The Ceremony

Lady Zelda sat upon the plush seat in Ganondorf's chambers. Upon her lap was her childhood storybook, Tales of the Heroes of Hyrule. She had just finished reading the story "The Hero and the Demon" aloud, the same story she read to him when they first met. It was so long ago it seemed like a dream. "My," she said nostalgically, "how many times did we read this when we were little?"

"Too many to count," came the deep voice of her friend. Ganondorf sat on his bed across from her, a smile indicating his thoughts were also in the past. His hands were unconsciously working a small piece of wood with a dull knife, the beginning of a new sculpture. The room was filled with them, the products of a person with too much idle time.

"Any time you were scared," she reminisced, "I would read this to you. I can hardly remember that scared little boy now." So much had changed over the years. For one, Zelda took it upon herself to turn his prison cell into a bedroom in an effort to help him feel less like the abnormality for which he was often seen. The most notable change was Ganondorf himself. He had grown into a tall, broad-shouldered man. He had incredible stature but a meek spirit, weathered by years of oppression. Zelda sometimes mused that Ganondorf and Impa should trade bodies such that their exteriors would more closely match their interiors.

Zelda watched him quietly whittle away at the wood. His orange hair had grown long and hung down in messy dreads. His skin was the same murky color, making him the object of ridicule amongst the castle staff. Ganondorf lifted his head and looked at her. She could tell his spirits were low. "I know why you are troubled," she said, "and you need not be."

"It's finally happening," he said. "After today, everything changes."

"Please don't—"

"Tomorrow you become a princess. I won't see you as much anymore. There's no pretending any different."

Zelda closed the book and set it aside. "I do, but our friendship is—"

"—based on the fact," he interrupted, "that we're both prisoners." Ganondorf rose from the bed and walked to the window, upon the sill of which were several more wooden figurines. "All these years we've been hidden from the people. Today you join them. No such hope for me."

"Please do not despair," said Zelda, rising from her seat. "I can be your hope. I know you better than anyone else. With my new position perhaps I can persuade my father to release you, or at the very least grant you more freedom within the castle." She approached him at the window and said imploringly, "I can help people see the good in you, to not fear you. I will not rest until you are able to start a life outside these walls."

"You see the good in everyone. Monsters like me belong here, away from the normal."

"You are not a monster!" retorted Zelda emphatically.

"Your father thinks so," said Ganondorf.

She knew he was right, but her love for her father still made her defensive. "My father is just overprotective. He hides us both here for the same reason: to keep us safe."

Ganondorf frowned. "To keep you safe. The way he looks at me. The way he butchers my name. 'Ganon.' Like it's profanity. He's afraid of me or simply hates me." He stared at what little he could see through bars in the windows. "I'm not in here for my safety. I'm here to keep them safe."

"Stop it!" she said sharply. "You know I dislike this kind of talk. You are no more dangerous to the world than I am, and I intend to make it known. I do wish you wouldn't think so little of yourself. You deserve a far better existence than this."

He had upset her, which bothered him. It was so easy to slip into self-pity and forget what a blessing her presence had been. "If it wasn't for you," he said smiling, "I'd think even less of myself. You keep me from losing hope."

This seemed to calm Zelda. "Good," she said. "Then hope for this: one day, you will leave this room and walk in sunlight. I will not let you be forgotten. If you believe nothing else, believe that."

"Okay," he said. "Sorry. This is a good day. Come," he said, taking her by the hand and guiding her across the room. "I want to show you something." Against the wall was an end table, upon which were two more wooden figurines. These were new to Zelda, so she bent lower to get a good look at them. It was the Hero and the Demon from her storybook.

"Wow!" she said in amazement. "This is your best work yet. They look so alive."

"This is the why I asked you to read the story. Like old times." Ganondorf picked up the hero and handed it her. "I want you to have this."

Zelda accepted the gift and turned it over in her hands, taking in the craftsmanship. On the back was etched HERO. She looked up at him and said sincerely, "Thank you, Ganondorf. This is truly exquisite. You have real talent"

"Yes, well, I put a little extra time into that one. Who knows? Maybe it will be worth something."

