As Link stood in front of the crowd in Town Square, he realized that there were far more many people than he had expected. The Town Elders surrounded him, holding torches next to him so that everyone could see the Hero in person. The entire square had been rumbling with the voices of nearly a thousand citizens, but as Link stood up to face them, an odd hush fell over the scene.
"It's all yours now, Master Link," Impa whispered encouragingly.
"Don't mess up, kid," Nabooru said, less reassuring. "This is your best and only shot. Make it count."
Link swallowed, his mouth suddenly going dry. He hadn't prepared a speech at all, hadn't figured out anything to say to these people. After Zelda's arrest, he had made feverish preparations for the rebellion without actually thinking how he would achieve it. And now, he was standing in front of the only people who could make his plans work – to free Zelda, and to free Hyrule. And he had nothing to say to them.
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Link's legs moved forward automatically, and the silence, if possible, became even heavier. He did his best to stand tall, to take deep, calming breaths, and to survey the crowd impassively with an air of confidence.
Alright, so far, so good. Now what?
He stood there, tall on the raised platform, and ultimately with nothing to say. Link started sweating. Fights were things he could rush into blindly without thought – obviously, this didn't apply to public speeches. Goddesses dammit, if only Zelda was here – she could make an eloquent speech out of thin air.
And as Link stood there, front and center, sweating and gaping like a fish out of the water, a tinny voice suddenly chirped up: "is he the Hero?"
That voice – so small and high. It was a little girl, standing only a few feet below him, holding tightly onto her mother's hands. Somehow, the sight of her wide, incredulous eyes and her dirty clothing gave Link heart. He smiled at her, and she grinned shyly back.
"I'm not sure if you could call me a Hero," Link said, his voice coming out surprisingly strong. "Unlike the legendary Hero of Time, I'm just a lone vigilante. I'm not that much different from any of you…"
"Yer a noble, aren't you?" a voice called out, rough and uncouth. A series of murmurs broke out amongst the crowd.
"Yeah, you're called 'Sir' Hylia," another voice added.
Link stood his ground, taking the comments in stride. "Yes, I am a member of the nobility. A group of people that has traditionally trampled on your rights and generally ignored the problems of the average citizen."
"But," Link continued, pacing back and forth on the platform, "we're all Hylian, aren't we? Class distinctions aside, I reckon my blood is worth the same as yours." Link threw a small grin at Rauru, who looked surprised that Link had remembered those words from so long ago.
"I'm not going to tell you that I know what it feels like to have your problems," Link said, staring out into the sea of assembled citizens. "To do so would insult your intelligence, for obviously, I have not suffered under Ganondorf's reign like many of you have. But I do empathize with your plight. My own father was taken by Ganondorf, tortured in the castle dungeons and left to die. In fact, my father died in my own arms."
Another silence had fallen over the crowd, as each person listened to his words attentively. Link, feeling more confident, spoke out again, his voice louder and clearer. "You know what that feels like. To lose a father, a brother, a sister, a mother. To lose yourself. Under Ganondorf's eyes, we are little more than animals – just look at the conditions you live in. Castle Town, once the glorious capital of Hyrule, is nothing more than an overgrown slum!"
More rumbles, as the crowd began to grow angry at their predicament. Link was still sweating, but he knew that they were no longer distrustful of him – rather, they needed him to channel their emotions.
"How long have we lived under his depraved rule? And how much longer will we let Ganondorf rule? Another twenty years? And then, will we simply allow his successor to have free reign over us? The proud land of Hyrule, subdued by a single man?"
"He's got the Gerudo!" another voice cried. "And countless armed troops. How do you propose we rebel against that?"
"The Gerudo are dead," Link said calmly. "I have seen to that in person. As for his soldiers – many of them are your fathers and brothers. Are you telling me that they owe their allegiance to Ganondorf, rather than to yourselves? Of course not!" Link looked up at the cloudless sky anxiously, each precious minute slipping away, signaling another minute less he had to reach Zelda. "If you rebel, if you overthrow Ganondorf – his soldiers will follow! They owe no loyalty to the usurper-king."
More murmurs from the crowd, this time of agreement. He was getting to them, slowly but surely. Link waved his hand for silence, and the crowd hushed, unusually eager to gobble up his every word.
"I am not asking you to fight," Link said. "Nor am I asking you to destroy the city. We can rebel, we can overthrow Ganondorf but not necessarily through such destructive means. Many soldiers are our brothers and fathers; such a fight against our countrymen would be more akin to a civil war, rather than a rebellion. This is a time to set aside our differences – class or otherwise – to face a common foe. United, we can overthrow Ganondorf. He is but one man! He has subdued Hyrule for so long because we have allowed him. We have never truly united to fight him…"
"We've had no one to lead us!" replied a voice from the crowd.
"Then allow me to lead you!" Link cried. He gestured behind him, to the assembled Town Elders. "If you do not trust me, allow your Elders to lead you! Above all else, let the Goddesses guide you! We are all united for the singular goal of making a better Hyrule – a better land so that our children won't have to grow up in the poverty and destitution we have witnessed. Fight for them! Fight for yourselves! But for the Goddesses' sakes, don't just allow this monster of a man to rule over you without opposition!"
