The oasis was breathtaking, a single patch of green is a sea of gold. Palm trees surrounded a small pool of crystal clear water with wild voltfruit and hydromelon plants littering the area. The horses grazed nearby as Aeris and Ganondorf sat by the water.

"So have you decided on a trial?" Ganondorf popped a wildberry into his mouth.

Aeris groaned not this again. "No,"

"Shame," He didn't push any further.

They sat in silence passing pieces of fruit to each other and watching the horses.

"So," He seemed uncertain, "Where did you get Starlight's name?"

Aeris smiled, "It seemed like something my mom would have named her,"

"What was she like?" There was a strange look on his face.

"Well, she was soft and kind," Aeris paused thinking of her happiest memories. "She would sing to me and braid my hair. If I scraped my knee or if I had a nightmare she was always right there,"

"She sounds lovely," He looked sad, "My mothers are nothing like that," Aeris looked up from the hydromelon in her lap. "They aren't soft, they don't sing," He paused, "I don't think they've ever even hugged me. My whole life they've done nothing but train me and manipulate me into being the 'perfect' king," There was something boiling behind his golden eyes that scared Aeris as he spoke.

"Is it true what people say about them?" His eyes flicked toward her, "Are they really witches?" She immediately regretted asking and cursed herself for being stupid.

Ganondorf held up his left hand and yellow energy crackled to life between his fingers, Aeris' hair stood on end. "Yes, they are." He snapped and energy vanished, "They say that magic has been in our bloodline since ancient times,"

Another wave of silence passed over them and Aeris could tell that Ganondorf was deep in thought. She studied his face, what was left of his baby fat was melting away, revealing sharp cheeks and a strong jaw. At fifteen he was already as tall as most of the adult gerudo and after years of training he was well muscled, not bulky but not lean, and he was still growing. His hair rivaled hers in length and volume, it framed his face like a red mane and fell in thick waves to his waist.

"I hate it sometimes," His voice cut through the silence, "My mothers keep telling that i'm being prepared for some great destiny, but they treat me like a child. They've secluded me from the people to the point that they damn near throw a feast every time I leave my rooms." There was anger in his eyes as he spoke.

Aeris put her hand on his back and rubbed lightly, "So do what you want," he looked at her his eyes searching her face. "Come out more often, you don't have to listen to them, you're almost a man, and you're a king," He scoffed and stood up. "How about this," Aeris stood and joined him by the waters edge. "Start slow come out once or twice a week and just talk to people,"

He looked at her, "You're a strange little hylian," There was a softness in his face as he searched her face. He reached up put his hand on her face lightly it was only there for a breath before he moved to trace her pointed ear. He jerked his hand back when her ear flicked at the sudden touch. "What was that?"

She laughed, "It's a hylian thing, I guess," He looked amazed as she moved through a couple emotions, her ears moved with each change. "I can't do it on command, like I can't wiggle them, but they move sometimes,"

"Hylians are strange," He traced the edge of her ear again and smiled when it flicked again. "You know I still remember the first time I saw you," He was almost whispering. "That day you were on Urora's shoulders. I thought you were a fairy, I had never seen anything like you before," He took a stand of her hair and twirled it between his fingers. "I use to beg my mothers to let me go to the market on the days you and your mother would be there,"

Aeris looked up into his eyes and smiled. He had thought of her the same way she had of him, but so much had changed since they were small. He leaned toward her and her heart felt like it was going to beat right out of her chest. They were millimeters apart and she could feel his breath against her face, and then he was gone. He stood with his back to her, "I'll think about coming out more often, if you do something as well," Aeris let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, "Do a trial," He turned his head back to her, "Promise me,"

She swallowed thickly, "I will."

"Good," He smiled, "It's getting late. We should head back," He whistled for his horse and swung himself into the saddle.

Aeris followed suit and they started the trek back to the fortress and Aeris found herself staring at the back of Ganondorf's head thinking what the hell was she getting herself into.

Two years flew by and Aeris settled into herself and her role among the gerudo in ways she never would have dreamed. When she announced her intentions to partake in the warrior trial she had been nervous of people's reactions but it seemed like the whole community had come together and helped her train just like they would have for any of the other girls. Nabooru had been especially ecstatic..

Ganondorf had held up his end of their bargain and was now seen daily walking among his people, laughing and speaking with them freely. He had grown over the years as both a leader and physically. He was an imposing man now, standing nearly a foot taller than even the tallest of the gerudo warriors and the lean frame of a teen had been replaced by thick muscles. He had taken to wearing his crown more often and now sported a short beard.

After years of training Aeris had decided that the typical spear of the gerudo was to long and cumbersome for her short stature and the scimitar and shield combo didn't feel right to her, so her weapons of choice were two daggers, that were more suited for a thief than a warrior but she made them work.

She stood in the training ground bouncing nervously from foot to foot, daggers in hand. Today was her trial and she was so nervous she felt like she was going to pass out.

"A. You've got this," Nabooru stood behind her in her purple guard outfit. He scimitar glistened on her hip.

