Years passed, seemingly in the blink of an eye, as Aeris integrated into daily life with the Gerudo. She threw herself into her attempts to fit in, giving herself little time to mourn the loss of her life in Hyrule.
It was only in the dead of night, with Nabooru as her only witness, that she allowed herself to break. To let red-hot tears slip down her cheeks in the dead silence of the night.
Nabooru, to her credit, had taken the smaller child under her wing and proudly declared herself Aeris's older sister. If anyone dared to question Aeris's newfound place in the fortress, they would have Nabooru and her fists to answer, too.
But, there were times that Nabooru could only stand and watch, as Aeris was tested. Times when she had to let the Hylian stand up for herself, with the barred teeth determination that the girl already wielded like a weapon.
Like the other Gerudo children, Aeris was expected to participate in daily training exercises. By her thirteenth birthday, she was confident in her ability to hold her own against the girls, who, despite being the same age as her, stood twice her height already.
The sounds of the training grounds rang out around her, her hands trembled under the weight of her blunted spear, and sweat poured down her face, but she refused to stand down.
Refused to be seen as weak.
"What little knife ear?" Aeris barred her teeth at the older girl, who stood across the ring from her. "Should we find you a shorter spear?" A harsh laugh rang up from the other children, as Aeris widened her stance, bracing herself.
The girl, Maili, had been particularly harsh on Aeris. For reasons unknown, though Nabooru liked to say that it was because the other children preferred Aeris's company.
"Don't listen, Aeris!" Nabooru's voice broke through the buzz of the crowd, and Aeris's lip curled into the ghost of a smile. "Remember what we practiced,"
Aeris stared, eyes focused, waiting for the precise moment she would strike. Maili barked another laugh as she shifted her own spear. Aeris lunged, lashing out with her blunted spear in a wide arch that caught the back of Maili's knees. The girl let out a squawk as her hip impacted the ground.
"Match!" Kulori, the woman in charge of training the older girls, called an end to the match, with her arms crossed over her chest. "Excellent work Aeris, Maili it's the stables for you tonight, payment for your arrogance,"
Aeris hid her smile, as she brushed her sweat logged hair from her eyes. Nabooru was smiling, shoving the girls beside her as she boasted about her sister's triumph. Aeris lifted her spear toward them, and Nabooru lifted her fist in response.
Kulori raised her open palm and silence fell over the crowd. "Who's next?" She scanned the group of would-be warriors. "Don't let the little Hylian fool you, she's a fast one,"
There was a beat of silence as Aeris reveled in her victory, then like a rug being pulled from beneath her, her stomach plummeted to her toes.
"I think, I would like to try," A murmur ran through the crowd, and Nabooru sent Aeris a panicked glance as the King, as Ganondorf stepped into the ring.
Kulori, eyes wide, looked from Aeris to the king, with her lips pressed into a flat line beneath her veil. Aeris was frozen, unable to meet the man's gaze as he took a spear from a dumb struck bystander.
He had grown tall, and lean over the years. With broad shoulders, and a wicked grin that spoke of the very large man he would flourish into.
The king he would become.
His crimson hair was pulled into a low ponytail that was tucked over his bare shoulder and cascaded down his chest. So similar to the warriors that he was born to lead. A dark leather harness was buckled across his chest, and for once in the few times that she had managed to catch a glimpse of him after that fateful night, he was void of the heavy golden adornments that he was usually covered in.
Aeris bowed her head, clutching her spear to her chest as her cheeks flared the color of his hair.
"My king!" Kulori placed her fist across her chest and bowed her head. "I was unaware that you would be joining us today,"
Aeris could hear the smirk in his voice as he gently twirled the spear in his grasp. "It was not in my plans for the day, but I heard the commotion on my way to the stables," Aeris dared to lift her gaze, and froze as she met burning golden eyes.
"I was curious," He held her gaze for a moment, a lazy grin spread across his face, and she could have sworn that his head dipped. Just the slightest hint of motion, an illusion, perhaps.
He curled around his spear, holding it close to his chest, so he could lean his weight against it. "It would seem, that our little Hylian is becoming quite the warrior,"
Aeris shrank back at the comment, sure that he was taunting her. She hated when her height was used against her, but was unable to deny that she was indeed smaller than her peers, and even a few of the younger girls that had hit their growth spurts early.
