A/N: Okay, guys. Now the moment you've been waiting for: an update on Ganondorf's predicaments. Once again, I do not own Legend of Zelda, but you can bet your sweet ass that if I do, I'd be publishing this fanfiction as an actual book right now. (No, probably not really. I don't intend on making this fanfiction quite that long).
Chapter IV
Plight of a King
His body shot up in the bed, laden with cold sweat as his golden orbs searched the room frantically. He had to get his bearings for a moment, not really sure of what had happened. Releasing his death grip on sweat dampened sheets, he willed himself to relax his breathing as he racked his brain. It was the first time he had ever felt true horror as that in his dreams.
A year had passed since he had collapsed from the overwhelming fury that took over him. Ganondorf had been unconscious for days following that incident. No one in the fortress could have figured out how to wake him, not even with the aid of the Twinrova's concoctions. Some of the Gerudo secretly feared that they had lost their King once more before they were assured by the old women that he still lived. Many were relieved to see him stirring on the fifth day. The boy had woken as if no time had passed for him.
Ever since that day, he's had fitful sleep, a recurring dream always forcefully wrenching him from his slumber every night. He was constantly plagued with the same vision, though he could never recall with clarity what it was about. Each night, he was unable to return to sleep afterward, so he'd spent the rest of the nocturnal hours with studying and training. Ganondorf ran a clammy hand over his temple, pushing back the pain that threatened to split his head apart, echoed by a strange piercing feeling in his chest. He released himself from the binds of his bed, unceremoniously throwing on his tunic and shorts. After lacing his sandals to his feet, the young Gerudo marched through the eerily quiet halls of the fortress, his destination already decided.
The soft soles of his sandals padded lightly down the dark, smooth stones of the halls, twisting through the stairwells. Checking for any guards he knew were patrolling the area, he slipped into the shadows, thankful for his characteristically dark skin for its camouflage, until his hand tapped a round knob. Testing it silently, he was pleased to find the door unlocked before throwing himself inside. Ganondorf pressed his ear against the wooden barrier, taking note of the lack of noise outside. He had not been seen.
Turning his back to the door, he set about his usual routine. He gathered books and scrolls of his current interests before making himself comfortable at one of the desks. The young King set his concentration on the oil lamp resting beside his arm, his gaze focused solely on the wick as he snapped his fingers swiftly. A spark jumped forth onto the wick, eating greedily at the oiled cloth upon contact and growing into a decent flame. He smirked to himself, proud of his accomplishments on the new spell he had recently learned.
Ganondorf rolled out two of the scrolls in his hands, both depicting landscapes and markers of the Gerudo desert. His eyes scanned over the contents of both maps. One parchment was weathered and torn at the edges, almost having lost all of the preserving balms that once held its color. He wrinkled his nose in annoyance as he spotted ink smudges belonging to words that could no longer be deciphered. His gaze switched over to the other map, this one being recently made in the past few decades. Where smudge marks appeared on the older version, no marker of any sort could be found in the same location on the newer map. The young King dipped his quill delicately and brushed it against the lip of the inkwell to get rid of excess droppings, bringing the pen to mark an "x" on the empty spot.
He continued this for the next hour, careful to make sure he had not missed anything. Once he finished, Ganondorf reclined back and held the scroll before him. In total, five "x" marks were jotted relatively near the locations of fortress and the Spirit Temple. He was both pleased to find something of interest and disappointed at the meager locations he had managed to find. They were few and very far between each other. With a scowl still plastered to his face, he set about to opening another scroll, discarding the older map for later use. This new parchment rolled out to reveal constellations and navigation symbols. Using the charts as reference, he was able to get an idea of the amount of distance between each of the marked locations and how long it would take to travel to each destination.
The boy growled lowly as he realized that half of the trips would take nearly a week and a half, despite their relative proximities to the temple. He had no idea yet how he was going to make those trips. Shoving the scrolls to the side for now, he pulled out a dated book, its spine almost completely rotting off. The Gerudo carefully flipped through its pages until he found what he wanted: ancient dowsing techniques. He took mental notes on the tools used and how to locate water veins, the method of extraction, and early, unfinished blueprints of a structure that could transport the water from one location to another by a series of tunnels. Idly, he wondered why the aqueduct plans had never been completed. No matter, he thought to himself. That'll soon change.
