Death By Princess {Complete}

CH 30

The next morning came but for Link it didn't feel like a new day. Yesterday had extended as opposed to ended. Worse than that was the realization that there was no end in sight as one of Gannondorf's guards shackles Link's wrists.

Gannondorf stands and faces his new prisoners, Zelda and Elule standing somberly behind him. Link notices that Zelda maintains her gaze to the ground as she too is embarrassed for the actions of her husband.

"Villagers of Winterton," says Gannondorf. "My people have been relieved of their duties in Winterton as of now. As you can see, we have..." he looks at Lillian than Link, "other more pressing matters to attend to once we arrive back to the castle. But do not get too comfortable. Once that has been resolved, we will continue our work in your mines. I know that you all have noticed Lillian and Link standing before me. You may or may not be aware that they are ex-hylians. Illegal emigrants at that. Now that Winterton is largely in my hands, they will be coming with me as prisoners. I am confident you won't be seeing them again so I advise you to make arrangements for their absence accordingly. Until next time." The side of his lip contorts into an insidious half smile. He enjoys his job so very much.

"Gannondorf," says Zelda. "You're only doing this because of who he is. You want to hurt ME. Think about what this is doing to Elule."

He pushes his wife aside with a little more force than what he intended, though he isn't apologetic in the slightest. He sighs. "You and Elule get in the carriage. I won't be long."

Zelda follows her daughter to the carriage but not before her and Link lock eyes. Only for a second, though, and the moment is over.

Once Zelda and Elule are in private, Elule begins to sob.

"I know honey," says Zelda. "There are some things little boys and girls don't need to be apart of. This is one of them." Zelda strokes the hair out of her daughters eyes which is already stuck to her face from the tears. "It won't be long and you will have the privacy within the castle walls again but in the mean time... is there anything I can do to make the trip a little easier?"

She is silent for a moment and then she clears her throat and sits a little taller. "Maybe... can I sit the other carriage for the ride home? I don't want to be around Daddy right now." She lowers her eyes, here face showing guilt and in a soft voice says, "I'm afraid of him."

Zelda isn't surprised. She is afraid of him too as are most residents within the castle and Hyrule for that matter. But fact that this man induced fear in her own daughter triggers a primal reaction in Zelda's brain. One that makes her want to growl and spittle. One that makes her want to sharpen her talons and dig them into the jugular of anyone who causes pain to her young. Anyone.

"Mom?" says Elule.

"Yes, of course," she says as she quickly transitions from murderer to nurturer. "If that helps, it's fine with me." They hug one another and Zelda watches as her daughter jumps out of the carriage and into another. Zelda looks down and flexes her trembling hands. She is pleased to note that her talons are still sharp and ready to cut.

***

"Is there anything else to be noted before we depart, sir?" 

Gannondorf looks around at the curious faces. "I think we are soon ready to depart. I just need to get the prisoners situated."

The guard motions to turn around. "Though there is one thing," says Gannondorf. He cocks his head to the right, motioning to be followed. When they are away from the crowd in a soft voice Gannondorf says. "Leave now and go as fast as you can to the base." He takes out a bag and hands it to the guard. "And kill the boy."

The guard looks into the bag at the rainbow of brightly colored rupees shining back at him.

"Are-- are you su--?"

"Yes, I'm fucking sure!" Gannondorf sighs and lowers his volume. "I don't care how you do it but do it quick. There is no need for my wife or Elule to get involved. Or know what happened at all. If she asks, which she will, you will just say that the boy escaped. I'll take care of the rest."

He hesitates and of course he would. Killing a child, the princesses illegitimate child at that, wasn't on the job description. But then the weight of the bag in his hand pulls him in a different direction. He thinks of his wife, her body thin and her skin gray. This bag he holds could give her the treatment and care she needs. He is sure she wouldn't exactly approve of the means he went about to make it happen but then again, she doesn't need to know. It's clear that men keep secrets from their wives all the time and anyways, he vowed the day he got married that his family comes first. Always.

"I won't let you down sir."

They part ways and the guard climbs aboard the carriage, signalling for his comrade to get moving. He nestles in his seat, gleaming at the rupees. Blood money, though he doesn't see it that way. He sorts the rupees by color and begins counting, completely unaware of the little girl hiding in the back of the carriage.