Chapter11; Ghirahim's POV

"You came alone?" there was a pause before I answered, and She took advantage of the silence, "I would have thought you would bring the girl with you…"

"You didn't summon her, Mistress," I stated the obvious, "Only I."

"You are obedient, as we had hoped…" She spoke softly, "merely one success in our failure, I am afraid… I shall deal with that Half-Bred Spawn later… for now…" Hylia finally turned to me; her expression was one I could not understand… only later did I ever realize it to be disappointment… "I shall deal with you, my Sword."

"Mistress?" I stepped back, uncertain of her meaning. Failure?

"The Demons are a clever race…" She spoke, "Yet they are not of my making… they are not my children. Merely the forms taken from the Darkness that cowers from my Light… Din made the mistake of trusting that one… and to sire such a creature as that… It's inexcusable." She seemed to be speaking to herself before noticing me once again, "The Demon King has already begun to corrupt you… and the child as well… You were created to serve Us, to protect our People…"

"I shall, Mistress." I tried to reassure her. I would. If ever a threat were to come… Hylia had first created me because she had sensed some Dark Power attempting take over her Land… She was already in the process of creating a Safe-Haven for her Humans or Her Children as she liked to call them… Her forces, her Sheikah Guardians were always at the ready, and a Hero was to be chosen among the people. I was the most powerful weapon she and her three sisters had forged yet.

Her features were stoic. "I have already begun working on a replacement…"

"Replacement?!" I stepped back again, staring at her in shock. "Mistress…"

"A Hero has been chosen… one pure of heart, with the courage to strike down the evil that even now is brewing beneath my land… he shall wield my new blade and take upon the burden himself."

I scowled, gritting my teeth. This was an outrage! She couldn't be serious! "What shall happen to me, Mistress?" I was almost afraid to ask…

"Demise has already begun his corruption over you… we cannot risk him being able to wield a blade with equal power to our own… I'm sorry Ghirahim, but we have no choice…"

"Mistress…"

"I shall return you to your blade…"

"And afterwards…?" I gritted my teeth, my hands clenching into fists as I backed away from her.

"We, my Sisters and I, shall dispose of you properly…" she raised her hand.

I knew what that meant… "You're going to destroy me…"

There was not even one ounce of remorse in her gaze. "It's the only way…"

I flinched, closing my eyes as power began to build within her palm…

NO!

I jolted up, my heart pounding viciously within my chest… Looking around, I found myself within the Goddess Sanctuary of Faron Woods… Sighing with relief, I glanced back, the Master Sword greeting my gaze cruelly as I did so. I glared harshly at the sword behind me, raising myself from my current position, laying at Anita's side, moving to the pedestal, my hands forming into fists of their own accord as I reached it... I couldn't describe the rage boiling within me at this moment… I was Furious! Outraged! Sick with anger! If I had the chance, I would have destroyed this cursed blade this instant!

I began reaching for the hilt… I could feel it's power-the Power of my former Mistress and the Three Others who had forged it-much too strong for any Demon Magic to break… even my own, or my Masters…

I looked over at the boy, curled up against a patch of grass, resting peacefully. My Master wished for the boy to lead us to the Triforce… that would certainly prove to be no simple task… but truthfully, he was the only one with the knowledge of its location… It would take more time than I had anticipated to accomplish both goals… but surely the blade would come first… that was my first priority before Her Grace or the Goddesses Treasure… my Master could wait. We had all the time in the world at the moment…

I sighed, forcing myself away from the blade, turning back towards Anita. Thankfully, for now, she was resting peacefully-that was a rarity in itself, one that I was certainly pleased to see. Moving forward, I knelt beside her, gently playing with her hair, and she nuzzled against my touch within her sleep, humming softly before settling once more. Despite my promises to my Master, I wasn't willing to bring Anita to any more harm… I wished to keep her safe…

"I promise, love… I won't let anything happen to you… never again."

After a few hours, I heard the boy's restlessness behind me, hearing him stand before his footsteps fell gently upon the stone flooring as he moved towards us. "Is she awake yet?"

