AN: THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER CONTAINS SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL, AS WELL AS TRIGGERS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT. BY READING THIS CHAPTER, YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU ARE OF AGE IN YOUR COUNTRY OF RESIDENCE TO READ MATERIAL OF THIS NATURE.

I succumbed to him. It went on for a week in the same pattern; we would eat each meal together, and at dinner, we would both walk to his room, where he would force me to undress and violate me however he pleased before sending me to my room. I quit sleeping or reading. I couldn't even taste the food I was given. When we laid together, I stared at the ceiling, detaching from the experience entirely, trying to lose myself in sweet fantasies to preserve my sanity. But when Ganondorf would catch me doing this, he would swear and painfully pinch my breasts, or bite them, or slap me around the face. The same guard- at least, I suspected it was the same- would help me tie my robe and walk me to my rooms, where I would sit up in bed all night and cry bitter tears. He did not comfort me. I vomited in the mornings and occasionally later in the day, stumbled into things. My breasts felt sore all the time, and the smell of certain foods would set me on edge.

After a week of abuse, Ganondorf corralled a doctor somewhere, who had me lay down and examined me. "Congratulations, my lady. You're pregnant." I stared in shock. "You can tell so soon?" I asked in surprise. The doctor shrugged. "Well, yes, you're… ah…" he looked at Ganondorf, who glowered, "… far enough along by a few days." He prescribed remedies for the vomiting and the headaches. Ganondorf only looked at me, his expression unreadable.

Later that day, Ganondorf had new clothes sent to me. He procured a few rich foods for dinner, things I once might've enjoyed; stewed rabbit, roasted pheasant, and ripe fruits sent for from other countries, expressed here on horseback. I could barely touch the pheasant, and the sweet spicy taste of the rabbit only reminded me of the nights Link and I spent together. I ate the fruit, appreciating the taste, but unable to enjoy it. Ganondorf, to his credit, was struggling to be patient. But I saw the way his fury left him through a clenched fist to break a mug when I pushed my meat around on the plate. He sought me again that night, taking me from my rooms and laying me in his bed. "The mother of my child should have the honor of sharing my bed," he muttered darkly. I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. "Only now have I elevated from being your whore to your wife," I snapped sarcastically. Ganondorf slapped me across the face, and I closed my mouth tight, turning away. "Zelda, I had to do that," he mumbled, his way of apologizing. Ganondorf wrapped his arms around me, pinning me against his chest, stroking my hair and reaching into my nightgown to tweak one nipple until I flinched. My pain was still very much his pleasure, and he showed it by reaching between my legs to stroke at my womanhood. I closed my eyes, too tired and sick to cry.

I was still awake when Ganondorf dropped off to sleep, his grip slackening on my body. I slipped out of his arms, stumbling around the room as quietly as possible. There, on the desk, was a sharp pen knife with a pointed tip. I picked it up and slipped it into my robe's pocket, creeping out of the room. One guard stood at attention, and he followed me as I headed to the open balcony again. I wanted to die somewhere beautiful, and outside, where I was free, seemed the best place. I picked the pen knife from my pocket and held it to my wrist, testing it against the skin. A bead of blood appeared, bright red against my pale complexion. With a little sob of excitement, I brought the knife down carefully, starting to scratch along my arm. The guard clattered up and grabbed my wrist forcefully, shaking his head. "Piss off, you traitorous dog. I'll see that you burn alive for-My tirade was silenced when he shoved a scroll in my face. "What sort of trickery is this, you foul waste?" I growled. The guard gestured, and I used the pen knife to break the wax seal, unrolling the paper. To my shock, it was a message from the elite guard we encountered in Kakariko.

Your Majesty Zelda,

I hope to the Goddesses this letter finds you alive at the very least. Please have faith—Master Link has prepared an army to storm the castle. The guard that has handed you this note is a spy for us. I can never apologize enough for your betrayal at Kakariko. It was the cowardly farmer that betrayed his own son. We had to flee not long after Ganondorf raided the town, though all he found of you were your hoopskirts. Our army shall attack when the moon is new again, providing adequate cover. Please hold onto your faith for us, your majesty. We are coming to rescue you.

Forever in your allegiance,

Sir Garenth

Ganondorf,

If this notice has found you, please disregard. Thanks!

I choked back laughter and tears. They were coming on the next new moon. I looked up- it was in waning, a fat crescent in the sky. They would be here in less than a week. I turned and looked at the guard, who carefully removed his helmet to reveal an older man with graying blond hair and dark eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?" I whispered. The guard shook his head. "I was not allowed to until now." I stood and hugged him tight, crying into his chest. The man held me, stroking my tangled hair. "Don't cry any more, your majesty." I wiped my eyes dry, sniffling. "Sir, I have a predicament. I am pregnant with Ganondorf's child." He nodded. "Can you procure… something to fix the problem?" The guard licked his lips. "Ordinarily, I'd not agree with the purging of a child. But this is a special case. I'll see what I can do." I sobbed tears of gratitude. Funny how only the kind of sorrow and despair had run out. But something made me pause and reread the letter. "But—they said Link was dead!" I cried stupidly. The man chuckled. "Who told Ganondorf he was dead? T'was me, your majesty."

"So he's alive?"

"He's the one tha' came up with the idea of a disguised knight."

Link was alive! My heart swelled. I sank to my knees and laughed, feeling lighter and happier than I had in a fortnight. When the moon started to sink, my guard clapped his helmet back on and helped me to stand, taking me back inside. He found me some bandaging for my wrist, even though it had stopped bleeding. I went into my room, and he dutifully latched the door. I tucked the scroll in the hidden floorboard with my diary.