Zelda's eyes drifted softly open, the soft embers of the setting sun dancing upon the wall before her. Sometime, she reflected, I need to get back on a normal sleep schedule. As she spent most of her time resting, constructs like day and night had lost much of their significance. What time she did spend awake consisted primarily of reading an entertaining visits from the prince. True to his word, Link had checked in on her no fewer than four times over the previous two days, bringing her some more appropriate reading material and tending to her in Kotake's place. According to Kalila, the Gerudo elder objected to the arrangement but Link calmly put her in her place.
As Zelda shifted, she felt a small pressure against her back. Rolling over, she saw the aforementioned prince slumped over in his chair, head face-down on her mattress and hand extended towards her. She froze, confused for a moment by the impropriety of the situation. Nevertheless, she still felt... safe. "Impa?"
"This is the third time he visited while you slept." Impa answered, a surprising lack of hostility in her voice. "The first time I let him get close, ready to slit his throat if he made any... dubious moves. Once I discerned his purpose, however, I decided to stay my hand. That evening your breathing had been ragged, pained, but once he placed a hand on you it began to steady. A few minutes later he staggered out of here, exhaustion dragging him down."
"Empathic magic?" Zelda responded, realizing just how much better she felt when compared to before her nap. She would have normally attributed it to sleep. "But those techniques were lost hundreds of years ago."
"Not lost so much as discontinued." Impa countered, looking down at the sleeping Gerudo. With his face pointed straight down his head resembled some furry animal. "They were considered inefficient- spells that drained the healer more than they helped the patient. In a hospital or battlefield such tactics are less than useless so new treatments were developed using medicine. As we see, even those with the blessing of the goddesses will quickly be drained by using this magic." Impa gestured towards the noble with an empty palm. "I'm assuming that our friend here knows that, but was hoping to still help you without your knowing just how much the effort taxed him."
Zelda nodded, reaching forward with one finger and poking Link in the cheek. The Gerudo twitched, drawing his hand back but making no other motion. A second poke caused him to murmur something underneath his breath.
"Hey." Zelda spoke, poking him again. "Is this some strange custom in your lands?" For whatever reason he had, she could feign ignorance for now.
She had to repeat her question several times, each subsequent attempt drawing the trespasser a little closer to consciousness. Finally, the prince opened one eye and growled back at her. "Sister, is it really so important that you can't wait-"
His eyes jerked open as he recognized the young woman lying before him. Trying to jump to his feet, he managed to knock both his chair and himself to the ground in an undignified pile of arms and legs. "Princess!"
"Well in my country we simply say 'Good morning,' but I suppose your way definitely makes an impression." Zelda smiled, thoroughly enjoying the scarlet blush that was forming on the prince's face. The red extended all the way from his neck to his ears.
"No- I'm sorry. You see, I can explain... well, maybe I- it isn't what it seems!" Link was slowly becoming more frantic as Zelda's mirth slowly gave way to pity.
She let out a slight, huffing noise. "Very well, I shall accept that explanation. We will not speak of this little... event again provided you will do something for me."
Link ceased his struggle with the furniture, warily looking her in the eye like a scorned pet. "What would you like?"
"I've tired of these covers, and am feeling much more energetic." Zelda responded. "I would like to take a walk, preferably through the gardens."
"A walk- are you sure that you are up for it?" He asked, his disposition brightened but still radiating concern."
"Completely." Zelda responded.
"Well, in that case, I would be honored to escort you." Link disentangled himself from the chair and gracefully flipped himself up to his feet, as though that move could salvage his dignity. He stood there for a moment, seemingly at a loss for what to what to do next.
"Umm..." The princess eventually spoke, her arms resting on her blankets. "Would you mind waiting outside?"
"Outside? Oh yes, of course!" The awkward blush was back as the prince quickly retreated across the room, the door slamming behind him.
Her guardian came alongside her, taking the princess' arm and helping her upright. "Are you sure about this Zelda? It's awfully cold out today."
Zelda sighed, pulling herself to her feet and stepping over to the hearth. "Yes, I've been cooped up for far too long. At some point I need to work on getting my strength back. Look, I can even stand without any help!" Extending both arms to her side, she lifted a foot and stood on one leg to make her point.
"No need for the theatrics." Impa responded, turning her back and walking over to one of the princess' wardrobes. Zelda quickly grabbed her bed's headboard, stabilizing herself before she landed on her face. Flinging one of the doors open, Impa began to build a pile of winter clothing. "I'll still be bundling you up in several layers."
...
Link stood in the hallway, absentmindedly leaning against the wall. His breathing was beginning to steady, calming down after his rude awakening.
"You are sooo busted." Kalila whispered, leaning on her glaive and facing him with a wide grin. "So busted." Racisa echoed.
