Chapter 12: You are revealed princess
Zelda had returned to the temple without seeing Link once. At first she had been devastated but she had learnt to push such feelings aside, even though he was still consequently in her dreams and in her every thought.
Two months had passed since she had left, and since the meeting with Ganondorf Dragmire. Zelda had been having an extremely hard time concentrating ever since.
She was at the moment training at Death Mountain with Impa. They were climbing a really steep part of the mountain and Impa sighed as the princess fell for the tenth time. The Sheikah leaped from the cliff she was taking support from and ran down the vertical mountainside. Once she passed the falling princess she jumped upward to catch the her in her arms and then scowled at her.
"You are already far behind as it is with this training. You can't afford being this distracted."
"I'm sorry Impa but I just can't shrug off this feeling that I need to be in the castle right now."
"Nonsense! You have it much better here with me!" The air around Impa became a whole lot darker. "Don't you?"
"Y-yes, of course Impa! We're having so much fun!" The princess quickly ensured her. Even though being locked into a room with a whole bunch of skulltulas, swimming down the waterfalls outside the Gerudos domain, Impa fortunately hadn't seen her as ready to swim up the waterfalls, and being tossed down Death Mountain wasn't really her opinion of fun.
Zelda took a look at the view from where they were standing.
"It's just too much! I haven't seen Rauru now for over two months and that means I haven't been making any progress to understand this power I'm supposed to have. I can't become a Sheikah and I don't know how long it had been since I saw…" She fell silent. "I don't trust Ganondorf and I want to be by my father's side," she said instead of what she had almost let slip her lips.
"I guess all this extra time I took to train you isn't of any use as long as you can't focus. I think we should go to the castle but you have to train with me every single night. It will be good training for trying to manage without sleep and to keep hidden and unseen."
Zelda smiled and climbed with great determination during the rest of the mountaineering.
Ganondorf Dragmire smirked. His plan worked perfect. Only two months had passed since he arrived and the king was already listening to every word he said. He hadn't expected the king to be this weak-minded.
He walked through one of the corridors when he heard trumpets outside.
"What's with all the noise?" he muttered to himself. The Hylians were always celebrating and making such a big deal of things. He grimaced in disgust as he watched how all the Hylians ran outside to greet someone arriving in a carriage. He was about to walk away when he heard someone shouting over the rejoicing voices.
"The princess is back!"
Ganondorf flinched, for a moment he remembered her exposing gaze. How he hated it. He didn't want anyone to understand anything about him or have any power over him. Still that was how her eyes made him feel. As if she was superior and understood every single thought that went through his mind. The memory of her was still clear as the glass of the window he was staring through.
He shook his head. She was just a child. She would probably go to her room and get pampered by some servants like any other spoiled princess. He continued towards the throne room. A man had been arrested on his orders for refusing to offer his horses to the royal stables and Ganondorf had to make sure that this man got thrown into jail.
Zelda did her best to smile towards everyone who came to greet her. She wanted to get to her father as soon as possible and this seemed to take a great amount of time.
As soon as she got inside she started to run. She looked at her running feet when suddenly an odd, yet familiar, feeling hit her. She stopped and looked up.
Ganondorf Dragmire stared at the floor in thought as he slowly made his way to the throne room. He stopped as he sensed something strange about the silence. Hadn't he heard running steps? Before the entrance to the throne room he looked up from the floor and the amber eyes, shimmering as gold, of Ganondorf Dragmire met the blue ones, deep as an ocean, of the princess of Hyrule.
He almost flinched and he hated her for making him react that way. He almost stretched out to seize her throat but held his composure.
Zelda looked away. His eyes radiated such hatred that it felt uncomfortable looking into them. Shouldn't he try to hide it better, she thought.
She nodded as a greeting and walked past him into the throne room with great nonchalance. Ganondorf's hands turned to fists for a second before he found his regular calm and followed her.
Zelda was about to say something to her father when she noticed a kneeling figure in front of the throne. It looked like a farmer. She recognized him as the one who usually delivered milk to the castle. He had an extraordinarily large moustache and brown thin hair. She stopped behind him and waited for her father's instructions.
Her father made a motion with his hand. The farmer raised his gaze as Zelda walked around him so she was positioned in front of him instead. She smiled as friendly as she could towards him and he quickly bowed his head all the way to the floor. Zelda walked up to the throne next to her father's and sat down.
Ganondorf didn't wait for any signal from the king. He walked by the farmer without as much as a glance and stood next to the king on the other side. Since everyone were on their places the king continued the conversation between him and the farmer.
"Talon, I'm sure you understand how much work I have to do and that I don't have time for this."
