-Zelda-

Zelda wished there was more she could say to help Ganondorf through his dilemma. All she could do was relate to his inner struggle of feeling cursed for life. Although she disagreed with his decision for a war with the Mitagi, she promised herself she would do what the Fae encouraged: Zelda understood Ganondorf's decision was important to him, even if she found it foolish and impractical. She would not hold him accountable as a man under her authority, but as an equal in alliance. His choice would put both the Mitagi and Majora alliance at risk regardless of the intentions. If she were in his position, she could not say she wouldn't do the same thing.

Ganondorf did not seem capable of further reflection. His mind had become fragile as of late, torn between paths. The best Zelda could hope to do now was give him some insights to consider. The insights would come from her priests. On admittedly rare occasions, she would listen and debate with them for the more unique decisions like this. The rest of what Zelda could offer stemmed from understanding a fellow cursed monarch. If Ganondorf wanted someone to relate to, she could offer that at the very least.

Zelda rose and left Ganondorf to his thoughts.

"Well, well," The Guardian mused as she approached him with Sarah. "So the fox was the princess. You had me fooled." Zelda tensed. The voice was definitely recognizable.

"So I did," Zelda replied. She looked back into Ganondorf's cell. Malon looked reluctant to leave. "Tell me, would it be improper for her to stay a while longer? She is his ward."

"It would be improper. I will not have it. I take my job very seriously, princess. She leaves with you all, or all of you stay."

"Very well. Malon, if you will."

Malon hesitated, but Ganondorf gave a limited motion for her to go. Understanding him, Malon somberly returned to Zelda's side.

Malon whispered in her newfound voice, "I will be able to see him again, right?"

"Of course, you can," Zelda answered. "The trial should be very soon now that the Majora arrived."

With that said, Zelda glared at Sarah.

"What is wrong, Zelda?" Sarah asked.

"For the sake of innocent animals everywhere, do not ever get a pet. Considering you were a damn sight better than Link, I understand now why he sucks with animals. You nearly crushed me in your squealing fits."

Sarah blushed furiously. "M-my apologies, Z-Zelda."

"All is well, but I will be checking with a doctor to be sure I don't have a broken rib."

As this sudden argument occurred, the Guardian opened the door leading up and led them back to the dungeon's main room. Once out, he twisted the central sword to seal the deep prison's passage and got more deep burns for his trouble.

After taking a moment to look around, Zelda saw there were no beds, no clothes, no doors to other areas, and no food outside of what was presented to Ganondorf. The Guardian said he lived here, Zelda recalled. How could that be? Who was this man?

From what Zelda could understand, the Guardian was exceedingly old. But while his voice gave him away as an old man, his demeaner showed a strength and virility as solid as Geoffrey's. References were made to him as if he was older than anyone else in Mitagi. Just by the very nature of his job, he must have been down here all the time.

"Tell me, Guardian," Zelda inquired. "You said you were charged with guarding this place, are under the authority of the Triple Goddesses, and were a prisoner as much as those below. This speaks of a crime and punishment occurring. You are the only one considered strong enough to hold back Ganondorf Dragmire should he break out. This alone speaks of power. Yet for all of my understanding and memory, I cannot recall a man charged by the priests with life imprisonment beneath the castle of Mitagi."

"You are a perceptive one, as well as a good listener. That is a powerful combination," The Guardian complimented. "You are correct. This is punishment for a crime."

"And will you not tell me?"

"I see no reason why I should." He continued to leave and gave Zelda the cold shoulder.

Zelda glared at his back and clenched her fists. She silently screamed. How dare he walk away from her like she was nothing! How dare he ignore her!

"Bastard," Zelda whispered.

"To be fair, ya are much the same," Malon whispered back.

Zelda gaped. "I-I am not! Sarah! Am I like that?!"

Sarah sucked in a sharp breath. "Well..."

"Sarah!" Zelda yelled, aghast.

"You do tend to be pissed off with ya friends," Malon continued.