"Indeed she has, my king," Kulori clamped her hand on Aeris's shoulder, sending her stumbling forward a half step. "Though, if you wish to spar today, I will have our best trainee prepare for you," She pushed Aeris back toward the crowd, and motioned toward the older girls. "Nabooru, your spear!"
Nabooru paled, but turned as she was told, moving to retrieve her own weapon.
"That won't be necessary," Nabooru halted as Ganondorf raised a hand. "If I'm not mistaken, the rules of this game are that the winner of each round continues on until they are defeated,"
Aeris's heart plummeted from its attempt to climb back into her chest. "That is correct, is it not?"
"It is, my king,"
"Then it appears that, our little Hylian, is to be my partner," A wicked almost predatory grin spread across his lips as he leaned further into his spear.
Kulori, tightened her grip on Aeris's shoulder, but smiled. "Of course, my king,"
Aeris's ears buzzed as the commander reiterated the rules of the match, her words falling on deaf ears as she stared across the ring at the young king. How was she supposed to fight him? Was she supposed to let him win? Would that offend him?
She sent a silent plea to Din, praying to the goddess for strength.
She dared a glance at Nabooru as Kulori droned on, the older girl had her gaze locked on Ganondorf her lips curled in distaste.
Aeris shuffled her feet. Should she bow out? Would that make her weak? Her heart was about to explode, was about to wrench itself free from her ribs in a desperate attempt to flee. Her gaze drifted back to the boy across from her, that predatory grin was still plastered to his face. His eyes were narrowed, focused solely on her.
"Begin!"
Aeris snapped to attention as Ganondorf leapt forward, bringing his spear down in a long ark. A sound ripped from Aeris's chest as she wheeled, barely managing to roll out of the way as wind rang past her long ears.
She landed on one knee, spear held in front of her joints, screaming in pain.
Ganondorf snarled as he slid, thrown off balance by his missed blow. Aeris snarled back, her teeth bared as she pushed herself to her feet.
"You're as intimidating as a kitten, little Hylian," Crimson curled up her ears, as the king smiled. "How old are you now, little kitten?"
"Thirteen," He fainted toward her, and she spun away, a dance was forming. "And, you?"
Two quick steps in either direction. "Fifteen, but you already knew that,"
A half step back, and a jab of her spear, was met by a side step. "You only have two years on me," She lunged, a half attempt at an attack, pushing him further toward the edge of the ring.
"Quit calling me little,"
"The kitten has claws!" He rushed her, spear held loosely in his grasp, ready to strike.
Too fast, he was too fast, leaving Aeris no choice, but to meet him head on. Their spears clashed together, and her bones rang with the force of it. He grinned down at her as her arms shook, he was stronger, and he knew it.
"What to do, little one?" She snarled at him. That smirk was beginning to irritate her.
Her shoulder barked with pain as he leaned into her, and her feet began to slide in the sand. His smile grew as he bore down on her, willing her to submit.
This time, she smiled back.
She saw the moment of panic that crossed his face as she stepped back, whirling to the side spear tucked close to her chest. He tumbled forward, barely managing to jam his spear into the ground to stop himself from falling completely.
His cocky attitude was gone as he spun toward her, replaced with building rage. His brow wrinkled with it as his mouth set into a firm line. "Wrong move, little Hylian,"
He lunged forward, with all of his weight behind him, but Aeris was ready.
She held her breath as he approached, counting the few precious seconds she had before that wicked spear was upon her. She waited, until she could see the sweat beading on his brow, then jammed the end of her spear into the ground and lifted herself into the air.
Ganondorf tried to halt himself, to turn away, but the momentum he carried was too much, and he watched helplessly as both of Aeris's feet connected solidly with his bare chest. The wind was knocked from his lungs as he collided with the earth, wide-eyed as the small girl landed lightly on his chest, crouched with her spear held in both hands. His own weapon laid several feet away, just out of his reach.
A cry rang through the training yard as the pair stared at each other.
Aeris dropped her spear, and quickly stepped away from him, head bowed to her chest as she realized what she had done.
There was chaos in the crowd as Kulori announced Aeris as the winner, before rushing to the downed king's side. Aeris let the crowd push past her, refusing to raise her head, to meet anyone's gaze.
A familiar arm wrapped around her shoulder, and she was enveloped by the familiar perfume that shrouded Nabooru. "Nabs, I,"
The older girl shushed her, pulling her close to her chest. "You're a badass, you know that,"
Aeris shuddered, "If Koume and Kotake hear about this,"
"About what?" The pair tensed as a male voice interrupted them.
