Chapter 26- The Glue that Holds Things Together

"Dang. We really messed up this time, Link."

Link is caught in a daze. His heart may have stopped beating altogether. He stayed calm when he thought that Wizzro had taken Zelda (later learning that she was actually Sheik, safe and sound), but this time he watched as Ganondorf took the beloved princess and disappeared without a trace. The only people left qualified to rule Hyrule in the meantime are Impa and Lana… In other words, Hyrule is doomed.

…

"You'll be crashing with us for a while, princess," Ganondorf informs his captive. Zelda is led to a building, surprisingly. On the outside, the building looks like the original plan was a castle, but was decided it should be more business-like, and then given the hominess of a suburb home for a family of three to six. Even though she isn't quite sure where she is, she has a feeling they are located somewhere on the outskirts of Gerudo Desert, where there is only a little more vegetation and only mildly unbearable temperatures.

As if they had a mind of their own, the large front doors open for Zelda and her captor. Zelda has been forced to walk in front into potential danger, led along by the Gerudo King. Going through the front doors is no different. Zelda keeps her head high, paying no mind to the two figures holding the doors open. Once Ganondorf is inside, the doors are closed by the same duo that opened them. Zelda knows that the entrance was meant to be grand based on the simple fact that the opening and closing of the doors was in synch. But then again, what isn't grand when involving the King of Evil?

A familiar voice greets Ganondorf; "Welcome home, my lord."

Another familiar voice says, "We see your mission was a success."

"We expected nothing less,"

"But maybe a little more,"

"From the Great Lord Ganondorf,"

Ganondorf walks around Zelda. He says, "One of you, take our guest to her room. And be nice to her; she is a guest, after all." A peculiarly odd request from Ganondorf, considering that he hates Zelda. If Ganondorf's top generals are thinking the same thing, they are keeping their comments to themselves.

Ghirahim seems to glide across the floor as he walks around to the front of Zelda. "May I be the first to welcome you, Princess Zelda."

Zant finishes Ghirahim's sentence, "To the humble abode of our master, Lord Ganondorf." Zelda looks over her shoulder at the towering, treacherous Twili.

Ghirahim chuckles quietly to himself before saying, "Please, follow me." He proceeds to turn his back to Zelda and start walking farther into the 'humble abode'. With no other options, Zelda follows the demon lord. Shortly after, she is followed by Zant.

Zelda admires the architecture of her arch-nemesis's headquarters. Exquisite and exotic portraits and statues give life to what otherwise would be a dim void of the thought of corrupted souls passing through that very same corridor on a daily basis. The princess of Hyrule, so pure at heart, feels out of place, yet strangely right where she should be in a brightly-colored hallway where shadows of evil walk.

Ghirahim stops and turns to face Zelda before saying, "You will be staying here." He places a quiet hand on the doorknob. Zelda can't help but watch with anticipation as the door is opened, revealing her temporary prison. The room isn't quite as colorful as the hallway, but it would be once Zelda stepped in. Zelda is almost aggravated, knowing that the atmosphere of the room won't help remind her that she is a captive in her enemy's clutches.

She steps into the room. Once she is there, there is nothing left for the villains to do; Ganondorf didn't have to physically bind Zelda to keep her captive. She's such a sweetheart for making his life so easy.

"Make yourself at home," utters Zant. This is the last sentence Zelda hears before the door is shut for the night with her inside.

…

Zelda is awake for a more than an hour before she can smell any signs of a breakfast meal. She quietly exits her temporary stay and follows her nose to the dining room.

Only Ghirahim and Zant are in the room. Zant is struggling to get through the peel of an orange with his scimitar. He's so concentrated that he retracted his helmet to get a better look at his fruit. Ghirahim reclines in his chair, his feet resting on the table beside his empty plate. It used to have buttered toast on it, but all that is left of the toast is a few crumbs.

"I hate to break it to you, but something tells me you're not going to get into that orange," Ghirahim informs.

That's when Zant's scimitar penetrates all the way through the orange. Much to Ghirahim's dismay, the fruit's citrus liquid hurdles straight into his exposed eye. Much to Zant's dismay, not only is there a weapon in his fruit, but Ganondorf is going to kill him for puncturing the perfectly polished mahogany table.

Zelda watches as Ghirahim tumbles into the floor holding his eye. "Dang it, Zant! Screw your orange!"

"Yeah, screw my orange," Zant says as he flings both his scimitar and orange over his right shoulder. "We've got to fix this table before Ganondorf shows up! Quick, how do you fill in a hole in wood?!"

Ghirahim stands, using his chair as a crutch, despite not being severely crippled. His attention diverts from Zant to Zelda, who calmly picked up Zant's scimitar and is now peeling his orange. Once fully peeled, she pulls the fruit off the blade. Zant sees Zelda after noticing Ghirahim staring off at something behind them.

