Hey guys, guess what! I have a new chapter for you! I was going to post it tomorrow, but that's my birthday and I have no idea if or when I'd be able to post it tomorrow, so here it is! And also, I'd like to thank Yukea and Yami no Nokutan for your reviews for the last chapter, domo arigato! I really hope that this chapter is to your liking, please enjoy!
Chapter Seven: Return to Skyloft
When Link next opened her eyes she was shocked to find herself in front of the Goddess Statue in Skyloft still in Ghirahim's protective embrace. She quickly pulled away from him taking a few steps back. Her sharp eyes watching him carefully before she spoke. "I have to go speak to the Goddess," Seeing Ghirahim make to follow she raised her hand up to stop him with a shake of her head, "alone, Ghirahim." She added sternly. As she begins to walk away she stops and turns to Ghirahim and extends her right hand to him. "I need my sword to speak directly to the Goddess."
Ghirahim snaps his fingers and the Master Sword appears in front of him before embedding itself into the ground. Link frowns as she backtracks to stand in front of Ghirahim and wrapping her hand around the hilt of the sword before giving it a tug and pulling it from the ground. With an annoyed grunt she turned away and walked into the Goddess Statue. Ghirahim watched as she disappeared into the Goddess' Statue, he shifted nervously not knowing what exactly the Goddess would tell her hero to do. Would she just command her to kill him? Or would she simply confirm everything he had confessed to her earlier?
Link watched in amusement as Fi danced around as she spoke on the Goddess' behalf, telling Link of what had transpired three thousand years ago confirming and elaborating on what Ghirahim had already professed. Much to Link's surprise the Goddess also acknowledged the heart container that hung from her neck as a manifestation of Ghirahim's true feelings.
Twenty minutes later, to Ghirahim's relief, Link came striding out of the Goddess Statue her face hidden by her hair as she walked up to Ghirahim before coming to a stop in front of him. Refusing to look up at him she thrust the Master Sword into the ground at his feet. "The Goddess wishes to speak to you alone." Link's voice was devoid of emotion as she swiftly exited the area to leave Fi to speak with Ghirahim.
Ghirahim's face fell when her heard her voice so cold and distant, but before he could reach out to her she had left without another word. He sighed sadly before turning back to the Master Sword. "You wished to speak to me? Your highness?" He spoke softly as he lightly touched the Master Sword's hilt. Fi suddenly flipped out from within the Master Sword and quickly bowed to Ghirahim gracefully. "Greetings, Ghirahim. The Goddess wishes to inform you that if you wish to pursue Link as your mate, I'm afraid that you are not able to claim her as yours at present." Fi sang as she danced around in front of Ghirahim. Ghirahim's heart sank as he heard her almost gleefully proclaiming him to not be good enough for Link. "B-but…" "Do you wish to claim her as yours, Ghirahim?" Fi stopped mid twirl to face Ghirahim, her face as always devoid of emotion as she studied his face quietly. "Of course! I-is there a way to be worthy of her? Please tell me!" Ghirahim suddenly shouted. To his surprise Fi smiled at this before continuing her dance. "Yes, Ghirahim, there is a way." Ghirahim's eyes widened at the news. "How?!" Fi twirled even faster. "If you truly wish to be worthy of her you must be willing to give up everything for her. Your Master, your title, your powers, everything." Her tone darkening with each word as she came once more to a stop in front of Ghirahim, her eyes glittering darkly. "I was already prepared to abandon my Master all for her. Now stop beating around the bush and tell me how!" Ghirahim growled angrily at Fi. She smiled once more as she began to continue her dance. "Tell me, Ghirahim, do you remember the temples that you chased after Zelda through?" "Yes, I remember them, what do they have to do with this?" Ghirahim's temper starting to get the best of him. "It's simple really, all you have to do is visit the two purifying springs hidden within the first two temples and bathe in each one in order to purify yourself. Then, and only then will you be worthy to claim her as your mate." She paused and watched his face as the information sank in fully. His eyes widened at the possibility of being with her and with the Goddess' blessing no less. "I'll do it. Just please let me spend some time with her, please?" Ghirahim responded quickly giving Fi a pleading look. "Of course, however, the Goddess can only give you one day and night with the hero before you must begin cleansing yourself. Bare in mind, Ghirahim, that Link must not know what you are doing, therefore she must remain here where she will be safe from harm while you are gone." "Thank you, I will make the best of my time. Thank you my Lady." Ghirahim bowed deeply before Fi who bowed back in response. "Ghirahim, if you would be so kind as to return me to my Master, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you." She bowed once more before flipping back into her sword. Ghirahim smiled to her as he nodded his head as he approached the Master Sword and removed the sword from the ground.
