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Chapter Text

chapter 1:Behind my mask.

As the last glimmer of light from Mineru, the spirit sage, faded into the air, the group of friends began their descent from the sky islands.

King Sidon returned to his beloved Yona, and together they started all preparations for their wedding. Yunobo resumed his project, ensuring his employees' well-being first. Tulin rejoined his family, ready to learn the responsibilities of a leader, while Riju embraced her duties to her people once more.

Link accompanied Zelda to her home in Hateno. Zelda was happy to have him by her side again. Her steps were light and almost dancing.

Link, however, walked with a stoic demeanor, his eyes fixed on his zonai hand. His thoughts were distant and detached. For a brief instant, during his fall, his arm felt normal again... He was sure he saw it… But now, and since he fell into lake Hylia, it was Rauru's, again... 

Was Rauru trying to punish him for what he had done… 

Something he couldn’t tell anyone… He felt guilty. But oh well, he already found a new use for the Zonai limb so it wasn’t much of a punishment.

But still, it was strange… Didn’t Rauru tell him he couldn’t bring back his arm? 

He was lost…

 Zelda didn't seem to notice.

Her journey into the past had awakened her feelings for her knight, and she hoped to use their return to their home to talk to him and perhaps confess her feelings.

They lived together, after all, she reminded herself. It would be easier to approach him when they were never far apart. Arriving at the little house, Zelda opened the door with a broad smile.

She stepped inside and turned, but her smile faltered when she saw Link standing outside, not moving to come in.

She frowned briefly, then smiled again.

"Link? What are you waiting for? Come in."

Link gave her a small smile but shook his head.

"That's very kind of you, but I'd rather go home. I have things to do."

Zelda's eyes widened, and she stood speechless for a few moments. She looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. Regaining her composure and voice, though more hesitantly, she said,

"B... But, Link, you live here... We live together. You... You have nowhere else to go."

Link chuckled softly.

"Ah, don't worry, everything's fine. I've built myself a new house, so we don't have to live in the same tiny one anymore. I didn't want to make you move since you enjoy looking after the school so much."

The young woman's face fell and her voice grew quieter.

"But I really appreciate living with you..."

The knight opened his mouth, then shook his head.

"You're an excellent roommate and a wonderful friend, Zelda, but I like my peace and quiet and having my own place."

Zelda felt a pinch in her heart as she looked at him, with her intense gaze. “Is that why you prefer to sleep outside, by the fire?... You seek solitude?”

Link nodded calmly.

She knew he was being honest about wanting his own space, but perhaps if she spoke sincerely, he might change his mind.

She took a deep breath as she nervously fidgeted with the hem of her Zonai dress. 

With her heart pounding, she mustered the courage to speak the words she had been holding back for so long. "Link, there's something I need to tell you."

Link’s expression softened as he tilted his head. "What is it? You know you can tell me anything."

She smiled and blushed slightly, taking another deep breath. "When I was sent back in time, I felt so alone. I missed my life here, I missed my friends... But the presence I missed the most was yours, by my side. I've come to realize that my feelings for you go beyond the bond of a princess and her knight... They are much stronger."

As the words escaped her lips, she saw Link’s face twitch, and she knew she wouldn't like the outcome of this conversation. Zelda's feelings were acknowledged but clearly unwanted. Her words died in her throat, and the silence was deafening. After a long moment, Link let out a sigh.

"Zelda, you are dear to me, and I value the bond we share. You are my best friend, my princess. I feel like you are a part of me and I will protect you with my life. But I'm sorry, I can't reciprocate those feelings."

She stepped back and sat on the wooden chair, her heart hurting with every beat. She couldn't understand. Link's unwavering dedication and willingness to give his life made her believe his feelings went beyond duty. She would love to think he was lying, but she could see he wasn't. Her voice was small.

"I don’t understand… How are you willing to give your life for me if you don’t have feelings for me? I don’t understand."

Link moved closer and knelt before her. He took her hand gently, speaking calmly. "You are the light of this kingdom, Zelda. Our hope for a better future. Every knight, every Sheikah is willing to give their life to save you. You are our princess. I only do what any other knight would do, though perhaps more because the sword of evil’s bane gives me the title of hero. I would sacrifice myself willingly for everyone. I do love you… as my dearest friend."

The young woman closed her eyes, fighting back tears. His words were so gentle, even if the truth hurt.

She had seen him as a man who would sacrifice himself for her and only her, but she had forgotten he would do the same for anyone. He had already risked his life for the people of Hyrule seven years ago without remembering her, and had done so again this time… He wasn’t sacrificing himself just for her, but for the entire kingdom.

He truly was a hero.

In the many fantasy books she had read in her life, the hero always ended up with the princess. It had become something of a little girl's dream. But the reality could be much simpler and duller. He only saw her as a friend and a job.

She took a deep breath and looked at him calmly. Green met blue for an instant. "Is there someone else?"

Link laughed softly but shook his head. "Not really."

She straightened up and gave him a resolute smile.

"In that case, I hope you won't mind if I keep hoping and trying to reach your heart."

Link looked at her with a slightly disappointed expression. The pain was evident in his eyes, but Zelda was determined. He closed his eyes, defeated.

"I'd prefer you to give up, Princess, but I can't demand it of you. Just know that you should look elsewhere for what you truly deserve. You can’t change the way I feel. It's not fair to you, and it's not fair to me. I don't want you to get hurt in the process."

He was prepared for the princess to persist in her pursuit of Link; after all, Zelda looked determined to make things difficult. However, contrary to all expectations, she remained wide-eyed for a long moment before bowing her head in defeat.

"I… I understand… Thank you for being sincere with me."

It was unusual. Zelda was typically very stubborn. Link couldn't fathom why she had given up so easily. Despite feeling a great sense of relief, something didn't sit right with him.

He bid her farewell and left the house briskly to join Epona. With a rapid movement, he mounted his horse and calmly stroked the side of her head.

“Hey girl… Let’s go back…”

The mare gave a little neigh, as if she understood the order Link had given her. However, she wasn't as perky and lively as usual, as she appeared to feel her master's concerns. As she walked towards Link’s new home, a wave of frustration and guilt washed over the boy.

He could have pretended and married her. He could have lived a lie for the rest of his life. But he knew he couldn't deceive himself for so long. He already never felt in his place in this kingdom…

If only he could tell her...

His pace slowed. Zelda would despise him if she knew...

What he truly was...

What he was hiding...

And the depth of his betrayal.

He let out a sigh and steered Epona towards the nearest stable. The young mare was not happy. She hated spending time in the stable, but Link had no choice. He didn't know how to look after her, and there was no room for a horse in his house. 

Epona seemed to sulk when he got off her back and was now walking at a snail's pace. Link couldn't help laughing. 

“Come on, girl, I'll be back for you soon...” 

He dropped her off at the good care of the stable and finished his walk, not without a last glance at his mare. Her presence helped a lot with his troubles, and now he walked the rest of the way alone. 

Silently passing through the door of his house, he strode with a determined gaze towards the basement.

The door creaked open into a dark room with an old bed. A colossal figure sat on the mattress, golden eyes blazing with violent fury.

Link grinned.

"You're finally awake... Ganondorf."

With a wave of his Zonai hand, the young man illuminated the room. The Gerudo shielded his eyes from the sudden brightness, gradually adjusting until he could focus on Link. His gaze first fixed on the foreign arm before settling fully on the young man. 

Despite his battered body wrapped in bloody bandages, despite being dressed only in underwear and despite the thick Zonai necklace around his neck, his physique and presence remained imposing.

Since their battle, his complexion had changed from green to the copper hue of his people, a transformation Link found strangely fitting.

Ganondorf attempted to rise but winced in paralyzing pain, forced to remain seated. His hand tapped lightly at his chest and his face contorted when he found nothing there.

“...Envah*…My jewels... Where are my jewels?!” His voice was broken with fatigue, but still demanding. 

Link shrugged. “I put them away, don’t worry about it” 

“Give them back this instant !” He tried to scream but he just couldn’t.

Link shook his head. “You won't need them for now. Also your body is covered in blood… You don’t want them dirty now, do you? They are in a safe place.”

Ganondorf grunted, fixing his gaze on the young hero who had bested him. "You... When my powers return, you'll regret not letting me die."

Link chuckled softly, his expression dismissive.

"I'm not concerned. The brand new necklace you wear is one of my new Zonai creations. It tightens around your throat at the slightest move against me or any attempt to leave my house."

The former demon frowned, feeling the collar around his neck. It was a Zonai creation, not meant as mere jewelry but a device pulsing softly with ominous power. The soft sound reminded him of its control over the king. Ganondorf immediately tried to break it, but as soon as he touched it, he could feel the metal tightening and hardening under his fingers. He knew this kind of material, and knew he couldn’t do anything because he wasn't a zonai himself.

Approaching calmly and devoid of fear, Link's gaze bore an arrogant confidence, making Ganondorf angrier. He spoke again.

"Even without this device, you're no longer a threat. I defeated you at your peak, when you had unlimited power. I could easily defeat you again without it.” the boy said with a bratty attitude. 

“You no longer possess the secret stone, and the others were destroyed this afternoon by the sages. You're just a mortal now. Even if you manage to kill me, survive the first strangulation, and escape, you won't get far. The collar will tighten once you're out, paralyzing you in plain sight. Terry Town's soldiers will find you, dead or alive. If you survive the second time, you're still in trouble. A Gerudo man isn't common, and you'd be executed immediately. You've got nothing left. You are nothing."

Fury boiled in the former demon's heart, and he made a hostile movement towards the blonde, but as his hand rose, he felt his breath catch as the metal squeezed his throat. The collar tightened, a slow, deliberate squeeze that threatened to suffocate him. He struggled to free himself, but it was futile. The Zonai metal held strong, and he gasped for air.

He collapsed onto the bed, his throat constricting relentlessly. There was nothing he could do to stop it. The air grew thinner, the world spinning around him. On the brink of unconsciousness, he saw the young man approach and make a simple gesture. The metal loosened, allowing him to catch his breath. He inhaled deeply, now fully aware of his predicament. He couldn’t do anything.

He took another deep breath.

He had lost. Once a god among men, wielding immense power, he had been defeated by this boy. He was now a prisoner, wounded and powerless.

A fresh gasp filled his lungs, accompanied by a sensation of pressure as if his head were submerged underwater. He coughed repeatedly, struggling against the overwhelming pain in his chest. Finally, he mustered the strength to look at the young knight.

He was his prisoner now. With a voice strained and broken, he managed to ask, 

"...How am I alive?"

Link shrugged nonchalantly. "Because I decided so?"

The Gerudo let out a frustrated growl. "Stop feigning ignorance. I felt your sword pierce my skull."

Link chuckled softly. "I honestly don't know. When I destroyed the stone on the demon dragon, your body emerged from its corpse. You fell into Lake Hylia at the same time as me and the princess. I pulled you out of the water, brought you here, and healed your wounds."

Ganondorf ran a hand over his chest, wincing. It explained the sensation of water in his lungs. He also sensed a profound absence within him… There was a void where his darkest powers once dwelled. Was he not a demon anymore? 

Yet, something else piqued his curiosity. 

“What do you benefit from keeping me alive? You didn't save me out of the goodness of your heart. So what do you want from me?” the man growled.

Link held his silence for a moment. The Gerudo's eyes were full of resentment, yet he looked like he understood what would happen if he didn’t play by Link’s rules. 

Despite his apparent calm, it was clear that Ganondorf hadn't surrendered; he was biding his time to find a way out. But Link wasn't intimidated. He knew the Gerudo had no escape. 

“Oh, you clearly don’t know me… I would’ve saved you either way, but I do have a need for… your services.”

Admittedly, Link was very selfish for the first time. He really needed this man. There was no need for caution in his response.

“I want you to fuck me.” Link said without hesitation.

Another fit of coughing seized the former king. He had anticipated anything but this. His face of animosity turned into shock. He was certain he had misunderstood the young knight.

“... What?”

Link maintained his silence for several seconds, fixing a steady gaze on his prisoner. He had never witnessed such confusion in Ganondorf's eyes. The Gerudo was typically in control of every situation, using his words and manipulations to his advantage. He could predict the outcome of most conversations effortlessly. 

Link's unexpected declaration caught him off guard. Slowly and deliberately, Link reiterated his request, as if the man was too slow to understand the first time. The demon king frowned deeply and snapped.

"What is wrong with you?!! Asking for something like that?!"

The young man fetched a wooden chair from the corner of the room and positioned it facing the king.

"Think of it as a deal. You're a fugitive with nothing left. I'm offering you an alternative. You'll be alive, fed, housed, and cared for… and all I ask in return is that you fuck me when I ask."

There was a violent tension in the room. The Gerudo took in the information he was given, unsure whether to feel offended or amused. He gazed intensely at the boy, much like Zelda had hours ago, as if seeing him for the first time. He was so different from the hero he’d imagined. Tilting his head, his voice hissed dangerously.

“You kept me alive so I could...  prostitute myself?”

"No, no," Link responded calmly. "You'd need to be paid to call it prostitution. It's more or less a little deal... Blackmail, if you prefer."

Confusion turned back into anger. How dare this boy blackmail the Demon King for sexual favors? The Gerudo's fingers clenched the mattress as he tried to use his darkest powers to destroy the boy with gloom… But it didn’t work... 

He tried again to summon his dark powers, the nightmarish hands into the room but once again, nothing responded. 

He then understood that he was right… He wasn’t the demon king anymore. He no longer had control over malice, nor could he assume his demon king form. 

The beast was slain…

His voice seethed dangerously.

"And when did you think I'd accept such a proposition from you? Who do you think I am? If you believe I'm attracted to you and your small yet surprisingly strong physique, you're Ri…"

Ganondorf abruptly cut himself off, shock all over his face. Fortunately, Link didn't catch the end of the Gerudo's sentence and chuckled.

“Oh, stop being so stubborn. I could see it in your eyes when you began to falter in our duel. Pure lust, even if I am a man. You're as flawed as I am. Besides, Gerudos are very attracted to those who are stronger than them and I am so, so much stronger than you. “

The former king clicked his tongue.  “I am not "flawed"...”

He didn’t attempt to refute anything else. Link sighed. “Look, it’s simple: accept or refuse. I don’t have time to waste. I won’t let you go, either way, and if you refuse, I might also give you to the guards…  After all, you are Hyrule's greatest foe. But I am not a monster. You will be treated with respect under my roof, that much I promise.”

The king’s gaze narrowed; there was hardly a choice to be made… He let a tense silence hang before regaining his composure.

“Ah… promises waiting to be broken… My interest in your body may be true, admittedly, as I am a Voelegah* and I do find strength attractive... But you took everything from me. I despise you. I loathe every part of you... If you let me near you, I won't be gentle or kind. I'll break you, and I'll make sure you're never satisfied. “

The implied threat might have unsettled many, but Link simply shrugged.

“As long as your dick is in me, you're free to do as you please. I don't mind. Your construct won't hurt you during sex, unless you actively attempt to kill me. And naturally, I won't expect you to fuck me if you're injured. Do we have a deal?

The young man's response was clear, leaving no room for negotiation. Link extended his hand to the Gerudo, awaiting his answer.

The knight's conditions might have raised many questions, but the Gerudo didn’t care. This was an opportunity to inflict harm without consequence, to seek revenge, to make him regret his arrogance… and he wasn't about to let this chance slip away. 

He had nothing else to lose and no other choice. There was no other path to power, and fleeing would only make him a target.

Straightening up, he finally clasped Link's hand.

“so be it.”

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 2: Break me down...

True to his word, Link didn't approach him for anything until his wounds had healed.

Every morning, Link arrived in his room with a basin of water and fresh compresses. He always found Ganondorf meditating, cross legged, on the floor.

The Gerudo endured the changing of his bandages without complaint, stoically bearing the pain, his gaze fixed on the young man, particularly his Zonai arm. Link tended to his wounds as promised, leaving food on a bedside table before quietly departing.

Link went so far as to wash and mend the Gerudo's clothes, ensuring he wouldn't stay naked in his house. They maintained a silent routine, never exchanging words, the Gerudo openly displaying his disdain for the blond boy. Yet Link didn’t seem to care, conversation wasn't what he sought.

After several days, The Gerudo began to regain his mobility, finally able to leave the room where he had been confined. Thanks to potions and diligent care from Link, his wounds closed swiftly.

Meanwhile, Link busied himself around Hyrule Castle. He assisted where needed, trained the guards, and oversaw the reconstruction of the military barracks.

They all recognized the need to fortify the kingdom's defenses, even during this time of peace. 

Discovering and training a new generation of knights consumed the majority of Link's days. 

Luckily, he didn't have to seek out recruits very far; many young adventurers, inspired by his past victories, came running to the castle to join the royal army. 

Link's training was rigorous yet fair. Through combat drills, strategic teachings, and lessons in chivalry, he shaped each recruit into skilled and honorable warriors.

Zelda approached him to ask how everything was and if they needed new equipment. She took her responsibilities seriously and was the most active presence on the site.

At the end of each day, she made time to speak with Link, but never about her feelings for the knight. She seemed to accept his rejection graciously, and Link was thankful for her understanding.

Sometimes, Purah came to give Link reports on anomalies that would appeared across Hyrule since Ganondorf's defeat. Though nothing alarming had surfaced, the Sheikahs remained vigilant.

This time, she gave the report to Link with a big smile. She spoke of new anomalies and was sure that, this time, he would find the reports most intriguing.

Smiling, Link accepted the folder and headed home.

When Link returned home that evening, he discovered Ganondorf seated on the sofa, reading a few history books he had found in the library. No words were exchanged between them, but Link couldn't help but notice that the man was now standing upright, most of his wounds healed.

Placing the reports on the table, Link approached Ganondorf. He halted when they stood face to face, locking eyes with the Gerudo in silence. Ganondorf returned his gaze, understanding the request from the young man. He closed the book and rose to his feet.

“...where?” he growled in a calm voice.

Link shrugged, while he touched the zonai collar and reduced its programming. “It doesn’t matter... You know what I want…” 

The second the words escaped the young man's lips, he felt a huge hand grab the back of his neck and slam him hard against the floor. He immediately realized that the gerudo's apparent calm was, in reality, just a facade. He was still full of anger and hatred, and the fingers digging painfully into the skin of his neck were further confirmation...

His pants were ripped off and he felt cloth covering Rauru's arm. Ganondorf really hated this arm, but Link didn’t care. He didn't try to struggle or scream. He got down on all fours, arched his back and pulled his bare rear towards the man behind him. 

He heard the click of a belt being undone and the rustle of clothing being removed. Soon after, he felt a thick pressure between his thighs and clenched his teeth as he felt it entering him.

There was no preparation, no foreplay, and as the gerudo's cock began to penetrate him, he clearly felt that he had not been prepared. 

The pain was sharp and unrelenting. He felt his body tear as the older man forced his way into his flesh. He hadn't lied when he said he wouldn't be gentle, but Link gritted his teeth and could only utter a long, muffled whimper. 

He felt the huge weight inside him, stretching his belly, and he gasped, trying to get used to the sensation of being full. He knew he wouldn't have that luxury when Ganondorf grabbed his hair and his hip. He didn't hesitate for a second and set a violent, punishing pace, sinking into the slender body without mercy or an ounce of gentleness.

Link could feel the blood running down his thighs and the immense pain burning his insides, but he didn't complain or ask for him to stop. He held on, letting his body be pressed harder and harder against the ground. 

The gerudo's violence and anger could be felt in all his thrusts, and in the way his fingers tightened on his hips, leaving bruises on his skin. 

And he kept thrusting, again and again, making sure to satisfy his own needs. 

Link wasn't enjoying this at all. If his body had reacted at first, the pain had very quickly cut off the desire he was beginning to feel.

The pain was overwhelming but he couldn’t complain. 

It was exactly what he wanted. 

He managed to endure the pain until the gerudo came inside him the first time, but eventually lost consciousness when his merciless thrusts resumed immediately afterwards.

***

The young knight awoke in the middle of the night, in the dark. His muscles ached and he struggled to raise himself. He'd been left there, lying naked on the floor in the middle of his living room, like a piece of discarded trash. 

If anyone saw him like that, they'd think he'd been beaten up by a group of drunken soldiers just outside a tavern.

His clothes, torn and stained, hung loosely on his frail frame, betraying the intensity of what he had endured willingly. 

As he tried to stand up, blood seeped between his tight, showing the raw brutality this man was capable of, but could he really complain? He chose him for this exact reason.

Every movement felt like an insurmountable task, as if his own body pleaded for some rest but he couldn’t stay like this. The ground was hard and cold. 

With great effort, he attempted to rise from this cold ground, limbs trembling beneath the weight of pain and exhaustion.

His breaths were ragged, a long groan of pain escaping his lips with each labored exhale as he managed to stand on his feet. 

He stumbled painfully to his bathroom potion cabinet and swallowed one whole before turning towards his mirror.

His body was covered in bruises and scratches. His neck was marked with fingerprints that he would have to hide later. The other traces would be under his clothes anyway, so he paid them no mind.

He'd expected it, of course, which was why he'd chosen this particular man. A monster incapable of love, incapable of kindness or gentleness, but who physically appealed to him. Ganondorf was exactly what Link needed. 

He went to his room and slumped into bed. He hissed in pain as he lay down and covered his naked body with his blanket. Exhaustion overcame him and he fell into a deep sleep.

***

When he woke up the next day, his body was still a little sore, but his healing potion had done the job. All he felt now was an incessant twinge in his guts. 

He stretched to his full length and grabbed the hero's tunic he'd be wearing today, hiding the marks that covered the back of his neck under a scarf. He went downstairs to his kitchen when he was ready.

Out of the corner of his eye, he found the former king sitting on the sofa, a satisfied expression on his face as he read some books about hylian politics. He looked calm and composed but one could clearly see that he was gloating inside at having been able to satisfy his urges by harming the young man as he had so desired.

The young knight said nothing and poured himself a cup of coffee. He filled his cup and grabbed a pastry he'd made beforehand before settling into the chair not far from the sofa. He took on a calm, relaxed tone when addressing the demon king.

“Tonight, wait till I take off my clothes, before you jump on me. I don't have time to mend the clothes you tear.”

Ganondorf's initial look of satisfaction vanished instantly, replaced by a confused gaze fixed entirely on the young man. There was a mix of curiosity, anger, and above all, disbelief at what he had just heard.. He didn't expect the boy to ask for more. One might have thought Link was testing him, but Ganondorf sensed the sincerity in the knight's words. Link wanted to do it again...

He did everything in his power to make sure Link had a bad time in order to stop this nonsense of a blackmail. He couldn't fathom why the knight would ask for sex again after everything that had transpired between them. He remained silent, though his strained expression betrayed his frustration at not breaking the young man's resolve.

Link said nothing more, quietly picking up the file of reports Purah had given him the day before and began reading, savoring his coffee in silence.

The reports detailed new anomalies across Hyrule: small, circular pools of blood had appeared, surrounded by grass shining with a strange scarlet glow. Frowning, Link studied the report more intently.

He feared another disaster like the one caused by Calamity Ganon and wasn't sure he could withstand such a catastrophe again. Glancing at Ganondorf beside him, he noted that the Gerudo showed no signs of recovering any power; he seemed merely mortal now, unable to hurt anyone without the necklace reacting.

Quickly finishing his breakfast, Link left his house without sparing another glance at Ganondorf. Stepping outside, he retrieved his tablet and teleported to the castle.

The scientist greeted him with a smile as he arrived in front of the watchtower, her enthusiasm evident.

“Linky! I knew you'd be interested in my new discoveries!”

Returning her smile, Link felt suddenly better. Her happy demeanor showed him that the anomalies might not pose a significant threat. If they were dangerous, the scientist would likely be far less cheerful. He waved warmly and displayed the paper she had given him.

“You know I'm always up for strange and mysterious phenomena; blood pools are right up my alley. I'm all ears.”

The young woman chuckled, tapped her lips thoughtfully, and motioned for Link to follow her into her laboratory. Seating themselves at a table, she unfolded a map of the kingdom and placed pawns at specific locations.

“So far, we've located six of those anomalies. Two near the Gerudo Desert, one at Mount Granajh, another near the Lomei Labyrinth. Then, one of these pools is situated in the ruins of the Forgotten Temple, and another was found on the Great Plateau. As for the remaining two…”

She hesitated for a moment, and Link tilted his head, urging her to continue. Taking a breath, she spoke up.

“The last two are quite remarkable. One is within the castle itself, in one of the palace rooms not far from the throne room... And the other is directly below it... In the depths, where you confronted the demon king.”

Link nodded thoughtfully.

“Perhaps I should investigate to understand what's going on. It could be dangerous. Should I examine the blood pool, just to be sure? Maybe taste it?“

The Sheikah crossed her arms and shook her head firmly.

“Don't even joke about that. You're not going anywhere near those pools until we've thoroughly studied them.”

Frowning, the hero tried to argue, but Purah interrupted him.

“I propose we investigate one today, but only observe. I cannot allow you to approach them. We don't know their nature or effects, and I won't risk your safety by letting you touch them. We're in a time of peace; it would be unwise to take unnecessary risks. Does that sound reasonable to you?”

Link looked taken aback but appreciated her concern for his well-being. Reluctantly, he agreed. Purah placed her hands on her hips with a satisfied air. With a gesture, she signaled for Link and two guards to follow her, and they set off on foot towards the castle grounds. The blood pool in the bedroom was the closest and easiest to access.

The scientist led them through the corridors until they reached a large room where a perfectly round pool of blood lay in the center. It was about as long as Link but very shallow, surrounded by a soft scarlet light that gently rippled outward. Aside from this phenomenon, there appeared to be no immediate danger. Link noticed an array of machines positioned around the pool, evidently set up by Purah for her research. She began her explanation.

“The readings we've taken indicate a faint presence of gloom in these pools, but it's dissipating slowly. I've been monitoring each one closely to ensure they pose no threat. What's intriguing is that the scarlet glow around them seems to emanate from a divine source. Whatever it is, we'll need to keep a close watch on them.”

Link nodded thoughtfully and extended his Zonai arm towards the pool, intending to see whether it truly contained blood or some other form of gloom. Just as his hand neared the surface, the skin on his arm reacted, but Purah swiftly grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

“Linky, you promised not to touch it. Let me finish my studies first to ensure it's safe. Give me a few weeks.”

Silently nodding, Link held his arm with a tense expression. Normally, Rauru's arm remained dormant unless he willed it otherwise, but this time, it seemed to react on its own, almost as if it were repelling the scarlet glow...

For the first time, Link felt a distinct separation between his body and the arm given by the former king. It seemed to possess a will of its own, not entirely under his control. The feeling when he nearly touched the scarlet light at the blood pool left him confused. Maybe  the pools were more dangerous than he had initially believed.

Making a mental note to look into it, Link returned to the barracks to resume his duties. He prepared new training exercises for the recruits and oversaw the ongoing reconstruction of the military barracks during his spare time. 

Yet, his thoughts remained fixated on the blood pools. Something felt very wrong. Despite this, he had promised to Purah not to intervene, and he intended to honor that commitment.

The rest of the day passed without incident. Zelda conversed with him as if nothing happened between them. However, he noticed a new habit of hers. 

She would stare intently at people when speaking. It felt strange and she felt different. Nonetheless, she appeared healthy, and that was reassuring.

Returning home in the evening with food in hand, Link discovered Ganondorf absent from the living room. 

He didn’t care, knowing fully well that the Gerudo wore the necklace that prevented him from leaving, Link stowed the provisions away in silence.

He could hear some noise coming from the basement. He took a deep breath and started to undress in his living room. 

He neatly folded his clothes and laid them on a chair in the kitchen before heading downstairs to join the former demon king in his quarters.

Ganondorf was training, strengthening his muscles with exercises.

He was on the floor, doing slow push-ups with only one arm. He was still a powerful man with a force waiting to be unleashed if Link wasn’t cautious. 

Once he did his series, he started to do some squats, working out his powerful legs. 

He was a warrior and he sculpted his body accordingly, but he didn’t have the equipment to properly maintain his muscles. 

It was a shame. 

Slowly, Link pushed open the door and stepped forward into the room. His presence was enough to stop the gerudo, whose gaze was now fixed on him.

His pace was slow on purpose, observing the man's reactions. He could feel his gaze on him, at once icy with hatred and burning with desire. Despite himself, Link shivered with impatience, and cursed his body for betraying him again. He put his hands against the nearest wall and arched his back, waiting for the gerudo to do what he was supposed to do.

 He didn't have to wait long before he felt two strong hands gripping his hips.

This time again, there was no preparation as he felt the man's cock push into him. The barely healed wounds had reopened with the first thrust. 

Ganondorf was merciless when he fucked him. He grabbed his hair again, but this time lifted him off the ground.  His legs dangled in the air as he reached for the king's shoulders to reduce the panic he felt. The gerudo denied him this one relief.

Link had no choice but to impale himself on him with all his weight, relying entirely on the gerudo's arms for support. His voice, which he had managed to hold back the day before, finally escaped him in a cry of pain that he tried so hard to silence.

His screams seemed to please the ex demon king, and the hero felt the cock inside him swell between his flesh as he heard his laugh in his ear. 

“I'll eventually break you entirely, but there's no way I'm letting you lose consciousness this time. You’ll pay for everything, Rauru!.” His voice was seething. 

Link gasped but didn't reply. Why did he call him that name? What was that?! His body was burning again from the unbearable deep thrusting that was tearing apart his intimacy. Blood ran down his legs, and this time a tear escaped his eye. 

Each thrust was more brutal, more powerful than the last, and each time Link was pushed to the brink of unconsciousness, Ganondorf managed to keep him awake. 

The hero was impaled again and again on the huge cock inside him, and could only cry out in pain.

Then he felt a warm liquid begin to pour into him as the man came for the first time, but before he could breathe, the gerudo dropped him to the ground. 

The fall drew a yelp from him and he didn't have time to breathe before he felt his hair being pulled again. The Gerudo king grabbed his jaw and forced him to open his mouth. 

Link was surprisingly obedient and welcomed the gerudo into his mouth without complaint. The man pushed and shoved as far down his throat as he could. 

Tears welled up in the young man's eyes, but he moved back and forth of his own volition to satisfy the former demon. 

He felt him tensing up and started to pull his head back, but a large hand pressed down behind his head and forced him to take it fully in his mouth. He couldn't pull back as the man came down his throat a second time.

Ganondorf finally stepped back and took the opportunity to humiliate him further by cumming all over his face. 

Link was exhausted, tears in his eyes, covered in semen and blood. His body was shaking on the cold basement floor, and the gerudo seemed satisfied at last. He had a smug expression and a smirk on his face.

“Still volunteering to keep me warm tomorrow?” His voice purred with pride.

The young man struggled to his feet. He was in pain all over and his body was screaming at him to lie down. He looked at his former enemy and, against all odds, nodded. 

“...Yes... tomorrow…” Link managed to mutter, his voice was almost gone.

And again, it wasn’t a lie. The gerudo's troubled expression could have been hilarious, but Link didn't care and stumbled out of the room.

***

Day after day, Link returned to him unfailingly, undeterred by the Gerudo's increasing cruelty and violence meant to drive him away. Despite enduring relentless torture, the young man persisted.

Over time, the man's violence and hatred transformed into bewilderment, yet he kept pushing Link's body to its limits.

But still, Link kept coming back.

He maintained his routine at the castle, conducting training sessions despite his battered body, then returning home afterward, falling immediately into the king’s arms. 

His resilience but willingness to endure those violences puzzled Ganondorf to the point that during their last encounters, he hesitated to hurt the boy.

Something was very wrong.

The Gerudo attempted to understand Link's motivations through observation, but found no answers. Outside their encounters, Link behaved normally, showing no signs of distress or hatred for him.

Considering the circumstances, he must admit that Link treated him quite decently even. He prepared his meals, though never asking about Ganondorf's preferences, and allowed him solitude when requested. Ganondorf still had to tend to his own chores and eat the food Link provided, even if he disliked the bland taste, but it was nothing like he imagined.

In this peculiar dynamic, where Link held him captive, he also treated him with a strange semblance of consideration… He was treated like a roommate. A roommate from whom he endured relentless torment willingly. One could argue Link appeared to be the one who was the prisoner.

Time passed, and the seething anger within Ganondorf began to dissipate. He grew increasingly unsettled by what was happening and didn’t understand what was driving Link to do such things.

Why would a man choose to endure such violence every day? 

Wanting to break the silence between them, Ganondorf decided to make Link talk. Nothing the young man did made sense to him, but he couldn't resort to torture nor did he expect to gain his trust easily. He needed another approach.

Reflecting on his options, Ganondorf asked himself how Link would try to obtain information if their roles were reversed. He decided to let him show his methods by himself. 

Then he’ll employ Link's own techniques against him.

That was his strategy. Even if he didn’t like what power he’d be forced to use to make Link question him…

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 3: The bitter truth.

***

One evening, Link returned home, absorbed in the new reports given to him by the scientist. A loud, sudden noise from the basement caught his attention.

Setting the papers down on the table, he went down the stairs and opened the door to Ganondorf's room.

To his surprise, the basement had transformed. 

No longer a dark and gloomy room, it now looked more like a bedroom from Gerudo Town, with its sand-colored walls and some colorful decorations.

Link raised his eyebrows at the transformed basement and turned to face Ganondorf. At first, he was certain it was an illusion, as Ganondorf could use this kind of magic. “Nice little magic trick, I wonder how long you can keep up the illusion.”

Ganondorf raised his eyebrow. “There is no illusion here…”

His voice was clear and steady. Link scoffed and pushed a pot from a nightstand, which shattered once it reached the ground. Ganondorf didn’t move, but Link was surprised. It really wasn’t an illusion. Those were all real.

The Gerudo was not supposed to have access to new furnishings, and Link felt a creeping feeling. 

Could the man… Leave his house?

“How did you do this? You're not supposed to be able to leave the house.”

Ganondorf glared at him but remained silent. Instead, he walked over to his new bookcase and plucked out a book that Link hadn't seen before. Seeing this, Link's expression hardened, and he approached Ganondorf. Menacingly, he showed the man his zonai hand.

“Speak, or I'll make you regret it. I’ll choke you, and not in a nice way.”

He demonstrated his threat by slowly tightening the collar around Ganondorf's throat. It was clear that torture was Link's first option. Despite feeling the pressure on his skin, Ganondorf neither struggled nor begged for mercy. Instead, he wore a calm smile, as if he saw through Link's bluff. He was lying. 

“I can't leave the house, and that's all you need to know... My affairs are my own.  Don’t make threats if you aren’t ready to go through. You wouldn't harm me without just cause, would you?”

He stared at the hero defiantly, refusing to speak further. Link was at a loss for how to extract information from him; Ganondorf's stubbornness seemed determined to make his life difficult.

Relenting, Link loosened his grip on Ganondorf's throat. He was right, Link lacked evidence or a valid reason to harm him further and he wasn’t fond of torture. He didn’t really like to hurt him in the first place… 

“That… is true… Sorry for threatening you…” he sighed.

This unexpected reaction surprised the Gerudo, who remained silent. The boy never ceased to confuse him. But again, he promised him respect under his roof, so at least, he was truthful to his words. 

Link tried again. “I guess you won't talk, even if I ask nicely.”

The former king shook his head curtly.

“No.”

“What if I beg on my knees? Would you like that, you dirty old man?” Link didn’t know why but he felt the need to joke around. 

Ganondorf was caught off guard by the unexpected joke and had to suppress a hint of a smile. He sighed calmly, maintaining composure.

“No.”

Humor seemed an unlikely avenue to get him to talk. Clicking his tongue in frustration, Link turned away. Ganondorf couldn't have left the house; of that, Link was certain. Yet somehow, the Gerudo had managed to bring in all the new furniture and decorations by some other means.

Link approached the various pieces of the pot he destroyed to inspect them closely.  He realized the pot was not new at all; it appeared to be very old. He raised his eyes and noted scratches and dents in the wood of the dresser and missing shelves in the bookcase, while the books themselves looked worn and weathered.

Then, something greenish caught his eye between the planks. He recognized it instantly, but couldn't believe it was possible. Link didn't understand.

It was so frustrating. Turning back to Ganondorf, he crossed his arms.

"Let's play a game. I'll ask you a question, and if you answer truthfully without lying, I agree to bring you something from outside… Something you cannot have access to."

He noticed Ganondorf's eyebrow raise with interest. Link felt compelled to clarify.

"Of course, I won't bring you any weapons or anything dangerous. Cute as I may be, I'm not that dumb."

A slight curl of the Gerudo's mouth suggested he was holding back a smirk because of the little touch of humor. It was an unusual approach to obtaining information. 

After feigning thought for a moment, Ganondorf finally nodded.

"I'll play your game, boy."

Link was amazed at how quickly he had managed to convince the Gerudo. He was sure the latter would have shown more resistance, or simply not believed his promises. Satisfied, Link sat down on the wooden chair in front of him.

"How did you get all this furniture into my house?" he asked.

The Gerudo crossed his arms. "The Zonai magic you use to create your machines holds no secrets for me. I do not enjoy making such constructs, but I can replicate furniture as long as I have studied it before and have the means to do so. What you're looking at are replicas of belongings I had in my home a long time ago."

Link clicked his tongue, feeling vindicated. Those furniture were Zonai construct… But it couldn’t be… 

"Bullshit, you don’t have any Zonaiite to make those constructs."

The king smirked. "I did not, that is true… But you did."

Link was astonished by what he had heard.

 "You stole my Zonaiite… the one that I left in my chest?"

"You have never prohibited me from using your belongings. I didn’t steal anything," Ganondorf countered.

Link let out a long sigh. However, he believed Ganondorf, knowing there was no way he could have left the house. Besides, Ganondorf had no reason to lie to him. Still, just to be sure, Link took a piece of Zonaiite from his bag and handed it to the man.

"Show me," Link demanded.

Ganondorf accepted the rock and a faint glow emanated from it before transforming into a wooden hairbrush. Link frowned, perplexed. How could Ganondorf use Zonai magic without being Zonai himself? How had he learned? So many questions… 

He was so lucky that it was impossible to make weapons like this…

Pulling out a small notebook and pencil, Link began to write.

"I see. And what do you want in exchange for this information?"

Without hesitation, the former king expressed his demand.

"I want Gerudo alcohol so I can make cocktails from my homeland and stop drinking your disgusting Hylian wine."

Link noted down the request and nodded; a deal was a deal. Once he had written it down, he tilted his head.

"You're capable of magic, even without the Secret Stone... How's that possible?"

The former demon stood tall, raising an eyebrow in response.

"Most Gerudos are seasoned sorcerers. You, at least, should be aware of that."

Link gave a slightly tired look as he rubbed his nose. " Ugh… I’m so stupid… Gerudos can forge stones with special powers, Riju used magic constantly, Of course I know that" he muttered to himself. He knew, he'd just forgotten.

"Alright, what do you want?" he asked Ganondorf.

The former king leaned forward with a smirk. "...Your head."

Link shrugged nonchalantly. "I know I have a pretty face, but you already have my body. Don’t be too greedy, you beast."

Ganondorf's mouth twisted into a grin momentarily before he regained control of his emotions. He didn’t expect Link to be so funny and struggled not to reveal his more human side. But he was finding it increasingly difficult. Once, he could enjoy a good pun and laugh, but for so long, he had believed himself beyond such things. Now, he wasn’t so sure. The boy was such a clown…

Link noticed the slight change in Ganondorf's demeanor and was surprised that the Gerudo could appreciate a hint of humor. He sensed there was more to Ganondorf's character than met the eye, but he decided not to delve deeper for now.

The king resumed in a calmer tone. "Voltfruit soaps, shampoo, and conditioner. I need those for strong and shiny hair, made for Gerudo warriors..."

Link sighed; he already had soaps in his bathroom, but he had noticed that Ganondorf wrinkled his nose every time he had to bathe with his products. The Gerudo was a real diva.

"Done. Now why did you do that to my basement?" Link asked.

The man shrugged. "Unless you decide to free me, I’m stuck here for the rest of my life as your own personal sex slave. Might as well try to make myself feel like I’m home."

Link hummed thoughtfully, feeling a twinge of guilt. Before he could ask anything else, Ganondorf spoke up.

"There is another reason, but I do not wish to share it... I want some weights I can use to exercise. I will not let my body go to waste."

Link frowned but decided not to press further. It was already unusual for Ganondorf to freely admit to having ulterior motives, and he needed time to process everything. He finished jotting down his list and asked his final question.

