Chapter XI – The Gallant Gladiator
The week passed by sooner than Ganondorf had expected. Still early in the morning he left his room and searched his way to the training hall which Link had shown him before. Once Ganondorf entered the anteroom, Link greeted Link. "Good morning. Seems like you can find your way across the castle. It's a huge difference compared to the arena, isn't it?" Ganondorf responded with a grumble and even though Link kept his straight face, he sighed. "But you're still not a big talker."
"I can't remember someone saying I'm here for talking. It's a waste of time I can use for more meaningful tasks." Even though he liked Link to some degree, it did not mean he intended to make friends. He never had before and albeit this was not the arena where it was possible he had to fight somebody he could have gotten close to, he saw no meaning in changing it.
"We must do something against your reticence. You're not a loner anymore, Ganondorf. In the army, fellowship is important, maybe even more important than swordsmanship." Ganondorf looked in disbelief at Link. "Because on our battlefields, you only survive as a team."
"Yeah, fine," responded Ganondorf when he let his view wander across the room. It had a table with chairs for about twenty people in the middle, probably meant for instructions. Rackets and shelves with weaponry and armor of different types stood on the stony walls. His eyes caught an armor in his size.
"Is this mine?" Ganondorf pointed at the only armor that could fit him.
"I would appreciate it if you take my words seriously and don't switch topics."
Ganondorf remained unconcerned. "I take it as a 'yes'." He walked towards the armor.
"Ganondorf. Just because unlike the guards back at the arena I don't smack you down or give others the command to do so when you choose to ignore my orders or my person, doesn't mean I let it pass." Ganondorf turned around. Although still calm, Link sounded unusually harsh and resolute. "If you ever intend to become more than just a substitute who spends all day long in the castle, you have to learn how to respect authority. And especially how to follow their orders. I'm certain that Highgeneral Aldar has told you that loyalty is one if not the most important aspects of a knight, hasn't he?"
Wordless, Ganondorf stared at Link but like he himself, this one had no intentions in backing down first. Link was determined and stood his ground regardless of whom he faced, that much he got. Ganondorf turned his head away after a while because it was probably not the best idea to act rebellious right at the start. Still, he loathed it to defer himself to the inferior position, yet he should try to do it as long as he had not achieved what he wanted.
"Then, Mr. Lieutenant Link, tell me your orders," said Ganondorf though his dismissive manner had not vanished when he added provocatively, "We'll see if I care to follow them."
"Cut out the last sentence and we have a solid base. Now, get your armor and sword and follow me into the hall. There I will introduce you to your comrades." Link pointed at the pile of metal Ganondorf had intended to go to before. "You should remember them. By their true name, of course. Not some self-made up ones like squirt."
Ganondorf followed Link to the training ground. A large one that offered a good place to hone one's fighting skills and had enough room to improve the body condition as well. The moment he entered, about twenty men trained in the hall with dummy weapons against each other or against wooden puppets, albeit a few used solid steel. In the back area some soldiers shot arrows at targets, others again trained their stamina. Even though it reminded him of his old days in the arena, he felt much more comfortable inside these walls.
"All of you, get together, please!" shouted Link through the hall. The clashing of swords silenced and the heads of the men turned around to their superior. "I have to introduce you a new member who will be a part of our division as of today."
The men gathered around Link and Ganondorf. Curiously they observed him and their expression ranging from fascination to disgust. He could very well imagine why they reacted this way. They all shared a similar appearance, indicating they must all belong to the same or a closely related race. He though did not look at all like them since they were all smaller in size, less sturdy and not even one had red hair. Though the most prominent feature were their ears. Long and pointy.
"This is Ganondorf, a former gladiator here on Highgeneral Aldar's personal behalf. Because of this, he already possesses good swordsmanship. I can only encourage all of you to not get lazy around him just because he's new to the army," introduced Link him to his men. "That said, I want him to be treated and respected like any other, regardless of his background or any other differences." He looked into the round. "Is there anything left to say?"
