Chapter XXXIV – Old Friends

Ganondorf drank some ale. Such a good feeling to take a rest from his journey across the desert in this small village. With that magical robe disguising his origin and armor, he did not need fear to stumble into trouble, at least not any time soon. Though he had no doubts he could take down a few Hylian soldiers or other foes at once, he had no desire to test it. If that rat Aldar had taught him anything it was that he should wait and take proper preparations before rushing into battle.

He put down the jar and flipped upon the diary that once belonged to Garland. Ganondorf groaned at such a hard read. Thanks to the hags, he knew that Garland had put down a lot of his research in this little book. The former king had also made sure no one besides him could decipher it. For anybody without the proper knowledge, it just read like a drama of a woman desiring an unreachable man, written so poor, no one could endure to go farther than the first few pages.

Annoyed, Ganondorf leaned back and looked at the jewel laying beside the book. He had read about it in the diary and Garland claimed it was the key leading to the Sacred Realm, the home of the Golden Power. When he searched for the jewel in Garland's room, it felt like ages before he finally found it stuffed behind all those books and documents. Now that he held it, he had no idea what to do with it.

One last gulp and Ganondorf emptied his jar. Time to go, he had rested enough. Even now it was not wise to stay in one place for too long. He doubted that he could venture around without trouble, not after only a year of his attempted slaughter. He left the pub silently, after he had made sure his disguise still worked.

Outside, he felt the wind nagging on his hood and the troubles on his mind. Three days had passed since he had settled off from the desert and with every other passing, he felt more disturbed by the thought of returning to the arena. Such a disgusting place.

As Ganondorf walked along the path he could not shake off the feeling of being watched. Carefully he looked around, no need to make any follower aware he noticed them. He found none, even after he had taken a detour into a smaller passage. With a laughter, he shrugged it off. His imagination truly had become a tricky one ever since he had become a deadly wanted man.

Finally the air of the wild greeted him. Only a few people walked around and they did not even pay attention to him. Perfect. A black vortex rose up from the ground, a neigh pierced the air before a stallion emerged from the darkness. Satisfied, Ganondorf looked at his incantation. It had taken him long to make it pass as a living one. He grabbed the reins and prepared to hoist himself onto the saddle.

"Can this truly be?" Ganondorf's hackles rose. That voice, familiar. Very familiar.

Ganondorf never bothered to turn his head. He would not look, not even once he was on his steed. "You must be mistaken." He commanded his stallion to gallop.

"I don't think… No! Please, wait!" Ganondorf ignored the man. The greater the distance, the better. He had no time and was not in the mood to talk, especially when he was not even sure if that man was alone or had unpleasant company.

Soon the trouble vanished from his mind, now that the fields of Hyrule offered their beauty to him. The refreshing wind. The whistling of birds. Full of life, very different from his own homeland full of death. That desire to claim these lands his own, it burned strong inside him. Very strong.

Ganondorf's pleasure vanished as he looked back. On the horizon, he still saw a cloud of dust. He thought it was just another adventurer, or at least, he had hoped that, yet even after miles the rider was still there. That was no coincidence.

Foolish to try to get away. It would be better to get rid of that nuisance right away, seeing the rider closed the distance way faster than Ganondorf had thought. At least, he could be sure now his follower was alone so there would be no witnesses for his murder. A smile formed on Ganondorf's lips when he slowed down his horse and balled a fist, focusing his magic within.

The man drew nearer on a brown mare with a white mane. Pointy ears, a green hat covering his hair. So Ganondorf had an old friend here after all, Link, but not even the chainmail under his tunic would save him. It was so simple; unleash his magic, pierce it through the heart, done. No mercy for any Hylian, not even the one he considered the least worthless.

Ganondorf clenched his fingers tighter. The bolt had formed in his hand, ready to be unleashed upon his enemy. One wave, only one wave of his hand and that man's life would end in the blink of an eye.

Link came into earshot. If he just released the bolt, he would smite down his former friend. Just as he had smitten down any other foe. Just one shot … Damn it!

