A/N Typical lack of self confidence, lamenting the lack of a beta, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Now that that is out of the way, hope you enjoy. I'm hoping that next chapter I'll be able to get a few adventuring components in. At this point, I am still experimenting with different subjects and styles, though I feel I am now well on my way towards "making things happen" in the story. Oh yea, I did give the horse that name #noregrets.

...

Zelda giggled as she extended her hand, palm up, just as the ranch girl had instructed. The grey mare took a few steps closer before stretching out her neck and sniffing at the sugar cube held in the princess's hand. Upon deciding that she wanted the treat, she grabbed it with her lips and pulled her head back- munching contently. "Your mane is beautiful," Zelda complimented, admiring how the creature's hair bunched together in thick, white locks. Members of the Hylian nobility would have a horse selected for them when they first began to learn how to ride. Once the child had come of age, the family's patriarch would present them the steed, a sign of the youth's maturity.

"If you keep spoiling Ruto like that she may end up too fat to run." Called Ganondorf, interrupting her thoughts. He leaned against the corral's gate and watched her stoke her steed.

Zelda looked over her shoulder at him. "Maybe if you spoiled yours more she would actually like you." He scoffed and looked over to the other end of the pen where his own mare stood. Also sporting a white mane but with hair the deep red-brown of rust, Epona was hailed by the breeders as one of the most promising colts they had seen. She already demonstrated an athleticism unmatched by the other horses her age and Sahasar had insisted she be reserved for the Princess's personal knight. Unfortunately, she was also incredibly temperamental. Over the course of their past few visits she had tried to bite Ganondorf more times than she had let him pet her.
"I'm sure she'll warm up to you, the strongest ones are often just some of the most stubborn," called a sweet voice from outside the corral. The both turned to see Malon, the rancher's scarlet-haired daughter, sauntering towards the entrance with a pail of grain. "It took me a few weeks to get her to trust me, and I see her every day."

"That, or Ganny just stinks," Zelda added, earning a giggle from the farmgirl and a stuck-out tongue from the squire. "You should see him after training for the day." Ganondorf opened his mouth to retort then, upon second thought, shut it again. Malon upturned her bucket and poured the grain into the tough at the end of the kennel- causing the horses to run over.

"I don't know Zelda, you must admit that a hardworking man is a fine thing to see." Ganondorf erupted in a series of coughs and Zelda shot her a warning glare. Seemingly oblivious to their discomfort, she shook the last few grains from her pail and reached forward to stroke Epona, "In fact, when the knights are out training they often take off-"

"-now enough of that." Zelda interjected, feeling distinctly uncomfortable. "When do you think you will be able to start training the horses to carry a rider? To this, Malon beamed. If there was anything she loves more than talking about boys, it was talking about her animals. I think her favorite things to do must all involve talking, Zelda thought to herself.

"Well, Ruto should be hardly any trouble at all. I have already dressed her in her tack a few times and she seems to enjoy the attention. Epona… well, I still have yet to get the saddle on her." Malon grinned sheepishly before adding, "she's a fine horse though, and I am sure she'll come around and be one of the best!" She stretched out her hand and ran a hand through the horse's mane. The action triggered a memory in Zeda's mind.

"Hey, Malon, are you familiar at all with people making weavings of horse hair?"

The farm girl paused to consider her question, "hmm, can't say that I am. I guess it would be possible, though very coarse. You see how their mane hair is thick?" She pointed it out to her friend, "People who work with fabric tend to use a material which is much more workable."

"Oh, okay." Responded Zelda.

"Where did you hear of people wearing horse hair? That seems pretty foolish." Asked Ganondorf in a sarcastic voice. Despite his tone, Zelda thought he stood a bit more rigid than he had been a few minutes before.

"Well, I suppose it is possible." Chimed in Malon, saving Zelda from immediately responding. "I have some dresses which my father says are made with flax. It's almost as coarse as Epona here." To this, the horse snorted and returned to the other end of the corral, nibbling contently at the grass underneath. Zelda chuckled at the mare's antics, but upon noticing Ganondorf watching her she responded.

"A book I was reading in the library made mention of such clothing. I figured I'd get the opinion of an expert." Malon grinned and spun in place, while Ganondorf shrugged and took a step away from the post.

"Well, I suppose we had best return to the royal party, you father didn't wish for us to tarry."

Malon frowned, "Leaving already? I just got to join you guys."

