Ganondorf arose with a start as he reached out towards his sword. A yell escaped from his throat as he leapt up, his weapon spinning into a ready position. Senses alert, his eyes flickered from side to side, seeking an invisible threat. After a few moments, he lowered his guard, accepting that no attack was coming.

"Well that's quite the way to wake up." A snide voice commented. "Gotta get your blood flowing immediately so you don't fall asleep again?"

"Just forget it." Ganondorf responded, casting a sideways glare at the sword spirit as he trudged back to his resting spot. Only the first rays of the morning light poked over the surrounding hills but the moderate illumination would be enough; he needed to get an early start.

"Still, going from a deep sleep to fully alert in a second..." Girahim floated up to Ganondorf and leaned forward, looking him right in the eye. "Well, partially alert."

"Unless you are going to tell me you have breakfast prepared, I'm not interesting in chatting." The squire responded, turning over his worn pack. He hadn't had many rupees on his person, but it had been enough to barter with some villagers for some food and a cloak. Unfortunately, they had been hesitant to give him even such little provisions, forcing him to empty his pockets. The Gerudo invasion was driving up the cost of the core essentials.

"It was her, wasn't it?" The spirit's words stopped him in his tracks, allowing a moment to pass before asking his next question. "Bandits or marauders?"

"Monsters." Ganondorf responded, staring down blankly at his blade. "Skeletons, lizard-men, even a few vile beasts that looked like a cross between a pig and a dog- yet walking upright."

"And?" Girahim prodded.

"And... I wasn't fast enough." Ganondorf sneered, as through it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Where did that scabbard go?"

"In the grass, a half-dozen paces behind you and one to the left." Girahim answered. "See that you don't forget it, it is getting cold at night."

"Well, it certainly feels like snow. I would be surprised if they hadn't gotten any up by the castle." Ganondorf responded, turning his gaze north and trying to ignore Girahim's complaint. Could swords even feel the cold? In the morning light, he could make out dark clouds over the castle. In fact, the whole sky was shaping up to be overcast this morning. Lifting his pack to his shoulders, he pulled the cloak a little more tightly around himself as he shoved a biscuit into his mouth. It was cold and dry, but it would do.

"Right here." Girahim pointed to a spot in the ground, while Ganondorf picked up his sword and walked over to find the sheathe. Sliding the blade into the protective fabric, he slung the latter over his back. The spirit continued, "We should be able to reach the woods by the end of the day if you can keep moving."

Ganondorf scowled, "I might get there faster if I didn't have this weight. Couldn't you, I don't know, carry yourself for a change?"

"I'm afraid it doesn't work that way," Girahim continued, his pale frame reminding Ganondorf of moonlight in the darkness. "So why do you worry so much about the princess?"

Sighing, Ganondorf responded. "I don't know, why do any of the knights care so much about their duty? Why do the birds sing in the morning, and why does the fish leap out of the water? I guess it is just what I do."

"Not a very good answer." Girahim retorted, as he stared at his gloved fingernails. Ganondorf envied him for the ability to hover, it seemed much easier than trudging through the grass.

"Well, what would be a good answer then?"

"Why would you ask me? I am merely a spirit and have no point of reference as to the temporary experience of mortals."

"Because you seem to have a critical opinion of everything." The squire countered, relishing in the silence as he did not immediately get a response. The silence, unfortunately, didn't last forever.

"For starters, you aren't willing to reach at all." Girahim retorted. "The fish leaps from the water because he is trying to reach the great, blue lake in the sky. Even if he can't ever make it, he isn't afraid to strive."

Ganondorf's eyebrow furrowed, "I... don't think that is the reason."

"Of course you don't. If you did, you would be embarrassed for the fish in its ignorance- such a lofty goal makes you uncomfortable." Girahim responded "You are willing to accept the minimum, rather than reaching for the unattainable. It seems ironic, coming from the champion of courage."

Ganondorf had a feeling he wasn't going to like where this conversation was going. "Oh, now you can see others' minds? Tell me, what is this unattainable which I fear?" He replied sarcastically, looking up to the sky. The heavy cloud cover suppressed the morning light, bathing everything under a blanket of gray. A thin grove of trees stood ahead on top of a small hill, hiding the village beyond.

Girahim just grinned back at Ganondorf, a mischievous look in his eye. "Come, come- it's pretty obvious when listening to how you talk." When Ganondorf didn't immediately respond, the spirit slapped his forehead and blurted out his answer. "It's the princess."