"No…" I didn't even bother to look up at him.

"It couldn't have been that bad…" I could detect the worry in his tone.

I merely shrugged, "With as little as she has used her magic I'm not surprised… she was right; she wasn't exactly trained properly for such transportation…"

"Well, it won't be so bad next time…"

I glanced curiously up at him as his statement reached my ears. "Next time?"

"Well… now that there's no more danger for her, you'll be teaching her more magic right? Stronger spells? Easier ways to control it…"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. The boy seemed more concerned with her powers than her physical state. "I suppose… though that certainly won't be for a while…" I gazed down at her, watching her chest rise and fall gently with each breathe… "How did you sleep?"

"Fine I guess… I mean, I'm pretty used to sleeping in odd places. You?"

"I didn't sleep at all last night…" Not properly at any rate… I'd been too busy worrying over that blasted sword! I'd have to come back later for it… once Hylia was taken care of… "I wanted to be awake if she were to come to…"

"Get some rest. I can watch her."

"Oh, certainly not… how do I know you won't steal her away when I'm not looking?" I gazed accusingly at him.

He laughed good-naturedly, before catching sight of my glare, "Oh… you… you were serious…" he frowned, rolling his eyes. "Look, I trusted you enough to bring you here…" he commented.

I stayed silent, watching him with curious eyes. The boy had finally given in to my demands the evening before… if he were to suddenly change his mind once again; it would merely impede me further! I couldn't have that… but I could see it in his gaze. Despite my promise of the previous evening-that his precious little Hylia would come to no harm-he was hesitating in his decision once again… Goddesses, this boy was maddening!

"Besides, if I stole her away from you now," he continued, unnerved by my silence, "she'd most likely kill me…" a smirk crossed his lips. "Come on, Ghirahim, you need the rest."

I rolled my eyes, finally giving in, lying beside her on the grass. "You say you trust me…" I spoke without looking his way, but I could tell some form of concern had come across his mind.

"I do…"

He'd hesitated…

"Yet now you regret your decision…" this time I looked up at him, seeing the fear come into his eyes before he averted his gaze from my own, finally silent. "I'm not an idiot boy."

"Could have fooled me…" he shrugged, staring at the floor.

"I'm going to ignore that." I snarled turning my attention to the girl beside me, watching with satisfaction as Anita moved closer to me in her sleep. I laid my head down against the grass, her body fitting perfectly against my own. I reached around her back to wrap my arm about her waist; pulling her closer. Gently stroking her hair, my eyelids began growing heavy, and at last they finally closed-giving in to my exhaustion.

Anita's POV

"Ugh…" I rolled over, my head pounding. Hesitantly opening one eye, I tried to focus through my foggy vision… colors swirling in front of my eyes, slowly taking form…

"Hey! You're awake!"

"…Link?" I tried to sit up, only to collapse back against the floor. "AGH!"

"Easy, easy…" I felt his hands move to keep me still, "man, that teleportation thing really did take a lot out of you, didn't it?"

"Hmmm?" I closed my eyes, trying to understand… teleportation? My eyes shot open and I sat up quickly, accidentally pushing Link away in the process, ignoring the sharp pain that accompanied such a quick movement. "It worked?!" I recalled last night in my chambers… Ghirahim and Link's preposterous escape plan… the walls of the Temple of Time surrounded me… the smell of forest greeted my nostrils… birds singing in the early morning ran in my ears… I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief… "It worked… I did it!"

"Yeah." Link laughed, slowly helping me stand, no doubt noticing my eagerness to be up and about, "I never doubted you for a second!"

"Liar." I teased, before looking around, "Where's Ghirahim?"

"Shhhh!" he gazed behind me, and I turned to find Ghirahim sleeping peacefully a few feet away… Link held me back as I moved forward, "let him rest… he kept watch over you all night… I was supposed to wake him once you came to but…"

"I still can't believe you trusted him enough to actually bring him here…" I smiled up at him, "thank you!"

