Sheik, the tale the scribes missed
Disclaimer: Not mine, you follow that?
Right, to recap - you should read more carefully, and then I wouldn't have to do this you know! Sheik has managed to get the Minuet of Forest, Bolero of Fire, and Serenade of Water. But, now the man himself, Ganondorf, has captured him. *Dun, dun, dun!* what will happen? Read it and see, silly!
OK, I'm following from chapter three (obviously), so I'll put my warning again. Bleep, warning - there is insinuation of man-on-man lust. Well, I have warned you, and it's nothing graphic! All insinuated. Again, you have been warned!
~*~*~*~
I have recollected myself again - it has been two days, even though you would not know it if I did not tell. But, I have - that is how long it has taken me to ball up the courage to put a pen to paper. After all the monsters I have fought, all the trials I have passed, and I am scared to write about my own past!
You must be finding this most irregular; a Sheikah with feelings? Well, it seems I do have them - though they are usually covered. To you who read this, they are shown. Do not scorn, just read, and maybe you will see what torture my life has been.
~*~*~*~
Without the window in my cell, I would not have been able to keep track of the days. Even so, it was difficult to remember things through the exhaustion, which seemed to sweep over me so often. But, I dared not sleep for more than short bursts, and even then, I was in a position ready to spring and attack. Ganondorf did not see me again for a few days. After he left, I just collapsed in a large heap, and would not uncurl until the morning when the guard came in, and forced me to eat.
Apparently, I was an 'important prisoner' to 'his highness', and I couldn't go and die, or they'd be killed themselves. Those women were terrified of him - it wasn't respect he governed with, but fear. It was fear that swept over me every time I so much as thought about him. Please, remember, I was only a child - had I been an adult, I would have been just as scared, but able to control it.
The only way I could control it in that cell was to ball up, and hide my face, close my eyes tight and pretend I was somewhere else. Pretend that I was meeting Malon at the ranch - we were trying to tame Epona the horse last time I was there. Pretend that I was in my village, training the younger ones, and Rauru had never called on me. Pretend I was anywhere in Hyrule, just not there, in that cell.
But, every time a guard walked past, I couldn't pretend. I would spring up, and stand ready to attack, in case it was he come to see me, or his murderers sent to kill me as I slept. With such high alertness, I quickly became too exhausted to do more than force my eyes to stay open. I managed that for a week - a record for me that I do not plan to, or wish to repeat. That was how it came to be that I was asleep when Ganondorf next came into my cell.
Thankfully, the guard slammed the door shut, and I sprang up from the floor just in time to see his face go from a smile to a frown. Shaking my head, I tried to clear my mind - smile? Him? The heat must have been getting to me, or so I thought. "I've come to get your name boy, and this time, I will not leave until I get it," he declared fiercely, pulling his sword from its scabbard, and sitting down. He laid the tempered metal across his knees, and watched me as I returned to my corner of the cell, wrapping my cloak back around my arm.
It was bleeding from a slight scuffle I had got myself into with the guard that morning. It served her right for turning her back on me in the first place! I had paid her back though with multiple bruises across her jaw and nose.
I glared down at the cut, before re-wrapping my cloak around it, and staring at the floor. I made an effort to pointedly ignore Ganondorf; I knew it would enrage him, and an enraged enemy is a careless one. Or, I thought I knew it would enrage him. I was surprised to find that he was still merely staring at me, no expression, neither good, nor bad, on his face. It was slightly frightening - reminded me of the way I had seen men of our village look whilst battling.
"Why do you want my name?" I asked curiously, obviously catching him off guard, as he jumped, and blinked, before looking back at me. There was a flicker of surprise there - admiration - and something I didn't know. What threw me most of all was the slight redness in his cheeks. He was perhaps about eighteen by the look of him, but the frown lines that appeared when he frowned at me made him look a lot older.
"I just do, little wraith. I can't keep thinking up sight names for you."
"You will kill me soon - the name would be of little use then."
"What if I said I did not plan to kill you?"
I answered contemptuously, "Then, I would call you a liar, as well as a fool." He laughed at this.
"You're a brave child - stupid perhaps - but brave." He stood once more, and re-sheathed his sword, before coming over to my corner, and sitting no more than a yard away from me. I carried on glaring at the floor before my feet, reaching my un-injured arm up to push my hair away from my face.
He grabbed it, and tugged it towards him; I very nearly toppled straight into him, but managed to regain my balance. Shuddering, I glanced up through my curtain of hair as he studied my hand. It looked so small compared to his - so pale too. I tried to yank it back, but he wouldn't let go. I really wanted my hand back, and sent a buzz of magic through my palm to do so. He swore and grabbed his own hand, and I pulled mine into my chest, before scrambling away from him on my hands and knees.
"Oh Goddesses!" I whimpered to myself, as my right arm gave way, and I fell over. "Damn - useless - piece of - Ow," I ended miserably, thinking that it must be the end. There was no way he'd let me live after the fourth defiance. I tried to sit up, and managed to prop myself up with my left arm, facing the Gerudo man's back, just waiting for the death blow. I decided I couldn't watch, so closed my eyes, and braced myself for the blow.
I heard him turn around, the swish of his cloak on the floor, and bit my lip.
Nothing. I opened my eyes, and without meaning to, muttered a startled, "huh?" He was still where he had been before, sword sheathed, smiling at me. Smiling - I was delusional, obviously completely mad. He darted forwards, and grabbed me by the injured arm. "OW!" I screamed, and he let go in shock, sending me tumbling backwards; as soon as my head hit the floor, I was out cold - again.
*
When I woke up, it was to find my head was being supported by something soft. I didn't open my eyes immediately, trying to figure out where I was; but I was clueless. My vision was still blurred when I opened my eyes, and feeling dizzy, I closed them again. I bought my left hand up to try and assess the damage on the back of my head - it was immediately snatched away, and I snapped my eyes open.
Things were still blurred, but I could recognise the face staring down at me; Ganondorf. I lifted my head, realising that it had been resting on his leg, and attempted to get away - but, he still had my left hand, and I was yanked backwards. This time, he caught me before I could knock myself unconscious, and held me, half standing, half sitting. "Let - go," I growled through gritted teeth as his fingers dug into the gash on my right arm.
"I told you I would not leave until I had your name," he smiled darkly, and squeezed harder on my arm.
"OW!" I tried to pull away, but he was a lot bigger than me, hence, a lot stronger. I even tried the old trick of pulling, then suddenly not, to try and overbalance him; instead, I ended up being pulled headfirst into his chest. He held both my arms now, and looked down at me with something akin to surprise to find me in his lap. The lips curled in a smirk again, and he transferred both my arms to his left hand, bringing the right up to trace my cheek.
"Do you not understand me? All I want is your name."
"So that you can have it once you kill me? Not a chance," I stated defiantly. A flicker of anger ghosted across his face, before he managed to get it under control. Then, an idea seemed to come to him, and he smiled - I shivered.
He laid his right hand over the gash in my arm, and applied pressure. I squeezed my eyes tight shut and bit my lip to try and stop noticing the pain. He applied more pressure - along with his dark magic, I felt like it was on fire. "Sheik! My name is Sheik!" I cried, and he dropped my arm, looking pleased.
"Thank you, Sheik," he said, my name rolling all to comfortably from his tongue. "You of course know my name, do you not?" he moved his hand threateningly towards my arm.
"Ganondorf," I spat bitterly, and he nodded.
"Good. Now we are finally acquainted, I can get on with things." He stood up, lifting me up with him, and left the cell. I looked around at the fortress, trying to map the tunnels we walked through, but it was a complete maze. And, his grasp around my waist was painfully tight. When I attempted to wriggle free, he crushed me against his side, and tutted. After that, I stayed still.
Craning my neck to look around, I could see the Gerudo guards and thieves looking at Ganondorf curiously as he passed, gazes flickering from him to me. Starting to feel dizzy again, I closed my eyes to try and dispel the sick feeling in my stomach. I was just about to give up and let my meagre meal come back up, when he set me down. "Nabooru," he barked, and I jumped at the sudden sound.
He sat down next to me, and took both my hands, studying them until a woman dressed all in white, and covered in gold came out. "She will be right out sire," she said, bowing, and waiting next to an ornate door. I was intrigued enough to be able to ignore Ganondorf beside me, and stared at the door with apprehension. Whoever this Nabooru was, she must be powerful to keep Ganondorf waiting.
The door swung open, and a stunning Gerudo appeared, her fiery hair cascading down her back from a jewelled hairpiece, and rich silks covering her tanned skin. "Yes Ganondorf?" she asked, bowing slightly, before coming over. She looked at me, and raised an eyebrow at Ganondorf. "What is - this child - doing here?" she asked furiously, and he looked up at her, glaring coldly.
"You forget who is in charge here, Nabooru." She dropped her gaze, and lowered her head submissively.
"Yes, Sire."
"You will care for this child, and please, try and get some sense into his overly brave head," he said, and I could feel him looking at me. I just kept my gaze levelled at the door. He laughed, and then carried on. "He'll be a good warrior, Sheikahs always are. If you loose him, I'll kill you; how, I haven't decided. His name is Sheik - use it, it took some getting." He then thrust my hands into those of the woman Nabooru, and strode off.
