Their passion that night was unmatched.

Immediately after reuniting, they discovered their relief in being with one another again was more than words could say. They disappeared from the night, to the master bedroom of the Gerudo's home in the woods to find new ways of expressing the loneliness and misery they suffered, while celebrating their renewed passion.

Dora had imagined his return for years, but the ecstasy was greater than even in her dreams.

Ganondorf had never fretted whether the Gerudo were well taken care of during his absence. The moon shed enough light on their woodland village, outside of the main land of Hyrule, for him to know they had prospered since their banishment from the desert. In some ways, it seemed they were doing better, but it was not Hyrule. Plans for their future could be discussed later. His only focus was to make up for lost time. He still knew her weakness, and she still excited his ego, as if time had not passed them at all.

Once their flames of passion were satisfied, they sat and talked for hours, well into the early morning. Dora rested in his arms, taking in his scent and warmth. She talked about their banishment immediately after the battle, their struggle to rebuild, their progression, and triumphs over hardships. She confessed her depression brought on by her grief, and how she overcame it by returning to the Temple of Time.

Ganondorf said very little, merely wanting to enjoy the company of the only woman who ever earned his attention. He did describe the corruption and nightmares that the Sacred Realm was plagued with, brought on by his own dark desires. Though, he did not fail to mention how he conquered those beasts, and the beast within him.

The room fell silent, and she thought he may have fallen asleep, until he asked, "Have you protected the half of the Triforce of Power I gave you?"

"I have protected it with all that I am," she admitted. "It kept me strong."

"It can do more than that. I will teach you to master sorcery and manipulate magic. Together we will be invincible," he explained.

Dora rolled over in his arms and looked up into his yellow eyes. She beamed and said, "Sorcery? It would be an honor."

"I struggled with my greed before, and could not allow myself to share this power with you," he said, admiring her strong face. The years had treated her features well. "I reflected on my battle, and I now know that you are the key to defeating my enemies. You always have been."

She smiled tenderly, until her eyes slowly shifted away from him and she frowned. "I have been constantly haunted in my dreams by that day. I wanted to know where I failed, what caused us to lose. With this power, we will not lose again."

"No, we will not. Have you made preparations?"

"Once I was able to overcome my depression, I turned my focus to planning and collecting information," Dora explained, grinning again. "I have maps of Hyrule as it was rebuilt, as well as all of the guards patrol routes. I have information on their knights, the weapons they have, as well as their new training techniques. Zelda has kept her people on guard for your return, but recently they have begun to relax. The Gerudo have trained to stay strong. We can begin immediately. First, your people should know you have returned."

Ganondorf shifted in the bed, burying his face into her silky, red hair, and closed his eyes. "Ah, yes. That time will come. For now, I have missed the luxuries of a warm bed after sex with my wife, not to mention true sleep."

She took a deep calming breath, and rested her head on his chest. "Sleep well, my love." Even if she was kept awake by her excitement of his return, and the thoughts of the perfect revenge, she would lie with him as long as he desired.

The sun was rising over the horizon, just visible over her balcony, when she finally managed to find sleep. There were no nightmares, no dreams at all, just the kind of rest she had been without for many years. In fact, she rested so well, she never heard her servants enter her room, and immediately exit at seeing a man lay with her in bed.

The sun had risen far into the sky when Dora finally decided to stretch the sleep from her body. How she longed to lay with him all day, but there was much work to be done. When she opened her eyes, she found Ganondorf was staring at her. He said, amused, "I've been watching you sleep, while your servants spy on us."

"They have been caring for me in your absence," she reminded him. Then, grinning, she said, "Perhaps we should give them something to watch."

He eagerly obliged, and rolled on top of her to once more remind her how much he had missed her. All the while, the background was filled with sporadic giggles and whispers.

Dora ordered her second in command to round up the Gerudo, and have them assemble outside the main doors. In the mean time, she prepared by dressing in a more regal version of the usual Gerudo attire. Her hair was held stiffly in place by a gold band, her arms also decorated with gold jewelry that laced up to her elbow. Her red top was form fitting, coming to a point just below her naval. Her pants clung to her legs and were complete with her knee high boots.

Dora turned, showing off for Ganondorf by strutting as she walked right into his arms. "Time has left you more beautiful," he complimented, "but much about you has changed."

She frowned, remembering how weak she had been when suffering with her grief, and said, "We have both endured so much in our time apart, but we come together as if we last saw each other yesterday. That is our strength, and now we can prevail, and be king and queen of Hyrule as it was always meant to be."

He took her hand and squeezed it. "One step at a time," he reminded.

"I have something for you," she said, giving a coy smile. "In anticipation of your return, I wanted to make sure you would have a new outfit to be presentable in." Dora led him to a tall cabinet, and opened the doors wide.

Ganondorf admired the new armor: dark blue almost black metal, a long cape, a metal chest, fingerless gloves with gold gauntlets, metal legs for over his boots, and finally his large sword that curved out instead of to a point. It was not quite as heavy as it looked when he picked it up. Dora was more than happy to help dress him. She tied and strapped all of the armor on over his shirt and pants. He twisted the gauntlets around his arm, and stretched his fingers against the leather gloves.

She stepped back to take him in, and as he flexed to inspect the craftsmanship, she found herself weak in the knees. "That armor compliments you so well, I just want to rip it back off."

Ganondorf chuckled and pulled her close. "Hold that thought for later. I am eager to greet my people."

"As I am sure they are eager to greet you," she agreed. Dora slid her slender fingers into his firm hand, and guided him down the stairs, through the halls, and out to the main entrance.

When Ganondorf opened the doors and appeared in the day light, standing confidently with an arrogant grin, the Gerudo shared a collective gasp.

And then they cheered.

The celebration quickly quelled as Ganondorf stepped forward, still protectively grasping his queen's hand, and said, "I have returned, stronger than ever before." They fell into silence, desperately hanging on to his every word. "I was shocked to return and find that you were forced out of your homes, but not surprised to find that, under the leadership of my queen, you have thrived. Still, we are robbed of our rightful place in the prosperity of Hyrule. Our mistakes will not be repeated. We will triumph. Intensify your training, for we will strike at the royal family mercilessly, and swiftly. I will have the head of the hero!"

The Gerudo cheered. Everyone was eager to fight back against Hyrule.

"We will not be fighting alone. During my absence, I have gathered a mass army of disposable monsters. My plan of attack will leave no opportunity for failure. The Royal Family, the sages, the hero, they will all pay for what they did to us, to my queen, and to me. The Triforce will be mine, and then the world, and at long last the Gerudo will be where they were meant to be."

They cheered again, this time shouting, "Long live the King of Evil."

Ganondorf's evil grin was filled with such pride, he nearly beamed. Lastly, he turned to Dora and said, "We have much to accomplish in a short time. Our attack on Hyrule must happen soon. Agahnim will help, but you must understand your practice will be grueling."

"I would be disappointed if you took it easy on me. I can handle it," Dora promised.