A week went by. Sila had gone to the apothecary, requesting a collection of items, some of which were, in the right quantities, her actual goal. When she returned home, she heated water and steeped the concotion, and drank it quickly while hot. She did this several times, drinking down a full pot of water (an expensive amount) to herself. Then, she went to her rooms and waited. It took a few hours, but soon she could feel the cramping in her belly, and she fetched her chamber pot and added sand to it, to absorb the liquids. She hunched over it, gripping one side of her bed to brace herself. She remembered sharply how happy, genuinely happy Link had been, and how she had considered, at the time, asking him to reconsider his plan to marry her off.
"Couldn't it be Tamri?" she asked. They'd been looking at each other, laying in bed and talking softly.
He considered it, but shook his head. "I want it to be you. I trust you more than anyone, and I know you will do anything for Gerudo."
"And you."
"But mostly Gerudo."
She ran her fingers through his hair then down his cheek. "Suppose you'll forget about me," she asked with a shrug. "You'll find a new favorite?"
He reached downward, and she gasped in surprise at his touch. "You're my favorite, always."
Sila whimpered now and tightened her grip; she could feel something inside of her shifting loose, and there was a wet slapping noise in the chamber pot. She clenched her jaw and stared straight ahead; before lover, before queen, before wife, she was a soldier, one of the Desert King's elite. She swore to do as he commanded first. If it meant aborting their child, if it meant marrying a loathsome stranger, then she would do so, for their country.
And him.
/
Zelda hated to admit it, but her stubborn nature had failed her.
Her father had gone to work in the fields, and he'd told her he may be out later than usual, to settle some matters in her wedding plans, only a month or so away now. She knew by his wink that he would actually be at Garris' place, sitting up and drinking while playing cards or stones. It was something he only did monthly, though she had encouraged him to do so more often.
Especially lately.
She lit a candle in the kitchen and placed it on the sill, looking through the glass to Alejandro's house, soon to be her house. She smiled when she saw the candle in his kitchen going out, and she unlatched the front door, making sure her dress was safely hidden from his eyes in her room.
She sat in the kitchen, with a few extra candles lit, and waited.
It didn't take long, and he was there, opening the door and looking at her, his eyes bright.
"Hey."
"Hey, you." Zelda stood, suddenly nervous. "Did… you want something to drink?"
"Sure. Um." She could tell by his slightly bewildered expression that he was nervous as well. "Anything hard?"
She got them both a small glass of beer, and they returned to the kitchen table, sitting down. In silence, they drank. She was grateful for the warmth and the fluidity alcohol lent her, and she looked at Alejandro now with a little smile.
"Not much longer," she said quietly.
"No, not at all."
"Soon, I'll be Zelda Fulson."
"Yes." He reached out and took her hand, touching the ring on her finger. It was a pretty little band of hammered gold, with a green stone set into it, barely a chip. She'd only had it a few weeks. Zelda licked her lips and looked at him. It should be so easy, she couldn't help but think. She'd known him since she was a child. Every milestone in their lives, they had shared. Birthdays of great significance, losing teeth, and of course their first kisses were each other.
"When will your father be home?" he asked suddenly.
"I don't know. Late, I suppose."
"I love you," he said suddenly, looking into her eyes.
She smiled a little. "I love you, too." She stood up, holding his hand tight, and she tugged gently at his grip. "Come on."
They headed into her room. Alejandro shut the door behind them, leaving them in the dark of a moonless night. All they had between them was touch. She sat down on her bed and pulled him towards her, and he fumbled down onto the bed.
It was over quickly; a little too quickly, but her heart was pounding and his hands were shaking a little on her shoulders as he nestled into her neck, panting softly. She closed her eyes, feeling warm and content, and she ran her fingers through his hair, dabbing at the sweat on his forehead.
"Remember when… I dared Tomas to run naked through the village at midnight when we were younger?"
Zelda laughed. "What made you think of that? Because I'm not going to run naked through the village, if that's what you're thinking."
He laughed too. "No, no. But… I dared him, and he got all mad and said he wouldn't do it, and you said you would…"
"And he decided if a girl would do it, he might as well?"
