Dawn
Sweat dripped down his brow. Legend had been up here before, near when he first arrived to this place. But even then, it is still a difficult place to tread if you are not prepared. And the man was... Well, prepared well enough. 

The Hero figured that if he held the Ice Rod in his hand and used it as a walking staff, he could feed low amounts of mana into it to give off cold air. Granted, it was like slow charging a bolt and eventually he did need to fire off an ice blast— but Legend would call that worth it. There were enough enemies scattered here and there to make such a thing worth it. 

He just wished he had warped into the area properly. Without the bushes where the seeds are from, the Gale Seeds are a bit picky about where they send him. Might have something to do with not being able to sense the other berries? ... This kind of question is more of a Zelda question than anything. He just knows that that's how it works. But he was getting close to the tower he had scouted the previous time he had been in here. 

And he does, in fact, see a figure cutting the distance. It was hard *Not* To, considering the height of the man. Link takes a breath, straightening up so that he does not arrive hunched over his cane— looking weak. A hand is raised as he attempts to hail the one, supposedly, known as Ganondorf. 

It is dawned upon him that this is potentially what Ganon looked like before he was corrupted by his own evil. Or, now that more pieces of history have been unconvered, by Demise. Still, the past king approaches the king of the future.

"I believe... About 10 minutes late. Apologies for that." He's still a bit new to this whole... Royal meeting, thing. Hopefully it can drop formalities soon.
Kristopher
Ganondorf allowed a small smile to sprout upon his face. Not too large, not too threatening. It wouldn't do to scare away his one chance at creating goodwill between himself and the heroes that had been thrown into this world.

"I fault you not - Legend, correct?" He looks the other man up and down, taking in his figure, his shape. The strength in the hero's form was visible, almost as much as his own, but even still, Ganondorf did not allow himself to judge him by this alone. "It is of no concern. As a Hylian, I can understand if there was any sort of physical barrier impeding your arrival. The desert is not often kind to those who it has not tamed."

Off to the side, a short walk away, the Skyview Tower stood tall above the searing sands. It was imposing, but perhaps less so to the Gerudo man, who himself towered above almost all others. He recalled the faces of a few who, notably, could match his height, but he dispelled those images as they appeared. They were not here, not with him; they would scarcely do him any good, though he longed for the gentle guidance of Sonia, the humble leadership of Rauru. They were both far better at negotiations, talks like this one, than he - he was a man of action, though he certainly saw the use of words.

Without them here, though, his own charisma and leadership would have to suffice. It was clear that the Ganondorf known to the people of this world led with fear and violence; he wished not to uphold that terror. As such, he had already taken steps to minimize his own threatening presence as much as possible, unshaping his blade and taking a pose lacking any sort of intimidation; relaxed, easy, calm.

He held out his hand to the other man, offering a shake. He hoped that Legend had no qualms with such a thing; he knew that some were rather averse to such contact, and while he'd never understood it himself, he'd always tried not to overstep any sort of boundaries.
Dawn
Legend's smile finds itself on his face, a relatively rare thing but certainly more visible in polite conversation. As such, the only thing it does is mirror Ganondorf's own. A formality, but a visible curiosity in his eyes at least lends that it isn't out of him not caring.

"Correct, and I have to assume you to be Ganondorf, then." Legend finally settles, taking his own moment to look over the other. He is not unfamiliar to standing next to those larger in stature than him— the knight wasn't as tall or as broad as he could have been, according to Zelda. The best way to describe this man's build was that his hands were as calloused from fighting as they were from farming. But comparing himself to Ganondorf would be like comparing himself to a Lynel. The man was imposing without even meaning to be... *Which makes sense as to why he's trying to appear anything but, currently.*

The hero glanced to the hand and reached his own out, the one that held his wedding bracer. An incredibly ornate piece of armor that was more decorative than made for use— but still had a few (carefully cared for) score marks from attacks on it. Inlaid gems (blue and pink) and the outward side had a carved version of himself and Zelda holding hands. It was intentional that he produced this hand, as it always is. But his handshake was firm but not compressing. He's not trying to overpower the other. 

