Chapter 6.
Ganondorf gazed outside his window, mesmerized by the town in the distance. It was odd to him. The peacefulness and tranquility, the almost perfect harmony they all lived in day to day. No struggles, no pain, just simple ordinary lives. Something he knew was never for him. There was pain that burned in his chest, though he tried to ignore it, this time he couldn't. He glimpsed down at his birthmark, inspecting it's strange scar design. His fingers brushed it, the pain beginning to fade. He was awake, thinking, moving, working his way into his body. Something Ganondorf dreaded. Demise had began to move, it would only be a matter of time…
With bitter indignation he sat himself on the floor, barely giving attention to the notes scattered across the bed. Silk, he noted, was something the king spread about like a bird would spread its wings, yet this silk only came from one country. Subtle insults like this reopened wounds he would not allow anyone to see. The thought of his home, the women who relied on him, discouraged him. It wasn't his fault they were toys, mindless dolls on strings to the Hylian nation. Yet, it was in a way. He was their protector, their leader. King he would not admit. His pride and resentment kept him from that title. He was more of their liberator if anything.
It would be strange to think one could be homesick for such a wretched place like the dessert. How could one be? The very land itself reeked of death and desperation, but he was. He wanted to go back, to be welcomed and see the faces of a tribe that would stand unbroken, laughing at death as it knocked on their doors. He wanted to talk in his mother tongue, to drink and laugh with his people, lost in a moment of relaxation. These were not things that would come for a long time though. He knew if he returned with no news there wouldn't be any joy at all. So he stayed, contemplating the rejection and abuse the king seemed to be oblivious to.
The sunlight began to dance across the floor. He closed his eyes, letting its warmth embrace him. It was not frequent he would enjoy simple little things such as the sun's gentle kiss. He was man of cold and swift notion, always moving towards his goal. He was silver tongued and clever, constantly thinking, plotting his next crusade. In this moment however, he would embrace simplicity, honing in on the world around him. A practice he rebuked as a child. This world wasn't enough, this world was wasted on the Hylians, but he would change that. The earth, the gods and goddesses, the King, his people, the Gorons, Zora, they all would feel his wrath eventually. He smirked at the image in his head. The world would burn and they would be forced to bow to him. For now, though, he needed patience.
He grunted as he rose to his feet. His assemblage with the Hylian King and court would begin its session in less than an hour.
"Vigilance, boy, vigilance!"
The mantra of the past tormented him as he gathered his papers. Their voices were so loud and clear, echoing in his head like they did when he was a child. Kotake and Koume were not ones who would let you forget so easily. They never forgot anything themselves, and they never forgave either, perhaps they had always sought revenge on the world and that is why he had been blessed with his burden. His holy burden they would often say, though he knew it was a curse. It was only a matter of time now.
"Shh! Shh! The Gerudo man is staying in that room!"
Usually he would ignore the slander of the ter 'Gerudo', but something about the quarrel outside intrigued him. He adored it when people made those remarks, spurring his curiosity and forced him to investigate the fight outside.
"The royal pest herself, perhaps?." He mumbled under his breath with a shallow grin, walking towards the door. To his surprise (or rather, dismay) it was the two composer brothers. Papers were scattered across the floor and they continued to bicker as the hurriedly gathered them.
"What the devil are you doing outside my room, disturbing me before my audience with the King?" He asked with subtle potency. How he adored to make that tremble! This would be his amusement of the day. The brothers turned, dropping a few sheets of paper.
"Nothing a Gerudo needs concern themselves about!" Flat said sharply, making Ganondorf raise his brows in shrewdness.
"You use Gerudo as if it were a curse. Tell me, what are you afraid of?" Ganondorf jeered as he loomed over them.
"If anything, your pride." Sharp replied in bitter agitation. Ganondorf grit his teeth, making Flat dance his fingers nervously on the back of his papers, but Sharp stood unmoved by his threatening glance.
"Good day." Flat finally said, trying to break the tension, taking a few steps away, trying to pull his brother away.
"Sav'aaq." Ganondorf spat back, grinning some sort of grin.
"Was that an insult?" Sharp howled, handing his sheet music to his brother who cringed as he watched him roll up his sleeves. But before Ganondorf could protest there was a shrill voice that interrupted them.
"It's a greeting!"
Both men turned to see a petite young woman standing nervously, legs shaking and buckled.
"Grace, if your father sees you-"
"I don't care if my father finds me! Now go before you get yourself in trouble!" She scolded, her face becoming redder the longer she stood there. Ganondorf eased into a posture of the authoritative man he was, making her shiver.
"Stay away from him, Grace." Sharp hissed as he left, Flat leaving with an apologetic nod, hustling down the hall with his brother. Grace swayed as she stood, frozen under his eye.
Ganondorf stared long and hard at the gawkish young woman. Why did she know this? Hylians resented the Gerudo. Her fear made him burn with curiosity, but the voice in his head began to whisper, distracting him from his new interest.
"It isn't everyday a woman can recognize Gerudo tongue… Tell me, what does it mean?" He questioned sternly, taking a step towards her. She gasped, not realizing all the air that she had been holding in.
"It means," She paused, swallowing hard, "good day."
He huffed, sorely surprised by her knowledge. How had she know this, of all people? It didn't matter, though, she was a nuisance just like the lot of them. She probably thought she was high and mighty compared to his women.