As Ghirahim left the Goddess' sacred grounds in the direction Link had left some time ago, to his shock he didn't see Link standing outside waiting. With a sigh he descended the stairs before he came to a stop when he spotted a white lump at the bottom of the stairs, blonde hair blowing gently in the wind. "LINK!" Ghirahim shouted running down the rest of the stairs and quickly kneeling at her side concern etched into his features. As he gently rolled her over he was greeted with a rather annoyed looking Link. "I officially hate dresses," she grumbled as she folded her arms over her chest, "I tripped on the damn hem and fell down the stairs." Ghirahim couldn't help but chuckle at her annoyance. The sun was just beginning to rise as he helped Link back to her feet. "Here's your sword back, thank you." Ghirahim smiled as he placed the sword in her hands. "We should go to my room quick to put Fi away so no one thinks anything weird." Link takes the sword quickly before walking towards the academy with Ghirahim trailing behind her. "Yes, and nothing says weird like walking around with a Demon Lord." Ghirahim muttered under his breath.
As Link opened the door to the top floor of the academy she suddenly bumped into Pipit knocking her back into Ghirahim who quickly caught her and helped steady her. "Pip! Ah, um…." Link suddenly found herself struggling with what to do when confronted with her childhood friend. Pipit gave her a harsh look. "I'm sorry miss but the only people who call me 'Pip' are my close friends, Pipit to all others. And I'm afraid I don't know you. Though you do look familiar…" Pipit trailed off thoughtfully crossing his arms as he looked Link up and down. Ghirahim noticing the vague look of recognition setting in on Pipit's face he quickly spoke up. "Lily, it seems your cousin Link forgot to mention that we were coming to help take care of him while he's injured. Isn't that right?" He gently stroked her arms to try and relax her a little; Link gave a small nod of agreement. "That's right; h-he told us all about you …Pipit." Link stuttered as she hid behind Ghirahim, afraid of being recognized. "That's right, Lily." Ghirahim soothed her gently, before turning his attention back to Pipit, "I am Ghirahim, Lily's fiancée. It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Pipit." Ghirahim reached out a hand to shake Pipit's while his other remained firmly placed on her back rubbing gentle circles as she hugged his waist hiding her face in his side. "She's a little shy, isn't she?" Pipit accepted Ghirahim's hand with a fake smile plastered on. "Come, Lily, we should get going to check on Link. Good day, Pipit." Ghirahim nodded as he guided Link past Pipit as she continued to hide her face.
Once at the bottom of the stairs Ghirahim noticed the door to the left with Link's name on it. He was quick to usher her into the room and close the door behind them. Link removed herself from his side and walked farther into the room keeping her back to him the whole time. "T-thank you, Ghirahim….why did you pick the name Lily?" Link asked him quietly still keeping her back to him. "My pleasure, Link. I chose that name because that was the name of your mother. Your father had described her to me and honestly you look just like what I'd imagine what she looked like." He smiled as he took slow careful steps forward, stopping a couple of feet away from her. "Ah, I see…." She trailed off as she slowly turned to face him, but refusing to look up. "Y-y-you called me y-your f-fiancée…why?" Ghirahim sighed as he reached out to Link, lifting her chin up with his fingers, a soft smile on his face. "Because, Link, this," he pointed to the heart container hanging from her neck, "is the Demon realms version of an engagement ring. It means that I love you more than anything else and will do anything for you. Though you do not have to accept, just know that I will always love you no matter what." Ghirahim smiled down at the look of astonishment on Link's face at his proclamation. "W-w-why?" Link shook her head in shock. Ghirahim gently cradled her cheeks with his hands. "Why not? What's not to like? You're strong, dependable, honest, loyal, determined; not to mention you're beautiful. I love you for who you are, not just because the Goddess made you to be my soul mate." Ghirahim kissed her gently and lovingly before pulling away slowly to look her in the eye. Link blushed deeply as she watched him carefully. "Link, I need to tell you something." He paused, trying to gauge her response; she gave him a curious look. "The Goddess has given me a mission, which I am to begin tomorrow morning. Do you think you can show me around Skyloft today? Would you mind?" Ghirahim asked her gently. "What mission?" Link asked curiosity sparkling in her eyes. Ghirahim sighed, "I-I can't say unfortunately, but I promise to do it quickly. And no you can't come with me, but you'll be safe here." He stroked her cheek gently. "Oh…okay. Yeah, sure I can show you around. Um, can you give me my old clothes? I need to have them repaired." Link blushed. "Of course, Link." Ghirahim smiled as he summoned her clothes with a snap of his fingers. Unknown to them, Pipit was hiding under Link's open window hearing every word not wanting to believe a word of it.
So? Did you like it? Was it too sappy? As always please review and let me know what you think!