Don't Panic! If you have been following my story and notice the changes, take a breath and remain calm. I have done a major reworking of the story to try and improve the continuity. I moved some paragraphs to different chapters as I had a tendency to begin chapters with the true ending of the previous one. I also combined chapters in several places to hopefully improve the flow. I did alter some content, but if you don't want to reread the whole thing I'll give you the basic rundown.
The beginning of chapter 7 was rewritten just because I wasn't happy with it. It didn't really change the story at all.
In the scene where Ganny finds Nabs in the spirit temple in the middle of chapter 7, they have a little chat where Gan tells about his past relationships.
Nabs and Ganny begin their romantic relationship on the night of the coronation, which is now at the end of chapter 9
The formation of the council has been altered, which is the beginning of chapter 10.
Nabooru and her mother have the same unusually pale eyes
It was Taboor, not Reeni who has a significant even in this chapter
Content was added to the beginning of this chapter. I was going to add a few sentences to help fill the two year time gap and it became several paragraphs. It really adds to the central relationship, which I had been neglecting.
I'm sorry if this creates confusion. I'm trying to improve my story. It may take me longer to get chapters out now, because I'm going to let them set for a few days to make sure they are complete before publishing them. A big, big thank you to The Lovely Maiden for all your help. Thank you to my readers for encouraging me. So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Disclaimer: Most characters and settings belong to Nintendo, except a few original characters that I created. No copyright infringement intended. Enjoy the story!
Chapter 12 Tragedies
Bonshie, My best friend and I were sitting on the highest level of the fortress, preparing apples we had received from the Kokiri in trade of more pottery. The rate at which the other tribes went through containers was obscene. Normally the kitchen staff would take on this task, but Bonshie found it somehow calming and volunteered us for the work. Bonshie cored the apples while my friend sliced them. I was regulated to laying the slices on the drying racks as I seemed to decimate any apple I had touched. The three of us could often be seen together when Yeresft and Ganondorf were otherwise occupied.
We were chatting conspiratorially about the slow decline of our previously more militant lifestyle. The pace of life had slowed down considerably, and the once rigid social structure was lax. Now that we had a king and a council, the senior officers were without as much responsibility.
"You would think everybody would be getting along better now that things aren't as dire as they once were," my friend observed. I nodded in agreement.
"There seems to be a lot more petty arguments though," I added popping an apple slice in my mouth. Fresh fruit was a perk of preparing apples for drying.
"The structure is failing," Bonshie commented, not looking up from her work. "We used to have a social hierarchy where everyone knew their place. We knew we are respected in our capabilities. Now what do we have? A lot of fighters who have been regulated to being couriers, that's what. Our positions are changing and that is leaving many Gerudo who don't know what their use is anymore. Things are unsettled. We may be gaining a more relaxed life but we are losing focus of long term survival. King Ganondorf once knew that the political climate was shaky. He once knew that we had to maintain our discipline to survive. A few days of rain doesn't change the desert into a forest." I sat contemplating her comments. My friends and I exchanged glances which signified we both agreed with her. Bonshie went back to her work in silence. We had gotten used to her method of communicating. She didn't speak unless she had something to say. Her periods of silence did not mean she didn't enjoy company, however. We would have done anything she ever asked us, but we found we didn't mind when she appointed us small tasks. We got to talk and she got companionship.
"How are things with King Ganondorf?" my friend asked with a strange choke in her voice. I looked at her cautiously.
"Great," I replied. "I still enjoy his company. I can't believe we've been together for a year now." Bonshie snorted. My friend got a faraway look in her eyes. "What is going on? Is there something going on with your soldier?"
She slowly put her knife down and began to tremble slightly. She was usually so chipper so something must have been upsetting her. "Last time I went he said we couldn't see each other again," she sniffed, tears beginning to make an appearance at the corners of her eyes. "He's getting married and he won't have a girlfriend on the side. I didn't even get to tell him about the baby." She let out a small, pitiful cry and I wrapped her in a hug. I hadn't known she was pregnant.
"Get back to your work," Bonshie ordered. My mouth dropped at her callousness. I was about to protest but my friend waved me off and went back to slicing the apples, albeit her slices were more uneven. We sat in silence as she continued to sniffle. She calmed down and her hand became even.
