Chapter Twenty

Zelda

She had not doubted that Ganondorf's forces had frozen Zora's domain. No, she had heard of the same tactic being used time and time again by various wielders of the Triforce of Power. When she was younger, she had believed the stories to be just that, fictitious works designed to make people believe in some greater good. Now that she was older, though, she knew better. She had seen the corruption the Triforce had wrought upon Ganondorf, the chaos it had caused. If there was one thing she was grateful for, the Usurper had permitted the Zora prince to live, even if he did live in imprisonment. She wondered what had changed his mind as she headed to the dining hall.

More so than her visits to the throne room, Zelda dreaded dining with the Demon King and his equally demonic advisors. She never could have dreamed such cruelty existed in the world, let alone in four individuals. The sight of them alone sickened her, the topics of conversation even more so. She had asked to take her meals in he rooms, but the king had forbade it, no doubt as a power play. He enjoyed lording his power over others, she had noticed that in the few months since he had taken over, and she hoped beyond hope it would bring about his demise.

"Sav'saaba," Ganondorf greeted, the ever-present smirk still etched on his features. Zelda noted he was still clad in armor. Months had passed and the people had been too afraid to utter a wrong phrase, let alone lead an insurrection, and yet he still felt the need to be on high alert at all times. She was not sure whether it was wise or paranoid, but it was not her place to say such things, not anymore.

She stared at the ground and curtsied, a gesture filled with more formality than respect. "Your Grace," she spoke softly before taking her place next to one of his advisors, Niset, the leader of his armies.

"We have a guest with us this evening," Ganondorf spoke between mouthfuls of food. Taking the title of King had apparently done nothing to improve his social graces. "Someone I am sure you will be grateful to see."

Zelda frowned and glanced up, feeling her blood run cold as she saw a familiar figure step through the doors, escorted by several Gerudo guards. He seemed shorter than she had remembered, more frail. His skin was deathly pale, and he was terrifyingly skinny, but there was no doubt in her mind the figure clad in Ganondorf's colors standing before her was Link, the man she had tried to save, but had instead sentenced to a life of pain and misery. She watched as he bowed his head in reverence and spoke a soft "Your Grace," his voice sounding more hollow than she had remembered, more lifeless.

"Be seated," the King said, the smirk on his face broadening, and Zelda tried not to stare as Link sat across from her. It felt strange, seeing him out of the green tunic the Heroes of Legend had worn. It felt wrong, even, to see him wearing armor engraved with the Gerudo signs and sigils. She did not dare speak though, nor did she dare display an expression anything short of neutral. She was surrounded by enemies, perhaps in the most dangerous place in the country. One wrong move would cost her her head, and she could not do that to her people. As long as she lived, there was still some glimmer of hope that Ganondorf could be defeated, that Hyrule could be restored to its former glory.

"The boy has finally come to his senses," Ganondorf spoke, pushing his plate to the side and staring directly at Zelda. A chill ran down her spine, but she did nothing to reveal her apprehensions. He thrived on fear, and she refused to play into his little games. "Even a few days of training with my warriors I can already tell he will be a valuable asset to us in stomping out this little Resistance the people seem so fond of."

"It pleases me to hear such things, Your Grace," she spoke, looking into his eyes, daring him to find fault in her words. She had always been a good liar, had always needed to be. Sometimes lies were necessary in the world of politics, necessary for self-preservation. Her father had taught her as much. Still, she could not believe Link would turn forces, even under the greatest of pressures. He was too loyal to his friends, too good of a soul. Still though, she had seen the fragile state he had been in in the dungeons. She did not know what Ganondorf and his minions had done to him, and she had no desire to know. She could only trust that the Hero had a plan, that he would betray Ganondorf and put an end to him once and for all.

"And then there is the matter of what to do with you," the Usurper mused thoughtfully and drank the wine in the chalice before him. "Oh it's all fine and good that the people know you are alive and well, but there are some that accuse me of holding you prisoner, though, if memory serves, you did make the decision to back my reign."

"I did, Your Grace," Zelda nodded, still keeping the confusion she felt buried deep.

"I need to secure my line," the man spoke. "And the people will never accept both a Gerudo king and queen, now would they?" Her blood boiled, and she could not keep the glare from her face. He was mad if she thought she would go along with his insane plan. She had offered to back his rule, nothing more. "Zelda, my sweet Princess," he continued, his voice nothing short of taunting. "We will wed upon the next full moon."