"Please, your Majesty. I wouldn't want to take your time but none of the ministers wanted to listen. That's the only reason this has been going this far." Talon looked up from the floor.
"This has gotten this far because of his nagging, Highness. As the only one in Hyrule who breeds horses it's his guiltiness to grant you, Majesty, his best horses." Ganondorf whispered to the king. "It has long been decided. He can't simply break such an agreement."
"Talon, you have agreed to this yourself. It's not much you can say to your defense." The king stated and Zelda noticed Talon's cheeks turn red.
"Majesty, your men broke into my ranch even though no specific time was mentioned for me to deliver the horses. They did take as many horses as was ordered but couldn't take on my youngest horse that is not even near fully grown. That was my daughter's horse which I have given her and when your men couldn't control it they left and said I would be punished for breaking the agreement!"
"…And you have broken it" Ganondorf spoke. "A few days in jail will do you good. Or maybe we should let someone more reliable take care of your ranch? I, Majesty, can take care of that", he said and turned to the king.
"B-but, Majesty! You can't send me to jail. What about my daughter? I told her I would be back before the sun went down!"
"It's not our problem if your daughter worries." Ganondorf simply said and Talon oddly enough started to laugh. Everybody assumed he had gone mad.
"What's so funny?" Ganondorf roared as Talon rolled around on the floor laughing. Talon stroked away a tear as he tried to stop his own chuckling.
"Oh, she won't worry. I'm just afraid what will happen to the ranch when she gets angry because I'm not coming home… Then it wouldn't be any ranch for you to take over. More important is what will happen to me when Malon finally gets a hold of me." He started to laugh again. "Boy, that would be worse than any of your punishments!"
Ganondorf growled. "Well, we'll see about that!"
Zelda turned to her father.
"It seems as if this is our mistake. We didn't give Talon enough time and we don't have right to walk in and take which horses we like, whenever we like. He knows much better which horses are most fitting."
The king stroked his chin, obviously considering his daughter's words.
"Our mistake? You can't make mistakes, Majesty! If it is a crisis we have to get the horses. We need them when we need them not sooner nor later so why wouldn't we get them when we wish? Besides, why would we let a lowly peasant choose horses for us? We have right to whichever horse we desire. He shouldn't make such a big deal of it." Ganondorf said and held back a smirk as he noticed that he had convinced the king.
Zelda could feel her temper rising.
"He knows most about horses in all of Hyrule. We have to trust…"
"Silence!" The king exclaimed in a loud voice. Zelda clenched her teeth. She felt this discussion would end and it wouldn't be a just decision, she could sense that.
"Well, then father, I'm sure Talon realizes his mistake and since he has been such a reliable source to the castle I'm sure we can let him go with a warning and that he will deliver the horses to us as soon as you give your order", she said sweetly and focused on her folded hands while she tried to look as adorable as possible.
"Majesty!" Ganondorf said.
"Fine, we have to end this now! Talon I will send orders about the horses soon and that untamed horse…"
"But it's my daughter's…" Talon said desperately and began to rise from the floor but Ganondorf quickly yelled at him.
"Stay on the ground and show your loyalty peasant!"
Zelda felt an urge to glare at Ganondorf but held it back. The king spoke again.
"That horse should be in my stables. I have already heard about this horse. It seems to be very special."
"Father…" Zelda turned to the king.
"Silence, Zelda!" She bit her lip and the king continued. "That horse should stand in the royal stables."
Talon nodded slowly, his gaze empty.
"Go!" The king pointed at the door. Talon rose and walked with heavy steps towards it. Zelda thought of a way to save the situation. There wasn't much she could do now.
"Father, could I receive that horse?" She batted her eyelashes at him as he turned his head to look at her. "While I'm not at your side to support you and show my deepest love and loyalty I start to doubt your love for me. Can't I get this horse as a sign that you still love me?" She tried to look really doubting and hurt.
The king hesitated; this was not what he had expected. Ganondorf held his breath as he watched the two monarchs.
"Of course, my good daughter, you shall receive the horse as a sign of my feelings for you."
Ganondorf couldn't believe his ears. He had looked out that horse for himself. That's why he ordered them to take the horse already so it could grow in the castle. Besides he needed to get rid of this Talon. Ganondorf had a faithful spy which had turned to his side on the ranch. Zelda rose and made a small curtsy.
"Excuse me."
She walked slowly until she got out of the room. Her father was too easy sometimes. They didn't have a loving relationship. She was only an object to him but he did care and he wanted everyone else to see how much he loved his daughter so if she asked for a gift he gave it to her. Then she quickly ran up to Talon who had hardly moved at all since he got out from the room. His head hung low as he made his way from the throne room.