I looked up at her, and she down at me; then her gaze looked over my shoulder. As soon as Ganondorf was out of earshot, she dragged me inside. "A child. He sends me a child!" she said agitatedly, rushing around the room. I just stood by the door, contemplating escape. I stepped out, and sidled around the wall.
"Oh no you don't!" A voice said, and a hand grabbed my shoulder to spin me around. It was the woman all in white from earlier. "Come on, back you go!" She took me back to the room, where Nabooru was now sitting by a large desk, arms crossed. The guard left, and I stood in the middle of the room, gulping as the door clicked behind me.
"What's wrong Sheik?" she asked, and a mask seemed to drop from around her. "What did the scum do to you?" I looked up at her uncomprehendingly. "Not all Gerudo worship the ground he walks on. And, from your face, you hate him as much as I do," I nodded cautiously, and walked over to her.
"Why do you stay here then?"
"I don't plan to for much longer. I leave this place as soon as his watch is gone from it," she looked at me pityingly. "Why did he have to choose you, I wonder..."
"Choose me? For what?"
"It is not a matter I think you need worry about - yet. He should be leaving the valley again soon, and then I can make my escape."
"What about me? You're not going to leave me here?" I asked angrily, advancing on her. She just laughed, and I was surprised to find myself relaxing.
"No - I'm sure you're small enough to fit into one of my horse's saddle bags. I like you, boy; headstrong, brave - incredibly stupid and seeming to have a death wish. No wonder he..." she trailed off again, and I knew I would not get any more out of her on this 'secret topic'.
"Uh - so, why am I being put with you then?"
"Oh, he likes to keep prisoners together, so they can remind each other that they are captives." She sighed heavily and motioned me to sit next to her on the wide wooden bench. "Now, we can't have you going around like that all the time - you're going to end up with heat exhaustion or something. I suppose you're doing well if you want to keep that skin of yours pale."
She pulled a cupboard door open next to her, and bought out some large swathes of material, which she opened, and were revealed to be large desert trousers and shirt. I looked at them in obvious disgust, and she put them away. "Fine, keep your ridiculous fare, and I'll stay with mine." She put them away, and then glared back at me.
"He expects me to teach you sense - that would be impossible by the way you are now." I smiled slightly, and she laughed again. "Do you think that you can at least pretend to have some sense in you for a moment? It is best just to do what you are told in the long run, otherwise you are likely to get more like this." She ran a hand over the cuts on my cheeks gently, and from her touch, I did not pull away.
"Have you any more wounds that need attention?" she asked, and I rolled up my right sleeve to show her my arm. "Well, that should be easily healed, and since you are already wearing bandages, you may as well leave it. Any more?" I shook my head, and the world began to spin around me.
"Damn - him," I mumbled as I swayed, and she caught me, and stopped me from toppling off the bench.
"Dizzy? Come on, let's get you some water for a start."
She poured the water down my throat hurriedly; I felt it go down into my shrunken stomach, and retched. She was already there with a bin, and I heaved the contents of my stomach into it. "Perhaps you feel a little better?" I nodded, and yawned. "Come on you," she picked me up gently, and took me over to the bed. Once there, she pulled the light covers over me, and left the room.
'Nothing like I expected,' I thought. 'Never judge a book by its cover has never been more appropriate'. Then, I fell asleep once more, this time at least because I wanted to.
~*~*~*~
The next few months there were uneventful, so there is no point in relaying them to you. Instead, on to the next few months - I was kept in that awful place with Nabooru longer than I believed I could even survive so close to Ganondorf.
Oh - coming back to today, Nabooru has just come over and offered me some water. I just thought I'd tell you as she just did in my tale as well. The con-incidence just seemed funny to me. I'm getting off the point again aren't I? All right, back to the past.
~*~*~*~
Ganondorf stayed in the valley for a longer time than we had suspected, and Nabooru and I were beginning to fear that he would not leave at all. He would often come and watch my 'lessons' with Nabooru - they only ever occurred when he came to watch. Each time that he did, I improved my 'sense' as he had called it, and within three months, Nabooru decided to report that I had had sense finally knocked into me.
It was at that time that he 'requested' an audience with me. Of course, request was merely a polite way of ordering me to do something. Of course, with my newfound submissive nature that was to keep me alive, I had to agree to go. Nabooru stood outside the door, and leant down to speak to me before I went in. "Be wary, be careful," she whispered hurriedly, and pushed me through the door.
I blinked a couple of times to make sure I was in the right room. It was completely plain, apart from a rug, and two worn armchairs. Ganondorf was not in the room, and I stood nervously in the shadows by the door, hands clasped behind my back. Nonchalantly, I turned my head to see the layout of the room - window in the far left wall. I knew we were probably too high up for that to be a good escape route should I need it though. There was a door in front of me, leading into a darkened area, and one on the left, which was covered by a simple red curtain.
I ran my hand through my hair, which still hadn't been cut. Nabooru thought that the style suited me, and had nothing to cut it with anyway. It swept over my left eye, and covered most of my face, which I admitted was an interesting style. It also made me look older, when coupled with my facemask; dangerous.
He padded in from the room on the right, throwing the curtain out of his way with such force that it caught on the doorframe above. I remained where I was, and he walked over to me, looking me up and down in a manner I did not trust. Mind you, I didn't trust him, so it was only to be expected. His dark face cracked in a smirk/smile, and he motioned for me to sit in one of the worn chairs.
I complied, enjoying the lavish fabric as I slid slowly onto the chair, not once taking my eyes off Ganondorf. I did not trust him to look away for even one second. He sat in the chair across from me, and placed his chin on steepled fingers. "Are you afraid of me?" he asked, and I looked sharply at him. What on Earth? It must be a trick question, and I answered cautiously,
"You hold the decision as to whether I live or not."
"But, are you afraid?" he persisted.
"I fear you, but I'm not afraid of you," I said, and he looked perplexed. I was worried that I had angered him with the wrong answer, and my eyes darted to the possible escape routes.
"Why?" he demanded suddenly, grabbing my chin, and forcing me to face him. His face was flushed slightly, and he dropped his hand to his own lap. "Why?" he repeated.
"Because you hold the Tri-Force of Power," I said simply, and his eyebrow raised itself at these words.
"You seem to know more than I gave you credit for," he mused aloud, then regained himself. "Why else? Surely, that cannot be it."
I didn't look at him, just took a deep breath, and began. At the end of each sentence, I would pause, in case he wished to stop me; but, he allowed me to talk myself into silence.
"Well, you have the darkest magic I've ever seen. You wreak havoc wherever you go, and seem to ENJOY it. You consort with dark creatures, turn everything you touch to try and bend it to your will, and yours alone. You enslave previously free people, and make them work until they fall and can work no more. If I believed in such a term, I believe you would be labelled as 'evil'." I stopped.
I was shocked at myself - I was shocked that I was still alive. I was shocked that he was not wringing the life out of me right then. I was more shocked by his face - which, whilst impassive, looked abashed and hurt. I must have made some kind of terrified sound, because his eyes darted to me, and looked confused. My hands twisted nervously in my lap, and I clenched and unclenched my fists.
I could feel cold, petrified sweat running down the back of my neck. It beaded at my forehead too, and I stared unseeingly at the arm of my chair, head turned to the left. One bead of sweat travelled down the side of my face, running over a still open wound, leaving stinging pain behind. All the while that it ran down my face, I was very aware of the Gerudo man's dark, glittering gaze on me.
Suddenly, I sensed movement, and flinched as his skin came into contact with mine. However, the blows I expected did not fall; he had merely taken my hands in his, as he had many times before. The unpleasant tingle of dark magic ran across my palms as he ran his calloused thumbs over the lines and indentations of them. Sneaking a glance at him, I saw that his gaze was lowered to look at my hands, and he seemed enthralled by them.
I looked down at my hands as well, and thought 'how ridiculously small my hands look in comparison to his'. My hair fell further across my face, and as I could not use my hands, I quietly tried to blow it out of the way. Not being able to see wouldn't exactly help in any situation. He lifted his head, and stared at me smiling. This time, I could not mistake it for anything less, and it startled me so much that I inhaled quickly; then began to cough.
He let go of my hands, looking panicked as I bent almost double. 'Not good. Damn - stupid sand, this is not a good situation', I thought, and the panic sent me into another fit of coughs. Ganondorf patted me on the back with a large hand. 'What? Is he - helping?' My thoughts weren't able to comprehend this strange action, so I just ignored it, and carried on coughing.
Once I had started, it felt as though I couldn't stop. Through it all, I still managed to notice when Ganondorf got up, and left for the other room. My throat was raw, and I stopped coughing just long enough to curse, "Damn - sand!" I clamped my hands over my mouth to try and muffle my coughing, and felt my throat burn as each one wrenched away from my throat.
My hands were pulled away from my mouth, and a glass was placed against my lips. I drank quickly, and was able to get my coughing under control. Tears were rolling down my face, and mingling with sweat. I looked up at the bringer of water; him? He bent down next to me, and I couldn't deny it, he looked worried. "Better?" he asked, and I nodded, not trusting my brain to supply a coherent sentence.
He left the room again, and I breathed in deeply, being careful not to start another coughing fit. Carefully, I lifted up the cup, and studied the inside; perhaps this was his plan - to poison me. There was nothing, and I placed it down again. I brought my legs up onto the chair, and held them to my chest, suddenly feeling afraid - now I was afraid of him. He was being too kind - there had to be a catch somewhere.
