A/N: Not much happening here no sir
Rhoam grumbled to himself as he continued to scratch on the sheet of parchment laid out in front of him.
As he dipped his quill back int the inkwell, there was a knock at his door.
"Come in," he said, tapping the quill to knock off the excess ink before continuing to write.
The door opened and Impa stepped into the room.
Rhoam glanced at her then set the quill down, taking the sheet and sliding it into a drawer of his desk. "What is it?"
"You have someone here to see you, Your Highness. He says he has information that you'll want to hear."
Rhoam hummed. He hadn't been expecting anyone.
"Of course." Rhoam stood up and made his way to the door. "I'll meet with him right away."
Impa bowed as Rhoam passed her then glanced toward the desk.
Rhoam had appeared frustrated with whatever he was writing and she knew he hadn't taken any work lately. Impa wasn't one to pry and as a Sheikah she should follow Rhoam to an almost blind endeavor.
But she was curious about what he had been writing.
Glancing back at the door, Impa made her way to the desk and opened the drawer, taking the sheet out.
It was Rhoam's Last Will and Testament.
"Why is he adjusting his will?"
Rhoam had completed his will years ago shortly after his wife died. Even though by birthright, Zelda had the right to the throne, the will was a formality.
I, King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule XCIV, resident of the country of Hyrule, being of sound mind, decree that should I step down as king or upon my inevitable death my daughter Zelda Adeena Hyrule shall ascend the throne.
Impa blinked at Zelda's name being crossed out. Why would Rhoam cut his own daughter out of the will? Was he really so certain she no longer lived? Or was it something else?
Setting the will back where she had found it, Impa closed the desk drawer then left the room. She joined Rhoam in the audience room where a young Rito waited, preening himself.
"This is who wanted to see me?" Rhoam asked, glancing at Impa.
Impa nodded. "He calls himself Revali and claims to have information that you've been seeking."
Rhoam looked back at Revali. "State your business, bird."
Revali gave a flourishing bow. "Your Highness, I've heard that you've been searching for a many by the name of Ganondorf. Red hair and traveling with your daughter?"
Revali straightened with a smirk, feather tapping against his beak.
"Well, I've come to tell you where he hides."
"Thank you for letting us use the masks, King Arctic," Zelda murmured as she handed her mask back to Arctic.
The group was standing at the edge of Lake Kilsie, Arctic seeing them off after their completion of the temple.
"It was no problem," Arctic said with a smile. "Thank you for ridding us of that beast."
Ganondorf shook his head. "It wasn't too difficult."
Arctic glanced at the bracelet on Zelda's wrist. "I see the vambrace has finally picked an owner. I'm glad."
Zelda held onto the wrist the bracelet was on. "I can keep it then?"
"Of course. The vambrace chooses its owner and it seems to have chosen well."
Zelda looked down at the bracelet with a smile.
"Once again, thank you." Arctic gave a bow. "If you ever need our help again, do not hesitate to contact us."
"We will," Ganondorf murmured. "Thank you for your hospitality."
Arctic gave a nod before ducking beneath the water.
Link glanced around them before signing Okay, how do we get back to the Rito Village from here?
Zelda and Ganondorf observed their surroundings to find the best route.
They could climb the mountain buy the flight range but that would be too difficult. The only other route was to take the long way around, traversing through the deep snow of Hebra Tundra and past Coldsnap Hollow.
"Guess we're in for a walk," Ganondorf sighed, beginning to walk.
All they needed to do was loop around to Dronco's Pass and the rest of the way to Rito Village would be easy.
Zelda and Link followed close behind him.
"How long will it take?" Zelda asked. "I'm sure Sidon and the others are worried."
Link nodded.
They had left them back in the village and that had been who knew how long ago.
Ganondorf shook his head. "Not sure. Probably a few hours."
He squinted up at the cloudy sky to try and guess the time, but the sun was hidden.
"We might get there this evening, barring any storms or monster attacks."
"Don't jinx it, please," Zelda groaned, closing her eyes.