His fiery words had struck a deep chord in the crowd. A deep rumbling now, growing in volume, was beginning to rise up through the streets of Castle Town. The people were excited, angry, terrified, exhilarated – and ready for change. They had suffered under the depredations of Ganondorf for many long years, but not any longer. Tonight, Link felt, he had made his mark – the true goal he had been fighting for these long months. Tonight, whether he lived or died, Hyrule would regain its sovereignty.
"Twenty years. Tomorrow morning, Goddess Day, Ganondorf will have reigned for twenty one." Link's voice was a mixture of passion and plea, and he struggled to make his voice heard above the din being raised in the Town Square. "Will you allow that to happen?"
There was a tremendous roar, and Link could see hundreds of face reflected in the torch light, filled with fury and stark emotion. The noise had attracted even more citizens, and a few especially courageous guards had left their barracks to observe the gathering. Their spears were held slackly in their hands as they regarded the open rebellion with mute awe.
"Then let us go to the Royal Castle!" Link commanded, drawing his sword and raising it to the night sky. A bit dramatic, he thought privately, as the crowd roared appreciatively, but it worked alright. The crowd, like a lumbering machine, began to flood the streets as they marched towards the Royal Castle, torches held aloft and voices singing with pride.
Letting out a sigh, Link retreated off of the platform, back to the Elders. All of them were smiling approvingly, even Nabooru.
"A good speech, Master Link," Impa commented, her frail voice barely audible over the din. "Your father would have been suitably proud."
"I think we should get things organized!" Rauru cried to the others. "We don't need this to get out of hand. I have a feeling the situation is going to get quite hectic in a few minutes."
"I'll head them off," Darunia said, puffing out his mountainous chest. The huge man took off into the sea of people, his girth and stature providing a natural focal point for the citizens to rally towards. His bellowing voice could be heard clearly, even above the racket made by the crowd.
"Darunia's got things handled here," Nabooru observed, "but we should get the citizens organized anyways. You got something to do, kid?"
Link nodded, sheathing his sword and looking off into the distance at the Royal Castle, silhouetted against the moonlit sky. "Time to pay someone a visit."
"Be careful, Master Link!" Impa cried, as he leapt up onto the rooftops, taking the high road. "And please find Miss Zelda!"
The mention of Zelda's name added even more fuel to Link's energized state, and the thought of her, trapped in Ganondorf's clutches, provided an even greater impetus for Link to reach the castle in time. As he leapt from rooftop to rooftop, observing the thousands of citizens on their way to the castle, he uttered a swift prayer to the Goddesses to ensure Zelda's safety.
"Hold on, Princess," he muttered, legs pumping furiously in his haste to reach her in time. "You're all I've got left."
Viscen yawned, covering his mouth discreetly lest Captain Zant saw him. Another dull night spent at the castle. This time, Viscen's detachment had been given orders to man the battlements of the South gate, the primary barrier between the castle and the town.
Captain Zant was oddly animated, pacing the walls and checking each of his soldiers for any signs of complacency. Viscen had never seen the slim, pale-faced Zant so invigorated; but if the rumors were to be believed, then he understood that Zant's excitement might have stemmed from the captain's hope for a promotion. Although he had not taken part in the raid on the Dotour manor that morning, rumors had flown through the ranks of the troops, and Viscen knew that Zant had arrested two alleged traitors, one of which – so Viscen had heard through the grapevine – was the Crown Princess in hiding.
The other, Kafei Dotour, Viscen's personal friend and ally, had been executed.
Although Viscen had no way to confirm it, he knew that Link and Zelda likely had taken shelter with Kafei after Hylia manor had been raided. Which, ultimately, meant that Zelda – if everything he had heard was true – was the Crown Princess. And Link apparently had escaped Zant's clutches, which meant that all hope was not lost. The young knight was quite resourceful, and Viscen was sure that Kafei's death and Zelda's capture would only act as a catalyst for the eventual rebellion.
It was strange, Viscen thought, that so many years had passed without a single mention of the former Royal Family, or any serious threat of rebellion. But now, in the space of a few short months, the unthinkable was happening: Ganondorf's reign was crumbling around him. The citizens of Hyrule could smell blood in the water, and Viscen knew that Link would rally them against the usurper-king soon. And the knowledge that the Crown Princess might still be alive after all these years! So many strange things were happening, and Viscen hoped that he would live to see another Golden Age.
Viscen felt a small nudge on his arm, breaking him from his thoughts. He looked up, to find one of his comrades elbowing him and pointing out into the distance.
"Take a look at that," the other soldier whispered. Frowning, Viscen followed his gaze – and his heart stopped.
Castle Town was on fire – or it looked like that, anyways. The normally darkened city was now overflowing with night, and if Viscen strained his ears, he could hear very faint shouts from the town.
"What in the name of the Goddesses is going on?" Viscen said aloud, wondering if a fire had started.
Other soldiers had noticed it too, murmurs breaking out amongst the company as they pointed and gazed in wonder at the lights twinkling in the town. Captain Zant was as dumbfounded as the rest of them.
"What's happening?" the captain asked one of the troops, his pale face growing slightly red. The soldier shrugged, not sharing his captain's concern.
"No idea, sir."
