Author's note: Sorry about the quotation thingy, the key doesn't always work bangs head on desk mumbling read before posting. Thanks for all of your reviews Hiei-Touya-icedemon.You must be the only one reading this story.

Chapter Nine

-Coup d'état revealed-

Zelda paced back and forth in her chamber with clenched fists. She just couldn't believe what Impa had just said.

"Is Nabouru really sure of what she heard?"

"She is. She says in her letter that the troops left Gerudo Valley two days ago…her letter dates back from five days," answered Impa. "Your father still doesn't believe you about Ganondorf huh?"

"No. I'm surprised he hasn't insisted on having Ganondorf clear the childish thoughts of his soon to be bride. He thinks I've invented this story to avoid marriage…Five days ago…How I wish you had a chance to train Nabouru in telepathy. It's too late now to send a carrier pigeon to ask assistance from Calatia, they'll never get here on time. It's unfortunate that they don't have telepathic powers."

"Even if they do get here there's nothing they can do against magic."

"Magic?"

"Nabouru's letter goes on to say that the Gerudo witches are involved in the coup d'état also."

"I don't get it. Why does Ganondorf have to overthrow my father. He'll have access to the throne just by marrying me."

"Sometimes ambitious power hungry people can't wait. Besides he wants the Triforce and he probably wants it right away. He doesn't look like the type who's going to sit around until things happen."

"The people will realize that he's evil and will rebel."

"I highly doubt that. By the time they realize what's going on it will be too late and they'll all be to frightened to do anything. Who would want to go up against a mad man with the power of the Triforce."

Zelda sighed. "So we lost before its even begun. Not to mention that Ganondorf knows that we know of his plan. He was asking about Link the other day. I'm worried about Link, he should have been back by now. Zora's Domain isn't that far away."

"I'm sure Link is fine. He's proven that he can defend himself. Right now I'm more worried about your safety. If Ganondorf succeeds in killing your father and claiming the throne he will no longer need you, he might decide to eliminate you as well. Nabouru said in her letter that she was on her way to help out with an escape plan if the need comes."

"Why not leave now?" asked the princess.

"Because if ever Ganondorf decides to keep you a resistance faction will be easier if there is someone in the enemy's territory."

"You mean I'd be like a spy?"

"In a way yes."

"So what do we do now?"

"I don't know Little One, I don't know."

Twilight had fallen at last. Lord Ganondorf had awaited it all day. He took out his dagger from the strap inside his boot and went to the window. He caught the moonlight with the blade and made it flash before the storm clouds came in and ruined the signal. Far off in the distance in the outskirts of Hyrule Town a similar flash appeared in three consecutive flashes. Ganondorf grinned, everything was going according to plan. The Gerudos were on the move led by his aunts, the legendary elemental witches.

Lord Ganondorf put on his red cape and put his dagger back into place. He looked at the mirror one last time, after all he was going to be the last person to ever see the royal couple. Might as well be presentable, thought the Gerudo with a sadistic smile. He left his room and walked towards the chambers of the Queen. She would be his first victim tonight. As usual the corridors lacked guards, and the two on duty outside the Queen's door were easy to dispose of. Mere boys, thought Ganondorf. He had managed to kill both without a single sound coming out of them. His next victim would be the King, after that he would decide what to do with the daughter.

The thunder could be heard in the distance. Zelda had gone to bed early this evening. Impa had decided to stay with princess for the night. The shadows spoke of horrible things to her. Impa could hardly concentrate on her book so she thought back to the events of the day.

She had shown Nabouru's letter to the Queen, but with no result, just like Zelda with her father. For some reason Zelda's parents refused to believe the truth. Perhaps Hyrule had enjoyed a too long time of peace and left its inhabitants refusing to believe it would ever end. Impa knew all to well it's bloody history over the ages to know that peace was a fragile thing. And soon there would be another war to add to the records of the Shadow Temple.

The princess suddenly woke up and sat up. "My mother is dead!" she said in a frightened whisper. "I saw it all in my nightmare…..Ganondorf!"

Zelda got up and hastily put on her robe and slippers. "He's heading towards my father's room! Maybe we can stop him!" she said as she ran out of the room.

"Wait Zelda!" Impa grabbed her katana and ran to catch up to the girl. She grabbed Zelda and pushed her behind a decorative armoured suit just in time to avoid a Gerudo from seeing her. "Stay here," she warned telepathically.

It didn't take long for the Gerudo to spot Impa. "Well if it isn't the Sheikah! You know I killed dozens of your kind during the Great War. It would be an honour to kill the last of you vermins…"

The warrior never got a chance to finish the sentence, the Sheikah had decapitated her.

The pair reached the king's chamber without being seen and without any further incidents. Zelda quickly opened the door and froze. She never got along with her father, and he was naïve at times but surely he did not deserve this. There stood Ganondorf, dagger at hand and her father lying in a pool of blood at his feet.

"Well, well. Look who is here, if isn't her highness herself. Thank you my dear, now I don't have to waste my time searching for you. Oh and don't think the guards of this castle can help you, they are all under my spell now!"

"You monster!" shouted Zelda.

Impa picked up Zelda by the waist and ran as fast as she could. She had to get the last surviving member of the royal family out of this castle immediately and to a safe place. Her thoughts went to Lon Lon ranch.

"There's a secret passage that leads to the stables," Zelda said telepathically having read Impa's thoughts. "Take the corridor to the right. There's a false wall behind the armoured suit. Luckily Ganondorf was stupid enough to give us a head start but I'm sure he'll come after us."

"You are right but let us pray that we get to the secret passage without being seen," said Impa.

Zelda clutched the Ocarina Of Time from where it hung around her neck, and prayed to the Goddesses.

The rain fell down heavily and Link was glad that soon he would be by a warm fireplace and could finally rest. Retrieving the final stone had taken longer than anticipated thanks to the zora princess. He didn't know what it meant to be engaged but at least he now had the Spiritual Stone Of Water. However his happy mood soon vanished as he approached Castle Town's gates. Link immediately felt that something was wrong. The sun had set twenty minutes ago yet the drawbridge was still down.

"Be careful Link. Death lingers around this place. I can feel it many have died and I doubt it was of natural cause," warned Navi. She then hid in one of his tunic's pockets.

Link looked around and cautiously approached the drawbridge, listening for the slightest sound. Just as he took his first step onto the wooden bridge, the sounds of a galloping horse reached his ears. He had just enough time to hide behind the stone wall on the left of the wooden passage that a white horse ran by him. Recognizing the riders to be Impa and the princess he came out of hiding and shouted at them.

Hearing Link's voice Zelda turned her head in his direction. "Stop the horse Impa! Link is there!"

"I can't! If I do that Ganondorf will surely catch up."

"Please do it, it will only take a minute."

Impa sighed and made the horse turn around. Zelda jumped off and ran into Link's arms sobbing.

"He killed them! That monster killed my parents, is controlling the palace guards with a spell, and his minions are wrecking havoc in the town!" Zelda took off the string holding the ocarina from her neck and gave it to Link. "Here take it, you know what to do. We're going to take refuge at Lon Lon Ranch, when you have the Triforce come join us. We'll figure out what to do there."

Sounds of hooves approaching caught Link's attention between two rolls of thunder. "I think he's coming after you, go! I'll try to distract him."

Impa grabbed Zelda's arm and pulled her up onto the horse's back.

"Be careful," called out Impa as they rode into the distance.