"She's going to kill me! She's going to kill me!" He mumbled over and over as the guards gave him strange looks.
"Mister Talon!" She tapped him on the shoulder and he jumped high into the air. Zelda was surprised such a big man could jump that high.
"Puh! I thought it was my devili… eh… dear daughter who had come to… never mind…" Then he caught himself and made a deep bow. "Thank you, Highness, for defending me!"
"Please, I didn't succeed so I don't deserve your thanks. I have something to say. I hope it can at least make up for some of the harm we have caused you."
Talon nodded.
"Since the horse now is in my care it is I who decide who gets to visit it." Zelda picked up a note and scribbled down something on it. "If you show this to the guards they'll let you pass. This means that you daughter can come and visit it any time she likes and it will still be her horse even though it's now officially called mine."
"You are too kind princess! I will look forward to the day you'll be queen."
Zelda's cheeks turned a rosy color and she lowered her head in embarrassment.
She watched Talon walk away while the guards escorted him.
"Can I borrow your helmet, I need it for… uh… never mind!" Talon said to one of the guards who gave him a very aghast look. "She's going to kill me! I'm late!" Talon then mumbled to himself.
Zelda noticed something to her right and looked up. She held back a gasp as she met Ganondorf's eyes. He looked as if he wanted her to disappear and never return. She could feel his hatred even though she stood a great distance away from him.
Ganondorf's thoughts on how to get rid of the princess got interrupted by her gaze. He gulped and tried to keep his regular self-control. Since when did he let a small girl cause him to react like this?
Sixteen days passed and the princess always stayed close to the king and made sure he listened to her advice before he made a decision. Ganondorf seemed to lose more of his self-control for each day passing by. The king listened more to that little brat than to him, and the king had to listen to him for his plan! He hated how he had to flatter and bow and make such a fuss over that man who obviously couldn't make any decision on his own. What he hated even more was how the little girl seemed to understand what was going on. She seemed to be the true enemy, the one he needed to get rid of. She was the greatest threat towards him.
Killing children and women wasn't new to Ganondorf. He was after all the Gerudo king, Gerudos who saw all men as weaklings. He needed to be the strongest of all, prove his position. That nothing would stand in his way.
The problem was that he couldn't just kill the princess and he couldn't let his feelings make him do something rushed.
He headed to the royal library. They had books he wouldn't get a hand on anywhere else and these very books happened to have information that he needed.
During his stay in the castle he had spent hours in the libarary. He sat down in a comfortable armchair and read through a book with old Hylian legends.
…and the Hylians were the holy people closest to the goddesses. They were granted with pointy ears to listen to the very words of the goddesses…
Ganondorf wrinkled his nose. Hylians thought that they were so special! He skipped a few pages and came across the legend of the three goddesses, how they had created Hyrule and left some of their power hidden there. Each goddess let some of her power get sealed in a golden triangle and together these three triangles became the Triforce, an object powerful enough to grant any wish its master commanded.
This was what he was looking for, he was about to turn the page when a voice startled him.
"Sir Ganondorf, I believe you don't have permission to read these books. This library is private. What are you reading?" The princess leaned over his shoulder. "Oh, a very interesting book, it was a while ago I read it."
Ganondorf stiffened. How could she have sneaked up behind him? He would have noticed someone approaching him.
"I do have permission, princess", he said even though it was a lie. He felt the usual hatred bubbling up inside of him.
"My deepest apologies", she said. "Have you gotten to the chapter about how to receive the Triforce?" she asked innocently.
How? he thought and stiffened even more but calmed down quickly. Enough of her having the upper hand! She couldn't know what he was planning.
Zelda left the library. The royal family had care over all the old scripts about the Triforce and the goddesses. They knew more about the old legends of Hyrule than anyone. Of course everyone knew how Hyrule was created and about the Triforce but it was seen as an old story and nothing more. All deeper knowledge was in the castle. Zelda became more and more sure that Ganondorf was planning something evil and it had something to do with the Triforce. She could safely leave him with that book. The only books that revealed anything of importance was written in ancient Hylian and very few could read that. She had investigated and spied on Ganondorf enough to know that he couldn't read it.
Three more days went by. Ganondorf was at the moment pacing around in circles inside his room. He suspected that the princess was… no…it was impossible… but she…
He found more and more signs every day that it was the case with the princess but she didn't have the most obvious signs… She couldn't be… not without…
He scratched his head. He didn't get anywhere with this!
At the same time Zelda walked around in circles in her own room.