"And then Old Marji was out feeding the cats and saw him and screamed about seeing a ghost?"
"Because she wasn't wearing her glasses, and he was so pale because it was during winter?"
In unison, they shouted, "A ghost! A ghost!", mimicking the old woman's frantic cries as she had rushed through the village, and they started laughing until they near-cried. When they quieted again, Zelda pressed herself closer to Alejandro, and she kissed his forehead.
"Again?" she whispered.
Alejandro leaned back a little to look at her. "Are you serious?"
"Well, if you don't have the energy…"
He found the energy.
/
The castle was sweltering in the midsummer heat, especially in the room where three doctors and Ganondorf waited. Sila was lying on her back on the guest bed, several layers of cheap muslin spread underneath her, her skirt hiked up. She was chewing hard on her lower lip. Veru and Brida were in one corner, dressed in their usual garb aside from the wicked, curved swords they wore on either hip. They watched the men carefully. Link had declined to join them, saying he understood these were private matters. In truth, he did not know if he would be able to face Sila after this indignity he'd forced her through.
The doctors carefully probed and studied, muttering to each other. Veru and Brida were sweating with the heat and worry. Finally, one of the doctors straightened and wiped his hands on a rough cloth.
"We have examined her, and determined she is as promised. Intact."
Ganondorf nodded. "Good." Veru and Brida adjusted their weight, taking relaxed stances. He turned to them now. "Thank you for your time. You may take her home."
Sila sat up, giving herself a gentle wipe with a cloth offered by a doctor, and Veru took her arm, helping her to the door. They said nothing, but they bowed before exiting.
Brida led them to the coach and opened the door, helping to lift Sila in. Once they were out of the castle grounds entirely, Sila sighed and let her head slump back against the wall.
"Finally, I can take the damn thing out," she muttered, pulling her skirt to one side. "That was, quite possibly, the worst experience I have ever had with a man, and I didn't even get anything out of it."
"You'll be the queen of Hyrule, I call that something," Veru offered.
Sila rolled her eyes and wiped her hands off on a rag offered from Brida, tucking the thin piece of hide into it and rolling it up. "He'd better make sure the new plan works, is all I have to say."
Brida turned away from the window. "Do you think it will work?"
"Well, I don't know. Ganondorf saw through our original plot, so we'll need something more creative. Link hasn't really discussed anything with me. He needs time."
/
Alejandro bowed his head, and Zelda placed the wreath of flowers on his crown. After a pause, he did the same for her, and then they took turns giving each other wine in a large, shallow wooden bowl. When they had both drank a mouthful, the officiant declared them wed, and they kissed. The crowd of villagers stood, cheering and applauding, and in the back was Link and his 'harem', who had arrived a little later than intended, but still showed up, regardless. Sila, however, was not there; within a week, she was to be wed, and she had taken up residence at the castle to prepare and learn their customs.
The chairs were moved out of the way and tables were brought into place. Any attempts to help from the guests of honor were politely refused, so the Gerudos stood around somewhat awkwardly while Zelda thanked those who had come.
Fires were being stoked up, heavy dishes being placed deep in the coals. Kegs and jugs were rolled out, and one small keg, meant just for the bride and groom, was placed at their table of honor. One by one, the attendees walked up to present them with a gift and to wish them well. Link chose to go last, and to Zelda's surprise, he presented them with two gifts; wooden boxes with intricate carvings, and inlaid woods in different colors. Alejandro's was much larger than Zelda's, and its carvings were sharp, straight lines. Her own had very delicate, rounded shapes in the wood.
"But Your Majesty, is my dress not…?"
"I would not have felt right coming without an additional gift to present to you both."
Alejandro opened his box first, and gasped in delight as he carefully lifted out the longbow inside. "Your Majesty!" He touched the string, which was neatly rolled up and tied with a ribbon on one end.
"Gerudo horse hair," Link told him with a nod. There was even a quiver and some arrows.
"It is a custom that the king presents the man of a wedded couple with a bow and arrow on their wedding day, to invite him to join in the hunt. Usually, because we have to… marry in Hylian men, it is a way of introducing them to our people and calling them one of us."
