By the time she was ten, Aeris had become completely and utterly infatuated with Gerudo culture. She eagerly counted down the days until her mother's next visit, and insisted on accompanying her to their makeshift market. Though the wooden knight and horse now laid discarded on her dresser top, she still held out hope to catch a glimpse of the young Gerudo king.
Surely, he wasn't completely cut off from his people?
Was he?
But, Aeris had other things on her mind now. She was getting older, after all. As everyone around her was sure to remind her at every given chance. They constantly told her how she was growing into a beautiful young woman, though she didn't feel all that different. Even so, it was hard not to notice that people had begun to treat her differently. Her mother spent hours painstakingly brushing and braiding her hair, where she used to let her black curls run wild. Her father no longer picked her up and spun her around, and he rarely hugged her anymore and when he did, they lasted only seconds.
As much as Aeris was changing, so was the world around her. Her parents rarely made trips to Castle Town anymore, and she could no longer watch the winding caravans that used to wind down the road past their farm. She wasn't sure what exactly had changed or why, but she could hear her parents talking in hushed voices when they thought she had gone to bed, whispering about a war and the roads becoming far too dangerous.
Aeris didn't quite understand what they were saying, but if it was enough to worry her parents so much to the point of near isolation on the farm, she would believe them.
Not that she missed the trips to Castle Town. The children there were mean and cruel, laughing and pointing out the patches on Aeris's clothes and her skint knees. They called her mean names and chased her with sticks, until she retreated to her mother's side with tears in her eyes.
The Gerudo on the other hand, the Gerudo constantly praised her. Told her she was a beautiful young vai, and that one day she would grow into a great warrior. They commented on her strength when she helped her mother unload their cart, and bolstered her confidence when she lost her footing and roughed up her hands and knees.
Even the greatest of warriors fall, occasionally.
One of the fortress guards had even let Aeris hold her spear once. The metal tipped weapon had been heavy in her grasp, and her arms shook with the effort of keeping the spear level, but Aeris had smiled for days after the experience. And, the veil she had been gifted by another of the Gerudo still sat on her night stand, her most cherished possession. Late at night in the faint candlelight, she would strut about her room on her tiptoes, feeling strong and mysterious as she pretended to be a Gerudo warrior in their heeled shoes.
Maybe one day she would pluck up the courage to ask for lessons on how to use a spear.
But, her life was here on the farm, helping with the goats and cuccos, as her mother tended their small field of crops and her father maintained the buildings. Day in, and day out, the same boring routine.
"Aeris come help me feed the goats!" Her father's voice rang out across the fields, his deep baritone was easily carried to where the young girl sat under a tree reading a book.
"Coming Papa!" She used a Cucco feather to mark her place and hurried to her father. He handed her a bucket of grain, She noticed that it was only half full.
she smiled up at her father who gave her a wink, "When you're done with that go find your mother," He turned and resumed gathering hay into a wheelbarrow, leaving Aeris to her task.
The rest of her day was spent doing various chores and helping her mother with laundry until it was time for lunch. She helped her mother make sandwiches before heading to the barn to meet her father.
They ate lunch as a family under the tree Aeris had been reading under. Her parents laughed when a curious Cucco chased the small girl trying to take a slice of bread she had been eating. After several laps around the tree and several painful pecks to the backs of her legs, Aeris dropped the now smooshed piece of bread, relinquishing her prize to the feathered evil spawn.
She retreated back to the shade of the tree with tears in her eyes, she slipped easily into her mother's outstretched arms, hiccuping lightly as her mother ran her fingers through her hair. Her father leaned over and kissed her mother lightly then kissed Aeris on her forehead before getting to head back to work.
She spent the remainder of the day with her mother, going about the rest of their usual chores until it was time for them to cook their supper, while her father finished herding the goats into the barn.
Aeris sighed deeply as she placed the last bowl and set of silverware on the thick oak table that served as their dining table. The smell of hearty stew filled the small lower level of their home, venison her father had managed to hunt alongside carrots and potatoes from their small garden.
"What's the matter, darling?" Ahia turned toward her daughter, still stirring the pot of stew before her.
"Nothing, mama," Aeris pushed the spoon she had just placed down idly.
"Something," Ahia, smiled softly as she turned away from the stove, rubbing her hands on her apron. "Tell me, what it is,"
Aeris looked up at her mother, mouth open to speak, but the front door swung open, and her father stumbled into the house with a loud crack of thunder.
