"I have an announcement."

The great room was alive with laughter and joyful voices. A fire in the hearth chased away the dark of night, while drinks were consumed. The Dragmire royal family was relieved to be home from traveling. They briefly detoured to the barren land that was once the Great Forest of Hyrule. The Princess of Evil had hunted the hero, entered the sacred woods, and burned the forest to ashes with a single arrow. A group that resisted the reign of the evil family attempted in vain to help the land flourish. The only purpose for the King of Hyrule to visit was to ensure no new life sprouted, especially any saplings of the Great Deku Tree.

The royal family visited Death Mountain for the purpose of business with the boss of the Gorons. Complaints had filtered up to the castle that the supply of ore from the mines in the mountains was dwindling, that the Gorons had grown lazy and began to refuse work, even when offered hefty amounts of rupees. An agreement needed to be made to appease all parties. The king knew only the Gorons possessed the physical might to mine the necessary ore, and skin as tough as rocks to endure the broiling heat of the lava for endless hours. The queen promised to persuade the Hylians that stealing from the Gorons and acting malevolently toward them was dangerous to their health, to encourage them to continue regular productivity.

Finally, a day of rest at Zora's Domain to catch up on all the details heard across the waterways by the agents of the King of Evil. They spent the afternoon swimming, fell asleep with the setting sun, and woke in the morning to journey home.

A delicious dinner was organized by the castle chef, consisting of roast cucco and wild boar, fresh fruits, and sweet pies, to celebrate their safe return to Hyrule Castle. They retired to the great room once their bellies were full to enjoy each other's company.

Ganondorf was seated on the bench at the organ, preparing to play for his queen. He lifted his goblet of brandy to take another swallow when his daughter called for attention.

Ganondora paused massaging her husband's shoulders and curiously tilted her head toward their daughter, waiting patiently for her to speak.

"Mom, Dad," the princess began bravely, her voice firm. She subconsciously combed her fingers through the tail of amber hair flowing over her shoulder. Her husband, a slender male Gerudo with scarlet hair, rose from the couch to rest an encouraging arm around her shoulders. "Felious and I are expecting." Din decided that statement might have been vague. There could be no room for interpretation. "I am with child!"

Ganondorf's strength failed and he dropped his crystal goblet to the floor, staining the carpet with his dark beverage.

At the same time, overcome with excitement, Dora abandoned the king's side and rushed to wrap her daughter in a warm embrace. "Congratulations! We must celebrate! I hope this isn't unexpected."

Din accepted air into her lungs after her mother's ecstatic reaction, and then she laughed. "Oh no. We have been trying for some time, actually. Like you, we had some difficulty." She glanced at her father, hoping his response would prove just as positive.

The King of Evil's expression was unreadable stone. His red and yellow eyes shifted from the spilled drink to the black and ivory keys, as if he broke free of a trance. He arranged his fingers on the beginning notes and gently pressed the keys to begin his song.

Dora shot a glare at the back of Ganondorf's head, and then kissed Din on the forehead for reassurance. "I'm not entirely surprised. I noticed a few of the signs. How far along are you?"

"Three months," Din answered, smiling. "Trust me, keeping this a secret from you was torture," she advised at her mother's look of concern. "It's that so often an unborn child can be lost early. I felt it best not to raise anyone's hopes."

"I understand. All that matters is that I am finally going to be a grandmother!"

Ganondorf leaned over the keys, transfixed on one spot without truly seeing them. His mind processed Din's spectacular news as both a father and a king, with a myriad of circumstances and situations revolving in his mind. Losing himself to the haunting melody and malevolent harmony ringing from the pipes helped bring clairvoyance. "Felious," Ganondorf called sternly, his fingers dancing elegantly across the keys like a master pianists. The prince hastened from his wife's side and stood at attention by the bench to anxiously await his father-in-law's direction. "Din must be protected at all costs," he said ominously, speaking under the volume of the organ. "Increase security around the castle and investigate the staff for possible traitors. As her stomach grows, so does the target on her back."

Felious nearly failed to restrain his laughter. He mistakenly assumed Ganondorf would react with fury and hate. Instead, the king acknowledged the events as if he anticipated them, and already set in motion measures to keep Din safe from harm. "No doubt some vile fiends may take this opportunity to strike, especially while Din is susceptible. I will always be by her side to defend her. You can rely on me. I'd give my life for hers," Felious promised.

"Good," Ganondorf responded, his expectations met.

Dora cracked a smirk to see Ganondorf privately discussing business with Felious. When the prince waved his fingers, Din rushed toward him. She wrapped her arms around her father's strong neck and kissed the top of his head. "Thank you, Daddy. I love you."

Ganondorf valiantly fought the powerful urge to smile, and failed. In the end, he turned his head to free the expression, while concealing his emotion from the others.