Ganondorf smiled a bit, shaking his head. "Okay, okay. Sorry."
Once they had passed into Rospro Pass, the snow had cleared away. Across Lake Totori was Rito Village, another hour away.
Even though they were hungry, they were ready to push through it to get a nice meal at the village. They did take a small break to rest their feet though.
"I'm glad to be out of the snow," Zelda sighed, stretching her feet out. "That was enough snow to last me a lifetime."
"Tell me about it," Ganondorf mumbled.
Link nodded, flopping on his back.
"Where are we going after we leave the village anyway?" Zelda asked, looking at Ganondorf. "You made a decision, right?"
Ganondorf looked down. "It's more of a selfish request than anything else."
Where is it?
"I want to visit the desert. I know the Zora won't be able to handle it even with elixirs and special clothes, but I want to see it."
"You don't have to be ashamed to ask, Gan," Zelda murmured, setting a hand on Ganondorf's arm. "That was your home. There's no shame in wanting to return to it."
Ganondorf smiled a bit at the reassurance.
There was a growl and they looked at Link who appeared embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck.
Hungry.
"I saw an apple tree back there," Ganondorf said, pointing in the distance. "We can have a few then move on."
Link nodded, popping to his feet and taking off in the direction of the apple tree.
Zelda chuckled at the sudden enthusiasm that Link had gotten at the mention of food.
"He's easily trained with food, huh?" Ganondorf sighed, leaning back on his hands.
"It's been a long trek." Zelda unwound the turban from her head, beginning to try and get the tangles out of her hair.
"We have three more temples and two more of those mazes. We're almost done."
"And what then? Do we remain on the move or do we find a place to hide out for the rest of our lives?"
Ganondorf sighed, looking down before shaking his head. "I'm not sure. I wish we could go back to how things were, Zelda, I do. But I don't think that's possible."
"I know," Zelda whispered, closing her eyes.
Ganondorf was about to set his hand on Zelda's shoulder to comfort her when something bit his neck. He slapped his hand to his neck, feeling a small needle and pulling it out to stare at it.
"Ganon?" Zelda asked, looking at him when he had fallen silent. She gasped when she saw him laying on the ground. "Gan!"
Zelda shook Ganondorf then spotted the needle in his hand. She recognized it as a Sheikah needle used to put targets to sleep.
"Oh, no…"
"Zelda!"
Zelda looked up as Purah ran up to her, Impa not far behind.
Purah looked relieved to see her while Impa appeared conflicted.
Zelda stood up. "How did you even…"
She stopped when she realized there was only one way the Sheikah could have found them.
"Revali."
He was a roasted bird the next time she got her hands on him.
"You're to come back to the castle, Zelda," Impa said. "Your father wants to see you."
"You don't have to do this, Impa. Just tell him you didn't find us. Please."
That sure didn't sound like a kidnapped victim under duress.
Impa hesitated.
Rhoam had been a bit strange lately, almost unhinged in his thirst to find Zelda and Ganondorf. A lot of people had seen his change. His obsession.
Purah glanced at her sister when she noticed that Impa hadn't said anything for a while.
Impa sighed. "Don't make me incapacitate you as well, Zelda. Just come with us quietly."
Zelda bit her lip, glancing at Ganondorf before she slowly nodded. "All right…"
With a nod, Impa went to pick Ganondorf up so they could leave.
Purah began to chatter at Zelda about this or that as they walked.
Zelda glanced behind her, wondering where Link was. It didn't matter; he was sure to break them out.
Sidon sighed as he stared out at the village's entrance. Waiting for any sign that Link and the others were returning.
It had been nearing two days that they were gone and Sidon was growing concerned.
When were they going to come back? Surely, they had gotten Ganondorf by then. But perhaps there was a temple? That would explain why it was taking so long.
Sidon gave another sigh, headtail swishing in anxiety.
"I've never heard you sigh so much," Mipha laughed as she came to Sidon's side with Bazz. "You don't need to worry about them, you know."
"They've been gone for far too long."
"They didn't say when they would be back," Bazz said. "It could take a week for all we know."
