Walking through the now restored castle seemed like a surreal dream to Link. Not one month ago was he trying to find his way through these halls in order to attack the very man who kidnapped the Princess. Everything seemed so quiet now. The guards stood their vigil and no one spoke. Link wandered around as he thought about everything that's happened to him on his journey. He still had several questions swimming in his head, and he couldn't really begin to answer them.
Just then, the Princess followed by her escorts, came around the corner. "Link! There you are! I've been looking for you."
Link smiled at her. The two of them had a peculiar friendship, but it was by no means uncomfortable. He just felt like something was amiss or that they just don't know each other well enough, or that she is still a part of his mystery. Most of his questions about Ganondorf had been answered by the man himself during their lengthy talks, and he didn't doubt that his tales were true. But the Princess… something was still guarded from him. This made him a little weary. "What may I do for you Princess?"
"Link, I told you to just call me Zelda."
"Excuse me for being polite Princess." He teased.
She let out a very un-Princess like huff before continuing. "I was just thinking that maybe it was time to seal away the Master Sword once more in the Temple of Time, since we no longer need it. The danger is over after all."
Link felt like he was punched in the gut. He knew the sword didn't really belong to him, but it's aided him in his adventure and has become almost a companion to him as well. He relied on it, and the blade felt like a part of him. "Um… with all due respect your Majesty… I would like to hold onto the sword for a little while longer. I'm still not sure that all the darkness is gone from the land yet. I still have some places to investigate."
"Very well. But it should be returned soon. Don't forget, we have another banquet to attend tomorrow night. Be in the reception hall by sundown."
"Yes, Princess." Link said semi sarcastically. Another banquet to suffer through. It was mainly full of dignitaries that pay homage to the Princess and re-elect state officials in the attempt to get the kingdom running smoothly again. The thing that Link really wanted to point out was that all these people chose to go into hiding, and forgot about a failing kingdom. Where were they when the people needed help? Where were they when the evil spread over the land. Link stayed quiet during those banquets, because he was sure he would say something he would regret. Some people tried to engage him in small talk, but none of them even offered thanks. They were more pleased to have the Princess back on the throne more than anything. Probably because the throne was tied to their wallets as well. This is why Link kept his mouth shut.
Back to his current dilemma, Link came to the decision to start his questions from the beginning. Where all of this mayhem started. He set out immediately heading towards the forest in the hopes of gaining an audience with the Deku Tree sprout.
"Link! So good to see you now that things are calmer." The sprout said, clearly excited to see the young man.
"Thank you. It is good to see you looking so well. Your branches are flourishing."
"The land is healing, and I feel renewed."
"I'm glad to hear that. Listen. I wanted to know some things that I hope you can answer. First of all, why did you choose to raise me as a Kokiri if I wasn't one? I felt like such an outsider, and I hardly made any friends."
"It was the best course I knew. Your mother asked me to keep you safe, and this place is safer than any other place in Hyrule, I might venture.
"But when you sent for me, I was little more than a child. Yet you entrusted me to rid you of that awful curse. You said you were doomed before you even sent for me. Why did it have to be then?"
"I was at the end of my line. If I wanted to come back at all, I needed to be cleansed. I couldn't ask the other children, because they know nothing of weapons and fighting. You on the other hand could adapt. You were my only hope, and I knew you would be the right one to help me. It's true. I was cursed before you even came into my care. But I'm glad everything worked out for the better."
Link couldn't fault him for that. Everyone likes a happy ending. But something was still nagging at him, "How long ago were you cursed?"
"The forest doesn't hold concept of time, so I cannot say, but it was a long time ago. Longer still than it seemed when the war was at its peak."
Link thought about this. He knew the sprout said it was Ganondorf who cursed him, but the Ganondorf he knew said he didn't do it, and Link believes him. "Thank you Great Deku Tree Sprout. I must be on my way, but I hope I can visit soon."
"You're welcome any time my young one. Any time at all."
Link decided to trek through the Lost Woods, still deep in thought. Certain things didn't add up. From what the Deku Tree sprout said, it seems as though he was cursed more than 25-30 years ago. But Ganon wasn't that old, was he? The man said he had just reached his 37th year this past season. So was he an over ambitious teenager? He somehow doubted it. Link could forgive the Great Deku Tree for more or less using him to get rid of his pest problem in exchange for a place to live. Where else would he have found willing help? But the rest of his whole adventure was riddled in the shadow of mystery. Despite everything he's learned thus far, he wanted to know why the evil in the land chose then to poison the land? What really happened while his spirit was locked away? What has Zelda not told him about her time in hiding? By the time he reached the Forest Temple, his head was so cluttered, he was getting a massive migraine. He didn't even see the small conspicuous string running across the opening of the Temple's entrance. Not until he felt the tug, and momentum made him feel the fall. The collision with the hard ground turned his headache into a full body ache. He didn't even bother to get up right away. Part feeling stupid and part annoyance kept him from moving.
"Link! Are you alright?" He heard Ganon's voice at the top of the stairs. He didn't even bother to look as he rolled over. Ganondorf knelt down and examined the damage. "I see you found the intruder alarm. I didn't think I'd ever expect you to visit me that way." He laughed looking at the less-than-amused look on Link's face as he stared at the sky.
"I decided to take the long way around. Through the treacherous labyrinth I so love and couldn't help but memorize by heart." Link groaned out sarcastically, slightly winded from the fall. He finally tried to get up, and in no time, Ganon was there helping him, all humor replaced by concern. Ganon helped him sit on the trunk while he checked for other injuries, "I'm fine! I'm fine. I just… feel a little stupid is all." That's when the blush appeared, "For one who kept light on hit feet throughout the temples, I ended up being brought down by a trip wire of all things…" He grumbled, not looking at the man.
