Although Link was shaken by his encounter with the Gerudo, he did his best to hide it from Zelda the following morning as they ate breakfast. The gala was to take place that night, and it was easy for him to attribute his nerves to that, rather than his near-death experience with Gerudo.

Besides, he saw no reason to cause Zelda additional worry over his nightly escapades. His stomach cringed in guilt, but he forced the unsettling feeling down and tried to shove bits of toast into his mouth. His arm was shaking as he held the slice of bread: he hadn't gotten much sleep the previous night. The fight with the Gerudo had shaken him more than he had first thought…

Across the table, Zelda was watching him closely, as if she could penetrate his thoughts. Goddesses, sometimes he had the feeling that she could read minds! Her light blue eyes rested upon him intensely, giving him the acute feeling that his soul was being laid bare for her to examine.

"Are you coming down with a fever?" she asked, concern tinged in her voice.

"Of course not," Link laughed, reaching for a glass of water and trying to take a drink. It took him a moment to realize that the glass was empty. Frowning, he set the glass back down and fumbled for the pitcher of water.

Zelda obviously wasn't convinced that he was fine. "You're acting strangely."

"Really, Zelda," Link said, more firmly, as he took a deep gulp of water. The cool liquid splashed down his throat, oddly soothing his nerves. "I'm fine."

She shrugged and fell silent, although throwing him odd glances every now and then. He returned to his sparse meal, staring absentmindedly out the windows and at the manor grounds…

The Gerudo's body had probably already been discovered, her failure already known to Ganondorf... and now, Link knew, the stakes had been raised. No longer was he preying on the terrified and disorganized rabble that comprised Ganondorf's army. Now, he would always be the hunted, risking his life, his home, Zelda… if he was caught…

He could always stop. A small voice inside his head urged him to embrace the safety and comforts of the aristocratic life. Zelda had begged him to do so, his father had told him to… and for a brief moment, Link was sorely tempted to back down. Lay down his weapons, his vigilante duties. He was but one man…

And then, he recalled the way the little boy's eyes had lit up, so long ago in the market square, when they had discussed the "hero." The inspiration in the boy's eyes, the hope; and Link recalled that he had seen that look too, in Viscen, and Rauru, even Impa and Zelda. He saw it in his eyes every day when he looked in the mirror.

It was the hope that the future would be better; that something would happen to lift the tyranny of Ganondorf's oppressive reign. No matter how beaten or abused the people were, Ganondorf could never crush their wills entirely. Hyrule needed a hero, but most of all, Link needed that hero.

And he remembered his dying father's words, and his own oath to protect Zelda with his life. He looked across the table at Zelda, his dearest friend, his princess, and saw the responsibility that already burdened her. She was the future. She was what he was fighting for, the true hero that Hyrule needed, not some lone vigilante.

He smiled wistfully, still astounded that she was of royal lineage, imagining his childhood friend in a flowing dress and wearing a gem-studded tiara. She truly cared for the people, he could see that clearly, and she had the judgment and temperament to be queen.

"Link?" Zelda asked softly, reaching across the table and touching his hand. He snapped out of his thoughts, his duty resolved and his faith strengthened. He smiled, squeezing her hand.

"I'm just a bit nervous," he lied, his demeanor now calm and confident. "You know I've never been comfortable in parties."

She smiled, seeing through his lie, but deciding not to pursue the subject further. "If you're worried about your dancing, then I'll say your fears are unfounded. You're surprisingly good."

"Only if I'm dancing with you," he laughed. "I suppose it's fortunate that you're here to ensure I don't make a fool of myself."

"Yes," Zelda said, satisfactorily. "It's quite lucky you have someone like me around."

He raised an eyebrow at her playful tone, unaccustomed to such behavior, and she giggled. The sound of her laughter was surprising – he hadn't heard her chuckle in so long – but it was so refreshing and crisp!

"Yes, I'm a very lucky man," Link said aloud, taking himself aback with his audacity. Zelda's eyes widened ever so slightly, her laughter subsiding as a pink tint crept over her cheeks.

