A/N: AAAAAHHH LAST CHAPTER! Here we go! For those of you who have stayed with this story to this point, thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this final, fluffy chapter. 3

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Chapter 7: A Beautiful Wedding

Link nervously walked down the aisle alongside Professor Owlan. As he didn't have living parents, he had asked one of his teachers to have the honor of escorting him.

He glanced from side to side. Pretty much everyone from Skyloft had made it. He didn't even know how he felt. He was so happy yet nervous and excited at the same time. All he knew was that his anxiety level was through the roof.

The knights from Skyloft were all posted around the perimeter of the event, doing their duty to protect the people. The citizens sat, smiling at Link as he reached the end of the isle. He now stood alone in front of the ruins, looking back at his fellow townspeople.

The musicians from the Lumpy Pumpkin were providing the music. Kina was singing traditional Skyloftian wedding songs along with the instrumentalists. Groose and Orielle now proceeded down the aisle together, both dressed very nicely. Groose stood on Link's left and Orielle stood to his right. After more academy students proceeded, Pipit and Karane began walking down with their arms linked together as they stepped. The song shifted to the Ballad of the Goddess as they walked. Link smiled. It was a little strange hearing that song played at his wedding when the lyrics spoke about his great mission.

The couple stopped and turned around just as the verse ended. Karane raised her arms as Pipit fell to his knee with his ceremonial sword pointed downward. "Here me now, I stand in for the goddess and offer her blessings upon the wedding and for the couple," She gestured to Pipit who kneeled in front of her and he placed his hand in hers, still looking down. "And may Skyloft ever be protected by the spirit of the ancient hero." Pipit rose and sheathed the sword.

It was a practice that had always been done at weddings, but only now did the depth of the ritual become apparent. Link remembered when Zelda had blessed his sword, allowing him to protect the world from evil. This wedding tradition had been a way that the word of the prophecy stayed alive over the years.

Pipit then stood to his immediate left and Karane to his right, leaving a place for Zelda and her father to stand. The music shifted to the traditional Skyloft wedding song. Link took a deep breath as he prepared to see his bride.

Little Kukiel started adorably walking down the aisle, throwing golden petals awkwardly along the path. The sun was low in the sky now, casting a golden glow upon the ceremony and reflecting in the grooves of the leaves. The citizens giggled at how cute she was as they turned their heads to look at the aisle.

Suddenly, Link saw her and he almost gasped. His bride, escorted by the headmaster that would marry them, stepped out from behind the great tree and began walking down the aisle.

She was absolutely beautiful. He didn't even think "beautiful" was a good enough word to describe her. The music seemed to become muted and even time slowed down.

Her hair was freely flowing behind her and had been combed perfectly straight so that it appeared to look like silk. Her veil covered her face but he could still see her smiling. And her dress… he couldn't even describe it. It was the most gorgeous dress he had ever seen, and while it was bathed in the golden light, it looked even more beautiful. He barely even noticed the flowers she carried. As she made her way up to Link, even the audience seemed awed by her beauty.

Link heard a thump as their Loftwings landed on top of the ruins behind them and stood together over their riders protectively.

Zelda's father passed Link and stood between him and Zelda, facing the audience. He cleared his throat as the music ended and opened up one of his ancient texts. Link could only grin back as Zelda looked at him and they took each other's hands. He was glad he didn't have to say anything for a few minutes because at the moment he was absolutely speechless. He could tell that she was a little flustered as well.

"Dearly beloved, we have gathered here today, in beautiful Hyrule, to witness the wedding of Link and Zelda." He went on, citing some of the ancient texts and reading the Goddess's words on love and commitment. He finally reached the vows and turned to Link. "Do you, Link, promise to protect Zelda, always care for her in sickness and in health, bring her closer to the Goddesses, and be a loving, faithful husband?"

"I do," Link managed to get out without his voice cracking. His heart was pounding.

Gaepora turned to his daughter. "And do you, Zelda, promise to protect Link, always care for him in sickness and in health, bring him closer to the Goddesses, and be a loving, faithful wife?"

"I do," Zelda said, smiling.

Link and Zelda now kneeled before Gaepora. Pipit and Karane stepped forward. Gaepora turned to the audience. "And do you, as a town, promise to protect this marriage and aid these young ones if anything disrupts their vows?"

The crowd responded with a jumbled, "We do."

Karane and Pipit extended their arms, handing Zelda and Link rings before they stepped back to their respective spots. The couple stood. Link slid the diamond ring on Zelda's finger and then she did the same to him. They smiled at each other. Link had been able to have Scrapper the robot retrieve the diamonds from the desert.

"Link. Zelda." Gaepora closed the book. "I am very honored and proud to say that you are now husband and wife. Link, you may kiss the bride." The end of his sentence was slightly drowned out as the crowd began clapping and cheering.

