Disclaimer: Most characters and settings belong to Nintendo, except a few original characters that I created. No copyright infringement intended. Enjoy the story!

Chapter 10 In the Council Chamber

"Rise and shine!" called an all too cheerful voice as the door slammed open way too early the next morning. I groggily stared at the two figures standing over me. Yeresft was grinning at me with way more energy than she should have had given the events of the previous day. Bonshie merely scowled as she lit an oil lamp. I looked over to see myself still entwined in Ganondorf's arms. I gave a panicked cry before trying to bury myself deeper under the covers.

"Goddess Nabooru," Bonshie drawled with an eye roll, "the only thing we are surprised at is this hasn't happened sooner." I shrank farther under the covers while Ganondorf sat up and stretched, displaying his well muscled chest.

"Good morning ladies, what brings you here?" Ganondorf asked as if they had met in the courtyard and not stormed into his room while he was still drowsy from the previous night's passion. A self satisfied grin was plastered across his face.

"Meeting," Bonshie stated roughly. Ganondorf raised his eyebrows questioningly. "It is time to charter the council of King Ganondorf Dragmire. Now. Lets go." Ganondorf shrugged and got out of bed. Bonshie immediately turned and faced the wall.

"Goddess, Ganondorf!" Yeresft cried, flinging Ganondorf's pants at him. "We all know you were bedded last night. Put some clothes on." Ganondorf refused to lose his silly grin as he obeyed. He also pulled on a loose shirt and struggled into his boots. I managed to wriggle into my clothes while still under the covers.

"Lets go," Ganondorf said making a gesture for Yeresft and Bonshie to proceeded him.

"Nabooru is coming to," Yeresft told him firmly. He raised his eyebrows.

"I didn't appoint her to the council," He informed Yeresft. I gave an indignant protest while climbing out of the bed to straighten my top.

"You may be king and entitled to choose your own council," Yeresft intoned. "The first meeting hadn't been started yet so technically there is no council. She is going to hear everything that happens eventually so she might as well be there. Besides, it was Bonshie's idea." Ganondorf focused his scowl on Bonshie.

"Do you care to explain yourself?" he demanded.

"No." She replied curtly, returning his glower for one of her own. I was fed up with this behavior.

"I certainly would like an explanation of what is going on," I called, adding my own glower for good measure. Both faces turned towards me. Bonshie relaxed ever so slightly and Ganondorf became almost apologetic.

"I don't want anyone saying I'm favoring you because of our relationship," Ganondorf explained wearily. I turned my gaze to Bonshie, waiting for her argument "I would have objected to your being on the council simply because of your friendship with the king," Bonshie smirked. "However, when I thought about it I decided it would be beneficial for you to be here because of both your relationship and your loyalties. I believe you are level enough to stand for the good of Gerudo, even if meant going against your king and your companion. I also believe that because King Ganondorf cares for you he will listen to you when he would ignore others." Bonshie sat back with a smug expression. Ganondorf glared at her.

"Do you think that because you trained her and she follows you that you can use her against me?" he seethed.

"Do you really know where her loyalties are?"

"I know she is loyal to you…"

"Have you asked Nabooru?" Bonshie cut him off. Ganondorf stopped suddenly. He never had asked me, he was jumping to conclusions. He took a deep breath to calm himself down.

"Nabooru," he asked amid the pointed stares of the others, "in what order do you place your loyalties?" They all stared at me intently so I maintained a stony face while mulling over my answer.

"Firstly," I replied carefully, "to the Goddess. Then to Gerudo, then to my king, so long as he maintains the same loyalties. I thought I had already proved that with all the help I have given you." I held my breath as I watched for the reactions. Bonshie gave a deft nod. Ganondorf looked at me with the same blank expression I was giving him. Finally he smiled. He chuckled softly.

"Fine," Ganondorf smiled, "I'm not going to fight all of you. Nabooru is on the council. I don't want to hear any complaints if gossip starts up." He left the room and sauntered down the hallway. Bonshie left after him. Yeresft gave me a knowing grin and mouthed 'well done' while making a lewd gesture. I blushed in mortification as I followed her from the room.

"Here we are!" Yeresft chirped as she waved to the large wooden door we stopped in front of. I stared at it with bleary eyes.

"Wow a door," I replied sarcastically. Bonshie grunted characteristically in the background.