Zant hissed, turning towards the lighted town, his face screwed up in confusion. The captain was always uncomfortable in situations dealing with the unknown, Viscen knew. Zant turned back to the hapless soldier, his eyes glinting dangerously.
"Get on a horse and scout it out. Move, soldier!"
The trooper hastily obeyed, leaving his post on the battlements and heading off towards the castle stables. Zant turned back, observing the scene with distaste on his features.
Viscen, too, felt his curiosity growing, and he watched as the soldier that had left for the stables ride out of the gates on a horse. The entire company watched as the scout galloped down the dirt pathway leading from the castle to the town, the darkness soon swallowing up his figure. It seemed to Viscen that the lights were getting closer to the castle, and they were made up of thousands of tiny, individual sparks. Torches, perhaps? Viscen's mind reeled. He looked over at Captain Zant, who was clenching his jaws tightly. An air of anxiety and excitement had settled over the assembled soldiers – this was something they'd never seen before.
It didn't take long for the scout to return; several minutes after his disappearance, he came charging back towards the South gate, hollering loudly and excitedly. The lights, Viscen noticed, were definitely on the move, and heading towards their position at a steady rate. There was no doubt now in his mind that the lights were torches, and that an enormous crowd was marching towards the castle.
Had Link already rallied the people of Castle Town? Viscen hadn't expected the young knight to make such a bold move for at least a few more months. He watched as the scout clambered up the battlements stairs, instantly greeted by Captain Zant:
"Well, trooper? What is it? What did you see?"
All the other soldiers listened intently to the scout's report: "A very large crowd, sir. The citizens are marching towards the castle."
Zant's eyes bulged ever so slightly. "How many?"
The scout shrugged. "At least a couple thousand, sir."
The captain's reaction was almost comical. "A couple thousand?! Are they armed?"
"As far as I could tell, no, sir."
"What are they thinking?" Zant mused, talking to himself, as he glared at the approaching horde. "They can't break down this gate without heavy siege equipment…" The captain paused in his thoughts, turning back to the scout. "Captain Keeta's detachment is stationed close to the town. Were you able to make contact with them?"
"As a matter of fact, sir, yes," the scout said, uncomfortably. "They appear to have joined the rebels."
Zant's face was now livid with rage and horror: to the captain, such a statement seemed preposterous.
"There is no way… Captain Keeta… loyal soldiers…" Zant sputtered, looking at the crowd of rebels fearfully. Nothing in his training could have prepared him for this, and Viscen knew that the captain was incapable of adapting to the situation.
"Someone needs to inform King Ganondorf," Zant declared, his voice shaking. "Hold the walls, men! Do not let a single of these traitors pass! I shall return with… with aid…"
His voice trailed off feebly, and Zant quickly retreated from the battlements, taking the scout's horse and riding off to the castle. Viscen watched him go with a mixture of disgust and amusement.
"What do you reckon?" the scout asked, settling next to Viscen and watching the incoming mob. They were now clearly visible from the walls, brandishing torches and singing hymns and shouting. In the sudden light, Viscen could clearly see several soldiers who had joined the rebellion.
"By the Goddesses, it's really happening," Viscen said in wonder. "Hylia's really done it."
"You think Link Hylia is behind this?" the scout asked, surveying the crowd closely.
"I'm almost certain he is," Viscen replied. "And that means… Zelda might actually be the Crown Princess, after all…"
The scout threw him a sharp look, but said nothing. The rest of the soldiers remained in their positions on the battlement walls, watching impassively as the crowd neared the gates. There was a low rumbling in the air now, their voices and footsteps mingling into a wall of noise. Viscen knew that all of the soldiers in his regiment had families back in Castle Town to support, and owed little loyalty to Ganondorf. But Zant, their captain, wouldn't hesitate to shoot down the protestors…
"Any idea of what we should do?" one of the soldiers asked, as the huge crowd of people reached the South gates. A couple thousand had been an understatement: it seemed as if all of Castle Town had joined the uprising, and their ranks stretched far back into the darkness, making it seem as if the entire road in front of the gates was nothing but a sea of moving bodies.
Viscen shrugged, watching as the people reached the portcullis and halted, unable to break through the iron gates. They settled down in front of the battlement walls, in plain view of the soldiers, shouting angrily and brandishing any weapons they could find. Yet, they weren't threatening the troops – they simply wanted to be let through the gates, to reach Ganondorf's castle.
"Where is Zant?" Viscen yelled over the immense noise. The other troops looked back blankly at him; it appeared that Zant had no intention of returning from the castle. Viscen sighed, thoroughly unimpressed and somehow not surprised.
"The more important question," Viscen muttered to himself, watching the army of citizens impassively, "is where is Link?"
Ganondorf watched as his advisor, Vaati, entered the throne room as aloof and unshakeable as ever. If he was surprised at the sight of Zelda trapped in a pink crystal, the simpering noble showed no sign of it. Instead, Vaati bowed to Ganondorf respectfully, before throwing Koume and Kotake a small nod.
"King Ganondorf. I'm afraid I have some rather… dire news."
"What is it?" Ganondorf asked, trying not to sound too bored. He glanced at Zelda from the corner of his eyes: the young princess was eyeing Vaati with loathing, but hanging on to every word he said. Obviously, she was hoping that her precious hero was on his way to save her. Ganondorf sneered.
