Such an interesting answer to the Rauru inquery! Duality of perspective is always appreciated in favor of total demonization of either side of an argument.
At the same time, while I can understand Ganondorf's perspective to a degree, my question is this: What would Ganondorf's solution have been to the situation had it been him in Rauru's position?
For that matter, he indicated a desire for fertile land and drinking water, but in the end, he was seeking the land of the natives of Hyrule. Why should they, or indeed Rauru, have been willing to part with something so valuable without compensation and assurances of future peace?
And for that matter, what was it that the Gerudo had offered in exchange? Monetary payment? Trade? An alliance? Perhaps even future cooperation?
Or had the assumption been that Rauru intended to seek the Gerudo's servitude? And if so, why? Especially when it is apparent that, by all estimations, Hyrule was an alliance of nations.
My appologies if this came across as prying or disrespectful, but I've always been curious as to the exact circumstances that lead to the Desert Chieftain's virulent animosity towards Rauru. It is, afterall, quite difficult to understand a perspective when one does not possess the entire story.
Still stood the Gerudo man as he processed your inquiry.
"Yes, I would like to know as well," Zelda chimed in "What would you have done if you were in Rauru's position? Would you share your land, or would you have kept to yourself? Or better yet, would you have continued to expand your kingdom until you conquered everything within your reach?" she asked, her gaze piercing through Ganondorf "Because I believe we both know the answer."
"You pose good questions, little whisper..." he pauses, stroking his breard as he thought before relaxing his defensive stance with a sigh "...it seems the winds do not blow in my favor today..."
"You're right, Zelda. If it were me in his position... I would not share. Not without being offered something in return... in fact, I probably would have delighted in seeing people grovel before me... begging me for a share of what only I can offer to them... However..."
The princess remained still as she listened to his response, brows still furrowed in anger.
"...I am not trying to decieve you into thinking I am a kind man... I know what I am. I know who I was."
"A child like any other. Though, yes, when I came of age, I would come into power, as was my birth right... I once held a gaze that was full of innocence..."
"I played... I laughed... I smiled."
"Shared joyous moments with those around me... built bonds... connections. Forged with the naiviety and optimism only a child could possess..."
"...Only to have it mercilesly torn from me..."
"...watching my friends die."
"Learning first hand that death doesn't stop to consider whether you are young or old. Where you are. Or who witnesses."
"First it's your friend. Then it's her mom. Then it's the shop keeper. And her neighbor. And so on. The desert takes. And takes. And takes... and you're forced to watch... from your very first breath... to your last."
Ganondorf paused, inhaling deeply through his nose as he continued.
"...When you have nothing... You gaze upon those who have been blessed with scorn."
"...I didn't favor the Hyrule natives either. From a young age, I was envious of them... but I tolerated their existence for the mere fact they were— I suppose– kind..." he grit his teeth, the word strained between his canines. "...enough to allow us to use their rivers. Their lake. The one that bordered the Gerudo Desert... Negotiations were underway for when I fully came into my role as king. We would get that river and the lands surrounding it... but then..."
"...Rauru came into power... and he didn't make good on those plans--- didn't spare my people a second glance. He had to have known the condition my people were living in, but he focused soley on getting all other races to swear their allegaince to him and become one with his kingdom... And his repeated invitations to join him and his kingdom... mocked me... After all we've been through... to sacrifice our identity as a people... Maybe it is because we Gerudo are a proud people, but I couldn't do it. It felt so taunting."
"Even though, back then, I was cursed with an unending hunger, a deep, profound hatred, so strong it seeped into the very bone... Even now, I refuse to see him as a 'good' person, no matter how 'fair' or 'just' his actions may be."
"The 'King of Light' cast his shadow upon us, and left us to rot..."
"And for that, I can never forgive him."
