Er, well, hello there, everyone. Long time no see, huh? It's been longer than I thought, but this chapter has given me some headaches. It also turned out much, much longer than I had originally planned. I had planned on making it two chapters, but that didn't seem right. I didn't want to mess with the flow.
So without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I give you Zelda's Wedding, with no ownership of the Legend of Zelda series.
Zelda was up the morning before the wedding very early.
She hadn't really expected less, especially after the events of the past few days. They seemed to be weighing down heavily on her, almost like they were crushing her slowly. The knowledge that she wasn't going to see Link again made her curl up in her bed, her chin on her knees.
It must be done, she told herself. This was what he wanted to do, and it was what needed to happen. There was no way that things could continue the way they had. Nothing was going to be the same ever again, and she was going to have to accept it. In all honesty, however, that really didn't make the young princess feel much better. The only distraction she had from her fate was gone, leaving her to have her misery eat away at her.
However, she knew that she wouldn't survive long in this world if she allowed her sadness to get the better of her. She was destined to become queen of her lands, after all. So as she watched the sun rise on her last day of true freedom, Zelda built a wall around herself. This was to protect her heart, and her mind from further ruin. Ganondorf was going to be her husband…Link was going away, to be happy. It was only right that she want to keep whatever precious memories she had locked away tightly, only able to revisit them in the darkest of times.
Ria knocked for her a little while longer, and Zelda turned her head slowly to her eldest handmaiden. She blinked and titled her head to the side. "Good morning, Ria," she whispered.
"Princess? My, you're up early," the servant breathed.
Zelda pulled back her covers and stretched her legs out in front of her. "I do have a wedding to prepare for, don't I? There's no time to be sleeping in."
Ria examined the young woman, whom she had known for almost her whole life. There was something off about her, the way she carried herself. Her movements were slower somehow, less interested. She must be dreading this wedding more than any of them could've guessed.
"Well, my lady, you have your final fitting for your gown, and Miss Malon will be arriving shortly for her fitting of her dress as well. She and her father will be staying over night for the wedding, rather than leaving and having to come back. You will also have to meet with your mother and the planner to make sure that everything else in order. Then the evening will be spent at dinner with your fiancée, your family and Miss Malon's family."
"Sounds like a plan," Zelda whispered as she sat at her vanity. Katy came into the room a moment later and began to make her bed. Meanwhile, Ria approached her and began to softly comb her long blond hair.
"Are you all right, Princess?" Ria asked gently.
"I don't remember the last time I had you comb my hair, Ria," the princess murmured.
The older woman smiled sadly. "Tomorrow will be the last time for that, I'm afraid."
"Why?" Zelda inquired, suddenly confused. "Aren't you and Katy coming with me once I get married?"
Ria stopped combing her hair and looked at her sideways. "We are? I wasn't aware you wanted to keep us once you were off with your new husband…"
Zelda turned and smiled—sincerely—at her handmaiden. "Ria, you've been with me for so long…and Katy, she's been here for several years. I'd love for you two to accompany me to my new life, if you'll have that, of course. I won't make you go."
Katy had clapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide. "Oh Princess Zelda! We're honored!" she cried.
Ria bowed her head. "Katy and I would love to stay with you, my lady. We are grateful for your kindness."
"I should thank you both, also." Zelda stood up and walked to her closet to find something to wear for the day. "For taking care of me, that is. I hope I'm not too much trouble…"
"Nonsense!" Ria scolded, following Zelda to the closet. Katy was still standing with her face in shock. She snapped out of it and began finishing tidying up Zelda's bed.
"What do you think I should wear today, Ria?" Zelda stared into her closet. "I'm sure my parents will want me to wear something nice for the dinner tonight."
"Why don't you wear this one, Princess?" The second woman gently pulled out her white and pink dress, the one that she saved for her more formal outings. The princess nodded her head and was helped into her outfit. Katy straightened her golden shoulder covers and made sure her crown was straight. Ria set to work on braiding the bottom half of Zelda's hair an even plait.
"You look wonderful, Princess," Katy said once she was done.
"Thank you," Zelda said almost inaudibly. "When will Malon be arriving?"
"Miss Malon should be here shortly, and so should the dressmaker for that matter," Ria answered. "If you need us, my lady, give us a call, we'll come right away."
"Yes, understood," the girl said as her two servants quietly left the room.
When Zelda was sure they were gone, she turned back and looked out of the window, seeing nothing but endless sky. She wasn't really thinking about anything, just seeing the clouds moving slowly to the south, and the sky's last bit of pink fading away into blue. It seemed like an eternity had passed when Malon got there.
"Zel?" Malon said, knocking on her large door.
"Come in, Malon," Zelda called to her. The only thing that seemed to be going for her was Malon's friendship. She was so dear to her.
