Chapter 2: Planning

Zelda tiredly walked into the kitchen to grab some breakfast before going to wake up Link. It had been a few days since his last nightmare. She grabbed a warm biscuit from the table and took a bite before walking down the hall to knock on Link's door. When no answer came, she opened the door, expecting to find Link snoozing in his bed.

He was gone.

She blinked. He was up and out before she was. How strange, she mused. Zelda didn't even have her boots on yet. She still wore her purple nightgown as she stood outside of Link's empty room. Link was already out of the academy for the day. Usually it was the other way around.

She took another bite out of her biscuit and walked to Fledge's door. When he answered that he wasn't sure where Link was, she shoved the rest of her biscuit in her mouth and hopped up the steps to change in her room. Link had been acting quiet—even for his usual self—awkward towards her ever since his nightmare the other night. She hoped he hadn't been scared mentally from it. Her anxiety increased as she worried about what he could possibly be doing this early in the morning.

Outside the academy, now dressed in her usual pink dress, Zelda scanned the grounds until she spotted Link talking to Pipit near the town center. She smiled and began jogging over to meet with them. Pipit seemed to notice her coming and then Link turned his head to look. Zelda waved at him. He gave her a weird smile and then suddenly sprinted off the dock and flew off into the sunlit clouds upon his Loftwing.

Zelda stopped jogging near Pipit. "What was that about? He couldn't even say good morning?"

Pipit chuckled. "Well, good morning, Zelda! He just has an errand to run. Don't mind him." When Zelda looked at him skeptically he then said, "He'll be back soon. He had to run to the surface for something." Zelda nodded and whistled for her dear Loftwing to land. She sat down and began grooming its feathers under the shadow of the nearby tower.

It wasn't like he needed to tell her where he was all the time. He wasn't her boyfriend, technically. But ever since their adventure she knew things had changed. It was like they were a couple but neither of them had said anything about it or even attempted a kiss or anything too romantic. They both felt a little uneasy when they weren't together. They rarely parted ever since the Goddess's mission ended. It was, quite honestly, awkward. Zelda knew Link was still recovering over the shock of losing her, which probably resulted in his recent clinginess to her. But now that he had left her again, although briefly, for the first time since his quest, she felt strange.

Zelda gently stroked the blue feathers of her Loftwing. No, it wasn't a fear that he would never come back like some of the irrational fears that Link now occasionally suffered from. She always knew he would return. But it felt like she was missing a part of her when he was absent. Her right hand man was missing. She knew he'd be back shortly, but she still felt her heart ache for his presence.

Ever since the Goddess's mission started, her emotions had been flying all over the place like a crazed bird. She was happy to be safe, grieving over the loss of Impa, excited about discovering the surface, concerned about Link's health, fighting her own nightmares, and now loving every second she got to spend in Hyrule with her best friend. She thought she was dealing with these emotions relatively well but she was more always concerned about her best friend. Some things never change, she thought. She sighed loudly.

"You okay?" She jumped as someone asked. She hadn't realized Pipit was still in the town center, watching her fuss over her bird. Pipit had noticed her grimacing face. He was polishing his sword on one of the nearby benches. Zelda eyed it and wondered if the sword had ever seen serious combat.

"Oh! Yes, I'm fine Pipit. Don't worry," Zelda gifted him with a grin, which he returned with a slightly unsure look. "Really, I am doing well. It's Link who I'm always worried about." She lowered her voice, "He's been acting a bit strange for the past few days and now he has run off without telling me where he is going!"

Pipit smirked. "You speak of him like he's your husband of many years." Zelda flushed and Pipit laughed. "Only kidding, Zelda." A breeze trickled through his short brown hair as his face turned more serious. "I know you have reason to be concerned. You know, we've all been worried about you guys since you returned… If you ever need to talk, my ears are always available. So are Karane's." He sheathed his sword and stood.

Zelda nodded, "Thanks Pipit."

Pipit bowed. "I have to go practice sparring with Fledge now. Be easy on Link," he said with a twinkle in his eye and another mysterious smirk.

