Zelda felt hollow. The final battle had been lost, and she knew death awaited her. The witch had finally won, adding Hyrule to her growing collection of lands conquered. She had heard of Crimea's fall, how Elincia had been slaughtered in front of her lords and ladies, and knew her own fate would be the same.

She was shoved to the ground before the raven haired woman that lounged on her throne. Bayonetta smiled down at the kneeling princess as she sat forward. "You lose Princess... now what to do with you..." She tapped a finger to her chin before looking out at the people who were gathered for the moment. Zelda cast her eyes out to them, horrified to see most of them leering at her openly. Only a pair of dark blue eyes watched the exchange without bloodlust or just plain lust shining back at her. All they showed was emptiness and Zelda had to wonder what happened to make them standout so in such a crowd.

"Oh I know... instead of killing you like I did that bitch from Crimea, I think I'll make you a gift to one of my generals." That made Zelda whirl around and look at her in shock, forgetting how the blue eyes flashed with anger at the mention of Crimea. "Now then, who deserves the prize of Hyrule? Their precious virgin princess should go to the most ruthless." Bayonetta stood up, her skin tight black outfit shining in the light of the fading day.

"Who wants her?" She roared out to the crowd and Zelda heard the cheers and jeers. "No no, I think I've decided. Every good deed in my name gets rewarded, and I know I haven't been so nice to one of you in particular. Ike, come claim your prize!" A chorus of groans left the lips of the gathered men as Zelda tried to remain in control of her emotions. This was bad.

She was being given to some stranger, and she had no doubts as to what awaited her. The weight of the chains on her ankles never felt heavier as she tried to summon her magic. Damn that witch, she had charmed them to block her magic!

Heavy boot steps sounded behind the princess and she tried to keep from flinching as whoever this Ike was stopped behind her. "Break her Ike, I want to see her be nothing more than a bitch."

"Yes my Queen." The voice was devoid of emotion, and Zelda felt her stomach drop. The next thing she knew rough hands were pulling her to her feet and hauling her off the slightly raised pedestal the throne sat on. The hands encompassed her thin wrists easily, and Zelda knew getting away from this Ike without magic would be hard.

That most certainly didn't mean that she didn't try. The second they were alone in a side passage she lashed out behind her with a strong kick. The blow landed and she felt the hands on her wrists tighten. "Fuck," he snarled and Zelda found her face shoved into the stone wall. "What do you think you're doing?" His voice drew near her ear and she tried to kick again. That time he blocked her by pressing his legs against hers.

The position made Zelda panic. He wouldn't do something right in the hall, would he? "Stop attacking me you brat!" He snarled the words in her ear, his face pressing against the side of her head. "I will knock you out if you don't cooperate."

"I won't cooperate with anything you want!" She spat the words angrily and he let out an annoyed huff.

"You asked for it." Before she could even react, his hand left her wrist and the world went black.

XxX

The late morning sun woke Zelda. She whined lightly as she sat up, confused by her surroundings. The room around her looked like one at her small villa near the Zora River. Her head spun as she tried to move and before she could recover hands were gripping her in place.

That knocked Zelda's pain to the back of her brain and she struggled against the muscle weighing her down. "Calm down." She immediately recognized the voice and she fought harder, trying to pull her arms free as she kicked with all her might. "Dammit woman!" A tall and broad man finally came into sight and she paled when she realized Ike was the one that had the emotionless eyes in the throne room.

He climbed onto the bed and she tried to kick him once more. All it managed to do was upset him further and she found her back hitting the mattress, her arms pinned above her head. His knees dug painfully into her thighs as he used all of his weight to hold her down.

"You're hurting me," she spat the words at him.

"You're leaving me little choice here." She tried to wiggle under him, but he just lowered his face closer to hers. "Stop fighting me and listen dammit." Despite the obvious annoyance in his tone, Ike's face was eerily devoid of emotion.

"Let me go."

"I don't think so, not yet. We have a lot to discuss and I need to know you're listening to me. Now," he looked her face over before shifting his weight, "you are in the villa near Zora River. This home has been given to me by that witch, and I'd rather not be here at all."

"Then go, no one will miss your presence."

"Shut up before I make you. She gave you to me to break, and I think we both know she didn't just mean mentally. This next part is important and I need you to understand me. She has something of mine, something I cannot stand to be harmed-"

"What? Some bauble is worth raping me? I guess virtue is worthless to a brute like you." He glared at her for that, his blue eyes growing dangerous.

