The daunting man behind her, Ganondorf, was a lot taller than she recalled. He was beyond the height of any of her men. His infernal red tresses wafted in the gentle breeze, holding the same vibrant color as his beard hair . Though, what caught her attention the most from the close distance is the thrumming glow beneath those molten gold eyes. There was something there, something hidden, but Zelda had no time to dwell on it. She quickly adjusted herself and stepped away from the Gerudo, almost not noticing just how tenderly he held her. It wasn't out of inconvenience then, him assisting her. He would simply usher her along if had no care at all. That was a pleasant sign enough. The young Queen bowed before the Gerudo King. "My Lord Mandrag Ganondorf." She called out in Gerudo, the exasperation from the battle just prior still evident in her voice. A quiet chortle escaped Ganondorf's lips, which caused Zelda to tilt her head back upward. She gave the man a quizzical glance, uncertain of how to interpret his laughter. Did she read him wrong? No, he had no heavy aura about it, and she like to think she had a rather good read on people. He lifted his hand up innocently, as if to beckon Zelda to drop the formalities.
"My, my, my...I'm astounded the Queen of Hyrule is also versed in combat. I commend you for the fight, as well as your introduction. There are not many of you who can speak my name proper, let alone in Gerudo. I thank you, but the title is not necessary." He replied, a strange smirk on his lips as he spoke to her. After all, this was Zelda. His Zelda. Patience was a virtue, especially when his own excitement for the Triforce caught up to him. "Feel free to use your variant, Ganondorf Dragmire. I take no offense to it, though, I would very much like it if you merely call me Ganondorf, my Queen."
"Of course," She replied, straightening her posture as Ganondorf captured her right hand with his and brought it to his defiantly grinning lips. A kiss was placed on her knuckles, causing the woman to falter to a degree. Only a minuscule detail, but one the man noted. "I shall, if you deem it fair to address me similarly."
"Certainly, Zelda." His voice rolled off like plush velvet, causing her to shiver involuntarily. Though, right at the same time, rain began to fall across the land in torrents. The nearby soldiers retreated to the barracks reserved for the Hylian guard—which is where they had taken Impa to be examined—leaving the two leaders alone. Ganondorf glanced skyward and gruffed loudly at the falling droplets all around them. "Rain has always been a strange feeling." He mused quietly, more to himself than her, but Zelda picked up on the mumbling. Without wasting a moment Zelda quickly led them inside using the main entrance that she had came from when the battle began. Once inside, Zelda turned her attention back to the Gerudo lord beside her. He was formidable looking, certainly stoic, as she recalled. That much hasn't changed. She opened her mouth to speak, but he insisted on controlling the conversation instead.
"I apologize for not attending the pyre of your father," Ganondorf began, catching Zelda off guard instantly. Her heart thumped hard in her chest at the mention of her deceased father, out of sincere sadness and breathtaking surprise that he would personally give her any sort of condolence. "I knew him for a very long time. Perhaps you may succeed him in ways he could not in his lifetime. You are his child, after all, I have high hopes for your aspirations."
"Yes, though aspirations will have to look after themselves as I play catch-up, so to speak. I do apologize that you arrived during a conflict. I trust you and your people are safe?"
"My forces are stationed outside your city walls, setting up camp. Had I known there were an altercation, I'd have sent in reinforcements. My apologies, your Grace." He bowed apologetically, albeit he cared little for the men she may have lost, if any. The Hylian guard were a joke to him and his Gerudo. He returned to a normal posture and smiled down at the Queen, noting how the light colors she wore complimented her. Out of all the Zelda's he's seen and heard of, she was—by far—the fairest. Though, I was not his business to make note of it. "You have called me here with reason, Zelda. You wished to discuss an allegiance. I am more than happy to discuss those plans with you, but I must insist you rest up some."
At this, Zelda's face brightened in confusion. "Why is this?" She asked curiously, watching as Ganondorf's expression darkened with grave sincerity.
"The most seasoned of war veterans do not survive battles, only to throw themselves into the next battle without caution, let alone rest. The same thing may be said about politics. I will take no offense and—truly, I do—insist that you prepare yourself for our negotiations. Perhaps dinner tonight?"
"Oh...yes, of course, you're right." Zelda responded, nodding slowly as he spoke. The cogs began to turn in her head, and she was quite grateful that he hadn't been put off by her worn form. His words held no malice, so she had little choice but to agree with his suggestion. "If I may, I'd like to show you to your personal quarters. It's the least I could do, nor would it be out of my way, as you'll be housed in the guest room just beside mine."