Sarah and Zelda stared at the little red-head. Zelda was offended and aghast. She knew she was called the Ice Witch, and for good reason, but it still offended her to be confronted with it while being offended by another source. Sarah was left really wanting to be somewhere else right now, but she also wondered if Malon was really brave or just stupid.

"You were so much easier when you were mute," Zelda snarled. She spun on her heel and followed the Guardian out.

"And there we go," Malon said with pity. She didn't want to be proven right, but she hoped Zelda would listen to herself now.

"Zelda! That was rude!" Sarah exclaimed.

Zelda stomped her way up the stairs, her mood destroyed. Being called out by them struck her. But after taking a moment to calm herself, she sighed in the darkness. She realized she was cruelest towards those she cared about.

Malon was coming out of trauma, and Zelda was a bitch to her.

Sarah always had Zelda's back, took care of her, and was an emotional and physical support, but Zelda was a bitch.

Link protected Zelda's life at his own expense countless times over. He never asked for anything. He put up with her taunts and abuse ranging from well-mannered to outright mean and even took her scratches when she was a fox without lashing out. He did all that while thinking of Zelda's mood and bringing her gifts (ignoring that it backfired), and Zelda was a bitch.

Now that Zelda thought about it, her anger with him about failing to catch the assassin was unwarranted now. The assassin, who Zelda concluded was also the Guardian, was a man of incredible talent, power, and purpose. Link was right: the man could disappear. The man could teleport or move from one place to another within a moment.

Considering all the facts, Zelda concluded she was a bitch.

But on Zelda's previous thoughts, why wasn't the Guardian turning and stabbing her? He was right in front of her and armed with a sword. Zelda was defenseless and in his abode, but he did not strike. This was an opportune time and place for him to act.

Zelda could not grasp the choices the Guardian made in where and when to attack, but she felt he put heavy thought into what he did do. She thought he planned enough to make it unpredictable for her to know what he would actually do. He was creative, observant, and willing to wait instead of immediately taking an opportunity. Zelda had no doubt he would try to kill her again later, but when would that happen? When he was ready, she decided. Where would it happen? Whether she was in public, protected, or in private did not seem to matter to him.

Zelda nearly tripped as another thought struck her. The Guardian was cursed too. This place was his charge, and he was under the goddesses' authority. On the surface, it sounded like the man could not leave this place, but he has done so twice. He had left to attack her. The timing could perhaps be tied to some kind of crack in his curse, the binding that held him. If she could figure out more: the nature of his curse, his imprisonment, and if it weakened, then she could predict him easier.

Zelda sighed. She certainly had plenty to think over.

Their party finally exited the basement to the pleasant sight of the other's snickering. Zelda saw Link's eyes light up when they landed on her, but he seemed distant. He made no motion towards her, rather he took a step behind the Fae Elder. Zelda did not miss his move. It sent a knife into her gut. One more to be added to the pile, she thought.

"Princess!" Geoffrey exclaimed. He bowed. "I am overjoyed to see you restored! I take it King Dragmire was willing to restore you?"

"He was," Zelda confirmed. She stepped aside so Sarah and Malon could stand among them.

"You were brave to face him and ask for this."

"Admittedly, he was not of his right mind at first. The isolation in prison has taken a toll on his weak spirit. But we..." Zelda paused, seeing the girls hold their distance. Sarah was usually a step away from her, and though it was only a few steps further than before, it was big for them. Malon was usually the kind to stand neutrally to the side, but her posture was now defensive.

Zelda recovered. "They, my servant, Sarah, and Ganondorf's ward, Malon, stepped up and set his mind in order. Sarah braved his wrath, and Malon... Malon has a compassion I wish I had... King Dragmire was willing to remove the mask, and to my surprise, he never asked anything for it. So no, it was just I who benefited."

Sarah and Malon's posture relaxed and became a little friendlier after the compliments. Zelda breathed a sigh of relief.

"I... see." Geoffrey looked at her questionably, finding it odd how she seemed to go out of her way to praise others. He did not know Zelda well, but typically, nobles and kings do not give credit to others for any reason.