"I meant nothing by it," Link said quickly, his own cheeks beginning to burn. "But I am lucky to have such a dear friend."

"As am I," Zelda said, smiling and placing her hand tentatively on his. For some reason, her touch felt electric, as if his previous words had subtly changed the atmosphere. She withdrew her hand, as if aware of Link's discomfort.

"I… I should go about my duties," Zelda murmured, after a pause. "Shall I meet you in the main hall tonight?"

"Yes, that sounds good," Link said, doing his best to speak normally. "At six? I don't want to keep our carriage driver waiting."

"Alright," she agreed softly, getting up from her chair and smiling. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but then turned around and strode away without a word.

Link watched her go, a strange mix of emotions tumbling around in his heart. Duty, devotion, loyalty – to the princess, or to Zelda?

Tonight will be interesting, Link thought, a small grin stretching over his face.


The entire day passed in a haze for Link, much faster than he had expected. The evening's gala seemed to always lurk in the back of his mind as he went about his daily routine, and by the time six o'clock rolled around, he found himself waiting anxiously in the main hall, pacing back and forth across the floor and feeling oddly impatient.

He had never paid much attention to fashion, but he had dressed appropriately for the occasion: a fine silk tunic, dyed royal blue, with the golden Hylia crest stitched painstakingly on his chest. He had, in an attempt to make himself more presentable, tried to comb his unruly blond hair, but his stubborn locks seemed to have a mind of their own and refused to yield.

Link took another look at his polished boots, readjusted his belt (in which he had hidden a small dagger – always prepared), and ran a hand through his hair, exhaling nervously. He had no idea why he was so worked up over this event – or more accurately, he had no idea why she was making him so worked up over it. Zelda had never caused him much anxiety before now, so why the sudden nerves?

"How do I look, Impa?" he asked for the hundredth time, as the old nursemaid waited patiently with him in the main hall.

"Like a gentleman," she replied.

"Where is Zelda?" Link muttered distractedly, sweeping the upper floors anxiously as if hoping she would magically appear.

"Putting on her clothes, no doubt," Impa laughed. "You seem excited, Master Link."

"I'm fine," he asserted, readjusting his tunic once more. "What time is it?"

"Five minutes after six. Shall I go ask Miss Zelda when she plans on coming down?"

"No, no, no," Link muttered in distress, "she's fine. We're in no rush."

"You seem to be," Impa pointed out.

"I'm not," Link defended, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. It was infuriating and curious and delightful all at the same time that Zelda was causing so many complex emotions to burst inside his head simultaneously. And deep in the pits of his mind, Link knew why she had this peculiar effect on him. She had always been his childhood friend, nothing more, until now.

Until he had come back seven years later and fallen completely for her.

His childhood friend, his dearest friend, had blossomed into something that he could not, for the life of him, ever touch, for to do so would ruin their very relationship. And the fact that she was the princess – the true Crown Princess of Hyrule – she was so far above him, untouchable. When she became the ruler of Hyrule, she would belong to the people completely, and he would never be able to hide her away and treasure her like he selfishly did now.

"Link, my boy," he heard his old mentor, Sir Shiro, murmur in his head. "You've just dropped yourself in a pit of dodongos."

Too right I have, Link said privately, and before he could begin to climb out of the hole, his eyes chanced upon Zelda, and he was falling, falling…

She was slowly descending the grand staircase, gloved hand delicately trailing on the banister, holding herself tall and regal like a monarch from the Golden Age. Her hair shined with the golden light of the Triforce itself, and she wore a tiara that twinkled with small emeralds.

He heard Impa next to him suck in her breath; he himself stood dumbfounded, for once completely at a loss for words.

Zelda had finally reached the ground floor, her feet making nearly no noise on the floor. Her cream dress fit wonderfully, the hem trailing slightly on the floor as she approached Link, cheeks burning furiously. When she stopped in front of him, she was looking down at her feet, as if embarrassed by the splendor in which she was dressed.

