Queen of the Banished

Later that evening, Rabia wasn’t feeling well. It was one of the rare nights that Ganondorf had made it to bed, though he was still fast asleep when she rose at dawn. The morning of Death’s Day boasted a red sunrise over Hyrule Field, casting the bedroom in an eerie glow. Rabia dressed silently and stepped out into the hallway where Sheik was waiting.

“Ready?” she asked. Sheik nodded, his face solemn. She took his hand and they made their way to Kakariko Village. The town was quiet and solemn. The few people out and about kept their heads down as they passed.

They entered the graveyard, where a few other families had gathered at dawn to mourn. The guards posted at the entrance looked at them with open curiosity, but they were ignored. Sheik and Rabia walked to the back of the cemetery, to the Royal Family Tomb. Kaikoura was already there, flowers in hand. Rabia brushed dirt off the headstone and Sheik swept away the leaves. Kaikoura set the bouquet on the grave and the three of them stood in a respectful silence, heads bowed. Mindful of the watching guards, Rabia hugged Kaikoura and Sheik gave her a respectful nod, then the two made their way back to the castle.

There was a letter from Vaati waiting on her desk when she returned. Ganondorf appeared to just have woken, and was staring at the letter with a frown. His eyes were gold today, which Rabia took as a good sign.

“What’d you write to Vaati about?” he asked. Rabia sat down on the bed and smiled when Ganondorf set his head in her lap. She tangled her fingers in his hair and opened the letter.

“The baby hasn’t been moving as much for a couple days,” she said. He set a hand on her belly and she felt the baby shift. “Okay, smartass,” she laughed. “I wanted some advice.”

“It’s normal for movements to change when you get closer to your due date,” Ganondorf said reassuringly. Rabia skimmed the letter and sighed. “That’s what Vaati said, right?” Ganondorf asked, amused. Rabia nodded. “What got you up so early today?” he asked.

“Sheik and I were visiting his father’s grave this morning,” she said, stifling a yawn. He sat up and pulled her against his side. She leaned his head against his shoulder, snuggling into his warmth. “We do it every Death’s Day.”

“That’s a nice tradition,” Ganondorf said, leaning back against the headrest with her. She nodded in agreement. “You seem tired, mewadala,” he said.

“It wasn’t even a long walk and I’m exhausted,” Rabia grumbled.

“It’s still early,” Ganondorf said. “We can stay here awhile if you want to get some sleep.” He pulled the blankets over her lap and pulled her close. She dozed off to the sound of his heartbeat.



In true red dawn fashion, late morning brought in heavy dark clouds. Rabia woke before lunch, Ganondorf still reading beside her. She pressed a kiss to his cheek and stretched, grumbling at the tightness in her lower back. Ganondorf set his book aside and helped her up.

“Lunch?” he asked. He chuckled when her stomach growled.

“I forgot breakfast,” she said sheepishly. “Just let me pee, first.” After a bathroom break, they walked down to the great hall together and sat with Nabooru, Sheik, and Kamilah, as usual. While they were eating, Rabia’s cramping only got worse, and she was starting to get nauseous.

“Rabia, honey, are you okay?” Kamilah asked, watching her push the food around her plate. “You look pale.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just… not feeling well, again,” she said. “I think I’m going to go back upstairs,” she said. Ganondorf went to stand, but Kamilah waved him off.

“I’ve already finished, I’ll take her,” she said. Ganondorf hesitated, but sat back down. Kamilah followed Rabia out of the Great Hall. As they stepped outside, Rabia paused, gasping, when a stronger contraction than those of the past day started. “Rabia?” Kamilah stopped beside her, setting a hand on her shoulder.

“I’m okay,” she said, once it passed. “Just one of those… fake contractions, I guess,” she said. They continued upstairs to her room. Just as they entered, she frowned. “I think… I think my water just broke,” she said, looking at Kamilah with wide eyes. After a moment of shock, Kamilah nodded.

“Okay, stay here for a minute, get comfortable… I’ll go let the others know and get some help,” Kamilah said. She exited quickly, and in Rabia’s shock, seemed to come back just as fast.



Night fell, and with it came the rain. A single candle flickered in the window, and finally a baby’s cry pierced the quiet of the bedroom. Kamilah caught the baby in her arms and for a moment there was a tense, shocked silence.

“It’s… it’s a boy,” Kamilah said.

“What?” Ganondorf walked over to her while she cleaned him up. “We… had a son?” He took the small bundle from Kamilah and stared at the baby with open wonder. “How is this possible?”

“Can… can I hold him?” Rabia asked, exhausted. Ganondorf sat back down beside his wife and placed the baby in her arms. “Hi, baby,” she cooed. Ganondorf kissed her and ran a finger over the baby’s soft cheek.

“We don’t have a name, for a boy,” he said after a moment.

“...His name is Zaide,” Rabia smiled tiredly.

“Zaide. He’s perfect.”



As the sun sank below the horizon, the doors between the worlds aligned and opened. Night descended and the spirits of ancestors trickled into Hylian streets to visit their loved ones and accept the offerings laid out for them. They weren’t the only visitors to Hyrule that night. The doors to the Twilight Realm opened, allowing the passage of Twili residents and the dark creatures that resided with them into Hyrule as well. All had their own reasons for moving through the veil, but one Twili in particular was there on a mission.

Midna passed through the veil unhindered - her only means of passage to Hyrule since the destruction of the Dark MIrror. She wandered the streets, making note of the guards positions and rotations. Though the Twilight Realm was locked away, she still received news of her friends on the surface, and she knew exactly who had taken residence in Hyrule Castle. If she only had one night in Hyrule, she wanted to make it count.

The rotations were simple - it didn’t take her long to learn them. It was clear that Ganon wasn’t too concerned with anyone getting into the castle. The thought made her nervous. Midna made her way into the grounds undetected, as only Death’s Day could allow, and watched the guards within the castle gates. There were more here, moblins and Gerudo, though it seemed as if the Gerudo posted outside were distracted.

She waited for hours in the growing darkness, watching the rotations. The rain soaked her through, and the only lights came from the candles lit in the castle windows, guiding the kind spirits and warding off the evil ones. A cry pierced the night and pulled her - and most of the Gerudo guards - attentions elsewhere. She warped herself into the room as a woman caught the newborn in her arms.

“It’s… it’s a boy,” she said. Midna vanished just as Ganondorf began to cross the room.



Link sat up with a start and grabbed his sword. Zelda was fast asleep in the bedroll beside him. He scanned the dark forest, eyes narrowed as they adjusted to the darkness. Red eyes peered out at him and he raised his sword.

“Wait!” He recognized that voice. The sword fell back into the pine-needle covered earth with a soft ‘thump’.

“...Midna?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s me,” she breathed. Link blinked and her features came into focus. She settled cross legged in front of him and waited.

“What are you doing here? How’d you find us?” he asked.

“It’s Death’s Day. The Dark Mirror isn’t the only way for us to get to Hyrule,” Midna smiled. “I have some information for you.”