The Sentinel of Shadows

by BonJiro

When opportunity strikes, the window is swift and fleeting. Ganondorf, taking an old trick from his foes and disguising himself as a Shiekah, takes a chance and finds himself guarding the Hyrulian Royal Family's most precious treasure; Princess Zelda.

10. Prizes within Books and Girls

A/N: Okay. Time-skippage ahoy.

Just so everyone follows with the time frames, here's a refresher:

Up until this chapter, we covered about two and a half months worth of events—the start of Ganondorf's attendance. I never actually gave Zelda's official age in the start, and I only gave you that she looked around ten or so.

So there isn't any confusion in this chapter, Zelda was eleven years old when the story started. She was coming up on twelve by the last chapter, and the kiss was shared in the beginnings of spring, as winter was passing. Zelda's birthday is in springtime, and we've skipped two birthdays, but only just. One full seasonal cycle has gone by after we saw the first part of spring in the last chapter, and now it's spring again and will be two cycles.

Zelda is now coming up on her fourteenth birthday. The six years of attendance implied that Ganondorf would strike after her sixteenth birthday, but before her seventeenth, and was a rough amount of time; we have just over two years more to play with, starting this chapter.

Also, this chapter is Skyward Sword flavoured.

And… Shad makes more than a cameo here. Because he's just the best nerd ever.

Everyone good? Okay. Onward!

Over a year or so had passed since Zelda's first, fleeting kiss had given her an early step up on the stairway to womanhood, and in that time, many other facets of her growth had followed it quickly.

Her body had thinned out with a growth spurt, toned with a firm yet feminine layer of muscle gained from her training, as gentle curves slowly graced her hips and thighs by natural progression. Her dresses now sat well upon her, with the Princess' new height and figure filling them out nicely; her attire tailored with necklines and bodices she'd never been able to wear previously. Golden tresses had gained a glorious length, straight with ringlet twists bringing curls to the ends at the small of her back—it had become the envy of many girls and women alike, the kingdom over.

The council had introduced several additives to her day, and Zelda now found herself expected to attend public occasion on a more frequent basis, admired like a jewel of the crown itself by any in attendance. Private lessons in etiquette and social standing had begun, with age old traditions—carrying tomes with poise upon one's head while walking, the correct gestures to use while holding cutlery, the tucking of an ankle behind the leg while sitting—conditioning her every mannerism to better suit her status. This, along with the secretive exercises the Shiekah put her through, had earned Zelda a new posture, easing elegance and grace with an adept sense of balance, into the way the young woman now carried herself.

A woman's chin was now accompanied by higher cheekbones, fragile shoulders and a swanlike neck. Her nose was perhaps the only thing unchanged, cute as it hadn't grown into her newly apparent features. Even the slight swell of her breast had become a delicate contour, soft as it sat hidden behind embroidered hems, understated with womanly potential. Though she was still quite young, it could be contested that she had left her childlike appearance behind and now, rather, was as a miniature version of what she was to be when fully grown, much to the delight of those who had been waiting patiently for this transformation to occur.

It seemed that all those around her were now aware of her status as a woman and treated her accordingly; those who'd thought her childish now regarded her fondly, praising the way she had grown. She was heralded as a majestic beauty, looking more like the late queen each day. The world flocked around her with smiles now that her body, and seemingly her mind with it, had matured.

And yet, the first to know of this transformation and behold her crossing the lines to adulthood, while at the time the rest remained painfully unawares, had withdrawn his attention from that aspect with a tantalizing restraint.

Every now and again, Zelda would catch it; the back of his fingers as they lingered too long upon her arm or the subtle, wanting glance that told her his mind and body were warring about something. On rare occasions—the days where she was upset, or particularly beaten from lessons in combat, and even simply out of the blue—she would recapture it with his lips grazing her forehead, a whisper fanning out hot against her ear, or the subtle sweep of his hand upon her hip or thigh.

Yet to the Princess' disappointment and chagrin, Sheik had not blessed her lips with his affection since the lonely kiss taken in the window, almost as if he'd forgotten it entirely; they didn't speak of it, and any attempt to was evaded with skill. It seemed he would not relent or reward her desires until she had solved the puzzles of romance, blossoming into a new understanding of what it may be he coveted in her.

But on the eve of her fourteenth birthday, the castle bustling with excitement and busy with preparation, Zelda was hopeful this may change.

Walking down the carpeted halls, the graceful sway in the Princess' gait carried her gently, peach coloured skirts swishing about slender ankles as satin gloved arms lilted at her sides. A charmed smile sat upon her lips to lend a pleasantly approachable look to her face, as a scruffy servant boy—heavily laden with books—struggled, tottering behind, awkwardly caught between his awe of the girl and the task at hand. Though it appeared Zelda paid him no mind, secretly she marveled, once again, at how differently people acted around her in comparison to when she was younger… Males, especially.

Statued soldiers, the armoured suits empty save for a hint of pride left by the men who once donned them, saluted her as she passed. The marble entrance of the libraries ahead in all its carved glory, Zelda's attention glossed over the heavy doors and a mean spirited idea came to mind. Just before reaching her destination, the Princess turned suddenly, standing to the side and turning a haughty gaze at the boy behind her. He seemed to flinch under her eyes, wobbling as the volumes threatened to spill out from his grasp at any moment, before he came to an awkward stop.

Zelda smiled sweetly at him, taking note of the red seeping into his cheeks as the servant stood terrified and beguiled.

"Would you mind terribly?" She asked, raising a brow when he didn't move.

The boy's eyes widened, flitting about to nervously scan the area before he responded meekly. "M-mind what, m-milady…?"

Zelda knew he hadn't been here long, but he must've been fresh to call her that. She clicked her tongue mischievously. "Firstly, you are to address me as Your Highness, or Princess Zelda. Secondly, 'ladies first' is only applicable to chivalry in my case…" Catching the boy's blank stare, she rolled her eyes, knowing he was likely uneducated.

"When you're in the presence of a lady, you must hold the door open for them in all good manners. This is even more important when serving royalty. I can't go through until you open this door, and you may get in trouble for failing to do so." Her sweet smile then returned.

The servant grinned sheepishly, as if he had simply forgotten. "Oh… Y-yes, mil- Your Highness…" He shuffled eagerly toward the door, but paused when he realized opening the door for her was currently impossible.

The Princess, of course, already knew the difficulty he would have, as a smirk flirted with the corner of her mouth.

The boy juggled the books around, trying in vain to reach the handle without dropping any. His tongue poked out in concentration, brows continued to furrow as his fingers uselessly wiggled toward the brass. Frustrated grunts soon turned to a helpless look, but just as his mind clicked over and he bent to put the books down, Zelda's gasp drew his panicked eyes upward.

"Oh, no!" She cried with fake alarm. "You can't simply put them down upon the filthy floor! That simply wouldn't do at all!" Her hand came to fan her face, as if it were all too much for the delicate Princess. "And I am far too weak to carry them… But decorum must stand; neither can I open the door as a lady… Oh, am I to be stuck here?" She wailed in an exaggerated manner, holding her fingers to her forehead in false light-headedness.

"B-but… I can't open… the…" His words trailed of as the beautiful girl sent him a vulnerable look, her eyes shimmering as if she would cry.

The poor servant looked utterly crestfallen then as he trembled, correcting himself immediately. "N-No! Don't… Uh…! Please, Y-your Highness, I-I'll… I'll go get help! Yeah! Stay here, please! I'll save you, promise, you won't be stranded here!" He cried, petrified as he scurried off in a flash of weak heroism, calling out desperately as he rounded the corner of the hall, a few books littered behind him.

"Oh, my hero!" She cried encouragingly, waving him off and wishing she'd had a handkerchief to complete the damsel in distress motif.

Once he was out of earshot, the Princess' act disappeared immediately, replaced by an evil cackle. She turned, opening the grand door with a shunt to let herself in, a wicked grin on her delicate features as she shook her head. Oh, poor boy, she thought, pleased with her cheeky ways, They'll think I've been struck down by lightning with the way he's carrying on. Closing it behind her, Zelda's gaze swept the first section of the libraries with a quiet relief in being unaccompanied once more. What a useless thing my etiquette lessons turned out to be; if the world worked like that truly, we'd all have starved long ago for the pantry doors not being held open or the wrong forks being provided.

