A/N: Holy cheese balls! We're already at chapter 30! I did not expect this to be this long or get nearly as many reads as it has. I just want to say a quick thank you to everyone who has stuck through this with me so far.

Aeris paced the length of the throne room as Nabooru stared at her. "Sands you're more wound up than a leever in a sandstorm,"

Aeris snapped her head to Nabooru and sighed. "I don't know what to do," She stopped pacing and sat suddenly on the stone floor with her head in her hands. "I don't know if it will be enough,"

Nabooru joined her and wrapped an arm loosely around her shoulder. "I don't know either, but we have to hope for the best,"

"Do you think it will be different this time?" Aeris looked Nabooru in the eyes, searching for some kind of an answer.

A young Gerudo burst into the throne room unexpectedly interrupting the pair just as Nabooru opened her mouth to reply. The girl stumbled to a halt at just before Aeris and Nabooru, "The king," She took several gasping breaths. "I have a message for the king,"

Aeris looked at Nabooru, fear filled her green eyes. She wasn't ready, the thought of returning to Hyrule made her heart race and panic flooded her veins, but there was no way she would be able to talk him out of going.

The girl was still panting lightly, "A Hylian soldier delivered a message from the Hylian royal family," The girl produced a crisp white envelope.

Aeris tried her best to smile at the young girl. "Thank you Vehvi, I will be sure the king receives it, go and rest,"

Nabooru took the envelope and inspected it before handing it to Aeris. She studied the envelope before using her nail to break the crimson wax seal. The the letter inside was written in a regal flowing script.

'The royal family of Hyrule in the spirit of peace and joy formally invites you to Princess Zelda's royal birthday celebration. The grand fete will take place at Hyrule Castle in one weeks time. The honor of your presence is requested.

In celebration of my daughters twelfth birthday I am calling a truce and invite you to come and celebrate this joyous occasion. A summit will be held after the celebrations to discuss the end of this needless war, I invite the Gerudo royal family to join in these conversations with my personal thanks for their decision to refrain from joining in the hostility.

With regards from the King of Hyrule,

Daphnes Nohansen Hyrule'

P.S. I hear congratulations for your King's wedding are in order'.

She took a shuddering breath as she handed the letter back to Nabooru. "Go bring this to him," She bit her lip and ran a shaky hand through her hair. "Tell him I've already begun preparations,"

"Are you sure?" Nabooru's golden eyes searched Aeris' face.

Aeris nodded slowly. "Nothing is to be planned without my consent, I want to know every move of every vai in this fortress until we depart,"

Nabooru ducked her head into a low bow. "Yes my Queen," Aeris put her head in her hands as Nabooru left to room.

She needed more time.

Aeris ran her fingers softly over the thick black metal of the armor currently hanging in the corner of the armory. "Can I help you, my Lady?" She turned her head as the blacksmith approached her.

"I want this destroyed," The blacksmith raised a brow as Aeris spoke. "Melt it down if you must, but I want it gone,"

"May I ask why?" The blacksmith crossed her arms. "We've spent months on that armor,"

Aeris turned to fully face the woman and took a step forward. "Because your Queen demands it," Aeris hated throwing her title around but it was necessary at times. "Is that reason enough?"

The blacksmith nodded swiftly. "It shall be done,"

Aeris nodded and left the armory she had so much to prepare for before they departed the desert.

Aeris tightened Starlight's bridle and stroked the mare's face softly. "Here we go again," She spoke softly to her companion.

"Everything will be fine," She turned to face Nabooru as the Gerudo came up behind her.

"Will it be?" She looked to where Ganondorf was preparing his own mount, there was something softer about him this time around.

"I'm sure it will be," Nabooru embraced Aeris tightly. "And if it's not there will be hell to pay,"

"No," Aeris pulled away from the embrace. "If anything happens to us, you take the Gerudo and lead them to safety," Her grip on Nabooru's shoulders was iron. "The people are strong but they will not survive a war,"

Nabooru nodded solemnly and opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by Ganondorf addressing the four guards that would riding with them. "We ride slow," He spoke firmly from the back of his horse. "Keep your spears at your side unless absolutely necessary. We don't want to scare our new friends,"

Aeris pulled Nabooru into final tight hug and mounted Starlight. "Say goodbye to Urora for me,"

Nabooru nodded as Aeris guided Starlight to the space beside Ganondorf. "Do you have the princess's gift?" He looked down at her and smiled softly.

