Sorry for the delay on chapter 2! This one took a bit longer haha. I was trying to determine how to get Ganondorf and Zelda situated as well as introducing three other main characters to the story in a cohesive way. Enjoy this lovely chapter! I need to start writing on chapter 3 but it's midnight atm for me haha so I'll probably start tomorrow. I've been in discord calls all week fangirling with people over Zelda coming up. Can't wait!
It was decently hot judging from the heat waves coming off of the ground, warming all of the rocks to an even hotter degree. Death Mountain was already hot. But this was just a SMOLDERING mess. Just what he loved!
Dokadama wasn't by any means a typical Goron, native to this region. Sure, he had been born here and sure, he roamed this land just as his brothers did. But he was free. Free to roam to his heart's content! And so he did. He fancied himself a sort of traveler, equipped with a bag to carry his books, writing utensils and whatever else he fancied to shove unceremoniously into there.
His arms were always wrapped in a soft brown wrapping while his chest laid bare, his rocky back contrasting a deep brown to his softer yellow-golden chest. His feet were wrapped much like his arms, leaving his toes bare. A matching scarf was curled around his neck while his wild ashen grey hair was bound up in a ponytail, matching his goatee, the fluff at his lower cheeks and his bushy eyebrows.
At his waist was a grey pair of shorts. A second pouch rested on his left hip, another place to store whatever he needed like snacks or special rocks.
His eyes, however, were a deep chocolate brown and he was always told he had a wonderful smile. A black reinforced metal drillshaft was strung across his back, his primary weapon and tool for his travels.
He made his way towards a little cave, inspecting the rocks here for a few moments. His head turned as he heard movement from outside the cave, feeling the vibrations of the ground.
Oh no. Something big was coming this way! He rushed to the entrance of the cave to see.. He blinked his chocolate eyes, alarmed at what he actually saw. A massive guardian scuttling around in a sporadic way as a young girl sat atop its head, her laughter filling the air. As she laughed and held out the guardian moved around like a massive spider, trying to reach up to grab her but unable to as she wiggled around.
He could study the young girl from his position. She was very young, she could easily be mistaken as a teenager but he could tell she was a young adult. She had long flowing red hair that curved around her small face that was braided with wide emerald eyes as well as the deep sun-kissed skin of the Gerudo people. She wore a typical garb for her people which was.. unusual to wear up here in Death Mountain.
"Hahaha! Ya big mechanical bug! Can't even grab little ol' me! Dumb robot!" Her soft voice was full of amusement as she laughed, clinging to the guardian's head.
"Hey, that's incredibly dangerous!" He called out, gaining the attention of the girl as she looked over to see a Goron staring at her from the edge of a cave's entrance. However just as she looked, so too did the guardian who began to charge the cave. "OH NO!" He tucked in his body and rolled just as a beam of energy soared past him, slamming into a wall and causing rocks to collapse. He rolled out as the guardian scuttled after him.
"Hey Goron, you dumb rock, roll fasta'!"
Shut up, dumb girl! She was going to get them both killed if she kept running her mouth. He growled as he rolled to the right and up a path, the guardian scuttling just behind him, covering more ground with its variety of legs. He pressed himself into a smaller ball, grunting as he felt himself hit a wall and go up it, launching him into the air.
The guardian stopped and tipped itself back as it focused its eye on him, charging its beam. He curled out of a ball before pulling forward his drillshaft, chucking it down with a well aimed throw, jabbing directly into the eye, causing sparks to fly. The guardian staggered as it lost its vision, twirling around with the drillshaft embedded into its head.
"Direct it over there!" He landed and pointed towards a patch of lava flowing off a cliff slope. She nodded and smacked its front, leaning down as she pulled his drillshaft free. She tossed it to him before smacking its front again.
"Come on you lug, follow my voice! I'm in fron' of ya, that's a good boy!" It scuttled forward. She pushed herself up and stood atop the head, balancing on it precariously before it walked over the edge and fell down into the pit of lava. She jumped as it fell, landing on solid ground with her hands on her hips.
She turned towards him and beamed a wide smile. "Thanks, Goron! Sorry about calling ya a dumb rock, adrenaline makes ya kind of say whatever. No hard feelings?" She walked over, not really giving him time to answer as she gasped, studying his modified black drillshaft. "Woah, that metal! That's not a standard design for a drillshaft, is it? Wow! That's awesome, rocky!" She poked it, feeling its texture. "An' durable, judging from how it feels! I'm impressed. Can ya fight?"
He lifted his hands, sighing heavily. "Deep breaths, kid! I can't answer or even comment if you rapid fire talk."