"Life doesn't stop for tragedy," Bonshie spoke once the sniffles had stopped and the tears had dried. "This is what it is to be Gerudo, especially a Gerudo who loves. Enjoy it while it lasts but don't get attached. It is easier said than done, but it is the way it must be. It is the one luxury the Gerudo will never have." The large ring I wore suddenly felt heavier than the others that adorned my fingers. I felt a sense of guilt that I had accepted something my sisters could never have. I wished it didn't have to be this way.
"What is the Trinity of Terror up to now?" Ganondorf called as he found us. He had taken to calling us this because when the three of us set our minds to something it was accomplished whether he agreed to it or not.
"We're planning a raid," Bonshie replied, still not looking up from her work. Ganondorf's attention was immediately drawn to her, and not to my friend who was still trying to wipe away evidence of her recent emotions. It was little things such as this that proved that Bonshie cared in her own way.
"What for?" Ganondorf asked gruffly, assuming a defensive stance.
"To remember we are Gerudo," she answered. Ganondorf was about to argue but I jumped in the exchange.
"The fighters have been without anything useful to do," I pointed out. "We need some way to keep them occupied and to utilize their training."
"You yourself said the tension in Hyrule continues to build," my friend added with her usual smile. If I had not been here to witness it, I never would have known she was upset. "We need to keep a minimal amount of combat readiness, just in case." Ganondorf threw up his hands in defeat.
"Fine, have a raid," he barked, but still sat down and stole a piece of apple from my tray. "Just keep the Acriminites and Balkites. Things are going to well with the tribes around Hyrule to go there.
The conversation turned lighter and we all chatted until we finished preparing the apples near sunset.
"I'm not doing it," I said stubbornly as I stared Ganondorf down.
"I've done it countless times, Nabs," he stared back at me. "Just go for it."
"No," I remained firm in my refusal. I didn't care what he said; I was not jumping through the waterfall. He may have been to Zora's domain before, but I most certainly had not.
"If you jump quickly you won't even get wet," he promised. I shook my head. "We have to go in really quick, see the princess, leave a gift and get out. Are you really that afraid of the water?"
"Water doesn't bother me," I replied staring now at the torrent falling from the overhead cliff. "It is the falling because of the massive amount and drowning that worries me." Ganondorf sighed heavily and jumped through the waterfall. My eyes nearly popped out of my head. I waited were I was staring disbelievingly where Ganondorf had disappeared. A few minutes later he came back through.
"Come on," he commanded. I shook my head again. "You are the one carrying the gift." I immediately fished it out of my pocket and shoved it at him. He grunted his frustration, "I thought you wanted to come with me."
"I came because Queen Illiana sent a message to my friend when she found out she was having the baby soon," I replied. "She can't go to court to get the gift herself so she sent me. I didn't realize we were stopping by the Zoras. I'll wait here for you." Ganondorf saw that there was no use arguing with me, so gave up trying to reason. He did, however, bodily pick me up and throw me through the cascade. I was too shocked to cry out as I gracelessly hit the floor and rolled on the other side. A guard looked down and repressed a smirk as I stared stunned as Ganondorf emerged a few seconds later. He hauled me to my feet and helped me brush the dirt off my clothes. He nodded to the guard and proceeded to the throne room. I scurried close behind him.
The air was thick and heavy in the muggy caverns. The tall, graceful fish people were pretty lax in their security. Ganondorf spoke briefly with the gargantuan king while I remained silent, still awed by the amount of water in this place. A guard showed us the little princess. She was barely a week old, but I hardly had a chance to look at her. I was to distracted by the sight of a huge pool of water visible beyond the calf deep stream I was standing in. It was a long way down. Ganondorf had to finally pull me away and we quickly left. I had no trouble jumping out of the domain.
"How can you enjoy visiting there?" I asked incredulously as I sloshed my way back down the river side path. I was still soaked from the short time we had spent in there.
"It is actually pretty tranquil," Ganondorf replied. "I wouldn't want to live their but it is nice to visit. What did you think of the princess?"
I gave him a sheepish look, "I actually didn't pay attention. I was too distracted by the waterfall of death." Ganondorf laughed.
"Do you know that they jump from there for fun?" he informed me, amused by my look of horror. "The princess is quite precious."
"I didn't know you saw fish as cute," I quipped.
"She is a baby," he replied. "I though all babies were supposed to be cute."
"I wouldn't know." I muttered.
"Do you want to have a baby?" Ganondorf asked with genuine interest. I sighed. I had been dreading this conversation but knew it was bound to come up with all the babies coming lately.
"No," I stated, unable to look him in the eyes. "I don't want a baby."
