<span style="color: #BF8000">A dream…<br/>”Chain her up” A voice came, dark, brooding and thick. It was Ganondorf. He stood in his ugly set of armor, his arms were crossed behind his back as she slowly paced back and forth. Dami had been slammed up against a pole, her arms fashion in a chain – tied to the tip of the tall pole. One of her sisters pulled at her chains, forcing her to stand. <br/><br/>“You are being punished for insubordination. You shall face 50 lashes and a week in the pit. I shall have you understand that you will follow orders that are given, nothing more, nothing less. You should also know that I am letting you go easy, only because I value you as one of my best men. Next time you will suffer greater consequences. Do you understand?” Ganondorf approached her. Dami’s back was facing him, her forehead pressing into the wooden pole. She shook her head up and down, no words came from her mouth. <br/><br/>“Speak!” He shouted and slammed his fist against the pole, his body dangerously close to hers. Dami grit her teeth and glanced to him. “I understand. Sir.” She turned her head away. Ganondorf scoffed and then stepped backward, he ripped the lash from a sister and held it back. With strength he brought the lash upon her back. Dami instantly tensed her fists and cried out loudly. This occurred several times, until her entire back was raw and bleeding. Then he tossed the lash to the ground. “I don’t care if they were children” she stepped forward and grasped her chains and unleashed her. “You will obey orders.” He then stepped away. Dami fell to the ground in a heap of exhaustion. Two gerudo sisters grasped her arms and pulled her to the huge stone building behind them… <br/><br/>Dami gasped for air, her chest was heaving. She had been sitting face first in a pile of dirt, dry and rough against her nose. She rolled over and gasped for air. Her clothing was still damp from the swim. Her hair was mattered with dirt and stunk of salt and sea. She stared upward to the trees above her. They looked to be drooping over, with hardly a leaf clinging to its limbs. She could hardly feel her muscles as they were tired and used. Dami glanced downward to see the beach, she managed to crawl just to edge of the forest. On the horizon was a speck, her ship that sailed away. There was no going back now. No safety of being in the troops. She was the hunter, and now she would be the hunted. She rolled over to her side and brought her knees into her chest, her arms wrapping around them as she sighed softly. All she could do now is fight…that was her only option. She knew they would find her, she knew how well they hunted their targets down. Of course she would know, Dami was the best at it.<br/><br/>Interrupting her chain of thoughts was a rustling sound. Slowly she turned her head, her fingers moving to the sword on her side. Her vision was blurry at first, but then slowly a figure approached. It was an older man, a white beard, who looked a lot like the old hero. She tilted her head, was it him? It was preached that the hero had failed, had died. But who was this before her? “H-hello?” She muttered, her voice cracked and crumbled in her throat, waterlogged and beaten. She slowly stood, her knees wobbling, she took a step forward but then stumbled and collapsed onto the ground. Dami’s palms caught her, locking before her, she gazed into the dirt as she sat on all fours. She then began to cough violently, her eyes filled with tears, and then she suddenly grew silent. One arm brushed away at her eyes, and then she glanced up – her pointy nose directed her gaze to the man. “Don’t stare at me like that…”<br/> </span><br/><br/><br/>Again he made his way out of the little paradise into the dry withered brush. Blood still thick on his clothes, he certainly wouldn't look too welcoming to any guests he might find. Though in these times the quality of a greeting was weighed on whether or not battle was a first thought.<br/><br/>It had been many weeks since there had been trouble along the coast, and it was a bit of a walk to get there as well, though the brush was thinner the closer one got to the sea. As for the guest, Daphnes had some guesses on who to expect. They had to be friendly else the Tree would have warned about that. If it's near the sea maybe a lost zora trive in the ocean? or maybe a hylian fisher, gone too far and stranded. Both would be quite surprised to see the little resistance that had formed in secret he was sure.<br/><br/>He pushed branch after branch aside until the way was clear, and a figure lay prone on the ground. Dark brown, reddish hair, tanned skin. His sword arm instinctively went for the blade.<span style="font-style: italic">'Gerudo...'</span>Daphnes unsheathed his sword slowly and pointed it towards the girl, never taking his eyes off her. "Gerudo, how did you come to these woods. Where is your master?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF8000">Dami stared up to the man that spoke before her. She bit her lip and gave a grin through her pain “I am slave to no one” she spat and then glanced to the water “The boat is long gone..”. With a lot of effort she effort she forced herself to stand, only to suddenly stumble back  - her balance thrown off. She grasped a near by tree that threatened to break before her grasp. “Your option to kill me is now.” She spoke as her cheek brushed against the dead tree.</span><br/><br/>"I hold that option to any who walk within this forest." He spoke calmly, gaze never wavering from his quarry. He took step after cautious step forward, wary of the Gerudo, and her possible tricks. What stopped him from taking her life here was simply the reason he found her in the first place. The Deku Tree does not make mistakes. "You're alone and far from home desert child. What do you call yourself and why are you here?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF8000">She stared to him for a long moment before finally she relaxed. She shut her eyes and released a deep breath. "My name is Dami" she let go of the tree and slowly made her way towards him, her balance regained. "We were sailing by, I jumped ship and ran. So... I am here because... I am running." she spoke bluntly. "And who are you, and why are you here, then?"</span><br/><br/>"That is not your concern. If what you say is true you'll find out in time." Daphnes withdrew a length of rope and approached the girl with sword still drawn. "Turn. You can come with me bound, and have my protection, or you can stay here and let the wildlife decide your fate. It is your choice."<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF8000">"What? Really? You ask me all these questions. What if I can't trust you either?" She fussed and then grit her teeth as he approached. Oh if she had the strength she'd kick this man in the shin. "Not even a name? Okay. I see how it is" she lifted her head, her pointy nose directing to the tree tops. However he was right, she would be taken by the wilderness. Slowly she turned around, placing her arms behind her back - allowing him to bind her...