Ghirahim and Zelda stood at the entrance of the Knight Academy. She told him the same thing almost every day. "You don't have to walk around Skyloft aimlessly. You can stay here with me."

"Darling, you know I don't belong at the academy or even on Skyloft. I'm only here for you. Until later...," he said kissing the top of her head.

Zelda watched him turn and walk away through the front gate. She had hoped that he would adjust to life on Skyloft, but as long as he was safe she was happy. The people of Skyloft often eyed him with curiosity and suspicion. They knew he came from the surface. Children would often walk over to Ghirahim and try to strike up a conversation, only for their parents to pull them away. This didn't bother Ghirahim. He was amused by their reactions to him.

...

Zelda went upstairs to take a bath, which was her morning routine. She disrobed and arranged her waist length hair into a bun on top of her head. Settling into the bath, she thought of the previous night, particularly that kiss and everything Ghirahim had said. She wanted every night to be like that. She smiled until her cheeks were sore. She closed her eyes and tried to remember her life as Hylia. Lately, she was able to recall more and more of it. She could remember sending her people into the sky and the different land dwelling races that assisted her during the battle thousands of years ago. She remembered how Hylia had sealed away Demise. She had no memories of Ghirahim, no matter how hard she tried to concentrate. She got out of the bath and put on a fresh set of clothes. She brushed her hair and arranged it as she always did.

She went back downstairs to the dining hall for breakfast. Groose and his buddies sat together as always and were goofing off. They were a particularly boisterous group, so she sat down at the other table. She sat next to Karane, who was the only other female student at the Academy.

"Us females have to stick together," she had told Zelda once. Karane and Zelda weren't particularly close, but their living quarters were only separated by a wooden partition.

The lunch lady, Henya, brought out a plate of food when she saw Zelda sit down. Breakfast consisted of pumpkin bread and eggs. Zelda thanked her for the meal and began to eat. Karane scooted closer to Zelda and said very quietly, "I saw you at the dance last night with that kinky looking guy you brought back from the surface."

Zelda laughed, "His name is Ghirahim."

"I want to go to the surface, too!" Karane said.

"Hmmm, you might be able to someday soon," Zelda replied, shoving the last bit of pumpkin bread into her mouth.

She told Karane she would see her later and turned to leave, but she was startled to see Groose standing in her way. Cawlin and Strich still sat at their table watching intently.

"Link told me everything about that freak. What does this Ghirahim guy have that I don't?"

"None of your business, Groose. Step off!"

Groose looked slighted. "He's got the ugliest face I've ever seen. How do you fall for a guy like that?"

"Get your eyes checked, Groose!" Zelda shouted as she went back upstairs to her room. She slammed the door.

"Ugh, he's a jerk, he's a jerk!" Zelda groaned. She heard the door to her father's office open from the other side of the hall.

"Oh, is that you, Zelda? I've been meaning to talk to you," said Gaepora, his voice growing closer. "What is troubling you, my dear?" She could tell he was right outside her door now.

"It's nothing...," she lied.

"Well, if you'd like to talk, you know where to find me," he said. She heard his door shut again.

She let out a long sigh and crossed the hall to his office, feeling a little guilty. His office was a fairly large room with a wooden desk, a stain glass window, and several shelves lined with many books. Headmaster Gaepora was quite the scholar. There were books on almost any subject from ancient legends, to the history of Skyloft, and even practical information on Loftwings. When Zelda entered the room, he was admiring his massive book collection.

"Good morning, Father."

"And good morning to you. What's on your mind, my dear?"

"It's very complicated. Are you sure you want to hear it?"

"You know, Zelda, I was there when Link acquired the goddess sword inside the statue. As much as I worried, I knew Link would find you. I know that whatever you and Link are up to is of great importance, so if you feel burdened by whatever is happening on the surface, I will listen."

"You might want to sit down for what I have to tell you. As you probably already know, Link is the goddess's chosen hero. I know I should have explained all this sooner, but...Ghirahim was responsible for that dark tornado the day of the Wing Ceremony. Please believe me when I say this. You see...I am...I was the goddess."

Zelda stopped short there knowing she shouldn't tell him anymore than that. He already looked quite alarmed, confused, and overwhelmed.

"What are you talking about? Are you feeling alright?" he asked.

"No, it's true, father. Just like you, I had a hard time believing it at first, but everything that happened on the surface only validated it as the truth. I know it's true, because I possess the goddess's memories. I know everything contained in those books over there, and I know so much more."

"My very own daughter turned out to be the goddess... It certainly wasn't a coincidence that you were chosen to play the role of the goddess in this year's Wing Ceremony. I must say I feel humbled and unworthy to have you as my daughter, but I'm very concerned about you becoming so close to Ghirahim. You're telling me I almost lost you forever because of him, and yet, you've asked me to help save him these past two times? Had I known he was responsible for your disappearance, I might have thrown him off Skyloft myself. However, I can't ignore the cries of my daughter or the request of a goddess. I'm trying my best to understand. It just doesn't make any sense to me. As the headmaster of this academy I am an expert on the history of Skyloft and bird riding, but this...this is just beyond my comprehension. It's a shame your mother passed away when you were born. I'm sure she would have some words of wisdom to share with you regarding these sort of matters."

"Please don't worry so much about me, father."

"I just want you to be cautious. Listen, if you need anything, just ask."

"Thank you. I will."

...

Back in her room, Zelda sat down to write in her journal. Her last entry had been the night before the Wing Ceremony. She began to write about the surface and recent events. She had quite a lot to write about, and by the time she finished her shoulder ached. As she rubbed her sore shoulder, she heard voices outside her room.

"Move aside boy, you are testing my patience," said Ghirahim.

"Just try getting past me. Why did Zelda save a creep like you? Have you come to trade makeup tips with her or something? Ha!" Groose taunted.

"How dare you insult me! You're in my way, and the sight of your appalling hair is making my gorge rise."

Groose raised his voice more, "Make me!"

Zelda heard a loud smack, the unmistakable sound of flesh hitting flesh. Groose cried out and she heard his footsteps grow distant. Ghirahim finally came in, looking quite pleased with himself. Zelda smiled widely.

"That's Groose. He is like that with everyone who is close to me," Zelda explained.

"I thought I'd let my adorable golden haired girl have some time to think about everything I said last night," Ghirahim said confidently holding a hand out towards her. Rising from her chair, Zelda walked over to him, taking his hand.

"I can't stop thinking about it. I was so happy last night. Promise me we'll have many more nights like that," she said, smiling.

"I've never felt so filled with joy in all my existence. I'm not sure how to deal with this strange new emotion, but I know I have to have you. I'm afraid you have choice in this matter, you belong to me now," he said mischievously. He quickly twirled Zelda around and pulled her close to him. He caressed her belly and she quivered.

"Is my spirit maiden ticklish?" he teased, placing a hand under her top to trace his fingertips along her skin. She tried to keep from laughing too loud, but that only made it worse.

"Ghirahim, s-stop, everyone will...hear!" she said in between breaths.

"Then, let them hear," he said laughing, too.

She was on the floor now, trying to squirm out of his grip, but he was much stronger and quicker than her.

"Hey, whats going on over there?" Karane said from the other side of the room, the partition being the only source of privacy.

Ghirahim finally stopped his tickle torture. His insane laughter came to a halt slowly.

"Until next time," Ghirahim said, heading out.