Chapter 9
Link tries. By the gods she tries.
And it works. At first. Ganon becomes the child Link always knew he could be. The guarded and weary expression that used to be perpetually affixed to his face almost leaves him.
By thirteen, the young boy establishes a familiar routine as a stable hand. He acclimatises to the village and is loved in return. Distrust melts away completely and, for once, Gan looks his age. Not a weary adult looking out through a child’s eyes.
By fourteen, Ganon starts to remember. Instead of a child, a monster begins to lurk below the surface of blood red eyes. The monster knows. Link wouldn’t wish this terrible knowledge on her worst enemy, but that’s exactly what happens. All too often Link notices Ganon looking at her like he doesn’t even know her.
The Gerudo prince slips away at fifteen, leaving a note on Link’s desk while she’s sleeping. By then Link is almost fully grown. Contemplating joining Hyrules guard as she’s done before in another life. Dreams in the dust now.
I know you tried. I’m sorry.
Link scrunches the note into a ball and weeps.