"Who taught you how to use Zonai magic?"

The air suddenly became tense, and Ganondorf remained silent. Link knew he wouldn't get an answer. He nodded and put his notebook back in his bag.

"All right, I won’t ask anything more. Moving on..."

Calmly, he stood up and began to remove his clothes in silence in front of the gerudo. The man frowned, indicating that he would have had other requests but Link had stopped his game too soon for his liking. 

He rose from his chair and proceeded to undress as well, before sitting down in his bed. Link looked at him, confused, before the man gestured to invite him to come to him. 

Link seemed to hesitate for a moment. This was the first time the gerudo had wanted the hero to ride him. He approached, wondering what other tortures the man would inflict upon him. 

He straddled the king's hips and pushed his abused entrance against the other man's hard shaft without the slightest hesitation. He felt the large head entering him but, before he could feel any pain, he felt a large hand grab both his wrists and lock them behind his back. 

With his free hand, Ganondorf held his hips and prevented him from moving. Link frowned and stared at the gerudo.

“What are you waiting for? just fuck me already!” he growled

The former demon smirked.  “Not yet.” 

Link let out a grunt. “This wasn't the deal.” 

The man raised an eyebrow. 

“As long as my cock's inside you, I am free to do what I want. Those are your own words. I'm inside you, I decide what happens next.” 

The hero let out another groan, but Ganondorf was playing by the rules, so there was nothing he could do. 

”We're going to play a game. It's not too different from yours, except that if you refuse to answer, I'll stop fucking you entirely. “ He declared.

Link stared at him in astonishment. 

“If you don't screw me again, I'll kick you out…”

Ganondorf paused, his eyes piercing into Link's. "...And I'll die right in front of your house. Imagine what they'll think of you out there if they find me. Challenge me. Just try."

Link gritted his teeth, but finally nodded as he realized the shift in his position of power. The Gerudo looked satisfied and smiled. 

"Well, it seems you can be obedient after all. Vasharaa, Why do you want to lay with me ?” Ganondorf's voice was firm, leaving no room for evasion.

Link tilted his head, feigning confusion, but Ganondorf said nothing, waiting for his response. Link bit his lip and sighed.

“…Because I want to.” Link finally admitted.

The former king frowned, clearly skeptical. Link knew Ganondorf would never believe his words. How could he? Ganondorf had always been brutal and cruel in their confrontations. So for Link to want more…

“… you do… “ Ganondorf's voice trailed off, his eyes becoming more intense.

Link's eyes widened in surprise. Ganondorf believed him without hesitation. Had Link missed something? He didn't have time to dwell on it as Ganondorf let out a growl.

"I punish you every single second, ensure you're never satisfied with our encounters… I make you suffer every moment to make you stop. Yet you still desire this?" Ganondorf's tone was both accusing and perplexed.

Link shrugged.

"I told you, I'm 'flawed,'" he replied calmly.

Ganondorf's golden gaze fixed on him for a long moment. He was struggling to comprehend the knight's reasoning.

"Are you suggesting that you enjoy it when I inflict pain on you?" Ganondorf asked, searching for clarity.

Link shook his head firmly.

"No, not at all."

This response left Ganondorf utterly confused. None of Link's words seemed to align logically. Despite Ganondorf's violent tendencies, Link wanted to continue sleeping with him, even while enduring suffering without complaint and seeking more. His behavior was so hard to understand.

Unless… 

At that very moment, the king began to understand.

"Are you trying to say you deserve it?" Ganondorf tried.

Link suddenly froze, caught off guard.

"No, absolutely not," he quickly denied, frozen by the man’s words.

Without hesitation, Ganondorf hissed.

"Do not lie to me, boy. It doesn't work. It IS a punishment."

Ganondorf tilted his head, confident he had struck a chord.

"You knew how violent I would be, so you're using me as your punishment. Well, I'm happy to oblige, but now I'm curious. What crimes have you committed to resort to such extremes?" he questioned, his voice low and probing.

Link gritted his teeth but avoided meeting Ganondorf's gaze.

"I'm… a 'flawed'..." Link muttered again.

This time, the term piqued Ganondorf's interest. He didn’t use it as an adjective… It was a name. He had initially dismissed it as a word Link was using to describe his perverted fantasies, but now the king knew it hinted at something more profound. Something that could justify punishment in Link's eyes.

"What is a ‘flawed'? What does this word mean to you?" Ganondorf pressed, his tone demanding an answer.

Link lowered his head further, remaining silent. The former demon king persisted.

"I'm waiting," Ganondorf insisted firmly.

Link hesitated, searching for an explanation.

"It's… another word for someone who took a life. A murderer," Link finally replied.

It was a lie, but the king shouldn’t be able to tell.

Ganondorf's response was swift and accusing.

"More lies?"

Link felt stunned. How could this man read him so effortlessly? They barely knew each other, yet Ganondorf seemed to detect every lie in his words. 

The question lingered unanswered, and this time, Link chose silence, withdrawing into himself.

Ganondorf clicked his tongue in disapproval and rose from the bed, holding Link firmly against him as he strode confidently toward the front door of the house. He knew Link couldn’t bear the thought of people seeing their hero in such an embarrassing posture. And it worked. Panic gripped Link, and he shook his head desperately.

"No, please, don't go out like this... They'll see..." Link pleaded, his voice tinged with fear.

Ignoring Link's protest, Ganondorf repeated his question. Link gritted his teeth, staring anxiously at the approaching door. It wasn’t night time yet, people were still outside. Tears welled up in his eyes as he realized Ganondorf was serious. Finally, in a burst of emotion, Link shouted at the top of his lungs.

"A flawed… Is someone incapable of loving women!"

Ganondorf halted in his tracks, his grip tightening on Link as he processed the unexpected confession.

"Don't be foolish. I already know you're a Voelegah... What does that have to do with..." Ganondorf began but then he stopped abruptly. 

Link looked at him with desperation, a raw emotion he rarely showed. More than anything, he knew he was speaking the truth.Ganondorf’s eyes widened in shock and hurt when he finally understood.

"For Din's sake... You made me punish you for being a Voelegah..." Ganondorf muttered coldly.

Link’s voice rose with fury and desperation.

“So what?! I'm an abomination. King Rhoam had even created a law to punish us if such a defect was found in one of the royal knights. To be a ‘flawed’ is to be killed…It’s a crime. I don't deserve to live, my punishment should’ve been death, but I'm the hero with the mastersword, I owe my life to the kingdom... “

“...So you chose me... “ The man whispered.

“Yes,” Link nodded.  “ I needed someone I fancied, but who was incapable of kindness and love... You’re a beautiful and cruel monster, and when I first saw you… I desired you immediately… You are exactly what I needed. I needed you to keep showing me that what I was feeling was wrong, that sex with a man would only hurt me, that there is nothing beautiful in these kinds of relationships… and you delivered every time… “

Ganondorf listened to the rest of his sentence with a furious expression. He was angrier than usual. Every word Link said, he believed them a hundred percent. He backed away from the door, took one piece of Zonaite in his hand and sat down on the sofa with his burden in his arms. His voice became calmer, but it hissed like a snake.

“I'm a Voelegah too, a ‘man that lies with men’, but among my people, that's no shame. It's a holy privilege, a blessing given by Din. Vailegah and Voelegah are considered the best warriors. To fight alongside a lover is a divine sensation, the strength of the two individuals becoming one, it feels like a dream... To be one is my pride and joy.”

He looked Link in the eye and showed him the zonaite. With one move, the rock disappeared and the knight felt something moist and cold on the king’s dick inside him. Suddenly, the gerudo slowly began to sink into him but this time, he was careful, slow and attentive to his every move. Link opened his eyes wide as he felt his body react immediately. Once he was totally deep inside him, he made some gentle movements with his hips, stimulating the young man enough to make him totally hard. Link gasped.

“Wait … what are you…”

“I have a thousand reasons to punish you,” The gerudo continued, cutting the boy without a care. “A thousand more to hate you. You choose the one reason I wouldn’t have accepted if I had known. If I knew, I would’ve chosen death… You chose the line I was not willing to cross, and made me cross it. I’ve known my fair share of betrayal before. Few of them were as insulting as what you dared to do to me.”

The young man panicked as he felt the cock inside him slowly come and go, and his own body fully responding to the new sensation. His arousal grew and his skin tingled, but when he tried to pull away, the man's hands wouldn't let him. He gasped when he felt no pain, but a new, foreign sensation. He started to lose control of his own voice, making such embarrassing sounds. He couldn’t speak, couldn’t defend himself… 

“Ha… ah…“ He gasped, his eyes wide. The king didn’t stop.

“You tricked me into punishing you for the sole crime of being a Voelegah. I punished you for something that is a blessing in the eyes of my people. A blessing from our goddess…”

Another thrust, powerful yet tender.

“Ah! hah! I didn’t… I didn’t know…” Link tried, but his words died on his lips.

“Of course you didn’t…” Ganondorf barked, “Taking the time to learn more about my people would have been too complicated for your poor little brain.”

 Link could feel the waves of pleasure in his body and his expression shifted. He didn’t want pleasure, he didn’t want it to feel good, but he couldn’t stop it. It was the first time he’d feel something like this. He tried to hide his face against the man’s skin but to no avail. 

“How dare you…” His voice grew darker and colder.

Link braced himself on the man's broad shoulders and mewled under the forbidden pleasure growing inside him. Each thrust was softer and even more delicious than the last, the gerudo making sure to hit a bundle of nerves inside him each time that made him arch his back and open his legs even more. It was so good… Too good.. His brain tried to remember the disgust in king Rhoam’s voice, but what Ganondorf was doing to him was far too good, he couldn’t stop himself. He knew he shouldn’t feel this pleasure, but he was helpless. The man growled.

“You saw me as a monster who attacked innocent people, without knowing the full story. You took what you knew for the absolute truth and allowed yourself to trample on my convictions, the beliefs of my people... Aren't you ashamed? You don't know anything about me. Nothing at all. Where is the respect I was promised?  I should’ve known your words didn’t mean shit.” 

His pace was faster, Link could feel it inside him, but he still felt no pain and threw his head back, screaming a pleasure he had never known. His whole body tensed under the king's thrusts and he felt he was drawing closer to climax. 

“Enjoy this, Link,” He heard the former demon whisper in his ear, making him shudder.  “Every time you’ll think about your shame, you’ll remember me, and that pleasure your body was craving. Keep it in your memory, it's the last time I'll ever lay my hands on you. I would rather die.” 

With one last thrust, Link felt himself getting lost to the pleasure, and he came violently on the stomach of his former enemy. He had never known such pleasure in his life. He didn't think he could feel anything so good and magical with another man. The gerudo withdrew from him and laid him down without much gentleness on the sofa before returning to his den with no further words. Link tried to stop him.

“…Wait… I didn’t… just tell me…”

“Shut it!” Ganondorf barked.  “You don’t deserve to know the truth, you chose to believe the Zonai king from the start… After all, poor little king Rauru would never lie to you as Zonai cannot tell lies. He couldn’t possibly manipulate people now, could he?”  

Link tried to stand and growled. His voice became violent.

“Who do you think you are? You're the fucking demon king and you're upset because I used you to punish myself? Because I didn’t keep my word?! It's fucking ridiculous! You tried to destroy my home! It's not like you give a goddess's blessing a damn! you don’t deserve the decency I've been giving you! At least Rauru was a good man!”

Ganondorf turned his head toward Link with an expression of disgust. “Then you shall be proud, you managed to wound the demon king without a blade, congrat!”

Link watched him go and felt as furious as he felt ashamed. He didn’t understand why. He had never been afraid of hurting the gerudo's feelings, but something in his voice and behavior had shown Link that he had gone too far. 

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: haunted by the past.

***

It had been several days since their last embrace, and the former demon seemed to have no desire to communicate. To him, it was as if the hero no longer existed.

When Link tried to visit him one evening, the demon king met his gaze with a cold stare. There was no hatred, no anger, just pure, cold indifference.

“Either kick me out or leave me alone. I have no business talking to you.”

The young man couldn't comprehend what had changed between them. The Gerudo had ignored him before, so what was different now? Link didn't understand what was happening, but he didn't appreciate the shift in the atmosphere.

He brought Ganondorf the various items he had requested and placed them in a large box outside his bedroom.

He knocked on the door, hoping for a chance to communicate, but there was no answer. Ganondorf waited patiently until Link was no longer in the hallway before retrieving his belongings.

He no longer even glanced in Link's direction, refusing to remain in the same room with him.

It wasn’t fair!

Ganondorf was the root of the calamity. He had caused so much harm to the Kingdom. So why did Link feel ashamed of having wronged him? Why did he keep trying to reach him?

He felt bad for not keeping his own word, but he didn’t understand why.

Nothing was working out the way he wanted.

Worse than that, his dreams were now filled with the feelings he had experienced in the arms of this man. It had been an incredible night. He'd never imagined Ganondorf capable of touching him in such a tender way. How could he? The man was cruel and violent. It was in his nature. Right?

The man's presence, albeit silent, had offered Link a semblance of companionship, which he now found himself deprived of. But was this truly so bad? Link had been used to being alone before; he could learn to appreciate solitude again.

It was no problem, not at all.

So why did he have this uneasy feeling in his chest?

He didn't have time to dwell on it that morning, as a knock on the door, more aggressive than usual, interrupted his thoughts.

An ice-cold shiver ran down his spine, and he glanced towards the basement stairs, hoping the Gerudo wouldn't appear. He raised his voice loudly to indicate someone's presence, just in case.

"YES! I’M COMING! WAIT A MINUTE PLEASE!"

With hesitant steps, he approached the door and opened it cautiously. He had expected soldiers or guards, but to his surprise, it was only Purah who had come to see him.

It was the first time the scientist had taken the time to visit him directly at home. Astonished, he stepped aside to let her in.

The Sheikah entered his house and handed him a pile of sheets from her study of blood pools.

Before the young man could look at a single sheet, the woman grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him roughly.

"Oh, Link, I need you. One of the pools of blood began to react, and the red light started to spread. You have to come, you really need to see this." She sounded so excited.

Link's eyes widened, and he immediately rushed out to take his horse from the stable. 

The scientist  grabbed Link by the wrist and shook her head. 

“Oh, no… You can’t take Epona with you this time, Linky.”

The boy looked at her with confusion. “What… But why?”

She pulled him out of the house without a word. In front of the building, a flying machine was waiting to take them to the indicated location. The hero couldn't understand why they needed to fly, but Purah refused to explain. 

Link let out a frustrated sigh, as he really wanted to spend time with his girl, but he obeyed. They both climbed into the vehicle.

Together, they flew over the Zora domain and the Faron forest before slowly approaching the entrance to the desert labyrinth.

From above, Link finally noticed a peculiar shape emerging on the ground around the labyrinth. Wide lines of red light stretched in a multitude of directions, creating shapes and patterns whose meaning they couldn't make out. When they were perfectly above it, they saw that it formed the shape of a flower.

What he saw was a geoglyph.

Link's eyes widened in realization.

The pools of blood were tears, shed by the demon dragon, when the demon king swallowed the secret stone.

Ganondorf's memories.

The woman looked at him with a big smile, very excited by her new discovery. They landed near the champion's gate, and the scientist showed him where the pool was located.

"Lady Impa told me you'd helped her with the golden geoglyphs, so I thought maybe you could help me with these too. The time you've given me to study them has come in handy. Look, all the malice has died around this one, and I can assure you there's no danger anymore. Just tell me what you learn and we'll call it even."

Link nodded and approached the pool with slow, hesitant steps. He didn't know what more he could discover, but his curiosity was already piqued.

He leaned over the pool and reached for the blood, but his Zonai arm reacted violently, pushing the red light away and preventing Link from seeing what it was hiding. The young man frowned and tried again, but Rauru's arm simply refused to obey him. He looked at the green hands with renewed intensity.

Then something hit him again. This hand… wasn’t supposed to be here… He was sure his arm had returned to normal for a split second during his fall. He saw it…  

Rauru had told him that his normal arm could not be saved, but he was quite certain he had seen his own hand.

Was the Zonai trying to hide something? But again, Ganondorf had said that Zonai couldn’t lie… something was amiss.

The scientist stared at him with uncertainty. She said nothing, seeing that Link was struggling to understand what was happening. 

The hero stared sternly at his arm. Whatever Rauru was trying to hide, he'd find out. 

He grabbed his Purah pad and disappeared in a blue light, leaving the Sheikah alone in the middle of the labyrinth. 

***

He appeared on Great Sky Island, just in front of the Temple of Time. The sky island had hardly changed since Ganondorf's defeat. Only the golems had ceased to function, leaving the place silent and empty.

Link stood up and walked towards the temple, his gaze determined as he pushed open the huge doors.

There he found the ghost of the former king, sitting on the ground with his feet in the water. Rauru looked melancholic as he watched the slow movement of the water in the basin.

In the calm of that moment, King Rauru looked like a wise old man, full of secrets and regrets. His hands, shining with a calm blue light, were clasped on his knees as he leaned over the water.

The reflective surface of the pond didn’t reflect Rauru’s image, but it seemed to reflect his soul and his heart. Link walked up to him and sat at his side.

His voice, albeit soft, broke the meditative silence.

"Why?"

The old Zonai looked at the young knight. His eyes were kind but, for the first time, Link had the feeling it was partially a facade.

"I'd rather you didn't try to see what's in those memories. It's not wise to look into the past," Rauru said quietly.

Link remained silent for a moment, then shook his head. "You didn't stop me when I was watching Zelda's memories."

Rauru closed his eyes for a moment. "It's not the same..."

Link raised his hand and cut the former king off. "The hand that you said couldn't be saved... Why did I see it becoming normal when I saved Zelda?"

The Zonai king was silent for a time. Then he spoke. "It looked like your normal arm, it is true, but it wasn’t…  It was only an illusion… It retained the powers you learned during your quest... If I really take back that arm of mine, you might be in danger as your natural one was destroyed by gloom. It will never be your normal arm again. So, if at first I wanted to give you a semblance of normalcy, I chose to leave you with my arm when you made your choice to save Ganondorf… for your own good…"

Link closed his eyes. “... Is it because you don’t trust me?”

Rauru stayed silent for a second, then repeated himself. “...It’s for your own good.”

The hero chuckled. “Nice way of putting it… So Zonai really can not tell any lies…”

The zonai king shook his head, but stayed silent. 

The knight let out a long sigh as he finally understood Ganondorf’s words. Rauru had told the truth: Link’s arm would never be the same again. Zonai never lie... but they could try to conceal the truth. Omissions are not lies, and Rauru seemed to have become a master at finding loopholes or other turns of phrases. 

It was the same when Mineru told Zelda she would change forever if she became a dragon. She had indeed come back as a Hylian, but she was different now. Link could see she had changed, but he didn't know how.

"You’re trying to hide things from me.” Link sighed, but his voice was determined. “Whether you agree or not, I'll see what's hidden in those memories. Be honest with me, Your Majesty, did you do something bad?"

The ghost tilted his head and whispered, "I didn’t do anything against Hyrule..."

Link clicked his tongue. He could see now how Rauru played with words.

"Don’t… It’s not what I… ugh… I need you to answer my next question with a straightforward yes or no. Has Ganondorf always been the monster I've seen in Zelda's memories?"

Rauru closed his eyes. He couldn’t keep up the masquerade any longer… He knew he didn’t have the right to do this to Link. The boy had been through enough.

"No… No, he wasn’t." Rauru whispered. His gaze was soft when he spoke those words. 

Link smiled, seeing that Rauru was finally opening up. He continued, "Are you afraid of how I'll react to what I'm about to see when I take a look at those memories?"

Again, Rauru gave him a straight answer. "Yes… I don’t want you to see what once was… "

Link nodded but approached the old king, giving him a calm smile.

"King Rauru... With all due respect. Whatever I see, even if it changes how I see you, it won't change anything else. Everything has already happened. Ganondorf has been defeated. He is my prisoner and no longer has the power to threaten Hyrule. Zelda is back, the kingdom is well. There are no more secret stones."

The Zonai nodded.

"Of course, knowing the untold side of our history won't change who you are, or what you've managed to do... But..."

The old king hesitated, his gaze evasive and his fingers tightening on his clothes. Link laid a hand on his shoulder, offering a reassuring smile.

“But what?” Link Tried, calmly. "What could a ghost possibly be afraid of, Your Majesty?"

Rauru let out a small chuckle. "I’ve done… Many things, I am not too proud of… I always proudly said that I wouldn't fail like my people did... and I ended up losing everything, making exactly the same mistakes… It's true that my life ended many years ago, and the truths of the past shouldn't frighten me…"

Link tilted his head, sensing what Rauru needed to hear.

"Yet you refuse to rest in peace. Why are you so eager to prevent anyone from knowing the whole story? Hyrule is safe, and yet you refuse to leave just to hide what once was. It's unfair to you, just as it's unfair to me," Link said softly.

He lowered his head in silence for a moment before turning to face Rauru directly.

"Is there anything dangerous you would like to hide from Ganondorf? A power, or another artifact you don’t want him to find? If not, I have the right to know."

"No… The only power I could have wanted to hide from him… He already has it…" Rauru replied solemnly.

Link was momentarily concerned by Rauru's words, but the old king shook his head.

"But… I don’t think he is dangerous anymore… You're right... I shouldn't interfere in mortal affairs and join Hylia's light... But Link..." Rauru hesitated, his voice becoming low like a whisper.

"Whatever you may see... I beg you. Don't judge me too harshly. I did everything to make Hyrule strong… I did everything for peace…"

***

Link returned to the labyrinth as night fell over the desert. Purah had already gone home, leaving him alone with the geoglyph. The words of the former King of Hyrule resonated in his thoughts, and he drew a deep breath before approaching the pool.

Raising his Zonai hand, Link lightly tapped the pool's surface with his fingertips, which sparked with a brilliant white flash.

When his vision cleared, he found himself in a part of the labyrinth that no longer existed in his time. Facing him was a pretty little resting spot, adorned with benches encircling a small campfire. The labyrinth walls enclosed the area protectively against the bad weather.

Rain poured down, and a storm seemed to appear on the distant horizon.

Link spotted a figure seated by the fire. Recognizing the long red hair, he approached with silent steps, momentarily forgetting it was but a vision. The man was sitting, cross legged, in front of the firepit. It looked like he was meditating in silence.

Eventually, the figure rose and turned around, silently observing the rain.

Ganondorf appeared younger than in Zelda’s visions, less menacing. His golden eyes were so full of life, when, now they lost that radiance.

Link couldn’t help but be captivated by him. Not just by his appearance, but by his serene and gentle demeanor. He seemed so different.

Suddenly, the Gerudo glanced towards one of the labyrinth's corridors. A young Zonai appeared, sprinting towards shelter and shielding himself from the rain under his cloak. At first unrecognized, the young man eventually reached cover and removed his cape. When he spoke, Link instantly recognized his voice.

"Hello, gorgeous."

Facing Ganondorf stood a young Rauru, wearing a Zonai warrior’s attire that looked like the ancient hero’s. The Gerudo let out an annoyed sigh.

"You've kept me waiting an hour longer than planned, Rauru... You promised to join me for a training session, yet once again, you failed to appear. I'm curious to hear your excuses, this time."

The zonai gave him a sly smile.

“Oh, I have plenty of excuses available, but it would be a bit crude to give them to you without treating you to dinner first.” He said, raising one of his eyebrows.

His joke worked immediately as Ganondorf started to laugh. Link didn’t take him for a man who can enjoy a good joke… But then, he regained his composure. He was supposed to be mad after all.

“Don’t you dare… You can't avoid your apology by joking, Rauru... I'm listening.”

Fidgeting with his fingers, the Zonai retrieved a small cake and a bouquet of flowers from his pouch. Link's eyes widened, struggling to grasp what was happening. Rauru grinned and tilted his head.

"Well, I had many things to do, and when I was finished, I remembered today to be your thirtieth summer, and I wanted to ensure I presented you with your favorite dessert and this modest bouquet for our special meeting."

Link couldn't believe his ears but turned to Ganondorf upon hearing him click his tongue.

"Oh, I see... So you thought that with a Hyd…hum…voltfruit cake, a bouquet, and your charming smile, I'd forgive your tardiness today?"

Ganondorf's tone might have seemed stern or sarcastic, yet Link felt like there was something else entirely. The Zonai king approached with measured steps, running his fingers along Ganondorf's shoulders. He purred softly, his ears twitching.

"Undoubtedly," he replied with a seductive voice.

The Gerudo burst into thunderous laughter, taking the hero by surprise.  Link never would have imagined Ganondorf capable of such unguarded joy.

Who was this man? 

"Well, although I'm on a diet, I suppose you'd be absolutely correct… You know I cannot be mad at you for long, 'Lovoe'," the king remarked with a hint of amusement.

He took the cake and the present, placing them carefully on a mat near the fire he had laid out. Rauru removed his cloak and draped it over a bench before approaching the Gerudo with a light step. He put his arm around the gerudo’s neck and snuggled in his hair. Ganondorf raised an eyebrow, observing him closely.

"What are you doing?" he inquired.

The Zonai offered a small smile and purred softly. "Have I told you how gorgeous you look under the moonlight tonight?"

Ganondorf turned his head, to avoid the Zonai’s gaze as his skin was darkening. He slipped his fingers in front of his ear and slowly wrapped a bunch of hair around his fingers. Link was not prepared to see Ganondorf being so bashful. Seeing such a mountain of a man playing with his hair and blushing at a flirtatious remark was a sight to behold.

It was… somehow cute… 

Then he regained his composure, but he kept averting his eyes and putting some wood into the fire. He then started to hum a song, the melodious sound of his voice filling the silence. It was… strange at first, as Link would never think Ganondorf was one to like singing… but here he was. 

 Rauru started to chuckle.

“Ah, always humming when you're embarrassed, but you shouldn't, I haven't said anything too cheesy yet.”

Ganondorf sighed…

"This is all your fault, trying to woo me with flattery, but as you can see, there's no moonlight tonight. The queen of the night hides behind those dense clouds."

Rauru smiled, letting his fingers trace the outline of the man's beard. "The night needs no other sovereign, for you are the only one shining for me. I see only you."

Link observed as Ganondorf's expression darkened slightly, a soft smile playing on his lips. He sensed a rare moment of vulnerability in the Gerudo.

"You are far too good with words. How can I resist you?" Ganondorf admitted.

He wrapped his arms around Rauru's hips, lifting him into a tender embrace, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss that left no doubt about the depth of their relationship. Link stood in stunned silence, witnessing a side of Ganondorf he had never imagined.

The vision before his eyes vanished abruptly, and Link gasped, leaning heavily against the labyrinth wall.

Ganondorf and Rauru were together.

Ganondorf loved Rauru.

Confusion gripped Link as he struggled to process the scene he had just witnessed. He thought he had understood everything, piecing together the fragments of the puzzle, but now he truly realized he had only known what Zelda had seen, nothing more, nothing less. There was so much missing information.

How did it come to this? Rauru sacrificing himself to seal Ganondorf, to seal his lover? 

And… Wasn’t he married to queen Sonia?! He was sure Rauru loved the woman…

But…They also looked deeply in love. How could things have gone so wrong?

His mind raced with questions as many doubts appeared in his mind. He didn't know what to believe anymore.

***

Chapter Text

chapter 5: From the beginning.

****

Immediately after seeing the memory, Link tried to go back to the zonai king to confront him, but he didn’t find him. 

Maybe it was because of shame, or maybe because he was growing weaker, but all Link could find was a message written in light. 

‘Young Link, I cannot face you for now, as I’m not strong enough. But we’ll see each other again, once you’ll know enough…You must understand…’

And that was all. With such a message, Link had no idea whether Rauru was exhausted or embarrassed.

Cryptic and unhelpful… Like always…

Same as when Link first woke up. Rauru could’ve told him Zelda became a dragon, or something important like this, but the zonai king was never one to give explanations… 

He sighed and teleported back…

He returned home in the dead of night, attempting to move silently so as not to disturb the sleeping gerudo. But as soon as he entered his house, the clatter of plates and cutlery startled him, causing him to pause in surprise.

There, in the kitchen, the Gerudo was sitting on a chair, quietly eating. Link hadn't expected Ganondorf to be awake at such an hour, but he quickly understood that the king hadn't anticipated his return and was likely leaving his den once assured Link wasn't present so he could be alone.

Tonight Ganondorf seemed to be out of luck.

Link stood in silence, observing him, feeling as though he was seeing him for the first time. The features that he had previously interpreted as signs of irritation and frustration now appeared more like weariness and bitterness.

The revelations of the evening had already begun to reshape Link's perception of the ancient demon. He realized he knew very little about him. Whatever Ganondorf had become was clearly shaped by events of which Link wasn’t aware.

‘He knows how to love. He knows how to be gentle… I was so fucking wrong… I know nothing of this man…’ Link thought silently to himself. The same question was now spinning in his head. ‘Ganondorf… who are you? What happened to you?’ 

Despite having been the Demon King, beneath the darkness and malice, there existed a man of principles and beliefs. 

Link had slain the Demon King… The monster no longer existed. The entity facing him was just a man… a mere mortal.

By breaking his promises and blackmailing Ganondorf, Link unknowingly caused pain to someone who was more than just a villain… Someone he didn’t take the time to know.

Link approached the table, nervously fidgeting with his fingers. He felt very awkward but gathered his courage. He needed to talk about his past and the memories. 

Swallowing hard, he took a deep breath before speaking."Ganondorf?"

The man didn't respond. Instead, he rose abruptly to leave the room. Link reached out instinctively to stop him but hesitated when their eyes locked. There was a cold chill between them… And a feeling of danger.

Ganondorf clearly had no interest in hearing him out, showing no patience or sympathy. This was such a big contrast to the person Link had glimpsed in his memories.

Despite the tension and his inner warning bells, Link took a step forward and grasped Ganondorf's arm with his Zonai hand, attempting to hold him back. 

Instantly, he realized his mistake as he met the Gerudo's furious gaze.

Ganondorf swiftly turned towards him, his hand closing around Link's throat, pinning him against the nearest wall with a force that made Link hiss in pain. The Gerudo's voice, dark and cold, sent a chill down Link's spine.

"Do not... touch... me."

His words were punctuated, each syllable dripping with controlled fury. Link saw the collar around Ganondorf's throat tighten quickly as the man’s breathing became labored. Despite the fear coursing through him, he could see that Ganondorf wasn't attempting to strangle or kill him. 

He did hurt him but it was clearly not his full force. He was just furious.

Link realized he had made a grave error in attempting to restrain Ganondorf with the zonai arm. He was only escalating the situation. Forcing him to speak was not the way to reach him; he needed to take a step back and approach things differently.

Closing his eyes briefly, Link nodded calmly despite the pressure around his neck.

"Okay... sorry, I shouldn't have tried to hold you back. I’m in the wrong."

He opened his eyes cautiously, sensing the tension easing slightly as Ganondorf loosened his grip. It surprised the Gerudo that Link took responsibility so quickly rather than escalating the confrontation even more. Speaking in a calm tone as if soothing a wounded beast, Link continued.

"Put me down so I can loosen your collar."

With a suspicious gaze, Ganondorf hesitated before stepping back and setting Link down. Without further words, Link gently loosened the collar around Ganondorf's throat. The Gerudo took a deep breath as relief washed over him, then silently left the room, with Link making no move to stop him again.

As he watched Ganondorf go back to his den, Link pondered how to mend this rift. His usual methods wouldn't be enough; what could’ve been was already broken. He needed a different approach that Ganondorf could understand and accept.

He knew he had to find a way to bridge the gap and restore their relationship on terms that the Gerudo king could embrace.

***

Riju had anticipated many things when she allowed Link into Gerudo Town. She was confident he would continue aiding her people, and he had. She expected him to respect their customs, and he seemed to be doing just fine on that front.

However, seeing him in their library, studying their laws as soon as the sun rose, caught her off guard. She exchanged a puzzled glance with Buliara, who seemed equally surprised. The warrior had been convinced that Link couldn't read at all.

Approaching the hero, Riju greeted him politely. "Sav'otta Link, you asked to see me?"

Looking up from his book, Link flashed a warm smile at the young chieftain. "Riju, Buliara, good morning. I'm sorry to bother you so early. I really need your help."

The chief returned his smile and took a seat opposite him. "I'm listening, but I'm curious how you're managing to decipher those law books. Aren't they written in old Gerudo?"

Link chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Uh, yeah... I kinda figured that out around halfway through the fourth chapter. I was never the one with the brain anyway.”

Riju struggled to suppress a laugh, motioning for Buliara to join her, but the bodyguard remained standing at the end of the table. 

Despite the humor, Riju agreed to hear the hero out, observing Link sit up straight and take a deep breath. He seemed somewhat embarrassed and his demeanor was a little suspicious, but Riju was patient, giving him space to speak. Link offered a small, hesitant smile.

"First, I need to clarify something. What are 'Voelegah and Vailegah' in your culture?" Link asked, seeking confirmation that the customs Ganondorf spoke about still existed. After all, Ganondorf came from a different era; things might have evolved.

Buliara answered firmly and proudly. "Vailegah are women who love other women. Vailegah warriors are revered as our finest fighters. I wear this badge with honor."

Riju chuckled softly before refocusing on the conversation. "Exactly, it’s a blessing said to be inscribed in the stone of Din’s lost temple... Voelegah is the equivalent for men. A Voelegah would be one of the few men permitted to enter Gerudo Town... Well, except for you, of course. We trust you, and knowing your commitment to Zelda, we believe you would not jeopardize the Vais."

Link's brow furrowed in confusion, and he stared at Riju as if she had said something stupid. Buliara, almost as confused as Link, mirrored his expression.

"What? I'm not with Zelda. Where did you hear such a thing?" Link blurted out.

Riju tilted her head, clearly confused by the revelation.

"Huh? … Hum… A few months ago, the princess told me she intended to confess her feelings to you. We were quite certain you felt the same... Oh... Maybe she hasn't told you?" Her voice trailed off in realization.

Link sighed heavily, running a hand over his face in exasperation.

"Please don’t assume… She did come to see me. I gently declined her feelings. She took it gracefully, but I know it must have hurt her," Link admitted with a hint of remorse. His eyes were low. 

Riju initially appeared stunned, but quickly composed herself, adopting a more dignified posture as she nodded.

"I see. So, you don't harbor any feelings for her... Perhaps your heart belongs to someone else? I hope she can come to terms with the fact that you may love another woman someday," Riju remarked thoughtfully.

Buliara tilted her head slightly, wearing a wry smile that hinted at her amusement.

"He won't love any woman at all," Buliara stated firmly, without a doubt. Riju stared at her, confused, and the guard explained herself with a knowing smile. "Riju, he seeks information on Voelegah, he is a warrior without equal chosen by the goddess Hylia. I have never doubted him, otherwise, he would never have been allowed into our city."

The young chieftain held her gaze on Buliara for a moment before turning her attention to Link. The knight was suddenly tense to be outed like this. He tried to compose himself, offering the gerudos a small, embarrassed smile. Then slowly, he nodded, his cheeks flushed. Without missing a beat, Riju composed herself and responded calmly.

"Oh, you are one of our blessed ones!  That explains a lot. But why did you come to learn about our laws? Why didn't you tell Zelda you were a Voelegah so she could understand? And why didn’t you tell me, aren’t I your friend? "

Link's expression turned serious. "I’m sorry, but I couldn’t… Among the Hylians... someone like me is called a Flawed. To be like me is considered shameful and criminal and I didn’t know how gerudos saw… people like me."

Riju's face hardened, though not as sternly as Buliara's, who looked visibly enraged.

"You are not such a thing, Boy! Never use that word to describe yourself. You are not shameful in any way. You are voelegah, my brother in arms, we shall be proud! " Buliara interjected fiercely, her voice edged with anger.

Link smiled sincerely at the bodyguard, appreciating her words. Riju hesitated for a moment before responding.

"Are you certain about what you are saying? It's troubling... I've never heard of such a law... But know that you will always be our friend. If it truly is a crime in Hyrule, you will always have a place here."

Link smiled as he expressed his gratitude, feeling lucky to have such supportive friends. He began to explain his situation, carefully choosing his words.

"In short, I recently met a Gerudo warrior. We became... friends, but due to my ignorance of your culture, I insulted... her status as a Vailegah… But I didn’t know… I was just so sure that she was as flawed as I was…"

Buliara clicked her tongue, her eyes simmering with silent anger.

"Vasharaa, have you come here to try and make amends with your friend?" she demanded, her tone sharp with seriousness.

Link nodded earnestly. "Yes, I know I messed up. I want to make things right with her... and um... What does 'Vasharaa' mean?"

He recalled Ganondorf using the term and was curious about its significance. Buliara visibly relaxed, and Riju raised a hand to explain.

"It's a challenge. It signifies that your answer to the next question could completely undermine the respect between two individuals if you lie or give the wrong answer. There's no equivalent word in Hylian for that. The closest translation would be 'beware of what you're about to say.' but not as aggressive…"

Link looked at Buliara, who gave him a nod of approval. He had answered correctly. Buliara tapped her spear on the ground once more.

“Being Vailegah or Voelegah is a blessing from our goddess Din, mother of the sands. It forges us into strong warriors, making us the guardians of our faith. Insulting this blessing is an insult to all we hold dear.” 

Link felt so strange, hearing the point of view of the Gerudo. He felt better about himself because he could see he wasn’t flawed for the gerudo, he was considered blessed… but he now felt so bad to have wounded the king’s pride.

He still didn’t know why the man was so hurt about a blessing, Ganondorf didn’t seem like the religious kind to him… But even so, it sounded so important to them, he couldn’t let it linger… Buliara kept going.

"In our customs, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the vai you've wronged is a respected method of repairing the damage you've caused," Buliara explained firmly.

Link was taken aback, about to protest, but Riju interjected quickly.

"Yes, that would be the ideal course of action. It demonstrates respect and acknowledgment of your opponent's strength… If you go full force, you’ll show that you see her as an equal."

Link nodded silently but his face went pale. The idea of facing Ganondorf in hand-to-hand combat, going full force without weapons seemed reckless given the Gerudo king's formidable strength. Even a minor blow could leave visible marks that would need explaining to his friends.

While he understood the gesture as a way to show respect and seek reconciliation, Link hesitated to take such a risky step. Allowing Ganondorf any opportunity to harm him could lead to dire consequences, potentially even his own death.

"Alright, and how do I get her to talk to me? I tried apologizing, but she wouldn't listen," Link asked, seeking a less dangerous way.

Riju frowned slightly, crossing her fingers in front of her chin as she pondered for a moment.

"Ah wow, you've really upset her. My advice would be to give her a gift that you know she'll appreciate. Gerudo women generally love jewelry. Gold makes us feel whole, and that's something we cherish… Very few of us would refuse a jewel. You just need to find something she doesn't already have. If she accepts the gift, she'll have to listen to you, as a mark of appreciation… That’s our tradition.”  Riju explained calmly.

Link sighed deeply as he rubbed his forehead. Finding a gift for someone who had been his enemy not long ago felt surreal, but it was his reality now. 

He also felt like he needed to return the items he had taken from Ganondorf. If jewels are so important to gerudos, keeping them from Ganondorf wasn’t a good idea at all.

 The question remained: what could he offer a man who already seemed adorned with every conceivable form of jewelry?

Thanking Riju and Buliara for their advice, Link made his way out of Gerudo Town. He had already taken up enough of their time, especially with all the work they still had to rebuild their village. Purah awaited him at Mount Granajh, and he needed to keep moving.

As he passed through the market, Link scanned the stalls, his gaze settling on one in particular.

***

At noon, Link arrived at the geoglyph on Mount Granajh to find it finally activated, displaying a star-shaped pattern. He had been trying to access the memories in the other puddles, but until the patterns appeared, those pools were full of malice, blocking his view. Patience was his only way forward.

This time, Purah accompanied him with Tulin, and they showed no intention of leaving. The Rito came with the Sheikah to help control the hot-air balloon as she took multiple pictures of the geoglyph. 

Purah then came to Link and was insistent on knowing everything he saw in the last geoglyph, but Link remained cautious, unsure if he had the right to divulge what he considered private. 

After some negotiation, Purah assured him that anything he shared would remain confidential between them. Tulin also promised to keep quiet.

Though eccentric and excitable, Purah knew the importance of discretion and could be a valuable ally in uncovering the truth. Tulin was a child, but he was very loyal and would keep to himself.

Finally, Link agreed to confide in them.