"Captain Zant has reported a large crowd has gathered outside of the South gate. Angry citizens, rebelling against your authority. Only Zant's small company of troops is manning the battlements. It appears… Captain Keeta's soldiers have joined with the traitors."
"Do the rebels have siege weapons?"
"No, milord, but…"
"Order Zant to shoot them all," Ganondorf interrupted dispassionately. "Send a detachment of bowmen from the castle down to assist them. Keep shooting until the crowd disperses."
Vaati nodded grimly. "Sir, may I suggest sending… well, soldiers more reliable than the citizen-soldier levies?"
Ganondorf waved his concerns away. "I trust my captains and nobles will stay loyal to me in this time of crisis. The rabble of Castle Town have finally shown their true colors. If it may put your mind at ease, Vaati, then send another regiment of troops from the castle to reinforce Zant."
Vaati looked like he wanted to say something more, but, unwilling to challenge his king, bit his tongue. "As you say, my liege," the noble muttered, his normally calm face perspiring slightly. Obviously, this whole situation with the rebels was cracking the stoic countenance of Vaati, which Ganondorf found slightly amusing.
As Vaati left the throne room, closing the doors behind him, Ganondorf turned to face Zelda, who had heard every word in her crystal prison. "What do you think, princess? The rebellion you have worked for has finally come to fruition. Do you think your rag-tag army of peasants can defeat my soldiers?"
Zelda remained stubbornly quiet, something that both amused and irritated Ganondorf. He rose from his throne, pacing around the room quietly, stroking the hilt of his weapon. Outside the throne room windows, Ganondorf could see the thousands of tiny, twinkling lights that were camped out of the South gate, representing the mobs of rebellious peasants. Once Zant and Vaati had secured the situation, he would have to make sure that the foolish citizens never tried another uprising again. His lips curled up into a smile, before he turned to regard the princess once more.
"Where is your hero, princess? And do you truly think that he can contend with my power?"
The look on Zelda's face clearly spoke her opinion. Ganondorf merely grinned, an empty, savage leer.
"Afraid to speak your mind, princess? You can say anything you want… I can't harm you… at least while you're still trapped in that prison."
Ganondorf laughed, flicking the hard exterior of the crystal shell. Zelda only glared at him from within the confines of her pink prison, and the usurper-king thought the image of Hyrule's Crown Princess trapped in such a preposterous manner was mildly amusing. He continued to prowl around the room restlessly, like a beast anticipating the coming hunt.
"Link will stop you," Zelda spoke suddenly, her voice oddly tinny and hollow from within her prison. "The Goddesses are on his side. Who will aid you, Ganondorf? Your soldiers? They will not fight against their families for you. You're harboring the delusion that they have been cowed through fear to be utterly loyal, but that is not the case. They will slit your throat when the time is right."
"You silly girl," Ganondorf chided, grinning widely. "I have crushed the spirit of the Hylian people for the past twenty years. My soldiers will fight for me, if only out of terror. They know the consequence for treason."
"We shall see about that," Zelda said evenly, holding her head up calmly. "We shall see if your reign of terror will validate your ideals or ultimately betray you."
"Your father, King Harkinian, was weak," Ganondorf hissed. "A ruler that leads through benevolence is a weak one. Only power and fear can pacify and control the people. A strong ruler understands that."
"If you are a wise ruler," Zelda said quietly, "there is no need to pacify or control the people. They will willingly follow you."
"How naïve," Ganondorf sneered. "People are born as animals, with the desire for survival taking precedence over anything else. No amount of 'civilization' can erase that basic primal urge within us. This land is one gigantic food chain, and I… am at the top."
"Are you sure about that, Ganondorf?"
The usurper-king stiffened as he heard the new voice, calm and full of fire. Zelda closed her eyes, elated and horrified to see Link here. He had swallowed Ganondorf's bait, and she hated herself for putting Link in such a position.
She opened her eyes, once more, to find Link perched on the edge of the throne room's window sill, surveying the scene with odd calmness. He took in everything, from the two witches cowering in the corner, to Ganondorf's predatory grin, to Zelda herself trapped in a pink prism. The young knight leapt down from the window, drawing his sword and shield, chain mail clinking gently beneath his green tunic. A steely look had entered his blue eyes, and Zelda found herself watching with bated breath as he drew himself up to his full height, matching Ganondorf's imposing stature.
Link, the Hero reborn.
"So, Hylia," Ganondorf said, his eyes burning with the same anxiety that flashed in Link's eyes, "you came, after all. I knew you would. There was something in you that I could pick off a mile away, something that the other nobles lacked."
"What was that?" Link asked quietly, throwing Zelda a quick look from the corner of his eyes.
"Free will," Ganondorf replied, drawing his sword free from its sheath with a rasp. "It's a shame you had to put your efforts against me, Hylia. You had potential… but then again, being another mindless puppet under my reign would have quashed your individuality. It would have turned you quite dull… and I need an enemy like you to keep my vigilance sharp."
