A Hidden Kindness

1424 words



“Da must i,” (1) Aveil yawned as she set her plate down on the table next to Kamilah. Nabooru took the seat Aveil’s other side. She looked more awake than her friend but not by much. It was early Saturday morning, and few other people were milling about the fortress yet. Rabia and Ganondorf came downstairs last, still in their pajamas. Rabia groaned.

“Noo… shh…” she buried her face in her arms and sighed tiredly. Kamilah nudged a cup of tea in her direction which she accepted gratefully. “...Thanks,” she murmured. Ganondorf set a hand on her back, but he looked equally as tired.

“Fun night last night?” Nabooru asked, raising an eyebrow. Rabia shook her head.

“No… ran out of… dreamless sleep potion,” she rubbed her eyes.

“Oh...?” Aveil raised an eyebrow, but didn’t ask. Ganondorf finished his meal, then stood and stretched.

“I’ve got to go get some stuff done before the parade later. Actually, I could use your help with this Nabooru. You too, Aveil,” he said, standing.

“But we just got here!” Aveil groaned. He gave her a look. “Fine! But I’m bringing my breakfast with me!” She said, picking up her plate. Nabooru followed suit.

“I’ll see you later Rabia,” Ganondorf said, leaning down to kiss her head. The three of them left the room. There was silence, as Rabia and Kamilah enjoyed their tea.

“Dreamless sleep potion?” Kamilah said after a moment. “Do you have something against dreams?” she asked.

“No.” Rabia shook her head. “Nightmares. ‘Bout a guy with… blue eyes. Or green. Or both?? Maybe there’s two guys? I don’t really remember...” she shrugged. “Tea is good,” she poured herself another cup.

“Do you have nightmares a lot?” Kamilah asked.

“Almost every night, lately,” Rabia sighed. “Sometimes they happen even with the potion. Always with the blue-eyed guy. Maybe it’s something I keep eating before bed…” She shrugged. “Whatever, it’s probably fine.” Rabia stifled a yawn and sipped at her tea.

“I wouldn’t call that ‘fine’,” Kamilah frowned.

“There’s not much I can do about it so I’m gonna call it fine and not think about it anymore,” Rabia replied. There was a silence for a few minutes. Kamilah broke it with a sigh.

“There’s something I need to tell you, Rabia,” she said. Rabia set her tea down and turned to look at Kamilah. Kamilah swallowed. “Okay, um… I don’t know to say this…” she sighed. Rabia waited patiently. “I’m… your mother.” Rabia blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“Your biological mother,” Kamilah repeated. She sighed. “This was before the Gerudo were banished from Castle Town, and your parents were broken up. Saul and I were in a relationship for a few years. I had you about a week before we were banished. Your father could give you a better life than I could, and I couldn’t see you because we were all banished.” Rabia stood.

“I have to… I have to go,” she said.

“Rabia!” Kamilah called after her. Rabia left and went up to Ganondorf’s room.

The room was empty when Rabia got upstairs. She went to the bathroom and filled the tub with cool water before climbing in. She must have dozed off, because an hour or so later, she woke to voices in the bedroom.

“I’m telling you, Aveil, he’s up to something,” Nabooru’s voice said. “I don’t know what he’s planning but it can’t be anything good.”

“Nabooru, relax. I think he’s learned his lesson about meddling with Hylians after last time,” Aveil said. “Besides, Rabia isn’t even Hylian.”

“She wasn’t the one I was talking about, but I’m worried about her, too. What does he want from her?” Nabooru asked.

“He likes her, Nabooru. Not everything he does has bad intentions. Just most things,” Aveil said. Rabia got out of the bath and wrapped up in a towel before re-entering the bedroom. “Just relax, alr- Rabia!” she exclaimed. Nabooru closed Ganondorf’s bedside table drawer with a snap and turned quickly with a smile.

