Any spare time Zelda had in the next days was spent in the castle library, her nose buried in history books, trying to no avail to find any information relating to an ancient Demon King or the jewel that would aid in raising him. Curse this country, she thought, burying her face in her hands. Why can no one properly record our own history? The oldest books she could find originated from around the time of Ganondorf's original attack on Hyrule, and even they were few. And not one said anything about a Demon King, or Demon Lord, or anything of the sort. She tried to focus her search on texts relating to the Gerudo, but the group was hardly mentioned outside of passing references to Ganondorf's arrest and execution. She searched as well for references to the Twinrova, or more generally to ancient witches, which was similarly proving fruitless.

Maybe Ganondorf is right. Maybe the Twinrova have gone senile in their old age. She could not shake her fears about her dreams, however, and continued looking.

Ganondorf himself was currently outside, warding the castle and the surrounding city against monsters, in case the witches decided to mount an attack. Or at least, that's where she assumed he was. The two had barely spoken since their argument after fleeing the Twinrova. Perhaps she should be more gracious considering he had just learnt his mothers wanted him dead, but every time she thought of the words he had flung at her she flushed with renewed frustration.

The day after their meeting with his mothers, he had met her at breakfast and declared in a completely flat tone, "I am going to shield the city. It might take a few days."

"Fine," she had replied, just as monotone.

He had turned to leave, when she had said, "I should let you know – when we got back from the desert, I called Link back to Hyrule."

She had thought she'd seen a muscle twitch in his mouth, but he'd simply said, "You said he went to the Twilight Realm."

"I lied."

A flash of anger had crossed his features, but Ganondorf only said, "Fine," and exited the room.

And that was that.

Ridiculous, she thought now, seated at her desk with a stack of books from the library. We do not have the time to be fighting like this. Yet she could not let herself back down. He had acted like a child, lashing out at her because he could not do anything about his parents. Still she found herself missing him.

She forced herself to focus on the book in front of her but was soon interrupted once again by the sounds of Pyra entering with a new stack of books that she sat on the desk in front of her.

"Any luck, Princess Zelda?" she asked.

"Unfortunately not. And just Zelda is fine."

The girl had been very eager to do anything she could to help after Zelda said she and Ganondorf intended to save her sister. She had been set loose in the library, looking for anything about dark periods in Hyrule history, that might help Zelda find information on an ancient Demon King.

Zelda did not tell her the Twinrova were trying to revive this Demon King in her unborn nephew.

"Is Ganondorf still not done?" Pyra asked.

"Who knows? If he is, he is probably out brooding." She could not keep the annoyance out of her voice, and Pyra clearly noticed, for her eyes widened. "I should not have said that. Ganondorf wants to help your sister just as much as I."

"Did something happen?" There was a twinge of excitement in Pyra's voice, which Zelda smiled at.

She shook her head. "Oh, we just had an argument. It is unimportant."

Pyra smirked. "First Perda, now you… So much misery over men. Doesn't seem worth it to me."

Zelda laughed. "I'm not miserable! And there are plenty of men who are wonderful. Soon you will meet my friend Link, and he is one of the best men I know."

Pyra looked unconvinced. "So many of my friends always go on and on about how they want to leave and find a man once they come of age." Her face scrunched.

"You don't find this appealing, I see."

"No! But I just get called immature and told I'll change my mind."

"Well, you are young," Zelda said. "But it is completely fine if you don't want to find a man. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Pyra grinned. "Thanks, Princess Zelda! I'll go back to looking for books now."

"You don't need to call me Princess," she started, but Pyra was already gone.

The next time footsteps entered her study they were heavy. When she raised her head from the book in front of her, she saw Ganondorf approaching her desk. She stared at him expectantly.

"I've finished with the barrier," he said.

"Thank you," she replied, then turned back to her book, assuming he would leave, but when she did not hear him exit, she looked up again and saw him still there, watching her. When she met his eyes, he looked away. His jaw was tight. Zelda waited.

He seemed to be staring very intently at something on the wall behind her head. He picked at the edge of his black glove. Then he said, still not looking at her, "The other day, I may have…" He paused, swallowing. "I said some things that… that I did not… mean."

His mouth twisted, as though the words themselves had hurt him. Zelda bit her tongue.

"To what are you referring?"

"You know exactly what –" he started angrily, then stopped himself. He breathed deeply. "I said that you were weak."