Mipha shook her head with a smile when Sidon sighed again.
Sidon perked up when he saw a blond Hylia running toward the entrance, immediately going to greet them.
"Link, my friend!" he looked around when he couldn't see any sign of Zelda or Ganondorf. "Where are Ganondorf and Zelda?"
Sheikah got them, Link signed hastily, appearing as if he had just run for miles. Taken to castle. Come on.
"What are we going to do at the castle?" Bazz asked.
Link grinned. Jailbreak.
Zelda glanced down at the hallway where two guards had taken Ganondorf before looking up at Rhoam who sat on the throne.
"Zelda." Rhoam stood up at the sight of his daughter, appearing surprised. "You're all right."
"Of course I am, father. Ganondorf doesn't want to hurt me. In fact, we're trying to—"
"Excuses. He has brainwashed you, Zelda. That's all right, though." Rhoam enveloped Zelda in a hug, squeezing her tightly. "He'll not torment you for much longer."
Zelda pulled herself out of his grasp. "What are you going to do?"
"That beast will be hung at dawn."
Zelda's eyes widened.
Hanging had been outlawed as an execution tactic centuries ago for ethical reasons.
"You can't do that," she whispered. "He's done nothing wrong."
"I can do whatever I want. I'm the King."
"Even condemning an innocent man to death?"
Rhoam snorted. "He is not innocent."
"In this life he is! He hasn't waged war or committed bloodshed." Zelda clenched her hands as she glared at the man her father had become. "You're no King; you're just a bully."
Rhoam whirled to face Zelda, face red with outrage. "I have singlehandedly prevented Hyrule's ruin! I am a greater King than any of my forebearers ever were!"
"You're half the King they ever were. At least they didn't stoop so low as to murder a whole race of people out of fear of the future."
Rhoam was shaking with suppressed rage. He swung his hand out in Impa's direction. "Lock her in her room. She's not allowed out until I say so."
Impa gave a slow bow. "Yes…Your Highness."
Zelda stared at her father in challenge before she followed Impa to her room.
The cold had seeped into his bones and Ganondorf twitched his stiff fingers before slowly stretching out. He sat up, glancing around to see that he was locked in a cell.
"This again?"
At least this time he wasn't chained up and his swords were still on his hip.
He wasn't sure if that meant he was in a trap or not.
Surely, they know I can bust through these easily? Ganondorf thought as he stood up, brushing himself off.
He noticed the Sheikah paper slips covering the bars and hummed.
They were probably to prevent him from breaking the door and leaving. His fire magic would probably just bounce off as well.
How do I get out then? He wondered, glancing around the cell for any sort of opening or other way out.
Something tickled at the back of Ganondorf's mind and he remembered that he had the ability of teleportation.
His past selves had been experts at it, but he hadn't even tried it. It was the only way out of the cell though.
Ganondorf closed his eyes as he began to concentrate on where he wanted to go. He needed to get Zelda and they needed to leave before they got caught. He knew the basic route to Zelda's room and pictured the closest area to her room in his mind.
He felt his body shift as it slipped through the planes of Hyrule and space. It was an unusual sensation and a bit nauseating.
Ganondorf hoped he would become accustomed to it.
Once the sensation stopped, Ganondorf opened his eyes and glanced around.
It took less than a second to realize that he wasn't in the right area. Or the right realm.
As he looked around, Ganondorf realized he recognized the place and mumbled, "Oh, crap."
"Now what are you doing in my realm, usurper?"
Ganondorf faced the voice and saw Midna lounging on her throne, appearing as if she hadn't aged.
"Hm. Are you here by coincidence?" Midna rested her chin in her hand. "No, nothing in this world is coincidental, is it? So, this must be fate."
Ganondorf tensed a bit, ready for a fight.
Even without the Fused Shadows, Midna was a force to be reckoned with.
Midna stood up and walked off, turning down a hallway. "Follow me, usurper! You needn't worry about me harming you. I only wish to talk."
Ganondorf hesitated then followed Midna until he caught up to her.
"So, how is the realm of light faring?"