"Still, a petty little girl like you would just assume things, now wouldn't she? Probably can't even read." He laughed as he turned towards his room, not waiting for her response. He didn't want her to prove him wrong. She would though, he could feel it.
"I am not little and I do know how to read!" She retorted back, provoked enough that her mesmerizing fear vanished. He snorted as he let go of the door handle.
"Fascinating. I don't suppose a young vai like you would ever know anything beyond basic home keeping." His merriment was too much for her. She hated that he enjoyed her anger, which only worsened the emotion.
"How dare you! I'll have you know that my father takes pride in my education!" She bickered, daring to take a step towards him. He made a frightening guttural sound in the back of his throat, like an animal would when it was frightened or angry. It was terrifying yet interest her.
"Go back to your dolls, little girl. You'll make me late." He sibilated, turning his back on her.
"I am not little! I've already told you that! I'm practically seventeen, and besides, my name is not 'girl'!" She pouted, crossing her arms.
"If you aren't a child, then why do you whine like one?" He sneered, taking pleasure in her cold, furious blue eyes. She felt her face stiffen.
"My name is Grace. My father is Captain of the Hyrulian Guard. I am not a child, but rather curious. Don't test me any further." She replied peacefully, holding back the hostility that raged inside her. He was pleasantly surprised by her first spirit, but he would never let a Hylian know if it. She was so immature and desperate it disgusted him. The Gerudo only shook his head before looking at her arm.
"Sand script… Interesting…" He whispered, noting the smudged markings under her sleeves. She promptly pulled her sleeves down, not liking the threat in his words. He cocked a brow, studying her. Young, naive, desperate for change, she would do well if he ever needed anything.
"Be careful where you roam, little girl. I'd hate to see you get in trouble." He quipped with a grin,leaving her alone in the hall.
She waited for him to close the door to his room before sticking her tongue out. She hadn't even got to know him well and she already hated him! She sighed as she silently began to wander away. It was true, things hadn't gone the way she had planned, but she hadn't expected him to be civil either. The Gerudo were different but they were still people. The realization of the exchange was enough to satisfy her for today. Secretly she would have to hold in her ebullient joy. It wouldn't be long before someone would say something but she would enjoy this moment while it lasted. She had finally spoken with a Gerudo, something her father forbid. She smiled widely, she had rebelled against her and father brother's wishes, she was determined to know the Gerudo personally, and she would by the end of the week. To the others he was no king, nor politician, he was a savage man with dignity. That alone was enough to keep her hopes high. He should prove her wrong. She hoped he would, so she could show the others that she was right.
"There is to be a ball held next week for the farewell of Lord Ganondorf." Impa announced as the princess began to write down letters from her text book. Zelda looked up with her toothy grin.
"Can I go Impa? Please? I p'omise I'll be good!" She begged as she stood up. Impa laughed as she sat the girl back down.
"Of course, the whole castle will be there." Impa replied with her usual monotony. Zelda squealed with glee but the look Impa gave reminded her that young ladies never made such noises.
"Your mother also will be present at the ball."
This peaked Zelda's interest. Her mother never left her bedroom. Only once had her mother left and that was just to move to a more comfortable room. Was she getting better?
"Does that mean mummy's medicine is workin' now?" Her eagerness and excitement was heart-wrenching.
"Your Mother's spirits have returned, that is all." She replied, pointing back to her book. Zelda hummed happily as she began to kick her legs, content with knowing her mother would see her in ball gown next week. Though it did seem so far away to the little girl, she kept faith that her mother would keep her word and go.
Impa, however, knew the true reason the Queen was to attend. It would be her final farewell to her people, and her last chance to say anything to the man she detested most, the man whose people tore her from her husband and poisoned her marriage. The Gerudo King would finally hear why there would never be peace between the nations and Impa couldn't wait until that day.
Ganondorf rapped his finger anxiously on the table. Three hours had drug on and on only to have the same answer repeated. Over and over again the council denied any form of treaty or idea of peace between the nations and it had began to bore him.
"Now, if we look at nations like, the Goron for example-"
"But we are not here to discuss the Goron we are here to talk about my people, the Gerudo! And I intend to come to a conclusion by the end of the week! Not waste my time talking about ideas and other allies of the Hyrulian Nation!" Ganondorf howled, pounding his fist into the table. The council member stuttered as he tried to speak but the King motioned for him to take his seat again.
"Now, Lord Ganondorf, you will have your answer, but you can not raise your voice at those you intend to bond with!" The Hyrulian King's face was cherry red, breathless and as intimidating as he could muster in his shocked dismay.
"I came here to not waste my time and that, your highness, is exactly what I've done! I bid you goodnight!" Ganondorf responded darkly as he left the table, his cape fluidly following behind him.
"That is why we can not allow peace your Majesty." Someone spoke up as the door to the room slammed. The King sighed as he leaned back, shaking his head.
"It is in our best interest to lead him on. If we make allies there will be no hope for us if he becomes angered. We must keep him at bay. He's too young and headstrong. For now, we wait."
The men began to talk politics inside the room but Ganondorf continued to storm down the hall. He hated the games that the Hylian's played, their petty ways of distraction and manipulation. Though, unbeknownst to them, he was achieving exactly what he wanted,time.
"My King, any news?" The Gerudo guard asked as she walked beside him.
"There will be, by the end of the week there will be peace or there will be war…"
"My lord?"
"I need you to deliver a message to Nabooru for me…"