She waited. "Did you?" she said finally, when he did not continue.

"You are enjoying this, aren't you?" he muttered.

"Enjoying what?" she said. Way too much, she thought.

He sighed. "I said those things to hurt you. I did not mean them. So for that, I… I am… I… apologize." This final word was spat out.

He looked to her again. Zelda smiled. "Alright," she said.

He frowned. "Alright?"

"Alright," she repeated. "I accept."

"So we can stop all this?" He waved his hand.

She nodded.

"Good."

He stood still a few feet from her desk, seemingly uncertain.

"Thank you, Ganondorf," she said softly. "I know that was difficult for you."

"Hmph."

The smile faded from her face. "And besides, what you said was true. That is why it upset me so much." She looked down at her desk. "I am weak."

The words sounded to her as if they echoed around the room. An offering to him, for his apology: her fears laid bare. She prepared herself for an agreement, or renewed beratement.

"Zelda," he said, after a moment. "You are not weak."

"I am," she argued, her eyes beginning to burn. "You said it yourself. I surrendered to Zant. I let you possess me. I needed Link to save me. I thought at least I could fight the Molduga by myself, but I would have died without you there." She glared at the text in front of her. "And now I have spent days looking for any sort of information that could be of use against the Twinrova and cannot even find that."

She heard him walk the final few steps up to the desk to stand directly in front of her, and then he closed her book.

"So you are not strong physically – although you are still worth more in a fight than any of those louts you call knights. That does not mean you are weak." He hooked a finger under her chin, tilting her head up to look at him. "It takes great strength of mind to know when to surrender. And even greater to do what you did to save Midna."

She felt tears welling in her eyes at his words. "You called me a fool after that."

He grimaced. "It… bothered me to see you like that, so… docile. You are better when you are more… disagreeable."

She chuckled softly. "Disagreeable?"

"You know what I mean." Abruptly he removed his hand from her and moved to look at the books she had on her desk. "These are not old enough."

"They're the oldest texts I could find in the library," Zelda said.

"You need information about the founding of Hyrule." His face became dark. "And a king called Rauru."

"The Twinrova mentioned that name. How do you know he is a king?"

Ganondorf scowled. "Just a feeling I have." He closed his eyes, and exhaled. "When I hear that name, I get… enraged." His hands began to shake slightly, and he closed them into fists. After a moment, he spoke again. "Zelda, the reason that it took me so many days to barricade Castle Town is that I could not find a spell that would keep monsters out, but let me pass."

Because I am a monster. The words went unsaid, but Zelda could hear them as plainly as though he'd spoken them aloud. She bunched her hands into the fabric of her dress.

"Perhaps it is a side effect of your dark magic," she said. It sounded hollow even to her.

"Perhaps." He smiled slightly, but when he opened his eyes they were void of any emotion. He looked down at her. "You were right, of course. I was angry at you because I did not want to believe anything the Twinrova said could be true. I still cannot." His hands were still shaking. "If there is some… some demon inside of me, then how can I trust that my ambitions, my plans, my desires, are truly my own?"

Zelda stood then, and took him by the arms. "Whatever your mothers are planning, we will stop it," she promised. "I meant it when I said I wanted us to be allies."

Ganondorf looked first to where she held his lower arms, then to her face. His eyes lightened, and he gave her a true smile, free of cruelty or mockery. She could feel her heart thumping in her chest. It was strange, she thought, how time could make someone go from odd and frightening in her eyes, to so handsome. It was then that she heard footsteps approaching her study once more.

She turned to see Link standing in the doorway, his mouth hanging open. He recovered, hand going to the Master Sword at his side. "What is this?" he demanded, voice raised. "Get away from the princess!"

Zelda dropped Ganondorf's arms and ran to Link, grasping his hands. "Oh, Link, I'm so glad you've returned," she cried. "So much has happened since you left!"

He extricated his hands from her and held her at arm's length, grip tight on her upper arms. He studied her face intently. "Is he possessing you again?"

"Do I look possessed?" Zelda said with a laugh.

"No, but…" He frowned at her, eyes narrowing. He let go of her and stepped back, shock and anger plain on his face. "You freed him? Zelda, are you mad?"

Zelda winced. "Ah, Ganondorf, perhaps you could leave, so I can speak to Link alone."