"It's…fine. How do you think that me coming here is a part of fate?"
Midna smiled. "Your magic never fails you. By you coming here instead of wherever your original destination was, it means fate intervened. What is the state of the realm now between you, Princess Zelda, and the Hero Link?"
"We're…friends. We're searching for a way to halt the cycle."
"Is it working?"
"Yes, so far. We have about three temples left to visit."
"I see." Midna nodded. "Then I will make sure to pray for your success. I imagine you're in a hurry, so I won't keep you much longer. I only wish to give you something to aid you in your journey."
Ganondorf raised an eyebrow, not sure if he trusted whatever Midna was about to give him.
Midna chuckled. "Don't be so nervous. It's not something to hurt you. I can sense you aren't like him."
"That's what Link said," Ganondorf mumbled.
"Link has a keen eye. If he trusts you, then I'll trust you."
Taking out a small black stone shaped like a diamond, Midna held it out to Ganondorf.
"A Twilight Shard. Keep it on your person at all times. I imagine you'll need it soon."
Ganondorf slowly took the shard, the power of it thrumming in his hands, before he nodded. He put it in his pocket.
"Thank you." Ganondorf gave a bow. "I'll be leaving now."
Midna smiled. "Give the princess and the hero my regards."
Zelda sniffled as she hugged her knees to her chest, sitting on her bed. She hadn't even recognized her father and she wasn't sure if he could be saved.
Zelda closed her eyes as she sent up a silent prayer for Hylia or any Goddess to hear. She wanted everything to go back to normal where her father warm-hearted and a kind man and she could wile her days away playing games with Ganondorf and Link.
A crash interrupted her thoughts and Zelda straightened to see an annoyed Ganondorf leaning against her armoire, his face disgruntled as he mumbled, "I have to work on my landings."
"Ganon!"
Ganondorf smiled when he saw Zelda, giving a wave. "Hey, Zelda. There you are."
Zelda got out of bed and went to help Ganondorf to his feet. "Are you here to help me? Wait, how did you even get in here? Impa's guarding the door."
"I remembered I could teleport." Ganondorf brushed himself off. "But neither here nor there. Let's get out of here before the guards notice I'm gone."
Zelda nodded, holding Ganondorf's arm tightly. "We have to find Link."
"Knowing him he's already waiting for us." Ganondorf closed his eyes, focusing on the point in space of where he wanted to go.
Just outside the castle walls, near the moat. It was a familiar place and they could leave quickly.
Zelda's grip on his arm tightened as he locked onto the position.
It took a few seconds for them to appear by the moat's edge, landing on the ground with a grunt.
"Oh, I don't like that," Zelda muttered as she stood up shakily.
"You get used to it."
"Zelda! Ganondorf!"
The two looked to see Link coming towards them with the Zora right behind. Sidon was riding a disgruntled Helltrotter while a nervous Bluebell supported Mipha and Bazz.
Sidon was waving at them eagerly.
"Told you," Ganondorf said with a grin.
Zelda elbowed him.
Sidon slid down from Helltrotter as they stopped. "We're glad to have gotten to you so quickly. Link was expecting to jailbreak you."
Link nodded. Glad you got out. What should we do now?
"We need to get down to the desert," Ganondorf said, pulling himself into Helltrotter's saddle. "We may lose them."
"We'll use the waterways," Mipha said. "We'll meet up with you at Digdogg Suspension Bridge."
"Be careful," Zelda murmured, patting Bluebell's neck as the Zora headed to the moat.
"Careful is our middle name!" Sidon said with a grin.
Bazz rolled his eyes at the response.
After the Zora had dove into the moat and sunk beneath the water, Ganondorf kicked Helltrotter into a canter, steering him in the direction of Hylia Bridge. To get to Digdogg Suspension Bridge, they would have to pass that strange plateau again.
He could hear Zelda and Link follow after him but paid little mind to it.
He was focused on the desert, his home in every life, and how he was about to feel its warmth on his skin once again.
A/N: Don't know how to get a strikethrough here but yeah