Malon was wearing her usual white and blue dress, her flaming hair seemed to swirl behind her as she ran to the Princess. She wrapped her arms around her neck and pulled Zelda close. "Well, tomorrow's it, huh?"
Zelda sighed and hugged her friend back before releasing her. She didn't dwell on that sentence, but rather wanted to distract her for a moment. "The dressmaker should be here to give you your final fitting for you dress."
"I haven't even seen the finished dress yet!" gushed Malon. "But I'm sure it looks beautiful."
"It will, trust me." Zelda nodded sagely and sat on the edge of her bed. Malon followed suit and took her friend's hand.
"Have you spoken to Link?" Malon whispered.
Zelda's heart thumped loudly in her chest, but she fought against the burning sensation in her eyes. She was going to be strong…she didn't have a choice. Turning to Malon, she tried her best to smile. "Link…well, Link won't be attending the wedding after all."
Malon's brow furrowed. "No? W-why not?"
Zelda closed her eyes and tilted her head upward. "He's leaving. I knew the night of your lovely surprise for us. There was just something so final in his words and his silences." She heard Malon sniffle beside her. "But it's all right, really it is. It's better this way, a nice clean break. We knew from the start it wasn't forever. It was nice to have him for the time I did. Now I have to move on with my life, and become queen."
There was a long moment where Malon was silent beside her. Zelda turned a curious eye to her and saw tears rolling down the red-haired girl's cheeks. Zelda blinked, taken aback at this motion and asked what was the matter.
"It's you," Malon murmured gently. "You're so brave and strong…but—Oh Zelda! If only you knew how painful it is to hear you speak such things! I love you very much and I want you to be happy, and this is not you being happy."
"Happiness was never really part of my destiny," said Zelda.
"Everyone deserves happiness." Malon stood up and strode over to Zelda's large window. "And destiny can change. Just don't write this off as the last chapter of your life."
Trying to make her happy, Zelda nodded and smiled half-way. "I won't, Malon. I promise."
A second later, there was another knock of Zelda's door. Impa strode in followed by Ria and Katy, and another woman, older than Impa with long white hair tied back halfway. She was the dressmaker.
Ria was carrying something gold in her hands, being careful not to drag it on the floor. Katy, Impa and the dressmaker were all carrying Zelda's large puffy wedding dress in their hands. They set it on her bed and stepped away from it. The dressmaker, however, was busying analyzing Zelda, her honey eyes narrowing in concentration.
"You've gotten thinner," the woman accused. "It'll need to be taken in."
Zelda wondered how she could've realized this just from looking at her. Though she did not question anything she said. Since the last time she had tried on that dress, it was quite possible.
The woman then turned to Malon. "This is the bridesmaid then. I'm glad we didn't choose pink." Her eyes went to Malon's bright red hair. "Well, lets try it on, shall we? I hope your weight hasn't changed since I took your measurements, miss."
Malon shot Zelda a nervous look before Katy and Ria began readying Malon to try on her golden gown. To everyone's relief, the dress slipped right on without much of a fight. And to Zelda's delight, Malon seemed to love the dress.
The entire bottom was tulle, lined with taffeta underneath. The top was a corset style, with a lace-up back that ended with a large bow at the small of her back. The tulle had little swirls of silver, and the top of the dress had the same swirl pattern. Overall, it was a very basic looking dress compared to the extravagance of Zelda's gown, but it flattered Malon's figure well.
"Perfect, perfect," said the dressmaker in a low voice. "Very nice. Glad it fits her, after all. Now," she looked at Zelda, "let's try and get you into your gown, so we can see what needs to be altered."
Getting Zelda into her dress was much harder than it was getting Malon into her own. The layers of tulle and satin were much bulkier and by the time she was tied in, everyone was already sick of the dress. However, the dressmaker was right. The dress was looser in the top than it had been before, even tying the lace in the back was not enough to keep it from sagging a bit. The dressmaker then set to pinning it in the right spots to support it.
"What have you been doing?" the dressmaker hissed. "There's a good two inches that I need to compensate for."
"Will you be able to do it?" asked Impa from behind her.
"Of course," the woman replied. "She'll be all ready for tomorrow. I'm just shocked that she's gotten thinner in this amount of time. And of course, she doesn't need it."
Zelda raised her eyebrows at Malon, who smirked in her golden dress. She was silent, though, as the dressmaker poked pins in the satin material so she could take in the gown. It didn't take too long, and Zelda was glad to be rid of the dress again. Malon though wasn't as eager as her friend. She was examining herself in front of Zelda's mirror, turning this way and that to get a better look at the dress.
"I love it," said Malon lightly. "I'd say I can't wait to wear it, but that's not entirely fair to you."
