Hi everyone! I can't apologise enough for not being active for so many months. It's been a hectic Summer & Autumn is all I can say! I got married in August so I was spending a lot of time enjoying being a newlywed. Then in September, I started my back at university. This is my third and final year at Edge Hill University so I'm sure you can all understand how manic it gets sometimes! Assignments this year are intense! Not to mention that I have also just started a new job. I'm a design team member for a new tabletop roleplaying game that my university is publishing in collaboration with a games studio. How cool is that?! We're currently in research mode which has taken away most of my free time. And lastly, I am applying for a Masters degree next year so a lot of my time is being dedicated to building my portfolio. All in all, it's going to be a busy year. But, I am going to try and upload some more chapters this year. Sadly, because I am so busy in the next three weeks, what with two assignments, and a bunch of research work to do, I don't think I'll be able to get another chapter out until Christmas. But for now, I hope you enjoy this one!

As always, I do not own any of the content used in this story. (i.e. characters, names, places, items, etc.). They all belong to Nintendo.

This chapter contains: A Threat of Violence - Foul Language (Swear/Cuss words) - Not much really

Chapter Seven.

Zelda sat slumped on the edge of her bed, staring at the wedding dress on the mannequin in the corner. The last week had gone by quicker than she had hoped. She spent it making sure the prisoners were better taken care of and trying her best to avoid Ganondorf. She had mostly succeeded, by confining herself to her chambers almost every day. However, there were occasions where avoidance was impossible. The vacant seats on the privy council needed to be filled and Ganondorf was insisted that Zelda help him choose men who would be loyal to him. It didn't take Zelda long to recommend noblemen who would have no issue in changing their loyalty to Ganondorf. Men with no morals. Men who would always back the most powerful player in the hopes that it would get them what they wanted. They backed King Daphnes when he was the most powerful and now they will back Ganondorf without hesitation or remorse. At least, that's what she told Ganondorf, when she recommended them. And while it was true for some of them, Zelda had specifically named five men who had acted as spies for her father in the past. She knew that they would do the same for her, she just needed to get her instructions across to them. And she had it all planned. While the castle was currently quiet and empty, it would be opened to the public again for the wedding and noblemen and women from all over would be there. Including the new councilmen. She simply needed to get the message across to one of them during the ball. She was relying on Ganondorfs high spirits. No doubt he would be in a good mood and full of wine. He was likely to let his guard down a bit and Zelda would take the first opportunity she could.

She let out a sigh and finally stood from her bed. This was the last day where she would feel even a hint of freedom. Tomorrow she would marry the Gerudo King and all sense of freedom would wither from her soul. She pulled back her curtains to reveal yet another horrible and grey day. Her hands were shaking but her mind denied how nervous she was about tomorrow. She could face the humiliation of surrendering and even the shame of marrying the Demon King. But, knowing that tomorrow night the two would have to… consummate, scared her. Miss Thalia had assured her that when the time came, it would be a wonderful thing because Zelda would be in love.

Now that she was about to marry a man she hardly knew, let alone love, Zelda didn't know how to feel about it. She only knew that the thought of Ganondorf touching her like that, disgusted and terrified her. Not that she would ever show any of those emotions to the public. Growing up Zelda had learnt that any emotions which would make her look weak, must be kept hidden until she was alone. But, she wondered if she would ever get the chance to be alone again after tomorrow. Probably not. Not in complete privacy anyway, except maybe when she bathed.

She shook those thoughts from her mind when a knock at the door distracted her. She hesitated for a moment. If it was Ganondorf he would simply enter without waiting for her to answer the knock. When no one immediately entered, she relaxed and called out for whoever it was to come in. It was Sayla. She smiled at her friend, but Sayla couldn't keep her eyes off the wedding dress. Zelda looked to it as well and her smile quickly faded.

"I must admit, it is quite beautiful, isn't it?"

"It is Your Highness. But…"

"What is it Sayla? Is something wrong?"

"It is just a shame Your Highness, that you will not be wearing it to marry a man you love."

Zelda took in a deep breath and nodded.

"Where is Mareen?"

Sayla's expression changed from sad to afraid the moment she heard her sisters name.

"She is…"

"What is it Sayla? Where is she?"

"Well, she is in the dining hall. Serving Lord Ganondorf breakfast. I am so worried for her right now Your Highness. She's terrified of him. She can't stop shaking whenever we see him. What if she makes a mistake? What if she spills his wine? What will he do to her?"