With a happy sort of sigh, slender fingers pinched at her skirts to hold the hem above her ankles and Zelda passed beneath the crystal chandelier in the library foyer to make her way toward the impressive mahogany staircase. She skipped over each step with ease and agility, climbing to the higher levels quickly with a light, contented hum; as soon as she stood atop the stairway, overlooking the foyer, her dress was released to sway around her feet freely. The hem ghosted over the plush blue runner as her fingers trailed affectionately over the row of books at her left, lining the wall in a ceiling high display.

She had found, over the course of the last year, that the libraries were one of her favorite places to be besides the gardens; her curiosity could be catered to in silent privacy here, the air still with a studious calm, surrounded by the scent of parchment and lavender as it drifted in from outside. Luminous and spacious, the daylight poured in from high arched windows during the day, splaying the colours of spring against the glass as they danced beyond of it.

She could easily tuck herself away here for hours without trouble following her—even with a steady flow of scholars through the public areas, there were untouched aisles, like hidden secrets in the maze, and restricted sections in which she could make herself comfortable without being disturbed. She'd lost count of how many times she'd sat in the eldest parts and simply lounged, though lately, she'd also taken to practicing her magics in the security these friendly tomes provided.

Zelda skipped and tottered through the aisles, passing a display wall of ancient pottery and weapons, through a corridor of scrolls and by numerous tapestries and portraits of heritage, her golden tresses bouncing lightly as she went. Like herself, there was another who preferred his own company, hidden and out of public attentions, especially on days where the castle bustled and busied itself with festivities or grand occasions. The Princess had grown to know his movements well, and if he wasn't reading on the tented roofing or high upon the eave of a tower, he was sure to be found here.

But it seemed today he was well hidden… or didn't wish to be found.

Turning into a smaller chamber used for research and map drafting, Zelda padded over to an old table, her gaze sweeping the room inquisitively as she searched for her missing attendant. A cough from over by a shelf containing maps of Holodrum alerted the Princess to another with a start, but her hopefulness flickered and died with the friendly smile of an older man.

"My word, what a pleasant surprise… Can I help you with anything, Princess Zelda?" He asked with a gentle yet proper accent, adjusting round glasses over his thin nose.

She looked him over, trying to place his name so as not to seem rude—Diamond patterned socks rode high on his shins, with gentry's pantaloons in a purple shade to match a smart vest. He carried a book with a dagger in its pages, and his wiry frame still held a healthy posture and look, showing he'd carried his youthfulness as long as he could have despite his age. He was peering at her with a fond look over his small, round glasses, expectantly.

Sensing her hesitation, he chortled with a nasal sound, warm with a welcoming gesture. "You probably don't remember me well, do you?" He smiled. "I haven't taught you since you were but a knee high… If I recall, you favored the stories of the city in the clouds more than you ever did geography. To be fair, though, so did I."

Blinking for a moment before it came back to her, Zelda's face lit up with a bright and familiar smile. "Sir Shadrian! I could never forget your lessons… You know that." She giggled, padding over to him happily. "But, by the trinity, you've gotten old." She teased playfully.

The old man raised a hand to fix his bowtie, clearing his throat in a dignified manner. "With wisdom comes many a wrinkle, you know… You should count yourself quite luck indeed." Shrugging in a stilted way and glancing around before setting his book down upon a cabinet top, he arched a thin brow at her. "I don't suppose you've come for one last childhood story before the wings of womanhood carry you away?" He asked somewhat hopefully.

"Tempting…" She admitted, chewing her lip in thought as she took a seat upon the low stool, bunching her skirts up in dainty fists. "But, I should think I'd still hear a story of yours even when I've children of my own." Zelda shifted then clasping her hands in her lap as she thought back.

"…Actually…" She paused, eying him as an eager glint caught in his lenses. "I will stay for one. I was looking for Sheik, but I'm sure he'll be staying put wherever he is, around here." She gave him a grin, tilting her head as his humorous sort of appearance began to take its toll on her attentive mind. He reminded her somewhat of a penguin.

He clapped his hands enthusiastically at the girl's choice. "Good show! But, as long as we're returning to a familiarity, I insist you simply call me Shad. No need for formalities when there's a good yarn to be had, my dear!" He laughed, springing over to take the other stool and rest his elbows on the table, crinkling the map beneath them.

"On that Shiekah fellow of yours, I should say I happened upon him earlier… He wasn't in the most talkative mood, but then, the Shadow Folk never were forthright, were they?" He chuckled ponderously, mirth stretching his wrinkled face.

Zelda's ears twitched with an obsessive speed at this. "Really? You saw him? Where, Shad?" She almost spluttered, excited by the knowledge of his whereabouts… The elusive man he was.

Shad simply laughed, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. "Dear me, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were a love struck damsel, fawning over the man like that." Seeing her stiffen some, her hand taking to idly fidgeting with a lock of hair, he cleared his throat to divulge. "Either way, he passed by here not long ago, heading toward the restricted history sections, if I'm not mistaken. Don't fret, my dear, he hasn't been past again since. He should still be there."

The Princess' body relaxed at this, her easy smile returning. "Oh, that's good… Thank you… That makes things easier." She murmured, feeling a tad awkward now, though she brightened to change the subject back. "Anyway, on to a yarn, then? It'll have to be a good one, Shad, you know I haven't had one in a while." She prompted cheekily.

"A good one? My dear girl, all of them are very good. Why, take the Oocca of the Sky, for example, their technological advancements were wondrous, and we can trace its history back to a time when the Hylian people lived among the clouds with them, sharing in the developments! Frightfully fascinating stuff, If I do say so myself— "

"Shad. I know about the Oocca. You drummed that side of history into me long ago." She giggled, hiding her smirk behind a gloved hand.

Shad blinked toward the girl, stopped in his tirade as for a moment he seemed to forget his place on Earth. "O-Oh! Yes, quite… Ahem, yes…" He relented sheepishly, drumming his fingers on the table as his mind filed through his vast historical knowledge.

"Well… Why not pick one, and I'll give you a spinning diddle, eh?" He flashed a toothy smile at her, adjusting his glasses again as he settled.

Zelda's eyes rose upward in thought for a moment, delicate features schooled with pursed lips as she decided, fingers picking at her dress. There was only one thing she could think of, off hand, that she was really interested in. Starting slowly, she watched Shad closely to gauge his reaction. "…Do you know anything about, say… Ancient Hyrule and the Demon Lord, Ghirahim…?"

The old scholar's enthusiasm seemed to fade quickly, a nervous smile quirking his lips as his fingers found each other to interlock thoughtfully. A heaviness seemed to thicken the atmosphere, as if the very subject held a dangerous gravity.

"…I'm… afraid I don't… know very much about… him… But…" He stammered, not wanting to disappoint the girl, and yet not comfortable with her choice at all.

He sighed, seeing Zelda's face fall subtly—He could tell she'd been curious on the matter for some time, without reprieve. And if Sir Shadrian could relate and empathize with anything, it was the gnawing emptiness a question unanswered left in one's very soul.

Shirting in his seat, a light grimace flashed before he slowly began. "…I suppose I know a tad bit more than most, though. Very well…" He drew a deep breath, running his gaze along the old map as he thought of where to begin.

"Legend has it that, as my studies would denote as well, there was once a time when life as we know it left Hyrule to be protected within a sanctuary above the clouds. As far as I can tell by the research put to the matter so far, there are several geological sites the world over that seem to confirm this myth—As if large portions of earth rose up into the skies and, over time, the course of nature patched these holes to create the Hyrule congruent with maps dated around two hundred years before the Great Cataclysm."

Shad's hand rose to his chin as he seemed to lose himself in thought. "And you know, I had always found it strange that, aside from the Oocca who I can infer sustain their floating city by way of technology, these reports seemed to support that it was by divine influence that these islands in the sky were raised. By all rights, they very well might still be up there…"

Shaking his head suddenly, he seemed to divert back. "But, in any case, I stumbled upon this in my studies of the Oocca and my father's work, and so far it seems that it was caused by an outburst of demons within these lands, long ago. Ancient scriptures seem to describe it as the underworld spewing forth from fissures in the very soil, along with elevated seismic activity and a black mist... though, given what we know of the world today, I would propose that these mists were heavy storm systems or soot from early volcanic eruptions."

Zelda had made herself comfortable, defying Ganondorf once again by resting an elbow on the table and leaning her chin upon it, enraptured with Shad's account. "Yes, Sheik did mention that to me once. He told me the underworld was actually a negative plane created to balance the positive energy used when the Goddesses crafted the world, and that the first plague of evil was brought to us from it by Ghirahim, who himself was born of it. He called it the First Evil."