Both of Ganondorf's army generals turn towards the captive princess in an orderly fashion. Ghirahim blinks his eye rapidly, attempting to ease the sting. Zant's helmet comes back over his head like the hood of a convertible car.

Zelda finds herself amused by their behavior. She glances at the orange before offering it to its rightful owner. Zant is thrown off guard by her behavior, but eventually manages to utter, "Thank you, but I have lost my appetite. You may have it, if you so desire. You did manage to peel it, so I suppose that makes it yours."

Ghirahim is in a sour mood compared to his comrade. "Savor your lucky steal. Prisoners don't always get three meals a day here," he rebukes.

"Then I'll make this last for as long as I can," Zelda calmly responds. Without another word, she turns around to return to her dorm.

The moment Zelda is out of earshot, Zant spins around to face the table and lifts it off its legs. "Open the door for me so I can bury this in the backyard."

Ghirahim smirks and asks, "And how do you plan to explain the missing dining room table?"

"… UM, let's just take this one step at a time."

…

Ganondorf has just finished explaining the battle strategy to his the head commanders of his army. However, in the plan, only one commander is needed.

"I trust that you will not fail me, Ghirahim."

"Whatever the cost, I will not fail you, Lord Ganondorf."

Ganondorf nods once before turning to his other general. "In the meantime, you are going to handcraft a new dining table, under my supervision, of course," he states. Zant has nothing to say; his punishment for burning- after failing to bury the table, he used it as firewood- the scratched dining table is fair. He just hopes his minimal experience in woodwork won't be a hindrance to the project.

Ghirahim strides with a purpose towards the exit. He is stopped when Ganondorf says, "And perhaps, for a bit of leverage, you should take our captive." The demon lord can't help clench his fists. As if being positioned to fight such a lowly enemy wasn't degrading enough, now he's being told to blackmail the enemy using a hostage. How humiliating, and the battle hasn't even begun.

"With all due respect, my lord," Ghirahim says with all the resolve he can muster. "I believe the strength of the army and of course, my personal know-how will be enough to subdue our opponent."

"Fi will be less likely to fight at full force if she knows we have a hostage. Take those statistics into consideration," Ganondorf replies. His witty commentary gets a chuckle out of Zant, who appreciates clever humor.

With nothing more to say, Ghirahim reluctantly retrieves the hostage and sets out to battle. If he had to say something positive, at least Zelda didn't question him when he told her to follow him calmly.

Sure enough, the enemy commander, Fi, managed to dance her way to Ghirahim's base. And, as Ganondorf guessed, she is stopped in her tracks seeing Zelda held hostage.

"I suggest you wave the white flag, otherwise the precious princess won't see the light of tomorrow," threatens Ghirahim. Zelda displays no emotion or reaction.

Fi does a few calculations before stating, "There is a 99.9 percent chance you are bluffing." Zelda can't help but smile as Ghirahim gives Fi the most irritated expression in the history of warrior facial expressions. His expression even challenges Midna's look of utter horrific disgust when she witnessed Lana teaching Darunia how to be sexy. Link has commented on how it is a treat to see such a facial expression from Midna, or anybody for that matter. It isn't easy to get a good facial expression from Wizzro, but I digress.

Zelda knows what to say. "Fi, it is best to play it safe at this point, for Hyrule's sake. Retreat and take your troops to Hyrule. Have everyone gather there. Ganondorf will surely strike there." Fi immediately follows Zelda's instructions.

Ghirahim turns to Zelda and asks, "You do realize that now I know where to find the heroes, right?"

"I am confident that their combined forces will be enough to stay strong against Ganondorf."

"Do well to remember that you are at our mercy."

"Keep in mind that I've got the inside scoop because you've captured me," Zelda retorts. This leaves Ghirahim at a standstill. The very person being used as leverage holds knowledge of Ganondorf's plans that she will spill at Link's convenience. HMM… perhaps Ganondorf didn't think this one through. Well, the only thing left to do is return to Ganondorf and report, so Ghirahim does just that, bringing the captive with him. He almost left her there, which would have been bad. Thank goodness he didn't.

…

As they approach headquarters, Ghirahim attempts to make himself presentable. "Ugh, I'm still flustered from that battle."

As if instinct, Zelda straightens Ghirahim's cape and parts his hair just so, making sure there are no stray strands. All Ghirahim can respond with is a weak "thank you".

In the dining room, Zant shines the new oak wood table. Ghirahim and Zelda walk into the dining room and gaze upon Zant's handiwork. Zelda nods in approval as she says, "Very nice."

