The bustling castle town was alive and joyous with the energy and cheer of festivities; usually busy citizens mingled and celebrated within the square, drinking, dancing, and partaking of many games and foods from the stalls set about. Flags, streamers and paper poppers, sprinkling the cobblestone and buzzing air with confetti, decorated the scene. Beautiful women and skinny bards stood upon the edges of the large fountain, singing and playing a variety of light hearted instruments that only added to the liveliness, as children and adults alike gathered around. Beneath the clear blue sky, the voices and music lilted high and loud, encompassing the grand castle and its town in an impenetrable gaiety that could be heard for miles.

Within the colourful crowd, aside and leaning against a wall just within the reaches of an alleyway's shadow, a tall, dark man stood watching the display with a bemused scowl. Golden eyes flitted from one passing person, gorging themselves on mead, to a fool dancing with exuberance to the twang of a lute. The corner of his mouth twitched with some disgust as a large set, busty Hylian woman somehow managed to twirl across his vision, jiggling and spilling her drink carelessly. His large, muscular arms, crossed upon his broad chest, tightened in a barrier like fashion, two fingers taking to rapping impatiently upon a bicep.

Drunken idiots, he thought coldly, annoyed and almost offended by the entire festival.

Only the Hylian people could possibly create such a flimsy and shallow excuse to avoid work, feasting and drinking publicly in such an irritatingly loud manner; an annual Pig racing festival. His gaze turned towards the poorly erected pen, over by the western district, where the street had been cleared for the race. Twenty of the beasts at least, would be let loose with snorts and squeals, to run towards the western gate. It made his gut twist with anger at how utterly ridiculous it was. Years ago, within the desert, even one of those pigs, slaughtered and eaten, would have saved many lives… And yet here, overfed and pampered Hylians chose instead to race them for kicks. As the last of the pureblooded Gerudo, and indeed, likely the only one in Hyrule able to even bare the name Gerudo anymore, Ganondorf's internal dislike of the affair—and the sneering glare that came with it—were thankfully hidden behind the hood of a cloak. With only the fierce red of his beard and a few long tresses falling out to tumble over his chest as a visible hint to his heritage, his face remained covered by shadow, cast by the lip of the hood.

How he loathed his obscurity, though patiently, was also thankful for it. He had spent some time becoming accustomed to the new era and its ways, since his return only two months before. Like a diver emerging from the deep of the sea, he had broken through the surface, the seal holding him within that accursed realm weakening and then giving way after years of concentrated, maddening effort. Seeping through like poison, his spirit had once again slipped into this world, slowly, painfully restoring his energy and form, inch by inch, until finally, he stood within the world of light once more.

Once the crossing had been made, however, he was left weak; this was expected to a degree, but the cold and empty feeling of absence chilled his soul the first time he had opened his eyes, blinking against the harsh sun. Not even those brutal rays searing his home could warm him from it; Not the flicker of his heartbeat could stir it, nor the vastly diminished well of magic flowing in his veins. His mind and body called for it, and though it lay within reach, safely tucked away within the essence of his soul, it did not respond. The holy mark upon his hand did not shine, reduced to little more than an odd patch of lighter pigment.

Power was dormant, and remained that way within Hyrule.

Since that day, he had been biding his time, using the forced reprieve from his usual, methodical behaviours to observe the changes that had taken place since his last conquest, as well as search for any reason that his Triforce was unresponsive to his call. It hadn't taken long before he discovered that his research was stilted so long as he had no access to the Royal libraries, and given that, firstly, there were no Gerudo remaining to draw political power from, and secondly, a male Gerudo within the castle at any time had now become an alarming sight, he had found himself unable to move forward in rectifying his plight.