He spoke about the love affair between the former King of Hyrule and the Demon King. Initially taken aback, Purah listened in silence. The rito youth didn’t seem to care at all. Their calm and composed reaction caught him off guard.

"You... don't mind that they were two men?" Link asked, uncertain of how they would react.

Purah shrugged nonchalantly. "Not really. Why should I mind?"

Tulin tilted his head. “yeah why?”

Looking around cautiously, Link lowered his voice. "Well... isn't it a crime?"

As Tulin looked confused, Purah laughed heartily and gently slapped Link's shoulder.

"Holy Hylia, I forgot that old fart King Rhoam created that ridiculous law… No Link, I don’t mind at all. I personally know some gay sheikahs myself…” 

She stayed silent for several seconds before wiggling her eyebrows.

“You technically do too, as that boy, Tauro, is bisexual… and quite fond of you if I do say so…" she exclaimed, still amused. 

Link gasped and nodded. He didn’t know Tauro was playing for both teams… and might be interested in him… That was new…

Maybe the sheikahs didn’t mind… But what about the ritos? He then turned to Tulin. “And you, Tulin? what do you think?”

The rito looked shocked.

“There is a law that prevents people from loving each other?! That’s stupid! For us Rito, it’s a rare occurrence, but not a crime. Those people are to be considered our godfathers and godmothers and they are tasked to take care of orphaned youth and help new parents… They are important to our community.”

Link smiled. “Really? I didn’t know that… It’s… Good to know.”

After a moment, Purah ran a hand through his blond hair.

"Ah, Linky, there are so many things you don’t know. Even for hylians… it's been a hundred years and Zelda still hasn't taken the throne. There's no such law in Hyrule anymore. And even if there were, I assure you, no one would harm you. I promise," she reassured him.

Link looked at her with wide eyes, surprised by her words. She met his gaze knowingly, raising her eyebrows. How did she know? Link was at a loss for words, but managed a grateful smile. 

"Yeah, you’re not very discreet… Don't hesitate to confide in me, Linky. I'm your friend," she added warmly.

“Oh?? OHHH!!!” The young rito started to flap his wings. “Yes, same here, you’re my friend!! I’ll defend you with my life! You are my godfather now!!  ”

Link laughed and pushed his hair behind his ear. Purah didn't press him further about that, but she asked about the rest of Ganondorf's memory and began jotting notes in her notebook. She asked for details about Ganondorf that Link hadn't found relevant, but he trusted her and shared what she asked for.

After a while, Link stood before the new puddle and raised his arm to touch the surface.

He was enveloped in a flash of white light and suddenly found himself under a starry sky, facing Ganondorf who was seated against a stone while Rauru tended to his wounds. The Gerudo's face bore a broad smile tinged with excitement.

"Ouch, can't believe we beat those Hylians. Serves 'em right for trying to snatch our lands!" Ganondorf exclaimed with a hint of satisfaction.

Rauru, his expression severe as he finished stitching a wound, replied solemnly, "You're too reckless, Ganondorf. Your sisters will resent me even more now that you're injured."

Ganondorf chuckled softly. "Don't worry about the twins. They've become fiercely protective of me since our mothers passed."

Rauru hummed softly, totally in contrast to Ganondorf's intensity. "I know. Following the legacy of their namesakes as priestesses isn't easy. But they never warmed up to me... and I don’t think they’ll ever do, as your mothers didn’t accept me… But well, I’m the one here, with you, mending your wounds… You're fortunate to wear your scars so well. War isn't always the answer. We must find a path to peace."

The Gerudo's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about, Lovoe? The Hylians tried to take Din's Crest from us. I've never sought conflict with them before."

With a slight struggle, Ganondorf rose to his feet, standing tall like a king as he gazed at the moon.

"They started the war on our sacred land, aiming to destroy the Temple of Din because they think that everything green is supposed to be theirs. I have every right to bring that same war to their doorstep. But I hear you, and I know what must be done to achieve the peace you desire," he declared.

He then turned back to Rauru, taking his hands gently.  He continued, "Hyrule is a headless state, dearest. Big lands without a ruler, green lands waiting to be cultivated. It needs leadership... at least two heads, and my people need those cultivable lands. This is our chance to forge a grand kingdom and lasting peace. With you by my side and Hyrule under control, my people will finally have sustenance, and the Hylians will learn to respect us and be part of something bigger. Perhaps even my sisters will come to accept you?"

The Zonai smiled fondly. "Ah, a kingdom with two crowns is a dream that always delights me, dear friend. I promise, beneath these stars, to unite all the peoples around Hyrule under a single banner. I promise, it shall be ruled by two heads, like you asked.  Peace shall prevail, I swear it. But to do so, I’ll need your help and your army. You know how good I am with strategies… Thrust me, I’ll help your people with all I have."

Grinning broadly, Ganondorf pulled Rauru into a strong embrace.

“Of course Lovoe, I’ll give you all the help you need.”

 Rauru laughed and playfully pushed him back, then handed him pieces of Zonaite.

"Now, let's see if you've truly followed my advice and honed your Zonai spells. Let's kill two birds with one stone, as I've come here to be in your arms. Make us a bed, won't you?"

Ganondorf took some of the stones and, with a flash of green light, fashioned them into a large bed at the summit of the mountain. It was... a rather ugly bed. Rauru arched an eyebrow in amusement.

"What an unsightly bed... Well, I suppose for a first attempt, it does resemble a bed," Rauru commented with a grin.

The Gerudo chuckled and gave the Zonai a playful smile. 

"And I assure you, it won't go to waste…"

He then turned to Rauru and walked towards him with a gentle smile. He reached up and ran his fingers through the zonai's long locks of hair, before sliding them under his chin and slightly raised his face.

“This night is ours, my dearest, my lovoe. I long to gaze into your eyes as we lie beneath the stars…" He said with a smile. "Come here, to me.”

Then he leaned forward, to kiss Rauru, and the vision blurred at that exact moment.

Link gasped as he returned to reality, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Purah stood beside him, offering support and a reassuring smile as she took out her pad to write down her notes. Tulin was sitting on a rock, waiting for Link to regain composure. Purah turned her attention toward the rito. 

“Tulin, dear, can you take a look around to see if the geoglyph is corrupting the land around? I need to be sure it’s not dangerous after seeing the memory.”

The rito obeyed without hesitation. They were like a nicely oiled machine, working together. Despite their professional demeanor, Link was visibly confused and troubled.

‘It was Rauru who teached Zonai magic to Ganondorf?!’ Now that Link thought about it, he should’ve seen it coming. 

They had been so close, Ganondorf and Rauru, seeking peace and unity. How had it all gone so wrong?

Link couldn’t shake the memory of Ganondorf's expressions. His smiles seemed so genuine and different from the tyrant he knew. He found himself yearning to see that kind of warmth directed at him. Ganondorf had appeared patient and kind, so far from the avatar of darkness he eventually became.

Sitting on the ground, Link refocused on Purah, who meticulously recorded every detail of their conversation with precision that bordered on unnerving. She asked about the nuances of their dialogues, the tone of their voices, and their body language, noting it all down in her notebook for further analysis.

As their conversation wound down, Link ran a hand through his hair, voicing his confusion.

"I still can't grasp what could have happened to turn Ganondorf into the Demon King and cause him to hate Rauru. They truly seemed to be deeply in love."

The woman emitted an unconvinced hum, which piqued Link's curiosity. He tilted his head.

"What does that 'hum' mean?" Link asked.

Purah grinned mischievously and shrugged in response.

"Oh, I'm not entirely sure myself, but I believe we'll get clearer answers once the other geoglyphs activate," she replied.

Link frowned, wanting to press for more information but hesitant to draw undue attention. Instead, he redirected the conversation.

"What about what he called Din’s Crest? Do you know anything about it?" he inquired.

The Sheikah shook her head thoughtfully.

"I don't know much about that, Link. But Ganondorf mentioned the Temple of Din, which suggests it might be related to the fabled lost temple of Din. The Gerudos have been searching for that place long before my time," Purah explained.

Link nodded, recalling Riju mentioning the lost temple. The prospect of discovering this location intrigued him. Perhaps investigating the other pools would yield more clues.

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: I am falling.

When he came back to his house that night, Ganondorf was meditating on the floor, surrounded by some books about the many wars fought by the kingdom. He was probably taking a break from reading. It wasn't the first time the man had shown an interest in books, especially those on the history of Hyrule and the evolution of civilizations over the centuries. 

Link thought he'd have to thank Zelda for forcing him to buy these books to ‘learn more about our beautiful country’. 

Link fetched a small chest hidden behind a wall in his room and approached Ganondorf without initiating conversation immediately. Placing the box on the table, along with a plain wooden crate, he sat down on the floor in front of the king and stayed silent.

Ganondorf, initially preparing to leave the room, halted at the sight of Link's actions and the items he had presented. With a raised eyebrow, he stayed put on the couch and turned his attention to the young man.

"What is it?" Ganondorf inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Link pointed to the chest on the table.

"This is yours. I'm just returning what’s yours." Link said simply.

Ganondorf leaned forward and opened the chest Link had presented to him. Inside, he immediately recognized the jewelry that had always been dear to him. He let out a word in a breath that Link nearly didn’t hear. 

“...My Envah…”

Despite his stoic demeanor, he wasted no time in putting on his cherished jewels, feeling the cool metal against his skin. Link tilted his head with a smile. 

“If it was so important for you, why didn't you ask me to give them back to you when we played the game?” 

The man frowned and gritted his teeth. “I won’t ask for something you would return to me eventually… So do not expect any thanks...” Then he pressed the jewels against his skin. 

As he closed his eyes momentarily, appreciating the sensation, Ganondorf looked towards the other box on the table. Without repeating his question, the gerudo silently nodded toward the second container. Link took a deep breath, averting his gaze slightly.

"It's a gift," Link finally spoke, his voice hesitant.

This declaration caused Ganondorf's eyebrows to raise in surprise. Link's actions were indeed unpredictable. Studying the box once more, Ganondorf hesitated briefly. 

He wasn't stupid; he understood that Link wanted to communicate with him through this gesture. 

That was so foolish. Why did he want to bridge a gap he had created? Despite his anger, curiosity got the better of him.

Finally, Ganondorf extended his hand and lifted the lid of the box. Inside lay a finely crafted crown made from ancient gold and adorned with a ruby. It was a stunning piece fit for a king without a crown. It was clearly gerudo made. 

Why did he give him a crown? The man frowned and hissed.

“Are you mocking me because I am a crownless king?” 

Link raised his head and denied it immediately. “No, not at all… It’s just… You wear jewelry everywhere on your body and you… well a crown does suit you… and …”

He didn’t really know what to say, so he looked away. “I’m… Sorry if it’s not to your liking… I didn’t mean to mock you… I… I wanted to find something you’d like.”

Ganondorf stayed silent for a long, uncomfortable moment before he sighed. “I see…”

At that moment, Ganondorf hesitated, knowing that accepting this gift meant he would have to listen to what the young man wanted to say, someone who had trampled on his beliefs without hesitation.

Yet with this gift, chosen specifically with his tastes in mind, chosen according to the jewels he already owned, the hero had shown a thoughtfulness and effort towards him which showed him that, what he had to say, was worthy. 

Ganondorf took the crown from the box, feeling its weight in his hands.

He then let out a loud sigh and made his choice.

As he placed the crown on his head, straightening his posture, he remained silent, fixing his gaze on Link with intensity.

Link couldn’t help but smile, understanding that despite Ganondorf's silence, he would listen. He took a deep breath.

"I would like to apologize to you," Link started, his eyes avoiding direct contact with Ganondorf's. The former demon king remained stoic, waiting for Link to continue.

“I should never have kept from you what I expected of you... I should also have done some research into your culture. You may have been my enemy, but you didn't deserve to be forced to compromise your beliefs.”

Ganondorf frowned as he processed Link's apology.

"Why seek forgiveness from your prisoner?" Ganondorf finally asked with a calm voice.

The young man chuckled nervously.

"Well, I did promise you respect under my roof, didn't I? I just... haven't always been good at keeping my word," Link said, his eyes finally lifting to meet Ganondorf's.

The king hummed, unimpressed and Link bowed his head a little. 

“Listen, I didn’t know… I couldn’t have known… All my life, I was taught that, what I was, was unnatural, that those like me must be punished. We were always hidden or killed. I didn’t know any other way…”

He bit his lips and tucked a lock of hair behind his ear.

“It's... very difficult for me to imagine anyone seeing me, not as a Flawed, but as what you call a Voelegah. A pride rather than a disgrace. Hylians and Gerudos really have two different points of view... I really can't say who's right and who's wrong.” Link muttered with a broken voice..

Ganondorf listened in silence and took his glass in his hand. He stayed composed as he stood before Link. After finishing his drink, he placed the glass back on the table and moved closer to the young man with a serious gaze. Link felt his presence getting closer and was reminded that their roles were reversed at this moment.

Finally, Ganondorf spoke in his deep voice.

"It's not hard to discern who is in the right here, hero... A voelegah is a man attracted to other men, a warrior without equal, bearing a holy blessing. Vasharaa, Are you not the most skilled swordsman in Hyrule? Did you not defeat me? Aren't you attracted to other men? Do you not have the blessing of the goddess?"

Link couldn't help but chuckle...

"Well, yes, that's all true but..."

Ganondorf raised his hand, cutting off Link's words.

"I could find many reasons to be furious with you, Link. You stripped me of my powers in Rauru's name, blackmailed me and wounded my pride. I would gladly face you in battle again and take your life, without hesitation. But I also respect you, and I would never deign to label you as 'a flawed'. Because you're not, and anybody seeing you as such is a waste of space," Ganondorf said firmly. “You are an idiot, but you are no shame, so be proud. I will not let anyone belittle a Voelegah in front of me… The fact that that voelegah is you is irrelevant…”

Link nodded slowly, a smile forming on his face. Ganondorf's words were compelling, and Link found himself starting to believe in their sincerity. He didn’t really had a choice, as Ganondorf hated him, so when he told him those words, he was entirely sincere. He chuckled softly.

“Heh, would you look at that? The hero seeking comfort in the former demon king's words. I’m such a fool.”

The Gerudo tilted his head slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Indeed… It took you long enough to realize what a fool you are, I was starting to think you'd never catch on.," he remarked.

Link was taken aback by Ganondorf's unexpected touch of humor, but he quickly regained his composure. Remembering the demon king's penchant for sly jokes from his vision, Link crossed his arms and retorted.

"Says the man who ate a rock..."

There was a moment of silence as Link realized his mistake.

"Ah, damn it, I ate a rock too that one time with the Gorons. The joke doesn't work..." He grumbled. " Wasn't even tasty..."

Ganondorf was caught off guard by Link's response and struggled to contain his laughter. He pressed a fist to his mouth, shoulders shaking slightly. Link couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction, knowing he had elicited such a reaction from the typically stoic king. He really wanted to hear Ganondorf's laughter, the more human part of him he had glimpsed in his vision.

After composing himself, Ganondorf straightened up and spoke calmly.

"I've not forgiven you… But I’ve heard you..."

With that, he left the room without another word. Link wasn't sure about what was happening but he sensed a slight shift in the atmosphere. It was better now… 

As Link pondered their interaction, he wondered if, with the right steps and continued efforts, he could truly find common ground with his old foe.

But what were the right steps when the basis of your relationship is sexual blackmail? 

***

The next geoglyph to activate was the one at the Forgotten Temple, in the canyon. Purah was growing increasingly enthusiastic. 

She was one of the few who had ever questioned what had initially provoked the Demon King's wrath. While others might label him evil from birth, she did not, and for that, Link was grateful.

Link approached the geoglyph from the sky in a hot-air balloon with the scientist. As they descended, the shape of the scarlet light became clearer.

Link recoiled.

The drawing depicted a heart broken in two, surging toward the ancient castle embedded in the canyon.

A crack in the ground ran through the motif like a violent rift, and Link wasn't sure he wanted to see this memory. But he needed to know.

The scientist landed the balloon near the temple and accompanied the hero inside.

The red glow crawled up the walls and across the floor to a pool of blood in one of the temple's largest halls. It was an unavoidable passageway leading to the statue of Hylia, though Link had never paid much attention to the architecture before.

The walls were widely separated, and the large spaces made the place resemble a ballroom or a throne room.

Link slowly approached the memory and knelt down. Purah leaned on his shoulder to support him. He glanced at her curiously.

"Linky, are you alright? You look so upset..."

The young man smiled at her, his eyes drifting over the puddle of blood.

"Thanks for your help, Purah... I'll be fine..."

She stepped back to give him space, and Link reached for the crimson liquid.

A flash of white transported him to the middle of a rich ball held in Hyrule's former temple.... Representatives from all the ancient nations had gathered for a banquet to celebrate the end of the war. The atmosphere was tense, with clan chiefs engaging in conversations that were a bit too polite to be sincere.

Ganondorf was there, leading the Gerudo, sipping wine from his goblet while discussing business with the King of the Ritos. Link noticed that Ganondorf had left his hair loose and chosen a more regal, yet revealing, outfit for the occasion. He wore a long red sarouel, open along the legs, and his only other adornments were various pieces of jewelry.

He had a large golden necklace on his throat, and long chains draped loosely across his chest and around his arms. He also wore a multitude of bracelets, various rings adorned with precious gems, and a Gerudo crown that made him even more imposing. Link swallowed hard.

Ganondorf was breathtaking. He looked happy, and his smile was so gentle. Link tilted his head, admiring this man who was so different today. Here, he could look at him, approach him, and wasn't unwanted. Ganondorf's eyes were golden, as always, but there was a spark in his gaze, something incredibly beautiful. Link smiled when he met his gaze, despide being in a memory.

Then he shook his head, he wasn't here for this...

The bodyguards accompanying him were equally adorned with jewelry, clearly enjoying the evening's opulence.

Link then understood the disparity of power among the guests. The Gerudo had won the war. With Rauru on their side and the power of the Zonais, it couldn't have been any other way.

The sound of drums echoed through the hall, and the room fell silent as Rauru stepped onto the stage. Link hadn't seen him arrive, but he was certain Rauru hadn't been there a moment ago.

The Zonai raised his hands to attract everyone's attention. His voice echoed through the palace.

"My friends, today we gather in the bright light of peace, a moment we have all looked forward to with hope and anticipation. I, Rauru, of the Zonai, offer my sincerest thanks to the Gerudo people and their king, Ganondorf, without whom none of this would have been possible."

The Gerudo grinned at his lover and raised his glass in his direction. Rauru continued,

"Together, we celebrate the end of a dark period in our history and the dawn of a new era. On this memorable day, we must also remember that peace is fragile and requires our continued commitment and sacrifices. So I, Rauru, promise you unity, I promise you security, and I promise you a kingdom with two crowns. And now, it's time for me to introduce you to the person who will reign at my side."

Much murmuring went on around Link, but he paid it no mind. He finally realized what was about to happen. His hand came to rest over his mouth as he turned towards Ganondorf, who was grinning broadly and seemed about to step towards the podium. Rauru's next words rang out like a death knell.

"I would like to introduce you to my fiancée. The love of my life, Queen Sonia of Hyrule."

The Gerudo stopped immediately, his face a mix of surprise and distress. Link saw the exact moment when reality hit him, breaking his heart. For a moment, his gaze shifted, as if he were lost, and Link could hear his voice in a whisper.

"...I should have known..."

Ganondorf's face hardened, his golden eyes losing their sparkle. He remained proud and upright, continuing his discussions as if nothing had happened, but Link could hear the slight break in his voice at the end of each sentence. But still, there was no real hatred present in his gaze, just a profound lassitude.

Link turned an angry gaze on the former King of Hyrule.

Rauru had betrayed Ganondorf. Link hadn't seen it coming. Could he call it an affair? It felt like it.

But why? They seemed so close... Their relationship seemed sincere. He couldn't understand it.

The world became a blur, and he was brought back to reality by Purah's hand on his shoulder. Link looked distressed and was breathing rapidly.

"Linky... LINKY! It's all right, I'm here... breathe... Calm down." she tried.

The young man obeyed the voice with difficulty, running a hand over his face to wipe the sweat from his forehead. He looked at the scientist.

"Rauru... He betrayed Ganondorf... He loved him... Why?"

He looked like a child facing his first nightmare. For Link, love was the most beautiful and sincere thing in the world. As someone who believed he would never find love, it didn’t feel right to see someone break this kind of relationship. He couldn't understand why Rauru had done this.

Not when Link would do anything to be loved like Rauru was...

Not when Link wanted to see the king smile at him like he had smiled at the Zonai...

Not when he was so jealous of the old king.

When he realized his train of thought, he covered his mouth. His cheeks flushed, and his eyes widened. He knew he was attracted to Ganondorf, that was why he chose him, but how had he come to crave his affection?

Maybe because he was the one who showed him that he wasn’t to be ashamed of what he was? 

Maybe because he was capable of teaching him to accept himself?

Or maybe because Link saw the man behind the mask? The one Ganondorf was before everything. He was so different from the bitter and violent person he was now. The man he saw in the memories was so calm, collected, kind and passionate. He was capable of tenderness and love with all his heart...

'Oh... No.'

No, that wasn’t possible… He couldn’t possibly fall for this man, just like that… could he? They were enemies, he just started to accept his presence. He was violent and cold...

...But when he saw him touch Rauru with slow, soft caress he couldn’t help but wonder how it felt… . His large, strong hand seemed to become so tender when he showed affection… How would it feel on his own skin, drawing his many scars? 

He remembered his touch, that one time, the pleasure under his skin. Ganondorf wasn’t doing it out of love, but out of spite, and it already felt that good… What pleasure could the man give out of love? Link couldn’t dare to imagine.

He wanted to hear him say again that he wasn’t a shame, that he was worthy of respect, that he was beautiful with the same tone he used to call Rauru “Lovoe”.

He wanted to hear him laugh, to hear him whisper how good he was with his deep voice.

Link grew more flushed and embarrassed at his own thoughts.

'No, no, NO!' That was not possible… Maybe Link was just craving some affection.

'Yes, that was it.' Link was single for so long because of his shame, he wanted someone so badly that the moment he was free of those chains, his affection turned to the first gay man he knew. And that was Ganondorf. 

It wasn’t real… 

It couldn’t be…

Purah mistook his embarrassment for a panic attack. She spoke in a reassuring voice, calming the young man.

"Linky, sometimes relationships just don't work out... Tell me what you saw. I might get a clearer picture."

The boy shook his head to regain composure and told her what he'd seen, as the woman took her notes.

"Oh, quite manipulative, our former king. But I'm not surprised; power plays have always been very unglamorous, and Rauru really knew how to keep the mask on until the end."

The knight looked at his friend, tilting his head.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Purah didn't answer directly, sensing that Link's state showed a distress she didn't want to worsen.

"I'm not sure. I'd have to see more. I'll do some research in my notes at the castle. Will you come with me?"

Link shook his head.

"That's kind of you, but I've got some things to do first. I need the rest of the day."

She smiled and waved as he disappeared into a blue light.

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 7: Total eclipse of my heart.

***

Link went to the nearer stable to take Epona with him. He really felt like he needed her support for what he was about to do.

He rushed to Kakariko village immediately after. He needed to confront the feelings that had been burning him. He needed to test the theory that his recent cravings for the king’s affection were simply a result of loneliness. 

The strange attachment he felt toward the Gerudo king had to be a mistake, an illusion because he felt lonely. He couldn’t believe that he was feeling genuine attraction.

He needed to prove it to himself, and the quickest way to do that was to seek out someone who could fill that void.

Finding a quiet corner, Link took Epona’s head in his arm and hugged her a little bit before he took a deep breath and pulled out the charged set from his bag, draping it over his body before entering the little town.

Purah had mentioned in passing that Tauro had been quite clear in his admiration, hinting that he was, indeed, flirting with Link. Uncertain but willing to explore every avenue, Link decided it was worth the risk. Maybe Tauro was the answer to the confusion inside him.

The village was quiet as he walked its paths and very soon found the archeologist absorbed in his work, hunched over some Zonai constructs. For a moment, Link hesitated. Would this really prove anything? He wasn’t sure but he forced himself forward, determined.

The moment Tauro glanced up and saw him, his face lit up with genuine excitement. He hurried over, grasping both of Link’s hands with a bright smile. Link instinctively recoiled at the sudden contact but forced himself to stay composed, managing a small smile in return.

“Ah, Link, it’s wonderful to see you! I have so much to share, and… Oh dear, that outfit really still suits you. It’s like that set was made for a body such as yours.” He laughed.

Link chuckled softly, tilting his head. How had he missed this before? Tauro's admiration wasn't subtle; it was almost comical.

Tauro's voice trailed off as he continued talking. He stayed close to Link, smiling at him without hesitation. Link’s gaze lingered a moment longer on this man, watching as his eyes sparkled with fascination. He was so sincere, never hiding his feelings. 

Tauro was the very picture of openness, his natural cheerfulness shining through as he held Link's Zonai hand with awe, his eyes tracing the designs without a hint of discomfort.

He was the perfect antithesis of Ganondorf. Where the Gerudo king was commanding and cold, Tauro was lively, sincere, and a warm presence. He was everything Link thought he needed in a partner. The boy seemed ideal in every sense.

And yet.

As Tauro continued to speak, his words started to blur and Link found himself growing increasingly detached. 

He smiled and nodded, engaging as much as he could with Tauro’s enthusiasm, but it was an act. 

There was no flutter of his heart, no urge to draw closer, no pull between them. 

Tauro’s touch didn’t ignite anything within him, not the way he had hoped. He was like a candle, where Ganondorf felt like the sun. 

He was everything Link should have wanted.

But he wasn’t enough.

The realization hit Link like a slap. No matter how much he tried to convince himself otherwise, the spark simply wasn't there. There was nothing here.

With Ganondorf, as much as the man seemed cold, his laugh alone had surged through him like a storm. Link felt the pull, he felt his heart skip when the man talked and smiled in the memories. But here, with Tauro, there was only stillness. 

He was his friend, nothing more.

Link calmly ended the conversation and left the village shortly afterwards. He joined his horse immediately and pushed his head against her fur. The beast made a sound and pushed her muzzle against the boy's skin to help him in his struggle. He let out a soft chuckle.

“Yeah girl… that’s one shitty situation…”

He stayed silent for a long moment before taking a deep breath.

All right, It hadn't worked with Tauro, but perhaps it would with someone more intense. 

Someone whose presence was bold enough to overshadow everyone around him. 

Link hesitated for only a moment before mounting his horse and riding to the Zora's Domain. 

Among the many crushes of his past, Sidon had always stood out. The Zora prince was charismatic, strong and, of course, charming. If anyone could make him feel that same magnetic pull, it would be Sidon.

He needed to prove himself that it wasn’t just Ganondorf. It couldn't be.

He left the mare in front of the domain and made his way to the throne room. As he entered the place, he found Sidon there, alone, surrounded by a pile of scrolls and papers. The moment Sidon recognized him, his face broke into a wide grin. 

He leapt to his feet and lunged at Link, grabbing his hands with joy.

“LINK! My friend, what a pleasure to see you here... I'm glad to see you just before my wedding,” Sidon announced, his voice booming with happiness.

Link forced a smile, a pang of guilt twisting in his chest. Yona. He had almost forgotten about her in his searching for clarity. 

The last thing he wanted was to seduce someone who was taken. That wasn't who he was. But the need to know was too strong. He had to be sure.

“Sidon... I... need your help with something,” Link murmured, hesitating as he tried to find a way without hurting anyone.

The Zora prince's expression became one of concern. “Is everything all right? Tell me everything, I'll help you!”

Link bit his lip, searching for the right words. Then, slowly, an idea had started to form in his mind. It was quite bold, perhaps even reckless but he realized that he didn’t need to flirt with Sidon with this plan. The guilt started to disappear as he asked.

“There’s this person, and... he...” Link hesitated, always a little apprehensive of his friend’s reactions.“This person, I really fancy...”

Sidon nodded, his eyes focused on his friend. He looked at Link all serious, like a prince addressing a matter of the utmost importance. 

Link continued, “And when I see your relationship with Yona, I tell myself that you, my friend, know how to seduce...”

Sidon grinned, a hint of embarrassment appearing into his expression as he rubbed the back of his head. “Come on now, what are you saying, my friend? You’re probably more talented than me.”

Link shook his head firmly. “Oh No. Not at all to be honest, I'm very easily lost with these things. I’m… Very bad at flirting. So, I was wondering if you could... show me how you would approach someone you liked. A... simulation, you see? Pretend I’m Yona, and you’re meeting her for the first time.”

Sidon's eyes widened in surprise, and then he laughed, “Ah, that's all it is? My friend, in need of dating advice.” He crossed his arms over his chest and nodded with determination. “Very well, Link. I'll help you learn how to approach this... mysterious person.”

There was a sudden shift in Sidon's demeanor. His tone became warmer, and his gaze grew more intense. Link had seen Sidon in battle, he was already pretty intense, but this was different. The Zora moved closer with slow steps. He pinned Link against the wall with an arm, his sheer size and presence suddenly overwhelming.

“Oh, what a pleasure to see you here,” Sidon murmured, his voice dropping to a low tone. “Do you know how many nights I've spent thinking about you?”

Link felt his face flush instantly. The warm tone of Sidon's voice sent a shiver down his spine. This was different from his encounter with Tauro. 

The sensations of excitement were there. Link could feel the thrill of being desired, the rush of adrenaline. 

There was desire, and attraction, but like before, Link's heart remained steady. There was no missing beat, nor strong pull.

Sidon was passionate and expressive, he was like the torrent of a river, powerful, fast and loud. He showed everything he had without hiding his emotion. 

But Ganondorf was like the ocean. A majestic, quiet surface that hides the most violent and unpredictable currents. Each wave hides treasures that only the most determined can be lucky enough to discover.

He had hoped, almost desperately, that Sidon would ignite something more in him. And while the Zora prince certainly knew how to be more intense than Tauro, it still wasn't enough. 

The intensity wasn’t the answer… 

Link felt disappointed but didn’t show anything. He applauded Sidon’s performance with a grateful smile, but the truth was undeniable. His heart didn’t respond.

Sidon made a few more attempts, different approaches meant to help Link understand how to charm someone. But with each simulation, it became more and more apparent. Link could appreciate Sidon’s effort, the warmth of his friendship, but the feelings weren’t there.

Eventually, they stopped, and the conversation shifted naturally to the zora’s wedding. They talked about the preparations, the decoration and how Yona was doing.

 Link was glad to be there, to share in his friend's happiness. It felt good to forget his inner turmoil a little bit.

But as the sun began to set, Link knew it was time to leave and meet again with his inner demons.

As he walked toward his mare, he wondered why he didn’t feel the need for more closeness with Tauro or Sidon, if he was so starved for affection. 

Was he truly only attracted to Ganondorf? The thought was both unsettling and intoxicating. Why him, of all people? Ganondorf was his former enemy. He was known to be violent and cruel… some time ago… 

But he couldn’t help but wonder what would it feel like if the Gerudo king looked at Link with the tenderness only known by Rauru? He had to know. He had to feel it for himself.

He had to find out for sure.

He rode Epona until he found a quiet, secluded spot within the forest, not far from here, surrounded by ancient trees.

Link took a deep breath, his heart already quickening with anticipation, raised his hand that held Ganondorf's memories. He wasn’t sure using a memory like that was the best way to use them, but he didn’t have a choice. Then, with a long sigh, he activated it.

It was the second memory, where he was talking with Rauru under the starry sky. 

Link watched the past unfold before his eyes, until the moment he had been waiting for. 

The moment when Ganondorf conjured the ugly bed with Zonai magic. Link took a deep breath and moved forward, positioning himself where Rauru was, as if trying to rewrite the memory with himself at its center. He glanced up at Ganondorf, and waited.

The Gerudo king's gaze shifted toward him, and for a heartbeat, the world was no more. 

Ganondorf’s eyes softened, and a gentle smile graced his lips. Immediately, Link’s heart skipped. It was the very smile that he was dying to see. 

The king stepped closer, his presence crushing Link’s small frame. He then reached out with a hand. The large fingers moved through Link's hair in a tender gesture, even though Link couldn't feel it, the illusion was vivid enough to make his heart race.

Then Ganondorf spoke the words against Link's ears, burning him to the core.

“This night is ours, my dearest, my lovoe. I long to gaze into your eyes as we lie beneath the stars.” 

Link swallowed. Then, an order. 

“Come here, to me.”

The words struck Link like a bolt of lightning from a gleeok. His entire being was shaking as he closed his eyes and gasped. 

His breath caught, and without thinking, he rose onto his tiptoes, closing the distance between them.

 His lips sought Ganondorf's in a desperate, impulsive kiss. For a fleeting, intoxicating second, he felt the rush of desire surge within him. He wanted this, he wanted this so much. But the dream was soon shattered as he passed through the Gerudo's form.

He stumbled against his mare, his eyes wide. How could he forget? It was just a vision, a mere memory. None of it was real, but Ganondorf's voice had enchanted him to the point of forgetting reality.

With a sigh, Link dismissed the vision. He couldn’t look at the image of the king as it disappeared into the air in a blur.

It was too much.

The emotions were overwhelming, but he could no longer deny them.

His heart had made its choice and it was probably the worst choice ever.

He didn’t know what to do now. Ganondorf still hated him, and their relationship started in a war. Link was supposed to kill him… 

It simply couldn’t be… 

But … The gerudo was changing. The hatred in his eyes had softened, and he had started to talk to Link, to acknowledge him not just as an enemy, but as something else. 

Link brushed his hair with his finger. He knew he shouldn’t but… He couldn’t help but hope. 

“Aren’t I the stupidest man in Hyrule, heh, Epona?... Falling for a man I shouldn’t pursue… A man that might not exist anymore...”

She made a noise as she pushed her head against him in support. She could feel how lost he was and tried to help as much as she could. Link took the time to appreciate the hug, but soon, let her go.

The hero knew he needed to continue his effort regardless without trying to pursue the man for now. It could only end badly if he did. 

He needed some air, he needed time to think. And above all, he needed to do some shopping.

***

He went back to Gerudo Town, by teleporting with the Purah pad. 

Link wanted to take a look at the market but was rapidly stopped by Yona’s voice. 

“Link! Dear friend! What a pleasure meeting you here!” She said happily.

Link gave the lady a big smile as she seized his hand, much like Sidon. 

“The pleasure is all mine, Yona! How are you doing?”

She made a happy face and tilted her head. “Oh, I’m quite okay… But Sidon… the preparation for the wedding made him a little restless. He is all over the place.” 

Link laughed, “ Yeah, I saw that… I was visiting him just now.”

She gently slapped the young man’s shoulder with a kind smile.

“Really? Oh I’m happy you came, I was about to ask you to please come by, when you have time. I’m sure he was so happy to see you and I hope your visit helped to calm him down.” 

“Oh, I’m sure it will.” He nodded.

“Wonderful.” She jumped, “I'll let you get back to business, sorry to have interrupted your…” 

She stopped for a second. Slowly, she tilted her head.

“Hum, may I ask how you manage to enter Gerudo town? Sidon tried many times, but he couldn’t, due to him being a male… But you are a male too… ”

The hylian became a little tense, fearing the worst.

What if the zoras weren’t as open minded as the gerudos? Could he stand the looks of disgust coming from these people? 

“Link?” 

The boy jumped and met Yona’s kind and caring eyes, she looked so worried for him. 

The hylian let out a sigh.  

Those are his friends. They fought by his side. 

He wasn’t supposed to fear them. Ganondorf said those who didn’t accept him were a waste of space… Maybe he was right. If she was his friend, she would accept him as he was.

He raised his head, remembering the gerudo’s word ‘Be proud!’... It wasn’t easy, but he needed to learn… To accept himself. 

He then gave the zora queen a smile. 

“I’m a man attracted to other men, so for the gerudo folk, It’s a blessing, and I’m one of the few men accepted here.” he said, his voice low.

Her eyes widened for a second. She looked like she was searching for her words. Link’s body was tense, and he could feel tears clawing behind his eyes but it needed to be done. Then Yona nodded slowly.

“That is… logical…I suppose… But why… This doesn’t make any sense, my Sidon, like nearly all other zoras, is attracted to both… Why isn’t he allowed in?” 

Link was stunned for a moment. His whole body went limp as he was slapped with realization.

“W… What?” 

She turned to Link. “I know right… It’s a little unfair…”

Link shook his head violently. “No that’s not… What do you mean ‘Zoras are attracted to both’?”

She shrugged “Oh, dear friends, don’t you know?  Zoras are attracted by the mind, not by the body… that’s why I don’t understand why my fiance is not allowed in Gerudo town…” 

He didn’t know that… It was… Such a good thing to hear. He felt all the tension leave his body at once, leaving his body feeling limp for a second. He let out a long sigh.

He would’ve been accepted if he told them sooner… 

First the Gerudo, then the Sheikahs, then the ritos, and finally the zoras… Goron are an all male race… It’s like he didn’t know their culture at all. They were all his friends but Link never took the time to learn about other cultures. 

He let out another sigh, but this time, a little chuckle left his mouth. He felt… Happy.

Yona pouted for a moment when one of her maids came to speak in her ear. It looked like she was explaining gerudo culture to the zora queen. 

There was a moment of silence then Yona finally nodded. 

“Oh I see,.... only the same?… ‘voelegah?’ … Yes, that makes sense.”

She looked at Link and smiled. 

“All right, I see, I see… Anyway, I'm sorry to have kept you from your business, Link. I can’t wait for your visit soon. Goodbye”

And just like that, she was gone and Link was left alone. He couldn’t believe what happened. He was really so certain that he would be rejected by everyone that he'd never really had time to find out what his own friends thought. 

Maybe he was wrong to have stayed hidden for so long like that… 

With a smile, he strolled through the market. 

Now that he knew of the Vailegah's existence, he began noticing the few unassuming couples flourishing in the city. He saw Buliara discreetly running her hand against the arm of one of the palace guards, who winked at her in response.

He also saw the tavern keeper leaning far too forward to whisper in the ear of a young woman named Pasha, who was playing with her hair. Link chuckled. That would explain why she slept through Seduction classes.

They didn't hide; they lived their relationships without shame or fear. Link felt at home here.

He passed some stalls and the first thing he bought was a long black glove. In order to build a basis more stable with Ganondorf, he needed to hide his arm from the man. He was certain that maybe this would help.

He then found an herb shop and selected some typical spices. He never cooked spicy food and thought that perhaps his guest would like it.

A lot of his views were challenged by what he had seen. His feelings changed immediately after the first memory. The Gerudo king was wildly different from who he was now. Link hoped he could bring back this man somehow.

First, he needed to fix his mistake, but today, he just wanted to make something Ganondorf would like.

He asked the saleswoman for some information, and she was happy to explain in detail the flavors and new recipes he could try with these spices.

As he made his selection, he heard a voice behind him that he knew all too well.

"Hello, Link, what a happy coincidence."

Link turned and recognized the princess before she threw herself into his arms to greet him. He smiled as he hugged her back. She finally stepped back and looked at Link with wide eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

Link showed her his little bag with a teasing smile.

"Saving Hyrule, can't you tell?"

The young woman laughed out loud and patted him gently on the shoulder.

"Hahaha, oh, Link, you're so funny. But yes, I should have seen that you were shopping. Would you like some company?"

The young man nodded.

"Oh, why not."

She smiled.

"Great! And once you’re done buying what you need, we could go drink something. There is something I would like to talk to you about. Maybe we could ask Riju to join us."

Link laughed and nodded.

"Yes, that’s a great idea. Maybe we could go to the tavern with her. That would be nice."

Zelda nodded, then looked more confident.

"Yes, her presence could help. She knows a lot, and she could help me with my… predicament."

Her words felt unsure, and Link tilted his head, worried. Zelda was acting a little strange.

"Zelda, whatever you want to say, you know you can count on us… right?"

The princess let out a sigh and nodded.

"Yes… yes, I know I can trust you."

Link laughed slightly.

"I sure hope it’s not bad news."

She smiled and shook her head.

"No, it’s not something bad. It’s something… curious… something new… something I need to understand. But we have time. Let’s continue shopping for now."

Link smiled back, relieved, and they continued browsing the stalls together.

He walked along the aisles with her and stopped in front of the bakery shop. He looked at the various cakes as Zelda bought one for herself. As he made his choice, he heard Riju trotting towards them.

"Ah, Link! Zelda! So good to see you. Buliara told me she saw you in town, so I came along."