Ganondorf busied himself with pulling out a couple of blank pages he had kept in his breast pocket. The pen scratched at the paper as he scribbled his own plans, rewriting the tools he would need to begin his journey with. He added notes of the necessary provisions that he would take with him, clipping the list to his maps before slipping the scrolls into his pocket. His gaze flickered over to the glass window that brightened in the rays of the sun, the stained colors on its surface reflecting vibrantly to greet the new day. Before he realized it, he had spent the last four hours in the study. Sure, he felt exhausted, but nothing he tried had been able to put him back to sleep without returning him to that damned dream. Ganondorf ground his teeth, golden orbs aflame with his frustration at seeing the sun peak over the horizon. He transported the other books he gathered back to their places, patting his chest to make sure the scrolls were secure before bounding through the halls back to his room.
After finishing his morning meal of cactus pears, dried snake meat and stolen stale bread, a product of the last successful theft from the forest villages, he made his way to the training grounds. The women greeted him upon his arrival, one of the older ones tossing a long rod his direction. He flicked his hand out instinctively to catch it before its pointed end had the chance to hit his toe, cursing himself for the slowed reflexes due to the lack of sleep he's been having. Had it not been for the mere breakfast before, he probably would have been too late.
He hefted the blade before him, testing his energy to judge just how long he might last during practice. The weapon was no scimitar like the ones the women traditionally used. In fact, it was not a sword at all this time around, but a spear. His attention traveled across the grounds, taking note of his instructor carrying a similar weapon and his sparring partners wielding scimitars and small axes. Ganondorf nodded to himself before he pulled the spear vertically against his side, his right arm sliding perfectly parallel to the spear's shaft that towered over him by twice his height. He bowed to his instructor who waited to see his reaction to the unfamiliar blade.
A pleased smirk spread across her features. She was hoping he'd at least understood how to properly grasp it while giving a salute or bow. The woman's expression reverted back to her usual, stricter physique that he was all too familiar with. Faced with her stubbornness and the new weapon he had no experience with wielding, the boy mentally cursed again as he realized that his training was not going to be lenient today. He had barely brought the spear up in time to block her attack, hesitantly pulling it horizontally before him as he would with a blade when confronting direct lunges. She kicked her leg out to knock him off his feet before staring him down, scolding him upon his actions. Training was always like this. The young king was never demonstrated stances, instead learning from experience of witnessing it in battle himself.
After two hours of a grueling lesson on how to properly maneuver with a spear, Ganondorf could finally feel himself becoming accustomed to the tricky weapon. Its height was majorly different from that of a sword, making attacks difficult for him, but then he realized that the extension was also an advantage to him. He soon began to learn that his initial block was not really wrong, but the position of his hands had been incorrect. Unbeknownst to him, the young Gerudo had his left hand facing inward from the top of the shaft in the way that he usually held his sword in a block. During one of her other attacks, his instructor informed that, if he had kept his hand in that position, he could easily lose his fingers. He had no hilt or guard to protect the vulnerable appendages this time.
Ganondorf was then tasked to test the length of the spear and adjust to it accordingly. It took him several tries before he got a feel of the distance that he eventually found favorable in combat. Ranged attacks were increasingly becoming a favorite style of his. All through the lesson, he learned every movement with the spear as possible before his instructor moved on. Now was the time for actual combat practice.
The young king faced his sparring partners on, having to equip his knowledge on how to utilize the spear against a variety of other blades. He had almost forgotten how much faster sword fighting was compared to the spear when his bare bicep was sliced through, earning another harsh scolding from his teacher. Ganondorf eventually finished his practice with a few more scrapes to accompany that of the clotted gash on his arm, surprised at his renewed stamina. He had barely grown exhausted, instead feeling the exhilaration bring upon him fresh energy.
His blood rushed excitedly through his veins, his body itching in anxiousness for another fight. A burning passion to see shed blood coursed through his system. He was losing himself again. The other women glared at him warily, envious of the ample amount of energy he exuded as they drew in tired breaths. Ganondorf was about to spit out curses and insults at their uselessness when he was interrupted.
