During the next year and a half Ganondorf and Zelda corresponded infrequently by letter. Between his training and her teachings and constant guard, they found little time to write and send the owl. She told the guards sometimes the owl liked to spend time in the woods to explain why it would be gone for days or weeks at a time. Sometimes Ganondorf's words made her laugh but as time ticked on she found his words concerning and even frightening. He would talk about his aggressive training and tireless studying, how much he missed seeing her with flattering details of her features, and how one day they would be together again. Sometimes, the latter seemed more sinister, and that was what scared her. How did he intend to bring them together again?
Ganondorf enjoyed receiving letters from Zelda time and time again. When long periods would go between letters, sometimes as much as a month, he would worry. Her words always arrived just in time. They encouraged him to be good and caring and constantly reminded him that his people needed to come first. He reassured her that was one lesson she taught him that he would never forget, and that he would not give up the fight to bring his people what they deserved.
The routine of exchanging letters satisfied Ganondorf's cravings until he received alarming news from Zelda in one of them. Her father would be sending away for suitors! What an idea! It was impossible. He was the only suitor Zelda deserved. Had she forgotten about the kiss he gave her? He couldn't. Her lips were soft and their taste exquisite, and at finding out there would be an opportunity for another man to experience that, he clenched his fists and her letter. She stated she protested, and he did not doubt that she tried, but her father was stubborn and probably figured that he was out of her life completely or that this would guarantee his absence. Ganondorf would show him how wrong he was.
Zelda reluctantly accepted her father's decision to have her choose a suitor. She was wary when the first suitor arrived. He pulled up to the castle doors in a white carriage with red velvet interior pulled by regally dressed, majestic white horses. There was no doubt he was handsome with brown hair and brown eyes, but also an arrogant snob. During dinner she was quickly repulsed by narratives of his boring adventures.
"And the natives of that land were so fascinated with me they made me their leader," He explained. Zelda bet he waved some gold in their faces for persuasion or he was lying. All of dinner he talked about nothing but himself and his money, and never once asked Zelda about her or if she was even having a good time. When she did try to speak he ignored her. They spent ten quiet minutes in the courtyard as the sun set. Zelda was so disgusted she barely said a word to him as he tried to impress her with his white coat trimmed with real gold that he bought in a distant land. When he departed, she was not even present to see him off. Instead, she griped to her father about what a horrible man he was.
"I promise to be more selective next time, my dear," He said to reassure her.
A few weeks later they heard terrible news that the prince and his carriage did not make it home. Upon investigating they found the carriage burned to ash in the middle of nowhere. They determined the death was an accident and the fire caused by a lamp catching the curtains of the carriage on fire. The blaze had spread too quickly for anyone to escape. Zelda's intuition told her it was no accident, but she chose to be silent.
The next suitor was more of a gentleman, introducing himself humbly and kissing the back of her hand gently. He spoiled her with compliments and during dinner boasted about his grand crusades and daring battles with frightening monsters. They shared a witty conversation privately in the courtyard. Zelda was not convinced that he would be the one to marry, but he was a fine gentleman and so she walked him to his dark carriage so he could depart.
"My lady," The prince said, kissing her softly on the cheek and taking in her sweet perfume. "I hope to see you again very soon. Your eyes are like the stars and so when I am missing you I will look up at the night sky and remember this wonderful night." Zelda smiled brightly and the prince added, "And in the day when I am missing you, I will just look to the sun and remember your smile, as it lights my world as the sun lights the world."
"You are quite the poet, my lord, and I would enjoy your company again soon," Zelda said softly. He nodded, allowing her to have the last word, and turned from her to enter the carriage.
Zelda's face turned to stone when she heard the news. Just a few days after her last suitor, Prince Benjamin, returned home he died in his sleep. Immediately, she went to her room to be alone. Upon arriving though, she locked her door and moved swiftly to her dresser. She withdrew parchment and ink and pen from a drawer, but her eyes hesitated on the flower. It still thrived after all that time but she was not sure what the flower symbolized. She looked away finally and began to write. If Ganondorf was killing these men then she wanted to know why.
Ganondorf was ecstatic to see his owl arrive at the temple's doors. He calmly walked out onto the platform before the sand and the great owl perched carefully on his arm. Excitedly, he opened the letter. What he read concerned him. Zelda knew he was the culprit. The letter did not accuse him outright but she expressed grief at the death of the two suitors who came to see her and asked that he come to the castle to talk, just like she knew he would. He chuckled.
"What is so funny," Kotake snapped, her big eyes narrowing on him. The two witches swept outside on their brooms and landed just beside him to read the letter.
