Blades clashed, issuing great sparks that arced high into the night sky. Both combatants rushed together, their swords colliding in another spray of sparks. The harsh sand beneath their feet displayed their clean footsteps plainly, allowing one with a careful eye to trace their movements through the battle. The two paused only a split second before charging again, trading blows and blocks in a rapid dance of singing steel and rising sand.

Gannondorf took a hard swing to knock his opponent's sword back, but the move failed. He leapt backwards to avoid a quick strike at his chest, landing several feet from where he had stood a moment before. The woman's sword sliced through empty air, whistling angrily at missing it's target. Gannondorf took only a moment to wipe a sheen of sweat from his brow before returning to the duel. With a sharp war cry, he drew his sword back over his head to bring it crashing down on his opponent. Seeing this obvious move, the foe prepared to parry the strike. The moment his opponent's sword moved upwards to block, the Gerudo male stopped short and let the blade swing harmlessly past his sharp nose. In a moment, he lunged forward and planted his balled fist squarely into the woman's exposed stomach.

Air paired with a cry of pain flowed from the woman as she folded over Gannondorf's punch. He withdrew his fist and let the woman double over to her knees, clutching her stomach and gasping loudly to regain her breath. He raised his sword high above his head in victory, grinning widely to the circle of now cheering Gerudo women around him. Of all those that had watched the exhibition duel, there was not one who cheered as loudly as Litara, her face alight with pride in her son's abilities.

His opponent had turned over to sit in the sand, drawing in deep breaths to restore her bearing. Gannondorf stood over her, an imposing figure silhouetted in the moonlight. His deep chuckle broke free as he offered his hand down to the fallen warrior. The woman conceded to the kindness and took the offered hand, allowing Gannondorf to easily pull the woman to her feet. The swordswoman bowed in thanks to the male, an action returned to her for respect.

Gannondorf was fifteen years old that night. A great celebration was held, for this day was one considered to be his coming of age. Tonight was the long awaited day of which he would be named the King of the Gerudo. The valley of the Goddess of The Sands was packed full of celebrating Gerudo, all there for their Prince. The party had began exactly as the last rays of sunlight vanished past the sand dunes and had continued strong well into the night. As the moon sat high in the black sky, spirited music filled the air as well.

Song, dance, food, and drink. All were in great abundance for the Prince's night. Lively tunes played on roughly made guitars, drums, and flutes chimed out, calling those who wished to dance in the sand. And dance they did; wild, festive displays that were encouraged by onlookers with cheers and claps in time with the music. Great leaps and quick footsteps traced the dancers about as their movements brought up swirls of sand into the air, spreading the fine grains like stardust.

Gannondorf was drunk with it all. His people, his wonderful people, all celebrating for him! This was truly the best night of his life. He had been dueling with fighter after fighter all night long, showing his prowess with the sword to his adoring fans. They cheered praises to his name and his skill, further increasing the young man's pride in himself. He saw the shining tears of joy in his mother's eyes and his heart swelled with happiness. His loving mother was never stingy with encouragement, but to find her so proud of him let his spirit soar higher than ever before.

With this last fight won, the Prince of the Gerudo sat at the head table of the greatest banquet he'd ever laid his crimson eyes on. On his right sat his mother, still grinning broadly for her son. On his left sat the two Gerudo Leaders, the Elders Koume and Kotake. Spread before the main table were dozens of longer tables set up with foods Gannondorf had never seen or even heard of. There were of course traditional foods that he loved, but it was all the others that truly drew his attention. Gerudo all lined along the tables on suitable stones or fashioned chairs, chatting amongst themselves and eating their fill of the wonderful meal.

"Careful of that, Gannondorf. Those have sharp bones in them." Litara advised her son as he was preparing to stuff a small fish into his mouth whole.

River fish was a food Gannondorf had never had and grinned embarrassedly as he worked at the meat more carefully. While tasty, he found it far too light for his liking and took to a boiled Leever instead. The bizarre creature always seemed to be a sort of combination of vegetable and beast, a sand-dweller that lived in great packs. They were terribly common in the desert and their leather-tough flesh was Gannondorf's favorite food, even rivaled against the wonderful foods present.