"Thanks the Goddesses, I was afraid I would never catch you up." Relief filled Link's voice and not even a touch of fear or fury accompanied it as he stroked the mane of his steed.

"What do you want?!" Ganondorf's spell vanished within his hand. That he was unable to fire it churned his stomach. Disgusting. "Make it short or you're dead!"

Link remained calm and did not appear to be intimidated or even bothered by his harsh welcome. "Well, you haven't changed, though I'm too not sure if that's a good thing or not." To Ganondorf's irritation, Link had that pleased smile as he dismounted from his horse.

"I am not joking!" Ganondorf unsheathed his sword and pointed it at Link. He should kill him. He should just kill him!

Link stood there, returning that fierce gaze. "To be honest, I would've been shocked if you had a knack for sentimental reunions. It just proves you aren't an imposter." Confident he was, far too confident for Ganondorf's liking, though he could not tell if it was because of courage or foolishness. "And for my reasoning, a friend just doesn't sit back at a campfire when his comrade is about to fall inside some dark abyss." Ganondorf still pointed his sword at him. He felt the trembling in his arm. It would be so simple to attack. Just one attack. "And you know, there is someone else who worries even more about you. One who has found more than a friend in you. You haven't forgotten her, have you? Because she certainly hasn't forgotten you."

Ganondorf remained quiet, staring at Link with his sword still ready to spill his blood. Even though it would have been easy to cut through his throat, making an end to his life, he could not do it. He just could not. He lowered his steel, falling into a bitter laughter. "You haven't changed a bit. Still trying to be the bold one, eh?" His laughter fell silent as he added disdainfully, "Has so much time passed that your little mind doesn't remember what has happened? You still call me a friend after that? Are you trying to seduce me into surrendering my head to you?"

Link just watched him. Such strong determination. Even that pleased smile stayed right where it was. "Of course I remember, you've left quite the impression at the court with your battle against Aldar and your escape. It only strengthens my will to show you that there is another way besides seeking revenge. If you would let me help you, we can make it. With the aid of Zelda, we will find a way around your execution, I promise. We haven't let you down, not even when you were incarcerated and doomed by all others."

Ganondorf hesitated. Certainly, he had received aid down there in the dungeon though he had not thought that those two close to him could have been behind it. He shook his head. It was over, no need to delve into the past. "I admit, in some way I acknowledge your efforts to seek me out despite all our differences and besides the fact that we are archenemies that should slay each other on sight. But you better leave now. You are a Hylian I loathe the least, it would be a shame if I have to kill you as the first."

Ganondorf turned away, sheathing his sword. All there was to say had been said, no point in staying longer. "Do you really think that just because you're a Gerudo and I'm a Hylian we can't lay our differences aside? We don't have to walk the same path as our ancestors, we are not bound to carry on their grudges. We should rather strive for a kingdom where both become equal and can live together in peace rather than seeking out revenge that will only bring more destruction."

Ganondorf jumped off his stallion. That was too much, way too much. He grabbed Link by his throat and held him up. Link grasped at his arms, enough to make sure he was not strangled. "Maybe for you it's just a 'just', but not for me! Because you are not the one whose people got hunted down and slaughtered! Because you are not the one who had to fight every day for his life because of that! Because you never had to fear death when you were left alone in a cell in the dark! And because you were not betrayed for your whole life and were tricked into taking the enemy's side!" He threw Link to the ground. "This, Link, this is the reason why we're as different as light and shadow. We are not meant to stay together, we are meant to fight each other until one prevails and the other vanishes forever!"

Link remained quiet and as Ganondorf wanted to turn his back on him, he noticed an instrument which had fallen out of Link's pocket. He knew it well, because that ocarina, it belonged to him. Ganondorf walked towards it yet had no chance to grab it as Link got back on his feet, having taken it.

"This ocarina is mine." Ganondorf glared at Link. He did not care for it himself but he loathed it when others took his belongings. Link was no exception.

"I know." Link brushed off the dirt but even despite Ganondorf's harsh behavior, he remained calm. "I took it because you have kept it like you had promised me. I didn't want others to take it after you had gone."

"Give it to me!"

