Urora's home was quaint and covered in colorful personal touches and marks that showed that above all life existed within the limestone walls. There were various mementos scattered around the living area from childhoods not long past.

A single Hylian sized chair sat at the table and still held two pillows from when Aeris had used them daily, a small pair of slippers barely peeked from under the low couch, and there were dozens of other small things that told the story of Aeris and Nabooru's youth.

But Ganondorf was most stuck by the chart that was etched into the wall next to the doorway to the homes sleeping area. It documented the height of both girls as they grew. The difference between them was staggering. The first notch with Aeris's name clumsily carved next to it, seemingly by the girl herself, was a good six inches below Nabooru's notch from the same year, and the gap between them only grew from there.

"Hey, quit throwing mushrooms at me!" Aeris's voice followed by laughter from both Urora and Nabooru drew Ganondorf's attention away from the chart and toward the kitchen. "Urora tell her to stop!"

The three women were standing hip to hip, each doing a task to help prepare dinner like they had every night for years. Nabooru held a small knife in one hand and an expertly diced mushroom in the other, reared back and ready to throw.

"Girls at this rate we'll never eat," Urora sounded happily exasperated, content to have both of her girls home for the evening.

"You're no fun," Nabooru dropped the mushroom back onto the wooden board in front of her and continued with her task.

Aeris leaned back to look at Nabooru behind Urora and playfully stuck out her tongue to which Nabooru responded by jabbing the knife in her hand back at her. Ganondorf chuckled to himself softly as he watched the women, moments like these were new to him. Koume and Kotake had raised him, but there was a difference he had found between being raised and being cared for.

Hearing Aeris's stories about her childhood and seeing how Urora had raised the girls was an eye-opening experience. He watched as Urora gently guided the two women through preparing dinner, even though they were more than capable of doing so without instructions and had done so countless times.

The aromatic scent of mushrooms being sautéed in alcohol and butter filled the home as the three women laughed and playfully bumped into each other or innocently tried to interrupt the other's tasks.

"Ganondorf," The man looked up to see Urora's hand extended toward him motioning from him to join them.

"Watch it now," Nabooru laughed as he rose from his seat at the table. "Let's not burn the Fortress down. Aeris and I have almost done that enough times for a lifetime,"

"Oh, remember that one time—"

Aeris was cut off by Urora waving her hand dismissively. "Girls, hush," She turned and laid a gentle hand on Ganondorf's shoulder as he joined them in the kitchen. "Take this,"

He blinked slowly as he was handed a wooden spoon but ultimately took the utensil. "I want you to help me stir,"

The two younger women exchanged surprised looks and stepped away from the counter to make room for Ganondorf. The wooden spoon was tiny in his grasp and he kept looking at it with a mixture of fear and concern.

"Don't worry, it's nearly impossible to mess this up," Urora thought for a moment before sending Aeris a pointed look. "Nearly,"

"That was one time!" The Hylian woman threw her hands into the air as Nabooru cackled behind her.

"And you're never going to live it down, dear," Urora's gaze was kind yet amused as she watched her youngest daughter grumble quietly to herself about Nabooru distracting her.

Urora turned back to Ganondorf and smiled softly. "I just want you to stir as I add the broth," He nodded softly and tightened his grip on the spoon. "Just keep the rice moving and make sure it doesn't stick to the side of the pot,"

It was Aeris and Nabooru's turn to watch as Urora gently guided Ganondorf through his set task. Her tone never strayed from the soft motherly cadence as the two worked.

This was something that Koume and Kotake should have taught him, king or not there were certain traditions to uphold.

Aeris's heart fell as she watched Ganondorf flinch as Urora rested her hand against the small of his back as he worked. It was a simple motherly gesture but one that was ultimately foreign to him, and she didn't fail to notice the way Urora's nose crinkled, there was little that escaped her gaze.

Aeris smiled as she watched Ganondorf's face set into pure concentration that was usually reserved for paperwork and let her gaze settle back on Nabooru as she was pulled into another conversation.

