A/N: In which answers and meetings :)
"Do you speak Hylian?" Ganondorf asked, knowing that Zelda and Link didn't understand a word he and the two Gerudo were saying.
They glanced at each other before one move forward to lower the net, opening it.
"Yes. My name is Barta and this is Teake."
Teake gave a grunt as she straightened, relaxing her stance. "Now, tell us how you speak Gerudo."
Ganondorf brushed himself off then reached into his pocket, taking out the photo and showing it to the two women.
Barta stared at it closely then looked at Ganondorf. "And?"
"There was a massacre 18 years ago. A child was stolen. A boy."
Teake stared at Ganondorf for several seconds before she looked at Zelda and Link. "And who are these two Hylians?"
"My friends."
"My name is Zelda," Zelda greeted with a quick bow. "A pleasure to meet you."
Link, Link signed, giving a wave.
"I would like to see your chief and speak with them," Ganondorf murmured. "Please."
Teake and Barta glanced at each other before they both nodded.
Ganondorf gave a bow, hand against his chest to show extreme respect. "Sarqso."
The two Gerudo turned and lead the three down a tunnel lit with luminous stones.
Zelda gazed around in awe when the tunnel opened up into a cavernous area.
Rounded homes jutted out from the walls on all sides on three levels. Colorful tapestries with the Gerudo symbol hung from every window. The air smelled of warm safflina and dried electric safflina leaves. Small stalls were scattered around, holding mushrooms or cuts of meat. Zelda wondered how they had gotten ahold of precious resources like that.
The Gerudo that were milling and going about their daily lives paused to stare curiously at the newcomers. Children stuck close to their mothers, peeking around their legs nervously.
Ganondorf gazed at the Gerudo in disbelief.
They were 80 strong. Possibly more.
Beneath the sands, they had stayed safe from potential threats. His people still thrived.
A few Gerudo joined the group, following from a distance to see what was going on.
Ganondorf could hear them whispering in Gerudo, wondering who they were and what they were doing there.
Barta and Teake parted to either side at a large building decorated with Gerudo flags and etched with warrior pictures.
It was similar to the building Ganondorf had found his mother's body in and he knew that this was the chief's building.
Teake and Barta remained outside as Ganondorf, Zelda and Link entered. A few curious Gerudo poked their heads past the tow guards' weapons to watch.
Sitting on a throne was a woman in her late thirties with long red hair tied in a ponytail. At her hip was an ornate round shield and wicked scimitar. A spiked, gold crown was threaded through her hair.
Ganondorf stared at the woman in incredulity.
She was an exact copy of his mother and he couldn't help but take in a shuddering breath. Had he been wrong? Perhaps that skeleton hadn't been his mother and his grief had caused him to become delusional?
"M-mother?"
The woman raised an eyebrow. "Mother?"
After staring at Ganondorf for several seconds, the woman stood from her seat, eyes widening. "Arun? Is that really you?"
"A-Arun?" Ganondorf asked as the woman stepped closer to him. "I'm sorry, my name is Ganondorf…"
"No, your mother named you Arun, after the sun…" The woman set her hands on Ganondorf's cheeks. "Because you were the light of her life."
"Aren't you…?"
"No….Naboris was my twin sister. My name is Urbosa."
"My…aunt?"
Urbosa nodded as she continued to stare at ganondorf with a somber smile. "Look how handsome you are. She would be so proud of you…"
"Can you….tell me about her?"
"In time, Arun. Now, tell me what brings you here." Urbosa dropped her hands and stepped back to look at the three. Her gaze lingered on Zelda and Zelda ducked her head.
"We didn't mean to find you," Ganondorf said. "I mean, it's great we did. We're actually searching for a temple."
"A temple?"
"Yes. It had a spring in it. Do you know where one is?"
Urbosa hummed as she gripped her chin, tapping a foot. "Hm…a temple….well, there may be one in the Arbiter's Grounds. I'm not sure if it has a spring, though. It's a sacred place to our people, after all. History says one of our Kings was executed there, you know."
Ganondorf gave a slight grimace at the reminder, rubbing his chest a bit. "I'm…aware."
He looked at Zelda and Link. "Told you the Arbiter's Grounds was a good place to try."
Zelda rolled her eyes, giving an exasperated look.