"She has my mother and my sister! She found them before I could save them in Crimea. I had to join her to keep them safe, and now I have to break you. This is not something I find I have the stomach for." That made Zelda look at him with shock.

"What do you mean?"

"No woman has ever been in my bed that hasn't wanted to be there, and I'm not starting with you. So we are going to agree right now that I will not touch you, I will not fuck you, I will not torture you. The only thing I require from you in return is that you act broken if that cunt or any of her loyal followers come here. I will not lose the only two people I care about for you. If they are here I am your master and you are broken. If you do not act the part then I will make sure the pain you endure is more than your thin frame can handle. Are we understood?"

The words confused Zelda, though she understood their meaning. Why was he offering this? Did he truly not want to do as he was told? Were the words about a mother and sister true? "You won't try to break me? You won't force me to your bed?"

"Not if you play your part when anyone she sends comes here. Do we have a deal?" His eyes locked on hers and Zelda wished she could use her magic to sense his intentions.

"Yes," she finally answered with a slight nod. "Can you get off of me now?"

"Are you going to attack me?" His tone was dry and she couldn't help but snort at it.

"I believe that would be counterproductive." He released her hands and slid his knees to the comforter between her legs. If he noticed that she tensed, he didn't show it. "What am I supposed to do when there's no one here?" She asked as she sat up once more.

"You'll help around the villa." Ike said as he stood from the bed. "I'm going to assume you had servants that catered to your every whim at your castle, and now you'll be playing their part." She frowned at that and looked down at the bed beneath her. "What's wrong? Can't take serving a brute like me?" His tone held something dangerous once again and Zelda knew she had to say something.

"That... I did think you were about to force me into something." He looked at her for a moment and then motioned vaguely towards the armoire.

"There's dresses in there for you, one of the other servants here brought them in. Get dressed and then go to the kitchen, you can ask there where they need your help." With that he moved to the door, his hand on the knob. "I feel I should warn you against trying to leave. The ankle cuffs forbid you from leaving the property unless in my presence, and even if you could I would hunt you down." With that he left the room, shutting the door behind him. Zelda stood up with a wince and moved to the armoire. She opened it and stared at the dresses that had been provided to her. They were all very simple long dresses, and she felt a small wave of relief. She grabbed a light blue one and quickly removed her tattered dress, a wave of sadness hitting her that she quickly hid.

As she donned the blue dress she caught sight of her reflection in the vanity mirror and froze. Her hair was a mess obviously, but that's not what made her hesitate. The look in her eyes was one of defeat. She moved to the mirror and glared forcefully at it, as if the object had betrayed her. Then, using calming techniques she had been taught since childhood, she schooled her features into that of a calm nothingness.

She grabbed the hairbrush from the top of the vanity and ran it through her knots. She didn't wince as she did, a fact she was proud of. Then she quickly braided her hair to keep it out of her face, and moved to leave the room. The second she did she wished she hadn't.

All of the artwork had been stripped from the walls. Every painting, every tapestry. She looked around her as she forced her feet to continue, wondering why Ike had seen that particular move necessary.

Her steps brought her to the kitchen, where her people were working hard on a meal for Ike and his men. Her presence was noted, and everyone froze. "Princess," the main chef gave her a deep bow, his round face kind.

"I'm not a princess anymore," she said firmly. They exchanged looks, some filled with pity that churned Zelda's stomach once more. "I am to see where my help is needed, so please point me in a direction and I will help."

"Your Highness," an elderly woman stepped forward, her gray hair spilling from the tiny bun she had put it in, "you may have been ousted from the castle, but you will always be our princess." The words touched Zelda's heart and she nodded at her gratefully.

"Where can I help?"

"Well," the old woman looked around and Zelda noted how the tips of her pointed ears drooped with age, "we have it managed in here, but I know we could use some help dusting out there."

Zelda nodded once and made sure she stood tall as a dust rag was held out to her. "Where should I start?"

"Your... The office." The old woman quickly caught her slip up, but the words did sting a bit. Zelda just nodded and turned to leave the kitchen. She knew her way around the villa better than many, having gone there often in childhood.

Her walk to the office brought her past some of Ike's men and she felt their eyes as she kept moving, ignoring the whispered questions and remarks in her wake. Snippets hit her, and she cringed inwardly at the implications that if Ike wanted to share, they'd be more than willing.