"Why not?" he asked, the disappointment evident in his voice. "I thought it might be nice."
"I have too much work to do," I replied. "I don't want to take three years out of helping take care of the entire Gerudo just to tend to one." Ganondorf gave me a dejected look. "Really, Ganondorf, when are you even going to have time to take care of a child? You are always running from one corner of Hyrule to the other or plane jumping with your mothers. You don't even have enough time for me let alone a baby."
"I get your point, Nabooru," he sulked. He kept an emotionless face but I could tell I struck a chord by the use of my proper name. We rode silently towards the castle.
"It is wonderful to see you again, Councilwoman Nabooru," Illiana greeted me after the kings had run off to do kingly things. I returned the sentiment. "I'm sorry your dear friend couldn't come. I wanted to wish her well."
"It was actually her idea not to come," I told her. "She said that your culture wouldn't look too kindly on a pregnant woman in public, especially an unmarried one."
"Unfortunately she is right," Illiana replied sadly. "You can't convince them not to project their own moral principles onto other societies. It is one thing to expect court ladies to remain pure until they are wed, but the Gerudo really have no choice." Illiana blushed slightly at the direction the conversation was turning. She changed the subject by showing me the frothy and frilly baby dress she had made for the baby.
"It looks like a cake," I commented. Illiana smiled but didn't know what to make of my comment. "She will love it. Thank you," I added. We chatted late into the night. I wryly noticed they didn't even bother giving Ganondorf and I separate chambers.
"You are looking very pleased with yourself," I commented to Ganondorf. He directed his silly smile towards me.
"Do you remember that Acriminite book you found when you were here for the wedding?"
"Yes."
Ganondorf smiled again and pulled it out of his saddle bag. I rolled my eyes.
"Why did you steal that?" I asked.
"I've been thinking about it lately," he replied. "I am starting to think that it doesn't contain just myths. It could actually be real. It would explain so much and it could contain the key to being able to move into Hyrule ourselves."
"Please don't start that subject again," I snapped.
"Is there nothing we can talk about anymore?' Ganondorf snapped back. I reigned in my horse to look at him.
"It depends upon the subject." I sneered. "If you want to talk about how you think Gerudo isn't good enough for you, you can turn around and go back to Hyrule."
"I want Hyrule for Gerudo."
"You want to turn us into Hylians."
"I am trying to do what is best for Gerudo."
"Then focus on Gerudo and not Hyrule."
Ganondorf set his jaw. "When I took the throne I swore to do everything in my power to aide Gerudo. I intend to keep my word." We rode in fuming silence the rest of the way back to the fortress. We didn't speak to each other all that evening. I sought Ganondorf out in his chambers after he neglected to appear at dinner.
I knocked on his closed door and let myself in when he failed to answer. His room was in its usual disarray with books, papers and clothing scattered over the floor. Ganondorf was seated by the window scowling while flipping through the Acriminite tome. He glanced up at me and closed the book with a heavy sigh, "Is there something you need?"
"I came to see how you were doing," I stated plainly, maintaining my pose by the door. We stared at each other in silence for a moment.
"Come have a seat," he offered, vacating the room's only chair. I gingerly picked my way across the room while Ganondorf shoved a pile of books on his bed to one side to claim his perch. There was another moment of silence which he finally broke, "are you still mad at me?"
"I just don't understand you is all," I replied. "You command an entire nation yet you never seem satisfied. Why isn't Gerudo good enough for you?"
"Goddess, Nabs, I love Gerudo," he began. "I love my sisters, and the fortress, culture, history and… clothing. I am proud of what we have done and how we have survived. I just want to do more than survive. I want us to prosper. I don't want to have to ration food even when the larder is full. I don't want to have to constantly fight the heat or the sun or the cold. I'm supposed to be king and I'm living on the same level as the Hylian peasants."
"You know," I observed wryly. "You would be a whole lot happier if you would stop comparing us to the Hylians. We are not Hylians and we will never be Hylians."
"Why are you so against Hyrule?" He asked, laying his head wearily in his hands.
"It isn't Hyrule itself," I explained. "The land is beautiful, the architecture is amazing. It is the culture I don't like. You've seen the women there. They can hardly think on their own. When you keep talking about how much better Hyrule is, it is like saying Gerudo isn't good enough for you. That I'm not good enough for you."