Zelda gave her a big smile and greeted her as Link received his cakes. The young chef noticed the knight's shopping bag and the two cakes he had chosen.

"Oh ho? Am I to understand that your Gerudo friend has forgiven you?"

Link tensed as he noticed Zelda's inquiring gaze, her green eyes animated by curiosity. She smiled.

"A friend of Link's? I've never heard of her. What's her name? How did you meet?"

Link bit his lip; he hadn't anticipated being questioned and hadn't thought of a name for his "friend". He thought quickly, speaking in a calm tone so as not to attract attention.

"Oh yes, I didn't tell you because we haven't had much chance to talk, with work and all... But yes, I have a Gerudo friend living at my house..."

Zelda nodded, her interest piqued. Her gaze was intense, as if she was trying to peer into the hero’s soul. Link continued speaking, trying to maintain his composure.

"I've recently hurt this friend’s pride, so I came to see Riju, to ask for her help... You understand?"

Zelda raised an eyebrow but kept smiling, her curiosity clearly growing.

"Yes, I see... And what's her name?"

Riju chimed in, equally curious.

"That's right, you haven't told any of us. What's her name? Is she from Gerudo Town? Do I know her?"

Link felt himself sweating as he scrambled for a name. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the Dragon of Courage floating above the desert.

He had always identified himself with Farosh, the thunder dragon traversing the skies of his homeland. 

Funnily enough, when he thought of Ganondorf, he associated him with the dragon of strength, the fiery beast. A grin spread across his face as inspiration struck.

"Her name is Dinrah, a warrior from the far desert. A traveler."

Riju nodded thoughtfully.

"Ah, she must have arrived here in one of the caravans. We've been receiving many travelers since the end of the upheaval. They're wonderful people; I'm sure she's nice."

Link grinned as Riju spoke and he gazed into the distance.

"Yes, she's an incredible woman."

Zelda was watching him intently, her smile gone, replaced by tension. Something was clearly bothering her. Link noticed her change in demeanor and addressed her.

"So... Zelda. You wanted to tell us something?"

When their eyes met, Link felt a pang of unease. He felt small and guilty for hiding the truth from the princess. He had noticed subtle changes in her before, but this time was different. Questions raced through his mind, but he hesitated to ask. Her gaze weighed heavily on him for a long moment before she finally gave him a smile.

"Hm... It can wait."

She turned away from their little group, creating distance. Link felt a chill settle between them. Zelda had changed, and he was unsure what to make of it.

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 8: Food for the soul.

***

Ganondorf sat silently on the sofa in the living room, honing his magic to explore his new limitations. After his defeat, he could no longer assume the form of the Demon King or command monsters. Yet, his mastery of elemental magic and diverse spells remained intact even if he was far less powerful.

Closing his eyes, he focused on using illusion magic to alter his appearance. From all the types of magic, illusions are one of the hardest to master, as it consumes a lot of energy. Ganondorf knew he needed to train this power the most.

Involuntarily, his thoughts drifted to the delicate, handsome features of the knight who had bested him. With a slight grunt, he maintained concentration.

His form shifted, his long red hair taking on a golden hue like the sun. His stature halved, and when he finally opened his eyes, he stood before the mirror, admiring the results of his transformation.

Meeting a blue gaze through the glass, he was satisfied to see a perfect likeness to Link. Same face, same physique, same striking blue eyes. Only the clothing remained unchanged, as his new limitation prevents him from altering clothes. 

Ganondorf tilted his head, surprised by the absence of the usual wrath that seeing the young man's face would provoke. He knew he harbored deep anger towards Link, so why did he feel none of it now?

Frowning, he scrutinized the borrowed body, noticing for the first time that his illusion had not replicated the arm of the former King of Hyrule. Unconsciously, he had rejected bearing the arm that once belonged to the man that broke his heart.

If his anger was directed at the young knight for defying his beliefs, Ganondorf knew deep down that his true hatred lay with Rauru, though at first he didn’t want to acknowledge it.

And now that the young man was trying his best to make amends, to show him respect and understanding, Ganondorf felt less and less angry toward him.

Staring at the young man without the cursed arm, it was as if he was seeing Link for the first time. He was short in stature, yet every muscle, scars and detail show how it was the body of a true warrior.

For a Gerudo woman, searching for a strong physic and a tall stature in their mates, Link's small frame, lack of defined muscles, and blond hair rendered him unappealing by traditional standards.

But for Ganondorf, a Gerudo man drawn to raw power and unbridled spirit, he couldn't deny that Link possessed a certain charm and undeniable handsomeness, much to his own frustration.

Lost in contemplation, Ganondorf was interrupted by the arrival of the young Hylian returning from his day out.

Link paused in surprise upon seeing himself standing in front of him, in his home. He tilted his head, studying the superior, cold posture of his counterpart and the imposing black yukata he wore. His eyes widened as he realized it was Ganondorf, and he raised an impressed eyebrow.

"It's... unnerving. But damn impressive."

Ganondorf looked down at Link, immediately noticing that the boy had concealed the Zonai hand with a long glove, at last. So, Link had sensed his unease regarding the arm… Speaking calmly, he addressed him.

"As it should be. It's not an easy spell…"

Link chuckled lightly.

"Nice way of praising yourself... but I believe you. I know firsthand that your magic is strong, and I've never seen anyone use magic like that."

The older man nodded, a hint of satisfaction in his expression.

"Indeed, you're right. It requires great discipline and a deep understanding of magic to cast an illusion spell… And a lot of power to keep it up for so long…"

Link nodded in agreement as he placed his purchases on the kitchen table. 

Ganondorf started to feel light headed as he felt his own limits approaching. He quickly dispelled his illusion and resumed his original form before approaching Link with slow, drunken steps.

Link heard him coming and looked up as Ganondorf reached him. 

The king's expression turned perplexed as he noticed the patterns on the fabric of the bag Link had just set down. It was clearly a design typical of his own people. Raising an eyebrow, Ganondorf fixed his intense gaze on the knight, silently demanding an explanation.

 Link felt exposed under that piercing stare. Now that he knew about his own feelings, he had a hard time meeting the man’s eyes. He tried to play it off with a shrug, but a hint of embarrassment tinged his cheeks. He shifted nervously, feeling slightly panicked under those intense golden eyes.

"W…What? I went to Gerudo Town to help out, and later I picked up some spices and dessert. It's not like I was specifically trying to cook something you'd like or anything..."

The Gerudo frowned, his confusion evident.

"That's not why I was looking at you. I was simply curious how you managed to enter Gerudo Town when no one is supposed to know you're a Voelegah…"

Link stared back at him wide-eyed, his embarrassment palpable. The confusion on Ganondorf's face only deepened. Link hesitated, opening his mouth to speak but then closing it, unsure of how to respond.

"Ah..."

He turned his gaze away as Ganondorf tilted his head, struggling to suppress a chuckle. He found the situation increasingly amusing. Link fidgeted nervously, fingers twirling as he attempted to regain control of the conversation.

"The... uh... The Captain of the Guard didn't question my identity as a V…Voelegah. Apparently, I'm... um... not as discreet as I thought."

He glanced back at Ganondorf, who regarded him suspiciously.

"What are you up to, boy?" the Gerudo inquired but his tone sounded amused.

Link fought to find his words, a slight blush coloring his cheeks as he smiled nervously.

"Might come as a surprise, but… Cooking." he replied, meeting Ganondorf's gaze.

The man uncrossed his arms, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he looked at Link.

"Well, your humor is certainly entertaining," he remarked, his demeanor relaxing slightly. “But I can clearly see what you are trying to do…”

Link was doing his best to mend what he had broken, and Ganondorf could see it clearly now. He didn’t know why, yet, but he’ll discover it sooner or later. 

"Vasharaa... You're taking this forgiveness matter very seriously, aren't you? If you were my captive, I wouldn't have shown you a shred of mercy."

Link nodded quietly, absently playing with his hair.

"Well, you would still be the demon king so... Yeah I wouldn't expect you to cook for me... But this is who I am, and I will act according to my convictions."

His gaze hardened with resolve.

"I promised you respect and dignity in my home, and I failed to keep that promise. I'm not proud of what I've done. I need to make things right... But the food I want to prepare for you isn't about seeking forgiveness. It’s because I want you to enjoy my cooking… I had the impression that it wasn’t the case before…"

Ganondorf nodded then lifted his head, appearing surprisingly satisfied with Link's explanation.

"I see that you've concealed his arm now..."

Link raised his head to look at Rauru's arm, which he had chosen to cover with a long black glove. It felt like the right decision to him. He couldn't bear to flaunt that arm in front of Ganondorf anymore, not after what he saw.

"Yeah... It doesn't feel like mine anymore, and I can sense your anger when you look at it. So I did what I thought was best for both of us..."

The Gerudo remained silent for a moment, then let out a sigh. His voice softened slightly.

"Spicy gourmet beef with prime vegetable curry..."

Link blinked in confusion, unsure if he had heard correctly.

"Sorry, what?" he asked.

Ganondorf continued to stare at him in silence, not repeating himself. Eventually, he moved away and settled onto the couch without saying another word. Link repeated the words to himself a few times before realizing it was a request. Immediately, he sprang into action, knowing the recipes for such a dish by heart.

He began by cutting two large pieces of beef and placing them in a bowl, marinating them with a blend of spices and oil. Following the recipe, he coated the meat with curry powder, cumin, and paprika. After letting the meat marinate for a while, Link fired up the grill and started cooking the beef, allowing it to sizzle gently.

In a separate pan, he added the vegetables and allowed them to simmer in a spicy curry sauce, ensuring they absorbed all the flavors. Throughout his preparations, he felt the weight of Ganondorf's eyes on him, even though the king remained seated on the couch.

As he worked, Link couldn't help but steal glances at Ganondorf, noticing how he wasn’t as tense as before.

Link could feel the burning of his intense gaze on his back. Memories of the time they slept together came back to mind and he couldn't help but shiver. It was the only time he'd been gentle, but it was so good it eclipsed all the other times. His body remembered, his body wanted more, but he recalled the gerudo's words. 

'This is the last time I'll ever lay my hands on you.'

It was a good thing, Ganondorf was a dangerous man... But Link found himself yearning for his touch once more.

The shame of his identity had left its scars, yet experiencing the point of view from the desert women and from every other race, had granted him a new perspective, allowing him to no longer feel disgust towards himself. He was slowly making peace with his true self, and Ganondorf had played a crucial role in that process.

Still, he remained the former demon king.

But Link no longer feared him. He now understood there was a reason behind his transformation. A reason he still didn't know about and he craved to uncover more.

As Link finished setting the dishes, he heard Ganondorf rise and join him in the kitchen. He took his plate and returned to the sofa. 

Normally, the man dined alone when Link was absent, yet tonight he chose to stay… Not in the same room, but not too far either. It wasn't perfect, but at least they could see each other if they wanted to.

The silence between them was palpable, neither Link nor the Gerudo wanted to break it.

Ganondorf ate with more appetite than usual, clearly enjoying the meal, which made Link silently proud. He wondered if he hadn't seasoned his dishes adequately before. Hylian food is known to be quite bland.

Once the plates were empty, Link rose from his chair, took the cake out and presented the dessert to the king.

Ganondorf was surprised to find a Volt Fruit cake. He sighed in satisfaction.

"Hm... cake from my homeland. I never thought I'd taste it again... It's not the best but not a bad choice either," Ganondorf remarked.

Link cocked his head slightly. Ganondorf seemed to like the cake, but wasn't it supposed to be his favorite? Link was expecting... more…

He wanted to ask, but that would draw too much attention to what the knight knew that he wasn't supposed to.

Link adopted a mildly indifferent demeanor and shrugged. "Personally, I would have preferred a fleet-lotus seeds pie, but they didn't have any... Shame, it's my favorite dessert..."

He paused briefly before continuing, trying to engage in conversation. "You don't strike me as someone who is very fond of sweets. What's your favorite dessert?"

The Gerudo glanced at him sidelong, hesitating before responding. Link reminded himself not to push too hard with the former demon king. He wasn’t too far from him, but he was still in another room. 

So Link said nothing more, returning to his chair in silence until unexpectedly, Ganondorf decided to speak.

"Hydromelon shortcake…That is my favorite. You're right, I'm not keen on overly sweet things. While I do enjoy the voltfruit cake, it's a bit too sweet for my liking."

Link nodded, genuinely intrigued but inwardly perplexed. Rauru had presented Ganondorf with a voltfruit cake on his birthday, claiming it was his favorite... 

After they finished eating, Ganondorf retired to his room, leaving Link standing there, lost in thought.

Were the visions wrong? Or... Was Rauru wrong?

Was that why Purah seemed so strange about them? It couldn’t be, she wasn’t supposed to know about Ganondorf’s tastes… 

‘But didn’t he fumble on his words when he was looking at the cake?... maybe that's what she saw…’ Link pondered without a word.

The remainder of the evening unfolded differently than Link was accustomed to… It was far better than he could have anticipated. Ganondorf came back from his room with a book and sat on the couch, reading another volume about Hylian monarchy, while this time, Link sat on the floor, not far from him, crafting arrows in a comfortable silence.

Link felt a sense of contentment, and despite Ganondorf still maintaining a certain distance, he allowed Link to approach and accepted his presence in the same room as him. The young man attempted a few questions and brief conversations, but Ganondorf remained silent, preferring to read undisturbed.

Eventually, the hero closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, seated on the floor, under the disbelieving gaze of his former foe.

***

When Link woke up the next morning, he was surprised to find himself upstairs in his bed, still dressed in his clothes from the day before. He gripped the blanket, smiling to himself as he realized Ganondorf had brought him to bed instead of leaving him sleeping on the floor like a dog.

It was a small gesture, but coming from Ganondorf, Link found it unexpectedly touching.

After a quick shower and change of clothes, Link headed downstairs to the living room. There, Ganondorf was already awake, shirtless and exercising with dumbbells, his movements reminiscent of those Link had seen during desert guard training.

Link greeted him with a smile and strapped his sword to his hip. "Would you like something specific to eat tonight?"

Ganondorf paused mid-exercise, holding the weight at arm's length for a moment as he considered. Eventually, he nodded. "If you cook with the same spices as yesterday, it'll do."

Link smirked playfully and executed a slightly exaggerated bow towards Ganondorf.

"Ah, that's good news, Majesty, since I, your humble servant, exist only to satisfy you."

Ganondorf closed his eyes and shook his head with a sigh. But then he turned his head to hide the shadow of a smile creeping on his face. He hadn't laughed yet, but Link was certain he would, sooner or later.

Turning towards the hallway, Link grasped the door handle.

As he opened the door, he came face to face with the princess herself. Link went pale imediately and his whole body went tense.

Zelda stood before his door, wearing a faintly unsettling smile.

"Hello, Link," she greeted calmly.

The faint, metallic clink of Ganondorf's dumbbells ceased abruptly, signaling that he, too, had heard Zelda's voice. He remained silent, listening. The tension around them escalated slightly as Link stood in the doorway, subtly blocking her entry. He was lucky that Ganondorf always stood out of view for his own security. The man was overly careful, and it just saved them both.

"Hi, Zelda." Link responded, trying to maintain a casual tone. "Your timing is not great, I was just about to head out to meet Purah at the castle," 

The princess didn't move, but Link caught her quick glance over his shoulder.

"Oh, I won't keep you long, don't worry... I just have one question to ask, and I hope you'll be honest with me," Zelda said, crossing her arms behind her back and leaning in towards him, her voice lowered.

"Link... Are you in any danger in your own home?"

Link frowned slightly and crossed his arms, taken aback by Zelda's question. Did she knew? No it was impossible, he never told anyone... Maybe his behavior has changed too much and she was worried. That would be just like her.

Still, her intense gaze was serious, and it made him pause to consider his response. Did he still perceive Ganondorf as a threat? He had recently fallen asleep beside him, and the necklace the gerudo wore ensured he couldn't cause harm…

But even so, the man looked more and more at ease and Link felt that maybe Ganondorf didn’t hate him enough to try and kill him… Something was definitely changing between them.

He smiled and looked at the princess. "No, I'm not in any danger... Why?" 

Zelda continued to study him for a moment, then her expression softened into a genuine smile.

"Ah, I see... That's good," she said quietly. "I'm sorry if I worried you just now, Link, but I've been... seeing things, when we spend time together... And I wanted to be sure you were okay." 

Link nodded and sighed. 'So it was my behavior... I need to be more careful' He noted for himself.

The tension that had momentarily filled the air dissipated. Link left the house to go to the castle with Zelda but didn’t notice the princess’ discreet glances over his shoulder.

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 9: Ruin me.

***

Link had spent the day overseeing his troops, but he made sure to visit Zelda everytime. He admired her strength and dedication despite the hardship. Eventually, she apologized to Link for her earlier behavior, and he embraced her briefly before leaving her to her duties.

In the afternoon, Purah called Link to inform him that the tear in the Great Plateau had activated. Without hesitation, Link boarded the balloon and let it carry him to the site of the new tear.

As he flew over the plateau, Link spotted the geoglyph sprawled over the Forest of Spirits, even going over part of the Temple of Time and the Shrine of Resurrection. He furrowed his brow as he tried to understand its design. 

It looked like some sort of candles with a series of three wavelet shapes and what appeared to be a chain of some sort. He couldn't quite grasp its meaning yet, but he was determined to uncover that soon.

Purah eventually landed the machine not far from the Temple of Time, allowing Link to finally set foot on the ground. He stretched his body and turned to the scientist.

"So, where's the tear?" he asked.

"In front of the Shrine of Resurrection," Purah replied.

Link frowned, surprised by the revelation.

"I didn't realize Ganondorf had been here before... What was he doing here?" Link asked.

Purah lowered her glasses and stared at Link for a moment, a hint of amusement in her eyes, before it dawned on him the idiocy of his question. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"Oh, right... You wouldn't know either," he muttered.

They hurried to the pool of blood without another word. Taking a deep breath, Link knelt down before the pool of blood and plunged his arm into it.

There was another flash of white light, and suddenly Link found himself in a place completely unfamiliar to him. It resembled a Gerudo temple, constructed from dark red stone, with floating candles casting a magical glow that illuminated the space without burning down. Their flame were so colorful, so pretty yet calming.

There was also stone murals adorning the walls, showing many scenes, and some big faceless statues looming in the corners of the place.

In the center of the room, Ganondorf knelt in deep meditation in front of two candles, his expression focused. Both his shoulders were covered with his clothes and his hair was braided.

Link then realized that he was actually praying... 

Looking back, every time he saw him meditating at home, he was also on his knees, in exactly the same posture… He was probably also praying. 

If that was the case, the man was far more religious than Link had imagined…  But then, Link tilted his head. What were those candles?

A slight twitch of Ganondorf’s eyebrows indicated that something had interrupted his thoughts, as he let out a grunt of frustration.

"What are you doing here, Zonai? Entering Din’s temple without proper Gerudo attire, leaving both your shoulders free and with your hair let loose… You are actively insulting our goddess," Ganondorf said with a low voice.

Rauru appeared from the door behind Ganondorf, moving slowly towards him. He brushed off the Gerudo's remark with a calm demeanor.

"What a cold way to welcome me, my friend…” 

“I shouldn’t be expected to give you the warmest welcome when you betrayed my trust now, should I?” Ganondorf hissed like a snake, opening his eyes but never meeting the king’s gaze.

Rauru let out a sigh. “I didn’t betray you and you should have known I was going to marry a woman eventually. A king must have heirs, and you know that the zonais are the true rulers of those lands.” 

“Gerudo don't do dinasty... Only the male born must reign... Shall I remind you that you lost those lands eons ago when you fled into the sky to try and forget your failures. Your kind were clearly not meant to be rulers without outside help… How can you not see that when your old kingdom lies in ruin beneath?” Ganondorf stated, trying to keep calm.

Rauru frowned. “I won’t fail as my ancestors did… I have the queen of the hylian by my side. I won’t make any mistakes and you’ll see that I was meant to be this kingdom’s true king. It is my birthright.”

Ganondorf clicked his tongue in annoyance. “... There is no birthright for a man who wasn’t born on those lands…” 

Rauru finally raised his hand to put a stop to this conversation. He didn’t want to hear him out. “I haven't come to you for a debate. I've come to ask you a question. When will you come to the castle and swear allegiance to the crown?" Rauru inquired.

Ganondorf chuckled darkly, rising to his feet to face his former lover, his gaze cold.

"I have decided that we will remain fully independent," Ganondorf declared firmly.

Rauru clicked his tongue in frustration and sighed deeply.

"Peace is within our reach, Ganondorf. All the other tribes have already agreed... We must make compromises."

Ganondorf raised his shoulders in disdain.

"Not the Gerudo. You exploited the strength of my people for your own ambitions, dangling a crown I would never wear. You may be the greatest manipulator I've encountered, but I refuse to be coerced into becoming a mere vassal."

Rauru shook his head solemnly. "Zonais do not lie... again I never promised you any crown."

A low snarl escaped Ganondorf. "Ah, the Zonais and their gift for eloquence and manipulation. My decision stands firm. I made no promises to the Hylians."

Rauru lifted his chin, a smirk playing on his lips. It was a sight that unsettled Link.

"I took the liberty of making promises on your behalf," Rauru admitted.

Ganondorf's smile vanished in an instant.

"What gives you the right to..." he began, slowly losing his composure…

"You declared to your people that I was your equal when you called me Lovoe and let me use your army to fight for me. A king's equal is another king. I followed your people's customs and my words are to be taken as your own. You have only yourself to blame for granting me that privilege," Rauru said firmly.

Link cringed, that was a law he didn't know. For him, at that moment, Rauru already went too far.

Stunned, Ganondorf was momentarily speechless. He could see now how he was being manipulated by the Zonai king. He was so infatuated with him, that he gave him everything he needed. 

“... Din’s above… have you initiated that relationship with me in order to gain power?” Ganondorf said, his voice broken.

Rauru didn’t answer, but it was clear that was the case. A cold shiver ran down the gerudo’s spine as he leaned forward, his voice became a menacing hiss.

"You... made me a means to an end?! What did you promise the Hylians?" he asked as his eyes narrowed dangerously.

For the first time since their conversation began, Rauru looked away with a hint of guilt. Ganondorf's demeanor grew even more threatening.

"What did you promise them, RAURU!" he shouted violently.

"I promised them this plateau... Din's crest, It will become a Hylian city, and our castle will be built on top of mount Hylia." Rauru admitted in a sigh.

Magic crackled around the angry Gerudo as he let out his fury. "You promised my enemies the most sacred lands of my people?!"

Rauru met his glare, his own magic burning in response. "You can relocate Din's temple elsewhere, Ganondorf…” 

“NO! We can’t! That's the place she chose for her temple! Why do you think the water has healing properties here?!” The gerudo was becoming more and more impatient.

“Please, be reasonable. It's the only piece of land they desire in exchange for granting your people full access to Hylian cultivable lands...They want it to be the heart of our Kingdom..." Rauru continued without care.

"Silence!" Ganondorf roared. "If your Hylians dare to set foot here, I will bring upon them the bloodiest war this land has ever seen. I will not allow anyone to desecrate our sacred grounds!"

Rauru growled in frustration. "You refuse to yield even a small piece of land, even for the sake of peace and sustenance... How can you be so selfish? I will not let you jeopardize the peace that I've forged in these lands, no matter the cost."

Without hesitation, the Zonai opened his third eye and unleashed a violent, golden magic that surged in all directions. The intense light first engulfed Ganondorf, knocking him to the ground, before it began to pierce the stone and shatter the statues around them.

Ganondorf attempted to rise, but found himself powerless against Rauru's overwhelming magic.

At that time, Ganondorf wasn’t aware of the secret stones that amplified Rauru's power.

Ganondorf's desperation grew as he watched the eternal candles extinguished and the idols and statues of Din being destroyed. The temple roof was torn away, letting in sunlight where darkness had once reigned.

"RAURU, STOP!!!" Ganondorf shouted desperately, but his voice went unheard. The Zonai king needed to show his authority, He needed to demonstrate how powerful he was. Ganondorf couldn’t dream of fighting him.

Soon, the Temple of Din was engulfed in blinding light, leaving nothing but ruins.

When Ganondorf finally managed to free himself, he remained on his knees, clutching the two candles he had once prayed to. His gaze was filled with despair as he looked at the destruction around him.

"The spirits of our elders... of my mothers... the Temple of Din... How dare you?" he whispered, his voice trembling with anger and sorrow as he watched the two unlit candles in his hands.

Rauru gradually calmed his magic, his tone softening.

"The Gerudo must accept my rule for the sake of unity. Rebuild your temple on your own lands and do not defy me. I will fight to maintain the peace I have established, and I will not hesitate," Rauru declared firmly. "Do not be stubborn. I will wait for you at the temple to swear allegiance to my crown."

With that, the Zonai king departed from the ruined site, leaving Ganondorf alone and distraught in the heavy silence. Link, witnessing the aftermath, felt a rising anger towards Rauru's actions.

As Ganondorf lifted his head, his eyes burned with a familiar hatred…the same kind that became the calamity. The Gerudo raised his voice and offered one final prayer.

“Oh Rauru… You will pay… I promise, you WILL PAY.”

Then he took a deep breath and started to pronounce a prayer, and at that moment, his voice felt like many.

“Din, Goddess of Power,

Understand my demands and Hear this prayer.

Wrap chains around my heart, in your divine decree,

Let no emotions sway, as you bind it, wild and free.

I’ll become your sword, and do your bidding.

No longer gerudo, I’ll be the demon King.

Silence the echoes of love, let vengeance be my song,

I’ll bring you revenge, fierce and strong.

A foe without a heart I would remain, 

Until the demon in me is slain.”

The moment Ganondorf finished his final prayer, crimson wisps of energy began to swirl around the Gerudo king, enveloping his body before sinking into his chest. Ganondorf closed his eyes and fully embraced his new role.

Long chains of magic materialized around his heart, only to vanish in a blinding flash of white light.

When Link returned to reality, he gasped for breath, feeling Purah's comforting hand on his back.

“FUCK... His power came from a goddess!” Link exclaimed, shaken to his core.

He took a moment to compose himself before recounting the entire ordeal to the scientist, with a distressed tone. Purah listened in silence, allowing Link to share every detail. His panic struck her; it seemed he wasn't prepared to confront the harsh realities of their world.

After finishing her notes, Purah tilted her head thoughtfully.

"Ah, he made himself Din’s weapon... That's a very dangerous and forbidden type of pact. One can be blessed by a goddess, but never agree to become their weapon," she explained solemnly. “But, that explains a lot… They were too many powers he wasn’t supposed to have with a simple secret stone. He shouldn’t have become immortal for exemple.” She said matter of factly.

Link growled in frustration, his mind still reeling from what he had witnessed. He didn’t know what those candles represented, but it seemed so important for the gerudo… He looked so miserable when they were extinguished… Why was Rauru so cruel? 

"How could Rauru do this to someone he loved? It's despicable!" He growled angrily.

Purah let out a small sigh and placed her hand gently on Link's shoulder.

"Link, I couldn't 'see' the memories like you did... But I'm not sure Rauru ever loved Ganondorf," she began softly.

Link looked at her with wide eyes, shaking his head slowly in disbelief.

"I know what I saw, Purah... They were a couple. Ganondorf truly seemed in love," he insisted.

The Sheikah finished his thought without hesitation.

"...but Rauru wasn’t. And I feel like Ganondorf knew. I wasn’t sure before, but I have no doubts left after this." Purah added with a serious tone.

Link found himself increasingly confused. What had Purah seen that he had missed?

"I don’t understand... I've always dreamed of having a relationship like that. I can't see what you're seeing," 

"That's because you've never been in a relationship, Linky dear. Let me show you," Purah said gently.

She retrieved her notes and showed him the transcripts of every dialogue Link had experienced.

"In the first memory alone... It's subtle, but for someone who has many experiences in love, like me, these are details that stand out," Purah explained.

Purah pointed to specific parts in her notes, prompting Link to scrutinize the text closely.

"Look closely here, here, and here... What do you notice?" she asked gently.

Link furrowed his brow and focused on the passages written on the paper. He read them carefully, trying to find any clues or patterns. But as he scanned the words, he couldn't find anything particularly out of place. Purah continued calmly.

"Firstly, notice how Rauru only comments on Ganondorf's appearance. That's all he seems focused on… constantly. Ganondorf compliments him on his smile and his words, but it's not reciprocated by Rauru," Purah explained, pointing out specific instances in the text.

Link flipped through to the second memory and realized that Purah's observation held true there as well. She continued, referencing her notes.

"Here, Ganondorf mentions, 'You promised... and you didn't follow through, again.' It's not the first time Rauru has broken a promise. That's not conducive to a healthy relationship. And here, Ganondorf hesitated on his own favorite cake… He was about to say something about hydromelon… But he changed his own words as to not hurt Rauru. So the cake wasn’t his favorite at all. Beyond physical attraction or Ganondorf's charm, Rauru appears distant, even disinterested… He wanted something else." Purah elaborated.

Link felt a pang of realization when she talked about the cake. He realized that he was right, Rauru just hadn't bothered to remember Ganondorf's preferences. 

Similarly, the broken promises must have weighed heavily on the gerudo. It was clear why Ganondorf was deeply affected when a promise was not kept. Link looked down, lost in his thoughts.

"I don't understand... Did Rauru just… manipulated Ganondorf? He never felt anything for him?" Link asked, still confused.

The Sheikah smiled gently at Link.

"I sincerely believe it's more complicated than that. Rauru was certain Ganondorf would see his point of view, sooner or later. He seemed to view their relationship as a friendship with benefits and political alliance, while Ganondorf saw it as sincere and unconditional love. 'Lovoe' in Gerudo means 'half my soul' and while Ganondorf kept calling Rauru “Lovoe”, Rauru called him “my friend”... " 

Purah explained, while her tone was becoming thoughtful. "Rauru betrayed Ganondorf's wishes and expectations, but how he did it… That was cunning. Look at how Rauru carefully chose his words when making promises."

She turned her notebook towards Link once more, indicating the passages they had discussed.

"He promised to unite people under one banner, he promised two crowns before asking for his army... but he never promised to reign with Ganondorf. It was manipulative, yes, but he never lied to him," Purah continued.

Link closed his eyes wearily as he started to understand.

"Zonais... cannot tell lies..." he muttered, recalling Ganondorf’s words.

Purah nodded in agreement.

"He played dirty, but Ganondorf placed too much trust in him. And now, Rauru destroyed the Temple of Din. The most sacred place of the gerudos. It's no wonder Ganondorf chose to seek revenge. The goddess Din is quite known to be proud and vengeful. I could see her answering Ganondorf prayer, just to make Rauru pay for destroying her temple …” 

She stopped for a moment and let out a long sigh “But she is still a goddess, and gods don’t seek revenge like mortals do because they cannot feel the passage of time… The calamities appearing all those centuries are a part of her revenge… Welp, at least now we know where the Lost temple of Din is supposed to be.”

Link bowed his head, saddened by the revelations about Ganondorf and Rauru. He was so lost.

"I'm a bit scared, Purah... What I see in these memories changes absolutely everything I thought I knew... What if we were wrong to have fought Ganondorf? What if he was right?" Link asked with a child’s tone. He wasn’t sure he was in the right anymore.

Purah sat down on the floor beside him, crossing her arms thoughtfully.  She was still so calm, and in that moment, she seemed far more mature than her usual playful self.

"Linky, I want you to listen to me. No one else in Hyrule will tell you this, but it's important," Purah began while playing with her hair. "Ganondorf wasn't a monster; he was a man. You may come to think that his actions were justified, that he had valid reasons to confront the King of Hyrule. But the path he chose, seeking revenge instead of justice, was not the right way. He chose to become a weapon for his goddess. He embraced her blessing, but he also became her wrath. It's a perilous path and it was always forbidden. Because gods do not perceive time, Din’s fury would never have ceased."

She paused, her gaze was focused on Link.

"You were right to confront him, to protect all of us. But Rauru is not blameless. In my opinion, he knew how Ganondorf felt about him and played his cards accordingly. He desired peace and power at any cost... He pushed a desperate man to his limits, exploiting his emotions and ultimately destroying the Gerudo's most sacred place. He was arrogant to think he could appease Ganondorf after all he'd put him through." Purah concluded solemnly.

Purah's hand fell on Link's shoulder as she gave him a sincere smile.

"All is not black and white. Don't try to find a culprit. Time has passed. But, just between you and me... They were both in the wrong," she said gently.

Link nodded in understanding, returning her smile gratefully. Her words helped him gain perspective on the complexities of the situation. While he still lacked complete information, he realized that seeking justice or assigning blame was futile. Rauru was dead, and Ganondorf had been defeated… There was no undoing the past.

He began to empathize more deeply with Ganondorf. 

The demon king he once knew was gone, replaced by the man he was supposed to be. Link wanted to learn more about that man but first he needed to make amends once and for all before starting anew.

There was still a gap between them, and Link needed to close it.

But it was one hell of a gap, and he knew he'd have to do something crazy to break the wall…

Link’s eyes were determined as he thanked purah.

"Purah... Thank you. Please share this information with Riju and Zelda. We need to make things right for the Gerudo. We need to rebuild the Temple of Din to its rightful place," Link said with a big smile.

"I'll make sure they know," Purah smirked.

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 10: Spar it out.

***

Link returned to his house with a confident stride that evening, having finally made up his mind.

What he had seen gave him a new perspective on the events of the past and a completely different view of the King of the Gerudo.

He realized that what pleased Ganondorf most were the moments when Link had shown him the respect he sought.

Those moments when Link didn’t behave like Rauru.

Whether he liked it or not, Ganondorf saw Rauru in him. He even called him by his name when he slept with him. Link was determined to show him that he wasn’t Rauru.

He recalled Buliara’s words and made a drastic decision.

It was dangerous and a real leap of faith, but he had to do it.

He had to wipe the slate clean.

Link put his belongings in the hallway and silently made his way down the stairs into the basement, where heard a violent outburst and a loud twump. After that, there was silence then, he could hear the metallic sounds of weights being lifted. As usual, the former king was working out, keeping his muscles in shape with what little he had available since he still couldn't go out and fight anyone.

Until today, that is.

Link gave a polite knock on the door, even though it was already open, and waited for the Gerudo to invite him inside. The Gerudo stopped moving when he saw Link approaching and stared at him suspiciously, remaining silent and waiting for Link to make the next move. Link stayed at the door for a moment, looking around for the origin of the loud noise. He soon found a large book on the floor and a hole in the wall. Link tilted his head. It was a book about the techniques of horse training. Link chuckled.

“The book was that bad?”

Ganondorf huffed. “You, hylians, know nothing about caring for your horses. That book is garbage.”

The young man laughed at the king’s frustration. What did he know about horses anyway? Gerudos don’t use horses…Right?

He shook his head… It wasn’t the time for this. He came for a very precise reason and couldn’t be swayed. 

He then stepped into the room, slowly removing the top of his outfit. The former demon king clicked his tongue in annoyance, his curiosity morphing into anger at Link’s apparent disregard for his boundaries.

"Didn't I tell you I wouldn't touch you again?" he snapped.

Link placed his tunic on a nearby chair and took some bandages out of his bag, methodically wrapping them around his arms. He finally broke the silence as the Gerudo stood up to face him.

"Yes, I know. I respect your decision. I’m not here for that," Link replied.

The former king frowned and crossed his arms, his anger dissipating immediately.

"Then speak, boy…"

Link smiled. "I just wondered if you wanted someone to spar with."

Ganondorf blinked in disbelief but remained intrigued. He tilted his head to one side.

"The invitation is... quite welcome, but this fight will have no flavor whatsoever, for I am not able to hit you with this damned thing around my neck."

Link slowly slipped the bandages between his fingers, tightening the fabric, and stared at the man in front of him. The silence was heavy, and Link felt a sense of danger, but he was determined. Taking a step forward, he crossed his arms.

"If you are willing to give me your word that you won't try to kill me, I'll agree to reduce the collar's programming to just prevent you from leaving the house."

The Gerudo raised his eyebrows, stunned by what he heard. The lad was sincere, and he didn’t know how to react. Understanding the young man had always been difficult, but this was beyond anything he could have imagined. He didn't know what to say for a long moment, but the Hylian didn't rush him.

The king approached again.

"Vasharaa, did you claim you’ll stake your life on my word? What kind of idiot are you?"

Link gave him a cocky smile. "An idiot who'll kick your ass, of course. To be honest, you'd have no reason to keep your word since I haven't kept mine with you. But yes, I'm going to put my life on the line. People around me tend to think of me as reckless, so this won't change my habit."

Again, he told the truth. After a frown, the Gerudo finally gave in to a discreet but amused chuckle. "You really are very different from what I expected... But the game appeals to me, and I'd certainly appreciate a training partner. I won't try to kill you; you have my word."

Link nodded and let out a small sigh as he raised his fingers toward the Gerudo’s neck. The man stayed silent, not expecting the knight to actually grant him this freedom. When he heard the slight hum of the collar changing its tone, he was bewildered. Link took a step back and assumed a fighting stance.

"Hand to hand, no magic, no weapons. The first to fall on his ass loses."

Ganondorf touched his collar for a second and stared at the boy. He then took his own fighting stance. "You really are a fool… Hope you are ready to lose. I won’t go easy on you."

Link gave him another cocky smile. "Bring it on."

Without hesitation, Ganondorf lunged forward with a roar, aiming to overpower Link with sheer brute force. Link’s frame was small and delicate; one single punch could be fatal. Ganondorf's strikes were fast, but the hero jumped between his attacks, his agility allowing him to slip through the gaps in the Gerudo's assault. Dodging and weaving, he taunted Ganondorf with a smirk, provoking him further.

"So strong, yet sooo slow," Link teased.

The king stood unfazed by Link’s taunting, but managed to block the knight’s every attack, demonstrating that Link stood no chance. Yet, Link was undeterred.

Ganondorf's punches sent shockwaves through the air, but Link's speed allowed him to anticipate his moves. He darted in and out of range, finally landing quick jabs and kicks with surgical precision. Bit by bit, the king began to take hits. They were stronger than he anticipated, and Ganondorf realized that Link was still the hero, the man who defeated him… He had to be cunning to win this fight.

Despite his size and relative sluggishness, Ganondorf controlled the pace of the battle perfectly, forcing Link to slow down every time he approached. He knew the young man was impatient, and the more he pushed him to take his time, the more mistakes Link made.

At one point, Link got a little too greedy. The response was immediate. The Gerudo's arm collided violently with the knight's chest, knocking the breath out of him and hearing a slight creaking noise.

Instinctively, Link leaned on Ganondorf's arm and sent his leg into the Gerudo's face, causing him to stagger.

Ganondorf hadn't expected Link to resist his brute force and respond with such brutality. Even without weapons, Link was strong and knew exactly where to hit. The kick made Ganondorf see stars.

Taking advantage of the Gerudo's slight imbalance, Link struck at Ganondorf's knees, trying to knock him down.

Ganondorf resisted the assault and managed to grab Link by the throat. Without hesitation, he slammed him into the nearest wall. Link let out a breath but immediately kneed the Gerudo in the arm, forcing him to let go.

Not stopping there, Link continued to throw punches at the king's face. Each blow was more violent than Ganondorf had expected. Link was fast and precise.

Despite his incredible strength, it was Ganondorf who kneeled to the ground first, eventually falling, a little stunned by the volley of blows he had received. He felt out of practice, but that didn't stop him from grabbing Link's wrists to block his final blows. He was seated on the floor, he had already lost.

The younger man seemed to be in a state of trance and finally looked up at his opponent before he himself fell to his knees, realizing he had won.

Leaning forward, Link rested his forehead against Ganondorf's shoulder. Ganondorf didn’t move, spitting some blood on the floor. It felt so good to have someone to spar with. He needed that.

Then Ganondorf noticed the hero's breathing.

 It wasn't something he'd paid attention to before, but now that they were both completely out of combat, he finally did.

Link was gasping for breath with increasing difficulty. His inhales were sharp and wheezy, and a wet sound accompanied his exhales.

Ganondorf looked down at the young man and finally noticed the distress evident on his face. Link wasn’t just short of breath… He was dying.

The Gerudo frowned and helped him sit up, feeling the unnatural movement of Link's chest. He realized that he had fractured every single one of Link's ribs at the first impact. Link had fought and defeated him with a broken rib cage. Unable to stay seated, Link leaned heavily on the king’s arm, his head falling against Ganondorf's shoulder.

Ganondorf could only respect such willpower and understood that in a real fight, he would never have won against this boy.