Zelda nodded. "Now, so that we may not keep the guard waiting, why doesn't the next group go ahead? Link-" Link perked up and his eye's widened fearfully. She never called him by name. "-You came here to see him, yes? Why don't you go and see for yourself how he fares?"

Link smiled nervously. "Thank you, but all is well, Princess. I'm sure I will see him eventually. You are in danger. I should-"

"Link, go ahead. See him. You last saw him in your battle with Harken Dragmire. You must be worried. You have been burdened with the lives of two monarchs as of late. That is no small thing. Consider it a gift and an apology of sorts, for I know I am a difficult and demanding charge. Please, set your mind at ease."

"I..." Link cleared his throat. He sniffed and looked down. Zelda didn't know the thoughts that passed over him, but he almost teared up. He finally nodded and descended the stairs where the Guardian waited.

"Who are the next two?" Geoffrey inquired. "I have no interest in meeting with him."

"I will allow four this time," The Guardian said. Everyone looked to him in surprise. "I want to talk with you, Lord Geoffrey, personally," He explained.

"Very well."

"I will go," The Elder Fae said.

Nabooru stepped forward," As will I."

The four of them assembled on the stairs and the Guardian brought them below.

Zelda waited until the moment the dungeon's door closed and spoke up, "I must ask a question for you, Shadowmaster."

"Princess?" The Shadowmaster allowed her.

"That man, the Guardian... who is he? Surely you know, oh, master of secrets." Zelda gave a small smirk.

"I-I do." The Shadowmaster hesitated for being put on the spot. "But I fail to see why that this is the time, place, or has the urgency for such-"

"I have reason to believe that that man is the assassin who has tried to kill me twice now."

The room gasped and the Shadowmaster paled. He bore so much more terror than the others that a gasp could not suffice. He understood the deep implications of what this meant.

"Oh no..." He whispered.

"Now do you believe this to be the time and place?" Zelda tapped her foot and crossed her arms. She glared at the man, coldly and silently demanding answers.

"The time, yes, but this is not the place." He glanced to the heavy dungeon door. "We have but a few minutes. Let us move away from here."

-Nabooru, Link, Elder, Geoffrey-

The second group descended into the same room the girls entered, and Link gaped at its splendor. Even as far down as they were, this place continued to shine like new. The Guardian lead them to the pedestal as before, and he opened the way down. Link's eyes fell onto the sword centerpiece, and he thought it was beautiful. He wished to hold it desperately, and it seemed to almost draw him in with the way it rested so majestically. However, thoughts of Ganondorf quickly reminded him of his purpose here.

They descended further to see Ganondorf's ragged form. He rose to his feet as they approached, and thankfully for them, was of a better mind than when the girls arrived. He was not his best, though. He was still sick in body and soul.

The conversations were simple and brief compared to what Ganondorf endured before. They consisted largely of catching up and offering bits of comfort.

Nabooru comforted Ganondorf with knowledge that his clan had come. She was saddened to see his lack of hope, but he was comforted to know the Majora were there. He thought it comforting, even if things led to being executed among family.

Link was understandably awkward. He didn't know what to say or do. He wanted to see a Ganondorf well, and he found a shell. Ganondorf opened the conversation in the best way, directly. He asked of the war and how Link's unit had come through. Link told him most of his men were dead, save for a few. Link insisted it wasn't Ganondorf's fault. They had died to Zhao, and even if Ganondorf's being a demon had not helped things, they still would have died to Harken's magics. In Link's eyes, Ganondorf was as much a victim as the rest of them.

The Elder Fae and Ganondorf barely had a conversation: there was little need for one. The Elder was unsatisfied with Ganondorf's appearance, and he assured him he would be at the trial. He told Ganondorf to not lose hope, to which Ganondorf replied, 'What hope is there for me, Elder? I am as dead while alive as I am dead. I do not desire death, but nor do I desire what this life offers me.'

It was a sad saying, drowning everyone else's spirit as well. The Elder countered with, 'There is always a way, King Dragmire. So long as we live, every day is a chance. A chance for salvation and goodness. That chance is only taken when we die. So do not give up. No matter how far your spirit falls, no matter how dark your prospects may be, pray and seek, and you will find.'

