The wedding took the next month to prepare. Under different circumstances, Zelda would have much rather it been a quieter and more private ceremony, but of course the other point of it was to convince Link that crashing the wedding would increase his hero credibility to epic proportions.
So for one long month, the engaged couple were busily engaged arranging the most elaborate and spectacular wedding either of them could stomach. At every spare moment, though, the two also worked on their magic. Zelda was slowly becoming more proficient, and helped Ganondorf spot vulnerabilities in his energy that the Master Sword might target. The plan was for Ganondorf to weaken Link enough that Zelda could cast a binding spell on him, rendering him harmless until he could come to his senses.
All the while, Zelda had a growing feeling of dread that they were marching toward the endgame. But this plan had to work, she thought. Things had to be different this time around. Because in her next life, she would forget everything she had built up here. She had to break the curse and stop the cycle before that happened.
Finally the day of reckoning came, and Zelda had butterflies in her stomach for more than one reason. The wedding would be the easier part. Harder was trusting that she and Ganondorf could defend themselves against anything Link might try. Thankfully, the knight was not known for his subtlety, so they could probably count on seeing him coming.
The entire castle courtyard was abuzz with activity. Musicians played boisterously, tables were set with several feasts' worth of food, and lavish gifts had been sent from all corners of Hyrule and many of the kingdoms beyond. Crowds of Hyruleans and creatures alike had come to pay their respects to their king and his new queen. Others had come to show their disapproval of the marriage, but they were less in number than Zelda had anticipated, which was a welcome relief.
"I hope we never have to do something like this again," Zelda muttered under her breath as she scanned the courtyard from a sitting room on the upper levels of the castle.
"Never again," Ganondorf agreed from a nearby couch. "You look lovely, by the way."
Zelda blushed and smoothed out the skirt of her wedding gown. "Thank you. This was as simple as I could get them to make it. I insisted on not looking like an explosion of satin and lace." She looked over at her fiancé. "How did you convince them to let you wear your armor and sword?"
He shrugged. "Told them it was ceremonial. Which is true, actually. My mortal incarnation does come from a warrior culture, and this was standard dress at their weddings. For the women, too," he added with a wistful smile.
Zelda glanced over at a clock on the wall. "Well… I think it's about the time we should be making our way to the shrine. Shall we go?"
Ganondorf nodded and pushed himself to his feet. Instead of heading to the door, though, he walked over to the princess and took her hands in his. "Zelda… you don't have to do this. I can face him on my own. I don't want you to get hurt."
She shook her head. "I want to help you with this. You've helped my magic improve by leaps and bounds and I think I can help." Turning his left hand over, she placed her own next to it and watched the two Triforces glow in proximity to each other. "Courage, Wisdom, and Power are supposed to keep each other in balance. And lend each other strength. I want to be there for you for this."
The sorcerer-king leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "I'll protect you. I promise."
"I'll protect you, too."
Ganondorf offered her his arm and she took it. "Well," he said as he escorted her out. "We have a date with destiny—let's not keep it waiting too long."
A blaring trumpet announced their appearance at the doors of the castle, and cheers rose up around them as the bride and groom walked in stately fashion across the courtyard. Ganondorf kept one hand on the hilt of his sword, ostensibly to look distinguished, but both he and Zelda had an eye out for any trouble.
Trouble arrived halfway down the path to the shrine. The crowd parted with gasps and cries of alarm as a chestnut mare thundered across the courtyard. From its back leaped a caped figure who drew a shining sword, barring Zelda's and Ganondorf's path.
"Fear not, citizens!" Link shouted. "I shall slay this foul tyrant and take my rightful place at Princess Zelda's side!"
In response, he got a few cheers, but mostly murmurs of confusion and uncertainty. Many of Ganondorf's creatures outright booed and hissed.
The groom sighed. "Link, let's settle this away from these civilians—"
"No! We fight here and now, you fiend!" Link advanced on him, a dangerous glint in his eye. "So there can be no doubt who is the greatest hero in all of Hyrule!"