"Zelda invited me to the castle. I will go tomorrow," He explained, walking inside with the owl to provide it some dry bread.
Koume cackled, but stopped when Ganondorf glared at her. "And what will you say to her?" She asked, even though she already knew.
Ganondorf was quiet because he was torn. Wooing Zelda would indeed make obtaining the Triforce simple, but she would never allow him to retrieve it. She was good and wise and his dark intent would be obvious. Or, if they did marry, his people would finally have the prosperity they desperately needed. Children did not die of starvation, neither did the elderly, but the strong women who starved and worked hard to selflessly provide for their families deserved a better life. Ganondorf was determined to have Zelda, the Triforce, and prosperity for his people, and not a damn soul would stand in his way.
The next day Ganondorf was taken to Hyrule in a tall carriage made of black wood that shined in the sun. The brown and black horses that pulled it drove themselves, causing villagers to look on with strange stares as he passed by. The inside of the carriage was roomy, so he laid back in the shade to conceal himself and prevent any hysteria.
It was early morning, just after breakfast, when Zelda was walking along the outdoor paths between towers and noticed the driverless carriage pull up to the castle. Only sorcery could have propelled those horses with such mastery so she rushed to the gate. As angry as she was that Ganondorf would kill those men, she was excited to see the man he had become. She fidgeted with her hair as she hurried down the stairs to the front door. As she approached the gate, she composed herself, fixed her dress, and walked with dignity. "It's all right. I asked this man to come."
The guards looked at her with a mix of question and worry, but opened the gate anyway. The carriage moved by as the horses pulled it at a walk and Zelda walked along with it. When it came to a stop, she took several steps back from the door to allow her guest room to exit the carriage.
Ganondorf opened the carriage door and stepped down, smirking at the frightened look on the guard's faces. Immediately after taking in their fear he looked at Zelda and practically melted. She had become even more stunning than he imagined. Her yellow blonde hair was full and to her waist, her smile was even more mesmerizing than before, and her form was full in every way. "Princess Zelda, my lady," He said, taking her fragile hand in his, "you are more beautiful than the Goddess of the Sand."
She smiled and blushed. To be compared to the Gerudo's goddess was an outstanding compliment. "My lord Ganondorf, you have grown quite handsome and even more charming. I did not believe it possible." His regal attire was magnificent: a brown satin tunic hidden under black armor with a deep red cape and knee high leather boots. "You truly look like a king today."
"And you, Zelda, are envied by every princess in the world for your royal perfection," He said, losing himself in her blue eyes that sparkled like the sun reflecting on the surface of water.
"What are you doing here?" Impa asked, nearly growling, as she marched out of the castle's entrance. "Why did you let him in?" She yelled at the guards.
"I let him in," Zelda explained, turning to her attendant.
"Why?" Impa asked. "You know what your father will do when he sees him."
Ganondorf unlocked his eyes as Zelda turned, and then stepped toward Impa. He was taller than her this time. "I am here as a suitor for the Princess of Hyrule."
"What? You can't be serious," Impa said with disbelief.
"Am I not a King? Do I not have the right to present myself and see if I can win the lady's affection?" Ganondorf asked with darkness and sarcasm in his tone.
Impa swallowed, his power overwhelming her. "You do, but know this, just as when you were children, I will be there, and I will not stop from killing you if you harm her."
Ganondorf smirked again. "That is the last thing that I would ever do."
Zelda stepped forward, taking Ganondorf's familiar hand. "Please, come inside. There is much that we have to discuss and I can provide you with a proper tour of the castle," She offered, diffusing the situation. Their fighting stopped and Ganondorf held out his arm for her to take. She accepted and took the lead into the castle. Hopefully she could find answers before her father intervened.
The first hall they walked through was lined with six portraits of all the Kings and Queens of Hyrule that ever lived. Ganondorf stopped at the one of Zelda's great grandfather and stared at the king's expression of happiness. Zelda had not said a word, so Ganondorf said, "This was painted before the war."
"You say that as though you were alive," She remarked inquisitively.
Ganondorf smirked and looked from the painting down to her. "My history lessons were so rigorous I feel as though I did."
Zelda smiled at that and continued to walk down the hall with him. "Yes. Ever since that day I have done nothing but stare into books and practice what little magic I do have."
"Magic? Really?" Ganondorf acted surprised.
"Yes, mostly defensive," She explained.
"You are dedicated to protecting Hyrule and your people. I would expect nothing else," He praised. "It has been several months since you told me that your father was fetching suitors for you. How is the selection?"
