Goddess of the Sand

There is just one little event with a minor detail I wanted to cover before we move on with the rest of the story, which I'm sure you're all excited to see how that really played out.

I suppose at one time I might have expressed a longing to visit the temple of the Goddess of the Sand, or the Spirit Temple as you know it. I had never seen it. Actually, since the wasteland became so treacherous, none of us could. First, there was the impassible sea of quick sand. If one foot slipped in too far you were sucked right down. Then, there's the poe that haunts the wasteland. Without the hidden treasure of the Sheikah, the eye of truth, no one could pass that part without getting lost. A few of the Gerudo had known the path by heart, but they've all passed away now.

Our inability to visit the temple was more likely the reason for our less than desirable living conditions, instead of Ganondorf's demonic birth. We worshiped the Desert Goddess, prayed for food, water, our health, anything we needed to survive. I prayed heavily to her for success, and marriage to a certain man. She had been more than willing to grant my desires as a reward for my endurance and patience.

So, I longed to pay a visit, and offer proper gratitude.

I met Ganondorf for our near daily training in the chamber filled with weapons. It was my day to practice magic defense but when he arrived it was clear he had no intention of training. I was ready, donned in my typical leather armor and my short sword at my hip. He only wore his shoulders and crimson cape, which had become a permanent addition to his daily attire. "What's going on?" I asked, a little concerned.

"I am taking you on a little excursion," he said mysteriously. He stopped at my side and reached out an open hand to me, which I accepted without hesitation.

"Aw, I really wanted to practice. This had better be worth it," I whined. "Where are we going?"

"Trust me," he said, and closed his hand around mine.

I rolled my eyes and laughed. At this point, he didn't need to remind me. I trusted him with everything. I blinked, and the next second we weren't standing inside his castle anymore but another mysterious building.

I was instantly met with a rush of familiar, dry heat, and the floor was dusted with coarse sand. I gazed around at the inscriptions on the walls, the high ceilings, and the keese flitting around the room. "Are we...?"

"Yes. This is the temple of the Desert Goddess," Ganondorf said, proudly. His voice echoed in the large, empty room. I beamed brightly, while still in disbelief.

"Have you always been able to go from one place to another like that?" I wondered in excitement.

He shook his head. Another new ability from the Triforce of Power. I eagerly stepped toward a short set of stairs, then remembered I had no idea where I was going. I turned back to Ganondorf, curious if he had ever visited the temple before. He ascended the stairs beside me and took my hand gently. "You must want to meet the Goddess of the Sand. The statue is this way," he said, leading me into the temple. "Koume and Kotake have told me many tales of the Desert Goddess, as if they were companions. You possess many similar traits, especially your fierce devotion to me."

I felt a strange sensation pass over me, as if somehow that statement had significance. I assumed it was just the spiritual powers of the temple and shrugged it off. Just a few long corridors and large chambers later, and we emerged into the room with the statue of the Goddess of the Sand. I had to look straight up to see her face. The craftsmanship and detail was beyond words. Centuries ago, Gerudo engineers and architects had crafted the statue to represent our goddess, and then built the temple around her to protect her from the elements. It felt as though she was frozen in time, as not an inch of her had eroded. She was captured perfectly and I was envious of her beauty.

"Speechless, I see," Ganondorf mocked. "Go on," he urged.

"What are you up to?" I demanded, curiously. It had been long enough for me to know he was hiding something. Also, that he didn't do anything for anyone unless he benefited.

Ganondorf shrugged his shoulders, crossed his arms, and then nodded his head toward the small platform connected to the base of the statue. It was clear I was getting no answers from him.

I turned back to the statue, and the mighty presence of the goddess stole my breath. Once again incapable of words, completely overwhelmed by her greatness, I slowly approached the platform set in front of her crossed legs for praying. It was impossible to be closer to any deity.

Enchanted, I lowered to my knees, pressed the palms of my hands together, and bowed my head. I said aloud, "Goddess of the Sand, I hope I have served you faithfully and always performed your will. I'm sorry for rambling on about my deepest desires, but it seems that all of those nights of pleading have finally paid off. I just wanted to properly thank you for listening, for guiding me, for never giving up on me. And most of all, for blessing me with my husband and my new life. It is everything I have ever dreamed. He is everything I ever dreamed him to be."

I tried to rise but was not able to move. A heat burst through my face, as if I blushed for no reason. I tried to open my eyes but I could still only see darkness. While I should have panicked, I was overcome with a sense of serenity. A comforting voice drifted into my head like the softest breeze that caused gentle waves to calmly roll across the lake. "You have earned it, child of the desert. I have been waiting for you, to bestow upon you a great gift and responsibility. I have chosen you to carry on my legacy. Protect him, as he has protected you, and love him unconditionally as I once did, that is all I ask. There are adventures in store for you two that will test you, define you. This is only the beginning of your journey."

The heat faded, and the room came into focus. I was able to stand without resistance, and turned to find Ganondorf at my side. I hugged him so tightly, overwhelmed by a powerful combination of love and gratitude. When I looked up, I think he was thanking the Desert Goddess too. To try to gather information, I told him what the goddess said to me. "She wants me to continue her legacy."

Finally, he explained, "The Goddess of the Sand was the other only devoted servant, and defender, of Demise, and the corruption that formed him."

I stared blankly at the floor and absorbed this important information.

Ganondorf went on to provide me a new history lesson. "When Hyrule was formed there was a fierce battle over the Triforce. The goddess Hylia sealed the evil away, and sacrificed her deity form to be reborn as a Hylian, as a means to protect the Triforce. A hero is always bound to follow her rebirth. Their appearance is a direct result of my own. But, Demise was not alone, not even in the previous form of terrifying evil. There was one woman, a goddess, who stood beside him."

"Were they lovers?" I curiously blurted out. Although the goddess had said so, I wanted to confirm his knowledge of it as well.

"Are we?" he responded.

I smiled up at him, because the answer was obvious, and said, "I see. So, the goddess of the sand has now chosen me as her vessel, to continue protecting her demon king. Why didn't I know sooner?" Ganondorf knew he was reincarnated from the hate bred by Demise, so why hadn't I known about my responsibility to protect him?

"You accepted your duty willingly many years ago. It could be the very reason we were born minutes apart. Just as Hylia has her hero, I will always have you."

"Because what does a King of Evil need more than someone to share his passion for power?" I remarked with a laugh. A brief silenced followed, during which I cautiously asked, "Did you... already know?" I feared the answer.

"To an extent. I was aware of the relationship between the Demon King and the Desert Goddess, and I knew that you were up to the challenge. The only task that remained was to bring you before the goddess so she could pass her essence on to you by the connection to the statue."

I could barely believe it, and I wanted to keep this a secret for a while. It was funny how fate had a way of making things right, how destiny can call on you when you least expect it. I didn't get any magic powers, although I had the ability to possess them. No, my strength was my will, my tenacity, my loyalty. "I swear that I will faithfully defend you, and stand unwaveringly at your side forever. I will never worship another god."

"I never doubted you, because destiny had already fated us to be united. Just as destiny would see me complete the Triforce," he concluded with a grin. He pulled me close and leaned down for a strong kiss, one I would never forget. I gazed up, into his startling yellow eyes. I was still in shock over realizing my destiny. "I have one more surprise," he said suddenly, and helped me to stand straight again.