Chapter 14 - Dark Palace I
Just as suspected, things were not easy.
Fighting through a corrupted Temple was one thing. The types of traps and enemies in each had typically been similar, and unique to each environment. By themselves, they were challenging to face, but not so difficult to overcome that each encounter left Link wondering how he'd make it through the next.
Which was precisely what the foes in Hyrule Palace did.
Each corner harbored a combination of enemies and traps that made him think a piece of every temple had been brought inside. Thankfully, navigation wasn't too difficult thanks to the map Impa provided, not to mention the master key Nabooru delivered from the Temple of Spirit. Still, his progress was slowed thanks to Ganondorf's favoritism for the Iron Knuckles, to say nothing of his Jackals protecting his lair.
Or perhaps they weren't protecting it so much as just lying in wait.
Regardless, the worst area of all was the dungeon, and not simply due to the Redead and Stalfos infesting the dark corridors. There were also hauntings, echoes of the screams uttered by those tortured and executed so long ago, many of whom were innocent.
Their lives were simply taken as proof of Ganondorf's ruthlessness—and one of them stood out among the rest.
"Link … ."
The voice was no louder than a whisper and yet it seemed to echo out as he fought through the dank corridors. Somehow, it seemed familiar as well, though disembodied as it was, he couldn't say why. Additionally, haunting visions served as a distraction from the matter, arms reaching through prison bars when no one was there and shadows moving when nothing was about to cast it.
Such apparitions served as proof that the evil festering within the palace was strong—and it nearly did him in. Eventually arriving in what could only be described as a torture chamber where a guillotine stood that was so old the blade had rusted, Link could barely ignore the blood staining the walls or the scent of decay permeating every breath.
But he did, and all for a simple reason.
"Link … ."
The same voice uttered his name once again, and at the same moment, his eyes focused on a woman kneeling in the guillotine. Despite realizing there was no reason why anyone would or even should be so deep within the dungeon at that moment, the sight had Link's heart racing if only because it answered the question of why the voice was so familiar.
"Alma!"
As soon as his foster mother's name was out of his mouth, the lever holding the blade aloft above her neck turned. Instantly, it sliced downward, the gruesome thud of Alma's head hitting the floor sounding in turn as he averted his gaze from the sight with eyes squeezed shut.
Illness overcame him in response. Despite knowing this dungeon was filled with horrors that lied, he knew what he'd just witnessed was true to life, and the thought of his foster mother's fate was as angering as it was sickening.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered, feeling at least partly responsible for what happened to her. Alma was killed because he was Myriad's son and Zelda was the true princess, otherwise Ganondorf's soldiers never would've targeted her.
"Link! Behind you!"
His eyes cracked open at the sudden warning, thankfully just in time to realize he'd been eclipsed by the shadow of a Stalfos sneaking up behind him. Diving forward to avoid harm, the skeleton's blade came down on his position a split second later.
Turning to engage his newest opponent, he found the monster about as challenging as the rest to take out—its only advantage was the element of surprise which was squandered thanks to Alma's warning. So he overcame the Stalfos in quick time, letting a deep breath the moment a pile of bones scattered to the floor at his feet, then looked around the chamber again.
"Thank you, Alma," he rasped without expecting a response.
And yet, she gave one anyway.
"You're welcome, Link. I knew these monstrosities would try to take advantage of your emotional distraction."
A light flashed behind him, and Link turned around to see the spectral form of his foster mother smiling warmly. The expression was in stark contrast to the one he saw during her execution, making him wonder if it was a sign that she was actually at peace, or maybe she was truly glad to see him.
Either way, his vision blurred when tears stung his eyes.
"Alma, I'm sorry you were—"
"Don't be," she interrupted. "You and Mira were only children, blameless in what happened, and I've waited here for your arrival to tell you as much. So please, when you find Mira, let her know how much I love you both."
"I will," Link promised, adding, "and we love you, too. We always will."
Alma's image shimmered as if fading away, leaving him to wonder if she couldn't hold her form in the physical world, or if she had no choice but to go. Regardless, she didn't disappear from sight without passing on a bit of information.
"I know, and you can find her by using the archway behind me to access the corridor to the throne room. Once there, you'll need to look behind the throne itself. It will lead you to Mira, but beware. An immense darkness waits on the path to finding her."
