I was a little too eager to post the final chapter ahead of time.

And now, we come to our conclusion. I tried to avoid having this be too cliche or too cheezy, but... you will judge for yourself when you read this chapter.

With this final post, I can finally say that I wrote a Legend of Zelda fanf iction. The last time I tried to write one, it ended to early, and was an embarrassment.

I felt weird about doing this at first- and the writing shows in the first couple of chapters- but then I felt more into it, thanks to the support of the reviewers and the attachment of the characters. I'd never imagine I would end up getting attached to Ghirahim- to the point that I almost forget that he's actually a bad guy in the actual game.

I enjoyed writing the relationship between Ghirahim and Zelda the most in this fan fic, in addition to a few other jokes and key scenes. Like most stories, I like a relationship that's developed over one that already exists (or develops too easily.) and I'm going to miss writing them together.

I owe you guys a major apology for all those spelling errors and the clear fact that some of the writing came from the script of the game (Scrapper accidentally called Ghirahim 'Fi' when he first showed up.)

I'm considering Twilight Princess next- which was inevitable, and will definitely have some references to this fan fic- to the point that I have a few ideas rolling in my head. After that, it would be fun to do Hyrule Warriors next (for some obvious reasons). Of course, the updates would have to be much slower, for my sake.

Special thanks and mention goes to:

HeroAlexa249 for always reviewing each chapter. I appreciate it and all that you say for each one.

Baron Ricardo for giving me that gender swap idea for Demse and putting it to a vote.

And everyone else. :)

Also: Joystick Gamer was given permission be targeted by the goddesses in her fan fic "Shadow's Inspirationals"... as long as she doesn't tell them that I gave her permission, or else they will come back to haunt me.

And so, with all my gratitude and a heart filled with rainbows:

Let's conclude the final chapter of the story.

Chapter 17: A bond between sword and wielder

Link waited, with his hands holding onto his sword, which was plunged into the ground and covered in a soft glow as a light rose from the newly replaced seal of the Imprisoned.

"You better make this work!" Groose growled at Link.

"I will!" Link growled back, through is own doubt and fears. "Any moment now- just hang on!"

As if on cue, a large, shadowy figure began to emerge from the light. Link held his breath and began to plead like never before...

...and out came Ghirahim, holding Zelda in a bridal style. The girl's eyes were closed and Ghirahim's expression was unreadable: he may as well have held the most beautiful fallen warrior that Link had ever seen. Link felt himself about ready to prepare for the worst, when Ghirahim answered the unasked question:

"Your maiden lives, Spirited Warrior."

Link let out a sigh of relief as his spirit began to soar and Groose whooped for joy. "YES!" The bigger fellow pumped a fist into the air.

"I take it you are re-sealing him again." Ghirahim continued as he gave Link a cautious glance. "A time paradox is a rather... delicate subject."

"It's going to take most of my power, but yes." Link nodded.

"Good." Ghirahim walked towards Link, allowing him to take in the slumbering Zelda in his arms. "She needs rest." He answered. "She will live, but she needs a long deserved rest." His voice began to waver.

Link caught the note of uneasiness in Ghirahim's voice. "What is it?" He demanded, what's wrong?"

Ghirahim sighed and looked at the young warrior in the eye. "There's something I need to share..."

-Zelda's POV-

I awoke to find myself resting on the soft earth, where the seedling that would one day become a tree was growing beside me. I was aware that I wasn't wearing my sword or shield, but I no longer felt pain in my body. In fact, I felt better than I had in ages.

I turned my head: there, across from the room, was Ghirahim and Link. One was in the form that I was most familiar with- the human like form- and the other was alive and well. They seemed to have concluded a conversation, or was in the midst of one, but it didn't matter: seeing Link alive and standing was enough for me.

"Link?" I croaked out.

Link and Ghirahim quickly turned towards my direction. When Link saw me, his face was beaming and he ran all the way to my side and didn't stop until he embraced me in a soft hug.