"No," Ganondorf countered. "It isn't that. I am trying to find a way to ensure the future prosperity for Gerudo, so that we aren't always dependant on the wealth of the surrounding nations. I'd like to see a self sufficient Gerudo. We can't do that in the desert."
"The desert is a part of Gerudo," I reminded him. "It is a part of me. Without the desert we aren't truly Gerudo. It is a testament of our strength, determination and will. It defines us as a people. I don't want us to be assimilated into a culture where we forget who we are. If we go into Hyrule, our daughters will learn their traditions and customs and their way of life. Without the desert you negate everything we are."
"I don't want to be one disaster away from annihilation all the time," he mumbled. "Everything I do is for Gerudo." He looked up from his hands and stared at me with the lost look that melted my heart. I crossed to him and cradled his head against my chest. He gladly accepted my gesture and wrapped his massive arms around me. "Everything I do is for you. I love you, Nabooru," he whispered into my skin. I stroked his fiery hair comfortingly and placed a light kiss on his brow. He looked up at me when I found myself unable to reply. "Do you still love me despite the fact you disagree with my decisions as king?" I took another breath and struggled to put my thoughts to words.
"I still love you, Gan," I replied at last. "I'm just not sure there is a difference between Ganondorf, the man and Ganondorf, the king anymore. Nothing is as simple as I once thought." Ganondorf grunted his agreement and pulled me down to cradle me in his lap.
"So where do we go from here?"
"I don't know. We'll just keep going and see where we end up."
I was standing watch atop the fortress in the chilly morning darkness. I missed my friend terribly since she had her baby several months back. It had been over two year since Ganondorf had assumed the throne. Things were pleasant, or so they seemed. We were well off in terms of food and provisions and we all more or less got along. Our main source of income was now the horses we trained and the pottery we made. We might have stopped all raids if it wasn't Bonshie's insistence we continue them. Ganondorf was often gone visiting one ruler or another. Every time he went somewhere he snooped around about the Triforce. There was surprisingly a lot of information in the Acriminite book he had smuggled back from our stay at the castle. He read it countless times, often shutting himself away for days to pour over it again.
"What is so interesting in that volume that you read it constantly?" I finally asked him after he appeared in the growing light after another bout of seclusion.
"This," he mumbled as he sank down beside me, pulling out the aforementioned book, "hold the keys to the Hylian power. It mentions the Triforce frequently. If I could get the Triforce I could rule Hyrule."
"You already have Gerudo," I replied bitterly. "Why isn't that good enough for you?" I glared at him as he stared blankly at me.
"I want Hyrule for Gerudo," he replied. It was the same argument we had been having for nearly a year. "If I take Hyrule we can move beyond the valley and into more fertile land where life isn't as harsh."
"How is life going to be any better down there?" I spat. "Here all we fight is the desert. There we would be fighting their society. Do you really think they would give up their culture just because they have a new king? I've been to Hyrule, Gan, I know how they think. They aren't going to accept a bunch of red-headed women as their own just because a usurper tells them to. The social stigmas will always be there. You can dethrone their king but you can't overturn their mores."
"Fine, then we can build a new town for them," he flippantly remarked. I let out an exasperated sigh.
"What really make you think it is even feasible?" I asked. "We may be better trained but they outnumber us. We couldn't weaken them enough to take over."
"I'm trying to explain that to you," he added dryly. "It you can get the Triforce, you have the power to concur Hyrule. See," he pulled out the book and flipped to a well worn page, "it says here that the Triforce is most easily obtained when there are three reoccurring factors." I tried to translate the bits I could as he pointed out the passage. "There are the Princess of Destiny, the Hero of Time, and the Dark King. You can't tell me I don't qualify for a dark king."
"It isn't dark," I replied finding the phrase he was referring to.
"Yes it is, see koteiv, it means dark."
I reread the passage, "In a literal sense, yes, but they aren't meaning it as a physical sense. See the others, Princess of Destiny, Hero of Time. They are referring to attributes. A closer translation would be…" I shuttered as I realized the implication of the phrase. "King of Evil," I finished. I looked up with concern as he stood staring at the page, pondering our discussion.
"If I could find out where the Triforce is I could take Hyrule for my own," he muttered, not even paying attention to what I was saying. "I just need to find it. You do have a point, though. We don't have enough members in the army. I need to go." He got up suddenly and headed for the doorway.
"Wait!" I called catching up to him. "Where are you going? We really need to have a council meeting. There are things that need to be discussed since you went into hiding."
"It can wait," he dismissed. "What could be so important?"
