What he saw when he entered the throne room nearly shocked the king. Two Gerudos were carrying a stretcher with the form of a young boy lying limply upon it. Two more Gerudos, apparently the Chief and his wife, were standing in front and to one side of the the stretcher.
"Greetings, O King of Hyrule." The gerudo chief said, politely bowing.
"What is it that you need, Gerrendon? What could possibly be the reason you wish to see me?" the King replied, almost coldly.
"It has something to do with that boy, doesn't it," Zelda stated calmly.
"The boy that's on the stretcher is my son," Chief Gerrendon said, his voice cracking. "We found him lying in the central chamber of the Shadow Temple, completely unconscious, and his skin cold to the touch. Whatever curse was laid upon him, my shaman can do nothing to save him."
"The Shadow Temple? That accursed place? It has been sealed for the past one hundred years,"King Sparkles hissed, "How did he get in?"
"We don't know. He must've slipped out of his tent during the night."
"Is the Shadow Temple still open?" Zelda asked.
"Yes, Princess, it is. We didn't have the time to try closing the entrance, and I am certain we couldn't have done so if we tried."
"This is indeed most troubling. A portal between our world and the world of the Endermen was located in the Shadow Temple. If the door is no longer sealed, this boy has been tainted by their power…" The king said, rubbing his chin in thought.
"That is what we feared, as well, your Majesty. Please, can you and your daughter heal him?"
"We can take a look at him, and perhaps make him more comfortable, but I cannot guarantee we can remove the Ender taint."
Zelda and the King walked slowly to the tainted child, noting the effects of the taint on the boy's skin and eyes. Then, carefully, the two laid their hands upon his head and muttered a few words. Zelda's mark of Wisdom glowed brighter, and for a moment, an aura of white light surrounded all three of them.
Then, the Kings eyes snapped open, and a look of fear crossed his face.
"What wrong?" The Gerudo chief asked worriedly.
"The taint cannot be removed. Its fused with his very soul. It will kill him unless we act fast."
"What must we do?"
"A master Apothecary is needed in order to save the life of your son," Zelda said, opened her eyes.
King Sparkles nodded in agreement.
"We need to send for Hanson the Villager."