A challenger stepped before him, her eyes fierce enough to rival his own. She was a mirror image of himself, copying the crooked smirk that warped his features, her hand tight around her scimitar that thirst for spilled blood. They bore holes into each other, circling the training field and baring their fangs like feuding coyotes ready to bite. A chuckle passed through her nose as a thought came to her mind, the action causing him to swell with sudden anger. He lunged forward with every intent to impale. His sprint was fast, but she was faster.
Before he had time to comprehend, the girl ducked under his attack, sliding sideways like a sand viper and arcing her sword towards his side. Ganondorf growled, shifting his spear to block the blow. He fought his initial shock at her ungodly speed as they countered each other's consecutive strikes. The young Gerudo couldn't believe what was happening. He was actually being suppressed! Unlike his other partners, she was by every way his equal in battle. What she lacked in physical strength, she countered with agility and stamina that never waned. And him vice versa. His movements were slowed in comparison as if he had been stuck in quicksand, his only saving grace was his heavily defensive build. Neither of them grew tired, and he was beginning to find his unnatural amusement becoming sated. Never had he had such a thrilling challenge as the one that faced him.
Caught up in the heat of their engagement, Ganondorf didn't notice his folly until it was too late. He had misjudged her, assuming her be his equal. Shock once again graced his features as she changed her strategy. Her blade hooked underneath the shaft of his spear and jerked backward, the sweat on his palms from the work out making him unable to keep hold. The boy watched dumbfounded as his weapon was forced out of his grip. He had no time to collect himself before a metal bracer connected with his gaping jaw, sending him crashing down onto the dry, cracked sand. His opponent leered over him in arrogant victory, earning a round of applause from their peers. The king growled lowly in response.
Ganondorf's thoughts swirled in a pool of his growing rage and self-loathing. He couldn't believe he had just been bested! "Who the hell are you?" he spat, unable to control his hatred. She added salt to his wounded pride as she grinned mischievously, offering her hand to help him up. The boy only swatted the gesture away with aggravation.
Not fazed by his temper, she answered, "Nabooru, your second in command as of today." Ganondorf's eyes widened in irritable disbelief. This girl, who he just noticed was younger than him after his blood lust had cleared, claimed to be his second? How laughable. What kind of blasphemy is this? As if in answer to his mental inquiry, the Twinrova walked forth.
"She speaks the truth," Kotake announced to their surprised audience. "We've decided it's due time for us to appoint our King with his guards."
What the hell were they talking about? Support? He didn't need any guards to protect him, the boy thought, crossing his arms in displeasure. Sensing the shift, Koume turned to him then. Her glance bore holes into him, an expression upon her face that he was unused to. Ganondorf uncrossed his arms, stiffening as the stare began to make him uncomfortable. She snickered quietly, a grin pulling her wrinkled skin taut. Her voice travelled low to him, audible only for his ears, "We're aware of your little escapades to the study, dear boy. Did you think we would not notice?" Koume waited for his response, eyebrows raised mischievously.
The king tensed, fighting the urge to gape. His eyes shifted sideways to avoid her gaze, to which she snickered in return. Her twin sister made her way over to further explain to the rest of the room. "I don't think it's necessary to remind you all of our circumstances, but I do think it's worth mentioning that our king has found something of interest while searching through our ancient archives," the ice witch motioned her head to him. All eyes focused his direction.
Ganondorf nodded, his lips thinning as he accepted the challenge. It was time to prove his worth as their leader. He moved forward, chin held high and chest puffed out in authority. The young Gerudo explained his findings of possible locations of water wells by use of old maps, by which point he revealed the two scrolls he carried in his other tunic. The one he wore now was made for training only as it was likely to earn a few tears. He'd be damned if he let the scrolls get ruined in the process. Ganondorf proceeded with telling them the plans he had developed to scout out these locations to see if whether they were reliable water sources or not. The group listened to his speech, hanging on every word with eyes wide in interest.
Midway through his speech, Nabooru decided to voice the question that some had on mind. "So, how come we've never tried this before?" Others nodded in agreement. They wanted to know as well. Why were they still suffering from lack of water supply when the answer was being presented before them now?
The boy scowled. Honestly, he had no idea why no one's thought of the matter before, but he did know why it's taken so long to find a solution. "These scrolls were actually very difficult to find. It's taken me three days to stumble across them, and I found them by happenstance," he admitted. However, Ganondorf couldn't help but spare a short glance to the Twinrova, suspicion beginning to rise. Surely, they would have known something. He decided not to pursue the matter for now, choosing to wait until the opportune time to ask them. Nabooru and the women seemed satisfied with his answer before they were all dismissed for supper.