He came back out carrying a container of water, and some clean rags, and sat down in the chair opposite me. "Come here Sheik," he said, and I did not hear any sharpness in his voice. Had I not known who he was, I probably would have trusted him. However, I did know who he was, and even though I complied, I remained wary. I turned my head to look him in the eye, having to crane upwards. Being small is annoying sometimes, and can end with awful neck strain if you don't handle it carefully!
He dipped a rag into the water jar, and caught my chin gently. This time, no dark magic pulsed through his skin, and I closed my eyes as he ran the damp cloth over my burning face. The coughing fit seemed to have taken more out of me than I thought, because my guard wasn't just down - it was now seemingly non-existent.
The hand which had been on my chin, reached up to pull the hair away from my left eye, and then suddenly stopped on the side of my face. "How did you get this?" he asked, and I opened my eyes to look at him. He looked as worried as he sounded. 'Goddesses, are you playing a joke on a lowly mortal today?' I thought sarcastically, before returning my attention to the face of Ganondorf.
"I fell," I answered simply, moving my head slightly so that my hair fell across my left eye. If you were wondering what was wrong with it, I'll tell you. Earlier that day, I had secretly visited the dungeons, to once again search for Malon and Talon. Each time that I went, and found they were not there, my spirits were lifted. But, this time, one of the guards seemed to have been tipped off of my coming, and lay in wait for me in the corridor.
As I rounded the corner, she pounced on me, and in the ensuing scuffle, had hit me in the eye with her staff/sword. It was not as though I were trying to escape - surely they were not so paranoid as to keep me from seeing the other prisoners. Or, perhaps that was their one fear - that the prisoners could keep up moral and rise together. I do not know how things worked back then - I still don't now.
"Tell me the truth," he said, in a mildly angry voice. So, I told him of the scuffle, making it out to be mostly my fault, not wishing to beget his wroth on the woman in question. I think he saw through it though - at least I tried. He sighed heavily. "Close your eyes,"
"Why?"
"Curses Sheik, why must you always be so damned suspicious? All I wish to do is clean that eye before it becomes infected. It may be hard to believe, but there is a human being behind this façade!" he looked serious. I was shocked once more - perhaps he could be persuaded to return the Tri-Force piece that he held, and this whole charade could be called off. Saria could have her friend back - Ruto and her subjects could return to Zora's Domain - Princess Zelda could make her own way home too.
Even though still a little wary, the outburst had rid me of some slight part of my fear. I closed my eyes, and he returned the damp rag to my eye, and washed away the dried blood around it. I was surprised at how gentle he was being; how he reined back his magic, knowing that it hurt me.
~*~*~*~
Now, do not take me for a sympathizer with Ganondorf - his death was a necessary one. In those early times, before the Tri-Force and he had truly combined, he was merely a young man with more power than he could hold. To me, he was always without his fierce mask; perhaps he did indeed care for me. I do not know, and I will not know, and I am happy to leave it as such.
It was as the years progressed that Ganondorf became so dark, so well befitting the title of 'evil'. The spells he underwent through the grace of the two hags, Koume and Kotake, have gone down in history for their audacity and un-structured power. But, of course, there I go again, getting off the point.
Well, seeing as I have come away from the present story completely, you may as well know that I am about to travel back to the ranch, having just gotten the news of the departure of Princess Zelda, and Link. I can live in peace once more - this place is just a little too crowded with young women who wish to challenge strength, battle magical powers, and test their wits against me. Needless to say, they win more often in the wits department than I would care to tell! Yes, be amazed, I just made a halfhearted joke.
All right. I shall finish this part of my tale, and in the evening, I will be going back on the horse I borrowed from the ranch in the first place. I must ask Malon what its name is - it feels a little strange to be calling it 'horse' all the time. Ah, going even further off the point, so I'd better get back to it right away!
~*~*~*~
After the coughing incident, Ganondorf did not seem to be so readily angered by me anymore. If it is believable, he was in fact quiet and gentle all the times that he spoke with me, never raising his voice. After a few weeks of uncomfortable silences, I eventually learned that he would allow me to speak my mind. He admitted to me that he loathed liars, which was why he often became angered. Being gifted with such powers as his, and then adding to them so quickly, must have been harder than he would have thought.
He had me taught how to ride a horse - on my fourteenth birthday I was given a thoroughbred mare from Lon-Lon Ranch. I was astounded by the way Ganondorf lavished gifts on me - almost as if I were a son. Still, Nabooru would not tell me what Ganondorf had apparently 'chosen' me for, and the mystery was frustrating me no end. However, I could not ask the man himself, as that would give Nabooru away - so long as I did not speak of it, then he would not know that I was hiding something.
On the night of Ganondorf's twentieth birthday, a great feast was held to celebrate. The Gerudo women led out the prisoners who had been most easily broken to serve, and I felt a pang in my heart for them. I wished once more for freedom, as I had countless nights, whilst watching the stars crawl across the sky. I still shared quarters with Nabooru, and I'll never forget the strange, and, looking back, hilarious dilemma she had about my clothes.
I remember, that I had just arrived back from the horseback archery area, and she was hurrying about, a perplexed frown of her face. "Sheik, there you are! Where have you been?" I opened my mouth to answer, but she carried straight on. "I needed you here over an hour ago, I need to get you ready for the feast!
"Feast?" was the only word I managed to get in.
"Yes, it is his high and mighty's twentieth year, and the feast is to celebrate. A waste of food if you ask me, but no one did. Now, come here, I must get you changed into something more suitable!" I looked down at my usual fare, and shrugged. She glared at me, as though I were wearing the most scandalous clothing in the whole length and breadth of Hyrule. She threw her hands up in the air, "Goddesses, give this boy some sense of style, please!" Then, she bounded over to me, and pulled me inside.
Once there, she set about appointing servants to dress me in what she termed 'appropriate wear'. What I termed 'ridiculous'. I was far too used to being dressed thus to really care anymore - I remember at one point attempting to escape, so as not to wear the clothes, and the servants bearing down at me from all sides to wrestle me into the clothes.
When I was finally dressed, Nabooru led me to her mirror, and patted my shoulder. "Much better!" I raised an eyebrow in surprise at her analogy of 'better'. She called what I was wearing 'better'. Perhaps she was temporarily blind, or something. The baggy desert pants I had been wrestled into, were dark purple, above which I wore a plain white desert shirt, with voluminous sleeves that trailed on the ground when I slouched. That would have been all right - if they had not forced that awful, terrible, nightmare inducing, vibrant red, sleeveless coat over the top. It reached to my knees, and was embroidered with gold thread.
I turned around, and glared murderously at Nabooru, who at last seemed to realise I was not exactly happy with the situation. "What's wrong with you? That coat is made from the finest silk, and the style is very up to date!" I narrowed my eyes, and put my hands on my hips to imitate the style she was standing in. I put on a high voice, and impersonated her,
"It also makes me look smaller than I am, swimming under all these leagues of fabric!" I lowered my hands, and grimaced as I looked back in the mirror.
When it came to the time of the feast, I declared sullenly, "I am not going!" Nabooru had to drag me all the way to the hall, and practically kick me through the door. Once I was through, I knew I could not get away until the feast ended. As we walked over to the high table, where we knew we were to sit, I hissed angrily, "I'm going to get you back for this one!"
She hissed back, "Shush, for all things good in the world, just shut up!" She sat down on one of the large cushions, and I sat on mine next to her, which was also next to Ganondorf's throne. Slouching, I crossed my arms, and mouthed rude words to her. She mouthed some back, and we had moved onto miming the ways in which we were to kill/maim each other, when the trumpets sounded. I stood up, and laughed mentally when Nabooru stumbled upon her long coat.
(Thinking back, she was very much like a big sister - always teasing me about everything. Protective, but with no sense of humanity when it came to clothing me!)
Ganondorf entered, and his fare was much better than mine - he, in fact, was wearing normal clothes. He didn't have Nabooru to deal with when it came to what he wore. It was a simple outfit of dark colours, and a black cloak thrown over his shoulder. As he walked up the hall to his seat, the talking quieted, and every Gerudo turned her head to watch. The prisoners/servers cowered in fear as he walked past, and I shivered with them. He looked every part the dark desert king.
He slid into his throne, and after a short glance at me, raised his goblet of wine. "To the time when all Hyrule is ours!" he bellowed, and they cheered. He drank from the goblet, and they all followed suit - I did not, however. I would not drink to something I hoped against hope would not happen. Luckily, I don't think he noticed, and proceeded with his speech. I didn't pay much attention.
Eventually, the feast got under way; I didn't eat much, too angry with Nabooru to care about food. I kept sending evil glares her way, but she just smiled sweetly, and carried on eating.
I noticed that Ganondorf did not eat a lot either - from where I sat, I could see his hands twisting nervously in his lap. "Ganondorf?" I said, raising my voice slightly to be heard over the noise of the woman-filled hall. His eyes seemed to uncloud, and he turned sharply to look at me.
"Yes?" he queried, and I just shrugged. He returned to looking straight ahead, and I returned to glaring at Nabooru. Eventually, she seemed to tire of my acidic looks, and leant over to talk into my ear.
