Dora frantically clambered down the hillside to the portal under the bridge leading to the Dark World. No knights followed her, even if they were suspicious, but her heart raced as if they were directly behind her. The startling news she overheard while disguised as a beggar had her mind spinning. The portal opened into the Dark World, but the bridge was replaced by land, so Dora had to climb up the hill. On her rush to Ganon's castle, she removed the disguise she wore over her leather armor as not to alert the various minions on patrol. Her legs bolted her up the stone stairs to the main door, and then up the staircases inside. As she approached the wide open room where Ganondorf resided, she slowed and tried not to appear so alarmed. It was not the new information that had her entirely worried, it was what his reaction would be.
The room with the short, long rectangular table, decorated with maps of the dark and light versions of Hyrule, was his new favorite room, second still to the throne room. He had spent a week with Dora, after her return, to create a plan that would secure their victory over Hyrule, and spent the following three weeks scrutinizing the details to avoid any vulnerabilities. Her panting alerted him to her entrance, and he shifted his gaze to her from the maps. He remained calm and arrogant when he asked, "What matter is so important that you had to sprint all the way from Hyrule?"
Dora rushed down the left side of the table where he stood and gripped his hands. Her expression was void of her usual carefree excitement.
Concerned, he repeated, "What is going on?"
With his full attention gained, she explained, "I learned during my reconnaissance today that the princess is desperately searching for the last of seven wise men who are believed to know a ritual that will seal the Dark World off completely!"
He returned his gaze to the battle plans laid out on the table. "We must attack immediately."
"Our plans are not final, and we have not distributed the information to your minions yet. If we rush, we could fail," Dora said worriedly.
"I trust you will make it happen, regardless," he responded, challenging her.
"I have no doubt that I can," she confirmed, but was left wondering. "You aren't coming with me?"
"No. I must remain here," he answered firmly.
"But, I thought we discussed leading your army to victory together," she reminded, trying not to whine.
"My magic is stronger here, and the circumstances are dire now. I can keep an eye on you from here, send support if needed, and defend my castle if it becomes necessary," he explained seriously. "They will be after the Master Sword, and I must guarantee it will never be wielded by the hero, or we will fail."
Dora was not pleased. "I came back to conquer Hyrule by your side. We have only been reunited for a month, and already I have to risk losing you again," she admitted with tears brimming her eyes.
The fear in her eyes was far different from her usual confidence. He wanted to console her, but felt disappointed that she was even worried they could be defeated. "Your goal is to lead my army so they can focus on eliminating the knights of Hyrule, and your primary goal is to kill Zelda. That will prevent the creation of a new seal and weaken the current one enough that I can destroy it with my own sorcery. However, if the seven wise men convene, and the seal restored to full strength, you cannot return."
"What?" she shrieked. "How can you say that? I need to come back to you!"
He released her hands and slid his fingers up her arms, to rest them comfortingly around her shoulders. "If we are both trapped here, who will I entrust with the important task of releasing me?" he asked directly, and accepted her expression of clarity as her answer. "You will be responsible for opening the Dark World again if your worst fear should come to pass."
She smiled at his reassuring words. "That is only if we lose, and I know we won't."
He grinned at seeing a familiar ferocity return to her, which was the fierce confident warrior that excited him. "Take half of my army with you to Hyrule, and leave others behind to defend the Dark World entrances. Send large battalions through each portal to overwhelm the knights and kill the wise men," he commanded powerfully.
"I love the way you take control," Dora said with a playful smile. She kissed him passionately, and he pulled her close. It was in his arms, the way he tensed to never let go, that she learned he disguised his own fear of losing her. She pressed her head against his chest with her arms resting around his waist, and spent minutes being held lovingly by her husband. She memorized the rhythm of his heartbeat, and the pattern of his breathing, so that she would never forget.
Ganondorf reluctantly released her, and she stepped back. "And this time, do not fail to bring me Zelda's head," he threatened, secretly hoping this was not good bye.
"I won't, I promise. I will be back soon," she said, swallowed her emotions, and reluctantly forced herself to turn from him.
