weapons made," Rahzel said with a sigh. " We should be prepared for the worst. Things with Demise have been calm. Too calm."

Ghirahim nodded in agreement, "He must be planning something."

"I heard that your mother is on the mend," Rahzel said with a smile.

Ghirahim nodded, "I'm very grateful. I was afraid I was going to lose her." His guard placed her hand on his and gave a smile. He placed his other hand on her cheek and she leaned into his touch. Ghirahim thought that he might have been wrong about patrol duty. It was the only time that Rahzel and he could see each other in a different light. Ghirahim leaned forward to kiss the young knight. She met him halfway and wrapped her arms around his neck as he pulled her close.

The two separated and Rahzel curled into his lap. He idly stroked her hair catching its floral scent. They sat like this content for several minutes. "We probably should head back before they look for us," Rahzel finally said. Ghirahim was disappointed, but agreed.

The two untied their horses when a tree beside them exploded sending splinters everywhere. Ghirahim couldn't hold onto the reigns of his steed as the beast escaped. He turned to see that Rahzel's horse had also fled without her. The girl had a determined look, her blade already unsheathed.

A shriek filled the air and the knight pulled at the noble. "Run," she shouted turning to back to the city. More screams filled the air as Boboklins burst from the trees. Rahzel slashed at many of them as Ghirahim used his diamond projectiles to keep a healthy distance.

The young noble balked as a flaming arrow flew beside his head. Ghirahim put up a barrier which was quickly broken by a wind blade. A blade sliced through his side causing him to yelp. Rahzel was instantly by his side putting herself in a protective position. She prevented any other bokoblins from reaching him and Ghirahim kept most at a safe distance to her.

Soon all the clearing was full of corpses with only Ghirahim and his guard standing. He panted and gave the girl a smile which she returned. She straightened quickly and pushed him aside. The young noble watch as a dark spell hit her straight in the chest. "Rahzel," he shouted as she staggered.

Rahzel regained her balance and pulled Ghirahim to the north. "Rahzel, home is the other way," he said as she pulled him.

She kept one hand cradling her ribs. "We can't go back. Don't you see? This is Demise's army. He is going to destroy us," she panted still pulling the noble.

"I think you're over.." Ghirahim started before being interrupted by the sound of shattering branches. He looked around himself as a verifiable army burst from the treeline. Ghirahim now motivated picked up the pace to match hers. The noble casted barrier spell keeping the army away. A weight landed on his shoulders pulling him down. Ghirahim found himself looking at a red creature salivating on him. The creature was removed and impaled by a silver sword. Rahzel turned away from the monster and to him. She held out her hand to pick him up. He reached out and grabbed it. The girl gasped as a dripping red sword poked out of her side. Ghirahim snapped his fingers and the unseen foe burst into a bloody mess.

The noble was on his feet, catching the falling knight. "Don't worry, you'll be fine," he said to her trying to convince himself. He held her in his arms as he continued to run through the forest. The noble tried to ignore the blood and pain from his previous wound.

"You need to leave me," came a soft voice. Ghirahim looked down at the girl in his arms. He didn't vocally answer but shook his head violently. The girl looked so pale having lost so much blood. "Go to your Hylian friends. I will be fine until you return," she continued. Ghirahim continued to ignore her. "I can heal myself and will be fine until you bring them to help."

Ghirahim shook his head, but stumbled at the sudden pain in his thigh. He landed partially on Rahzel. He pushed himself to his feet and staggered slightly. He picked up Rahzel and continued to head north. "Your friend will help us, but you won't make it there if you carry me," Rahzel said. Although Ghirahim wanted to deny it, he knew that it was the truth. The noble looked for a safe place. A hollow tree caught his eye and Ghirahim rushed to it.

He put Rahzel into the tree's hollow. "I'll be back, I promise," Ghirahim said quickly as he stroked her hair. He gave her a kiss on the forehead before running on his previous path. He tried not to look back because if he did, he would go back to his friend.

He shook his head trying to rid all the negative thoughts that threatened to consume his mind. He instead focused on each of his footsteps as they jarred his injuries. The trees that lined his path thinned into a clearing.

Ghirahim skidded to a stop as he saw the silhouette of many creatures. The young noble took a step back as he recognized the center being: Demise. The large king stood with a satisfied smile on his face. Ghirahim could only pondered this smile for a moment before he was tackled from behind. He spat out the dirt that entered his mouth when he landed face-first. He lifted his face to look at Demise who knelt to reach closer to his level. "You'll be coming with me, Princeling," Demise said in a voice that made Ghiarhim shudder.