As Gannondorf ate, he noticed that the two Elders also ate Leever. He knew theirs was specially made, cooked straight in the flames instead of boiled. Cooking it so made the meat so tough that it became virtually impossible to bite into, let alone digest. He felt a twinge of jealousy as he watched the two ancient women eat the food as if it were tender Guay, not hindered at all by the texture.

The two Elders were nowhere near as feeble as they looked. Far from it, they were probably the fiercest warriors the Gerudo race had ever known, even in their old age. He knew that he could challenge either of them now and he wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance. He almost shivered to think of how strong they were in their youth. If not only for their hidden strength of body, then for their powerful magicks. The two were known more commonly among the Gerudo as the Sorceress Pair: Twinrova. Their very bodies reeked of dark magick. It saturated their beings, seeped into their voices and shone from their sunken eyes. Indeed, even for him, it would be suicide to challenge either to battle.

"Is something the matter, Gannondorf?" Kotake's wispy voice broke his trail of thought.

Gannondorf realized he'd been staring at the Elder's plate in his reverie and his eyes snapped quickly up to the old sorceress' face. He felt a tinge of redness threaten to appear on his cheeks, but fought it back as he stammered a poor apology.

"Perhaps the young Prince would like a taste of your meal, Sister Kotake." Koume cackled lightly. Kotake nodded and offered her plate to the man at her side.

"By all means, please help yourself." Kotake bowed her head lightly. "But if you believe it to be too much for you, allow me to remove it so."

"Absolutely not! Thank you, Elder Kotake. I would love a taste." Gannondorf broke in before Kotake could finish her remark. It was a matter of pride now.

Gannondorf was silent as the picked a piece of the Leever from the plate, feeling it's texture between his fingers. Sweet Nayru, it was hard as stone! The Prince placed the meat in his mouth and found it's taste to be more potent than normally cooked Leever. All was fine and well until he attempted to chew it and found that his teeth threatened to break from the strain. Perhaps he could fool them by sucking on it for a while.

"I hope it's to your liking, Gannondorf." Kotake chuckled.

"It's.delicious." Gannondorf struggled to lie around the obstacle in his mouth. "A little.chewy, though."

"Oh, good! I was afraid it'd be too tough for you to handle."

Gannondorf scowled at the underlying challenge and hid a grimace as he swallowed the chunk whole. It went down his throat hard and soon sat in his stomach so heavily it hurt. He felt as if he really had swallowed a stone and knew he'd be regretting that move later tonight.

"Gannondorf, your pride will be the death of you someday." Litara grinned as she offered her son a large gourd of water. He took the gourd gratefully and emptied half of it before taking a breath.

"That was nothing, mother. In fact, I'd like another piece." Gannondorf answered defensively as he snatched another chunk of Leever. He readied the gourd and prepared himself to swallow the meat whole again as he tossed it casually to his open mouth.

The piece of meat never made it into Gannondorf's maw. The meat hovered, caught fast in the expert grip of Kotake, half-way between his hand and his still open mouth. She bore a well-meaning but stern expression as she patted her Prince's hand gently and ate the meat herself. Gannondorf prepared himself to take a chance in chiding the Elder but was kept silent as she raised her hand before him.

"Your mother is right. We know you want to prove yourself; that is the pride of the Gerudo. However, wisdom must overpower pride. Even Din herself listens to Farore's words." Kotake advised. "To be a great ruler, you must realize that your actions have consequences. Performing foolish actions only proves you to be a fool yourself."

"In other words, don't bite off more than you can chew." Koume summed up Kotake's speech with a laugh.

"Must you always interrupt with your silly euphemisms?" Kotake scolded her sister.

"My what-and-a-what now?" Koume seemed genuinely confused.

"Never mind."