"I have no doubt it will," she said brightly.

The sound of iron against iron interrupted them, and both Ganondorf and Zelda turned towards the door. It opened to reveal Impa in formal military attire. "Lady Zelda," said Impa curtly. "It is time to begin preparations for the ceremony."

"Yes, ma'am," said Zelda respectfully. She offered a quick wave goodbye to her friend as she exited the room. As the door was closed and sealed, Ganondorf picked up the demon carving. He was glad she did not see it, for it only would have upset her again. He turned it over in his hands. On the back was etched GANONDORF.

The castle courtyard was beginning to fill with people, all finding positions around the castle doors from which their new Princess would emerge. Link sat front and center, a spot he had claimed at dawn before anyone even thought to arrive. Navi sat on his shoulder and voiced her boredom saying, "I sure hope this is worth it."

"Nobody made you wait with me," said Link, making an effort at being unbothered by her obvious complaint. He grinned and added, "Feel free to just fly on home."

"Wow!" said Navi melodramatically, giving off a yellow hue in the process. "I'm suffocating under the weight of your immense chivalry." A couple years of friendship had brought Navi out of her shell since that day they became friends in the woods. "How about a small grain of appreciation for my charming company while you sit here for hours to have the best seat in the court?"

"When the company actually becomes charming, I'll let you know."

Navi blew a raspberry. " I don't see why you came out here so early. The crowds are only just now arriving."

"And leave it to chance like them?" said Link as he looked towards the court entrance. Trying to push their way through the crowds were Borrix and Lance. Borrix bellowed, "Link! Hey, Link! Did ya save us a spot?"

"Sorry," yelled Link in response. He pointed to himself saying, "Early bird. I don't make the rules." Borrix gave him a dismissive wave. Link had enough experience with Borrix to know that he would never do for himself that which he could intimidate others into doing for him, so Link had learned never to play his game.

"Personally, I don't see the big deal," Navi, now blue, said yawning. "Just another pretty face to parade about."

"Jealous?"

"No," she said, feigning disinterest, "just unimpressed."

Moments later, as the pair sat patiently, a hunched figure sidled up to them, bent at the knees and waist and holding onto a rickety old cane for support. "Do you have rupees to spare this old woman?" said the figure, barely audible from within the hood that concealed her face. Without hesitation, Link unsecured one of his belt pouches, pulled out a small blue jewel, and offered it to her with an outstretched palm. Navi swooned in a purple glow over Link's kindness while the beggar reached for the Hylian currency. Link saw that her hand was tanned and more youthful than he expected. "Thank you, young master," said the woman. "May the Goddesses bless you." Out of curiosity, Link leaned forward to get a look under her hood, but she had already turned away from him and began shuffling to the next potential philanthropist.

Link glanced around and saw many more similar figures. It had taken Link some time to get used to life at Hyrule city. Back in his village, there has been only one ruffian—who everyone had known—but here the panhandlers were often unknown vagrants from neighboring villages. It was typical to see five or six roaming around the market square and events like these always attracted more. He counted several dozen, more than he'd ever seen in one place, but then again, this was the biggest event in a long time. "A lot of beggars today," he said, airing out his thoughts.

"Well, if others are half as compassionate as you, they'll be well rewarded," said Navi, still impressed with Link's altruism.

"Do I detect flattery? That's quite a contrast to all your complaining today."

"That's because I compliment noble gestures and criticize wasteful activities."

Link laughed. "Of all the forest sprites in Hyrule, I get the vocal expert on propriety."

"And whose fault is that?"

"Yours."

"You chased me, remember?"

"Exactly," he smirked. "You're too slow."

Navi turned red.

Zelda descended the grand staircase towards her father, who gleamed at her from before the castle's heavy front doors. Her dress was regal, representing a balance between elegance and authority. Dark magenta made up the bodice, and the embroidered white skirt flowed to the floor. White arm length gloves completed her ensemble. She reached her waiting father who said, "You look every bit the Hylian princess."

