AN: I have yammered on about this one enough online, so up on the profile it goes. This fic is threatening to take over my life and I am not complaining. Voe is such a sweetheart, he's a joy to write after writing so many angsty characters. He's not going to be carefree for long tho...;). BTW, the name of this chapter is inspired by a quote from Zuko in season 3. "In that war chamber, I was the perfect prince. But I wasn't me."

Chapter One: The Perfect Prince

Prince Voe Dragmire first found out his father did not love him when he was six years old. It was one of those memories that was hazy and dreamlike, and yet so clear in some details it was as if it had happened yesterday, even years on from the incident.

However, while it had taken root in his mind since and an ever-growing part of him had decided earning that affection back was impossible, he never realized how deep Father's animosity towards him ran.

Not until that day in Hyrule Field. Not until he personally witnessed Father stop his horse, look him square in the face, and then turn and ride off, leaving him - and dozens upon dozens of innocent soldiers - to die.

Voe was the only son of Ganondorf Dragmire, king of the Gerudo, sovereign over the Hylians, chief of the Gorons, and lord of the Zora. His mother, the Gerudo queen, had never been strong, and had died of illness when he was still an infant. Voe took after her, he was helpfully informed all growing up - pale and thin, with pale blue eyes that always seemed to be deep in contemplation. The only resemblance he and Father shared was the flaming red hair common among anyone with Gerudo ancestry.

Voe learned quickly not to ask about his mother. Not to ask about a lot of things, in fact.

Why he took so strongly after his mother.

Why Father flinched every time Voe touched him, even by accident.

Why Father couldn't seem to abide looking him in the face unless he couldn't avoid it.

It wasn't until he was six that he stumbled upon the answer.

The day started out ordinary enough. Father was kept busy dealing with a sudden stir of trouble in the Zora territory, and the need for a tutor was two years away, meaning Voe was left to his own devices in his bedroom while Koume and Kotake kept watch using their scrying abilities.

When Voe was alone in his room, he would often close his eyes, and the decorated walls would give way to a calm, quiet forest - trees like those he saw in pictures, fresh soft grass, trees that seemed to glitter with stars. He imagined building a home there, a house in the branches of one of the ancient trees, where the rustling of the leaves at night could lull him to sleep.

He kept that image in his mind, attempting to draw it with his limited expertise and equally limited supply of paints. There would be birdsong, the thought came to him, and the soft hum of insects and the whispering of fairies. He didn't know what any of those things sounded like - the only birds he saw were stray cuccos and guays flying by the Keep's window, he never set foot outside where bugs would gather, and he had never seen a fairy - but he did his best to imagine it. He paused, trying to visualize more and looking off into nothing.

"Blow a bit of cold wind in there, sister, the boy looks like the heat is getting to him," Koume said, her voice sounding close up and far away at the same time.

"I'm not a personal fan, little sister! You remember the boy always daydreams in his room, don't you!?" Kotake retorted.

"For the thousandth time, I am not younger than you - we are TWINS!"

Voe looked up from his scribbled drawing with a frown. While he was only six, he was an uncannily wise six, and although the Twinrova, with their centuries of experience (they both claimed to be 400 years old) and scrying power, were excellent caretakers, their bickering could wear down on anyone's patience.

Luckily, he had a foolproof plan to nip his grandmothers' argument in the bud. "Koume! Kotake! Can you come in!?"

"What does that child want now?" Kotake grumbled.

"Hush up, sister, he'll hear you!" Koume replied sharply. More pleasantly, she said, "Coming, young prince!"

Voe brushed off Kotake's irritation with him. The ice witch seemed to always find new things to complain about, much of it being all talk. She complained about Father a lot too, and her loyalty to him was unshakeable.

He went back to his drawing, wanting the final touches to be done by the time the Twinrova traveled the small but still considerable distance between their scrying tower and his room.

The door to his bedroom unlatched, and Koume and Kotake hurried in.

"Ugh, it would have been so much faster if we had our brooms!" Kotake groaned, flopping down in the worn rocking chair in the corner.

