Chapter 10.

Zelda shuffled across the floor, dragging her feet to waste time. She hated the large, formal gatherings. However, it was a ball, which meant chocolate and dancing.

"Hurry up, child!" Impa scowled, shaking the dress. Zelda tried not to smile as she admired the pink satin gown with the Hyrulian crest on a purple sash that wrapped around its waist.

"Will Ganondorf be there?" She asked as she wriggled her way through the gown.

"Lord Ganondorf." Impa reminded in her usual way, "And yes, he will."

"I hope he doesn't stay long." The princess stated as she tugged the sleeves down.

"I'm sure he'll stay later than you, it is for him after all." Impa stated as she buttoned the back of the dress. Zelda began to pout, sticking her bottom lip out. It was clear on Impa's face that little princess's weren't to make such a face but Zelda didn't care.

"Your mother will be there tonight, so it's imperative you behave." Impa said placidly as she tilted the child's head back. A smile cracked on the princess's defiant face.

"Mummy is going to be there? Can I see her?" She exclaimed with a squeal. Impa's dark gaze warned Zelda that her mannerisms were not that of royalty and her behavior would not be rewarded.

"Yes. You are to sit with your father and mother for greetings as well as the feast. I will be behind you, watching you until it is your time to leave."

"Oh, Impa! Mummy is getting better!" Zelda giggled as she wrapped her arms around the Sheikah. Impa's face dropped. She couldn't tell the princess's that this was the Queen's last ball. How in Hyrule was she supposed to break her heart?

"Yes. Yes she is."

Nabooru scowled as she walked to Ganondorf's chambers. She had arrived yesterday evening to attend the ball but she felt uneasy. There was something in Ganondorf's sudden happiness that brought her unease. Perhaps it was the Hylian vai she had watched him talk to the night before. He was giving her instructions though, which made her doubt him even more. Something seemed so peculiar about his eagerness that made her stomach quiver. His last letter she had received promised her some sort of scheme for peace, a partial play that would be a step in the right direction, though he never said what it was she knew inevitable somehow that vai was involved.

"Vasaaq." Nabooru greeted as she leaned in his doorway, looking him up and down with a frowned. He turned, glancing at her.

"Sav'saaba." He replied as he snorted with disapproval. "Traditional garb?" He quired as he motioned her in. She gave a bitter laugh as she looked at him.

"What about you? Armor to a formal event? At least I wear a skirt. It's less offensive to the Hylian." She quipped, sitting down on a nearby chair. He grunted as he finished lacing his leather arm bracers.

"One must be prepared for anything Nabooru, their hospitality is something I cannot trust." He scoffed as he sat across from her.

"Why do you require me here?" She asked, looking into the fire that danced underneath the mantle.

"I need you to enjoy your time here with the Hylian, it is up to us to prove we are civil and agreeable. I believe you can demonstrate this. You do not seek romance, you are strong-willed, I needed someone I trusted." He explained, bending over to tie his boots. Nabooru flinched. Trust was not a word he familiarized himself with.

"And the Hylian vai?"

Ganondorf raised a brow.

"A distraction. Merely an illusion to appeal the king." He replied, his voice bereft of any emotion. Nabooru's face twitched, unsure of his response.

"She's only a vehvi. You'll hurt her, you can't play her like a pawn in a game, Ganondorf." Nabooru's words were sharp and urgent, persuasive if his ears would only listen.

"She will understand. She is a good vai and I will dispose of her after tonight. She seeks allegiance between us as well. She is nothing to me as I am to her." His voice was furious but quiet, like it was a forced secret between the two of them. Nabooru folded her arms,, locking eyes with the voe across from her.

"Are you positive?"

"I am certain."

Nabooru's eyes narrowed but she didn't protest. She knew she had no choice but to play his game, it was too late to change his mind and he was too eager to play out his plot.

Grace's eyes gleamed as she admired herself in the mirror. The top of the gown was sweetheart styled with gently pinched marie sleeves, showing off her womanly frame until it fanned out into the gown skirt. She gave one last twirl before nodding in approval. She tucked a loose curl behind her ear before checking her hair that laid in a curly low updo with a dainty braid that came down the side of her head and met the curls in the back.

