The mass of people moved solemnly towards the knights' chamber. The castle was no different than it was the night before Zelda left, but there was such tension in the air. The people kept silent as they eased down the golden corridor.
Link looked around, ill at ease. "I wonder why they are assembling this way… I've got a bad feeling about this." He whispered down to Zelda.
They pulled off to the side unnoticed.
"You should go and see your family. I'll go and make sure that Father's alright." He whispered pointing in the opposite direction.
"Alright." Zelda agreed pulling her cloak around her face. She walked away towards the marble staircase and pulled herself up, deep anguish suddenly plaguing her mind. Maybe she was wrong for leaving the castle. Something told her that something was wrong, though everything seemed to be in perfect order. She walked passed her old room.
The door was cracked.
Zelda peeked inside, finding that everything was just as she had left them.
Zelda went back downstairs.
The hall was empty, but a buzz of mummers could be heard coming from the knights' chamber.
She turned into her father's main chamber.
King Hyrule sat at his place in the center of the empty room. He stroked his beard while collecting his thoughts.
"Ahem…" Zelda cleared her throat.
He stirred and opened one eye. "Minister Potho, I told you to stay up stairs-Oh!" He clutched his chest. "Zelda! My daughter! Oh, where have you been?" He stood up and reached out for her.
Zelda embraced him lovingly. "Oh, Father I've got wonderful news!"
He looked towards the staircase behind him. "Shh… Zelda, it will have to wait. We have fallen on hard times!" He whispered rapidly.
"Father, what's wrong? What has happened? Where is Mother?"
"Murella has taken William to Kakariko. They've been gone for a few days now. Zelda, we are at war."
"What?!"
"Ganandorf is here to declare war upon us. When you left, he was very angry, Zelda. Of course!" He wiped his brow and swallowed, keeping his expression calm and his low tone urgent. "I knew your mother shouldn't have started all this!" He muttered to himself. "Though we offered other young women, he seemed to be smitten with you. I fear his coming here is a sign. Something horrible is about to happen."
There was a sound from the upper room.
"Is that him?" Zelda asked.
"Yes."
"Father, I must tell you something-"
There were footsteps.
Hyrule pushed her to a nearby wardrobe. "Hide! Quickly!"
"Father! Father!"
"Hide! Don't, under any circumstances, come out! Not until Ganandorf leaves! "
She climbed inside.
He shut the doors.
"Father, I'm with child!" she whimpered.
Hyrule made no sign of hearing her. He spun around and glided back to his seat.
Zelda watched through a thin crack in the door.
Ganandorf had descended the stairs. He glared at the king with hatred in his eyes. "Where is Zelda?" He growled. "Apparently your kingdom means nothing to you, King Hyrule."
Hyrule stroked his beard and glanced towards the wardrobe and paced slowly around the room.
Ganandorf watched him cautiously as he examined old suits of armor. "Well?"
"I have already told you; we don't know."
Ganandorf clenched his fists. "Where is the general's son? Is he with her?"
"I don't know." He replied coolly.
"Don't play coy with me, Hyrule!" King Ganandorf spat.
Hyrule returned to his chair and looked up at Ganandorf. "Coy? My dear boy, I tell you nothing but the truth! Do you not think that I would tell you if I knew?"
Zelda listened intently.
Ganandorf scowled. "I don't think you realize who you are talking to! I am going to be the ruler of your kingdom soon."
"I have other children, Ganandorf, other women are still present if you wish for me to-"
"No, I want your only child." He said in a dangerously low voice. "I wish to marry Zelda."
Hyrule merely stared at him. "I don't know what else to say to you,"
Ganandorf chuckled darkly. "I'm very sorry to hear that."
Hyrule raised an eyebrow.
Ganandorf unsheathed a dagger from his side and thrust it into the old king's chest.
Zelda stared wide eyed through the opening.
Ganandorf scowled at the dying man below him. "I told you."
"Wr-wretched, ignorant fool!" Hyrule sputtered. "Why would…would…" He brought a hand to his bleeding wound.
Ganandorf whipped the dagger out of the king's chest and watched the blood pour from his heart. He then looked at the blade in his hand.
"Leave me." Hyrule whispered. "At least leave me to die…alone." He winced.
Ganandorf nodded. "Goodbye, King Hyrule." He turned away and exited the way he had come in.
It seemed as though Zelda had ceased to live until she heard the door slam in the upper room. She burst out and fell on her hands and knees. "Father!! Oh, oh, Father!!" She tried to stop the bleeding with her hands.
Hyrule opened his eyes. He smiled. "So you are with child?" He said feebly. "I am so happy for you." He took her hand in his and winked. "My beautiful Zelda, please take care of the kingdom. My final request. No," He frowned. "Take care of your family. Your duties as queen are second priority." His voice trailed off into his final breath.
Zelda bit her lip. Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked at the broken father before her. She kissed his forehead and continued to weep.
"Your Highness," Minister Potho called from the archway. "I know you were in a meeting with King Ganandorf, but perhaps-" He screamed and ran to his other side.
Link walked in. "Zelda, Ariana, My King-" He stopped as his breath caught in his throat. "My King…?" He whispered.
Potho bawled. "Why?! Why?!"
"What happened Zelda?! How did this happen?"
"Ganandorf!" Zelda blurted. "King Ganandorf did this! He came…" She sobbed hysterically. "I was hiding…Father told me too…No matter what…"
"Alright, let's get you out of here." Link looked and sounded nauseated. He walked them outside and removed his powdered wig. "Are you both alright?"
Potho shook violently and hid his face in his hand. He ran up the stairs and into his room.
"I'm alright, Link."
He took her into his arms and squeezed her tight. "We won't let him get away with this. I swear it." He pulled her back and looked into her eyes.
"We are officially at war, Link." Zelda sighed.
"Then you must know, that I am now officially the general, now."
"Oh, no, Link, I can't lose you, too…"
He took her face into his hands. "I won't lose. How can I lose when I am fighting for the ones I love?"
She sighed and accepted his assurance with some difficulty.
"Let's get to bed. We will deal with all of this in the morning." He motioned to a nearby guard. "The king has been murdered! Get someone on it!" He ordered.
They went upstairs and retreated to Zelda's bedroom.
"Here is the key," Zelda said handing it to him. "Lock the door, please, Link."
He did so.
They lie down and slept in one another's arms.
The morning brought with it new challenges.
