Brother,

Upon leaving the desert we were met with sheets of rain like the ocean falling from the sky. It was unlike anything I had previously witnessed in these lands.

So much prosperity lingers here, even in the closest town to the border. The people grow fat on their comforts, unaware of those outside their bubble. Imagine it; not knowing what it is to go hungry or spend days in search of fresh water. The people are clouded as such that they didn't even recognise royalty when they saw it—they laughed, like they all thought we were some travelling circus. Such dull witted people they are; you are fortunate that you were not raised among them.

My audience with the Hyrulian King is finally upon us. It shall be interesting to meet the man behind the land. I have come to understand that the success of a King is best measured by the state of his people. From what I have seen, this man is one who provides for his kingdom with riches and wealth, but not for their souls. I should wonder if he has one himself. I suppose we shall find out. I may even bring you to visit me next time, should this meeting go accordingly; I know you were hoping to join me on this visit, but you are not yet disciplined enough. Perhaps when you have learned to bite your tongue instead of running your mouth at the slightest provocation. Diplomacy is important, particularly in delicate matters such as this.

I am hopeful, despite my disdain for the Hyrulians, that he will agree to trade with us. Perhaps enter into an agreement that will ease the burden of the desert on our people. Picture it if you can; never having to spend days digging wells to find water. Never having to venture out into the wasteland to hunt when the wind dies down. Having food plenty to share of all types and varieties. The girls might no longer have to sneak into the country every few moons. The world might finally begin to learn the might of the Gerudo, desert warriors who have withstood generations of harsh conditions and survived. We would take our rightful place among the revered.

Give my regards to Banyu. Don't drive her to insanity while I'm gone, I'm sure she's already dangling on the precipice after your little stunt in the sparring ring just before I left. You'll send that woman grey before her time, I've no doubt.

Take care, Little Brother. I will be returning soon.

Ganon.


Link kicked the door to his room open hard enough that it bounced violently back on its hinges, earning him a harsh reprimand from the guard down the corridor. Cringing and offering her a half-sincere apology, he slipped inside his chambers.

The letter he'd received from his brother earlier that day was sitting on his desk amongst the mess of papers, crafts and trinkets, and on passing it he gave an unconscious little grin. Ganon had always held such high ambitions for his people, and this was one step further in his dream to liberate the Gerudo from their confinements in the harsh world they lived in. For as long as Link could remember, Ganon had been focused on this task, sometimes even to the point that he would be holed up in his chambers for days studying and planning all manner of things he could utilise that would appeal to the Hylians.

It seemed like he might finally be making some progress too; after so long being rejected for any type of audience with the Hyrulian King, Ganon was finally being 'granted' a meeting. While they all knew that it was likely just a show, Link allowed himself to hope that it meant good things for them. Perhaps down the line, it could mean a treaty or open trade, even migration between the people so that they could share their cultures. If that was the case, a whole new world would be opened up for the people of the desert.

Everything was about to change.

Link had always imagined what the country would be like. He wasn't born there and had technically never set foot there, but he was Hylian by heritage and he'd always had curiosities about the place. When he had first learned that Ganondorf was to visit Hyrule he'd begged to be allowed to go with, but was refused on the grounds that he'd probably goof off and embarrass the Gerudo.

Which wasn't exactly a lie, but still.

By the sounds of it though, Ganondorf would allow Link to visit the place if negotiations went smoothly, and he was excited by the prospect.

His mind was still on the daydreams of the future as he padded into the washroom and shucked his sand-encrusted clothes, tossing them into the corner by the door. A basin of lukewarm water sat on a marble bench which he upended over his head, scrubbing at his skin until it was pink.

The baths were communal, but when he had reached adolescence his mother had insisted he be given a private washroom—the only other individual in the fortress besides Ganondorf to be allowed one. He was quietly thankful for that.

As was a usual ritual after bathing, Link peered critically at his reflection in the large mirror fixed upon the wall. Cobalt eyes blinked owlishly back at him and fixed themselves into a scowl. The skin around his nose was red again, as were his shoulders and chest. Some time ago Link had entertained the thought that eventually he would acclimatize to the harsh sun of the desert, and maybe even reach the same tone of the rest of the Gerudo. No such luck; while his skin was not as pale as a regular Hylian's, he still looked like a sheet in comparison to his brethren.

Finishing up his bath, Link collected his dirty clothes and tossed them aside for laundering, shaking out his damp hair with a sigh of contentment.

He shuffled over to his writing desk and cleared out a space for himself, settling in with a blank sheet of paper and his charcoal poised. In his mind the letter was already half composed, words of excitement and reverence rolling over one another in his eagerness to reply. He paused however, opting to think about what he wanted to say before rushing in and tripping over his words.

After a few moments of contemplation, Link smiled to himself and placed the charcoal tip to paper

Brother...