TALK.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, Princess, just come with me to the castle!"

She shook her head. "I'm not leaving," she said firmly, not looking over at whoever was behind her. The person had been there for quite a while now, trying unsuccessfully to have her come with him to the castle.

"You can't stay in this godforsaken tomb forever," the person said.

"Watch me." Zelda had been sitting in the tomb staring blankly at Link's body for three days. Grief alone was enough to keep her there for hours at a time, but something else was tugging at her to stay put, to not look at anything else but him, something she didn't know or care about.

"Princess, you will die in here if you don't come with me." The person walked closer to her and put his hand on her shoulder. She shrugged it off.

"Then I'll die in here," she answered simply. She was weak from lack of food and water and sunlight, but she didn't care. "I've lost my best friend and I feel it is the end of the world for me."

The person sighed. He leaned down and whispered softly in her ear, "It is the end of the world. For everyone." His breath was hot on her face and it was about as comforting as his words.

"What are you talking about?"

"The Dark King, Vaati, has taken over, and he wishes to see you in your, or should I say, his castle…"

"I don't care. I'm not leaving."

"Oh, but you are. And you're going up to the castle with me to meet with the Dark King."

"No, I'm not. Now go to him and tell him that he's not going to see me period, much less if he sends more of his goons to harass me."

He growled. She screamed when he grabbed her until he gagged her. He tied something around her eyes and she couldn't see. She felt him moving; he was leading her out of the tomb. She held up her hand and the coffin lid slammed shut. The man didn't notice or care, he just kept taking her to the castle.

Inside the castle, the man took off the blindfold and she noticed how everything was dark and evil. Moblins and Stalfoses and other monsters stalked the hallways and Zelda felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up on end. How could Vaati have succeeded in all this in a mere few days? Where would she live now? In the tomb, she thought immediately. I will return to the tomb right after this and stay in there until I die. There's nowhere else for me to go, anyway.

Zelda just realized that the man had flung her over his shoulder while they began climbing stairs. They climbed for quite a while until they reached the rooftop. On the rooftop Zelda could see the figure of Vaati standing next to a dark throne, his back facing them.

"Your Wickedness," the man said. "I have brought the princess." He dumped her on the ground, where she stood motionless, staring at the floor of the roof.

Vaati turned and smiled. "Very well, you may leave." The man bowed deeply and then left. The evil sorcerer walked over to Zelda. "So… the princess of Hyrule… I have been wanting to see you…"

"What do you want?" Zelda asked, not looking up.

"Oh, nothing, really," he said. "It's just, though I've only ruled the world for only a few days now, and yet, I'm terribly lonely."

"How can you be lonely? You have a whole castle full of monsters and guards."

Vaati showed no sign of impatience or anger in his voice. He walked closer to her. "They don't count. They're just there to do my bidding. No, I want someone to rule with me, though have not as much power as I, of course. I want someone to be my companion and we can keep each other company." He put his index finger under her chin and tilted her face gently. Zelda stared angrily into his eyes, which showed no hint of evil. "You poor dear… you must be as lonely as I am, maybe more, what with the death of your very best friend… What was his name again?"

"His name was Link," she said fiercely. "And I'm not lonely."

"You've sat inside the tomb by his side wishing he is back to life and you expect me to believe that you're not lonely?"

Zelda looked away. "You killed him, didn't you? Personally."

"Indeed I did. He was quite the fighter, that boy was. But it's all paid off for I had no more interference as I took the reign."

"You make me sick."

"Oh, now that hurts my feelings, Princess. I did what I had to do."

"No, you did what you did because you wanted something and he was brave enough to stand in your way and try to stop you."

"That is true. And he did try. But trying is not as good as succeeding." Vaati put his hand on her cheek and turned her face to him. "You're such a pretty girl… and as you are royalty, it would be most fitting for you to be my queen."

"Never." Zelda backed away, but he just moved closer.

"I wish you would cooperate, dear," Vaati said, still not revealing any anger. "It would be the easiest way for you to just accept my request. Otherwise I may be forced into drastic measures."

"So kill me. I don't care."

"Why would I kill you? I never said I would kill you. Now, tell me. Will you be my queen?"

"Now, I know the answer you want me to say, but I'm going to have to go with… No."

"I'm sorry you feel that way." Zelda thought she saw a hint of red in his eyes now.

"I'm not," she said. "I'd die before becoming your queen."

"But you do not have that option, now, don't you?" Vaati snarled. "Let me try this one more time. Will you be my queen?"

She forced herself to look him directly in the eyes as she answered, "No."