"I see. So the King believes that old tale about the Royal Family's sacred relic," Agahnim mused as he handed Zelda a piece of bread. He managed to get the girl to talk the next day, and was very interested in her plight. "And you believe he's responsible for this man trying to kill you?"
"I... I don't know." Zelda looked down at the bread, lacking an appetite. "He's been strange lately, always asking me about this treasure that he needs to ensure the kingdom's safety. Father and Mother never told me about a treasure."
"I hate to say it, Princess, but there are many things about your King that are strange. Have you noticed the scars on Zant's face?" Zelda shivered when Agahnim said his name, remembering his chokehold from the previous night. "He is from a land outside of Hyrule, and he opposed Edwin in battle. He lost, and as a punishment had his mouth split open. Did you know your brother was that cruel?"
Zelda shook her head. "If he opposed the King in battle, then he should have been prepared to face the consequences of defeat. That is how battle works."
That moment a door flung open, and the leader stormed out into the cabin. He walked over to Zelda's corner and wrenched her out of her blanket cocoon by the scruff of her collar. She was held high to his eye level, her toes at least a foot off the floor. "No, Princess," he interrupted, having eavesdropped on their conversation. "The winning side is never granted permission to maim the losing side." He yanked a charm from his forehead, revealing a large scar between his eyebrows. "Take a good look around the room and tell me again about the consequences of defeat."
Zelda trembled in this man's grasp. The hideous scar along his brow intensified his beastly image, but at the same time made her feel a tinge of guilt. Then she noticed how all of the men were looking at her, each one marked in some way- Yuga, Ghirahim, and Vaati all had lines beneath their eyes, and Zant and the Skull Kid were disfigured. Agahnim had no injuries, but it was obvious how self-conscious he was about his albinism.
"B-brother... he didn't..."
"Oh, yes he did, Princess." The leader's grip tightened. "Do you know what the Skull Kid did to earn his? He used to guard the part of the forest that held the Royal Family's 'butcher knife'. He left his post to help an injured traveler, and was accused of abandoning the crown. So they poured a tub of scalding hot water over his head. Or Ghirahim? He wouldn't let 'brother' use his kin as soldiers, so the skin below his eyes was carved away. And Yuga? Yuga was branded simply because that snake didn't like the painting he commissioned!"
When she didn't say anything in return, the leader dropped her to the floor. "Leave. Go back to your fool of a King. Or better yet, take your own life before he finishes what he started. Then you'll at least get to die without losing your dignity."
Zelda laid on the floor, feeling another crying fit coming on. She looked back up at the massive man and was overcome with the desire to punch him, but all she could do was pound her hand against his boot. "I... I have to believe that what he did was necessary! He's my only family, I can't doubt him! Don't you have a family?"
"Yes, I did. And they were condemned as criminals by your family and put to death for nothing. All of my sisters are gone, just so your kin can stay in power!" He grabbed her from the floor and hoisted her up again, this time shaking her by her shoulders. "I should ravage you and send you back to your brother to teach him a lesson, but you and I both know it would be a waste of time as he was the one to condemn you to my grasp in the first place. Leave, stay, I don't care. But if I hear you defend that monster one more time, I will rip your tongue out!" Zelda panicked in his grasp, and for the first time in her life she fainted.
"Master Ganondorf, was that really necessary?" Agahnim chided as he took Zelda from his hold and laid her on the makeshift bed. "She's still a child at heart, after all. Yes, we've all suffered at that bastard's hands, but not hers. She did nothing more than be born."
"Don't you lecture me, Agahnim!" Ganondorf shouted, making the cabin rattle. "Have you forgotten how rotten that family has been? How they banished you simply because that fool was frightened of your looks? She may have not done anything yet, but she will. They all do!"
Agahnim stood and smacked his master clean across the face, earning frightened gasps from the rest of the gang. Vaati and the Skull Kid dove under a table, while Yuga and Zant cowered in the kitchen corner. Ghirahim merely cocked his head, intrigued by his master's stunned expression.
"You of all people should know what it's like to be punished for a crime committed decades before you were born!" the priest shouted. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd let your hatred for the Hylians drive you to commit the same act you blame them for!"
Ganondorf glared at Agahnim, before turning and retreating to his room. Any other man would have been killed on the spot for questioning him, but the priest was his closest confidant and earned his respect. He would not be punished for speaking the truth.
When Ganondorf reached the door, he addressed the group. "...You all've got an extra mouth to feed, so why the fuck are you laying around? Get to work or you'll be joining the Princess in homelessness!"
The five who were cowering in fear shouted a quick "yessir" and bolted out the door, leaving Agahnim behind to tuck in Zelda. He then turned toward his master's room. "If I leave to join them, will the Princess be left in peace? I would prefer to stay with her, but I don't think Yuga is strong enough to cast the spells needed to bring back a suitable harvest. And you're right, we do have an extra mouth to feed."
"Get! Your little pet will be here alone today, anyway," Ganondorf yelled as he slammed his door shut.
Zelda came to in the empty cabin, part of her hoping it was all a dream and that she'd be back home in Hyrule Castle. But that was not the case, so she withdrew into the bundle of hay and mismatched blankets. Her ankle pain had subsided a bit, but she didn't have the energy to try and stand. She didn't have any energy at all.
After a few hours of lying in misery, she noticed she was no longer alone. Rolling over, she met the sullen wooden face of the Skull Kid. "You... when did you come in?"