“Oh, hi! I didn’t know you were in here,” she said. She shifted uncomfortably and looked at her feet.
“Hey,” Rabia muttered. She dug through her bag of clothes and got dressed. “I’m gonna go f-”

“Wait, wait, Rabia, real talk for a second,” Nabooru cut her off. “Come sit with us,” she patted the bed and looked at Rabia. Rabia sighed sat down beside her.

“What is it?” she asked.

“So… I know you really like Ganondorf but… I just wanted to warn you that he’s not a good man. I know he seems nice right now, but trust me when I say he’ll only bring you trouble. You seem pretty cool, and I’d like to be your friend, but as your friend I’m worried that he’s only interested in you to gain something. I’ve warned you before, the romance is gone quickly. Just… be careful,” Nabooru said. Rabia stood angrily.

“What is with all of you today?!” she snapped. “We’re not friends, Nabooru. I didn’t ask for relationship advice from you, and I sure as hell don’t need or want it! The two of you, and Kamilah, can fuck off.” Aveil looked like she had been slapped, and Nabooru had the decency to at least look chastised. Rabia stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her, only to nearly walk right into Kamilah who had been about to knock. “Oh, for the love of…!” she pushed passed her and went downstairs to search for Ganondorf.

“Ganondorf? Where are you?” Rabia called, peeking her head into various rooms around his mansion. She finally found him in his office, reading some important looking papers. She entered and sat down in the chair across from him to wait.

“Rabia, what is it?” he asked, finally setting the papers aside to look at her. She sighed.

“I just… I think I should go home now, Ganondorf,” she said. “I hope you’ve had a good birth week. I know I had fun,” she gave him a small smile.

“Is everything okay?” he asked, concerned.

“Yeah, yeah, um… I just… did you know Kamilah is my mom?” she blurted out. “Because between that and Nabooru’s unprecedented relationship advice I just… don’t know what to think, I guess.” Ganondorf walked around the desk and pulled Rabia into a hug.

“I… had my suspicions,” he answered. “As for Nabooru, just ignore her, Rabia. She likes to cause trouble. If you really want to go home, I’ll come help you pack. But it’d mean a lot to me if you’d stay a little longer.” Rabia returned the embrace.

“Okay,” she said after a moment. “I’d… like to stay with you, too.” He smiled and took her hand. Rabia’s stomach fluttered.

“Great!” he said. “You wouldn’t want to miss the parade, it’s the best part!” He leaned down to kiss her lips sweetly and led her out of the room.

~ VAATISPURPLEBUTTVAATISPURPLEBUTTVAATISPURPLEBUTT ~

The parade started right after lunch and lasted through sundown. Half the valley’s inhabitants seemed to be involved. There were the horse trainers and the musicians, and dancers of all ages, and some of the guards had joined in on the fun. It was the largest display yet, with everyone celebrating the last day of another birthweek for their King. Finally, the last of the dancers disappeared back into the fortress where the parade had started. The servants finished setting out food for dinner. Rabia sighed and turned to Ganondorf.

“I had a great time with you, Ganondorf,” she smiled and stood on her toes so she could kiss his cheek. “But I really should head home.”

“You don’t want to stay for dinner? You have a long ride back,” he said. Rabia bit her lip.

“I really do want to stay with you, but I don’t want to get home too late and wake everybody up,” she said. “I’m sorry.” Ganondorf pulled her into a hug and gave her a firm kiss.

“Alright. Do you need help with your things?” he asked.

“That would be nice,” she smiled. They gathered up her things and packed them back onto Duke, but Ganondorf stopped her again before she mounted.

“Rabia,” he said, holding onto her hand gently, his other in his pocket. She turned and looked at him
.
“Yeah?”

“I… um… text me when you get home, okay?” he said. Rabia turned and hugged him.

“I’ll miss you,” she said. “Goodbye,” she kissed his cheek and mounted Duke, then rode out of the valley. Ganondorf sighed forlornly and fingered the ring he held in his pocket.