Hyrule Castle

„Princess! An urgent letter for you!"
Now what was that? She hadn't even had the time to change out of the holy dress in which she prayed to the Goddesses to bless her with the powers they needed so desperately to survive the impeding Calamity. The royal postman huffed heavily, it seemed as if he ran all the way from wherever he came from.
„Who sent it?"
„Princess Mipha!"
Zelda's eyebrows arched. Mipha? She liked the quiet girl a lot. She never raised her voice, and she excelled at fighting with a spear. And she was already able to connect to her Titan. It wouldn't accept her at the moment but maybe..? Zelda's hopes sparked. Did Vah Ruta finally choose Mipha as its champion? Restless, her eyes flew over the letter and as she read on, her heart began to race.

It wasn't right for the princess to run through the halls of the castle, but these news were the best opportunity she had in months to get away from her hopeless burdens of praying.
Stopping right in front of the golden doors of the throne room, she straightened her posture and opened them.
„Father! A word, please!"
King Rhoam raised his head, seemingly in awe at his daughter's demanding tone. Zelda only barely managed not to cringe as she saw the pity in his gaze.

„What is it, my child?"

Ignoring the amused eyes of the royal advisor Ganondorf, who didn't even limit himself to behind her back when calling her a failure, Zelda voiced the words she carefully arranged on the way to her father with countenance. If she showed too much enthusiasm about anything but the rituals for the Goddesses, her father would clam up and forbid her to leave. If she didn't show the necessary interest in the Titans and the advancements of the four races who still searched for their Champions, he wouldn't notice her artfully woven lies.
„So you think...?"
„Yes, maybe Mipha discovered something important we could use to help all Champions, if they are to be found someday. As it seems and I reported, Princess Mipha is the only living being able to communicate with a Titan."
King Rhoam furrowed his brows and tapped the throne with one finger as he thought about her words.
„I grant this wish of yours, Daughter. But under one condition."
The same moment she overflowed with joy, it got squished under the foreboding words of her father. Whatever he thought about, it couldn't be something good for her.
„Lord Ganondorf will accompany you and make sure you take care of your daily rituals!"
„F..FATHER!"
„M..My King!"

Both of them protested the same second. King Rhoam fell silent, but he only hold up his hand.
„Lord Ganondorf, I know there are urgent matters we need to solve, but you ARE the best warrior in the world, second only to Link, who isn't here. So please guide and guard this young daughter of mine on her way to the Realm of the Zoras!"
Terrified, Zelda could only watch as her father complimented the cold bastard to lure him into accepting. Cunning, but nonetheless the worst outcome she could have hoped for. Icy fingers closed around her heart as the tall Gerudo looked at her.
„And you, daughter of mine... I know all too well how fast you can forget your duties once the Titans and old technology of the Guardians are involved. I won't allow any discussion about my decision. Your call, young lady."
Zelda cringed. But she nodded, withstanding the hateful stare of her new travel companion. Ganondorf's lips were nothing more than a thin line as he nodded to the king, knowing he had lost this fight with his enemy. The thought of babysitting the princess he loathed so much must have driven him crazy, that she was sure of.

„Dismissed, both of you. I think you have preparations to attend to, for the journey ahead of you?" her father said, giving her another pitiful once over.
Gritting her teeth, Zelda nodded with a forced smile on her face, then she turned around and fled back to her room.
Traveling with this slimy bastard Ganondorf? What a nightmare! Her thoughts raced inside her skull. Could she lose him somewhere? The road to Zora's Domain was long and dangerous. She could watch herself, didn't need a babysitter. Oh, she knew all too well what her father intended with this condition. He wanted to get rid of Ganondorf and make sure she did those useless rituals. Two birds with one stone for him.
Depressed, she exchanged the royal dress for her beloved traveling outfit: a royal blue tunic, sturdy leather pants and boots. As she closed the girdle around her hips, some rude pounding on her door made her flinch. Here he was...
„Come, Deadweight. We need to go if we want to reach our destination within the next two days!" His deep, hoarse voice gave her the shivers, but she nodded grimly. It was time to go.
Hesitating only a second, she opened the door and fixated his cold gaze with her eyes.
„How did you call the princess of this kingdom, advisor?"
Zelda knew very well how much he hated being reduced to this shameful title, as king of the Gerudo.
„Deadweight, girl. I call things as what they are. And you are what I said. But if you're up for a debate about this topic, how about showing me those sealing powers of yours to change my mind?"
Zelda decided not to answer that offer. Ganondorf was an enemy she couldn't take yet. Not with words and much less in a fight.