"Hey," Link turned to them, "The princess has agreed to forget this whole thing."
Kalila continued to grin, casting a sideways look over a Racisa. "She has, but we haven't. I told you it was a bad idea."
Link turned back to her, "No you didn't. You said, and I quote: 'Just don't leave her to the witch.'"
His sister put her finger to her chin, thoughtfully considering his words. "Oh, maybe I did. It's so hard to keep track. So, are you going to ask her?"
"Ask her what?" Hadica chimed in, her pose mirroring her lord's.
"Pay it no mind." Link responded, throwing a cautionary look over at Kalila. His sister seemed to ignore it.
"Our brother got another idea for dealing with our Hylian problem. Unfortunately, it's going to need her to be on board." Kalila responded, throwing him a teasing grin as she pointed towards the door. "Now seems to be as good of a time as any."
"A plan... which you haven't even consulted the elders on?" Hadica pressed.
Kalila shrugged, dismissing her sister's discomfort. "The witch sisters wouldn't like it."
Link pushed against the wall, a bit of annoyance bleeding into his step as he approached the rouge gossip. "That isn't necessarily true Kalila, I actually believe that Kotake would consider it a stroke of genius. I'm more worried about how Nabooru would react."
"Maybe you should start by informing your bodyguards- all of them." Hadica challenged, looking over at Racisa who was intently studying a crack in the wall. Link opened his mouth to remind her of her place when the princess' door opened, saving him from making a retort. Impa stepped through, guiding the princess through the arch. The latter was clad in a heavy gown fashioned entirely out of pelts, a thick hat and set of mittens also covering her frame. The only visible skin on her was her face, which seemed to be swallowed up by the rest of the fuzzy mass. Link stifled a laugh; it wasn't that the princess wasn't beautiful- far from it- it was just that he had never expected to see the ruler of Hyrule in something so barbaric.
"Well princess, you do look... fluffy this morning." He stepped forward and offered her an arm, only to receive a lethal glare.
"Do you want to discuss why you were sleeping on my bed?"
Another flash of embarrassment shot up through Link. "Toche'. We'll drop your fashion choices from the discussion." Seemingly satisfied, the princess threaded her arm through his. Although he could tell that she was trying to take her own weight, the pressure on his arm betrayed the fact that she remained weak.
"So... why the gardens. Isn't it all snow?"
Zelda shook her head. "Some plants will only bloom in the freezing cold. We have a few areas that are covered by ceilings, allowing these plants to flourish where they might not otherwise ever have a chance to thrive."
Link nodded, thinking about her words. "Then I look forward to seeing them." He cast a sideways look at the princess as they walked, trying to ignore a faint humming sound from behind them. Her pale skin stood out against the dark pelts, like a flickering lantern swallowed by the night. The humming continued, forcing him to cast a glance behind them. Both Hadica and Racisa had quietly fallen in line, but Kalila was vigorously waving at him and making strange motions with her hands. Link glared at her, sending a silent command to disease. Unfortunately, his sister didn't show any desire to comply.
...
"Amazing, I never thought that a plant would exclusively thrive in such cold."
Zelda smiled, endeared by the prince's enthusiasm. He had removed his glove and was running his fingertip over the flower's cool surface. The plant's light-blue stem was tall and thin, similarly colored leaves shooting out in all directions at the base. About two-thirds of the way up, the leaves were completely gone, instead giving away to a series of small, darker bulbs which drooped towards the ground, sagging under their own weight.
The princess nodded in aggreement, but then sought to clarify. "Still, they will quickly die if suffocated by the snow. In the wild, they usually thrive in caves or underneath natural overpasses. This archway is our attempt to simulate that."
"Taking inspiration from nature, and yet placing our own spin on it." Link nodded appreciatively. It would take a full fifteen strides to pass from one of the arch's ends to the other, providing a reasonable amount of floorspace where the only snow were the thin wisps cast by the wind. The plants flourished on either side of the narrow footpath. "And what about those violet ones running along the wall?"
"Amardolin." Zelda echoed. "They have a similar weakness to the snow, but in their case they survive by growing on the sides of cliffs where they will be safe."
"But... if they don't like the snow why are they a winter flower?" Link leaned forward, sniffing one of the bulbs. Its scent wasn't particularly strong, but it still smelled... clean.
Shrugging, the princess continued. "Honestly, we aren't entirely sure. It seems strange that something which loves the harsh climates can't seem to tolerate warmer ones. These plants wither and dye in the summer, their roots lying dormant and creating new offshoots after the first freeze."
"Perhaps," Link echoed, his voice strangely detached "they are unable to fully blossom without adversity."