"Alright," Urora stepped away from the low clay stove and wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. "That should do it,"

Ganondorf absentmindedly stirred the now thick contents of the pot as he smiled softly to himself. "You did a good job love," He flinched slightly as Aeris laid her hand on his back and smiled up at him.

He hummed softly but choked as Nabooru clapped him roughly on the shoulder. "Alright love birds, I think we've all had enough of your lovey-dovey shit for a lifetime,"

"Hey!" Aeris shoved Nabooru and the taller woman laughed as she spun away. "You're just jealous,"

"Jealous?" Nabooru cackled as Aeris lunged toward her and they both tumbled into the living area. "Sands, Aeris did you hit your head when you fell?"

The Hylian woman let out a bewildered sound and lunged toward the taller of the pair.

"Girls!" Aeris froze mid-stride as Urora's voice echoed through the room. "How many times have I told you about fighting in the house?" Aeris and Nabooru turned toward Urora with lowered heads and folded hands. "Either take it to the training yard or sit down and eat,"

"Yes, ma'am," They both quietly made their way to the table where Urora had just set out plates for each of them as Ganondorf chuckled softly at the display.

"You're grown women, and yet you still act like children," Urora shook her head slowly as they settled to sit at the table.

"She started it," Aeris coughed into her hand as she took a plate from Urora.

"I did not!" Nabooru raised her voice as she slammed her plate down onto the tables wooden surface.

The two of them dissolved into another petty squabble as Urora silently rested her head in her hands and Ganondorf did his best to hide his amusement. "How did you ever put up with both of them?"

"They've been like this since they were little, but," The older Gerudo smiled softly as she watched her two daughters argue. "They've always been thick as thieves,"

Ganondorf raised his brow, the figure of speech had not made it past him. "Oh?"

"You should have seen them, Nabooru took Aeris under her wing almost immediately, and started shaping her into the perfect little sidekick," Urora chuckled softly as she pushed the food on her plate with her fork. "Not that Aeris was a perfect angel before then,"

"Ahia, her mother, used to tell me stories about her," Urora's gaze fell as she spoke. "Apparently Aeris and the farms cuccos had a long-standing feud, that led her into quite a bit of mischief,"

"I had forgotten about that," Urora's eyes snapped to Aeris, tears were beginning to well in her green eyes.

Nabooru laid a gentle hand on Aeris's shoulder, their earlier squabbling was long forgotten, and Ganondorf reached to gently wipe his thumb across her cheek. "I'm sorry dear, I didn't think you were listening," Urora reached across the table and took one of Aeris's hands into her own.

"It's alright," Aeris smiled as she gripped Urora's hand. "Some memories are worth reliving," Her chin quivered gently, but she willed the urge to cry away. "Now, enough of me being a baby, let's eat,"

Nabooru and Urora's hands left her but Ganondorf's thumb lingered along her cheek, silently asking her if she was truly alright. She mustered her most reassuring smile, and he finally took his hand away. The mirthful air that had built up over the course of the night slowly returned as they ate. Laughter rang through the small home as Urora told tales of Aeris and Nabooru's youth while the two women tried to defend themselves.

"Remember that one time," Nabooru snorted loudly before she could finish her sentence and Aeris groaned loudly knowing what was coming. "In the kitchens?"

"How could I forget," The raven haired woman pushed her food with her fork. "I was sure that Itesu was going to skin us both,"

"Oh, she would have," Nabooru cackled. "If I hadn't manged to sweet talk her out of it,"

"I'm sorry," Ganondorf set his fork down as he looked from Nabooru to Aeris. "What happened?"

"One of Nabooru's infamous pranks gone awry," Urora chuckled as she watched her eldest daughter turn crimson.

"It would have worked if Aeris hadn't dropped that pot of oil!" Nabooru sat back and crossed her arms, clearly still angry about the escapades result.

"I wouldn't have dropped it if you hadn't tripped me!" Aeris scrunched her nose and Ganondorf could tell that this was an argument that had played out many times before.