"What?" The squire blurted out, his to-do list for the next stop being forgotten. "What do you mean by that?"

Girahim gave him a condescending look, before reaching one hand to the sky. "She's the sky, far beyond your reach, yet you cannot help yourself from longing. Then again, if you save the kingdom then who knows what may happen?"

"You speak of things you do not understand." Ganondorf retorted, "I'm to be a knight of Hyrule, not to mention carry on the legacy of the Hero of old. What I am doing is... expected."

"Perhaps." Girahim responded, "But devotion born from duty is an excellent cover for that born from love. What family name are you upholding by becoming a knight, what wealth or status is in it for you- or are you doing it for another reason altogether?"

"Zelda is my friend," The squire responded, nearing the grove. "We grew up together even since I was taken in at the castle."

"Because every commoner can get that sort of treatment." The spirit responded. "Face it, you're more important than you realize. With that sort of status, and the feats you now seek to accomplish, you may not need to accept your lowly place in society."

"She'll end up marrying a prince, some consort of high stature." Ganondorf replied, "My role shall remain that of a guardian, and I shall not dare to seek more than that." Despite his objection, some small piece of him wondered if Girahim was speaking the truth. Not even the young men of the nobility had received the same training that he had... Regardless, it was not something he would dwell on at this time. He pushed a few branches out of his face as he came over the hilltop, trying to figure out how he may gain a few more supplies. If he was going to save the kingdom, maybe it wouldn't be a big deal if he borrowed...
The sight below him stopped him dead in his tracks, reminding him of a scene he recalled from the northern plains. Scattered below him stood a number of blackened, burnt-out structures. What hadn't been destroyed by fire had instead been broken to pieces. Girahim walked up beside him, forgoing his magical powers of flight as he uttered two words: "The Gerudo."

Ganondorf said nothing as another painful memory threatened to overwhelm him: the shape of dark, slim riders rushing through the streets; their long hair billowing out from behind themselves. His mouth felt dry as he surveyed the carnage. "We should check for survivors."

"No point." The spirit responded. "I would be able to sense them if there were any. Whomever survived the attack must have fallen to wolfos picking through the ruins." Ignoring him, Ganondorf began to jog towards the village. Several of the collapsed structures still smoldered, though their smoke was lost in the overcast sky. "We will find no supplies here, I recommend that we reach the Lost Woods by sundown."

"Just give me a minute." Ganondorf retorted, frantically moving amongst the wreckage. He had no idea of what he was looking for, but neither could he stop himself. The whole scene seemed unreal to him, maybe he just needed to touch it himself to know it was not some illusion? Coming to the ruins of a larger structure, he stopped short as he stared into the mass of twisted beams. Seemingly annoyed with the delay, Girahim walked up to his side, taking note of the charred body before them.

"A small boy, probably no older than nine." The spirit took several steps forward, leaning down to survey the unrecognizable corpse before letting out a slight chuckle. He reached forward and pried an object out of the child's hand: a small, charred slingshot. "Do you think he fancied himself to be the Hero of Legend, gallantly defending his home from the forces of evil?"

"Give me that." Ganondorf growled, snatching the slingshot from Girahim. He turned the charred wood over as little black flakes broke off in his hand.

"There will be more before this is over; many, many more." Ganondorf would be less irritated if he could detect some sense of sorrow in the spirit's words. As it stood, all he could detect was a slight thread of boredom, like a parent re-repeating a lesson to an inattentive child.

Ganondorf pushed himself back up to his feet, turning to his companion. "How much further is the forest again?"

...

The Lost Woods reminded Ganondorf of his recent dive in the lake. Like the water, the trees pressed down upon him, filtering out much of the sun and threatening to smother him in the heavy air. Every direction which he turned seemed identical to the last, and were it not for his spirit guide he would have soon forgotten up from down.

Seemingly catching onto his thoughts, Girahim chimed in "It's a good think you have me, isn't it young squire?"

"Well, if I didn't have you then I wouldn't be here in the first place- circling endlessly until I died of hunger."

"Hunger? Oh ho ho!" Girahim released a hearty laugh. "My boy, you only wish that you could meet such a fate. Your flesh would certainly waste away, yet the power of these woods would not permit you to escape into the afterlife- not yet.

"So I would become a wandering skeleton then?" Ganondorf retorted, unimpressed.