"It is not the door that is of importance here," Yeresft explained. "Well the door is important. Doors can shut others out and close off what is inside. What is inside, Nabooru, is what we are here for. Inside is the council room. The king's council room to be exact. We don't usually feel the need for formal councils, but kings like councils to argue with. To have a council, you need a council room. A council room that can be shut off and secretive is even better." Yeresft suddenly turned a bit more morose and whispered to me, "There are going to be many changes around here now. Adjustments are always hard, and I'm going to take it harder than most." Yeresft pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. Bonshie silently placed a hand on her shoulder and glowered at the offending door. Yeresft squeezed Bonshie's hand and the smile returned to her face. Ganondorf was too busy studying the carvings on the door to notice our little exchange.

He pushed open the door to reveal an ornate chamber. A delicately carved table was surrounded with ornate, if mismatched, chairs. Ganondorf's chair was the largest and gaudiest. He sat and leaned heavily on his hands, still exhausted from the previous evening. Ganondorf quickly appointed Henna and Frewoo and they were brought in to start the council. They both looked as if they would rather have been in bed. Only Yeresft managed to appear energetic. I noticed the council consisted entirely of fighters. Henna was a wonderful asset to the council. She always seemed to know exactly how much of what we had. She also seemed to know what projects needed to be done and was usually accurate on her estimates on how much was needed to complete them.

"Can we begin now?" Ganondorf complained when everyone was finally seated. Yeresft nodded.

"Your Majesty, sisters," Bonshie called out roughly. "This begins the first council of King Ganondorf Dragmire. Present are King Ganondorf Dragmire, Exalted Yeresft, the Exalted's second-in-command Bonshie, Store Mistress Henna, Frewoo, and Nabooru." Ganondorf's head shot up and gave me a lascivious smile as my name was called. Henna and Frewoo stared at me as I gazed at my hands in my lap.

"Well," Yeresft began, breaking the awkward silence. "The storerooms are near empty. Your little dinner a couple nights ago drained us." She threw in accusingly. Ganondorf just waved her off.

"Henna," Ganondorf asked. "What is the current inventory on food and provision?" Henna raised her eyebrows but otherwise didn't display her emotion.

"Cloth, none," Henna listed from memory. "Wood, none; metals, small supply of copper and moderate supply of iron; weapons, adequate; spoils of value, near depleted; food…" Henna's voice chocked a bit, but she swallowed and continued, "meats, none; grains, three weeks supply; vegetation, none aside from leevers; horse fodder, four months supply; wine, none." Ganondorf's eyes widened as he finally realized what a desperate situation we were in. I was shocked also but refused to let my emotions show.

"We told you your dinner would cost us dearly," Yeresft told him gently. "Now as king, it is your job to build up our stores again. It is your duty to ensure our survival and well being. What are your plans?" I watched as Ganondorf stared at the table. The full weight of his crown settled upon him, and he raised his head.

"Our first priority is food," he decided. "I won't have any open raids on Hyrule, but we will send Gerudo with boyfriends in Centerfield and Castletown to visit and they can bring back whatever grains they can. We'll have to depend on leevers for protein and vegetables until the grain stores are back up."

"Your Majesty," Frewoo interrupted. "We can forage for vegetation in the Kokiri Forest; we just have to avoid the Lost Woods. Zanati's assistant is knowledgeable about edible plants."

"Okay, we will do that," replied Ganondorf. "Can you get together a party to send out?"

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Yeresft added in. "Before doing anything in the Kokiri Forest, it is usually wise to go before the Great Deku Tree. Going into the forest usually yields better results with the Deku Tree's blessing." I sank back into my chair praying that this wasn't going to last forever. I was still exhausted and hungry. Leever sounded really good to me right then.

"Have we ever tried just raiding them?" Ganondorf asked exasperated. An outcry went up around the room.

"We don't steal from children!" I shot down the table. Bonshie silenced the room with a gesture.

"We do not raid the Kokiri," She stated firmly. "It is an unspoken and unwritten pact between the Kokiri and all tribes. We leave the Kokiri alone, and they leave us alone. They are willing to lend aid in times of need as long as their neutrality is maintained. Those that violate the forest unbidden do not return."

"What do you mean?" Ganondorf asked suspiciously.