Zelda waved and then continued grooming her bird. What was that look for? She was beginning to believe everyone was hiding something from her. First Link's odd behavior, now Pipit giving him smirks—a behavior very unlike his usual chivalrous self—who else would treat her strangely today?

Was there something wrong with her? Had she really changed since acquiring Hylia's memories? Were her friends not accepting her anymore?

She took a deep breath. No, everything is fine. I need to clear my head, she thought and jumped on the back of her beloved Loftwing. "Come on, friend, we're going out for a quick flight." The Loftwing chirped in delight as it stretched its wings and, with a powerful down stroke, rose into the warm morning sky.

Link landed on the soft soil of Hyrule with a thump. He glanced up to see the proud Goddess Statue overlooking him and then turned to see the Sealed Temple that was to his right. It was still standing sturdily.

He knew the Master Sword, where Fi slept, was hidden behind the secure doors. Smiling solemnly at the doors, he began to walk from his landing spot. He missed Fi. She was a nice companion to have during his quest and she became a powerful sword along the way. Currently he was carrying a new sword that the senior academy students received after graduating. It was a good sword and fit him well, but it was nothing like the Master Sword's perfection in his hands.

Down the hill in front of him were a few Skyloftians that were in the beginning stages of planning a small community around the temple. Link spotted Groose looking over a plan for the community with some of the elders of Skyloft. The traveling Goron who Link had met on his quest was also present; He was conversing excitedly with the people who came down from the sky.

Link caught Groose's eye and waved him over. Link grinned at how strange it felt to have his former bully as a friend. "How are you doing, hero?" Groose asked, leaving the elders to speak with Link alone.

"I'm fine, but I need your viewpoint on an idea I have." Link said.

Groose raised an eyebrow at this and smoothed his cherished pompadour. "Well, shoot it at me then," he said, cracking his neck.

Link closed his eyes and nervously took a deep breath. The past few days were filled with daydreaming about marrying Zelda and how he could propose. It had even caused him a few awkward moments and for him to stay quiet in fear of spilling the birdseeds to her. But right now he needed to get Groose to comply with his decision. He had no idea how Groose would react.

"I'm going to propose to Zelda."

Groose only stared at him. After several seconds under his blank, yellow gaze, Link braced himself for impact.

"Yep. Okay. And… what else? You want my help thinking of a way to do it?" he responded, apparently unfazed.

Link was shocked. "You mean…. You're perfectly okay with this?!"

Groose smiled in his weird way. "Link, I knew you wanted to be with Zelda more than I ever did the first time I saw you take down the imprisoned demon. You deserve a wonderful girl like her. There are plenty of other birds in the air for me." He folded his arms and snickered. "I myself am surprised at how willingly I gave up on her after seeing your heroic deeds. I guess my time with Granny made me realize that there are bigger things for me out there to do before I worry about finding a wife. You, on the other hand, have done your work and deserve to settle down."

Link felt like he was about to fall over. This seriousness was coming from Groose. Groose of all people! "Well… um. Thanks. I'm glad I have your approval."

"Have you gotten her father's approval?"

Link blinked. "Not yet. That's the next thing on my list."

Groose grinned. "That's an important thing to get before you start making any elaborate plans." He lightly punched Link's shoulder. "Well, lover boy, if you want help scheming, I suppose I can lend a hand."

Link's eyes glinted in the light. "Pipit already agreed to help me as well. I'll get back to you soon to talk. Until then, I have to prepare some other things." Groose nodded, and Link bid him good-bye for the moment. He then went to find a Bird Statue to return to Skyloft.

Zelda's Loftwing circled the Lumpy Pumpkin until it landed softly in the grass in order to allow its rider to dismount. Zelda thanked her bird, entered the eating establishment, and inhaled the relaxing scent of pumpkin. She found Karane seated at a table and decided to join her. "Hey Karane."

Karane looked up from the book about the surface that she had borrowed. "Hey Zel! Just reading about the surface…er… Hyrule. I have to get used to calling it by its new name."

Zelda smiled. She was so excited that other people were finally taking interest in and even moving to the new world she had dreamed about for so long.