"No, even much worse than that: A Stalfos." The spirit paused, looking around at the trees surrounding them and adjusting their trajectory slightly. "Any sorcerer can reanimate a corpse as a soulless puppet, but it takes a special breed of magic to create a beast that is neither living nor dead in the traditional sense. Just enough of you would remain to prevent a clean transition to the afterlife, and yet the new form wouldn't truly be you."

Ganondorf shrugged, moderately unnerved but determined to not show it. "Well, that doesn't sound pleasant. How come you are able to find your way?" He leaned back as a glowing bug dashed in front of his eyes.

"Fairies are immune to the magic which permeates these woods, as a sword spirit I am close enough to not be affected either." Girahim responded. "It makes you wonder, did fairies come to live here because the magic happened to provide them a haven- or are they the ones responsible for it?"

"Enough speculation for now." Ganondorf retorted, a faint sound reaching his ears, a light chiming that cut through the stifling silence of the woods. "Something is out there."

Girahim looked up, a brief moment of confusion fluttering over his face before he managed to conceal it. Was it possible that Ganondorf had heard it first? "Ah yes, the sound of children. I wonder if that too is part of the illusion."

"You know what it is we are hearing." Ganondorf countered, as the spirit shrugged dismissively.

"Yes of course I know, it is the natives. We are very close." The two of them continued their trek through the trees, the claustrophobic surroundings suddenly giving way to a large clearing. Girahim pointed to the left side of the grove, where a narrow path cut through the trees. "Last I knew, that was where we could find the second key."

"And when was that?" Ganondorf replied.

"Sixteen centuries ago."

Ganondorf stared blankly at the spirit, but before he could summon a retort Girahim had already turned to the side and began working his way around the perimeter. Apparently, they weren't planning on making their presence known quite yet. Several massive tree stumps sat within the clearing, doors and windows etched into their sides. As they darted from tree to tree, two young girls ran out of one of the stumps- laughing as they jogged to another building, a pair of fairies following closely behind. Both of the children had blonde hair and identical forest-green tunics.

"What sort of place is this?" Ganondorf whispered.

Girahim scowled over his shoulder. "Not important right now. You must follow this path through to another clearing, once there you will meet the guardian spirit that can give you what you seek."

"You aren't coming with me?" Ganondorf asked.

"I'll be in the blade, but would prefer not to take on my ethereal form. I can render myself invisible to most mortals, but the fairies won't be fooled by such tricks. Good luck!" Without waiting for an acknowledgment Girahim jumped back into the ebony sword, the brief flash of red light contrasting with the green around them. Ganondorf turned to regard the conspicuous gap between the trees, the path had been mostly hidden by the foliage, but now that he was near it it was impossible to overlook. Taking a breath, he quietly crept down the trodden grass.

He had made it several strides when a snapping mass of blue suddenly burst out of the ground, almost clamping onto his arm as the squire quickly backpedaled. His quick reflexes saved his limb, as the round projectile bit onto thin air before retreating quickly into the long grass at the edge of the path. After taking a moment to allow his heart to start beating normally again, he looked closely at the side of the path. Though his inattentiveness had previously hidden it, he could see the rough, dark-blue skin of whatever creature it was as it waited.

"You know mister, you sure have a funny scream." A small voice called from behind him.

Spinning around, Ganondorf identified who had approached him, a small boy whose long blonde locks obscured both of his eyes. "I didn't scream, if anything all you heard was a yell to try to scare that beast back into its hiding place."

The boy didn't seem to buy it. "You screamed, but that's okay- pretty much all the adults we see here in the forest scream before they join the lost. I'm Fado!"

"I see." Ganondorf replied, a prodding from within him urging him to not identify himself. "I'm not planning on joining the lost though."

"Well yea, nobody does!" Fado chuckled, nodding to something behind the squire. "The Deku Baba's stem is only as long as one of us are tall. So long as you stay in the middle of the path, they shouldn't be able to reach you. You are going to see the Great Deku Tree then?"

"I... suppose I am." Ganondorf replied. Turning back to the path. He wondered what other surprises the woods held.

The boy skipped along beside him, seemingly unafraid of the creatures in the undergrowth. A few of them popped out and snapped at Ganondorf as they walked but their stems stopping them from reaching him. "We saw you right when you started your way into the grove, though Mido went to let the others know. It is rare that we actually see an adult who makes it all the way to our village."

Ganondorf grimaced, Oh great, that means that a whole horde of them will soon be here. "What do you do with the adults who make it?"

"Oh, they still join the lost- the only ones who can avoid that fate are the Chosen. Still, I can't remember the last time one of them visited. Only Saria claims to be able to remember any of the Chosen, and some days I think she is just making it up."