Keenly picking up on the Princess' addition, Shad elaborated, growing somewhat excited by an intellect that matched his, even in a youth. "Ah, yes, I do believe he would be correct in that matter… Ghirahim was indeed responsible for a plague of demons upon Hyrule in those times, while the Hylians above were unawares, if I understand my father's findings correctly. He oversaw the ferrying of demonic monsters from the netherworld, so to speak, and acted as something of a feudal lord, at the helm of the land."

His finger rose then, stopping Zelda before she could say anything more in response, as a foreboding seriousness stole Shad's face. His brows furrowed some, looking a bit concerned, as he peered over those glasses at her with congeniality.

"But, my dear, even with that said, Ghirahim was not the First Evil, by Din's Fire, no. There was another before him, who much like Ghirahim, brought an onslaught of darkness to the land… But he was far more powerful. By my understanding, the First was actually akin to a demi God in capability, and ancient tablets depicting his appearance in history often places him as the ruler of the underworld itself. Very little is documented on him in any detail, but there is an account that he once battled a lesser Goddess who oversaw the holy spirits of Hyrule. Lake Hylia is named for her, though I do not know of the Demon's title, only that he was once noted as the Imprisoned."

The Princess blanched as her eyes widened slightly, any smile fading as her gut twisted. As he spoke, she felt those feelings of doubt creep up on her again. Her jaw shifted, lips forming unspoken words for a moment, before she whispered more to herself then Shad. "But then…He lied to me…"

Hearing this, and seeing the doubt and hurt linger in the girl's eyes, Shad quickly shifted his expression to one of reassurance. "Zelda, I wouldn't say that. Perhaps he only knew so much himself, although he is a Shiekah, I suppose… But, he came here to protect you, did he not? He likely wasn't forthcoming for the want of your safety." He offered with a light smile. "I apologize if I've upset you in any way..."

Zelda cringed at his apology, waving it away with a hand as she frowned to herself. "No, no, Shad, you've done nothing to upset me… I just… When he told me about this it was… well, it was very important to me and… I suppose I don't like finding out that he only told me so much when he knew how much it meant. I thought he was being honest with me, not… selective…"

The old scholar shifted, smoothing out the crinkled map before him in an obsessive compulsive moment of weakness, before clicking his tongue sympathetically. "I suppose I could back him up on that one, I'm afraid… From what I gathered, he came here on the prophecy of the King of Evil's return, to guard you from him. I hope you don't mind my say so, but Zelda, I'm sure Sheik keeping details concerning him at bay was a wise thing of him to do."

Zelda hesitantly brushed a lock of hair over her ear, biting her lip lightly as she considered this. Whatever it was he hadn't told her, she wanted to know and if Shad was right, he may keep it from her until the Evil King appeared. Surprises made her weary, and being of an analytical mind, the Princess took great comfort in being abreast of crucial information concerning these things that haunted the horizons of her future.

"Shad… I know this may be a big ask, but…" She sighed, glancing to the side guiltily. "I don't like going behind Sheik's back, but please, if you know why he chose to hide it from me… I'd like to know. Nobody is aware of this, but Sheik and I have a relationship that isn't quite what it seems. I was hoping to act on it in future, when the opportune moment arises, if you understand my meaning…"

With a chuckle, the old man nodded sagely. "Ah, I see… Say no more. I understand. Royals bare many burdens, and matters of the heart are often set to the wayside."

"Yes, exactly." She conceded, relieved. "Please, don't breathe a word of it until we're able to be as we'd like… I have a bit of a plan as to how things might unfold in our favor, but until then, it's strictly to remain discreet. I'm sure you can guess the uproar to be had when it comes time for me to pick a suitor and its… well, not who they will expect."

Shad smiled sincerely, removing his glasses with a flick of his wrist to send her an understanding look. "A gentleman never tells, my dear." Taking a small cloth from his vest pocket, he began to clean the rims with care.

"I can only guess, Zelda, as to why exactly he would be cautious with this information, but as I said before, unfortunately I do know very little. The extent of what I do know however, is that the notable scholars who researched this corner of history, including my father, believed there to be a very strong connection between the Imprisoned and the King of Evil. It is a very hard come by documentation, the compilation drafts of their collective work, but I have read footnotes my father made in his own journals that suggested a curse was placed upon those who felled the Demon's blight."

The small framed spectacles were returned to his face with a studious nod, and Zelda could tell it was a movement he'd made many times before, years worth of repetition in such a simple act showing his true nature as an academic. "It was very hard to translate the original Shiekah verse, but it appears that the Imprisoned used his dying breath and the last of his power to preserve a piece of his soul. He warned that this would manifest his hatred anew, and forever doom their descendants to an unending battle, reborn with them in each new life over the ages."

Lacing his fingers with satisfaction in his explanation, Shad concluded with familial pride. "My father proposed the theory that the King of Evil possessed the fragmented soul, mingled with his own, and in doing so allowed the curse to be realized. Whether the Gerudo people, or even the Evil King himself, realized this, remains a mystery. But it would explain the source of such a twisted mind, wouldn't you agree?"

Zelda sat silent, allowing this new information to soak in. Her clever mind attended to this knowledge carefully, picking through it to see how this changed things in any way, and what it meant for her. Slowly, as her crystalline gaze traced the map's geography, it began to make sense.

"Yes… And if that were true, it would be my lineage bearing the descendants of the ones who felled him. That would explain, at least, why he presents such a danger, if a demonic essence spurs his darkest actions, especially with the vengeance he seeks from us." She conceded, fingers idly rising to brush her cheek thoughtfully.

"That would also fit with what Sheik has told me about my heritage in relation to the Shiekah, even if it was somewhat cryptic at the time. He informed me of the Shadow Folk becoming our guardians as a result of Ghirahim's actions… If he was born of the same place, he was probably connected to the First Evil very closely as well."

With a sigh, she ran her fingers through her hair in exasperation. "It is little wonder why Sheik wants to shield me from these things. With all the darkness following my family, if he had told me of it all I'd have been too terrified to sleep for years, foreboding dreams aside… I feel so guilty now for doubting his intentions, even momentarily… Being the last of his kind and holding all these grave secrets while I enjoyed a pampered childhood must have taken a heavy toll, I'm not surprised he started training me so soon."

Zelda immediately flinch though, when she realized she'd said that, seeing Shad's brows sweep upward with a surprised blink.

"Training you?" He queried, looking quite taken aback. "In combat?"

The Princess nodded reluctantly, grimacing slightly as her eyes closed. "…Again, Shad, discretion if you please…"

As his shock slowly subsided, the scholar nodded empathetically, forcing a smile. "Well, I can't say I'm not surprised, but now that you mention it, my dear, I think that sounds entirely fitting." He admitted considerately, pushing his stool back to stand.

"In fact, after a moment of reflection, I'm rather glad he's taken such precaution. A Shiekah like that ought to know what's in your best interests, truly… Though I can't say I'm well appraised on the arts of battle, I'm afraid. But, I'll have you know I am a rather formidable opponent in a speed reading contest." He chuckled, making his way over to the wooden shelving holding his effects.

The Princess giggled, her mood lightening once more as she, too, moved to take her leave. Leaning a hand against the table, she watched him tuck the book beneath his arm and turn toward her, and Zelda paused to give him an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry to leave you with my troubles, Shad, really… thank you for listening to me… and for all you've told me."

He strode over to her, beaming down at the girl with mirth as his thin hands worked to furl the map upon the table, intent on taking it with him. "Nonsense, Zelda. I enjoyed it." He told her with a respectful incline of his head. "We both came here to find something, and we each leave with a story."

Tying the ribbon around the dusty chart, it was tucked beneath the wiry scholar's arm along with the leather bound book he always seemed to carry. "Well, I have to be getting on now. Tally ho, and all that… If you should ever need counsel, I'll do my best to indulge. Until then, best wishes upon your birthday."

With a final tip of his glasses, Shad left her with a gentle gait, straight posture carrying him with a strength one wouldn't expect of his age. The room felt oddly empty without him, and Zelda found herself wanting to move on quickly, giving the chamber a brief once over as she thought on their conversation. A weight had been lifted from her shoulders, somehow, and as she made her way back out into the library halls she felt refreshed.

Smiling to herself, she realized that this day had brought her another step closer to unlocking the riddle of her attendant.

Who, in the meantime, had locked himself away in the lower levels, as he had been doing for some time now. Paper trails had frustratingly led the Gerudo all over these libraries, searching through countless versions of history, thousands of edicts and overturned laws, until after months of study he found himself in one of the oldest and least traveled chambers of the entire castle. He was closer now than ever before, carefully inspecting any parchment or scroll to be found here, every letter of every word, inching ever closer to the loophole he sought.