"It was the only way I knew you'd come with me… Ghirahim's plan seemed full-proof enough… besides, I don't trust him, I trust you…"

"Excuse me?" I have to say I was a little insulted at his remark… I thought things had been going so well between them…

"Anita, he wants me to take you to Skyloft…" he didn't even try to hide the nervousness in his tone.

"I don't see the problem…" I answered truthfully, "Where else would we go?"

"You don't see the problem?!" Link gritted his teeth, "Anita…" he paused as his voice rose in volume, and he grabbed my arm, "Come on!"

Link dragged me angrily out the side door, pinning me to the wall as the door fully closed. "Zelda is the problem… I don't trust him around her…"

I frowned. I had forgotten about that… "Ok… that part is a little more understandable…" I murmured, before shaking my head, "but… Link, he won't hurt her… you really don't trust him anymore?"

"I had a lot of time to think last night… I can't believe I was such an idiot!"

"You're not an idiot… Zelda will be fine, I'll keep an eye on him if it really concerns you all that much… but I understand."

… "Thanks…" but he hardly seemed relaxed, however, even by my assurances…

"Now what did I tell you, boy?"

We both jumped, turning towards the door as Ghirahim glared at us, leaning against the stone frame. "Ghirahim." Despite the hostility in his gaze, I smiled happily at him.

"Stealing her away already…" he spoke to Link, "I knew I couldn't trust you."

"Ghirahim, he wasn't stealing me away!" I rolled my eyes, "he just wanted to talk…"

"Oh, yes, I'm certain!" he snarled, grabbing my arm, pulling me back against his chest. He rested a gentle hand against my hair, laying his chin against the top of my head. "How are you feeling, Love?"

"I'm fine… just a little headache…"

At my words he instantly kissed the top of my head. "Better?"

I smirked, leaning up to his lips, "You missed…" I leaned forward…

"Oh, get a room!" Link growled from behind us.

That didn't stop me from giving Ghirahim a quick peck on his lips before turning back to Link, "You know we don't have to leave right away if you don't want to…"

"On the contrary, I want you as far away from here as possible." Ghirahim interrupted me, "I want you safe…"

"I am safe, Ghirahim… Master… Father, can't get to me here, you said so yourself…"

"Even so…" he gazed down at me worriedly.

"Well, it's all up to Link anyway…" I smiled in Link's direction. "So… are you ready? Or shall we stay down here for a little while longer?"

"I think we should let you rest a little longer… you just woke up." Link stated, "I wouldn't want you flying if you're feeling too bad… it wouldn't be good for you, or your Loftwing if you were to accidentally crash or something…"

"Right." I nodded my head. I knew that Link wasn't really concerned for me though… he still needed time to think over his decision… but there wasn't much he could do about it now. I wasn't sending Ghirahim back to the Demon Realm, even if Ghirahim himself were to beg me to… Hell, even what I'd accomplished last night, I wasn't even sure if I could…

"Very well… but only for a few hours more…" Before I knew it, Ghirahim had literally swept me off me feet-holding me bridal-style in his arms. Instinctively, and much to Ghirahim's obvious delight, my arms wrapped tightly around the back of the neck and I leaned closer against his chest. "Come, Love… I didn't want you walking so early to begin with." He shot an accusatory glare in Link's direction before carrying me inside.

Link didn't follow…

"He's regretting this already…" I spoke up as Ghirahim closed the door.

"Really? I hadn't noticed." Ghirahim sneered.

"Ghirahim, please, you have to promise me no one will get hurt…"

"My only intention was to free you from that awful place." He frowned at me, "I know it's your little friend you both are so worried about-understandably so, Love-however, you must believe me, I won't harm her. I've already gained the boys trust, not to mention re-earned your own… do you really think I'd throw it away so quickly?"

"I… Mmmm!" my sentence was cut short as his lips suddenly fell on mine.