"So you are saying that you haven't met them before?" Ganondorf asked, confused by the child's choice of words.

"Oh, I am certainly I have met many of them through the years, rumors persist that one of them was even raised in these woods. It is just, well, it all happened such a long time ago."

"Just how old are you Fado?" Ganondorf inquired as they entered into another clearing, his gaze drifting forward to the massive object in the center.

"Can't remember," his companion chuckled, before gesturing his arm forward. "May I present the Great Deku Tree himself, guardian of our woods!"

Ganondorf stood in utter silence. The great oaken form before him easily dwarfed the castle's defensive turrets. It would take him a minute to merely walk around the massive trunk and the green canopy overhead stretched out in all directions, shading the entire clearing. "Great... Deku Tree?"

A gentle whisper of wind blew by, tossing a few scattered leaves about. After a few moments of rustling, Ganondorf could make out a faint voice, the gentle swooshing sound around them forming discernible words.

"And who are you traveler? It is rare indeed to see an outsider in my domain."

"I am a knight of the Kingdom of Hyrule, dispatched on an urgent mission." It was close enough to the truth: he would be a knight soon, and the king had tasked him with stopping the Gerudo prince. "The forces of darkness rise once more in the west, I seek a weapon to stop this evil before it can wash over our lands. I believe you are familiar with this tale?"

The wind continued to blow around him without any discernible pattern. It buried beneath his cloak, making it flap into his breeze and digging to his very core. Ganondorf patiently awaited a response, the noise around him gradually returning to a discernible pattern. "Yes, it is a tale which I have seen many a time. You believe yourself to be the hero then?"

He could hear exited voices coming from the path behind himself, the words "adult, outsider, and Chosen" being uttered.

"I do. The Royal Family have been preparing me for this conflict since birth, and my presence here in the forest seems to confirm my nature based on your own mythology."

"Do not presume to know the whole of our legends." The tree answered, "You've gotten only a small taste of them from the mouth of my forgetful children."

"But I know of our world's history, of the coming calamity. I have seen the first fruit of it myself." Ganondorf narrowed his gaze, was this tree going to deny him?

Several deep groans emanated from the clearing, the sound of wood and bark being twisted. He didn't notice any change in the tree's shape though. "What is it that you would have me do, young swordsman?"

"I need the power to defeat evil, and I am led to believe that you at least know of one key to obtaining it." A rustle behind him told of the arrival of the other children. Turning, he could make out no fewer than a dozen of the kids, each with a small glowing fairy following them about. Several gaped on in wonder, as though they had never seen an adult before. A few grinned, no doubt plotting some sort of mischief from the encounter. Though he noticed each of their reactions, his gaze was caught by one small girl in particular. Her forest-green hair stood as a sharp contrast to her blonde counterparts, but she drew his attention primarily by the emotion on her face. Though the others held expressions of interest and curiosity, her face rapidly flashed to a sequence of recognition, disappointment, and fear.

"And what if I do not deem you worthy of these secrets?" Ganondorf couldn't shake the sneaking suspicion that the tree was looking over his shoulder, despite it lacking any discernible eyes. The green girl began to walk around the clearing, maintaining a safe distance from him. He almost thought he saw her shake her head towards the tree, her lips mouthing an invisible word.

"You would be making a grave mistake." Ganondorf countered. "The Gerudo are marching across the land as we speak, claiming both blood and soil. You know of the darkness that their people regularly conjure throughout history: this forest will not be able to simply ignore it. It is a consuming darkness, a consuming fire." Withdrawing the burnt slingshot from his pouch, the held it up for them to all see. "This belonged to a child no larger than many of you. The flames didn't discriminate."

Sarah reached the Great Deku tree and leaned against the bark as the latter spoke. "I know of the tide that threatens to rise, same as you. However, through all my years I have also come to know many things of which you remain ignorant. The tool you seek is a divine relic, reserved for the hand of the hero."

"But I am the hero!" Ganondorf blurted out, causing several of the children to jump. "I have been appointed by the goddesses to stop the menace from the desert, as well as dark sorcerer that leads them- as it is foretold."

"Do not dishonor him with your sacrilege." A voice that radiated both firmness yet softness came from the young girl in green, who pushed off of the tree and began to step towards him. "I know the hero: the son of Farore. It has been many lifetimes since I last spoke with him, yet every time he has crossed my path I have recognized him instantly. We were the best of friends, and I could always see him by the pureness of his soul. You are not him, but I do believe I recognize you." Her voice dropped to a hostile level.

