The Gerudo did not argue, as they understood the profound logic in Dora's proud words. Some readily agreed, but others held a grudge as they aided their new comrades.
The Yiga eagerly helped the injured Gerudo to their feet, or carried them to a bed at the spa to rest and have their wounds treated. The effort to clean and repair the town began within hours by those who were well enough for physical labor. With Felious managing the multitude of tasks needed to be completed, work was finished quickly and efficiently.
The palace was simple. Stairs led straight up to a wide room with a large throne elevated on another platform, and behind the throne was a balcony. The open doorway to the right led to the arms room and training area for the guards and warriors. The opposite side was an area with a large pit of sand, home to two pampered sand seals. The stairs to the second floor only led to the master bedroom.
Ganondorf's first task upon entering the palace was to construct a second throne for his queen. He stole his place in the golden throne with a green and red velvet cushion. Dora sat beside him, her throne similar but smaller. She was nervous. Ganondorf said nothing more than grunts since Link's escape. She needed only one guess for what he brooded over. All he waited for was the opportunity to lash out.
"Your majesties," Felious greeted, walking up the short set of steps to the thrones. He stood before the king and queen and bowed, betraying no hint of concern. "I am pleased to report all of the injured are cared for and resting. The fallen warriors have been prepared for a proper farewell, and repairs have begun."
Ganondorf slammed his clenched fist on the arm of his throne. "How dare you even show yourself after what happened?" he snapped, rising to his tall, intimidating height.
Dora leaned back in her throne and stripped the ties from her hair to unravel the braid. She was prepared to watch, and play referee if any blood was shed.
Felious winced at the volume of Ganondorf's voice. He inhaled a deep breath and bravely said, "I hardly expected you to be pleased, master. For what it's worth, I agree with you and blame myself for allowing Din to be harmed. It is unforgivable that I failed to protect her, and I'm sorry. I promise that I will not give up until you can accept me as your son-in-law."
"Do not expect to win my favor easily," Ganondorf responded, composed by Felious's calm reply. "If more harm comes to my daughter the only restitution I will accept is your life."
Felious swallowed the fear in his throat, but his head spun around at hearing Din's voice. "Dad, it's not his fault." She appeared at the doorway opposite the thrones, at the top of a staircase leading to the second floor. Her only garb was a thin, white dress, and the bandages wrapped around her arm.
"This is not a debate," Ganondorf scolded, his anger returning.
"Felious should not be punished for my reckless behavior," she disputed.
"Din, if I strive to be your husband, and one day a part of your family, I must also strive to take responsibility for your wellbeing," Felious interjected. "You do not need to blame yourself."
"Your words profess your understanding, where your actions have failed," Ganondorf remarked. "Din is my daughter, and as long as that remains true, her needs and safety are my responsibility."
"I'm not as naive as I was back then, Dad. I'm older and wiser now," Din said to convince her father.
"You admitted that you acted recklessly, and now you dare claim that you are wiser? Age has nothing to do with wisdom. You are inexperienced!"
"I was determined to take his life! I allowed that determination to blind all other logic," she admitted.
"As irrational as your mother! My direct orders were to slay Riju," he reminded sharply. "This discussion is over! You are forbidden from seeing Felious until I deem differently."
"Din, return to your room," Dora ordered, standing beside her husband. He was furious, and she held no doubt all of Gerudo town was aware.
"You can't keep me a prisoner!"
Felious glared at the king and queen. "Din and I have worked closely to lead the Yiga. You cannot just force us to stay apart. We aren't children!"
"Goddesses you are so stubborn," Din shouted. "You just couldn't wait for an excuse to control me again!" She stomped back to the master bedroom.
Ganondorf watched her disappear around the corner, and then his glare slid to Felious. "Get out of my sight," he growled.
The expression on Felious's face made it clear he longed to say more, to continue the debate, but he knew, at the time, it was pointless. He turned around and left the palace.
Dora remained standing when her husband sat in his throne. "What is the true reason you are doing this?" she asked bluntly, and turned to stare suspiciously at him from the corner of her eye.
"Felious needs to understand that I will not tolerate his futility. Din's safety is important. Once he has proven he can manage that, he will be worthy of joining the royal family in governing Hyrule."
"You manipulative bastard," Dora commented with a grin brightening her face. She leaned over the throne, with her hands on the armrests, and kissed him. "We need to attend the ceremony for the dead."
"Formalities," Ganondorf groaned. "The worst part of being a king."