"Yea, I'm sorry Malon," Zelda turned to her friend, "I promise we'll come around more when things calm down at the castle. It's just a bit busy right now."

To this, Malon lit up, "Oh that's right, the whole kingdom is abuzz with news of the Gerudo's visit! Are we really going to throw a tournament!? Did they really steal from the royal vault!? Is the prince hot!?"

Ignoring another coughing fit from Ganondorf, Zelda responded, "Yes, no, and…" she paused, "why don't you find out for yourself? As one of my friends, I'd like to extend a formal invitation for you to come to the tournament." Malon shrieked and grabbed Zelda by the shoulders, snapping the guards to attention at the entrance to the ranch. Fortunately, Ganondorf waved them off before they charged down to take the farmgirl into custody.

"Me? ME? At a royal tournament?" Zelda was afraid the girl was going to squeeze the life out of her. "All the people, the nobles, the knights fighting eachother for honor and-"

"Yes, and exotic sounds as well as food," chimed in Ganondorf while prying Malon away from Zelda. "Though if you kill the princess your invitation will likely be revoked. Shouldn't you go ask your father for permission?"

Malon released her victim and looked at Ganondorf, before making a squeaking sound and bolting for the farmhouse. "I'll see you all there!" She called out behind her.

Ganondorf provided a supporting arm to Zelda. "She knows the tournament won't be for another month right?"

"She'll find out at some point." Zelda kept her arm looped through his as he led her towards the entrance to the ranch. "Weren't we just as hyper as her just a few years back?"

Her friend cast a look towards the farmhouse as they passed. "Yea, I suppose we ran around a lot and stirred up more trouble than we should have."
"And here we are, just a few years later." Zelda sighed, "Ganondorf, we aren't even fourteen yet and I feel we are carrying the weight of the world on us. I've been trying so hard to please my father, and you…" she paused, "it seems like you hardly get a break from your training nowadays."
Ganon frowned, "We are where we need to be. You are preparing yourself to be a great leader, the finest this country has to offer. The people will soon look to you for hope and guidance. I am just getting ready to do my part, to serve you as the finest of your father's knights serve him." He cast a sideways glance in her direction. "I'm sorry that things are not like what they were when we were younger, but when the time comes I will be there when you need me."

Zelda smiled and squeezed his arm in gratitude, "Thanks Ganny, I guess I am just stressed by all that is going on. Holdrum has been on my mind a lot lately, as well as the Gerudo." She felt his muscles tense at the mention of the desert people. There is something he isn't telling me. After a moment, they reached the soldiers at the gate of the ranch and the accompanying carriage. Ganondorf gave her a hand to help her in then followed.

"Your father is a wise man, I am sure these latest talks with Holdrum will go well." He paused, "As for the Gerudo, I pray these new talks will have a positive outcome. Hopefully, when we show our strength at the tournament it will make them realize the need for peace."

"Agreed," responded Zelda. I can't get anything from him now. "Impa said that she was going to take you to Karkariko for some special training?"

Ganondorf looked at her, an indecipherable look flashed on his face for a moment before being replaced by a cocky grin. "Yea. If anything this tournament means you'll finally be able to see me put my training to use." On that note, he threw her a grin and reclined on the opposite side of the carriage."

Zelda smiled back, "I am sure those Gerudo won't ever expect to see such ferocity from a youth such as you."

...

Link woke up to the familiar feel of his bedding, but with a strange scent hanging in the air. While other smells float about passively, it seemed that this aroma was forcing itself into his lungs. He opened his eyes to see numerous incense burners scattered around the room.

"A special spice, raided from caravans far to the south," called Kotake from behind him, her voice far more icy than he could ever recall. "One of our strongest herbs, able to accelerate the healing of both the mind and body. We only use it in dire situations." She came around the front of the bed as he sat up. "At least, that is what I told the sisters, we needed something to explain your miraculous recovery."

Link blinked a few times, "What?"

The elder continued, "Imagine the surprise of the sisters on the road, when they saw a boy charge past them with all the speed of a daemon. Furthermore, think of how the guards reacted, when that same boy outran the mounts of our pickets to get back to our fortress before them." She threw some herbs into a bowl and began to grind them with a small stone. "Of course, after that exertion you collapsed within the fortress, some thinking you dead. You've been out for four days."