"Thank you, Father," she said, watching the smile behind his now gray beard. He held out his hand and she placed hers into it. So formal after all these years. Her father had always been so kind to her, yet she had no memory of a hug or kiss upon the cheek. As always, being in the presence of her father was bittersweet. He said to her, "Are you sure you don't want to make your appearance from the balcony?"

She looked him in the eyes and said, "Father, you have done well to protect me all these years, but I cannot hide within these walls forever. I do not want distance between me and the people I will one day lead."

"At least a few more guards, then," he argued. "I know you are eager to trust the people, but you must also accept that—as royalty—you will always be the target of malicious intent."

"I am aware of the risk," she replied, "but more soldiers will prevent the people from viewing the coronation. Besides, I already conceded to the archers on the ramparts." She could see it in her father's eyes, the realization that she was growing beyond his control. "It's time to leave my fate in the hands of the Goddesses, Father."

He smiled at her and said, "You share your mother's love of the people."

She smiled back at him, "And my father's stubbornness."

King Harkinian chuckled at this and turned to Impa, who held a pillow upon which was a diadem. It was an intricate and precise weaving of solid gold, set with several gems. The center gem was largest and cut into the shape of a perfect triangle. "Let us begin," the king said.

Impa gave the order and the royal guards opened the doors to applause. Several guards emerged into the courtyard and formed a barrier between the cheering crowd and the castle. Her father led her by the hand and they stood side by side before the people. Zelda took it all in. She had never felt like royalty until now. She had been separated from the people her whole life, and the kingdom often felt imaginary. But now, here were her people in the flesh, looking to her as their future leader. Even more exhilarating than her new found sense of duty was the simple ground beneath her feet. This was the first time she had set foot outside the castle. She felt different. She felt reborn.

Link cheered along with the crowd when the soldiers emerged. It had been three long years since he last saw the girl that made his heart leap. The soldiers forced the crowd back to create space for the ceremony. To Link's chagrin, one of the soldiers stopped right in front of him.

"Really?" he said to the soldier only inches away. "I've been waiting right here all day and this is the spot you pick?"

"Cool it," the guard said gruffly.

"Come on," Link implored, "can't you move over a bit for a fellow Royal Guard?"

The guard laughed at this and said, "You're not in the Guard yet, cadet."

Link was about to respond when the cheers erupted again. He peered around the soldier as best he could to see Zelda emerge with the king. She was stunning. Her hair was long and straight, and her face was beauty itself. He was pleased to see she hadn't lost an ounce of perfection. Navi rolled her eyes at Link's bewitchment.

The king's voice resonated across the grounds, "Citizens of Hyrule, for eighteen years my daughter has dedicated her life in preparation of becoming your future queen. She is well studied in history, diplomacy, and leadership. It is without hesitation, therefore, that I present her to you today."

Link watched as the king reached for something out of view. The king raised his arms high, and Link could see a crown glistening in the sun. The king continued, "It is said that Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, gave the Hylians this crown as a precious gift, reserved for the wisest of our kind. I assure you, there is no one more deserving than your new princess."

The king turned toward the princess and said, "Kneel, Lady Zelda." Link suddenly felt the crowd pushing behind him, causing him to lose his already limited view. "Take it easy," he said to strangers behind him, but it seemed he wasn't alone in his frustration. Link noticed the old beggar woman not far from him losing balance against the force of the crowd.

"Lady Zelda," announced the king, and Link quickly tried to regain his view. "I hereby dub thee Princess Zelda of Hyrule." Link could see the king lowering the crown, though Zelda was still hidden by the guard. "Rise," said the king, who turned towards the crowd. Link could now see Zelda's gloved hand lifted in the king's and was getting frustrated at his dumb luck.

"People of Hyrule," proclaimed the king, "I give you Princess Zelda!" The crowd exploded into cheers, and that's when Link saw it happen. As though frozen in slow motion, he watched the beggar woman nearest him shoot forward with tremendous agility through the guards. She was not alone. Every single beggar in the courtyard moved with equal speed as if on cue.

It happened faster than Link could think the word, ambush.