The Princess smiled as she put on her other dress again—and was glad of it—and shook her head. "You look wonderful. I don't blame you in the slightest."
"Well, you can look at yourself all you want, Malon," Impa assured her. "Zelda needs to meet with the planner and her mother in a few minutes. If you need anything…"
"We'll tend to her," Ria said kindly. "Miss Malon is welcome to anything she wants."
Malon turned a brilliant shade of red to match her hair and shook her head. "Oh no, really I am fine! Thank you, Ria."
Katy and Ria helped the dressmaker gather up Zelda's gown and shuffle it out of the room. Malon was still in her dress, of course. She hadn't really moved from the mirror. Impa put a hand on Zelda's shoulder and motioned for the door.
"Will you be all right, Malon?" asked Zelda.
Malon snorted. "I'm set for a few hours, Zel."
Laughing, Zelda turned with Impa and left the room. There turned to the left and made down the bright corridors toward their drawing room, where her mother and the planner were likely waiting to make sure everything was in order.
They knocked on the door before entering, where her mother, the queen, sat very animatedly talking to the wedding planner. To Zelda's surprise, it was Miss Lizzi again. Her hair was up in the same bun as before, only her robes this time were a dazzling blue, with hints of purple tracing around the edges. She looked oddly magnificent in the room.
"Ah, Princess," Miss Lizzi said, bowing her head. "Pleasure to see you again. You look well."
Zelda nodded. "You as well, Miss Lizzi."
"Sit down, darling," her mother said, motioning to the loveseat across from the table. There were papers drawn out in front of them all filled with many different colored writings and in many sizes.
"Now, as we said before, lilies and sweet peas for the reception, and gardenias and sweet peas for the bride's bouquet. Now, now…" Miss Lizzi looked over a piece of paper. "We haven't decided on what the bridesmaid will have, have we?"
Zelda sighed. "The same as me will be fine, if it's too late."
"Not at all!" Miss Lizzi cried. "For the Princess of Hyrule, I think I can have just about anything ready for tomorrow! Now, what would you like for your bridesmaid?"
"Well, Malon is here, why don't I go and ask her?" said Zelda, looking back at the door.
"Don't be silly," her mother replied. "Impa, will you fetch Miss Malon for us, please?" Impa nodded once and left the room in a flourish.
"The music is all sent for," Miss Lizzi continued on. "And as we now, the dressmaker is fixing Princess Zelda's dress as we speak." Zelda absently wondered how they knew so quickly the dress needed to be taken in. She didn't question it too fully though.
"And the guest list," her mother added, handing her a large list. "Almost all of the guests have RSVPed."
"Ah, so that gives us a total of 2,000, am I right?" the planner said gently, skimming over the list she was handed.
"2,000?" Zelda repeated in disbelief. "Will they all…will they all be at the ceremony?"
"Oh heavens, no," the queen said with a wave of her wrist. "Only half of that will be at the ceremony. Those of higher standing will be at the ceremony, the reception is open to more, seeing as we can fit a great deal in our ball room."
"Oh, all right." This did not make Zelda feel any better.
Malon and Impa knocked on the door at that moment. To Zelda's happiness, Malon wasn't wearing her bridesmaid dress anymore. Her face was flushed pink as she bowed to the queen and took a seat beside Zelda.
"Now…Miss Malon, was it?" Miss Lizzi said, looking up at Malon quickly. She nodded a few times. "We've called you down here to discuss the appearance of your flowers for the wedding…"
Malon really did blush. "Oh, really, it's not necessary…"
The queen smiled fondly at Malon's modesty. "Now, now, as Zelda's only bridesmaid, we want you to be beautiful as well. Tell Miss Lizzi your favorite flower, Malon."
Zelda sat back and crossed her legs, as Malon and Mizz Lizzi discussed what kind of flower would do for Malon's bouquet. They finally decided upon white parrot tulips—Malon's favorite flower was a tulip—paired with pink gardenias. Zelda sighed and leaned up again once they were done, and Malon was once again dismissed with another bow.
The rest of the planning with her mother and Miss Lizzi went by in a blur. Zelda could really only remember nodded her head and saying what her mother wanted to hear. She really didn't know what she was doing here, she didn't have any say it what the decorations were, or who was coming. This really wasn't her wedding, but it felt more like a stranger's.
By the time she was dismissed, the sun was already hanging lower in the sky. She returned to her room, where Malon was back in her dress, twisting and turning in front of Zelda's mirror.
"Oh! Hello!" cried Malon. Her face matched her hair then, and she quickly scrambled for her other dress.
"Oh, Malon," Zelda said fondly. "You must love you dress to pieces."
