Chapter 36 Father and Son: Reconciliation
Rama convinced Ganondorf to wrestle with him at the Horseback Archery Range where there was plenty of open room. No one occupied the area at the moment, so they had uninterrupted father-son time. Wrestling was not Ganondorf's strong suit. Being choked and having his limbs contorted was not his idea of fun.
Rama slammed Ganondorf against the ground and quickly positioned himself beside his son. Rama took advantage of Ganondorf's disorientation and aligned himself with Ganondorf's arm, locking the trapped limb in place.
Unbearable pain shot through Ganondorf's arm, forcing him to tap out. Using his other hand, Ganondorf tapped his father's leg repeatedly, thus ending the match.
Rama immediately released the contorted limb and rose to his feet. "Come on, Ganendra, that's the fifth time you fell for that trick," he said, grabbing a canteen. Rama took a drink and bent over to pass the canteen to his son.
Panting heavily, Ganondorf took the canteen and relieved his parched throat. He took the canteen away and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You know wrestling isn't my forte," he said defensively, looking up at his father.
Rama laughed and dropped to the ground next to Ganondorf. "I know, that's why I get you to practice with me."
"Yeah, but what's the point? I'm never going to use it in battle, and it's not like the women will ever challenge me at wrestling anyway." His panting finally came to an end. "By the way, how did you become so good at wrestling? There's no way you could have practiced with the women, you weigh too much."
"I practiced with Gorons," Rama replied nonchalantly.
"What? You practiced with Gorons?" Ganondorf exclaimed.
"Yep, I practiced with Darunia's father for decades before Darunia was born." Rama thought about all the other kings in Hyrule and when they were born. He laughed.
Ganondorf looked at Rama. "What's so funny?" he asked.
"I remember when all the kings in Hyrule were born." He laughed again. "I'm old," he stated jubilantly. Rama felt the desert heat scorch his skin. He wiped his perspiring brow. "Let's go inside before the afternoon heat bakes us." Even though the Gerudos lived in the desert and were accustomed to the heat, they tried to avoid staying outdoors in the afternoon. Rama took the canteen and got to his feet.
There was another, more important matter Ganondorf wanted to discuss with Rama. During his journey over to the desert, Ganondorf thought about proposing to Sabrina and needed to know if Rama approved. "Ba-ji, there's something I want to ask you..." Ganondorf stood and walked beside his father.
"Okay... what is it?" asked Rama.
"Well, you know how I protect Princess Sabrina?"
"Yeah..." he affirmed slowly, waiting for Ganondorf to continue.
"Well, you know how I spend a lot of time with her?"
Rama raised his eyebrows, growing impatient with his son's vagueness. "Yeah..."
"Well, you know how she's a Hylian and I'm not?" he asked, purposely beating around the bush, assuming his father wouldn't approve of the match.
"Yes," Rama replied brusquely.
"Well, I was wondering—but you'll probably say no—if it might be all right if I..."
Rama frowned and narrowed his eyes. "Ganendra, just spit it out!"
Ganondorf flinched at the loudness of Rama's voice. He took a deep breath in and out. "Would you approve if I wanted to marry Princess Sabrina?" he blurted quickly, looking away.
Rama grinned and stopped walking. Their plan worked. Rama placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Are you meaning to tell me that you love Sabrina?" he inquired.
"I do, I love her very much, which is why I want to marry her," Ganondorf answered.
Rama was happy to hear that his son chose the one he and Creon planned. "You have your proposal planned out?" he asked, taking his hand away.
"Planned out? What do you mean planned out? I'm just going to ask if she'll marry me," he said.
Rama face-palmed. He couldn't believe how naïve Ganondorf was on the proposal topic. Then again, it's not like anyone here gets married. "You can't just simply ask, you must do something romantic. You must woo her with your charms, and then you must give her something special that represents your love for her," Rama explained.
Ganondorf made a sour face. Proposing was much more complicated than he thought. "What did you do for Cho-ma?"
"I simply asked, but your case is different because you're marrying a Hylian. Hylian women are big on romantic proposals," said Rama.
Ganondorf sighed in defeat. I have no idea what to do, he thought despairingly.
