The Reformed Gerudo King (Legend of Zelda)

Chapter Seven-Ditching Again

Ganondorf sat in the guest room as his mother got ready for the King's party, messing with the gold cuffs around his wrists. "Do I have to dance with the entourage?"

His mother peeked her head around the corner to give him an odd look. "Who else would you dance with? This is a perfect time for you to find a young Gerudo to court for when you are king."

He let out a huff and looked away. "I told you, I'm not interested in any of the vais in our village."

She frowned. "Then who in the world would you choose?" She finished her hair. "You need to think about Gerudo Valley, as well as yourself."

He gripped the sheets and bit his lip, hesitating to speak. "What if...What if I married someone from Hyrule and strengthened the alliance?"

Urdania dropped her brush and looked at him in shock. He looked away nervously, preparing himself for a scolding. But it didn't come. Instead his mother walked over to him and knelt down, taking his hands and looking him in the eye. "You would want to do such a thing?" She didn't look like she objected to the thought. "It's not like you to think of the alliance like this. If anything, I thought you didn't like the Hylians."

He shook his head. "Ever since I went into the Lost Woods with that Hylian girl, I haven't been able to stop thinking about how beautiful Hyrule is and her...I want to protect it."

His mother smiled and stroked his cheek. "Spoken like a leader. I am proud of you, my son." She stood. "Very well, if you wish to marry a vai from Hyrule, I won't object."

He looked up at her, hope sparked in his eyes. "Really?"

She nodded and crossed her arms. "But under one condition. I don't want you making this a game. Find a proper vai, and don't choose that ranger's daughter just because she's your friend."

He looked down, embarrassed. His mother was far too perceptive to see through his initial plan. Marrying Nadia and having it be a relaxed relationship where he stayed in Gerudo Valley and have her stay in Hyrule so he could serve alone was not going to slide with her. "I understand."

She stroked his cheek once again. "Remember who you are and what it means." She went back to fixing herself up for the party. "You are fully grown, so I am hoping that I don't have to watch you all night." She looked at him over her shoulder with a knowing smile. "But I know you're going to run off if I don't."

He stood and rubbed the back of his neck, picking up his hairpiece. "Balls are boring! I don't like dancing and there are more interesting things around the castle."

Urdania laughed. "I knew that would be your answer." She grabbed him. "Stay still." She brushed his hair back. "If you really want to explore the castle, I'll ask the King if you can have an escort with you so you don't get into any trouble."

"Sounds like you're bending the rules for me." He smirked a bit. "Whatever happened to the whole 'make a good impression and act like a proper prince' training you gave me?"

She yanked his hair a bit and frowned. "You are going to act like a proper prince. Just because you won't be in the ballroom the entire time doesn't mean you can act like a child." She pinned his hair up and put the brush away. "I expect nothing but the best behavior from you."

Ganondorf huffed and crossed his arms. "Sounds like you don't trust me."

She gave him a deadpan look. "I don't."

Ganondorf walked out of the guest rooms and down to the ballroom where all of the setup was complete and the guests were starting to come in. He adjusted the gold chestplate he wore and searched the crowd for Nadia, hoping he could sneak out with her again. Urdania led him to his seat and he let out a huff, slouching in his chair as he pointed, unable to spot his only friend.