Link grinned as he flipped Zelda's veil to the back of her head. He looked at her beautiful smiling face for a second before slowly leaning in to kiss his wife. They hugged and broke apart after a few seconds. Music began playing and the couple walked down to the end of the aisle together while their company followed.

At the end of the aisle, Zelda embraced Link in another hug, "I love you, Link," she said into his ear.

"I love you too, Zelda. Always have, always will," he responded. By now the rest of the wedding party had arrived and were congratulating the new couple. Link gave many "thank yous" but was still in a daze over what had just happened.

After a few minutes, Karane and Pipit went to uncover the food everyone had brought that was spread on some tables. There was to be a dinner and then cake.

Link didn't get a chance to eat a lot, as Zelda dragged him around to talk to every single guest at the wedding. He didn't mind though, as long as he was with her.

Finally, after getting a small amount of rolls, meat, and vegetables, Zelda decided it was time to cut the cake. Piper had outdone herself. The entirely white cake was tiered and fancy icing flowers dotted the edges. Two little people that resembled Link and Zelda holding hands stood at the top. Upon further study, Zelda realized that Link had carved their wedding topper.

She turned to him. "When… when did you do this?" He only laughed in response.

They both held the handle of the knife and cut the first piece of cake together. They then cut enough for everyone in Skyloft to eat.

After everyone had their fill of food and cake, the citizens sat around on the benches, chairs, and even nearby boulders to talk. Nightfall was almost upon them. Karane and Pipit began handing out the paper lanterns that would be launched into the sky. Link and Zelda received theirs last.

As night fell and the stars debuted over their heads, Link and Zelda lit their lantern with the small torch Karane carried throughout the crowd. Link looked at Zelda, seeing her face dimly lit in the flickering light of the sky lantern. She smiled back at him and nodded. They released the white lantern into the sky and everyone watched as it raised into the blackness. Slowly, more and more lanterns were released until the sky was filled with the glowing balloons.

Link sat next to Zelda looking at the pretty sight. Her head rested on his shoulder as they quietly looked up at the lantern spectacle in wonder. Her hands were clasped in his.

It was all for them.

Suddenly Zelda held out her arm towards one of the unlit, round paper lanterns hanging in a nearby tree. Link looked at her curiously. "Zel, what are you…" He stopped talking as a small sparkle manifested out of Zelda's hand and flew towards the lantern. The lantern lit, followed by the one next to it, and the one next to that one, until all of the lanterns hanging in the trees surrounding the area were lit. The Skyloftians cheered at the new lighting.

"Still got some little magic abilities left," she muttered to Link. He smiled at her.

Suddenly, the music started again. Kina began singing one of her popular love songs. People began to move aside as Groose and Fledge moved the benches and chairs to the edge of the area, creating a dancing area.

Link stood and held his hand out to Zelda. She took it and they headed to the dancing area. They began slowly dancing together. Zelda wrapped her arms around Link's neck and he placed his hands on her waist.

They slowly swayed back and forth. This was their first dance together and all they could do was look into each other's eyes and smile. They didn't even care if the whole town was watching them dance.

Several minutes later, the song ended and the instrumentalists started a lighthearted, faster song. Link twirled Zelda around to the tempo and finally looked to the side. He found Pipit and smiled at him. Pipit turned and asked Karane to dance, and soon the couple joined the newlyweds in their dancing. Slowly, more and more people joined in the dancing until the entire town was dancing under the stars in Hyrule.

At one point, Zelda went to dance with her father. Link took the opportunity to sit down on a bench and catch his breath. Groose approached him. "Congratulations, Mr. Hero," he said as he slapped his shoulder. "Where are you and Zelda going to escape for your little honeymoon?"

Link smiled mischievously. "Isn't that supposed to be a secret?"

Groose laughed. "Oh come on, you can tell me." Link simply shook his head in response. Groose smirked and then got up to go find his buddies.

Several people came to chat with Link while Zelda danced with her father. Link kind of wished he had a parent to dance with, but he decided that as long as he had Zelda, he would be happy.

Zelda soon came back and took Link's hand, dragging him to the dancing area. They found a large group of all the academy students and danced together with them. They laughed as some of the Professors jumped in to dance in the middle of them.

Link enjoyed himself and forgot the anxieties that had built up before the ceremony. He simply reveled in every second he spent dancing with the love of his life. Zelda didn't stop smiling or giggling the entire night. It was magical.

Several hours later, Link noticed Zelda was becoming a little tired. He was glad too, because his feet were hurting pretty badly. They walked to the edge of the clearing and sat on a bench under the glow of the paper lanterns. The Skyloftians were still partying just as intensely. Some of the older citizens seemed to be getting their second wind, it seemed. Link and Zelda, however, felt exhausted.

