Chapter 7.

The desert was calm in the evenings. The fortress was never fully asleep but the Town was. There was few women in Gerudo Town who hated the cool breeze of the night when they arrived home. Though when unprotected the wind carried death, it was also a great comfort to the women in their homes. The shops and classes emptied out, with small chatter and excited goodbyes. Usually, their talkative nature would be hidden until the night. They were born warriors but they were still normal women with feelings and instincts that the other women shared. The town grew more and more empty as mothers and daughters returned to their apartments, anxiously awaiting to read letters from those in the guard or in training. It was the nightly unspoken routine, each fearing and praying for their loved ones.

Nabooru watched from the palace steps as the lights in the homes below went out one by one. She watched over her people and she would always even beyond her grave. The laughter from inside the palace made her grin. Laughter was something foreign when Ganondorf was around, but she recollected the days when it wasn't like that. They were so young then, innocent. Now they had both lost their innocence. He in more ways than one and her in the pure sense. He was thief of high regard but she couldn't deny what she had willingly gave him. A shame nothing came of it… That was in their past though. Things since had changed. Each vowed to pursue their role, play the games of the government's, take care of the people they loved. She had long adored his ideas but lately a fear in her gut kept her thinking back to when they were young. Riddles he used to tell her about dark and horrible things. Things to this day she didn't understand. Being raised by the priestesses she thought that maybe there would be more good to him than evil, but now she doubted even that. She trusted him, but to an extent. Things were different when he was away. Things that should have been normal things returned from their hiatus and everyday life continued without a hitch. When he returned the respect and dread was prominent in the women's behavior. He never said anything, it was a soundless law that had crept among them since the war. The twistedness of him never changed though. He had always been young and reckless, his temper being his downfall. Even now with Aveil she couldn't help but wonder if she were next. Then again, she was special to him. Even if they had only shared a moment of true bliss she would cling to it until she could prove him wrong.

There was nothing to be suspicious about his behavior, he acted the same. Yet, something in his eyes seemed to be fading, he was constantly thinking, and now not sharing his thoughts. This Nabooru find odd and exactly why she was determined to find him out.

"Nabooru! Come drink with us!" A voice called from inside. Nabooru turned and ran to the throne room where the women sat in a circle, drinks in hand. Her memoir could wait, it was bittersweet anyway. For now she would have mirth. If Ganondorf were here there would never be any evening joy like this. There was too much tension when he was around, even though he enjoyed it when it happened on occasion. He was serious, but when he was gone they were free.

"Did Ganondorf write to you yet?" Someone asked as she handed Nabooru a glass. Nabooru frowned, looking at the liquid in her glass, formulating something to say.

"Aw, Nabooru, don't worry. It's only been a few days. I'm sure you'll have a letter first thing tomorrow morning!" Someone else chimed in, feigning sorrow. The girls laughed merrily, positioning themselves among the cushions comfortably.

"I'm sure if Ganondorf loved me he would write me once!" An older woman teased as she eased her way into the circle. The girls giggled furiously, laughing at themselves. Nabooru only frowned, suddenly angry by their accusations.

"Sa'oten! There is nothing between Ganondorf and I!" She protested as she crossed her legs, taking a sip from her drink.

"Then Nabooru, tell us why you wait every day by the door? You look towards Hyrule as though you lost something!"

"Yes, Nabooru! I see it in your face! You fawn over him like a little vehvi!"

"Enough!" Nabooru yelled, throwing the cup down. The woman stopped their chatter and looked at her with dismay. Usually she was tolerant of their teasing, but tonight something was different.

"Nabooru, is it because of Aviel?" The older woman spoke up. She knew her granddaughter all too well. Nabooru shook her head, irritated with her.

"No, she was behaving like a vehvi therefore she must learn her lesson." She answered, moving uncomfortably in the rising silence.

"Then it is Ganondorf."

"Vaba…"

"You owe it to us Nabooru! We've been suspecting things since you were children." The older woman smiled as she stood, giving her an encouraging nod. Nabooru glared at the crowd of anxious woman, all wanting some sort of gossip.

"There isn't anything to say. Ganondorf and I are strictly dedicated to our people. We are friends and nothing more. Perhaps in the past, but never now."

The answer Nabooru gave displeased the women in the room. There were a few sneers and sighs of disappointment but the elder knew exactly what she had meant to say.

"Nabooru is expecting a letter soon. One that may require her to take leave. Now off with you!" The older woman seemed to scold as she shooed the girls away. Nabooru looked emptily at the ground, knowing exactly what her grandmother was to ask.

"You still think you can change him, don't you?"