"Girls, it's in the past," Urora smiled softly as she rolled her eyes. "Now, finished eating. The fast will be starting soon,"

The two women gave each other one finally nasty glare before dissolving into a fit of giggles. "I wish we could have done it though. It would have been hilarious to see the little ones try and train with oil coated spears,"

"My best plan to date doomed to failure, it's the one true regret of my life," Nabooru closed her fist over her chest and wiped an invisible tear from her eye.

"Both of you, eat," Urora's voice was a bit more stern this time. "Especially you Aeris,"

The smaller woman rolled her eyes. "Stop worrying, I'm fine,"

"No, you're not," Ganondorf spoke this time. "I'm not even sure I want you to take part of the fast,"

The Feast of the Longest Moon was rapidly approaching as was the week long fast that always preceded the festival. "I'll be fine," Aeris waved her hand dismissively as she took another bite of her food.

"We'll see," Urora and Ganondorf exchanged a look that promised the other that they would both keep a watchful eye on Aeris as the festival approached.

Once their meal was finished Nabooru and Aeris battled over a game of cards as Ganondorf and Urora watching in amused concern.

"Take that!" Aeris threw down her hand with a triumphant grin. "Pay up,"

Nabooru groaned as she slapped her cards down. "There's no way you've gotten three perfect hands in a row," Her words were calm, but her face gave away the anger that lingered behind them.

"What are you suggesting?" The smaller woman narrowed her eyes as she leaned over the table, knowing full well where this conversation was heading.

"Should we stop them?" Ganondorf looked toward Urora from his place on the low couch as Aeris suddenly stood on her chair to lean further over the table.

"No," Urora chuckled and joined him. She handed him a glass of what appeared to be wine as she sat. "They'll work it out themselves,"

Urora paused before taking a sip from her glass. "If they start breaking things I'll step in,"

The pair lapsed into silence as Ganondorf slowly swirled the light pink liquid in his cup. Aeris and Nabooru were still arguing as he took the first sip. The mild tang of fermented wildberry washed over his tongue and he hummed happily.

Nights like this were… rare. He could hardly recall the number of times that he had simply existed. No, responsibilities, no looming deadlines, no expectations or traditions. Just living in the moment with his family.

The sound of the two bickering women faded as he took another sip of the wine. He was suddenly struck, buy how much he craved the simplicity of life. The small moments that he had been denied as a child that would have molded him into a better man and a better leader.

He wanted more for his children, wanted to be better than his mothers had been for him.

He hadn't realized how badly he had wanted a family of his own, a family that he could shape and mold, until he had heard Aeris's heartbreaking cries echoing through the Fortress.

The sound of arguing grew louder breaking him from his thoughts and he looked up just in time to see Aeris lunge across the table. The world slowed as he watched her chair tip over, propelled by the force of her using it to push herself. The wood gave a deafening crack as it slammed to the ground.

White-hot pain flared in his hand and his gaze slowly drifted down. Thick streams of crimson were beginning to flow between his fingers and around the now crushed glass.

"Oh!" Urora jumped to her feet, setting her half full glass down as she did.

"Gan!" The man blinked several times as his mind caught up with the rest of the world.

"I'm sorry," His voice was barely a whisper as Urora and Aeris both rushed to his side. He was half expecting a sudden blast of hot or cold that had usually accompanied any accident he had as a child.

"Hush," Urora gingerly took his hand on her own. "Aeris watch the glass,"

"I'm sorry," The injured man repeated himself as he turned to look down at his concerned wife. "The chair falling must have startled me,"

"There's no need to apologize," Aeris laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's been a long day and accidents happen,"

"Especially in this house," Urora gingerly opened his fingers to let the rest of the glass fall to the floor in crimson stained shards. "Between these two we've had enough broken glass for three lifetimes,"

"Careful," Aeris settled to her knees in front of Ganondorf and gingerly took his injured hand from Urora. "Can you get me some clean water and bandages, I know you still have some lying around here,"

"Sure," Urora gave Aeris a slight pat on the shoulder as she rose from the couch. "I'll be right back,"

"Are you alright?" Aeris lifted Ganondorf's hand closer to her face, so she could make sure that there was no glass lingering in the wound.