Legend released the mana he was feeding into the Ice Rod to charge it, figuring it wouldn't look good if he fired off an ice blast into the distance. The loss of the ambiant cold was incredibly noticable, though, at least to himself. "I have had to traverse deserts before, but none such as this. Ah, but I was younger, then, so that could have some effect." The hero glances towards the tower. "Should we head in there, then, to continue?"
Kristopher
Ganondorf's eyes follow the hero's, and he considered the idea. As best as he could tell, the tower was empty; it seemed that these structures were capable of operating even when unattended, if indeed it even was "Operating." He, himself, did not think it necessary to duck into the cover and shade of the tower; he'd have been quite content to remain out in the open, having grown not just used to the heat, but fond of it.

Even still, he nodded. "I believe that would be best, yes." He had taken note of the Legend's lack of such an adaptation, and while it seemed that his strange rod would last for some time still, Ganondorf didn't want to cause him any undue exhaustion if the magic required his own energy to be expended. Even aside from that, Ganondorf felt that it fell to him to make concessions in this situation. Legend had, after all, already made one of his own - it wasn't as if he had needed to help the other heroes and such of this world understand him better. It was a decision the man had made on his own, and one Ganondorf could not possibly thank him enough for.

Now, though, it was a matter of seeing it through, of ensuring that things went smoothly from here on. Ganondorf started towards the tower, waving for the other king to follow - and it was at that point that his thoughts wandered, drifting towards questions. He had, of course, been taught of the history of Hyrule and all that had come before it; though he was not the most diligent of students, he had done his best to commit much of that knowledge to memory.

Though much had been lost in the collision of the many strands of time's frayed rope, much still remained for the new people to learn from. Ganondorf's own name, of course, as well as those of the ever-reincarnating princess and hero. Zelda and Link, they were most often called, and Legend was one of the latter. The question on Ganondorf's mind, then, went to how Legend had come to be known as a king, though he posed not the question.
Dawn
The man nods in response, simply moving behind Ganondorf to follow into the tower. His own mind wandered, attempting to scramble for any of the lessons that his wife had pressed upon him in the nature of kinghood. But, as always, Legend's mind draws blanks at anything that had been said. Not for lack of trying— but the nature was that he could never seem to remember something *Useful* Until after the fact or before it occurs. Like sand between his fingers, it empties. 

So as the hero moved into the shade of the tower, he simply breathed out and wiped the sweat from his brow. A hand pushed the pink-tinged ginger hair out of his face. Legend could practically feel the sweat clinging to every part of his body. He's trying to remember how he survived the deserts of his past, but frankly came up with nothing there either. *I can barely remember half of my adventures anyways, not surprised I wouldn't remember probably dying constantly in the desert from the heat.*

*Breathe in. Breathe out. Just talk.* "... Well, I have to admit, I was half expecting to be killed the moment I got close to you." *Shit. Why would you say that.* "You hear all of these stories about the Demon King, and who he used to be, but I'd never really expect to meet the man himself in my lifetime. Not truly." The knight straightens up, meeting his gaze.

"I hope that you'll forgive me in that I am not one for formalities. I was born a farmer, so the intricacies of royal talks are still out of my grasp. My wife tells me that most of what I say is blunt at best— but it's easier that way. Questions and answers, back and forth, what works and what doesn't. When you get past all the fancy proceedings, it makes more sense. So, I'll cut to it: you don't feel evil. You are actively trying to present yourself as small as you can without compromising your own stature. A man obsessed with power would never *Conceive* Of the idea to stoop lower than his full frame." Legend pauses to take a breath. 

"But the best way to understand you is to know your past. If it sounds good to you, you can ask me a question about my past, and I'll ask you one. We can go back and forth for as long as we feel necessary. Though if you have a better idea, by all means."
Kristopher
Stepping into the tower's shade, a chill went down Ganondorf's spine - both on account of the sudden embrace of the cool air within the structure, and the blurted admission from the other man. It hurt, of course it would, but he was nothing if not used to the feeling. Countless people from his own world had said much the same to him; that he was menace, a monster, a king of demons by birth, the evil innate to his very being and name always coming before the actions he'd taken to temper the crimes that preceded him.