"Four days?" Links memory was slowly coming back to him- fighting in the hills, the raw power he felt, his sister slipping away in his arms. "Kalila?"

Kotake waved her hand, "Been up and about since the day after you made it back- though I must say she has been awfully distressed for you." The elder snorted and handed him the bowl, "She also gave me the full story, which I made her swear not to share with any of the sisters. You may go and reassure yourself of her health after we talk."

Link grimaced, the last thing he felt like doing was undergoing an interrogation by Kotake, "You already know what happened then, we snuck out to scout and came across a raiding band. Things didn't end well, I submit to any punishment you wish to –"

"You think I wish to talk about your disobedience!?" Kotake smacked the bowl out of his hands, drawing his gaze to hers. The bowl's contents scattered across the room. "Do you not realize that everything has changed? Brother, you hold within you a power not seen amongst our people for hundreds of years."

"Hundreds… huh?" Link replied, trying to dispel the fog in his head.

Kotake folded her hands, "Many years ago, too many years to count, we Gerudo were on the edge of taking our birthright, of leaving the desert sands for good and becoming an empire." She paused for a moment as Link yawned, shooting him a nasty glare. "Our king managed to get into the castle and steal the greatest treasure of any heist: a piece of the Hylian Triforce- a relic of unspeakable power. Though he was ultimately defeated, the Triforce which he carried has remained with our people since, occasionally manifesting itself in our kings."

"And this… Triforce, gave me power?" Link responded.

"Yes," Kotake replied, "I convinced the sisters that your feat the other day was the result of an experiment gone wrong, an advanced spell of mine which spun out of control. Though a weak excuse, they could not conceive of no other explanation." She stood up, "From now on, everything else becomes secondary, we need to stoke this power within you and teach you to harness it. I will confer with Kohume, and we will adjust your training accordingly. Aside from the three of us, nobody else can know about your potential."

Finally, Link's mind was catching up, "But what of the other elders? Won't they need to approve?"

Kotake began gathering her supplies and snuffing the incense. "We shall take care of that, just concern yourself with your training. The artifact within you is magical by nature, so I will begin by teaching you're the basics of magic and spellcasting."

"Spellcasting?" She had Link's full attention now. The elders had not previously permitted him to study the tribe's ancient secrets. Though powerful, they were said to take an irreversible toll on the mind and body, a gamble that was rarely taken on the young and never on one as important as him.

"Yes," Kotake resumed as she worked her way towards the door. "Though dangerous, I learned from your sister that you already have begun channeling spells instinctively. I'm impressed, but I have also seen the damage done. If you didn't have the Triforce fragment within you I doubt you would have survived." She turned to him. "That isn't to say this path will be easy, everything else is going to have to be put on hold. Your standard training, the time you have spent with your peers, even your diplomatic missions to Hyrule- it will just take valuable time.''

"What!?" Link stood, bracing his hand against the bedpost as a flash of dizziness overcame him. "You can't… each of those things are necessary."

Kotake crossed her arms, "The only thing you need is to unlock the secrets of that artifact you carry. Do that, and everything else will be in your power. The Hylians?" She spat. "They will be mere insects, fleeing before us. They will meet on your terms, not theirs."

"But…" Link paused, "you've taught me almost everything I know about diplomacy and negotiation, how to win a fight without having to pick up the sword- that can't all be worthless. Also, what about the royal library? Could I not learn more about the Triforce there?"

Kotake was at the entrance to his room now, "Everything you need is inside of you. My sister and I will take you to the Spirit Temple, where we shall remain until you have mastered your Triforce."

Link took a deep breath, knowing there was only one thing he could do. "No." Kotake paused and turned towards him slowly. "My Triforce has opened up a new series of possibilities, but I now know it was not chance that has caused me to reach out to Hyrule. Whatever magic is in me, I know it is pointing me towards the castle. The diplomatic missions must continue."

"You defy me, one of the elders?" Kotake replied.

"No, I shall submit to the will of the elders, but if it goes to a vote among them I will make sure they know the whole story." Link wasn't sure why Kotake wanted to keep his Triforce secret, but it was his only chance now of getting back to Hyrule.

Kotake glared at him with an icy fury, but he held her gaze and refused to back down. The room was silent, the only sound being blowing of the desert wind. "I will expect you on the edge of the Haunted Wasteland before sunrise. If we wish to make any progress before you depart for Hyrule, we have no time to spare." With that, she turned and stormed out of the room, the heavy curtain falling into place behind her.

