Conqueror
When Zelda swung the door open, the first thing Midna took note of was the desk, – so pristine and pale it nearly blinded her – stark against his dark skin.
He loomed over them as he stood, placing one large hand against his chair to draw himself up.
Gait sturdy, jaw taut with strength, Ganondorf turned to greet them.
"Hello," he inclined his head without smiling.
Perching herself delicately on his bed, Zelda gestured towards the visitors.
"She wants to know about the sword."
Ganondorf's eyes were half-lidded in contemplation.
"You are the Sol," he nodded towards Midna. "I've heard."
She bristled.
"That's none of your business," she spat vehemently. "Just point me towards the blade and I'll get out of your hair."
"Why the hostility?" he, surprisingly, chortled. "I don't believe we've met."
"Like I need to know you to know you're a real piece of work," she snapped. "It's because of the stunts you pulled that the Goddesses flipped on us."
"I would prefer not to be held culpable for the endeavors of my ancestors, infamous though they were."
"Yeah, because you're just the picture of innocence now, aren't you?" she scoffed. "Focusing your talents for destruction down other avenues doesn't suddenly make you a saint."
"You're right," Zelda intervened before Midna could go further. "I have nearly zero doubts that, had the Goddesses not sewn chaos first, then Ganondorf eventually would have."
She looked towards him in what might have been scorn, or perhaps determination, or perhaps affection.
"But they did," she went on. "One thing he's taught me is that peace is not an ideal. It is something blood is shed over. It is something defined by tides of conflict. He's lent me his power, and without power, humanity might have already been extinguished."
And it was Midna's turn to look weary.
"What. Ever."
She sighed, not even shrugging Link's hand off her shoulder.
"Just tell me so I can get moving."
"If you insist," Ganondorf replied, rummaging through drawers until he happened upon a cluster of parchment. "Let me ask, however. What are your intentions regarding the blade?"
"You've 'heard,' haven't you?" she snarled, losing her patience. "What the hell do you think I'm gonna do to it?"
He handed over the parchment; every step deliberate, every heave of motion controlled.
"Then you'll be pleased to know that I found it myself. It's in an alcove to the north, away from prying eyes. Follow the map, you'll be there in four days' time."
He peered at Link inquisitively, almost abnormally interested.
"He is going with you?"
She ignored him and seized the map without a backwards glance, marching heavily towards the door.
"Midna," Zelda called softly.
"What?"
The princess gave her a sad smile.
"Just know that, if it was Ganondorf instead, we would at least stand a chance."
And the door slammed shut behind her as the hallway's distant echo made Zelda's words ring painfully in her ears.
Author's Note: Oof, sorry I couldn't get this one out sooner. Bit of a long one, but also the one I'm least sure about. Review, perhaps?