Her cheeks flushed and she shifted on her feet, rubbing her neck awkwardly. "Sorry, I'm just really excited." She held out her hand to him and cleared her throat. "Hello, my name is Elian! It's awesome to meet ya, rocky!"
He hesitantly took her smaller hand in his much larger one and shook it as gently as he could with a smile of his own. "Mine's Dokadama, but I prefer to just be called Dama. I'm a traveling Goron; I really love to study and learn as much as I can. I was actually checking out some nifty rock formations in that cave when you uhh.. brought your friend over." He gave a chuckle at that reminder.
Her green eyes widened. "Woah! A fellow traveler! That's awesome, rocky- I mean Dama! Sorry, my mouth likes to talk before I think. Please don't take anythin' I might ever say offensive, I don't intend to be!" She nervously twiddled her thumbs, looking sheepishly like a child at that moment.
"No harm done, Elian!" He patted her shoulder as gently as he could with a big smile. "What are you doing up here in the mountain? I haven't seen a Gerudo up here before. Normally you guys are all in the desert." He studied her, curious as to just WHY she was here. He was right, the Gerudo hadn't left their desert in quite awhile.. at least not that made others aware.
"I'm not really part of the tribe, sorry to disappoint." She gave a soft and yet sad smile. "I was kicked ou' a long time ago because of some antics I got into. Let's just say I caused a bit o' chaos." She nervously smoothed down her hair as she took a deep breath. He could tell this topic made her uncomfortable.
"I see! Well, you really shouldn't be riding on the heads of the guardians, Elian, it's very dangerous."
"Pssshh!" She blew a raspberry with her lips before rolling her emerald eyes. "I'm not scared of a metal spider. I was having a blast on it!" She gave a wild laugh. "Hey, I have an idea! Why don't you travel with me to Zora Domain! I hear they have UH-MAZING fish!" Her mouth started to drool a little at the literal thought of said fish. "I'm sure they have some tasty rocks!"
Well, he didn't really have any plans.. "Sure, why not friend!"
She started to jump up and down, her braided red hair swaying behind her as she grinned widely. "Awesome! Cool, cool! Let's go then! I'm starving and we should get there before nightfall!"
And so together the two set off for Zora Domain.. all the while fates had destined that the four future champions would cross paths soon.
After the Gerudo King was sealed away with the click of a door (at least for the night) Zelda pressed her back against the door, letting out a shaky sigh. She rushed over to her cream vanity, curling her fingers along the edge of the wood as she leaned over it, peering into her mirror with narrowed eyes. "No." She said stubbornly, out loud, as if to dissuade any notion that the Gerudo King was nice. She had heard stories about him. About his achievements.
About rallying the Gerudo band of thieves into a more cohesive tribe. About defeating the great King Molduga. About slaughtering the rogue Lizalfos that had attacked a group of traveling Hylians. That was just a few to name. As far as she could tell he was a savage, a brute and an issue; not just for the Hylians but for others. She had a bad feeling around him.. like he was a predator and she was some mouse he was going to trap beneath his boot at his earliest convenience.
She turned from her mirror, catching the sight of her sneering face and wanting to not see such an ugly expression. She went to the bathroom, cleaned her face and changed into her sleeping attire before heading to bed.
She woke up bright and early with a deep yawn as her drowsiness sometimes hung heavy for several hours. She got up, dressed and fixed her hair into an elegant braid before heading out to find her father. She wanted to keep a close eye on this 'budding' friendship between the two kings and to dissuade her father from any poor decisions influenced by drink.
She found her father seated at the throne with a folder of papers wedged between his knees; a glass of cider in one hand, a feathered pen in the other as his brows were knitted in concentration. He lifted his blue eyes up when he heard her approaching and smiled. "Ah, my sweet! Good morning, good morning. Come, come, we have much to discuss."
It was too early for conversation! But she quickly moved over to stand beside her father's side, peering at the papers he had on his legs. He gestured for her to set his glass down for him and so she did before she once again peered at the papers. "What are we to discuss this early, father?" She asked with an arched brow as she delicately pulled up a ground pillow to sit beside his throne.
He handed her a stack of papers. She read each carefully before eventually she discarded reading them in the entirety and rapidly skimmed them, her eyes widening with each. Her head darted up as she gasped, looking at her father.
"Those, as I'm sure you've understood by reading them, are the reports passed along by King Ganondorf last night as well as those received just this morning." Her father cleared his throat before flicking his cerulean eyes towards her. His tone had turned serious and he was being careful about his wording. "The Gerudo King has mentioned the reported attacks regarding the fanatics at the edge of the desert who have been attacking carriages containing Hylian civilians, Zora Mead, Goron Metals as well as miscellaneous whatnot. A report coming from our allies, the Zora King specifically, indicates several of their troops along their northern border between them and the Elden Region have gone missing, roughly around the Cephla Lake." He began to rub his chin in thought for a moment.