But as Legend continued to explain his perspective, Ganondorf felt the tinge of indignation within him shrink smaller and smaller. He found that he didn't *Want* To be angry with him - even just the clarifications of Legend's inability to navigate discussions of royal manner diminished his simmering anger. He found himself agreeing with the hero; the belief that simplicity is the best way to communicate was one he had held for years, even since the beginning of his kingship.

Ganondorf found himself embarrassed as Legend acknowledged his attempts to appear smaller - he'd hoped only the effect would be felt, not the action itself, but the other man was clearly quite perceptive. Still, the fact that Legend did not truly feel threatened, and in fact further believed his claims about being more than the evil of the role he'd been born into, gave Ganondorf solace.

"Your idea is more than acceptable," He said once Legend had finished, "And I must thank you, again, for giving me this chance. If I am to ask the first question..." Ganondorf pondered for a moment, thinking on what he'd like to know most - what had called Legend into the life of the hero he was, what experiences he'd had with Ganon and Demise, why he, indeed, called himself a king (and of *What* Was he a king, as well), but he chose a rather simple question instead.

"It is my understanding that each Link is called upon to vanquish some great evil, or to resolve troubles of some sort," He

Started. "If it would not be too much to ask, what were these obstacles that you were called upon to overcome?"
Dawn
A simple nod is given when the idea was agreed upon, Legend visibly relaxing just a bit. Most of the time his ideas can be seen as crass, or even himself as someone of a poorer quality due to his origins. He's had to grit his teeth and bear the whispered insults of nobles for years. From the moment he was engaged to Zelda at 13, to when he married her at 18, and even now. 

But what time has not quelled is his loyalty. He would bear all of the weight and brunt of those insults, every single poke at his lineage, all of it. The *Moment* ***Anyone*** Began to turn their gaze to his wife... 

Link blinks, focusing back in. Nonetheless, it seems Ganondorf did not make a comment on his origins. So it did not matter. However... 

... A relatively deep sigh left his lips. *It seems like an easy question on the surface for him, I imagine.*

"... You would be correct. Most of us with the burden of the name Link are given a quest to complete within our lifetime, ususally given by the Goddesses or by the kingdom itself. Mine is..." Legend glances away, a seemingly far-off look in his eyes for a moment as he attempts to find the words. "... Long."

"... At nine, my first quest was given to me. Ganon, an incarnation of yourself corrupted fully by the Dark World and his hold on the Triforce, had been sealed in the former Sacred Realm. But was attempting to break free by manipulating the king in the form of a man named Agahnim. The king was killed, the sage descendants kidnapped, including Princess Zelda, in an attempt to break the seal on the former Sacred Realm. All of this I did not care for, at the time." Icy blue eyes returned to Ganondorf's, a tempered fire engulfing them. 

"He had killed my Uncle. He died within my arms. For that, he paid. I saved Hyrule, the Princess, the descendants, and using the Triforce I returned everything to it's former state."

Legend pauses for a moment. The idea on how to shorten his entire quests into small enough bites was... Difficult. But the foundations of a relationship are built upon trust, especially royal ones— as his wife would say. For this reason, he continues. 

"At ten, I returned to the Triforce. I heard it's call, perhaps, knowing that I was needed in some unconscious way that my shared soul knew. I was transported to a land called Holodrum, and met Din— the Oracle of Seasons. She was kidnapped by Onox, a warlord and a dragon who worked under Koume and Kotake. Loyal to Ganon. They threw the seasons into disarray in an attempt to revive Ganon using... Some magical flames, essentially. The Flame of Destruction, in this case. I fixed this too, saved Din."

Legend hands came together, not quite fully clasped, just at the fingers. His left thumb rubbed the right one soothingly. "At eleven, I was transported to Labrynna, and met Nayru— the Oracle of Ages. She was possessed by a sorceress named Veran, who threw time itself into chaos. People threatening to disappear, entire structures attempting to be built, nobles across the ages being whispered to as a tactic to manipulate using the guise of Nayru. All to ignite the Flame of Sorrow. This, too, I undid. It was only here did I realize that Princess Zelda had been kidnapped again, by Koume and Kotake. They planned to sacrifice her to ignite the Flame of Despair and ressurect Ganon fully. I did not allow this, so only a husk of him was revived. Just brute force, nothing of the intelligent being I fought. He was defeated, along with Twinrova."