"Well for one thing," I replied still jogging to keep up with his long strides. "There are rumors of unrest in some of the races, particularly the Gorons and Zoras. Taboor approached me earlier and said there is something she wants to bring before the council. We really need our king right now." This stopped Ganondorf in his tracks. He twirled around to look at me.
"There is always unrest in the other tribes anymore, it isn't anything new. I need to go to the temple. I really think it can wait."
"No, it cannot. Gerudo does not need to be swept aside to your personal desires."
"Fine, I'll take care of things," Ganondorf muttered impatiently. I breathed a sigh of relief. Ganondorf turned to the nearest Gerudo, who just happened to be Taboor. "Taboor," he called. "Whatever you want the answer is 'yes'." Taboor erupted in a huge grin and she ran off to her dorm room. "Yeresft!" She appeared at the top of the fortress momentarily. "I'm going to be gone for a few days." She simply nodded her head. "I'll be back soon and I'll get everything else sorted out." He planted a hasty kiss on my forehead before trotting off to the wastelands.
"This is not good," I muttered to myself. Just then I saw Taboor make a mad dash out of the stables on a little mare she favored. I ran to stop her quickly.
"What are you doing?" I shouted over the horse's whinny as I grabbed the reins.
'King Ganondorf said I could do what I wanted," she informed me. "You were there, you heard him." She tried to side step her horse out of my clutches but I out maneuvered her.
"I heard him," I confirmed. "I'm not going to go against the king's orders. I just want to know where you are going." Taboor looked around desperately.
"My boyfriend wants to marry me," she whispered. I stared at her in horror.
"No, Taboor," I managed to choke out. "Gerudo don't marry."
"I don't care," she whispered back, not looking me in the eye. "He says he loves me and wants to marry me. I love him. Wouldn't you marry Ganondorf if you could?" I immediately dropped the reins. The weight of the ring on my finger burned into my skin.
"Will you at least tell me where you are going?" I asked sincerely.
"To Centerfield," she replied softly. Her eyes lit up as she finally looked me in the eyes. "Talon has a little house and a few cows. He says he will provide everything we need. He thinks he can run a proper ranch someday. I want to help him." I stepped aside and Taboor took off at a breakneck speed out of the valley. She was running off to start a ranch, and taking all our secrets with her.
I walked wearily back to the fortress. "This is not good," I repeated for the second time in five minutes. I ran into the fortress and found Yeresft. She was moping in the little office she and Bonshie used to occupy when they lead the Gerudo. She barely looked at me when I entered.
"What is wrong?" I asked immediately, temporarily forgetting my mission.
"Things are just going wrong," she whispered. "Ganondorf has been sulking and closing himself off. He overlooks little things that used to make us run smoothly. This isn't the Gerudo I knew." I knew too well what she meant.
"Things are going just fine," I tried to consol her. "We have more than enough."
"It isn't the physical things I am worried about," she interrupted. "It is the emotional and spiritual neglects that I am afraid are starting take hold of Gerudo. He doesn't love Gerudo the way I did. He can't, he's a man." I wanted to give her a comforting hug, but my own worries over took my concern.
"I have to go after him," I told her plainly. She looked up at me forcefully.
"You can't save him," she shot with more malice than I had ever heard out of her. "I've seen people try it before. If someone is bent on destroying themselves you can't stop them. I've seen it destroy those who try to help them. Stay here. Take care of your self and those who need your help."
"I don't understand," I replied. "What happened to you?" She gave a wry smile.
"It wasn't me," Yeresft replied.
"It was me," Bonshie said darkly, entering the room and sitting beside Yeresft and cradling her anxious friend. "I had a sister once, an older sister. She and Yeresft were casual friends. They came of age together. I was the pesky younger sister. She always accused me of stealing things from her; first our mother, who went to the grotto when I was born, then Yeresft. Yeresft and I were good friends even though she is much older. We would play silly games by ourselves. Yeresft liked to pretend she was my mother. I was happy. Then my sister became obsessed with having something I couldn't. She tried to have a baby. She became convinced she would have the next male. She was absolutely crushed when Ganondorf was born. She instead helped Zanati take care of Ganondorf. She spoiled him. It was my sister who taught him to play music. I was nineteen when I befriended Ganondorf. My sister was livid. She accused me of trying to steal him away from her too. I tried to calm her and reassure her. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted her to love me. Eventually she left and went into the desert.