"Lord Ganondorf insisted we save our magic for a real threat," Koume retorted, before bowing to Voe. "Young prince, what is the matter?"

"Look at my drawing!" Voe said proudly, showing them the crudely drawn trees and, tucked into one of them, a small wooden house with a ladder leading up to it.

"Ah…" Koume said, inspecting the drawing. "Is this a picture you found in one of your books, prince?"

"Why did you draw a house?" Kotake asked coolly as she shoved her sister out of the way to inspect it.

"I thought it up in my head, Koume," Voe said, feeling pleased with himself. "I thought it would be really peaceful to live in a little house like that, you know, up a tree…"

"So long as a dream is all it is, little prince," Koume said with a sniff. "What in the Sand Goddess's name would you do with a house up a tree anyway?"

Voe frowned at the simple drawing. "I'm sorry, Koume. I just thought it would be nice…"

"I'm only being practical. Remember, your home is here, training to become a king the Gerudo tribe can take pride in. You simply don't have the time to go running off to build a little shack in the woods."

"Koume! You were just telling me not to be blunt with the prince!"

"Hush!" Koume's gaze softened. "When you are a king, that duty will take you many places. Including, I suppose, a place with the massive sky-trees."

"I've only seen one place with trees that large and that green - and that's in the Lost Woods, in the eastern part of the Territory," Kotake remarked.

"The… Lost Woods?"

"Ah, I'll be glad to tell you the tale, little prince. You see-" Kotake began.

"No, I shall tell it!" Koume interrupted.

"As if he'd enjoy hearing it from you! And I doubt you remember it anyway, you old keese!" Kotake retorted.

"You were just claiming to be older than me!" Koume said.

"We're equally old, sister, we're twins!"

Voe watched them argue another minute before he politely coughed. "Uh… maybe you could… tell me together?"

Koume and Kotake looked at each other, then at the young boy looking up at them eagerly.

"I suppose. So long as you don't talk over me!" Kotake said. Koume jostled her sister with her shoulder in response to the insult.

"Now, the Lost Woods are part of the forested region in the east of the Territory. A forest so old and wild that no army has been able to penetrate it. It is said that there was a temple there once, but that was long ago," Kotake said.

"Why is it called the 'Lost' Woods?" Voe asked. "What's lost about them?"

"Ah, I was just getting to that part. You see, the Lost Woods- oof! Koume, don't jab me like that!"

"It's my turn, sister, this is my favorite part!" Koume said. The fire witch sighed and continued from where her twin left off. "It's whispered that the Lost Woods are cursed, prince. Paths change direction without meaning and loop back in on themselves. The forest itself tries to confuse you. And those who become lost in the Lost Woods eventually lose themselves forever, wandering in circles until their bodies crumble to dust. Only a rare few have ever entered the forest and returned alive."

"There is a reason the Gerudo have never set up any kind of outpost in the woods," Kotake said. "Your father tried to penetrate them once. He still does not speak of what he saw."

Voe shivered, clutching one of the pillows he had carelessly dropped on the floor while getting ready that morning. "Does… anything actually live there? I thought my books said fairies came from the eastern territory."

"Fairies are immune to the effect, of course, as are the monsters that live there, but any race in the territories who entered became lost. That was the way of it. There was one race in the Territory that lived in the woods, however - the-" Kotake began.

Koume quickly inserted herself into the conversation. "The Kokiri, sister, the Kokiri."

"I knew that!"

"...Kokiri?" Voe whispered. Where have I heard that word before?

"The Kokiri were a mysterious race of spirits who made their home in a wooded glen surrounded on all sides by the Lost Woods. Each Kokiri was born with a fairy guide that kept them from getting lost in the woods, and they worshiped the dark god of the forest as their father. They looked like children even though their lifespan is more in the realm of trees - centuries or millennia even without aging a day!" Koume said.

"I'd like to learn their secret," Kotake grumbled. "Ouch! Sister!"