Her friend beamed and changed out of the gold dress to her much more simple ivory colored one. "How did the planning go?"
"Terrible. I think my mother is more excited for the wedding than anyone else. I find it to all be so overwhelming."
"I know, I know." Malon patted Zelda's shoulder. "We could walk through the garden if you'd like, before we're called to dinner. My father should be here soon, anyway."
"That would be nice, actually."
So the two girls left Zelda's room and set down the halls towards the quiet garden nestled in the middle courtyard of the castle. It was a nice change, to be out of the bustling castle, even if it was just for a little bit. Malon did most of the talking in the garden, trying her very best to distract the princess. Zelda applauded Malon's efforts, and for the most part, they were working until they walked past the lonely weeping willow in the corner.
Zelda smiled lovingly at the tree, remembering her perfect day out here with Link under that tree. Pain rippled through her, but she shook it away, bringing herself back to Malon, who was back to gushing about Ralis and how she hoped he was going to dance with her at the reception. She liked him quite a lot.
They were laughing about the Gorons possibly showing up and shaking the castle to its foundation, when Ria came out to shout to them that Malon's father had arrived, and that dinner was about to be served.
Upon arriving inside in the drawing room, Malon beamed at her father, Talon, and hugged him briefly. He went to bow politely to Zelda but she shook her head, and hugged him as well. If there was one adult besides Impa Zelda trusted, it was Talon.
"So nice to see you again, Talon," her father, the King of Hyrule, said with a smile. "It's been too long."
"Yes, yes, indeed, your majesty," Talon said, bowing to him.
Zelda's mother was sitting in almost the same position Zelda had left her in that hour or so ago. Her dad went to sit beside her, and Talon and Malon across from them. Zelda took a seat at the head, and they all talked cordially until another servant entered to tell them that their dinner was ready and prepared for them.
They all got up, Talon and Malon allowing Zelda's family to lead them out of the drawing room and into the large dinning hall, reserved for events like this. The King and Queen took their seats at the head of the table, and Zelda sat to the right of the Queen, while Talon to the right of the King. Malon sat across from Zelda, next to her father.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for allowing my Malon to be in Princess Zelda's wedding. It's truly an honor," said Talon as their meal was served.
Malon's eyes were fixed on the meal in front of them. Large heaping plates of lamb and potatoes with a mixture of vegetables almost made her visibly drool. She had never had a meal as grand as the ones at Hyrule Castle. The food at the Zora Palace consisted mostly of fish, and she wasn't overly fond of fish. She thought them better to look at than to eat.
"Malon and Zelda have been friends for so long," the Queen said, cutting her lamb with great care. "It's a pleasure, Talon."
"You must be anxious for tomorrow, Zelda." Talon then turned to her, his face wide with his smile.
"Yes," Zelda whispered, putting a forkful of potatoes into her mouth so she didn't have to answer back in more detail.
"It's a great honor, of course," her mother finished for her. "She's ready for the next chapter in her life to start."
Zelda and Malon exchanged a meaningful glance. It didn't go unnoticed by her father, who had been watching Zelda since they entered the dinning room.
"My dear," the King said to his wife. "If we may, let's stick away from the wedding talk for dinner. I'm sure you and Zelda are tired of it from planning all day long."
Zelda gave her father a small smile of gratitude and turned to Malon, to engage her in a quiet conversation, though her mother was in between them.
"That's right, Malon," interjected the queen with a grin. "I have heard that you and Prince Ralis have been writing to each other."
"Yes ma'am," Malon responded, her cheeks going slightly pink. "He requested I come and visit for his sister's birthday. That was a lovely time. He has also asked I come and stay for some of the winter as well."
Zelda shot Malon a look. "You didn't tell me that!"
Her friend smiled. "I was saving it for later. Now seemed like it was a good time, after all."
"I'm glad Prince Ralis has seen past the barrier of his kind, and his position, and found you, Malon. You're a lovely farm girl."
The only person that seemed offended by that statement was Zelda. She put her fork down and stared at her mother. "Mother…" she began to say, but her father cleared her throat and shook his head only slightly at her. The princess put her head down and silent.
Dinner past by without much more happening. Small talk ensued, mostly with Talon and the King and Queen, Zelda and Malon remained in their own little world around their parents. Once dinner had been feasted upon, Impa arrived to escort Malon and Zelda back to Zelda's quarters. Malon would be sleeping in the guestroom adjacent to Zelda's. Another servant was to escort Talon to his room.
"Where is that Link?" the Queen mused as they stood up. "I was going to ask him to escort Talon, but he's nowhere to be found…"
It took all of Zelda's willpower not to reply. Malon also did her best not to look at Zelda, and kept her eyes on the ground.
"I released him of his duties," Zelda whispered to her father a moment later.
