Chariton came into the stables just as Ganondorf finished grooming a black stallion "Is that your horse Ganondorf?"

Ganondorf nodded "His name is Rajnish, I was allowed him because everyone thinks he is a demon horse."

"Well I could see why they'd think that. I mean the black coat, the red eyes…"

"And everyone who tried to ride him ended up dead."

"What?!"

"They wanted him to do the same to me." Ganondorf smiled smugly "He hasn't though. The mistake the others made is they tried to be his master. I know that he is better than me, he is my master, not the other way around." He sighed "It's too bad I can't bring him to the desert next week."

Chariton started "You're leaving?"

"Yes, I must take the test to become a full gerudo. If I survive, I'll be back within a few days."

Ganondorf handed Rajnish a sugar cube and headed out of the stable.

"I-if you survive?"

"There is no guarantee I will."

"Why go?!"

Ganondorf stopped so quickly that Chariton almost ran into him "I am a gerudo Chariton, I always will be. And the test is something I must do."

Chariton looked taken aback, and an awkward silence hung between them.

Chariton was the first to break it "So what do you need to do?"

"Everyone that takes the test is sent into the desert, we must find our way to the spirit temple. The only rule is that we cannot have the help of a full gerudo." He frowned "I have been away from the desert for so long, it is actually quite likely I won't survive."

"All I'm saying is that he carries it around a lot."

Link grinned. Midna and he were currently discussing if Ganondorf's sword was his teddy bear.

"Well you have to admit he does! I mean seriously, is he going to start sucking his thumb next?"

Ganondorf was sitting on the cot in his room. His hands were shaking, they were un-bandaged and he had neglected even pulling the splinters out of them.

There was a knock on the door and Zelda came in, holding a plate with lunch on it. She handed it to Ganondorf, who took it silently, and sat down on the other end of the bed.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"About what?"

"I found the book next to the broken table, it was still open to the same page."

"I've already told you, we are not considered friends."

Zelda nodded and was silent.

Ganondorf finished eating and handed her the plate. She took it but made no move to leave.

She gestured toward his hands "At least let me help with that."

Ganondorf shrugged and Zelda began pulling the splinters out.

"I suppose gerudo are use to pain? Most people would be howling when I touched the first splinter."

"After you have a sword stabbed through your chest everything else sort of pales in comparison." Ganondorf turned to her "Why are you even bothering with this?"

"I don't know anything about you except what I have learned from books. I never even spoke with you before Midna and Link brought you here. Who am I to judge you?"

She picked the last splinter out, she turned her face to his and smiled "The only time I left the city was when I fought you, I am barely allowed to leave the castle. Your turn."

Ganondorf's mouth remained shut.

"Unless you're too scared?"

Ganondorf glared at her, and then replied grudgingly "I can play the piano."

"I practice shooting crows from the highest tower in the castle."

"I can't swim."

"I hate dresses."

"I've never eaten fish."

"Father made me spend a month learning how to be lady-like."

"I was scared of trees until I was five."

"I'm scared of masks."

"My twin sister is the sage of spirit."

Zelda stopped, startled "Your sister? But that means that she…"

Ganondorf clamped his mouth shut. He had said it without thinking.

"…was one of your executioners."

Ganondorf turned away "You should go before someone misses you."

Zelda opened her mouth as if she was going to say something, but shut it after a moment and headed toward the door. Just as she was about to leave Midna phased through the door.

"Hello Zelda! Ganondorf, do you think your sword is more like a teddy bear, a pacifier, or a blankie?"

Ganondorf spun around his eyes wide with disbelief that someone would even be stupid enough to ask him that. Midna was gone before he even had time to get angry. There was a sound of Link shouting in surprise in the hall, he had probably been about to open the door on that side.

"He didn't answer Link, I think it's tie."