"Believe me," he pulled away-far too quickly, "you have nothing to worry about." He laid me down against the grass, gently stroking the hair away from my eyes, "now, get some rest, Anita. Yes, I know you just woke up, but you need all the strength you can get."

"I don't want to sleep! I'm fine!" I protested.

"What about that headache?" he smirked down at me.

I rolled my eyes. "You're not going to let me do anything until I rest again, are you?" I knew how stubborn he could be…

"You need the rest." He repeated, gently pushing me down against the grass. "Just rest, Darling… nothing is going to happen. "Sleep with me?" I pleaded, pulling against his arm.

"Spoiled little girl." He chuckled, kissing my forehead, nonetheless lying down beside me.

Smiling, I snuggled against him, stealing his warmth. I knew I would have to watch him, keep a close eye on him… but I trusted him. Ghirahim knew that in hurting Zelda he would in turn hurt me… he wouldn't be able to re-earn my trust after that. I couldn't blame Link for suddenly feeling so afraid for her-it was his duty to protect her, and Ghirahim had been the one to try and kill her for my Father in the first place…

I really wondered though, Link's feelings and my own aside, how would Zelda take it? Not easily perhaps… but, in time, perhaps she, too, could learn to trust him again… hopefully.

Link's POV

"Ghirahim?" I watched as he and Anita slept side by side, Ghirahim's arm holding her close as Anita's was draped across his chest, one leg over his own as she attempted to be as close as possible to him.

"You won't convince me otherwise, boy." He spoke harshly, though in a whisper for Anita's sake. I had been surprised he was even awake…

"Have you even slept?" I gazed at him curiously.

"I knew you'd just come to wake me again," he opened one eye to peer up at me, "I know the subject you wish to discuss. You can't seem to drop it, can you?"

I stayed silent, averting my gaze.

"You really don't trust me any longer." He smirked up at me.

"Not when you're here," I glared at him. "This was a mistake…"

"Ah, yes those four little words that caused such trouble in the first place…" he mused, and I recalled that first reunion with Anita no more than two nights ago… I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at his words-though they shouldn't have hurt.

Anita stirred gently in her sleep, and Ghirahim kissed her gently on the top of her head. Poor Anita… I couldn't imagine the horrific images going through her mind at the moment… from the looks of her now; they certainly didn't seem pleasant…

Ghirahim began stroking her hair, humming a soft little tune until she began to calm down, her panicked featured softening, and her struggling slowly ceasing. He pulled her close, giving her another kiss before continuing our previous conversation; "I've promised you that I won't lay a hand on the girl, I've promised Anita, what more could you possibly want from me boy?!"

I sighed, resting my chin in my hands. "I don't know… but you can't really blame me." He only looked back at me with a bored expression on his face. I rolled my eyes, "are you sure you can't take Anita anywhere else?! You know there are temples... and she always did love the Eldin Province…"

"Monsters still reside in those areas, boy." He spoke in an annoyed tone, "Your Skyloft is the one place I can rest assured she will be perfectly safe. It is the perfect Safe Haven your pathetic Goddess created for you humans after all. I can't think of taking her anywhere else… I'm doing this for her sake, not my own."

I sighed, "Anita really wouldn't be happier anywhere else…" I admitted.

"Then it seems as if you really have no choice in the matter, boy." He smirked up at me.

I shook my head. He was right. I really had no choice but to trust him… if this was a mistake, it would be my last… "Get up and get outside… we'll be leaving in a few minutes. Don't worry about Anita; I'll wake her. Just give us a few moments alone."

"Very well. I'm glad you've finally come to your senses, Sky-Child." He rose gently from the ground, careful not to wake Anita with his movements.

"Link," I spoke softly.

"Excuse me?" he glanced at me curiously as he passed, pausing momentarily.

"Link." I stood up, "From now on, call me by my name. My name's not boy, or Sky-Child, or whatever else you might want to call me! So just call me Link."

"Demanding, aren't you…" he'd finally reached the door.

"You aren't in your realm anymore." I reminded him smugly. "You're in mine. And I'd like to be referred to by my proper title." I paraphrased the words he'd used on me when we'd first met.