They turned, and Nabooru stepped in front of Aeris as Ganondorf pushed through the crowd toward them. They both dipped their heads as he approached, unable to meet his gaze. "You have nothing to fear little Hylian, A king must be humble in the face of defeat,"
Aeris lifted her gaze, he was dusting off his cream-colored sirwal, as if he had merely tripped. "Are you alright?" His golden eyes no longer held the dangerous gleam they had a mere moment ago. "My king,"
"I am fine," She blinked, as he extended his hand to her. "Well fought,"
Her hand trembled as she reached for him, taking his hand in her own ignoring the crimson heat that flooded her, as he brought her fingers to his lips. "If you keep fighting like that, you may just make it into the king's guard,"
Her eyes widened. His words were kind, but she knew there was no truth behind them. The Gerudo may have accepted her with open arms, but she was still a Hylian.
Still a little knife ear.
"Now if you will excuse me, I will be on my way to the stables to nurse my wounded pride," As quickly as he had appeared, he was gone disappearing into the depths of the stables.
Aeris and Nabooru watched as he left. Aeris's fingertips burned where his lips had pressed against them, and Nabooru's face was twisted into something between disgust and shock.
"That will be all for today," Kulori was staring at Aeris as she dismissed the group of girls.
Nabooru kept her hand clamped on Aeris's shoulder, as the group dispersed, keeping her where she was. When the training yard was near enough to empty, she turned the girl toward her, her golden eyes were wide.
"What was that?" Nabooru shook Aeris lightly, as if to shake the answer to her question loose.
"I don't know," Aeris peered down at her toes, suddenly unable to look Nabooru in her eyes. Unable to look into that shade of gold.
"How long have you had that move up your sleeve?" Another shake of her shoulders nearly knocked her from her feet.
"I panicked," Aeris looked up from her toes, a pink blush across her cheeks. "It was the only thing I could think of,"
Nabooru's eyes softened, and she tucked Aeris against her chest in a tight embrace. "Mom isn't going to like this,"
No Urora would be furious, but she would be proud, no doubt that Aeris had stood her ground. Even if it had been against the king.
"Aeris!," The pair jolted as a voice rang out across the open yard. "What are you doing, girl, you're late!"
Aeris shoved away from Nabooru, her eyes wide with panic. "Coming Seteli!"
The stable master was standing near one of the training paddocks, with her arms crossed over her chest. Aeris had volunteered to help the aging woman with the horses, shortly after she had come to the fortress.
The stables offered her a taste of home, that she sorely missed.
Aeris thrust her spear into Nabooru's arms, and dashed across the training yard toward the stables. Seteli was a kind woman, she was more than patient with Aeris. Had taught the girl everything, she knew about horses and their daily care.
Seteli was smiling as Aeris skidded to a halt, nearly loosing her balance. "I'm sorry,"
"No need to apologize, girl," Aeris grimaced as a hand rubbed the top of her head. "That was quite the show you put on,"
Aeris stared at the ground, her mouth set in a firm line. Already, she wished that people would just drop the subject of her sparing match with the king.
"But, come, there is work to be done,"
Aeris allowed herself to be led into the stables, as she ran through the list of her chores. The stalls needed to be mucked, the horses let out, new hay needed to be put down.
The list went on.
The smell of the stables was comforting to Aeris. It reminded her of her family, of the time she spent in the barn as a young child. Her heart ached as she thought of the goats, she missed them. Aeris turned her attention to the horses in the stalls they passed, hoping to chase away the painful memories.
Most of them were dun or bay mustangs, well suited for the harshness of the desert. They nickered as Aeris and Seteli passed, one even reached out and nipped at Aeris' ponytail.
"You know your duties," Aeris nodded, and threw herself into what was expected of her.
One by one, she led the horses out into their designated paddocks, until she was deep in the stables near the end of the rows.
"Did you know there are wild horses in the wastes?"
A small shriek left her lips, startling the few horses left in their stalls, as a voice broke her silence surroundings.
"Easy now, little Hylian," A dark chuckle drew her attention as she panted, her fear fading away.
The king was smiling down at her from his perch, in the corner of the stall that held his black stallion. The red maned beast nickered at his master as it nuzzled his pockets for treats.
Aeris stared up at him as he ran a hand over the stallion's ear, scratching softly. "Do you take joy in scaring the life from me?"
