I'm back! Did you miss me? Probably not, but hey, I'm here anyway.

I've been working on this new project for quite a while, and I'm pretty excited. It was inspired by the theories that WiiU Link was raised by the Gerudo (lightsintheskye on tumblr's art really got me) and the lovely tiger's The King's Bride (which is awesome and you all should go read).

I don't want to give too much away, but that's the basis. I hope you enjoy!

~Leila

Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda or any of its characters. Only the plot is mine.

Gold and Ivory is rated T for language, some violence, and probably some innuendos. Read at ya own risk.

there were grief and ruins, and you were the miracle.

[prologue]

"Good morning, little bug," Nabooru called softly, brushing past the curtain that obscured the tiny room from the rest of the house.

She received no answer, but she didn't expect to. The boy could sleep through a marching band playing in the hail while a full-scale nuclear war waged in his bedroom.

"Liiiiiiiiink," she sang, pulling open his curtains and letting the light stream in.

Still, nothing.

Nabooru frowned. Usually the sunshine did the trick.

She went to sit on the edge of the pile of rugs, blankets, and pillows he insisted on calling a bed. She liked to call it a nest.

"Link, it's time to get up."

Silence.

"Alright, you're asking for it buddy," she warned, a devious smile spreading on her lips.

She yanked back the top blanket, expecting a groan of protest... but found nothing but a pile of pillows instead.

Her brow furrowed in confusion, smile vanishing.

"Where...?"

Jogging back down the stairs, she found the kitchen and sitting room still empty, as was the courtyard.

"Link? Where are you?"

Maybe he took a Wing?

Yet both hoverboards were leaning in their usual places by the front door.

Her eyes narrowed. Where was that boy?

A loud cry from outside drew her from her thoughts.

"Link?"

She walked back out into the courtyard, looking around.

Nothing.

Another sound, this time laughter.

Male laughter.

Nabooru followed the happy sound through her home until she reached the archway opening up into the backyard. Makeshift targets had been set up on the mesquite trees, and two boys could be seen standing side by side.

Her worry melted away completely, and she leaned against the wall with a smile.

Link held a bow that was at least three sizes too big for him, while the older boy spoke in gentle tones and adjusted his hands.

"Go on, try again," she heard him say.

Link drew back the string, and Nabooru could picture his face clearly. He had a tendency to scrunch up his whole face and bite his lip when deep in concentration.

He loosed the arrow, and it buried itself on outer edge of the bullseye.

"I hit it!" he exclaimed triumphantly.

"Hey! Nice job, Link!" the older cried, holding out his hand for a high-five.

Link gladly slapped his hand, blue eyes glowing with delight.

Nabooru clapped, her own face alight with motherly pride.

"Way to go, little bug!" she called, flashing him a thumbs-up.

He beamed and ran to her, giggling as she swept him up into a bear hug. She ran her fingers through his golden hair, noticing how sharply his pale ivory skin stood out against her deep brown.

"Did you see that, Mama?" he asked, eyes flashing excitedly.

"I did. But I also saw no one in your bed this morning," she told him, raising an eyebrow.

His face fell slightly, and he looked away. "Sorry, Mama," he mumbled.

"No, it's okay," she assured him. "I just wish somebody had let me know what you were doing," she said with a pointed look at the older boy.

He flushed as he approached them.

"Sorry, Nabs, he just really wanted it to be a surprise, and-"

"You're fine Ganon, I'm teasing," she told him, ruffling his crimson hair and causing him to cringe. "How long have you two been practicing?"

"Oh, a week or so. He's a natural, I can't believe he's come so far in such a short time," Ganon said proudly, beaming at Link who nestled into Nabooru's neck, an embarrassed blush creeping up his cheeks.

"Well, he's had a great teacher," Nabooru told Ganon, winking.

"Can I try another shot?" Link asked, pulling away from his mother.

She nodded. "Just a couple."

"Yes! Thanks Mama," he said, planting a kiss on her cheek and scrambling out of her grip.

Nabooru smiled as the two boys ran off, shoving each other as they did.

"They grow up so fast, don't they?"

A familiar voice startled her.

"My King," she greeted, quickly regaining her composure. "I wasn't expecting you at this hour, Gan, I'm sorry-"

He silenced her with a wave of his hand. "No need to worry, Nab. I just thought I'd drop by."

Nabooru sighed a breath of relief, glad this wasn't one of his "stress relief" visits.

They stood quietly for a moment, watching as Ganon coached Link through another shot. Link hung on to every word, looking up at Ganon with pure admiration splashed on his face. One would think he was in the presence of Din herself, not his step-brother.

"Seems like just yesterday Ganon was teaching him how to walk."

Nabooru smiled at the memory. "The years have passed way too quickly for my liking."

King Ganondorf stood beside her, looking at the two boys with an unreadable expression on his face.