To even enter this grand storage of records required the permission of a member of the Royal family, and Ganondorf, while being as secretive as possible about his forays here, knew very well that Zelda would give him that were he caught by another. Like all other errors he'd made in his time here, it would be swept under the rug with only a caution put to him, and he'd continue on his way… A benefit of Zelda's preference for him that did not go unappreciated.

He currently sat hunched over an oaken desk, flipping through pages and scouring them with a fierce scrutiny. Silver hair was loose, falling over his broad shoulders and sculpted back in light waves, his gloves replaced by thin bandage around his wrists—save for the right hand, which saw it spiraled around his thumb and knuckles to conceal the holy mark. The Shiekan garb he wore had faded in colour slightly since its creation, though remain largely unchanged. His boots lay strewn beneath the desk as large feet basked in relief.

It was obvious he had come here with the intent of staying a while.

Ganondorf's crimson eyes closed with a heavy sigh as he took his palms to his face, massaging the skin tiredly as he leaned back into the sturdy chair. If it existed, it was in this series of rulings, he was sure of it… after so long, working methodically by way of elimination, he'd narrowed it down to being within the last few copies. But finding what could be not but a single passage in the massive volume was a task in itself.

His fingers slid down his cheeks some, tired gaze scanning the stone wall ahead of him with a bored look. He would be glad when this hunt was over; not that he disliked the new wealth of information he'd inevitably picked up in his search, but the fact remained he was out of touch in his researching abilities. The Gerudo hadn't combed through such expanses of scripture and historical accounts since the days of old, when he'd sought the holy relic.

Before that, he could recall letting others simply do the researching for him, only to have him take their findings for himself. Ganondorf's name was credited with many insights and achievements that weren't his to claim, not the least of which included his short feud with the composer brothers of the old kingdom. A dark chuckle escaped him at the memory—The fools slaved for a few good years unlocking the power behind the melodies of that sacred ocarina, only to have him steal their work for his own personal gain. And then, they died with their work unknown. He'd seen to their deaths personally when they'd threatened to take the matter up with the King, who had already grown weary of Ganondorf's interest in his family's artifacts.

They had it coming… a musical career can only take one so far. I did them a favor, cutting it short to spare them the disgrace of becoming has-beens, he thought with a devilish grin; in fact, I should thank them for their contributions…were it not for that damned lullaby, none of this would've been possible.

Lazily turning another page, his feral smirk slowly faded into a look of suspicion, and then a greedy anticipation. There, hand scribed by quill upon the faded parchment, a still valid law stared back at him, each cursive letter winking like gold as his eyes traced them.

IIV, XII; Reign of HRM Greius Kaepora Hyrule;

When a train of events, pursuing the invariable result of absolute despotism, is taken in the face of liberty and or the freedoms and alliances of the fiefdoms, taken under the banner of a nation;

Or else; by way of the activation or threatening of wars of attrition, the death of the current monarch with which he leaves the throne unattended for a time by any cause, and other such conditions in which the stability of Hyrule and all borders therein become endangered;

Subsidiary parties may take regency, in accordance with the municipal protection act set about by Julian and Bartholomew, in which the active guardian of the heir apparent should safeguard the throne until such time as the conditions of ruling are met by said heir, in substitute for a lack of other apparent and or suitable candidacies.

For a good few moments, Ganondorf simply stared at the page in disbelief, holding it close to his face as if the words may be some sort of hallucination, about to disappear. The longer he stared, the more physically real the passage seemed, taking hold of the darkest corner of his heart and letting the shadows flicker to life. It stirred him, appealing to his greed and his lust for power, whipping up that sense of entitlement and sending his mind spinning with all its tantalizing promises. So long repressing his nature for the sake of this act… these words unlocked a part of himself he'd ignored for quite while, and how good it felt to bask in it once more.

Crimson eyes reread it over and over, spying keywords and assuring himself that they were there.

Despotism and a threat to Hyrule itself; the return of the King of Evil.

Death of the monarch, leaving the throne unattended; to a young Zelda, unable to take it.

Lack of other suitable candidacies; no queen, no others groomed.

The active guardian takes regency; which with the death of the King, and her mother already in her grave, would be her attendant alone.

A twisted, dark joy lit up his weathered features as his heart raced with an malevolent delight—not only would he take the throne by default, he needn't even break his guise to do so. Better yet, now he had an applicable, practical reason to satisfy his desire to spill royal blood… and the child, his Zelda, would truly be alone in this world with nobody but him to turn to at all.

Never would she become that detached, noble intentioned, fragile disgrace of a woman who'd sought to end his claims to power—his birthright—with her feeble minded attempts to control him and even destiny itself. She would be what he wished her to be, proud and willing to oblige him in the ultimate revenge upon her namesake as he twisted the remnants of her spirit beyond redemption.

A self indulgent laugh escaped him, rumbling with a higher, genuine pitch as it echoed briefly within the small chamber, bouncing off the stone and surrounding him. Shaking his head with a grin, calloused fingers ran the length of the page gratefully as the Gerudo regarded the ancient tome with a newfound fondness. Slowly, with a pleased sigh, he closed it, thinking to the future with a cunning mind, swift and refined like a newly sharpened blade to cut away at any hindrance or distraction.

As the volume was set aside, its usefulness spent, the Gerudo leaned back in his chair, content to rest weary eyes. However, his internal victory only enjoyed solitude for a short time, as the familiar tingle upon the back of his neck began to flare up, spreading down to trail his spine with warmth. It seemed that Zelda, too, was in the libraries in search of something she knew would be found there. She'd had a habit of following him everywhere he seemed to go whenever possible since the day he'd arrived, but as the recent months passed, the Princess had begun to actively seek him out with a notable intent.

Another little victory of his, he supposed. Since the night his control had slipped, momentarily throwing everything to the wayside for his own perverse satisfaction, fleeting and unrepeated as it was thus far, Zelda's entire attitude toward him had become more possessive and intense. Whereas before, simple hormones had mixed with her adoration of him to create something of a shy and curious crush, now Ganondorf could easily tell those feelings had evolved as her body had. Left with time to think and let these emotions grow, the Princess was now prone to openly chasing his affection, seeming desperate to rekindle whatever had sparked the initial kiss.

He'd restrained himself, sometimes painfully so, and allowed the strange mutual attraction to breathe, withdrawing his appreciation for her and providing nothing but the scarce, subtle signs that he still held interest. Though at times, this proved entirely challenging with Zelda's becoming more forward and decisive in her desires, he'd managed himself well enough not to give in to his more primal natures, as he had done before, in taking dangerous and obvious advantage. Staving off advancements served to be a wise choice, as his impropriety with the girl earlier than necessary would have raised alarm quickly, especially with her inability at the time to heal herself or cover any blemishes. There was also the King to be concerned with, and the sovereign's uncanny ability to appear and be privy to anything remotely inappropriate to do with his child, though he seemed to be conveniently absent at all other times.

And yet, through it all Zelda had responded remarkably, with the flicker of womanly inquisitiveness seemingly fanned into a flame of want for him—she'd tasted what he could offer and wanted more, yet he wouldn't cater to her any further, waiting patiently for pent-up emotions to become an unyielding obsession rather than a mere crush. Like a fine wine, their odd relationship had, and was still indeed steadily maturing into one he could fully enjoy; much more… full-bodied, so to speak, yet still flavoured with the delicious undertones of innocence that had first tested his willpower.

A timid and faint shuffling sound became apparent behind him, and it was met the scraping of his chair against the stone as he stood, hands heavy atop the desk. Turning slowly to make his way across the chambers, the Gerudo stopped at the small arched entry, peering past to spot the Princess coming down from the stairwell. Leaning a forearm against the masonry, his pleased mood shone through with a benign smirk towards her, waiting to be found.

Zelda, as she came to the bottom of the steps to look around, curious and following the directions given by Shad, let her skirts fall with a sway as she released them. The girl took in the now familiar details of the smaller chambers; dimly lit by the flicker of lanterns and candles, the air smelt dusty and somewhat stale as high shelves filled with all manner of records fueled the scent. Not a thing out of place, perfectly preserved, with a long trailing runner of red carpet—faded over years of being there—leading toward the restorations room in which the Shiekah usually settled himself to make use of the desk.

As her crystalline gaze followed this path, it landed on the object of her thoughts, prompting icy pink lips to turn up in a happy smile as her eyes immediately lit up.