She finally managed to get to the office and quickly swept inside. The sight before her made her freeze in place. Ike was standing behind the desk, a man standing with him as they pointed at a map. They looked up and Zelda looked down. "What is it Zelda?" Ike saying her name made her stomach twist in a confusing way.

"I was told they had things covered in the kitchen, so I was sent to dust. May I?" She looked up at that, catching Ike's eyes with her own.

"By all means," he motioned to the room around them and she sighed as she moved to one of the bookshelves lined with books.

"Look Ike, I'll come back later," the younger man with him spoke quickly.

"I agree, this is best not discussed in front of her. Just go where we've discussed and report what you find."

"You're the boss!" The man spoke cheerfully and Zelda watched in her periphery as the shock of white hair left the room.

"There's nothing to eavesdrop on, so you can actually start dusting." She looked to Ike at that and saw him staring at her in his emotionless way. He raised a silent eyebrow and she shot him a glare before running the rag along the shelf. "How'd the people treat you in the kitchen?" Ike asked as she worked and she hesitated.

"They treated me well," she answered vaguely and he made a noise to indicate that he heard her. She looked over at him quickly and saw his attention had returned to his desk. "Why are you studying a map of Hyrule?"

"I'm to complete another mission aside from breaking you." She froze at his words, the question of what that mission was on her tongue. "Before you ask, no I will not tell you."

"Should I leave you to it then?" She asked, wanting to get out of being in a room alone with him. He looked up at her, then to the shelves, and back to his map.

"You should finish dusting." She rolled her eyes and quickened her pace. "Some of the men here are mine from Crimea, but most are others Bayonetta put under my service. I can vouch for very few of the new men, so I suggest you try to avoid contact with them as much as possible."

"Why?" She asked the question as she kept working, hating that she would need to get closer to him to complete her task.

"Because some of them have proven they have no qualms about doing what I won't." She looked at him for that, her stomach dropping. He gave her a nod to indicate that yes, he meant they'd possibly rape her, and she focused back on her task.

"Thank you for the information."

"Also, word has reached us that Bayonetta will stop in for a visit later this week, but we do not have an exact date. I need you to be ready for that encounter. Will you be?"

"Yes."

"Zelda I mean it, I'll need you to be ready." Why did he feel it necessary to say her name? Her stomach did it's odd flip again but she ignored it.

"I will be, have no fear." She looked over at him, catching his eye. "I will be ready." He nodded at that, looking like he wanted to say more. He went back to his map and she continued dusting. Her task brought her within arms reach of him and she felt her heart speed up. He could easily change his mind if he felt her acting wouldn't be up to scrutiny. She had to get right behind him to keep on dusting, her eyes moving to the desk. There was her silver letter opener, a perfect weapon if she decided to use it. The thought was tempting. He was busy looking at the map, seemingly oblivious to her movements around him.

The decision was made for her before she really thought it through. She lunged for the desk, her hand grasping the very edge of the hilt, before his hands gripped her and pulled her back. "No!" She cried the word out as her letter opener clattered back to the top of the desk, fighting the arms that went around her.

"What is wrong with you?" Ike asked in annoyance as he sat in the chair. Zelda was forced to sit on top of him, and she struggled against his muscles in vain.

"I am not some servant, nor am I a toy you can pass around when you-" he cut her off by forcing her to face him with a hand gripping her chin. His eyes were angry, his mouth a thin line.

"Dammit Zelda I am not going to pass you around! I warned you about the men so you could stay safe! I have made a deal with you and despite what I've had to do to keep my family safe I promise I will not hurt you. If you try to kill me again I may rethink that." She glared at him and he glared right back. Then his look softened slightly. She had to look away at the sight of sadness in his deep blue eyes.

"I don't like this situation," she explained simply, trying to look anywhere but at him.

"Well I would hope not. If you truly wanted your kingdom overrun and for yourself to become nothing more than a spoil of war given to a general in hopes of making him happier I'd have to question your supposed wisdom." She looked at him for that, and she found amusement making his eyes shine, even if his lips stayed in a line.

His grip on her had relaxed, and Zelda felt more like she was just sitting on his lap. With that thought she rose quickly, ignoring the sensation of his hands sliding down her as she did. "Can I ask you something?" She went back to dusting as she spoke, feeling his eyes track her movements.