"I figured you would." His voice was calm. "After all that happened."
"Yes." She fingered her necklace around her neck. "I expect he's leaving tonight, before the wedding."
Making great pains to make sure his wife wasn't watching, Zelda's father reached into his elegant jacket and pulled out a moleskin pouch and handed it to his daughter. "It's full of rupees. I'm sure Link could use it."
"Dad…" Zelda began to say, her mouth wide open.
"Don't tell your mother." He kissed the top of her head, keeping his lips in her hair, and whispered, "I know you're in love with him, Zel."
Her cornflower blue eyes shot open wide and stared up at her father. "Dad, please…" she begged, "I can't…"
"No need to explain," he said, shaking his head. "Just promise me you won't run after him. Promise me, Zelda."
Zelda found this request strange, but promised him nonetheless. She had no intention of running away from her duties, her people, no matter how much she loved Link. She was a princess, and as Princess, her responsibilities came first.
Malon was introduced to her room, but stayed with Zelda in her room for a long portion of the evening. They didn't talk much, though. Zelda sat by her window, holding the moleskin bag tightly in her hands. Malon was looking through Zelda's closet at her many dresses, though her interest was slowly dying. Knowing that Zelda wasn't going to be here much longer was setting in, and she was growing sad.
"I'll be back," Zelda then spoke, as though she could hear Malon's thoughts. "It's just until I become Queen."
"I know, I know. Still…I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Malon. Believe me. It won't be the same without you."
Seconds later, Impa knocked on the door, telling Malon that it was time she got to sleep. She excused herself, giving Zelda a kind glance before leaving the two of them alone.
"How are you, Zelda?" Impa inquired, shutting the door behind her.
"Fine. I just can't believe it's tomorrow. After all this time…the whole summer…"
"It went by fast," Impa finished. "Is that for Link?" She eyed the bag in Zelda's tight grasp.
Zelda nodded twice. "Dad gave it to me. But I'm still worried…there are dangerous creatures out there, and he's barely got anything to defend himself with. Just the sword." Suddenly an idea sprang up in her mind. "Impa! Do you have any relations in Kakariko still?"
"Impaz is all that's left," Impa said thoughtfully.
"Is there, is there a way you can do me a favor…?"
...
Once everyone had gone to bed, and Impa and Zelda had gone over their preparations; Zelda snuck out of her bedroom one last time. She walked down the familiar corridors of her home, until she reached a familiar small door in the middle of one hallway. She didn't knock, but pushed the door gently, peaking in to make sure it's inhabitant was asleep.
He was nothing but a mound under his blankets. His small room seemed so much more crowded, now that Zelda saw his cloak, sword, and small traveling bag laid out on the floor. Sadness pierced her heart, but she overcame it, placing the moleskin bag on his bedside table. Then, without thinking, Zelda reached up and unclasped her Spiritual Stone necklace. She slipped it into the bag. Link would have better luck with it; he may even be able to use it. And then for one moment, Zelda turned to Link's face, seeing how peaceful he looked while he slept.
No tears escaped her eyes, but with a heavy heart the princess touched his cheek gently, kissing his forehead. "May the goddesses protect you always, my love."
With that, Zelda turned and left him again, believing that it would really be the last time she ever saw him.
Her sleep was peaceful that night, though she could feel the weight of tomorrow closing in on her. She was thankful for one last night where no nightmares plagued her. Instead, she dreamt of Link, and how if things had been different, they would've been meant for each other. It was a happy dream, free of pain and evil husbands. In this dream, Zelda was truly free.
The next day she was woken by the sound of curtains being drawn. She peeked open her eyes and saw Katy pulling her curtains, exposing the pink dawn sky. Ria was at her vanity, preparing the surface with different products. Katy then turned and smiled at Zelda. "Good morning, Princess. Sorry to wake you up so early, but you must start getting prepared as soon as possible."
"Today is the big day, Princess," said Ria gently, helping Zelda out of her bed. "Miss Malon will be attended to as well, so there's no need to worry about her. We must get you bathed, first."
After her bath, in which Zelda must have had about fifteen different things applied to her hair and body, she was sat at her vanity, where Impa escorted a woman into her room, who was to do her hair for the wedding. She was old, her hands slow and shaking. Zelda wondered if she was able to fix her hair.
"Is there anything you had in mind for your hair, Princess?" the woman asked, her voice was thin and light. Almost like paper.
Zelda merely shook her head no. "Whatever you think is best, Miss."
They settled for curling Zelda's hair in very even ringlets around her head, leaving her hair down. Though some of it was pinned up in the back so it framed her face. Her bangs were pinned back with a crystal flower pin on the right side of her head. Zelda loved it, much to her utter horror. The old woman was very talented despite her frail state.