"Impa, I'm sure now! He's looking for the Triforce and he can't have any good intentions. It's dangerous to have him in the castle! He's damaging father mentally, I know it. All of this affects Hyrule too! Maybe I should say something that drags his attention to me?"
"You wouldn't be able to protect yourself against him, Zelda", Impa said as she leaned against the wall. "Sometimes you go into too deep water."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"You take on more than you can handle."
"Who will do this if I don't? Father is not well! I can't lay this burden on someone else. Who is strong enough? Who knows enough about the Triforce? Who can stand a chance against Ganondorf Dragmire? I must trust myself!"
"I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I was sent to tell you dinner is ready." Zelda flinched as she heard Ganondorf's voice. How much had he heard? She wondered as she looked at his face.
Ganondorf had a hard time keeping his expression calm as he saw Zelda's blue eyes flash red for a second at the sight of him. His suspicions could not be wrong. The way she could sneak up on him, see through him… She was a Sheikah, no doubt. The princess was a filthy little Sheikah, a people of assassins who hated the royal family and was bound to be their servants. He felt like laughing out loud but kept quiet. He could use this in the near future, but he didn't have any need now. You have to bide your time he reminded himself.
Impa and Zelda switched glances and Zelda understood what had happened and that Ganondorf knew.
She walked towards the door and stopped when she stood beside him. Without looking at his face she spoke.
"If you want the golden power of the goddesses you will need the Ocarina of Time and I will never let it fall into your hands." Then she walked past him out the door and Impa who Ganondorf hadn't noticed at all disappeared into the shadows.
Ganondorf stood there confused for a moment. She knew and what was it she had said? He had already read about the Ocarina of Time. It was true, it was a key to get to the Triforce and she had it? He clenched his teeth. She was in the way and she wouldn't move whatever he came up with! The only way to get past her would be to get rid of her! He was going to kill her! It wouldn't be a problem now when he knew her little secret. Of what he had heard, the king, for some reason, couldn't stand the Sheikah.
He smirked and headed towards the throne room. The king never ate dinner with the princess.
Zelda stared at the empty plate. She rose from her chair and the sound from the clacks of her shoes hitting the floor echoed throughout the big room. The guards on their posts along the wall looked like statues, it felt depressing.
Zelda went towards the throne room. She wanted to be near her father.
"Yes, Majesty, a Sheikah is hiding in the castle."
"I'm aware of this and no matter how much I want to, I can't get rid of her."
"You know?"
Zelda stayed outside as she recognized Ganondorf's voice.
"Yes, she is the princess's bodyguard."
"Ah, but I'm speaking of another Sheikah. Only a child but who knows what that child will become? You know how they are."
It was almost as if she could hear how he smirked.
"Another Sheikah?"
Her father sounded disgusted… disgusted by her, she thought and hid her face against the cold wall.
"I suggest that we sentence it to death immediately, I can take care of it. All you have to do is write the order."
It became dead silent.
"I will need some of my most trusting men to make sure it is a Sheikah."
Silence again.
"Highness, I can assure you. Am I not reliable enough?"
"I want this to be done correctly, that's all. The Sheikah could be… No innocent person should be judged!"
Zelda smiled softly. He was still a good man.
"Yes, milord", Ganondorf spoke. Zelda could hear he wasn't satisfied. He frightened her more now than ever. He wanted to kill her. Right after she had challenged him by telling him about the ocarina he had made the decision to kill her! She was sure that he would trick these reliable men to sentence her to death if they found out she was a Sheikah.
Quickly she ran to her room.
"Impa! We have to get to the Temple of Time, now!"
She couldn't run away. She would be back in the morning but she had to see Rauru now! She couldn't die and leave Ganondorf to do as he wished. Never.
So, what was said in this chapter? Ganondorf is after the Triforce and wants to kill Zelda and he's going to use the fact that she's a Sheikah. How will she get away?
First I want to thank you for the (as always) wonderful reviews. Every review is like a spoon full of sunshine (thank you so much).
Oh, yes, it was that lake laboratory man in the last chapter and someone asked a few chapters ago if I would jump straight ahead to them being seventeen in this story but I was mean and forgot to answer (sorry)…
Anyway, this is how I've planned it: First I jumped from 6 years old to 10, then I'll jump to 13 (I will only have one or two more 10 years old chapters) then 15 and then I don't know if I'll skip 16 and go straight to 17 but something that way… I'll try to rush to seventeen but some things have to be added along the way! This story is about Link and Zelda going through things together and growing (even though they spend a lot of time apart if you ask me)! Yeah, and be ready for jealousy sometimes in the future because my greatest joy is a jealous Link.