This was, despite the unfortunate effect of the festival upon his mood, the reason he was in castle town; due to the jovial nature of the day, most were in a lax mood, and many of the castle guards had turned out in show, parading on horses and holding sporting duels about town to entertain the people. If ever he was to get into the libraries with enough time to get information without being exposed and revealing his presence in Hyrule once more, today would be the best option. Slipping away during that ridiculous race, while the peons watched with drunken grins and cheered loudly, over excited, he would make his way into the castle to find what he needed. He had already decided that a disguise would be needed, in the event he was found; better they think him Hylian than know him as Gerudo, though his magic couldn't forge the whole figure, and so this was a last resort.

Never moving from his position as the crowd surged toward the pens, a sudden burst of sound and cheers signaled that the races were soon to start, and he took his cue. Holding his breath for only a moment, Ganondorf's crimson hair lost its colour, melting away to be replaced by a striking silver hue. His skin lightened considerably, the pigment shifting to a tawny beige, and his ears grew longer, into slight points. This was the extent of the change, his stature and facial features remaining as they were; in that moment he realized how truly limited he was. Growling low within his throat, he shifted, lazily kicking off the wall and moving swiftly, almost silently despite his size, through the crowd in the opposite direction, removing his hood to avoid suspicion.

Towering over the others, his line of sight easily fell upon the unguarded gates to the Castle grounds, spotting a few of the guards nearby, chatting to intoxicated young women, who cooed and waved their hands about invitingly. The Gerudo almost rolled his eyes at how easy this would be.

With every passing generation, they only seem to grow more lazy and foolish, he thought with a smirk, Most of the Royal Guard aren't even properly trained.

And true enough, he'd seen all he needed to earlier in the day with their pitiful displays of swordsmanship. The peasants may have been amused and easily impressed, but any man with even an ounce of skill could see that they lacked technique, and had learned bastardized stances.

The times of peace only seemed to make Hyrule weaker, each passing year slowly letting the skills of old deteriorate and leaving them more vulnerable than ever before. He had little doubt that the Royal Family's armies, in the event of a war, would be made of conscripted farmers and peons desperate for glory, untrained and unprepared. He chuckled to himself at the thought, though the humour was quickly replaced by the frustrating realization that he could not currently exploit such a weakness.

In his hasty strides, he knocked into a young man with a horse in tow, the boy shunted violently to the side as he lost his footing, sent stumbling into a stall and knocking over a barrel of water. Ganondorf continued his pace, though the action did alleviate some of his foul mood, especially when the stalls owner started barking at the poor lad. Far enough away now to look over at the scene without drawing attention, the Gerudo peered over his shoulder as he walked, in time to see the boy slip upon the wet stone as he reached for the horse's reigns, toppling into the beast and startling it. A dry chuckle escaped him as the horse reared back with a loud whinny, speeding off into the crowd with a thunderous and wild gallop, a few of the festival goers giving a screech or a gasp and jumping aside to avoid it's path.

As the crowd ahead of it quickly divided with some panic, Ganondorf noted the change in mood immediately, as the peoples faces contorted into something of a parental concern, some shouting things along the lines of 'Look out' and 'Somebody get the girl'.

That was when he spotted her.

Within that moment, the world seemed to grow still. In the steed's path, dressed humbly in a plain, pale blue dress and white cardigan, was a shocked little girl, frozen in place. Blonde hair, like spun gold, feathered at the edges of her childlike jaw from behind thin, pointed ears, two braids running at the sides of her head to meet at the back neatly. Her skin was pale and unblemished, and her build was slight and petite, with only a very thin layer of childlike fat to line it. Bright blue crystalline eyes, like the waters of Lake Hylia shimmering on a summer day, wavered wide upon the oncoming stallion, who dwarfed her in everyway, icy pink lips quivering slightly. The Gerudo's eyes widened with recognition, a jolt running along his spine and spurring him to move before he even realized why.

