Queen of the Banished

Zelda was pacing across the throne room. Link was tracing her motions with his eyes, but nothing he had said so far seemed to soothe the princess. Zelda couldn’t figure out what could’ve prompted Ganondorf to leave so suddenly, but the dream weighed on her mind. She could only assume he had a plot of some sort and that his departure was part of it.

“What if he’s planning on war, Link?” Zelda asked anxiously.

“War, Zelda? With what army? The Gerudo don’t have a large enough population, let alone an army, to take on Hyrule,” Link said.

“So?! That didn’t stop him last time!” Zelda insisted. Sheik set his book aside and looked at his sister placatingly.

“Zelly, I’m sure he just returned to see Rabia and his home,” he answered. Link nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, he wouldn’t give up that easily,” he said.

“That’s what I’m worried about!” Zelda said. She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed, sitting down heavily on the dais steps. “But… you’re probably right. Rabia wrote me the other day. She’s expecting.” Zelda bit her nail. “He probably just went home to see her. There can’t be any ill intent in that, right?”

“I don’t think so, but who’s to say?” Sheik shrugged. Link settled down beside Zelda and took her hand in his.

“Don’t worry… ill intentions or not, I’m here with you.” He hugged her gently and kissed her forehead. Zelda smiled and some of the tension bled from her frame.

“Thank you.”



Rabia woke to cool sheets the next morning. It was still early - the sun was barely peeking over the horizon and the night chill still lingered in the air. She climbed out of bed, dressed, and made her way downstairs. Ganondorf was in the foyer, directing servants with bags to his carriage outside. Kamilah paused to look at Rabia curiously, then headed outside with some of Ganondorf’s bags.

“Ganondorf?” Rabia asked tiredly. “What are you doing?” She flinched as her bare feet settled on cold tiles. Ganondorf leaned down to kiss her.

“I have to go back to Castle Town, Rabia,” he said.

“But… I thought you were staying for a few days,” Rabia said. Ganondorf sighed.

“I know, but it’s become imperative that we wrap up these negotiations quickly,” he answered. “I’m sorry.” He kissed her lips again, then knelt down to kiss her barely-there baby bump.

“Are you sure you have to go?” she whined. Ganondorf looked up at her and smiled warmly.

“I’ll be home before you know it.” He stood and embraced her. Rabia clung to him a moment longer, and before she knew it she was waving goodbye to his carriage. Kamilah wrapped an arm around Rabia’s shoulders and ushered her off.