Urbosa stared at her before she said, "Not to be rude, young lady, but are you not King Rhoam's daughter?"
Zelda tensed up, realizing that Urbosa could still want revenge for what happened to her people, and quickly bowed. "I'm sorry for what happened! If I had known—"
"You needn't apologize nor bow to me," Urbosa murmured, setting a hand on Zelda's shoulder. "You weren't even born yet. What happened is not your fault."
"This is Link," Ganondorf said, gesturing to Link. "Another friend of mine."
"You're friends with the Princess of Hyrule and this fine warrior?" Urbosa hummed, grinning at Ganondorf. "What good friends you have."
"They're the best friends I could ask for."
Zelda smiled then noticed a pair of eyes watching them from around the corner of the throne. She gave a slight wave and they disappeared.
Urbosa looked where Zelda had her attention and called, "Come out and don't be shy, Riju. I have someone important for you to meet."
Gradually, a young girl reaching to Urbosa's chest came out from behind the throne, trotting over to Urbosa and grabbing her around the waist. She glared at the three in front of her. "Who are they, Mama? Are they going to kick us out?"
"Of course not, vehvi. This is Naboris's son, Ganondorf. He's your cousin."
Riju stared at Ganondorf suspiciously.
"And his friends, Zelda and Link. Be nice to them, now."
"If you say so, Mama…"
Ganondorf wondered how he could gain Riju's trust before he knelt to the ground, taking out the toy from his jacket.
Riju gasped, her eyes becoming huge. "You have a sand seal toy! How did you get one?"
"From the town ruins. In the chief's room. It was mine, when I was a baby, but you can have it if you want. I'm a bit too old for this."
A wide grin crossed Riju's face and she lunged forward to snatch the toy from Ganondorf, holding it up high to stare at it. "It's so adorable! I'm gonna name is Seally!"
Ganondorf chuckled as Riju ran off with her new toy, straightening.
"You all must be hungry," Urbosa said, smiling at the three before she clapped her hands to get the attention of the eavesdropping Gerudo. "My people, the son of my sister, late Chief Naboris, has returned to us!"
A few Gerudo old enough to have fought in the raid or remember it began to murmur amongst themselves as they crowded around Ganondorf.
They were slightly taller than him which should have bothered him, but he was used to looking down rather than up.
Ganondorf smiled as all the Gerudo who knew his mother touched his arms reverently, murmuring blessings in Gerudo.
Everything in him was calm. He was back where he belonged.
"It took ten attempts for Naboris to final capture Patricia. That sand seal was so feisty and wild, it refused to be tamed."
Ganondorf chuckled as Urbosa continued to tell tales of Naboris's exploits while everyone ate around a large table.
The food, Urbosa said, had been gathered by Desert Zora who brought whatever they needed.
There were cooked meats spiced with dried warm safflina leaves, sautéed mushrooms of various kinds, slices of fresh hydromelon and hearty durian.
Incense barely overpowered the scent of the food.
All the Gerudo sat on the floor on soft mats, passing the food from one member to the other until everyone had filled their plates. A strong drink that smelled of wildberries was passed around in a large jar to be poured into their glasses. Zelda, Link and Ganondorf politely took a small amount to taste.
Zelda was glad Ganondorf was enjoying himself.
Link was having fun as well though she imagined it was because of all the food laid out before them.
Zelda took a sip of the Noble Pursuit and nearly coughed at the overpowering tartness that flooded her tongue underlined with the taste of hydromelon and Voltfruit.
It wasn't a drink that she would become fond of.
"So, my nephew," Urbosa said after taking a long drink of her Noble Pursuit. "As you are my sister's son, you are the rightful heir to the throne."
Ganondorf blinked, setting down a roasted bird thigh. "Huh?"
"Will you be our chief?"
Chief? They wanted him to lead them?
Ganondorf glanced at Zelda and Link.
Zelda appeared concerned at the topic they were on, hands clenched.
Link was still eating, but side-eyeing him, gauging his reaction.
Take it, an insidious voice whispered inside him. Take it. Take the throne. Take it!
"I…can't."
Urbosa raised an eyebrow as Ganondorf looked at her.
"I'm sorry, but we still have a few temples to do and two mazes. I can't accept your offer."
Urbosa slowly nodded. "I see…"
Riju covered Seally's eyes as she grinned at Ganondorf like he had just made a huge mistake.