When he didn't answer, she figured out that he was mute. "Is what your leader said true? Did my brother really...?" A slow nod confirmed it, and Zelda shivered. "I'm so sorry... I never knew. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
His expression didn't change, and Zelda realized he was wearing a mask. It was a brilliant design, matching the Skull Kid's features, but it lacked any emotion. She then got an idea. "That tall friend of yours, the one who was drawing yesterday... Does he have a pencil box?"
The Skill Kid pointed to a niche in the wall above her head, where she found a pencil and small painting kit. He watched her with curiosity as she raised the pencil to his mask and gave the blank slate a face.
"I'm sorry I don't have more to give you, but maybe this will bring you a little cheer." She held up the broken piece of mirror that was in the painting kit and showed him the work. She had painted a smile onto the mask, and though it looked like a child's pumpkin carving, she was proud of it. He was as well, and hugging her and hopping in excitement. In thanks, he pulled out his flute and played a lively song, melting away her earlier sadness.
The others returned to find Zelda humming along to the Skull Kid's music, and soon all were joining in, clapping and moving their heads to the beat.
"Isn't the kid skilled?" Ghirahim remarked, plopping down beside Zelda in the hay. "Many a night has he entertained us with that flute. It's the one perk of this dismal lifestyle."
"Did you do that? The face on the mask?" Yuga asked as he helped Zant load a large kettle into the fireplace. "It's not perfect, but it's cute. I think it fits him. There might be some potential in your painting skills, you just need a lot of practice."
The rest of the men laughed, making Zelda blush. Vaati and Agahnim filled the kettle with a stew, and they all ate together when it was finished. The rest of the night was spent telling stories. Yuga talked of his painting, Ghirahim bragged about his "demon army" (which Zant dismissed as inferior to his own), and Vaati spoke of the Picori Festivals held in his home town.
"What about you, Princess? Have you an interesting tale to tell?" Agahnim asked, clearing away the empty bowls. "Any adventures held with your friends?"
"No, I usually stay near Castle Town. Link says it's not safe for me to go anywhere unsupervised."
"Link? Who is Link?" Vaati perked up. "A... boyfriend?"
"He's a captain of the Knights of Hyrule. The day I was attacked, he was going to ask my brother for permission to marry me."
Sighs filled the room, some happy and some disappointed.
"Is he strong?" Vaati asked.
Yuga pulled out his drawing pad. "Handsome? Fit for canvas?"
"How long is his tongue?" Ghirahim grinned, earning a smack from Vaati.
Zant's question was the one that gave Zelda pause. "Whyy aare you mmarrying himm?"
"...Because he asked me to."
"No, ssstupid. What'ss in it for youu? I knoww the ssoldier type, they neverr mmarry wifout a reasson. Iff youu wed, whaat title woould he take?" Zant moved closer to Zelda, anticipating an answer.
"I suppose it would be prince." She was slightly disturbed by his way of speaking, before realizing that it was a result of his injuries.
"And ifff you aascend the throne, woouldn't that mmake himm king? Ffrom one uusurper too aanother, youu better mmake ssure he lovess youuu and noot yourrrr title."
"Zant, that's enough," Agahnim scolded. "The Princess is wise enough to know if she's being used. Now, come help me clean the kettle."
"...Link does love me. He visits me every time he's at the castle," Zelda mumbled to herself. True, she never heard him say it. But his feelings were obvious! Yes, he loved her, and not her title. She sat in the corner contemplating it, until sleep took her.
Zelda woke a few hours later, stirred by the sound of a door. Cold air entering the cabin told her that the front door was open. The light from the moon was dim, but it was enough to see that someone had laid a dress and slipper shoes at her feet. A gift? She glanced over at the others in the room and realized they were far too deep in slumber to have opened the door, and were too far gone to rise and close it.
So she stumbled to her feet, thankful for the shoes as the floor was colder than ice. Using the wall to keep her weight off the broken ankle, she inched over to the door. As she was about to push it shut, she noticed someone in the stream outside the cabin. It was the man this group called their leader.
Ganondorf was aware of the princess watching him, but chose to ignore it. He finished cleaning himself, not disturbed in the least by the cold winter air or icy water. Throwing a towel around his waist, he returned to the cabin where Zelda stood with wide eyes.
The man was covered in scars, the largest of which sat between his chest muscles. The scar was so jarring that Zelda couldn't believe he survived such an injury. She started to speak, but thought better of it and turned her gaze to the ground.
"It would have killed any other man."
Zelda looked back up, surprised. "You knew what I was thinking?"
"It was obvious from the look on your face."
"I didn't know what he was doing. Had I known-"
Ganondorf cut her off. "You would have done nothing. This scar came from a failed execution years before you were born. So stop trying to earn our favor with your apologies. Just go back inside and wait for your faerie boy betrothed to come save you."
A/N: I know I said it would be short, but I'm not even midway... T_T At least updates come easily. This version of Snow White doesn't call for the Disney dwarves, but in case any one was wondering I did assign roles: Agahnim is Doc, Ghirahim is Happy, Skull Kid is Dopey (hence his muteness), Yuga is Bashful, Zant is Sleepy (since he's the reserved one), Vaati is Sneezy (Get it? Wind Mage? lol) and the Big G is Grumpy. Because you can't tell me that Grumpy doesn't love Snow White deep down inside.