"Grace, stop staring at yourself and go with Gadrel. You'll miss the feast if you don't hurry." Her father said warmly, placing a small box in her hand. She lifted her eyes off the small box and to her father who only smiled. Gingerly, she lift the lid, careful of the content inside.

"Mother's necklace? Papa… I-"

"She used to say it would bring her good luck. She had some ridiculous story about it being a light in the dark? But with tonight being your first outing with your suitor I thought you could use a little luck."

Grace bit the corner of her lip as she hastily put it on.

"Can I have a moment, Papa?" She whispered as she clutched the red orb. He nodded, eying her with impatience but not wanting to put her in a sour mood. Once she was certain he was gone she closed her eyes tight.

"Mother, please be with me tonight."

"Grace! Hurry! He'll be here soon!"

"I'm coming!" And with a deep breath and her thoughts on the part she was to play, she left her home and the model ideas of womanhood behind.

The ballroom was filled with laughter and worldly gossip that seemed to combine with the music to make a most obnoxious sound of happiness. The nations, excluding the two Gerudo representatives, were gathered at the tables alongside the halls, gibbering mindlessly on their foreign affairs and whatnot. The King of Hyrule sat at the head of the table with queen and princess both to the right. On the left side there were two empty seats that were for the guests of honor.

Zelda frowned as she looked impatiently at the door. They were not to eat without the Gerudo present, another reason to detest them. In her little mind she had already begun to make a list against them, though her gut seemed to say only Ganondorf was wrong.

"Mummy, I'm bored." She whispered to the sickly woman beside her. The queen only smiled and in a hushed voice responded,

"Everyone is, that's why they're talking nonsense."

Zelda let out a very unlady like laugh which was abruptly stopped by Impa's stern glare.

"Go find the Gerudo!" The king hissed at a soldier. The soldier nodded and left quickly but stopped as the doors slammed open. The room fell silent, the laughter fading and the once gleeful faces of the crowd now stared at the two in the doorway with cold, judgmental looks.

The silence continued as everyone watched them stride to their seats beside the king. All except Grace, who smiled as the passed. The man beside her shook his head, unimpressed by her childish optimism.

"They're feins, all of them." He whispered, making the hair on the back of her neck rise. She hated him already and she barely knew him. No wonder Gadrel had wanted her to court him, they were exactly alike.

"Let the feast commence!"

Ganondorf remained silent throughout the meal, eyeing the tawny haired girl across the room who returned his glances occasionally.

"He looks as though you two have met." The soldier said quietly, placing an arm around her waist. Grace moved uncomfortably, not wanting any part of his 'protection'.

"Perhaps we have?" She hissed,giving a desperate glance to her father. The man only laughed.

"Gadrel's sister, acquainted with the Gerudo? He warned me of your odd sense of humor. No, your family raised a fine young woman with sensibility. You loathe them as much as I and anyone else in the room for that matter." He shook his head merrily as he spoke. She was unamused by him.

"I may be his sister but I am not Gadrel, nor my father, nor anyone else in this room." She snarled, pulling away from his grasp.

"You are still a woman, and by the end of the night I'll have your hand. Gadrel already promised you to me. Don't make our marriage miserable."

That was the final straw, she couldn't stand him. She could never let herself rot as his wife. He was despicable and she hated him. Her study of magic would forever be suppressed under a man like him.

"The only consent that matters is my father's and I will choose my husband, regardless of Gadrel's gambling. I'm not a fool. I watch you gamble away everything when you think nobody is watching. Quite a good cheater, though, that's outlawed, isn't it?" Her face brightened as she watched his mouth fall agape. She loved winning against men in a battle of domination.

"Why you little wench!" He growled, careful not to have his anger seen by her father or Gadrel. Grace only grinned, taking in a bite of her meal. Gadrel would have her head but she didn't care. Not she was going to change everyone's lives in her own small way.

She shot a smile at Ganondorf, once certain he had seen it she focused in on the crowd around her, knowing it was best to stay patient until he came to her. She couldn't look suspicious.

"Grace! You disappeared on us. Angry still?" Flat mused as he finally realized her glances. Grace whipped her head to the side, surprised to see the Composer Brothers awkwardly grinning.

"No...busy, very busy with housework and cooking and-"

"And magic study?" Sharp interrupted in his usual hot-headed manner. Grace's face whitened.