"Don't give up now. See if your mother has suggestions," Rama commented.
Ganondorf agreed. He remembered his mother once lived among Hylians and knew their customs.
A group of Gorons rolled up the path and stopped before Ganondorf and Rama. The Gorons sat up and glowered at Rama.
Rama was delighted to see Gorons in his land. It had been nearly forty years since he last saw a Goron. "Hello," he greeted, "what brings you to our land?"
"Darunia demands reparations for murdering our brother," said the Goron emissary.
"What?" Ganondorf and Rama exclaimed in unison.
"Big Brother caught your warriors slaughtering a Goron on Death Mountain Trail."
"That's ludicrous! You're lying!" shouted Ganondorf.
Rama was shocked that his son would be so bold to an emissary. He struck Ganondorf on the back of his head. "Silence!"
The Goron smirked. "We have proof," the emissary said, presenting a spearhead. "We don't have spearheads on our mountain."
Rama's jaw dropped. It did, in fact, belong to his people.
The Goron tossed the head at Rama's feet. Rama glanced at the spearhead then looked at the emissary. "What does Darunia want in exchange?" asked Rama.
"He demands thirty million rupees," the emissary replied.
Rama gasped. "Thirty million rupees?" he exclaimed. "I don't have it!"
"Then prepare for battle," the Goron retorted before curling up. The other Gorons curled up and followed the emissary out of Gerudo territory.
Rama felt as if he were punched in the stomach by Darunia himself. His people were committing crimes in other territories behind his back. He had to find out why to see if he could find a solution or perhaps a compromise. "Go home and tell your mother what has happened here, and when you are done, pack up your things and go to Hylia," he instructed.
"Why are you telling me to leave? I will fight this battle beside you," Ganondorf stated with determination.
"No," Rama replied firmly. "You must take refuge in Hylia." Rama stood in front of Ganondorf and put his hand on his son's shoulder. "You are the future king. If you die, so will the tribe."
"But what about you? I can't flee like a coward while you stay here and fight for our people. Where's the honor in that?" asked Ganondorf, backing away from his father. "I won't leave you."
"Ganendra, as your father and king, I command you to leave our land and not return until summoned," he ordered.
"Ba-ji, I won't be a fugitive prince! My place is beside you," Ganondorf said with conviction.
Rama stared at his son with warm eyes. Ganondorf's loyalty touched him. They had their differences and quarreled daily, but Rama still loved his only child and wanted him to be safe. Rama approached Ganondorf and placed both hands on his shoulders. "Son, I beg you to stay with Sabrina until you hear from us," he said calmly, hoping that mentioning Sabrina would convince Ganondorf to stay with her.
"But what if I don't hear from you?" Ganondorf asked with a slight hint of fear in his voice.
Rama smiled. "...Then you'll be king."
Ganondorf's heart skipped a beat. There was no way in the world he could be king at that moment in time. He knew someday he would take the throne, but not this soon. Growing up, Ganondorf watched how stressful being a king was for his father. Then he imagined his world without his father and felt empty. He wanted his father to be with him for at least half his life. "Ba-ji," he uttered weakly. "I-I don't want—" he choked and looked away, unable to finish his sentence.
"Ganendra, it's your destiny," said Rama.
Ganondorf didn't want to accept the truth about his destiny or the possibility of losing his father. He shook his head and embraced his father. "I don't want you to die," he said miserably as tears formed in his eyes.
Rama returned the embrace. "Death is a part of life, Ganendra," the King said, softly. Rama released Ganondorf and took a step back. "A hundred-sixteen years is enough."
Ganondorf realized his father was right about his prolonged existence. The goddess promised the Gerudo Kings a hundred years.
"Now go pack up your things and tell your mother what has happened. She will fight by my side."
Ganondorf nodded and started down the path. He turned around and said, "Ba-ji, I love you."
Hearing his son say those words melted his heart. "I love you, too, son. And I am proud of the man you've become."
Ganondorf smiled. Winning his father's approval meant the world to him. He wished he could stay with Rama longer, but he knew what he had to do. "Thank you, Ba-ji."