"However, like children, these wood sprites had a capricious sense of humor. I have heard tales of them luring children of other races into the woods to become lost, and just as arbitrarily leading them back out again," Koume finished, glaring at Kotake.

"-But no one's seen a Kokiri in centuries," Kotake jumped in. "Lord Ganondorf is convinced they all died off, and that's if they ever existed at all."

"The Lost Woods sound scary," Voe whispered. "But Father went there? Why?"

"It was when he was still a young man, and he didn't tell either of us what he was doing there."

"He brushed it off when we asked what it was like, insisted the stories had exaggerated how confusing the forest was. But he never went back."

"Kotake, should you really say such things about Father? That he was afraid?"

"I insinuated no such thing," Kotake sniffed. "Anyway, that's the only place we know of with giant trees like that." She poked a gnarled finger at Voe's drawing.

"You thought of this only from your books, young prince?" Koume asked.

Voe bit his lip, wondering why the Twinrova were being so probing. Without thinking, he lied, "I must have. Look, I can even show you the book I used." He stood up and reached as high as his small hands could and plucked out a book from the shelf. He flipped it open to a painting of a vibrant green forest. "See?"

"That looks like a picture of the Lost Woods alright," Koume said hesitantly. "Although what idiot would take the risk to go in and paint a nice picture of it is beyond my knowledge."

"You'd be surprised, little sister," Kotake said dryly.

"Stop calling me little sister!"

"If you're just as old as I, act like it, you petty hag!"

"Hag! Now see here-!"

Both Twinrova suddenly stopped, stock-still.

"Lord Ganondorf returns," Koume said.

"He's back early," Kotake remarked.

"Stay here, princeling. We just need to see what your father wants," Koume told Voe firmly.

Voe nodded. "Thanks for telling me the story," he said.

"You're welcome, little prince!" both of them called over their shoulders in unison as they hurried out the door.

Voe was left looking at his drawing in confusion.

"The Lost Woods sounds like a scary place," he muttered. "So why does it feel so peaceful in my head?"

And why did Father go there? Did he see a fairy? A Kokiri? Could he tell me when I'm older?

His thoughts were interrupted by his stomach demanding - very loudly - for something to eat. He looked at the clock and realized that he had been painting well past when he would normally have lunch. No wonder I'm hungry.

Voe knew the Twinrova had told him to stay in his room. However, he decided he'd be able to slip down into the kitchens and grab some food pretty easily, and be back up in his room with time to spare.

He tiptoed out of his room, before quickly ducking into an alcove on the wall to avoid a pair of guards. He took a deep breath as they passed, before hurrying around the corner and heading toward the kitchens. He knew he was only in for a scolding if he got caught, but still, his heart was racing as if he faced far worse if someone were to see him.

He hid behind a suit of armor as a trio of guards walked past.

"Lord Ganondorf has grown impatient, Nabooru." Voe recognized Ealeke, one of Father's generals, Captain Teltevul, and Nabooru, a young soldier in Ealeke's battalion.

Nabooru's Ealeke's... niece, I think?

"Does he expect me to work a miracle, Ealeke!? If a shadowfolk doesn't want to be found, they won't be found!"

"The Sheikah tribe are the key to rooting out the last opposition Lord Ganondorf has, Nabooru. The ancient princess was last seen in the company of a Sheikah. It would be wishful thinking to assume she didn't have descendants," Teltevul said.

Voe furrowed his brow. The Sheikah were essentially a Poe tale here in the Valley - the tribe said to have watched over the previous family who ruled the Territory before Father's ancestors had. It was said they had the power of black magic and could make themselves disappear in the blink of an eye, or else disguise themselves as your closest loved ones, to lower your guard so they could kill you easier. It was whispered they had a hidden torture chamber where enemies or disparagers of that line were taken, never to be seen again. The idea of the Sheikah was scary to Voe, and he'd had several nightmares after being told about them - of being dragged into a dark, damp pit full of bloodstained torture devices and cells, crawling with the restless shadows of the dead, and never seeing the light of day again.

