A/N: I just wanted to point out this is not a romance by any means and that what you may think is happening is not. This is a story about power, not love. I promise it will make sense in the long run. With that, enjoy chapter 14.

Chapter 14.

Grace yawned as she watched the sun begin to set on the horizon. Her back ached from the horse but she dare not complain. The king had requested her to come and there was too much at stake for her to speak ignorantly so she remained silent. She began to left her mind wander to visions of the desert. Would it be empty or was it a bustling city of people? Would there be bright colors of silks hung out in banners? Or was it dull, lifeless? From the way Ganondorf talked it had sounded dull and boring but every so often in their discussions he mentioned something beautiful.

"Look, Grace. The border is just ahead." Her father whispered. He pointed to an odd line in the field. On one side there was grass and on the other side, it was sand. All that separated the two was a funny line of sand and grass mixed together.

"It's so strange!" She whispered back happily. She took a glance at the setting sun once more.

"Are we to travel at night?"

"Yes, the sun is too hot to travel under during the day. The night is the best time to travel."Her father explained softly. She grinned.

"Thank you, papa."

He nodded before riding back up along the king's side. She smiled as she followed behind. He looked so proud, heroic even. She wished her father would look like that all the time. He was prone to be defensive. She knew it was because he had loved her though. He wanted her to do what he thought was right. However, she wasn't so sure what was right anymore. She had felt so sure that promoting peace between the two countries was the right thing, but now, knowing a man had died because of her being a spy, she doubted everything she knew as right.

When they finally reached the border they were met by two guards on horses.

"Follow." The older one said bluntly, her voice dark and demanding. Grace felt herself shrink under their gaze. The king obliged and the trudged on. The other guard eyed Grace suspiciously as they rode along. She looked to her father for comfort but he had a worried look in his eye that frightened her.

"How much farther?" She asked quietly. Her father shot her a glance that told her to remain silent. A command she obeyed. They continued along. The only sound they heard was the sound of running water.

"Zora's property. We gain no water here freely. We will cross the bridge. It will only be a short ride from there." The first guard stated roughly as she led the caravan across. Grace looked to her right at the waterfall. It was breathtakingly beautiful. She followed it down, looking mindlessly at the drop below. For a second it seemed surreal but reality quickly set in and made her stomach churn. She felt dizzy looking down.

"Watch!" The second guard screamed as she pointed at her. Grace blushed furiously and crossed quickly, joining her father who gave her an encouraging nod. The guards on the other side of the bridge patrolling looked at the Hylians curiously but continued to pace in their posts.

Grace looked at her father once more as they continued onward.

"You are doing fine. Pay attention." He said calmly.

The short ride that was mentioned didn't seem short to Grace at all. The desert was freezing! Even the king gave an occasional shiver. The guards didn't seem to care, however. Sand flew up in the air with the horse's hooves, flying into her mouth and hair. How she longed for a bath! She glanced at the guards again. They had placed something over their mouths and noses.

Interesting. Grace thought as they trotted along. Thirty minutes passed before a faint shimmer of light shown in the distance. The closer they came to it the more she was able to make out in the darkening night. Some sort of strange building was built into the side of a mountain. Sandstone? She would find out soon. Her heart raced as they lead the party behind the building and to the stables. Everything seemed to be passing by in a daze.

"Take your things. We will escort you." The first guard barked then started speaking to the other guard in a foreign tongue. The Hylian party all seemed upset by their chatter but Grace was able to make out some of their discussion. They were complaining.

"Sar-qso." Grace mumbled as she joined the group. The guards looked at her with bewilderment and the king's eyes darkened. Her father placed a hand on her shoulder as a warning. They led the group down the hill and through the door of the building. It was just as dull as Ganondorf had described, it was dreadfully disappointing. She thought it would have been at least a little bit exotic.

They continued down the winding halls, getting an occasional strange glance from a woman now or then. Strangely, it seemed there were no children. They arrived at a large room with straw matted beds lined up neatly. The guards walked outside as everyone started unpacking, except Grace who counted the beds once more. Only seven. Was she going to sleep elsewhere?

"We were not expecting a young woman…" A kindlier voice said from the doorway.

The king stood up from his bed.

"Ah, the Second in Command! Come to welcome us?" He chuckled. Grace squinted. She hated it when people faked laughter.

"No. I have come to escort you to the throne room where we will discuss your journey and other things. Firstly, where the girl will stay." She replied defiantly, She motioned for the group to follow her and they began again until they reached a door. The two guards from earlier stood still, staring forward, acting as if they had never seen the people in front of them. One by one they walked into a line facing the Gerudo king. Nabooru stood on his left. When they had gathered themselves they bowed. Grace knew the Hylian King had cursed under his breath. He was to be bowed to and not to bow.