"I'm ready," she murmured quietly, looking down at her silk gloves.

Link was still silent in shock, and Impa jumped in for him. "Miss Zelda, dear, you look absolutely… stunning."

Zelda smiled shyly, lifting her head up to face her old nursemaid. "Thank you, Impa… the attire you selected fit well."

"That's an understatement," Impa laughed encouragingly. "You look like Nayru herself."

Zelda blushed at the compliment and turned back to Link, who had finally regained some of his wits. "You… er… did you do something with your hair?"

"No," Zelda said, smiling. "Should I have?"

"It… it looks fine the way it is," Link said, weakly. He hesitated, before offering her his arm. "Are you ready?"

"I am," she said, taking his arm and smiling pleasantly at him. Link returned the smile, enjoying her proximity and warmth.

"Get going, then!" Impa said, hurrying them out of the main entrance and to the carriage waiting outside.

Link opened the door, stepping aside to allow Zelda in first. As she stepped inside, Link looked back at Impa, who was waiting by the front doors.

The old nursemaid waved happily at him, grinning widely.

"Have a good time!" Impa called, loud enough only for Link to hear.

"That old bat," Link thought, flushing crimson as he retreated into the carriage with Zelda. The driver kicked the horses off into a trot, and soon they had left the Hylia estate far behind for the evening's festivities at King Ganondorf's court.


By the time they arrived at Ganondorf's castle, the festivities were well underway, as could be evidenced from the raucous laughter and rumbling chatter that echoed throughout the castle hallways. Light from hundreds of windows spilled out onto the castle grounds, putting out a veneer of warmth and frivolity.

The carriage driver pulled up in front of the main gates, where a soldier quickly verified their identities before saluting and granting permission to enter the castle. Link opened the door, gulping down his nerves as he beheld the forbidding castle of King Ganondorf, and tried to smile calmly for Zelda.

"Hold on tight. I don't want to lose you," he murmured, offering his arm once more. She smiled and took his arm, and for a second Link felt as if they were children again, reenacting the story of a princess and her knight. He looked back at the castle, where his dragon, Ganondorf, lurked menacingly.

The cobblestone pathway that led from the castle grounds to the giant drawbridge, which was lowered to permit crossing of the frothing moat. Guards were stationed everywhere, atop the battlements, patrolling the grounds, and he fought back a faint sense of unease. If Ganondorf knew of his identity, the usurper-king wouldn't have bothered with the pomp and fanfare. This knowledge gave Link some small measure of comfort, and he passed over the drawbridge as just another one of the hundreds of Hylian nobles flocking to their king's presence that night.

Inside, a vast hall greeted them after a short passageway from main entrance. The gigantic room, probably the size of the entire Hylia manor, was crammed with thousands of Hylians – nobles, aristocrats, servants, and guards. An orchestra was playing softly in the background, but Link saw no seen of the king: the gem-studded seat at the high table reserved for Ganondorf was empty.

Zelda's grip upon his arm had become almost painful, as if afraid she would become separated from him in the sea of people. Her eyes had widened as she took in the sheer size and opulence of the surroundings, speechless.

Link felt another hand on his shoulder, and jumped in surprise: it was Viscen, looking oddly out of place in his guard uniform. Zelda turned around as well, and smiled graciously.

"Viscen! How are you?"

"Well, thank you," he said, shaking Zelda's hand and then Link's. "As I hope both of you are?"

"Fine," Link replied, also grinning. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm on guard duty," Viscen shrugged, "but I saw you two arriving and thought I'd say hello." Dropping his voice lower, he muttered to Link, "There's someone I want you to meet."

Surprised, Link waited as Viscen retreated back into the crowds to find his friend. Zelda raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Who does he want you to meet?"

"No idea," Link said, as Viscen returned in the company of a tall, rather handsome man with shoulder length hair.

"Link, this is Kafei Dotour." Link shook hands with the new arrival, looking at him carefully. So this was Kafei, the man whom Viscen had told him about earlier as harboring rebellious sentiments. "Pleasure to meet you, Mister Dotour."