Normally she would be in high spirits, leaving the castle behind her and all, but not this time. She walked for hours in deep silence because she had found it amusing to make it harder for Ganondorf by leaving their horses behind in the castle. A childish prank that backfired right after they walked the first few miles. As far as her well hidden glances to him told her, Ganondorf stoically walked in front of her, not even caring for their way of traveling while she already felt her bones and muscles. Darkness, she even felt muscles she didn't know existed!

As brutal and coldhearted as she knew him to be, he didn't even suggest a break when she sank to the ground, gasping for air like a fish out of water.
All he offered to her was a glare and grin, both full of loathing.
Gritting her teeth, Zelda pulled herself together and forced herself back to her feet. And thus their silent trip continued.
Her feet hurt as hell and her legs already cramped when Ganondorf pointed one hand at a small place with a campfire next to the road. Didn't they walk past the Woodland Stable not too long ago? Zelda was sure about it and knew immediately that he enjoyed letting her rest on the ground instead of a bed.
„We will sleep here and continue tomorrow. Hop into your fancy dress and try to get an answer from Hylia, Deadweight. I will guard your worthless hide while you do. Try to deceive me or neglect your duties and I will watch the monsters tear you apart. Are we clear?"
Burning hatred welled up inside her at those words, but all she could do was nod. Praying needed her full concentration. In this state, she was easy prey for every monster who stumbled upon them. So she did as told and slipped into the white Dress of the Goddesses, starting her cursed duty.

He smirked as she obediently nodded. He felt the spark of hatred within her, as his well thought-out words hit her like a fireball. But she kept her cool. At least something she was able to do: look like a princess. A cruel smirk spread his lips. What tragedy would it be if this girl got eaten by a Moblin? The thought was tempting, but the king would never believe him and start a war with the Gerudo. Being the warlock he was, he already did his research about the Calamity. He knew it was real and would befall them all within this generation. While the other monarchs believed the nonsense about the Heroes and Champions, he abandoned those old relics. Desperately searching for a way to avert the crisis. Urbosa, the daughter of his deceased wife, stupidly climbed around on this dust-collecting Titan, believing the words of this little girl in front of him. She even tried to convince him about those tales. He snorted, shifting his gaze back to the praying girl. Stupid.
Other things demanded his attention, like the five pairs of red glowing eyes a few dozen meters away. Rolling his eyes, he sent a fireball in the direction of the monsters, roasting a few of them alive while the others fled. Too easy. This world was a boring place for him. The desert honed his skills in combat and magic. Hardened his skin against the merciless sun and sandstorms. At least this senile Hylian was partly right at that point. He definitely was the most capable warrior in the world. This little kid called Link could only make him yawn. His being able to beat a Hylian knight only showed to him how weak this race was.
But it seemed like a good opportunity to speak a few words with the king of the fishpeople. The Gerudo Desert needed water more than anything else, and the fishpeople had plenty of it. Maybe he could turn this unsacred journey into something useful for his tribe?
His gaze shifted back to the praying princess and made him roll his eyes. How stupid could she be, praying to some long lost goddess for power? You always had to use the power within yourself to conquer your enemies. A lecture this little girl would know, if only she was a Gerudo. But be as it may, he couldn't respect this girl. Except for her brains. But a scholar wouldn't win them a fight against the Calamity.