"Welcome to my domain." Ganondorf's voice seemed boisterous against the silent halls. His eyes wandered the group, counting heads, taking notes, looking for traits. Eight? There were supposed to be seven. Hylian fashion, doing small, irritable things that always seemed to get in the way.

"Who are you?" He asked curiously as he pointed to Grace. Her head was bowed, making it impossible to see her face. Had he forgotten her already? She lifted her head.

"Grace." She muttered meekly. He nodded, sliding his chin into his hand. Nabooru looked impatient. He looked up at Nabooru with a sly smile.

"She was not expected. Get someone to get her belongings! She can't stay with the men." He stated, his voice was booming against the stone walls. Grace felt dizzy again, she trembled, she didn't want to be separated from her father. She stared into Ganondorf's eyes for a moment. He smirked and the glint in his eye assured her she would be safe.

"Oh, and get some water and food too. Hylians will perish so easily in the desert. We wouldn't want to be rude." He added. Nabooru nodded and glided away. Grace had forgotten how tall they all were.

Ganondorf dismissed them and the kings began to talk of what was to pass, the reason for being there, on and on they rambled with questions and not once did Ganondorf falter. She didn't care to pay much mind to their conversation, she was more concerned by the uneasiness everyone had. Ganondorf seemed to be the only man with power in the room and it frightened Grace.

When Nabooru returned Ganondorf bid goodnight to everyone and left. Grace looked at him once more as he reached the door. He hadn't paid attention or he hadn't cared. Either way, Grace had felt betrayed. Perhaps it was because she as his spy? Was he trying to protect her?

Few women came in and out of the room. Nabooru stayed behind and served as a host. When the king of Hyrule asked why Ganondorf had left Nabooru simply replied with, "He's finding a place for your unexpected guest." The men rambled on, a few making foul comments about women. Nabooru took notice of Grace's discomfort.

"Don't worry. He hasn't forgotten you." She whispered as she passed. Grace choked on her water. She hadn't expected Nabooru to confront her so openly.

"Girl. Follow me." A guard snapped as she pointed to Grace. She looked at her father with a worried glance. He smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek as she left. She was terrified to be separated from everyone, she felt as if she were going to be fed to wild animals. The guard handed her her bag as they exited the room and started down the halls again. Grace tripped trying to keep up.

"In here!" She commanded as she opened an embellished door. Grace inhaled deeply, taking in her surroundings. She was taken back. A comfortable bed garnished with silk patterned sheets lay on her left. At the end of the bed was a decorative chest, sleeves of shirts suck messily out of it. To her right was a washroom, something she had only thought existed in the palace. In the middle of the room was a table with a bowl of exotic fruits and papers scattered across it. Behind that was a desk covered in books and paper and a strange assortment of other things. Candles were lit along the wall. She was mesmerized. She took a cautious step forward. She felt her feet sink into a plush carpet. A sick feeling washed over her. This was not a guest room. Why was she brought here?

"How do you like the room?"

She turned, throwing her bag to the ground in surprise.

"It's very...beautiful." She replied shyly. She didn't know how to address him. Ganondorf smirked, brushing past her.

"Good. Then this is where you'll stay." He replied as he sat down at the table.

"But it's not a guest room."

He didn't care to look up as he began peeling a fruit.

"You are right. It is mine." He replied coldly. He turned his attention away again.

"Am I to sleep with you?" She asked darkly, her eyes surveying his face. He laughed.

"Miss Grace, what kind of monster do you think I am? Or do you put yourself so high you think I would want to sleep with you? You will sleep comfortably in my bed. I will sleep on the floor until we figure out a better arrangement."

His laugh made her feel stupid. She hated that about him, how she always felt beneath him. She hated it, even more, he had suggested that she thought of him in such a way. There was a time when her childish fantasies would have confirmed his statement, but now? She was insulted.

"Why didn't I sleep with Nabooru?" She demanded. He frowned.

"Would you rather sleep with the Hylian men?"

"No."

"Then be quiet."

She shifted uncomfortably, standing by the door awkwardly as they remained silent.

"You can sit, you know. You don't have to stand." He grunted as he continued to work on the fruit. She cautiously took a seat across from him at the table.

"What is it?" She asked in a murmur. He looked up for a moment, looking at her with bewilderment, then went back to peeling.

"Voltfruit." He mumbled.

"Oh."

They sat in silence some more. She stared at his hands as they finished tearing the skin of the fruit away.

"You never wrote to me about you. Only Hyrule." He stated as he sat the fruit on the table and picked up a letter from the table. She felt her stomach tighten.

"I'm a spy. I'm not supposed to tell you about my personal life." She replied sharply. He snorted as he set the paper back down. She inhaled deeply before speaking her mind.