"Look, I've never been here before in my life." Ganondorf countered, "But people are dying out there, I need your help to stop this. You have to believe me."

A moment of silence passed, the green girl just glaring at Ganondorf. With a whisper in the breeze, the tree's voice surrounded him once more. "Saria?"

"He's not him, he's not the hero." There was utter conviction in her voice, but Ganondorf tried to stutter off his objections. He could feel a tingling along his back where the ebony broadsword rested, a call to action?

"I been appointed by the crown-"

"I am sorry, traveler." The tree responded. "My daughter's bond with the hero is unbreakable, remaining strong even as the other Kokiri's memories fade with the ages. I trust her judgment, and therefore cannot give you what it is that you seek."

Ganondorf stared for a moment at the two of them, then glanced around at the other children as they watched. "So that's it then, you will let the world burn just because I'm not what you were expecting?"

"The hero will come, he has never failed us before." A hint of longing seeped into Saria's voice, a desire to see her friend from so long ago.

"I can't believe... look. Hyrule is going to be destroyed, the princess of destiny slaughtered, don't you even care!?"

"I am sorry, young swordsman," the tree boomed out, "but it is time for you to leave."

The broadsword tingled even more strongly across his back, through whether to egg him on or to turn him back Ganondorf could not tell. He stared at the charred slingshot in his hand, seeing again the charred body that had gripped it. A faint ember danced along its side.

"No."

"Excuse me?" The tree responded.

"No. I cannot accept that answer." Ganondorf replied. Several snaps rang out, as the blackened weapon in his hand suddenly burst out anew into flame. Ganondorf didn't even bother to release it, as the fire danced harmlessly over his hand. "If I walk away now, the world will burn. Give me the pendant." Reaching into his core, he sensed the magic buried away and drew upon it- his voice growing sixfold in volume and causing the children to scurry back. He could feel the excitement in his sword, begging to be drawn and to lay waste to those who would dare deny him.

"You claim to be a hero, yet you would consider this path?" The tree responded, Saria immediately backpedaling to his side.

"Not merely consider, I will save this country and the princess- regardless of those who try to stop me."

"The last time you tried this, your method were more elegant- though no more effective. I will not yield the stone under duress."

Ganondorf sneered, the flame growing larger under the strength of his conviction. Now that he had made this choice, it seemed so... easy to carry through. "Then this forest's ruin is on your hands." Reaching his arm back, he hurled the fireball into the air. After a few seconds, the projectile exploded, releasing hundreds of small flames that fell into the clearing. The forest children sprung into action, rushing around and stomping out as many on the fires as they could possibly reach. Though the vegetation was green, several of the unnatural flames managed to take root and immediately spread outwards. On the edge of the clearing, a single tree went up in flame as embers started to leap to its neighbors.

Taking a step forward, Ganondorf reached back an arm and conjured another fireball, ready to hurl it at the massive trunk in front of him. He could feel the wind rushing around him, trying to pin him and hold him back, but the warm reserve of magic within him gave him the strength to push ahead. If they wouldn't see reason, he had to make his move.

"Wait!" A young voice called out from behind him. Ganondorf turned, inferno still in hand, to regard a small, blonde boy. "I know where the pendant is. Don't hurt them."

"Mido..." Saria responded, before the boy cut her off.

"No, don't you try to stop me." The child responded, "This has happened before, hasn't it? My memory is so foggy... but I remember the Great Deku Tree dying, the forest being overrun by monsters. You remember, don't you Saria? You remember everything."

"We can't allow the dark man to have the stone." Saria responded, her voice quivering as she glared at Ganondorf. "This is no different than last time."

"And how did that turn out for us?" Mido countered, turning to Ganondorf. "Don't hurt the forest, I'll show you the way."

Ganondorf made a show of snapping his hands, as the blaze within them extinguished. A few fires still burned in the clearing, drawing the attention of the other children. "Take me to it quickly, and know that if you are lying to me-"

"Yea, yea. Let's just go while they are busy putting out the fires." Mido's shoulders slumped as he turned and quickly jogged out of the clearing. Both Saria and the Great Deku Tree shouted for him to stop, but neither of them moved to inhibit him as Ganondorf followed. They returned to the village clearing as Mido dashed to one of the nearest, oversized stumps. Pushing away a thin cloth which covered the entrance, he ducked inside.