"I am so sorry Zelda." He muttered. "I thought you died back there... I shouldn't have-"

"It's ok." I softly spoke as I returned the hug. "I can't be killed that easily."

"...It's over." Link quietly spoke. "It's finally over."

I bowed my head into his shoulder as I confessed "Link... I know the truth about Fi... I'm sorry. I couldn't save her in time." My voice wavered as I became regretful for not accomplishing what Link wanted to do for so long. "She's gone."

Link let out a deep sigh. "As long as she's free: that's all that matters."

I looked up and opened my eyes to see Ghirahim. He seemed unusually composed, and the smile he gave me was a small one. I held up a hand and gave him a small wave, before I felt Link let go of me.

"Demise has been resealed." Link continued. "There are too many risks to take, with the damage that was caused. We have to go back to our time as soon as possible."

"Good," I let out a laugh. "There's been too many bad memories here that I want to put behind me."

"Resealing Demise came at a cost." Link looked at his hands. "It took me almost all of my power to do it. I'm not as powerful anymore, but I'm not complaining."

Link helped me up and I placed my sword and shield on my back- the Master Sword had been cleaned while I had slumbered, and it shone in is usual brilliance, which made happy. Link then lead me towards the gate of time, where home was waiting on the other side.

"Nice going you two." Groose complimented as he walked towards us, with a chuckle. "You guys were totally amazing in this little adventure I like to call the Legend of Groose."

There was an awkward silence between the three of us.

"...That's a little joke." He admitted.

"Joke or not, your contributions to our efforts were heroic." Impa- whose shoulder was bandaged up, but otherwise looked fine- thanked him with a smile. "You have my thanks."

"Aw, well," A bashful Groose scratched his head. "you, know... Just glad I could make myself useful. I'm happy things turned out ok." He then turned to us. "Hey, so things look pretty sewn up here. What do you say guys? Ready to head back to our own time? Grannie was really worried about you two. We don't want to keep the old girl in suspense for too long."

"We are all going back..." Link confirmed, but then frowned and looked slightly upset. "All but Impa."

"What?!" I looked towards Impa.

"I am a being of this age." Impa answered. "My place is here."

"...I" I began "I know that, but..."

"You must return to your own time." Impa turned towards the gate. "I will take care of the gate when you are through."

"My tribe has served His Sire for countless generations." Impa gave me a resolute smile as she turned back to me. "As a Sheikah, it is my duty to guard the body of Link- who still slumbers in this time period- and watch over the seal of Demise."

"But know this: the Triforce is too dangerous to be used by anyone is. In the wrong hands, it could spell disaster... you must keep it hidden or at least erase the knowledge of it's existence from history. This was part of the instructions that Hylia has given me."

"I don't know if that will be possible or not." Link confessed. "It's symbol is already scattered across the surface: at the very least, it could become a fairy tale."

"Then do as you must." Impa replied. "For I trust that you will know what to do." She then took something out of her pocket: a beautiful, blue bracelet, shaped in Hylia's bird insignia. "I know that you will make the right choices."

"I really wish you could come with us." I frowned: despite my relationship's ups and downs with Impa, it seemed unfair that she would be stuck here: possibly from the rest of any sort of contact from a living being.

"You have done well, Zelda." Impa smiled with pride. "You proved me wrong about yourself, and you showed great determination and courage. Do not despair... I am sure that we will meet again."

The gate then opened up behind her as I pondered her cryptic words. "I wish you best of fortune, Zelda." She added as Link approached me, and she glanced to him. "Create the future that you intend, Link. Do not let the sorrows of the past hinder you or those you care about."

Link smiled. "I'll make you proud." He promised.

"I'm going on ahead." Groose quickly rushed to the gate. "I need to let grannie know, ok?!" And then, he vanished.

Finally, Ghirahim approached Impa. The two of them stared tensely at each other.