Link had tears welling up in his eyes as he tried to wrap one arm around himself in pain. He wheezed, gasped, and spat blood on the floor. His other hand desperately gripped the older man's shoulder.

The Gerudo could abandon him, let him die here and now. Link had taken so much from him; he was the one Rauru had chosen.

He wanted this boy to die.

It would only be fair. Like Rauru, the boy couldn’t keep his word, like Rauru, he always tried to cross his path. Like Rauru, he manipulated him.

He had given the boy his word not to try and kill him. What was happening was an accident, so he wouldn’t feel guilty if Link died now.

But did he really want the boy to die?

His gaze met those desperate blue eyes and, even though he saw terror, the hero didn’t look at him like it was his fault. He was aware of the risk and accepted the outcome.

In Ganondorf’s culture, hand-to-hand combat was a way to seek forgiveness. To start anew. Link truly wanted to make amends for breaking his word. No matter what.

Link had taken the time to cook for him with spices from his home, he had taken the time to learn more about him and his people, and had taken a great risk to atone for his broken promise. Link actually listened. The king couldn’t help but feel respected.

Deep down, he knew that when Link had come to fight him under the castle, it wasn’t because Rauru had ordered him to.

He was a knight fighting for his home, ignorant of the events long ago. And yet, even after their fight, Link had chosen to save him.

Link wasn’t Rauru.

Ganondorf didn’t hate him.

He didn’t want the boy to die.

The king closed his eyes and let out an annoyed sigh at his own weakness as he made his decision. He let out a frustrated growl “Rah, all right, you have won… The state is clean.” 

He made the boy lay on his back and sat near him.

He placed his hand against the young man's chest and began to work his magic. He wasn't the most gifted healer, but he was capable nonetheless. It was going to be excruciatingly painful. Link looked at him with despair in his eyes as he fought for each breath.

"Endure it, boy," Ganondorf instructed.

A red light emanated from his fingertips and slid down Link's body, sinking into his skin like countless needles. The hylian clenched his teeth, gripping Ganondorf with all his might and shutting his eyes tightly. He could feel his ribs knitting together, each movement becoming more and more agonizing, but he held on.

Not a sound escaped the young man. He endured the pain with all his might, aware that Ganondorf was trying to heal him and he was grateful for it.

The king's hand, large and warm, covered his entire chest. Despite the violent pain of the healing spell, Link felt the magic's comforting warmth against his skin. The pain showed him that he was alive, and that he will live. It was a reassuring touch. He hesitantly raised a hand and placed it on Ganondorf's, who made no move to push him away.

"Breathe, slowly," Ganondorf commanded in a deep, calm voice.

Link obediently focused on regaining control of his breathing, his breath gradually steadying.

Slowly, the sensation of blood in his mouth and lungs faded. After a few minutes, the pressure in his chest finally eased away.

He could feel the warm magic leaving his body and let out a long sigh of relief.

He could breathe again, though it still hurt. His gaze met the king’s, and he couldn’t help but joke through the pain.

"Wow… Your strength is … breathtaking. You… have arms to … die for," Link smiled.

The Gerudo wasn’t ready for a joke, especially not after nearly dying.

 A sudden but genuine laugh escaped him. It was the first he couldn’t hold back, the first Link had managed to coax from him.

The young knight stared at him, first surprised, then began to giggle too. The burst of laughter caused a twinge in his chest, but he couldn’t suppress his smile.

"Hey… I managed to make you laugh," Link said.

Ganondorf shook his head, attempting to stop his uncontrolled chuckles. Link made a playful pout.

"Aww, don’t stop," he teased.

The king let out a calm sigh, composing himself.

"The pain must have made you delirious, boy," Ganondorf replied with an unusually warm tone.

Link let out a quiet laugh.

"No, I’m not delirious. I’m just an idiot…”

Ganondorf let out an annoyed growl. Link noticed that the king's large hand hadn't moved from his chest, and he himself hadn't withdrawn his hand from Ganondorf's.

The king finally sighed and tilted his head.

"How could a man dance with death like that, then indulge in such a joke. Besides, why would you take the risk to let me fight you in the first place? Do you not know that I hated you? "

Ganondorf blinked at his own slip, but Link heard it and just shrugged.

"I'm a very positive guy… You just said you ‘hated’ me, so I suppose you don’t anymore… Besides, putting myself in mortal danger is kind of my job, I'm the hero. Someone who is brave and strong."

"You surely meant ‘Someone who's foolish and reckless,’" Ganondorf retorted.

Link let out a small laugh and closed his eyes briefly to regain composure.

"You didn't answer, but you don't hate me anymore, do you?"

Ganondorf clicked his tongue and sighed.

“You are making yourself… very hard to hate," he admitted reluctantly.

Link laughed.

"Ah, you like me!! I’m delightful." Then he coughed because he grew too excited.

Ganondorf didn’t respond, but Link looked pleased with himself. His gaze drifted over the hand of the man who had healed him. Link was aware that Ganondorf had no obligation to help him, but had chosen to do so.

He smiled gratefully and murmured, "Thank you…"

The king hummed silently, unsure how to explain his change of heart to the boy. He was relieved when Link didn’t press for an explanation.

Letting out another quiet sigh, Ganondorf finally asked, "Now… would you let go of my hand?"

Link's eyes darted from Ganondorf to the hand he still held against his chest. He could let go. He should let go.

He looked back up at the man and shook his head, answering in a soft, hushed voice, "...no."

Confusion flickered across Ganondorf's face, but he felt the young man's heartbeat quicken under his fingers.

That, in addition to the joke… Was the boy… trying to flirt with him?

He hadn't expected this. What was happening? Why had the hero gone from using him for his body to trying to flirt with him? Ganondorf never showed him anything more than polite acknowledgement. It made no sense.

Even if the state was clean, and despite knowing Link wasn’t Rauru, Ganondorf couldn’t help but jump to the most logical conclusion. ‘He wants something from me…’ 

Yes, that would be the only explanation. Ganondorf just knew he must have something Link wanted. 

Whatever it was, the gerudo was his prisoner, and sooner or later, the boy could manage to obtain anything from him… But for now, Ganondorf wanted to understand what he needed from him… 

Link looked up at him, his cheeks flushed this time.

"If you want your hand back, you can always remove it yourself," Link suggested calmly.

That was true, of course. All Ganondorf had to do was lift his hand and pull it away from the young man. Link didn’t have the strength or authority to restrain him. It was entirely within Ganondorf's power to end the contact. He just had to move.

But he didn’t.

Instead, Ganondorf found a strange sort of comfort in this contact. The gentle beat of the hero's heart, the warmth and softness of his skin under his fingers. These sensations were unexpectedly pleasant.

He was sure there were bad intentions behind this, but he enjoyed the moment.

How long had it been since he had indulged in such human contact? The answer was clear. It was when his heart had been broken by Rauru. That betrayal had scarred him deeply, shaping him into someone who refused closeness with others. He had even distanced himself from his own sisters, who knew him as a caring person filled with love.

They had been furious at Rauru for hurting him so profoundly, for changing him in ways they could hardly recognize.

Ganondorf had promised himself never to let anyone near him again, to build a wall around his heart.

Even if Link was showing him respect and understanding beyond what he was accustomed to, he was the man who kept him on a leash. He didn’t hate him but he wasn’t to be trusted.

The contact felt good nonetheless. He missed that.

The boy looked at him with a cocky smirk. Ganondorf growled.

"Tch... You are pushing your luck, brat…"

He couldn’t deny that it felt nice, but he wouldn’t say it aloud either. The boy was probably delirious from his close call with death. Link's delicate hand ran over his skin in a soothing caress. Ganondorf closed his eyes and let out a calm sigh.

But then the caresses gradually slowed down, morphing into a grip that refused to release the hand against his chest. Link's breathing grew quieter. Ganondorf opened his eyes and realized that Link had fallen asleep in his arms, his face showing no trace of fear. He must have lost consciousness from the remnant of pain.

Ganondorf was perplexed by the young man's behavior. Who would be foolish enough to fall asleep in their enemy's arms? But then again, Ganondorf didn't hate him. Perhaps this admission had spurred Link's determination to get closer to him?

The Gerudo finally stood up, carrying the young man in his arms with the intention of bringing him to Link’s own room. However, when he attempted to free his hand, the Hylian held onto it tightly, in a death grip even in sleep.

Both amused and annoyed, Ganondorf finally carried Link to his own bed, settling into it after placing Link beside him, allowing the young man to keep his grip on his hand.

He stared at the ceiling in silence, listening to the hero's gentle snoring soothing him. 

He didn't understand what the boy wanted from him… 

He couldn’t shake that feeling. It couldn’t be genuine. Link's behavior was evolving too rapidly, which made him uneasy. He sensed something was amiss but couldn't quite grasp what it was.

Eventually, exhaustion caught up with him, and he closed his eyes, falling into a deep sleep himself after the formidable fight they had earlier.

***

Link felt incredibly comfortable in his slumber, wrapped in an unusual warmth. He didn’t want to wake up, pressing himself tighter against this unfamiliar heat. It had been ages since he had slept so well. He sensed someone holding his hand, and he didn't want to let go.

Yet, he felt something tickling his face, as though someone were playfully trying to rouse him from his sleep. In his sleep, he imagined a fellow knight trying to wake him from a nap with a leaf or something like that.

Frowning, Link slowly opened his eyes. He didn't appreciate being teased in his sleep.

But as he began to voice his complaint, the words caught in his throat.

 He was lying on his stomach, his head nestled in the crook of Ganondorf’s neck. The Gerudo's beard brushed against his forehead, tickling his skin.

He had slept on Ganondorf, his former foe and the former demon king.

Realization hit him with a wave of embarrassment. While he slept, he must have unconsciously moved closer to seek warmth. It was mortifying.

Link's face flushed bright red, unsure of what to do. Ganondorf remained sound asleep, his breathing steady and his muscles relaxed. He didn’t move in his sleep at all.

Finally, Link noticed that he hadn't released Ganondorf's hand all night. The Gerudo had allowed him to hold on, showing far more patience than Link had imagined.

Caught between embarrassment and amusement, Link pondered his next move as he lay there, tangled in an unexpected intimacy with his old foe.

‘Well…The fight had indeed helped…’ Link thought with a smile, but he hesitated to move. Swallowing nervously, he glanced towards Ganondorf's face. It was relaxed, devoid of anger or hatred. His brow was smooth, his features softer than usual.

It struck Link as the first time he had seen Ganondorf like this, at ease in his presence. The young man couldn't help but notice how handsome the Gerudo looked at that moment. His square jaw and prominent cheekbones remained, but the lines on his face seemed to have softened with time. He appeared younger than when they had fought under the castle… Much, much younger…

‘Did his demon form make him appear older? Most of his wrinkles are gone...’ Link asked himself, but it didn't matter now. Link liked what he saw. He wondered how many times Rauru had lain beside him without taking the time to observe the man.

Finally releasing Ganondorf's hand, Link took the time to examine it . His hands were large, strong, and weathered by time and battle, much like his own. However, while Link's nails were short, rough, and sometimes broken, Ganondorf's were long, meticulously kept, clean and painted black. Link chuckled softly. It seemed fitting for the king.

His laughter stirred Ganondorf awake. "What's so funny?" the Gerudo asked, his voice still heavy with sleep. His golden eyes remained calm and curious, not a hint of annoyance at the hero lying on him. It was comforting, and so Link didn't move, returning his attention to Ganondorf's hand and gently playing with his fingers.

"I find it amusing that the hands of such a seasoned warrior are so well cared for," Link replied. "I enjoy admiring them."

"I take great care of my appearance," Ganondorf responded with a hint of pride. "It shouldn’t surprise you."

Link nodded thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I figured," he replied simply.

Ganondorf responded with a nonchalant hum, allowing Link to continue playing with his hand. They remained in silence for a long moment before Ganondorf tilted his head slightly.

"I would have expected you to be more alarmed at waking up next to another man for the first time," he remarked.

Link chuckled softly.

"I was a little… shaken… But it's not the first time. Believe it or not, I've shared my bed with others before," he admitted.

Ganondorf raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"Weren't you too disgusted with yourself to sleep with other men?" he asked bluntly.

The young man sighed, closing his hand around Ganondorf's fingers. He closed his eyes briefly before whispering.

"For a while... During the calamity, I lost my memory, and for that brief period, I was free of my prejudices. My mind and body weren't burdened with the knowledge of who I was…"

He hesitated for a moment, but he was determined.

"I was carefree and happy. But it didn’t last, because the first friendly face I saw when I woke up was king Rhoam. At first, I didn’t remember him, but after that, whenever I tried to enjoy myself with a farmer or a wandering knight, memories of King Rhoam’s words, said long ago about those he called ‘flawed’, would flood back, disrupting everything. I could never finish…Never be satisfied…" he admitted.

 "Not an ideal time for reminiscing. You were unlucky," Ganondorf remarked dryly.

Link nodded again, closing his eyes briefly.

"Yeah... And later, as I started to remember everything else, I convinced myself that these intrusive thoughts during intimacy were divine punishment for my actions... For my crimes. For seven years, I hid my true self, seeking punishment, not realizing I had the right to be who I am... That my friends would accept me," he explained with a heavy sigh.

The Gerudo king growled low in his throat, a deep sound of understanding and empathy.

"As they should," he affirmed. "Those who don't aren't your friends."

Link smiled faintly, feeling more at ease as he shared his past with Ganondorf. The Gerudo listened attentively, allowing the young man to speak openly without judgment or rejection.

"I've hurt you, and... I'm sorry for that. But your words, and what I saw in Gerudo Town... The words of my friends... They all helped me. Everything has changed, and I'm not ashamed to have slept next to you.”

He let the silence linger for a second.

“I’m no longer… totally ashamed of who I am, and… It’s because of you. I hope to repay you someday, if you'll let me..." he concluded earnestly.

Ganondorf hummed calmly in response to Link's apology. He was still wary of him, still sure he wanted something from him, but he was also curious to see what he had in mind.

"You may... As soon as you stop using my body as your personal pillow," he remarked with amusement.

Link's face flushed once more, feeling both amused and awkward about the situation. He gave Ganondorf an embarrassed smile.

"Yeah... Sorry I fell asleep on you. I didn't mean to," Link apologized sincerely.

Ganondorf emitted a slight growl but shook his head.

"I'm aware of that, which is why I didn't leave you lying on the floor. However, my patience has reached its limit for having been forced to go to bed without taking my bath," Ganondorf declared in a sigh.

Link quickly scrambled to his feet and released Ganondorf's hand. He ran a hand through his hair nervously and mumbled an apology.

"Oh, yes, excuse me. But don't worry, it won't happen again. I know my presence must have been uncomfortable last night," Link assured.

“It wasn't. I slept well…”The immediate response surprised Link as much as Ganondorf himself. 

Link couldn't suppress a chuckle at the king's blunt response. The gerudo's sincerity was unexpected yet refreshing, and Link appreciated it.

"Well, if you ever fancy a bedmate again, don't hesitate. I didn't sleep too badly either," Link teased lightly as he prepared to leave.

Ganondorf responded with a growl, clearly indicating his limit on the matter.

"You are pushing your luck again, boy," Ganondorf warned, but his tone was still calm.

Link chuckled again, acknowledging the warning as he made his way out. Reflecting on the night, he realized it had been more than he initially bargained for when he challenged Ganondorf to spar. It was far better than he had imagined.

Link really hoped he could reach him. He couldn't help but feel excited about the future. 

How would Ganondorf react when he learned they were rebuilding Din's Temple at its rightful place?

But for now, Link had to wait for Zelda to accept his proposal.

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 11: Rebuild, repair.

***

It turned out to be far more complicated than anyone had anticipated.

Convincing Zelda had been relatively straightforward. Link had informed her, without delving into too much detail, that he and Purah had explored the memories left behind by Ganondorf and discovered the location of the lost temple of Din.

Initially, Zelda was eager to learn more about their discoveries. However, her face turned white when he explained everything. She could never imagine Rauru being so cruel. She always saw in him a calm and gentle fatherly figure, and she felt utterly betrayed.

She looked at Link with an intense gaze during his explanation. When he finished, she let out a long, disappointed sigh. Then she sobbed silently.

“Rauru... Rauru has really been so cruel… I should’ve seen it… He told me it was his fault. He told me and I didn’t listen. I didn’t know… I can't believe I didn't realize it. The secret stone increases the strength of already existing powers... Ganondorf should never have suddenly become immortal... He should never have been able to turn into a demon in the first place without divine powers... I don't know where I stand anymore…”

Riju stayed silent but she became cold and her face was closed. Link didn’t know why but he felt like she was furious to have followed the one who destroyed their most precious and holy temple. 

Zelda kept quiet for a long time, head low. She seemed very touched by what she had learned. 

For her, Ganondorf was absolute evil, and Rauru and Sonia the epitome of good. It was easy. But the reality was far more complicated.

Rauru wasn’t all good… Ganondorf wasn’t all bad.

She feverishly ran her hand through her hair. Coming back from the past, she felt ready to take back her throne and finally become the queen she was supposed to be, following the Zonai king's example... But seeing the sacrifices and manipulations involved in being the kingdom’s ruler, she really didn’t want to be this kind of queen… If a queen at all. 

Link understood her torment and laid a hand on her shoulder. The contact startled her and she finally met his gaze. 

“Hey... don't get too worked up,” Link said with a smile. “I know you'll make an outstanding queen. You're not the type to manipulate people... You're not like Rauru and you know about his mistakes. All you have to do is not repeat them.”

She seemed hesitant for a brief moment, her green eyes showing all the disappointment she'd felt on learning of this forgotten past. She closed her eyes for a moment, and finally gave Link a smile. 

“Yes, you're right. I... I must be a trusted queen for all the peoples of the kingdom... Starting by returning to the Gerudo people what is rightfully theirs… We… also need to destroy the ruins of Rauru’s castle… It’s only fair.”

She raised her head and straightened up. She took a deep breath, and turned back to Link. She tilted her head.

“Things are never simple when those we trust most betray us... I would never have thought that of Rauru... I wish I never had to experience such disappointment again.”

Link felt his body tense up... 

The princess's words sounded very much like a hidden accusation. Or did she know him so well that she understood what he had done? He felt guilty but he couldn't let Ganondorf be arrested... 

Just as she was about to turn around, Link grabbed her wrist by reflex. 

She stopped in her tracks and looked at the young knight. He hesitated for a moment, searching for words. 

“Zelda... Everyone has secrets, and that's normal... I can't tell you everything... But, I want you to be certain that, whatever my secrets are, they won't put Hyrule, nor you, nor our friends in danger... You can trust me.”

Zelda opened her mouth at first, then finally smiled at her knight.

“I see... I trust you, Link."

Then she clapped her hands to change the subject. “Come on, it's time to hear what Riju proposes for the temple.”

This allowed them to focus on the urgent task at hand.

With the support of the Gerudo people, represented by Riju, Zelda agreed to their proposal and plans to rebuild the temple. The gerudo accepted to keep the temple of time on Din’s crest, but, like Zelda, also wanted the castle to be gone entirely.

That part was easy.

Yet, reconstructing the temple proved to be immensely challenging, especially since Link was the only one who had seen its shape and architecture in his vision.

Thus, Link was entrusted with a crucial assignment: to draw the plans for Din's temple based on his fragmented vision. Despite his lack of expertise in anything like architecture, he knew the importance of this task. 

Preparations had already begun on the Great Plateau in anticipation of the construction.

Link started to look at the memory, again and again, attempting to estimate the dimensions of the walls by eye and wrote the details on paper.

However, time was never on his side. The memory would abruptly end as Rauru unleashed his power to obliterate the structure, leaving Link with only ruins to work from. Link also couldn’t see if there were other rooms, but he did see a door… That would be problematic in the long run.

The process was incredibly frustrating, but Link was determined to succeed. He had not anticipated how exhausting it would be.

Using Rauru's arm repeatedly to observe the building was rapidly draining Link's energy, and the desperate shouts of the Gerudo king weighed heavily on him.

He had made the first sketches on-site, but Purah soon asked him to continue working at home. She had clearly noticed Link's fatigue worsening each time he used his arm to look at the memory and argued that he would be more comfortable working near his bed.

The young Hylian tensed slightly, concerned that Ganondorf might discover his efforts, but he eventually agreed. He just had to be more discreet in his own home.

Standing in front of his desk in his room, Link carefully drew many sketches of the place. He had noted the materials he recognized for constructing the walls and statues, as well as the general shape of the temple.

For the first few evenings, Link maintained his routine: he went downstairs to prepare food at the scheduled times, trained, or chatted with the Gerudo king before returning to his room. However, as the weeks passed, the additional workload began to take its toll.

Rauru's arm felt heavier and heavier, making it increasingly difficult for Link to maintain his usual habits. 

Fatigue weighed on him, and though he managed to cook at regular times, his fighting ability diminished. The Gerudo eventually noticed.

Their sparring sessions, once evenly matched, increasingly ended in victories for Ganondorf. The man was no fool and could see that something had changed.

One day, before starting cooking, Link sat down on the sofa, his body sinking into the cushions with exhaustion as dark circles framed his eyes. He clearly wanted to sleep but still wished to spend time with the Gerudo and wanted to prepare his meal. 

Eventually, Ganondorf noticed Link's fatigue and settled down beside him. His presence was oddly comforting.

"I don't know what's troubling you," Ganondorf said calmly, "but pushing your body to its limits is not an effective way to train. You are on the brink of sleep, and we haven’t even had dinner yet."

Link flinched at the observation, rubbing his eyes.

"Ah? It’s… it’s just," he muttered, trying to muster a reassuring smile. "I've been working a lot lately, and it's an important duty..."

Ganondorf tilted his head, studying Link's tired face. He leaned back on the sofa, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"And what work is so important that you're neglecting your health?" he inquired.

Link chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, but I can't talk to you about it now. Just know that it’s important and I need to work on it. It’s hard on my body, but I'll manage."

The Gerudo king growled softly, but it was not out of annoyance. He tilted his head to one side, deep in thought, his arms still crossed.

“I suppose I could take over the kitchen chores to give you more time to rest…” he mumbled, almost to himself.

Link's eyes widened in surprise as he lifted his head.

“You know how to cook?!” 

Ganondorf clicked his tongue.

“Do you think that I'm incompetent? Cooking is an important survival skill. Every good warrior knows how to cook.”

Without another word, Ganondorf rose from the sofa and walked to the kitchen. He began taking the ingredients Link had brought earlier. Grabbing a knife, he started to work with the ease of someone who had done this many times before.

Link, curious and somewhat impressed, dragged himself off the sofa and followed Ganondorf to the kitchen. He sat on a stool, resting his head on his arms, watching as the Gerudo sliced through the vegetables with ease. The rhythmic sounds of the knife against the cutting board was almost soothing, and Link found himself unable to look away.

The man’s movement was confident and precise, proving that he knew what he was doing. Link remained silent, admiring the spectacle. 

Link had never imagined Ganondorf cooking by himself. As a king, Ganondorf was no doubt used to being surrounded by servants ready to fulfill his every wish. 

It was easy to picture him doing nothing more than sitting on his throne and giving orders. Yet, as the delicious smell escaped from the pot, Link had to acknowledge that the man knew his way around a kitchen. Ganondorf selected his spices without hesitation, as if he had memorized the recipe long ago.

Despite his exhaustion, Link couldn't sleep. He was focused on Ganondorf. The young man told himself that he could get used to the man looking after him. His smile widened a little as he let his thoughts wander a little more.

From the corner of his eye, Ganondorf noticed Link's intense gaze and shook his head slightly. He had taken on the responsibility of cooking to allow Link some rest, yet the boy was using the time to watch him instead of sleeping, seemingly enjoying the show.

‘What a fool. Why is he staring anyway? ’ Ganondorf didn’t know, and refused to meet his eyes.

The hylian’s gaze made him uncomfortable. 

There was no hostility or lust in Link's eyes, only a serene admiration and … some kind of adoration that wasn’t supposed to be here. Ganondorf couldn't understand it but he was still certain Link wanted something from him.

He saved the boy’s life so maybe that’s why he appreciated him… but that made no sense because he had also nearly killed him. The appreciation in Link's eyes made no sense to him. He wanted to understand it, but more than anything, he wanted Link to sleep and stop looking at him with those penetrating eyes.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Ganondorf began to hum a little tune as he cooked, hoping the melody would mask his growing embarrassment. The deep voice filled the kitchen and helped him forget about the other man.

Link's smile broadened as he listened to the familiar hum. It brought back the first memory he witnessed, where Rauru said that Ganondorf hummed when he wasn’t at ease. Realizing he might be the cause of Ganondorf's discomfort, Link felt a little guilty. Perhaps his gaze was too insistent. He had been so caught up in the unexpected spectacle of the mighty Gerudo king preparing a meal for him that he had forgotten himself.

Not wanting to startle the king, Link finally closed his eyes, allowing himself to surrender to his overwhelming exhaustion. The moment he did, he became fully aware of how tired his body truly was. Sleep overtook him almost immediately, and he slumped forward, resting his head on the table.

***

He was awakened a good hour later by a gentle shake from Ganondorf, who had finished cooking and serving the plates.

“Wake up, hero. You can go back to sleep as soon as your appetite is satisfied,” the king murmured in a calm voice.

Link yawned, rubbing his eyes before stretching in his seat. Despite his brief nap,  he was still exhausted, slowing down his movements. Ganondorf was right; he desperately needed to rest. As he finally opened his eyes, he found himself staring at a full plate of food. The man made him slices of  stir-fried cucco with spices and small vegetables lying on mashed potatoes in a hot sauce. The smell was strong and delicious, and Link's mouth watered. 

He swallowed and began to eat with appetite as soon as his guest was seated.

The dish was indeed very spicy, as he had suspected, but Link quite liked this kind of cuisine. He devoured his meal, never looking up from his plate.

Midway through his meal, he was interrupted by a deep chuckle.

“You didn't even check if I'd poisoned the dish. You're more reckless than I thought,” Ganondorf laughed, his fingers crossed in front of his face as he watched the young hero.

Link raised an eyebrow and, without hesitation, brought another fork of food to his lips, maintaining eye contact with the Gerudo king. He slowly chewed and swallowed, never breaking his gaze. Ganondorf raised an eyebrow in response but remained silent. Link tilted his head and grinned mischievously.

“You know, we've been training together for weeks now and you've had the upper hand because of my exhaustion... The necklace has never been reprogrammed, and you know it. You could have killed me that one time, but you didn't. You even saved me. So if you decided to kill me with poison… Well, you'd be successful. And if I die now, please engrave on my tombstone, 'He died as he lived, like a moron.' I would have deserved it.”

Ganondorf snorted a laugh, and Link smiled back, pleased with his response. The Gerudo regained his composure and muttered, “You are right, there is no poison… But you are far too trusting with an enemy.”

“You may think I'm stupid, but I'm not afraid of you…” Link said, tilting his head. “ You are not my enemy anymore and I quite like having you around, to be honest.”

Ganondorf paused, his expression softening as he considered Link's words. “...Hm, I see. I can't tell if it's touching or reckless... But I suppose after months being forced to live together, it was bound to happen.” The king nodded and started to eat his own meal in comfortable silence. He seemed satisfied with Link's answer.

Link tilted his head to one side, pondering Ganondorf's reaction. ‘Bound to happen…’? What did he mean? Was the Gerudo king testing him? Testing his trust? Or was he hesitant about the hylian? Link really didn’t know what Ganondorf was trying to say. 

He still looked unsure about their growing connection… Maybe he was scared to be betrayed again? Link wanted to show him he could be trusted.

Link grinned, biting his lip in anticipation. He couldn't wait to show Ganondorf the brand-new temple once it was finished. He hoped it would make him happy.

It would be the perfect moment to reveal that he knew about Ganondorf's past from the memories he had seen. He just hoped Ganondorf wouldn't be too angry with him for not telling him sooner.

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 12: Peacefield.

***

Link was jolted awake the next morning by a series of insistent, loud bangs on his front door. The sudden noise was so loud that he was startled and felt a little dizzy as he sat up in bed. He had fallen into a deep sleep almost immediately after his meal. 

The thought of leaving Ganondorf alone to clean up after dinner made him feel guilty, but he was far too exhausted…

The violent banging resumed and with a reluctant groan, Link forced himself out of bed. He put on his Hylian outfit for comfort and went downstairs to his front door, which he opened after checking that Ganondorf was still in his room. The man was smart, and wouldn't show himself when Link had visitors.

When he opened the door, he was surprised to find Buliara standing in front of it. The gerudo leaned forward slightly to greet him. Link responded to her gesture, despite his confusion, and let her in.

“Savotta, Link,” she greeted him while stepping inside. “I came early this morning, before Lady Purah got her hands on you, to get some information about the items you may have seen in your vision. I need a list.”

Link closed the door behind her. He then tilted his head, trying to make sense of her request. “'Items? What do you mean?”

Buliara sat at the table and pulled out her very own purah pad she'd been using to take notes.

“Well, you've seen the whole room, haven't you? … the temple… You must have seen if there were vases, altars, candelabras? I need all the information because I'm going to be sent on a mission to the desert colossus, far from the lands of Hyrule, to retrieve the artifacts we need to replace them.”

Link then understood the woman's duty and sat down facing her. He closed his eyes and concentrated. He summoned the powers of his arm.

He then saw the room within the memory. “There’s a large altar in the center of the room, it’s placed on four boar statues…” he began, his voice steady as he described what he saw. “At the entrance, there’s a big jar with some wine in it. On the walls, there are three… no, four small stone torches hanging down. I can also see four statues of Din… There are also many, many candles with colorful flames placed on shelves in the walls… they are… floating? Some are simple single candles, while others are two-headed…”

The gerudo noted everything precisely. However, her expression darkened when he mentioned the candles.

“All right, I can find everything without any problem… Unfortunately, eternal candles are not replaceable,” she said with a grimace. “But everything else is perfect.”

Link let her take her notes, but tilted his head. 

“Why aren't candles replaceable? It's easy to make candles...”

She looked up from her tablet. Her face was still stern.

“Making simple candles is quite easy… That is true… But eternal candle flames are not just ordinary ones... They are vessels for souls. They exist to honor our dead. When we pass away, our souls are bound to an eternal candle, symbolizing our presence with Din forever.”

Link's eyes widened as she continued.

 “For centuries, we brought these candles to the Colossus since there was no longer a temple here. They’re magical and deeply significant to us.” Her gaze turned reflective as she stared at the ceiling. “These candles can only exist in a temple, and they must be lit by a close friend or relative of the deceased… Someone who knew them… They do so by using an object that was given by the deceased, a gift or something like that… It’s called an Envah.  It’s a sacred process and cannot be done by a stranger.”

She closed her eyes as Link was ticked by the word ‘Envah’. He was certain he heard it somewhere. But more importantly, he felt a cold shiver running down his back. He asked, unsure.

“So… Those candles’ flames are souls… Hum… Does that mean Rauru…”

Buliara let out a very sad sigh. “By extinguishing those candles, many gerudo souls were lost forever. They didn't build the colossus yet... None of us remember the people from that time… None of us have any Envah from this era. He did something unspeakable… When Miss Purah told us about the past, I could hardly believe what that ancient king had done.” Her voice softened with sadness over the lost warriors and their extinguished flames.

With Buliara's words, Link realized that Ganondorf's mothers were among those lost souls. Rauru had extinguished their flames just before his eyes. 

‘So that's why he looked so desperate, he couldn't light them anymore because there was no longer a temple…They are lost… Gone forever. ’ Link could now understand the deep desperation Ganondorf felt, clutching those unlit candles.

Did Rauru fully understand the consequences of destroying the Temple of Din? Link hoped not, though it seemed he was aware of Gerudo traditions. He ran a hand over his face, grappling with the difficult emotions. Despite his desire not to harbor hatred, Rauru’s decisions had undeniably complicated things.

Buliara’s voice broke through his thoughts. “You know,” she said quietly, “Riju spoke highly of the zonai king before all of this, she saw him like a benevolent person, guiding you to defeat the demon king… But he wasn’t… And she is now furious… I never saw her like this.” Buliara hummed. “I can’t really say that out loud… But if I were in ‘ his ’ place, although I might not have chosen to become a demon... I would have k…”

Before she could finish her sentence, a new series of knocks interrupted them. But to be honest, Link knew what she was about to say. He frowned and went to answer the door. He was met by Purah offering him a big smile.

“Linky!!! The one in the castle is activated!!!” She seemed in a great rush to get to work, as usual, however Link shook his head.

“I'm sorry, Purah, but I've got company...” The hero added, looking disappointed. 

Buliara then stood up with a warm smile. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve gathered all the information I need. Thank you for welcoming me, Link.”

She hesitated for a moment, then continued, “I regret that I didn’t get the chance to meet your Gerudo friend, but I suppose that’s for another time. I would’ve loved to have a conversation with her.”

Link gave her a strained smile. “Oh that would be complicated as… hum…” He searched for an idea… Because even if Ganondorf could change appearance, Link really didn’t want them to talk. He still had that tone and composure... He muttered “She...She is mute! Yes! And because of that… She isn’t too fond of meeting people.” 

Link was quite proud of himself to find that type of excuse Buliara looked shocked but nodded. “Oh I see… that’s quite sad… Well, I bid you goodbye my friend.”

And he bid her farewell as well.

It was odd, but since the beginning of this strange situation, he had felt much closer to the gerudo woman. Maybe it was because they were both 'blessed by Din', but the chief guard had proved far more gentle and protective towards him than she had ever been. 

He watched her go and finally turned his attention to Purah. 

“Go ahead, I'll follow you... We've still got a lot to find out.”

***

It was curious to see that bright scarlet shape appearing around the castle, especially when the shape in question depicted exactly the precious jewels Ganondorf wore on his chest. 

Link was confused; he'd already been wearing these jewels when he saw the first memory, so why should they be important now? 

Purah set the construct down in front of the castle and accompanied Link to the room where the pool was located. 

Link approached and took a deep breath before touching the surface of the red water.

Immediately, he appeared in a large room in what will become Hyrule's castle in the future. But for now, it was some sort of manor… A place for guest or something? Maybe Rauru’s castle on Din’s crest wasn’t finished yet. 

The place was still quite pretty in those days…

His contemplation was interrupted by a few sobs from the door that had just opened. 

Ganondorf stood there, his gaze cold and aggressive.

He looked so old, and Link could clearly see that his skin had taken a greenish hue. He wasn’t certain that Ganondor f s skin color changed before, but now that he was used to seeing him, the difference was evident. 

This made him feel a little better, because he now looked younger, and his skin had taken on the deep copper color of his people. He really was no longer a demon.

As Link was pondering on the man’s transformation, the gerudo kept walking into the room. 

Behind him, two seemingly twin women accompanied him. Link recognized them as the women with golden masks in Zelda’s memories. The cries came from the one wearing a blue scarf around her shoulder. 

“How dare this lout demand our king to bend the knee after what he’s done to our temple? I knew this hypocrite didn't deserve to be our brother's Lovoe!” The woman in the red scarf exclaimed. She then approached her sister and whispered. “Cease, Kotake... We are the high priestesses of Din... we must behave as such. It's been years since our brother made his choice.”

“I know, but… They made us come to Din’s crest to flaunt their victory over us, and made us sleep in this creepy manor, far away from what was our lands!! It was…. ugh… And Gan… Seeing him on his knees, menacing them with that cold voice… I couldn’t… ”

Link cringed. So the zonai castle was finished… Rauru just didn’t want the gerudo near it after the ceremony… That was so insulting… So low.

Koume sighed, “I know… But your tears won't bring him back. He chose to be Din’s weapon of his own free will. We must be strong.” 

The wailing grew louder and Kotake kicked the floor. “'Of his own free will? What free will? You call that 'freedom'? He was desperate! He was manipulated and betrayed. A cornered man cannot make real choices, he was forced to!”

Koume let out a sigh. “But he had chosen his Lovoe... Our brother’s heart is strong and he feels more than anyone… and it was his weakness… His choice was the wrong one and he wanted to pay the price for his mistake...”

Kotake lifted her nose and wiped her eyes. “I know, Koume... But it's so hard... Gan was so caring and kind and ... And now we're planning an assassination and a war… He always wanted to rule over Hyrule, but now… He seeks destruction… ”

She ran a hand over her face again. 

“I'll never forgive the King of the Zonai for taking our brother and our mothers away from us, but all this... All the things we planned to do... This will be the end of us...”

Koume let out a long sigh and dropped to one knee in front of her sister. 

“Kotake, dear sister... I know the future is... Quite bleak, I fear, but we'll fight by our brother's side as planned, no matter the cost... And no matter what he becomes.” She looked up and met Ganondorf's gaze. 

Link could see that the woman was also on the verge of tears, but that she had to be strong for her sister. The Gerudo king showed no emotion. He was already in the process of becoming the demon king he had faced. They were talking about bending the knee, so he probably already used the moldugas to attack the kingdom and met Zelda.

Kotake let out a long sigh and nodded, “You are right sister… We will have our revenge… and we’ll help our brother… No matter what.”

Koume smiled at her sister, then stood up and approached her brother with some hesitation. She raised her hand and placed it on the jewel hanging from Ganondorf's chest.

“What I am afraid of is, if you come back… You’ll be alone… Little brother, I don't know if you're still here, but please... Don't forget us... Don't let your darkness touch that gold. Without the temple of Din, we'll become lost souls… But we’ll always be with you…”

Kotake finally got up to approach the king. 

“You won't be able to make us eternal candles, Gan... But I hope that every time you look at this jewel we gave you…  you'll remember how much we loved you.” 

The Gerudo king raised an eyebrow, his face still cold and serious.

“I know what you're looking for, sisters of mine, but nothing you say matters to me. My heart is sealed... It's a dead man that you love and I do not care... I will destroy the zonai king and I will rule… But I'll accept your wish and keep this gold against my skin, untouched by the darkness, forever. It doesn’t matter to me.”

His words were so cold that poor Koume could no longer hold back her tears. She took her brother in her arms and began to cry as well. Kotake approached and embraced them both. She had stopped crying. Now that her sister had broken down, she was the one who had to support her. 

Ganondorf still didn't react. He didn't respond to the embrace, and showed no emotion whatsoever. 

The scene was hard to watch. 

Link felt so bad for these poor women. They loved their brother so much. His sacrifice was such a high price to pay. 

A flash of light brought him back to reality.

Purah was waiting for him with her folder, ready to work, but Link really didn't know if he wanted to relate what he'd seen... It was a very sad scene, but above all a very personal one. The sheikah tilted her head at the blond's hesitation.

“Linky?” she asked, concerned. “What's the matter? Did you see something serious?”

“Not really.” Link admitted, lowering his head. “It's just a very personal scene... I think it's one of the last conversations he had with his sisters.” 

The woman grimaced and massaged her temples. “I see... if you're uncomfortable talking to me about it, is there any important information in their conversations?”

Link shook his head slightly. “Well, apart from the fact that his sisters wanted to follow him to the end, there's nothing... He was already the demon king.”

Purah nodded “I see... Well, at least I have some information regardless. He had family, they fought by his side... But they were the only ones to do so. I think Zelda told me that many other Gerudos disagreed with the choice Ganondorf made by going too far. By the time he took the Queen's life, they were alone against the world!”

Link nodded. “Yes, I can understand that... It's a shame. His sisters seemed to say he was a good man. Such a transformation is a sad spectacle.”

Purah laughed, “A good man can make a bad choice. Simple as that. He was loved by his people before, so, I supposed he was, at least, a good king.”

And Link was very grateful that this man was back, even if he was different now. The man had lost everything in his war against Rauru, and Link was fully aware when he saw his sisters that Ganondorf was, today, very much alone. The people he had known were gone, the ones he had loved were gone, the world he knew had changed... The Gerudo king was a very strong man if he could bear such solitude. 

Link remembered how he'd awakened when he'd lost his memory. He was also lost, without family, in a world he didn't recognize. 

Ganondorf was more like him than he had imagined. He really wanted to be here for him… He wanted the gerudo to trust him.

But Kotake's words kept coming back to him. 'A cornered man cannot make a real choice.'

Link was well aware of his growing feelings for the gerudo, but he had forgotten one essential element. 

Ganondorf was his prisoner.

He couldn't make the choice to stay by Link's side of his own free will, he was forced to. That’s what he meant when he said his attachment was ‘bound to happen’.

He was a man forced to stay between four walls, forced to meet no one, to talk to no one but Link.