Alejandro nodded. "I'm honored. Thank you. Perhaps we will go hunting one day."
Link nodded, then the two of them looked to Zelda.
Carefully, Zelda opened the box. Inside was a long, thin dagger, with an ornamental jeweled hilt. It also came with a tiny leather sheath.
"It is tradition in Gerudo that women are presented with a blade on significant days in their life, as a way to recognize their next step towards adulthood. Their first… cycle, their wedding day, days like that." He gestured as Zelda removed the weapon from the box. "That is a little smaller than would normally be carried on a woman's wedding day, but I felt it best to make it… unobtrusive."
She and Alejandro both bowed their heads in thanks, and Link gestured towards Alejandro, looking him in the face.
"So you're the one who beat me to her?"
He grinned a little. "Yes, Your Majesty. You didn't stand a chance, I've known her my whole life."
Link stepped close to the table, and his face became very quiet and serious, and Zelda could swear that she felt the air crackle. Something in his expression unnerved her, and she put one hand to her new dagger's handle.
"Take care of her," Link ordered him.
Alejandro's face dropped into an expression of surprised seriousness, and he nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty."
Link stepped back, and his sharp look went soft and calm. "Very good then. We should celebrate."
/
It had been bugging him for a long time, that he felt so protective of Zelda. He barely knew her. When he looked at her, he felt a struggle inside himself; to keep her safe, but also to be very wary of her. He considered that it was her shameless defiance of him that put him on edge. He wasn't used to it, and he admired it in her as a bold move. He also disliked it, simply because it was the rejection of him, a king. Perhaps, though, if he made an effort. If he showed her how much better their way of life was; the women, independent and able to do as they pleased. Surely, her… Alejandro was the same as the rest of these country fools. He would have Zelda heavy with child within a month, when she could be a soldier in Gerudo. Part of the new army.
That was an idea. Surely, even Ganondorf could fall to the allure of a woman. He was marrying Sila soon, wasn't he? But what of beyond that, if Ganondorf found he had a craving for more local flesh, and a beautiful woman with blond hair was sent in, with a dagger hidden in her hand…
He snapped his attention back to the dance, but he let his mind work over the plan, knitting it together. It would be years in the making, but he was confident it could happen.
When the song was over, he kissed Tamri's hand, and she went to go sit. In the meantime, he turned to approach Zelda, to ask her for the next dance.
"May I?" he asked Alejandro, lifting one hand.
"Certainly, Your Majesty," he replied, reluctantly letting Zelda go. She smiled at him, and turned to the Gerudo king, letting him take her back towards the dancing space.
"You are breathtaking tonight," he told her. "I regret even more that I could not convince you to join me."
Zelda laughed. "You are only saying that because you have been staring at your own women for so long. You've forgotten there's other kinds."
"No, I mean it with you." He touched her cheek, and Zelda pulled away, her smile fading.
"Your Majesty, stop it. I invited you out of goodwill, do not make me regret this decision."
"I apologize," he said quickly. "I… it just seems a waste. I see potential in you, and you will stay here and have children and live a content wifehood?"
"What is so wrong with that? Maybe it's what I want."
"I see more for you. You could be one of my soldiers. You have the spirit for it."
Zelda arched one eyebrow, looking at him incredulously. "A soldier? Don't you have to start training for that at a young age?"
"I believe you're smart enough to catch up easily."
"Well, no. I'm married now, and I want to be with my husband." She shrugged. "Sorry."
"Yes, but the marriage isn't consummated; you can have it annulled quickly enough."
Zelda looked away. It was now Link's turn to raise an eyebrow. "He didn't force you, did he?"
"What? What? No! How dare you accuse him of such a thing!" she hissed.
Relieved, Link chuckled. "You're not so typically Hylian as I thought."
"What do you mean? I was never deadset on waiting for our wedding night. Few girls are; unless they're higher up in Society, they're so very concerned with bloodlines and heirs. And I'd always known that Alej and I would be together."
Link stepped back. "If he ever gives you trouble, please. Let me know."
