After dealing with their little setback, Ganondorf and Zelda were finally on their way back down Death Mountain. The snowy mountain air gave way to spring breezes, and after a week's travel they had safely reached the base of the mountain. Taking the opportunity to rest, they headed into the abandoned Kakariko Village. "I figure we will take a bit of a detour this time," Ganondorf explained as they set up camp in the old sanctuary.
"Detour?"
"Yes." Ganondorf grabbed a stick, and drew a rudimentary map of Hyrule in the dirt. "Rather than going west through Eldin Gorge, we will go south from here into Faron territory, possibly even breaking for a bit at the border of Ordonia. Then we will come back around and northwest into Lanayru, bypassing the Gorge altogether."
Zelda followed Ganondorf's route with her finger, then traced the route they used in the beginning. "But that could add another month onto the journey! I. Wanna. Go. HOME!"
"Yes, love, and I of all people want to get the two of you there, but I want to get you there as safely as I can. That's why I suggest stopping at Ordonia. Do you remember Sir Rusl? The knight with the two shrimpy boys, Colin and the other one... Lon, or Lionel, or something..."
"I think his name was Link."
"Whatever. Well he lives in that territory, and he owes me a favor from when I helped him get the younger one into a swordplay competition. His is the closest settlement between here and home that would be able to furnish us with a carriage. That would make up for the time it would add to get to him."
Zelda pouted at Ganondorf, causing him to sigh.
"Alright, let me put it this way. I'll have the peace of mind of knowing that you are resting in a carriage, free from the dangers of the road. You'll have the freedom to lay down and rest, because by then that little child is going to be big enough to start kicking. And if she's kicking, you'll need to stop and rest every hundred feet or so. I won't be able to carry you because of my arm. Your back will hurt, your breasts will hurt. Your feet will swell, and you'll have to take your boots off. You'll-"
"Okay, I get it," she grumbled. "We'll go to Ordonia."
"Gan... Gaaaan..."
Ganondorf pushed forward through the brush at the edge of Eldin province, occasionally stopping to cut down an errant monster. It had been almost two months since they left the cave. He was trying to reach Faron as quickly as possible, though at present rate they'd be lucky if they made it before the end of the season. There was something he had overlooked in his planning for the return journey, the simple fact that biology can never be predicted.
"Gaaaaaaaan..."
Ganondorf sighed and turned around, finding exactly the same scene as the last time- Zelda looking up at him with her angelic smile, while rubbing her plump little tummy. "Can we have a break? She's kicking again, and my feet hurt a little..."
"We just took a break not even an hour ago."
"Aww, please? I wanna lay down."
"But we are losing the sun. If we stop to rest now, we will have to camp for the night."
"Okay!" Zelda looked around, and upon spotting a clearing beneath a rock wall a few yards away, wandered over and shucked off her gear and boots. "Ahh..."
It took all of Ganondorf's patience not to slap himself in the forehead. "Zelda! What are you doing?! We need to keep going or at this rate, it will be a whole nother month before we get to Rusl's farm. ...Hey, aren't you listening?"
Ganondorf looked up to find Zelda worming her way into one of the bedrolls. Never able to stay mad at her, he relented and came over to set up camp. Zelda poked her head out and smiled at him, before beckoning him closer.
"It's so nice out tonight, isn't it...? Will you rub my feet and then cuddle with me?"
"I'll try, but it'll take twice as long given the circumstances," he joked, running his injured arm along her thigh. "Sorry for earlier, I forget you aren't exactly in shape for our journey..."
"It's okay, I'm a cranky traveling companion," she answered as he started massaging her foot. "...The baby's going to be very healthy, I can tell."
"Of course she will, both of her bloodlines are long and prosperous, and her mother is the most beautiful woman in Hyrule. Even with the wilderness diet, she'll be as strong as any babe born of your people." Ganondorf kissed Zelda's temple, then moved his head to her tummy. "Don't cause Mommy too much pain, okay? You can torture Papa all you want when you come out, just be nice while you're in there."
Zelda giggled as Ganondorf hiked her dress up and kissed her tummy. "Hey, when we get back... where are we gonna live?"
"In our house," he answered, coaxing a chuckle out of her as he straightened her clothing and gathered her into his arms. "That was a joke."
"Uh-huh. Your real answer, bonehead?"
"Hey, who you calling a bonehead? No, I know what you mean," Ganondorf said with a grin. "I'll stay in Hyrule Castle with you until you give birth, maybe even for the child's first year. Mother can make policy for me in my absence. After that, it's up to you. Will you come to the Valley with me?"
"You know I love the Valley," Zelda answered. "But I mean, if I'm to become Hyrule's Queen, I'll be expected to live in the castle. But I don't want to tear you away from your people..."
"Our marriage formally unites the Hylians and the Gerudo, cementing the alliance forged centuries ago by the very same ancestors that fought alongside the Bearer of Courage. We're one people now," he explained, "in the same way that the Ordonians and the Sheikah united with the Hylians. If you wish to live in the Valley, you can. Hell, we can live half the year in Castle Town and half there, if that suits you. Besides, my people are used to me disappearing for long periods anyway. They all know where I spend my time."
That last remark surprised Zelda, so she looked up at Ganondorf and gave him an angry pout. "Wha... you mean everyone knew just how much you desired me?"
"Your father called me the definition of 'obsession', so yes," he chuckled. "Isn't that a good thing? It shows my sincerity..."
"It shows you're a big bonehead!" she yelled, before nuzzling closer to him. "Goodnight..."
Ganondorf grinned. "Goodnight, my beloved, and good night, my child."
Zelda smiled, then closed her eyes. "I love you, Gan..."
"And I love you, Zellie."
A/N: I imagine Zelda is the cutest, happiest pregnant lady in all of Hyrule. I can't explain why, but I get the feeling that pregnancy just broke down all her barriers and turned her into the fluffiest ball of poof ever. No stoic bearer of wisdom here.