The men shook their heads except for one who brought up what probably all the others thought as well but did not want to speak about. Ganondorf assumed he was the one with the most disgusted face and unfortunately, his hair grew too short to cover it. "He isn't a Hylian or any of our relatives, is he? Why would Highgeneral Aldar include someone who isn't of our blood? And especially one who looks like an outlaw?"
Before Link had a chance to react, Ganondorf answered in a disdainful voice, "I've only been here since a few minutes and you're already get on my nerves. And to answer your question: No, I'm not a Hylian or anything like that, but when I see you, I'm glad I don't belong or are even related to you in any way."
The face of the man darkened. "That's a coincidence because I can agree that your arrogance is already obnoxious after that small amount of time. If you want, you can feel the edge of my blade." His hand slid down to the rift of his sword.
Ganondorf grinned. "Then show me what you've got. I've put other calibers than you to silence." The others stepped aside when they noticed the dangerous glare in both men's eyes.
"Stop this immediately!" Link stepped between both of them. "Ganondorf, we had that talk before and I don't like to repeat myself." Link stared at him before he turned his head around to the other man. "And you, Esbern, I've expected more from you. Didn't I teach you to calm your temper and don't let yourself getting enraged by words alone? It lowers your defense, making it easy for your enemy to exploit it, resulting in injuries or even death."
Esbern lowered his voice and put the sword back before he added ruefully, "My apology, lieutenant. I let my feelings overcome my mind. It's just that it's rare we have any foreigner here." He glared towards Ganondorf.
"To which tribe does he belong then?" asked another curiously after the mood had calmed down again.
"I don't know, neither does he. He suffers from amnesia," answered Link calmly. He seemingly did not want that Ganondorf answered again in his arrogant fashion. "But this is only related to his past, not to his abilities in combat. Therefore, as I said, don't get lazy around him. Now, is there anything else?" He looked over his men who shook their heads. "Then go back to your training schedule."
They headed again to their places and continued their training while Ganondorf stayed by Link's side. "What was this about?" asked Link bugged when he looked up to him, the annoyance visible in his eyes.
Ganondorf remained unimpressed. He felt nothing wrong in his reaction. "Your men have a lot of prejudices. Quite obnoxious. Maybe you should teach them how to act properly and not me."
Link grumbled irritated and put his view off of Ganondorf. Soon returned back to his sober behavior. "I'm afraid we both have a really long road ahead of us." He faced Ganondorf again and got more serious when he continued, "Let me tell you again. No matter how strong you might be, with this behavior you won't get very far here. Even though it probably would be better, I don't want to punish you on your first day. But if you act like this again, you will feel the consequences. Is this clear to you?"
"Yeah, all right. Now, will something happen here or do we talk all day long?" In some way he was used to menacing and also punishment, yet it never changed his mind.
Link breathed out loud. "You're really scratching the limits of my patience, Ganondorf. But you'll train with me because I'm not sure if my men can handle you. And I'm not talking solely about your swordsmanship."
The days which Ganondorf spent in lessons of socializing and training with Link in combat flew by and soon a whole month had passed. It was the complete opposite of the days as a gladiator as those felt like they would never end. Back then, there was no diversion, always the same environment and similar tasks and duties. And the constant threat of death.
The men of the division became familiarized with him. His foreign appearance still remained a topic of conversation which sometimes ended in a fight, especially with Esbern. Even though Link cautioned and punished him when he crossed the borders too far again, his rebellious and naughty nature was nothing he could get out of Ganondorf. With that he failed as miserably as the guards back at the arena.
Despite all his differences, they accepted and respected him for his skills and power for he excelled many if not all of them in these terms. Though he truly enjoyed this as he was never treated this way ever before and only had to function, one day after another. Otherwise, if he denied, he would have been murdered without further questions.
As for Link, even though Ganondorf did not believe it at first, he found a true liking on him. Albeit they clashed more than once into each other with their different views of being a knight and their fighting style, Link showed respect towards him even though he was the superior. To his surprise, he was even allowed to correct or disagree with him without suffering from heavy consequences like back in his old life as long as he did not go overboard and acted overly disobedient.
