Chapter Text
— Prologue —
The second watch of the night was near. Tense desert air thick with an unusual chill mingled with the scent of smoke. Torches dotted the Gerudo Palace walls like blooming flowers ablaze. Inside these walls, governances had been forged for the people that guided their civilization to prosperity for centuries. But not at this hour, for everyone in the royal court had long since retired to their chambers for the evening.
Save for one restless soul.
A dark, cloaked figure, looming but remarkably poised, glided in silence through the palace halls. His youthful gait would have been unmistakable to even the lowest commoner, but tonight, he made every effort to be subtle. For once, he did not want to be noticed.
The figure swooped past the ornate columns and flowing pools then set a gangly foot into the throne room. He waited vigilantly for the other party to arrive for this secret rendezvous, but not without stealing another glance at the golden throne behind him. Its engraved words at the back of the seat were familiar, of course, for he had memorized them his whole life. They bathed in the silvery moonlight, a centerpiece to the magnificent desert view backdrop:
“GERUDO
A RESILIENT DESERT FLOWER,
FACING THE SUN'S GAZE,
GERUDO GROWS BRILLIANT.”
But those words resonated differently today than any other he could remember. Tomorrow, at long last, his destiny would be realized! The first Crown Prince in one hundred years would finally become of age to gain the rightful title Chief King of the Gerudo.
Chief. King. Ganondorf. Oh, yes… how he liked the sound of that.
Would it also make him the youngest Gerudo ruler in history at sixteen? Oh, what did it matter? Tomorrow, he would be king! His large fingers brushed the throne’s gleaming armrest in the moonlight. The Gerudo throne... His throne. Surely he was born for this moment. No more fooling around with that foolish web of regency anymore. Freedom! A fleeting thought beckoned him to sit in it before his time.
What was taking her so long? He had a country to rule! Didn’t she know there was work to be done?
Suddenly, he heard graceful footsteps floating down the hall. A second cloaked figure appeared, also tall and imposing but this time with an established feminine build. The flickering torchlight made her proud hawklike face look all the more impressive.
The young prince’s sharp words cut through the cold air like a knife. “You’re late, Buliara.”
Bowing her head low, the royal bodyguard uncloaked her hood. Crimson red hair draped over her shoulders. “My apologies to keep you waiting, Your Highness. It’s done.” In her hands, she offered a leather pouch stuffed to the brim. She opened it up, the inside filled with strange jewels emanating an unearthly green hue.
Her pointed jaw was clenched and her emerald gaze was tight. “They are awaiting your next direction.” She frowned. “But not without striking a hard bargain.”
The cloaked prince snatched the pouch from her and flashed a mischievous grin. “Excellent. Inform them to meet me at the South wall…” His amber eyes narrowed. “Alone.”
For a moment, one could have sworn Buliara’s scowl lines had deepened all the more. “Yes, Master Ganondorf.”
With a curt bow, the Gerudo servant pulled forward her oversized hood, turned her heel from her teenage master, and slipped into the shadows once more. Though irritated by the underlying lack of respect, Ganondorf told himself to pay no mind. She would see things his way soon enough. He stole a moment to roll one of the stones through his fingers and examine its ominous beauty.
To think that such things had the potential for anyone to command so much power. It was irresistible. Almost intoxicating.
Everything was going according to plan. Now, only one crucial step remained.
With that, the dark prince stuffed the jewel into its pouch, hid it well beneath his cloak, and headed straight for the secret exit pathway.
Little did he know, a fair noble maiden, her beauty unmatched in the court even in her nightgown attire, had been spying on him behind a statue from afar.
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