"I still hate you, woman." Ghirahim stiffly stated.

"Likewise." Impa answered back in the same manner. I guess not everything could change for the better.

Ghirahim then turned and went ahead. Finally, Impa looked at both me and Link and she relaxed with a smile.

"...Take care of each other." She warmly told us. "We will surely meet again."

-present-

When we emerged on the other side, there was a soft humming noise behind us.

I turned in time to see the gate turn white and then, in a flash, dissolved into particles of light. Waiting behind it, was the old woman, who smiled at us with pride.

Groose immediately rushed to the old woman, while Link and I slowly walked to her.

As Groose eagerly talked to the old woman, I noticed something on her wrist and my heart stopped.

"Link," I whispered. "She's wearing the bracelet."

Link froze.

He quickly walked ahead of me, and I trailed behind him. Groose noticed us and parted to the side, just as Link held his hand out.

With a knowing smile, the old woman took it- revealing the bracelet in full view, to everyone's amazement.

"See?" She chuckled. "I told you we'd met again."

I couldn't help but smile: to think that the woman who chided me for being late and the woman who guided me were one and the same... I glanced at Link, and he seemed to have a melancholic, yet happy smile.

"Thank you, Impa." He replied.

With a smile, Impa then turned to golden orbs of light.

And so, we watched, until Impa disappeared completely and the lights blew off into the air, until they disappeared into nothing.

And the bracelet fell to the ground with a soft, clicking noise.

I felt sorrow... had I known... Groose had been friends with her... and Link... I could see out of the corner of my eye that Groose had collapsed to his knees, and Link bowed his head in respect.

"Impa..." He almost whispered. "Thank you... Thank you for everything."

"I'm sorry, Link." I touched his shoulder. "She must have stayed alive, despite so many years, just for this last moment to see us all together again."

Link only sighed and placed his hand over mine. "She deserves to rest." There was a heavy sorrow in his voice. "I'm grateful for all she has done."

He looked at me with eyes, filled with guilt. "I need some time alone, if that's ok with you."

Understanding, I nodded. "Sure."

Link looked to Groose. "I know you two were close. Perhaps you need some time alone too?"

Groose only nodded as his shoulders shook. "Yeah," His voice wavered as he slowly got back up and walked back to the entrance.

Slowly, Link let go of me and then turned around. I turned, to see Ghirahim looking at the both of us. He still seemed surprisingly withdrawn, until his eyes met Link.

Then, he gave Link a small smile and nodded.

And Link gave him a respectful nod in turn.

I watched with sympathy as Link picked up the bracelet and walked across the space where the gate used to be, and I waited until the both he and Groose had walked out of the temple... leaving only me and Ghirahim.

"There's nothing I could say that could comfort them." I felt guilty, and yet all I could do now was give the both of them the time they needed, before I could try to comfort each one. "I wasn't as close to Impa as they were, and yet she did so much to ensure the defeat of Demise." I bowed my head in respect. "She was dedicated to the very end."

I raised my head up with as much as a smile as I could manage. "But the worst is now over. I can't wait to tell everyone about this adventure when we get back." This made me feel better. "Hopefully they will want to come down here and see the surface."

Ghirahim only stared at me and his expression was still unreadable. My excitement died down as I realized that now that the journey was over, I had a promise to fulfill and give him back the Master Sword. Finally, he spoke.

"There is something I need to tell you," He briefly hesitated, before he slowly began. "Do... do you recall the curse that my former master declared upon the both of you?"

"Yes," I nodded, though the memory made made shudder. How could I not?

Ghirahim then continued. "He was just as powerful as any god: if he set his mind to something, he would ensure it. He had the power of darkness at his disposal, and any curse he created would come into effect, if he so desired it. When he cursed the both of you..." Ghirahim closed his eyes in pain... "it wasn't just out of spite. It was genuine, and it was his revenge against you, for claiming victory over him."