Link was all he had… He was his only choice possible. 

The king could never fully trust him because he wasn’t free.

The young man let out a long sigh… He couldn’t let that happen. He wanted to be his choice because he wanted to, not because he was forced to.

He knew what he had to do.

***

When Link returned home, night had already fallen. The day had passed quickly with the arrival of the materials needed to construct the temple and the discussions about the fate of the ruins of the Temple of Time on Din's crest. If Riju and the elders of the Gerudo had decided to leave the temple as it was, they were unlucky. Part of the temple was on their sacred site. Riju made the choice to move the temple of Din slightly. Link was stunned by her words.

“We are no zonai… We don’t destroy sacred sites unprompted.” Her tone was very cold but she was right, and supported by her people.

All that was left was for Link to finish the plans as accurately as possible, despite the fact that he couldn't really measure anything in a memory. Then, they could begin the work.

He wanted to do the best he could, and given the late hour, he could continue working without waking the Gerudo king. He must not, however, forget to speak to him tomorrow. 

Things had to change, even if he had to make a drastic decision. 

Link went to his room, stretched, and sat at his desk to work on the unfinished blueprints. As he placed them in front of him, he suddenly felt tense and stood up.

The plans were complete.

Every measurement he had already written were corrected, other he didn't had time to mesure were now marked on paper, and the missing details had been filled in. The writing was large and… somehow aggressive. Link swallowed hard. If the plans were perfect, it could only mean...

“You have some explaining to do... Boy.” The voice was cold, and the Gerudo king's eyes shined as his imposing form appeared in the corner of the room.

Link was paralyzed by the sudden apparition in his room. “W…what are you doing here?”

“I could view your recent behavior towards me as manipulative,” the king continued, advancing slowly. “Or perhaps as misplaced remorse... But this... this is the main hall of the temple of Din, and no one… NO ONE from your time should possess such knowledge of it.”

He moved forward again, and this time Link stepped back, sensing the Gerudo's hostile aura. This wasn't how Link wanted the discussion to unfold. Perhaps he could delay it to let the man calm down?

“Look, I'll... I'll tell you everything tomorrow morning... It's dark, we're both on edge and...” Link stammered.

Ganondorf then slammed his hands violently onto the desk, pinning Link between himself and the furniture. “Absolutely out of the question. You're going to talk, right now, and don't you dare lie to me. I'll know.”

His gaze was intense, and Link could see the fury in his eyes. Did he really think Link was trying to manipulate him? The accusation hurt, but Link understood the man had serious trust issues.

However, talking to him in this state was impossible; Ganondorf was too agitated, and Link quickly realized why.

Ganondorf had no knowledge of his dragon tears, so the only way Link could know about the existence and approximate shape of the Temple of Din was through the one person who saw that temple…

…Rauru.

Despite the fragile trust Link had built with the Gerudo, any mention of Rauru turned anyone Ganondorf saw into an enemy.

This situation was spiraling out of control; Link needed to divert the Gerudo’s focus to calm him down.

Without a word, and with a swift, smooth motion, Link reached out and grabbed the collar around Ganondorf's throat. It symbolized the fact that he was still a prisoner and the power imbalance between them.

A security that protected Link from this man. 

With a single movement, he broke it without hesitation, freeing the former demon king completely.

The Gerudo’s eyes widened at the sound of shattering metal. He stepped back slightly, running a hand over his throat while a look of confusion replaced his anger.

He never saw it coming and had a hard time understanding that he was entirely free.

Seizing the moment of reprieve, Link finally spoke.

“When a person becomes an immortal dragon,” Link began in a calm voice, “their memories are erased and scattered across Hyrule in the form of tears.”

Ganondorf's gaze sharpened on the young man, but he remained silent, letting Link continue. There were still hints of tension in his body language, but at least he no longer seemed inclined toward violence.

“I’m the only person who can see these memories,” Link continued, sitting on the desk. His voice remained calm.

Ganondorf tilted his head. “See? What do you mean by that?” His voice sounded uncertain, but the anger seemed gone.

“I've seen these memories as if I were there, they're like visions. A strange power given by the zonai arm… You… Might have it too as you know about zonai magic when you learned from…him” 

A new tension appeared in Ganondorf's posture, but it was not a sign of hostility. Link understood that the king would lash out at every mention of Rauru, but he had to get it all out in the open. He continued.

“I saw your past relationship with the Zonai King... With Rauru.” 

The Gerudo looked up at the ceiling and began pacing back and forth like a caged lynel.

“Perfect... Just what I needed. I’m surprised Rauru let you use his arm to see his greatest shame.”

Link let out a small laugh. “He tried to deny me access to those visions, to be honest.”

Ganondorf stopped and shook his head in annoyance. “'Of course he did... And you didn’t see fit to inform me sooner?!” 

His voice became hostile again, but Link raised his head.

“Oh you can’t hold that against me! I tried telling you!” 

Ganondorf raised an eyebrow. He couldn’t detect any lies... He would have remembered... wouldn’t he?

“When was that?” Ganondorf demanded.

“Just after I saw the first memory… A few days after our last time... hum… sleeping…together…” Link closed his eyes for a moment, swallowing the bitterness in his throat. “I tried to tell you, but you grabbed me by the throat and refused to listen. I had to make amends for my behavior first. By reestablishing a healthier relationship, it became easier to approach you. I didn't want to piss you off even more.”

Ganondorf remembered that time. Link was right; he wouldn’t have listened without all the effort Link had made. Deciding to change the subject, he asked, “What exactly did you see?”

Link listed slowly. “I saw your relationship, I saw the promise he made you, his betrayal...”

The young man hesitated for a moment and sighed, “I also saw the destruction of the temple of Din by his hands… I saw what pushed you to become the demon king…”

The Gerudo king remained silent for a long moment, unsure of how to react to this revelation. It did, however, explain the changes in Link's behavior towards him. 

“So, you saw my past... Your behavior has changed a lot since then… why?”

Link shrugged “I don’t really know… it might be because I started seeing you as a man, mortal and flawed… I saw what you endured and who you were before. I never took the time to get to know you, and it was a mistake.” 

“Hm, I see…” the man growled a little. “But I'm curious... Would you have refused to fight me if you'd known? Are you suddenly on my side, rather than Rauru's?”

Link shook his head calmly. His gaze became more determined and self-assured. 

“As much as it changed how I see you… And how I see the Zonai king, I'm on nobody's side... I'd still have fought you anyway to defend my friends and my home.”

The Gerudo king let out a chuckle. “That is fair…”

Link then removed the long black glove, carefully bending the Zonai’s fingers and observing the greenish skin beneath.

“Rauru wanted peace at all costs. He hurt you, betrayed you, and drove you to despair. He used your people to win a war and then destroyed your most sacred place. I can't condone anything he did... I no longer see him as a good man.” Link turned his gaze to the Gerudo king. “But, instead of just... assassinate him, you chose to become a goddess' weapon, and she exploited that choice, making thousands of people pay for one man's mistakes… including your own people. You slept for ten thousand years, but every century, those powers escaped you and caused disasters… I cannot tell if that was your fault or not… So no, I’m on nobody’s side…”

The Gerudo king nodded silently, fully aware of the cost of his choice. He knew he had gone too far. “I may have failed to understand how vengeful Din could be, but placing my life in my goddess's hands was indeed my choice. I cannot say that I regret it... but I cannot say that I am proud of it either… I was… Cornered and he was powerful.. .”

Link smiled and shook his head. “I’m not here to find a culprit. None of that matters anymore. Rauru is gone, and you have been defeated. What matters now is what comes next.”

He grabbed his plans and showed them to the Gerudo. “These plans you filled out will be used to rebuild the Temple of Din. We received the building materials today.”

The speed with which Ganondorf’s golden gaze snapped to him made Link take a step back. Ganondorf's usually stern face showed an unsure expression. 

“You are rebuilding it…” He seemed lost. Closing his eyes, he clutched his jewel. Access to the Temple of Din meant so much to him; he might be able to create eternal candles, if not for his mothers, at least for his sisters. 

Link saw how he clutched the gold and understood something. It was a present from his sisters. That’s where he heard the word 'envah' the first time.

But then, Ganondorf opened his eyes again and looked bitter. It all seemed too good, much too good to be true. He sighed.

“I see... So… For all you do, you must expect a reward… What do you want from me?”

Link frowned. This was not at all the reaction he had expected to this news. He tilted his head slightly. 

“What do you mean?” His voice had become hesitant again.

The Gerudo king looked at him again. “You've seen my memories, you know how important this place is to me. You know I'll do anything to see this place again... You want something in return, there's no doubt about that.” 

Link opened his mouth, shocked that the Gerudo would think such a thing of him... He didn't have time to reply as Ganondorf continued, his voice more unsteady and his behavior again erratic. He approached Link and pinned him against the table. 

“Vashaara, what do you want from me? A new deal? Make me your personal prostitute? turn me into a slave?!...” His voice was rising dangerously. 

Link tried to defend himself. “Now wait a minute, this is not…”

“Do not think I don’t know about your kind… You’ve done all of that for a reason. Obviously… You can stop your nonsense, good guy, act with me and just tell me what do you want from me?!” He said with a very tense look on his face. 

Link frowned. Why did he think like that? “No that’s not…”

“You don’t have to wait until the Temple is finished to show your real color, boy… I want to go, I want you to let me go, more than anything, so ask away and be done with it…” 

At that moment, Link finally understood that Ganondorf was incapable of believing that Link would do this without expecting something in return. His most trusting relationship had been a means of manipulation by Rauru to obtain the Gerudo's assistance. First for his help, then for his army, and finally for Din's Crest... Every tender moment he lived with his first love was in order to obtain something from him. 

He couldn't get rid of this image. He couldn’t fathom someone being so selfless to the point where he forgot that Link had already freed him. The construct around his neck was gone. If he wanted to go to the temple, when it was built, he could already do so.

This was a defensive reaction, as Link had already gotten very close to Ganondorf. Too close. The gerudo feared to let him go any further and found comfort in what he knew, even if it meant scuttling their relationship.

Link gave him a sad smile and rose slightly to face him. “... What do you mean? I… Have no say in your endeavors anymore… Ganondorf….”

 He raised a hand and placed it at the Gerudo's throat. His voice was no higher than a whisper. “See?... I want nothing at all...”

Ganondorf's face closed slightly and he hesitated to speak before realizing what Link was showing him. The absence of the piece around his neck meant his unconditional freedom, the machine lying broken on the ground.

Link continued “I want nothing… and I cannot prevent you from going anywhere… You are a free man. There will be no deal. The only thing I need from you is patience, as the temple is yet to be rebuilt.” The boy said with a calm voice, as if he was speaking to a wounded beast.

Now Ganondorf was completely lost. Link wasn't lying; he didn't want anything from him and had already offered him the chance to go to the temple whenever he wanted. 

It made no sense. 

This Hylian had all the power over him, the gerudo would have accepted anything for a chance to see the temple of Din again, for a chance to make eternal candles for his sisters, but Link wanted nothing... It was beyond comprehension. 

He didn’t know what to think, but something became clear. Link had no intention of manipulating him. He didn’t do it for his help or for a new deal.  But it was still a lot…

Was he just so very kind? 

The tension in the gerudo’s body disappeared entirely this time but his voice was hesitant. “I've never been as confused as I am at the moment... Va… Vasharaa, Why go through all this trouble, sleepless nights and countless effort if you didn’t want anything from me?” 

Link relaxed in turn, but looked away. He wasn’t sure explaining his change of heart would do good at the moment. “Because I want to... For the gerudo people… There's really no other reason.” 

The man's brows furrowed. “You told many truths, boy, but that one...That's a lie...” His voice was certain this time.

“Well, you sure can read me too well…” Link rubbed his arm and shrugged. “Yes it was a lie, but I don't think you'll believe me if I tell you the real reason.”

The man approached him and crossed his arms. He really didn’t like when someone told him what he could or couldn’t do… 

“Try me…” He said, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

The young man looked away for a moment, then took a long breath. He wasn't sure how to bring the subject up with the Gerudo king. 

He had to keep it simple... just telling the truth. Why did he want the temple to be rebuilt?

His gaze became more resolute. “I wanted the temple rebuilt simply because I wanted to make you happy... You deserve to be at peace...”

The Gerudo's stern gaze widened at first, as the man took a step back. He had not anticipated this response at all. 

Link was certain that Ganondorf wouldn't believe him. After all, to think that an ex enemy who defeated him could only want his happiness… it was far too big for anyone to believe…

 But then, when he saw his golden gaze avoiding him, his fingers playing hesitantly with the hair in front of his ear, and his skin darkening slightly, Link understood that Ganondorf did believe him. The hylian immediately recognized this behavior. He had observed it in the first memory. 

Bashfulness... 

From the gerudo king... 

It was … extremely cute. Link liked seeing the man being so… human.

But being human didn’t always have its good sides and as much as a demon king could be in control of every emotion in his body, an embarrassed man could act quite rashly when facing strong emotions.

 As Link was about to speak, Ganondorf turned and left the room in a hurry, slamming the door behind him. Link tensed and thought of following him, but when he heard the front door of his house slamming shut in turn, he realized that the gerudo had left the house. 

Link lowered his head, feeling his heart clench in his chest. 

He couldn't run after the Gerudo king after offering him his freedom, it wouldn't be considerate. 

He just hoped... for a little more...

a smile... a thanks... even a punch… Anything. 

He didn’t even know what reaction he wanted … Maybe something telling him he was doing the right thing…

But it wasn't to be… Ganondorf just went out, abandoning him without answer. It was strange, as Link didn’t take the king for someone who could flee like that.

He went silently to his bed and lay down, looking at the wall in front of him. 

It was probably for the best, as it would have been a relationship without a future...

But by Hylia, how he would have given anything for a chance to experience it.

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 13: from the ground up

***

Link woke up early this morning. He picked at the window and saw that the sky was still the deep blue color of the night. The sun was still hidden behind the horizon.

He sighed and rose to his feet. His movements were slow and heavy, as he had slept very badly, replaying their conversation over and over again in his head. 

Could he have avoided what happened? Maybe, but as painful as it was, there was no other way out than to tell him the truth. 

There was nothing more he could have done to keep him there if he didn’t want to. 

Descending the stairs to the kitchen, defeated and exhausted, Link was greeted by an unexpected sight. Breakfast, meticulously arranged on the table, was waiting for him. There was bread, pieces of fruits and a hot mug just in front of his usual spot.

He blinked several times, surprised by the thoughtful gesture, before approaching the table with a quick step. There was everything for a healthy, balanced breakfast, with hot chocolate in the mug, just the way Link liked it. 

As he touched the mug, his eyes widened. The chocolate was still warm. 

Link felt a surge of energy coursing through him and ran around the house, looking for the gerudo, but he wasn't there. His bed was empty and made, but an empty mug abandoned in the sink showed that he was here during the night.

Ganondorf had returned briefly, but where was he now? The sun was already rising. Perhaps Ganondorf needed some time alone to think.

The boy suddenly felt a weight off his chest and took a long breath he didn’t know he was holding. He went back into the kitchen and took the mug between his hands.

Link took a sip of the hot chocolate, savoring the delicious and comforting flavor despite its clear lack of sweetness. He smiled, recognizing the man’s distaste for anything too sweet.

 So it was really him…

He sighted, and moved towards the door with his beverage, eager to feel the fresh, salty air of the sea in the morning on his skin. Stepping outside, the cool breeze greeted him as he took a deep breath.

His blue eyes scanned the area, searching for the man. He didn’t see him, but noted that someone like Ganondorf would not easily blend into the background. He must be somewhere secluded, away from prying eyes.

With his drink in hand, Link wandered towards the edge of the cliff. The grass under his feet soon became rocks and he stopped when he could see the shore beneath. 

He took another sip before starting to gaze across the beach from his vantage point.

Link smiled again as he spotted a massive, hooded figure standing here, and looking at the horizon. The figure's feet were submerged in the water, and though he wore one of his cloaks pulled up around his head to conceal his identity, it was unmistakably Ganondorf. The attempt at disguise seemed almost comical given his imposing stature.

Without a word, Link settled on the edge of the cliff, positioning himself so he could share the view of the horizon without interrupting the Gerudo's contemplation. Relief washed over him; he was just so glad that the man hadn't vanished into the night.

“When I was a boy, I dreamt of the sea.” Ganondorf's deep voice broke the silence as he turned to glance at Link.  “I can't explain why, but I've always been convinced that my future lies out there, somewhere beyond the waves.” The boy nodded and kept looking at the sea while the man kept talking.

“Then, I grew up… And as gerudo culture wants it, I started to dream of marriage. As the only man, the one true king, and a Voelegah, I needed to find my Lovoe… One who could bring honor and strength to my people… I also wanted to extend my lands and give my people the green places they dreamed of…” He turned his eyes to the sea again.

“Rauru was everything I wanted, with the same ambitions as me. But I was foolish not to see his words were full of poison. He never told me he loved me, nor told me how important I was to him... Because I wasn’t… I should have seen it coming… My choice in Lovoe was the wrong one and as the gerudo king… I’ve lost the trust of my people.”

Link's eyes widened “What? but why? you were just in love…”

Ganondorf raised his hand. “But I was king, I cannot afford to be carefree, my choices have consequences. I made my people fight under a man that would destroy our most precious place. I should’ve been more cautious… My mothers and my sisters never accepted Rauru, always telling me that I made a mistake… In the end, they were right and I should’ve listened… Then I became a demon, a forbidden act… And by doing that, I lost all support from my people who turned on me…Rightfully so.”

Link sighed but he now understood why so many gerudos turned their back on the man who was once their king and hero… He stayed silent, letting the man talk.

“I’ve learned not to trust, not to listen… and to never believe in anything too good to be true…” He hesitated for a second. “But you… something is different with you.”

He then shook his head and changed subject. "It's been a long time since I've had a chance to see the sky or the sea… And many other moons since I felt the call of the sea…  I'd forgotten how much I'd missed my freedom… "  His eyes, shadowed by the hood, looked like they were glowing as he looked back at the hylian.

Link directed his attention back to the king, meeting his gaze for a moment. The gerudo gestured with a nod, inviting Link to follow him. As Ganondorf started to walk along the shoreline, his feet creating soft splashes into the water, Link matched his pace from the top of the cliff. He couldn’t help but grin.

“I thought I'd never see you again... I assumed you'd run away… You are free to start anew after all…” Link confessed.

The king let out a chuckle. “I'm not one to run away from anyone... But I needed time... Your sincerity and motives, as innocent as they were unexpected, have changed a lot of things I thought I knew.” 

The young man took a sip of his drink and murmured. “You still thought I was similar to Rauru... Didn't you? You thought I was looking for closeness to get something out of you.”

 The Gerudo stopped in his tracks, pinching the bridge of his nose.  “Exactly.”

Link nodded. “and you’re surprised that I’m not.”

“... Yes… I’ve treated you coldly to keep a distance because I was so sure… To realize that I had been wrong... To see how sincere you are about just… making me happy... It came as a shock… I had to reconsider my whole way of thinking about you. Made me want to stay and see for myself what more I could discover… ”

Link inched closer to the edge of the cliff and crouched down, his curiosity piqued by the Gerudo's words. There was still the matter of how Ganondorf knew Link was sincere, believing him without hesitation yet again. “There's a matter that's been nagging at me for months... If you'll allow me a question.”

The Gerudo nodded, granting permission. Link continued, “You read me far too well... How can you know me so perfectly? I have a feeling I'm not capable of lying to you...”

Ganondorf let out another chuckle and stepped closer to the base of the cliff, placing his hands on the cold rock in front of him. He looked up at the young man, his golden eyes shining in the dark. “It's not an impression, I'm afraid. My transformation into a dragon has given me access to quite a unique power.”

Link tilted his head, a little worried. Rauru had told him of a power before… But he assured Link it wasn’t dangerous. Still, he couldn’t help but ask. “What kind of power?”

Ganondorf leaned on the rock and began to climb the cliff to reach the Hylian. His voice was still steady. “I can see when a person is lying...” 

Link's eyes widened in realization. “You... can ‘see’ lies? how?!”

As Ganondorf kept climbing he tried to explain. “It is quite complicated to explain, but to make it simple, let’s say that your whole being darken when you tell a lie. It feels disgusting.”

“Oh…” Link could only say. It was suddenly clear how Ganondorf, a stranger, had been able to read him so accurately from the beginning. The younger man felt so stupid to not have thought about that possibility. “Ah... that explains a lot... It would come in handy if you were into politics.”

Again, Ganondorf let out a laugh as he continued to climb. It was becoming much easier to hear his laughter now that he didn’t try to hide his more human self... This observation made the young man feel happy. 

“I'm afraid the price I have to pay for this power spoils my chances of being a good politician.” Ganondorf replied with irony.

Link tilted his head and extended his hand to the Gerudo as he neared the top of the cliff. “What do you mean?”

Ganondorf grasped Link’s hand and accepted his help. Once they were face to face, he let out a heavy sigh. “I'm no longer capable of lying.”

Link's eyes widened again at the man's admission. Again, he recalled the multitudes of times he'd found Ganondorf displaying too much honesty. It wasn't because he was comfortable or trusted Link, but because he just couldn't control himself. He tried to play it cool, “Oh... indeed, I've never seen a politician who was honest...” 

“I hate Zonai..." Ganondorf growled. "and here I am, afflicted with the same curse as them… Well, at least I learned that they could see lies too… Rauru saw I was lying when he accepted my surrender... He was a bigger fool than I ever thought. ”

Link couldn’t help but giggle. 

“Indeed he was... and, if it makes you feel any better, I don't see a Zonai in you. Not even since you awoke that power… you are just… too sincere. ” 

Ganondorf sighed, knowing that Link was telling him the truth. “That… Is good to know.”

Link smiled again. “Funnily enough, you did look like a Zonai, when you were the demon king… So you should be happy that you aren’t a demon anymore.”

Ganondorf tilted his head, failing to see how he looked like a Zonai. “How so?”

The hero thought about it for a second. “Well, Dark green skin, very long hair, horns, pointy teeth, and the secret stone in the middle of your forehead looking like a third eye… I mean, it was quite obvious…” 

The man's eyes widened as he realized that the hero was absolutely right. He did look like his worst enemy. His goddess, Din, might have a very twisted sense of humor. He shook his head and sighed. “Well, I suppose I'm lucky you managed to defeat me in the end...”

“Yeah…” Link didn't let go of his hand and glanced at his fingers damaged by the climbing of the cliff. “We can't lie to each other, and we both don't know how to hide meanings behind words like the Zonais do...”

He looked up at the gerudo. “I want to see this as a chance to create a climate of trust between us… If you are willing…” 

The king was hesitant, but he wanted to believe it. He knew Link was sincere, he knew he was kind, he knew he wanted to make him happy… So maybe it could be a good thing. It was hard to let go of his preconceptions about the boy, and learn to trust again but… He was certain this time, he could.

“I didn’t try to get to know you better before… But I am willing.”

Link smiled brightly, simply happy. But then, that smile turned teasing. “And besides, this power is not that bad… I can promise you that I won’t ever use your power against you… But I may be inclined to tease you with it.”

The king raised an eyebrow. “I'm curious to see you try.”

Link grinned and without hesitation he spurred “I find you very cute.”

The gerudo clicked his tongue and tried to avoid his gaze… The brat knew what he was doing because Ganondorf couldn’t escape the fact that he was totally truthful. He was already regretting asking him to try. 

“Cute isn’t a world you should use to describe a man such as myself…”

Link’s smile grew a little more. “Oh? In that case, what about me? Would you say that I am cute?” 

Ganondorf rolled his eyes and let out a smirk at the young man's light teasing. However, he didn't reply and flicked him in the middle of the forehead. 

“You think you are funny? You're still pushing your luck, boy.” He said before heading back to Link's house. “Let's get inside before someone sees us.”

Link rubbed his forehead where he'd received the gentle blow and laughed softly before following the king. His smile widened when he saw him, once again, playing with the lock of hair in front of his ear. 

This power was truly a blessing.

***

Work had finally begun on rebuilding the temple, and Link couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. He was able to see, first hand, the place starting to take form but also, he could see the changes in his unlikely companion as well.

Things between him and Ganondorf had evolved in ways Link hadn’t expected. The Gerudo king, who always had an aura of distrust around him, now seemed more at ease. His rigid, almost military-like posture had softened; his broad shoulders no longer appeared tense, and his muscles were relaxed. It was as if Ganondorf had finally begun to let down his guard.

Link had underestimated just how deeply ingrained Ganondorf’s prejudices against him had been. The man had harbored far more mistrust towards him than Link had realized.

 Despite what Link thought before, Ganondorf had never truly lowered his defenses, always maintaining a subtle distance between them. Link had assumed the Gerudo had grown comfortable in his presence, but he now knew that wasn’t the case until their fateful conversation.

Because the difference was pretty clear now, and Link could see it from the start of his days.

As he went down the staircase, the familiar voice reached him from the kitchen. “Ah, sav’otta, boy.”

A greeting, in gerudo. That never was new.

Link raised his head and spotted Ganondorf leaning casually against the kitchen counter with a mug of coffee in hand. The man was dressed in an outfit that stood out because of these new, deep red pants, and a golden ribbon belt around his hips that Link had definitely never seen him wear before. The bright clothes were quite different from his usual, duller outfits.

Link raised an eyebrow as he walked into the room, a smile playing on his lips. “Well, that’s... new.”

Ganondorf glanced down at his legs before nodding. “Indeed. I ventured out to Kara Kara Bazaar early this morning. Picked up some new fabrics... and clothes.” His tone was casual and his voice felt lighter than before.

Settling at the table where his usual mug of hot chocolate waited for him, Link raised his voice. “Oh? Oh, wait ! Don’t tell me!” He leaned forward with a teasing smile. “Did you change form again?”

The gerudo chuckled and nodded. “And you guessed right.” He said, raising his mug. “What a genius you are. ”

He took a sip of coffee before suddenly raising an eyebrow and putting his hand over his mouth. “Oh, am I capable of sarcasm? That's surprising, I didn't think I could lie at all… Is sarcasm some sort of gray area?”

“Fair enough,” Link said, grinning. “Or!! Maybe deep down you believe I’m a genius in some twisted way.”

The Gerudo let out a sigh, and, with a tone that clearly showed that he wanted to answer in the negative, he muttered “indeed…”

His eyes widened and he clicked his tongue in annoyance, “Oh for Din's Sake…” 

Link suddenly bursted into laughter, nearly spilling his hot chocolate. Ganondorf’s expression twitched in irritation but his face was slightly red.

“Stop laughing this instant, boy,” he said, his voice firm but showing no real trace of irritation.

Link waved a hand, still catching his breath. “Yeah, yeah, I’m sorry… it’s just… just hah!” He took a deep breath to calm himself. “Alright, alright. So… who did you turn into this time?”

Ganondorf took another sip of his coffee. “It wasn’t anyone in particular. A much taller, older version of you, perhaps.”

Link looked offended as he looked at the man with wide eyes. “Hey! What’s wrong with my size? I’m perfectly fine the way I am!”

Ganondorf raised an eyebrow, clearly amused “That is true… But when it comes to choosing clothes for myself, I prefer to keep my... normal proportions… I’m sure you understand.”

Link blinked. He felt so stupid right now. He tried to find his voice, looking away from the man.  “Oh... O-oh. Right. That does make sense.” 

He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed and stayed silent for a moment, then he frowned  “Wait... Why now? You’ve been living here for months, wearing the same clothes and washing them every evening. Why the sudden wardrobe change?”

Ganondorf’s expression softened slightly as he moved to sit across from Link. His gaze turned nostalgic as his voice became quieter. “The clothes you’ve seen me in until now were not just clothes. It was an outfit of duty… An uniform design for war. I always wear them when I’m prepared to battle.”

Link remained silent for a moment, the atmosphere turning a little more serious. If the man kept his war clothes on him, it was because for a long time he had been mentally preparing himself to have to fight again. The change in his wardrobe wasn't just new clothes, it was a clear sign that Ganondorf was finally at peace. 

A small smile appeared on Link’s lips. “I see… Well… just between us? Even if I prefer green, I think red suits you way better than black.”

The Gerudo king returned his smile. He nodded slightly, his voice low, “I think so too… It is my favorite color after all.”

Link gave him a charming smile and his voice went lower than usual, taking the king by surprise. “ It’s like this color was made for you. You look dashing.”

The man clicked his tongue but couldn’t help but raise his hand and play with the hair in front of his ear. Link let out a soft giggle and that pushed the gerudo to regain composure too fast. That boy was good with words… 

And those were all true.

***

Some days after, in the evening Ganondorf came back home from his usual stroll earlier than usual. 

He found Link sitting on the sofa, cross-legged, calmly running a whetstone along the edge of the mastersword. He was entirely focused on his task, never raising his eyes towards the gerudo but he still greeted him. “Good evening!...”

The man freed his arm from his new toga, which he had created from the fabrics he had recently purchased. He approached the library and grabbed a book on the war history of the neighboring nations. “Sav’saaba Link. I’m surprised to see you home so soon.” 

The boy shrugged. “Yeah, I was supposed to see the last of your memories today, but it’s still corrupted… Poor Purah, she did her best to try and cleanse it, but to no avail.”

“Ah, well… As I’m no longer a demon, it will die eventually. Your friend needs to be patient.” The man said, facing the boy with his book in hand. 

Link tilted his head, without looking up. “Do you have any idea of what that vision is about?”

Ganondorf stayed silent for a few seconds, pensive, but then shook his head. “I cannot know for sure, I was down here a lot when I was a demon, so… It could be anything, really… I suppose it wasn’t important…” He said, before raising the hand with the book “I've been meaning to do some reading, but if you'd like some peace and quiet, I can go and read in my room if you wish.”

Link let out a calm laugh without stopping his work. “Nah, I like your company. Please, sit. I’ll try to be quiet.”

Ganondorf nodded, and took place near the boy before starting reading his book. He was surprisingly relaxed, stretched his legs out and put the large book on his lap. 

The silence between them was comfortable as the gerudo turned page after page. For a while, neither spoke but eventually, Ganondorf closed his book and glanced over at Link for a long time, observing the boy taking care of the same sword that defeated him..

“That’s amusing… You treat that blade like an extension of yourself,” Ganondorf said with a calm tone.

Link didn’t look up, still focused on his sword, but he gave the man a slight smile “That’s how it’s supposed to be,” he replied simply. “It’s the sword that gave me the title of hero, after all… Might as well take care of it… Until we part ways.”

Ganondorf turned his body toward the boy. “We, Gerudo, rarely take care of our own blade. We let the blacksmith do the work for every weapon, even the royal blades… But I suppose that sword is special.” 

Link nodded. “yeah… pretty much.”

Ganondorf watched him for a moment longer, then leaned back into the sofa. “Do you ever get tired of it?”

Link paused, and this time, he raised his eyes. “Tired of what?”

Ganondorf replied while shrugging “The responsibility. Being a hero and a soldier isn’t a path many chose for themself… ”

Link smiled quietly as his fingers played on his sword. “I didn’t have the luxury of choosing… The sword has called for me since I was a boy… I just went with the motion.”

Ganondorf looked at him with intensity.  “Ah, so you didn’t really have a choice… Don’t you want to stop all this, now that your kingdom is at peace? ”

Link played with his hair for a moment. His voice was hesitant. “Maybe… I don’t know… I had dreams, like anyone else when I was young, but now… I might be too stubborn to stop what I do best…”

Ganondorf chuckled, “That much, I believe.” He leaned forward. “What were your dreams when you were a boy?”

Link let out a soft laugh as he gazed into the ceiling. “I wanted to have my very own ranch. I love horses and always wanted to take care of them.”

“That does sound like you…” The man chuckled and shrugged. “What's stopping you from fulfilling that childhood dream of yours?”

Link shook his head and refocused his attention on his sword. “I never learned how to take care of animals... I've never learned much of anything other than how to fight…”

He let out a sigh. “And Zelda, and the royal knights… They need me as the hero to train them. I can’t really let all that go…”

“You don’t have to let everything go," The man said, matter-of-factly. "but you have time to yourself, you can do anything you like… Do you have a horse?”

Link’s eyes lit up when Ganondorf asked about his horse. “Yes!! Oh she is so cute and brave. She is a brown girl with a white mane and a sassy attitude. Her name is Epona.”

Link was so excited, speaking with a childlike behavior as he described his furry friend. “Oh how I would love to have her living with me…”

Ganondorf shrugged. “Then, what are you waiting for?”

Link’s behavior suddenly changed as he shook his head. “ No, I can’t… Even if I want to… The people at the stable take care of my horse far better than I ever could… I don’t know the first thing about horse care...”

The gerudo stayed silent for a moment. He could read the boy’s feelings easily at that moment, like he was an open book. He didn’t have any choices in life and was too scared to make any changes… It was time to make some moves. 

"If they take care of your horse like I read in your books... then the work is botched, believe me." Ganondorf raised his voice calmly. “Gerudos do not take care of their weapons without a blacksmith, but we do care for our beast alone, because our horse should thrust us, as much as we trust them with our lives.”

Link raised an eyebrow as the man continued. “The way Hylians care for them is garbage… But I am willing to teach you everything I know, if you are willing to build a stable and learn from me… As a way to thank you for the temple.”

Link smiled brightly, but that smile disappeared as fast as it appeared. The boy was hesitant, not knowing what to do. “I … I don’t know, that’s a lot of responsibilities… and I’m not sure…”

Ganondorf let out a long sigh and opened his book again. “I will not force your hand, boy, but know that I will never offer such an opportunity again. It is now, or not at all.”

Link’s eyes widened, knowing that Ganondorf was serious and that he will never see such an opportunity again. He knew he wanted to do it, but he was scared to mess up his girl if left alone caring for her…  but then he let out a chuckle. He won’t be alone, he will be helped, and he felt like he could do it. 

 “Okay… Okay… You win. I’ll build the stable tomorrow.” 

A satisfied smirk appeared on the Gerudo’s lips as he stayed silent. Link finally returned his attention to his sword and kept taking care of it. He understood that this was Ganondorf’s way of showing that he cared about Link, maybe a way to thank him. He changed so much since he understood that Link wasn’t trying to manipulate him.

 He would've been a fool to say no.

There was a silence between them, then Link whispered. “Thank you.”

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 14: Everybody's gotta learn sometime.

***

The sun was high in the sky when Zelda finally arrived at Link’s house, but when she found him, she felt more than confused. 

Link was using the powers given by his arm to build some kind of extension to his house. He moved plank after plank carefully, never losing his focus. Zelda stood there for a moment, watching, trying to make sense of what he was building, as it was clear the project was still in its early stages.

Eventually, Link noticed her. He paused his work and walked toward her, a soft smile  on his lips. "Zelda! Hello!"

His voice was… far louder than needed, but the princess chose to think he was just happy to see her. She smiled at him in turn. “Good morning Link.”

As she stepped closer, her eyes wandered over the scattered materials and half-formed structure. “I came to accompany you to the castle,” She said, calmly, as her eyes focused toward Link’s house, “but I didn’t expect you to be so… busy...” She gestured toward the construction. “I thought you’d want to train today. What’s all this?”

Link lowered his gaze, before he took a deep breath. “This… this is something I’ve always wanted,” he admitted quietly. “I’m building a stable.”

Zelda blinked in surprise. “A stable? You… You wanted to… raise horses?”

Link nodded with enthusiasm. “Yes! Now that peace has finally come to Hyrule… I have time. Time to learn. To do something I’ve dreamed of for so long.”

Zelda frowned slightly, more and more confused. “But you’re a hero, Link. The protector of the kingdom. I always thought…” Her voice grew quiet as the memories of the past hit her, and she stopped mid-sentence.

How could she have forgotten?

When Link had first been appointed as her knight, he was silent. Then, with time, he had confided in her, speaking of the immense pressure and the constant weight of expectations from everyone around him. Of course, he had never truly wanted this life. Who would?

She let out a calm sigh. “You never mentioned this dream of yours before.”

Link rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed  as he sat down on a pile of wood. “Yeah… I guess I was scared.”

She sat down beside him, resting her head on her hand as she looked at him. “Scared?... of me?”

Link shook his head slowly. “ Not scared of you… But, how could I tell you, of all people… You who bear so much already… that I never wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps as a knight? That instead of fighting, I wanted to care for horses… How could you feel safe with someone like that protecting you?”

Zelda shook her head, though her heart ached as she listened. It was hard to hear that there was a side he had hidden for so long. “I understand why you didn’t tell me during the war,” she said softly. “But… Why not after? Why not once we were finally at peace?”

Link met her gaze, with a calm, gentle smile. “Because after the war, you still needed me. The kingdom needed me. There was always something more… I needed to be here to train the knights, to help rebuild Hyrule. There wasn’t any space for my own dreams.” He sighed, “I never told anyone because… well, I felt like it was a selfish thing. A waste of time. But…” 

“But what?” Zelda asked.

He turned his head away, brushing a few loose strands of hair behind his ear as he looked off into the distance with the softest smile. “My friend made me realize that it’s okay to pursue my dreams… That I have time for it, without abandoning my duties.”

Zelda looked at her knight the whole time. She never saw him like that. He felt more human, more vulnerable. It hurt a little, as she never managed to make him look like this. 

She felt a pang of jealousy rise in her chest, but strangely, it wasn’t as strong as she might have expected. She could still manage a smile, small and sincere. Despite her hurt, she realized that her friendship with Link mattered more than any feelings of envy or selfish desire. That revelation gave her a sense of relief, even if a part of her still hurt.

“You’re talking about your friend, the Gerudo, aren’t you?” she asked.

Link blinked in surprise, but nodded. “Yeah.”

Zelda finally got up. She wanted to fight for his attention, but she knew it was bound to fail, and again, she didn’t want to hurt him. She was stronger than that. She avoided the knight’s eyes and her voice felt distant. “They’re very lucky… That friend of yours….” She paused, her eyes wandering again over the half-built stable. “I wish you the best of luck with the horses. I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully. You’ve always been a natural with animals.”

Link gave her a bright smile, lighting up his face. “Yeah, I sure hope so.” 

She nodded but her eyes were lost into the void. “I’ll tell the soldiers that you are busy. They know of your training. Take care of yourself Link…”

With that, Zelda turned to leave. But before she walked away, she allowed herself one last glance at his house, lingering a moment longer than she meant to, before heading back toward the castle.

***

Link had worked less than an hour, building his stable. He managed to finish the job so fast that Ganondorf was stunned. He knew about ultra hand power, but Link was capable of working faster than even Rauru ever could. The boy smiled and was proud of his work. Without wasting a moment, he hurried to the local stable, eager to retrieve Epona, and bring her home to her new shelter. He had never felt this thrilled before.

When he returned home, his mare trotting beside him, Link was greeted by Ganondorf who stood outside the stable, inspecting the quality of his work. As Link approached with his horse, Ganondorf turned towards him. A chuckle escaped his lips.

"Now that's what I call rushing things," he said with amusement. "Boy, you shouldn’t have brought her here so soon. The building’s done, but there’s no straw to make her a bed yet, and no tool for her care. ”

Immediately after hearing these words, the young man's smile faded in a matter of seconds..

How could he have been so careless? The stable was finished, yes, but it was lacking. 

 Had he already failed his dream at the very start? A wave of doubt washed over him, and for a moment, he considered returning Epona to the stable, for her own sake. But before he could worry too much, a sharp clap cut through the air, waking him from his torment.

Ganondorf had clapped his hands, breaking the tension Link was feeling “Cease your doubts immediately,” he said with a calm smile. “It’s nothing serious. That mare seems very attached to you. If I’m not mistaken, you can let her roam free while we prepare her bed. The grass is fresh and will make excellent food. She’ll be fine.”

Link blinked, confused as he glanced at Epona, who nudged him gently with her muzzle, as if encouraging him. She seemed at ease, and surprisingly, Ganondorf didn’t seem troubled either despite Link’s mistake. Maybe he hadn’t messed things up as badly as he thought.

After a pause, Link finally nodded, undoing Epona’s reins to let her roam. The mare wasted no time, joyfully prancing around the yard, her hooves kicking up dirt as if she already knew this was her new home. She soon found a patch of grass near the stable and eagerly began munching away, content as could be.

For a moment, Link and Ganondorf stood side by side, watching the mare run around. The silence was peaceful, almost soothing. Then, Ganondorf turned his attention away from the horse and back to Link. “Very well. Now we need straw… and this will be your first lesson.”