Zelda stared into his face and frowned. "… why do you care so much? Why am I so important to you?"
He shrugged, somewhat helplessly. "I wish I could say. But… you're to be kept safe. That's all I think when I look at you."
The song ended after a few minutes, and they pulled away. Zelda went back to Alejandro, even though she did glance over her shoulder at the king curiously.
After a beat, Link went to collect his girls, and they left the party with a departing wave. He spoke little on the ride home, staring out the window at the moonlit lands of Hyrule.
/
And so, a week later, Sila and Ganondorf were wed. Link and most of the Gerudo took up one side of the church, while Ganondorf's council and selected nobility took up the other half. Sila was gorgeous in a blush pink gown with long sleeves and a train that dragged on the floor behind her. The ceremony was long; there was both a Hylian priest and a Gerudo officiate presiding. They lit candles, recited vows, and drank from a shared cup of wine, before finally putting a cold, dry kiss on the whole deal, to polite applause from the witnesses.
They walked out, hand in hand, and climbed into the royal carriage. Sila's heart was pounding. Her time at the castle had been spent learning its layout, trying to find secret passages or hidden doors. She'd found a few; one was a tunnel that led to a small, quiet garden, but from there she couldn't find anywhere else to go. In her own rooms, the secret passage led down to the maids' quarters, presumably so they could bring up fresh linens and things when necessary. She wanted to explore the king's chambers, but it seemed completely inaccessible.
They traveled the short distance from the cathedral back to the castle, and there was another crowd there, lining their path to the doors in silence, waiting to see their queen. Ganondorf stepped out first and held his hand out for her, and she climbed down, looking at the people. They were staring at her as she walked out, following Ganondorf. As she passed, they began reluctant applause, so at least in a way, she had some sort of approval from them. On the other hand, what if they left it alone, and made it a legitimate marriage? He seemed such a quiet and reserved man, and she barely knew him. It wasn't that she didn't think Link could do the country a world of good, but she doubted that any of their plans would come to fruition, if he was as wise as he was reported to be.
They sat down in the great hall for their first meal together, and she was surprised to see a few of her favorite dishes from home.
"I thought it would be appropriate that we should have both foods on the table. We are a union of two cultures, and we should treat it as such," Ganondorf said, looking to her.
She offered him a sweet smile in exchange. "Thank you, sir. I am honored by this."
They waited for all the guests to file in, and Ganondorf stood to give a brief speech thanking everyone for celebrating with them.
"Today is an important day for our countries. Today is the day where we hope to strengthen the bonds between Gerudo and Hyrule, to improve the situations of all people. No longer will we consider this… two countries. From now on, it is one country, united under the Goddesses' will, for the better of all." He lifted his glass. "Cheers."
The company drank.
/
After the meal, there was dancing, of course, and Sila was glad when Link finally asked her for a dance. She held onto him tightly, and she was aware of how sharply she missed him.
"How are you faring, here?" he asked her.
"All is well enough. My rooms are large, I have ladies-in-waiting to tend to my every need."
"How does he treat you?"
She shrugged. "We haven't spoken much. I plan on laying with him tonight, hopefully then I can learn more about him."
"Your rooms?"
"I'm thinking of redecorating. It's somewhat dark in there; some extra openings will brighten it up." She winked at him, and he nodded once. Some secret passages, good.
"Will you get to the king's rooms as well?"
"No, I don't think so. He's very private."
Link gave her a little squeeze. "You're the second woman I've danced with this week that I cannot have."
"How was her wedding?"
"Simple. Rustic."
"Did she like the knife?"
"Yes, she did."
"I told you it would be a good idea. Have you talked to her at all about joining us instead?"
"She's quite devoted to her husband. In fact, she told me she was devoted to him before the ceremony."
Sila grinned. "No hope for you, now."
"No, I suppose not."
The ceremony was still under way when Sila and Ganondorf retired. He escorted her to her rooms, and she paused with her hand on the door.
"My lord, it is our wedding night. Will you join me?"
He stared at her for a few minutes, then nodded once. "Yes, I suppose I should."
They went inside her rooms, and Sila began to undress.