Despite the alcohol buzzing in his system, Ganondorf's reflexes were fast, and he leaped back and to his feet when Urbosa made a swipe at him with her scimitar.
"What the hell?!"
Urbosa pointed her blade Ganondorf. "Per Gerudo law, I will fight you for the right to the throne!"
"You have it! You've had it for 18 years!"
"Because we thought you dead. With you still alive, the throne is yours by birthright. By Gerudo law, if you reject that birthright, I can fight to prove my worth to ascend the throne."
Ganondorf groaned.
Law, law, law. Ugh.
"Can't I just give it to you?"
"No! If you refute my battle or forfeit, then you will no longer be considered a Gerudo. We are warriors above all else and to reject that is to forfeit yourself."
Ganondorf sighed, rubbing his temples.
He had only known his aunt for a short time and she wanted to fight him over a stupid seat?
However, being cast from the Gerudo—his people—was more painful than a simple fight.
"If you win, you get the throne. What happens if I win?"
"Then you can choose what you want. Whether you have changed your mind and decide to take your rightful place or you still wish to concede the seat to me or even another Gerudo you deem fit."
It was a win-win for him either way. He would lie if he said he wasn't itching for a fight.
"All right. I accept your challenge, Urbosa, chief of the Gerudo."
Urbosa smiled. "We cross blades at the training yard then, Ganondorf of the Dragmires."
The Gerudo seemed excited as they began to abandon their feast, following after Ganondorf and Urbosa.
Zelda didn't like the idea of Ganondorf fighting for a seat he didn't want as she and Link trailed after the crowd.
"My mom is going to kick his ass," Riju muttered, squeezing Seally tightly. "She's the best warrior ever."
Zelda couldn't blame Riju for wanting to root for her mother. She didn't know how well Urbosa was in combat and neither did Ganondorf.
The Gerudo surrounded Urbosa and Ganondorf, creating a ring with a respectable fighting space.
"The first one to make the other yield or get them on their back first is the winner," Urbosa said, unsheathing her scimitar and holding up her shield. "And don't think about forfeiting after the first hit."
"Yeah, I get the idea," Ganondorf muttered, taking out his blades.
Urbosa eyed them impassively. "You know, it's said one of our old Kings wield twin blades exactly like those. He was supposed to be a proficient swordsman. Let's see if you can live up to that."
I'd rather not, Ganondorf thought.
He didn't want to be compared to one or more of his past lives. He wanted to be his own person.
As Urbosa shifted to the side, Ganondorf copied her so they began to circle each other, sizing each other up.
A sword and shield, just like Link. But her battle style would be extremely different. He didn't need to beat her anyway. A small battle is all he wanted.
After a few more seconds of circling each other, Ganondorf lunged forward. His first strike was blocked as he expected. He swiped out with his second sword but Urbosa shoved her shield forward with enough force to stagger him.
She used that momentum to leap backward out of range. Then she jumped forward.
Ganondorf deflected her strike then returned with his own attack only to have it blocked with the shield.
Urbosa lashed out with another attack that Ganondorf barely blocked.
He had to step back as Urbosa continued to repeatedly lash out with him alternating between his swords to block them. After a bit, he used both swords to block another strike then thrust them out to shove Urbosa back.
With the distance, it gave Ganondorf time to think of a strategy.
She was swift, each strike with power behind it. She had trained all her life and those weapons had been created for her hands only.
He imagined magic was out of the question.
This was a battle of strength and wits.
Let's put her on the defensive.
Ganondorf lunged forward with both swords raised. As expected, Urbosa blocked them with her shield. Before she could shove them off, Ganondorf began to strike the shield repeatedly, forcing Urbosa to keep it steady.
After a few strikes, Urbosa had to take a step back to keep her balance. Then she shifted her weight down.
Once another sword was coming down, she thrust her shield out to meet it, the force causing the weapon to be knocked from Ganondorf's hand.
"It seems I underestimated your strength, young Arun. You have obviously been in a few battles, if that forehead scar is any judge."
"You don't know the half of it," Ganondorf muttered as he stepped back.
His sword was a ways away, but he wasn't going to risk going to get it. He could fight just as well with one sword.
Urbosa reattached her shield so she only wielded her scimitar.
