A/N: Yay, another revised chapter! Now, come on, you all can't really believe I own Zelda, right?

~Moon White Rose

Chapter 10

Quietly, this had to be done with absolute silence. Four year old Atayla stalked forward, determined she would succeed this time. Being quiet and sneaking weren't her strong points, especially being quiet, but she found it easy for this particular task. Coming to a halt, she focused on her target, which had their back to her.

Perfect, no way he wins this time! she thought, tiptoeing forward.

Her father sat at his desk, back facing her, too absorbed in whatever what was before him to noticed that he was about to be scared senseless.

At least, that was Atayla's plan. She had been trying to scare him quite a few times lately, especially since he claimed he was scared of nothing. So she had made it her mission to prove him wrong.

Finally, she had the perfect chance. Coming to a stop behind him she drew in a deep breath, ready to scream, when suddenly he turned around, snatched her up and said: "Boo!"

"AH!" she squealed as he laughed and tossed her into the air and caught her. Even at four she was still practically miniscule in size compared to her father, but then again, everyone was small compared to him.

"Nice try sweetheart," he said. Instantly she was mad at the reminder that she had failed and she crossed her arms, glaring.

"Oh, is someone mad?" he questioned with a smirk. Atayla just looked away, refusing to look at him.

"Atayla, you're getting better. Now come on sweetheart, don't be mad at me," he said. She tried to ignore him, but after a moment she gave him a hug.

"Fine Daddy, but I scar next time!" she proclaimed. He nodded and carried her from the room.

"Oh, no doubt you will," he replied. "Until then though, it's time to eat, then time for you start getting ready for bed."

"Aw, no Daddy, pwease?" she begged. He chuckled softly before kissing her head.

"Not right away sweetheart. Now come on, time for dinner." After that, no more words were said, a comfortable silence settling over them all the way to the dining room. Setting Atayla down, Ganondorf watched as she ran to her place at the table and climbed into her chair, feeling just the smallest prick of sadness.

She used to ask ME to help her get in her chair. She's growing up so fast. Have nearly three years really gone by so quickly?Ganondorf shook his head in an attempt to get rid of the thought. Though he would never admit it, he did have a fear, one thing he was scared of; losing her. She was the only one who made him feel special, loved.

His race had respect and fear for him, but Atayla gave him nothing but love and he loved that. He loved being loved, even if it was by a four year old girl who was currently glaring at him.

"What Atayla?" he asked. She sighed, which he found amusing.

"I been sayin 'Daddy' five times. What for dinner and what you think bout?" he smiled, but shook his head.

"I'm sorry; I'll try to pay attention next time. I don't know what's for dinner, and don't worry about what I'm thinking sweetheart, it's just boring adult stuff."

"Oh, well I not brring or a adolt, an you not brring, so stop think about bring adolt stuff!" she proclaimed. He couldn't hold back a roar of laughter and Atayla laughed as well.

Another reason he loved her so much, she always knew how to make him laugh; something he had hardly done before she arrived.

"As you wish your highness," he said amusedly as servants entered, carrying plates of food. "And now, time to eat." He prepared a plate for himself, then on for her, cutting up everything into smaller pieces so she could eat easily. "There you go princess, eat up," he said as he set her plate in front of her. Atayla looked and noticed some of her favorite foods.

Bread, spiced cucco, a small cup of fruit and...

"Daddy, what this?" she asked, poking at, what looked like, a small, green ball.

"Brussels sprout. Try it Atayla," he encouraged softly. Hopefully she would like it, even though, so far, she seemed to hate any green vegetable that appeared on her plate.

"It look like a big pea," she replied, pushing it away from the rest of her food. Satisfied that it was well away from touching the rest of her meal, she began to eat.

Ganondorf watched her out of the corner of his eye as she ate the rest of her food without complaint. No one could afford to be picky out here, and for the most part, she wasn't. Her problem was just green vegetables. Anything else was fine. After a while, both finished, Atayla finishing with a loud burp.

"Atayla!" he barked, trying not to laugh. He had always done the same when he was her age, mostly to disgust whatever 'sister' he was eating with.

"Ecuse me," she giggled.

"You're excused." she started to get up and he quickly grabbed her shoulder, realizing she wasn't done after all. "I didn't mean like that. I don't think you're quite done yet," he added, motioning to her plate where her one Brussels sprout remained untouched. "Go on, eat it."

"But Daddy, it yucky an I eat erything else," she argued, looking at him pleadingly. Already he could feel a headache coming.

"How do you know it's yucky, you've never tried it," he said in strained patience. Patience was never his strong point, and while it had improved some, he still had a long way to go before it was something he could be proud of.

Reluctantly Atayla speared the unwanted food onto her fork and brought it to her mouth. Her nose wrinkled at the smell and she again gazed at her father.