"I'm fine," Aeris flicked her eyes up to his face. They had both been saying that a lot recently.

There were three diagonal cuts across his right palm, not very deep but dark crimson still poured from them running in rivulets down his fingers and dripping slowly to the floor. "These don't look that bad,"

"I told you I'm fine, just tired is all," He gave her a soft smile as she continued inspecting his hand.

"It's been a long day," She looked back up to his face and returned his smile. "Let's get this cleaned, and then we can go home,"

"Here," Urora returned with a bowl of warm water and a handful of rags and strips of cloth.

"Thank you," Aeris took them and dipped one of the rags into the water, so she could clean the blood from his skin. The flow of the blood was already slowing as she worked, once his hand was clean, and she was sure that there was no glass she began wrapping his hand in the strips of cloth.

"And here I though Aeris was the clumsy one," Aeris and Ganondorf both glared at Nabooru who laughed lightly.

"Nabooru hush," Urora rolled her eyes as her eldest stuck out her tongue.

"There, that should hold," Aeris turned Ganondorf's hand over in her own inspecting her work. "Not to tight is it?"

"It's perfect," His lifted his uninjured hand and gently cupped her cheek.

"Alright, I'm going to bed before you two get any mushier," Nabooru loudly interrupted their little moment.

"What you don't want a kiss?" Aeris turned suddenly and lunged toward Nabooru. The other woman cried out as she was knocked from her feet as Aeris's weight slammed into her.

The two women wrestled for a moment as Aeris made loud kissing noises. "Get off!"

Nabooru gripped Aeris's elbows tightly binding her arms to her sides. The smaller woman struggled but eventually gave up. "Alright, alright, I'm done,"

"Alright then," Nabooru sat back and let Aeris worm her way out from under her.

Once she was free Aeris jumped to her feet and brushed a strand of her hair from her face. She let out a deep breath and turned to see Urora had already cleaned the glass from the floor and was working on the blood. "'Rora, I was going to get that,"

The older Gerudo paused, it had been a long time since Aeris had called her Rora. "It's fine dear," She continued scrubbing with a small smile on her face. "It's late and you two should be getting home,"

Aeris would have protested if she hadn't known that it was useless, once Urora set her mind to something there was no stopping her. "Alright,"

Ganondorf rose from his seat and joined Aeris as she began collecting their things, the pain in his hand had had subsided to a dull throbbing. He clenched his fist around the bandages and watched a burgundy bloomed through the crisp white cloth. Maybe the cuts had been deeper than they thought.

"Are you ready?" Aeris turned back to him as she threw her breastplate over her shoulder.

"Yes," He extended his hand uninjured hand to her, and she took it gently.

"Wait," The two of them turned to Urora as she rose to her feet. "Aeris give me a minute alone with Ganondorf, please,"

Aeris and Ganondorf both quirked their brows clearly confused by the request. "Oh, alright, I'll wait in the hall then,"

She looked from Urora to Ganondorf before turning and leaving the room. As she stepped out into the hall, the Fortress was silent. The faint echoing of the guards footsteps, bounced down the winding halls. She looked from one end of the hall to the other and frowned, there should have been a guard in this section of the Fortress. Maybe it was just later than she thought it was.

She jumped as the door behind her opened and Ganondorf bumped into her back. She turned and smiled up at him. "What was that about?"

"Nothing love," He brushed him thumb over her cheek and smiled. "She just asked me took keep a close eye on you,"

"Alright," She patted his hand and yawned loudly. "I don't know about you, but I'm very tired,"

"As am I," He took her hand into his, and they began to short trip to their quarters and the warm embrace of their bed.


A/N: So I have a question for you guys.

Would you like a series dedicated to Aeris's childhood?

I've been thinking of going back and filling in some of the years that "In the Shadow of the Colossus" missed. I have more than a few stories from Aeris's early years that I think you guys would enjoy seeing fleshed out and there are a few plot holes that need to be filled in.

I was considering just completely rewriting the whole first story and I might still do that eventually, but I just wanted your opinions on the matter.

And I wanted to remind you guys to check out my Twitter for art for all of my stories