Alma's voice seemed to echo as she faded from sight, leaving Link alone once again. Exhaling low, he considered her words of love which filled him with a mixture of sadness and admiration while her second warning had his eyes rolling with a muttered, "Why am I not surprised?"
Shaking his head, he set one foot before the other to do precisely as his foster mother directed and accessed an archway at the back of the room to find himself traversing a stone stairwell. At the top landing waited a corridor which was much more aesthetically pleasing than the torture chamber he'd just left. Still, the atmosphere was cold with gray marble floors covered by a deep red carpet and despite several golden sconces upon the walls lighting the way, it remained dark.
Link could only wonder if the décor was a remnant of the true King and Queen's reign despite how unwelcoming it seemed—probably not. Regardless, he finally came across a set of double doors inlaid with ornate etchings of gold around two Triforces on each side. The knobs were also gold and formed the shape of a boar's head split down the center where the doors separated to open.
Regarding them for a moment, they somehow seemed suitable as he took one in hand and pushed the doors open. Considering how decorated the entrance was, he knew the throne room waited beyond as well, and soon found himself standing at the center of a vast chamber filled with silence.
Like the corridor outside, granite walls rose around him, his boots thumping lightly against the marble floor until they met the carpet. Yet, instead of sconces, several candelabras stood about the chamber and a row of chandeliers graced the vaulted ceiling with intricate murals painted upon it of images Link couldn't precisely identify.
Still, he wasn't focused on the matter, and instead, his vision remained on the ornate suits of armor standing between some of the columns, expecting them to come to life at any moment and attack just as several others had before them.
Yet all remained silent as he made his way toward the steps leading to the throne with Alma's warning in mind, and though things remained quiet, he was right to keep his guard up.
It simply wasn't the suits of armor he had to worry about.
As if he'd stepped into a draft, an abrupt chill swept over him as the throne room suddenly darkened in a manner suggesting the candles had gone out. Yet they continued burning, but their glow couldn't penetrate the pitch blackness around him.
In response, Link gripped the hilt of his blade more tightly, coming to a stop in his movements just as a low groan hit his ears. Whoever—or whatever—made the noise, he couldn't help thinking they sounded exhausted, the eerie sound as frail as it was unnerving.
Gaze darting left and right in an attempt to pinpoint the source, Link soon focused directly ahead when what appeared to be a blue flame formed upon Hyrule's seat of power. Wavering, the mass soon took the shape of an old, decrepit man wearing a black robe with a hood draped over his head obscuring most of his visage. The only thing truly visible was a tangle of stringy black hair hanging down to frame the bony lower half of his face.
His fingers were long and skeletal in turn, and the noticeable transparency of his form proved Link was facing an apparition.
Brows narrowing at the thought, he watched as the old man's head bobbed forward with an unnatural movement before a set of black eyes opened to leer at him with what could only be described as hatred. The sight of his gaze was somehow disturbing in a chilling sort of way, and adding to the effect was the way the old man chortled, his voice cracking as he asked on a raspy tone, "Myriad?"
Myriad? Link parted his lips, unsure why this specter would be asking his mother's name, unless … . Could this be … Dragmire's ghost?
Uncertain his assumption was accurate, he cautiously asked, "Who are you?"
"You … are not Myriad, but … ," the phantom continued weakly as if he hadn't spoken, "you have an aura as … as she did." With his gaze narrowing at Link in scrutiny, he asked much more insistently, "What is your name?"
Shaking his head, Link instantly retorted, "Why should I tell you anything when you won't answer my own question?"
The phantom suddenly scoffed, letting a sputtered laugh before informing Link, "You are speaking to the Lord of Darkness as he appeared in life, boy."
Realizing he was right and this was a phantom of the dark mage himself, Link sneered. Thoughts of the anguish Dragmire had caused his family—and Zelda's—instantly surfaced, making it difficult to recall that this was just a ghost and it was pointless to attack, or even make accusations.
So instead, Link asserted, "You're the source of the dark visions haunting this place, aren't you?"
"I am … ," he started, trailing as his head fell back and then lolled sideways as if he no longer had the strength to hold it up straight. He even sounded winded in continuing, "I am but a shadow now, imprisoned here like the rest held under the thumb of he who is my son. But I … ."