The girl, finally overcoming the shock and finding herself able to move, knew that it was far too late to do so; With a helpless whimper, she threw her arms up in front of her face, crouching some and flinching as she looked away, eyes closed tight. A final round of gasps and cries escaped the crowd around her, as a rush of wind breezed her skin and the light behind her eyelids grew dark. A strangled sound like a neigh cut short echoed within sudden silence, followed by the loud thump of flesh against stone, skidding slightly to the side behind her. After a moment, she blinked, opening her eyes to find herself in a large shadow. Peering up through her arms slowly, dropping them slightly until her face could be seen once more, she stared up at the cloaked back of a white haired man, standing like a pillar before her.

The still scene suddenly erupted with a roaring cheer, the people around giving heavy applause for the feat they'd just seen, as she turned her head to see the stallion on its side, unconscious, near the fountain behind them. Her heart beat like a wild drum within her fragile chest, thrumming in her ears and almost deafening her to the crowd and the sound of a boot fall in front of her. Blinking, her head turned quickly, large blue eyes meeting a fierce golden gaze.

Ganondorf stared down, almost disbelievingly, half turned toward her. His brows furrowed over wide and curious eyes, his deep voice rich and smooth when it finally came. "What are you doing here…" He asked slowly, turning with a heavy though silent step to face her fully. "…Princess Zelda?"

The applause died down almost immediately, replaced with shocked whispers, heads turning to one another as the people questioned what they'd just heard with surprise. All eyes within the vicinity quickly fell to the tiny Princess, who shakily stood, peering around with some panic at having been discovered. She could hear the shifting metallic sounds of guards approaching through the crowd already. With a light sigh, and a look of defeat, her crystalline gaze turned to her bare feet; Father is going to be furious, she thought.

The disguised Gerudo's attention shifted to the guards as they came bursting through the crowds, his keen eyes easily picking up on the few of them with the royal crest emblazoned upon the breastplates of their armour, which seemed to be a polished gold colour rather than silver. He really didn't need this attention, especially not from the King's personal escort—From the way those men moved, it was obvious that Zelda had been discovered missing quite a while ago. And now she was found with him having just saved her from danger.

There was a good chance he would either be questioned or taken for a reward or some expression of gratitude; The Gerudo was well aware of the current King's penchant for shows of humility toward the people, and if he was brought before the throne and personally thanked, his only opportunity to sneak unnoticed and unrecognized into the restricted sections of the libraries would cease to exist. Any mention of it as a repayment would surely raise suspicion. Even if he never entered the castle, the crowds knew his face and the guards were about to.

His gaze snapped back to her, his fingers twitching as his mind raced. Damn it all, He hissed at himself mentally, Why did it have to be her! Ganondorf knew that he'd acted rashly—Should Zelda die, she would take Wisdom with her, closing the window of opportunity to gather the pieces until she was reborn, and that could take a generation or so. He had acted on that fear before assessing the situation, realizing now, in horrific retrospect, that though she may have been severely injured, it was unlikely Zelda would have been killed if he had not intervened.

Within the seconds it took for the guards to approach, a few of the crowd's whispers reached his ears, raising an old memory and a devious idea. To his left, somewhere behind the first few people, a feminine voice lilted sweetly, clear and swift like the whisper of a Goddess; 'He doesn't really look Hylian, does he…? Is that one of the fabled Shiekah? I thought they'd died out!'.

His eyes never left Zelda, as the memory of her ancestor, clever and wise, ran through his mind. She had evaded him for the entirety of his rule in the guise of a Shiekah, a member of the Shadow clan of Kakariko, so long ago when he had first claimed Power. They shared some of his skill with darker magics, and he knew he possessed enough mystical resource to imitate Shiekah technique effectively. His skills as a thief also provided him with stealth and skill with weapons, enough to pass for a member of the ancient clan in this ignorant age.

…And above all else, the Shiekah were trusted allies of the Royal family, many of them guarding the heirs in the past. He would not only be able to enter the libraries, but he would be close to Wisdom and the throne, prime to strike whenever he pleased.