"No,Vaba, I believe he is changing and that I need to help him. Something is wrong inside him. Something has been for a long time. It's my duty to our people to find this out." She replied haughtily before attempting to leave.

"Nabooru, that look in your eye isn't concern anymore, it's worry. You are afraid of something you can't figure out."

She knew her grandmother was right but she was too stubborn to admit it, something she thought was all their greatest downfall. Pride and stubbornness is what gave them their courage to face the desert though, and perhaps is the only reason they continued to live. Afterall, it was no easy task living in emptiness.

"Sa'vorr, Vaba." She dismissed before giving the elderly woman a nod. She smiled and nodded back, letting Nabooru leave for her room.

She couldn't change him, but she could change the country. She needed to know more about him though. If her thoughts were wrong then everything would be wrong, it would be mindless treason. If she could prove herself correct, then there would be nothing to worry about.

"What is Ganondorf doing? Wasting his time with efforts in peace! Ridiculousness!" Koume shouted as she began to tamper with armour. The twins anxiously awaited news from Ganondorf. They were opposed to his thinking of peace, mainly for the reason of the title he was meant to keep. It looked good for a king, but not to them. To them he carried their last hope of resurrection and that was something they could not risk to lose. He was their responsibility, their present, per say, to Demise,their one true ruler. When Ganondorf took such a liking to the Hylian people it perplexed them. He was raised knowing the part he was meant to play, "his holy destiny" they would say, yet he denied it. Demise spent his time dormant in the young man, and it infuriated them when they found what he wanted for himself. Something they had punished him for. He wasn't to forge his own destiny, to imply his own intent, he had one purpose to fulfill.

Kotake exhaled deeply as she continued to stir the cauldron, barely caring what her sister had said. Three, almost four centuries with her seemed too much to handle. She considered them to be in their prime but often when she called unto the Spirits they would often taunt her about how close the end was. She refused to believe it though because He promised them their immortality.

"Do not doubt him Koume, he has the soul of our Master and our Master knows best." Kotake said subtly, lifting her ladle out of the blue liquid. Kotake grabbed her broom, furious with her sister's statement.

"I did not raise him to give up so easily on his holy duty! It is his right to become the vessel for Demise! He will not make peace with his destroyers! I forbid it!" She howled, her ancient voice panting as it screeched against the stone walls. Koume raised her fist in peeved detestment.

"Demise will come in his rightful time! Perhaps Demise himself whispered these ideas into his head! Think for once sister!" She shrieked, reaching for her broom as well.

"If Ganondorf weren't so keen to destroy his bond to Demise perhaps I would consider!"

"Our son knows his fate is sealed! We raised him well Kotake!"

"Our son resents his master, his very maker!"

"He is headstrong! He is on the verge of humanity and divinity! Dare you suggest he has no torment between his flesh and his divine purpose?!"

On and on they bickered, casting spells and making a mess of their work. Their indignant character often getting in their way of a loving sisterhood. The cauldron began to boil into a soft green, bubbling intensely, yet that didn't stop them either, not until there was a cry of surprise. The duo turned, looking at the young woman who had wandered into the temple. The Gerudo woman raised her scimitar, shocked that their place of worship was being defiled by two low creatures such as these.

"Grab her." Koume demanded bluntly, pointing her broom towards the woman who had began to run away. Kotake soared past, chanting mindlessly, taking the young woman under a spell. Kotake's deceitful grin was the last thing the woman saw before the head piece of armor was put on her head and everything went black.

"What have you done?" Kotake queried, looking at the still woman. Koume cackled as she assembled the armour around the woman.

"An experiment I've been waiting for such an occasion to try…" She explained with self-adoration. Kotake pushed her sister away to get a better look.

"A mighty warrior, one that will serve Ganondorf without any complaint." Koume stated as she looked at it with affection. Kotake let out a raspy howl of ecstasy.

"You brainwashed her! Oh! Clever! But what should we call her by? We can't call her by a name or she'll remember…"

"We will call her by the armors name. Iron Knuckle… It's quite a gift to Ganondorf… He should be grateful!" Koume exclaimed, returning to her usually bitter self. Kotake nodded, looking at the cauldron.

"What if he remembers his humanity while he's away?"

"What?!"

So they fought again. The fight was not over Ganondorf, however, but of a much more serious Ganondorf were to find his humanity, the seed of hatred would never be born. If Demise would not return then the gods would win, and that was something they could not risk. The gods had left them alone too long not to expect vengeance. Demise would return and they would make sure of it. Their little boy, the object which they slaved over for nineteen miserable years, coping with his spite and rejection, forcing him to serve his role, would play his part and there was nothing he could do from stopping them.