Ghirahim chuckles and crosses his arms. "I know you couldn't have done this alone. It is too nice," he taunts.

"With the right guidance, anyone can make anything beautiful," Zant retorts. "In this case, Lord Ganondorf's guidance."

As if scripted, Ganondorf comes up behind Ghirahim and clears his throat. Ghirahim whips around and salutes his master, as a solider would to his general. Zelda is amused. She watches as Zant takes this opportunity to use his saliva as a polish for the table. Ganondorf is only half-listening to Ghirahim's report, as he is distracted absorbing Zelda's behavior. She had walked over to Zant, bumped him over with her hip, and started correctly polishing the table. After making a small section of the table spotless, she sassily waves the rag at Zant and says, "That's how it's done. If you're going to do something, do it right." She manages to toss it up and get the rag stuck on the top of Zant's helmet, but Zant as no trouble reaching it. This gives Ganondorf an idea.

…

A week later, Zelda has become accustom to the antics of Ghirahim and Zant. Unlike any warrior before her, she has really discovered how Ganondorf and his top minions live. She wonders if Cia lives the same way; that would explain a lot of things.

Ganondorf's top minions have also becomes accustom to Zelda's presence. The past week, Ganondorf has given Zelda more to do around headquarters, and she doesn't mind it so much. It beats sitting in a quiet room all day. While she's cleaning, she can listen to quarrels between the demon lord and the twilight king. Recently, they have started asking her for favors.

"Princess, I honestly don't know what to have for lunch. You wouldn't… make something, would you?"

"Miss Zelda, I think my robes are on backwards."

"Oh Zelda, there you are. I seem to have ripped my right glove. If you will, sew that up for me… p-please."

"Help! I can't find my scimitars! That, and I'm tangled in my own bedsheets!"

Zelda actually finds pleasure in feeling needed and wanted, so she doesn't mind helping these guys out. It didn't take long for her to realize that they were changing because of her presence.

A week and two days after her arrival, Zelda is vacuuming around headquarters. Zant and Ghirahim make sure to take off their shoes before stepping on the clean carpet. "Hey, Zelda, are you busy?" Zant calls.

Zelda turns off the vacuum. She says, "I can be of assistance after I finish up here."

Ghirahim says, "We overheard Ganondorf ask the other day if your room was to your liking, and that you said you finished your book. How was it, if I may ask?"

Zelda nods. "It was a very good book. I am ready for something new to read, though. Thank you for asking."

Before Zelda turns the vacuum back on, Zant takes out a book from behind Ghirahim's back and says, "Perhaps you could read this. We recently ran into Volga, who recommended this one for suckers."

Ghirahim quickly recovers by saying, "What he means by that is it's a lighthearted tale."

"I should really stop quoting people," Zant mumbles to himself.

Zelda walks to the men and takes the book, examining the front page. She smiles, looking up at the men. "I think I will enjoy this book. Thank you." She then sits on the couch with the book. There is a crunching sound, causing Zant and Ghirahim to cringe. Zelda bravely reaches into the crevasses of the couch, pulling out an old, toasted sub sandwich. The cheese on it is definitely moldy.

"Oh. I thought I ate that," Zant thinks aloud. Ghirahim facepalms. Zelda's only response is "sick". She disposes of the sandwich before returning to the couch and opening the book to the first page. After a moment, she looks at Ghirahim and Zant, who are still there, seemingly staring off into space.

Zelda sighs with a smile. "I'll read it to you."

"Only if you insist," Ghirahim suavely replies.

Zant jumps for joy, "Yay! Storytime!"

"What are you, five? Act your age, man," Ghirahim scolds. Zant gets a very hurt expression. Zelda finds this funny, chuckling to herself. She waits to start reading until Zant finds a comfy position on the floor. Ghirahim sits by Zelda on the couch, reading along for himself.

Luckily, they heard Ganondorf coming in and returned to work before he saw them having story time.

…

Finally, after two weeks of preparation, Ganondorf is ready to storm Hyrule Castle, where, according to Ghirahim's report, all of the hero's fellow warriors are gathered. To Ganondorf's disappointment, there are no defenses set up outside of the castle.

"Gasp! Look!" Zant exclaims as he sees Midna peeking down at them through a window on the second floor of the castle. She flees the window, closing the blinds. Ganondorf demands Zelda to go in first, as to lure everyone out. She does as told, as she has been for the past sixteen days.

The foyer of the castle is deserted, to Zelda's dismay. Further disappointing her is the puddles of blood and trash scattered across the floor. Soon there will be a roach infestation. Then it hits Zelda like a race car hits a cow; in her absence, the kingdom has been missing the glue that has kept it in order. Whereas Ganondorf's broken household has been patched up with her presence, the family of Hyrule has quarreled.