"I was afraid for her, so I went in after her. I couldn't find her. I never found her. I became lost in the desert. I was out there, alone, for a month. I brought no water and no weapons with me. I had already gone through the training I put you through so at least I had stamina. I found out what it really is to be Gerudo out there. I coaxed water from the desert. I became a part of the desert. My sister was never found. It was Yeresft who found me. We've been closer than sisters since. She is the one who helped me find a place without my sister. I couldn't let her go. Even though she was determined to run off and forsake Gerudo, I could not let her go, and it was my downfall. I know what has been going on with Ganondorf. You may love him, but do not let him drag you down." She glared at me meaningfully. I shook my head.
"I have to go," I whispered, trying to convince myself if not the others. Bonshie continued to glare at me.
"You have to choose your own fate," Yeresft spoke softly. "You can't let anyone make it for you." I fled the room.
I didn't stop running until I was in the wastelands. I quickly made my way to the rest house, wrapping a veil around my mouth as sand whirled around me. Ganondorf was still in the rest house, reading the sign. He turned when I came in.
"Really," I panted, dropping in beside him. "What are you doing? Can we just go home?"
"I am going to the temple," Ganondorf stated firmly. "Will you help me get there?" I began to shake me head. "Please? I just want to ask my mothers a few questions and then we can leave." I gave an exasperated sigh and nodded my head.
"Fine, but when we get home you need to stop worrying about the Triforce and think about Gerudo a little more." I led him out of the house and began to make my way towards the temple.
It was well after dark when we got there. We stopped briefly at the oasis before entering the temple. It was late and we were both exhausted. Ganondorf suggested we sleep and take care of business in the morning. I was too tired to fight him.
I struggled to wake up. I felt like I was caught in a dream. I desperately wanted to awaken. I could hear Ganondorf and the witches flitting on the boundaries of my consciousness.
"It is actually a good plan, dear," Koume simpered after they had discussed several ideas.
"A very good plan," Kotake agreed, "You will need an army."
"A large army, we can help you create one."
"An army powerful enough to obtain the Triforce, though you won't rule Hyrule just by getting it."
"What do you mean?" Ganondorf demanded. "That was the point of getting the Triforce."
"Calm, Ganondorf," Kotake cackled, "You will get something much better. The one who obtains the Triforce will control the sacred realm, and from there you will have enough power to concur not only Hyrule, but the entire world."
"You would like that much power," Koume chimed in, "and we would like you to have it."
"Do you know where it is?" Ganondorf asked.
"In all my 560 years I have never seen it," Koume cried.
"In my 520 years I have never known where it is," Kotake wailed.
"We are twins, if I am 560, you are 560."
"You must be mad, I am only 520. You can be an old hag if you will, but not me."
"Enough," Ganondorf barked. "Tell me about the army."
"It is a dark army to be sure… Koume, the girl."
I lost all grip on what wakefulness I held.
I finally woke fully when the sun was already high. "You're up," Ganondorf marked offhandedly, helping me to my feet.
"Did you find out what you needed to know already?" I asked, a bit thrown off by the lateness of the day.
"More or less," Ganondorf confirmed, heading out of the temple at a quick pace. "Come on, there are things you wanted me to take care of when we get back."
"About that," I began tentatively, "there is a slight problem with your 'taking care of things' before you left." Ganondorf got a look on his face like he knew something bad was about to come up. "Remember when you told Taboor she could do whatever she wanted?"
"Yeah…"
"Well she wanted to run away and marry her boyfriend."
"What?" Ganondorf stopped suddenly. "Gerudo don't marry. Why didn't you stop her?"
"Don't throw this back on me!" I shot at him. "You are the one who gave her permission. I stopped her to see what she was doing and she threw our relationship in my face. What was I supposed to do, tell her it is okay for me to live in the same fortress as my boyfriend but she can only see hers with permission? You know I have issues with the way relationships are carried out." I jumped out of the way of an errant leever.
"What would you have me do about it?" Ganondorf asked me darkly. "I can't let every Gerudo run off with their boyfriends. I can't exactly make more Gerudo men."
"That's it!" I cried, a sudden idea dawned on me.
"What is?" Ganondorf asked as he kicked at a leever.
"Make more Gerudo men," I replied almost giddy with the idea. "We could have a trial or something that they have to go through to be proved worthy of being a Gerudo. That way we could have more men who could move freely in and out of Gerudo."