Careful to conceal a rather malicious grin, he closed his eyes for only a moment, feeling the magic seep through his eyes, opening them slowly to reveal crimson irises in the place of exotic gold. The guards had already surrounded them, a few of the King's personal soldiers checking the Princess for any harm, before sending him curious glances. One of them, a tall and moderately muscled lithe man, fixed sharp eyes upon the disguised Gerudo. A soldier nodded, calling out to him. "Aye Sir, it is her."

Prideful, self-important strides were taken towards him, and it was clear he was of high rank; Perhaps even the Captain of the Royal Guard himself.

Addressing Ganondorf with a clear and authorative tone, the man rigidly spoke. "You, there." He paused, waving a hand towards the other men, issuing a silent order before his hands returned to be held behind his back. Two stood, taking the Princess—Who looked over her shoulder at her savior once more with a slightly surprised look of confusion—and escorting her away quickly, before he continued. "You have done this country a great service, protecting the future sovereign from harm." He said curtly, tilting his chin slightly upward. "A brave deed; I shall see to it that you are rewarded accordingly." He seemed almost dismissive.

The Gerudo's eyes narrowed some, irked by the man immediately. "Had your men been more attentive, she would never have been placed in harm's way at all." He said coldly, fighting the sneer threatening to crawl across his lip.

He was quickly met with a flat stare. "Be that as it may…" The man all but growled out, "Your actions have saved her from such peril." His thin lips pulled tight for a moment, as if considering the other. "…Name yourself." Piercing green eyes locked with Ganondorf's now crimson ones from beneath the metal visor, sending a silent demand that, if not met, would warrant further investigation.

The corner of Ganondorf's mouth twitched, as he cycled through a series of Shiekan phonetics in search of a convincing name. The soldier's patience was evidently wearing thin with the hesitation, and as the Gerudo saw his nostrils flare, drawing breath with the intent to speak, Ganondorf all but blurted out the first name that came to mind.

"Shiek."

Zelda stopped, her eyes widening slightly, as the name left his lips. The two guards escorting her tried to respectfully usher her along, though she pulled away from them, turning in place with a, somewhat sudden, regal air.

"I know that name." Her gaze, icy with determination, turned to the soldier addressing Ganondorf. "This man is of the Shadow Clan." She announced loudly, demanding to be heard.

The young Princess loved the stories and legends of old, thriving on them and learning anything she could about the past. Hearing the familiar name had driven out any thoughts about the shift in his eye colour that she had seen, purely replaced by childish excitement. He had recognized her, saved her, moved silently and clearly possessed distinctive features that pointed to the fact he was not a Hylian. Then he gave the name of the Shiekah that had aided the Hero of Time, in the war against the King of Evil, in freeing the sages. Her eager curiosity of him coupled with these facts quickly eclipsed any doubt that could arise within Zelda's mind.

Oh, you brilliant child, Ganondorf thought, suppressing a smirk as a surge of victory shot through his chest. His eyes turned to the soldier, expectant and amused as the man grimaced only slightly.

Turning on his heel to face the Princess, the soldier smiled with a false patience. "Now, Your Highness, you don't know that as a certainty. Just because he coincidently holds that name, if it is truly his name, this cannot be." His posture straightened with an arrogant air. "That clan is said to have died out decades ago, you know this."

Ganondorf's fingers twitched with the want to strike him, his distaste for the upstart doubling within that moment. Well, he thought icily, I know who to take out of the equation first. His suspicion isn't going to yield…And likely, he resents taking orders from a child. His brow furrowed some in thought as the man shot him a fleeting side glance, his green eyes tinged with the same instantaneous dislike as Ganondorf held for him. No, even if he plays along, he'll prove to be a nuisance… The disguised Gerudo's jaw set tensely, perusing the other guards for their reactions as well.