"All right Sheik. If I promise not to make you wear anything again - will you stop glaring at me? It is beginning to get a little unnerving now." I nodded, and grinned, satisfied that I would not have to worry about that area of things again. Leaning back onto the soft cushion, I closed my eyes, feeling slightly drowsy. 'Perhaps I shouldn't have drunk that wine', I thought, scolding myself. 'I can't fall asleep here!'
With some difficulty, I managed to sit back up, and immediately felt more wide-awake. I spent the rest of the feast studying all the people in the hall, and noticing that most wore similar fare to mine. How they could willingly subject themselves to such was beyond me. Surely, that much fabric would end up ruining posture over the years, since it weighed so much!
*
When the feast had at last ended, I was more than happy that it was over - some of the Gerudo however moaned that the party had not been long enough as they weaved out of the hall, most having consumed far too much wine. I had only had one glass, so was all right, if a little sleepy. Nabooru was half carrying me back to her quarters, when Ganondorf fell into stride beside us. "Sheik, would you come to my quarters please?" he asked, and I wondered why he wanted me there so late. It was not unusual for him to 'invite' me, and to talk and wonder about his plans for hours. I didn't say much - didn't need to, he did all the talking really.
"Yes - I'll just get changed first," I answered, and he dipped his head in acknowledgement, before striding off. Nabooru proceeded to her quarters, and I changed back into normal clothes. Before leaving, I turned to her. "Do you solemnly swear by the Goddesses that you will never make me wear such ridiculous clothing again?" I asked, and she nodded. Laughing slightly, she went into her bedroom, and I left to make my way to find out what Ganondorf wished to see me for.
I walked into the main room, which was not so plain as it had been first time I had arrived. Now, there were bright wall hangings, and a large chaise to one side. The two original chairs still sat in the centre of the room however, and I moved to sit in my usual one. "Sheik, come here," his voice called from the room with the doorway covered by the red curtain. Intrigued, as I had never left the main room before, I lifted the curtain, and stepped through.
It became apparent that it was not a room at all - the night sky shined down upon Ganondorf, who was standing with his back to me, leaning against the railings. It was a balcony, with nothing more than the railing to stop from falling the many floors down. Ganondorf sighed heavily, and turned around. "What is it?" I asked, stifling a yawn.
"Oh - yes," he murmured, before turning back, and placing his elbows on the railing, and resting his chin in his hands. "The stars shine brightly tonight," he observed, looking out over the desert. "Come, it's cold," he suddenly ordered, and went back inside. I followed, and slid the curtain back into place before going to sit down opposite him.
Again, his eyes were clouded over, as they had been at the feast, and he once more twisted his hands in his lap. "What's wrong?" I asked, slightly concerned with his strange behaviour.
"Wrong? Why should anything be wrong Sheik?" he snapped defensively, and I shrank back in my chair. His face softened, and he let out a breath of air. "Sorry - a lot on my mind," I nodded, not having a clue where this conversation was going. "I have a surprise for you," he smiled, and I calmed a little.
"Another?" I said playfully, and his smile grew even wider.
"Close your eyes," he told me, and I did just that, wondering what expensive and rare oddity he had purchased for me. For a short while, all that I could sense was his breathing; I wondered what he was doing.
I could feel it when his heart rate quickened, and pondered as to why. His hand caught my chin, as it had done so many times before, and I smiled despite myself. The other cupped my cheek, and I remained still, waiting for whatever was to come.
I felt hot breath across my cheek, and, suddenly, his lips were at mine. My eyes opened in shock, and I pulled back, pulled away. The hand on my cheek remained, and Ganondorf looked at me, cheeks flushed. I stared at him in disbelief, and his mask of certainty wavered - only to be put back up immediately. Angrily, fearfully, I pried his hand away from my cheek, and before he could stop me, I ran from his quarters.
I could hear him shout after me, but I didn't stop running. I carried on running, terrified out of my mind, until I reached Nabooru's and my quarters. Breathing heavily, I slammed the door shut behind me, and peered through the window to see whether he had followed. Seeing that he had not, I sank slowly to the ground, back against the door, and hugged my knees to my chest.
I don't think I slept that night - the drowsiness of the wine was counter- acted with fear and confusion. Fear, as to what he would do to me for running away. Confusion as to why he had just done that to me.
When Nabooru found me there the next day, she was worried, and tried to force what had happened out of me. I didn't tell her anything, just allowed myself to sink into a blank, unfeeling state. Over the course of the next few days, I moved from room to room, unable to keep still. I didn't eat, didn't drink, didn't sleep, and merely walked around and around until Nabooru sent me into my room so she didn't have to watch me.
Ganondorf did not attempt to 'request' my presence, and I was more than happy with that. I did not want to see him - all those gifts and soft words had almost led me to believe he could be trusted. He shattered that easily enough, and now my hatred of him was even greater than before.
Finally, Nabooru goaded me into leaving the quarters, and returning to learning horseback archery. Each time I went into the stables, I edged around the horse I had been given, and took one of the regular training horses instead. Whilst on the horses, I had little time to think about anything other than the targets to which I was firing. My average score was about one hundred and twenty points - not bad, but not exceptional either.
There were a few times when I glimpsed Ganondorf coming into the area whilst I was training, and each time, I would cut my training session short so as not have to be near him. He never seemed able to look me in the eye, and always lowered his head if I had to pass close by him.
*
So the months progressed, wary and uncomfortable. I had been there almost two years when he finally left that place. At last, Nabooru and I could escape - all we needed to do was make our way though the gate into the desert, and out of the reach of his magic. Then, with my lyre, we would make our way to Kakariko. I trusted the thief with the secret of the lyre, and told her what I was searching for.
"Well, the temple is on the other side of the desert," she told me. "Perhaps you should take me with you to search there, before we leave. As you said, you need to go to a place before you are able to transport there, and it would not be wise to come here again."
"Yes - you're right," I agreed, hitching my mask to go over my face again. "Now, you distract them, and I get the stuff." She nodded, and walked out into the corridor, and began talking animatedly with the guards that were patrolling. They burst into waves of laughter, and I shadowed my way over to my old cell.
I hadn't been here for over a year, and the layers of dust showed that no one else had entered either. I looked for the crack between two stones in the floor, and scrabbled with my fingers to dig out my treasures. My bag had kept them all well, and apart from a few grains of sand, all was how it had been. It took my book, pencil, spare clothes and lyre, and placed them in my new pack.
Then, I shadowed back to quarters, to wait for Nabooru to come back. When she finally did, I felt a little more confident. If it were that easy to retrieve things from the old cell, it would not be that hard to get into the desert. With my returned hook shot, we would not even need to ask the guard to raise the gate. Up and over was easiest.
We did just that, abseiling past the sleeping guard, and down into the swirling desert beyond. I yanked the hook from the heavy bars of the gate, and returned it to my bag. Settling it more comfortably on my shoulders, I turned to Nabooru, who began to walk quickly through the biting clouds of wind blown sand. It was like pushing against the air itself, and you could not tell whether it was night or day through the great mass of sand around us.
After a while - whether it was a long or short time, neither of us was sure - we came across an old watchtower. We crawled inside, to shelter from the sand, and rested in the relative calm within the never ceasing storm. "How far is it across the desert?" I asked Nabooru.
"I think it can be no more than seven leagues. We used to pilgrimage there when I was young, and it didn't take much more than two days. Though," she paused, her face in gentle repose, "we did have horses then." She looked a little worried at the prospect of walking all the way, but I did not care. I had spent most of my life on my feet; I was more than used to using my own power to travel.
"We'll be fine without the horses," I assured her, and she smiled gently.
"I know Sheik." She leant back against the wall, and I watched as she slowly fell asleep. I lightly rested my head on her shoulder, and followed into the calm escape of sleep.
~*~*~*~
I shall leave it there now. I'm ready to travel back to the ranch. Just a note to all those who are finding this hard to believe - I am telling truth. I made a promise to myself, and I have not broken it yet, to tell the truth about what occurred to me in my travels and missions.
Nabooru and I are still great friends, and she is still like the annoying older sister I never had. I had better go and say farewell to her before I leave. So, until the next time I am able to write within this book, it is fare well. I will write as soon as I may.
~*~*~*~
Yes, we had a little kiss there - nothing to overt, as this is a PG-13 after all. Heck, I could probably put this in PG, but I'd prefer to play it safe for now. Best to do that, cos I don't want my stories being taken down *sniff*. It happened to a few other authors on here a while back, and I'd hate to go down the same way. *Gulp*
Well, anyway, you'll be seeing me next chapter, even if you don't want to! MWA HA HA HA! You'll never get rid of me. I'm like Navi - I carry on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, even if you've played the game so much that you know it like the back of your hand, I still carry on and on, and on, and on...you get the point!
Thanks, Soda.
R+R
The-damned-elf-vamp - no problem! I love reviewing other people - I think my running total is about [goes to look] whoo! I have given 152 signed reviews! I am THE review whore! [Giggles]
Cassidy dell - I am truly honoured - three reviews! You must be crazy...but, that just makes me like ya more! Here you go, and I'm sorry, cos again, you're gonna have to wait for the next chapter - as I have to write it. PLEASE DON'T HURT ME! I'M ONLY SMALL!
[Shrieks and runs away]
[Runs back] Cough - me no good at slash - cough - don't kill me - or my voices will manifest and you'll have to look after them. It's not fun - [bops voices, and runs away shrieking again]
WHY ME?