Stopping long enough to sputter with a sickly cough, he finally concluded, "But I've strength enough to manifest and demand answers before allowing passage."
Sneering, Link couldn't ignore his anger entirely, and Dragmire's annoying attempt to prevent him from progressing any further caused it to flare in countering, "Answers to what? Who I am, or why you failed in everything you tried to achieve only to be murdered at the hands of your own son? That is what happened, isn't it?"
It was only a guess, but considering how sickly Dragmire looked and the way he'd spoken of Ganondorf keeping him under his thumb gave Link the sneaking suspicion he was right. Proving he'd hit the nail on the head as well, the phantom instantly grew enraged, sending a burst of blue flame in his direction.
With a swift jump to the side, Link watched as the burst erupted against the floor where he once stood. But instead of dispersing, several smaller flames emerged to float in his direction.
While using his shield for protection followed by attacking the flames with his blade, two things became apparent. First, it took more than one attack to eliminate a single flame.
Second, hitting one sent it flying in the opposite direction.
The discovery gave him an idea, and he diligently worked to clear the room until a single flame remained. But instead of destroying it, he slowly lured it into the right position, then issued his attack to send the floating light at Dragmire with no lack of force.
Sailing in the ghost's direction, the blue flame mercilessly slammed into his translucent body and erupted. In turn, Dragmire let an anguished wail, writhing in agony—and Link almost felt sorry for him. The dark mage had toiled all his life to empower his son only to be murdered by him, and now his spirit was restlessly trapped between worlds, though it was difficult to say why with confidence.
Perhaps Ganondorf had some sway over the spirit, or Dragmire was so devoted to seeing his son succeed that he either refused to, or simply couldn't let it go. Regardless, after the way he'd spoken of Myriad, Link was certain the aura his mother's power evidently gave off caused the dark mage to manifest and demand the truth—not that it mattered.
Link had no intentions of allowing this ghost to prevent him from achieving his goals.
So, as Dragmire's wails slowly ceased, Link started toward the throne, asking the ghost sitting upon it, "Or maybe you want an answer for why you're continually suffering while lingering in wait for a justification? Because I can't answer that. Maybe you deserve to be left to an afterlife of unanswered questions and tormented by your failures, but I couldn't say for sure no matter how much I think the circumstances are fitting."
Another barrage of blue fire sailed in Link's direction, his words apparently angering the spirit even more.
"You will move no further!" the phantom declared as Link dodged his latest attack.
Pushing himself forward into a roll with a line of fire rising behind him, Link stopped to swing his blade against another floating flame spawned by the blast and send it toward the apparition.
As the fire hit the specter, Link didn't offer any mercy, ducking another ghostly flame before striking it with his sword to send toward Dragmire as well.
With his anguished cries filling the throne room, Link skillfully eliminated the remaining flames before finally reaching the landing of the steps leading up to the throne. As he turned to ascend them, the Master Sword began glowing white, getting brighter with each step until the tip of the blade was pointed at Dragmire's throat, its pure aura all but blinding him.
Holding the weapon firmly in place, Link asserted with a harsh scowl, "My business is not with you, it's with your son just as your business was with my mother. Now let me pass."
While making his demand, his image grew clearer to Dragmire from beyond the painful glow of his blade—and the phantom rasped in shock. In his view, Link's image shimmered with the Sacred Realm's power of light, his golden blonde hair shining as it framed his glowing white eyes. For all intents and purposes, he looked like a vengeful deity come to exact retribution.
Or, from Dragmire's perspective, he looked like Myriad.
"No," Dragmire rasped, too weakened to launch another attack as Link's image became even more pronounced, and what appeared caused the phantom to add, "no, it can't be!"
From within the Hylian's bright aura of light emerged the distinct shape of a triangle shimmering with a green hue—the Triforce of Courage.
Seeing it, Dragmire instantly knew the truth. The Master Sword, the Triforce piece, and Myriad's power proved this was not only her son, he was also the prophesied Hero of Legend. How this could be possible, he had no idea, and yet the evidence was standing right before him, shining more brightly than the midday sun.
As he gaped up at the Hylian in response to the discovery, Link pressed the tip of his blade closer to his neck and demanded more forcefully, "Let me pass."
