The Hero, the Princess, and the Cursed King

Chapter 23: Hope

[Zelda]

Zelda sat huddled on her pitiful wooden cot, the thin blanket wrapped around her, trying to get some rest. However, sleep refused to come. Her thoughts were running wild, and Zelda was doing little to try and calm them down.

Could she and Impa escape?

Was Link alright?

What had happened to the villagers that she'd left behind?

What had she promised her mother that she'd remember?

Would she be able to save Ganondorf, or would she and Link have to kill him?

Would killing Ganondorf end the war if her father was still alive?

Zelda rested her head against the cold stone wall and closed her eyes. Again, she had so many questions but hardly any answers. She felt like she should know, but, despite having the Triforce of Wisdom, Zelda didn't feel too wise.

Click, clank.

Zelda opened her eyes as her cell door swung open. A guard entered, and Zelda quickly clambered off her cot, which wasn't easy as her chains dug painfully into her wrists and ankles.

"Come with me." The guard ordered. "And don't try anything or else." She placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, and Zelda got the message.

The guard led Zelda out of the dungeon and through the lavish castle halls until they reached the throne room's doors. Zelda gulped, she had many unpleasant memories in that room, and she felt she was about to experience another.

"King Ganondorf wants to see you." The guard finally explained as she pushed Zelda through the grand double doors. "I'll be here, waiting to escort you back to your cell."

Zelda stumbled slightly over her chained feet but quickly regained her balance. She held her head high as she walked into the room; she wanted to show Ganondorf that he hadn't broken her fighting spirit.

"Ah, there you are, Princess Zelda," Ganondorf smirked. He sat on the throne, casually leaning back. "It's so good to see you," He spoke as if he and Zelda were old friends—which they were—but she knew he viewed her as an enemy.

Zelda stopped in the center of the room, twenty feet away from Ganondorf. Compared to Ganondorf's elaborate and expensive clothing, Zelda felt undistinguished in her wrinkled and dirty dress. She didn't need a mirror to know that her long hair was tangled and knotted. While she might be royalty, she sure didn't look it right now.

Ganondorf leaned forward. "It's been a long time since you've been here, right?"

"Nine years." Zelda deadpanned.

Ganondorf laughed. "Why so cold, princess? I thought you'd be glad to be back here."

Zelda kept her expression neutral. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of getting a rise out of her. "Not particularly."

"Well, I'm glad you're back here. It means we can finally have our little talk. And maybe now that you've been in a cold cell without food for two days, you'll be more willing to talk."

Zelda pursed her lips. She had remained silent the whole ride from Hateno Village to Castle Town, and she wasn't going to stop now.

"What have you and Link been up to?"

Silence filled the room.

"What were you two doing in Hateno Village?"

Zelda blinked.

"What powers has the Triforce of Courage granted Link?"

Zelda tilted her head and stared at Ganondorf. He couldn't break her; she wouldn't say a word.