The two combatants began to circle each other in a wary circle, swords drawn and ready. Ganondorf's sword was monstrous in size, nearly twice that of Link's, and Zelda doubted Link's shield would offer much protection against it. Both Zelda and the witches watched, captivated, as the two warriors prepared for battle.
"Your reign is collapsing about you, Ganondorf," Link said quietly, continuing to flash reassuring glances at Zelda. "Castle Town's in a full riot. Half your guards are joining them. Do you really think you can quell the rebellion after tonight? It will only spread, until all of Hyrule joins."
"I have quenched hundreds of rebellions, and this will end no differently, Hylia. You have given the people a tentative hope, but that dream is fragile: if I kill you, their leader, they will break before my power. You've put everything on the line coming here tonight."
"But if I kill you…" Link sucked in his breath, continuing to prowl around the throne room like a wary wolf. "Then, Ganondorf, your reign ends as well."
"So be it," the usurper-king replied, hefting the weight of his thirsting blade in his hands. "The fate of Hyrule rests upon the outcome of this duel."
Link cast another sidelong glance at Zelda, and this time, Ganondorf noticed. The Gerudo king smiled widely.
"Worried about her, Hylia? Your Princess? Don't give me that look," Ganondorf said mockingly, "I've known about her heritage for awhile. Why else would you, the last of Hyrule's knights, have gone to such lengths to protect her?"
"Love," Link replied, and Zelda found her heart racing. "An emotion that you've never felt, Ganondorf."
The Gerudo barked at Link's response, amused and disbelieving. "Love, pity, caring… they are all weak traits. Characteristics that the shrewd will take advantage of. It is a weakness, Hylia, a liability… your 'love' for her has led you into this trap tonight. And I know when to take advantage of my enemy's weakness."
Ganondorf lunged forward with a roar, and Zelda could see that Link had been taken by surprise. The young knight deftly retreated backwards, avoiding Ganondorf's thrust by mere inches. The Gerudo's hungry black blade smashed into the tiled floor, sending chips of stone flying everywhere in a hail of shrapnel, and Zelda let out an involuntary cry.
Link rolled to his feet, sword raised and teeth bared, looking uncannily similar to Ganondorf. Both of them warriors, both of them reverted to their most basic instincts: kill or be killed. The young knight darted forward, easily avoiding Ganondorf's counterattack, and sweeping under his foe's guard. Link's sword passed easily through one of Ganondorf's pauldrons, causing the usurper-king to drop to one of his knees with a roar.
"Your Gerudo were a tougher foe," Link taunted, his voice filled with momentary elation as he raised his sword for the killing stroke. But then, before the blade could fall, there was a flash of light and an acrid stench filled the air. Link rolled away from Ganondorf, his clothes singed and still partially on fire from one of the witches' spells. Half of his tunic had burned away, revealing the suit of chainmail he wore underneath. Some of the chainmail rings were glowing red-hot from the spell, and Link winced noticeably.
Ganondorf got back on his feet, a sardonic smile plastered on his face. "Have I yet introduced you to my two witches, Hylia? Koume and Kotake, the elder shamans of the Gerudo tribe."
Both of the feeble old witches were suddenly floating in mid-air, possessed with magical energy. Zelda watched with horror as tendrils of lightning crackled around their fingertips, and their forms were wreathed in energy.
"Link!" she cried, pounding her fists on the walls of her crystal prison, but to no avail; Ganondorf threw her a mocking look.
"Watch, princess," he commanded, "as your Hero is obliterated!"
The two witches unleashed a volley of energy, a stream of fire and ice that emanated from their open palms and rushed outwards to consume Link. The young knight ducked and rolled, dodging what he could and blocking the rest with his shield. The intense heat, tempered by the sudden cold, began to warp his shield into a semi molten and frozen state. Link rolled up on his feet as the two witches temporarily ceased their spells, black smoke wafting out from their palms.
"You see, Hylia?" Ganondorf drawled, his eyes alight with the promise of an easy victory, "you cannot win. How will you die? From fire and ice, or from my blade?"
"Neither," Link growled, drawing the dagger he always kept hidden in his belt. With a deft throw, he sent the tiny sliver of silver flashing through the air before Zelda had registered what had happened.
There was a shriek, an agonized cry that chilled Zelda to the bone. One of the witches – Koume, or Kotake, Zelda didn't know their names – was clutching her face with both of her hands. Her olive green skin was bathed in crimson blood, and as she flailed and screamed, Zelda could see that Link's dagger had pierced her left eye.
In her agony, the witch fell to the floor, convulsing and moaning as hot, sticky blood ran on the tiled floor of the throne room. Slowly, her movements became less pronounced, and her shrieks changed into wails. As the witch's lifeblood poured out in rivers, her sister swooped down on Link, fury blazing in her eyes.
"Kotake! My sister!" the witch screeched, eyes alight with malice. Molten fire streamed from her fingertips, and Link hid behind his shield as the magical flames licked away at its metallic surface, which was growing red-hot. Koume cackled, her bulbous yellow eyes rolling maniacally.
As Zelda watched, she felt her heart drop in terror as Link was forced back from the crazed witch's assault. The young knight's shield was melting from the intense heat of the spell, and Zelda knew if Link didn't discard it soon, the fire would bite through and fuse the metallic shield with Link's flesh…
There was a hoarse cry, and Zelda thought for sure that Link's defense had been comprised. Koume apparently thought so too, for she ended her attack to view her handiwork.