"Call me Kafei," the man said, brushing some of his unkempt hair from his eyes. "Mister Dotour was my father."

Zelda had a troubled look on her face, but when Kafei turned to her, she forced a quick smile and offered a polite hand.

"Lady Hylia, I presume?" Kafei said, taking Zelda's hand and kissing it. She blushed.

"They're friends," Viscen corrected, before Link could speak.

"My apologies," Kafei said, without a trace of embarrassment. He stepped away, holding himself in a dignified stance, obviously of the nobility. Facing Link, he spoke in a pleasant, yet guarded, voice. "Viscen has told me much about you, Sir Link."

Link gave Viscen a brief look, and the guard looked down at his feet. Kafei laughed. "Don't worry, Sir Link – he's told me nothing treasonous, and from what he says, I think we will become firm allies."

He offered his hand once more. Slowly, Link reached out and shook it, as if sealing an unspoken agreement with Kafei to keep their dealings secret.

"Obviously, this is not the best place to discuss matters of importance," Kafei said coolly, eyes flicking around to look for potential eavesdroppers. "Perhaps tomorrow night?"

"Where?" Link asked warily, still on guard and not fully trusting of the man before him.

"My manor," Kafei murmured. "East side of Clock Town, in the Temple district. You'll know it when you see it."

"… alright," Link answered, tensely, trying to gauge any sign of emotion in Kafei's composed face. There was none, which made it hard for him to determine if this meeting was a trap or not. He had only Viscen's word that Kafei was a trustworthy man, after all…

"Excellent." If Kafei detected the hesitation in Link's voice, he didn't show it. "I'll be expecting you in the evening, then."

"I won't disappoint."

Kafei looked at Link, a mildly amused expression on his face. "I'm sure you won't… hero."

Link kept his face blank, not daring to betray any emotion lest Kafei be another of Ganondorf's pawns. Viscen looked between the two men nervously, looking as if he almost regretted bringing them together.

With one last nod to Link, and then a polite small to Zelda, Kafei excused himself and faded back into the crowd. Viscen hesitated.

"I know he may not come across as particularly… well, he's a good man," Viscen said, after the awkward pause. "And on my life, I swear you can trust him."

"Thank you, Viscen," Link said, deciding to reserve judgment on Kafei until their meeting tomorrow evening.

"I should return to my post," Viscen muttered, obviously aware that no words would persuade Link of Kafei's trustworthiness. "Have a good evening."

"Good-bye, Viscen," Zelda said softly, watching the guard leave. When he had disappeared, she turned to Link, confusion evident on her face. "What did Kafei mean? 'Matters of importance?' Link?"

"Nothing to worry about," Link replied evasively. The orchestra had just begun a rousing tune, the string instruments plucking a lively chorus, and suddenly his preoccupation over Kafei vanished. Turning to Zelda with a smile, he beckoned to the clearing in the main hall reserved for dancing. "Would you give me the honor?"

"You still need to tell me about this business with Kafei!" Zelda protested, but before she could say any more, he had swept her away from the crowd and onto the dance floor.

Link perked his ears to the side as he and Zelda stood together in the center of the hall, listening to the tune of the orchestra. It was lively, vivacious, energetic: he plucked Zelda's hand in his own, automatically placing his other on her waist.

"You know," he murmured, as they began their waltz across the floor. "You're not a bad dancer. Have I told you that before?"

"Yes," she answered, cheeks flushed pink. They were one of the only couples dancing, and naturally, the eyes of the entire room were drawn to them. Link twirled her elegantly, watching her golden tresses fly skim through the air. He stopped her short, daringly moving his hand to the small of her back, slowly lowering her down to the floor.

Zelda took a small, faint gasp of surprise. "Link, what are you doing?"

"Relax," he breathed, lowering his face so close to her neck that he could almost touch her bare skin. He could feel her delicate hands holding onto him tightly, as if afraid he wouldn't catch her if she let go. Her eyes were wide, cheeks nearly scarlet, and she demanded in a sharp whisper:

"Link, this is ridiculous! Let me go!"