Geoffrey had no words to speak, wanting nothing to do with the man-demon. Instead, he stayed a level above with the Guardian. The Guardian wanted to speak with him, and this was the best time to do it.

"Tell me, Lord Geoffrey. I have heard that Ouki Mitagi is dead. Is this true?" The Guardian asked.

"It is, my lord," Geoffrey said.

"I see," The Guardian sighed. "That is a pity. He was a special one." Geoffrey smiled grimly, in full agreement. "I knew him little, but I had met with him once. As always with champions of the Mitagi, a piece of my trove was given to champion their cause." The Guardian chuckled. "And Ouki was able to weasel two relics out of me. He was the lover to the owner of another while possessing one himself. I couldn't find myself refusing him."

"Ouki always did find ways to do the unexpected."

"Indeed. And I am told you are his retainer, the one to inherit everything of his. Is this true?"

"It is."

"Then the same offer extends to you. I have observed you from a distance and see Ouki taught you well. You have a strong heart, a strong body, and a strong mind. You are worthy of being among the pillars of the Mitagi. I had once considered allowing you a treasure, but you were not Mitagi. Now it seems Ouki has found yet another way to bypass the rules."

"You mean..." Geoffrey breathed.

"You may take into your possession any of my treasures on this lower platform." The Guardian motioned to the eight stands on the third level. "Use them as you wish, but you are to return them on your death. In this case, you have two options before you: you may use the item Ouki requested from me, the gauntlets of strength, or you may return it and select another for yourself."

"And this is the rule set for all who choose?"

The Guardian nodded.

Geoffrey took a deep breath and looked over the relics. "Then... I will return the gauntlets of strength... tell me of this one." He stepped before a shield.

The shield had a highly reflective surface of the greatest quality. Little words were etched into the edges of the reflective side, but they were words he could not read.

"That shield will stop everything," the Guardian described. "No matter how strong an attack, it will not break, nor push you back. No matter the magic, it will not penetrate, nor bend. Spears and axes and swords and hammers will lose their bite, and all magic will be absorbed to be useless. This shield is the greatest defense and a powerful offense."

"Amazing!" Geoffrey reached out and took the shield into his hands. He placed it on his arm and felt the weight of it. He thought the weight was good: light while feeling sturdy. It was long enough to cover the body without encumbering him. "I was thinking of choosing this relic because it reminded me of home, but what do you mean by a 'powerful offense?'"

"There is a special trick. Allow me to see it." Geoffrey handed the shield over as the Guardian instructed. "Pick up your sword and strike it." Geoffrey looked at him confused, but he did as commanded. Geoffrey struck the shield. At the Guardian's bidding, he did so again, and again, and again. On the fourth blow, the shield seemed to shatter and crack.

Geoffrey gasped. "I am so sorry! I did not mean to-"

"Do not worry. Here, take it." The Guardian handed him the shield. "You are not so strong that you can break it with your strikes. I have never met anyone that can."

"But... the shield! It is cracked!"

"Nevermind that. Strike me with the shield."

"Pardon?"

Geoffrey felt the Guardian roll his eyes, even if it was unseen through the helmet. He repeated himself irritably. "Strike me with the shield. Yes, I am serious! Strike me with it!"

"As you wish." Geoffrey collected himself and rammed the Guardian with his shield. A burst of energy exploded from it, and the Guardian was thrown into a wall. Geoffrey gasped again. "I am so sorry! I did not know it-" He checked the shield. "It is not cracked anymore!"

"As I said, the shield has a special trick." The Guardian climbed to his feet, unfazed. "It collects energy so that when you strike someone, the energy is released as if the blows they dealt to the shield were upon them!" He noticed Geoffrey's concerned gaze. "No, do not worry about me. I am unharmed. But are you satisfied with your choice?"

"I am!" Geoffrey smiled ear to ear. "Thank you, Guardian of the Mitagi! I shall return to you the gauntlets and take upon myself this shield."

The Guardian nodded, regaining his stoic composure. "Use it well, Retainer of Ouki."