It was a fatal mistake. Link's shield, now molded into an unrecognizable lump of metal, was discarded on the ground, and Link nowhere in sight. As Koume looked around frantically for the young knight, her entire body jerked and shuddered as the tip of a sword exploded from her chest in a spray of blood. The witch wailed, and as she convulsed violently in her death throes, Zelda felt an odd sense of pity for her.
Link was now terrifying to behold. Half of his tunic had been singed away, and his sword and body were drenched in sticky, viscous blood. His eyes possessed an almost feral quality about them, and Zelda found herself unnaturally frightened of Link – an emotion she never before would have associated with the normally gentle, playful man. There was no question about it: as he stood there, surrounded by the slain corpses of his enemies, crimson-stained sword raised triumphantly, he looked more like a war-god than a Hylian. An unnatural sense of awe and fear settled in Zelda's mind as she looked upon Link, and she was so consumed by his sudden change in disposition that she barely noticed that she was no longer encased in her crystal prison: with the witches dead, their spell had ended.
Ganondorf, too, was looking at Link with a mixture of awe, fear, and loathing. The Gerudo king looked from the mangled body of his two witches, to the fearsome visage of Link, and Zelda could see terror in Ganondorf's dark eyes.
"You cannot stand against me, Ganondorf," Link growled, his eyes flashing dangerously. "You do not deserve mercy, but enough blood has been shed tonight. Surrender, and perhaps you will receive a lenient sentence from the new monarchy."
For a second, it looked as if Ganondorf was tempted to, and Zelda could see that the Gerudo warlord was in no shape to fight: he was limping from the previous wound Link had dealt him, and it was obvious that he could not match the knight's skill. But then, inexplicably, Ganondorf smiled, breaking out into a deep, low chuckle.
"Surrender? Surrender? Hylia, you truly are naïve if you think I will give up simply because you have killed two old witches."
"You are no match for me!" Link answered, frustration and anger evident in his voice. "Ganondorf, to continue would be madness! Throw down your sword!"
"You are weak!" Ganondorf bellowed, eyes alight with crazed fervor. "You cannot stomach the thought of killing me, Hylia? To butcher me, like you have done to my two witches? Your reluctance to kill is a weakness, and I will not surrender to such a weak opponent!"
"I do not enjoy killing," Link replied, his eyes growing somewhat somber as his battle rage died away, "but I will do so when given no recourse. Ganondorf, you have offered me none, and your two advisors have suffered for it. Now, I am extending you a chance to repent for your crimes, and you turn me down? Don't be foolish!"
"We are all but fools in the Goddesses' never ending game," Ganondorf cackled maniacally, and as his eyes flashed red, Zelda thought that the Gerudo had lost all sanity. "As I was telling your princess earlier, there is only the strong, and the weak!"
With a roar, Ganondorf lunged forward – but not at Link. He seized Zelda roughly by the shoulders, dragging her across the floor like a puppet. Zelda cried out in surprise, feeling his rough gauntlets biting into her flesh, and she could smell the stench of blood and sweat that radiated from Ganondorf's armored body. Link remained still, although his eyes, previously burning in rage, had now been tempered with – shock? Even… fear?
"You are weak, Hylia!" Ganondorf bellowed, drawing his sword and holding it to Zelda's throat. She gasped as its cold steel blade rested lightly on the nape of her neck, and each breath she took brought her flesh into uncomfortable contact with the razor sharp blade. "You are unwilling to sacrifice a single life for the lives of thousands! You are not strong enough to be a leader, to wield the power I hold – you are not strong enough to defeat me!"
Link's eyes had widened slightly, and Zelda could once again see the man she knew and loved so dearly in those blue orbs. His titanic fury, so quickly aroused by battle, had just as quickly died as he took in Zelda's predicament. Ganondorf regarded the young knight, his red eyes burning balefully as he took in deep breaths, keeping Zelda captive all the while.
"Well, Hylia?" Ganondorf breathed, malevolently. "Are you strong? Or are you weak?"
"I…" For once, Link looked lost, and as he gazed into Zelda's eyes, she could see that he was fighting against a thousand emotions. She swallowed her own fear, and shouted out to him:
"Do it, Link! Kill the monster!"
Ganondorf shook her roughly, and Link started forward angrily. Ganondorf drew the blade around Zelda's neck again.
"What do you say, hero? Is her life worth so much to you? She may be the Crown Princess, but she is still only one person."
Zelda looked into Link's eyes, and watched as his resolve weakened. His sword hand quivered, threatening to drop the blade onto the ground."
"Don't do it, Link…" she whispered.
Ganondorf watched him intently, his burning red eyes boring a hole into Link's soul.
And slowly, ever slowly, Link tipped his hand, allowing his sword to fall from his slack hands. Zelda's eyes widened in shock as she watched the steel blade fall slowly from his hands, taking an eternity to reach the floor…
There was an empty clatter, a terrible sound that echoed through the still throne room as Link's blade hit the ground, free from its owner. Link looked up into Zelda's eyes, his own eyes filled with anguish.
So close.
