All of these memories flashed before Dora's eyes in seconds, while her gaze was transfixed on the outline of the Triforce on the back of her hand. "Are you certain?" she asked.

The queen's servant nodded. "There is no doubt. All of the tests the nurses have done confirm it. And, from the side, you're already filling out."

"Shit."

"If you wait, he'll just figure it out on his own," her servant offered.

Dora glared at Hanae, but smiled. "He's my husband. It was bound to happen. He might not be ready, but it certainly isn't unexpected."

Hanae giggled.

The queen stood from her chair in the master chambers. The room was finished with dark wood furniture, a crimson rug and curtains. The four poster bed was fitted with the same color sheets, and draped with black lace. The chamber was designed to meet Dora's dreams for the perfect bedroom, and her expectations had been exceeded. She wandered over to the double doors that opened out to the north facing balcony. She stared with a distant gaze at the mystical orange glow cast on the sky by the rising sun. "There is a little detail I'm concerned about," Dora mentioned.

"Well, we know it can't be anyone else's, so what's the matter?"

"I'm worried we will have a boy," she explained, as if it should have been obvious.

Hanae appeared confused. "Doesn't he want to have a boy?"

"Ah, that's right. I always forget he and I are the last Gerudo," she said sadly. "A male is born to our race once every one hundred years. This would be the first born in more than that time," she explained, desperately avoiding the thoughts of the daughter she never had the chance to know. "It would only seem logical, but is it really since Ganondorf is still alive? And, if it is, will he feel threatened?" Dora wondered. "Will he feel challenged as king?"

Hanae never hesitated when she said, "I think you are worrying too much about circumstances that are beyond your control. Stress is not good for the baby."

The queen sighed. "I better get this over with."

The stone thrones sat in the center of the round throne room. Corridors branched out to other rooms to the front, left, and right. A chest rested on a decorated table directly behind the thrones, and within the chest was the inferior Master Sword, guarded by the king and queen themselves.

The room was heavily guarded by moblins with spears, and knights with large heavy swords. They paused on their patrol to respect the queen as she passed by. The knights at the doors opened them for her to enter.

Ganondorf sat regally in his throne, doing his best to focus on the reports being delivered by different minions from across Hyrule's many regions. The guards reports proved that they were more interested in the citizen's drama than defending his precious kingdom. He was not overly concerned since it helped increase his chances of learning when the hero's descendant was born. Another day went by without a whisper.

When the wide doors to the throne room opened, and his eyes locked on Dora, the stalfos's words were lost. The chandeliers lining the ceiling cast a warm glow on her features. Her beauty radiated so fiercely that when he saw her the world around them disappeared. When she smiled, his stern expression softened. The guards noticed her appearance and bowed. His eyes followed her as she sat beside him on her throne. Before she came into his life, he never needed anyone but himself, or anything but his power, but since their marriage he never wanted to be without her. Ganondorf had experienced the agony of losing her, so he made it a priority to always memorize the finest details about her. Recently, a subtle change had occurred, but he could not place exactly what it was.

The morning reports finally ended and Ganondorf's servants departed. Once the room was empty, and the doors closed, Dora said, "We need to talk."

Ganondorf looked away from her and took a deep breath.

"Promise you won't get mad?"

He closed his eyes and exhaled the breath he held. "Speak plainly," he requested impatiently.

Dora reached over the thrones and took his hand delicately in hers. He watched her pull it close to her and tenderly caress his knuckles. Her hands were slender and frail compared to his own. Her actions spoke fear, so he wrapped her fingers comfortingly in his hand. When they locked eyes, she announced, "I'm pregnant."

Ganondorf's mind was instantly transported back to the night of their return. Dora had eagerly accepted the Triforce of Wisdom, despite his jests that she was not deserving. Once they satisfied their craving for the blood of their enemies, and the castle was void of anyone who resisted, they celebrated their return in the most passionate and unspeakable ways, from the throne room to the bedroom. Ganondorf cleared his throat and said the words that came to mind first. "That explains a great deal."

"The vomiting, the sporadic cravings, swelling?" Dora inquired. "The mood swings?"

He only nodded.

"Are you ready for fatherhood?" she asked calmly.

"Prepared or not, we knew this would happen one day," he answered, but not really.

"I know now is not really a convenient time, what with still trying to complete the Triforce. You probably aren't as excited as I am, since I will finally be able to share this experience with you, and the joys of being a mother, but I promise you won't need to worry about anything. I just ask that you be supportive, and one day love our child as much as you do me."

"Breathe," he stated simply, his stare fierce.

Dora did as he suggested, and allowed silence to fill the air for a minute.

"You should be wondering if I will protect our child. We have a history of being separated for long periods of time," Ganondorf said wisely. He realized that he was not excited or angry. His true emotion was fear; afraid that he could come to love their child as unconditionally as he did his wife, and feared losing both of them. "That time has ended though, and death will never speak our name."

Dora smiled contently.

"We have not addressed your concerns though," he pointed out.

"Mine? What do you mean?" she asked, offended.

Ganondorf grinned knowingly, amused that she was still surprised to find he knew her well enough to read her thoughts. "You're afraid our child will be a boy, or more specifically, what I will do if our child is a boy."

"Shouldn't I be?" she countered.

"The odds of giving birth to a boy, while I still live, are not very good. My own conception was not by ordinary means. However, if on the slim chance a boy is born, a time will come when he challenges me for control, to take my power, and he will die."

Dora stared at him in horror. She looked away, realizing it was just the harsh reality of being a male Gerudo.

"The Gerudo are gone though," he quickly added. "Whether a boy or girl, this is our chance to rebuild our race."

Her heart weighed heavily in her chest. What if she had to choose between her husband and her son one day? "It is better that our chances of having a daughter are so good," she said, trying not to think about the grim reality. "We will raise her to be a beautiful, and powerful, Gerudo warrior princess," she added with a grin.

Ganondorf was conflicted though, and for once the future was uncertain. Dora seemed to notice his anxiety, because she lifted herself over the arms of the thrones, into his lap, and snuggled against his chest. "Just remember," she whispered softly, "that I will always love you."

He wrapped her up in his arms and rested his face in her full red hair. "No one ever would as well as you," he whispered, and squeezed her.