Her brows furrowed. She knew that look. It meant he had more to say but he was figuring out how to say it.
"However.." He paused, considering carefully. She waited patiently for him to continue before he nodded to himself. "Yes, yes, I have other business I must attend to today; you'll need to play host to our new friend and his people, more of which arrived this morning from what I've been told. I must ride to Death Mountain to meet with Chief Jesk. I won't be back until our business is concluded so do keep the peace in my absence, my sweet."
"But father-" He lifted his hand and pointedly looked at her with hardened eyes. She heaved a sigh before nodding her head to her father with a soft smile. "As you require of me. I will make sure to be hospitable to our guests." She said through gritted teeth.
He flashed her a smile before reaching for the reports he had given her, tucking them into his file before making a shoo'ing motion at her. "Go get you some breakfast."
"Fine, I'll get food." She got up and turned to leave, heading towards the door.
Her father's words however made her stop with a shiver racing up her spine. "Oh, yes, I'll be gone before King Ganondorf returns from greeting his people; please inform him that I was called away to tend to matters in the Elden Region, my sweet. I'll see you when I return."
She nodded but didn't turn, heading out towards the dining hall. A few hours passed and her father had departed, heading out to the mountain to go see Chief Jesk of the Goron. Chief Jesk was a fun Goron from what she recalled. Unlike other Gorons he was actually REALLY big and while most of his kind were some shade of brown and rocky he was more weathered, a slate grey kind of stone rather than rock. His back wasn't rocks but crystals of varying shades and sizes. He had the prettiest slate blue eyes with a smile that won over everyone despite his intimidating size.
She was disturbed from her memories of the chief as someone entered the hall; she was seated at one of the back tables and was munching on bread. However she saw a tall tan woman enter, scan the room before locking eyes with her. The woman flashed a sharp toothed grin before strolling over. As she came closer Zelda could make out that she was a Gerudo and decorated much like her king was with decorative golden ornaments on her limbs.
"Hello, hello, you must be the princess! Apologies, we meant to be here yesterday but we got held up by some horse complications, I'm sure you understand!" The woman was rapid fire speaking with that smile that didn't quite fit her dark face. "Gan said I should come greet the princess and said I'd recognize you out of a crowd and boy was he right! You look just like your mother!"
Zelda felt her eyes widen as she studied this strange and overly friendly Gerudo whom she did not even know the name of yet knew the similarities she held with her dearest mother.
"You.. knew my mother?" She asked hesitantly.
The Gerudo Lady was tall with flowing and straight sandy gold hair down to her butt, tips of them dipping into a deep fiery red hue that contrasted, reminding her of the sunset. She wore what seemed like dancer clothes; black, gold and decorated with little golden coin tassels. She had eyes of the deepest golden, much like her king and she could faintly make out some scars along her flesh. Gold markings curled along her shoulders, her stomach, on the upper hips, her collarbone and beneath her eyes in swirling patterns.
The lady frowned as she tilted her head a little. She then carefully sat down across from Zelda, her arms linked as she pressed them against the table between them. "Well, not exactly. She was friends with my mother, as funny as that sounds but this is before she married your father. She used to frequent our tribe during various festivals. She was a sweet lady who used to bring me sweets and bread from your land." She awkwardly cleared her throat, as if this topic was heading into waters that left her feeling uncomfortable. "But I'm not really here to talk about the past, now am I." She set her cool eyes on Zelda and in that moment Zelda could see the seriousness take over the woman. "I am the Gerudo elder and warrior Zaifana, King Ganondorf's second in command. You may just call me Zai during my time here."
Zelda nodded her head before slipping into her own professional persona, all grace and poise in that moment. "It is a pleasure to meet you." Not really her mind tacked on.
"Now that the formal introductions are out of the way!" Zai gave a loud yawn before she stretched. "I'd like to be shown your training grounds. Gan mentioned it this morning when we arrived, said I would be interested in observing it or something." She said with a scowl before moving to stand, stretching even more.
Just then Zelda saw her father's assistant standing nervously at the doorway that led towards the throne room. "If you head through that door-" Zelda pointed towards the mentioned door as she, too, stood. "-you'll find one of the Royal Knights in the area; one is always there. He can show you to the grounds. I'd join you but-" She pointedly looked towards the assistant and Zai's eyes followed her direction before the Gerudo nodded. "I'm sure we will have plenty of time to talk afterwards." I HOPE NOT...
"Of course, princess. Until then." With that the Gerudo went towards the door and slipped outside to find her way towards the training grounds.