"I'm sorry," Link mouthed wordlessly, hanging his head in shame. Zelda felt hot, salty tears stinging her eyes as she watched her hero, her Link, slump his shoulders in defeat. He seemed so diminished somehow, and Zelda knew that Hyrule had been doomed… all because of her. Because she had allowed herself to be captured so easily.
Because Hyrule's Hero, Sir Link Hylia, couldn't bring himself to sacrifice her, even if it meant the country's salvation.
"Yes," Ganondorf whispered, his low voice coming out in barely a hiss. "Only the strong deserve to live. Hylia… you and the princess… were weak."
There was a loud bang as the doors flew open, and a troop of armed guards, led by Vaati and Captain Zant, barged in. Vaati looked absolutely appalled at the carnage wreaked in the throne room, and he carefully ensured that his furred robes did not brush the pools of blood left by the dead witches. Captain Zant, on the other hand, looked delighted.
"King Ganondorf!" the guard captain exclaimed victoriously, sprinting up to Ganondorf and offering a sharp salute. Zant turned to regard Link contemptuously. "I am pleased to report that we have driven off the rebels at the South gate, milord."
"Excellent," Ganondorf breathed softly, allowing a small glance at the eager captain. "Your actions tonight have impressed me, Captain Zant. Your king owes you his gratitude."
"My liege!" Zant exclaimed excitedly, bowing once more. Vaati came forward, coughing lightly to gain Ganondorf's attention.
"My king… now that the rebels have been driven off, and… Hylia has been apprehended… would it not be prudent to make a quick display of your power? To solidify your rule amongst the cowardly traitors in Castle Town?"
"An excellent idea, Minister Vaati!" Ganondorf declared, shoving Zelda roughly over to Link. She stumbled on the blood-slicked tile floor, falling into Link's arms. His grip, unlike Ganondorf's, was gentle yet firm, and he looked at her sadly.
"I'm sorry, Zelda," he murmured, as a quartet of guards surrounded them. "I couldn't… I failed…"
Zelda kissed him once, brokenly, and stroked his cheek one last time, relishing their last moment together. Goddesses, how short their time had been on the beautiful Earth! And for it to end this way…?
"Secure the prisoners," Ganondorf ordered, and Zelda felt several strong hands pry her away from Link. He was dragged to his feet by a pair of guards, and he looked completely shaken, a shell of the man he once was, as if the full magnitude of his defeat had finally reached him.
"Link!" she cried, as she was carried away. Link only looked up at her, his eyes unseeing.
"Where shall we take them, King Ganondorf?" Zant asked, watching as his troops lined up in formation with Link and Zelda held at their center.
"Town square. Muster all the garrison, and rally the troops. I think the execution of the Crown Princess and her Hero will serve as an example to my disloyal subjects."
"Excellent plan, my liege," Vaati complimented sycophantically. Zant bowed his head.
"Troops! Attention!" the eager captain called, his voice swelling with pride at his liege's newfound favor.
None of the soldiers moved. Zant looked nervously at Ganondorf, as if unaccustomed to disobedience from his troops.
"Ahem," he coughed, repeating his orders sharply. "Troops! ATTENTION!"
This time, the soldiers did move, but to her surprise, Zelda found them not carrying her away to Castle Town. The front row of soldiers turned directly to face Ganondorf, Vaati, and Zant, and lowered their spears.
Ganondorf's eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets. "What is this?" he hissed angrily, turning to face Zant and Vaati. Both of them seemed shocked beyond words.
"Troops!" barked a new voice, one that Zelda recognized. She watched as one of the soldiers stepped away from his comrades, addressing them in a manner reminiscent of Zant. "Release the prisoners, and arm Sir Link."
Immediately, the hands holding Zelda dropped away, and she watched dumbly as Link was presented with his long sword. The knight stared at the weapon, confused and disoriented. Then, Link looked up at the soldiers' commander, and his blank face broke into a hesitant grin.
"Soldiers! Arrest these traitors to the Harkinian throne!" the commander barked, and Zelda watched in amazement as the troops broke rank, surrounding Ganondorf, Zant, and Vaati. There was a loud shuffling of spears as the king and his two servants were completely hemmed in. The captain who had addressed the soldiers turned to Link, a wide grin on his face.
"Shall you do the honors, Link?"
Link grinned, and he caught Zelda's eyes.
"Well, Captain Viscen. I'm not in a position of authority. Perhaps you should ask our princess?"
Viscen bowed to Zelda, who was still completely baffled by the sudden turn of events. She watched, bemused and shocked, as Viscen slowly completed his bow and flashed her a discreet smile. "My apologies, Princess. What are your orders regarding these traitors?"
"Traitors?" Vaati spluttered, his normally cool complexion giving way under pressure. His face was splotchy with rage and his hands were balled into fists. "You are the traitors here! The Harkinian monarchy is dead! This girl is nothing but an imposter!"
Zant seemed too shocked for words, merely regarding his former soldiers in complete shock.
"Princess?" Viscen asked, once more, his voice urgent. "What shall we do with these prisoners?"
Zelda found her voice, clearing her throat and looking at Link hesitantly. He nodded encouragingly, and flashed her a brief smile. Her spirits soared.