"Really, Ganondorf," Yeresft began condescendingly, but quickly caught herself and backtracked. "King Ganondorf, did you not study the Kokiri?" He shrugged. "Those who enter the Kokiri Forest and more especially the Lost Woods without permission from the Great Deku Tree never return, it is rumored they become the skull kids who haunt the Lost Woods."

"Tell me about the skull kids," Ganondorf asked, suddenly interested.

"Perhaps Your Majesty would be inclined to study them in the library when you have time, but we really have more important things than legends to discuss." Bonshie countered diplomatically but annoyed.

The meeting drug on with little being accomplished. We had a basic plan for obtaining food without bold raids to the surrounding areas. A party was going to be sent to the Kokiri Forest with gifts to ask for permission to forage for some food. The Gerudo with contacts in the Hylian towns were being dispatched, with instructions to bring back grains as covertly as possible. Mostly we sat around and listened to Ganondorf argue with Yeresft and Bonshie. I was actually staring at the ceiling deeply absorbed by the frescoes when Bonshie pounded the table.

"This concludes the first council meeting of King Ganondorf Dragmire," she called. I looked around briefly to realize neither Henna nor Frewoo had been paying attention to the latest squabble. They quickly ducked out of the room followed by Bonshie and Yeresft, who were whispering conspiratorially.

I approached Ganondorf who had placed his head wearily in his hands. "Is it always going to be like this?" I asked. He looked up at me briefly before straightening up.

"In all honesty, I will have to say probably yes," he muttered, trying to stretch out the remains of his fatigue.

"Gee," I sarcastically replied, "I'm really glad I was appointed to this council." Ganondorf gave me a sheepish look. "Things are about to get very interesting around here," I observed. Ganondorf simply nodded. He became very serious.

"Are you still okay with being with me, despite the council?" he asked earnestly. I pretended to think for a while just to put him on edge.

"Yes," I smiled softly. "I was friends with Ganondorf before he was king. I think I will still love him in spite of his crown."

"You said you loved me." Ganondorf smiled brightly, seeming very pleased with himself.

"I suppose I do," I answered, my grin widening at my confession. "I very well may disagree with you on decisions you will make as king. I will probably tell you, quite forcefully, my opinion on your leadership. I will try, despite our differences, to love my Ganny." He wrapped me in a tight embrace.

I was starting to think that council meetings were going to be a boring daily occurrence. We were not expecting most of the dispatched Gerudo back yet, but the party that was sent to the Kokiri Forest was several days late. We were currently discussing a plan of action.

"You don't think that the Kokiri are holding them hostage?" Frewoo asked. Yeresft shook her head.

"They maintain absolute neutrality," Yeresft countered. "They do not hold hostages, they do not attack. Only a very open attack would cause their guardian to eliminate the threat, and even he has limited power."

"We have sent scouts for the last two days and they haven't seen any sign of them in the field," Bonshie reminded her. "Something has happened."

"Shouldn't we wait and see what the scouts from today report?" Henna piped in. "We don't need to make rash decisions."

"They had a very specific time frame," Ganondorf pointed out. "They were supposed to be back in three days time. It has been a week now."

"Have we even tried sending scouts into the forest or are they just observing the field?" I asked.

"Just the field," Ganondorf answered quickly, "but we should have seen something before now. I don't think it is wise to just attack, but we need to find our Gerudo."

"Majesty," Yeresft counseled, "It may be wise to send another party into the forest to check on the last contingent. We could send a group in that is not to enter the village or the Lost Woods. We should be able to see some sign of them without alerting the Kokiri." Ganondorf nodded his head in reply and thought to himself in a moment.

Two Gerudo burst through the open door. They were both out of breath. One was a scout sent out this morning, and the other was from the party originally sent into the Kokiri Forest. We all fidgeted impatiently as they went through the formality of kneeling to Ganondorf, et cetera.

"Is everyone alright?" Ganondorf demanded once he had bid them to rise.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the out of breath Gerudo answered. "The Kokiri were delighted with your gifts and we could not leave without hurting their feelings. They wanted to send a gift back, but it took them several days to get it out of the forest. I am afraid we lost track of the time. The sun doesn't penetrate the foliage."

"What did they send back?" Ganondorf asked suddenly interested. The Gerudo looked around as if she didn't know what to say.

"They sent, well..." she stammered, "they sent a tree."