Ganon thought the little pout the Hero was sporting was quite adorable, "I wasn't expecting you today. Have I been amiss in our arrangements?" Ganon smirked. Link finally looked at the man, and couldn't picture him as the Evil King so many painted him as. He wore a loose shirt that was open at the neck, and dark, well fitting, but comfortable pants with knee high boots. It's true that Link was coming here in regular intervals every couple of days, to the point where his visits became predictable. He wasn't supposed to return until the day after tomorrow, but he felt this was important.
"I'm sorry for dropping in like this Ganon." Link smirked, gesturing towards the entrance, "I have some things to ask you, and I hope you won't be offended." Link didn't want to do anything to jeopardize their friendship, so he avoided speaking of the dark times. He's come to rely on Ganon as a calming presence. And when he started calling him "Ganon", the man was thrilled. Everyone called him by his full name plus whatever colorful title they wished to tack on. But no one ever dared be so informal as to call him simply Ganon.
Seeing the youth's face fall so suddenly made Ganon instantly concerned for his friend. "There is nothing you could say that would offend me. Ask." He wanted Link to be as open with him as possible. He felt they could grow closer in time the more comfortable the youth became around him.
Link took a deep breath, and began to speak, "It's just that since things have calmed down, my mind is full of all these questions that are begging to be answered. I'm forced to relive my journey night after night in my dreams, and I still can't help but think… why? So many would be fine with the answer that it's simply destiny and prophecy, but that can't be all there is." Link looked away, not brave enough to look the man in the eyes. "So many people claimed you were the ultimate evil. 'Ganondorf wants the Triforce to rule the land and then the world.', 'Ganondorf will stop at nothing.', Ganondorf this, Ganondorf that. I remember the Great Deku Tree telling me that a man in the desert wearing dark armor put the curse on him, but after talking with the Deku Tree sprout, it seems like that was a really long time ago, back when Hyrule was at war." There was a question on his lips that he bit, keeping it trapped between his teeth and lower lip.
Ganondorf scooted closer and gently rested his large hand on Link's shoulder. "Link. Ask." He said quietly.
Link still refused to look at him. "…Was it… you…? Everything I've learned points to 'no', but with your name being thrown around everywhere… I'm just… so confused."
Ganon thought for a moment, and snapped his fingers as a ridiculously simple answer presented itself that he hadn't thought of before. He hadn't cared about the outer world politics ever since he shut himself up in the castle, and he turned his back on his heritage long before that. The snap startled Link, and his concerned look made Ganon wonder if Link thought he was mad at him. Ganon almost laughed. "I have your answer Link, and I'm sorry I didn't think of it before." He grabbed Link's hand and forced him to look into his eyes, "First of all, I have never wished harm on another. And I especially do not go around cursing great and powerful forest spirits." He hoped his light tone would reassure Link. "But for your inquiries, I'm afraid I made a terrible assumption as to what is common knowledge among my people. All males bare the name 'Ganondorf'. It means Power to Rule the Desert. And so, when people have been blaming 'Ganondorf' they are not far off, considering who the last King was. I may have the dark magic of the ancients coursing through me, but I do not let it rule me. And the black armor is a relic worn by all the males of the Gerudo royal line."
Dawning realization flooded Link's features. "So then… you… what… gah! I don't even know what I'm saying. You say the former Gerudo King, also named Ganondorf was the one who curse the Great Deku Tree and started the path of destruction for the land?"
"Yes. And being of the Gerudo line, he assumed the next King would be just as ambitious as he was, and grateful that the land was more or less presented to him on a silver platter. Ready for the taking. What he probably never anticipated was someone like me being the next in line."
Link couldn't help it. He laughed. He was relieved that this Ganondorf wasn't responsible for his Guardian's pain. He felt happy that one of his questions was answered. "But why didn't you tell me before? I mean… for instance when you were the wolf, and joined me on my journey. Why didn't you tell me about yourself? Why did you have to put on such a show by kidnapping the Princess?"
"Because that's what I felt I had to do Link. I wasn't stupid. I was meant to pay for what the Former King had done, and I welcomed it. I felt it was my way of attoning for the sins of my lineage. It wasn't hard to figure out the Princess went into hiding among the Sheikahs. I just left her alone, and acted all high and mighty towards the end for her childish benefit. She pegged me as the villain from day one without even speaking to me, so part of it was playing her game. I also had the feeling she actually wanted to play the 'damsel in distress'. She could have done something to break out of my field, but she just stood there and waited for you. But that whole drama was the sort of power hungry ramblings you would expect to hear from an Evil King. Everything was going according to plan before you went all sympathetic on me." He chided Link playfully. Link blushed and lowered his head as Ganon laughed, "But I meant what I said. I've never been more grateful." Ganon squeezed the hand he was still holding.
Link coughed, trying to clear his throat. "Um… thank you… that helped clear some things up."
"Glad to be of service." Ganon grinned.
"Um… I may have more questions like this in the future… would you mind…"
"Feel free to ask me anything you wish to know. It feels refreshing to purge my secrets to someone I trust." That earned him another blush from the young man. This time the flush traveled up to the tip of his adorable ears. Ganon was so close to him, he could have nibbled on the tip of that ear. But now was not the time. "Come inside. I'll make you a cup of tea before you have to leave."
Link rubbed his sore neck that got jarred in his fall. "A cup of tea sounds marvelous. Lead the way Mr. Wicked King."
Ganon had to suppress a groan. Oh, you have no idea how wicked I can be… Soon… soon…