Zelda didn't even bother trying to reason with him. "You can do it," she whispered to Ganondorf as she gave his arm a squeeze and backed away. "Everyone, get back!" she cried. Raising her hands, she wove a shielding spell that formed a crystalline dome around the two eternal enemies.
The sorcerer's eyes glowed like flames as he drew his own sword. "If that is what you wish… then I will be happy to oblige!"
The two men rushed at each other, and as their blades clashed, flashes of magic slammed into the shield. The crowd oohed and aahed as if they were watching a fireworks display, and Zelda clenched her jaw, concentrating to uphold the spell.
As she watched the fight, Zelda realized something was wrong. Link was overpowering Ganondorf. Apparently the knight had spent time accruing more power as well, and it wasn't enough for the ancient wizard. Steadily, Ganondorf was being driven to the edge of the shield.
"I told you I would win!" Link said as he aimed merciless strikes at the king, who was barely able to block them. The hero wore a crazed grin as he wore down his opponent's defenses, each block coming slower and with more effort. "This kingdom is mine! Zelda is mine!"
Ganondorf bared his teeth and let out an inhuman roar of fury. With a sudden rush of strength he pushed Link away from him and shrouded himself in a cloud of dark magic. Link charged him—and was knocked away by an enormous paw.
The Ganon-beast broke away from the magic and raced toward Link. A few screams came from the crowd, who began backing farther away.
Zelda took little notice of them, her attention fixed on the fight. This wasn't part of the plan. Ganondorf had to be desperate to change form like that. She weighed her options, but could think of little to help. The binding spell would only work if Link was weakened, and he was not showing any signs of fatigue. Now he was dancing around Ganon's massive form, slashing at the beast's legs as Ganon snapped and pawed at him.
One of Link's strikes got through. Ganon crumpled, tried to push himself to his feet, and fell again. Link advanced on the fallen monster, sword pulled back. "I… am the hero…" he breathed.
Ganon's eyes met Zelda's, and the fear and despair in his gaze struck a chord of terror in her. She had to act fast, or else the next time they met, she would remember none of this and the cycle would continue on forever.
"I'm not losing you again!" she screamed. Shattering her own barrier, she ran over to the man and beast.
It all happened too fast for her to fully understand. She saw the sword fall and knew she couldn't let it strike Ganon down. She threw herself in front of it, and in the next moment her world exploded with pain.
Link staggered back, his face pale, his rage doused. He dropped the Master Sword, letting it clatter harshly on the paving stones. "No… what have I done…"
Zelda fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around herself, watching as the white of her wedding dress was marred an ugly red. Tears came to her eyes as even kneeling became too painful to bear, and she toppled forward.
Everything else was a blur, dulled by the unfathomable pain. Vaguely she was aware of two arms wrapping around her, holding her close to someone who smelled like the desert wind. She took a few shuddering breaths and it felt like knives slicing through her lungs. Faintly, voices echoed around her, and the faces above her swam against the too-bright sky above.
"You blasted fool!" Ganondorf roared, glowering up at Link. "Your hubris has taken you too far!"
"I—I'm sorry," Link stammered, looking like he was going to be sick. "I didn't—"
Ganondorf held out a hand that began to pulse with magic. "I'll kill you a thousand times over for this!"
"Stop," Zelda gasped, unable to get enough air to speak louder. "Ganondorf, stop, please…"
"I failed you—" His voice broke. "You wanted to break the curse and I failed you."
Zelda shook her head weakly. "Love."
"What?" Link took a step toward them, but Ganondorf's hand flared with magic, and the sorcerer shot the knight a warning glare that Link heeded.
"The curse was pronounced in hate… it needs to be broken with love." The world teetered around her. Breathing was becoming harder. "I love you…"
"I love you too!" Ganondorf cried desperately. His eyes grew glossy as he watched her life slip away.
"Break the curse," she murmured, and closed her eyes.