The princess can no longer play prisoner. She has to pull together her people. Breaking the metaphorical leash, Zelda disappears farther into the castle against Ganondorf's wishes. Ganondorf responds by sending his minions in after their captive. "She is still our hostage! Get her!"

Zant is the first to charge after Zelda. "Don't leave us!" he squeals. ...Ganondorf is starting to see the drawbacks of letting the princess so freely interact with his minions. Ghirahim follows Zant into the castle. Upon entering the foyer, Ghirahim hears Zant yell "there", pointing at Zelda at the top of the stairs.

Ghirahim teleports into Zelda's path, stopping her in her tracks. "I'm sorry, but I cannot allow you to-," He is cut off when a frying pan whacks the back of his head with a 'gong'. He collapses, out cold. The wielder of the pan, Midna, still holds the pan high in defense. She has the crazed look of someone in an asylum.

Gently, Zelda reaches her hand out to Midna, hoping that she won't appear as hostile. She quickly retracts her hand when Midna responds by yelling, "It's kill or be killed!" Zelda watches in a scared daze as Midna retreats into the hallway, entering the farthest room on the right, reminiscent of the way Gollum moves.

With that out of the way, Zelda tends to unconscious Ghirahim. Though she hasn't had so much as CPR training, her instincts tell her to sit Ghirahim up against the wall and make sure his head is supported so it doesn't limply fall over and drag the rest of his body with it. As she tries to find some sort of neck brace, Ghirahim's head falls forward, and as Zelda feared, his limp body follows his head. He is decently flexible, even in unconsciousness, as his nose touches his knees.

She starts walking backwards into the hallway, watching Ghirahim. Lana's voice says, "Princess Zelda, help!" Zelda whips around and yells, "I'm coming, Lana!" She yells this straight into Ganondorf's chest. Once, she recognizes this, she steps back, terror spread across her face. She looks over her shoulder, seeing Zant caress Ghirahim's limp body in his arms. She can't walk very fast away from the great Ganondorf.

Before Ganondorf can take hold of the princess's neck, Midna comes up out of nowhere and bites Ganondorf's exposed calf. Ganondorf stumbles back in pain before kicking that leg and flinging Midna into the wall. Darunia and Ruto exit from the nearest room, Darunia using Ruto as ammunition at Ganondorf. All Ganondorf can see is fish scales.

Zelda manages to run past Darunia, but she has to slow down and look back at him, distracted by the fact that he managed to fit himself in one of her dresses. Zant would chase after her if he wasn't being flogged by insane Impa, Lana, and Fi.

Her instinct tells her to escape into the room Midna fled to earlier. This sends Zelda plummeting into the castle gardens from the second story of the castle. Why there is no wall there is beyond her knowledge; there was a wall there stopping anyone from falling into the gardens two weeks ago. But that is beside the point. When Zelda recovers from the fall into the surprisingly healthy hedge, she stumbles to the central fountain. The fountain is dried, but in this case, that is a good thing. Link's pale body haplessly lies in the dry fountain, with Agitha looming over him. She seems to be performing magic remedies on him to no avail. The princess of Hyrule rushes to the hero, begging him to wake up and help.

The sound of Zelda's voice breathes life into the hero, and he opens his eyes. Agitha watches in awe as color returns to Link's skin. Suddenly full of energy, Link hops up and rushes to defend the castle from Ganondorf and co. For once in a long time, Zelda simply does nothing as someone else takes responsibility for what needs to be done. She can't help but watch Ganondorf's minions as they follow their fallen leader back to their headquarters. She wonders how they will fare without her daily presence. This thought is followed by how the miraculously survived before her.

With the princess returned, sanity fills the minds of the hero's fellow warriors, as well as the rest of the kingdom. Peace and harmony is restored to the kingdom broken without its princess.

…

Meanwhile, Zant has to shine his shoes himself. It took him a while to realize and accept that Zelda is no longer there to do it for him. On the opposite side of the room, Ghirahim reads that book Zelda left behind and never finished. A shadow blocks his reading light, and he looks at the source of the shadow, Zant. Zant asks, "Could you read that to me?"

Ghirahim considers this.

"No."

Author's Notes- Yes, it has been a while, and I am dreadfully sorry. But to make up for that, I made sure this chapter was well put together, unlike Hyrule in Zelda's absence. I still plan to do the Q&A, so no worries. Just because I need somewhere to start for the next chapter, which warrior or warriors should I write the next chapter about? I've been trying to stick with the warriors you can play without any DLCs added. Anyways, if you have any suggestions for the next chapter, please let me know. Maybe, with something to think about, I can type up the next chapter faster.