"I suppose that is possible." Zelda held her cloak a little tighter around herself as she clung to Link's free arm. Although she believed herself strong enough to walk under most circumstances, the dry cold felt as though it was stealing the breath from her lungs. Perhaps sensing the shift in her weight, Link guided her out of the archway and walked her towards her secluded spot in the gardens. She noticed that the window which peered into the throne room had frosted over, the fractal structures on its surface obscuring anything which took place beyond.
Link walked her over to the platform, turning her around and seating her on the edge. Fashion choices aside, she was grateful that the thick furs she wore protected her from the cold stone. "Zelda, there's something I wanted to ask you."
"Oh, well don't keep me waiting. What's on your mind?" She continued to admire the blossoms from where she sat, only turning her head to face Link when he failed to answer. His face was scrunched up, almost as though he had eaten something sour.
"I've been thinking about this... whole situation." Each word came out reluctantly, as though he had to delve down into his lungs and violently drag each of them out. "The unrest, the natural disasters, the distrust between our people- trying to think of a way we could stop it all."
"You wish for my opinion?" Zelda responded, an unintentional drop of sarcasm slipping into her tone. "There is no way to have what you desire so long as your command Hyrule though force."
Link sighed, settling on the stone beside her. "I'm starting to accept that that may be true. Hyrule... needs you on the throne. The people need to be assured that you have them protected, and the goddesses seem cry out for the restoration of your true rule."
Zelda forced herself to relax, her face not betraying any emotion. Was she finally getting through to him? "Are you... saying that you are open to a cessation of the occupation?"
"I..." Link hesitated. "I still need to do what is right by my sisters, but am starting to wonder if there is a way for us to both save those to whom we have our duty. For you to rule your people, while I still provide for mine."
Zelda tried to guess where the prince was going with this. Perhaps a regular tribute? Honestly, the logistics of such an arrangement wouldn't be all to different from the current situation- meaning that nothing would really change. The Gerudo would still need to maintain their hostages in order for the nobles to obey the agreement. Alternatively, maybe he was actually thinking of- "Wait, are you seeking to... legitimize your control?" She spun her head, regarding the other youth while internally cursing her cynical wording. Wasn't there a kinder way to put it?
"I've been studying your history, a legacy of conflicts and blood which have been won through war and diplomacy." Link responded. "It isn't unprecedented."
Her mind started racing, the cold quickly forgotten. She understood now where he was going with this thought. Raising a hand, she set it on his arm, "Link, just say it."
The prince turned, lifting one boot and setting in on the platform between them, his arms crossed over his knee. "Princess Zelda, I know there is much bad blood between our people, but in the interest of resolving the current conflict and seeking to ensure peace, as well as an end to the destruction burning through the land, I hereby ask that you consider joining me under the Hylian tradition of marriage. This will fully restore you to the throne, while still giving me the influence and authority I need."
The prince watched her intently, patiently waiting for her response. Her stone platform and turned into a stage, placing her front and center in a performance for which she had suddenly gained stage fright. "Well... considering that your people don't really observe the custom I suppose you could have done worse for a proposal." Zelda responded, throwing a weak smile even as her brain tried to digest the situation. Marriage... to the Gerudo prince? There was a rush of emotion within her, a flood which she couldn't easily understand. She felt her face changing color, hoping that he would assume it was due to the cold "How would that even work, I doubt that your people are enthusiastic about being absorbed by Hyrule?"
Link shook his head. "The leadership of the Gerudo isn't hereditary. Although I would command their loyalty and respect, that wouldn't translate to any of my offspring unless I somehow bore a son- something which has never happened in the history of my people. Over time, our two countries would drift apart once more, but think about what we could accomplish before then!"
"You've been considering this for awhile, haven't you?" Zelda responded as she tried to sort out the ramifications in her head. She had to keep him talking, had to give herself more time. Marriage into the royal family was the most valuable gift which could be given, what would be the consequences? Did she even want to marry Link?
Now that the topic had been breached, the prince became far more earnest- his shyness about the issue overcome. "If I'm being honest, I've at least had the possibility in mind ever since you first spoke about also wanting peace. The trips to the market, the discussions about the future... I wondered if you might be the way to end the animosity. You're incredible Zelda, a woman who would give everything she was for the sake of others. I was going to ask you on the night of my coronation, to get your thoughts and see if you also believed that there truly was hope for peace... but then your father's assassin struck."
Zelda sat frozen now, all of her energy seeking to unravel his words as he continued. "Even after the Hylians tried to kill me at the tournament, I had held out hope. I never trusted your father or his advisers, but I trusted you. You... are different. Where the Hylian nobility see only their waning foes you see suffering innocents. Where others would perceive me as only a ruthless conqueror, you hold out faith in my goodness. My hand was pushed by the events of that night, but I hated having to trust the force of arms rather than you."