I crossed my arms and thought about this. "So... it's not over is it?" I felt anger at myself and I felt angry at Demise for what he did. "If only things had been different..." I looked back up. "What can I do to break the curse then?"

"That's the problem." Ghirahim frowned. "You cannot break this curse. When Demise's "incarnation of hatred" comes into existence, it will come into effect. I do not know what from it will take, but if it's as powerful as I think it is, nothing will stop it. Especially if it ever achieves Demise's goal of claiming the Triforce. I would not be surprised if the only way to break this curse was by the incarnation's own hand."

My dream was tainted by a future apocalypse that would come upon this land, long after I died. I was at a loss for what to do now.

"But there is one thing that can defeat this incarnation."

I glanced up in surprise as Ghirahim held his hand out. Not knowing what could happen, I took it, but then he lead me up the stairs.

Slowly we walked up, until we made it to the top. And there, the light from the closed doors illuminated what looked like a pedestal for a sword.

"I spoke with both your Link and...Impa," He hesitated in saying her name. "So that this could be arranged. It has already been done- there is no going back from this."

Curiosity turned to dread: I knew where this was going. "No..." I whispered. "No..." I turned to Ghirahim. "You can't go back to sleep and keep reawakening every thousands of years or so!" I protested.

"It's not just that." Ghirahim looked pained. "The Master Sword is the only thing that can defeat an evil as powerful as Demise. However, my life is bound to the sword, and it's capable of rusting with age until it breaks apart. The only thing left was to have the Spirited Warrior grant the sword the power to last for as long as it can... on one condition.

In order to keep the sword at it's full power, I have to enter an endless sleep, from which I can never wake up."

I felt my heart go up before it sank and I let out a sharp gasp.

"No!" I protested. "I can't let you do that! I promised to give you back the sword-"

Suddenly, inspiration hit me, like a ray of hope: I could go back to before Link awoke- before Demise was resurrected. "I can still go back in time-" I turned, but I saw that the gate of time was no more. The ray of light fell to darkness once again.

"I cant..." I felt the tears in my eyes. "I can't lose you... I promised to let you be free- to be your own person-"

I sobbed and placed my face in my hands as the tears ran down. "Why?! This isn't fair! I didn't ask you to do this! Why would you do this?!"

As I cried, a pair of hands softly placed themselves on my shoulder, as the owner spoke in a gentle voice.

"Because this is what I want." He answered. "As I have said multiple times before, you made me better... and since you are my wielder, you are my world. Your future is my future, your dreams are my dreams... and a part of me foolishly believes that we both will cross paths again, one day. Whether it's your descendant, or your soul reborn, I will be there to help face Demise's incarnation of hatred. And if it's your soul, I will be able to be with you, even when you think that you are alone... because you are my Mistress."

My head slightly tilted back as my breathing deepened and rolled to the side, where it bumped into the head next to it. My hand reached cross my chest for one of my shoulders when I accidentally brushed it against the brooch on my chest.

I recalled when he turned it red, so as to impart some of him onto me: so a part of him could live on, within my story. Ghirahim wanted to shape me into a legend, and yet, he would never see my story be recorded and told across the ages.

I was tired of people giving me so many gifts or making sacrifices throughout my journey, when all I wanted was to have the people I cared about... but just this once, I could give something back in return.

I turned around to face Ghirahim and I reached for the bottom of my hair, where it was bound, and pulled the pink and green ribbons out. I shook my hair out so it could be free- just as he must have liked it, as I had long suspected.

Wordlessly, but with shaking hands, I took his left wrist and wrapped the ribbons around them. I didn't do anything fancy with them: I only wrapped them around, until I had enough to tightly secure them together, so that he could have a part of me with him.

But then I lost it: I tried to stop crying, but I couldn't. I felt my eyes well up as I finished my work and, upon doing so, I threw myself onto him and drew him in a tight embrace.

I didn't want this to be happening, yet I knew that he wouldn't hear of it. I tried to be strong, but I let him down and became a sobbing mess.