"Of course."

"Do you know what happened to Link?"

"Link is still missing. He's been very adept at evading capture." She watched Ike from the corner of her eye as he looked back at the map and she felt sick as it dawned on her.

"You're supposed to catch him, aren't you?" Ike tensed at that and she whirled around to face him. "Answer me!"

"You're not my princess, watch your tone!" He practically growled the words at her, his eyes angry. She glared back at him and he held her gaze defiantly.

"You can't hurt Link, he's-"

"I don't care what he is to you and Hyrule! She has my family and I will burn this land to the ground to ensure their safety. I swore that I would always keep them safe and I have failed them."

"I swore to keep Hyrule safe," she spat angrily at him, her facade slipping as tears formed in her eyes. "That's a hell of a lot more than two people!" His eyes ran over her trembling form and she found his arms around her. She shoved against him but he just continued to hold her. "Let me go I-I-"

"Zelda, control yourself," he whispered into her hair and she drew in a shaky breath. "You've just been through a terrible ordeal, we both have. Neither of us want this. Please know that if I could do anything about this I would, but I can't allow myself to risk my family."

"Link won't let you catch him, you have to realize that. He's the Hero of Hyrule and any fighters you send his way you are merely sending to their deaths." She looked up at him from her place in his arms and he slowly released her.

"I'll face him myself then. Hero against Hero, to the death." She squared her shoulders and stepped up to him, jabbing a finger in his chest.

"If you harm him I will kill you." She whirled around to leave and heard his sigh.

"If you kill me then you'll be sent to your death or another man, I don't know which is worse." She ignored him and left the room, her emotions threatening to win again.

She slammed the door behind her and leaned against it heavily, drawing deep breaths. He was right that she had just been through a lot, and she needed to keep her emotions in check. She couldn't afford to lash out at Ike. If he got too annoyed with her he could make her life hell. She needed to stay calm, even if he spoke of hunting down Link. She knew they wouldn't catch him, but if Link knew she was there he might try to save her.

"Goddesses," she breathed before walking away, hoping to not have to deal with Ike for the rest of the day.

XxX

Luck was not on her side. At lunch time she found Ike's plate forced into her hands and an apologetic smile on the old woman's lips. "Sorry dear, but we have to run these to his men and I don't trust them around you." With that Zelda stalked towards the office area and charged right in. Ike wasn't seated there as she expected, so she took the free moment to eye what had been hers fondly.

The dark wooden desk looked beautiful against the soft blue walls, and the fur rug stretched across the floor was just as plush as she remembered it. The big doors behind the desk were open, letting the white curtains move gently in the breeze. She realized Ike must be out there and marched forward. She stepped onto the small balcony and found Ike sitting on the bench she had often napped on, his head in his hands.

Briefly she considered announcing her presence, but decided to wait and see what he would do first. He let out a shaky breath and her eyes took in his bare arms, how the muscles under the skin tightened. It hit her in that moment how much he had to be going through.

His family had been stolen from him in exchange for his loyalty which told Zelda he wasn't just some blind follower of Bayonetta's. He refused to hurt her despite that hanging over his head. And then there was that bit he had said earlier in talking about Link. Hero to Hero. Her eyes widened as she realized that the man who was trying to bury the heels of his hands in his eye sockets was the Radiant Hero of Crimea. Elincia had spoken of the man in her letters, how he was the most noble and loyal person she had ever met. He was brave, kind, and a true hero that deserved a lordship he didn't want. It hit Zelda hard in that moment that Ike had not just lost his family, but so much more before Bayonetta even came around.

Suddenly she felt a little tinge of guilt for how she had treated him. Elincia had always spoken so highly of him... "I have your lunch," she said in a gentle tone and he leapt to his feet, chest heaving in shock. It took him a moment to calm down, and when he did Zelda just held out the platter.

"Thank you," he mumbled before easing himself back down on the bench. "You can set it down and go, I'd rather not start another fight right now." She did as she was told, hesitating before leaving. He looked up at her, his eyes screamed pain and it threatened to break her heart.

"I'll just... leave you to it then." She gave him one last look and retreated back inside.

XXX

I'm back! I know it's been a long time and for that I'm sorry. Life gets crazy, etc etc. Anyway, thank you for reading this first chapter and please let me know what you think. Much love, Leigh