Unable to withstand the power of his blade or the blinding light radiating from within his soul, Dragmire slumped back against the throne with a weakened rasp, his dark, rotting image finally dispersing into nothing.
As pieces of his form seemed to flake away and dissolve into black tendrils of smoke, he gave his final words on a raspy, disembodied voice.
"You … he wants the Triforce. That's why you've come. He said once you brought … the Triforce to him … my life would be restored to its … previous state. I knew it would not, but had … little choice. Aid him … or remain as the living … rotting husk I'd become."
Watching as he faded from sight, Link's grip on his blade grew lax, his scowl softening. Somehow, the sight of the once powerful mage now turned into little more than a weakened essence diffused whatever remained of his anger and left him pitying Dragmire despite his atrocities. Clearly, he was now paying for his crimes, and if his frail visage was any indication, the final years of his life hadn't been kind either.
So he relaxed his stance and stood back, allowing the phantom to pass into whatever oblivion awaited him, though Dragmire turned his lifeless, black eyes back to Link with one last thing to say before his form dispersed completely.
"You may pass, and in turn … knowing you've finally come … I shall as well."
As the particles of his form drifted into the air to disperse, the throne room's lighting returned to normal, leaving Link alone with his thoughts. It was questionable what Dragmire meant, and whether he was hoping Link would give Ganondorf what he desired, or if he was vengefully hoping his own son might soon meet his end.
But he did know he wasn't spending anymore time considering Dragmire than the mage deserved—which was no time at all.
Instead, he focused on Alma's advice for finding Zelda. She'd said to check behind the throne, and as Link finally stepped around the chair, he realized there was really nothing to see. A stone masonry wall draped in red velvet stood a few feet away, but though things seemed plain enough, he did notice one thing out of the ordinary—a draft.
Not only did he feel the cool air against his cheeks, the tassels attached to the drapes were wavering. The movement suggested an empty space existed behind the wall, and Link wasted no time reaching to pull the drape down and inspect it.
Still, he couldn't see a visible means of passing through, and so he invoked the sight of truth he and Zelda had gained in the Temple of Water. With his eyes beginning to glow, he could see that his assessment was correct—there was a corridor behind the wall.
Yet his vision also revealed a trigger hidden within one of the bricks.
Pressing his hand against it, a click sounded as the latch released, allowing him into a long corridor with numerous sconces lining the walls. Aside from Zelda, he could only wonder what awaited at the other end, and wasted no time on getting started to find out.
Thankfully, nothing attacked him along the way, though the corridor seemed eerie nevertheless, a sensation that was overridden by irritation when he found yet another dead end. Still, with the sight of truth invoked, he could see something resembling an old study on the other side, and unlike the previous doorway, this one was marked by the Triforce.
Could that mean something specific? Perhaps only someone in possession of the relic could open the door—what better way to keep a sensitive area secure when Ganondorf was the only person residing in the palace holding a piece of it?
It was worth a shot to try in any event, so Link lifted his left hand to place against the surface. As a result, his own mark lit, mirroring the one upon the wall with the triangle on the bottom right glowing more vibrantly than the others.
Realizing it, Link pushed against the door on a hunch, and felt a vibration passing through it just as it began to open.
Thankful the puzzle didn't require more thought to be solved, he stepped into an old chamber which had fallen into disuse with dusty books and vials lining the cabinets and cobwebs decorating the walls. Yet Link ignored it, finding himself focused on a single, blueish light coming from an archway on the other side of the chamber.
With nothing to keep his interest in the study, he instantly headed toward it and took the stairs inside. Starting out slowly, Link soon found himself gaining speed on the way up, too eager to know what waited to pace himself. Still, he gripped the Master Sword's hilt on the way, remaining alert, though in reaching the chamber at the top, his expression went from stern to shocked thanks to the sight his blue eyes beheld.
The King and Queen of Hyrule.
Simultaneously, relief and anger rolled through him. Seeing Zelda's parents being held in their slumber was atrocious, but at the same time, he thanked the Goddesses to find them still alive. Ganondorf had apparently kept his end of the bargain he'd struck with Zelda, leaving one question—where was she now?