Link let out a breath and slumped back down onto his bedding. Why would I cross Kotake? He looked down at the birthmark on his left hand. It had always been discolored in the shape of a triangle, but it now appeared to have a much clearer definition. In the center of the triangle now rested a second one, upside-down, which split the mark into three smaller triangles. It bore a strange resemblance to the Hylian royal crest. "The Triforce, huh?" He chuckled, flexing his left arm while contemplating. Looking out of the slit in his wall, he noticed the sun had almost descended to the horizon. "Guess I had better grab some food then." Throwing on his vest, he lifted the curtain to his chambers and walked out into the hallway.

With the exception of the dining hours, the fortress always seemed like such an empty place. The Gerudo would either be resting in their rooms, on patrol, or trying to support their existence in the desert. Though the stone was cool and provided a relief from the desert heat, the people did not have much free time to waste wandering the corridors. Link's footsteps echoed off the walls and provided him with his only company as he descended through the labyrinth. Finally, he passed through one of the external doorways and into the evening sun. The Gerudo generally shared their meals communally, with the sisters gathering in the clearing outside of the fortress and taking the opportunity to fellowship as one. Looking around, he saw that most of the Gerudo had already dispersed, though several of the youth were still congregated on the edge of the clearing. He spotted Nasira and Khalisah perched on a crate and was trying to identify the others when a familiar shriek interrupted his thoughts. Within moments, a force slammed into his side and sent him to the ground.

"I swear Kalila, one of these days you are going to knock me over a cliff and kill us both; get off of me!" He shoved her to his side and began to pull himself up, only to find she had already bounded upright and offered him her hand. He took it and noticed her wound. A deep, red scab started halfway down the outside her forearm and extended almost to her elbow.

"Sorry! Sorry! It's just, you're okay; I'm okay; we're all okay!" She spun around on her right foot and flapped her arms about.

Link just eyed her warily, "Kalila, you're drawing quite a bit of attention. What happened?"

The Gerudo paused for a moment to regard the other youth in the clearing. Turning back to Link, she lowered her voice, "Guess what? Kotake gave me an assignment!"

"What?" Link cast one arm over his friend and led her from the clearing, "What do you mean she gave you an assignment?"

He could feel Kalila trembling with excitement, "She says that I am to be part of your escort when you and the elders go to the Spirit Temple, as well as on guard detail while you are there."

Link let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. Of course Kotake wouldn't leave Kalila behind in the fortress. She needed to make sure that Kalila, the only witness to the fight with the bandits, wasn't going to share more about that day than she should. "Well that is good, how is your arm?"

Kalila beamed, "A little sore, but not enough to slow me down. I'll be ready to go whenever we depart!"

"Even if we are departing first thing in the morning?"

Kalila paused, looking at him, "In the morning? Leever dung!" She disentangled herself from Link and began running back to the fortress. "Don't leave without me!"

Link shook his head and returned to the dining area. A few pieces of desert cactus remained, which he scooped up and brought over to the remaining Gerudo. The looked up and acknowledged his approach.

"Brother," Khalisah nodded.

"How are you?" Nasira added.

"I feel alright, a little disoriented though. What have I missed?" Link hopped up on one of the other crates and began chewing on his meal.

"Not too much," chimed another of their companions. A bit of an oddity, Rafiqa sported the same olive-colored skin as Afya. Though she trained alongside them, she was a bit quieter than the other Gerudo youth. Link didn't mind her company, it was sometimes nice to be with people who less vocal after spending too much time with his noisier sisters.

"Yea, it's been quiet," Nasira added, "we've been worried. Kalila says a piece of the canyon wall came out from under you?"

Link paused, if that was the story… "It's all a pretty big blur to me." At least that part was true. "Maybe I hit my head off of something."

"Hence the whole being out a few days," Rafiqa added. "I don't know if you noticed, but Kalila has a big cut down her arm from a sharp rock. Its good you guys are okay."

"I did notice, thought I didn't know if I should say anything." Link responded. The other Gerudo continued to remark about the lack of stability around the top of the canyon, but he found he had no interest in following the conversation. After awhile, he excused himself on account of a pounding headache. Returning to his quarters, he noticed the scent of Kotake's incense had almost dispelled. Well, I had better try to get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be interesting. On that thought, he dropped to his bed and soon drifted off.