Zelda barely avoided smiling. She thought it was funny that he would bring it up, as if he was trying to avoid being blamed. Would he deny it if she confronted him though? "The first man was no better than a pig but the second was quite a gentleman and could have possibly been a match. Sadly, they have both passed away."
Ganondorf could not look surprised. "Did they really deserve a woman like you?" He asked, his voice suddenly deepening.
She stopped, unhooking her arm from his. "You did kill them." Even in knowing, she still gave him a chance to be redeemed.
He turned to her and nodded. "Until the day you told me that other men would be coming to win your love, I did not realize how much I still cared for you. That kiss I shared with you has been on my mind ever since. The flower I gave you lives as long as we care for each other. It thrives, which means our friendhship is strong."
Zelda watched his expression shift from powerful to vulnerable, watching him melt as his affections poured from him. "Do you know why I came looking for you?"
Ganondorf was surprised by her question, but he would not allow his affection to cloud his thoughts. Regaining some composure, he said, "You sought me out to change me, to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled."
She nodded. "I did not expect for our friendship to blossom into more, but it has."
"Do you regret that it has?" He asked.
Without hesitation, Zelda answered sincerely, "Never."
He was hopeful that his words could persuade her. "All I need is you to remain at peace, and the demon can never win."
"I am flattered, Ganondorf," She said, a smile on her face but sorrow in her eyes. "My father would never permit it."
"You're right I would never permit it. In fact, I will make sure this villain never steps foot in my kingdom again!" The king yelled from down the hall, surrounded by his knights.
"Father! Please, stop. I have invited him here."
"This boy is no suitor for you, my dear," The king interrupted. "He is only doing this for his own personal gain."
Zelda realized then an advantage Ganondorf would have through their marriage. "Are you doing this for your people?" She asked, unable to mask her hope.
He nodded though and she immediately shined her bright smile at him. "I did not want you to agree to a union with me under the pretense that was the only reason I would ask for your hand."
"What about the Triforce?" The king asked, narrowing his eyes.
"With Zelda by my side, and my people happy, the Triforce will no longer be a concern of mine, " Ganondorf admitted.
"I do not believe you," Said the king with conviction.
"Daddy, when will you let go of this hatred you have for Ganondorf and the Gerudo?" Zelda pleaded.
"This is for your protection!"
"Do you doubt me?" Ganondorf interjected.
"What?"
"Do you doubt my strength and ability to protect your daughter?" He challenged.
The king stammered when next he spoke. "What strength do you have that will protect my daughter from yourself? You are a demon, destined to destroy my kingdom, and the only ones who can stand in your way is the royal family. Since she is not willing to fulfill her duty then I will have to."
"Can't you see that this is what is good for all of us?" Zelda protested.
The king unsheathed his weapon and so did the knights. "We will stop you now."
Zelda stepped forward to defend Ganondorf but he held his hand out so that she would move behind him. "I will show the King of Hyrule what lengths I am willing to go to for my people and for you."
The king bravely led his knights toward Ganondorf, who seemingly did not make a move. Zelda could feel the horrifying concentration of dark magic that he focused on as his opponent approached. She struggled to know right from wrong, to decide to watch or intervene. Ganondorf rushed forward suddenly and thrust his hand forward with a mighty yell, practically meeting the oncoming blade of the king. Although the sword shined magnificently with pure light, none of them were prepared for Ganondorf's power. The burst of energy that exploded from the palm of his hand knocked all of the men onto their backs. Suddenly, a blade of pure dark magic appeared in Ganondorf's hand and he swung it toward the helpless king. The king was quicker than Ganondorf anticipated and his attack was blocked.
Zelda thought Ganondorf would be overwhelmed by the amount of opponents he faced. She was terribly wrong. He was incredibly skilled and battling them was child's play to him. He was swift and strong, while it was clear the king was out of shape and the knights inexperienced.
"No!" Zelda shrieked, seeing Ganondorf slice her father across his chest and stalk his victim as he tried to flee. "No, Ganondorf. Don't be the monster they say you are!"
"I will let him live if he will end this ridiculous feud and allow our future to welcome an era of prosperity for Hylians and Gerudo alike!" He glared at the king as he spoke, daring him to challenge his threat.
"It would make me happy to see my father live, and to be married," Zelda admitted, slowly walking toward him and placing a gentle, caring hand on his tense arm that held the blade to her father's throat. "We all need to stop fighting, that is what is best for us."
"I will defend you from this beast with my dying breath, daughter. I can only hope that one day you will understand why I protected you," The king said, defeated.
"Then you die!" Ganondorf brought his sword back.
"Now, Link!" The king shouted.