Disclaimer: Not mine, you follow that?
Right, to recap - you should read more carefully, and then I wouldn't have to do this you know! Sheik has managed to get the Minuet of Forest, Bolero of Fire, and Serenade of Water. But, now the man himself, Ganondorf, has captured him. *Dun, dun, dun!* what will happen? Read it and see, silly!
OK, I'm following from chapter three (obviously), so I'll put my warning again. Bleep, warning - there is insinuation of man-on-man lust. Well, I have warned you, and it's nothing graphic! All insinuated. Again, you have been warned!
~*~*~*~
I have recollected myself again - it has been two days, even though you would not know it if I did not tell. But, I have - that is how long it has taken me to ball up the courage to put a pen to paper. After all the monsters I have fought, all the trials I have passed, and I am scared to write about my own past!
You must be finding this most irregular; a Sheikah with feelings? Well, it seems I do have them - though they are usually covered. To you who read this, they are shown. Do not scorn, just read, and maybe you will see what torture my life has been.
~*~*~*~
Without the window in my cell, I would not have been able to keep track of the days. Even so, it was difficult to remember things through the exhaustion, which seemed to sweep over me so often. But, I dared not sleep for more than short bursts, and even then, I was in a position ready to spring and attack. Ganondorf did not see me again for a few days. After he left, I just collapsed in a large heap, and would not uncurl until the morning when the guard came in, and forced me to eat.
Apparently, I was an 'important prisoner' to 'his highness', and I couldn't go and die, or they'd be killed themselves. Those women were terrified of him - it wasn't respect he governed with, but fear. It was fear that swept over me every time I so much as thought about him. Please, remember, I was only a child - had I been an adult, I would have been just as scared, but able to control it.
The only way I could control it in that cell was to ball up, and hide my face, close my eyes tight and pretend I was somewhere else. Pretend that I was meeting Malon at the ranch - we were trying to tame Epona the horse last time I was there. Pretend that I was in my village, training the younger ones, and Rauru had never called on me. Pretend I was anywhere in Hyrule, just not there, in that cell.
But, every time a guard walked past, I couldn't pretend. I would spring up, and stand ready to attack, in case it was he come to see me, or his murderers sent to kill me as I slept. With such high alertness, I quickly became too exhausted to do more than force my eyes to stay open. I managed that for a week - a record for me that I do not plan to, or wish to repeat. That was how it came to be that I was asleep when Ganondorf next came into my cell.
Thankfully, the guard slammed the door shut, and I sprang up from the floor just in time to see his face go from a smile to a frown. Shaking my head, I tried to clear my mind - smile? Him? The heat must have been getting to me, or so I thought. "I've come to get your name boy, and this time, I will not leave until I get it," he declared fiercely, pulling his sword from its scabbard, and sitting down. He laid the tempered metal across his knees, and watched me as I returned to my corner of the cell, wrapping my cloak back around my arm.
It was bleeding from a slight scuffle I had got myself into with the guard that morning. It served her right for turning her back on me in the first place! I had paid her back though with multiple bruises across her jaw and nose.
I glared down at the cut, before re-wrapping my cloak around it, and staring at the floor. I made an effort to pointedly ignore Ganondorf; I knew it would enrage him, and an enraged enemy is a careless one. Or, I thought I knew it would enrage him. I was surprised to find that he was still merely staring at me, no expression, neither good, nor bad, on his face. It was slightly frightening - reminded me of the way I had seen men of our village look whilst battling.
"Why do you want my name?" I asked curiously, obviously catching him off guard, as he jumped, and blinked, before looking back at me. There was a flicker of surprise there - admiration - and something I didn't know. What threw me most of all was the slight redness in his cheeks. He was perhaps about eighteen by the look of him, but the frown lines that appeared when he frowned at me made him look a lot older.
"I just do, little wraith. I can't keep thinking up sight names for you."
"You will kill me soon - the name would be of little use then."
"What if I said I did not plan to kill you?"
I answered contemptuously, "Then, I would call you a liar, as well as a fool." He laughed at this.
"You're a brave child - stupid perhaps - but brave." He stood once more, and re-sheathed his sword, before coming over to my corner, and sitting no more than a yard away from me. I carried on glaring at the floor before my feet, reaching my un-injured arm up to push my hair away from my face.
He grabbed it, and tugged it towards him; I very nearly toppled straight into him, but managed to regain my balance. Shuddering, I glanced up through my curtain of hair as he studied my hand. It looked so small compared to his - so pale too. I tried to yank it back, but he wouldn't let go. I really wanted my hand back, and sent a buzz of magic through my palm to do so. He swore and grabbed his own hand, and I pulled mine into my chest, before scrambling away from him on my hands and knees.
"Oh Goddesses!" I whimpered to myself, as my right arm gave way, and I fell over. "Damn - useless - piece of - Ow," I ended miserably, thinking that it must be the end. There was no way he'd let me live after the fourth defiance. I tried to sit up, and managed to prop myself up with my left arm, facing the Gerudo man's back, just waiting for the death blow. I decided I couldn't watch, so closed my eyes, and braced myself for the blow.
I heard him turn around, the swish of his cloak on the floor, and bit my lip.
Nothing. I opened my eyes, and without meaning to, muttered a startled, "huh?" He was still where he had been before, sword sheathed, smiling at me. Smiling - I was delusional, obviously completely mad. He darted forwards, and grabbed me by the injured arm. "OW!" I screamed, and he let go in shock, sending me tumbling backwards; as soon as my head hit the floor, I was out cold - again.
*
When I woke up, it was to find my head was being supported by something soft. I didn't open my eyes immediately, trying to figure out where I was; but I was clueless. My vision was still blurred when I opened my eyes, and feeling dizzy, I closed them again. I bought my left hand up to try and assess the damage on the back of my head - it was immediately snatched away, and I snapped my eyes open.
Things were still blurred, but I could recognise the face staring down at me; Ganondorf. I lifted my head, realising that it had been resting on his leg, and attempted to get away - but, he still had my left hand, and I was yanked backwards. This time, he caught me before I could knock myself unconscious, and held me, half standing, half sitting. "Let - go," I growled through gritted teeth as his fingers dug into the gash on my right arm.
"I told you I would not leave until I had your name," he smiled darkly, and squeezed harder on my arm.
"OW!" I tried to pull away, but he was a lot bigger than me, hence, a lot stronger. I even tried the old trick of pulling, then suddenly not, to try and overbalance him; instead, I ended up being pulled headfirst into his chest. He held both my arms now, and looked down at me with something akin to surprise to find me in his lap. The lips curled in a smirk again, and he transferred both my arms to his left hand, bringing the right up to trace my cheek.
"Do you not understand me? All I want is your name."
"So that you can have it once you kill me? Not a chance," I stated defiantly. A flicker of anger ghosted across his face, before he managed to get it under control. Then, an idea seemed to come to him, and he smiled - I shivered.
He laid his right hand over the gash in my arm, and applied pressure. I squeezed my eyes tight shut and bit my lip to try and stop noticing the pain. He applied more pressure - along with his dark magic, I felt like it was on fire. "Sheik! My name is Sheik!" I cried, and he dropped my arm, looking pleased.
"Thank you, Sheik," he said, my name rolling all to comfortably from his tongue. "You of course know my name, do you not?" he moved his hand threateningly towards my arm.
"Ganondorf," I spat bitterly, and he nodded.
"Good. Now we are finally acquainted, I can get on with things." He stood up, lifting me up with him, and left the cell. I looked around at the fortress, trying to map the tunnels we walked through, but it was a complete maze. And, his grasp around my waist was painfully tight. When I attempted to wriggle free, he crushed me against his side, and tutted. After that, I stayed still.
Craning my neck to look around, I could see the Gerudo guards and thieves looking at Ganondorf curiously as he passed, gazes flickering from him to me. Starting to feel dizzy again, I closed my eyes to try and dispel the sick feeling in my stomach. I was just about to give up and let my meagre meal come back up, when he set me down. "Nabooru," he barked, and I jumped at the sudden sound.
He sat down next to me, and took both my hands, studying them until a woman dressed all in white, and covered in gold came out. "She will be right out sire," she said, bowing, and waiting next to an ornate door. I was intrigued enough to be able to ignore Ganondorf beside me, and stared at the door with apprehension. Whoever this Nabooru was, she must be powerful to keep Ganondorf waiting.
The door swung open, and a stunning Gerudo appeared, her fiery hair cascading down her back from a jewelled hairpiece, and rich silks covering her tanned skin. "Yes Ganondorf?" she asked, bowing slightly, before coming over. She looked at me, and raised an eyebrow at Ganondorf. "What is - this child - doing here?" she asked furiously, and he looked up at her, glaring coldly.
"You forget who is in charge here, Nabooru." She dropped her gaze, and lowered her head submissively.
"Yes, Sire."
"You will care for this child, and please, try and get some sense into his overly brave head," he said, and I could feel him looking at me. I just kept my gaze levelled at the door. He laughed, and then carried on. "He'll be a good warrior, Sheikahs always are. If you loose him, I'll kill you; how, I haven't decided. His name is Sheik - use it, it took some getting." He then thrust my hands into those of the woman Nabooru, and strode off.