"Go down to the Castle dungeons," Zelda commanded, voice firm but gentle. "Release any prisoners you find there, and ensure they have proper food and medicinal supplies. Lock these three men down in the dungeons and put a double guard on them – no one gets through but Sir Link or I. Is that understood?"
"Yes, my lady!" Viscen declared, offering her a quick salute and turning back to his troops. "You heard her words, men. Take the traitors down to the dungeons and release any prisoners you find."
"Yes, sir!" the troops roared, forcibly restraining Ganondorf, Zant, and Vaati. Vaati squawked belligerently, jerking his arms away from the soldiers. Zant had fallen into a mute shock, putting up no resistance against this apparent mutiny. Ganondorf's face was red with rage, and it took five men to subdue the former king sufficiently.
"Traitors! All of you!" he roared, as he was led away at spear point. "The Harkinian monarchy is dead! This is a coup by Hylia to take control of Hyrule for himself!"
Zelda could hear Ganondorf's roars even as he was led out of the throne room, and faint echoes of his shouting could still be heard even as the last of the soldiers had departed the throne room. Only Link, Viscen, and herself remained in the shattered remains of Ganondorf's last redoubt.
"Well, Sir Link and Princess Zelda," Viscen said, bowing once more. "What would you have of me?"
"Are the soldiers rebelling?" Link interjected, before Zelda could say anything.
"They are," Viscen replied, with a small smile. "Once news came of Castle Town's full-fledged revolt, most of the troops mutinied. They tied up their troop leaders and arrested those who remained loyal to Ganondorf."
"And the people in Castle Town?" Zelda pressed. "Are they alright?"
Viscen nodded. "I think so. News of the soldiers' rebellion has probably reached them, and they're probably redoubling their efforts to break through the South gate. As a matter of fact, some soldiers might have already opened the gate for them."
"We'll need some soldiers to keep everything under control," Link noted wryly.
"I'm on it," Viscen said quickly, donning his helmet and bowing to Zelda once more. She blushed. "Princess – any final orders?"
"Just make sure everything in Castle Town is under control," she said quietly, "and that anyone arrested is secured. This vacuum of power could easily escalate into a wildfire."
"I understand," Viscen said, turning on his heel and jogging out of the throne room.
"Wait, Viscen!" Zelda shouted, as the captain reached the open throne room doors. He turned back to face her, inclining his head respectfully.
"… thank you," Zelda murmured, softly. The words felt so empty, so weak – he had saved their lives, and all she could say was 'thank you?' There were a thousand other things she wanted to say, to sing his praise, but she couldn't muster up the wit to vocalize them.
Viscen seemed to understand, regardless, and he nodded once more, a quick smile flashing over his features. Then, he was gone, and Zelda found herself staring at empty air.
"Zelda?" Link tentatively touched her shoulder, and she turned around, only to find her face inches away from his. His eyes were shining with uncertainty, mirroring the confusion raging in her own mind. What had happened? What would happen?
"I… can't believe it," she murmured, holding his hand tightly and feeling an odd emptiness inside of her. They were alive, and Hyrule had regained its sovereignty… and yet, something still felt like a void inside of Zelda's heart. How was she supposed to react to all of this?
"You'll make a good queen someday," Link said, smiling encouragingly. "You saw those soldiers – they trust you, obeyed you without question."
"Yes," Zelda sighed, "but will it last? When they can turn on me just as quickly as they did to Ganondorf?"
"They're good men, Zelda," Link replied quietly, his smile fading somewhat. "And you're not like Ganondorf. They'd have no reason to turn on you."
"I know," she replied, and as she glanced at the two lifeless corpses of the witches, Koume and Kotake, she shivered. Their bulbous, milky eyes gazed unseeingly even in death, unknowing of the fate that had befallen their king. Their blood had crusted over, coating the throne room floor in crimson. So much blood had been spilled for twenty years…
"Something Ganondorf said," Zelda said, hesitantly. "About the strong, and power. Do you think…?"
"Zelda," Link interjected firmly, holding both of her hands in his own, "you are our leader now. Not him. This is your destiny… Hyrule's destiny… and you must forge it. History is written by the winners, and philosophy by the wise."
He drew her closer to him, embracing her warmly, and letting the thousand mixed emotions inside her chest melt into his touch. Zelda only sighed as Link idly ran his fingers through her hair, placing his lips upon her brow in an almost contemplative manner.
"Remember, Zelda: I will always be here for you." He drew away, smiling down at her. "That has to mean something, right?"
She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder, and pulling him back towards her.
"I thought… ten minutes ago, I thought we were both dead. It's… almost surreal, I suppose, to be standing with you here. And Ganondorf's reign… it's finally over. Hyrule is free."
"It's a new year," Link said, quietly. "A new era. One that you will lead us into, quite competently. I know."
She threw him a sharp glance, and he smiled gently.
"Have more faith in yourself, my love. Hyrule needs you… the people need you. So," he smiled, kissing her softly, "no pressure."
Zelda grinned, her anxiety momentarily vanquished by his calming presence. As he kissed her again, she returned his affections happily.
This is your destiny… and you must forge it.
Link's words echoed in her mind, and as the moon reached its zenith in the night sky, signifying the beginning of Goddess Day and a new year, Zelda made her resolution.