It was too much, too much to process at once. The fact of the matter was that, even after the invasion, she adored Link. His offer was tempting, surely he was a better man than most of those in Hyrule. Her mouth opened, and her soft words poured out. "No other noble, not even my father, has seen the potential in my like you have." She couldn't blindly trust that affection though, she knew that there was far more than emotion which had to come into play here. "Link, you want to join with me; to forge a path to peace together?" Seeing his vigorous nod, she took a breath. She knew what she needed to do next, and she knew in her heart that it was going to hurt.
"Marriage is a partnership more powerful than just a joint venture. Do you understand that? Do you truly understand what it is that you ask?"
Again Link nodded, hope shining in his eyes. Zelda kept her composure, slowly pushing herself to her feet as she took his hand and guided him to do the same. "If that is the case, then you know I need your absolute trust. For you to lay down your cards and believe in me just as much as you desire I believe in your vision. Can you do this?" The prince hesitated, ultimately nodding again but a little slower.
"In that case, I need you to act on that trust." Zelda's heart sank. She did not delude herself with empty hope. "If I were to agree to a betrothal, it could never be done under duress. I need for you to withdraw your people from the castle, as well as give me the cure for the poison."
She saw the fear creep into Link's eyes, the shining sense of dread which overcame them matching the lump which had formed in her stomach. "You mean, restore Hyrule's anonymity now?" He was silent for a moment as she nodded. "But, if we were to do that then we would possess no recourse. The noble houses could easily cancel the betrothal, as well as raise an army to retaliate against my sisters."
Zelda's face had frozen in place, she wasn't going to let any emotion through now. "You would have to trust me to keep them in line, as well as follow through on the deal."
"Without any accountability though, my people would see only us giving up the victory we have long craved." Link's voice quickened, becoming a bit more frantic as the realization was hitting him. "And the noble houses, they could work around and undo-"
Zelda couldn't take it anymore. Her face remaining one of stone, she walked past the bewildered prince and back towards the archway. She wasn't angry at Link, she understood exactly what was running through his mind. The two of them were just too similar, their duties and fear for their people overcoming all else. In all honesty it was entirely possible that the nobles might nullify the betrothal regardless of her promises, making his fears completely justified. As long as he continued to hold her life in his hands though, how could he claim to love her?
He never claimed that. She countered in her mind, her fists clenching and unclenching at her sides as she passed out of the gardens and towards the castle entrance. Link may have called out to her as she walked- she couldn't hear. He said that he saw a chance for peace, and he was hoping I would seize it. In her heart though, she knew there had to be something more to it. She had seen it, albeit her memory remained foggy, that night at Mora. Impa had also attested to it: the pure, unbridled rage the prince showed when she was in danger. Knowing that there may be something more there, a possible fate based on some level of affection rather than just duty, made turning her back to him all the more difficult.
Stop being stupid Zelda, this may be the best deal that you get- the best chance to end the occupation. Even as the voice whispered inside her she shoved it down. Being his betrothed, or even his queen, would not stop him from holding her hostage. The moment she defied him, he could simply refuse her treatment and allow her to drift away from her illness. A flash of anger tore through her at the very thought, Link wouldn't do that, he couldn't do that!
Her composure started to crack as the gravity of the situation pressed down upon her. The one noble who had ever expressed interest in her as a person, rather than just her throne, had proposed to her and she was walking away. Part of her wanted to turn around, to beg his forgiveness for insulting and to accept his offer. Even if she remained his puppet, wouldn't she also carry more power to protect her people? Perhaps she would even gain some authority over the Gerudo...
She kept moving forward, not even noticing the path which her feet were taking her. So long as it wasn't backwards, she remained heading in the right direction. It didn't take her long to realize just where she was traveling, the route having long been comitted to memory. In some ways, Zelda wished that the walk wasn't so automatic, so familiar, as there was nothing to distract her from her thoughts. One after another, they began to flow over one another- a steady rhythm of waves which crashed into one another in her tumultuous, mental storm. She had seen the prince as a friend, so why now was the throne his focus? Why now did he want her to share her power with him under the threat of violence?
Because Hyrule is falling apart, and he needs the blessing of the goddesses. After a half-dozen natural disasters, Link was finally accepting that the legends were true. Without a member of the royal family ruling, for real and not just in title, the land would decay. To that end, he would seek her hand, and she shuddered to think of what he may do to obtain it.
Because nothing is more dangerous than Power denied. Zelda thought to herself, her hand against the stone to her side to steady herself as she walked. The prince's spell made her feel much better, but she hadn't fully recovered. The cold rock turned to the etched texture of wood as she turned to her side, facing the door which had appeared as if from nowhere. Had she really arrived so quickly? Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and walked into the room. Although her composure remained cracked, no tears fell from her eyes- her fallen countrymen had already claimed those. She just prayed that her actions would not cause others to join them.