I looked up at her, and she down at me; then her gaze looked over my shoulder. As soon as Ganondorf was out of earshot, she dragged me inside. "A child. He sends me a child!" she said agitatedly, rushing around the room. I just stood by the door, contemplating escape. I stepped out, and sidled around the wall.
"Oh no you don't!" A voice said, and a hand grabbed my shoulder to spin me around. It was the woman all in white from earlier. "Come on, back you go!" She took me back to the room, where Nabooru was now sitting by a large desk, arms crossed. The guard left, and I stood in the middle of the room, gulping as the door clicked behind me.
"What's wrong Sheik?" she asked, and a mask seemed to drop from around her. "What did the scum do to you?" I looked up at her uncomprehendingly. "Not all Gerudo worship the ground he walks on. And, from your face, you hate him as much as I do," I nodded cautiously, and walked over to her.
"Why do you stay here then?"
"I don't plan to for much longer. I leave this place as soon as his watch is gone from it," she looked at me pityingly. "Why did he have to choose you, I wonder..."
"Choose me? For what?"
"It is not a matter I think you need worry about - yet. He should be leaving the valley again soon, and then I can make my escape."
"What about me? You're not going to leave me here?" I asked angrily, advancing on her. She just laughed, and I was surprised to find myself relaxing.
"No - I'm sure you're small enough to fit into one of my horse's saddle bags. I like you, boy; headstrong, brave - incredibly stupid and seeming to have a death wish. No wonder he..." she trailed off again, and I knew I would not get any more out of her on this 'secret topic'.
"Uh - so, why am I being put with you then?"
"Oh, he likes to keep prisoners together, so they can remind each other that they are captives." She sighed heavily and motioned me to sit next to her on the wide wooden bench. "Now, we can't have you going around like that all the time - you're going to end up with heat exhaustion or something. I suppose you're doing well if you want to keep that skin of yours pale."
She pulled a cupboard door open next to her, and bought out some large swathes of material, which she opened, and were revealed to be large desert trousers and shirt. I looked at them in obvious disgust, and she put them away. "Fine, keep your ridiculous fare, and I'll stay with mine." She put them away, and then glared back at me.
"He expects me to teach you sense - that would be impossible by the way you are now." I smiled slightly, and she laughed again. "Do you think that you can at least pretend to have some sense in you for a moment? It is best just to do what you are told in the long run, otherwise you are likely to get more like this." She ran a hand over the cuts on my cheeks gently, and from her touch, I did not pull away.
"Have you any more wounds that need attention?" she asked, and I rolled up my right sleeve to show her my arm. "Well, that should be easily healed, and since you are already wearing bandages, you may as well leave it. Any more?" I shook my head, and the world began to spin around me.
"Damn - him," I mumbled as I swayed, and she caught me, and stopped me from toppling off the bench.
"Dizzy? Come on, let's get you some water for a start."
She poured the water down my throat hurriedly; I felt it go down into my shrunken stomach, and retched. She was already there with a bin, and I heaved the contents of my stomach into it. "Perhaps you feel a little better?" I nodded, and yawned. "Come on you," she picked me up gently, and took me over to the bed. Once there, she pulled the light covers over me, and left the room.
'Nothing like I expected,' I thought. 'Never judge a book by its cover has never been more appropriate'. Then, I fell asleep once more, this time at least because I wanted to.
~*~*~*~
The next few months there were uneventful, so there is no point in relaying them to you. Instead, on to the next few months - I was kept in that awful place with Nabooru longer than I believed I could even survive so close to Ganondorf.
Oh - coming back to today, Nabooru has just come over and offered me some water. I just thought I'd tell you as she just did in my tale as well. The con-incidence just seemed funny to me. I'm getting off the point again aren't I? All right, back to the past.
~*~*~*~
Ganondorf stayed in the valley for a longer time than we had suspected, and Nabooru and I were beginning to fear that he would not leave at all. He would often come and watch my 'lessons' with Nabooru - they only ever occurred when he came to watch. Each time that he did, I improved my 'sense' as he had called it, and within three months, Nabooru decided to report that I had had sense finally knocked into me.
It was at that time that he 'requested' an audience with me. Of course, request was merely a polite way of ordering me to do something. Of course, with my newfound submissive nature that was to keep me alive, I had to agree to go. Nabooru stood outside the door, and leant down to speak to me before I went in. "Be wary, be careful," she whispered hurriedly, and pushed me through the door.
I blinked a couple of times to make sure I was in the right room. It was completely plain, apart from a rug, and two worn armchairs. Ganondorf was not in the room, and I stood nervously in the shadows by the door, hands clasped behind my back. Nonchalantly, I turned my head to see the layout of the room - window in the far left wall. I knew we were probably too high up for that to be a good escape route should I need it though. There was a door in front of me, leading into a darkened area, and one on the left, which was covered by a simple red curtain.
I ran my hand through my hair, which still hadn't been cut. Nabooru thought that the style suited me, and had nothing to cut it with anyway. It swept over my left eye, and covered most of my face, which I admitted was an interesting style. It also made me look older, when coupled with my facemask; dangerous.
He padded in from the room on the right, throwing the curtain out of his way with such force that it caught on the doorframe above. I remained where I was, and he walked over to me, looking me up and down in a manner I did not trust. Mind you, I didn't trust him, so it was only to be expected. His dark face cracked in a smirk/smile, and he motioned for me to sit in one of the worn chairs.
I complied, enjoying the lavish fabric as I slid slowly onto the chair, not once taking my eyes off Ganondorf. I did not trust him to look away for even one second. He sat in the chair across from me, and placed his chin on steepled fingers. "Are you afraid of me?" he asked, and I looked sharply at him. What on Earth? It must be a trick question, and I answered cautiously,
"You hold the decision as to whether I live or not."
"But, are you afraid?" he persisted.
"I fear you, but I'm not afraid of you," I said, and he looked perplexed. I was worried that I had angered him with the wrong answer, and my eyes darted to the possible escape routes.
"Why?" he demanded suddenly, grabbing my chin, and forcing me to face him. His face was flushed slightly, and he dropped his hand to his own lap. "Why?" he repeated.
"Because you hold the Tri-Force of Power," I said simply, and his eyebrow raised itself at these words.
"You seem to know more than I gave you credit for," he mused aloud, then regained himself. "Why else? Surely, that cannot be it."
I didn't look at him, just took a deep breath, and began. At the end of each sentence, I would pause, in case he wished to stop me; but, he allowed me to talk myself into silence.
"Well, you have the darkest magic I've ever seen. You wreak havoc wherever you go, and seem to ENJOY it. You consort with dark creatures, turn everything you touch to try and bend it to your will, and yours alone. You enslave previously free people, and make them work until they fall and can work no more. If I believed in such a term, I believe you would be labelled as 'evil'." I stopped.
I was shocked at myself - I was shocked that I was still alive. I was shocked that he was not wringing the life out of me right then. I was more shocked by his face - which, whilst impassive, looked abashed and hurt. I must have made some kind of terrified sound, because his eyes darted to me, and looked confused. My hands twisted nervously in my lap, and I clenched and unclenched my fists.
I could feel cold, petrified sweat running down the back of my neck. It beaded at my forehead too, and I stared unseeingly at the arm of my chair, head turned to the left. One bead of sweat travelled down the side of my face, running over a still open wound, leaving stinging pain behind. All the while that it ran down my face, I was very aware of the Gerudo man's dark, glittering gaze on me.
Suddenly, I sensed movement, and flinched as his skin came into contact with mine. However, the blows I expected did not fall; he had merely taken my hands in his, as he had many times before. The unpleasant tingle of dark magic ran across my palms as he ran his calloused thumbs over the lines and indentations of them. Sneaking a glance at him, I saw that his gaze was lowered to look at my hands, and he seemed enthralled by them.
I looked down at my hands as well, and thought 'how ridiculously small my hands look in comparison to his'. My hair fell further across my face, and as I could not use my hands, I quietly tried to blow it out of the way. Not being able to see wouldn't exactly help in any situation. He lifted his head, and stared at me smiling. This time, I could not mistake it for anything less, and it startled me so much that I inhaled quickly; then began to cough.
He let go of my hands, looking panicked as I bent almost double. 'Not good. Damn - stupid sand, this is not a good situation', I thought, and the panic sent me into another fit of coughs. Ganondorf patted me on the back with a large hand. 'What? Is he - helping?' My thoughts weren't able to comprehend this strange action, so I just ignored it, and carried on coughing.
Once I had started, it felt as though I couldn't stop. Through it all, I still managed to notice when Ganondorf got up, and left for the other room. My throat was raw, and I stopped coughing just long enough to curse, "Damn - sand!" I clamped my hands over my mouth to try and muffle my coughing, and felt my throat burn as each one wrenched away from my throat.
My hands were pulled away from my mouth, and a glass was placed against my lips. I drank quickly, and was able to get my coughing under control. Tears were rolling down my face, and mingling with sweat. I looked up at the bringer of water; him? He bent down next to me, and I couldn't deny it, he looked worried. "Better?" he asked, and I nodded, not trusting my brain to supply a coherent sentence.
He left the room again, and I breathed in deeply, being careful not to start another coughing fit. Carefully, I lifted up the cup, and studied the inside; perhaps this was his plan - to poison me. There was nothing, and I placed it down again. I brought my legs up onto the chair, and held them to my chest, suddenly feeling afraid - now I was afraid of him. He was being too kind - there had to be a catch somewhere.