He paid no attention: the orchestra's lively tune led into a slow, electric waltz, and he lifted her up from the floor with one deft sweep of his arms. She gasped at the sudden motion, bringing her face inches away from his own. He smiled politely.

Zelda regarded him in shock, before – unexpectedly – her lips curved into a mischievous smile. Delicately, she disengaged herself from him, walking away almost theatrically. Link grinned, following her in an almost beseeching manner.

The stakes had been raised, and they were certainly putting on a good show.

She continued to walk away from him, supremely aloof of his presence, occasionally turning her head and throwing him enticingly haughty looks. Her tiara glittered in the light, her hair seemed like rivers of flowing gold down her back, and a terrible ache rose up at once in Link's soul. He moved closer; she moved further away, like a tormenting apparition forever out of his reach.

"Come on, Link," she laughed playfully, her voice low enough for only him to hear. "I thought you wanted to dance?"

He lunged forward and took her back into his arms, even as the orchestra's slow beat rose into an energetic staccato pattern. Turning her around to face him, he smiled like a wolf catching sight of his prey.

"This won't be easy," he said, as the tempo picked up in speed. "I hope you'll be able to keep up."

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, her lips still curved into that terribly dangerous smile. "Try me."

Link spun her around like a top, before stopping her, and then backtracking several steps in quick succession. She matched his feet perfectly, and in desperation, he twirled her around once more, the air now seemingly charged with their presence.

"Dizzy?" he teased, stopping her motion and leaning over her.

"You've obviously never danced with a lady before," she replied, smirking. To his surprise, she led the next segment of the dance, leading him completely in direction and rhythm. Her dress twirled, her feet blurred in intricate patterns on the floor. Soon, Link was gasping to keep up at her ferocious speed.

"Hmm, I'm disappointed," Zelda murmured, noting a bead of sweat trickling down Link's brow. "I thought you had more endurance?"

Link grinned, fascinated and enthralled by this new facet of Zelda he had never seen before. As the orchestra's song began to die down, he settled for a compromise. "Mercy?"

"Mercy?"

"Mercy."

They ended, holding onto each other, as immovable as stone statues. The music ended, but an odd buzzing noise began to assault Link's ears, only growing in volume. It took him several moments to realize that the crowd of nobles was clapping enthusiastically.

The spell of their dance now broken, Zelda too became aware of their reception, her cheeks flushing pink once more. Nevertheless, she leaned in close to Link, whispering in his ear: "You wanted a dance."

"And you gave me one," he muttered back, running his fingers through her golden hair. She smiled, moving her face closer, before hesitating. After a moment of agony, she drew away, composing herself once more into the inscrutable shell he knew so well.

"I'm thirsty. Drinks?"

"You won't stay for one more dance?" Link taunted, even as the orchestra began to play a second piece. More couples, obviously enthused by their performance, had entered the floor and were now dancing to a slow ballad.

Zelda took Link's hand, leading him away from the floor and to a table for refreshments. "Maybe later. You still seem tired out from our last dance."

Link pulled out a chair for Zelda, allowing her to sit first before he himself took a chair. As a servant arrived and dutifully deposited some wine, Link helped himself to a generous portion of Chateau Romani, imported from Termina. Zelda took a small glass, sniffing the drink tentatively.

"Not a heavy drinker?"

"No."

"Neither am I," Link said, taking a sip and pulling a face. "But I thought I'd try something new tonight."

Zelda giggled, taking a small sip of the wine in a dignified manner. She was playing with a strand of her golden hair, one of her odd perks that Link felt strangely enchanting.

"Would you like to go to the courtyard?" Link asked. "It's a bit too crowded in here for my taste."

Zelda nodded, eagerly standing from her seat. Link left his full bottle of wine on the table, but before he could stand, he felt someone tap his shoulder. Turning around, expecting to see Viscen or Kafei, he was instead displeased to find Vaati standing before him.