"So you were down here!" She chimed brightly, tottering over to him quickly as her hems skimmed the carpet. "Are you really so keen as to read through the entire contents of these libraries, piece by piece?" Satin gloved hands clasped themselves charmingly in front of her.

She had a habit of looking as appealing as possible when in his presence, staring up at him with pupils wide, and today seemed to be no different—his smirk pulled wider as Ganondorf's hand was compelled forward to brush hair over the fragile shoulder plate.

"When I start something, Zelda, I like to see the task finished." He stated matter-of-factly, ushering her gently into the smaller room as he turned.

Zelda could see he'd busied himself, as strewn about the desk was various papers, scrolls and books, unfurled and scattered with recent use. She had always found it amusing, for as long as she'd known him, that such a warrior class person as a Shiekah could and did study and partake of Royal resource as often and feverously as he. Seeing the boots lying around where he had sat, the Princess was spurred into her likewise habit, kicking off her shoes flippantly to leave them beside the entry as she padded silently across the stone, enjoying the light chill on her feet.

The disguised Gerudo watched her go about fetching another chair from the few in the corner, dragging it without grace to sit beside his as she hitched up her skirts high—in an unladylike manner—to flop down upon it and cross her legs upon the seat. There would be no dainty ankle tucked behind the leg here, no, not when there needn't be.

Shaking his head with a light snicker to himself, he moved to join her; Some things simply never change, he thought, refreshed and relieved as usual to see this. No matter how old she got, or how adept at standing to occasion on a call to impress, those childhood habits would never leave her… Especially not in private company or an informal setting. Away from watchful eyes, she was herself as always, unchanged and unconverted by the expectations put to her, just as he'd requested when she'd first approached adulthood.

Giving a playful click of his tongue as he moved to reclaim his seat, he eyes her mischievously. "Bad form." He mused warningly, though truly unaffected.

"Oh, as if you actually care." She shot back with a haughty tilt of her head, removing her gloves with some distain for them evident on her delicate features. With a relieved sigh to be rid of them, the pair was tossed negligently across the oaken desk as the Princess propped a bare elbow atop the back of her chair, leering at him.

"I ran across Sir Shadrian on the way to find you, and just so you know, Sheik, he told me a wonderful story." She cooed, almost as if trying to conjure some jealousy. "Very entertaining… So you'd best not simply go back to being a bore with your nose in the books." Her foot began to bounce expectantly upon her knee at this.

"Really." Ganondorf rolled his eyes, appearing bored as he settled and took to rapping his fingers atop the hard wood of the restoration desk. "Which one was that again? The wiry old fool with glasses, who pesters me constantly about the Shiekah's connections to birds, or some such?"

Zelda giggled, though quickly stifled it as she attempted to look displeased with him. "He's not an old fool, Sheik. He's a fine gentleman, and a better story teller than you."

But as she made the playful jibe, she was reminded of the truth to that fact, as the mirth slowly left her eyes. "…He doesn't leave out important details just because it suits him…" She muttered quietly, looking evasively to the side and becoming silent.

Though it may have appeared to the Princess as the jealousy she'd been prying for, the Gerudo's eyes grew bright with a flash of anger and suspicion. "What was that?" He hissed, sounding offended.

Such a broad statement could've meant any number of things, and he wasn't about to let it slide.

With a huff, the Princess allowed her arm to drop into her lap with a slump, giving him a cynical look, lower lip pouted slightly as her frustration from earlier came back. "Don't get snippy with me. I know very well you haven't told me the whole truth of things, and I just want to know why. I mean honestly, you might try to avoid it, but the two of us are bonded in such a way that I don't think we should have to hide anything!"

Her brows furrowed in disapproval as her eyes scanned him up and down, like a suspicious housewife with an unfaithful husband. "Or do you not feel comfortable being so close to me? Is the 'purpose of your existence' not good enough for your trust?"

A deep and vicious scowl had drawn his face in to match the look she gave him, and to say that he wasn't annoyed at the way it held no effect upon her would be a lie. There was a time when the girl would shrink back against his fierce gaze, weary of his ire, but with each passing month it seemed she was merely growing one of her own to contest his. For the moment though, her choice use of words like 'bonded' and 'whole truth' had him on edge.

"What exactly did he tell you?" He demanded, standing to loom over the girl threateningly on instinct, his fists clenched at his sides as if ready to strike as the Gerudo glared down.

Zelda's posture straightened in an almost lazy way of standing up to him, her frown becoming a cruel scowl inherited from the one he wore. "When you told me about the Shiekah blood in my veins, it made my whole world feel stable, like I'd finally gotten the answer to why I am so… so different!" Her hand flailed quickly, before a surprisingly imposing finger was pointed up at him.

"Telling me about Ghirahim and giving such a speech about darkness, and not to be afraid of it when I have it within me," She scolded, "And yet you conveniently left out the fact that he wasn't the First Evil, and in fact, the actual First Evil was entirely more powerful than that! And left a curse on my line, made real with the King of Evil's birth, who is supposed to becoming back any time now? Don't you think that's important information!" She huffed, crossing her arms indignantly.

Relief had begun to wash through him as the girl snarled, ranting up at him with what was sounding to be a petty quandary, until she mentioned him—the real him—specifically. Struggling as his surprise flashed behind his crimson eyes, Ganondorf's chest tightened painfully as he realized he was being faced with something he'd feared since he got here; he didn't know what to say.

His scowl faded back into a puzzled look, as his mind tried to decipher what she'd said. The First Evil… wasn't Ghirahim…? A curse made real with his birth? What in the hell did that crazy old loon tell her? But as Zelda settled, her brow twitching as she caught on to his confusion, he fell back into his chair with a dismissive sound.

"Is that all? Feh…" The Gerudo shrugged, resuming his bored look as he attempted to evade the topic.

"What do you mean, 'is that all'? Isn't that enough?" Zelda gaped, leaning forward as she gripped her knees. "How could you be so casual about this?"

With a heavy sigh, Ganondorf took to crossing his arms, looking agitated as he fixed her with a flat stare. "Zelda, I told you what you needed to hear at the time, even when I probably shouldn't have. I needn't to go into every little detail about things that won't affect you, just to whip up your worries. The King of Evil is prophesized to return in your lifetime, and I have come to deliver you from his wrath; no matter what has happened in the long and arduous history we share, that fact will remain true and that should be the only thing you concern yourself with."

Turning it back upon her with her own words, he was careful to feign a flash of hurt. "Or am I to understand that you do not trust me?"

Blinking with a helpless look as her anger faded, the Princess struggled to find the words as guilt rose up on her, fingers fidgeting nervously. "I… No, of course I do, but…" Her eyes wavered on his filled with feelings she couldn't express.

"Zelda…" He rumbled quietly, leaning forward with the ghost of a heartening smile to cup her chin gently. "There isn't any need to go skulking around with conspiracy theories in your mind. If you had asked me, I'd have told you, just as I always do."

Staring at him as she took to chewing her lip, the Princess slowly nodded, looking slightly ashamed of herself as golden curls bounced lightly with the movement. "I know… I'm sorry for being like this, I just… I suppose I just don't want anything to go wrong between us, and when I thought perhaps you had been hiding something from me, I couldn't stand it..."

"No, it is my fault for not bringing these things up with you as you've grown." He conceded falsely, expertly masking his lack of information. "I should've picked up on your want to know. The fact that I didn't means I've been neglectful, and if so, I have not been fulfilling my duties as well as I could have. I shouldn't have heeded your father's request to keep you in the dark about these things…"

Pointed ears twitched as her suspicion came rushing back, thought not upon him. "…My father's request?" She narrowed her eyes some, her hand rising to grip his as his thumb rested on her cheek. "What did he ask of you?" She whispered.

Ah, there we go, he thought maliciously, Seems the King serves his purpose after all.

Recalling the warning he'd received the day Talleday had sought to get him in strife, his face betrayed nothing of his inner grin. "When he realized that you and I were growing closer, he warned me against teaching you of your specific history, and that of the Shiekah. He didn't feel you were ready for it, and any matters concerning death, or that of a gruesome nature, shouldn't be shared, despite the place darkness holds in my culture… and unfortunately, your own, though it isn't readily discussed. He also informed me that I am to keep my distance from you, besides what obligation entails."

Zelda squeezed his hand as her temper boiled beneath porcelain skin. "Why am I not surprised…" She hissed to herself, disappointed in the King.

That explains why Sheik has withdrawn from me so much in the past year or so, it wasn't us at all, but my Father decided to get in the way and control my life in every facet… Again.