He came back out carrying a container of water, and some clean rags, and sat down in the chair opposite me. "Come here Sheik," he said, and I did not hear any sharpness in his voice. Had I not known who he was, I probably would have trusted him. However, I did know who he was, and even though I complied, I remained wary. I turned my head to look him in the eye, having to crane upwards. Being small is annoying sometimes, and can end with awful neck strain if you don't handle it carefully!
He dipped a rag into the water jar, and caught my chin gently. This time, no dark magic pulsed through his skin, and I closed my eyes as he ran the damp cloth over my burning face. The coughing fit seemed to have taken more out of me than I thought, because my guard wasn't just down - it was now seemingly non-existent.
The hand which had been on my chin, reached up to pull the hair away from my left eye, and then suddenly stopped on the side of my face. "How did you get this?" he asked, and I opened my eyes to look at him. He looked as worried as he sounded. 'Goddesses, are you playing a joke on a lowly mortal today?' I thought sarcastically, before returning my attention to the face of Ganondorf.
"I fell," I answered simply, moving my head slightly so that my hair fell across my left eye. If you were wondering what was wrong with it, I'll tell you. Earlier that day, I had secretly visited the dungeons, to once again search for Malon and Talon. Each time that I went, and found they were not there, my spirits were lifted. But, this time, one of the guards seemed to have been tipped off of my coming, and lay in wait for me in the corridor.
As I rounded the corner, she pounced on me, and in the ensuing scuffle, had hit me in the eye with her staff/sword. It was not as though I were trying to escape - surely they were not so paranoid as to keep me from seeing the other prisoners. Or, perhaps that was their one fear - that the prisoners could keep up moral and rise together. I do not know how things worked back then - I still don't now.
"Tell me the truth," he said, in a mildly angry voice. So, I told him of the scuffle, making it out to be mostly my fault, not wishing to beget his wroth on the woman in question. I think he saw through it though - at least I tried. He sighed heavily. "Close your eyes,"
"Why?"
"Curses Sheik, why must you always be so damned suspicious? All I wish to do is clean that eye before it becomes infected. It may be hard to believe, but there is a human being behind this façade!" he looked serious. I was shocked once more - perhaps he could be persuaded to return the Tri-Force piece that he held, and this whole charade could be called off. Saria could have her friend back - Ruto and her subjects could return to Zora's Domain - Princess Zelda could make her own way home too.
Even though still a little wary, the outburst had rid me of some slight part of my fear. I closed my eyes, and he returned the damp rag to my eye, and washed away the dried blood around it. I was surprised at how gentle he was being; how he reined back his magic, knowing that it hurt me.
~*~*~*~
Now, do not take me for a sympathizer with Ganondorf - his death was a necessary one. In those early times, before the Tri-Force and he had truly combined, he was merely a young man with more power than he could hold. To me, he was always without his fierce mask; perhaps he did indeed care for me. I do not know, and I will not know, and I am happy to leave it as such.
It was as the years progressed that Ganondorf became so dark, so well befitting the title of 'evil'. The spells he underwent through the grace of the two hags, Koume and Kotake, have gone down in history for their audacity and un-structured power. But, of course, there I go again, getting off the point.
Well, seeing as I have come away from the present story completely, you may as well know that I am about to travel back to the ranch, having just gotten the news of the departure of Princess Zelda, and Link. I can live in peace once more - this place is just a little too crowded with young women who wish to challenge strength, battle magical powers, and test their wits against me. Needless to say, they win more often in the wits department than I would care to tell! Yes, be amazed, I just made a halfhearted joke.
All right. I shall finish this part of my tale, and in the evening, I will be going back on the horse I borrowed from the ranch in the first place. I must ask Malon what its name is - it feels a little strange to be calling it 'horse' all the time. Ah, going even further off the point, so I'd better get back to it right away!
~*~*~*~
After the coughing incident, Ganondorf did not seem to be so readily angered by me anymore. If it is believable, he was in fact quiet and gentle all the times that he spoke with me, never raising his voice. After a few weeks of uncomfortable silences, I eventually learned that he would allow me to speak my mind. He admitted to me that he loathed liars, which was why he often became angered. Being gifted with such powers as his, and then adding to them so quickly, must have been harder than he would have thought.
He had me taught how to ride a horse - on my fourteenth birthday I was given a thoroughbred mare from Lon-Lon Ranch. I was astounded by the way Ganondorf lavished gifts on me - almost as if I were a son. Still, Nabooru would not tell me what Ganondorf had apparently 'chosen' me for, and the mystery was frustrating me no end. However, I could not ask the man himself, as that would give Nabooru away - so long as I did not speak of it, then he would not know that I was hiding something.
On the night of Ganondorf's twentieth birthday, a great feast was held to celebrate. The Gerudo women led out the prisoners who had been most easily broken to serve, and I felt a pang in my heart for them. I wished once more for freedom, as I had countless nights, whilst watching the stars crawl across the sky. I still shared quarters with Nabooru, and I'll never forget the strange, and, looking back, hilarious dilemma she had about my clothes.
I remember, that I had just arrived back from the horseback archery area, and she was hurrying about, a perplexed frown of her face. "Sheik, there you are! Where have you been?" I opened my mouth to answer, but she carried straight on. "I needed you here over an hour ago, I need to get you ready for the feast!
"Feast?" was the only word I managed to get in.
"Yes, it is his high and mighty's twentieth year, and the feast is to celebrate. A waste of food if you ask me, but no one did. Now, come here, I must get you changed into something more suitable!" I looked down at my usual fare, and shrugged. She glared at me, as though I were wearing the most scandalous clothing in the whole length and breadth of Hyrule. She threw her hands up in the air, "Goddesses, give this boy some sense of style, please!" Then, she bounded over to me, and pulled me inside.
Once there, she set about appointing servants to dress me in what she termed 'appropriate wear'. What I termed 'ridiculous'. I was far too used to being dressed thus to really care anymore - I remember at one point attempting to escape, so as not to wear the clothes, and the servants bearing down at me from all sides to wrestle me into the clothes.
When I was finally dressed, Nabooru led me to her mirror, and patted my shoulder. "Much better!" I raised an eyebrow in surprise at her analogy of 'better'. She called what I was wearing 'better'. Perhaps she was temporarily blind, or something. The baggy desert pants I had been wrestled into, were dark purple, above which I wore a plain white desert shirt, with voluminous sleeves that trailed on the ground when I slouched. That would have been all right - if they had not forced that awful, terrible, nightmare inducing, vibrant red, sleeveless coat over the top. It reached to my knees, and was embroidered with gold thread.
I turned around, and glared murderously at Nabooru, who at last seemed to realise I was not exactly happy with the situation. "What's wrong with you? That coat is made from the finest silk, and the style is very up to date!" I narrowed my eyes, and put my hands on my hips to imitate the style she was standing in. I put on a high voice, and impersonated her,
"It also makes me look smaller than I am, swimming under all these leagues of fabric!" I lowered my hands, and grimaced as I looked back in the mirror.
When it came to the time of the feast, I declared sullenly, "I am not going!" Nabooru had to drag me all the way to the hall, and practically kick me through the door. Once I was through, I knew I could not get away until the feast ended. As we walked over to the high table, where we knew we were to sit, I hissed angrily, "I'm going to get you back for this one!"
She hissed back, "Shush, for all things good in the world, just shut up!" She sat down on one of the large cushions, and I sat on mine next to her, which was also next to Ganondorf's throne. Slouching, I crossed my arms, and mouthed rude words to her. She mouthed some back, and we had moved onto miming the ways in which we were to kill/maim each other, when the trumpets sounded. I stood up, and laughed mentally when Nabooru stumbled upon her long coat.
(Thinking back, she was very much like a big sister - always teasing me about everything. Protective, but with no sense of humanity when it came to clothing me!)
Ganondorf entered, and his fare was much better than mine - he, in fact, was wearing normal clothes. He didn't have Nabooru to deal with when it came to what he wore. It was a simple outfit of dark colours, and a black cloak thrown over his shoulder. As he walked up the hall to his seat, the talking quieted, and every Gerudo turned her head to watch. The prisoners/servers cowered in fear as he walked past, and I shivered with them. He looked every part the dark desert king.
He slid into his throne, and after a short glance at me, raised his goblet of wine. "To the time when all Hyrule is ours!" he bellowed, and they cheered. He drank from the goblet, and they all followed suit - I did not, however. I would not drink to something I hoped against hope would not happen. Luckily, I don't think he noticed, and proceeded with his speech. I didn't pay much attention.
Eventually, the feast got under way; I didn't eat much, too angry with Nabooru to care about food. I kept sending evil glares her way, but she just smiled sweetly, and carried on eating.
I noticed that Ganondorf did not eat a lot either - from where I sat, I could see his hands twisting nervously in his lap. "Ganondorf?" I said, raising my voice slightly to be heard over the noise of the woman-filled hall. His eyes seemed to uncloud, and he turned sharply to look at me.
"Yes?" he queried, and I just shrugged. He returned to looking straight ahead, and I returned to glaring at Nabooru. Eventually, she seemed to tire of my acidic looks, and leant over to talk into my ear.
