Master Rauru would be so disappointed with her. Once again, she felt helpless tears begin to well up in her eyes at that thought. She had failed, and the fallen hero and his whole disgusting family of evildoers lived. After starting the fire, she had managed to slip away, but was then forced to hide close-by for half a day or so to avoid discovery. When she came out of hiding, the sight that met her made her so furious she almost drew her bow and rushed straight into the Gerudo camp. They lived, they all lived.

King Ganondorf, Link and all four hellish children lived. Her fingers itched for the bow and a fire-tipped arrow. The camp would burn well... But no, there was just no way she would manage to get away with it again, especially since security looked pretty tightened. She couldn't risk it, not now. She bit her lip to the point of bleeding. She hated them! She hated him! And he would die, by her hand, sooner or later. Link would die.

The following days were a flurry of activity for Link. They had to leave, had to go to the Spirit Temple to reside with the Twinrowas until their home at the burg could be rebuilt, but during the last days, a sandstorm so harsh even the Gerudos wouldn't brave it had raged in the desert, preventing all travel. So they all had to stay at their temporary and too small camp. Link sighed. He supposed he was a tad spoiled by Ganondorf. At least he and his children were well. It was all that mattered anyway.

With Razo on one hip, he went off to the waterhole near the entrance of the valley. He needed some alone-time, he felt, away from the bustling camp. Of course, he felt the watching eyes of guards on his back, but at least this was an illusion of privacy. He walked over the slightly swaying bridge, which made Razo laugh and reach out to trail the rope with his chubby hands. Link smiled alongside his son. Adair, he knew, was with Ganondorf and Nabooru had the girls. All was well, despite all that had happened.

Link reached the shallow waters, and set his son on the edge as he pulled up the ends of his pants slightly so he could dip his feet in the cooling water. Razo gave an excited shriek at the splash Link's feet made, and Link laughed and indulged him by picking him up and continuing to splash his feet in the water. They laughed together. Link was just about to dip Razo's squirming feet into the water as the sound of several heavy footsteps made him look up. And he felt his heart freeze.

It was them. Zoras. Images of Ganondorf's body pierced by swords flashed through his mind, making him feel sick. He knew they were allies now, or at least in peace, with the Zoras, but... Swallowing heavily, he shushed his son, attempting to quiet him. He was almost hidden under the small bridge leading over the pool of water. If they passed over his head without noticing him, he could slip away and hide... They must have come to speak with Ganondorf, but Link just couldn't face them. It scared him too much.

Razo seemed to sense mother's distress, and just as the Zoras had passed over their heads, he gave an upset wail, clutching Link's shirt in small fists. The Zoras, mostly dressed as soldiers, stopped their marching and turned to them. Link felt sick, and he could feel his face pale as he met the black eyes of the Zoras as he clutched his boy close, giving comfort to the softly crying boy and comforting himself all the same. One Zora, who seemed to be the leader of them, stepped forward. The man walked carefully and gently, holding his hands up in a obviously placating manner, as if he could sense Link's fright.

"Hello, Link." he greeted, something almost sad flickering in his eyes. But it was gone before Link could truly grasp it or even be sure it had been there.

"H-hello." Link greeted back hesitantly, and stepped up from the pool. These were, after all, Ganondorf's guests. The Gerudos allies. He couldn't treat them badly, even if they did frighten him terribly. The man smiled kindly at him as he neared them.

"My name is Tomada, and I'm an ambassador and messenger sent out by the Zora king." the man introduced himself. Link wasn't sure if he was supposed to do the same. Tomada seemed to sense this, and gave another kind smile. "Of course, I already know who you are, Link. Even though I'm not quite sure what the proper term for the lover of a Gerudo king is...?"

Link wasn't sure either, and he was just about to voice that when a booming voice from behind him interrupted. "The first consort of the king would be his title had I ever taken another." Ganondorf's strong arms wrapped around his waist possessively from behind, and Link immediately felt safer. "Now it's only the consort of the king."

"Ah, first because he birthed your heir, no?" Tomada smiled friendly, before giving a polite bow. "My king, it's an honor to meet once more. I only wish there was a happier reason for my visit."

"Tomada." Ganondorf acknowledged with a nod. "Let us walk back to our camp, and we can speak there."

"Of course." Tomada agreed, making a small signal for the troops to wait behind as he walked alongside Link and Ganondorf to the camp. "I must commend you, Link. You have a very beautiful child. Your youngest, I suppose?"