"A tree?" Yeresft asked incredulously.

"Yes," she replied. "They sent a tree, and entire tree. It fell over, roots and all shortly before we came and they decided to give it to us. We couldn't refuse it, but it is difficult to transport." Ganondorf started laughing. We all joined in. We had been worried about possible harm to the group and it had been something much simpler. Only a Kokiri would think that a tree was a suitable gift. The wood would be welcome, but the logistics of getting into the fortress were difficult.

"We'll send another party to help bring the tree back," Ganondorf chuckled.

"Did you get a chance to talk to the Great Deku Tree?" Bonshie asked, maintaining her focus on the highest priorities.

The Gerudo grinned, "We have permission to gather food for the next three months. The Kokiri are even willing to guide us if we send them more pots. They are enthralled with them." Ganondorf laughed, releasing all the pent up frustration and anxiety of the past several days. He dismissed us and we scattered to different parts of the fortress in a much better mood. I sought out my friend who was currently training some postulants. She grinned and called for a break as soon as she spied me.

"Long time, stranger," she teased as she wrapped me in a hug. It was the first time I had gotten to sit down with her and have a proper conversation since the coronation. Her eyes twinkled mischievously, "So, King Ganondorf's council, huh?" I nodded as we sat down on some boulders to talk.

"It is absolutely fun, too," I remarked dryly. "We've done nothing but argue and panic for the last week. How come you aren't out with your merchant boyfriend?"

"My soldier boyfriend is currently in Kakariko, so I can't exactly go visit him," she pouted.

"Soldier?" I asked sin surprise. "When did this happen?" She gave me a sly smirk.

"Last week, at the coronation dinner," she explained with a smug expression. "Soldiers lead a more active lifestyle so they have more stamina. So what is it like with Ganondorf?" she asked with a knowing grin.

"How did you know about that?" I hissed. "Is that the latest gossip?" She gave a merry laugh.

"No, Nabooru, no more than usual," she giggled at my indignation. "I can just tell with you. I always have been able to. I figured there was a reason that your bed had lain empty several nights this past week." I looked at her in horror for a moment before I burst into laughter. For a few minuets I could forget my newfound responsibilities and just be a Gerudo chatting about boyfriends with her friend.

In the months that followed the meetings became less frequent. We had slowly managed to build our food store up, largely in part to a new trade in pottery. We were tolerated better, but still did not intermingle with the other tribes. We had stopped all thieving activity save for the continued raids on the Acriminites, much to Bonshie's annoyance. Things were slowly becoming less desperate. I no longer dreaded the meetings as we occasionally had a good time. I settled into my customary seat as we began yet another council meeting.

"Blah blah, King Dragmire, blah blah begin," Yeresft called, a sign of the waning formality we were accustomed to. We all exchanged glances around.

"What news do we have this month?" Ganondorf asked, his eyes twinkling at Yeresft's introduction.

Henna was the first to pipe up, "We have finally surpassed our goals on materials in reserve. I am quite pleased with out progress. It was slow, but we are doing well." Ganondorf rewarded her with a smile.

"It was a lot easier when we remembered we are thieves," Bonshie muttered darkly under her breath. You could always count on Bonshie to sour the mood. Ganondorf simply ignored her which irritated her further.

"Eutue is almost finished with her project," My friend added. She had managed to wiggle her way into the council. We were closer than ever since she had convinced Bonshie to put her through the same strict training she had previously imposed on me. Somehow, my friend hadn't lost an ounce of her enthusiasm. She only made her training apparent when she became a cold and calculating mercenary under stress. After Bonshie's training she had worked as a self appointed liaison from the council to the senior officers until she was unanimously accepted into the council.

Eutue had spent the last month digging trenches from the fortress to the river in an attempt to divert part of the river. We really hadn't a notion on how it was supposed to work, but the lure of easy access to water was too much to deny Eutue a chance to try her ideas out. She had gone through an obscene amount of copper which she turned into pipes and painstakingly buried.

"We'll go check it out in a while," Ganondorf mentioned.

"We received correspondence yesterday from Hyrule," Yeresft mentioned, changing the subject. Ganondorf immediately turned his attention to his second-in-command. "You have been cordially invited to the Hylian king's wedding in two months. You are permitted to bring guests as well." Ganondorf seemed pleased.