Ganondorf could hear the sounds of a frantic search as he bent through the doorway, taking care not to hit his head off of the frame. Now that the adrenaline wasn't coursing through his veins, the gravity of his action was beginning to dawn on him. Driving the guilt away, he summoned a small flame to "help" the boy in his search. The crackling red against the walls of the home seemed to motivate him, as Mido moved even faster through the dresser.

"Saria's special. Her memories don't degrade like the rest of the Kokiri, so it makes sense that she would be entrusted with the pendant... ah ha!" Spinning around, Mido held up a small package. He removed the wrapping, which turned out to be a green skirt, and withdrew a golden chain.

"So how did you know she kept it in with her clothes?" Ganondorf asked, taking the amulet and looking it over. It consisted of a milky-green stone but otherwise resembled the one Ganondorf found in the lake. Mido turned red, but ignored the question.

"You will leave us now, never to return?"

"Yes," Ganondorf replied, feeling a wave of sympathy wash over him. By the slump in the child's shoulders, Ganondorf could tell that this action would not be looked on kindly in the community. "I'm sorry I forced this upon you, but I hope you can understand. You and I... we are both doing something 'wrong' to save our people."

"Just... go." Mido responded, slipping down onto the floor and leaning against the bed. "The others will forget, we all forget- except Saria... I wonder if she'll ever forgive me."

Not having anything else to add, Ganondorf turned around and passed through the doorway. His last sight before the cloth fell behind him was Mido- his face buried within his hands. A few dim wisps of smoke rose from the distant trees.

"Well that was dramatic, I suppose we had best make our escape before they finish putting out the flames." A sneer reached out, as Girahim materialized from the blade. "A pity though, you and I have yet to see any action together, and I was almost hoping it would come to blows."

"I came this close to massacring a village of innocent children." Ganondorf countered, "I don't think you should be taking this lightly."

"Children? They are Kokiri- there is a big difference." Girahim countered. "It is good for your people that they have faded into obscurity and legend, as you likely do not want to know how far their guilt spans." He turned to follow Ganondorf, who was stalking over to the trees where they had entered.

"I just want this to be done with. I want Hyrule, and Zelda, to be safe- so I don't have to ever do that again!"

"But you will do it again, won't you?" Girahim countered, as Ganondorf scowled back. "You serve at the side of the Royal family, and they will use you as they see fit- again and again. Even further, you are going to do it willingly. You know why?" Ganondorf tried to ignore the spirit's provocation. "Because of her- because the Goddesses had imbued within you a desire to serve the princess. You can't fight your own nature- your own destiny."

"I have to fulfill..."

"You are on her chain: a knight on the board that serves at her pleasure. Do you think that you mean anything more to Zelda? I've seen it time and time again throughout the centuries, you are a minion and a tool which she will discard when the time is right."

"You're wrong, Zelda would never treat me that way!" Ganondorf countered. Spinning around and glaring at the spirit. "Even if I was crippled in the coming fight, she would not turn her back on me." If he was going to have to put up with this throughout his entire quest...

To his surprise, the spirit was smiling. "If you really believe that, then you may have a chance after all."

Ganondorf narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

Girahim shrugged dramatically, "That maybe this Zelda is different. Maybe she does value you enough to not toss her aside like her predecessors. Maybe she even cares about you to allow you to stand at her side. After all, you are saving both her life and that of her people."

Spinning, Ganondorf stepped briskly into the woods. "That sort of talk again? What is your fascination with it?"

"All I desire," Girahim bowed, with an exaggerated flourish. "is the ultimate happiness and fulfillment of my master."

Ganondorf rolled his eyes, "For now, such talk is just a distraction. We need to find the final key."

"Of course, you'll be happy to know that these woods contain a shortcut." Girahim responded, seemingly dropping the thought and returning to business. Ganondorf scowled, the spirit was doing this one purpose-trying to mess with his head. Whatever its reasoning, he would make sure to return it to the sealed room in the lake once this crisis was over.

Unfortunately, as they walked in silence, he couldn't force Girahim's words from his mind. Maybe he did care for Zelda, but he never had entertained that possibility as he had no chance of making it a reality. If he did save the kingdom though...

No! Ganondorf shook his head. He could not ever afford to entertain such a fantasy. For now, he had to focus on finding the final pendant. He withdrew the ebony broadsword from his sheath, testing the weight and admiring it as he walked. Whatever happened in his quest for the third pendant, he prayed that he wouldn't have to use the blade.