The familiar, spacious study greeted her silently as she stepped in, the stone fireplace having long been forgotten as her nostalgia clashed with reality. As a child, she had come to associate the room with the sweet aroma of the cherry wood, rather than the empty scent of must and dust. The change was unpleasent, and she immediately cut across the center of the room to where a second door sat- it's fine, dark wood almost blending in to the rustic-red color of the walls. A bedchamber lay beyond it, one which dwarfed hers four times over. As she turned the handle and pushed it open, her eyes were immediately drawn to the various emblems mounted high on the walls. Both the golden triforce and the blazing phoenix of her house were present, each on their respective violet and blue backgrounds embedded high above. The chamber loomed over her so much that she wondered if she would even have the strength to strike the roof with a thrown stone.
She almost sunk into the thick, red carpet as she walked slowly over to the massive bed- ignoring the growing layer of dust on the wardrobes and chests around her. Normally, the servants would never tolerate such a turn of events, but most of the castle's staff was long disbanded. The canopy of the bed loomed over its solitary resident like a gaping maw, ready to snap itself shut and trap him in an eternal slumber. As she approached, the man turned his head to regard her- the lingering remnants of his regal pride hanging upon his frame even as the pillows propped him up.
"Oh, there's my Zelda. I was beginning to grow worried, it seems like you haven't been by in ages. They haven't harmed you have they?"
"No, of course not father." Zelda responded, quickly running a mental calculation and preparing her white lie. "I had to negotiate with one of the remote nobles, a diplomatic mission which ended up occupying me for the past two weeks. Do not worry yourself." She approached his bedside and sat on the mattress, grateful to finally get off her feet. Fatigue smothered her out of nowhere, the princess being unsure if it was from her walk or just the atmosphere.
A warm smile spread over the king's face as he closed the book he had been reading, setting it to his side. Zelda couldn't help but notice it was a tome containing some of their old legends. She had never known her father to enjoy such things, the man always preferring to anchor himself in the present. "And how did your trip go?"
"If I am being honest father, it is not the resolution I would have hoped for. Still, the peace has been preserved- although it may have been at the cost of my conscience." She dropped her gaze to her gloved hands, only then realizing that she was still comedically overdressed in the furs. Impa had insisted she not catch cold, but they really did look ridiculous on he smaller frame. Ridiculous enough that he had chuckled.
Her fathers strong-but-aged hand reached out and gripped her own, drawing her out of her thoughts and instead turning her attention to his eyes. "Zelda, you are now learning what it means to truly rule. I am sorry I've placed this burden on you when you were so young." His deep, brown irises gazed back at her- another thing she hadn't inherited from him.
"But, where do we draw the line? Father, how do I know when I need to stop compromising and start standing firm- digging in my heels and setting myself in stone? The Gerudo ask for a lot, and up until now I have believed that protecting our people will justify any cost. Now though... at what point have I given up so much so that there is nothing to protect?" She could feel the cracks forming again in her mask, but she suppressed the weakness that threatened to bubble up within her. There was no more time to be emotional, she needed guidance.
Her father sighed, still gripping her hand as he reclined. She leaned forward so that he wouldn't have to break the contact. "You are so much like your mother Zelda. Do you remember what happened to her?"
There was a flash of pain, Zelda didn't want to think about further loss at the moment. "She was killed while traveling to Holdrum to visit relatives."
Her father sighed, "That's true, I failed to protect her, to force her to take a much larger escort. Many times I wish I could have gone back to that day- to right the wrong which left you motherless. The truth is that nothing but history can judge the wisdom of our actions, no matter how hard we seek the right path. At times, we succeed. Other times, we only discover later that we may have taken the wrong path."
"Have I taken the wrong path, father?" Zelda asked. "Was I wrong to pursue peace so single mindedly?"
Not immediately responding, the king allowed his eyes to unfocus as he tipped his head back and stared at the canopy. "All I know is that my advisors and I placed you in a no-win situation: a fork in the road where both choices were 'wrong.' I cannot fault you for doing your best in those circumstances and continuing to do so. You are wiser than I and all of my court- trust your heart my daughter, and trust the Triforce which you carry within you." He smiled and touched a finger to her sternum, as though he could point to the very artifact. "The Goddesses have not abandoned us yet."
"Of course." Zelda responded, recognizing the fading tone of her father's voice. Ever since the invasion, he would abruptly drift out of consciousness during their conversations as his sickness slowly swallowed him. She desperately wished that he still retained his strength, that his years of experience could somehow help her to find some answer, but she slowly realized that there would be no solution here. After sitting in the silence for a minute, she leaned forward and gently kissed him on the forehead, noticing that he had already began to snore lightly. Pushing herself unsteadily to her feet, she walked out without another word.
