Zelda x Ganondorf: Forged in Darkness

Meeting The Twinrova

As Zelda stirred from her slumber, she found herself drenched in sweat, the stifling heat of the room almost suffocating. Her eyes fluttered open to find the warm fur blankets replaced by a light linen sheet, offering little relief from the oppressive warmth that enveloped her. Before she could fully gather her bearings, she heard Ganondorf's voice, his deep timbre breaking through the haze of sleep.

"Good morning, Princess," he greeted, "I hope you slept well."

The Royal maiden blinked, momentarily taken aback by his unexpected kindness. "Good morning, yes, thank you," she replied, her voice still thick with sleep.

The Hylian lady blinked again, adjusting to the sudden brightness of the room as she sat up in bed. Her gaze drifted to the tray set in the center of the room, laden with an assortment of breakfast delights. A wave of surprise washed over her as she recognized the spread – it was the same food that had been served the day Malon, her new lady-in-waiting and friend, arrived at the castle.The tray boasted a tempting array of spiced meats, savory pastries, and sweet delicacies infused with honey, dates, and nuts. . The memory brought a bittersweet smile to her lips, a reminder of the fleeting moments of joy and companionship she had experienced amidst the turmoil of her captivity, the laughter and camaraderie they had shared over the delicious meal.

"Breakfast is ready," Ganondorf announced, gesturing towards the tray with a small flourish. The soon-to-be queen noticed a small smile play on his lips, a subtle note of pride or satisfaction in his expression as she admired the familiar spread of food set before her. Still, her heart ached as she missed her home, her friend and her familiar environment, the feeling of uncertainty and grief looming over her like a dark cloud. She made an attempt to eat, but her appetite was dampened by the bitter taste of loneliness and captivity.

Ganondorf's gaze lingered on her, the weight of the awkward and tense atmosphere hung heavily in the air, suffocating his soon-to-be bride as she sat across from him. Every moment felt like an eternity, each passing second amplifying her discomfort until it became unbearable. She longed to escape, to be anywhere but here, trapped in this stifling room with the man who had brought so much chaos and upheaval into her life. Desperate to break the silence and distract herself from the suffocating tension, the hylian throne's heiress cast her gaze upon the tray of food before her. The dish of sweet and spicy chicken pie caught her eye, its golden crust glistening invitingly under the soft light of the room.

"What's the name of this dish?" she asked, her voice sounding small and distant in the oppressive silence. It was a feeble attempt to fill the void, to occupy her mind with something other than the heavy weight of their shared history and the uncertain future that laid ahead. Ganondorf paused, staring at her for a moment, taken aback by her sudden question. Realizing this may be his one chance to make a small gesture of goodwill, he quickly rallied his attention, clearing his throat before responding. "That, Princess, is what my people call 'Shoreh Qadim,' " he explained, his voice calm and level. "It's a traditional dish made by the Gerudo people. The name means "ancient chicken pie" in our language."

"Ancient?" the royal lady asked echoing his response, she clearly wanted to know more her curiosity getting the best of her. Ganondorf nodded, his expression brightening slightly as he noticed the glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. He found himself enjoying his conversation with her, for once not viewing her as just another source of resentment and frustration. "Yes, ancient indeed," he replied, his tone warm and inviting. "It's a dish that has been part of our culture for generations, passed down from our ancestors and cherished for its flavor and significance."

"I can understand," said the princess, "The intricate layers and captivating interplay of flavors are utterly enchanting. with the delicate pastry shell envelopping the spicy and sweet chicken and almonds, sweetened with orange flower water, such a tasty treat..." She trailed off as she felt the Gerudo king's gaze almost burning her. She looked up at him and noticed him watching her as if she was the most bizarre phenomenon in the entire universe.He cleared his throat and collected himself, hiding his features within a stoic mask. The Gerudo monarch, had rarely seen her so animated and enthusiastic, her expression and enthusiasm bordering on delight as she savored the tasty treat before her. His gaze stayed fixed on her, seemingly enjoying the moment just as much as she was. He felt an unexpected warmth and admiration for her, her intelligence, her passion for food and culture were a pleasant reminder of the things he himself had once held dear."I'm glad you find it so enthralling," he said, a hint of pride in his tone. "Shoreh Qadim is a delicacy among the Gerudo people, a symbol of our heritage and culture."