Every week they forgot about reality, they forgot about titles and heritage, and they played games as normal children would. Ganondorf made her laugh and dance with excitement when he impressed her with new magic every week. Each time Zelda continued to surprise him. She was far from naive, but somehow she saw the good in everyone, which made him believe there was good in him. Maybe she was the essence of wisdom the Triforce indicated.

Zelda found that when Ganondorf returned to meet with her every week, he resisted at first, and she would have to break through that barrier again and again. It made her wonder what his life at home was like, but she knew better than to ask on just their second or third meeting. The last thing she wanted to do was scare him away, especially when he treated her like a regular person. Most kids were afraid to play or tease, or act like an average person around her because she carried the title of princess. In that sense, she connected with Ganondorf, and one day she would share that with him.

"Wait, you have an attendant, someone that does everything for you?" Ganondorf asked, surprised.

"Indeed. She has become even more necessary since my mother passed away, but I still manage to clothe and feed myself," Zelda replied with a soft giggle, masking her sorrow.

He frowned. "That must have been difficult for you."

Changing the subject immediately, Zelda smiled. "So, I've told you all about what my father is like, now tell me about the witches. What were their names again?"

Zelda had packed a basket full of food and met Ganondorf at the lake as they discussed the differences and similarities in their lives. It was a nice hot day, so after swimming for an hour, they shared the picnic food on the lake's shore. There was soft butter bread and fruits and vegetables to share while the sun dried and warmed their skin. "Koume and Kotake, legends amongst the Gerudo and very powerful witches."

"And they raised you? Please, excuse my boldness, but are they your blood parents?" Zelda asked inquisitively, delicately biting off the end of a carrot.

"No. Koume said my mother died and like most Gerudo I do not know who my father is. Kotake would even boast that I was not conceived in the normal fashion," Ganondorf explained.

Zelda's eyes went wide at that, and she looked away to avoid upsetting him. It certainly would explain why he was the boy of the prophecy. "What do you believe?" She asked, trying to avoid her own suspicions.

Ganondorf searched himself for a few long moments to wonder what he really believed. "I am not sure, but it is interesting to think I may have been spawned from a demon or something," He finally said and chuckled.

"But you do believe there is goodness in you," Zelda said with hope.

"Because of you, yes. You have given me hope that not all people are bad."

She smiled warmly. "What have Koume and Kotake told you of the Triforce?"

"Such legend is often the topic of discussion with them. Ultimate power, they say. I don't know what to believe about all that," He admitted.

She knew he hid the rest from her, but it did her mission no good to pry. "And what about Hyrule? Did they tell you the legend of Hyrule?"

He looked at her inquisitively and swallowed the bite of apple he bit off after speaking last. "Hyrule was created by the same three goddesses who formed the Triforce. What else is there to know?"

"Only a few hundred years after the birth of Hyrule a demon attacked. The goddess charged with protecting Hyrule, with the help of a hero, was able to vanquish it, but it is said that one day the embodiment of evil and hate would return, to seek the Triforce and extract vengeance on the spirit of the goddess and the hero's descendant."

Zelda's voice was so haunting that chills traveled Ganondorf's spine with no end. Suddenly, his existence made perfect sense. Did he have the strength to change what would come? "The royal family protects Hyrule and the Triforce. Does the spirit of the goddess from centuries past reside within you?"

"It does. But because the prophecy speaks this tale does not mean it will come true. Together we can keep that demon from controlling you," Zelda pleaded, staring intensely into his eyes as if she searched his soul.

Ganondorf felt his gaze was locked with her eyes as if by magic. He knew that she searched for honesty. "You have nothing to fear, Zelda."

While he did not deny the fact that his goal was the Triforce he did manage to be honest. She smiled with determination, refusing to give up the fight, for Hyrule and for him. "Then I would like you to come to the castle town with me on our next visit." He immediately began to protest, but she reached over and put a finger over his lips. "Don't be afraid. I'll be with you. You need to experience for yourself how wonderful Hyrule really is," She persuaded.

After a few moments of silence, he nodded. "Next week then?" He asked, making sure the picnic basket was empty. The only remaining food was the bread squares Zelda threw for the birds.

She stood with the basket in her arm then he walked with her to their horses. "Yes, by the road to the desert."

They stood together between their horses that were tied securely to a small tree. It was quiet as Ganondorf tried to think of something more to say. There was nothing right for the moment, so he chose to allow his actions speak for him. They might have been worlds apart but she was his friend and he cared for her. He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. Before she could utter a word he turned, gracefully mounted his horse, and rode away.

Surprised, Zelda did not immediately have the words to say, and he was gone before she realized there were no perfect words.

When Zelda picked up the basket, Impa took it as her queue to hurry back to the castle. Impa had been there at every visit over the past year, watching how Ganondorf's demeanor changed from apprehension to admiration. Zelda became increasingly excited about her weekly excursions in Hyrule, much to the king's displeasure. At his request, Impa was to find out what was really going on, even though she assured him it was nothing. Usually, Impa was always hidden and never within ear shot, until that day. What she heard disturbed her. Zelda was so determined to prove that Ganondorf was capable of good deeds that she invited him into the town. Impa's breath caught in her chest. Perhaps hiding Zelda's true business from the king had been a mistaken. Was it time to confess and tell him the truth, or did she allow events to continue to play out? On the ride back to the castle, she decided to trust Zelda's inherited wisdom, but Impa would remain cautious on that day.