Her makeup came next, which took almost as long as her hair. Though most of it was to accentuate her bright blue eyes and to pick out which colors would best match her ivory skin tone. Her eyes were tone in a gold and brown, while most of her face was kept natural. The princess hated that she liked how she looked, she liked that she looked very pretty. But it was for all the wrong reasons.
The rest of the preparations were a complete blur to Zelda. Mostly she just moved when told, and posed the same. Her mind was trying to wrap itself around the fact that she was going to be married in a short while from now. Surely Link was gone from here…
Finally, the time came to slip into her large, puffy dress. It took all of them to get her into the white and gold dress, and once it was on, it fit so perfectly that Zelda had to applaud the dressmaker for her skill. Impa helped her into her shoes, which were from what she could see, golden.
As they were pinning her veil to her hair, Malon entered, escorted by Zelda's mother. Her mother was wearing a long pink gown that was strangely simple looking for the Queen. Malon was wearing her gold dress, her hair down, but braided by her temples. The former cried with delight at the sight of Zelda, the later just sighed heavily.
"You look marvelous, Zelda!" her mother gushed, helping to straighten the tulle veil that was now embedded in her curls. "Oh! But you don't have a necklace!"
"It's no matter," said Zelda simply. She held up her wrist, showing the bracelet she had been given for her birthday.
"I'm so happy you're wearing that," the Queen said, kissing Zelda's forehead. "You look beautiful, my darling."
"You do, Zelda," Malon whispered from behind them. She was fidgeting with the fabric of her dress nervously.
"Thank you. Both of you." She stood in front of her mirror and examined herself fully. This woman staring back at her…it couldn't be her. Not because she looked too beautiful, but because of her eyes. She hadn't realized how dead they appeared. It was as though her light had left her body. Had this day really taken that much out of her? Still, it didn't shock her much. After all, she had been dreading this day for months.
"Most of the guests are here," her mother said to Impa. "And Ganondorf is waiting of course. He's eager to see his bride." Zelda tried to suppress a shiver at that. "About a half hour it seems. I'll have Ria come and fetch you when it's time, Malon, Zelda."
"Yes," the girls said together as they were handed their bouquets.
All the servants left then, with the exception of Impa. Leaving just the three of them alone in Zelda's room. Both Malon and Impa were looking at Zelda as though they were afraid she was going to break.
Suddenly, Zelda heard sniffing. She whirled around to see Malon's eyes were watering. "Malon?" she asked in shock.
"I'm so sorry!" she sobbed. "I'm ruining my makeup! I'm just…I'm so upset! This is totally unfair."
"Now Malon," Impa murmured, her voice hard. "This isn't the time."
"She won't cry," Malon told her, sitting on Zelda's bed. "I know she won't. I'm going to cry for her."
"Malon," Zelda spoke kindly. She leaned over her friend as best she could in this ridiculous dress and took her hands. "Don't cry, please. It's all right, really. It's what I was supposed to do."
"You're supposed to marry someone you love!" Malon contradicted.
Zelda closed her eyes. "Link is long gone, Malon. I have to do this alone."
"If there was something, some way that you didn't have to marry him. If there was anything I could do, I would do it, Zelda, believe me."
"I do, Malon. I do with all my heart."
"Come here, Malon, now," said Impa. Her voice was gentle now. "Let me fix your makeup a bit. You've smudged it."
Zelda watched blankly as Impa touched up Malon's face, making it as though she had never cried in the first place. Her affection for Malon was insurmountable now, seeing how much pain she was in from this, and it was far from her own wedding. Zelda wasn't even sure whose wedding this was, actually. She felt like a stranger in her own body, as though she longed for nothing than to watch this princess marry from the safety of a seat.
Once Malon's makeup had been fixed, Ria entered the room quietly. "Miss Malon, you're almost up to walk."
"Yes, of course," the redhead said, standing up from Zelda's chair. "I'll be right there." She reached for Zelda and squeezed her hands. "Stay strong, Zelda," she breathed before leaving the room, clutching her flowers tightly.
"Ready?" Impa asked when they had left.
"No." It was that simple.
"I would expect nothing less, of course."
"But I will do it." Zelda was looking at her hands.
"That's what makes you so much more different from your mother, you know. Not just her flamboyancy and naivety regarding you, but your strength. You will always do what is right, Zelda. No matter what. It's been a honor watching you grow up all these eighteen years." She lifted Zelda's chin up to look into her eyes. "I love you, Zelda."
"I love you too, Impa." She could feel sadness tugging on the edge of her heart. She tried to push it away with all her might.
"Let's go, Zelda. Your father is waiting to escort you."