Zelda stepped forwards and took Saylas hands in her own.

"Sayla, calm down. Help me get dressed and I will go and sit with them. I will make sure nothing bad happens if she makes a mistake."

Sayla took a deep breath and smiled ever so slightly. She nodded and headed to Zeldas wardrobe to pull out one of her dresses.
Zelda dressed quickly and instead of combing her hair and tying it into the braids she was well known for, she twisted it up into a bun on top of her head. She left her diadem on the dresser, not wanting to bother with it today. Before too long, Zelda was headed through the corridors, towards the dining hall. When she came to the dining halls doors she stopped herself. She had not seen Ganondorf for three days and if she did not care so much for Mareen, she would not see him today either.

She pushed open the doors and her eyes immediately met Ganondorfs. He seemed almost surprised to see her and he leant back in his chair, smiling at her.

Zelda looked around whilst she made her way to the table. Once sat down, she noticed Mareen in the corner, holding a jug of wine.

"I did not expect to see you until tomorrow, princess."

Zelda looked at Ganondorf, but did not reply. She simply began to eat her breakfast which, by now was a tad cold. But she didn't care. She fully intended to completely ignore Ganondorf while they were there. She was only there to keep an eye on Mareen. She would not indulge in conversation with Ganondorf.

"Not speaking to me princess? Shame."

He leaned towards her and took her wrist in his hand, stopped her from taking another bite.

"I will not have my wife ignoring me. When I talk to you, you will speak back. Is that clear?"

Zelda glared at him and pulled her wrist from his grip.

"I am not your wife yet, Ganondorf. I am free to do as I will."

He grinned and returned to his breakfast.

"Until tomorrow, princess."

Zelda continued to ignore him and the two sat in silence, eating their breakfasts. Zeldas eyes kept wondering to Mareen. She could see her hands trembling. She stopped chewing the bite that was in her mouth, when Ganondorf snapped his fingers and lifted his cup. All her concentration went on watching Mareen as she shuffled forward, trying desperately to stop her shaking. She began to fill Ganondorfs cup slowly, desperate not to spill any of it. Ganondorf continued to eat his food while his drink was refilled. Mareen let out a small sigh of relief as she began to bring the pouring to a halt. Ganondorf grunted and coughed as a bit of meat struggled to go down his throat. Mareen almost jumped out of her skin at the sudden noise and her shaking hands dropped the jug. Ganondorf practically jumped from his seat as his lap was covered with the wine Mareen had spilt. Zelda too, jumped out of her seat because she knew he would be angry.

"YOU STUPID BITCH!"

Mareen began to apologise again and again. Ganondorf raised his hand to slap her, but Zelda was quick to step in between him and Mareen. She placed her hand on Ganondorfs chest and saw his features relax to her touch. He lowered his hand and seemed to calm down. She didn't say anything to him. She turned around to Mareen.

"It's alright Mareen. Go and get cleaned up, then go and help your sister. I'll help Lord Ganondorf clean up."

Mareen was quick to scurry out of the room and Zelda turned back to Ganondorf who seemed surprisingly calm. She picked up a napkin from the table and handed it to Ganondorf.

"I know you are angry Ganondorf. But please, do not punish Mareen for her mistake."

Ganondorf took the napkin and began to wipe his robes clean of the wine, but it wouldn't budge from the fabric.

"And why shouldn't I? She's ruined this robe. I thought your servants were supposed to be trained."

Zelda took another napkin off the table and tried to help Ganondorf clean his robes.

"She was scared Ganondorf. Mareen is only a young girl. When she worked for me, her duties only consisted of helping me dress and making the beds. She is not used to serving."

Ganondorf took Zelda's wrist, stopping her from what she was doing. She looked up at him and he narrowed his eyes at her. Trying to figure out what she was trying to gain.

"She is dear to me Ganondorf. Both Sayla and Mareen. I grew up with them. I'm asking you nicely, as the woman you are about to marry. Please, don't hurt either of them. Even if they do make mistakes."

Ganondorf let go of Zelda's wrist and huffed. He took his robe off, followed by his linen shirt and Zelda looked away.

"Very well Zelda. But I want something from you in return."

Zelda sighed and rolled her eyes.

"What do you want?"

Ganondorf crossed his arms and leant in closer to her.

"Tomorrow us our wedding day. It's supposed to be the happiest day of your life. So, as we make our vows, I want you to smile."