Ganondorf, who had taken to leaning against her desk to watch this exchange, smirked suddenly. "Whatever my princess desires." He slid towards them, and when he reached Zelda, he brushed a knuckle against her cheek. "See you later, Zelda," he said, purring out her name. Then he exited, shutting the door behind him.

"What was that?" Link spat, his eyes wide.

"Ignore it," Zelda said. "He was just trying to annoy you." She gestured at the chair in front of her desk. "Will you sit?"

He sat straight in the chair, still eyeing her warily.

"I promise you he has not possessed me."

"Are you sure? Maybe he's gotten better at it and you don't even know." Link crossed his arms. "I can't think of another reason you would free the man who invaded your kingdom."

"As I said, a lot has happened. Hence why I called you back."

"Let's hear it, then."

So Zelda told him everything. Link listened silently, his mouth dropping open in certain moments, though he said nothing. She had learned that Link was the type to stay quiet, to not speak until he had something valuable to say. She found it admirable.

When she finished, he was still silent, taking everything in.

"Zelda," he said finally. "If this… Demon King really exists, and is Ganondorf, then surely he is too dangerous to let live. Even without taking into account his crimes."

She shook her head. "The Twinrova want him to die so they can try again with Pyra's nephew. They are looking for something – I believe it is some kind of jewel – so they can fully resurrect the Demon King. We need to find it before they do, while keeping Ganondorf alive."

"I really don't like this." Link exhaled heavily. "You can't actually trust him, can you?"

"I trust him to want to stop the Twinrova," she replied. "After that… I don't know."

Link's eyes widened. "Zelda, he is evil. You can't trust him. Not now, and especially not after."

"Obviously I am wary around him," she said. "But I have spent a lot of time with him these past few months, and I do not think he is evil." Link looked like he was ready to argue but she cut him off. "I am not asking you to agree. I am not asking you to trust him, or like him. I am only asking you to trust my judgement, and to help me fight against this threat."

"I do trust you, Zelda, and you know that I'll help you. I just – I hate him. For upending my life, for what he did to Midna, to Kakariko, to Ralis, to you. The thought of him free – it terrifies me."

"If I hadn't freed him," Zelda said quietly. "I would be dead in the desert now."

Link said nothing while he stared at her. Then, "You are certain he hasn't possessed you?" he asked helplessly.

"You know what I looked like when he possessed me," she replied with a slight laugh.

He shrugged. Zelda took that as a sign that the conversation was over, and stood. "I'll have a guest room made for you," she said. Before they exited her office, she asked, "Did you find any information about an alternate way to the Twilight Realm?"

A flash of pain crossed Link's face as he replied, "Not a thing."

Zelda had thought it would be beneficial for the three of them (plus Pyra, who wanted to meet the newcomer) to dine together, but as she watched Link and Ganondorf glower at each other, she realised she may have made a mistake. This was shaping to be the most awkward meal she had ever experienced, even beating the time she dined with the prince of Hytopia and had to pretend to be oblivious to his never-ceasing flirtation.

Link was eating in silence, his eyes fully trained on Ganondorf and his body tense as though he was expecting to need to fight at any moment. When she had attempted to introduce him to Pyra, he had only nodded in greeting, saying nothing.

Ganondorf's expression was bored, though Zelda knew him well enough to tell that he was watching Link warily. Every now and then, his eyes would flicker to the hero's left hand, and Zelda knew that he could feel the same thing she could.

The three pieces of the Triforce. Together at last.

In her excitement at seeing Link again she had not noticed before, but now she could feel the pulse inside of her, originating from her hand and extending into her chest.

The complete power of the goddesses, something seemed to whisper in her mind. Power to shape reality. It could be yours. You deserve it, Princess Zelda.

She pushed the words away. She hoped Ganondorf was doing the same; she doubted Link could feel it.

Just as she was becoming so uncomfortable she was considering starting a conversation about the weather, Ganondorf finally spoke.

"So, hero," he said, a slight sneer in his voice. "Where have you been these past months?"

Link glared. "That's none of your business."

Ganondorf chuckled. "Zelda told me you went to the Twilight Realm, after that imp Midna –"

"Keep her name out of your mouth!"

Ganondorf merely raised an eyebrow. "Interesting."

Link bristled.

Zelda, who was sitting next to Ganondorf, kicked him under the table. "Will you please behave?" she hissed when he looked at her.