And with that, Zelda left her bedroom for the last time, in her extravagant gown, to wed the man who stood at the altar, waiting for her to say those magical words.
Her father was standing at the entrance to the Temple, his outfit ornate, and his face slightly sad at the sight of his daughter. He took her hand in his and kissed it lightly.
"You look stunning, my child."
"Thank you, Dad," Zelda replied almost flatly.
"I wish for a different fate for you," he said softly as their music began to play, and they stepped through the doors and into the Temple.
Zelda thought that instead of wishing for something different, someone should do something about this. But of course, Malon could not. Malon who was standing at the altar, across from Ganondorf, who looked as haughty as ever. Malon, who was crying again.
Her father could, but would not. Not with her mother, who was sitting in front row, looking at her husband and daughter with glassy eyes. Impa would never, no matter how much she loved Zelda. And Link, well, Link was miles away by now, trying to forget all about her.
They reached Ganondorf, and her father kissed her cheek, passing her hand gently to her new husband's, whose face was bright with greed. Grinning at Zelda, they turned to face the high priest that was to marry them. His words rang through her ears, but she did not really hear them. How she longed for this to end! For this to have never happened, and for her to leave!
Alas, that was not her fate. This was her fate, this doomed hell. Ganondorf's eyes were fixed on the priest, and she could almost hear his thoughts turning. She wondered how the world would be with him as king.
There was only one sentence that Zelda remembered hearing the priest say during the whole ceremony, but only for what came after it.
"Is there any here who had reason to believe these two should not wed? Speak now or forever hold your peace."
Zelda closed her eyes and hoped for something, anything to happen. And just when the priest was about to speak again, the doors to the Temple flew open.
Every single head whirled around, except for Zelda. She was sure that her prayer not been answered. So she was surprised when a high-pitched female voice spoke loudly to them.
"I have a problem with this."
She turned to see Midna floating in the center of the aisle, her legs crossed as she stared into Ganondorf's eyes. "I have a problem with you!" She pointed a sharp finger at him, her orange eye full of hatred.
"MIDNA!" her mother shouted. "What is the meaning of this?!"
"He is not who you think, Your Highness! He bears the third Triforce! Ganondorf shattered the Mirror of Twilight and he means to bring darkness to this world, and you're helping him by marrying Zelda to him!"
And this that, Ganondorf stood up at his full height, holding out his hand to Midna. "You do not belong here, Twili. Go HOME!"
"I can't!" she replied. "You destroyed the Mirror, you foul, evil…!"
"SILENCE!"
The sun that was shining through the windows only a moment ago seemed to drain away. Zelda looked up at Ganondorf, seeing his eyes shining as though they had taken all the light themselves.
"You are all to remain where you are," he ordered. Then he turned to the priest. "Marry us, now!"
The priest seemed too weak to go on. He was shaking horribly. Ganondorf grunted and shoved the man to the floor. "Weak men like you have no use in my world." Out of nowhere it seemed, he drew a sword and held it over his head, ready to slay the man.
Zelda didn't think twice, despite the fact that her dress was incredibly hindering, she used her powers, a gift from Nayru, to stop his sword from coming in contact with the old priest.
"Leave him be, Ganondorf," she hissed darkly.
"Stupid girl," he growled, turning his sword on her. "I only put up with you and your family because of your power. Now, though, I don't need it. I don't need any of you. I'm going to kill all of you."
"Not on my watch." Zelda turned to see her father standing, his hand clutching his own sword. Her eyes widened in horror.
"NO!" she and her mother screamed together.
Midna let out a grumble and closed her eyes, summoning dark power to save Zelda's father and all of the others inside the Temple. However, Ganondorf noticed this and used his own magic to push the imp backward into the wall, cutting off her attack.
Zelda made to step in front of her father as he challenged Ganondorf, but Malon held her friend back, her face dripping with tears still. "Please, Zelda! Don't!" she begged.
"Malon, let me go!" Zelda howled, trying to free herself.
The King of Hyrule didn't last against Ganondorf. Compared to him, Zelda's father was nothing. He was slain only moments after Midna had come back and retaliated and struck Ganondorf.
"DAD!" Zelda screamed as her mother ran over to his body. "No…" she whispered, her body shaking.
Now all the people were standing, ready to take a stand against the man who had slain the King. However he pointed his sword at Zelda and Malon, who were both crying at this point. "Make a move toward me, and I will kill both the princess and her ranch girl friend. Try me."
Midna was shaking with fury. She would never do anything to put Zelda in danger. This was not how her plan was supposed to work. She had been too late in fighting him. The King had fallen because of her.
"You bastard!" Zelda seethed. "I'll kill you."
"You'll kill me? Please, Princess. I had planned to kill you from the very moment we were engaged," Ganondorf scoffed.