"Jorri!" Ahia rushed to her drenched husband, her daughter's woes temporarily forgotten. "Heavens, you're soaked to the bone,"
"I managed to get the goats in before the bottom fell out," Aeris hurried to grab one of the many throw blankets from the back of their tattered couch as her mother quickly began unbuttoning her father's shirt.
"I don't care about the goats, let's get you out of these clothes," Ahia turned, taking the blanket from Aeris and throwing it around Jorri's shoulders. "Aeris stoke that fire,"
Aeris turned, doing as she was told, and adding another log to the fire for good measure.
"Ah, thank you hun," Her father's voice was a low rumble as he settled onto the couch under Ahia's direction. "You too, sweet pea,"
"You're welcome, papa," Aeris blushed, under her father's loving gaze. He rarely acknowledged her these days. She missed his affectionate hugs, and the way he would ruffle her hair, but such actions were improper for a young lady.
"Aeris, darling, will you stir the stew for me please?" Aeris nodded as her mother knelt before her father and began taking off his soaked boots, quietly chiding him as she worked.
The small family fell into silence as the brewing storm raged outside. Rain pelted the windows as thunder rattled their small house, but Aeris felt undeniably safe. "The stew is done mama,"
"Alright then, supper time," Ahia rose to her feet, kissing her husband as she did, and made her way to the kitchen. "Table please,"
Aeris and Jorri shuffled their way to the table and took their respective places, as Ahia served their meal with a loaf of freshly baked bread. They ate mostly in silence, after offering a quick prayer to Hylia and the Goddesses. Ahia and Jorri made small talk about the farm, and other adult topics, that had Aeris quickly delving into her own thoughts.
She wondered if the storm spread into the desert, if the thunder rattled the fortress the same way it did their home. She wondered if Urora and her family were safe from the rain, if they were warm around a fire together. Then she found herself wondering if the Gerudo's young king was safe and warm, or if he was alone in the dark.
Crimson crawled up her cheeks, as she remembered his golden gaze on her. She ducked her head, stifling a giggle, as she wondered if his hair had been allowed to grow, or if someone had cropped it short the way Hylian boys wore their hair. She was so lost in her thoughts about the boy king, she barely heard when her mother asked if she was done with her stew.
"Not yet Mama," She took a bite of the lukewarm stew before putting her spoon down. "Mama?"
"Yes, darling?" Ahia rose with her empty bowl in tow, she placed a soft kiss on Jorri's forehead before taking his bowl as well, and turning to place them in the kitchen sink.
"I was wondering," Ahia turned back to her daughter with an expectant look on her face. "About the Gerudo king,"
Jorri looked from his daughter to his wife, brows lowered in concern. Ahia lifted a finger to silence her husband, and smiled at Aeris as she turned back to the dished. "What about him, darling?"
"Do you think he gets lonely?" Aeris idly stirred her cold stew, as Jorri stared at his wife. "Do you think the other kids play with him?"
Jorri rolled his eyes as he pushed himself from his seat. "The boy is a king, sweet pea, I'm sure he has plenty to keep him busy," He placed a quick kiss to Aeris's forehead and then disappeared up the stairs and into her parent's bedroom.
The door clicked closed behind him and Ahia sighed softly. "Your father is right, darling, now finish your food. We have a long day tomorrow,"
Aeris, nodded, unhappy with her parent's answers, but unable to say as much. Her stew had congealed into a nearly solid mass that she had to swallow down in chunks, but she finished it quickly and rose to bring her bowl to her mother at the sink.
"Come here you," Ahia pulled Aeris to her side and placed a kiss against the top of her head. "We can ask Urora about the king tomorrow, how does that sound?"
Aeris wrapped her arms around Ahia's side and buried her face into her dress. "Thank you mama,"
"Of course, darling," Ahia ruffled the top of Aeris's hair. "Now get up to bed, we have an early morning,"
Sleep didn't come to Aeris easily that night. She laid in her bed lost in thought, briefly wondering if the king ever did the same thing. His gold eyes flashed through her mind, and she pushed her thoughts aside. She rolled onto her side, hoping a change in position would help her sleep.
It did not…
Morning came far too soon, and Aeris got far too little sleep. She groaned when her mother shook her lightly, signaling it was time to get up. Sitting up, she rubbed her eyes and tried her best to stifle her yaws, as her mother brushed and braided her hair, finding herself slightly less groggy when her mother finished the simple plait.
"Let's get some breakfast then we can head out," Her mother kissed her head then headed down the stairs. She struggled to dress quickly, everything seemed to go wrong. Her feet got tangled in her stocking, and her head somehow managed to get stuck in her sleeve, but she eventually made herself presentable, then she shambled down the stairs.