"Oh, thanks." Link replied, smiling down at Razo, who had stopped his fussing now that Link himself had relaxed. "And yes, our youngest son."

"Ah, yes. We heard about that the Goddesses had chosen to remove the curse and gift you another boy. I must say, it certainly smoothed out the relationship between the Gerudos and the Zoras a lot." Tomada nodded with a smile at Ganondorf. "Even Darunga, the king of the Gorons, who usually likes to stay out of all politics, has expressed himself mildly positive after hearing about the broken curse."

Link had to smile right back at Tomada at that, partly because the man was easy to relax around and seemed very kind, but also because those words gave him great happiness. Despite all that had happened, it boded well for their future if their relationships with all other people of Hyrule were good.

They reached the camp and entered the large tent in the center of it, where Ganondorf and his family resided. "Where's Adair?" Link asked, as he had spied Uttara and Kyna playing with some guards at the edge of the camp, but he had yet to see his oldest child. "Wasn't he with you?" Being a mother wasn't easy – worrying was part of it and never far away in his mind.

Ganondorf kissed his forehead. "Don't worry. He's with Nabooru. I think they went exploring, but I'm sure they haven't strayed too far, my love."

"Oh, alright." Link responded and took a seat with Razo at the floor by the toys as Ganondorf and his guest sat down a bit away to discus. Link kept one ear open, curious about Tomada's message, even as he started playing blocks with Razo, who happily tore down the blocks Links built, making him smile at his son's childish enthusiasm.

"My king has sent me with a message for you, Your Majesty." Tomada began after he and Ganondorf had watched Link play with the child for a few moments. "He has heard of your problems, and wishes to extend an invitation to you, your family and of course a couple of bodyguards, to stay at the Zora Domain until your troubles can be resolved."

There was silence for a couple of minutes. "That's very generous of your king." Ganondorf eventually commented. "I had planned to travel to my adoptive mothers at the Spirit Temple and leave my family there and reside myself perhaps in Hyrule Town to handle the building of a new fort."

"Your family would be very well treated with us." Tomada said.

"Yes, I'm sure they would." Ganondorf agreed, and Link could hear his lover think the words over. "Perhaps, it would be the best solution." Link was surprised at his lover's words. Did he truly trust the Zoras with their family...? Why not the Twinrowas?

"So you will accept my king's offer, Your Highness?" Tomada asked, and he sounded surprised but happy about it, Link noticed.

"Yes." Ganondorf said with a firm nod. "When will he be able to receive us?"

"I was given orders to escort you right away, if you accepted his offer and was ready to travel." Tomada informed the king.

"Fine." Ganondorf said and stood. "Give us a few hours to handle things here and then I am my family will come with you, alongside our bodyguards.

Tomada stood as well and gave a bow. "Of course. I will return to my men and prepare them. Please, take your time."

"I will send refreshments to you and your men." Ganondorf said as he began leaving the tent. Link stayed on the floor, looking occupied until both men had left. Then, he too stood, grabbed his boy, and hurried after his lover. He needed to speak with Ganondorf.

"Ganondorf!" he called out as he spied his lover's walking with fast strides away from him. The king slowed his steps, allowing Link to catch up. "What is it, love?" Ganondorf sighed.

"What's... going on?" Link asked and clutched the now half-slumbering Razo close. He didn't like to question his lover's decisions, and rarely felt the need to do so, but this was about his children's safety! "Why aren't we going to the Spirit Temple? Surely, the children will be safest there, safe from whoever attacked us."

Ganondorf frowned down on him, and it was obvious that he was not used to being questioned. Link just bit his lip nervously but steadily met his golden eyes. This was about his children, and he couldn't allow himself to be weak, not when it was about them.

"Link." Ganondorf said and closed his eyes to rub his forehead with another sigh. "Do not question me, not now. We'll have time to speak later, but not right now. Go round up the children and make sure they have everything they need, if you want to have something to do. If you're tired, go and rest for a few hours before we leave." His frown grew deeper. "Are you tired?" A large hand was extended, and rubbed Link's still completely flat stomach in soothing circles.

Link just backed away from the tender touch, a bit put off about his lover's words. "I'm fine." he said, maybe just a tad too harshly. "I'll go check the kids." An annoyingly patient and tender look was all he got from Ganondorf before the man left to tend to his business, and Link sighed. He shouldn't be angry with Ganondorf, really. The man was busy and Link did trust him the children. It was just... Link shook his head. He was just tired and worried.

What had they gotten themselves into...?