"Good evening, Sir Link," Vaati said, his voice taking on an annoying air of superiority, as if he knew something Link didn't. The slimy noble was dressed in all his finery and opulence – furred robes, golden ornamentation, and a thin golden crown adorned with a plump diamond in the middle.

"Vaati," Link acknowledged, his earlier happiness now soured. Nearby, Zelda wavered tentatively, unsure of whether to break in to the conversation or allow Link to handle himself.

Vaati, apparently noticing Zelda, turned to her and leered. "Your dancing was quite impressive, miss… I'm sorry, I forgot your name…?"

"Zelda," she replied shortly.

"Hm. Yes." Vaati turned back to Link, a disinterested look on his pale face. "You know why I'm here, Sir Link?"

"Should I?"

"It pays to be well-informed," the other man replied silkily, flicking an imaginary spot of dust from his cape. "With so much intrigue and scheming in the royal court… those of us who hold a privileged position in the king's esteem must work to keep it that way."

Link said nothing, and Vaati continued. "I have here," he said, reaching into his robes and pulling out a small letter, "something for you. A summons."

Link snatched the letter from Vaati's hands, reading it quickly. King Ganondorf had requested his presence, immediately, in the castle throne room. The personal signature of Ganondorf was scrawled hastily at the bottom of the letter, next to the blood red royal seal.

"Just me?" Link asked, his heart beginning to pump. Zelda stiffened as she heard these words, giving Link a fearful look out of the corners of her eyes.

"You are not so important," Vaati sneered aloofly. "No, Sir Link, this is a general meeting of the heads of each aristocratic family. Need I remind you, since your father has… deceased… you have inherited his position and title."

"Need I go now?"

"The letter does say immediately," Vaati said, looking upon Link with disdain. "It would not be in your interests to keep our king waiting. Present this letter to the guards of the throne room – they will let you pass."

"Alright," Link said, stuffing the letter into his tunic point. He turned to Zelda, offering his arm. "Shall we?"

"You are to go alone, Sir Link," Vaati interrupted, a dark smile on his face. "I'm sure it won't kill Miss Zelda to be alone for a mere half an hour."

Link stood stock-still, unwilling to leave Zelda alone in the heart of Ganondorf's realm. Had Vaati used the word "kill" as a threat, or merely to wrack Link's nerves? Evidently, Zelda picked up on his anxiety: she squeezed his hand and whispered into his ear.

"I'll be alright. Go on. I'll wait for you here."

"If anything happens…"

"I'll be fine," she murmured, squeezing his hand reassuringly once more. She smiled, and Link tried to smile back encouragingly.

"Well, Sir Link?"

"I'm coming," he replied, leaving Zelda's side and turning to Vaati. The other noble smirked slightly, turning and leading the way to the castle throne room. Unwillingly, Link followed, turning back around to take one last look at Zelda. She smiled, waving her gloved hand, and then she disappeared as Vaati led him deeper and deeper into the crowd of aristocrats that thronged the main hall.


Link mentally made a map from the main hall to the throne room. From the grand entrance hall, down the west corridor, up three flights of stairs, and then down another darkened passageway. He and Vaati journeyed in silence, not particularly inclined to make conversation with his father's jailor. The darkened halls were poorly lit by the torch brackets hanging from the walls, and Link found himself darkly thinking that this would be a most convenient spot to murder Vaati…

After they had walked along the third floor for several long minutes, Vaati halted in front of an ornately carved golden door. The shadows were so dark that it took Link several seconds to realize that two men stood in front of the door, dressed in fine purple heraldry and equipped with sharp steel-tipped spears: the Royal Guard. Vaati presented his papers carelessly to one of the men, who quickly read through the letter and snapped a hasty salute.

Link did the same, digging out his letter and presenting it to the guard. After a tense moment of silence, the man nodded and saluted while his partner opened the throne room doors for both men. A flood of light poured out from the open door, blinding Link after wandering in the dark halls for so long. From inside the room came a rumble of low chatter: Vaati led the way in, Link in tow.