"Midna!" Zelda then said, turning to the imp Twili. "Please, you must get Link! You must find him! He will need your help. Promise to watch him, Midna, please! He won't harm me yet, not when he has so much to lose from it so soon."
Midna looked at the princess with great admiration and anger. Was she playing the hero? Of course though, sending for the Hero of Time was the best thing to do. No one could slay Ganondorf but he. She closed her eyes, and sent another wave of Twili magic to Zelda, doing her best to give the princess her protection. A moment passed between the two princesses, where they understood what they must do. Midna knew then that Zelda wouldn't ask her to leave if she didn't think he would kill her.
"GET OUT, MIDNA!" Ganondorf roared, thrusting her with his magnificent power out of the Temple. A second later, she tried to re-enter, but she was blocked by a barrier. So he had put up a barrier to keep her from entering, and to keep them all from escaping, eh?
"I'll get Link, Princess!" Midna called out, before spinning on the spot and disappearing from the castle. It was the only way to fix the mess she had caused.
Ganondorf pointed his sword at Zelda's throat. "You are not to leave my side, understood? Anyone who tries any funny business will be killed on the spot. In fact…" He swung his sword, and Zelda and Malon watched in horror as the people who did not run away from the blast, where killed instantly. Malon let out a scream and covered her face with her hands. She was glad that Ralis had not attended the wedding…she was so happy that he would live.
Barely a handful of people were left now, not counting Malon, Zelda and the Queen, who was still sobbing over her husband's body. Ganondorf looked down at her in disgust. "Pitiful, that you protect your dead husband rather than defend your people."
"Mom," Zelda whispered. "Mom, please…"
"You're not fit to rule over this land, anymore than he was. Your daughter is just the same. Weak. I have no use for those like you."
He closed his eyes and set the barrier across the entire castle, making sure whoever else was inside could not get out, and that Midna could not get back in.
'Please Link…please, listen to Midna. If you're truly the Hero of Time, you can stop this,' Zelda thought.
Despite the fact that Midna had probably caused the death of her father, she bore no ill will toward her. The Twilight Princess was only trying to save her, and was doing what she thought was right. She knew that Ganondorf would not kill her yet, not when he needed her part of the Triforce.
Ganondorf bent down and picked Zelda up by her hair. The pain she felt was horrifying, but she did not give him the pleasure of screaming. She looked right into his cold eyes with her own empty ones. "You're right, I will not kill you yet. But I will kill Midna and Link, rest assured. You will learn your place before me, in the meantime." He tossed Zelda to the floor, relishing how her dress tore when she hit the ground, and how her hair was a total mess. He paid Malon no attention. She was not important enough for him to care about.
There was another flash of light within the castle, and darkness began creeping up Zelda's spine. She shuddered and watched as the dim light from within the castle disappeared. Outside, everything was black, with only hints of yellow light flashing through. It was then that Zelda looked down and saw that she was alone in the room, except for her and Ganondorf. The others...Malon, her mother, the remaining guests, were all nothing but balls of light. Spirits.
"Twilight," she whispered. "This is the Twilight." She could survive because of her Triforce, as Ganondorf. Her friends and family...there were spirits in this world until the light was restored. Zelda was now completely and utterly alone.
Her only hope now rested in the hands of a stable boy from Ordon.
Let me start off by apologizing again for taking so long to update. I hope you all can forgive me for doing that to you with this doozy of a chapter.
Also, Midna's plan to save Zelda backfired big time. She had no intention of Ganondorf sealing the castle or anything. Really, she had stupid hopes of killing him herself before any of this could happen. I'll explain more with her in the chapters to follow. I just wanted to explain a little of her intentions first, though.
I tried to make it flow well with the previous chapter, time-wise. I kept forgetting things and had to go back several times to check and see what I had written previously. I hope it looks all right to your eyes. If not, feel free to let me know, of course. And I apologize for any errors. I did re-read this chapter a few times just to be sure, but you never know. Fresh eyes always help.
Anyways, any and all opinions and reviews are appreciated. Allow me to do a few shout outs:
Nicha The Purple Ghost: Your reviews always make me smile. I love your input, and your thoughts on what's to come. Yes, it would be interesting to see how Link and Ralis work together. I may just have to take you up on that! Haha
DoH-Ednstufe: Thank you! I'm glad that you took so much time to read my story! And to answer your question, I speak only a little bit of German. The basics I can get, but I'm nowhere near fluent. I'm sorry!
Secret Me: The fourth time?? Really?! Wow. Thank you for your continuous support, whoever you are! ;)
pff: I can't please everyone. I'm sorry.
And to all of you, as well! You are what keep the creative juices going, of course. Love to you all. Until next chapter (however long that may take)!