Grace hummed lazily as she put her books on the shelf. Her father and brother would be returning any minute and she had already laid dinner out for them.

The event from two days ago kept playing through her mind. He was a miserable man, in every sense of the word, but there was something about him that ignited her curiosity even more. The guard he brought with him couldn't speak Hylian at all, and though his words were accented, he spoke almost fluently. Were the Gerudo not educated in languages? Of course, Hylians were discouraged to learn Gerudo, and the women from learning anything. But the Gerudo seemed different in that sense, they seemed to value women as much as men and it captivated her. It was her silent protest in the world of men that she did have a prized education. To her family's dismay she had used it to study the other cultures, and her beloved Gerudo studies disgusted them. "Harlots. All of them." Her father would say if she ever asked him about them, but that never answered her questions. There were so many mysteries, questions to be answered, myths that all needed an answer, and she was determined to discover them.

"Grace!"

She jumped, so lost in thought she hadn't noticed her brother in the doorway.

"I'm sorry, Gadrel! I was thinking! Welcome home!" She greeted warmly before giving him a quick hug.

"That's the problem with you, isn't it? Always thinking… never listening." He replied dully, giving her a testy glare.

"I listen to my heart, Gadrel. You would too if you had one." She replied haughtily before sticking her tongue out. He groaned, looking to their father for support only to find him chortling over their argument.

"Father, you can't let her act that way! No man will ever marry a woman who thinks as much as she does! Ignorance, if you ask me! Woman have no need to be learning things all the time!" Gadrel barked as he took his place at the table.

"Papa, I am very proud of myself that I am educated. And if a man doesn't want a woman who thinks like me, than I won't ever marry! Women can do just as much as men! Just look at how the Gerudo-"

"Grace! That'll be enough of that!" Her father's voice usually wasn't that stern but she knew that saying Gerudo was like using Hylia's name as a profanity.

"I'm only saying that Farore created all people equally. There is no difference between the way the Zora and Goron and Hylian and Gerudo should be treated! We all live! We all breathe! We all think! Why not use our talents instead of being pushed aside because of our gender!" Grace quipped as she angrily put a slice of bread on both their plates.

"Grace…" Her father's voice warned her not to continue, a command she obeyed resentfully.

"Meat pie has always been your speciality." Her father finally said, lightening the mood as she continued to serve their meal. She smiled softly, taking her seat by her father.

"Am I going to attend the ball?" She asked, her eyes searching her father's tired face. He grinned as he glanced at Gadrel whose face lit up.

"Yes, yes! You even have someone to go with!" Gadrel chimed excitedly. Grace shrunk back into her chair.

"Oh?"

"Yes! A good friend of mine, handsome too. He's very much looking forward to the night of the ball."

"I see…" Grace's eyes wandered her plate. The two men watched as she gloomily ate, neither saying a word.

"Did you already have someone in mind?" Her father inquired, breaking the oppressive stillness. Grace shook her head.

"No… I just wish to make up my own mind about what man will court me." She answered softly, feeling their eyes pierce through her.

"Grace, give him a chance. You can't wait for your own Hero of Legend! Not everyone's wishes come true, besides, he's a gentleman. He'll be good for you, healthy even! He might even break your childish fantasy about the Gerudo."

Grace pushed herself from the table, giving her father a kiss on the cheek before retrieving a book and leaving. Gadrel stared at the door and stood to protest but his father motioned for him to sit.

"She'll be fine. Let her wander. It's a lot for her to take in. Growing pains are the hardest ones. It's time for her to become a real woman now. As much as I would like her to stay, she can't. Even as her father it's harsh." He said faintly before taking another slice of meat pie.

"Grace will love him, father I'm sure." Gadrel insured promisingly. The older man laughed.

"If not, there will be plenty of suitors at the ball that might meet her fancy."

"Let's hope so…"

Ganondorf sat down defeated in the small Hylian chair. Everything was small in Hyrule, including the people. He was amazed at how short they all seemed, but it was only natural. That was their way, a trait of the goddess' favor. How he loathed the gods at this very moment! Three days in Hyrule and they continued to toy with him! There was nothing to be said except the same pointless things everyday! A notion would have to be made, he had to think of one. If he didn't his scheme would fail. There had to be something he could use as part of his ploy, an affirmative idea to plant in the king's head, something to prove that Gerudo and Hylian could live peacefully.

He growled darkly as he stood, tossing some wood into the fireplace. Why was Hyrule so cool? It wasn't miserable though, not like the desert, his homeland. He scowled, only a few days remained before he returned with nothing to say about his leave. Though none would say it, he knew they were tired of it. They were nothing without him or Nabooru. He had to think of something before the week ended. It had to be clever and it had to happen quickly.