But, like the Kokiri, they hadn't been seen since Father's family took over the Territory. Why did it seem like Father was looking for them?

"Well, I've combed every last inch of the Territory and found nothing!" Nabooru scowled. "Even an ancient tribe gifted in magic arts needs to make camps, campfires, and places to settle!"

"Keep looking, Nabooru. We aren't asking for a miracle, only results. Lord Ganondorf is not merciful towards those who try his patience," Teltevul said. To Ealeke, she dipped her head. "I mean no offense to you, General."

"Thank you for informing us, Teltevul," Ealeke said. "Please return to your post."

"I will. Good luck, General."

As soon as Teltevul left, a change seemed to come over Ealeke and Nabooru.

"She's right, you know. Ganondorf wants results. Failing one too many times could lead him to believe you are a traitor," Ealeke said.

"I can't pull those results out of thin air, Ealeke. The Sheikah have evaded our search for centuries. What makes him think we'll be any more successful now?"

"Be careful how you speak, Nabooru. Our sisterhood needs us now more than ever."

"Why? Why now?"

"Have you not seen the signs? The stars are stirring. The Goddess has grown angry with us. What happens if she withdraws her favor altogether? We will be left to the mercy of the desert winds."

"Is it… him? Is the Hero-?"

"Hush!" Ealeke hissed. "The last thing Lord Ganondorf needs to hear is that title again! He has been ill-tempered as of late."

"Does he see the signs as well-?" Nabooru began.

Voe had been leaning forward to hear better, however, as he did, he knocked into the legs of the set of armor he'd been hiding behind, making it topple over with a deafening CRASH.

Voe was left sitting in the piles of armor, looking very guilty, obviously eavesdropping.

"Prince Voe?" Ealeke asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I… I was… going down to the kitchens to get something to eat-" Voe began.

"How long were you listening back there?" Nabooru asked sharply, hauling him up.

"Nabooru, please calm yourself. He didn't mean any harm, I'm sure."

Voe shook his head anxiously, and Nabooru, after a moment, awkwardly let go of him.

"I'll take you down to the kitchen," Ealeke said. "Nabooru, can you make sure that armor set is reassembled by the time I return?"

"Why do I have to do it? He knocked it over!"

"Because I'd like to see a small boy reassemble it, and it must be reassembled so Lord Ganondorf does not notice," Ealeke retorted. "Come with me, Prince."

Voe took Ealeke's hand and followed her down to the kitchens.

Gogemim, the head cook, whirled around upon hearing Ealeke enter.

"Oh! General? And the prince!? What seems to be the matter?"

"I found his Majesty wandering the halls looking for the kitchens. Seems he wanted something to eat."

Voe's stomach growled as if punctuating her statement, and he flushed red.

Gogemim laughed. "I see. Well, that's easily remedied. Just give me a minute and this stew will be finished!"

Voe was soon happily enjoying a bowl of stew as Gogemim and Ealeke looked on in shared amusement.

"That boy has the appetite of a fully grown man," Gogemim said.

"One would never expect it, he looks so frail," Ealeke replied quietly.

"Especially compared to his father," Gogemim remarked.

Voe didn't pay any mind to their whispering, as engrossed as he was in eating.

Nabooru appeared at the door to the kitchens.

"Ealeke, I've finished putting the armor back in order, and the captain found me again and told me Lord Ganondorf wanted to talk to us about our findings."

Ealeke looked regretfully at Voe.

"I can find my own way back, General," Voe insisted, before picking up his bowl and drinking the last bit of stew on the bottom.

"If you're sure…" Ealeke replied. "Alright, Nabooru, we mustn't keep the king waiting."

They filed out of the kitchen. Gogemim stared after them, before gently picking up Voe's bowl. "He's going to be angry at them again…" the cook said, laying a plump, soft arm on Voe's shoulder.

"What does Father want from them?" Voe asked, pretending he hadn't overheard exactly what Father wanted.