"What right does he have to tell you what you can and cannot do with me?" She snapped suddenly, affronted by the very thought. "He was never there for me as you have been; doesn't care to know me as you do… Yet he has the gall to interfere in my life, taking away everything that makes me happy, in an attempt to render me nothing more than a walking statuette he could be seen in public with? I'm surprised the man even remembers my birthday!"

She threw herself back into the chair with a morose anger, clutching his hand still as it fell to be held in her lap. "…To be perfectly honest though, he only remembered so that he had an excuse to hold a ball and throw a tourney without the taxpayers arching up about frivolous expense."

Ganondorf had to force the chuckle to die in his throat as the girl continued her tirade, utterly insulted by it all as she seemed to be. "And he wants me to play the lyre at my own ball! Goddesses forbid, he hire entertainment for my enjoyment and allow me respite from the parade of false smiles and dignities he has me walk every other day…"

How sweet it is to see the Royal family's selfish nature bite them in the arse, without fail, over countless generations.

Finally, after learning of Zelda's issues with her father and subtly fueling her indignation and dislike for him over months, it appeared he had her at the perfect point to bounce back from his death without issue. Which was excellent, now that the King was set to die within a few days, if the Gerudo had his way—especially on the promise of a swift rise to the throne on his part. But there was just one catch; it would appear far too suspicious, now that he'd found the context in which the law regarding it worked. Quickly, his clever mind concluded the easiest way would be to go about it in the same way Talleday had fallen… But this, with the attention and corollary it would produce, held far more danger than the murder of a soldier; even one of high rank.

Still, he was confident something would arise to be taken advantage of. In the busy lives of the Hylian upper class, even the most innocuous things became dramatic and overblown. He'd find what he needed to pull it off somewhere over the course of a ball and a tourney.

Ganondorf took to patting the girl's hand fondly, settling her now that he'd seen enough. "Hence my regret in listening to him… I do not make mistakes twice, and especially not where you are concerned, if I can help it at all. Not that I take pleasure in rebelling against the King, mind you, but as you've said, regarding him as a father is a different matter entirely." He grimaced.

Zelda nodded in agreement, conceding a light smile as her crystalline gaze wavered on him fondly. "And to think, all this time, I had doubted the presence of something between us…" She gave a self depreciating chuckle and shrugged, relieved. "But, it was just protocol getting in the way as usual. In daylight hours, we hide it, but when we're alone as night falls or together in a dim lit room, it comes out again, doesn't it?"

A thick silver brow rose as he considered her meaning, but he knew what she was referring to. "…Not to the extent that you would like…" He baited, curious, as his crimson gaze flicked downward for an instant before it returned.

"Not to the extent you would either, given that it was inadvertently prevented by my father's request." Zelda's head turned to allow a sideways glance to linger upon his weathered features, something wry and mischievous in the way the corner of her lips flirted heavenward. "If things were only up to you, though… I'd have been in your bed the night you kissed me, age be damned, would I not?"

Biting back his initial urge to deny this, as he would have with anyone else who'd put such a question to him, the Gerudo's twisted mind only brought back the fantasy; the warped amusement in the fact that she was correct, and could have—would have—lost herself to him then, were things any different. There was a part of him that knew, deep down, such a thing was morally wrong, and yet, reflecting back to his original thoughts on the matter, it was also very flexible. If it were any other child his lips had grazed, Ganondorf knew, somehow, that he would feel differently about it… Perhaps even be disgusted by his attraction to them. But, Zelda was not only a different matter spiritually, but also by principle; within her was something sacred he'd longed to defile, to crush and destroy, holding the broken shards of it within his powerful grasp.

There was a hatred in him for that piece of her, unbridled and separate from his reasonable scorn, that at times defied even his own explanation. There were many things he hated her for; for what she represented, caused, was a part of, and yet all of these had an origin he could trace if he reflected upon them strongly enough. Even setting aside his pride to truly look at himself, there were causes behind even the strongest points of his rage and loathing, twisted as they may have been over the years and various depressions, insanities and bias he'd suffered.

When he thought of that, the girl's word echoing in his head like so many voices, the thought that he did indeed carry a curse—the manifestation of an ancient demon's odium—rang true with a vile and crisp acuity. Perhaps he truly was a being of utter darkness and despair, destined only to cause destruction and pain in his wake, before turning upon himself when nothing else remained. A man condemned by all, existing to spite the Gods themselves. Even then, how could he be certain any of his hatred and rage was truly his? He had nothing to compare it to, no perception of anything different.

Had he lived his entire life as a puppet, without realizing it? ...or was it merely a strength he drew from, as he did with Power?

How ironic, his mind spoke unconsciously, broken for a moment as his body instinctively reached out to take hold of his relic, only to be disappointedly reminded of its absence; All this time, reassuring a girl who would be my enemy when her flaws and weaknesses are shown, and yet in the rare moment when… I… may require comfort, loathe as I am to admit it, I can't even allow her to return it…

…In the same form…

"Yes, you would have… And a lot of things could be said about that." He whispered, more to himself as he slowly drew away from his haunting thoughts to focus upon her angelic features, letting everything go to simply allow himself to be in awe. "But, honestly… I couldn't give less of a damn as to what those things might be. Not then, not now, and I almost can't believe that it didn't happen, purely on a concern for repercussions. Though, I'd be lying if I said that were it to have happened now, rather than then, you'd awaken tomorrow in my sheets, regardless." He admitted, truthfully, without the lust that could've tainted such a statement.

Zelda watched him as things unnamed and largely unspoken flew behind his crimson irises, and her cheekiness faded as he spoke with sincerity and need wavering subtly in his rich voice. Her ears twitched in delight of the sound, soothing with a timbre that conveyed all the complexity and intelligence he possessed. That voice could pull her from her deepest nightmares, when he spoke like that.

A charmed and serene smile settled upon her countenance, lending her the air of maturity and beauty that had earned her looks such renown. Her fingers glided softly over his own rough hand, tracing the bones and tendons beneath, in all their deadly strength.

"There are so many things between us that demand heavy repercussions. Still, we continue them. It is you and I against the world, if you recall. A lot of the things you say hold true, and you shouldn't doubt them just because you offered them to me. You once said, 'many things are hidden in the darkness, waiting to be found'… You and I might seem dark in many ways, but we shouldn't shy away from it just because of that fact." She offered softly, leaning closer with an intimately fond shimmer in her eyes, highlighted by the flicker of a nearby lantern.

"And given that you don't make the same mistakes twice… I think it's about time you kissed me again." She guided with a wise tone, squeezing the hand with a tender encouragement.

A tired chuckle rumbled in the Gerudo's throat as he looked upon her, considerately, his smirk returning without cruelty. She truly made him wonder if their odd relationship was a product of his manipulation or hers. The Princess, in a relatively short time, had already gained his mannerisms, his way of thinking… even some of his temper, though she perhaps had a better handle on it. She could shatter glass with a fierce look if she wished. Somehow, it seemed he'd underestimated how alike they might become, and what effect that would have on him. Perhaps this is what endeared her to him so; his vanity acting in the strangest of ways as he saw himself reflected in her.

The best of himself, no less.

Zelda, taking the moment that he spent in thought as hesitation, curled a fist into the loose fabric around his neck, and catching him off guard managed to pull him within an inch of her nose.

"Do it or I'll make that noise you hate." She hissed through a smirk.

A grin flashed across Ganondorf's mouth with a feral glint upon his canines, before the short distance between them was closed quickly, her lips soft upon his as her eyes closed in ecstacy—just as she'd seen in romantic plays, replicated purposely so that nothing would be amiss. There was a certain amount of sweetness to it, yet it seemed to Zelda as if it was a hollow and staged thing, lacking the flare of the first. When she felt him break away by no more than a hair, her eyes cracked open, a bit confused.

Delicate brows furrowed toward him, icy pink lips brushing against his as the moved to speak. "…That… didn't feel quite the same…" she blinked, the entirety of her vision occupied by his eyes, shimmering against the lanterns fire.

"That's because…" He purred, an enchantingly dangerous pulse of gold rushing through his irises, "…You want more than a taste, now."

Before the Princess could so much as draw another breath through her teeth, his mouth covered hers once more. Though, this time, it was very different; he had tilted his head to a slight angle, and she felt sharp teeth hungrily linger in wait. One of those treacherous fangs pricked the pout of her smile, a forceful grip settling upon her shoulders as she was pulled into it, as the faintest tang of blood dabbled across her tongue. Zelda's whole body felt numb when his own flicked out across her lips within the devouring embrace, like electricity sparking across her flesh with alarm, desire and alien stimulation.