As they entered the room, the doors shut behind them with barely a whisper: nevertheless, the men inside the room all looked up and scrutinized Link and Vaati carefully. The men were of varying ages, heights, looks, each man representing a different aristocratic family in the Hylian nobility. They squinted at Link, sizing him up as a potential threat to their power, before dismissing the young knight as a mere sapling. Link, in turn, scanned the haughty faces around him – he recognized Kafei, who subtly raised his eyebrows in recognition, before turning away.

Vaati had already left for his seat next to the giant, ornate throne that Link presumed was for Ganondorf. The only other empty seat in the room was next to a dour, haughty noble that gave no notice of Link's existence as he sat down.

For several minutes, the collected group of nobles sat in tense silence, alternatively staring around suspiciously at their neighbors or looking forlornly at the gilded throne, as if willing their king to appear from thin air. The atmosphere felt thick with their petty scheming and backstabbing plans as each noble subtly lined up each potential rival in the room, another threat to be eliminated.

Link leaned forward in his chair, watching each man carefully. The aristocrat he sat next to was haughty, aloof, staring deeply into his own folded arms. Across the room, another gray-haired noble's eyes were constantly roving around the room, flicking from one man to the next. And there was Kafei, coolly surveying the situation around him with a calm demeanor. Once more, Link found himself pondering Kafei's trustworthiness, debating whether or not their meeting the next day would be his last, before the doors burst open like the roar of thunder.

Some of the nobles jumped in their seats, the sudden entrance breaking them out of their scheming. Framed in the doorway like an impressive statue of stone, stood Ganondorf, the usurper-king and lord of Hyrule.

At once, every noble stood, muttering the necessary oaths of obedience and loyalty. Ganondorf strode through the center of the room, apparently unconcerned with their words. Sweeping imperiously to his throne, he seated himself promptly and addressed the assembled group with the air of a brooding, dangerous king.

"You are wondering why I have summoned you here," Ganondorf declared, in a deep, low hiss. "This ball, as the more astute of you will have figured out, was created to bring together my nobles so that I may… consolidate my power."

No one spoke. Ganondorf looked impressively around the room, his burning eyes resting on each individual noble, before speaking once more. "One week ago, an attempt on my life was made."

His blunt, harsh words seemed to slap each noble in the face. Apparently, this news came as a surprise to many of them, because the majority of the aristocrats jumped to their feat, expressing shock, fear, begging their king if they could do anything for him. Impatiently, Ganondorf raised his hand to silence their babbling.

"I tell you this, because I fear that one of my nobles… one of you, who has sworn his eternal loyalty to me… has reneged on his sacred oath."

Immediately, there was another outpour of firm denials, with some nobles even going so far as to point fingers at their enemies and declare the other man's guilt. Once more, like a disciplined father silencing a group of squabbling children, Ganondorf raised his hand to silence the room.

"You are wondering why I have called you here tonight," he breathed, dangerously, dragon fire nearly smoking out from his nostrils. "The answer is quite simple. I wish for you to swear your oaths of loyalty to me once more."

A wave of confusion settled amongst the assembled nobles, as if unbelieving of his words. They had been expecting something much worse, perhaps a show of violence or for one of their number to be made an example of. But only to swear their oaths of loyalty once more? Link felt the tense air lighten considerably with relief.

Ganondorf handed a quill and a long sheaf of parchment to the man next to him, a gray-haired elder who looked upon the king and trembled in fear.

"Mayor Bo, will you swear your oaths of loyalty once more to your king?"

The old man looked from the paper he held in his hands, to Ganondorf's face, and blanched. "Of course, my king," Mayor Bo replied in a hoarse whisper.

"Then sign your name on the parchment, and I will be certain of your loyalty," Ganondorf said, smiling in an almost fatherly manner.

"I haven't… there isn't…"

"What, Mayor?" Ganondorf asked. "Speak up, I cannot hear you."

Apparently, Mayor Bo was afraid of insulting the intelligence of the king, for he merely whispered, "there is no ink to write with."

"I thought you knew," Ganondorf said, eyebrows raised in mock-surprise. "This is a blood oath."