The tiny Princess frowned, her eyes narrowing dangerously at the condescending undertone in his speech. "Captain, It is my business to know such things, and my right to identify them. If you are unsure, then feel free to address my Father on the subject. I am quite certain he will indulge your insecurities about the stranger who has outdone you in guarding me, today." Though she couldn't have been older than ten or so, she spoke with the same mature and even tone as she ever would. Zelda smiled sweetly then, knowing full well that the proud Captain Talleday would never reveal his inability to watch the mischievous heiress to her father; "He shall want to thank Shiek, after all, and I am sure he will be eager to meet him. You can take it up with him when we all arrive."

The Captain's nose visibly twitched, his head cocking back as if avoiding a bee that flew too close, though his face was set. He glanced toward Ganondorf once more before arching an eyebrow at the Princess. With a long breath, he relented. "Very well, If you are quite certain." He then turned his gaze to the supposed Shiekah, in full. "You should have no problem in a demonstration of skill, then, I assume? I am sure His Majesty will want to see the magic of the Shadow Clan with his own eyes." A smug smile settled on his lips.

Ganondorf could feel many eyes on him, the crowd, though settled, were still gathered and gossiping about the new turn of events. Casually raising a hand and running it through silvery locks, he let loose a silent sigh, fixing the Captain with a tired look. "Though I'm sure His Majesty will recognize a member of his most loyal allies immediately, I will do so if he wishes." He mused, looking almost bored. "But, I think he'll be much more interested in the reason I have come here." He lied, a plan coming together quickly.

"Oh?" The Captain replied, looking incredulous. "And what might that be?"

"To relieve you and your men of the Princess' care… I have watched you for some time now. You are ill equipped, and unsuited to the task; Today has made that clear. It seems I shall have to remove her safety from your hands, and return it to the dutiful eyes of my clan…" He said almost negligently, fighting every urge to grin, and being careful to hold a seriousness akin to what he had seen of the nursemaid, Impa, long ago. "Where it belongs."

Zelda's eyes lit up with his words, though she tried not to show it. A Shiekah had come to guard her! Just like the times of old… Her mind buzzed at the prospects of such a thing. She may be taught in combat, and she would learn detailed accounts of history. And he's right, I will be much better protected in the hands of a Shiekah… She thought, Even when I run off like today, I would bet that he'd simply watch me from afar, primed to fend off any danger. She almost giggled at the thought. He'd watched her for a while, he'd said; Springing forth from the shadows, just like the tales.

A flash of anger crossed the Captain's face, though it was quickly hidden with a roll of his shoulders. A quick survey of his men easily told him that he was the only one who seemed concerned by this claim in the slightest. "Well, we'll just leave that up to His Majesty to decide." He snapped quickly, beckoning the Shiekah with a wave of his hand. "Come. I shall escort you myself… Shiek." He bit out the name with obvious distaste, before turning on his heel and walking with that prideful gait, sword swaying at his hip. "The rest of you, to your posts. Jilan, Riles; with me." He barked, the men following faithfully behind him at no more than three paces.

Zelda remained in her place a moment, waiting so that she might walk beside her potential protector. As Ganondorf began to walk, glancing down at her with a look of interest in his eye, she smiled up at him, eagerly padding along with his vast strides. The crowds of festival goers watched the group take their leave, gossiping with heated whispers about the strange and exciting scene; the porcine sports pushed to the wayside in the public's attention as word of the mysterious Shiekah spread like wildfire through every corner of Castle town.

Yay! Prologue done! …Though, I'm super tired and it's 2:55am. This isn't the best I could've done with it most likely, and I know I skipped a few descriptions and stuff.

I'll make up for it when I'm more awake, in the next chapter.

Anyway, I had this idea for a story in my head for a while, and I haven't really seen it before. And, Under Grey Skies got fantastic reviews and support, so I decidedto go ahead with this one as well, and I have a Link and Ganondorf story in the works too. (No, not slash. Sorry.) But I'll get through this one first before that, I think.

I have a horrible feeling this plot is going to be a real brain drain, especially later. I actually had to make notes about it, because it'll probably get complicated.

Anyway, I'll write the next chapter when I wake up. Goodnight!