Zelink Week 2025

In which Sheik and the others attempt to defeat King Ganondorf.

Sheik took her turn peeking into the throne room from a side corridor. King Ganondorf was so large that he had a special throne brought in for him. He sat on it now, with two others close at hand. She recognized Nabooru and figured the man wearing orange and red was the fire mage. She didn't see anyone else but guessed the Gerudo soldiers weren't far. The three appeared to be discussing something, but Sheik didn't waste time listening.

After everyone had a chance to assess the situation, they made a plan. Sheik and the others would distract the fire mage and Nabooru. Then Link would charge in and engage King Ganondorf in battle. If any Gerudo or monsters came in, Sheik and the others would hold them back as well. It was a risky plan, but it had to work.

Impa and Tarran rushed into the throne room while Sheik and Saphem watched from the side to see if any Gerudo would appear.

"Ah, so you have arrived," King Ganondorf said casually. "Volga, take care of them."

The fire mage stepped forward and raised a hand where fire balled up. He hurled the fireball at Impa and Tarran. The two dodged, though Tarran's arm got singed. When they reached him, the fire mage retreated. He had no defense against melee weapons.

"This isn't a good matchup," he said to King Ganondorf. "Send in the lady."

"With pleasure," Nabooru said, pulling out twin swords.

"We'll fight anyone," Tarran yelled.

While Nabooru engaged Tarran and Impa, King Ganondorf looked to the side hallway. He smiled at Sheik and Saphem.

"I see you didn't come alone," he said. "Come forward. Perhaps you'd like to fight my mage?"

"You will be stopped!" Sheik declared as she ran forward. Saphem followed her into battle.

𝆘∴𝆗

Link waited with his back against the wall. He had to stay out of sight until it was his turn, but he hated that. He wanted to make sure Sheik was safe. The sounds of battle made him worry, even though he knew that was the plan. The nerves made his palms sweaty. He swapped the Master Sword between his hands to wipe them on his pants.

"Is this all you can do?" King Ganondorf goaded.

Link peeked. Just a little. Fire all around made the battlefield treacherous. He flashed back to his nightmare and pulled away. Closing his eyes, he took deep breaths. This wasn't his nightmare. He wasn't helpless. He had the Master Sword and four other people to back him up.

"Sheik, no!" Mom cried.

Link's heart stopped. No more feeling sorry for himself. He had to act. For Sheik's sake. His eyes snapped open, and he charged into the throne room.

Sheik was rolling on the ground, trying to put out a fire. …That was on her clothes. Nausea threatened to topple Link, but he tore his head away to glare at King Ganondorf.

"What's this?" the king said. "Another challenger?"

Link raised the Master Sword higher and saw fear flash in King Ganondorf's eyes before rage filled them.

"Nabooru, Volga, forget the others," King Ganondorf said, all pretense at casualty gone. "Take down that boy. Now! Soldiers! Converge!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Link saw Gerudo women stream in from multiple corridors. Nabooru and Volga tried to disengage from their opponents, but Link's friends wouldn't let up. Link concentrated on the king.

King Ganondorf rose from his throne. "Stop him!" he said, pointing at Link with a shaking hand.

Link reached King Ganondorf before the others could interfere. King Ganondorf summoned the same black sword from Link's nightmare. Link stopped short, eyes wide. How could it be?

King Ganondorf laughed, the same laugh from the nightmare. "Where's your courage, hero? If you have none, flee before me!"

Link steeled himself and struck with the Master Sword. King Ganondorf blocked easily. He pushed, and Link reeled back. Hands grabbed him and took the Master Sword. No! He fought to free himself, but more hands pinned him in place. His breath came in gasps. How could this happen? Their plan had failed!

"Take them to the dungeon!" King Ganondorf commanded. "I will take pleasure in torturing them," he added, glaring right at Link, who shuddered.

Sheik! Was she okay? As the Gerduo soldiers took him away, he turned as far as he could to look for her. Her clothes were burned in several places, and her headwrap was gone. Golden hair spilled over her shoulders. She was unconscious, and her head rolled. No! If only he could break free! His heart pounded painfully against his ribs.

He was helpless, just like his nightmare. Had it been an omen? A warning of his failure? He should have listened to it. He shouldn't have put Sheik's life in danger. They should have–

Stop it. Thinking that way wouldn't help them. He had to find a way out of this mess. He couldn't rely on rescue this time. He had to come up with a plan.

"Saphem! Link! Are you alright?" Dad asked. Link looked at him in surprise. Oh yeah, his parents were there, too. And Impa. He had to save them all. But how?

"Yes, we're fine," Mom replied, somewhere behind Link.

"Quiet!" a Gerudo soldier commanded.

The dimly lit dungeon held numerous cells down four corridors. Many of the cells they passed were filled with two or three Hylians each. The Gerudo soldiers shoved Link into one so hard, he flailed all the way to the back wall. They pushed Dad in after him and slammed the cell door closed. Impa, Mom, and Sheik were put in the cell across from them.

Link pressed his face against the bars, trying to get a glimpse of Sheik as the Gerudo soldiers left. Once the soldiers were gone, he could see clearly. Impa and Mom knelt over Sheik, who lay on the floor. Mom was stroking the girl's hair.

"Will she be okay?" Dad asked, coming to Link's side.

"I don't know," Impa said. "She has a few burns, so she may be in shock. If she is…"

Link kicked the bars and started pacing. How were they going to get out of there? Sheik needed medical attention, and fast. But, to everyone's surprise, Sheik groaned. Link hurried back to the bars to get a better look.

"Lie still, Sheik," Impa said, pushing Sheik down from trying to sit.

"What happened?" Sheik asked weakly.

"You were burned," Impa said.

Sheik turned her head and saw the bars. Her eyes met Link's.

"That's not all," she said. "We failed, didn't we?"

Such anguish in her eyes. She began to cry but kept her gaze on Link. He swallowed uneasily. It was torture enough to see her like this.

"Yes," Impa said quietly. "But you… How are you feeling? Any nausea? Let me see your eyes. Your skin seems fine…"

"I'm okay," Sheik said, looking at Impa. "I just have a little pain. I'll be fine soon enough. Stop fussing."