There as a moment of hesitation before he finally spoke. "Very well…" and whether he was annoyed by my statement or not I wasn't quite sure. "… Link."

He closed the door, leaving Anita and I alone in the Sanctuary. I watched her sleep for a few moments, her chest rising and falling with each slow, even breathe. Sighing, I ran my fingers nervously through my hair. What had I gotten us into?

Anita's POV

"Anita?"

"Hmmm?" I slowly opened one eye, finding Link standing over me. "Link? Where's Ghirahim?!" I sat up quickly, as Link placed a reassuring hand against my shoulder.

"He's alright. Ghirahim's outside. I… I think I'm ready to do this… get it over with…"

"Are you sure?" he didn't sound very confident to me… "Link, we don't have to leave right now if you're not ready. We don't even have to leave today! We could camp out here for a few days' time; Ghirahim and I wouldn't mind." We certainly wouldn't mind. Ghirahim and I had spent many nights together out in the gardens of the palace-we'd had our own private little part of the garden that no one else seemed to know about. A few nights in the forest would be fun come to think of it…

"I… I'm ready… I thought about it, talked to Ghirahim about it all, and… well, Ghirahim isn't willing to take you anywhere else… he wants you safe, and so do I… the safest place I know of is Skyloft. Besides, to me, it's your home… it's where you belong… but I can't separate you two, I know that… If I were to make Ghirahim stay, you'd stay with him… I have no choice but to bring him along."

I nodded. He was certainly right about that… Standing, I wiped the grass and dirt from my dress, before wrapping Link up in a firm hug. "Everything is going to be alright, Link, I promise."

He sighed, as though not fully believing it… I knew he didn't. "I trust you, Anita…" he finally whispered, hugging me back. "Don't let me down."

"Certainly took your sweet time, didn't you?" Ghirahim glared at us, hands on hips as we exited the Sanctuary. "Though I hardly think it's any secret that you're in no real rush…" he scowled in Link's direction.

Link glared back at him, and I honestly thought I'd have to get in between the two before he put two fingers to his lips, letting out a high-pitched whistle.

Ghirahim gritted his teeth, wincing, "what do you think you're doing?!"

"Calling our ride." He smirked as two giant birds-one red, one white-suddenly flew down from the heavens, landing in front of us. "Hey boy." He pet the red Loftwings beak gently, "miss me?"

"Amalthea!" I smiled happily and my Loftwing greeted me happily with a flap of her wings. I reached around her neck, hugging her.

"We took good care of her." Link smiled.

Even more ferocity was simply added to Ghirahim's glare, "What… are those?"

"Loftwings." Link stated matter-of-factly, climbing up onto his birds back, "don't tell me you've never seen one." He smirked smugly at him.

Ghirahim merely turned to me, "I hardly think all three of us will be able to ride such a creature…"

"You can ride with me." I smiled at him, pulling him forward.

Ghirahim pulled away as Amalthea glared at him, pecking at him with her beak. "Ugly creature!"

"Amalthea! Be nice!" I scolded.

"I think she just wants you to fly with her…" Link chuckled.

"Fly?!" Ghirahim looked at me with wide eyes.

"How else would we get there?" Link rolled his eyes.

"It's alright, Ghirahim." I chuckled, "we won't go very fast…" I climbed up onto Amalthea's back, urging him forward to climb up as well. Amalthea simply nipped at him again as he approached, flapping her wings menacingly. "Amalthea! Stop it!"

Ghirahim winced, taking my hand as she ceased her movements, and I pulled him up behind me. "You won't go very fast?"

"You're not scared are you?" Link smiled teasingly at him.

"Of course not!" he gripped onto my waist, leaning against my back, moving as close to me as he could. "Can't risk you falling off, Love…"

"Of course not…" I smirked. Poor Ghirahim… he was completely out of his element… "I'll take it slow, don't worry." I pet Amalthea's neck gently, "Come on girl… let's go home."