Okay, so I forgot to mention before: the chapter's are gonna range from short to long, since my ideas are very oneshot-based. I know it's slow, but it is getting there. Just trust me and keep reading. A significant plot is coming up in the next chapter or so, and then things are definitely gonna get interesting.

One more thing: I don't own Legend of Zelda. But you already knew that, so don't sue me.

The earlier years of my youth are my favorite, albeit the most painful: I want to laugh at my innocence, shake my head at how naive I was, but instead my heart aches. Those were the days when nothing mattered, when making others happy meant not talking back to elders, eating everything put on your plate, and not getting your robe dirty. A world outside the desert wasn't even thought of in the mind of a child.

I would love to have that ignorance again.

Ganon narrowed his eyes, staring at the five pots in front of him. They were smaller, much slimmer than the pots the other girls were using, and the stands holding them up were farther away. The other girls watched with bated breath.

Taking a deep breath, he let the arrow fly, quickly notching another one and aiming it at the pot next to the first. Shards flew in the distance, but he wasn't done, continuing until he'd used up his other three shots, looking at his work with satisfaction. Only one pot remained. It wasn't perfect, but he was fast improving.

The girls ooohed and aaahed in admiration. The older women looked on in pride. One of them turned to her friend. "Only eleven and he's progressed twice as fast as the girls!"

Her friend nodded, smiling. "He'll definitely leave a great mark on our people. I can feel it."

She walked briskly over to Ganon, setting a hand on his shoulder. "Very good, Prince Ganondorf."

He smiled, looking up at her. "Let me try. Just one more time."

"Are you sure? You've been out here longer than anyone."

Ganon looked at the last pot, sticking out like a sore thumb and standing in the way of perfection. "I think I can get them all down this time."

Nodding, she set up four more pots, all identical to the last line. Ganon picked up five more arrows off the ground, setting them in his quiver and putting one in his bow. He took a deep breath, as he had last time, letting the arrow go.

Another arrow zoomed out of nowhere, neatly slicing his and shattering the pot it had been aimed for. Before Ganon could load another arrow, say something in protest, or even figure out what had just happened, another pot had been shattered. Then another. Then another.

As the last pot was destroyed, he looked around, trying to find the culprit. He was angry, but at the same time not surprised to see Nabooru lowering her bow, grinning in pride and triumph. "Gotta be faster than that, Gan!"

Immediately, the woman that had been helping Ganon rushed over to Nabooru, slapping her face hard. "How dare you, Nabooru! This is your future King, yet you still want to humiliate him?"

She scowled, rubbing her face. "Oh, puh-leese! He's a Prince, for one, and he's not a god. So quit treating him like one!"

"Nabooru! If your mother could hear you now…"

"Well she can't, so shaddup! Besides…" she turned and winked at Ganon. "How's he supposed to be a good King if you keep pampering him? Life's not all servants and gold."

"Why, you…"

"It's okay."

Ganon stepped in between the two, who were glaring daggers at each other. "Nabs is right."

"She is?"

"I am?"

Both girls looked at him, surprised. Ganon nodded. "I'll just have to be faster next time."

He turned to Nabooru. "Trust me…it won't happen again. I'll make sure."

Nabooru grinned back, sensing the challenge. "Actions speak louder than words, Gan."

War had officially been declared.

And thus begins the friendly (sometimes not so friendly) rivalry between Nabooru and Ganon! It's gonna get better soon, so just keep reading!