The ceremony began at dusk. The Gerudo king might not have been eager to be present, but Dora was curious to know how the ceremony changed over the centuries. Bodies of the fallen, wrapped in cloth, were placed on a steel table. Before the cloth was lit with a torch, friends paid their respects. Only the quietest of whispers could be heard over the cracking and snapping of the fire. The cloth quickened the burning process, and helped decrease the nauseating smell caused by burning flesh. The ashes were carefully collected from the table and poured into an urn. The last farewells were said, and friends cast the ashes to the wind to join the sands. Finally, they cheered. Despite the sorrow, they shared happiness in life, and rejoiced. Death was just another journey, and it was their duty to provide a proper beginning.
Dora took advantage of the time to mingle with the Gerudo and Yiga. She needed to understand the growth in their companionship. She purposefully approached the ones that shot her the ugliest glares. Her concern was not to make them like her, or be friends, but she needed their respect and trust. Dora showed her gratitude to those helping to rebuild, and those who tended to the injured. At the end, she always reminded them how happy she was to be their queen, and that glory and victory awaited them.
Dora made a point to avoid Felious, until she was certain she visited with mostly everyone. She kept an eye on him, and watched him go about checking in with his Yiga clan. When he finished, he stood silent, feet apart and arms crossed, and watched the ceremony. He uttered a prayer for their souls. Dora walked up behind him and tapped his shoulder.
"Queen Ganondora," he greeted quietly, twisting to smile at her. "It is a beautiful night," he said, admiring the stars.
"Exceptional," she agreed, but moved straight to her purpose for meeting with him. "You seem to be unaware, so I have assumed Din never told you about the time she died."
"Din, died?" Felious questioned, turning his confused, yellow eyes to Dora. "I do not understand."
Dora folded her arms over her abdomen and slowly closed her eyes. "The reason Din has not told you is out of respect for her father." The soft fabric of the black, sleeveless dress she borrowed from Riju's wardrobe was soft and warm against her bare forearms. The neck was tall, almost up to her ears. The only exposed skin on her chest was a teardrop opening between her breasts. She loved the way it clung to her curves, and then hung loosely from her hips. "You must understand the risk I take in divulging this to you," she warned, opening her daring eyes to lock Felious's gaze.
He furrowed his brow. "If it's that confidential, why tell me at all?" he wondered.
"Having this knowledge will make a great deal of sense to why Ganondorf acts the way he does," Dora explained, tilted her head up proudly.
"Fine. I understand, and I'll deny knowing if he asks," Felious promised.
"Link killed Din with a light arrow that Ganondorf dodged. Din actually jumped in front of it to save me," Dora informed, her throat tightening. She pinched her lips together in order to continue. "She died in my arms. I might have her back, but the images, and their accompanying despair, are forever burned into my mind. Ganondorf used the Triforce to return her life, and rid her of Hylia."
"You mean, the goddess?"
"The same."
Felious quietly said, "That makes sense of a great many mysteries."
"If not for the power of the Triforce, Ganondorf and I would have lost our only child," Dora elaborated.
"Ganondorf is only trying to prevent history from repeating itself," Felious reasoned, at last pulling his eyes away to glance at the ground.
"Yes. If he is hard on you, it is only because he needs to be. He must have high expectations for a man who will one day swear an oath to defend his daughter's sanctity, and to cherish her forever. If you have a daughter, then you will understand that one day."
"Are you mad at me?" Felious asked, curiously.
"I'm not happy that Din was wounded, but I'm not convinced it was something you could have prevented. I expect you to try harder next time," she scolded.
He grinned with a full smile and laughed. "Yes, your majesty."
"One more thing. Din isn't just as reckless as I am, she is equally devoted. When she falls in love she does so completely, with her body, heart, and soul, just as I did when I fell for Ganondorf. This is another reason he is protective. Din loved the hero that ended up being her demise, and her heart was shattered when she learned their relationship was not able to continue. Ganondorf, and I, do not want to see her heart break again."
"Your majesty, I swear to you, I will never break her heart. I only want to see her happy," he said with the most sincerity.
"Good," Dora said with a grin. "A promise might work for me, but reveal your ambition in your actions and you will have no trouble in showing Ganondorf you are perfect for his daughter." She unfolded her arms and placed one hand on his shoulder. "And if I might ask you a favor, if Din mentions running away, let me know."
Bewildered, Felious responded, "I will."
