"Where is Sakon?! He should have brought back the information I need to breach Clock Town's defenses by now! It can't be that he's betrayed me...?" Edwin practically screamed into his mirror. Months of waiting for his treasure had driven him mad, and he began taking his rage out on the surrounding territories. Termina would be the easiest to breach, given its lack of military. So he had sent Sakon on reconnaissance.

Perhaps Sakon has met with resistance? He's not the strongest of your men, after all. You best check on his whereabouts.

"That's a good idea. But how?"

You are a member of the Royal Family. Use the power they have hidden from you. Call forth the image in the mirror. You will see...

Edwin stared at the mirror, until finally images came forth. A darkened path in the forest, blood staining the ground. Two dead men, one he recognized as a royal assassin and the other too beaten to tell. A man in priestly garb with a teen draped over his back. A dwarf with purple hair and a shadowy soldier helping a lanky redhead to his feet. Then something that made Edwin scream- a large, dark man with fiery red hair cradling a girl with pale pink skin. He recognized the pointed ears and slender nose immediately.

"She's still ALIVE?!"

An unfamiliar pillow greeted Zelda's eyes when she woke, along with an unfamiliar bed and unfamiliar room. She was about to panic, but then she noticed the pair at the end of the bed- Vaati and the Skull Kid were sleeping snuggled against her legs. It was cute, and she wanted to cuddle with them. But as she moved to sit up, a large hand gently pulled her back down.

"Leave them be. You need more rest."

She glanced up and met the golden eyes of Ganondorf, who was sitting at the head of the bed. She realized then that her head was laying on a pillow in his lap.

"Where are we?"

Ganondorf raised an eyebrow. "Where else? Back at the cabin. And before you ask, yes, he's fine. I told you, flesh wound. Yuga too. Now go back to sleep, Princess. I'd hate to have to cast another spell on you."

"I don't know how to thank you," Zelda mumbled, ignoring his orders to sleep. "You've taken me in, fed me, and now saved my life without any compensation. Why?"

"For someone so bright, you really are oblivious." Ganondorf sighed and laid his hand over the girl's eyes. "Quiet. Sleep. Now."

Zelda giggled at the childish gesture, but did as she was told and closed her eyes. In minutes she was sleeping soundly again, and Ganondorf relaxed. "Edwin is such a fool," he said to himself as he ran a finger down Zelda's injured cheek. "Thank the Goddesses he doesn't know the truth about the relic he so desires..."

"Are you kidding? Nothing can kill me when I'm acting out of concern for my Princess! Not even the sharpest dagger can ruin this fabulous skin- Ouch!" Ghirahim winced as Zant pulled on the gauze covering his shoulder.

"Sstop aacting so tufff, hotssshot. Youu losst too much bloodd. Sstay inn bed," Zant ordered.

Agahnim nodded in agreement from the kitchen. "You really were close to exsanguination, Ghirahim. Though I suppose surviving is something to brag about. Right, Yuga?" Yuga kept mum, only slightly nodding. He was still upset that his magical skills weren't enough to withstand the blowback from Sakon's trick.

"I'll be fine, I just have to get out of bed and show our Princess that I'm okay!" Ghirahim shouted as he sat up, causing the other three to come over and shove him back down on the pile of hay he called a bed. The group kicked up such a fuss that they didn't notice their master's door opening until they heard a gentle cough.

"You boys should be quiet, or you'll wake your master," Zelda whispered, a finger held to her smiling lips. She quietly closed the door and came over to Ghirahim. "I'm supposed to be in bed, too," she giggled as she hugged the youth. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Of course I am, I'm a demon lord. We don't die easily, especially when we have a Princess to look after."

"Goddesses, could your crush be any more obvious?" Yuga muttered under his breath. "I doubt Her Grace is into diamond tattooed hooligans."

"Hey, cool it, 'Coloring Book'. Like you don't blush when she looks at you," Ghirahim spit back.

Zelda stared at them, halfway between amused and embarrassed. "Are... are you fighting over me?"

"Off courssse they arre," Zant chimed in. "Youu're tthe ffirst too makee them haappy inna long ttime."

"I must admit, Zant speaks the truth. I've never seen any of the boys this lively," Agahnim said as he draped his robe around Zelda's shift to keep her warm. "You noticed the children asleep at your feet? They were afraid you would have nightmares, and wouldn't leave your side even when Master asked them to. Nevermind the Master himself holding you as you slept..."

"Ah-HEM."

Four outcasts and one princess turned to see an annoyed leader in the doorway. "If I'm the master, then why isn't anyone following my orders?" he asked with a facetious grin. "I see two injured men goofing around, a priest and a usurper who are supposed to be making breakfast, and..." Ganondorf walked over and scooped Zelda into his arms. "A little girl who won't heed my advice to rest no matter how well I try to take care of her."

"I'm okay, put me down!"

"You're walking around in your undergarments in a room full of men who openly admit to admiring you."

"And just who's fault would that be!?"

The room erupted into laughter, Ganondorf included. "It would seem I cannot win this battle. Agahnim! Hurry and get breakfast served. We don't want to anger the Princess any further, she might retaliate..."