#miphlink au

When did you learn Hylian Sign? Link asked. He could understand Ganondorf knowing Gerudo Sign; Princess Nabura was fluent in it too. But both of them knowing Hylian Sign so well was a surprise.

Chief Ganondorf’s gaze roamed across the busy ballroom and landed on his cousin. His smirk softened into a genuine smile. For such a massive man, he suddenly seemed smaller. Gentler. For the first time, he looked approachable. Not a regal, untouchable King and warrior, just a man, fond of his family.

“It started with my little cousin,” he explained. “She did not speak in full sentences until she was six. Every expert my aunts and mother summoned insisted she would speak when she was ready- and they proved right, of course. But until then, I suggested Gerudo Sign, so she may communicate. After that, I became interested in the variations across the continent, as did Nabura. Nabura is a clever and insightful young woman, and she was an equally clever and insightful child. It is ridiculous to act as if she was unintelligent just because she could not speak.”

He sounded proud, fiercely proud. His eyes shone when he looked at Nabura. She caught his gaze and smiled, waving hello, still deep in conversation with Queen Mita. Mita spotted them and bowed her head politely.

“You love her,” Link said quietly.

Ganondorf nodded. “She is the light of my life. She is my pride,” he said, as if it was the most simple thing in the world.