LOZ-LOZ-LOZ-

Link paced back and forth on the stone gatehouse of Hylia's castle. Both Pipit and he had started serving as knight as soon as they returned. Link didn't see his older brother often and it sadden him. He was fortunate, however, to get in contact with Ghirahim. The blonde shook his head in amusement at the thought of the other teen. The white-haired noble would write letters about this girl he had a crush on. Link wanted to meet the two and hoped albeit guiltily that something will happen for all the kingdoms to meet again. "Intruder approaching, "a voice of Link's fellow guard called.

The blonde Hylian look out to the open field to see a figure lurch back and forth slowly approaching the gatehouse. Link looked to the guard that called the alarm. The other Hylian drew back on his bow. Link held his hand out causing the other to lower the weapon. Link climbed down the stairs and out of the gatehouse. He ran out to the figure that was still stumbling to the castle.

As Link neared, he could see that the figure was a teenage girl with white hair and pale skin. She looked like a similar being to Ghirahim. "Help," she croaked as she fell forward. Link caught her before she landed in the grass.

The young knight looked over his shoulder as more soldiers came. "Tell the infirmary that we will need them," Link ordered as he lifted the girl to a more comfortable position. One of the men ran ahead as Link carried the girl to the medics.

As soon as he entered the white room, the girl was forcefully pulled from his arms and hurried away. Link found a nearby chair and waited. The appearance of the injured girl nagged at the back of his mind; something was wrong with their former allies."Excuse me?" a female voice asked. Link looked up at the nurse and nodded his head. "She insists on speaking with you, Link."

The blonde stood immediately and followed the nurse. The girl was laying on a bed, all the medical personnel were standing afar whispering to each other. The grave atmosphere told the blonde Hylian that the patient wasn't expected to survive. Link swallowed deeply as he neared the bed.

Red eyes searched his face. "You're Link?" the being on the bed asked wispily.

Link nodded and added, "Rahzel?" The girl nodded limply. Now Link's heart sank to his stomach. If the girl was in this state, what happened to Ghirahim.

"Is Ghirahim here?" came a soft question. Link shook his head negative. The girl's face turned to shock. "I told him to come here," she said softly closing her eyes.

"What happened?" Link asked concern. The girl opened her eyes again.

She looked at him tiredly. "Demise," came the singular word. Link looked up at the nurse and she nodded undoubtfully hurrying to tell Hylia of the attack on their allies.

Link looked back at Rahzel who had closed her eyes once again. "Hey, don't worry, you'll be alright," Link said putting a hand on hers.

Red eyes opened again, "I'm not worried about myself. I'm worried about Ghirahim."

Link softened his eyes, "We'll look for him too. He is my friend." The girl nodded before closing her eyes again. The blonde Hylian rose from his place beside her and went to the medics that hovered in the corner. "Will she be okay?" he asked.

The oldest Hylian stepped forward, "If it was just the stab wound, yes, but it appears that she was cursed. She won't make it through the night." Link lowered his head and looked back at the sleeping girl.

The door to the infirmary opened and in walked Hylia, Ganondorf, and Simeon. "What happened?" the blonde goddess asked.

"It appears that Ghirahim and his guard were attacked by Demise," Link answered.

Hylia's eyes widened before turning to the older males. "Simeon and Ganon, go and inspect this. Can she speak?" Hylia asked. Link nodded and his ruler walked to the injured girl. She shook the younger slightly. The blonde woman leaned forward and nodded. She walked back to the group. "She said that they were in the forest of Mordinia when they were attacked about a mile north of the river Nivera."

Ganondorf and Simeon needed anymore instruction and hurried out of the door. Link watched his father leave and couldn't help but get a bad feeling. He gave a bow to his ruler before hurrying to find Pipit to tell him the news.

He found the brunette Hylian at the kitchens trying to flirt with one of the cooks. "Pipit," Link called. His brother turned to him.

"What is wrong?" the elder asked seeing the worry on the younger's face.

"Dad is going to Ghirahim's land to see what attacked him," Link answered, "I'm worried about him." Pipit nodded his head and headed to the door. "Where you going?" Link asked.

Pipit turned once before leaving, "I'm going to prove myself. Take care of my shifts while I'm gone." Link tried to dissuade his brother, but found himself speaking to the door.

"Be safe," Link mumbled and prayed to the goddesses that his family would return.