Link straightened up, curious. He followed Ganondorf without a word. They rounded the side of the house, approaching the edge of the cliff that overlooked Tarrey Town. Ganondorf pointed toward the yellowed grass that covered the plain below.

“There are many ways to gather straw,” he explained calmly “But tonight, you’ll harvest it yourself. In the future, I’d suggest buying it from the locals. It’ll save you a lot of trouble.”

Link tilted his head, frowning. “You mean… cut the grass down there?” he asked, looking down the cliff. “Can’t she sleep outside, like in the wild?”

Ganondorf gave a small shrug, as if the answer was obvious. “Technically, yes. In the wild, horses sleep outside, but they’re always in herds. At least one horse stays awake to keep watch for predators. Your girl could rest by a campfire, but she won’t truly sleep as she’s alone. If you want her to rest properly, it’s up to you to provide her with a safe place.”

The explanation felt logical for Link. It also brought back memories of countless nights spent in the wilderness. Epona had always seemed restless, even as he slept by the fire. Maybe because she didn’t sleep at all. She was always looking out for him, protecting him during the night. Slowly, he nodded, his resolve hardening. “You are right, I want her to sleep safely.” He hesitated for a moment, glancing up at Ganondorf. “Will you… come with me?”

Ganondorf paused,  considering the request, but he shook his head. “It is too close to the village. If I’m seen, it could cause trouble. You’ll have to go alone. Fill two large bags and bring them back. I’ll stay here and use the time to try earning a little bit of your horse’s trust.”

Though slightly disappointed, Link nodded in understanding. Still, a small chuckle escaped him. “Good luck with that. She can be a handful with strangers.”

The Gerudo gave him a smirk “Oh, I don’t doubt it. Especially considering who her master is.”

Link frowned as he pulled out his paraglider. “Hey!” Despite the outraged tone of his voice, the young man couldn't stop smiling.

He leaped off the cliff’s edge, letting the winds carry him down to the fields below. As he glided, his mind wandered back to Epona and Ganondorf. A small part of him was disappointed he’d miss what was sure to be an entertaining battle of wills between the proud king and his spirited mare.

Once he landed, Link started to work. The first thing he could see was that the yellow grass was thicker than ordinary grass, he needed a blade to cut it. He pulled out a silver Lizalfos horn from his bag, hesitating before slipping off his black glove to reveal his Zonai arm. Using Rauru’s power, he fused the horn with an old, rusty halberd to create a makeshift scythe. He worked swiftly, cutting through the tall grass with ease, chuckling to himself as he imagined Ganondorf chasing Epona around the yard.

He remembered the first time the workers at the stable wanted to look after Epona. One of them had chased her for hours, but she hadn't let him near her. She was very stubborn, and only let him do his job when Link came to pet her while the man took care of her hooves.

Link chuckled as he imagined the Gerudo king, normally so composed, muttering curses as Epona playfully evaded him. He was almost disappointed that he had to be out there gathering straw. He was missing the whole show.

This thought motivated him to work faster. Before long, the two bags were full, and much heavier than he’d anticipated. Deciding to use his Ascend ability rather than circle back around the village, Link made his way back up.

Once back home, he pulled the two bags into the stable and set them down...looking around for his horse and the gerudo.

He found Ganondorf standing before Epona, his demeanor calm and collected. The massive man gently stroked the mare’s muzzle, whispering soft words that seemed to soothe her. Link’s eyes widened in disbelief. How had Ganondorf managed to calm her so quickly? It had taken the stable workers ages to earn that kind of trust. 

Curious, Link crept closer, hoping not to disrupt the moment. As he neared, he finally caught Ganondorf’s words spoken with this low voice. 

“What a good girl... such a good girl, look how beautiful you are...”  

Link’s breath caught at the unexpected tenderness in Ganondorf’s tone. His voice, usually so strong and imposing, was soft, almost... enchanting.

Seducing.

Link couldn’t help but bite his lip. He'd never heard this kind of word coming from the man, and immediately realized that he'd probably be dreaming about it all night. 

It was the same tone he used to call Rauru ‘Lovoe’. He knew he would love to be called a good boy with that voice… To be told he was beautiful… 

‘Why don’t you talk to ME like that! Holy shit!’ He couldn’t help but think.

He could understand why Epona had come to him so quickly. If he talked to him like that, Link would probably already be on his knees.

But before he could linger on the fantasy, the voice stopped and Ganondorf walked his way, with a teasing smirk.

Link felt his face heat up under Ganondorf’s gaze. He shifted uncomfortably but kept his eyes on him, like a challenge. 

“So easy to read,” the Gerudo whispered to himself as he reached Link with Epona following him.

The king’s voice rose “You’ve brought the straw, I see. Good. Let’s get to work.”

Link nodded, and hurried to the stable. Ganondorf went inside without waiting and crossed his arm.

"Alright, first I’ll use a spell on your harvest so the straw would dry faster… Then, you’ll settle it down all around," Ganondorf said with a professional tone "You’ll lay the straw out evenly. It’s important to make sure she’s comfortable."

He then raised a hand above the bags and began to mutter a spell, causing his eyes to shine slightly. Immediately, Link noticed that the grass had dried up, giving way to straw. The spell did, however, tire the gerudo, who leaned back against the wood of the stable.

Once the straw was ready, Link did as he was told, dumping the bags into a pile before spreading it across the floor. Ganondorf knelt beside him, watching closely but saying nothing as Link was doing everything.

After a moment, Link glanced at the Gerudo. “You… uh… seem to be good with her,” he tried. "Epona, I mean."

Ganondorf’s golden eyes flickered toward him “You sound surprised, but I told you,” he chuckled. “I’ve lived my whole life around horses, like any gerudo warriors from my time. My stallion was a wild beast with a strong mind. Handling a stubborn mare is hardly a challenge.”

Link smiled, interested.  “Oh, How was your horse?”

The man looked at Epona and smirked. “Bigger than yours.”

Link let out a chuckle. “Yeah, no shit! A normal horse could hardly carry you… ”

The man then let out a laugh. “Phantom was a powerful black stallion, strong as a mountain, with amber eyes and fiery mane. He was also very stubborn, never letting anyone touch him beside me. He was very loyal and very fond of apples.” He said with a chuckle.

Link didn't say anything at first, but remembered he saw a horse like that near gerudo valley. He needed to be sure first so he said nothing. He gave the man a small nudge. “Look like you are a natural with horses.”

Ganondorf nodded. Link didn’t really need an answer, as the man managed to calm Epona in mere minutes. It was as if he understood her on a level that went beyond simple skill.

Link hesitated, but he couldn’t help but ask “How did you do it?”

Ganondorf straightened slightly as he smiled, looking out at the young mare.

“Horses are proud creatures,” Ganondorf began, his voice steady. “They don’t trust easily, but once they do, that bond is strong… Your mare is very attached to you, you are her only master and I am well aware of that. I didn’t try to replace you, I didn’t try to take her from you, I didn’t try to assert control over her. When she understood that, she let me touch her. With experience, you can feel their feelings, first under your fingers with a simple stroke, then with just a look.”

He turned his gaze to Link, and continued. “My voice is also quite soothing, I was told.”

“Y… Yeah, I can believe that…” The young man was entirely absorbed by the gerudo's explanations. He wanted to learn how to do this, to understand the mare with a single caress. “Can you show me?”

The king rose and suddenly reached for Link’s left hand, making the poor man freeze. His grip was firm as he guided the hero’s fingers onto the horse’s soft fur. The mare stood calmly, her head lowered in relaxation.

“Here. Don’t move.” The man said in a whisper, and Link didn’t move an inch… He couldn’t, as Ganondorf moved behind him, his chest brushing against the hero’s back as he rested his huge hand on Link's. 

The hero could only feel the warmth of his touch and his scent. He was so close. But he tried to remain composed, even if his heart was drumming in his chest. Despite it all, Link couldn’t help but notice that Ganondorf kept avoiding his right hand. The man still didn’t want anything to do with Rauru.

“Good.” Ganondorf whispered near his long ear as Link felt his voice in his whole body, making him forget about Rauru’s hand. “Here, you can feel her movement, her breathing, her heart. She is calm because she trusts you.”

Link exhaled slowly, trying his best to relax and feel those under his fingers, but his mind was racing. The man’s presence was overwhelming, but Link managed to calm his own heart, and feel the mare’s. 

It was a soft, steady drum, and her muscles were relaxed… Far more relaxed than usual. 

Link opened his mouth, looking in the beast’s eyes. She seemed happier to be here, than when he let her at the stable. She looked so calm. 

The hero couldn’t help but smile and pushed his head against her’s. It felt like he was never this close to her. 

“She’s happy… She wanted to be here… to live near me…”

“Indeed… You care for her, and she knows it…” Ganondorf continued, his voice low and soothing. “Don’t doubt yourself.  She’ll always trust you more if you trust yourself.”

Link bit his lip, nodding slightly. He understood better now. Ganondorf seemed satisfied. 

The Gerudo’s hand lingered over Link’s a moment longer before he went near his ear again. His voice was extremely low, barely over a whisper. “Such a good boy.”

This time, Link turned entirely red and gasped as Ganondorf stepped back as if he didn’t do anything. The poor boy fell to his knees, his legs stopped working altogether. 

The gerudo took some tools Link had purchased, and turned his attention to the mare. “I’ll show you how to care for her hooves tonight, but you’ll need to find all the other tools to care for a horse. Once that’s done, you’ll have all you need to care for her. I’ll continue to teach you everyday. But you need to remember to let her run freely for at least a pair of hours every day.” 

Link listened in silence as his face was entirely crimson. 

He loved to learn from the man but he was certain Ganondorf would make him lose his mind if he kept teasing him like that.

For now, Link knew he would have many new dreams waiting for him.

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 15: Date With The Night .

***

He kept his promise, teaching him many techniques to care for a horse. If at first, Link was unsure about his capacities, he quickly showed that he was a natural. 

His bond with Epona grew stronger and he never was happier.

But soon enough, Ganondorf returned to his nightly outings. He kept teaching him but it was never more than a pair of hours.

Even if Link understood the need to go out, he was a little hurt as he liked to spend time with the man. 

But Ganondorf was free to do as he liked, and Link didn’t want to stop him. 

One evening, however, something unexpected happened.

“I want you to come with me to Din's Crest tonight.”

The invitation came unexpectedly, during their evening meal. Ganondorf’s voice was calm, but his eyes avoided the hero’s. Link, caught completely off guard, froze mid-bite. 

The idea of joining the man on one of his private excursions seemed almost surreal. Those outings had been Ganondorf’s moments alone, moments Link never thought he would be a part of.

Maybe he didn’t mean it that way?

“I'm not sure I understand... Is this a joke?” Link asked. He instantly regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. He saw the slight flicker of displeasure and hurt in Ganondorf’s golden eyes, followed by a frown.

“... It was a stupid thing to ask. Forget it,” Ganondorf muttered, turning his attention back to his plate. His tone was a little colder, and he didn’t look at Link again.

Link wanted to kick himself. He had spent days, if not weeks, yearning for moments like this, wishing to get closer to Ganondorf outside of the lessons, wanting to be included in something as personal as his nighttime wanderings. And now, when the man had finally extended an invitation, he stupidly asked if it was a joke. 

How could he be so stupid, the man couldn’t lie! Of course he wanted him there.

 He could feel the opportunity slipping away.

“Wait...” Link said quickly, setting down his fork as he scrambled to recover. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

Ganondorf didn’t respond immediately, but the click of his tongue betrayed his irritation. His sharp gaze locked onto Link, waiting for his explanation.

Link met his eyes. “I was just surprised,” he explained. “You’ve always taken that time for yourself... And since you started teaching me, I felt like I was taking your alone time away… I didn’t think you’d want to spend one of your outings with me. And well… The temple isn’t finished yet… That’s all.”

Ganondorf stayed silent for a long moment then slowly relaxed. His expression shifted as he understood that Link was telling the truth. 

His eyes were focused on Link but he didn’t say a word. He didn’t repeat the question. He didn’t need to. His eyes said everything. He was still waiting for an answer.

Link allowed himself a smile, happy to not have spoiled the moment. “I’d be honored to join you,” he said, his voice low. “If you’ll still have me despite my obvious lack of a brain.”

The Gerudo king chuckled slightly. “You're lucky I happen to appreciate this... brainlessness of yours.”  He finished his plate and rose from his chair. “We'll leave as soon as the sun goes down… You should let Epona run around for some time. Also, we should rest. The night could be tiring.” Then, without another word, he disappeared in the basement for some much needed rest before the night.

Left alone at the table, Link finished his meal in silence, his thoughts racing. As he chewed on the last bite of food, it dawned on him that Ganondorf's invitation had felt... strangely intimate. The way the Gerudo had phrased it, the timing, and the hurt when he thought Link was denying him… was it possible that this was more than just a casual outing?

Link’s eyes widened as the thought struck him like lightning. He whispered to himself ‘Wait... was he asking me on a date?’

He froze, his fork escaping his hand, as his face flushed. 

Had he been reading too much into things? Or not enough?

Link’s heart raced as he stared down at his clothes, suddenly very much aware of his plain tunic and scuffed boots. 

Should he wear something different? If this was, in fact, a date, he couldn’t show up looking like he’d just crawled out of a dungeon. 

‘Ah shit, even if it isn’t… it wouldn’t hurt to look a little better…’ 

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Maybe he was getting ahead of himself. Maybe it wasn’t a date at all, and he was simply hoping for something that wasn’t there. But... it couldn’t hurt to hope, right?

Link pushed back his chair and stood, his mind made up. Date or not, he was going to wear something that showed him off. After all, it wasn’t like Ganondorf had ever seemed to mind his subtle flirtations in the past.

 In fact, now that he thought about it, the Gerudo king always seemed to take them, sometimes with amusement, sometimes with something else entirely. Maybe he was delusional, but he was sure the man looked at him far more than he should.

A smile tugged at the corners of Link’s lips as he made his way to the stable to free Epona before rushing to his room.

 Whatever this night had in store, he was determined to make the most of it.

And if it wasn’t a date, at least he would spend time with the gerudo king. And that was already great.

***

Link had spent so much time debating over his outfit that he’d completely lost track of time.

By the time he finally made his decision, the sun had already dipped low on the horizon. When he saw the moonlight through the window, he knew it was time to go.

After much deliberation, he had settled on his frostbite outfit. The clothes left his shoulders and back bare, exposing his muscles and white skin, yet it was still very practical for a walk. 

He wanted to look good, but not at the expense of comfort. He'd also chosen to leave his hair free, letting it cascade naturally around his face and shoulders.

With a final glance in the mirror, Link took a deep breath and made his way down the stairs. 

Ganondorf was already waiting in front of the door for their outing. The Gerudo stood tall, both his shoulders covered by his coat, and like Link, he had chosen to let his hair hang loose. 

It was a rare sight. For as long as he’d been living with Link, Ganondorf never let his hair loose, his usual hair style made him look regal and severe. But tonight, with his mane let free, he had a calm, almost casual air that made Link’s heart skip a beat.

He really looked like another man altogether. 

When Ganondorf glanced up at him, Link felt the weight of his golden eyes tracing over his form, pausing momentarily on his exposed shoulders. It was brief, just a second, but it was enough for Link. He had hoped to make an impression, and from the look on the man’s face, it seemed he had succeeded.

Link approached him and met Ganondorf’s gaze with a confident smile. “We can go now.”

The older man gave him a small nod, his expression as composed as ever. Link turned toward the door, stepping out into the dark of the night. For a moment, he heard the Gerudo pause behind him, hesitating.

Again, it was only for a small moment, but in that instant, Link could feel those intense eyes on his back, lingering over the lines of his shoulders and the curve of his spine. A teasing smile appeared on Link's lips. He felt so proud of himself.

They walked a few steps outside, when Ganondorf suddenly moved ahead, as he set a fast pace toward Din’s Crest. Link watched in confusion as the Gerudo walked past him without a word, his long legs making him hard to follow for Link. This wasn’t the calm stroll Link had envisioned.

 Frowning, he quickened his own pace to keep up, but Ganondorf’s steps were so swift that Link found himself running to catch up.

“Ah, wait!” Link called out. “Isn't this supposed to be a relaxing walk?”

Ganondorf stopped, turning his head back with an arched brow. “ I never said that… And Din’s Crest is a long way off,” he replied matter-of-factly. “We’ll need to walk quickly to reach it before it’s too late. But once we’re there, we will take our time.”

Link blinked in realization, feeling slightly foolish. 

The great plateau was, indeed, quite far from his house, especially on foot. He should’ve known…

Reaching into his satchel, he pulled out his Purah Pad, “In that case,” he suggested, “wouldn't you prefer us to teleport?”

Ganondorf turned fully toward him, frowning in confusion. “Teleport?” He crossed his arms “I’m listening…” 

Link nodded, beginning a short explanation. “This is a Purah pad. It's a Sheikah device that does all sorts of things. Takes pictures, features a map of Hyrule and, of course, lets us teleport to places I've already visited.” He tapped the screen and zoomed in on the plateau. “There, you see, there's a point where you can teleport directly to Din's Crest.”

"This..." Ganondorf began, his voice admirative, "...is quite remarkable. Show me."

Link nodded "Alright," 

He activated the Purah Pad, navigating to the map and selecting the great plateau. "You just need to … hum… stand close to me, and... hold on." He said, his face flushing a deep crimson.

The man raised an eyebrow with a smirk. The young hero wore very enticing clothes in a clear attempt to seduce him, but as soon as he spoke of getting closer, his face turned red. 

Link was really quite amusing. He was also so easy to tease.

The Gerudo stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Link felt a rush of warmth as Ganondorf's hand pressed against the skin of his back, pulling him in a semblance of a hug and keeping him against his body. The man's proximity alone felt so intense. He could only focus on those fingers against the bare skin of his back, sending uncontrollable shivers down his spine. The king’s scent and the heat of his body made the hylian nearly lose his mind. 

The gerudo knew he didn’t need to be this close, but he was having such a good time right now.

With Ganondorf so close, Link had a hard time concentrating on his task. His hands were trembling and his breathing became labored.

With a deep breath and quite some difficulties, Link finally managed to press the screen on the Purah Pad. There was a brief flash of blue light, and then the world around them blurred. Then, in a blink of an eye, they arrived at the forest, south east of the temple of time.

Ganondorf blinked, his eyes scanning their new surroundings. He raised his hand and summoned a small flying flame which floated around him, lighting up the surrounding area. “Well that was... quite interesting. I was not aware that the Sheikahs could create something so practical. Is that why you were so hard to keep an eye on when I was Demon king?”

He looked down at Link who didn’t respond. Ganondorf hadn't noticed, but he had tightened his grip around the young man during the teleportation. The poor lad was completely smooshed against the gerudo’s belly, red faced and completely frozen. 

The gerudo could see the boy’s ears twitching and his hand clenching the gerudo’s coat. 

Ganondorf couldn’t help but chuckle, releasing his clutch on the boy’s back. “This isn't really the place nor time for hugs... don't you think?”

The gerudo's words brought the hylian back to earth very suddenly, “huh?” 

He then noticed their situation and stepped back slightly. “oh I... Yeah... we were supposed to... Uh...go for a walk near the temple of Din...”

The young man was still flushed, but regained his composure as he stepped back. His gaze wavered for a moment. “Um, what are we doing here anyway? The temple isn't built yet...”

Ganondorf nodded and began walking towards the construction site at a much more leisurely pace. “The night after I found your drawings of the temple, I suddenly remembered. There used to be a secret place, a fountain, back in my day, in a room under the temple where water had healing properties... My mothers often took me there when I was a 'Vehvi' and I was hoping...”

He hesitated for a moment, his voice growing a bit sadder. “I was hoping to find some... Toys that belonged to me as a child...”

Link walked beside him, tilting his head. He didn't understand what Ganondorf was trying to do with toys.

The man sighed, answering his silent question. “Those toys were given to me by my mothers… So if I find some, I could make eternal candles for my parents too...”

Link's eyes widened. He remembered Buliara's words. To make eternal candles, you need something the deceased gave to someone close to them. He needed an Envah… Ganondorf was obviously close to his mothers, but there was nothing left of his possessions from that time. Only his jewels, given to him by his sisters, would enable him to make candles, but only for his sisters.

Link nodded, but he felt a great sense of disappointment. So it wasn't a date... He lowered his head a little, but remembered that he had promised himself to enjoy the evening anyway...

One question nagged at him though... Why had he asked him to come? 

“I understand what you're after, but I'm a little confused... Why did you ask me to come with you? Do you need my help?”

The gerudo nodded. “Yes...”

The man then turned completely to Link and laid a hand on his shoulder. “I did not wish to burden you when you have done so much to ... make me happy...” He murmured, with a much softer look than he was used to. “But I have no choice but to ask for your help...”

They walked on towards the temple until they saw the outline of the entrance, and the gerudo drew Link behind a rock. He pointed to the doorway. “I can't get in because there are vais guarding the area... I need your help to get through.” 

Link watched the Gerudo women patrol the site. He wasn't aware that the place was under surveillance, but he wasn't surprised. The temple of Din was the most holy place for these people. Rebuilding it was a miracle in itself; the women of the desert wouldn't let anything happen to this site again. 

“But...” Link looked at the confused man. “You could take any appearance you’d want... If you did that, you could get through without a problem.” 

Ganondorf shook his head, running his hand over his face. “I've thought about it... But I can't lie, Link. All it would take is for someone to ask me who I am, and I'd be in trouble. If I don't answer, they might have doubts, and if I do answer, I'll be telling the truth, dooming myself irremediably...” 

He brought his hand up and ran it through his long red hair before lowering himself to face Link. “Can you help me?” 

The man's gaze seemed desperate. Link understood that this was the gerudo's last chance to regain a little of his mothers' presence. It was also the first time Ganondorf asked for his help. The hero couldn't leave him like this without helping him.

Link beamed at him and nodded. “Yes, of course I will help you.” 

Immediately, Link saw a spark ignite in the man's golden eyes. Ganondorf looked so much younger when his face lit up like that... He looked... Beautiful.  But Link quickly shook the thought away and turned toward the temple, avoiding the intensity of that gaze. They had to find a way through.

Out of the corner of his eye, Link spotted Buliara, the head of the guard, sitting on a pile of bricks, carefully watching the surroundings.

Her presence reminded him of their previous conversation when she had visited his home. He had never been more grateful for his talent at crafting stories. “Be proud of your good boy, Your Majesty. Once again, my brilliance has struck! I am such a genius”

The Gerudo king raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "What?"

Link winked at him. “I have a plan... but you really need to trust me,” he said with a playful grin. Ganondorf hesitated for a moment before nodding. “All right, I’m listening.”

“I need you to transform into a Gerudo Vai,” Link said. Seeing the stunned look on the former demon king’s face, he quickly added, “When I was trying to make amends for how I treated you, Riju, Buliara and Zelda started to ask too many questions. I had to come up with a story to explain why I was doing so much research about gerudo customs. I told them I had a Gerudo warrior friend from far away who moved in with me… So, that’s my plan… You’ll be Dinrah from now on… and you’re mute.”

Ganondorf raised an eyebrow, very uneasy by what he just learned. But he was beginning to trust the boy. He knew Link wouldn’t put him in harm’s way. After a brief pause, the Gerudo king accepted the idea and closed his eyes, focusing on changing his form into that of a Gerudo woman.

He chose a form reminiscent of his sisters, a tall and muscular woman with short hair and strong jawline. 

Once transformed, he grabbed the bands around his belly and wrapped them around his chest to hide his newfound breast. Link helped by flipping his yukata inside out and tying it around his hips, fashioning it into a colorful skirt. It was crucial that no one noticed how different his clothes were from those worn by the current Gerudo.

The Gerudo chuckled quietly, noticing that Link seemed far less distracted while touching him in his female form than when he was in his natural one. He made no comment, staying fully in character as the silent warrior he was now portraying.

Once ‘Dinrah’ was ready, Link grinned in satisfaction. “Perfect... I have one more small verification to do, just to see if you're capable of lying through gestures... I'd like you to try lying: Is your name really Dinrah?” Link asked. 

Ganondorf raised his head, intending to nod, but immediately felt his body freeze. Then slowly, he shook his head. He couldn't lie, even with gestures. Frustration crossed the king's face, and Link winced in response.

"Shit... Well, never mind. I'll do the talking for you. That shouldn't be an issue."

Link glanced toward the entrance of the construction site, taking a deep breath. “Right, let’s get moving… and hope we’re still under the blessing of a goddess…”

Just as he said this, Link felt a gentle nudge from the transformed Gerudo. The king gave him a small nod, silently confirming that, as Voelegah, their blessing was assured. Link chuckled and began walking toward the desert warriors.

He raised a hand with a wide grin to catch the chief’s attention. “Sav'otta, Buliara!”

Immediately, he felt a playful smack on the back of his head. Rubbing his hair, Link looked confused, unsure of what he had already done wrong.

Buliara approached, chuckling softly. “It’s ‘Sav’saba in the evening, Link. I think your friend was trying to correct you.”

The young hero growled lightly, pouting. “She's so susceptible... Anyway, Sav’saba, Buliara,” he muttered, shooting a mock glare at the king before refocusing on the guard. “This is my friend, Dinrah. I told you about her, and you wanted to meet her.”

The guard nodded and turned her attention to the new girl. “A pleasure to meet you, Dinrah... I don't recall seeing you in Gerudo Town before. Have you been there already?”

Ganondorf nodded, cautiously, and Link quickly stepped in. “That's where we met, actually. But unfortunately, we’re not here for a long chat. Dinrah wanted to see Din’s Temple before... well, before leaving tonight.”

Buliara raised an eyebrow. “Leaving? Where are you headed?”

Link opened his mouth, only to realize he hadn't thought that far ahead. He had claimed Dinrah was a traveler from a faraway desert, but now he was stuck, not sure how to answer. He didn’t know any part of the far desert, nor any place from so far away.

He glanced toward the Gerudo king, apologizing silently with his eyes. Ganondorf, however, simply smirked before raising his hands and signing like a true mute. Link was stunned. He hadn’t expected the king to know what seemed to be Gerudo sign language, but then again, Ganondorf was a well-educated man.

Buliara tilted her head, watching the silent exchange. “...‘Home,’ huh? I see... So you’re returning home?... Where are you from?”

Ganondorf tensed a little, but soon realized that her question gave him far more freedom than he had expected. He could easily find a way around it because he wasn't born on those lands. He continued to move. “ I was born in the Red Boar desert, near Arbiter’s ground. ”

“Oh my… That’s quite the walk…” She looked a little disappointed and sighed. “That’s a shame. I was really looking forward to this meeting.”

Ganondorf tilted his head in confusion as Link frowned. “Why's that?” 

Buliara shrugged. “A tall, muscular Vailegah sister from a distant desert, clearly a trained warrior... I was hoping to convince you to spar with me. A friendly match, of course.”

Before Link could decline, Ganondorf raised his hands again, quickly signing a reply.

“I’ll return here when the temple is rebuilt. We can duel then.”

The head of the guard grinned. “I’ll hold you to that promise! Enjoy your visit, Dinrah, Link. Sav’orq!”

Link smiled and waved at Buliara before following Ganondorf into the construction site. Once they were out of earshot, he leaned toward his companion and whispered, “We did alright, didn’t we?”

The king raised an eyebrow, smirking. “I did fine. You, on the other hand, were completely paralyzed... A fine display of your so-called genius,… We were lucky that I didn't forget too much about gerudo sign language, and that she asked question I could avoid...” 

He winked at Link. "We are indeed blessed by Din."

Link let out a soft laugh and playfully stuck out his tongue, choosing not to respond further. Despite the teasing, he felt genuinely touched. Ganondorf hadn’t been lying about returning "home" tonight, and the thought made Link happy. It meant his house now felt like home to Ganondorf, too.

Shaking his head with a smirk, the Gerudo scanned the area. “So... where is this fountain again? My memories from back then are a bit hazy.”

He furrowed his brow, his eyes wandering over the surroundings. Then, from the corner of his eye, he spotted a hollow in the rock and grinned. “There! it’s over there! Let’s go!”

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 16: Breaking down.

***

He quickened his pace, and Link hurried to keep up. Soon, the location became familiar, and he froze as the realization struck him: Ganondorf had entered the Shrine of Resurrection.

How could he have missed it?

Ganondorf had mentioned healing waters at the Temple of Din in one of the memories. The shrine was where the fountain was built long ago… It was gone… Maybe to build Rauru’s castle… Or maybe for the shrine…

 Link knew... there was nothing there.

Link quickened his pace, struggling to catch up with Ganondorf, who had already shifted back to his original form upon entering the cave. The king moved fast, but the moment he stepped inside, he froze in his tracks, standing before the remnants of the fountain from his past.

The space was now nothing more than an empty, hollow cave. The fountain was no more, replaced by a small, shallow pool of water in the center. There were no decorations, no colorful carvings… There wasn’t any sign left that the Gerudos had ever been there.

Link stayed silent, instinctively sensing the shift in the king's mood. He could feel in the air the grief and frustration that the man was feeling.

Ganondorf moved slowly, almost mechanically, as he entered further into the cave, his fingers grazing the cold stone walls. His voice was low and bitter. “This place... it was so important. And now, it’s been desecrated... reduced to nothing, just to build his damned castle.” His hand clenched into a fist as he added, “They left absolutely nothing…”

He lowered his head, letting out a deep sigh. “Why?”

Then, without warning, his anger exploded. With a powerful roar, he drove his fist into the stone wall with unrestrained strength. 

The blow echoed through the cave, but it didn’t stop there. 

Another punch followed. Then another. His fists hammered against the stone again and again, each blow showing clearly his frustration. 

The stone finally cracked under the relentless violence from the gerudo king.

At first, Link stood back, watching, unsure whether to intervene or not. He understood the need to unleash this frustration. But then, he noticed the blood.

 Ganondorf’s knuckles were split open and bleeding from the power of his punches. Unlike before, when he was immortal and untouchable, his body was now vulnerable, and the damage was starting to accumulate.

“Hey… stop it! You're bleeding!” Link called out, stepping forward. But Ganondorf didn’t hear him. The king was too consumed by his rage and didn’t want to hear him. 

Link hesitated, knowing how dangerous it could be to step between Ganondorf and the wall. Yet he couldn’t just stand by and watch him hurt himself.

Link closed his eyes, took a deep breath then raised his voice. “GAN! ENOUGH!!!”

The sudden shout and the use of his nickname snapped the Gerudo king out of his rage. That was the nickname only his family used… To hear it again after so many years put a stop to his fury.

He turned around, his eyes showing a deep confusion. His breathing was labored as he met Link’s gaze. The boy showed no fear, only concern.

Ganondorf stood frozen for a moment. Slowly, his anger disappeared, leaving only a silent frustration.

Link stepped closer, slowly reaching out to take Ganondorf’s bleeding hand in his own. Immediately, Ganondorf jerked away, his eyes focusing on the hand reaching for him. Link felt hurt, until he understood that he was trying to reach him with Rauru’s hand. A mistakes he knew he couldn't do at that moment.

Hesitantly, Link tried to touch him with his left hand, and this time, the gerudo let him.

He could feel the warmth of the blood against his skin and the cold of his bruised skin. Gently, Link tugged at his arm, guiding him toward the small pool of water in the center of the cave.

“Come on,” Link said softly, his voice now calm. “Let’s clean that up.”

Ganondorf said nothing as the young man sat him down and dipped his hand into the murky liquid. Immediately, he felt the slight pain on his fingers dissipate as Link calmly massaged his hand in slow, careful circles. 

The touch was gentle and caring. With each movement, the king's raw emotions seemed to settle. It amazed him how easily Link’s presence could bring him peace. The young knight did everything to soothe him, even avoiding using his right hand to put him more at ease. 

Ganondorf wondered when he'd come to rely so heavily on the young man's support, although he wasn't complaining. Link had made a place for himself where the Gerudo wanted no one, and now that he was there, the king had no desire to let go.

The cave was quiet, with only the soft sound of water echoing. There was no tension in the air now, except for the remnant of the Gerudo king’s frustration. 

He allowed himself a heavy sigh, knowing full well that his hopes had been doomed from the start.

The fountain existed 10,000 years ago... The temple was destroyed. The chances of finding any trace of such an ancient monument, known only to a few, had always been slim. But that hope had been enough for him, and now, staring at the reality before him, he hadn’t been able to contain his anger.

“I'm sorry, Gan…” Link’s voice broke the silence, still massaging the king’s hand slowly. 

The use of Ganondorf's old nickname again was unexpected, but, deep down, he liked it.

Ganondorf blinked, confused as he felt the rest of his fury disappearing at last. “You have nothing to apologize for... You’re not responsible for the fountain's destruction,” he replied calmly.

Link lowered his head slightly, closing his eyes. His grip on the Gerudo's hand tightened. 

“Actually... maybe I am…,” Link said, in a soft whisper. “I think I am partly responsible.”

Ganondorf frowned, still confused. Why would Link feel responsible for something that had happened so long ago? The Gerudo king said nothing, sensing that the boy needed to explain.

“To be honest, I don't know if this fountain still existed a hundred years ago... But if it did, it was destroyed for my sake…The Sheikah scientists... They turned this place into a shrine. They did it for me.”

Link hesitated for a moment, but he couldn't back down. “They did this to bring me back to life…”

Ganondorf’s eyes widened, as Link’s words sunk in. A heavy silence fell between them, overwhelming. The silence was stretching out for what felt like an eternity as the Gerudo king tried to understand.

Link glanced up calmly, though his hands continued their work, gently massaging Ganondorf’s injured knuckles as the wounds slowly closed.

Finally, in a quiet voice, the Gerudo broke the silence. “You... died?”

Link nodded “Yes... for a time, I did. It was this water that brought me back, but in exchange, I slept for a hundred years.”

Link ran a hand through his blond hair. His blue eyes grew distant, filled with painful  nostalgia. “That’s when I lost my memory... and the last remnants of my family.”

Link didn’t cry, but his emotions were written in his eyes. His calm gaze seemed to drift into the void, searching for old memories, long gone. 

Link could only recall fragments of this life he had lost. He remembered the name of his sister, but her voice, her face... they were lost.

 And his uncle, a man he could barely picture, was now no more than a shadowy figure and a strong voice.

Link had never truly mourned for them. He had been told they lived well after his death, and it was enough for him.

Then, suddenly, he felt the gentle pressure of Ganondorf’s fingers tightening around his own in the cold water. “Then you still have nothing to apologize for… You had no say in what was done, and that water, a blessing of Din, saved your life… As it should…”

Link looked up, meeting the king’s gaze. Ganondorf’s expression softened as he tilted his head slightly. “We’re... more alike than I ever imagined.”

Link let out a small laugh, nodding in agreement. “It seems that way.”

For a moment, the tension between them was totally gone. But then Ganondorf’s eyes grew distant once more, and he turned his gaze away, his voice low, like a whisper. “It was me, wasn't it?”

Link blinked, tilting his head in confusion, unsure of what the Gerudo was asking. Slowly, Ganondorf’s eyes returned to him. “The one who killed you... a hundred years ago. Was it me?”

Link’s heart tightened. Ganondorf’s voice was quiet with guilt. “It was the Calamity that defeated you, wasn’t it? Even if that power was out of my control, it came from me… From my deal with my goddess… I defeated you.”

Link hesitated for a moment. He knew he couldn’t lie. He let out a long sigh and nodded.

“Yes.”

His answer wasn't surprising, yet it struck the man like a dagger straight to his heart. After everything Link had done for him, to learn that he was the one responsible for taking the hero’s family and his life was a hard pill to swallow.

He could feel the guilt rising in his throat like disgusting bile. It was sickening.

Link, sensing the king's agitation, tightened his grip on his hand. “Don’t let it trouble you,” Link said softly. “I don’t hold you responsible... not for any of it.”

“YOU SHOULD!  I …” The man started to raise his voice but stopped in his tracks. Ganondorf’s eyes flicked toward him, looking at the young hero's face, but once again, he saw no lies there. He just didn't understand. His voice became quieter.

“How?” he asked. “How can you forgive so easily the man who took your family from you?”

Link let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head.  “The Calamity wasn’t under your control... It was an echo of your suffering, your hatred, after you were betrayed by Rauru. Yes, it was a part of you, it was the result of your choice, but that’s how war works. The calamity was as much the result of Rauru’s choice if we take everything into consideration. And I don’t blame Rauru either… I was a soldier, I died like a soldier, protecting the kingdom…"

He then shrugged. "You didn't really take my familly from me. I learned that they were untouched by the calamity, they lived a good life… Just, without me. ”

As Link spoke, he continued to gently clean the last traces of blood from Ganondorf’s knuckles. The wounds slowly closed until they were nothing more than little marks on the king’s dark skin. Even then, Link didn’t let go of his hand.

“I’ll admit, I spent a long time looking for someone to blame,” Link continued softly.  “For years, I was angry. At the Calamity. At you. At myself. At the world… But over time, I realized I was just another soldier caught in the chaos of war, like so many before me. No more, no less.”

He shrugged. “I’m happy to be alive now. We are at peace. I don’t hold any anger toward you... unless you intend to hurt me.”

Ganondorf blinked, taken aback by the innocence of Link’s words. He'd been so furious when Link had disrespected his people's beliefs, he'd taken so long to forgive him... But Link was capable of forgiving him despite having done far worse...

 He couldn’t help but smile despite the guilt he still felt. 

'How could anyone possess such strength?' Ganondorf, who had carried his hatred for centuries, unable to let go of his anger toward Rauru, couldn’t understand how Link could forgive something like that.

The boy was a rare soul. A diamond forged in the fires of war but could only show beauty and kindness. Ganondorf was certain that even if he waited another thousand years, he would never meet anyone like Link again.

“I do not intend to hurt you…” He felt a strange warmth in his chest as he reached up with his free hand, tucking a loose strand of Link’s golden hair behind his ear. “I must say… I am amazed by the strength I see in you.”

His voice was very warm, and calm. Link looked up at him, lips parting slightly as if to respond, but no words came. He was left completely speechless under the intensity of Ganondorf’s gaze. When did he come so close? 

Without realizing it, they had drawn so close to each other that there was no space between their bodies. Link’s eyes flickered down to Ganondorf’s lips, his throat tightening as he swallowed, his own mouth opening slightly.

“...The strength?...” he whispered, the words barely audible.

There was something magnetic about the way that man looked at him. There was a pull between them. Something so strong, Link found it irresistible. 

Link’s breath was labored, his heart pounding louder in his chest. He could feel the warmth of Ganondorf’s skin against his hand. He was still holding that hand, never letting go.

Ganondorf’s lips parted slightly, with a soft expression as he drew the boy’s jawline with his free hand. His voice was so soft, so hypnotic. “Yes… You had so much to bear, so much hurt… But you are still so very kind. That is strength beyond anything I’ve known.”

Link felt his pulse quicken at the compliment. He had been praised before, called a hero, a champion, but never like this. Never with such warmth. 

And every word that man said was the absolute truth.

He couldn’t help but glance again at Ganondorf’s lips. They were so close now that it was impossible to ignore. Link wanted a taste, he wanted to be kissed. 

Ganondorf’s fingers drew the boy’s face again. His voice was lower now. “How did I not see that before? ”

Link let out a sigh, leaning forward ever so slightly, his breath brushing against Ganondorf’s skin. He was dying to feel his touch. 

Ganondorf’s eyes softened, his hand gently sliding from Link’s face to the back of his neck. His fingers brushed slightly through the boy’s hair. He leaned in, his breath warm against Link’s skin, his lips hovering just above the hero’s.

For a fleeting second, everything else disappeared and Link could only hear the drum in his chest.

Link’s heart went crazy as he tilted his head slightly, his lips just a breath away from Ganondorf’s. He felt like dying in this embrace and totally surrendered to it.

But just as their lips were about to touch, there was a strong, sudden noise startling them both. 

“YOU!”

They jumped at the sudden shout, raising on their feet. Before they could process the sudden intrusion, Buliara stormed into the room, her weapon drawn and ready for combat.

“I rushed here when I heard that violent banging noise, prepared for anything… but this? How dare you show your face!”  The guard’s voice wavered slightly, betraying the fear she was feeling. “and Link! You are with him?! Care to explain yourself?”

Link had finally come down from his haze, fully aware that they had been found. His betrayal had been discovered, but worse still, Ganondorf was in danger. They weren’t careful enough.