Letting a sigh, Link released the hilt of his blade while approaching the center of the sizable chamber, stopping short of a circular light upon the floor reminiscent of a portal. Where it led, no one could say, though he'd be willing to wager every rupee he owned that Zelda was waiting on the other side.
Still, for as much incentive as the thought gave him to enter it without worrying for the possibility of danger, Link hesitated, casting his gaze back up at Hadinaru and Nissandra instead. Somehow, he could sense the dark powers keeping the King and Queen incapacitated, and perhaps it was his experience wielding the light power Myriad had given him, or it was instinct, but he also got the distinct feeling he had what it took to free them.
And he knew for certain Zelda would want him to commence if it were possible.
So he wasted no time, taking a deep breath before invoking the light power within him, able to feel it rising up as his fingers curled into fists. Keeping his desires in mind, his eyes slid shut as his body began to glow softly with a white light. Building in strength for several moments, that power began to focus in his hands, and once enough had culminated, it radiated outward, moving through the chamber in a wave that passed over the spheres containing the King and Queen.
The effect was like a ping against the magic forming each one, breaking it away until the barriers containing the monarchs faded.
Finally, Link opened his eyes again, watching in anticipation as, one by one, the King and Queen took what had to be their first breath in ten years. In turn, the relief their inhalations provided caused Link to feel as if he'd waited just as long for the same thing, though his concern grew when both monarchs toppled over after being held incapacitated for so long.
Sadly, he wasn't close enough to catch either of them, both sets of knees hitting the floor before they slumped forward. At the same time, Link finally found enough sense to move, drawing closer in order to kneel between them and ask their names to see if they would respond.
"King Hadinaru? Queen Nissandra?"
A soft murmur passed the Queen's lips, the sound possessing an airy quality suggesting she was dizzy while slowly pushing herself up. Pressing a hand to her temple in the process, she then groaned and shook her head before lifting a set of crystal blue eyes at Link.
And if it weren't for their color along with her golden blonde hair, he would've thought he'd just found Zelda.
Evidently, his father hadn't lied in claiming Zelda was the spitting image of her mother. Still, he couldn't quite focus on it at that moment, too busy turning his gaze to the king when the monarch's low groan hit their ears.
"W-what's happened?" Hadinaru inquired while sitting back.
In contrast to his wife, the king's hair was a deep auburn, and as he finally looked up, Link could see where Zelda had gotten her eyes. The only real difference was the confusion—and even anger—visible within them as the king added to his previous inquiry with the question, "Where is Dragmire?"
His demand for information brought Link back to the present—and also served as a reminder of just how long he and his wife were left in their slumber. It was also difficult to know what answer to provide that wouldn't confuse the monarchs even more.
Link didn't want to keep them waiting, however, bowing his head in a show of fealty with the words, "He's dead, Your Highness, murdered at the hands of his son."
Hearing this, Nissandra gasped, asking as if horrified by the thought, "Ganondorf killed him?"
For a moment, her shock seemed confusing, but Link soon remembered their perspective. The King and Queen had no idea how much time had passed and likely thought Ganondorf was still nothing more than a child.
So when Hadinaru asked, "Where is he now?" Link made sure to keep his answer simple.
"I'm looking for him," he started, remaining crouched with his head bowed in respect as Hadinaru stood and joined his wife to help her onto her feet.
"You are looking for him? For what purpose?" he inquired, finally turning to give the young man his full attention—and abruptly grew silent at the sight of the weapon upon his back.
With Link kneeling forward, the Master Sword was clearly visible, prompting the King to ask, "Are you wielding the sacred blade of our people? And please rise, there's a time and place for formality, but this is neither."
Nodding, Link stood and turned his gaze up to them, wasting no time responding, "I am, and the reason I'm looking for Ganondorf is complicated, Your Majesty. But before I can explain it, I'd have to tell you my name is Link, and I have the difficult responsibility of informing you that during your last confrontation with Dragmire, he placed you both in a deep slumber which Ganondorf has kept you in for … ten years."
He tried to speak the words as gently as possible in the hopes of softening the blow, but Hadinaru and Nissandra both stared with their jaws agape as they tried to let his words sink in. So Link remained silent to give them time, and before long, Nissandra whispered, "T-ten … ten years?"
Her fingers curled into her husband's tunic as she turned an expression filled with heartache up to his face and added more dolefully, "Hadinaru … if it's true, our daughter … she's grown up, and could be anywhere."