He was licking the trickle of blood from her lips like a hungry beast, appetite for her increasing ten fold, and that sent a shock of excitement coursing through her veins as much as it did a slight confusion, and perhaps even a hint of apprehension. The girl's eyes were open wide now, unable to close as all her preconceptions of kissing and romance were suddenly shattered. His tongue glided across the bottom of her teeth, exploring, consuming; she could taste her own blood upon it, mingled with his exotic flavour as it made her heart beat like a wild drum.

The firm yet fleeting caress of his fingers upon her bare arms, possessive yet so tender, sent shivers through her; the warmth of his breath fanning out across her cheeks, reddening them… Everything seemed heightened as suddenly, with her hands moving of their own accord to brush his thighs and stabilize herself, Zelda recognized a strange pining below her stomach. Not dissimilar to the way she felt when she watched corded muscle rippling beneath his taught skin, battle scarred and leather textured by the suns rays… But it was focused, stronger, and spreading through her entire frame like wildfire from a single point within.

Was this how she made him feel, when he'd look upon her with those longing stares, warring with himself?

A muscled arm had coiled itself around her waist, drawing her in as she realized, somehow, the distance between them no longer existed. Starved fingertips raked across her back, tickling her through delicate fabrics, as her weight resettled upon his lap. Once again, Zelda found herself straddling his thighs, unable to place how exactly he'd managed to move her so slyly. She could feel his touch traveling fast, winding into her curls with guilty pleasure and giving gentle tugs to the ends. His other hand had moved from her arm to trail down her side and to mid thigh, causing the girl to twitch unconsciously as it started again in a slow upward sweep, pulling up her skirts with it.

Ganondorf knew that this was far more than the simple kiss she'd requested, but he found himself unable to stop in the face of such temptation; alone with the young woman in a largely non-traveled chamber, dimly lit by the flicker of lantern light, illuminating every curve and line, every stitched hem, with such lustful promise. He'd restrained himself long enough from something that should have been taken when he'd originally pleased—the Gerudo King was not a man to be kept waiting, or restricted from that which he wanted.

Pure untainted flesh, like fresh snow in winter's hold, was splayed out before him as a wonderland; fascinating him, beguiling him, her untrained body reacting to his every contact. All the signals were there, the girl unawares and thus unable to hide them. Her skin had grown warm, flustered against his, with rosy cheeks and twitching legs. He was almost certain that, were Zelda a fully grown and experienced woman, she would not appeal to him in such a delectable, teasing way.

It was her lack of practice that excited him the most, in many ways—with no concept of the sexual, allowing her to explore her instinct and desire by intuition was a glorious game to be part of. The way her fingertips leisurely curled against him and stroked his navel, without her even realizing, or the slight roll of her hips as she constantly readjusted herself to accommodate his advances.

The Gerudo hadn't intended upon taking her here, but with the way their interlude was going, it looked to be swiftly turning that way.

Itching to proceed, starved for it as he was, Ganondorf broke the kiss with his ravenous teeth scraping down her jaw, nipping eagerly at the delicately pointed ear as the Princess' head tilted to the side in an autonomous fashion. Her breathing had become noticeably shallow with a quickened pace, spurring his fingers further up her thigh as his other hand continued to twist itself in golden tresses.

The light caress of his touch vanished for a moment upon her leg, and much to the Gerudo's pleasure, a disappointed mew flew from the girl's swollen lips. Zelda felt a wicked grin spread against her neck, as the slightest flounce traced the curve of her knickers beneath the tussled skirts. A thrilling quiver passed through her at the intimate touch, tearing a small gasp away as her hands, almost in panic, clutched at his hips. Her nails bit into the skin tight garb as a sinister and pleased growl purred low into her ear, fragile frame tensing up as the fingertips returned; this time, they stayed, kneading the flimsy material between her legs.

Ganondorf drew deep of the scent of her hair as it gently fell about his face, the sweet and tropical smell flavoured with the taste of her. It refreshed him, like the fresh picked fruits of a scorching summer, delicious and rare even to a King of Thieves. He could feel her shudder against him ever so slightly, overwhelmed as it seemed she was with what little of his skill she'd been privy to, struggling to keep her herself upright.

Hand twisted to cup her most forbidden treasure, an expert thumb landed upon the height of her sensitivity teasingly as the previous fingertips delved lower to encompass all in pleasurable ministrations. He could feel her excitement through the undergarment already, seeping through to coat his fingers in the lightest sheen, and it drove him past the point of no return.

It was self justifying—Children could not feel such lust; bodies ready and writhing for more. She was most definitely a woman, and his woman at that.

Zelda's body jerked defensively as a flick of his wrist brought the sensation to a new level of intensity. She knew instantly, by the way the hem tugged and cut into her skin, that he'd bypassed her underwear completely now to touch her without restriction. Her thighs threatened to clamp around the invasive hand on instinct, unfamiliar as it was, though the strange well of heat in her belly wouldn't allow this for long.

The girl's back arched as legs parted slightly, welcomingly, with the dipping of his attention to glide down toward her core. It seemed surreal to her, the further they proceeded, as if she were caught in some sort of dreamlike haze. She couldn't identify exactly what she was feeling, or the origin or purpose of the sensations, but as they continued Zelda felt herself compelled to comply and encourage. With every twitch of his finger, every fleeting nibble to her ear and the sweep of his tongue at the crook of her neck, something primal and selfish grew within her; she'd never felt anything like what she did now, not physically nor mentally, as the act consumed her mind and body.

The Princess could almost feel parts of her flesh burning with jealousy, wishing his mouth was upon them. Such a strange and foreign notion it seemed, never having thought upon this and never knowing of its existence beforehand, in awe of it as she was—standing upon the precipice of a new horizon, filled with new possibilities and perceptions, awakening within and surprising her with its familiarity. There was something natural and close about what he was doing to her, and she wondered how it was she could know something so innately without ever having been aware.

It was this realization that prompted her, curious yet predicting the effect it would have, to remove her hand from his hip and allow it to trace the muscled line downwards to his groin. She noticed, with some surprise, that there was a protrusion curving there beneath the dark fabric, firm to the touch like a tensed muscle and radiating an inviting warmth. Pressing down upon it, slender fingers curled affectionately to grasp it through the garb, and Zelda's crystalline eyes, hazy with sensation, lit up as it ripped a low purr from the man buried in her neck.

Tentatively, the Princess continued, blushing heavily with the rather naughty realization that he must have been experience what she was; Zelda enjoyed that fact more than she should have. There was something about the way he murmured with the faintest grunt, somewhat of a moan hitched in his throat, that she took a liking to. Her internal delight was only heightened by the view of his muscular frame tensing with the odd twitch as his pleasure became evident—she smiled wickedly to herself, overly pleased with the newfound ability to make such a powerfully capable man, world weary and battle hardened with a stature that dwarfed her own, writhe beneath her fingers in return.

Getting the courage up, Zelda inclined her head to mimic his actions, allowing her tongue to trace his jugular before her perfect teeth found his pierced earlobe to nibble and teasingly pull at the stud there.

That did it.

A moment of weightlessness threw the room into a blur, the lanterns as streaks before her eyes as her back connected hard against wood with an audible shunt, held there by a feral grip digging into her arms. In a shocked bewilderment, crystalline eyes frantically searching the immediate area for explanation, Zelda realized with a freezing apprehension that she was now pinned down atop the oaken desk. A candle to her left had been knocked with its holder, the flame dying as it rolled across the table, leaving a wax trail before it clattered to the floor. The lantern above them swung lightly, the light within flickering with the wish to fade and cast mischievous shadows over the Shiekah above, leering down at her.

Zelda stared a moment as her mind played tricks on her in the dim light, with the shock of movement—The way the lanterns fire shone to cast a camber across his eyes, they were not the crimson ones she knew. In their place, not a flash nor a hint, but full gold, crisp and exotic stared back at her. Like the day he'd first appeared, a bestial gaze, untamed and holding the power of a thousand men, had taken over his irises. But as he drew close, his breath silent as he drank her in, the trickery of the shadows was revealed and the crimson hue returned.

And so it was that Zelda, thinking it the usual glint of the fire light caught in them, dismissed those haunting eyes once again.