"I know Nabs," She turned to her friend, "But everyone is going to be watching, if i fail it will be in front of the whole fortress,"

"You aren't going to fail," Nabooru grabbed Aeris' shoulders, "You are going to kick ass and when you do you'll have a week of food and drink to celebrate,"

As soon as Aeris' trial was over the Festival of Fire would begin and the whole fortress would make their way to the Colossus to spend a week celebrating the end of summer and welcome the beginning of fall and winter. Aeris had been training so hard the last few years she hadn't allowed herself to join in any of the gerudo festivals, this would be her first and she felt like she would finally be one of them.

"Ladies," Aeris and Nabooru turned to see Ganondorf standing a few feet from them. Goddesses when had his voice gotten so deep? He was wearing black robes and so much golden jewelry he sparkled in the midday sun. His red hair was pulled into intricate braids and his crown sat on his head holding an orange gem in place between his brows. Aeris noted a wrapped bundle in his arms. "Nabooru, do you mind giving us a moment?"

Nabooru smirked and looked at Aeris, "I'll go get Starlight ready for you so we can celebrate," Aeris hugged her friend and watched as she walked away.

An awkward silence filled the space between Aeris and Ganondorf. They had grown close after that day at the oasis and often met there when they needed an escape, but there was an odd tension between them. "I came to give you something," He stepped toward her, "I had these made for you,"

Aeris took the bundle from him. He had given her so many gifts in the last few years, from Starlight, to a pair of earrings here, a ring there. Nabooru had teased her constantly about it. The bundle was heavy and there was a metallic clinking when she shifted it. She looked at Ganondorf who was obviously trying not to look to excited. "Gan you didn't have to get me anything,"

"I know, but it's a special occasion and you need these," He smiled and her heart throbbed, "Just be careful, they're sharp,"

She unrolled the cloth and there were the most beautiful pair of daggers she had ever seen. The blades were a dark steel, with golden hilts wrapped in red leather. The blades were squared and wickedly sharp. "Gan, I can't possibly except these," She looked up at him almost in tears.

He smiled down at her, "Don't do that, you've earned them," He wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb and let his hand rest there.

She put one of her hands on his and blinked up at him. He was so much taller than her it was ridiculous. His face was unreadable as he looked down at her and Aeris stood frozen when he leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. The wrapped daggers almost fell from her arms and her knees went weak. The kiss was soft and hesitant, Ganondorf's hand gripped the side of her face and he leaned further into the kiss almost doubling over her. She moved her hand from his to the back of his neck, trying to pull him closer.

"Aeris?" The two jumped apart and Aeris looked around Ganondorf to see Ralusa standing there a confused look on her face.

"I should go," Aeris cursed the Goddesses as Ganondorf hurriedly left the training grounds.

"Did I interrupt something?" The girl was too innocent for her own good.

"No Ralusa. Did you need something?" Aeris touched her lips lightly.

"Kulori sent me to get you. You're trial is ready," Aeris let out a ragged breath.

She placed the bundle the bundle under her arm, careful not to cut herself. She removed her old blades from the loops on her belt and handed them to Ralusa, "Here take these, bring them to Kulori for me, please," She carefully placed her new daggers into their place on her hips. "Ok let's go,"

The warrior trial is held in the coliseum in the back of the fortress, every gerudo in the fortress could fit in the stadium. Aeris was shaking as she made her way into the fighter's waiting area, Kulori was waiting for her.

The woman smiled brightly and raised her arms, "Aeris, I am so proud of you." Aeris' nerves calmed at the woman's kind words. "You've come so far and you've turned in to a beautiful and strong vai, but the trial before you is a difficult one. Are you ready?"

Aeris steeled herself and nodded, "Yes, I am,"

"Then go forth and prevail," Kulori placed a fist across her chest and Aeris mimicked. The gate behind Kulori opened and Aeris moved forward.

The arena roared to life as Aeris stepped into the sand. She scanned to crowd and relaxed when she spotted Urora and Nabooru, Urora was clapping and Nabooru was on her feet screaming. She looked to where Ganondorf and his mother sat next, they seemed to be in a heated argument, but Ganondorf cut his mothers off with a hand and leaned forward in his seat. Her mind flashed to the training grounds and the feeling of his lips on hers. Her heart started to race and her mind clouded.

"Gerudo, the People of the Sands!" One of the older gerudo stood on a platform below the king's seat, "Before you stands a vehvi who wishes to prove herself a woman!" The crowd roared, "This vehvi though is special! She came to us an outsider, a hylian!" Several whistles rang out, "She has proved herself capable of living among us and now she wished to prove herself one of us!" The roar of the crowd was deafening, "Urora you took in this vehvi, is she ready?"

Urora stood and the crowd calmed, "She has proved again and again that she had the heart of a gerudo, may she go forth and prevail!" The crowd roar again and Aeris' heart soared at her adoptive mothers words.

The older woman turned and kneeled before Ganondorf, "My king, will you allow this hylian to partake in this trial and to take her place among us?"

