A/N: I would like to thank Skyrim and the Shifting World series by Philippa Ballatine.

WHEN GANONDORF ENTERED the castle five days later, his whole torso was in a constant state of aching. He would have noticed the relief work all over the grand entrance hall if he hadn't been concentrated on walking forward and not falling on his face. There was a new determination about him to represent the Gerudo in a formidable way, to impress not only the King but the people of Castle Town. The Gerudo guards were not allowed to accompany them inside the castle, so it was just the three of them following a young Hylian named Marko. He led them down a wide corridor off to the left of the hall, into a small room lit with dim candlelight and occupied by several guards. There was a large table with a map of Hyrule in the center of the room, small flags placed in certain spots. Racks of weapons lined the walls, as well as lockers for the knights. Behind the table stood a tall, handsome man with dark brown hair and wearing a knight's armor. He looked up at the visitors with a pleased smile.

"Ah! There you are!" he said cheerily, and Ganondorf narrowed his eyes. "It's been quite some time, hasn't it?" He walked forward, around the table. "Koume and Kotake Dragmire." Holding both their arms, the man kissed them on the cheek. The women smiled, but said nothing.

Ganondorf was appalled at such blatant behavior of informality. But he too held his tongue.

"And you must be Lord Ganondorf," said the knight. He stood before the prince and bowed slightly. "My name is Commander Vincent of the district Erudone. It's a pleasure to meet you." He straightened and held out a hand. Somewhat puzzled, Ganondorf took it with a firm shake.

"The pleasure is mine," he said emotionlessly.

"You must tell me," said Vincent a little quietly, leaning in closer to the prince. "What is it like being an eighteen-year-old prince in a territory of mostly..." He paused, eyes glinting curiously. "Shall we say, pansexual women?" He grinned.

Ganondorf stared, eyes wide. The stereotypes attached to the Gerudo in this place were quite astonishing. After a confused moment he said, "Oh, I... It's nice."

Vincent let out a bellowing laugh, clapping Ganondorf on the back. "I imagine so. And with this beautiful woman as a mother, it's hard to imagine you have difficulty with the ladies." Ganondorf only chuckled smilelessly. "Right then. I suppose you are wondering why you aren't looking at the King right now."

"It crossed my mind," said Ganondorf.

"Well." Vincent clapped his hands together, walking around to the other side of the table. "We have some political issues to discuss before your viewing. I'm sure Azaroon has filled you in."

Ganondorf wanted to smack this man for speaking so informally about high status citizens of the Gerudo. "She did speak of the talk around Castle Town."

"All of Hyrule, in fact," said Vincent. He gestured to the map on the table. "We've sent scouts to nearly every corner of the country to determine where allegiances lie, save for the Gerudo Desert of course, since no one can traverse those sands without the help of a native. The red flags indicate those who oppose the King, and the gold flags represent those who support unification under one banner. As you can see, the country is rather divided in the issue." He pointed to the area known as Zora's Domain. "The Zoras kept quite the isolated existence until we announced our plan for unification. After Faron's Hurricane, they believed the flooding to be a sign that the region belonged to them and them alone, so they are rather reluctant to share." He moved north to point out Death Mountain. "Death Mountain has become home to a settlement of Gorons, from our northern neighbors of Goronia. The colony has grown rather immensely into a city, and all we ask is that the region become an official province of Hyrule. But the Gorons are determined to remain tied to their homeland and do not wish to pledge fealty. There are, as you see, several districts of that city that are for unification, but the majority lies with the opposition."

Kotake held out a hand, interrupting Vincent's stream of explanations. "May I ask why you are telling us this?"

Vincent stopped, smiling at the Gerudo. "It is vital for our western neighbors to know the facts before making a life-changing decision."

Ganondorf's jaw set. Now he understood. He understood why Hylian knights were position at the ready all around them, why they had been taken here first, before entering the presences of the King. They wanted to make sure the Gerudo were indeed allies before risking King Daltus's life to these "thieves."

Vincent smiled, no warmth in his eyes. "The Gerudo warriors, although isolated as you are, have an incredibly prominent military standing," he said. "Our future courses of action heavily depend on where you stand with this issue."

Koume stepped forward. "What if we choose neither side?"

"I advise otherwise," said Vincent. "There are many disadvantages to abstaining from participation in a war directly on your doorstep."

"You believe war is coming?" said Kotake.