Wordlessly, he ran his arms under my shield and drew me closer to him. He freed one of his hands and slowly ran it down my head. I could feel his fingers run though my hair, and I allowed myself to enjoy it, as I found it somewhat pleasant. I knew what his actions conveyed: no words could give me the comfort I needed.

Moments passed, and I wanted time to stop. Like with Link, I wanted to keep the future from coming, except I knew that it was guaranteed, and I couldn't stop it. Yet I wanted to keep this moment in time with me for as long as I lived.

Slowly my hands reached up his back and my toes raised me upward. I tried to pull him down and respond to my movements, and he willingly obeyed as he lowered himself to a level that we both could meet. My lips reached his cheek and I kissed him: his flesh was cooler than mine, and yet it felt pleasant.

"I won't forget you." I promised as I lowered myself back down and held him one last time. "I promise."

Ghirahim gave me one last reassuring squeeze. "You certainly won't." He softly replied. "I'm too magnificent to forget... and so are you."

And, all too soon, he let me go.

I watched as he walked around the pedestal and turned to face me. He seemed so calm, melancholic, and yet... yet he was still able to smile, despite the sadness in his eyes.

"One last thing." I asked my last request as I struggled to stay calm, for his sake. "Those who come after me... even if they aren't me... if you can... let them know that you exist. If the Master Sword's true name is ever lost to time, let them know that the sword is alive."

Ghirahim then smiled- it was not a sadistic, amused, pleased, or gleeful smile... it was a simple, happy smile.

"If I see them in my dreams, I will..." He answered "Because only one kind of soul is allowed to wield this sword."

I let out a deep sigh and managed to smile for him. "Thank you, Ghirahim: from the bottom of my heart, thank you-" I choked a little, but I recovered "-for everything."

With a slow hand, I reached up to the handle of the Master Sword and pulled it out of it's sheath, for the very last time. I memorized the feel and touch of the handle, so I wouldn't forget what it meant to hold this wonderful sword.

I kept my eyes on Ghirahim as I held the hilt on both hands as tight as I could: I didn't want to forget him, or what he looked like, before he was gone from my life.

Then, I tightly shut my eyes as I drove the Master Sword into the pedestal.

Slowly I opened my eyes and let go of the hilt as my eyes returned to Ghirahim, who didn't immediately go into the sword, like I expected. He stood there and took a deep breath before he spoke to me.

"Despite everything we faced, I had fun on this journey." He admitted. "The time that I spent with you...I wouldn't trade it for a thousand lifetimes. You healed my soul, gave me new purpose, and so much more: It is I who should be thanking you."

I felt the weight on my back began to disappear- the sheath and the shield were disappearing, after having served their purpose. It was a fact that made my heart beat fast... our time was almost up.

He knelt over the hilt of the sword and gently took my face in his hands. "I will never forget the brave, kind girl of the sky, whose voice and talent with the harp could soothe the most jaded of souls, and whose perseverance lead to a greater destiny than the one intended for her."

His placed his lips upon my forehead and kissed it. I shut my eyes and allowed myself to enjoy it, just before I felt his hands let go of my face.

I opened my eyes as Ghirahim drew back. When he stopped, he gave me one final smile, as a single tear rolled down his visible eye, as he softly spoke his final farewell.

"I love you... my Zelda."

And then Ghirahim faded away, like a shadow, until nothing remained of him.

I stood there in silence, with tears running down my face.

My eyes drifted downward to the Master Sword- to Ghirahim- and they widened when I saw one final detail... one final addition.

Surrounding the yellow diamond were two pieces of entwined metal details- one an almost reddish pink, the other a light green.

I knelt down and traced the addition with one finger before I was able to smile again.

"So long, Ghirahim." I finally spoke.

I got up and walked a few steps back- the sunlight illuminated the sword with an unusually ethereal glow, signifying that all was going to be ok.