"Breakfast" consisted of a slice of bread warmed over the stove with soft goat cheese spread over it. Aeris inhaled her food, and rushed outside, invigorated by the small meal, Ahia followed behind taking small bites of her own food, smiling as her daughter skipped across the yard toward the barn.
The sun had yet to rise, and wouldn't until they crossed the gorge that lead into the valley the Gerudo called home. Aeris pushed her way into the barn, and was met with the musky smell of animals and hay, mixed with the slightly acrid smell of waste. One of the goats bleated softly as the girl stepped further into the barn, causing several of the other animals to stir. She made her way down the rows of stalls, silently checking on each animal as she went, until she stopped in front of Go-Go's stall.
The ram was beginning to show signs of age, gray was starting to pepper the black fur around his mouth and eyes. He blinked up at Aeris with sleepy amber eyes, then bleated softly as he rocked to his feet. "Hey, Go-Go,"
The goat bleated again as Aeris opened his stall, and he shuffled out into the barn. On his way out, he bumped his muzzle against Aeris's pocket, causing the girl to giggle softly. "Just one," She fished out one of the many oatcakes stuffed into her apron pocket, and fed it to the goat as she led him back toward her mother.
"Thank you, darling," Ahia clicked her tongue, and Go-Go trotted over to his place at the head of the small cart they used for deliveries. He bleated softly, as Ahia lowered the yoke over his head. He seemed to be impatiently waiting to go, trade days meant extra pets and treats for him, as the Gerudo seemed to have a soft spot for the furry creature.
Ahia finished, securing a few small parcels, then climbed into the driver seat of the cart, then turned to help hoist Aeris up into the seat next to her. Once she was securely in place, Ahia clicked her tongue again, and the cart lurched forward as Go-Go ambled out of the barn into the chill air.
Between the silence and gentle rocking of the cart, Aeris had fallen back asleep before they ever made it off the farm. Ahia chuckled at her daughter, and wrapped an arm around her, cradling the small girl against her side.
She could sleep for now.
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Aeris was jostled awake hours later, when the cart transitioned from the worn dirt path of the canyon to the wooden bridge that crossed over the deep gorge that separated Hyrule from the Gerudo Desert. She pulled away from Ahia's side, rubbing her eyes and blinking blearily. "Morning, mama,"
"Morning, sleepyhead," Ahia laughed as Aeris groaned loudly as she stretched her arms high above her head.
The young girl continued to gently rub sleep from her eyes as they approached the two Gerudo standing guard at the end of the bridge. Their spears glinted in the early morning sunlight as they shifted uneasily. The guards used to only stand outside the gates, but over the last few months, they had moved closer and closer to the edge of their land. Aeris wondered if it was because of the war that her parents whispered about at night.
Her mother slowed the cart to a halt before the two guards. "Isha, Nali, It's a beautiful morning," She smiled at the two intimidatingly beautiful guards, Aeris peered over her mother's shoulder at the two women.
"Ahia, The roads are dangerous these days," The slighter of the two, Isha, leaned on her spear heavily, seemingly more tired than the early morning warranted.
"Koume and Kotake instructed us to give you this. You'll need it to enter the fortress from now on," Nali handed her mother a slip of cloth with the Gerudo crest on it. "King's orders,"
Aeris perked up at the mention of the king, but deflated as the guards said nothing else. Ahia slid the slip of cloth into her bag, and Aeris turned her attention to the object, wondering why they all of a sudden needed a special token to enter the fortress. They had been allowed in without one for years, what had changed?
The cart rocked into motion again, and Aeris waved to the two guards as they passed, receiving small waves in return. The girl had little time to ponder the changes in the world around her, as Urora was waiting for them just beyond the gates to the fortress, with a small smile spread across her painted lips.
"Urora!" Aeris launched herself from the cart into the Gerudo's arms, not waiting for the cart to come to a halt.
"Sav'otta vehvi," Urora's arms wrapped around Aeris, enveloping her in the warm scent of safflina. Urora easily spun the girl, in a whirl of black hair and cotton skirts. "How are we today?"
"Good!" Aeris laughed as she was lowered to the ground. "Bas, had her baby, he's so cute!" Aeris had been awaiting the new arrival for months.
"Is that so?" Urora ruffled Aeris's hair, as Ahia appeared at their side, and handed Urora several small parcels. Urora nodded in thanks, and turned back to Aeris, who was beaming up at the taller woman. "And what is this one's name?"
"Papa named him Ade," Aeris grinned widely, revealing her missing front tooth.