A hissing sound made her ears twitch nervously as the Gerudo sucked a breath through his teeth, eyeing her with all the intensity of a predator out for the kill, as suddenly the explorative mood vanished completely. The girl almost felt trapped within his gaze, cornered, as the crushing hold of her arms began to throb, sending an icy trepidation through her—He wasn't going to stop. Her heart fluttered with the thought that he was to be her first, on the eve of her birthday no less, but a strange dread settled in the pit of her stomach as well. Would it hurt? Was it normal to taste the others blood, or handle them so roughly? Was she supposed to feel nervous about doing this with the man she loved? What exactly did he look like down there? And… if she was correct in what she could piece together so far, would what she had felt down there even fit?

What would happen… if anyone found out, truly, and were that to ever happen, could she deal with the aftermath?

So many questions echoed in her mind as all the ecstasy and doubt about this most intimate act came bubbling to the surface at once. Zelda couldn't explain why or how, but her heart was beating faster every second with a terrified sense of joy, doubling when her attendant's attitude changed from encouraging to dominating, practically tearing her underwear away with a snarl. A flash of his temper like this, unfortunately for the naïve Princess, only served to quell her second guessing as the pining of desire returned in response.

The ruffled skirts were pulled up and roughly jerked out of his way, as was the neckline hiding her chest. Rough hands gripped the still budding swell of her breasts, thumbs gliding over to tease as the shallow whimpers from her came rushing back to fill the distance between them. She shuddered beneath his mouth as it took to her collarbone, searing her skin with a fiery trail until his tongue flicked out over sensitive pink before encasing the nipple in greedy lips.

Everything he did to her, no matter where the touch came, brought glimpses of heaven… How could this be wrong, in anyone's eyes, this embrace of star-crossed lovers?

"Sh-Sheik…" She whispered breathily, forcing herself to become coherent as her body shuddered with that warming splendor. "This is… how marriages are c-consummated… is it not…?"

Ganondorf winced at hearing the borrowed name—at the present moment, with his mind where it was; he just couldn't stand hearing it. His true name should be the only one to grace her sweet lips, now more than ever. But he knew there was little he could do about this, and so he swallowed his sudden distaste for it to answer, briefly.

"Yes, it is…" He snapped, somewhat impatient, ravaging her mouth in a devouring kiss to keep her silent and, at the very least, avoid hearing a false name escape her in the throes of carnal bliss.

Ever faithful of him, she took this to heart as he continued to have his wicked way. To the young Princess, this was simply the future taken ahead of time—a promise that one day, hopefully not to far off, they would be wed as intended. What would have seemed sordid to any other was a precious thing, shared between those with a close bond and steadily growing love; Zelda believed this in her heart, and nobody could ever sway her from that. Sheik did this to her, for her, with her… and she wouldn't have it any other way.

As it went on, the two losing themselves within hours undefined by clocks, garments were shed, cast uselessly to the floor as they stripped themselves of modesty and passion took hold. The Gerudo wouldn't relent, going forth with a brutal and desperate hunger, the darkness in his veins boiling to take her and leave nothing unclaimed. Even against his rough gestures, devoid of the tenderness a typical girl might expect with a mind warped by romance novels and womanly gossip, Zelda rose to meet him, learning from him and taking this as the norm.

His skills were many fold; an expert in this devious craft, forged by a virile youth spent as the sole male amongst women who would worship him. More than a few times, fresh in her inexperience, the Princess was brought up to divine heights, crashing down like a wave upon the shores, tempest tossed as an unbridled force of nature took hold of her body. Inexplicably, all else had long since left her mind, enthralled and utterly consumed by his masterful touch.

She wouldn't be truly satisfied with this though, seeking—almost in vain—to regain some control, and play her part well enough to draw the sounds she made from him also. After what seemed a torturous and sanguine waiting game, they found themselves at critical point, with the disguised Gerudo's wanton need pressed against her entrance.

Zelda stared down at the appendage from the small gap between them, chewing her swollen lip as her mind tried to fathom how this would work. His fingers were one thing—though at first she could only handle one of them within her at a time, she had slowly acclimatized to two—but the member that was poised ready there before her threatened to cleave her insides without mercy. Tussled locks of gold were splayed out behind her head in light waves, shimmering warmly in the lantern light, as Ganondorf thankfully paused for her.

"…Wait, I…" She choked out, her gut twisting with a nervous preparation. "…You… you do love me… and even if we're caught, you will stand by me in that, won't you?" Her eyes shot up to meet his, desperate to hear the only defense she may have against the pending pain. She knew he would, of course, but in this moment, Zelda needed to hear it confirmed to give her that final ounce of strength.

His hands were planted firmly at either side of her hips, trapping her beneath him as his length brushed her ever so teasingly, anxious. Ganondorf could see the myriad of emotions in those expressive eyes, the gleam of his own reflected in them—Such trust, that adoration he craved within them still, even as the fear and apprehension clawed at her mind. It was simply remarkable how she could distort everything about him and turn it into something glorious, in her view; his vicious temper, his open neglect of her as she pined for him all this time, even his most brazen lies were undetectable to her ears.

Nothing of their liaison here could be taken as the transference of love, and yet, there it was, staring up at him. He relished that, and a large part of him longed to see her heart broken, the hope he'd given torn from her chest and held before her as he squeezed the life from it. Another part—a much smaller part—never wanted to see that unconditional acceptance and devotion to him leave her, to protect and nurture it, letting it grow into something indestructible to be shared only with him.

Nobody else deserved it, but him.

In the first show of affection since they had begun the primal tryst, to smooth out the last crinkles of hesitation, a charming smile took its place on his blood reddened lips with impeccable timing. Perhaps it was the perverse glee he felt, filled with sweet anticipation that allowed such a kind look to be given, even in the height of his desire.

"Of course, my Sweet… A flash of pain, fleeting, for the reward of our union…" He purred, rich voice laden with the sweetest kind of lie—one mingled with a dose of truth, as the duplicity lay not upon the liar's tongue, but rather, instilled itself in the receptive psyche of its target. "You'll be mine forever after, and I will never let you go… I know I've promised that before… But, I am sure you'll find this quite different again."

Zelda searched him for a moment, pausing to reflect upon this, before the tiniest of nods gave consent to continue; trembling hands pressed upon the firm muscle of his chest, to keep herself steady as her eyes closed, accepting and braced.

His entry was met with forceful, instinctive physical repulsion, as the girl's body rejected the foreign intrusion, clamping down with a sublime and zesty twist of pain and pleasure. She shuddered violently beneath, cringing as the tears prickled at the corner of her lashes. Utter torment was etched into her beautiful features, and yet, this is what she had wanted all along, and even this malicious streak of passion was something she took pleasure in despite the physical toll. Torn, ripped apart before him, Zelda's innocence was gone and she was henceforth marked; none would want her, and he would never allow another to have her. He decided then, when it came time to end her father, that the last words the King would hear upon this earth would be the bittersweet recount of this moment.

She, on the other hand, wanted nothing more than to please him, to see that fond look shine in his eyes, proud, every day—somehow, Zelda felt this would be the final key in unlocking that prize. The look she'd last gotten from her mother, reborn in her future husband, with new meaning. He truly was Goddess sent, a gift to her, and not even the pained cry that was stolen from her rasped throat, nor the agonizing tear as her very flesh broke and parted in his wake, stretching her as blood seeped past, could taint the Shiekah with cruelty in her mind. She took faith in the fact that he would never truly hurt her.

Sacrifices had to be made somewhere along the line; a little pain meant nothing in the face of their destiny.

Within the final moment then as the two crossed the threshold into a mutually entwined future, closer than natural forces would ever dare to bring them, all the effort Ganondorf had gone to seemed to find early reward. Though the act may have been localized, to him it symbolized a victory over all incarnations of the wretched woman he had known—how her ancestor would have defied herself given the chance to slit his throat clean, now. In one languid motion he'd taken saccharine recompense from his eternal enemy, just as he had sworn to do—He told them their descendants would pay dearly for their actions, but this was perhaps the most gratifying part of his revenge. He could only hope that, for the girl's future embodiments, this day would be seared into her spiritual memories, like some sick heirloom the family would never rid themselves of.

It seemed that this would be a birthday the Princess would never forget, in this life or any other. How terrible was wisdom, when it brought no profit to the wise.

Another quick A/N: Ah, this feels better. I've reigned them in to getting the story a bit more on track again, and now, I can proceed in good conscience.

Important details are crucial after all. Can't be having them lost to my love of chaotic romance, can I?

…Sorry that this chapter turned out to be so long. It wasn't going to have their tryst until the next one, but hell, there'll be too much happening so you get it now.

Anyway, I need sleep. 'Til the next installment, duckies, brace yourselves for my obligatory plot twist.