Pipit noticed the couple and jogged over. He leaned in close to Link's ear. "Your Loftwings have enough supplies packed to last a few days. They are currently perched under the Goddess Statue." The knight then returned to dancing with Karane.

Link looked at Zelda, who was yawning. She looked at him, tiredly. "I think I'm done dancing," she stated.

Link grinned. "Is it time for us to sneak off, as is tradition, Zel?"

She nodded. "Yes, it is." She placed her hand in his and the couple slipped away towards the Goddess Statue. They walked by the castle construction and through the small town. "I can't wait to start our lives here," she said. Link nodded.

Their Loftwings spotted them and landed near the couple. "Can I ride with you, Link?" Zelda asked. He nodded and she turned to pet her bird. "Sorry, friend. I want you to fly with us still." The bird nuzzled its rider's cheek.

Link helped Zelda step up onto his Crimson Loftwing and then climbed up behind her. They took off, Zelda's bird following close behind, and started flying.

"So… where are we going, anyways?" Zelda asked as the breeze whipped through her hair.

Link steered the bird in an arc towards the east. "You'll see."

They flew in the starlight for several minutes. The couple suddenly began descending in a grove of trees near the lake. Zelda immediately recognized the place.

This was where Link had proposed to her.

As the Loftwings gracefully landed in the clearing, Zelda realized that the lanterns were still hanging on the trees. She used her magic to light them all once again.

It was an enchanted oasis in the middle of the serene forest. The moonlight reflected off of Lake Floria beautifully. Zelda smiled. "I love this place. I'm glad we got to come back here," she said as Link helped her to dismount the bird. The Loftwings took off and landed on top of the waterfalls in the distance, where they curled up to sleep for the night.

Link held Zelda's hands in his. "Zelda, I just want you to know that you're beautiful. Tonight, and every night. And beautiful doesn't even cover how wonderful you are." He kissed her on the cheek as they walked to the edge of the lake.

"Link, stop it," Zelda teased. "You look really nice today too. I don't think I've ever seen you this dressed up. You clean up well." She smiled. "Who knew my hero was so handsome? I mean, you always are, but—" Link decided to kiss her again, and by doing so, completely destroyed her thought process.

Zelda turned her head and looked out over the still waters of the calm lake. There was no noise except for the distant rush of the waterfalls. They were completely alone again. She looked back at her new husband, who was looking at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. She smiled before giving him a quick peck on the cheek. She parted from his arms before he could retaliate and bent over to take off her sandals. She then sat on the edge of the lake and stuck her feet in the water.

"What are you doing? You'll ruin your dress!" Link exclaimed, somewhat amused and honestly a bit disappointed the kissing had stopped.

Zelda shook her head and smiled. "No I won't. My feet hurt, and this feels really good."

She could be odd at times. Link loved that about her. He decided to sit with her. He rolled up his pant legs, took off his shoes, and stuck his feet in the lake as well. She was right, it did feel good after standing for so long.

"So… now what?" He asked, looking at her silhouette in the moonlight.

She smiled. "We enjoy our first night together as a married couple," Zelda said, poking his nose. She had done that when Link asked her silly questions as a child.

He smiled and wrapped an arm around her. "Alright. I can do that."

The couple stayed silent for a long time, enjoying the night together, before Link once again spoke. "Who came up with the idea to dye the feathers white?"

Zelda giggled. "I think it was Henya but I'm not sure. Hylia was said to wear them on her dress when she battled the demons."

Link nodded. "It's such a simple idea. White feathers, I mean. But they really made you look like a divine goddess. Especially in that evening light. You were stunning."

She looked at the profile of his face. He was staring distantly at the water. She noticed that he was beginning to have a little stubble on the tip of his chin. Probably because of the time of night. She noted that, somehow, he looked older. He was no longer that child who she poked in the nose. He was her husband. And he knew how to be romantic. When did that even happen? she thought, amused.

She folded her knees and brought her feet back up to the grassy edge, turning with her body to face him. "Are we just going to sit here and complement each other all night?" She asked, lightly nudging him.

Link smiled. "We can." He then faced her and looked into her sparkling eyes.

"But we don't have to."

He brought her face close to his with his free hand and kissed her passionately. Their kiss deepened and they held each other closer as they let go of all of their worries. As long as Link had Zelda with him, nothing would ever scare him again. They were together, and that was all he ever needed.

A few white feathers lightly glided away from Zelda's dress and landed gracefully on the water. Rings of ripples spread from where the two feathers kissed the smooth surface and began their long voyage across the vast lake.

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End

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A/N: And that's that! I hope you enjoyed! Thank you so much for staying with this story until the end. ^_^ When I began writing it, I intended it to be a one-shot or only up to two chapters. But it ended up being my longest fanfic so far!

Again, thank you for reading! 3 If you enjoyed it, please favorite or leave a review! I love feedback. :)

See you later, ~

~Missa