"I will help you," he demanded.
"Yes, sir."
He walked up to her and began undoing her dress in silence.
"Do you miss your home?" he asked her, as he undid the lacing and buttons.
"Of course, but my home is here with you, now. I'm honored to be with you."
He was silent for a while longer, until finally her dress was undone and he turned her around. She pulled it away, stepping out of the heavy cloth, and she went to undo his clothing.
"Never mind with that; I will do so myself," he said, taking her hands. "Go on and lay down."
She nodded and climbed onto the bed, curling her legs under her to wait. He removed his cape and neatly hung it over a chair, then pulled away the layers until he was bare-chested.
"Come here," she murmured to him, gesturing with her open palm, trying to look alluring and sensual. He sat down on the bed, and she crept in, kissing him, running her hand down his chest and inside of his trousers, trying to bring his desires to the surface.
"What do you want me to do?" she asked him, shifting and touching her tongue to his ear.
He sighed. "Just lay down."
"Alright." She smiled at him and relaxed, half-propped on the pillows on the bed. He climbed over her, and kissing her once, he lowered himself, to perform just another kingly duty.
He left when finished, after a few minutes of resting on the pillows. Sila was disturbed; she'd barely broken a sweat, and they'd said nothing throughout the whole exchange. She tried to encourage more, but he ignored her every attempt. And all he said before he went out the door, was "Good night."
She put a pillow under her rear to keep her hips elevated, so that nothing would be lost, and she stared up at the ceiling. And barely a smile the whole day. Did he enjoy anything at all? Sila pondered the island that was Ganondorf for a little while longer, until she was sure everything was contained. Then she pulled back the covers and climbed underneath for sleep, where she would dream of nothing.
/
A few months passed. Zelda was waiting in Linna's house, sipping a small cup of tea and jiggling one foot nervously. Linna was the village midwife and general women's counsel, and Zelda hoped that she was not being silly over nothing by coming to her now. But she'd lately been… more lustful than usual, even to where Alej had commented that he was just a man, and if she continued he would call up the Desert King to take care of her. Link was a bit of a running joke between them, though he hadn't called on them since the wedding. Sometimes she thought he was a little jealous of Link with his collection of women.
Finally, Linna appeared from one of the spare rooms in her house, and she smiled warmly at Zelda, pushing her dark hair out of her face. "Stand up, then."
Zelda did so, setting down the cup, and she followed Linna into another room.
"Lay down on the bed."
Zelda did as asked, her heart fluttering.
"How are you and Alej?" Linna asked casually, as she took up a bowl filled with a bitter-smelling blend of herbs, adding a squeeze of fresh lemon.
"Fine, fine. He's working every day in the fields, but he's been planning to go hunting soon."
"Oh? What is he after?"
"Deer, mostly. Something he can cure for winter before it gets too cold."
"Yes, that is wise." Linna lifted Zelda's outer dress and gently pressed into her stomach, her eyes half-closed as she concentrated. She took Zelda's heart rate and temperature, then she began soaking her hands in the warm water. "Lift your skirts, please."
Zelda winced as Linna examined her, and soon the woman was again wiping her hands clean, smiling.
"Congratulations, Lady Fulson. You are indeed pregnant."
Zelda sat up in amazement, and she burst into tears. "Are you sure?"
Linna nodded. "Yes, I'm sure. By several weeks."
Zelda started laughing, and she grabbed Linna, hugging her tight. "Oh! Thank you!"
"You're welcome, you're welcome. Are you going to go tell your husband the good news?"
"I might wait until he gets home."
She lasted for about an hour of waiting at home until she gave up, and pulled on a coat. The winds of winter had started to come through the land, and she didn't want to catch a cold.
Zelda walked out towards the wheat fields where he'd been working, trying not to run in case it jostled the baby and induced a miscarriage. She hoped it was a boy; a tough little boy with Alejandro's curled hair and her blue eyes.
She met him halfway; he wore a thin jacket, though he was sweaty from threshing.
"Zelda!" he called in surprise when he saw her. "Is everything alright?" He took her hand, holding it tightly. She couldn't stop smiling, and every time she tried to force out the words, her throat closed up. Finally, she put his hand to her belly.