Her voice hitched as tears welled in her eyes, and Hadinaru wrapped an arm around her back, though it was difficult to say whether he was offering comfort, or seeking his own. Still, for the sadness on his face, there was just as much rage—and Link not only commiserated, he was close to tears himself.
Seeing the kind of love his friend's parents had for her, particularly in knowing just how badly Zelda had longed to meet them both, was heart wrenching. So he had no intentions of keeping them in the dark, and immediately began describing the situation in the hopes of easing their worries, if only marginally.
"My Queen, I'm a very close friend of your daughter's, and I can bring her to you, but I have to find Ganondorf first. You see, he threatened to kill you if she didn't come here alone, and because all she's ever wanted was to know the both of you, she did as he demanded to save your lives, and I've come to save hers."
Nissandra covered her mouth with a gasp against her palm while Hadinaru gave Link a stern look that spoke volumes of how distasteful he found the explanation to be. Slowly, he released his wife and approached the young man before him, stopping a few feet away to address him in a manner Link could only describe as kingly.
"You said your name is Link, correct?"
"I did, Your Majesty."
"Then, Link," Hadinaru began, "you bear the sword of evil's bane, so I've no reason to doubt what you say is true. That being the case, my wife and I learned ten years prior to this moment that our only child had been replaced with another, and when we demanded to know our daughter's whereabouts, a trusted friend told us he sent her away in secret to protect her life. So I can only assume you've known her for quite some time."
Nodding, Link instantly answered, "I've known her all my life. You see, your daughter wasn't the only one taken from the palace for safety. I was taken from my parents as well, sent with Zelda to be kept safe in Kakariko Village by Impa at Lyonel's behest."
Link hoped that mentioning Lyonel and Impa might give his story a little more validity, and if Nissandra's reaction was any indication, he'd succeeded. Instantly, her slippers clicked against the floor as she rushed to her husband's side with an expression suggesting she wanted to know so much more, but had no idea what question to ask first.
Hadinaru, however, closed his violet blue eyes and exhaled a slow breath as if to get a reign on his roiling emotions while winding an arm around his wife's shoulders.
Finally, he managed to inquire, "Who were your parents? Do you know?"
"Yes, Your Highness. My parents are Lyonel and Myriad."
Despite Link's even tone, Hadinaru's eyes cracked open to stare at him with a great deal of shock in asking, "Myriad?"
With a nod, Link supplied, "She hid her pregnancy to keep Dragmire from using me against her, and my father sent me with Zelda so we wouldn't have to grow up alone."
Hadinaru exchanged a look with his wife, then scowled as if completely unhappy to learn so much had conspired without his knowledge. The look reminded Link of two things, the first being that this wasn't simply Zelda's father. He was also the King of Hyrule, a kingdom presently being torn apart—and he didn't seem intent to sit idly by and allow it to happen.
Second, he and Myriad had been good friends, a fact proven by his next statement.
"When our minds were still clouded by Dragmire's magic," he all but snarled the words, "we were told Myriad abandoned us, possibly to commit treason, something I never would have believed had I been able to think clearly. So now I must assume those lies were told to cover up her murder. Is that true?"
Link parted his lips to respond, but a fourth voice beat him to it.
"No, she isn't dead."
Neither Hadinaru or Nissandra recognized Ganondorf's voice any longer, but Link did, swiftly turning around to spy him emerging from the archway at the front of the room. In response, Link instantly gripped the hilt of his blade, protectively standing between his nemesis and Hyrule's monarchs as Ganondorf regarded him with what could only be described as enlightened amusement in his ochre eyes.
"Myriad's son," he observed, remarking, "so that's the missing piece of the puzzle. She must've granted you a portion of her power before sending you away."
Link sneered, but couldn't form a response before Hadinaru asked with no lack of anger in his voice, "Ganondorf, what have you done? Link says you forced our daughter to come here alone by using our lives as leverage!"
"I did indeed," he responded without a single trace of guilt in his voice, moving several steps toward them before stopping near the glowing light upon the floor where he smirked and related, "but don't fret. I'd never allow her to be harmed before she's served her purpose. However, now that I have her where she needs to be, I no longer need either of you alive to make her bend to my will."