"A fine name," Urora pitched Aeris's cheek, causing the girl to giggle wildly.
Ahia laughed along with her daughter, and the group began their usual routine. Urora kept Aeris entertained as they spent the day trailing after Ahia, going from stall to stall delivering goods and speaking to the Gerudo. Urora would occasionally step in, acting as an interpreter in minor misunderstandings, and using these moments to teach Aeris and Ahia a few words in the Gerudo language. Mostly greetings and thanks, but important phrases nonetheless.
These misunderstandings, seemed to be happening more often than usual that day, as the Gerudo seemed to be tense and on edge, though Urora worked hard to keep the peace, and their day carried on as usual, despite the tension in the air.
It was strange, though, that Ahia insisted that they push through lunch, only stopping for water instead of a full meal as usual. Urora agreed, and they continued with deliveries, until their cart was empty, and the sun hung low in the sky.
Urora, followed Aeris and Ahia out of the fortress and into the limbo of the gorge, but still not daring to pass onto the bridge. Her eyes carried a sadness as she gazed past the guards, and into the canyon beyond.
"Before we go," Ahia, rested her hand on Aeris's shoulder and pushed the girl toward Urora. "Didn't you have a question for Urora?"
Urora turned her gaze back to the girl, intrigued. "Oh?"
Crimson flared across Aeris's cheeks as she bowed her head, suddenly unsure of herself. "I was wondering if your king has friends to play with him?"
Urora let out a soft sound and lowered herself to Aeris's height. "The king is very well taken care of, I assure you vehvi," Urora lifted Aeris's face by her chin. "Koume and Kotake, his mothers, make sure of that,'
Koume and Kotake, the guards at the bridge that morning, had mentioned them. Were they the two women that had been with the king that day? Aeris's brows furrowed, and Urora hadn't answered her question. She didn't care if he was taken care of, she wanted to know if he was lonely.
"See darling, I told you he was fine," Aeris frowned up at Ahia, but couldn't voice her displeasure before her mother continued. "Speaking of your young king, he isn't much older than Aeris is he?"
Urora nodded thoughtfully. "He turned twelve this past winter, remind me how old is our Aeris now?"
Ahia looked down at Aeris expectantly, and the young girl grumbled unhappily. "I turned ten this summer,"
"And you are turning into a fine young woman, but the sun is getting low and strong you women need their rest," Urora turned to Ahia, with sadness in her eyes. "These are dangerous times, the roads are not safe after nightfall,"
Ahia nodded in agreement, and took Urora's hands in her own before turning back toward the cart. "You're right, we should be going. We'll see you next month, Urora,"
The Gerudo woman nodded, and ruffled Aeris's hair before lifting the girl up into the seat of the cart. "I will see you then, stay safe,"
Something, about Urora's tone, lingered with Aeris as they wound their way through the canyon.
Was it really that unsafe for them?
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Aeris groaned as her eyes fluttered open.
When had she fallen asleep?
Her green eyes flashed open, and she was meet with gold.
For as far as she could see, there was nothing but endless rolling golden sand against a crisp blue cloudless sky. She bolted upright, sending sand flying, her eyes darted around frantically searching for any sign of her mother.
"Mama!" She cried out, but the sand swallowed her voice.
What happened? Why was she alone here? Where was here?
She looked around again, there was nothing, but sand and sky until it faded into the horizon. She swallowed thickly, and pushed herself to her feet, slipping on the loose sand. Her hands slammed down into the sand, as a light breeze brushed her hair across her face.
Her hands were… different…
Startled, she brought her hands to her face to inspect them. Her fingers were long and slender, much like her mother's, no longer the slightly pudgy fingers of a ten-year-old. Rings adorned each of her fingers, some were thick bands of gold encrusted with gems, while others were thin finely woven delicate bands of the same gold. And, on her left ringer finger sat a pair of entwined snakes, delicately wrapped around a single emerald.
Gossamer black fabric draped across her arms, and down her body, forming a gown of ebony darkness that rivaled her hair. Her hands shook as she stared down at herself, still trying to figure out what was happening.
Why was she older?
Another light breeze blew across the sands, and with it came a voice. Feminine and as harshly beautiful as the desert, "Come to me vehvi," Aeris turned toward the voice and began walking, unsure of why or who was calling to her. She walked for what felt like hours, and miles toward the empty horizon, tripping over her strange new body until a rock formation slowly emerged from the barren skyline.
As she drew closer, she could make out a colossal woman carved into the stone, she was seated with her legs crossed with her hands rested on her knees, a gargantuan snake curled around her body with its head resting on top of hers.