</span><br/><br/>"These woods are a home and you're intruding. Be grateful I didn't gut you where you stood. Were it not for 'his' bidding, I would have." Daphnes said somewhat irritated now. He bound the girl, probably tighter than necessary, and guided her through the forest by the edge of his sword. "Slowly now Gerudo. don't need to be attracting much attention on the way."<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF8000">"Hmph" Dami grunted as she spoke, binding her. "Yeah... Can do." she grunted as she stepped forward. Her muscles fought against her, but the blade forced her to continue. She held her head downward, hiding her appearance from any that would glance.</span><br/><br/>Daphnes noticed the switch, and did not fuss over it. In fact he agreed. The sight of an enemy among the kokiri would panic them undoubtedly until the Great Tree could explain himself. She did as told surprisingly enough, and soon the two of them were back in the vibrant green of his sanctuary. He continued walking her without stopping towards the Tree, until finally they stood beneath his canopy, Daphnes sheathing his blade and approaching forward with a hand below her neck on her shoulders, pushing forward with him.<br/><br/>"So old one, Is this the guest you spoke of?"<br/><br/>The branches overhead shifted, and the trunk creaked and groaned as the mouth of the tree began to move.<span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-family: Triforce;">"Indeed it is. She has stolen herself from the dark lord. A free mind."</span></span><br/><br/>"Are you certain? No one has ever done that before, We thought his power over them was absolute." Daphnes exclaimed, now ignoring the Gerudo's reaction.<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-family: Triforce;">"It seems we were wrong. I sense no evil in this child of sand."</span></span>The tree seemed to bend and creak downward, putting its tremendous gaze over Dami, dwarfing her under its might.<span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-family: Triforce;">"You have commited a great many crimes in the name of the dark lord <span style="color: #FF0000">Ganondorf</span> child."</span></span>The mere speaking of his name sent a ripple of wind through the forest, as if every leaf and branch felt the power behind the name.<span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-family: Triforce;">"None thankfully, were your doing. But their blood is upon your hands and the stain will remain. What is it you plan to do with this life now that your mind is your own I wonder?"</span></span>His gaze remained hovered over the girl, waiting for the answer.<br/><br/><span style="color: #BF8000">“I am not his any longer!” She shouted in a high pitched voice, she clasped her fists tightly and glared to the giant tree. Then she gave a sigh, her pointy noise directing downward to the ground. “You’re right…” she huffed slightly and then glanced up. “I… I just want to make things right.” She whispered</span>.<br/><br/>The mighty tree rumbled in thought, the wind rustling its branches deep into its canopy.<span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-family: Triforce;">"You hold much anger child, but even more sorrow."</span></span>he waited patiently and once she whispered, his rumbling voice was heard once more.<span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-family: Triforce;">"To admit you have wronged is a noble trait. To seek to right those wrongs through action, that is what seperates the light from dark. I wonder, can you face your past and see all that is for its truth?"</span></span><br/><br/><span style="color: #BF8000">Dami glanced to the tree. Whatever this being was… he was so inspiring. She lifted her head and then gave a slight smile. “My past is what will guide me to the truth. I can never ignore it…it has to become my fuel to better myself…” she paused and then tilted her head “..right?”</span><br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-family: Triforce;">"You still hold much doubt child."</span></span>The tree rumbled and righted its trunk straight once more.<span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;"><span style="font-family: Triforce;">"You must put that doubt aside, trust your heart in these dark times as the only light you will find is within. If you wish to redeem yourself from your black past, remain in my wood under Daphnes' eyes. He will guide you. Heed his advice and wisdom, for your futures are intertwined with each other, and more on their way."</span></span><br/><br/><span style="color: #BF8000">Dami glanced to Daphnes, and then she bowed her head to him. “And so I shall..” she whispered and then backed up from the tree. This tree of wisdom was the only life in nature that she had seen in a long while. The rivers were running dry, the sea seemed empty, the wilderness seemed to gasp for life. She wondered just how ancient this tree was… and perhaps if it had anything to do with the Hero of old times. The times of glory and peace. She wondered then if her people had peace too… all she knew is her pointy nosed sisters were all captive of Ganondorf. One might think.. someone of the same race might treat his women finer.. but no.. Ganondorf was evil and corrupt. She would have never seen it.. if her mother had never touched her cheek. <br/><br/>Light from within… that was true. She had felt that light when seeing her mother. It made her feel free, alive, and some sort of happy. The more she swore herself from Ganondorf the more she felt that freedom again. While his dark grasp tried to reach for her, each hint of life, each whisper of freedom kept her strong from his hold. She looked to Daphne and approached him “My swords are yours, then. If I should never wield them again, I accept, or if I fight in your honor.. I accept” she bowed her head and then glanced to him. “I… fear Ganondorf’s power still remains in me, trying to grasp at my soul… to control me again. I plead.. if I show signs of his presence.. do not hold mercy upon me.” <br/><br/>She then backed up and sat down in the pad of grass near the tree. Her fingertips slipped between the blades of grass, touching and embracing the soft grass. Never was she able to sit and enjoy the small things, as little as they were. Dami’s hands moved over the grass, just above its height, until she came across a small dandelion. She rubbed one of the petals with her thumb and smiled, the yellow of the follow seemed to shine brightly like the sun. She brought her knees to her chest and placed her chin upon them. They seemed to be waiting for someone, the tree spoke of others...</span>