"Only when you react so," His lips curled into that wicked grin that was becoming all too familiar. "Adorably,"
A strange look crossed his face, as the of her ear twitched in the way that it only did when she was particularly angry. "Very funny, your highness,"
His lip quirked, as she blinked up at him. "You wouldn't think that horses could survive out there, in those burning sands,"
His voice held reverence as he ran a hand along the stallion's forelock. Aeris looked up at him, as he continued his thoughts. "They thrive, though, moving from oasis to oasis,"
He turned his gaze back to her, and his horse followed, regarding her with eyes the color of coal. "They're oddly beautiful if you're lucky enough to see them, they're lean with arched necks. They race across the sands like lightening arching,"
Aeris glanced down the row of stalls, there was only one horse here that fit that description. As if she knew that someone was speaking of her. The golden mare in the very last stall let out an ear-piercing squeal, and struck her stall door with her hooves. Shaking the walls, as she struck three times.
"A strong-willed mare, for a strong-willed girl," Aeris whipped her head back toward the grinning king. "She was born just before your arrival here, to one of our mares that escaped into the wastes,"
Aeris knew the mare, she was one of the few people that she allowed near her. The filly was the color of the very sands she had come from, with a mane and tail that faded from that pale gold to a crisp white. Her neck was thin, and beautifully arched. It flowed to her small angular head that curved before the flare of her nostrils.
No one had been able to tame the horse. Not once in the three years she had lived had the mare been ridden. It was rare that the mare allowed anyone close enough to even harness her to be led from her stall.
Aeris found herself drawn toward the mare, her foot falls were soft, hesitant, as she approached the stall. The mare squealed again, throwing her arched head back, her blue eyes wide with panic.
Aeris shushed the panicked filly as she reached out with an open palm. The mare snorted, stepping from side to side as Aeris inched closer. She'd never been brave enough to touch the mare before, she left her to Seteli most days.
The mare froze with a snort, blowing a hot burst of air across Aeris's open palm. So close, she was so close she could feel the peach fuzz that covered the mare's lips.
"She's yours if you can tame her," Hot breath ghosted across her ear.
Girl and mare squealed, both jumping back, startled by the sudden intrusion into their bubble.
The boy behind her laughed, a deep belly laugh, as Aeris spun on her heel to face him. "Must you scare me so!"
The laughter fizzled into a low chuckle, as Ganondorf gazed down at her. He brought his knuckle up to brush her jaw. "Adorable,"
His gaze shifted to her exposed ear as it flicked in annoyance. "Strange little Hylian,"
"Strange, says the one that takes joy in my fear," She planted her feet, and squared her shoulders as she stared up at him.
His eyes hardened, and for a moment she swore his hand on her chin tightened its grip. "I do no such thing,"
He turned from her, his hair flipped over his shoulder. "The offer still stands, little Hylian," He looked back over his shoulder at her, his golden eyes soft again. "If you tame her, she's yours to claim," His gaze shifted to the mare, who blew a short snort at him. "Yours to name,"
Aeris's breath hitched in her chest, it was an honor among the Gerudo to bond with a horse. To name a horse was of the highest of honors.
A soft fuzz covered mouth pulled at the loose strands of hair around Aeris's face, as Ganondorf disappeared from the building. A soft nicker drew her attention, and she turned to face the mare beside her. "Well, it looks like it's me and you girl,"
The mare nickered again, wiggling her lips against Aeris's cheek. "You sure warmed up fast,"
The mare jolted suddenly, turning about in her stall as if to prove Aeris wrong. The girl laughed, it was going to be a difficult task, but the end result would be a companion, a friend that would never leave her.
Someone like her.
She sighed, before turning to finish her chores. She would have to ask Seteli to teach her, how to train a horse. Aeris wasn't even sure where to begin.
She made her way to the next horse on her list, the massive black stallion nickered at her softly. Ganondorf's horse bowed his head out of his stall, searching Aeris for treats. She let the horse nuzzle her palm, as she looked above the door to his stall. His name was lovingly carved there, Galloughs.
A strange name, she wondered where he had gotten it from. A book, maybe. She had heard that the young king enjoyed reading.
"Come on, boy," She took the harness from beside his stall and looped it over his ears. "Time for some sunshine,"
She led the massive horse down the aisle, loosing herself in her thoughts as his hooves pounded the earth behind her.
It would take months to break the mare, to get her accustomed to the saddle, and then even longer to actually ride her.
But the mare would be hers, in the end.
Hers to claim.
Hers to name.