Aeris nodded, "It's in my saddle bag. Nabooru and I both double checked," Aeris had several of the younger Gerudo about Princess Zelda's age help her pick out the set of jewelry. It was simple but elegant, made up of light silver chains and pink jewels only found in the desert.

Ganondorf nodded and squeezed Aeris hand lightly, "Are you sure you want to come?" The concern in his eyes made Aeris stomach tumble. "We don't know how the Hylians will react,"

"I'll be fine," Aeris smiled and clasped her other hand over his, "My being there may help," she paused, "You could use me as a show of faith of sorts. How better to show that you have no animosity towards Hyrule than having a Hylian wife,"

Ganondorf nodded as he considered Aeris' words, "Spoken like a true queen,"

Aeris laughed softly. "If you say so," She sighed and reached for his hand and took it gently in her own. "I think we're ready,"

He cast a glance over the four guards and nodded firmly and waved the group into motion. Aeris rode next to Ganondorf in relative silence as they made their way through the gorge. The four guards talked and laughed among themselves, excited to be visiting the neighboring kingdom.

They rode for several hours before Aeris felt the first hints of the gentle breeze that blew across Hyrule Field. She watched as the group exchanged glances before surging forward, whooping with excitement as they sped toward Hyrule Field.

Aeris stayed back, dreading seeing the green fields again. She slowly approached the outcropping of rock that overlooked the lush fields. The guards were staring wide eyed at the vast expanse of green. Even Ganondorf was taken aback by the sight of the breeze blowing gently through the lush grass.

"I've never seen so much green," One of the guards whispered.

Aeris pushed through the group and pointed across the field to the forest. "That's the Kokiri Forest to the east, everything there is either green or brown and the Lost Woods have so many trees anyone who doesn't know they way through will be lost forever,"

"And if you follow the Zora River through the gorge to the south you'll find Lake Hylia. The lake is so deep they say that the Zora's hid the water temple under it," The Gerudo followed Aeris' finger as she moved it toward the lake.

"Zora's Domain is to the northeast," Aeris pointed to the space between the forest and Death Mountain. "The Zora's need water to survive so they make their home behind a great waterfall,"

"And then there's Death Mountain," Aeris moved so the Gerudo could see the angry red mountain. "The Gorons live there so they can mine the rocks from the volcano to eat," Aeris watched confused looks cross the guards faces, while Ganondorf remained stoic as he looked over the field.

"Wait, Gorons eat rocks?" One of the guards shook her head, "I thought they were made of rocks?"

Aeris laughed, "I've never seen a Goron, I just know what I've read and what I was told as a child. The Gorons are made of and eat rocks," Aeris chuckled, "And the Zora's are fish people that eat fish,"

The Gerudo exchanged looks of horror, "But to the north," Aeris pointed and the Gerudo were quickly enraptured once again. "Is Hyrule Castle and Castle Town,"

The white and blue spires of the castle were just barely visible on the horizon but it was enough to give a feeling of awe to anyone who saw it.

Aeris put her hand on Ganondorf's shoulder, "Are you alright?"

Ganondorf swallowed thickly, "Everything is so alive," He turned to face Aeris, "Even after a war, it's like nothing here ever suffers,"

Aeris nodded solemnly. "Everything suffers, pain even when dipped in gold is still pain," Ganondorf nodded and wordlessly spurred his horse forward down the hill, Aeris followed closely behind him and the guards scrambled to catch up.

Before long they passed the charred remains of Aeris' childhood home and she rode closer to Ganondorf, who was eyeing the blackened barn. "But, it only takes a little bit of heat to melt away the gold," He turned to her with a concerned look, but said nothing as they continued to ride in silence.

A/N: We're getting into the end game I'm guessing this will be about 5 more chapters, could be more could be less we all know how good I am at staying true to my word.

Let me know what you guys think about where the story is heading, has it gone the way you thought it would? Are there any things you would like to see before it ends? Or maybe you have a suggestion for the sequels. Don't be afraid to write a quick comment and let me know how you feel about the story.