The Goddesses have not abandoned us yet- did she really believe that? The land itself seemed to be revolting against them, the blessings of the goddesses having retreated. For the first time in a millennia, she heard word that death mountain's crater was bubbling up- as though it were ready to rupture. Kakariko had already been evacuated, but an exposure would do an unparalleled amount of damage- although as the disasters intensified it may not be an outlier for long.
Yet Link offers be back my throne, a gift that would hopefully put an end to the curse. The princess scowled, not wanting to remember the prince's expression as he had made his offer. It was something she had to honestly consider at some point. He was hoping to be folded into the monarchy, to use his new power and influence to no doubt secure land and wealth for his people. In that way, his ambitions were not different than many of the realm's nobles. Still... none of those nobles held her life in their hands as they did so.
Except Elais, and he won't be the last. Zelda frowned, The longer she served only as a Gerudo puppet, the weaker their bonds of loyalty would wear. At some point, they may decide that the royal family had become only a liability. What would happen then to her people, would there be anything less than anarchy and civil war?
"Your face betrays your thoughts." Zelda almost jumped at Impa's cool voice. She had forgotten her shadow, and yet the woman was always there for her. There were few other things she could take comfort in at the moment. "The king was unable to provide you any insight?" Zelda shook her head at the question, gratefully accepting the arm which her guardian offered right after.
"Only more questions than answers." The princess responded. "Impa, do I have any choice?"
Somberly, her guardian considered her words before responding. "It remains a generous offer. He is willing to risk everything, interjecting himself into our political system in the hopes that he can win what he desires not through violence but through authority."
"There would be violence either way." She countered, looking out a window as they passed to see that twilight had vanished completely; only the night remained. "A large portion of the nobility would defy him, and we would be forced to fight once more to secure the integrity of the crown. That is what he fears: which is why I suspect he would keep me as a hostage. Not only would he not give me the cure after our betrothal, but I suspect he wouldn't do so even after our wedding. The risk of some rogue lord hiring an assassin would be too great, he may even suspect the Sheikah."
She felt the tension rush through her escort, Impa didn't have to shout her objection as her entire body went rigid. For a member of the shadow tribe to turn their blade against the royal family was utterly unthinkable- the highest level of dishonor and treachery. "It's possible Impa, can you yourself deny that some may consider his rule illegitimate if the wedding were under duress?"
Her guardian refused to answer, taking Zelda's arm and quietly walking her up the steps to her wing. The princess sighed, once more fighting to keep her emotions in check. She hadn't been awake for more than a few hours, and yet it felt like the day had been too long. "As long as the Gerudo desire power, there can be no lasting peace. "I feel like I have run out of pieces on the board, I have no moves left to play. If the Goddesses really haven't abandoned us, then they need to extend their hand soon before everything collapses."
Wordlessly, Impa turned the doorknob to the princess' bedchamber, the silent room beckoning them in once more. They had made it through the doorway before they both froze, senses immediately alert upon seeing the intruder standing in the center of the room. Zelda's mind began to spin as she took in their figure, was this the prince's backup plan? Upon being denied his plan, would he revert to violence? Although the lighting was dim, lit only by the moonlight and a few smouldering coals in the hearth, she could make out the flaming-red hair of the Gerudo running down the back of the warrior's neck.
Impa immediately pushed the princess behind her, withdrawing several needles and aiming to throw. The invadors had prohibited her from carrying weapons, but the Sheikhai could easily conceal the thin blades on her person. Zelda frowned, the Gerudo intruder seemed a bit too bulky for the desert folk, and instead sported a dark cloak that one might find in the Hylian marketplace. An attempt then to distance her murder from the prince?
All of her theories went flying out the window, however, when the dark figure turned, revealing the familiar face of her lost companion. "Hello Zelda."
...
This was the part he feared the most. Confronting the prince of darkness again didn't frighten him, not while he held the Blade of Evil's bane at his side. Facing his childhood friend though- looking into her eyes and accepting that he had betrayed her trust in the desert- that was something else entirely. Two simple words passed from Ganondorf's lips has he turned to face the princess, his prepared speeches and excuses evaporating under her shocked stare. "Hello Zelda."
In truth, what else could he say? Yes, he was sorry, but could he ever adequately convey his regret? The king, Sahasar, and he had all used her- taking advantage of her friendship with the prince. Their folly had brought the darkness upon Hyrule, or perhaps it was merely his own failure to finish the job... He held her gaze, his eyes intently boring into her own. She had stood alone for far too long, now he would right the wrongs done.
The fire had burned low while she was out, and Ganondorf hadn't seen fit to stoke it back up. They stood there, gazes locked within the dim lighting of the room as his faint shadow loomed over her figure. Suddenly, the princess darted forward, closing the distance between them and engulfing him in an enthusiastic hug as a soft whimper escaped from her throat. His apprehension washed away in an instant, his old conditioning kicking in once more as he wrapped his arms around her in a protective stance.