"No, Nabs," Ganondorf countered. "We would have every pervert clamoring to get in. I'm not going to subject the Gerudo to that."
"Well they wouldn't pass the test and we throw them out."
"There would still be too much harassment."
"Then we pick out the men to test."
"No, Nabs."
I pouted the rest of the way back. We arrived shortly before sunset and were greeted by the council the moment we passed under the gate.
"We are having a meeting whether you will or no," Yeresft said firmly. Ganondorf nodded his head and we made a strange procession to the council room. The frightened looks from the Gerudo we passed hinted that something terrible had happened in the short time we were gone. Bonshie closed the door, which rarely happened, and immediately began to demean Ganondorf.
"What were you thinking when you ran off?" she spat, her face contorted with rage. "You have a people to run and you can't do it when you lock yourself in your room and then run off at a moments notice. Things are happening all around you and you are ignoring them."
"Okay," Ganondorf stated calmly, but I could see a dark storm brewing inside him. "What has happened that I need to know about?"
"Taboor is missing," Yeresft informed him. "She never reported to her vocation, and her things are missing."
"I gave her permission to leave," Ganondorf stated flatly. All eyes were fixed on him in disbelief. "She wanted to talk to me, and I gave her permission without really understanding what she wanted."
"Where could she possibly have gone?" Frewoo asked uncomprehendingly.
"She went to Centerfield," I answered, not letting Ganondorf skirt around what happened. "She had a boyfriend there. They are going to marry." Ganondorf glared before return the gazes of the others. They sat waiting for an explanation.
"I didn't understand the full implications of what she wanted to do," he explained weakly. "Had I known I wouldn't have let her go, it will not happen again."
"The next item to discuss is the last raiding party sent out," Bonshie began. "Only one has made it back. The color drained from my face. To lose one or two Gerudo in a raid was not unheard of, but the last raiding party was a dozen strong, and mostly seasoned fighters at that.
"What happened?" Ganondorf asked quietly.
"From what we have gathered from the one who is back," Bonshie replied, "the Acriminites set a trap for them. I guess they are finally putting an end to our raids. Only one was able to make it out and come back. She says that the others were not killed, but taken to the city."
"Is she okay?" Ganondorf asked with concern.
"She is healing with Zanati," Yeresft reported. "She will make a quick recovery, but she is not feeling well at the moment."
"How many are still being held?" Ganondorf asked wearily.
"Eleven, Your Majesty," Henna reported. "They were strong fighters as well."
"Well, let's go get them."
It took us two days to prepare to launch an attack on the city across the desert. We were all on edge as the fighters mounted horses. The entire council was there. In a rare move Ganondorf had appointed Zanati in charge of the fortress. I remarked how desolate and empty the fortress looked as we filed into the desert. We rode hard. Even at our quick pace it took us almost three days to reach the Acriminite city. Yeresft scouted the city walls ascertained the city's layout. She spent long hours developing a plan of attack. It was risky, but Ganondorf was determined to rescue the Gerudo inside. At dawn we launched our attack.
The city was caught unaware. It was actually poorly guarded, relying heavily on the walls to protect it. We quickly overcame the obstacles thanks to Yeresft's strategy. Inside the real battle began. There were no experienced soldiers, but these people we protecting their home. Our carelessness in training was apparent. The occasional raid was not enough to keep us fit for battle. Our main advantage was the intimidating and powerful form of Ganondorf leading the way. There was much noise and confusion, but eventually we slashed our way to our goal. We entered the central courthouse to be greeted by a ruler of some sort. Ganondorf spoke with him in his native tongue. We were unsure of what was said, but it ended with Ganondorf's sword ramming through the other man before he relieved him of a set of keys. He led us through the building, slashing our way when necessary. We finally found the missing Gerudo in a cramped cell. They all sat expressionless even as Ganondorf released them. They simply filed out, taking up weapons as they left. There was little resistance as we made our way back through the decimated city. I surveyed the destruction we had caused. It didn't appear we had left a single man alive. Women were starting to appear in doorways and windows, cowering at the sights and smells of battle. They shot hateful looks towards Ganondorf and his contingent of warrior women.
"Your Majesty," I barely managed to whisper after we had exited the gates without resistance. I was unable to finish my thought. Ganondorf seemed to instinctively know what I was trying to ask.
"All the men are dead," He stated bluntly.
"Was that really necessary?" I asked quietly.
"They didn't deserve to live," one of the freed Gerudo spat hatefully. "They sink lower than any would imagine. They deserve their fate." I shook my head in disagreement.