Peace began to return to my hear as I walked down the steps, across the temple, and opened the doors, where a new future awaited me.

My eyes drifted towards the top of the statue of Hylia- where everything began- and I saw, in the sky, six loftwings. One I recognized as my father's, the others belonging to Groose, Cawlin, Stritch... and my loftwing was flying side by side with Link's.

I glanced down and I could see Groose and Link looking up in the sky at our family and friends: we knew that change was coming for Skyloft.

I walked towards Link, who heard me approaching. He turned and, when he saw me, he gave me a look of understanding. He knew what had occurred in the temple.

I responded with a smile of understanding and nodded as I held my hand out.

And Link took it.

We both gazed to the sky... where one can dare to dream, but can't stay for too long, unless they miss something important.

-Epilogue-

And so concluded what would become an important chapter in the history of the land that was to be called Hyrule.

Unfortunately, by the time the royal monarchy was established, Zelda and Link had both passed away, leaving their great grand children to carry out the legacy of Hyrule as it's royal family. However, the stories they told their children, their grandchildren, and great grandchildren were passed on, ensuing that the kingdom would know how it came to be.

Legends may have whispered about the Triforce, and the wars that followed may have caused the loss of certain details to stories, but the story of Hylia's champion and her sword carried on across the ages: children aspired to be like the legendary hero, in hopes for adventure and heroism.

As for the Master Sword, it lasted across centuries, even when the old temple had fallen, and the sage Rauru oversaw the construction of it's new home: the temple of time. It waited for the day that a hand would free it from it's pedestal.

It waited in it's pedestal: even when it was sealed away and served as the gate to the sacred realm, where the Triforce hid, it waited for the day a new wielder would come. It waited when the volcano, desert, and forest were claimed by various races, it waited when the war between men and monster broke out, and it even waited as a young girl could be found racing across Hyrule, with an odd looking purple cap on her head.

And... one day... it would happen.

One day... the time would come to pass.

One day, a girl would open the door to the room that housed the Master Sword in the temple of time, with the help of a musical instrument that was once held by a god reincarnated into a human. It was a girl who, though raised by the Kokiri who now resided in the old Faron Woods, wore a pink vest and white dress, and carried a sword and wooden shield with her. Part of her blonde hair was tied back at the base of her head, revealing a pretty set of sapphire colored eyes that had seen far more then any child her age should have.

And attached to the neck of her dress, was a gold broach, with a red stone set inside it- it was the only tie she had to the parents she lost, long before she could remember.

This girl, would be told that the Master Sword was a fabled blade of legend. She would try to pull it out, to reach the Triforce and save the kingdom, as part of her destiny.

But a dark figure would follow her and reach the Triforce before her- gloating over their victory, before leaving her trapped in the void, because she was too young to wield the sword.

She would scream for her companion, who seemed to disappear, before she would begin to tighten up into a ball and cry. Even if she had faced monsters larger then her size, the fear of being alone was far greater to her than anything else that she had faced.

"Don't... don't leave me." She would sob. "I don't want to be alone... Someone... anyone... please don't let me be alone."

"But you never will be."

A phantom hand slowly runs down her head, through her hair, and she feels someone picking her up and setting her into their lap. The voice is soothing and she is able to calm down as she takes comfort in the warmth of someone cradling her, the way she liked to be held when she was small enough to have such a luxury. She doesn't know why, but this comfort not only feels pleasant, but also feels strangely familiar.

"I promised I would be there for you..." The voice assured her, as she was lulled into a deep sleep. "So rest, my dear Zelda... my brave Mistress... rest, until it's time for you to wield me."

And, in seven years time, when the girl would grow up to be a beautiful young woman with long blonde hair that would flow freely in the wind and destined to become a hero in her own right, she would hold the Master Sword in hand, just like the hero who came from the sky.

And the Master Sword would be reunited with it's Mistress once more.

Thank you for reading.