"Ganondorf... I thought you were dead!"
"Shh. Clearly you thought wrong. I'm sorry Zelda, but I'm back now and I will make everything right." A thin frown crossed over his face as he realized just how slim her frame was. "What happened to you?"
The princess didn't immediately answer, merely gripping him tighter as she leaned her face on his right shoulder. He cast an inquisitive look at Impa, whom he was surprised to see walking freely at the princess' side. Surely the Gerudo weren't idiots, and hadn't Impa drawn her dagger when he had attacked the prince? Why would she go free after that?
"It's been a long month." Impa responded, to which Ganondorf's eyes widened in surprise. Had it really been that long since his fall? His internal clock caught up to him as he realized it hadn't been just one month since their visit to the desert, but two.
"I see." Ganondorf responded, reaching up with his left hand and resting it on Zelda's head. He slowly allowed it to run down her back, stroking her hair and trying to comfort her. "Lost months, months where I should have been at your side."
"Then where were you?" Impa countered, a faint hint of hostility creeping into her voice as she stepped to his left side. He could sense the unspoken accusation within.
"I didn't run." Ganondorf countered, glaring back at her. Who was she to doubt him? She had no idea what he had been doing. "Instead I have been searching for the key to end this all. Twice now I have tried to stop the Gerudo, but both times I lacked the tools I needed to do the job."
He felt a slight shift, turning his head rightwards to see that Zelda was now looking directly at him. Her could feel her soft breath on his own face as she considered his words. "You've come back to kill him."
"I'm sorry Zelda." Ganondorf responded. "I know that you consider him a friend, but this is the only way forward. You know the legends as well as I do: the cosmic drama must play out." He expected to see some conflict within her, but the only look she returned was that of understanding.
"Show me it."
Nodding, Ganondorf disentangled himself from her grip and stepped back, loosening one of the straps underneath his cloak. Throwing one arm back, he deftly swung the purple and gold scabbard underneath his arm and in front of him. He hesitated only a moment in shock at the sight, he distinctly remembered placing the blade in an unremarkable leather sheath back at the temple. Perhaps, the sword itself believed it deserved a more fitting home.
"By the Goddesses above." Zelda whispered, tentatively reaching forward with her right hand and setting it upon the weapon. "So they have heard our plea."
"The Master Sword, the Blade of Evil's Bane." Ganondorf responded. "With this, I can finally end this nightmare."
"Still, even if he strikes down the Gerudo king that could cause problems for you, princess." Impa offered, although she failed to hide the awe on her face. "You still need to-"
"Do not trifle over such things." Zelda responded, her eyes moving from the blade to Ganondorf's own. "The Goddesses have finally given us their guidance, lighting for us the path forward. From here on, we put our faith in them- as well as in the Hero."
Hero... Somehow, hearing it from Zelda's lips made the title real, more so than when he claimed it for himself. It was as though the simple words suddenly had new life breathed into them, a heartbeat beating in time with his own. He nodded, "I have a distraction coming in twenty minutes, I need General Zarian to side with the dissidents. Even as it is, it will be difficult to isolate the Gerudo prince and eliminate him with his guards present."
"Impa will take word to Zarian informing him of the plan. As for the prince..." Zelda hesitated. "I can get him alone for you. If your distraction can hold the Gerudo's gaze, then perhaps you can sneak in and end this before much more blood is shed."
"Are you sure Zelda?" Ganondorf answered, a faint sense of discomfort making itself known. "I would prefer for you not to be put in harm's way. Besides, it may be hard with your friendship with the-"
"I will do what Hyrule requires." Zelda responded, her voice steady. "This is the only path forward for us, all other roads having eroded long ago. If this is truly the endgame, then I want to be there- and I will ensure you get the opportunity to take your shot."
Ganondorf nodded, aware that he wouldn't be able to change her mind. The Hero and the Princess always stood as one against the darkness, and he had already proven that taking on the Gerudo king alone could end in disaster. "I will be there in fifteen minutes then?"
"The throne room." Zelda responded, offering her hand to him. Momentarily unsure how to respond, he quickly remembered his etiquette and took her hand while dropping to one knee. The princess's lips upturned in a pained smile, one which hung raggedly of her thin face. They held the pose for a moment, before she gave him her blessing. "Go with the strength of the Goddesses."
There was so much more he wanted to say, so many things that he wished to express before the end drew near, but as he lifted his gaze to hers he knew that there was no more time. No more words: his deeds would have to speak now.
...
The deep silence of winter's eve slowly rolled over the castle, a thick blanket which smothered everything it settled upon. To Khalisah, it seemed as though the very stones were holding their collective breath. Although she had heard reports of a disturbance in the market district, no updates followed from the Gerudo leadership. Frowning, she obediently continued her patrol, her senses alert for anything out of the ordinary. When he had ordered them to march on castle Castle Mora, she had held hopes that her brother was finally showing some of the backbone he needed. They had been handling the Hylians with exaggerated care for far too long yet here they were again- trying their hardest to not offend their conquered subjects. It felt very... unsatisfying.