Aeris stared in awe at the statue's serenely beautiful face, amazed at how lifelike the stone looked, when it moved. Aeris stumbled back several steps, nearly falling backward into the sand.
The Colossus's blank stone face turned toward her, and with a voice like sand blowing across the desert, she spoke. "Do not fear me, vehvi,"
"I don't understand!" Aeris had to nearly scream to be heard over the deafening silence of the desert. "Why am I here?"
"You, you will change everything," Aeris trudged forward, through sand that reached her knees, trying desperately to understand.
"I still don't understand!" The Colossus leaned forward, with a deafening groaning of stone on stone. "What will I change?"
"Fate, vehvi," The Colossus's voice was serenely beautiful as she leaned closer. "You will change the fate of so many, and yet you will remain it's slave,"
Somewhere, a scream rang across the sands, and Aeris turned blindly, searching for the source of the sound. Where was it coming from?
Was that her mother's voice?
"Many hardships lie before you, vehvi, but you are the key to the end of an ancient brutal cycle," Aeris coughed as the smell of smoke filled her nose and lungs. Heat burned in every breath she took, as the phantom smoke curled against her skin.
"Go vehvi, your destiny begins now," Another scream echoed across the sands, closer this time, laced with pure terror. Aeris turned as the grinding of stone once again filled the air, through the choking screams and smoke.
"May the goddesses have mercy on you,"
- - ┈┈∘┈˃̶༒˂̶┈∘┈┈ - -
Aeris bolted upright in her bed, she must have fallen asleep on the trek home, like she had so many times before. Somehow, her mother always managed to bring her upstairs without waking her. The sky outside of her window was dark, as she blinked at it blearily, her mouth felt like it was full of cotton as she froze.
There was a flickering orange glow coming from somewhere below her window. Her blood ran cold, as she sat unmoving in her bed.
Something was terribly wrong.
A crash came from downstairs, followed by a scream that only could have been her mother. Aeris sat frozen in terror as footsteps thundered up the stairs toward her room. A broken sob escaped her when her mother burst through her door, her face smeared with blood and soot, eyes wide with fear.
Aeris cried helplessly as she watched her mother knock over her bookshelf to barricade the door, not understanding what was happening. Just as the makeshift barricade was in place, something slammed against her door with enough force to crack the frame.
Aeris shrieked as her mother braced herself against the door when another deafening crack, bent the door against its hinges.
"Mama?" Aeris was opening sobbing, as Ahia finally turned toward her. Blood and soot stained her mother's usually beautiful face, as tears cut through the mess, leaving inky trails in their wake.
Ahia rushed to her, and wrapped her in a backbreaking embrace, Aeris felt something wet drip onto her head, whether it was blood or tears she didn't know. "Aeris, darling, I need you to listen to me," The door shook again, and several voices shouted on the other side. Her mother hurriedly placed something in Aeris' hands.
The Gerudo slip, her fingers wrapped around the partially charred cloth, and she looked up at her mother, unsure of what she meant.
"Take this and run, don't look back" Ahia quickly kissed the top of Aeris's head, and rushed over to the window. She threw it open, and ducked her head out of the opening. When she determined it safe enough, she motioned for Aeris to come to her, and the girl complied on wobbly knees. "I'll be right behind you,"
"Mama, I don't understand," Aeris heaved through her tears, trying to catch her breath through burning lungs.
Ahia brushed a strand of hair from her daughter's face with shaking hands, and kissed her forehead. "Aeris, I need you to be strong for me baby," She lifted her daughter up through the window, and onto the thatch roof beyond. "Know that your father and I love you, and that the Gerudo will keep you safe until we come for you,"
The door behind them groaned loudly as more weight was thrown against it. Ahia turned to Aeris, her eyes wild. "Darling, I need you to run now, as far as you can, as fast as you can,"
"Mama, what's happening?" Aeris hiccuped as her mother ran her thumb through the tears gathering on the cheeks. "Why is the barn on fire?"
Ahia said nothing as her green eyes filled with tears, and she shoved her daughter hard enough to send her tumbling down the slope of the roof to the ground. The drop wasn't enough to hurt the girl, but it was enough to knock the breath from her lungs. She laid there gasping for air, wheezing through the burning in her lungs, choking on the smoke in the air.
She managed to roll onto her knees, nearly blind with tears, when above her the door to her room shattered and her mother's scream pierced the ringing in her ears. She groped blindly, against the ground, shoving herself to her feet, with the Gerudo slip gripped tightly against her chest she darted into the darkness.