Together, the two lunged towards each other, their blades meeting with enough force to create sparks. A quick shove back then their weapons met once again.
Now it was a battle of endurance, to see who could outlast the other.
Half of Ganondorf wanted to win, but he shoved that thought back. Even though he knew he could choose whatever he wanted if he beat Urbosa, that throne being dangled in front of him tempted him.
Take the throne. Take it, take it! The voice screeched. You're the King! You deserve it. It's your birthright. Then you can get revenge against Rhoam for what he did.
The image of his mother being stabbed and not having a chance to fight back against Rhoam flickered into his mind.
Ganondorf struck Urbosa's sword harder than necessary, forcing her to stagger.
Take the throne. TAKE IT.
Before he knew it, Urbosa's sword had been knocked from her hand and she had fallen to the ground, the point of his blade at her throat.
Urbosa held up her hand. "I yield."
Ganondorf glanced towards Zelda and Link.
Zelda looked apprehensive, hands clasped against her chest.
Link had a hand hovering over the hilt of the Master Sword, waiting for something to happen.
Take the throne. TAKE IT. Take the throne!
Just shut up! Ganondorf snarled in his mind.
Gritting his teeth, Ganondorf lowered his sword then sheathed it. He held out his hand to help Urbosa to her feet.
Before she could say anything, Ganondorf held up her hand. "Urbosa is your chief. I hand the throne to her. Her strength will keep us protected and healthy."
The Gerudo began to cheer, yelling out praises in Gerudo.
Ganondorf looked at Urbosa. "I'm sorry to change the subject but can you help us find the Arbiter's Grounds?"
Urbosa smiled. "After a battle like that? I would help you with anything, my nephew."
Urbosa lead the three down a secluded area that lead to the surface.
At the entrance stood two brown Zora.
"The Desert Zora will lead you to Palu Wasteland," Urbosa said, gesturing to the Zora.
They waved.
"Palu Wasteland?" Ganondorf asked. "Why there?"
"To access the Arbiter's Grounds, you need a sand seal. After the attack, the seals all scattered. The Zora have spotted them hanging there."
"Patricia leads them," One Zora said. "She may be willing to help since you're related to her old master."
"Patricia is alive?" Ganondorf murmured.
Urbosa nodded. "Sand seals live a long time, nearly as long as Zora. If you want to call her, just whistle. Palu Wasteland isn't too far. Oasis and Heath will have you in good hands."
Zelda looked at the two Zora, but she couldn't tell which one was Oasis and which one was Heath. Perhaps all Desert Zora looked the same with no distinguishing characteristics.
As they were about to leave, Urbosa grabbed Ganondorf's arm.
"Please do no leave without saying goodbye."
Ganondorf's gaze softened and he nodded. "Of course. I'll bring a tale to rival my mother's exploits."
That got him a laugh. "Oh, you better, boy."
Ganondorf smiled, then waved and followed after the Zora and his friends.
It was nice to be back in the sun, even if they had to squint against it.
Oasis and Heath lead them through the desert without much fanfare until they came across what had to be Palu Wasteland.
Large spines arched up from the desert sands, some broken off and others in perfect condition. A herd of twenty sand seals were scattered around, some snoozing and others playing.
At the approach, they all froze, eyes on the group. They didn't flee though. Just watched.
Ganondorf stepped forward and gave a sharp whistle.
He wasn't sure if he needed a specific whistle to summon Patricia or a normal one. He hoped the normal one would suffice.
It took a bit before another seal, larger than the others and grey in coloration, appeared from beneath the sand. The sand seal had scars crossing its body, even a few on its tusks.
The sand seal barked at them in warning.
Ganondorf held up a hand. "Patricia?"
The sand seal stared at Ganondorf before giving a small bark, appearing surprised. Then it barked several more times, clapping its flippers.
That had to be Patricia.
Ganondorf moved closer slowly, kneeling down so he could place a hand on the sand seal's stiff mane. "You know me, huh?"
Patricia barked, her expression seeming to say that she would never forget her master's pup.
"I have a favor to ask then. Do you think you and some other sand seals could lead me and my friends to the Arbiter's Grounds?"
Patricia remained silent for a bit before she barked in agreement.
Yeah, Ganondorf's birth name is Arun. Guess who named him Ganondorf? RHOAM.
He set Gan up for failure.