Ganondorf realized this was because Link saw and treated him as human with his own personality and not a slave or even a tool. Probably also a reason that he, even though he still loathed it, was a little more willing to subordinate himself to Link's orders without too much reluctance.
Another day came on which Ganondorf's sword crossed the blade of Link's when their training season came earlier to an end than usual. "You're again visiting the queen?" Ganondorf raised an eyebrow. Link often mentioned he was going to see her, even in a way as if they knew each other very well. "I thought this woman is such an important and busy person with few time, yet she spends it on meeting the same guy again and again. What's that between you two?"
Link sheathed his sword before he responded, "That's a long story. I doubt you have the patience to listen to the whole one. To keep it short and simple to not bore you out, we're friends since childhood when she was still a princess. We spent many hours together back then. To the chagrin of others, who loathed that a mere forest boy even dared to look at royalty and even worse, spoke to her. But since her father, the deceased king, allowed it and Aldar stood on my side as well, they couldn't prevent it." A smile appeared on his lips. "That was my luck."
Ganondorf sneered. "That's a useful friend. Enviable. She could make you king one day, then you wouldn't have to follow anybody's orders and command them instead."
Link's expressions darkened. "You shouldn't narrow down friendship to usefulness. It's rude at its best, but I rather call it despicable to its core."
"If you think so," responded Ganondorf, uninterested and turned around to continue training with the dummy in front of him. "Do whatever you want. Though it's wasted time if you don't want to become king. And don't complain if you can't keep pace with me when you always leave early because of sentiments like that."
He heard a deep sigh before Link said in a desperate mood, "Sometimes I wonder if you're truly that confident of yourself or only pretend to be." Ganondorf did not answer him when he slashed his sword into the puppet. "And I furthermore wonder if it is a wise choice of Her Majesty to instruct me to ask you if you want to come with me today."
Ganondorf stopped in his movement and faced Link again when he said menacingly, "Are you mocking me? I tell you, I don't like it if jokes are made at my expense."
Link remained unimpressed and answered in his relaxed manner, "I can assure you that I don't. But as I said, I'm not sure if it was a good idea of her. Especially since you call it 'wasted time'. If you choose to come nonetheless, you have to watch your words and behavior. If you can't, either be quiet and stay in the back or even better, don't come in the first place. Don't forget that unlike me she's royalty and you need to treat her as such. No exceptions. Not even one. Is that clear to you?"
His intonation showed that he was absolutely serious about what he said. The words did not impress Ganondorf but he was all along curious what person the queen might be. Without much hesitation, he agreed to come with him.
Ganondorf followed him through the corridors and Link used the time to remind him how to behave in front of the queen. Ganondorf only listened with one ear. He was more interested in his surroundings as he saw a part of the castle he had never visited before. It was better guarded than the rest, but the soldiers immediately parted when they saw Link. Seems he was a respected member of the army and a well-known friend of the queen.
They reached an elaborate ornamented door at the end of a corridor. Link stopped and turned around one last time. "Ganondorf, from now on, mind your manners. It will reflect a bad light on me and my men if you behave the way you do normally."
Ganondorf nodded when he watched how the soldiers in front the door stepped apart and let him and Link enter. He did not notice much of the chamber when he saw the woman sitting at the window, with her back towards them. He got a very bad feeling about it when he looked at her long blonde hair.
She stood up, turned around and even though her face remained serious, her voice was smooth. "Link. I am delighted to see your presence and the one I have asked you about."
Link stepped towards her, greeting friendly in return. Ganondorf stood rooted to the spot without moving or even saying a single word. His mood worsened from one second to the next after he had seen her. It was a rare time he felt that low but Aldar's words echoed remorselessly through his head, "She's far out of your league." Now he knew why he said that about this one woman. Because she was royalty. And not only some royalty, she was the sovereign of the kingdom. The Queen of Hyrule.