"No, well, yes… but nothing new." She said quickly, not wanting to continue the conversation, knowing full well their intent.

"Now you can study the Gerudo better than ever! Or, was that what you were busy with this week?" Flat asked with a small laugh. Grace felt herself shrink under Gadrel's bitter glare. He hadn't known about their quarrel and now was not the time to make up for it.

The king watched everyone in the room with a gentle stare. Nabooru was beginning to become restless in the room. Many eyes darted to and from the Gerudo pair but no one spoke a word to them. Nobody had to though, they were not welcome here, another Hylian mockery he added to his growing list.

"We're not all like that! I don't believe in the silly prejudice my family has built against you! I think you're fascinating! And you have an understanding of respect… I wish people here weren't the way they are. Then we could live happily together! Just wait! We'll turn their heads and force them to see our way!"

Her voice was so loud in his head, how did she manage to creep her way inside? Perhaps it her smile that she seemed to give him now and then. It disgusted him how she was so simple, so easy, and that he had suddenly felt human in her presence. He admired her for finding that part he had hidden so well, and he loathed her for it just the same. If she stayed with him she would destroy him. Demise would never leave his head, and there was nothing he could do about it, except blame it on her for convincing him of his mortality.

He grimaced, realizing that Nabooru had been pinching his hand. Nabooru cleared her throat, looking towards the direction of the king. Ganondorf looked up curiously, only to realize he was waiting to be answered.

"Forgive me, what did you say?" Ganondorf said quickly, trying to ignore the heavy and dramatic sigh from his Second in Command.

"Is everything to your liking?" The queen asked calmly, her voice plummy and sweet but dry from little use.

"Yes, it's very...charming." Ganondorf replied cautiously. The queen nodded, unimpressed by his lack of enthusiasm. Nabooru huffed under her breath, this was not going the way it should.

"You are restless, you seek entertainment, conversation. This is why you haven't eaten?" The queen was clever, wise enough to know what men wanted but womanly enough to assume.

Ganondorf placed an arm on the table, his manners considered quite unrefined to the Hylian people who watched viciously. He leaned into his hand and with a cool grin replied,

"I am as relentless as I am restless."

Nabooru coughed, choking on the strange Hylian appetite and on his strange behavior. Nothing more was said between the mystified and worried Hylian rulers and the Gerudo for the rest of the meal. Even little Zelda sensed something odd about the intent of his words. Nabooru's instinct told her something was going to go terribly wrong tonight.

After the meal and the room was cleared for dancing everyone scattered about, greeting old friends, meeting new ones, and talking excitedly as the musicians began to take their places.

"Come, Grace, let me introduce you to your new friends." Her suitor said in his disgustingly sauve voice. Reluctantly, she strode with him, unimpressed by the way he strutted about the hall and the ignorant (in her opinion) people whom she was forced to interact with. She constantly searched the hall for her father but was never able to locate him. It worried her that neither Gadrel nor her father had come to her side. They had planned for this to happen.

As the young man jabbered on with a group of soldiers she slowly took a step back, only to walk into someone.

"Excuse her, she can be a nuisance at times. She's still young." The suitor said, not even looking at her nor the man she had bumped into. She blushed furiously, afraid to look behind her out of sheer embarrassment.

"I suggest you hold your tongue. She is a very bright young woman, perhaps more educated than yourself." Grace felt her stomach tighten as she recognized the voice, since when had he seen her more than a child?

"How dare you insult me!" The man spit out as he turned to face the Gerudo man. Ganondorf smirked as he placed his hands on her shoulders, giving a gently squeeze. She looked to the ground, unsure of herself.

"You are quick to tear her down aren't you? Women are fragile, yes, but they never forget what you've done."

"You have no right to touch her! Go back to one of your whores!" The man growled before tearing Grace away. She looked up and the darkened face of the Gerudo, terrified for both her and the man she detested. He said nothing, he didn't need to. His glare and visible anger were enough to make the group of young knights shaky. The music started and Grace pushed her suitor away, grabbing Ganondorf's arm. The men just watched, baffled and horrified, their mouths agape as she led him away into the crowd.

"Don't be angry, you won't win the queen's favor." Grace whispered as she bowed, waiting for him to take her into his arms. He exhaled deeply, straightening himself as he took her hand, his face releasing all the bitter tension it had momentarily held. "They're ignorant. All of them. Don't pay them any mind. Tonight we have nothing to lose." She continued as the began to sway nervously.