Now, Legend begins to look visibly uncomfortable. He has been maintaining eye contact, but now his gaze shifts away. His shoulders tense. 

"... At twelve, I sailed into the ocean alone, attempting to return to Hyrule. A storm hit. I... Shipwrecked on an island with a sleeping god, trapped in a nightmare. ... I woke him from the nightmare. And I awoke drifting in the middle of the ocean on what was left of my ship after a year had passed. And I swam back to Hyrule. That was my last quest until now."

Finally, he breathes, forcing himself to relax and meet Ganondorf's gaze again. It's that much more apparent the age that is betrayed in his eyes. The shadows beneath them. The scars across his features. The exhaustion in his stare. 

"You are the first I have told of this here, of the exact nature of my quests." Legend thinks this ironic, really. The incarnation of the man he killed is the first person he opens his lockbox to. Even if the true nature of Koholint he kept hidden. That was something he did not intend to tell anyone, *Anytime* Soon. 

"... If you need time to think after that, I understand. But if you have questions regarding what I have said, I must ask you to keep a hold of them. For now, I will give you my question: when you became king, what is the first rule you made, and why?"
Kristopher
Ganondorf waited patiently for Legend to speak his piece. The idea that the hero's journey had been long made sense to him, so he simply gestured for him to take his time. While he knew not of a Link, or any other hero, from his own time, he had heard many stories of those of the past, who had come long before the Zonai, back before Demise had decided to part from his vessel. Some had been given much easier tasks than others; Legend must simply be among the less-lucky few.

As the explanation commenced, however, he found that his assessment had been more accurate than he could have thought.

Nine. *Nine* Years old, Legend said, and he had seen his kingdom torn down before him, his uncle's life snuffed out, and he had been made to take on a journey that should have been beyond him. Ganondorf almost did not realize that the name of his evil-ridden incarnation had been spoken until Legend had finished his tale, so torn was his heart by what he was hearing. The only solace he felt was that the Triforce had been enough to return Hyrule to before its turmoil, but it was soured by the knowledge that all that the boy had been through had happened, whether or not the world had been saved.

Legend's stories continued, and each one drew the stake of sympathy deeper into Ganondorf's heart. He resisted the urge to comfort the man, knowing that the action would not particularly be appreciated. Gone was his curiosity into what brushes with Demise's evil he had had, and Ganondorf immensely regretted asking him to dredge up these clearly painful memories. He considered for not even a moment asking further into Legend's final quest - it was evidently too much for him to discuss.

To hear that he was the *First* To hear of these quests was a surprise; it was Ganondorf's understanding that Legend was quite close with the Zelda of his world. This, neither, did he ask about, intent to leave it alone, should it also be something that the hero wished not to tell.

At Legend's own question,

Though, Ganondorf was given pause. He thought it a much simpler question than his own, though surely Legend had his own reasons to ask the question. "The first rule I made..." He thought for a moment, recalling his first years of chiefdom - it had been quite some time. "If my memory serves me, I neglected to create any new laws for some time after my mother passed the position to me." He frowned, considering. "I may not have made any rules in particular at all, in fact... But my first act as King, I recall, was to declare a treaty of peace between Gerudo and Hyrule."

Thinking back to his meeting with Rauru, Ganondorf grimaced at the memories of his people's reactions. "It was... A controversial decision, at the time. Many of my people, without any deeper knowledge, thought of the Hyrulean royal family as conquerors and colonizers." He sighed. "It took years for the Gerudo as a whole to embrace the change, and some still speak against Hyrule and its people... But their words, I take no action against."

His piece stated, Ganondorf thought of his own question. "As for my own question... I suppose I would like to know how, exactly, you came to acquire your title. Most heroes, if I am not mistaken, come from far more humble backgrounds." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. He thought, perhaps, that Legend could have married into the crown, but he would still his tongue and allow the man to answer for himself.