"Great!" He grinned. His love affair with Hyrule had not waned since taking the throne. "As my personal second-in-command I suppose you should go with me, Yeresft."

"In your absence it is my official duty to oversee the running of the fortress," Yeresft countered shaking her head. "Besides, I have no desire to visit prim and stuffy Hyrule."

"Bonshie…"

"No."

Ganondorf let out a sigh, "So, Nabs." He had taken to using my hated nickname in front of anybody. Thankfully no one else called me that. "Do you want to go?"

"Not particularly…" I replied, but seeing the grin on his face I knew he was going to get his way in the end.

"Great!" Ganondorf smiled brightly, "It is a date!" I rolled my eyes at him but returned his smile.

"I'll make you a dress!" My friend added excitedly. Already I could see the ideas swirling around her head.

"No," I replied, "no dress. I have enough formal clothing from this past year. I don't need more, especially not a dress." She grinned at me slyly. She had every intention of making a dress if I wanted one or not.

"It won't be a big deal," she promised. "I will use Gerudo elements but make it palatable to Hylian sensibilities. You are going to their country after all."

"They are stuffy and cumbersome and I don't want one." I retorted. She continued her silly grin. I hated it when my opinion was ignored.

"I vote for Nabooru wearing a dress," Ganondorf smirked.

"I wasn't aware this was suddenly a democratic council," I sarcastically replied, pouting ineffectually.

"It isn't, you are getting a dress," Ganondorf triumphantly declared as my friend clapped her hands in excitement. I still wasn't too keen on wearing a dress butI had to admit I would enjoy some time with just the two of us. We were so busy that there was little time to pursue our relationship. Ultimately it was the council where we spent the most time together.

"Can I vote we go check on Eutue's progress?" Yeresft diplomatically interjected. We all meandered down to the river where Eutue had haphazardly erected scaffolding to get access to the river below.

"Are you sure this is safe?" Yeresft whispered to Bonshie as she observed Eutue clamoring down the platforms with a bundle of pipes.

"No," she replied. "Don't worry about her though. She is a tough one. She has already fallen in the river twice. Once a Zora pulled her out and the other she managed to get to shore before she was too deep." Yeresft looked at her in astonishment. Eutue was reckless when it came to her projects. We watched as she leaned carelessly over to a section of the sheer wall and continued to embed piped into the wall. Finally she grinned up at us before jumping into the rapids and bracing herself against the scaffolding to place the last section of pipes under the current. Bonshie muttered to herself and scurried down the scaffolding to assure Eutue wouldn't be swept away again. Bonshie hoisted Eutue back up to the platform after she affixed a grate over the pipe and Eutue marched triumphantly back up to our group.

"Shall we go see if it works?" Eutue grinned joyfully. She led our little procession to the fortress, not noticing she was sopping and stumbling over her wet shoes. Eutue led us to a crude spigot she had installed into the side of the cliff. When she turned the squeaky handle, water began to flow slowly onto the ground by her feet. She grinned up at us masterfully. We gasped in awe.

"Eutue, it is wonderful!" Yeresft cried catching her in one of her exuberant embraces. "How does it work?"

"The water does it all," Eutue explained. "The current is so strong that it pushes the water up through the pipes. By the time the water reaches all the way up here, it is flowing slowly enough that you can stop the flow just by turning this handle." The crowd of Gerudo that had gathered around whispered excitedly as Eutue continued to demonstrate her new invention. Ganondorf was widely excited and ordered a temporary guard change so everyone could see the new water pipe. Water was one of our main concerns and obtaining it was now easy. Ganondorf may have started his reign in a totally impoverished state, but he had quickly turned it around and we were now more prosperous than before.

Ganondorf pulled me back from the crowd that was gathering around the spigot to allow others more room to see. He slung his arm around me as he steered me back toward the fortress, eliciting looks from the Gerudo that passed us.

"I'm not doing so badly, am I?" He asked as we walked.

"You? That was all Eutue," I teased. "You simply let her build her ideas."

"I meant in general," He pouted.

"You are doing quite well in your role as king," I agreed. "We have a huge store of food, a booming pottery trade, and now running water. What more could a Gerudo want?"

Ganondorf grinned at me lecherously, "I know what I want." I rolled my eyes but allowed myself to be pulled into the fortress.