Vincent looked at her, a rather sly smile on his lips. "I guarantee it."

Ganondorf's brow furrowed slightly. His heart had begun pounding furiously, the ache in his chest growing stronger.

Koume leaned forward toward Vincent, saying in a hushed tone, "He is only a boy, Commander. You are really asking him to speak on behalf of his people?"

The room began spinning.

"He will be your leader in a matter of years, will he not?" said Vincent. "We must know now where his loyalties lie."

At that moment, the door to the tactics room opened, and the castle steward entered. "Commander, Ambassador Azaroon wishes to enter."

Ganondorf stumbled backward, slamming his back against the wall as his face contorted in pain. Koume and Kotake had rushed over to hold him, but he barely noticed. As soon as his eyes shut, all he could see was blackness, and an immense, burning wall of flames.

When Ganondorf opened his eyes, he was on a comfortable bed mat in a warmly-lit room. A wonderful aroma of incense flowed around him, and he sat up cautiously. His robes had been removed, and his chest was bare. When he looked down at it, he could see multiple wounds where he had been clawing at himself viciously. But between the scabs were faintly pulsing black veins, as if his blood had turned to tar in in his chest.

"How are you feeling?"

Ganondorf looked around to see a younger woman seated at the far end of the room. She had golden hair and fair skin, and was wringing a rag in hot water.

"Fine, I suppose," said the Gerudo.

The girl smiled. "Good. You were unconscious for quite some time." Her voice was soft and sweet, like flower petals. She stood, bringing the warm rag over to Ganondorf. Kneeling beside him, she pressed the rag to his chest. He inhaled at the sting, but it soon soothed the pain.

"Thank you," he said quietly. He watched the girl rub the wet towel across his chest, blonde hair tucked behind her pointed ears. His eyes slid down the curve of her neck, across her breasts, and down the slim length of her arm to the hand on his chest. She was an image of purity to the Hylians, a sweet young girl who not only resembled their precious Goddess in appearance, but also had soothing hands and a knack for healing and aromatherapy. Ganondorf was the opposite, an image of mutation and ruggedness with his dark and calloused skin. She was innocence and beauty. And all Ganondorf wanted in the world at that very moment was to destroy that image. He wanted to force himself upon her until she was no longer a sweet girl but a soiled, imperfect, and entirely ruined thing. It was her radiant innocence that made him want her all the more fiercely.

The girl looked at his chest, tracing the black veins with the wet rag. "I don't know what it is," she said. "I've never seen anything like it."

"It's not the first time it's happened," said Ganondorf. "Once when I was a boy, they appeared."

"Does it hurt?" she said.

"No," said Ganondorf. The girl lifted her other hand to touch a vein with her delicate fingers. The Gerudo inhaled, tensing every muscle in his body so not as to pull her against him.

"Sorry." The girl pulled her hand away with a nervous laugh just as the door opened and Koume and Kotake entered in a flustered hurry.

"My boy," said Koume, kneeling beside the prince. The girl stood, straightening her skirts. Koume's face was ragged with worry. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, Mother, I'm fine," said Ganondorf. "What happened?"

"We were hoping you could tell us," said Kotake. "After you began attacking yourself, you seemed to lose all consciousness. It wasn't long before you passed out, and we took you to the castle infirmary."

"You were out three days," said Koume.

Ganondorf looked down at his chest. "I have no idea what came over me." He glanced up at the girl, who was watching while she rinsed the rag.

Kotake stood. "You, girl, please give us a minute alone." The girl nodded, making a hasty exit.

"Ganondorf," said Koume quietly, "I know this was a lot to learn. You're barely a grown man and the King of the Hylians wants you to side with him in a possible war. It's too much for a young prince."

"Do not underestimate me, Mother," said Ganondorf. "I am aware of and accept this responsibility as future King of the Gerudo."

Kotake smiled, but Koume only looked concerned. "You don't become King for another seven years."

"Perhaps it should be sooner," said Ganondorf. "I know I am still young but I am the prince of the Gerudo. I am supposed to bring prosperity to our people. Wouldn't you want that sooner rather than too late, after a war has desecrated our people?"

"He has a valid point," said Kotake.

"You both forget who the ruler here is," Koume snapped. The red jewel atop her forehead glinted in the candlelight. "I will ultimately decide what is best for our people."

Ganondorf said nothing. He never thought he would wish to become King earlier than anticipated. But something stirred his thoughts, as if something were reawakening within him.