The queen was coming to the ball, he recollected. Women were easy to persuade with things such as gifts and passion and romance, but he couldn't persuade her that way. No, he would have to influence her emotionally, through actions that would please her. If he could win her favor the king would have no choice but to see a treaty through. The queen was on her deathbed and he would follow her every cry. How, was the question. He thought wildly through ideas, previous schemes, ways he could use something or someone to his advantage.

"I don't want to go with him!"

He glared at the open door acidly, who in Din's name was walking around this late at night?

"What are you doing out here?" He hissed at the passing woman. She squealed in surprise, throwing her book at him.

"Lord Ganondorf! You scared me!" She stammered, looking at the book that lay at his feet. He picked the book up irritatedly, thrusting it towards her.

"You dropped this." He snarled, his words dripping with venom. She felt tears well up in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to-if I would have known I would have- oh, please don't think anything of it!" She pleaded as she snatched it away. He exhaled deeply, staring at her worn, distressed face.

Poor little thing. He thought as he took a step forward. It had been weeks since he had touched a woman. The urge to see if Hylian skin was as soft as rumored ached in him, but she was so innocent he would have to wait. Needy as she was, she was equally as clever maybe even moral.

"Why are you walking about so late for?" He inquired, this time his voice more inviting. She quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Nothing that would excite someone like you!" She replied stubbornly, uncomfortable with how close he had gotten.

"You're that little girl who knew my mother tongue, aren't you?" He asked deviously, recognizing her through the shadows. She nodded slowly, knowing that if her father or brother came looking for her she would never be able to leave their home again.

"Talk to me. In Gerudo." He demanded gently. She shook her head in objection.

"I can't." She muttered, taking a few steps backwards, nearly tripping over the hem of her dress. He cocked a brow.

"Oh, you can only recognize it?"

"No. I can read it and write it as well." She stated proudly, her sorrow leaving her voice.

"But they never taught you how to speak it?" He contemplated, his curiosity growing. He was truly puzzled by her and he needed a good pursuit to forget his worries tonight.

"I'm self taught. I would think you know by now that Hylian people are discouraged from learning anything about the Gerudo." She replied frigidly. Her bluntness surprised him, but didn't stop his growing interest. She was the Captain's daughter, didn't she say? She would do well, but he would have to be sure, and think it through. It was almost too easy.

"Why did you learn then? Your mother?" He asked with a smirk. She huffed rapidly, offended that he had suggested such a thing.

"Certainly not! I'll have you know my father never walked away from my mother's side the whole time she was alive! I learn because I seek change!" Her eyes were so defiant but tender, it confused him more. How could someone be filled with so much confliction and affection at once?

"You seek peace between us?" His voice was loud and abrupt, scaring her a bit. She straightened herself, giving a cautious eye around the room.

"Yes." She uttered, smiling plainly as she stared up into his eyes. "You do too, don't you?"

He grinned viciously. His scheme forming into place. She would be so easy to woo. She wanted changes that others forbade, she wanted to know about his culture, and she wanted peace between the nations. It was almost as if Hylia herself was giving in to him.

"Yes, yes, I do." He said calmly. She giggled.

"I knew it! Papa said you were too cruel for it! But that's why you're here! You are just like everyone else! You aren't the monster they make you out to be!" She exclaimed excitedly.

"Hush! You'll wake someone!" He scolded coldly. She bit the inside of her cheek cheerily.

"Of course! I'm sorry!" She whispered happily. He nodded in approval before turning from her.

"Goodnight… Miss Grace." He excused her.

She suddenly was overwhelmed by emotions. Had he used her name? He remembered? How she wanted to go home and burst through the doors, declaring her discoveries to her father and brother! They were wrong and she was right! She knew she couldn't though, but knowing herself was enough! Ganondorf was just like her! At least she thought…

"Wait! Meet me tomorrow at dawn, in the courtyard!" She said quickly before scampering down the hall.

He grinned wickedly. Romance would win any woman's heart, and through an artificial romance he would win the queen's favor, and eventually his allegiance with Hyrule. All that was left was the game he could play all too well, after all, growing up as a thief had it's benefit. He was raised in a society of women, he knew the way they thought, how they would react, he knew the very way they ticked. If he could play up their romance to the king, prove that they could live peacefully together, then it would all be too easy to fall into place. She probably knew the palace well, the roles everyone played, secrets that he could use. Her father being the Captain of the guard would be useful as well. The king would have no choice but to approve a treaty if his own military's captain's daughter was paired with him.

"Foolish little girl." He sneered before closing the doors to his chambers.