Gogemim bit her lip. "He's still looking for the Sheikah, your Highness."

"The Sheikah… those are the shadowfolk, right? The tribe of assassins from the Territory? But I thought they were all gone."

"The very same," Gogemim replied. "They served the old royal family before the wars, and it is true they haven't been seen since, but-."

"But what?"

"The king's daughter fled the war in the company of a Sheikah, and your father is convinced that her descendants are being protected by that tribe even now," Gogemim said. "And-" She broke off there, looking anxious.

"What? What is it?"

"If any child of the ancient princess still lives, that means that they could return demanding their family's throne back. There could be another war. Your father knows he can't allow that to happen."
Voe frowned.

"But you won't have to worry about that for a good long while, I think, your Highness," Gogemim reassured him, pulling him into her round body for a hug. "Now, here, I saved this for you, too."

She reached into a bowl behind her (too far above his eye level for him to see inside), and handed him a ripe apple, red-streaked yellow skin shining in the torchlight of the kitchen.

"Really! Oh, thank you, Gogemim!" Voe said in excitement as he accepted it. Apples only grew in one place, in the Territory at Ingo Ranch, which was at least a few days' journey on horseback, and it wasn't practical to trade for them since they didn't keep well in the hot sun. "Where did you get it?"

"I have my ways," she said with a wink. "Now, you should hurry back to your room before the Twinrova stop bickering long enough to realize you've gone."

Voe nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Gogemim!" he called over his shoulder as he left the kitchens.

It was as he was walking back to his room, enjoying the apple, that he heard raised voices coming from Father's war chamber.

Voe wasn't allowed inside, only catching enough glimpses to know that it was full of maps and weapons, and Father used it to plan battle strategies with his generals and the Twinrova.

"-We need to move quickly, general!" Father roared. "If the Twinrova are right, then we are already running out of time!"

"Lord Ganondorf, we have searched everywhere. The report is always the same - no Sheikah has been seen since the fall of the Hero of Ti-"

"Do not mention that impudent boy!" Father growled.

"...Sorry, Lord. We will not stop looking, I assure you."

"...Lord Ganondorf," Nabooru asked hesitantly. "If your son really is the-"

"That creature. Is no son of mine," Father said, his voice hushed with revulsion.

An icy-cold grip tightened around Voe's heart. He didn't have to question whether Father meant what he said - the look in his eyes proved it. Voe stumbled back and dropped his half-eaten apple, heart pounding and eyes stinging, before running away as fast as he could.

He managed to hold it together until he got to his room, upon which he, vision swimming with tears, crumpled up his drawing and threw it into the corner behind his wardrobe. He crawled into his bed and buried his face in his pillow.

Father doesn't love me! He thinks I'm a... a creature!

He barely heard the Twinrova start arguing from their scrying tower about why he was suddenly lying in bed feigning sleep.

The details of that day faded from his memory, but those fatal words were etched into his mind. Father's behavior toward him did not change - he spoke to him just like usual, with that air of detachment someone none the wiser would take for stern affection. Voe knew better. He knew what Father really thought.

That creature is no son of mine.

They were what sparked his obsessive need to help Father, he decided looking back on it. Even as that hope had faded, some small part of him always thought, If I'm just helpful, if I'm the perfect prince, if I give him something to be proud of - he'll love me. He won't think I'm just a creature anymore. I just have to prove I'm good enough.

Voe wasn't given many opportunities to help, though. He was forbidden from leaving the Keep - it was too dangerous even in the inner reaches of the Valley where he was surrounded by loyal Gerudo.

He worked hard in his lessons, did exactly as he was instructed, and never breathed a word of what he'd heard that day.

But nothing improved. Father treated him with the same kind of distance he always did.

That was the thing about hope, though.

It was hard to kill.

So by the time Voe was fourteen, even though he had almost given up on ever having Father's affection and approval the way he craved it when he was six, he jumped at the first chance to prove his loyalty and help supervise and command the newly minted 89th battalion of young recruits on a scouting mission to the wilds of the Territory.