Something More, A Ghiralink Tale- Ch.14

("It just never stops, does it, Link?" He whispered softly to the boy, before lapsing into his own daydreams.)

"Master Ghirahim?" Jade whispered quietly, peeking her head in the door.

Ghirahim was lounging on the bed, one arm around Link, and the other supporting a book he was reading. "Mhm?" He responded, not looking up.

"If you want… I can see if I can't take over for you."

He raised an eyebrow at that, not expecting the offer. "And why would I leave my sky child here?" He asked.

The maid walked over, her footsteps light. She handed him a small envelope, and it was sealed with what looked like batwings. "I don't know who it's from, but it just appeared in the mail slot a few minutes ago."

With a sigh, Ghirahim snaked away from Link's arms, marking his place in the book with the envelope. "I guess I'll go read it. It's been forever since I've gotten mail. This might be important." He made his way to the library, leaving the girl behind in the room.

She sat where Ghirahim had been, and brushed the hair from his closed eyes. "Thank you, Link." She whispered quietly. "You've started to change my master… He's becoming… More forgiving." With that said, she smiled and closed her eyes, stroking the boy's hair.

~*~

Ghirahim sat down in one of the plush chairs in the library, and let out a grunt as he landed on something hard. He pulled it out from under him, and saw it to be the book the blond was reading the other night. "The magic of Healing Fairies." He read aloud, then frowned to himself. Did the boy really need to learn any more than he had already experienced?

He reached to the nearest table and set the book there, and turned his attention to his own book with the envelope sticking out of it. Dog-earing the page, he removed the packet. Using one of his fingernails, he broke the seal and opened the letter.

He read through the letter, and a confused expression swept over his face. He looked it over at least three more times, trying to make sense of it all. "I still don't understand." He whispered to himself, resting his face in one of his hands. "I guess I'll have to go see for myself."

~*~

Link furrowed his eyebrows in curiosity. He was watching a different version of himself from afar, and he seemed to be floating above the island. It was starting to remind him of Fi, except his image couldn't see him.

He was on Ghirahim's island, and he was actually able to see the place for the first time. It was a huge manor, and a strange dome reached towards the sun on the top. Columns were scattered all around the edge of the isle, giving it a sense of royalty.

Then the owner of the house walked out to meet his copy, not giving a glance in his own direction. Ghirahim gave him a hug, then flinched away as a giant red bird landed next to them. Then it looked as if the Demon was arguing, not wanting to go near the bird.

The scene morphed. It blurred to them flying on the Loftwing's back, Ghirahim's arms tightly wrapped around the image's waist. Abruptly, a strange wind shook the bird, and they were falling, falling, still falling…

Link jolted up out of the bed in a cold sweat. He panted, his heart still pounding out of his chest.

"Link?"

He turned his head, expecting to see the prior Demon Lord, but instead, his eyes caught hazel ones.

"Jade?" He asked, his voice barely audible.

"Yes it's me, it's okay." She shushed him and pulled him back to the pillows. "It looked like you were having an awful nightmare."

He grimaced, not wanting to admit it. Instead, he shrugged.

She frowned at him. "Link. If you were having nightmares, it's okay. Ghirahim just left to go see a friend, and he'll be back soon." She added on a random note.

Link looked up at her, curious. "What?" He flinched inwardly at how rough his voice sounded.

"Oh Link…" She whispered, her brow drawing together in worry. "If it hurt to talk… I'm sorry I made you say anything." He shook his head at her, dismissing it. "I need to take your temperature now, just to be sure you're okay."

He sighed. He'd had this done once before. Except… The only difference was that it was Zelda caring for him instead of a maid. He leaned back and let Jade insert the glass rod under his tongue.

"Don't talk, and try to keep your mouth closed."

It was hard for him, considering his nose was so awfully plugged up.

After a few minutes passed, the girl gently took the thermometer from his mouth and looked at it. She frowned, and went to the bedside table. He watched her, then winced as the back of his neck began to throb. His hand went to it, then he began to rub it.

It felt like he had fallen into the Ancient Cistern's cursed waters again. Except it was worse. It felt like he had bees buzzing around in his kneecaps and in all his joints, and he hurt. His throat ached, his ears ached, and his head was abruptly raging with a tormenting pound. He screwed his eyes shut, hoping to block the pain out.

"Link, if you can, can you please sit up?"

He did so, and had to clutch her sleeve to keep from toppling over. She watched him, her eyes just screaming with anxiety. "Sorry." He muttered, then proceeded to cough harshly into the crook of his elbow. He heard the maid shush him, and he felt her gentle hand brush through his hair.

When he stopped coughing, she put a red potion in his hands. "Drink this. I'm sure you've had them before, but Mayla tweaked it specifically for a cold."

He gratefully did so, then passed the bottle back to her. He looked up at her, hoping she caught the thankful look in his eye. She smiled down at him and helped him back to the pillows.

"Can I get you anything?" She asked, brushing the hair from his fevered skin.

He shook his head.

"Okay. Then just try to sleep."

Link nodded, then turned over and cuddled the pillow next to him. He wished his nose would work, so he could smell the lingering scent of Ghirahim he knew was there.

~*~

"Well, how is he?" Mayla asked her friend as she worked on making a comforting soup.

"Not too well. I can tell he's in pain, but I gave him the potion you made."

"Did you check his temperature?"

"104.6."

"Ouch. That's pretty high."

"Yeah. I'm hoping that your potion does its works on him."

"Same here."

The girls looked at each other sadly, worried for the blonde.

"He'll be fine." Mayla muttered, spinning the contents in the large cooking pot furiously.

"Mayla…" Jade warned, watching the broth get closer and closer to the edge of the container.

"What? You know Master Ghirahim won't let anything happen to him. After all they've apparently been through, he doesn't want any harm to come to Link."

"Mayla, watch what you're doing!" The other gasped, jumping forward to suddenly spin the spoon in the opposite direction. The liquid leveled out instead of being a miniature whirlpool. "Jeesh. Sorry, but you can be such a clutz."

"I didn't mean…"

"Shh." Jade warned, grasping the girl in a quick hug from behind. "I just don't want my bestest buddy ever to be hurt, alright?"

Mayla smiled, her heart pounding from the near disaster. "Thanks for looking out for me."

Jade grinned, and with a laugh, she responded with a "Sure thing!" She walked over and leaned against the counter. "I hope Master Ghirahim gets back soon."

"I do too. Did he say where he was going?"

~*~

Ghirahim appeared in a cloud of diamonds on the bottom of Skyloft. Walking along the planks, he kept his ears alert. He came across a door at the end, and it looked all worn down. There were burnt down candles on either side of the door, and it was just… old.

He turned with his left to the door, and pressed his rounded ear against it. He remembered being made fun of for the two differently shaped ears. The thought made his eye twitch, and instead, he focused on the sounds coming from the other side of the door.

It sounded like a melody.

One he knew all too well.

He opened the door quietly, and noting the other's back was still to him, he grinned. He started to whistle along with the tune, bringing the other to a start.

The former demon turned around, his eyes wide.

"Hello, Batreaux. You wanted to see me?"