At once, murmurs broke out amongst the nobles at the thought of spilling their precious blood. Ganondorf cast a dark look around the room, and the grumbling immediately ceased.

"Well, Mayor Bo? Are you loyal to your king, or not?"

As he said the words, Ganondorf presented the old man a beautifully decorated dagger, adorned to the hilt with gold. With trembling hands, the mayor reached out and took the blade from Ganondorf's outstretched hand.

"Of… of course… Lord Ganondorf…"

Looking away, as if afraid to see the cut with his eyes, Mayor Bo slowly sliced the sharpened blade over his left palm. He let out a small whimper as the dagger left a trail of blood in its wake.

"That wasn't so bad, mayor," Ganondorf chuckled gently. "Now, sign your name, and my faith in your loyalty will be restored…"

Mayor Bo dipped the pen into his bleeding hand, bringing the bloody utensil down upon the scrap of paper and scribbling his name onto it. Then, he passed on the dagger, pen, and paper to the next man, who looked terrified at the thought of cutting himself.

"There's already blood on the pen," the man said, attempting to sign his name in Mayor Bo's blood, but Ganondorf stopped him.

"The blood oath requires your blood," the usurper-king said, his voice taking on an impatient air. "Do not try to cheat your king."

"Of… of course, my liege…"

Twenty times, the dagger circled around the room, some nobles squawking and protesting, others silently resigned to their tasks. Link watched as Kafei easily slit his palm, gazing interestedly at the flowing blood, before signing his name down.

Finally, the items reached the man sitting next to Link. His neighbor's dour, haughty countenance was now marred by a thin pallor of sweat, as he hesitated in slitting his skin with the ceremonial dagger.

"Come now, Baron," Ganondorf urged, voice dangerously low and soft. Finally, the man next to Link slowly brought the dagger to his open palm, wincing as he sliced open his own flesh.

"Now, then," Ganondorf said, as the man passed over the dagger, parchment, and quill to Link. "Sir Hylia."

As Link held the dagger in his hand, he became aware that this sharp blade was the only weapon he needed to end Ganondorf's reign once and for all. The usurper-king was less than ten feet away – a sure shot – and Link felt confident that he could place the dagger right between Ganondorf's eyes. He looked up, straight into the burning red eyes of the king, who regarded Link intently with a smoldering, baleful look.

Ganondorf's lips were curved ever so slightly upwards, as if he was on the verge of smiling. His red eyes clashed violently with Link's blue ones, and the young knight felt himself instinctively tighten his hold on the dagger's handle.

An easy shot. He could make it. End Ganondorf's miserable life in one fell swoop.

Almost giving in to his mind's urgings, Link jerked the dagger upwards before mastering himself once more. Slowly, smoothly, he brought the dagger down to his left hand, keeping his eyes fixed on Ganondorf all the while.

Blood oath or not, I will still kill you.

Link did not wince, nor did his eyes waver, as he caressed the bare skin of his palm with the dagger's blade, causing droplets of blood to fall down and splatter on the blood-soaked parchment. He kept his eyes focused on Ganondorf the entire time, a small smile forming on his lips.

"That's it, Sir Hylia," Ganondorf whispered malevolently, eyes glinting.

Link took the pen and wetted its tip with his own blood. Then, he signed his name on the parchment, watching impassively as the bloodied pen wrote seemingly on its own accord: Link Hylia. His name, etched in dripping crimson, seemed to rest at the bottom of the parchment with awful finality, as if he had just consigned himself to some terrible magical contract.

"Thank you, Sir Hylia," Ganondorf said, reaching across the table for the items. Silently, Link handed over the dagger, pen, and parchment, refusing to back down from Ganondorf's baleful eyes. The usurper-king only smiled, an ugly grimace on that sallow face.

"That is all," the king announced, rolling up the parchment and clutching it to his chest. "I bid you all good night."

And before the confused nobles had the time to register their freedom, Ganondorf had left the room, his sweeping cloak billowing in his wake.