"I was only making conversation. Your hero is the one who got all bothered." He gave her a sweet smile, though his voice dripped in sarcasm. "But of course I will behave for you, my dearest Zelda."

Link made a face like he was contemplating stabbing him with a fork.

Goddesses grant me patience.

"Did you find anything useful in the books I found for you, Princess Zelda?" Pyra asked.

Zelda could have kissed the girl. "Unfortunately, very little. It is not your fault," she added, when Pyra's face fell. "I do not think any of the texts in the castle library are old enough." She nodded towards Link. "Does the name Rauru mean anything to you?"

He blinked, the glare on his face fading to confusion as he finally looked away from Ganondorf and at her. He shook his head.

"The Twinrova said he sealed the Demon King." She glanced at Ganondorf. "He might have been a king of Hyrule."

Link only shrugged, and continued to eat.

She let out a defeated sigh. "If only we had access to older texts. Although this is something that occurred thousands of years ago… Maybe it is to be expected."

"It is embarrassing how bad this country is at keeping its own history," Ganondorf said disdainfully. "The library in this castle is even smaller than the previous one."

"What previous one?" Link asked, though it came out somewhat jumbled as his mouth was full of food.

Ganondorf gave him a look of disgust. "The previous castle, obviously."

Link stared at him blankly.

"The capital is not in the same place as it was when I – where it was before," he amended, glancing at Pyra. "Hyrule Castle Town used to be farther south." He shot Zelda an exasperated look. "You must know this."

She brought a hand to her forehead, trying to remember her schooling. "No, that sounds familiar. This was not the original Hyrule Castle."

"The original Castle Town was next to the Temple of Time," Ganondorf said. "That's likely why your ancestors moved – to hide the entrance to the Sacred Realm."

Zelda looked to Pyra, who was listening intently to their conversation. "You speak of highly protected secrets of the Royal Family."

Ganondorf smirked. "What does it matter? What was hidden there is not there now." He flexed the fingers in his right hand; she wondered if he was doing it consciously.

"The Temple of Time," Link said. "Where I found the Master Sword?"

"The sword used to be hidden there." Ganondorf scowled at Link, and Zelda knew he was remembering what the hero had done with that sword. "Is that where it was still?"

Link did not answer him, and looked at Zelda instead. "One of the mirror shards was hidden in the Temple of Time. I travelled to the past to get it. If that is in the original Castle Town… could we go there?"

Zelda's eyes widened.

"You said the information here is not old enough. Maybe in the past we could find someone who knows something about the Demon King." Link smiled. "Besides, if you brought me back here just to read books, I might go crazy."

"Go to the past…" Zelda murmured.

"I didn't try to leave the temple last time, though," Link added. "So I don't know if this would work."

"No, but… you're right, Link. We need to do something." As she spoke the words, she became more sure of it. "We will go to Faron. Even if we cannot go to the past, perhaps we can find something in the ruins of Castle Town."

Link nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "Getting to the Temple of Time was difficult, but I'm sure I remember the way. I suppose we will have to bring him," he added. "We can't leave him here to do whatever he wants."

"He is coming whether you want it or not," Ganondorf said roughly, his arms crossed.

"And me too!" added Pyra.

"No," said Ganondorf.

"What? Why?"

"You are not coming."

"That's not an answer–"

"I'm sorry, Pyra," Zelda interrupted. "But I agree with him. I will not put you in danger. And that is final," she added sternly, for the girl looked ready to argue.

Pyra glared at Zelda and Ganondorf, a pout on her lips. "Fine," she muttered.

That decided, the table descended into silence yet again. At least Link and Ganondorf no longer looked like they were on the verge of attacking the other, Zelda thought; both men appeared deep in thought, presumably about their upcoming journey. Faron Woods… The Temple of Time… Zelda could remember the locations from when Midna and Link had journeyed there; first for the Master Sword and then for the mirror shard, though everything that had happened while her spirit was in Midna was somewhat faded. It bothered me to see you like that, Ganondorf had said before. His words had deeply touched her. She hoped that he had spoken true, that they were not just words intended to soften her annoyance at him.

She was distracted from her thoughts by Pyra's next words to Link.

"You are a man," she said, her eyes narrowed.

Link blinked at her. "Uh, yes?"

"Are you also snarly all the time?"

Link stared at her for a moment, his mouth open slightly. "I used to be able to transform into a wolf," he said finally. "If that counts."