Ganondorf exhaled through his nose at this development. So, she had already made plans for him to have a comfortable stay. That thought caused a knowing darkness, a knowing deviousness within him to linger in his eyes, though it was just out of Zelda's reach of understanding. If she were not so tired from the battle before this, she might have had more energy to pick up on the subtle flicker in his eyes or the way his mouth twitched into a curved smirk. Instead, the Gerudo King pulled her hand close within his and nodded firmly, a grumbling breath escaping him. "Please, lead the way, Zelda." He insisted, his golden ores burning holes into her endless bright blue eyes. Passing servants could not help but glance towards the suspicious pair. Oh, if only she knew the way he was looking at her. It was as if she was the ocean, and he's desperate to drown. Yet, none would breath a word about it, none less the Queen and her 'guest'. Without another word from either, Zelda led the way towards her wing of the castle, where her private quarters were. Along the travel, she had asked Ganondorf about his troops and if they would like to stay within the city walls. He declined her generous offer, despite her kindhearted insisting. He explained that the Gerudo preferred to remain outdoors, in the open. The way he spoke about how it made them feel safer, not being trapped within walls, Zelda couldn't help but feel jealous. It sounded so liberating, living in the desert. Nothing but the endless sky and the soothing sands all around. It must be an awfully serene place compared to her little kingdom. Of course, the desert had its downfalls, such as its harsh environment. It did not stop her from professing her desire to travel to the Gerudo Desert in the future to Ganondorf. At this revelation, Ganondorf slowed in his pace considerably and eyed the Queen in silent disbelief. He was caught off guard at her desires. Never had she seemed so welcoming before. It would make betrayal all the more taxing, when the time came for it. Before Zelda could ask about his sudden surprise, Ganondorf continued walking and was quick to change the subject to something else.
In short time, they had arrived to the furthest edge of the western wing of the castle. All the way down the hall were three doors, one at the end of the hallway and a door on either side of the hall. She stopped leading them as they came to their destination. She smiled warmly and gestured towards the doors with her free hand. "The door behind me," she explained, pointing to the door that created the end of the hallway. "It is my bedroom quarters. The door to the left here is the guest room, and the other a door to a private bathroom. This wing is reserved for royalty only, as well as traveling guests. Seeing as you compromise both those things, you are more than qualified to make yourself comfortable." Zelda explained with a quiet laughter, a heartwarming smile on her lips. Ganondorf etched the image into his mind and was unable to suppress his own smile. Although he was here with secretive, malicious intent, his body acted of its own volition. The man glanced over to his new living quarters and nudged the door open, a bit surprised by the ornate appearance of the bedroom. He gave his hostess and incredulous look, mixed with amusement and confusion.
"Such a grand bedroom for me, you really shouldn't have." He quipped, a playful tone hanging off his words.
"It was actually my bedroom for quite some time. It was only recently furnished for guest housing after my father's passing." She replied truthfully, only to realize that the mention of her father might bring a damper to their mutually appealing conversation. She was quick to pick up to the same beat Ganondorf was playing with. "I suppose you're rather lucky I moved onto better real estate before your stay with us in Hyrule."
"Heh, that I am." He replied, appreciating how she shifted the atmosphere away from what he knew would darken the light inside her. It was admirable and—he couldn't lie—impressive that she was charismatic enough to avoid such awkward situations. An intelligent young woman indeed, certainly worthy of the Triforce of Wisdom. He'd have to bring up the old lore with her in passing at some point during his stay. That all would have to wait until the evening. With a certain finality to his actions, Ganondorf brought the hand he still held all this time—why neither let go was beyond him—to his lips to press one last kiss to her hand. The kiss was chaste, but Zelda would remember it. "My Queen Zelda, please regain your energy until dinner. I eagerly anticipate our future conversations, politics aside."
"And I as well." She replied with a curtsy, bobbing her head low as she gave her respect to the Gerudo King. Admittedly, Ganondorf was growing fond of Zelda. She was smart enough to not take everything at face value, brave enough to fight off unknown monsters despite not being a potent warrior, and she held enough wit to make her humorous and pleasant in conversation. She was nothing near a shivering, sobbing mess that Princesses and Queens have been known to be like. No, nothing of the sort. It wasn't that she was void of emotions, she merely mastered her heart in a way that was beyond interesting to him. She was well rounded, if he did say so himself. It may not mean much, but the claim was an honest one, but it was one that he kept to himself. Without another moment wasted, Ganondorf turned and left the Queen alone in the hall as he retreated to his bedroom, but now without a courteous bow directed at her before the door had shut. Zelda frowned as she was greeted with the wooden panels of his bedroom's doorway. Worn or otherwise, Zelda knew something was not quite right. This man was a curious case, a mystery waiting to be unraveled. Whether he came with good intentions or not was beyond her, though her logical mind knew it could not be out of the goodness of his heart. The man was charming, but he was not impossible to read. Once dinner came, she would be able to receive more information on his cause and potentially his ulterior motives for being here in Hyrule. The woman sighed as she sent a final wayward glance towards the guest bedroom, eyeing the door in a seldom seen fashion for the Queen. She yearned for adventure, for something exciting and mysterious to happen. Ganondorf was just this thing, and it would be the biggest shame if he turned out to be a vexation on her, let alone her kingdom. Still, she had no choice but to play the part and throw thinly made trust at him. As she entered her bedroom with the simple push of her right hand, a gentle glow burned from her hand, unnoticed and unseen by all. It was quick to wane, but the reason on its reaction was clear; It sensed another piece of the Triforce, and it yearned to be reunited again.