Zelda sat on her bed, gazing at the food on the table in front of her. She hadn't eaten in four days, and was growing dangerously weak. She didn't consciously want to kill herself, but that was what was happening. She just didn't feel like eating, and the sight of food alone was making her sick.

She heard a loud knock on her door. She could barely raise her head and, before she could tell the intruder to go away, Ganondorf opened the door and entered her room. He looked at her and frowned at the sight of her pale skin and dull hair. He approached from her and sat next to her on the bed.

"Why, Zelda, look at yourself," he said, and if it wasn't for the devious gleam his eyes held she swore he was concerned. "You cannot do this to me, to your people…"

She looked at him but didn't find the strength to spit a venomous remark in his face and push him out of her room. She wanted to kill him, to choke him with her own hands, but if she did she would die, and then who would guide the Hylians in their time of need?

"That's right, my dear," he said, his familiar, wicked grin stretching his lips. "You are powerless."

And as he said these words, she felt a dark presence invading her mind. She tried to fight it, but she was too weak, and the sinister force soon took over her mind and body. She saw Ganondorf take a plate of fruit and place it before her. Against her will, Zelda's hand rose, taking an apple. As it approached her mouth, she inwardly screamed, trying to throw it away, but she had no control over her actions. She sank her teeth into the ripe fruit and chewed. She swallowed, almost throwing up as the food reached her stomach, but nevertheless took another bite. When she was finished eating the apple, her hand reached for a bunch of grapes, and so on until the plate was almost empty. She finally felt the invading presence leaving her mind, and she sighed in relief. Ganondorf got up and reached for her cheek. She weakly pushed him away, barely able to move her own hand.

"I see you have regained your strength, or at least part of it," he said. "My work here is done - for now."

As he was about to leave the room, he turned to the still feeble princess, and said:

"The terms are clear. If you die, our agreement is no longer valid, and your people's fate will fall into my hands. I am sure you do not wish for this to happen, and so I trust you will feed yourself correctly from now on. Am I clear?"

She lowered her head, like a dog before his unpleased master.

"Yes, Ganondorf," she whispered, gritting her teeth.

"Good," he said.

He closed the door, and she heard the now familiar sound of the door's lock falling into place.

She wanted to cry, but she couldn't anymore. She had already cried all the tears she had. She got up and staggered to the chair next to her window. She stared at the grey skies outside, and she could see a couple of Ganondorf's creatures in the gardens. She tried to keep her mind blank of thoughts, but her hatred was so great that she couldn't help but think about killing him a last time before she fell asleep, exhausted.

Zelda sat next to Ganondorf in the throne room. While he was reading, she took care of the kingdom's problems. Since Ganondorf had taken over Hyrule, dark beasts had been attacking isolated villages, killing all of their inhabitants before burning it to the ground. She took a quick look at her 'husband', asking herself if he had anything to do with it. Without looking up from his book, he answered her question in a mocking voice.

"No, my dear, I do not command those beasts. Surely it would be quite foolish of me to burn my own kingdom down, would it not?"

She looked away, focusing on the reports before her. His kingdom? Fuming, she once again wished she could kill him. Slowly and painfully. As the Dark Lord sighed, she squeezed her eyes shut as her fists curled into fists in rage. At this rate, she couldn't keep her rage in check much longer.

"I am not nor will I at some point be frightened by you, Zelda," Ganondorf said, his tone taunting as the corners of his lips quirked upward into a sardonic smirk.

Zelda rose from her seat and stormed out of the room, furious. As she was stepping outside, she felt the dark presence assault her mind once again. She screamed in frustration as Ganondorf forced her to turn around and come back into the room. He closed his book and stared at her as she came closer, his wild golden eyes gleaming like a wild beast's.

"You hurt my feelings, dear," he said, rising from his seat. "Don't be so cold now."

He grabbed her hand and pressed his lips against her fingers. She inwardly shuddered, but for a second she didn't know if it was out of disgust or excitement. The Dark King chuckled as he straightened up, still holding her hand. She felt his grip loosen on her mind, and she broke free, attempting to pull her hand free from the warlord's grasp.

"Don't you know, my dear princess," he asked as a sinful grin crept onto his face, "that playing with fire is dangerous? You could burn yourself – badly."

"I am not nor will I at some point be frightened by you," she said haughtily, imitating his mocking tone.

His smile widened as he pulled the princess flush against him. She tried to push him away as she felt his breath on her cheeks, yet she couldn't, for the man was far too strong.

"Now, now, dear, don't be shy," he breathed against her ear.

She once again tried to pull her wrist free, and he dropped her so suddenly that she tripped several steps backward. When she regained her balance, she turned toward him, but as he stepped closer once more, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face with all her might.

Turning away, she left the room with as much dignity as she could, not even bothering to look back at Ganondorf as he simply smiled darkly at her retreating back.

Whatisthisidonteven -