Link drew the bow once more, adjusted his aim, and released. Another bullseye. Ganon whooped with excitement, pulling an ecstatic Link into a hug.

"I'm going to need to see him later today."

Nabooru felt her heart drop. The lighthearted mood had vanished completely. "Ganondorf, you know what that does to him."

"And you know it's the only reason I've allowed you to keep him. He's a Hylian, Nabooru. He deserves to burn with the rest of them."

Nabooru felt a flash of indignation, but said nothing.

"I'll collect him around noon."

"He'll be in school!"

"Nabooru," there was warning in his voice.

She sighed, biting her lip. "Yes. Okay."

He nodded, wrapping an arm around her and planting a kiss on top of her head. "Good. I'll see you in a little bit?"

"Of course," she said, leaning back into his embrace. "About that. I think we should meet with Aveil as well."

"Why?"

"Her scouts have been giving increasing reports of Hylian activity around the desert border. I thought we should hear the full account from her," Nabooru explained, eyes on Link again.

Ganondorf Jr. held an arrow above his head, laughing as Link jumped and struggled to reach it.

"You can jump higher than that!" he teased.

"I'm going to punch you!" Link cried breathlessly, though he was laughing and his eyes were filled with nothing but respect and playfulness.

She loved to see him so happy.

"I agree," the King finally replied. "I'll have her summoned."

"Good. Until later?"

"See you then, my Queen."

King Ganondorf gave her shoulder a parting squeeze before disappearing back into her home, leaving her alone to watch the boys.

There was an emptiness in her chest, one that left her feeling heavy and sad.

"I'm going to need to see him later today."

All she had ever wanted in life was children. When she'd had her miscarriage seven years ago, it felt like her world had ended.

A woman who births the dead must never birth again.

She'd cried for so long. Why had the goddesses cursed her in this way?

Ganondorf wasn't affected as she was. His late first wife had already given him a son, he had no need for any child of hers. All he needed was her companionship and strategic genius.

Then, she'd found him.

In the aftermath of a raid, he'd been nestled in a cushion of ashes. He hadn't been crying, just observing the broken world around him with those big blue eyes.

Something in those wide eyes told her he had a lot left to accomplish in the world.

She'd begged and pleaded to keep him. Ganondorf was not too keen on allowing a Hylian into the Fortress, but he relented upon hearing the desperation in Nabooru's voice.

Thus Link became her son, her baby, her pride and joy.

Ganondorf Jr. was delighted about his new adoptive brother. Nabooru was delighted to be a mother.

And King Ganondorf was delighted with his Gift.

Damn the Gift!

If he didn't have the Gift, they would be happy. They would live a normal life.

She remembered the first time it happened, just last year. He was barely five years old and had woken up crying in the middle of the night, upset by a dream.

She had comforted him and soothed him and whispered calming words before sending him back to bed. The next day, his "dream" became reality.

The poor boy would be cursed with the Gift for the rest of his life.

And Nabooru hated it.

"I'm going to need to see him later today."

He was sitting in school, doing his best to pay attention to the teacher.

Yesterday, he got in trouble for doodling in his notebook instead of listening. She'd yelled at him in front of the whole class, and they'd laughed at him.

It wasn't his fault the lessons were so easy they were boring.

He was already ahead two grades, and the teachers said he "wasn't mature enough" to be pushed forward any further.

He didn't care about what grade he was in. He just wished they'd teach him something he didn't know.

The classroom door opened, and two of the King's personal guards walked in. He recognized them as the twins, Asiyah and Adena.

They weren't very friendly.

Adena whispered something in the teacher's ear. Nodding, she scanned the classroom until her eyes came to rest on him.

Link's heart stopped. He knew what they wanted. What he wanted.

"Link, you're excused."

He shook his head, eyes darting from the twins to his teacher.

"Link."

Swallowing hard, he continued to shake his head.

"Come now or we will make you!" Asiyah barked, gold eyes hard.

His classmates began to whisper around him.

"What's going on?"

"Think he's in trouble?"

"Maybe they're finally going to kill him…"

"Serves him right, Hylian scum..."

His face burned red- and everyone can see it on your pasty white skin- and he dragged himself out of his desk and shuffled over to the twins.

"Good boy."

They'd traveled by Wing. He had to ride with Asiyah, clinging onto her waist as they flew through the Fortress. When they arrived at the Palace, he began to shake.

They led him through the doors and down long, twisted hallways. Up the dark, winding staircase he'd come to hate.

When the door came into view, he started to cry.

"Shut up," Asiyah hissed.

This only made him cry harder.

"You're a shame to men everywhere, you white-skinned abomination!"

The door opened. He started to scream.

"I want my mom!"

The King regarded him coolly, though Link could see that lethal fire burning behind the icy curtain in his eyes.

"You better quiet down fast," he said softly, "Or I'll make this a lot more painful than it has to be."

Link bit his lip, whimpering as he was guided into the dimly lit room.

The doors closed behind him.