The Hero, the Princess, and the Cursed King

Chapter 24: Turmoil

[Ganondorf]

Ganondorf gripped the balconies railing and dragged himself to his feet. His head was splitting, and the world was spinning in slow circles. What had just happened?

"Sire?"

He swiveled around to see the blurred outline of Riju. Ganondorf took a step towards her, but instead, he stumbled and fell to his knees. Thousands of conflicting thoughts, ideas, and emotions raced through his mind. The world came in and out of focus, and black spots appeared in the corners of his vision.

Ganondorf didn't want this. . . he'd never wanted this violence, this power.

NO! What was he thinking? He was the King of Darkness, and he wanted this, right?

Right?

Ganondorf clutched his head. No, he did know what he wanted. He wanted to live in Gerudo Town with Link and Zelda. . . no, no, that wasn't it. . . He wanted to kill Link and Zelda and then take over Hyrule. Yes, that was it. That had to be it.

"I'm the King of Darkness," Ganondorf whispered to himself. "I am the King of Darkness. I am the King of Darkness." Slowly the turmoil in his mind started to subside.

"King Ganondorf?" Riju asked, standing a few paces away, unsure what to do. "Are you alright, sire?"

"Low iron," Ganondorf said, clambering to his feet. "I skipped dinner."

"Oh, uh, I see." Riju didn't seem to buy it, but she knew better than to question him. "Well, sire, I have news."

Ganondorf strode past her into the throne room. "Good or bad?"

"Depends on how you look at it."

He stepped onto the throne's dais. "Well, my interest is piqued." He sat down on the throne. "Please, tell me this news."

"The Hyrule army is on the move, sire," Riju had followed him over and stood in front of the throne.

"Where to?"

"Here, sire."

"Here!" He leaned back and laughed. "That foolish king is going to come to attack me? Here?"

"It appears so--"

"How far out are they."

"They should be here within a day or two, and it depends on how quickly their army moves."

"Considering how exhausted they were after our last battle, I'd guess it will take them the two days."

"There's another thing you should know, sire."

"What?"

"The Hero of Hyrule is with them--"

"Link!" Ganondorf winced as images of a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy filled his mind. For some reason, not destroying Link had crossed Ganondorf's mind. Which was absurd; of course, he wanted Link dead. Maybe his iron really was low? He chuckled. "Finally! It's taken him long enough."

"What shall I do with our army, sire?" Riju asked.

"Prepare them for the coming attack," Ganondorf smirked. "And tell them to save the Hero of Hyrule for me."