"What about the others?" I asked.
"We don't need to kill them," Ganondorf replied simply.
"That isn't what I meant," I elaborated. "Are we just going to leave them here like this?" Ganondorf nodded. "They don't know how to take care of themselves. They are too much like Hylian women, and there are children here. They will die from starvation or disease."
"If they won't stand up and persevere they deserve what is awaiting them. I will not have my decisions questioned. "
"You are sentencing them to death," I shouted. Ganondorf slowly turned and faced me.
"They sentenced themselves to death when they let themselves be subjugated by their men," Ganondorf growled menacingly. "It is not a quality I tolerate in women. I will not use it as an excuse to aid them if they will not aid themselves. I would not suffer the Gerudo to be suppressed by men."
"Does that include you?" I challenged. Ganondorf and I glared at each other while the Gerudo watched nervously.
"We can finish this conversation later," he growled. "Report!" he called.
"Sire," Henna piped in timidly. "Exalted Yeresft has not made it back." Ganondorf quickly climbed the empty wall and looked out over the ravaged city. He let out a heart rending sigh and his countenance fell. I sprang into action and dashed in the direction he was looking. I burst through the gates as Ganondorf leapt to the street. We raced along the corridor until we came to the tragic scene.
Bonshie sat quietly under a tree, cradling Yeresft's head in her lap. A wound was visible on Yeresft's side, but the wound has ceased to bleed. There was no heartbeat to propel the precious liquid. Bonshie displayed no emotion as she held her friend. She silently stood and picked up Yeresft, denying Ganondorf's offer of help. Two more Gerudo had perished in the battle. We began the long funeral precession home shortly after filling our water reserves and looting, despite my protestations. The return trip was slower. The silence was not led by determination, but by grief.
The fortress seemed to sense our morose mood before we stepped into the gates. We were greeted with silence. Those who had accompanied us dismounted silently and allowed their horses to be led away. "We need three funeral pyres," Ganondorf stated quietly. Silently and immediately Gerudo went to work setting up coal pyres. The three were laid out and the pyres lit to reunite them with the desert sands. Not a tear was shed, not a word was spoken, but the flames of grief held us all.
"My sisters," Ganondorf spoke to us all. "Today I have failed you. Today, by my inattentiveness, we have had to send three of our sisters back to the sands. Today we lose the spirit of the Exalted Yeresft, who was sister and mother to us all. Today I vow to each and every one of you that I will not let my carelessness cost us any more lives. We will train harder; we will increase our power until none shall be able to defeat us. Together, we shall make Gerudo the greatest nation. I humbly apologize for the losses I have caused you." Ganondorf immediately retreated after his short yet poignant speech. I personally doubted his sincerity, but I knew that the wills of the rest of Gerudo were firmly wrapped around his. A few sniffles were heard in the crowd, but it was largely silent as it began to disperse. The guards continued their rounds as the majority returned to their bunks.
I did not sleep. The death of Yeresft lay heavy upon me, smothering me with grief and loss. I lay still in my bed staring at the unseen ceiling. Yeresft had been returned to the desert just a few hours before. Even thinking her name stung but I could not stop repeating it in a litany of sorrow. I did not move when a presence crept beside my bed. There was only one person with so strong a presence for me. Ganondorf gently swept wayward hair off my face. He didn't speak a word, simply stared at me as I stared at the ceiling. I could feel his anguish radiating off him as if it were a physical thing. Ganondorf stood and made a move as if he were going to leave but hesitated. He picked me up and cradled me as if I were a child. It would have been comforting if I hadn't been angry at him. He was right when he said his inattentiveness caused all this. With a sharp exhale Ganondorf stood up and walked out of the dorm room with me still clutched to his chest. I remained still. I didn't look where we were going but I had the passageways memorized. When he stopped I knew it was in front of his door. The glorious, wondrous door that had hidden our secret moments. I almost cringed when he set me down gently on the bed that had previously been central to our more pleasurable memories. Ganondorf lay beside me and placed his head on my chest and encircled me with his arms. I finally chanced a glance at him. He was staring back up at silently pleading with his eyes. He was pleading for companionship, understanding and comfort. I didn't want to give it to him. I was hurt and dejected. I was livid at my king but tonight my Ganondorf needed me. I found that I could keep them separate for now. I wrapped my arms around him and we dozed off together. Tomorrow I would let the king taste my wrath.