"I plan to move down there when the town is built," explained Karane. "I haven't visited it yet. Gotta finish up my final sparring exams for the academy first." Kina then approached and asked what Zelda wanted to eat.

"It's beautiful down there," Zelda said after ordering. "I plan on living near the Goddess statue to make sure the Triforce is always guarded."

Karane smiled warmly. "You know, everyone looks to you when they seek knowledge about the surface and the Triforce. You've really become a leader among us." Her eyes lit up. "You can like, be the Queen of Hyrule!"

Zelda shook her head shyly. "I couldn't reign over a kingdom! I mean… I have a vast knowledge thanks to Hylia… but I'm so young! Besides, I'm not even married. I would have to be a Princess," she added, smiling.

Karane leaned back in her chair and giggled. "Princess Zelda. I like the sound of it. I think I'll call you that from now on. That would make your father the High King of Hyrule." Zelda also giggled to this.

"All you need is a knight in shining armor," Karane gushed, closing her eyes. She sighed and then opened her eyes in realization. "Oh wait, you already have one!"

Zelda blushed. "Shush. So do you, Karane!"

They continued teasing each other until Zelda's pumpkin soup arrived and she was quieted by the warm liquid sweetness. She wouldn't mind considering Link her Prince, she thought to herself, amused.

After making small talk for a while with Karane, Zelda decided to return to the main island to see if Link had returned yet. She spotted his Crimson Loftwing perched near the waterfall and knew that he had to be back.

She landed near the bazaar and began walking towards the academy when suddenly, Link burst through the doors before her. He looked positively euphoric over something. A wild grin spread over his face as he dashed happily outside. He then noticed Zelda standing before him. He spread his arms apart and gave her a tight hug.

"Hi Zel," he said in a tone dripping with glee. She was surprised by his random behavior but hugged him back anyways because it felt so nice.

He squeezed her gently before releasing her and then stepped back as he seemed to realize what he had just done. "Um. Sorry about that." He blushed and scratched his head. "I'm gonna go out for a while. I need to run a few more errands at the bazaar. I'm not leaving Skyloft so don't fret over me." He then passed Zelda before she could come up with a word of response.

Zelda stood in front of the academy doors alone now. She was completely confused. He had gone from awkwardly quiet to questionably drugged within a few hours. What has gotten into him lately?

She decided to follow him.

After all, it wasn't like she was doing anything wrong. It was a free island. She could go to the bazaar if she wanted to.

After giving him some time to walk out of earshot, she walked to the back entrance of the bazaar that she knew he would not use. Upon entering the dimly lit building, she quickly ducked into the fortune teller's kiosk—a service she knew Link would pay no attention to. Fortunately, the fortune teller seemed to be on his lunch break so she fit in the small ornamented tent. That, or he foresaw my need to hide here, Zelda mused to herself. She looked through the small gap that the tent flaps allowed and searched the main area of the bazaar. There were quite a few people buying supplies and the merchants were extremely busy selling supplies for people planning to travel to Hyrule.

Zelda then saw the dim silhouette of Link leaning on Gondo the mechanic's table. She couldn't make out what he was saying because of all the chatter or see what materials were laying on the counter. They seemed to be discussing something important, from the quiet tone that Gondo used. Usually he could be heard easily over a crowd, but Link seemed to have quieted him for some reason. She knew Gondo could fix Link's equipment and shields or forge small items out of his treasures. But what could Link possibly want now that his quest was over? To Zelda's knowledge, he hadn't fought any enemy's since his return to Skyloft, so none of his tools should have been damaged.

She squinted to try to see the counter better but people in the bazaar kept obstructing her view of Link. After a few minutes, she gave up and slipped back out of the bazaar, unnoticed by Link or Gondo. What in the world is causing all of this weird, secretive behavior? pondered Zelda, sadly.

She just wanted Link to act himself again.

A/N: Poor Zelda! She's getting so paranoid over nothing! What could Link possibly be talking to Gondo about...? Find out in...the next chapter! *da da daa daaaa*