Ganondorf rose and the crowd went dead silent, "This is no hylian, she may look like one but she has the spirit of a gerudo!" Aeris choked on the breath she held, "Sand flows through her veins and fire is in her heart! May she go forth and prevail!"

"Go forth and prevail!" The entire spoke as one and Aeris felt herself swell with pride, any connection she felt to Hyrule was gone, these were her people.

"Aeris, you're people have spoken, are you prepared to take your place among them?" The woman turned her attention to Aeris now.

Aeris place her arm across her chest, "I am ready to take my place in the sands!"

"Present your weapons of choice so they may be blessed by the Desert Goddess," The woman extended her arms to the sky.

Aeris unsheathed her blades and crossed them in front of her, "May the Desert Goddess bless these blades and guide them to victory!"

The crowd started stopping and the whole coliseum shook. An inhuman roar shook Aeris to the core and drew her attention to the gate across from her. "May the trial begin!"

Aeris readied herself and gave her blades a few practice swings, they were perfectly balanced. The gate started to rise and the largest monster Aeris had ever seen emerged from the darkness. She had seen lizalfos and the occasional leever or stalchild in the wastelands but this was gigantic. It was bipedal and wielded a wicked looking spear the size of a small tree, it's face was scrunched and wrinkled with two large tusks protruding from his bottom jaw. It scanned the arena with its beady eyes and roared again when it spotted Aeris.

She readied herself as it charged toward her and rolled just in time for it to run past her, it slammed into the wall of the arena and stumbled back dazed, but quickly shook itself and turned to find Aeris again. She crouched low to the ground waiting for it to charge again, when it roared she readied her blades and leapt to the side rolled her body so she was behind the beast. It crashed into the wall again and she rushed forward and leapt onto it's back, burying her blades into its back and hauling herself onto it's shoulders. The creature screamed in pain and Aeris plunged one of her daggers into the soft spot where it's neck met its shoulder, blackish blood sprayed across her face. The beast screamed again before shaking itself violently sending Aeris flying, she hit the ground and rolled.

She managed to keep a hold of one of her blades but the other remained buried in the monsters back. Aeris struggled to get up her ribs screamed in protest, and her arm was slightly numb.

"Aeris!" Nabooru's voice cut through the haze and Aeris looked to her voice. Nabooru was leaning over the edge of the arena her knuckles were white from gripping the stone wall. "Get up!"

Aeris hauled herself to her feet and wobbled as she shook her head, the fog cleared and she turned back to the monster. It was keening and black blood poured down it's front. Aeris steadied herself as the beast roared and lunged toward her again. She rolled again and her ribs burned but she pushed through it, she launched herself towards it's exposed back and used the blade that was left as a hand hold. More blood sprayed and she dug her other blade into the thick muscles of the monster's shoulder. It screamed and threw its head back, hurting itself more in the process, Aeris grunted and hauled herself to stand on its shoulders she wobbled and and monster used this, it threw its head back and launched Aeris into the air. Aeris smirked and let out a roar of her own as she slammed both of her blades into the monster's skull. It roared once more and fell forward. Aeris rode its body to the ground as the crowd screamed, she pulled the now black blades from the corpse and raised them to the sky, she screamed in triumph.

"The moblin is slayed! The desert goddess welcomes you into her arms, Vasaaq, sister Aeris!" The gerudo overseer raised her arms again.

"Vasaaq, sister Aeris!" The crowd roared, Aeris swore Urora and Nabooru were the loudest.

"Vasaaq, my sisters!" Aeris let out a breath and turned, "I offer the head of this moblin as a tribute and a symbol of my loyalty to my king and his mothers!"

Ganondorf nodded and rose to his feet again. "The sands welcome you home, Aeris!" His eyes lingered on her and she suddenly felt self conscious of the blood she was drenched in, "With this trial complete the Festival of Fire can begin!" The crowd roared again "Go clean yourself and join us in celebrating, sister Aeris," The way he said sister sent a pang through her heart.

Nabooru vaulted the edge of the arena and lifted Aeris into her arms not caring about the now coagulating blood that was clinging to Aeris. "I'm so proud of you!" Aeris laughed as Nabooru spun her, "Let's get you cleaned up and go celebrate!"

Aeris looked toward Ganondorf but he was gone. Her heart hurt, did he regret kissing her? Of course he did, who was she kidding. She allowed Nabooru to usher her out of the arena toward the baths, but her mind was a million miles away

A/N:THREE THOUSAND WORDS! OH MY LORD! I feel really great about this chapter so let me know what you guys think! The romance has begun! I feel all warm and tingly things are starting to heat up! I had a ton of fun writing this chapter and the trial ceremony. The festival mentioned was inspired by Sureynot and will be one of the main points of the next chapter.

To let you guys know where this sits in the timeline Link and Zelda are going to twelve when Ganondorf is 20 and Aeris is 18. They were 17 and 15 in this chapter so the kiddos would be about 9 assuming they are the same age. Ugh I hate math. Anyway I can't wait for what's coming!