Zelda didn't know how long she slept, pulled in and out of consciousness and strange dreams. Her rest was filled with visions of war, panic, and death. In those last seconds, she knelt before the tyrant king, his sword readied to slit her throat. Her scream died in that throat, unable to pass pink lips.

"Hey, girl."

Her brows drew together. Her head ached. She felt hot and tired and scared.

"Sheik."

She blinked a few times before letting her gaze fall upon the Gerudo king. There was a look of concern upon his face, his lips sealed together in a tight line. Strange. She had always imagined the man as just a dirty gypsy at best and a violent demon at worst. Yet, here he was, watching over her like she had always hoped the tyrant king might.

"Did you wake me?" she asked

He nodded. "You were mumbling in your sleep."

"Nightmares," was her only explanation.

"I assumed so."

Zelda sat up in bed with his help, before looking around. The room was made of stone, covered in bronze and gold ornaments. Blankets and rugs were crimson and brown, wit the Gerudo symbol woven into them.

"Where is this?" she asked. She feared she already knew the answer.

"Gerudo Desert."

So she was right. "Isn't it dangerous having me here?"

"How so?" he asked.

"If the tyrant finds out I'm here-"

"He won't. And he'd have to kill my soldiers before he could reach you."

His kindness flattered her, but also confused her. It seemed somewhat out of place. "But… aren't we enemies?"

His lips turned upwards in the faintest of smiles. "In past lives, maybe, but we have a shared enemy, princess. For now, you and your allies are welcome in our humble desert."

Zelda was at a loss for words. All her life she'd spoken so horribly of the Gerudo race, as if they were second class citizens. And perhaps they were. But that was due to Hylian racism and was nonetheless inexcusable. Perhaps the Gerudo weren't as bad as she'd thought.

"You're too kind," she said, choosing her words carefully. "If there is any way I can repay you, please let me know."

"There is one thing."

Zelda winced. She should have known better. Give a Gerudo – no, a man – an inch and he'd take a mile. She regretted her words, but decided she may as well hear him out. "Go on."

"Help me reclaim Hyrule."

"Reclaim?" she repeated. "This land was never yours."

A deep rumble sounded – a laugh. "This desert is mine, and it's part of Hyrule. Is it not?"

"I… I suppose so."

"Then help me reclaim my desert, and I will help you take back your kingdom."

"What do you get out of this?"

It was too good to be true. In all of history, there had never been a Ganondorf who did things out of the kindness of his own heart – be it for his people or the crown. And if history were to repeat itself, then he would surely betray her.

"You really don't know what's happened to your kingdom, princess." The last word was drenched in venom.

"Excuse me?"

"Your people suffer. We're all suffering. Innocents have been slain and this land has been conquered by that damn boy. But he will not stop there."

"No…?" Call her hopeful, but she had hoped her former kingdom would be enough to satiate his lust for power. She should have known better.

"Over the years, Link has taken bit by bit of Hyrule, subjugating all in it. Even the proud Gerudo fell before him. He slayed my men, princess."

"Sheik," she corrected him.

Ganondorf ignored her. "Princess, while our people sent ambassadors of peace to speak with your parents and received some amount of favor, that brat showed no such kindness. He sent me back their heads as a message: submit or die."

"You… couldn't stop him?"

"If we had fought back, he'd cut off supplies. We would die hungry, thirsty, and tired." He breathed a heavy sigh. His golden gaze fell to calloused palms. "I am not a monster, girl. I care for my people. I want them to smile and be free. But with Link in charge, we will never be free."

She didn't know what to say. Gerudo thieves and bandits were supposed to be tough, relentless even. They were supposed to strike fear into the hearts of men and take what they desired. But they weren't able to take this kingdom. They weren't able to kill one man. They were as trapped as the rest of the kingdom was.

But what was she supposed to do? She wasn't strong enough to fight an entire army on her own, or even with the help of all the Gerudo. They couldn't match the strength of Hyrulean armies. No doubt all the other races would scurry to help with one word from Link. They were on their own.

Quietly, she reached out and took the man's large hand in both of her own. His palm wasn't like hers, she realized. Even now, her palm was soft, uncalloused, pure. But he had never had an easy day in his life. King or not, he'd had to work for everything he had gained.

His hand closed around hers and gave it a soft squeeze.

"Listen, girl." His words were harsh and forced, as if trying to be the strong king she expected him to be. Behind that was a broken kindness. "My people need you. I need you."

"But what am I supposed to do? I'm weak and a coward. I ran away-"

"To save yourself. To save this kingdom."

She gave a soft, forced laugh. As if. Impa may have fled with her for that reason, but Zelda had just been scared for her life.

"Do you really think a runaway princess like me can do anything?"

"With all my heart."

"And what can I do?"

He gave it some thought, then replied, "Tomorrow, I shall take you to speak with my mothers. They have great magic, Sheik. I've no doubt they will be able to help us somehow."

"I hope you're right," she said.

"So do I."