"We… I'm…" she started.
Alejandro dropped his tools.
/
Link had more letters than usual—there were two today, waiting neatly on his desk. One of them was in Sila's tidy hand, and he opened it first, quickly, reading through her careful code. She was with child. Ganondorf's child, assuredly. He sighed in relief. Now their position was secured, and the Gerudo would forever have a bloodtie with the Hylian kingdom. He scanned the document; she had still not had access to Ganondorf's rooms, but she was certain she would soon get into them. She was going to bribe one of the maids to follow Ganondorf soon, and she hoped to have more information for the next letter.
The other letter was from another planted spy, an ex-pat Hylian, who acted as a castle guard. Ganondorf had three secret passages in his quarters. One led to the maids' quarters, one led to a secret staircase that went outside and down a narrow ramp to safety, and the last was locked. The guard surmised that Ganondorf always held the key on his person. Link would be sure to forward the information to Sila. He hoped that she would be able to seduce him, to see what was inside the locked passage.
He went outside, to walk in the desert and clear his head. Ganondorf had little sexual appetite; just enough to impregnate Sila, and none beyond that. Her charms were ineffective against him.
He went and surveyed the copper mines for a bit. Hylians were in there constantly, excavating as much of the ore as they could. He watched them for a while, then he turned back and headed into the fortress. Perhaps there was a way he could help Sila; if there was some way he could connect with Ganondorf, and help her find his weaknesses. He went back to his desk, to write a letter of his own.
/
For a long time, Ganondorf had exercised self-control. He had to. When he was a child, his mother noticed how he would fly into uncontrollable rages, after a long period of bottling up his emotions, he would snap. Screaming fits, thrashing on the floor in rage as a toddler, and it escalated with each fit, until one day, at twelve years old, he wend blind, waking up an hour later with his new puppy laying dead, its neck broken and bleeding from the eyes.
The puppy was disposed of, and no one made any comments, but his nurses gave him a wide berth from then on, and his parents distanced themselves from him. When he felt the rage coming upon him, he would go into the woods, attacking the wildlife. As he aged, it became harder to control. Only once had he not been able to control himself in front of another person; a girl who'd been doggedly pursuing him had managed to corner him at a hated and loathed ball. Carefully, he released his rage, feeling the power in it pulsing at his temples.
Next he knew, the girl was laying on the floor, her face red and her throat bruising. He'd been choking her, watching the life slowly ebb from her with each fading breath, and he was so close
She left him alone after that. Many people did. And then his parents passed away (none of his business!) and he was crowned, and here he was. So yes, he took Link's offer of Sila. He knew no other woman in Hyrule would take him. And heirs were one of the few ways he knew to establish immortality, if his other methods failed him.
He took the key from around his neck and unlocked the third secret passage in his rooms. It was a dark, cool hallway, leading to a small cement room. Ordinarily, it was a safe room for the king and queen, or a space to store important treasures and documents. For him, it was sort of a treasure room, but far darker. In the room was a low, round altar made of a stone slab, carved with arcane imagery. The stone in the middle was well-worn and stained with dried blood, some patches thicker than others. Wooden shelves lined three of the four walls, stacked with vials and carefully preserved animal parts, whether dried or kept in brine in airtight jars. And books. Dozens of them. Old, aging, yellowed, some mildewed with age and the continual damp of the room. Books on immortality, eternal life. So many of them simply discussed theories or the morality involved in toying with such matters, things he had flipped through and disregarded. But holding onto them was better than throwing them out to have them discovered.
He touched the dozens of volumes, running his hands along the spines. Sila, pregnant with his child, who would hopefully become the vehicle to preserve his immortal being. The pattern was in one of his books, but he had to find it again. He thought of her as he looked. Whenever she tried her female ploys on him, he felt the surges of hatred and violence, intermingled with a lust he had not known in a long time. So he ignored them, and he turned cold towards her. An attack, or even the death, of his queen would be a negative thing indeed.
He thought he had finally found the book, and he opened it to start looking.