There was a long silence in the Sealed Temple. Link was too overcome with disbelief to move. Zelda had just done the unthinkable. Something had upset her so immensely she ran. He had noticed his friend on edge and becoming increasingly distraught at the old woman's knowledge of the situation, but Link had never expected her to react in such a way.

"Link...I hope you can catch up with her." The old woman's jaw almost hit the floor. She was nearly speechless.

Link rushed through the temple doors towards Faron Woods, his heart pounding, as he tried to make sense of what was happening.

"Zelda!"

His childhood friend was no where in sight. Link looked towards the woods with an aggrieved look. After all he had been through on the surface, he was completely exhausted. He had visited all three regions on the surface, and he had done it all for her. When he had learned she had been captured at the Temple of Time, he thought he had failed her. For that, Impa had reprimanded him a second time for being late. Then when he was reunited with Zelda, he had been utterly devastated to learn that she wanted to spare their enemy. Of all things! Ghirahim was the reason this whole mess began. Then to top it all off he had returned to each region to collect the three sacred flames to temper the Goddess Sword while Zelda tended to Ghirahim's injuries on Skyloft. It almost seemed unfair. Link felt like he was a million years old. He hung his head and went back inside.

Then Link was hating himself. How could he think such things about Zelda? She had been captured and held against her will for weeks. Poor Zelda. Who knows what that weirdo did to her, whether physically or mentally. How could she care for him? If it wasn't for Ghirahim, Zelda would be maintaining the seal now. Link was sure of it.

Link couldn't meet the old woman's gaze now.

"Zelda's gone..." he said.

"She's the goddess reborn. We have to get her back. I do not enjoy pointing out the obvious, Link, but we can't fulfill Hylia's mission without Zelda's cooperation."

"I...I know..." Link said.

"I think you and I both know why she ran, Link..."

"I have a guess...but tell me, why would Zelda be afraid to maintain the seal?"

"I'm sorry, Link. It is not my place to explain the seal. Zelda will have to explain it to you when the time comes. I pray you can find her before it's too late. Zelda isn't to have any more contact with the demon. He has already caused too much of a disruption to Hylia's plan. He must be dealt with."

"As much as I can't stand him, I don't think he could cause anymore trouble. He lost his powers. He is pretty much useless to Demise now, right?"

"Do you really think that, Link? Do you really think that someone like him can just turn their back on their master? We should take every precaution and destroy him." Then the old woman paused for a moment. She sighed. "That outfit...he made it just for her?" The old woman shuddered at the implications.

Link recoiled at the thought of Ghirahim getting any sort of perverse pleasure at seeing Zelda like that. Link bit his lower lip, unsure of how to reply. A knot was forming in his stomach as he made his decision.

"I'll find Zelda and bring her back as soon as I do."

Link went out through the front temple doors towards the Sealed Grounds where Ghirahim was waiting. Ghirahim sat on the edge of the pit looking down at the seal. He turned when he heard Link's footsteps.

"Where is she?" Ghirahim asked.

"She's gone... She ran off."

"What?! Where did she go? What happened?"

"I won't give that information to a psychopath like you. I'm going to look for her. Please, just leave. Just leave me and Zelda alone. Maybe when you're gone she'll come to her senses. Just get out of here!"

"You know what? Fine! I'll find her first, and you'll never have to see me again after that. In fact, you'll never have to see either of us again. The day I don't have to see your bothersome face will be a splendid one indeed!"

Link watched as Ghirahim disappeared into the woods. The knot in Link's stomach tightened. What had he done? Zelda was somewhere in Faron Woods and now Ghirahim was headed in the same direction, threatening to find Zelda and take her away.


A/N: Sorry this chapter is so short. I just decided that there needed to be a transition between the last chapter and the next.

I want to thank everyone who has reviewed so far. Your comments either help me improve or encourage me to keep writing. I have the rest of my story written out including the ending. It's just a matter of editing and adding in details. I'd really appreciate any feedback to let me know what you've liked about the story so far and your expectations for the rest of the story. Thanks for all your support guys. I couldn't have done it without you. Feedback is always appreciated.