"All right Sheik. If I promise not to make you wear anything again - will you stop glaring at me? It is beginning to get a little unnerving now." I nodded, and grinned, satisfied that I would not have to worry about that area of things again. Leaning back onto the soft cushion, I closed my eyes, feeling slightly drowsy. 'Perhaps I shouldn't have drunk that wine', I thought, scolding myself. 'I can't fall asleep here!'
With some difficulty, I managed to sit back up, and immediately felt more wide-awake. I spent the rest of the feast studying all the people in the hall, and noticing that most wore similar fare to mine. How they could willingly subject themselves to such was beyond me. Surely, that much fabric would end up ruining posture over the years, since it weighed so much!
*
When the feast had at last ended, I was more than happy that it was over - some of the Gerudo however moaned that the party had not been long enough as they weaved out of the hall, most having consumed far too much wine. I had only had one glass, so was all right, if a little sleepy. Nabooru was half carrying me back to her quarters, when Ganondorf fell into stride beside us. "Sheik, would you come to my quarters please?" he asked, and I wondered why he wanted me there so late. It was not unusual for him to 'invite' me, and to talk and wonder about his plans for hours. I didn't say much - didn't need to, he did all the talking really.
"Yes - I'll just get changed first," I answered, and he dipped his head in acknowledgement, before striding off. Nabooru proceeded to her quarters, and I changed back into normal clothes. Before leaving, I turned to her. "Do you solemnly swear by the Goddesses that you will never make me wear such ridiculous clothing again?" I asked, and she nodded. Laughing slightly, she went into her bedroom, and I left to make my way to find out what Ganondorf wished to see me for.
I walked into the main room, which was not so plain as it had been first time I had arrived. Now, there were bright wall hangings, and a large chaise to one side. The two original chairs still sat in the centre of the room however, and I moved to sit in my usual one. "Sheik, come here," his voice called from the room with the doorway covered by the red curtain. Intrigued, as I had never left the main room before, I lifted the curtain, and stepped through.
It became apparent that it was not a room at all - the night sky shined down upon Ganondorf, who was standing with his back to me, leaning against the railings. It was a balcony, with nothing more than the railing to stop from falling the many floors down. Ganondorf sighed heavily, and turned around. "What is it?" I asked, stifling a yawn.
"Oh - yes," he murmured, before turning back, and placing his elbows on the railing, and resting his chin in his hands. "The stars shine brightly tonight," he observed, looking out over the desert. "Come, it's cold," he suddenly ordered, and went back inside. I followed, and slid the curtain back into place before going to sit down opposite him.
Again, his eyes were clouded over, as they had been at the feast, and he once more twisted his hands in his lap. "What's wrong?" I asked, slightly concerned with his strange behaviour.
"Wrong? Why should anything be wrong Sheik?" he snapped defensively, and I shrank back in my chair. His face softened, and he let out a breath of air. "Sorry - a lot on my mind," I nodded, not having a clue where this conversation was going. "I have a surprise for you," he smiled, and I calmed a little.
"Another?" I said playfully, and his smile grew even wider.
"Close your eyes," he told me, and I did just that, wondering what expensive and rare oddity he had purchased for me. For a short while, all that I could sense was his breathing; I wondered what he was doing.
I could feel it when his heart rate quickened, and pondered as to why. His hand caught my chin, as it had done so many times before, and I smiled despite myself. The other cupped my cheek, and I remained still, waiting for whatever was to come.
I felt hot breath across my cheek, and, suddenly, his lips were at mine. My eyes opened in shock, and I pulled back, pulled away. The hand on my cheek remained, and Ganondorf looked at me, cheeks flushed. I stared at him in disbelief, and his mask of certainty wavered - only to be put back up immediately. Angrily, fearfully, I pried his hand away from my cheek, and before he could stop me, I ran from his quarters.
I could hear him shout after me, but I didn't stop running. I carried on running, terrified out of my mind, until I reached Nabooru's and my quarters. Breathing heavily, I slammed the door shut behind me, and peered through the window to see whether he had followed. Seeing that he had not, I sank slowly to the ground, back against the door, and hugged my knees to my chest.
I don't think I slept that night - the drowsiness of the wine was counter- acted with fear and confusion. Fear, as to what he would do to me for running away. Confusion as to why he had just done that to me.
When Nabooru found me there the next day, she was worried, and tried to force what had happened out of me. I didn't tell her anything, just allowed myself to sink into a blank, unfeeling state. Over the course of the next few days, I moved from room to room, unable to keep still. I didn't eat, didn't drink, didn't sleep, and merely walked around and around until Nabooru sent me into my room so she didn't have to watch me.
Ganondorf did not attempt to 'request' my presence, and I was more than happy with that. I did not want to see him - all those gifts and soft words had almost led me to believe he could be trusted. He shattered that easily enough, and now my hatred of him was even greater than before.
Finally, Nabooru goaded me into leaving the quarters, and returning to learning horseback archery. Each time I went into the stables, I edged around the horse I had been given, and took one of the regular training horses instead. Whilst on the horses, I had little time to think about anything other than the targets to which I was firing. My average score was about one hundred and twenty points - not bad, but not exceptional either.
There were a few times when I glimpsed Ganondorf coming into the area whilst I was training, and each time, I would cut my training session short so as not have to be near him. He never seemed able to look me in the eye, and always lowered his head if I had to pass close by him.
*
So the months progressed, wary and uncomfortable. I had been there almost two years when he finally left that place. At last, Nabooru and I could escape - all we needed to do was make our way though the gate into the desert, and out of the reach of his magic. Then, with my lyre, we would make our way to Kakariko. I trusted the thief with the secret of the lyre, and told her what I was searching for.
"Well, the temple is on the other side of the desert," she told me. "Perhaps you should take me with you to search there, before we leave. As you said, you need to go to a place before you are able to transport there, and it would not be wise to come here again."
"Yes - you're right," I agreed, hitching my mask to go over my face again. "Now, you distract them, and I get the stuff." She nodded, and walked out into the corridor, and began talking animatedly with the guards that were patrolling. They burst into waves of laughter, and I shadowed my way over to my old cell.
I hadn't been here for over a year, and the layers of dust showed that no one else had entered either. I looked for the crack between two stones in the floor, and scrabbled with my fingers to dig out my treasures. My bag had kept them all well, and apart from a few grains of sand, all was how it had been. It took my book, pencil, spare clothes and lyre, and placed them in my new pack.
Then, I shadowed back to quarters, to wait for Nabooru to come back. When she finally did, I felt a little more confident. If it were that easy to retrieve things from the old cell, it would not be that hard to get into the desert. With my returned hook shot, we would not even need to ask the guard to raise the gate. Up and over was easiest.
We did just that, abseiling past the sleeping guard, and down into the swirling desert beyond. I yanked the hook from the heavy bars of the gate, and returned it to my bag. Settling it more comfortably on my shoulders, I turned to Nabooru, who began to walk quickly through the biting clouds of wind blown sand. It was like pushing against the air itself, and you could not tell whether it was night or day through the great mass of sand around us.
After a while - whether it was a long or short time, neither of us was sure - we came across an old watchtower. We crawled inside, to shelter from the sand, and rested in the relative calm within the never ceasing storm. "How far is it across the desert?" I asked Nabooru.
"I think it can be no more than seven leagues. We used to pilgrimage there when I was young, and it didn't take much more than two days. Though," she paused, her face in gentle repose, "we did have horses then." She looked a little worried at the prospect of walking all the way, but I did not care. I had spent most of my life on my feet; I was more than used to using my own power to travel.
"We'll be fine without the horses," I assured her, and she smiled gently.
"I know Sheik." She leant back against the wall, and I watched as she slowly fell asleep. I lightly rested my head on her shoulder, and followed into the calm escape of sleep.
~*~*~*~
I shall leave it there now. I'm ready to travel back to the ranch. Just a note to all those who are finding this hard to believe - I am telling truth. I made a promise to myself, and I have not broken it yet, to tell the truth about what occurred to me in my travels and missions.
Nabooru and I are still great friends, and she is still like the annoying older sister I never had. I had better go and say farewell to her before I leave. So, until the next time I am able to write within this book, it is fare well. I will write as soon as I may.
~*~*~*~
Yes, we had a little kiss there - nothing to overt, as this is a PG-13 after all. Heck, I could probably put this in PG, but I'd prefer to play it safe for now. Best to do that, cos I don't want my stories being taken down *sniff*. It happened to a few other authors on here a while back, and I'd hate to go down the same way. *Gulp*
Well, anyway, you'll be seeing me next chapter, even if you don't want to! MWA HA HA HA! You'll never get rid of me. I'm like Navi - I carry on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, even if you've played the game so much that you know it like the back of your hand, I still carry on and on, and on, and on...you get the point!
Thanks, Soda.
R+R
The-damned-elf-vamp - no problem! I love reviewing other people - I think my running total is about [goes to look] whoo! I have given 152 signed reviews! I am THE review whore! [Giggles]
Cassidy dell - I am truly honoured - three reviews! You must be crazy...but, that just makes me like ya more! Here you go, and I'm sorry, cos again, you're gonna have to wait for the next chapter - as I have to write it. PLEASE DON'T HURT ME! I'M ONLY SMALL!
[Shrieks and runs away]
[Runs back] Cough - me no good at slash - cough - don't kill me - or my voices will manifest and you'll have to look after them. It's not fun - [bops voices, and runs away shrieking again]
WHY ME?