The man beside him was tense, yet he remained still, reluctant to engage in that fight, he was sure to win. If he chose to fight now, if he took that life, then whatever peace he finally found would be no more, and whatever was between him and Link would absolutely be destroyed. So he stayed behind, looking at the hero.

Link understood that the outcome rested solely on his shoulders as Ganondorf trusted him.

He raised his hands to calm the guard. “Buliara, please don't panic…” 

She gave Link a look that was both alarmed and angry. “Don’t panic? Link, have you lost your mind? That man is the demon king!”

“Was,” Ganondorf interjected, irritated, without controlling himself.

The woman raised an eyebrow, pointing her weapon at the king. “What did you say?”

“I was the demon king... but I no longer possess that power. Not since I was defeated.” His tone was firm.

Buliara’s brow furrowed, her weapon switching between the two men as confusion flickered across her face. “That doesn’t change anything! You still committed those heinous crimes!”

Link, sensing the urgency of the moment, raised his hands once more. “He did… you are right, he did…” The boy said, his voice dying in his throat. “But I promise he won’t do anything… I can give you my words… Buliara, I know this is a lot to ask, but… you know his past… You know what he lost. He’s already punished enough…”

He looked at his feet. “please… Let us go…” 

She turned her piercing gaze on Link but her resolve was crumbling. Link was her friend, he was the hero. He was loved and respected by all Hyrule… And he chose to protect this man… Maybe there was a reason. She let out a sigh. 

“Link… You know the danger he represents. Even if I let you go, now… if anyone learns of his presence, you will be left to face the consequences alone. No one will vouch for him... Not even for you.”

As Link lowered his head in despair, the Gerudo king folded his arms, a frown etching deeper lines on his face. He let out a low hum that drew Link’s attention.

Ganondorf pointed at the woman in front of him with a shake of his head. “She's lying.”

Link blinked, startled by the claim, and glanced at Buliara, who growled with indignation. “How dare you! I… I’m not lying!”

Link raised his head, “ Ganondorf has been cursed; he can sense when someone is lying. In exchange, he cannot tell lies himself. I’m sorry but I have to believe him…”  

He looked at the guard and made a move to approach her. “Are you… lying?” 

The guard turned her face away, momentarily defeated, a deep sigh escaping her lips as she lowered her weapon. “I still fear you, Ganondorf. I do not wish to see you rise again… You did make the wrong choice in choosing your lovoe, and you showed that you are dangerous…  Yet, I, along with many other gerudos, have started to view your choices as… perhaps the only path you had left…” She hesitated, but then, she spoke. "If it comes to trial... Riju would chose to stand at your side..."

The man was taken aback. He never even dreamed of some of his people understanding his choice. Even if he knew he won’t be their king again, maybe he could hope not to be forgotten… It felt… Good. 

Link finally lowered his hands. Buliara raised her head and pointed her weapon at him. “Link.”

The young man tensed but did not move, letting the woman speak. “You are the hero of Hyrule and a Voelegah brother. I trust you. Vasharaa, Can you promise me he won't try to retake the kingdom?”

Link tilted his head and turned to Ganondorf. He gave him a gentle smile and said in a calm voice, “I trust him.”

The Gerudo woman closed her eyes and let out a sigh before turning to the former king. “You, who cannot tell a lie. Do you intend to regain power? Over Hyrule or over the Gerudo people?”

The man turned his golden gaze to the woman from his people facing him. It was a strange sensation, as if he was facing his entire race through this woman.

He was king by birth, but he had lost that right by choosing the wrong Lovoe and becoming a weapon. The Gerudos of that new era and the new kingdom of Hyrule were unknown to him. 

"I cannot… I chose my Lovoe poorly and I lost the war, Link defeated me, I’m no longer a demon. I have no right to claim the throne. No, I'm not going to try and regain power. My priority today is the Temple of Din..."

He turned his gaze quickly to Link before adding in a whisper. "...Among other things..."

Link hadn't noticed the look on the King's face, nor heard what he'd added. He remained focused on the vai facing them. The woman finally put away her weapon. 

"I'm going to trust you, Link. But be careful..." She took a deep breath before continuing, focusing her eyes on the king. "Ganondorf... I've got my eye on you. Hurt that boy, and you'll answer to me and the rest of this kingdom. But for now, I’ll keep my word and stay silent… Now, why are you here? The temple isn’t even finished yet."

Ganondorf hesitated, as he didn’t want to respond and show weakness. Yet, he realized this could be an opportunity to preserve the memory of the fountain. He was lucky enough to be speaking to one of his own without her harboring a desire for his demise. Silence wasn’t an option. With a long sigh, the Gerudo king began to explain.

“Long ago, there was a sacred fountain here, accessible only to the priestesses. They would collect healing water from it and use it to cure the sick and wounded. I know this place well… I was the son of the twin priestesses. I came here hoping to find something, but it no longer exists.”

The head guard nodded in understanding. “I see… Did you find what you came here for?”

Ganondorf answered with a slight shook of his head but said no more. She too stayed silent, aware of his intentions yet refusing to offer him too much sympathy. She turned her focus toward the missing fountain.

“I do not care about your endeavor, as long as it is not nefarious… But I’m interested in the fountain. There’s no mention of this fountain in the plans Link gave us…”

Link spoke up, “That’s because it doesn’t appear in any of the memories I’ve seen. I don’t know what it looked like…”

Buliara frowned. “If this space was reserved for the priestesses, then it was clearly an important part of the temple. We need to find a way to rebuild it… Do you remember any of it?”

Ganondorf nodded. “Yes, even if I wasn’t allowed to return after coming of age. I do remember parts and pieces, but my memories of what was written on the wall and fountain are hazy.”

He paused, hesitating. He knew a way to help rebuild the lost fountain, but the risks were high. After a moment, he shut his eyes and finally offered, “Din’s temple won’t be complete without the fountain. I need… to show you.”

Without warning, Ganondorf crossed his arms and summoned his powerful magic. It surged through the room in a red flash, surrounding them all.

Buliara instinctively reached for her weapon, ready to defend herself, but as the magic became dull, the place seemed to change.

Before her eyes, she could see red stone walls covered in multiple faded designs, and in the center of the space stood a beautiful stone fountain, held up by stone statues covered in precious gems. It was such a beautiful piece of art.

Link quickly recognized the spell. “It’s all right,” he assured Buliara. “It’s just an illusion spell.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “What? You’d have to be mad to cast an illusion of this scale...”

Link was confused by her tone until he turned to see Ganondorf. The man was struggling, barely able to stand on his own legs. It made no sense; the man had never had difficulty casting illusions before…

“Gan?” Link frowned, worried.

Buliara wasted no time. She grabbed her own Purah pad and began snapping pictures. “Quick, Link! We need to capture this! He just got out of another illusion before, when he took the form of Dinrah. He’s already pushing his limits. He won’t be able to hold the illusion much longer.”

Link snapped into action as he took many pictures of the scene, carefully avoiding to show Ganondorf in the images. He was still worried sick.

Why was this happening? Ganondorf had always been able to handle illusions effortlessly… He could even cast two at the same time when he…

When he was the demon king…

Then it hit him. Ganondorf had only been able to cast such powerful spells because he was the Demon King. He wasn’t that powerful anymore. 

Link realized what was going on and hurried to take everything into the Purah pad. 

Buliara had left her weapon on the ground and tried to concentrate on the details. She understood that she had a unique opportunity here and could not hesitate. Even if the writings were blurred, she could understand part of it and maybe the rest could be found in a book.

Together, they managed to document the entire room before the illusion shattered and Ganondorf collapsed on his knees and seemed to lose consciousness.

Without a second thought, Link abandoned his Purah Pad and rushed to the fallen Gerudo king's side.

He was burning and his breathing was ragged. He had pushed himself far beyond his limits and was paying the price for it.

Buliara, meanwhile, had taken Link’s Purah Pad and sent herself the images they’d captured. She seemed satisfied that she'd been able to recover enough to draft plans for the place’s reconstruction.

When she turned to Link, the young man was gently wiping the Gerudo king’s face with one of his sleeves, which he had removed and dipped in the healing water. The man was still on his knees, despite not being conscious.

They seemed much closer than she could have imagined. 

But why had Link spared him? He was meant to kill Ganondorf, yet here they were, side by side. Had Link discovered something that changed his mind before the final battle, or had he simply chosen mercy at the last moment?

She shook her head and decided she didn't want to know. She approached Link and handed him back his Purah pad.

“Here, hero. I’m heading out to start drafting the plans. I’ll leave the eastern exit unguarded. You can leave once he comes to his senses.”

Link met the woman's gaze and nodded in gratitude. He grabbed his Pad, and watched her leave with a tense step. 

He couldn't help thinking how lucky they were that it had been Buliara who found them and not someone else. They’d have to be more cautious in the future.

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 17: Dream date.

***

After several long minutes, Link saw Ganondorf stirring, his eyes slowly opening. Link let out a small gasp, then smiled. "Is this really the time for a nap, old man?"

Ganondorf raised an eyebrow and sneered. “It's a lot more draining work than it looks… If we weren’t near a healing source, I wouldn’t be standing for days.”

Link sighed, shaking his head. “What were you thinking, casting a spell of this magnitude you knew you couldn’t handle?”

Ganondorf, with great effort, raised a hand to wipe his forehead, closing his eyes. “ I can handle that spell… If I hadn't already used so much magic today… It was the only way to keep this place from being forgotten. It was the best idea I had.”

Link shook his head with a smile. “You really do have the shittiest ideas. You could’ve just drawn it…”

“That…" Ganondorf hesitated, his eyes widening. " ...is very true… Oh, by Din.” The man barked a laugh as he painfully tried to get up. But he couldn’t so instead, he chose to sit. Link helped him a little and settled down beside him. The gerudo looked drunk and exhausted. He was clearly in no fit state to go for a walk. They would probably have to go home now.

Link sighed again, a trace of disappointment in his voice. “This isn’t how I pictured tonight going.”

Ganondorf turned his gaze toward him, curious. “Oh? And how did you picture it?”

“Don't laugh, but...” Link looked up and briefly paused before confessing. “I thought it was a date... That we were just going to walk and talk, get to know each other a little better away from our duties and maybe, find something fun to do...”

Ganondorf chuckled softly, and Link nudged him with mock irritation. “I said don’t laugh!” He glanced down at himself, pinching at the fabric of his outfit. “I even picked this for tonight...”

Now, the outfit was dirty and messy, but it still looked fine in its own way. Ganondorf rested his head on his hand and smirked. 

“I find it interesting,” he began, “that for a date with me, you chose a Zonai outfit.”

Link's eyes widened in horror as he tried, in vain, to cover himself with his hands. He’d chosen the outfit because it looked beautiful, completely forgetting its Zonai origins. It was obvious, with all the decorations and old jewelry on the outfit. How could he not have noticed?

“Oh my fuckin… Imagine being so stupid...” he grumbled to himself, looking away.

Ganondorf laughed. “I’m only teasing you. I can appreciate a good outfit, no matter where it comes from.” His voice dropped as he raised a hand to trace his fingertips along the bare skin of Link’s back. The hero froze as a shiver ran through his whole body.

“Besides,” the Gerudo king whispered, “far be it from me to complain about such a beautiful sight.”

Link blushed and glanced at Ganondorf, falsely offended, “You tease...”

The Gerudo king sighed deeply, then struggled to rise to his feet. It took more effort than expected, but the healing properties of the water helped him a lot. He felt better and was sure he could walk. Slowly, he stretched, careful not to push himself too far, before turning his attention back to the young hero.

“This talk of dating doesn’t surprise me,” Ganondorf said, “Your attempts at courtship aren’t exactly subtle.”

Link stood up and scratched the back of his head with a grin. “I wasn’t trying to be subtle. I think I’ve been pretty damn obvious.”

Ganondorf nodded, though his expression grew more distant. “You’re developing feelings for me… But I’m quite certain it’s because I’m the first other voelegah you met… The first man to show you that your existence is not shameful. Don’t dwell on those feelings, It’s just an accidental attachment. When another man shows you attention…”

“No! That's not true!” Link exclaimed suddenly, startling the gerudo into silence.

Ganondorf blinked, caught off guard. Link shook his head, stepping closer and taking the older man’s hand in his own. “I thought the same thing at first, that those feelings weren’t genuine. Believe me, I get it. I was certain it was just a craving for affection. After all, to fall for my own enemy… Even if I saw another side of you, I didn’t want to accept these feelings either.”

The gerudo king raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze entirely on the young man. His attention was completely focused on him and he hardly said a word. Link continued. 

“I tried to meet other men,” Link said in a whisper, his grip tightening on Ganondorf’s hand. “I needed to be sure… I needed to confirm if it was just loneliness making me feel this way. I hoped those feelings weren’t true. But it didn’t work… They had everything I dream of in a partner and it still didn’t work because they weren’t enough… Because...” He looked up at the gerudo and sighed, Ganondorf could feel the hero’s hand shaking slightly against his. “... because they weren’t you.”

The young man stayed silent for a moment, swallowing before adding with conviction, “My feelings are real... I know it every time I hear you laugh, I know it when I hear your voice when you talk to my girl, when you show that side of you you kept hidden...”

Ganondorf said nothing, his intense gaze never leaving Link’s pretty face. His cheeks were flushed a deep red, his ears burning with the same color, yet he didn’t flinch or look away. He was baring his soul to the king without hesitation.

Evidently, every word he said was the truth and that made Ganondorf’s lips turn into a smile. This young hero never ceased to surprise him.

Link finally took a breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he ended his rant. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or push you into something you don’t want. You once said you’d rather die than touch me again, and I respect that. If you want me to stop talking to you like this, or flirting with you, just say the word, and I will. But don’t dismiss my feelings… They’re real. And they’re not going away.”

The Gerudo finally closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. He raised Link's hand to his lips and placed a kiss on it. The gesture, as sudden as it was unexpected, surprised the young man into silence. Ganondorf opened his eyes and grinned at him.

“Having feelings for a man like me, with the kind of burden I'm carrying, won't be easy...” 

Link let out a small laugh, “Oh! I'm well aware of that.”

Ganondorf’s gaze softened slightly. “I can’t deny that the idea pleases me... You’re full of fine qualities that I appreciate in a partner, not to mention being a very handsome man. I enjoy spending time with you and I may...have developed some feelings for you...”

Link nodded with a sigh and a big smile, but he made a face when he felt the man wasn’t finished. “...But?”

The Gerudo king sighed before looking at Link with a severe expression. “But if we are to start a relationship like you wish, you should know. You won’t be able to become my Lovoe... That title, I can’t give it to you without asking for my sisters’ blessing when the eternal candles are made.”

Link frowned, not understanding how the gerudo could ask candles for a blessing, but he said nothing. It was probably magic, and he didn't know enough about such things to doubt Ganondorf's words. He understood, however, that it was important and nodded despite the ache in his heart. 

Ganondorf continued with a firm tone. “If they refuse, no matter how I feel about you, I will stop seeing you immediately, and I will disappear from your life without hesitation. I went against their judgment before, and it led to my ruin. I won’t make that mistake again. Do you understand?”

The man’s words hit Link like a storm. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he was speechless. The Gerudo king clearly wanted this, wanted him… but the idea that their relationship had a potential deadline made Link’s heart ache even more. He had a hard time bearing the thought of Ganondorf leaving him without a word one day.

Even so, he understood.

He saw what happened the first time. Ganondorf was wary of his own emotions. They had led him down a dark path before. His sisters were wise women who knew their brother and sought to protect him. Their blessing was everything.

Link wanted this, and that was all that mattered. No matter how much time they had left. 

 The hero broke into a smile and nodded. “I understand. All I ask is not to be treated like something with an expiration date.”

Ganondorf chuckled with warmth in his eyes. “Of course not… Though, let’s hope this relationship doesn’t end, in an... unwanted way.”

Link laughed at first, but his laughter gave way to confusion. He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. “What do you mean by that?”

Ganondorf only shook his head, squeezing Link’s hand a little tighter. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow. The night is still young, and I do not want to spoil it. Let’s go for that walk you wanted earlier… ”

Link kept smiling but was equally surprised. “Are you sure? I mean... I’d love that, but... aren’t you exhausted?”

Ganondorf nodded calmly. “I am… But I’m willing to spend what little energy I have left with you… Take me on that date, little one.”

For a moment, Link was speechless. He had prepared himself for a date, not to plan one on the fly. He was caught off guard but quickly shook off the surprise. He was more than capable of pulling something together.

All he had to do was find a way to make the evening fun and show Ganondorf something he’d enjoy.

An idea formed in his mind, and with a wry smile, he nodded, gesturing for the Gerudo king to follow him.

Together, they slipped out through the eastern entrance of the temple under construction. Just as Buliara had promised, there were no guards in sight. They moved into the shadows of the forest, silent as they left the reconstruction site behind.

Once they had ventured far enough, Ganondorf attempted to summon a small flame to light their path, but his strength faltered, and the fire fizzled before it could form. Link placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and, without a word, pulled a torch from his satchel.

By the light of the fire, they could finally start walking together. It was a relaxing moment after a very stressful event.

Now that they were away from the guards and the great plateau, it felt like their date had truly begun.

“I think we’re far enough away now, we can speak freely” Ganondorf broke the silence with his deep voice. “Earlier, you called me ‘Gan.’ I suppose you’ve seen one of my memories with my family…”

Link met his gaze and nodded. “Yeah... I’m sorry. I saw a personal moment between you and your sisters. They seemed to love you a lot. I thought using that name might help calm you down.” He hesitated briefly before asking, “Do you mind if I keep using that nickname? I kind of like it.”

Ganondorf raised his head slightly, considering Link’s words. “You may. Hearing you call me by that name... it makes me feel, just for a moment, as if I’m reunited with my family. It’s... a comforting feeling.”

Link chuckled softly, nudging the Gerudo king as they walked side by side. He asked, “Tell me about your sisters,”

Ganondorf’s expression softened at the mention of them. He rubbed his beard a little as he looked up at the sky, he appeared somewhat wistful. “What can I say about them? The twins were inseparable from the day they were born. They were strong, wise, and far more capable than I’ll ever be.  When I came along, they became fiercely protective of their precious little brother. Koume had a fiery temper and an even louder mouth, while Kotake was the calm one. She was gentle, always the peacemaker. She could solve conflicts with words, no matter how tense the situation.”

As Ganondorf spoke of his sisters, a soft smile appeared on his lips, but his eyes betrayed a deep nostalgia. There was so much loneliness there, that wouldn’t go away. “When I became king, they were my most trusted confidants, my fiercest generals. But then we lost our mothers, and, by tradition, they became the high priestesses of Din. Despite their new duties, they remained by my side, always looking after me… just like our mothers had. They were so very kind, both of them. They knew me better than I knew myself, always guiding me until… I lost my way…”

He exhaled a heavy sigh. “I miss them dearly.”

Ganondorf ran a hand through his hair, his stride faltering slightly. Although he kept his smile, Link could sense the grief beneath it. There was a bittersweet pain when he was talking about those he had lost. Still he wanted to keep going, to share his memories, but Link could tell it wasn’t easy.

The young hero instinctively raised his right hand to grasp the man's palm, but stopped when he saw his own glove. He winced, slid to the other side of the Gerudo and took his hand gently with his left one, offering silent support.

The gerudo looked at him in silence. The hero did his best to show him support while respecting his boundaries. He even understood that he shouldn’t touch him with the Zonai hand. Link really was nothing like Rauru. He listened and cared and it felt good.

When he felt the warmth of Link’s hand in his, Ganondorf tightened his fingers around the young man’s, accepting the comfort.

Link smiled softly at him. “What about your mothers? If I understood correctly, they shared the same names as your sisters.”

Ganondorf nodded. “Yes, it’s a tradition in certain Gerudo families. My mothers, Koume and Kotake, were strict but fair. Their goal was to shape me into the king our people deserved, a leader they could take pride in. They taught me politics, warfare, combat, and magic... but they also showed me how to ride horses and surf the desert sands behind moldugas. They were incredible mothers.”

Link smiled softly. “They sound amazing. I wish I could say the same, but I never knew my parents. I was raised by my uncle... and later, by the Army.”

Ganondorf let his gaze slide over the young man at his side. He tilted his head slightly. “I imagine that must have been difficult for someone as free-spirited as you. But I must say, the result is quite remarkable. A fine and very pleasant surprise.”

Link chuckled at the compliment. “Ah, so you're a charmer too, huh?”

Ganondorf shrugged, his tone playful. “Well, we are on a date. When is it better to lay on the charm? It’s quite curious that you didn’t. After all, you are courting a king, I shall receive compliments.”

Link laughed, understanding that the man wanted to be seduced. He also remembered what Purah told him. Rauru was always complimenting his physique, without looking further. Link was looking further, and he saw him.

“Fair point. Maybe I should try too…” He cleared his throat and seemed to gather his thoughts under the king's amused gaze. Finally, he raised his gaze to the gerudo. “Well, I'm really not very good at poetry or seduction, but I am an adventurer who has seen the most beautiful scenery in the kingdom... I love that your eyes have the color of the morning sun on the desert sands. Your eyes are like your soul. You feel emotion like no one, your heart is strong. Everytime you look at me, it feels like burning… I just can’t get enough of it but, what I love even more about you is your laugh. ”

The gerudo was silent and looked stoic but his eyes were soft. Link kept going a little more. “You kept your laugh hidden for so long, but when I heard you laugh for the first time, your true, sincere laughter, I think my heart missed a beat. It was such a powerful and beautiful sound. I like to make you laugh, just to hear it again.”

Ganondorf let out a soft chuckle at the boy’s words. It was subtle but his skin was darkening. What wasn’t subtle at all, was his finger playing with his hair. Link felt proud of himself. “oh well, you might be better with words that you give yourself credit for… A good surprise...”

As they continued walking, Link suddenly caught sight of this evening’s target. His lips curved into a smirk, and he raised an eyebrow. “Speaking of surprises, Gan, there's someone I’d like you to meet.”

“...What?!” Ganondorf stiffened, frowning as he scanned the area. His eyes darted around with sudden tension. He couldn’t help but feel a prang of betrayal.

Link quickly tugged him down to his knees, leaning in close to whisper. “Shh, Gan... It’s not a person. Trust me. Just don’t make a sound.”

For a moment, Ganondorf remained tense, but the calm in Link’s voice soothed him. The hero’s words were true so he could feel the tension leaving him.  He let out a deep breath and nodded, relaxing his shoulders. 

Satisfied, Link pointed to the Taobab Grassland at the edge of the Gerudo canyon.

There, among the tall trees and wild horses, stood a majestic black stallion, dwarfing the others in both size and presence. Its coat was as black as the night and its mane as red as the hair of the desert people. 

Ganondorf’s eyes widened. The sight of the beast stunned him as a flood of memories washed over him. It looked exactly like his beloved horse from so long ago.

“... Phantom...” he whispered.

He stared at the stallion in stunned silence, but a gentle squeeze of his hand brought him back to the present, reminding him of the hero by his side.

 “Well probably a descendant…” Link said softly, “I saw him during my travels. I thought of you instantly. I wanted to surprise you.”

The Gerudo king turned to Link with a genuine smile on his face. “It’s... a wonderful surprise.”

He turned his gaze back to the immense beast and stood up, removing his coat. Despite his obvious fatigue, he seemed determined. “I'm going to capture that horse.”

Link grinned, watching as Ganondorf readied himself for the challenge ahead. “I was sure you'd say that,” Link chuckled softly. “But don’t push yourself too hard, alright? You’re already so tired…”

Ganondorf glanced at him with a playful gaze. “A king doesn’t let fatigue stand in his way, especially when there’s a prize like this at stake.”

Link smirked as he watched the Gerudo king walk discreetly toward the massive stallion. He was slow, and silent like a predator.

 The wild horse, unaware of Ganondorf’s approach at first, suddenly flicked its ears back, sensing the presence behind him. 

It lifted its head, his body tensing as it prepared to flee.

But Ganondorf was a patient man, he didn’t rush.

 He took his time and kept walking slowly as he closed the distance. 

He then extended one hand calmly, murmuring something in an ancient Gerudo tongue that Link couldn’t quite understand. There was a rhythm to it, like a song meant to soothe the beast. 

For Link, it sounded like how Ganondorf said “Good girl” to Epona. 

Still, despite the man’s soothing voice, the tension was still here. 

But the beast didn’t run.

Link couldn’t help but feel like Ganondorf’s presence, imposing and powerful, was enough to keep the horse from fleeing. 

But it was still defying him. The stallion stamped his hoof, flaring his nostrils to show how strong willed it still was. 

When he was at a decent distance, the gerudo's body tensed like that of a beast going on the offensive, and with a swift, precise movement, he rushed at the horse, climbing on it as it bucked violently.

The beast trashed, kicked and ran haphazardly around the trees without the king letting go of his grip.

It was a battle of wills and, eventually, after several minutes, Ganondorf won as the beast stopped thrashing and calmed down. 

Ganondorf smiled and placed a hand on the horse’s neck, petting him calmly. The massive beast snorted, but it didn’t pull away, accepting the touch. The man’s other hand followed, sliding into the mane and pulled softly to take control of the beast.

With a soft command, the king ordered his horse to walk toward Link. His posture was straight and regal as he rode the horse near the hero. 

Link grinned up at him. “Not bad, old man.”

Ganondorf glanced down at him, smiling proudly. “ Indeed… Would you care to join me, little one? Or are you just going to stand there admiring me?”

Link laughed. “As tempting as it is to keep admiring you, I think I’ll take you up on that offer. Move a little.” With a leap, he hopped onto the horse, settling in front of Ganondorf.

The warmth of Ganondorf’s chest pressed against Link’s back as the horse began to trot gently. Relaxing into the comforting presence behind him, Link let out a contented sigh, leaning back as they moved through the grassland.

A strong arm wrapped lazily around his waist, and Link felt Ganondorf’s nose nuzzle against his neck. Smiling softly, he laid his hand on the king’s arm, and whispered, “So, I take it you enjoyed the date, even if it was a little short?”

But his question was left unanswered. Link frowned slightly and turned his head, glancing at the Gerudo king.

Ganondorf’s eyes were closed, his breathing slow and steady. 

Link chuckled as he understood that exhaustion had finally claimed him. It was impressive enough that Ganondorf had managed to capture the horse with such little energy, so it wasn’t surprising that he’d fallen asleep now.

Quietly, Link let him rest, guiding the horse back toward their home. The gentle sound of Ganondorf’s snores felt so peaceful, and for a moment, Link almost considered letting sleep take him too but he couldn't because there was still a bit more to do. They couldn’t spend all night on horseback.

When they arrived, Link noticed with amusement how the horse seemed instantly drawn to Epona. Instead of trying to run or shy away, the massive stallion approached the mare as though it wanted to meet her. She looked curious too. 

Link smiled at the sight. After all, horses live in herds, so she couldn’t be happy to be alone.

Carefully, he dismounted and helped the sleepy king off the horse, easing him down by the stable. After securing the horses, Link returned to Ganondorf’s side, gently helping him toward the house. The Gerudo, barely awake, leaned heavily against Link as they made their way inside.

The man was exhausted, he struggled to stay awake as he walked alongside Link. 

The young man supported him, keeping him awake all the way to his bed.

By the time they reached the bed, Ganondorf was nearly asleep on his feet. He collapsed onto the mattress with a deep sigh. Link, quick and efficient, helped him out of his clothing, making sure he’d be comfortable through the night in just his undergarments.

With a playful laugh, Link draped a blanket over him. “Next time we go on a date, I hope I’m the one who wears you out like this.”

The gerudo opened his eyes slightly and chuckled softly. His hand, though heavy with fatigue, found its way to Link’s face. His fingers brushed gently across the hero’s cheek.

Link smiled, leaning into the gentle touch. He rested his hand on top of Ganondorf's, holding it in place against his cheek for a moment. He then whispered in a breath.

“Sleep well, Gan.” His voice was soft and warm as he looked at the man.

Ganondorf’s eyes shut, and a small, contented sigh escaped him. “...Stay…”

Link’s eyes widened at the demand but couldn’t ask anything more as he saw the gerudo drifting into a deep sleep.

The hero smiled and gently put the large hand down as he rose on his feet. Ganondorf wanted him to stay and the man couldn’t lie. Link couldn’t help but feel his face flush and his heart drumming in his chest.

Then, silently, he undressed right here, putting his clothes and satchel on the floor, until he was in his underwear too. He then slipped under the sheets, next to the gerudo, and even dared to rest his head on his shoulder.

The soft sound of the king snoring and the warmth of his body eased Link into sleep not too long after. 

It was an eventful night. 

***

Chapter Text

Chapter 18: No more lies.

***

Into the basement, the light couldn’t breach. The morning came, and with it, the cuccos from the town nearby woke the hero up with their songs.

Link stirred first, yawning as he finally opened his eyes. For a brief moment, he felt disoriented, unsure of where he was until he felt the rise and fall of the chest beneath him.

Ganondorf.

‘Oh that’s true’ Link smiled. He slept next to Ganondorf again and this time, it was him who wanted his presence.

Carefully, he lifted his head to look at the man under him. The place was dark, but Link quickly used his zonai arm to light the place with a soft glow.

Ganondorf's expression was completely relaxed. His breathing was slow, deep, and peaceful. He looked so much more at ease than the first time. He looked… very handsome.

Link bit his lips while looking at the man. He immediately felt his body warm up and finally felt that he was already hard. He frowned, ashamed and tried to move out of the embrace so as to not embarrass himself.

He shifted slightly, careful not to disturb the Gerudo king. While moving, he finally noticed the large arm wrapped around his waist. Link smiled to himself. He could spend hours in that embrace but he didn’t want the gerudo to feel like Link only wanted him for his body.

As Link moved slowly to get up, Ganondorf opened an eye. His hand tightened around Link's waist, and he growled with a low voice. “...Where do you think you’re going?”

Link froze and looked at the man. “I didn’t mean to wake you, I just …I wanted to make us something to eat.”

Ganondorf's lips curved into a smirk, and he let out a low chuckle. “Liar…” his grip tightened on the younger man's body. “Your body tells the truth. Do not be ashamed of wanting me.”

Link flushed but said nothing as the king murmured. “You stayed… As I asked.”

Link smiled in return. “yeah… I did.” He gently raised his hand and ran it through the gerudo's rough beard. "I already told you, if you ever want a badmate..."

"Hm... Maybe I'll take on the offer." The man let out a low chuckle. “I shall thank you… I had a good time last evening… And what a great surprise… I never knew dating could be this nice.” 

Link nodded, then tilted his head. “Why is that? You never went on a date before? But I saw one of your memories with… hum…”

“With Rauru?” Ganondorf shook his head. “I don’t know what memory you saw, but we were never really on a proper date, as much as I wanted to. He'd always arrive late anyway... Too late for a real date. We’d find each other, speak about politics, maybe work on our magic or fighting skills, then we would sleep together… He never really took the time to get to know me, never listened… We were together for three years, and during this short date, you showed me more care and attention than he ever did without wanting anything in return other than my company.”

Link’s smile grew brighter as his touch went softer on the man’s skin  “Then, I’m happy. I really wanted you to have a good time… That was all that mattered.”

The king let out a calm sigh, appreciating the touch. Link hesitated as Ganondorf’s gaze grew hotter, and his hand moved slightly around Link’s waist. There was something in the Gerudo’s eyes, something burning, something that wasn’t here before. 

Desire. 

Not the same lustful desire Link could see during their fateful fight, but something more possessive, embedded in feelings that weren’t here in the past. But there was also hesitation... Too much hesitation. 

Ganondorf wanted him, as much as Link wanted him, but Link could feel that, it was far too soon. Sex was tainted, because it was used as a way to hurt himself. 

Maybe they wouldn’t sleep together this morning, but Link was dying to kiss him.

He swallowed, his gaze inevitably drifting to the king’s lips. Without thinking, the hero’s breath caught as he leaned forward slightly, drawn to the man without resisting. 

"I really want to kiss you..." The words escaped his lips and he could feel the heat crawling under his skin.

His heart pounded, when he felt Ganondorf’s free hand coming up to rest on the side of Link’s face and his thumb brushing tenderly across his cheek. When the finger brushed the boy's lips, he understood.

Link’s eyes fluttered shut for a brief moment before letting go. Without hesitation, he moved forward and pressed his lips against the gerudo’s.

Their lips met in a gentle, hesitant touch… far more innocent than one might expect. Link’s kiss was cautious, no more than a slow caress.

Yet even with that simple contact, he could feel his whole body burning and could hear his heart drumming in his ears. 

Ganondorf responded without much hesitation, his lips pressing against Link’s with a controlled hunger and a deep growl.

A shiver ran down Link’s spine. The kiss deepened slightly as they both leaned into it, tasting one another. Link melted into it. It was so soft yet intense. 

Ganondorf’s hand slipped from his cheek, trailing down to the back of Link’s neck before tangling in his hair, his grip firm as his hunger grew. Link gasped softly when their lips briefly parted, only to come together again with more passion.

It was only a kiss… A long and intense first kiss…Ganondorf didn’t push for more, only tasting him and touching his hair. It was so good… And frustrating. 

With every touch against his lips, Link was left wanting more. He gripped the red hair between his fingers and pushed his lips against the man’s, gasping for air as he drowned. 

And beneath it all, the words Link had kept buried clawed their way to the surface.

It burned. 

He wanted to tell him how much he desired all of him. To tell him how desperately he wanted him to stay by his side. 

When the kiss broke, Link opened his mouth, nearly letting out the words he was dying to speak but Ganondorf silenced him with two fingers against his lips.

Slowly, Link opened his eyes and met the gerudo's golden gaze.

Despite the kiss they shared, the man kept a little bit of distance between them and didn’t want to hear those words. 

Link was certain it was because if he said it, Ganondorf might not want to let him go. But their relationship wasn’t certain and Ganondorf couldn’t afford to love him without the blessing he so desperatly needed. 

Link then kissed the fingers in front of his mouth and whispered. “I understand… ” 

The man smiled. “I know. ”

Link nodded then settled on his chest, hoping to receive some of the king's attention. Ganondorf welcomed him, running his large hand through the hero's blond hair. The former demon was now showing him a little bit of tenderness. He no longer hesitated to show his affection, and Link loved every second they spent together. 

As he felt this large hand stroke his head, Link finally frowned. “Say, why did you fear our relationship would end abruptly yesterday? I didn't understand... Is there something to do with Buliara?” 

"No, not that woman... She will stay silent. She told the truth when she told you so." Ganondorf took a deep breath, his gaze lifting to the ceiling. “But... When you told your other friends about ‘Dinrah.’... You also told the princess…”

Link raised his head, his eyes locking onto Ganondorf’s. “And?”

A dry chuckle escaped his lips. He hesitated, then sighed. “Link… the princess is like me.” Link's eyes widenened in pure terror as he slowly and finally understood. Ganondorf bit his lip before confirming his fears.

“She was a dragon too… We share the same curse.”

***

For the first time in a long while, Link hesitated at the castle gates. Beyond these doors waited his oldest friend, Zelda.  The princess to whom he had sworn loyalty, the person he’d trusted with his life… and the one he had lied to.

And she knew.

She’d known for some time now, never confronting him, never betraying his secret. Carrying the weight of his lie in silence.

But it was time. She deserved to be told the truth, no matter if she already know.

When he finally pushed the door open, Zelda was there, sitting alone near a window, looking outside. She seemed lost in thought, despite the open book on her legs. 

Link didn’t say a word, he was playing with his own fingers, hesitating. 

She waited patiently, offering him a small, gentle smile.

 Link let out a sigh. “There are… a lot of things I should have told you. Things I kept to myself, and it should never have come to this. But I think you already know that.” He hesitated but kept speaking. "I'll tell you as much as I can... From the begining."

She stayed silent, nodding. Zelda was his friend, his princess, he should be able to confide in her… He sat next to her and whispered. 

“I’ve never… been attracted to women. Not ever... But I was afraid to tell you...”

A frown appeared between her eyebrows, though her expression remained calm. She already knew he spoke the truth. And in that silence, she pieced together what his words meant. Words escaped her “... My father’s laws…”

Link nodded. “Yes, I believed his words and his view, and I was sure you did too… I lived for years believing I was what we called a ‘flawed’…”

That was why he’d been distant when she spoke of her feelings. Why he’d carried so many secrets. To be flawed was to be hated, during her father’s time.

She closed the book quietly. “I don’t share my father’s old views… No one is ‘flawed’ for loving…” she said softly. “But I understand why you were afraid.”

He smiled a sincere smile. Then he spoke again. “There is someone I’m seeing…” 

She let out a dry chuckle. “Yes,” she said with a sigh, her gaze fixated on him. “It’s your Gerudo friend, isn’t it?”

Link closed his eyes for a second. He took a deep breath as he met her eyes again. “You already know my answer…” He laughed but it sounded hollow. “ You already know everything… Because I lied to you and you are bearing a curse...” 

She set the book aside and stood. There was no tension in her posture, only a kind sadness in her eyes. “You did,” she whispered, “And I understand why.”

Link smiled and ran a hand on her shoulder. "Why did you kept this secret? You knew for a very long time."

"You told me you weren't in any danger... A truth I cannot deny with my new power." Her voice was calm, with no anger, but filled with sadness. “But... I would've wanted you to tell me... I want to trust you, Link. I need to trust my best friend. So… talk to me. Please.”

Link was touched but his heart ached. He understood that she just wanted him to trust her... He gave her a sad smile and nodded. “You already know… There is no Dinrah.”

“I do,” she whispered. “… I still fear him… But what I know about his past changed everything… That’s why I chose to not have him executed or imprisoned.”

He nodded quietly as she asked her next question. “Why did you save him?”

Link hesitated. He could tell her many things, but explaining to her that he saved the man to use him to punish himself was probably too much for her to bear. Still he couldn’t lie. “I had my reason, and… believe me… You really, really don’t want to know.”

Zelda frowned… That was the truth. She couldn’t help but wonder. What reasons could be bad enough that he knew for sure that she didn’t want to hear it. She chose to trust him this time and didn’t ask for clarification.

She walked towards Link and took his hand. Her gaze was fixed on the boy as she spoke. “You told me you weren't in any danger with him… And that was the truth… Now that you lived with him for months, I will ask again. Is he a threat to the kingdom?” 

“No.”

The word left his mouth without hesitation. He knew she would believe him as the curse made sure of that.

“His vendetta is over, I've vanquished the demon inside him... He doesn't want to try anything.”

Zelda’s eyes searched his face, maybe hoping to find some flaw in his conviction, but there was none. It was the absolute truth. 

She sighed, closing her eyes for a moment. “I never imagined,” she sighed  “...that you, of all people, would fall for a man like him. There are… so many kinder men in Hyrule.”

“I didn’t plan for this,” Link replied with a chuckle. “My heart chose him. Against my better judgment, if you want the truth.”

Zelda giggled a bit before she finally nodded. “Your heart has terrible tastes.”

Then she sighed again, composing herself. “I won’t condemn you for it, and I refuse to meet and talk to him. But you need to understand… Whatever future you think you can build with him, I hope it works. Truly. For your sake. But if he ever hurt you, betrays you, or this kingdom, we will make him answer for it.”

“I know.”

She smiled. “Then… there’s nothing left to say.” She tilted her head one last time. “And for the love of Hylia, be discreet. Not everyone in this kingdom is as extraordinarily accepting and forgiving as I am…”

She smiled. “I am just that amazing.”

Link blinked in surprise… then laughed. It was a real, unguarded laugh. She joined him, and for a moment, they were just Link and Zelda again. Just friends laughing together.

He grinned at her “Indeed you are, Zelda!” 

And it was the truth. 

***

Ganondorf found himself feeling… strange.

Time was passing, the temple was nearly complete, and his life had taken a turn he never could have predicted.

He was living a simple, almost peaceful life alongside a beautiful, stubborn, and kind-hearted young man. A man who went out of his way to make him happy, to spend time with him, to make amends for past mistakes.

And, against all odds, the princess tolerated his presence, so long as he stayed hidden. It came as a shock. 

It wasn’t perfect, but it was more than Ganondorf had any right to hope for after the chaos he had once unleashed upon Hyrule.

He was well aware of that.

Things could have been so much worse… The hero could’ve been much worse… He could’ve been cruel, he could’ve tortured him… He could’ve broken him in many ways…

But he hadn’t

Link wasn’t that kind of man.

Instead, he did his best to make this work. He pushed for the temple to be rebuilt, he helped when he could, and… he did all the chasing and effort in their newfound relationship. 

For once, Ganondorf wanted to meet him halfway.