"And because I'm a spy an innocent man has died. You ruined everything! I can't sleep at night anymore thinking about what I've done!" She snapped, her eyes beginning to fill with tears.

"For someone who grew up in the palace, you don't understand social cues, do you?" He scoffed leaning back. She felt her cheeks turn red under his icy glare. Had he ignored that fact that a man died to accuse her of poor manners? She was beginning to believe he was some sort of monster. She felt nauseous again.

"I'm not feeling well." She whispered. He sighed.

"You should wash." He suggested as he pointed nodded to the washroom. Grace slowly stood up, walking to her bag on the floor and awkwardly taking out a nightgown. She walked past him and closed the door. He could hear her as she soaked herself in water. He smirked, she was so timid. She sounded as if she was trying to be quiet.

"Is your father the same? Spiteful?" He called behind himself. He heard her fall into the water. She hadn't expected him to talk to her, it must have scared her.

"Oh yes, they all are." She replied back, choking on her words. He chuckled.

"And your suitor?"

"Haven't seen him since the ball."

"So you have no suitor?"

"No. I'm to be married shortly after we return."

"I see…"

He fell silent as he listened to her in the other room. His mind started to fill with whispers. Demise had grown uneasy. Ganondorf couldn't understand why. Nothing had been out of the ordinary, nothing but her.

"Are you alright?" She asked as she placed a hand on his shoulder. The voice faded. He didn't understand...He looked up, staring at her tiny frame. She looked lost, out of place. He found it entertaining.

"Are you hungry?" He asked. She was confused by the sudden change of subject.

"Excuse me?"

"Are you hungry?" He asked again, this time forcibly, he was irritated when he had to repeat himself. She looked to the floor.

"I ate with my father. You took care of us, quite generously." She replied. She didn't want to admit that she was in fact hungry. She felt it would be stealing food that they needed. He sighed, standing over her.

"Yes, that is fine, but are you hungry?" He repeated angrily. She looked to the floor, she didn't like that he towered over her. She felt threatened under his cold glare.

"Yes." She whispered. He huffed as he handed her the fruit and walked towards her things.

"But I thought-"

"That's the problem with you." He began as he tossed her belongings on the bed. "You think too much. Always have to have something to add or a way to be better than the other. That's why they brought you isn't it?" He said with exasperation. Grace was dumbfounded.

"No…" She muttered. He cocked a brow as he began to lay her belongings out on the bed.

"Then why are you here? Are you a gift? A negotiator? Tell me why they chose you. Do they suspect you of something?" He picked up the envelope slowly, examining it as if it held some sort of key to the world. Grace dashed to the bed and grabbed the envelope.

"To be honest I'm afraid I don't know. Now please! Stop touching my things!" She howled. He sat back down at the table. Exhausted from her.

"What is in the envelope?" He asked calmly. Grace smiled softly, the tips of her pointed ears felt warm.

"It's a letter."

"Who for? Your lover?"

"It's for you."

He tilted his head, rubbing his temples ever so slightly.

"I see...and what does the letter contain?"

Grace bit her lip as she sat it down in front of him.

"It's everything that has happened to me in the last year. My life you are so curious about." She explained before uncomfortably seating herself on the bed. He shook his head with a cruel grin.

"But that is why you will stay with me for a short time. I want to know you." He smirked as he tossed the envelope on the table. Grace stared tiredly at him.

"Go to sleep. Nothing is stopping you." His voice had suddenly become quiet. Grace tried to hide a yawn, trying to hide her fears.

"Aren't you going to lie down?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"You and your questions… next, you will be asking me about the sand and the stars and Sa'oten who knows what!" He scolded. She huffed as she pulled the covers around her. She wasn't going to sleep until she knew he was sound asleep. He let out a short laugh.

"You know, you are kind of cute when you're mad. Cute for a Hylian that is." He didn't truly find her cute, he just wanted to irritate her. His nerves were shot and he did not want to amuse the king for the few months he would remain here. He found his joy in pestering her.

"You must be drunk."

He looked up, confused.

"Oh?" He stood and blew out a candle, walking towards the washroom.

"You are supposed to be bitter." She replied, fighting to keep her eyes open. He washed his face, amused by her comment.

"I am not a politician in my own bedroom. This is where I am myself."

Grace turned, watching him as he threw cushions to the ground. When he had finally laid down she lay perfectly still.

"Goodnight...Ganondorf." She whispered, adrenaline beginning to run through her. He smirked as he looked up towards the bed. He was surprised at how she just assumed that they were informal but he had to be careful. She was frightened and he couldn't blame her. He needed her on his side. He had used her before and if there ever came a time to need her again he knew she was gullible enough to follow through. He wanted to know why she came. He knew he would have to break her and he knew exactly how.