His threatening comment was punctuated by a sharp scrape of metal as Link drew the Master Sword to point at him, countering sternly, "You do need them alive if you want me to cooperate."
With a malicious smirk still curving his lips, Ganondorf slowly nodded and replied, "Well said, and I'm more than willing to allow them to leave unharmed. So step into the portal and I'll spare their lives."
"No," Link countered defiantly, adding, "not until the King and Queen are leaving safely with the two of us still here."
"Very well," Ganondorf returned plainly, seeming not to care one way or the other as he regarded the monarchs and stated sarcastically, "Mother, Father, you're free to go. Now leave us."
Link could only hope they'd do so as swiftly as possible, and fully intended to protect them on their way out. Yet Hadinaru wasn't willing to simply walk away.
"We're not going anywhere," he snapped so harshly Link thought the revolt had probably heard his voice on the battlefield as he added, "not without the chance to see our daughter!"
Ganondorf's gaze darkened at the King's demand, telling Link all he needed to know—he'd never allow it. So Link turned to face the monarchs with a serious glint in his sapphire eyes and related, "Your Majesties, I know you're longing to meet your daughter, but I made her a promise, and that promise extends to you as well. So you'll need to trust me, and I'll bring her to you when this is all over."
While Hadinaru's stern, unyielding gaze remained on Ganondorf, his fist balling in anger, Nissandra regarded Link with the same type of scrutiny he'd seen in Zelda's eyes a hundred times before. It was the look she got when attempting to solve a puzzle, suggesting the Queen was trying to assess his resolve.
In her effort, she inquired, "What promise?"
"I promised to protect her," he replied evenly, adding, "and because she's longed to know you both since we were children, I have to ensure she gets that chance."
As if overwhelmed to learn her daughter was just as eager to finally meet them as they were to have her back in their lives, Nissandra's eyes glistened with tears. It was a look she turned up to her husband's stern profile, whispering his name as if to urge him to comply.
Perhaps it was her gentle voice, or it was the thought of his daughter's lifelong wish to know her parents that did the trick. Maybe it was a little of both. Either way, Hadinaru's stern expression softened, proving his willingness to back down—though he still demanded, "Why are you doing this, Ganondorf? Have we ever mistreated you? We would never have blamed you for Dragmire's treachery!"
As if amused, Ganondorf smirked and returned, "This has nothing to do with my treatment or what happened when I was too young to remember. Now run along before I change my mind and then force this whelp to do as I wish anyway."
Sneering in Ganondorf's direction, Link told the King with the utmost confidence, "Sire, please take your wife down to the throne room, and I promise you'll meet Zelda very soon."
Exhaling low, Hadinaru hesitated for only a moment longer, obviously struggling with his fatherly instincts to do as Link had asked. Yet his logic won out, finally taking his wife toward the archway with Link separating them from the malicious tyrant they used to call their son.
Stopping only once when they were a few feet from the door, Hadinaru regarded Link, taking in the image of the young Hylian bravely standing his ground with the blade of evil's bane clutched firmly in hand. After his apparent long slumber, things seemed surreal, but he easily recalled the prophecy of the Hero of Legend, and despite his yearning to find a way to meet his long lost daughter, the sight of the hero gave him hope.
With the thoughts in mind, he remarked, "I look forward to learning if you're as steadfast as you look, Link."
Without taking his gaze off of Ganondorf, Link gave a single nod of acknowledgment as the monarchs departed.
Once they were alone, Ganondorf stepped aside and waved his hand at the portal, directing, "Now go, and perhaps you'll find the task easier to accomplish if I tell you your precious princess is waiting on the other side."
Holding his gaze for a moment, Link hesitated if only due to the uncertainty over whether he could trust the claim. Still, he finally sheathed his blade, realizing there were no choices in the matter either way.
So, with a slow step forward, he approached the glowing portal, keeping his end of the bargain.
However, the moment one of his legs entered the light, he stopped long enough to relate, "If she's hurt, I'll use every breath I have from this to my last making you pay dearly."
Ganondorf's amused chuckle sounded as Link lifted his other leg into the portal, deciding the King of Evil could laugh all he wanted and should enjoy his mirth while it lasted for a simple reason.
Their fight had only just begun.