"We?" He scoffed, surprised she had so easily combined them. She raised a brow, surprised by his mockery.

"Yes, you and I are fighting for peace in our own silent way. If you win the queen's favor then our war is almost over." She replied snottily, letting her eyes survey the room for Gadrel or her father once more.

"You're a strange vehvi, you know." He stated, glancing at the Hylian rulers. Grace frowned.

"I am not a child, Ganondorf." She protested. He smirked.

"Really? Then why do you act like one? You got so upset when you bumped into me and depended on my protection when he was yelling at you. How did you end up with a voe like him anyway?" He was amused with her flustered face. He was relieved and glad to use his mother tongue too. Her fascinations were almost too good to be true.

"My father and brother want me to marry him. Though, I'd rather die than be under his control." She replied softly, her eyes widening as she saw Gadrel and her suitor conversing angrily. Her brother turned when he had pointed and the look he had given her sent a chill down her spine. She was in deep trouble. Ganondorf noted her worried eyes and glanced in their direction, when the two men turned away he gave a guttural groan. Her eyes fell to the floor, her teeth gnawing at the inside of her cheek once more.

"Your brother is a coward and your father is a feeble old man who thinks highly of himself. You've nothing to fear." Ganondorf's voice was hushed as he spoke in her ear, closer to her than he had ever been.

"Lord Ganondorf, I suggest you mind the way you talk about my family. I may just be a woman but I could tell everyone your true intentions here and now and they would believe me."

"What do you know of me?" He scoffed.

"I know why you really want peace with Hyrule…"

Ganondorf felt his stomach tighten, how did she discover that? Nabooru hadn't even figured him out! She was a child, it was impossible for her to understand when he hadn't even thoroughly thought it through himself.

"You want peace and food, yes, but you want to be part of Hyrule, you want to serve the King. I'm not sure exactly how…" Her eyes sparkled as she whispered to him triumphantly. In his mind he was relieved, but outwardly he forced himself to look worried.

"Clever little vehvi, but not clever enough." He recovered with a low purr. She shuddered, his breath had gently fell on her neck and she didn't like it.

"I am not a child." She quipped breathlessly. He smirked.

"Prove it."

The music began to start once more, to which he took her other hand.

"I'm afraid I don't know how to dance, Miss Grace." He stated, wrapping an arm around her waist. Her face flushed as she looked to the floor.

"Neither do I…"

So they danced, catching the eye of the King and Queen of Hyrule, whom both were equally confused and pleasantly surprised. As the music started to slow, the queen smiled and nodded at the duo.

"One more dance? To make sure they saw?" Grace said quickly, her voice barely audible, He quirked his brow, surprised and amused by her pleasant intrigue.

"No… We stick to my design." He replied sharply before nodding his head towards Nabooru.

"Ganondorf! What if…"

"What if what?" He scowled. She grinned softly.

"What if they don't believe that we truly get along?" She asked, sincere and mischievous all at once.

"They will." He replied shortly as he led her away.

"Nabooru, this is Grace." Ganondorf stated as he gave Grace a gentle push towards the Gerudo woman.

"How do you do?" Grace laughed giddily, her head reeling with questions. Nabooru looked at Ganondorf with a rueful grin before the two women began to chatter and he disappeared into the crowd.

Gadrel huffed bitterly as he sipped his wine, irritatedly watching his sister converse with the Gerudo woman.

"Where's Lord Ganondorf?"

He turned, interested in the nervous chatter. It was...peculiar for such an esteemed guest to disappear. Then again, a Gerudo dog wouldn't stay if his tastes were offended.

Gadrel smirked, looking around the room for his friend.

"Your sister is mad!" He growled quietly as he threw his head in the direction of Grace.

"Forgive her, she hasn't been...social in years. She locks herself away with children's books and stories of magic, fables if you ask me. Magic should be left to the magicians. I haven't come to discuss my ill-minded sister, however. It seems that out 'guest of honor' has vanished. And fortunately for us, it gives us the opportunity to finally… bring to light our concerns."

The man smiled widely, his eyes darkening as he looked at the pair of women who continued to chatter.

"She will learn..."