"Daddy, it smells," she proclaimed, hoping he wouldn't make it her eat it. He didn't even smile.

"Eat it." She opened her mouth slowly, then stuck the food it. Immediately, she spat it back out.

"Atayla!" her father said sternly. He was met with a sheepish, apologetic look.

"Sorry Daddy, but it IS yucky. I no like." From the sound of her voice, Ganondorf could tell she was on the verge of tears. It didn't matter though; no amount of tears would make him risk her health. Out here, everyone needed all the nutrients they could get. Besides, it wasn't like he was asking her to eat a whole plate; it was just one piece.

Still, he was a bit sorry she was getting upset, but not near enough to change his mind. "I'm sorry you feel that way, but you need to eat it and you are not leaving this table until it is gone. So eat." Atayla looked at him, then her plate, then pushed the plate to him.

"Here Daddy, you eat!" she said, smiling innocently. He fought the urge to laugh, but ended up doing so anyway.

"No, I already ate, so now it's your turn. Besides if you don't eat, you won't get... dessert." Atayla's eyes grew wide at one of her favorite words. She did love dessert... but would it be worth it to eat that yucky green ball for some?

"What dessert Daddy?" He smirked. The fruit they had during the meal came from scraggly apple and pear trees near the river that cut through Gerudo Valley. The fruit was watery at best, but no one really complained.

Fruit stolen from Hyrule though was a fought over delicacy. The fruit from there was bigger, jucier, and came in a better variety. Hence why I'll make it mine one day.he thought before shaking his head. That was a thought for another time.

Lifting the lid off a small tray, Atayla was met with sight of peach slices and raspberries, all dusted lightly with sugar, another rare delicacy for the desert dwelling Gerudo.

"OHHH! MINE!" she squealed in delight, grabbing at the fruit. Ganondorf pulled the tray away and was met with a look of confusion.

"You may not have one bite of fruit until you finish eating your Brussels sprout. I mean it." He took some for himself and watched Atayla as she looked at him sadly.

"But Daddy," she whined.

"Don't you 'But Daddy' me. You are not going to be a picky eater Atayla and we do not waste a crumb of food out here." Silence fell and Atayla watched as her father ate his dessert, occasionally poking at the thing that was keeping her from having something she would gladly devour.

It's no fair! I ate everything else! Daddy's being a meanie!she dropped her fork and folded her arms over her chest. She was not going to eat the nasty thing. Never.

"You can have an attitude all you want, but just remember, you're not leaving this table until you've eaten, and you certainly won't be getting any of this." She looked at her father, the fruit, and then the yucky green ball.

"Daddy..." she tried once more, but was met with a firm look. Moments later he finished and reached for another slice of peach.

"Stop! That mine!" she yelled.

"Oh, really? I don't see it on your plate. Of course, it WOULD go on your plate if you would just eat."

"Fine Daddy," she mumbled, spearing the food onto her fork once again. She brought it to her lips and after a minute, put it in her mouth.

"You spit it out again and you'll go over my knee," her father warned quickly when she made a face. "Chew." she forced herself to obey and after what felt to be forever, she swallowed. She snatched her cup of water and drained it, but the taste still clung to mouth.

"YUCKY!" she yelled, which drew laughs from her father. She glared at him, hurt, and he stopped.

"I'm sorry sweetheart, you just remind me of myself when I was your age. Go on now, you're done." He smiled, then stopped looking at her.

"Dessert?" she asked hopefully. Surely he would let her have some now.

"I don't know, you were pretty bad," he replied, sounding serious. Atayla looked down, her hopes crushed. She climbed out of her chair and walked away, trying not to cry.

"Atayla." she looked back at her father and he motioned for her to come to him. She obeyed and he scooped her up, setting her in his lap. He set a small cup of milk and a plate of the fruit in front of her.

"Really?" she asked excitedly. He nodded and she was off.

"Atayla, I make you eat foods you don't like because they're good for you and I want you to be healthy, not because I'm trying to be mean. Understand?" She nodded; her mouth too full to allow her to speak. "Also," he continued. "In the future, I don't want to have to go through something like this again. Whatever is on your plate I want you t-"

"Daddy," she interrupted. He looked down at her and a peach slice was shoved in his mouth. "Stop talkin a eat your peach."

A/N: I'm laughing right now. Seriously, I think a little kid telling Ganondorf what to do is funny. Anyway, thanks to:

Forest Princess, Bree-Bee233, Sorceress of Shadows, Haley(x2), ninjafaceify, Radius Flame, Megaman Sora, Tennis Writer 456(x2), inspired-to-Dream, Lady DM, and Lady Isludis.

Also to whoever reviewed anonymously, thanks!

Until next time!

~Moon White Rose