Gannondorf and Litara couldn't help but laugh quietly to themselves. No matter how powerful or well respected the Elders were, they were still siblings and often acted like it when they thought nobody of consequence was watching. Apparently they trusted their Prince and his mother with their immaturity every now and then. Gannondorf personally couldn't blame them for their actions and hoped that if he ever lived to be even half as old as the two Elders, that he would still remain in such good humor.

Dinner went on without a hitch as midnight approached. All meals were abandoned where they sat in favor of crowding around the entrance to the desert's temple. Standing in the center of the great staircase leading to the closed entrance was the Tribe Elders, Litara, and Gannondorf. Gannondorf couldn't help but feel insignificant before the massive flood of Gerudo women. He felt terribly outnumbered, as if he didn't really belong up there, accepting their praise with a weak smile and small waves. Regardless of the great roar of cheers, every voice fell instantly silent as Kotake raised her hand.

"My sisters! Hear my call and know what night this is! Tonight, under Din's Blind Eye, we have gathered to bless and praise our young ruler, soon to be the Prince of the Gerudo!" Kotake's voice broke over the clearing and echoed across the sand dunes to every woman present. There was not a whisper from the legions of Gerudo as Kotake drew a breath to continue.

"Long ago, it was foretold in the scripts of our ancestors that the only male born of our kind would lead us into a time of greatness! This time of destiny is upon of in the form and life of this young man, a blessing from the Goddesses themselves! As it was told long ago, our Prince has been born to us in a most opportune time! The world is rich and full with the work of it's inhabitants, ripe for the ruling force that will be our King!"

Gannondorf looked down at his feet, his attention drawn to the stone floor he stood upon. As the staircase was positioned between the hands of the Goddess, its shadow spanned areas of the desert depending on the time of day or night. As midnight drew rapidly closer, the moonlight played an interesting trick with it's glimmering rays. While shining from both above and reflecting off the desert sands below, the moonlight caused the shadows of the outstretched hands of the statue to bend inwards, as if closing around Gannondorf in a protective grip and cementing his connection with the Goddesses themselves.

Kotake motioned for Gannondorf to come to her, as he hastily did so. Kneeling before the ancient Gerudo woman, yet still towering over her, he watched curiously as she stared into his eyes for a long moment. She smiled warmly and gave his shoulder a firm pat before moving away from him. Gannondorf remained kneeling as Kotake withdrew an ornate circle from a fold in her robe. The platinum band was embedded with a slim garnet gem in it's core, a sparkling stone that reflected the light of the crescent moon.

"Gannondorf, You've taken upon yourself a great responsibility this night. Will you rule we Gerudo wisely, with both strength and courage to take command in possible times of danger? Will you ride at the head of our armies, leading the charge before all others? Will you, if need be, stand alone for your people, to do what you must to protect us in time of need?" Kotake hardly whispered, but her voice was clear as a gong ringing over the sands.

Looking over his shoulder, he found his mother standing behind him. Her hands were clutched together tightly beneath her chin, a gesture he'd seen her often perform. She had done that when he first learned to ride a horse and shoot a bow simultaneously. He remembered that same expression when he first navigated his way through the desert to the temple he now stood at without the aid of a guide. She bore that identical look when he presented her with a Baba Flower for her birthday, a bloom that was virtually non- existent in the desert. And now she worse the same expression, tears at the corners of her eyes threatening to fall.

Gannondorf returned his gaze to Kotake, who still presented the circlet to him. He slowly reached for it, feeling his hands shaking greatly from the tension of the moment. He paused, lowering his hand to the ground. Why did he quake so much? How could he show such weakness at a time like this? Doubt flooded into the Gerudo Prince's mind, striking a chord of terror in his heart. What if he wasn't ready? What if he would fail as King and bring the Gerudo's downfall? Perhaps he should ask the Elders to wait longer, until he felt prepared for the task.

Kotake still held her gaze on him, her expression set in stone. In her bulbous eyes, Gannondorf could not read a single clue of her emotions, save for one. He could see a desperation in her eyes, not one of panic, but of needed aid. He knew she had waited for this time as long as anyone else had and wanted just as much as anyone.

