If the Boot Fits

Lies

The chains rattled all night as Link shivered. The shaking became so violent it was hard to breathe, but somehow, he did. He had no sense of time in the darkness. He was given one meal that consisted of cold mush and a cup of water. One of the guards spooned the mush into his mouth rather roughly and didn't wait for him to swallow the water, didn't wipe off the dribble on his chin. The icy water stung his skin. Link attempted at sleep, but his convulsing muscles prevented him from relaxing, the nightmares plagued his mind. He grew so used to staring at the spot between his feet that he wasn't sure if he was awake or in a cruel slumber.

Suddenly, the dungeon door slammed open, releasing Link from his stupor. His head throbbed as he lifted it, waiting to see who came for him now. Ganondorf's evil smile greeted him on the other side of the bars. He slid the door wide, managing to open the lock with his powers.

"How are you today?" he mocked.

Link glared at him, waiting for the torture to follow.

"Congratulations on surviving an entire day down here!" Ganondorf continued, pacing across the cell to reach Link. "I thought my fun was ruined when the malice took you over. I'm glad to see it didn't completely. Where's the fun in hurting if not to hear the screams and see the pain on your victim's face?"

Link sagged against the wall, dropping his head, as Ganondorf stepped closer. He anxiously waited for the fire to consume his body again, wanting to get it over with. Ganondorf took his time to unshesthe the blade at his side. Link closed his eyes, squeezing them tight. Suddenly, Ganondorf shoved his head back, slamming it against the wall. It throbbed, white specks flashed across his vision. Link squinted through the sharp pain, staring into Ganondorf's eyes.

"It's refreshing to see the Hero give up so easily," he taunted, pressing the blade to Link's cheek.

The edge cut into his flesh. Link flinched from the sting. Ganondorf smiled while he watched the blood leak from the cut, meandering over the metal. When the first drop fell to the cold, stone floor, he swiped the dagger across his cheek, leaving a deep cut running from Link's ear to his lip. The warm liquid slid down his face, tickling in a cruel way.

"Besides," Ganondorf continued. He dropped Link's head, letting it bob as he turned away. He spun the dagger between his fingers. "I never expected your sister to be braver than you." He paused, allowing the words to sink in. 

Link told himself not to listen. Ganondorf didn't know what he was talking about. He didn't know Aryll. He was only trying to get on his nerves.

"I heard she came to the ball yesterday night," Ganondorf provoked. "Embarrassed herself before the entire kingdom, crying to the King about her 'wrongfully imprisoned brother'" He made air quotes around the last three words.

Link bristled. Aryll wouldn't go to the ball. She couldn't. Ganondorf was lying.

"Oh, yes," he sang. "She dragged along a young girl and boy. Begged Rhoam to release you. They were escorted out of the castle. Ghirahim told me he took care of her at home."

Link reeled, betraying his determination to stay neutral. He felt Ganondorf's eyes on him, watching, but he could care less. If Aryll truly did go to the ball, and Ghirahim saw her. . . Well, she wouldn't see the end of it. It killed Link not knowing what happened to her. If she was okay. What Ghirahim did to her. Link refused to think of her as more than hurt. There was no other way to imagine it.

"I'm tempted to belive your sister has the Triforce of Courage instead of you," Ganondorf went on. "You're sitting here, useless and miserable, while she's out there fighting for you." He laughed. "Ironic, isn't it?"

Link clenched his fists. He was doing this for Aryll. He had to survive for her. She didn't need to fight for him.

Ganondorf stalked foward. He grabbed Link's left wrist, but no cut came. It only burned where he applied pressure to the scar the malice had left. He watched the back of Link's hand for something as he babbled on.

"Ghirahim told me all about you and your sister's tragic tale. He told me how he first met your late father in war. How he killed him."

What? Link wanted to scream. He clenched his jaw, weakly tugging on his arm. His shoulder hurt, still out of socket. Ganondorf's lips turned in an evil smile. He was enjoying this. Enjoying the torment his lies caused Link. At least, he hoped they were lies. He would hate himself for the rest of his life if Ghirahim really killed his father, and he never knew about it.

"He went on for a while about seducing your mother, forcing her into marriage."

Link wanted to scream again. He wanted to call Ganondorf's bluff, but his voice hid nothing. No matter how badly he wanted to deny it, Ganondorf was telling the truth.

"Ghirahim never killed you like we planned. I thought he was an incompetent fool, but now I'm here with you. I gues I owe that to him."

So they've been in contact for years? They were working together this whole time? None of this made any sense, and when Link did try to sort it out, it hurt too much. He pushed the nasty thoughts away, throwing his body around. The shackles rattled, laughing at his pathetic attempts at escape. Link growled in frustration, glaring at Ganondorf. He ignored Link's struggles completely, eyes locked to the back if his hand. Why was he so interested in Link's pale skin? What was he looking for? Link tried to find whatever captivated Ganondorf, but came up short. His hand was held at an angle he couldn't see well.

Ganondorf's lips curled up. "Perfect," he whispered. He let go of Link's hand, pinching his face instead. His fingers dug into the gash, stinging, as he pulled Link close. So close, Link could smell his horrible breath when he said, "You're still a coward." Ending with that, Ganondorf cut another slit along his neck, almost hitting a vital artery. He chuckled once to himself before marching out the cell, leaving Link to bleed and to his anger roiling through his body.

Link vowed to kill Ganondorf. Vowed to kill Ghirahim. He would end anyone who got in between him and Aryll, even if that made him the villain.