Blessed

Chapter Eighteen: Blessed

A/N: This is the second time I've typed this Author's Note because Wattpad is stupid. LAST CHAPTER. I LOVE YOU. ehehehehe

The Triforce of Courage glowed softly on his hand as they approached the city walls, but he didn't bother getting rid of it. Hyrule needed to see him with it, or they may lose faith in its power.

The drawbridge dropped to the earth with a heavy thump, and a sort of formation occurred between the four. Link and Zelda strode to the front, while Volga and Ghirahim tucked behind and to the side of their relative companions. The medics stayed in the back, following quietly as the people of Hyrule watched the march to the courtyard.

They gasped, and some of them cried, and some of them just stood petrified, but Link ignored their reactions as best he could. He followed Zelda up the spiral staircase to the balcony, and the other two men continued to trail behind them. The medics fell back with the others.

As they went to stand at the front of the balcony, Zelda turned to her right, to where Link seemed to watch the people with pained eyes.

"Do you want to speak?" she asked gingerly, wanting to reach for his hand but aware that it would be taken the wrong way by the people and would not be appreciated on his part.

He let out a long breath through his nose, then gave a tiny nod.

"Ganondorf is dead," he announced, his voice projecting loudly over the city. "And this time, he's gone for good."

They clapped, but they didn't cheer. Not yet.

Link's smile was halfhearted. He bore the expression of a man older than Hyrule as he spoke. "But, as you can see, we've taken a few losses. One of which happened to be my right arm. I don't want sympathy, and I especially don't want pity. I am not the only person who has lost something today - I'm sure the wives and children of our soldiers know this firsthand." He paused, turning to look at Zelda to hide his smirk at his unintentional pun and to tell her it was her turn to speak.

"People of Hyrule," she began, stepping farther forward and leaning on the balcony railing. "Your men fought valiantly in this final battle - a battle that was never meant for us, but rather for those who lived a century ago. I'm sorry we've taken them. If I could bring our losses back, I would."

A few women, young and old, burst into tears, all mouthing various thanks to them. Zelda continued.

"We couldn't have done this without our Hero. We couldn't have done this without Volga, the dragon knight whose oath to my grandmother has been fulfilled. We also couldn't have done this without Ghirahim - who brought our Hero back to us just in time to end the war we started a century ago." There was a ruckus, full of protesting people, and Zelda hushed them. "Both my grandmother and I have forgiven him for the crimes he committed against Hyrule, and now...I would say that we are in his debt for saving our Hero's life in this battle, and making sure he could reach the Master Sword in time."

One person started to clap, and more joined them, until all of Hyrule was cheering. Link glanced back and noticed a minuscule blush on the demon lord's cheeks. Zelda turned towards him, as well, and asked, "What can we do to repay you, Ghirahim?"

He dipped his head as he spoke. "Forgiveness was all I wished for last time around."

"What about now?"

"I was wondering if you would let me take Link back again. His duty here is done. We both just want to return home." When Zelda looked hesitant, he continued, this time in a hushed voice. "I'm sure any new reincarnations would return to Hyrule as soon as any trouble arrived, princess. You have nothing to fear."

"You've helped Hyrule a great deal...I see no reason to deny this request. Let me make one in return." She looked Link in the eye. "Stay safe. Both of you. And be happy."

Link offered a smile, then turned towards Ghirahim, then to the crowd, and then back to Zelda. "One more thing." He pulled the taller male to the front, squeezing the only hand he could hold, and Zelda stepped aside. "Ghirahim?"

"Yes?" the demon responded, a confused glint in his eye.

"Marry me."

~*~

The wedding was a few months later, after returning to Lunada. Princess Zelda showed up, congratulating them and apologizing on her grandmother's behalf. They had to explain to Jaden, Kiara, and their parents what had happened, which was probably the most terrifying conversation Link had ever had. Other than that, it went smoothly, and without much event.

That night, instead of doing what normal couples did after weddings, Link collapsed with exhaustion onto the bed and Ghirahim settled down beside him, rubbing gentle, reassuring circles into his back and planting a tender kiss on his cheek.

"Are you okay?" the demon asked eventually, resting his head atop Link's and laying next to him, his earring falling against his neck and white hair draping over the pillows elegantly.

The blonde wrapped his left arm around his newly-named husband, tucking his head into the crook of his neck. "I will be." He was quiet for a little while, and then he asked, "What do we do?"

"We move on." He paused, glancing down the hall to where Jo and Lea wished Jaden goodnight and went to their own bedroom. With a tone of humor in his voice, he added, "First, we move out. Then we move on."

"We don't have to move on completely, do we?"

"Maybe not from her," the demon whispered, running his thumb over the purple earring. "But everything else. Get some sleep. Maybe the morning will be better."

"O-...okay." Link buried his face into the other man's chest, muffling his words. "I love you, Ghirahim."

"I love you, too, Link."

Somehow, the words felt more special than before, more special than they had even while the demon was dying and it was all they really could say to each other to express everything. Maybe it was the addition of the name at the end, spoken with the most tender tone Ghirahim had ever used. Whatever the case, it felt special.

"Do you think Ganondorf will come back?" the petite blonde asked quietly, squeezing around his lover's waist.

"I don't think so. Remember when I went to visit the ranks a couple of weeks ago?"

He nodded.

"None of them were there, and when I searched for any hint of a monster at all, I found nothing. I think they're gone, and they wouldn't go unless he was, as well." Ghirahim wrapped his arms tenderly around the shorter male's torso, planting a kiss on the top of his head.

Link's eyes slid shut, and the last thing that played through his mind was Fate's voice, reassuring him everything would be okay. Fate's voice, reminding him that Ghirahim was trustworthy. Fate's voice, apologizing for failing him when she had only ever helped.

Fate's voice, saying goodbye for the last time.

I love you, Link. Thank you, and may we meet again in another life.

And over this, he could hear the gentle thump of Ghirahim's heart against his chest, reassuring Link that they were safe, and that it was all finally over.

"Goodnight, Link."

Fate was gone, but Ghirahim was still within reach, brushing his hair out of his face and murmuring soothing words even while the blonde remained silent.

"I'm blessed to have you."