Demanding, Ganondorf raised his hand. Link stepped back and his voice revealed a tinge of doubt. "That was my intention when we would meet but I don't like this imperious demeanor." He stuffed the ocarina into his pocket. "What's with you?"

"I command you to return it! Now!" That reluctance, how he despised it. He did not need any further answer, he just unsheathed his sword and rushed towards Link. Briefly, he saw fear in the Hylian's eyes though he was well-trained enough to draw his own blade to parry the assault.

"What's gotten into you?! Calm down! I don't want to fight, I have no reason to!"

"Then die without one!" If that Hylian dared to oppose him, he should feel the consequences. Ganondorf swung his sword at Link again. Slicing his chest would be a good beginning. Link avoided his attack with ease yet did not try to fight back.

Ganondorf grumbled annoyed as another of his attacks missed. Those agile fighters always proved to be a pest. They made all of his strength so useless. Knowing Link well, this dodging could go on forever. He would sooner lose his last nerve than Link would lose his advantage.

Ganondorf lowered his sword. He troubled to hide his grin as he saw the wheels turn in Link's head. Yes, let him convince himself that he was safe. Such a mistake. Link never saw it coming. A magical ball, maybe not powerful but fast and still strong enough to knock Link off his feet.

Ganondorf stomped on Link's arm and sent his sword flying with another magical wave. "What…" Link stumbled but Ganondorf prevented him from speaking further when he pressed his blade against Link's throat.

"Choose. My ocarina or your head." Ganondorf's blood boiled. He could not tell why he did not just take both. The man was at his mercy. He could not fight back. He could not even free himself. And for the first time, he saw it in his eyes. Fear, nothing but fear. Not even Link's bravery could hide it.

Mutely, Link used his free hand to get the instrument. Ganondorf snatched it. A short look: This was indeed the one that mysterious man had given him.

Still observing it, he heard Link muttering, "Why, Ganon?" Surprised that Link dared to speak despite having a blade poking at his throat, Ganondorf looked down on him. "Why have you learned black magic? Why not any other kind of sorcery? You have seen for yourself the darkness it leads! Don't you notice how it corrupts you, how much it already has?!"

"Shut your trap or I silence you myself!" Ganondorf pressed the sword tighter at Link. "I'm not corrupted by anything. Blame your own folk for the things to come and not something you obviously don't understand."

One cut. Only one cut to get rid of him, forever. He would spare himself so much trouble if he just put an end to Link's life. Link knew too much about him and unfortunately Link was just as stubborn as he himself. Link would try to reason with him again and again before one day he would raise his sword and defy him. That was how Link was. To kill him now and prevent any further interruptions or spare him and risk greater conflicts later on? He should kill him. He just should.

The wind weaved through Ganondorf's hair. He had not moved. The sword still waited to drink from the Hylian's blood. This could not be, it was impossible for him to be so foolish! Displeased, he realized he still had not cut all bonds to his past. He had killed so many men in the arena and on the battlefield yet he failed to end the life of only one man. No amount of displeasure, disgust, or even wrath could push Ganondorf over his border to do it. Unbelievable, just unbelievable.

"This time, you get away." Ganondorf glared down at Link while he sheathed his sword. "But next time we meet, if you get in my way you will be dead."

Link remained silent on the ground as Ganondorf stepped off his arm. He marched back to his stallion, not looking back even once. He had to get things done. Azett and his secrets to the Sacred Realm were waiting. With this delay, there was no time to rest until he stained what he wished, lest the Goddess of Sand send more soldiers to test him.

On horseback, Ganondorf resumed his trek over the field. The meeting with Link nagged at him. Never had he believed he would spare the life of an enemy. Never. He had become weak, a despicable weakling, because he let happen what he swore never should: Letting his feelings overcome his mind amidst a battle. A deadly sin. He could only hope that the consequences of his sentiments would not be severe.

Author's Note

Just wanted to leave a quick note that my beta is taking a break right now, so unfortunate the next update of this story won't be any faster than this one. I hope we'll get the next one ready in April, but please, don't nail me down on this one.
Otherwise I'm getting along just fine with the story, so hope you're looking forwards where it leads. :)