Around the corner, she heard a light, shuffling sound. Immediately alert, Khalisah lowered her glaive from its resting position at her side. It was probably a rat, yet her pride as a Gerudo sister wouldn't permit any sloppiness here. She silently crept forward, the emptiness around her almost becoming overbearing. Only the torches along the walls provided any relief, their light crackling noise losing itself within the night. She had almost reached the corner when she heard another sound, the light, metallic ping of a key being slid out from a lock.
Oh no you don't! Spinning around the corner, she pointed her glaive at the dark, hooded figure. "Halt and identify yourself!" She tried to hardest to hide her frown with a hostile sneer. An intruder, this far into the castle?! The shape stood up slowly- silently holding its empty hands out to either side. "I said to identify yourself, what are you doing here?!"
"Now now, my sister. Is that any way to treat your rightful King?" The man turned, using his arm to pull away his hood. The first thing that she noticed was that he wasn't Link, but he definitely looked like how she had always envisioned the Gerudo monarchs of old. His thick, red hair spilled down the back of his head, as his well-tanned skin and amber eyes seemed to glow in the torchlight. She wasn't fooled by his appearance, but she had to admit that for just a second she was caught off guard by the sight. The tip of her weapon drifted just a hair length to the side...
That opening was all that the intruder needed. Launching himself forward, he swept her weapon aside with one hand as the other went for her throat. Kalila managed to get her arms up in time to block his strike, her brain catching up and recognizing the princess' knight. But... isn't he dead!? Unfortunately, although she protected her exposed chin the strike still threw her off balance. She stumbled, just barely managing to stay upright as he followed up with another shove. Her back slammed into the wall, knocking the breath from her lungs just as he came in for a third attack. Taking advantage of her vulnerability, the figure grabbed her by the forehead and slammed her skull against the stone behind her.
A matter of seconds... and it was already over. As she slid down the stone surface, the rough stone tearing away at her pulsing skull, her dazed mind could only summon a single thought before she slipped out of consciousness. Sloppy... they would be so ashamed...
...
Confident that the threat was neutralized, Ganondorf passed through the doorway and ran up the spiral staircase beyond. He knew that he should hide the Gerudo in case another patrol came though, but at this point so little time remained that it would hardly matter. The steps rushed beneath him like a current, a divine force pushing him forward towards his objective. Reaching the top, he pushed open the remaining door and stepped into the Sahasar's observatory. Several glowing stones embedded in the ceiling illuminated the room, their magic intact despite it having been abandoned for so long.
Of course, he hadn't expected the old sage to make an appearance. Sahasar likely remained imprisoned alongside the king's other advisers. Still, they had planned for such an event- the old man giving Ganondorf a key to the tower. Running to the far end, he shoved a display of glass lenses and optical equipment to the side with a series of crashes. The sage wouldn't be happy, but Ganondorf could just blame the damage on Gerudo ransacking the place- time was a more valuable commodity now. With the way his luck had been going, perhaps the old sage had hidden them someplace else since the invasion began.
He threw back a tablecloth, breathing a sigh of relief as he spotted the flat-topped chest beneath with its fancy, violet crest. He had no idea if the ancient magic would help him now, but he needed every possible edge he could find. Taking out another key from his pouch, he unlocked the latch and lifted the cover.
Inside sat three, elaborate arrows. No wood or steel graced their frame, each projectile having been fashioned out of a solid, golden piece. He had once expressed his doubt that the bolts would even fly through the air, but his mentor had responded only with a knowing chuckle. These were the arrows of light, their glow long having faded but which should return in the day of calamity. How the old wizard had acquired them, Ganondorf would never know.
Scooping up the arrows, their thin shafts fitting easily into his hand, Ganondorf stood. He could easily slip out of the tower's window, allowing him to cross over the castle's roof and come in on the throne room from above. Running through the path in his mind, Ganondorf estimated that he would have two minutes to spare. Adrenaline and excitement pumped through his system, his very essence tingling with anticipation yet fear- this is what he had been training for since the day he first came to the castle all those years ago. The actors were set, the audience seated. Even the goddesses themselves were quieting their voices, awaiting the climax of the play which the whole world had been anticipating.
Closing his eyes, Ganondorf focused. This day was not about the final curtain, nor was it about ancient hatreds or divine comedy. There was one reason he stood here, one person for whom he was about to lay it all on the line for. Anything else was just a distraction, his entire purpose, his entire existence, now rested upon her.
With one final breath, he climbed into the window and hopped down to the roof below.