Gannondorf drew in a slow breath as his eyes shifted from the old woman before him. He looked out over the great mass of Gerudo before him, all of whom were watching and waiting expectantly. They covered the valley for as far as he could see, crammed in as much as they could. Some sat on boulders, climbed the sparse palm trees, or even sat atop each other's shoulders, just to see him in this moment. He could see the hopeful faces of those closest to the stairs, gazing up at him with adoration. These people.his people. They trusted him unconditionally, without a doubt in their minds or hearts. He could see the desire for a bright future in their eyes and knew that he was their chance, the one they were willing to risk their dreams for.and maybe more.

And there, glancing over Kotake's shoulder, he saw her.

Trique looked enchanting in the moonlight, her long red hair glimmering with the pale rays. Like an angel wrapped in light, she stood out against all the other Gerudo there. She had truly bloomed into a wonderful example of youth and beauty in the years since she and Gannondorf had first met outside his house. Her figure was smooth and lovely, accented even more by the red uniform she wore, a high rank for any Gerudo warrior to attain. Beneath the thin satin veil that shadowed her face, Gannondorf could see the bright smile showing through. She mouthed a few words of encouragement to him, her dark eyes never wavering from him.

A new courage swelled in Gannondorf's heart, blocking out the fear of the moment. He could not disappoint his people, he would not! They needed him, needed a ruler to look up to and to put their faith in. He would be strong and become even stronger, if not for himself, then for them. For his people. For the Elders. For his mother. For Trique.

Gannondorf reached out again, silently pleased that his hand had lost it's tremor as he received the crown from Kotake's outstretched hands. He brushed back his long red hair and placed the symbol of leadership upon his head, taking with it all the responsibility it held.

"Rise, Gannondorf. Stand proud as you now are: King of the Gerudo." Kotake grinned.

As Gannondorf rose to his feet, a great cheer rose with him. Every voice in the desert valley sang out praises and blessings to him, quickly becoming a roar that threatened to deafen their new King. But he stood confidant before the masses, taking in the scene with wonderment. Deciding to test something, he raised his hands slowly above his head. The crowd instantly fell silent, the previously thunderous response ebbing away into nothing. The desert valley was as silent as a tomb, some even going as far as to hold their breaths to maintain the silence. Gannondorf was amazed by this alone. They instantly reacted to his wish for silence, with only a mere gesture on his part! Astounding!

"The weight of this crown is unfamiliar to me. I feel that with it, I bear as well the weight of the dreams of my people." Gannondorf's deep voice boomed out over the valley, echoing off the rock walls. "I will uphold our honor and our hopes in the face of whatever adversity that may challenge. I vow to you, as I stand in the shadow of the Goddess Din, I will not fail in my task. Even if I must do it alone, the Gerudo will rise to greatness through me. You trust me to be your King, and I will do all I can to deserve your gift to me!"

For the second time that night, the Gerudo race answered as one in a mighty cheer that easily out-powered the previous one not only in volume, but in spirit as well. Tears formed in Gannondorf's eyes as he cheered along with his people, his thundering voice mingling with the legions. He cried out in joy, estatic with the sensations of power and devotion he had gained so suddenly.

This night was truly a blessed night.

~~~~

Far off in the peaks of Death Mountain, a great owl rested in the high branches of a withered tree. It's wing guarded it's head sleepily as it dozed in and out of consciousness. Suddenly it snapped fully awake, starting so abruptly that it almost lost it's hold on the thin branch. A tingle of instinctive fear ran down's it's spine as its massive, glowing eyes turned to gaze at the Gerudo Desert far in the distance. From it's high vantage point, the owl could see a dull glow many miles out, seemingly emanating from the Goddess of The Sands herself.

Despite himself, Kaepora Gabora shivered. He felt ill omens this night, dark and foreboding chills coming from the far-off desert.

The night was truly a cursed night.