Zelda, however, glared at the assistant before strolling over to her. The woman was young but brilliant and soft spoken. She often wondered why her father had selected her for the position but she was unwaveringly loyal to the royal family. "How can I assist you?" She asked the assistant of her father's, who blinked at her. The young woman handed Zelda some papers with a smile before turning to leave. She didn't really.. talk much.
The papers were just some requests put in by various people. She'd take them back to her room and deal with them in the morning. She headed towards her room and dropped the papers on her desk, but as she was leaving she saw Ganondorf leaving his room, his back to her. He didn't seem to notice for a few moments as he walked. She studied his back and she figured he must have felt a gaze on him as he stopped and stood there for a moment, slowly turning his head. "It's rude to stare, princess." He said just loud enough to be heard. "Join me?"
Her father had mentioned informing the Gerudo King that he would be absent for his duration at the mountain region.. Before she could talk herself out of it she walked over towards him, seeing the way his eyes focused on her as his head slowly turned when she arrived at his side. Silently the two walked towards what she presumed was the grand hall of the castle. And even then he kept walking in silence. It was kind of.. unnerving. "Are you wanting to visit anywhere during your stay?" She asked, flicking her emerald gaze towards him. His golden orbs met her eyes and studied her for a second as they walked before flicking ahead.
"I was supposed to meet with your father but his absence was noticed."
"Ah, yes, apologies; he had pressing matters to tend to in the Elden Region regarding some missing Zora, to meet with Chief Jesk of the Gorons. I don't know how long he'll be gone but I'm to act in his stead." She informed, infusing her tone with some composure in it despite how awkward and nervous she felt.
"I see. Then I will treat you as I would him. I request to be given access to roam the city. I wish to explore whatever it has to offer." His words caused her to blink as she stopped. He turned, pausing as well as he peered down at her. Her face was expressionless as she peered up at him, scanning his face. "Cat got your tongue, princess?" His lips twitched into a half smile as he watched her carefully.
"My father would allow your free exploration. However I will go with you so that I might provide insight and answer any questions you may have regarding anything you may be confused about or need clarification on." Also so I can keep an eye on you..
"A graceful courtesy of you, princess, but I do not wish to keep you for hours if you have other matters you need to tend to." His lips twitched even higher, enjoying her discomfort a little.
She shook her head. "My schedule has been cleared. I'm free to be your guide." As much as she didn't want to be..
"Wonderful. I would be honored for you to accompany me, princess." He held out his arm for her to link around as the pair walked towards the castle doors to head outside.
"I met your second in command some time ago. She seems.. pleasant."
Ganondorf, by her side, chuckled. The sound was nice despite how uncomfortable he made her. "Zai is a hard woman to read, don't worry. She unsettles nearly everyone. But she's one of the most brilliant people I've ever come across. Intelligent, cunning and protective of our people. A warrior through and through. She's been by my side since I took full lead as king to our people." He rumbled in a soft voice as he lifted his free hand to scratch his neck.
"I see. If you do not mind my asking, how long do you wish to enjoy the hospitality of our kingdom?"
He gave her a cryptic look as if her question had caught him off guard. He smirked at her before shifting his gaze back ahead. "I have a few things I wish to see and to understand as well as to forge an alliance with your great kingdom. So however long all of that requires."
Hm. A fascinating answer. She flinched as he adjusted his arm, drawing her closer. She staggered and fell into his side as his movement had caused her to be tugged. She corrected herself with a startled squeak, her cheeks blushing a light pink at the embarrassing moment.
"Apologies, princess. I am used to having company close so as to better protect them." He offered smoothly as she turned her head away. She didn't like being this close to the king. "Now, I have a question. I understand there are a lot of old structures, care to name some for me?"
This perked up her interest as history, culture, geography and architecture were some of his favored subjects. He led her down the stairs and out towards the city just beyond and so she went about explaining various structures and the history behind them, her free arm animatedly gesturing here and there in indication. Ganondorf surprisingly gave her his full attention and for some reason.. that made her feel a certain way. No one really listened to her.. at least not with this level of interest in what she was saying.
As they turned a corner they saw a structure up ahead on a hill some ways from the city and it was a beautiful chapel styled structure with a high arching tower set at the back. Instantly she felt a shift in Ganondorf's demeanor as his eyes locked on the structure. "What is that one, princess?" He asked with unbridled interest, eyes sparkling with some emotion she couldn't decipher.
"The Temple of Time." She answered softly as she slowed her steps a little. However he kept walking and she was forced to keep up with his longer strides.
"I wish to see it."
"I don't think father would lik-" Before she could finish her sentence he flashed her a smile and began to head in that direction. A shiver raced down her spine. Something was telling her not to go that direction however he pulled her along with him as he went towards it.