After his meal, Ganondorf seized his chance to catch up to the elders, asking to speak with them in their private rooms. They beckoned him in, closing off the curtains and checking to make sure no one imposed on their conversation. Koume gestured over to a pillow on the ground to which he took his seat and waited for them to explain. Almost as if reading his mind, Kotake spoke up, "Those maps you found were locked away in secret archives. First, tell us how you managed to get hold of them?"
The two elders looked at him expectantly as he gauged their reactions carefully. He's never really had much of a dispute with them, giving them the respect they deserved as if they were his actual mothers, and the same went for them. They had no issues with his character, despite his few quite obvious temper tantrums, and treated him more like the king he was. Even though this was the case, he knew very well that they were fond of their secrets and didn't take too kindly to anyone imposing on them. Ganondorf cleared his throat before he answered, picking his words tactfully. "I came across the spell sealing it by accident," he started, retelling of his playing with the spell's syllables on his tongue. Even now, he cursed his own stupidity. Had they not conditioned him enough that no spell should be taken lightly? In his ignorance, he broke the invisible lock, though he had not known the spell's effects at all until they just mentioned it. Next time, I'll make sure to learn the spell's nature before uttering it, he chided mentally. His attention fully redirected back to them as he completed his testimony.
Surprisingly enough, their demeanor remained calm as they soaked in his words. Both nodded in unison, eyes closed and arms crossed in mirrored motions. He wasn't really sure how to judge their reactions. If anything, they seemed as though they knew this would happen, which made the boy more suspicious. Then, Kotake broke the silence. "Very clever, my king, but you forgot one very important rule that we taught you," she scolded him. Her gaze was like icy daggers jutting into his skin, though he refused to let his discomfort show. Taking this as a sign that he was already aware of his folly, her twin continued.
"That being said, we knew we couldn't keep those archives hidden from you. After all, you are our king of destiny," she said matter-of-factly, her devilish grin returning to her features. Ganondorf raised an eyebrow curiously, confusion settling along his face. What in the world did she mean by that?
"A little over a century has passed since the Gerudo has had a king. The maps you found belonged to him. The aqueduct blueprints you may have also noticed. Those were of his design," Kotake explained.
He had barely had time to register her words before Koume spoke up again. The elder woman sighed, whether it was in sorrow or hope, he had no idea. "We were there when the Gerudo attempted our propagation efforts. Similar to now, we were put in a desperate situation. Our spirits were beginning to break. That was until our king had come up to us, as if speaking the words of the Sand Mother herself, telling us about hidden water veins that could be accessed with the proper methods."
Both paused then, letting him soak in all of the information. Something was missing, he could tell, but the boy had no idea how to go about asking the question that troubled him. The Twinrova looked him over, an unexplainable emotion flitting through their eyes. Directed more toward her sister than to the king, or anyone else for that matter, Kotake muttered, "Yes, I sense that the king of this era will be able to accomplish that which previous generations could not. With his power and the guidance of our Goddess, we can overcome any obstacle in our way."
The two retold their story of the previous era, all of the puzzles finally beginning to fit together in his mind. It's not that no one's ever attempted such a journey, it's that no one ever reached their destination. Ganondorf was told how the propagation party was lost to the raging storms of the desert. Had their king not caught sight of it in time, their lives and his would have been taken as well. Due to the unforgiving conditions and unnatural phenomena of the desert, the Gerudo were unable to finish their mission, forced instead to resort to other methods to acquiring their provisions. Just as they had to now. That being said, both women were adamant with the belief that the king of this era has the ability to guide them. Night descended upon them and Ganondorf was allowed to return to his own chambers. Instead of his usual nightly visits to the study after his nightmare, he pondered over this new information.
Fin
A/N: Okay, I officially apologize once again. This was originally going to be two chapters, but I felt that where I would have ended one would have made it way too short. So, I merged the two, which is better anyway because the next chapters will go back to Zelda's and Link's perspectives. And look, another familiar face!
Also, rest assured, we're getting closer to the shift. The main trio will begin to start developing relations soon. Thank you all for sticking with me until this point. You know what to do. Read & review!
